“Pic of strange swelling. ”

I am 26 and the mother of 5 children. My last 2 being twins...which of course wrecked my tummy. I'm only a couple pounds from ideal weight. I'm 117 at 5ft. I was at first only planning on a tummy tuck but now have decided to go for the breast aug as well. My decision is based on the fact that I've always been a very nice VERY full C and now after breastfeeding and pregnancy ended up with a very barely there A cup. :( So depressing. I love my babies but man they didn't love my body back. lol.

Anyway, I'm really nervous to have this done b/c of the risk of blood clots. I'm only a little concerned about general just b/c its suppose to be extremely rare to have a reaction. But the blood clot thing freaks me out! I have all these children and a wonderful husband and don't want to die over this but I really would like to feel sexy again. The surgery in general is like 5 or so hours from what I've read. That's a really long time. Plus, I have to have an umbilical hernia repaired at the same time. Just wanted to know what everyone else's advice is? Thanks so much in advance! Hopefully I can post pictures soon!

Updated on 31 Mar 2011:
Ok, so my husband just got approved for his vacation time in June. Which means he will be off with me for 3 weeks when I have my surgery. I am so glad b/c he is the ONLY one that knows and he is the ONLY one I want taking care of me! :) He is a really great guy. Plus in the end, he'll get something out of the deal with the ta-tas. Lol. So all I have to do now is schedule it and pay for it. Whew no small feat...actually scheduling means I'm actually gonna do it! So excited but so scared!

Updated on 3 Apr 2011:
Ok ladies, I need some encouragement as i am THISCLOSE to canceling my surgery. I stupidly got on the net and was researching death rates for these types of procedures and found so many perfectly healthy people have died as result of plastic surgery whether it be from general anesthesia or dvt/pe. I am freaking out. I just keep thinking...what if i leave my 5 children without a mother over this? Is it worth it?
I HATE my body. Twins really made it where I'm uncomfortable. I don't want to wear a swimsuit or cute clothes b/c of the damage done. And I feel I am far too young to feel this way, but is it worth the risk?
I just need some input from you ladies.

Updated on 19 Apr 2011:
Well, I had my second consult yesterday to discuss adding BA with BL. I'm still having mixed feelings about doing this. My husband really doesn't want me to but he will support my decision b/c he wants me to be happy. Unfortunately the only dates open are at the very end of June. SO long to wait and worry. PS told me that my nipples sit a little low on breast and that its possible I may not need lift and if he got in there and the implants looked good without it then he would just refund me the money. I'm hoping to avoid lift, not really because of money, but b/c longer operative time. He says he can get TT, hernia repair, BA and BL all done in 4 hours. That seems fast to me?
Anyway, he did tell me that if he thinks that my belly button is going to die that he will not to BA or BL. That he would pull out and do it at another time b/c he doesn't want to risk getting breasts infected. I appreciate that he is concerned about my safety. But at the same time, if I have to go through another surgery, I don't know that I will. I am hoping that it will all go wonderfully (hey don't we all) and that it can all be done together. I think I will be extremely disappointed if I wake up without the great looking boobs! lol
Anyway, this site is the ONLY ONLY ONLY thing that is keeping me from backing out. I keep seeing all you ladies come out of surgery and yall are ok, so that's reassuring, but at the same time my husband said "dead people don't post". Isn't that terrible? But he's right. How morbid. I've always worried about dying and this is just about to do me in. But I just ask that you ladies keep posting your positive experiences and give me something good to read. lol!
In all seriousness I do enjoy this site very much, I imagine a lot of us would end up backing out if we weren't able to read real life experiences for ourselves.

Updated on 25 Apr 2011:
Well, I did it! I paid my NON-REFUNDABLE portion of my surgery! So now I HAVE to do it! lol Date is scheduled for June 21. I'm feeling a little more calm about it! Just hope it stays this way!

Updated on 26 Apr 2011:
Ok ladies, I would really appreciate a complete list of what I'll need for this surgery? Garments, scar creams, bras etc. All supplies that you can possibly think of...I know I still have a while but it's easier to prepare a little at a time, instead of stressing at the last minute! Thanks in advance!

Updated on 19 May 2011:
I DID IT ladies! I paid my surgeons fee today, the whole $8558..whew! Now all I owe is the surgery center fee! It definitely feels real now! No turning back. I have less than 5 weeks now. I'm excited but extremely nervous. Just ready to have it over with and be on my way to recovery! This time waiting and the anxiety of it is about to drive me nuts! So, I just keep reading happy reviews and reassuring myself it will be ok! I know all you great ladies will be praying for me! Thanks Girls! And I'm gonna get the hubby to help me with my before pics, hopefully this weekend!


Updated on 31 May 2011:
So I got a pretty good list of supplies..now I need to know about the binder and bra things that I will need. My pre-op is a week before my actual surgery and I feel like I won't have time to get everything if I wait till then to ask about all of this.

So, my question is what type of bra will I need directly after surgery (as in when I am actually leaving the hospital) and what for the rest of my recovery? Also, from what I understand the doctor supplies the binder for right after surgery (is that right?) but what am I suppose to have after I'm finished with that part? Spanx? Anyone's advice would be helpful! Thanks

Updated on 6 Jun 2011:
Ok, the official 2 week count down begins! Whew....I "think" I'm ready. I know I'm ready to get rid of ugly tummy and pitiful boobies! But the question is..."Am I ready to take the walk back to surgery?" Ha...sure hope so. Pre-op next Monday

Updated on 9 Jun 2011:
Less than 2 weeks to go! Whoo hoo! Ready to have this over with! Prayers please!

Updated on 13 Jun 2011:
Ok, soooooo I go for my pre-op appointment today since my surgery was scheduled for NEXT Tuesday the 21st...notice I said WAS scheduled. Anyway, so the nurse comes in and I sign all my consent forms and then she tells me not to be taking any asprin products before surgery and then I say ok, but I've been taking amoxil for an ear infection but I'll be done with it Friday. She then says "uh oh". I say "is that bad?" She says let me go talk to him (meaning PS). So...he comes in the next few minutes and I say "let me guess...bad news?" he says "well not bad news but a postponement of surgery." Technically to me that means bad news. But anyway, he says I have to be done with antibiotics for 2-3 weeks b/4 he will do surgery. He says that even a small infection of the ear could result in a secondary infection of implants. I am so disappointed right now. But he's right I guess. He says if i were to go ahead with surgery and then get my implant infected and he had to just throw it in the garbage I would be a lot more upset. lol I know he's right but still...ugh. My nerves of this sx have about gotten the best of me and I was finally getting ok with it to find out I have to wait another 3 weeks. So July 6th it is. :( Trying to just stay positive and realize that this will happen just not yet. God has another plan for me, and I have to appreciate that my PS is doing what's best for me. He even stated that if it were his wife he'd make her wait. soo...how can you argue with that? Only irritating part was I had help lined up for the most part of the 6 weeks. My husband off for 3 weeks and then my oldest to lift babies until I could at 6 weeks, but since she'll be back in school, I'll just have to do what I have to do. Not to mention a babysitter for the day of sx and then follow up appointments but now all that is down the drain. Anywho, Thanks girls for letting me vent.

Updated on 19 Aug 2011:
Ok, after an ear infection, sinus infection and root canal, I've finally gotten my surgery. sx started at around 10 or so, and was done about 2. I currently have no clue what I look like. My breasts feel like they did when having severely engorged boobs. Not too terrible just sore. Tummy tuck is pretty good just burns a little around drain sights and when I get up. Similar to my c section. And of course the muscle repair is like having done about a million sit ups. At this moment I'm wondering how long it takes before being able to get up a little better on my own? If anyone had any advice I'd love to heart it. And I must share with you all after all my worry and having to cancel so many times, this morning when my ps came in, he said I just have to give you a hug. I'm so glad to finally see you and everyone back there is excited for you too. And my anesthesiologist was sweet as she could be. She came in to speak to me before going back and ran through everything that was gonna happen and said and dont worry you are going to wake up. Made me feel at ease. I sometimes dont think they know there little bit of reassurance is comforting like it is. The worst part was leaving my kids this morning worring about making it back and seeing my husband with tears in his eyes before going back. So blessed and thankful to my Lord in heaven for allowing me another day. Sorry if this is little confusing, still a little dopey. Well be back tomorrow for update.

Updated on 20 Aug 2011:
I'm on po day 1 and my breasts feel like they are engorged and kinda hard...is that normal? ps went under the muscle. Worring about infection or capsular contracture. If it is normal, how long until they soften up?

Updated on 21 Aug 2011:
Day 2 Post Op
Today has been ok, still sore and boobs still feel engorged. My husband has been unbelievable. He's actually sleeping in the other room b/c he's too worried he might role over on my drain or hurt me in his sleep. So, instead he's set his alarm every 4 hours at night to help me pee and take meds. Then bless him, when it's time for me to lay back down he supports all my weight like a baby and lays me down gently. Isn't that just precious? I couldn't ask for better. My only worry now is how I'm going to cope when he goes back to work tomorrow night. My mother is coming to help BUT she doesn't know that I had implants, and I'm not too keen on her finding out just yet, so that may be hard to hide for a whlile.
Also, I feel so nasty. I had a sponge bath and washed my hair over the sink, but that really just doesn't cut it in feeling clean. My PS said I could have a shower after 24 hours but I'm honestly unsure as how to go about it b/c it says not to get my dressings wet??? Any ideas would be appreciated. On a further note of my PS, he came in the day of surgery and explained again the procedure to my husband and said if we get through with the tummy and I feel like she's had enough general anesthesia, we'll stop and come back for the breast. I only wanna do what's safe for her. I think that's very admirable of him. Overall I'm happy so far, just not keeping my fingers crossed and prayers said that my implants will not becomes infected and need to be removed.
Will post pictures after I'm un-mummyfied!
Good luck to all you ladies coming up soon.

Updated on 22 Aug 2011:
My husband has had to go back to work and now I'm here with only my mother to help, and bless her she can't lift me like he did. I'm wondering how all you ladies were able to get up. When laying in bed I'm propped up on several pillows but have been terrified to use my ab muscles to get up with. So scared I'm going to tear them back open. Any advice? Also, the stitch around my drains has come lose. Should I be worried? Or just let it hang lose?

Updated on 23 Aug 2011:
Ok, so I'm 3 days post op and my PS told me I could take all dressings off and shower and I've done that. What I'm worried about, is when I look at my tt incision it looks bunched together where he sewed me back up. Almost little ripples in it. Is that normal? Will that flatten out? And also, have any of you bought any kind of gel zone wrap to put around your incision under your compression garment or just using a tank top or something? I'm wearing the tank under garment now but it still rubs my incision. What can I do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated! AND one more thing? Should I put some sort of dressing back on the incisions? My post op instructions say you don't have to, but after looking at everyone else's po pics it looks like I should.

Updated on 24 Aug 2011:
Day 5 Post Op...I'm not in much pain really, the biggest issue I have is when I've been up for a while to take a shower and re bandage and re wrap and whatever else in order to get dressed for the day. If I could stand to skip a day of a shower I would just for the trouble it is, but I can't make myself do it, I feel so dirty all the time. And the drains aren't helping anything. I know that the scar isn't going to be beautiful or anything, but is everyone else's sorta bunched up looking? My PS allows his patients to take off all dressing 24 hours after surgery to get a shower, so I haven't had on his surgical dressings since Sunday morning. When I look at the scar it just looks all crinkled up. Will this flatten out over time? And I hate the look of the scars on my nipples from the lift, they look like frankenboobies. Actually, my whole body looks frankensteined. I know I know I'm being impatient but I just am hoping I will once again look halfway normal. And for all you ladies who are further along....how long was it before you started to feel close to back to normal...I don't mean completely healed, but at least normal and not like you JUST had surgery.

I really miss being able to hold my sweet little twins. They just crawl around and look at me pitiful and I can't even attempt to hold them in my lap until my drains are gone or they would have them jerked out. Miss my babies so much. That's been the hardest part for me, not the recovery, not the pain in the butt drains, not the incisions, not the back pain but missing being able to be with my precious babies...all of them. I feel like the worst mother in the world right now. :(

Updated on 25 Aug 2011:
Had my first Post Op today. It went well. I got one drain out, which I was totally freaked after having read some of you say it hurts, but lucky for me, I couldn't even hardly tell she was doing anything. Whew. Now I go back Monday for other one out. They haven't really bothered me much, just annoying to tote around and make sure they don't get caught on anything. He looked at all my incisions and said everything looks good. He's a little concerned about the belly button BUT I knew from the beginning that might be an issue. He went into all the technical terms about leaving enough fat and blood supply to it and just hoping it was enough to live....yadayadayada...all medical talk. I also have been a little weirded out that my nipples seems kinda low after the lift but he said that's normal, that as soon as my implants settle down into place they are going to be perfect. So excited about that. I was originally suppose to have a full breast lift but once he got in there and pulled all the extra skin from my tummy that it changed everything and he only had to do a slight lift. YAY! At the moment one boob is a little higher than the other so he told me to start the soft massages to help them move down.
I also wanted to ask you ladies have any of you run low grade fevers after surgery? Tomorrow will be a week and I've had like 99.6 off and on. I know the papers say call if its over 100.4 but still it freaks me out to worry about my implants being seeded with bacteria and having to be removed...what a bummer that would be!
Overall, I feel decent. Only taking pain meds at night to help me sleep and be comfortable, at least as comfortable as sleeping propped up on pillows will allow..lol! Well, here's to healing thoughts for all us ladies.

Will post pics soon hopefully!

Updated on 26 Aug 2011:
Today is post op day 7. I'm a little down today. I got up this morning to shower and when I took my binder off I was so swollen. I know that's all part of it but man is it discouraging. I feel like I've been frankensteined together. All cut up and fragile. Guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I'm having a REALLY hard time not holding my twin babies. Right now my mom is here to help when my husband is working and they are starting to ignore me. I know I'm being silly but still it hurts my feelings. I've been a stay at home mom with all my children and have been very close to all of them and this just hurts my heart not being able to do for them for a while. :(
That was my woe is me speech. Thanks for letting me vent my frustrations. I knew this was a long road of recovering but still I'm just ready for it to be over with and feel normal again!

Updated on 27 Aug 2011:
So, after I get rid of this irritating surgical garment, what do you ladies suggest for afterwards? I want something that will help with the swelling and keep me comfortable? Any suggestions would be helpful!! Thanks girls!

Updated on 28 Aug 2011:
Whoo Hoo...I know I shouldn't be happy about this, but my last drain fell out on it's own. The nurse told me it was a possibility that it would b/c the stitch wasn't holding it in the way it's suppose to. I was suppose to get it out tomorrow anyway so she said no big deal if it fell out. I was down painting my two girls toenails and stood up and felt a bit of a pinch and went to go tape it back to my leg and realized it was out! YAY! And you ladies before me are right, getting all the drains out makes you feel brand new! I feel so much better! I've probably even over done it a little today, but I was just so happy to have that drain gone! I can now even get in the floor with my twins and let them crawl around me and not have to worry they will grab a drain. Still a little depressed about the swelling. I look at some of the other ladies pictures and mine seems so much worse. If you ladies have any advice on how to at least REDUCE the swelling I'll be thankful!
Gonna post my afters soon. Been too lazy to do it! :)

Updated on 29 Aug 2011:
10 days post op appointment today, went well. Got my bb stitches out. Dr says everything is looking good, just still needing my right breast to drop a little more. My poor bb is as black as can be, ps says it will take a while to heal bc its sp bruised. Also, on a "fun" note (not) I had so much swelling above scar he thought I might have fluid so I had the whole needle aspiration thing, ugh not fun. Its not terribly painful but its certainly no fun. Turns out, no fluid just bloatingwhich I have a tendency to do anyway. His nurse told me that people who naturally bloat, hang onto the swelling longer. yay, fun for me :(

Updated on 3 Sep 2011:
So, I'm 15 days PO and things are going ok. Scar is ITCHY!!! But someone said that means healing? I hope so.
Still a little depressing that my pre-op jeans won't fit, so I'm stuck wearing stretchy pants. Boo. I ordered a spanx slim cognito thing-a-ma-jig, b/c my binder is basically falling apart at the seams. So tired of the swelling, but mostly thankful that I'm here and recovering. I guess I took for granted that this really will be a LONG recovery, from the swelling at least. Hope this finds everyone doing well!

Updated on 6 Sep 2011:
I woke up this morning and last and caught myself stretching. It burned and pulled and now I'm scared I damaged my muscle repair...CRAP!
How would I know? I'm still swollen a lot from ribs all the way down so I can't tell if there is a buldge or just swelling????

Updated on 7 Sep 2011:
Finally some pics...sorry it took so long. So much swelling still :(

Updated on 11 Sep 2011:
I'm still swollen but know that when all that's gone, I'm going to love the results. The hardest part of this whole process is making yourself slow down and heal and for me, being an on the go, do everything girl, it's been hard. But I know that it won't be much longer and I'll be back to my old self. I would do it over again in a heartbeat. The pain from the surgery was minor. No where near as bad as I thought it would be. :) So to all you ladies who are contemplating whether or not to do the surgery, I SAY DO IT! It's changed my life in so many ways. I no longer am ashamed to be naked in front of my husband or get depressed trying on clothes and see all the extra skin making a roll around my shirts. I hated that I was young but not enjoying life b/c I was hating everything about my body. Don't get me wrong, I know that life isn't just about looks but at the same time no one wants to feel that bad about themselves.
It's definitely been life changing and I'm still not even completely free of swelling! Good luck to anyone headed toward the surgery process! Will be posting more pics at 6 weeks post op

Updated on 13 Sep 2011:
Has anyone had soreness in their clevage area? I'll be 4 weeks post op Friday and this feeling comes and goes. But my right breast (in the clevage area) is sore when I bend over and touch it. When I press the sore area I can feel the edge of the implant. I went silicone under the muscle. This breast has already dropped and my left is still higher. I wonder if maybe I'm sleeping weird and pulling on the muscle? Has anyone else had this kind of soreness?

Updated on 28 Sep 2011:
I'm very happy with my results. Of course there is still swelling and my scar is definitely still bright red, but overall I'm happy. One of my breasts still hasn't dropped into place, which I'm really hoping it will soon b/c I'm not wanting to have revision surgery. Ugh! Anyway, it's hardly noticeable unless I turn to the side and then my nipple points down a little. PS isn't worried about it yet and told me not to either. :) I'm ready to get back to workouts! I'm not gonna lie...I haven't exactly MISSED it, but I am ready to get back to it. Gotta get these legs in shape to match my doctor's art work :) So happy I did this and would encourage anyone who feels the same as I did about themselves to go for it! It's totally worth it!

Updated on 29 Sep 2011:
Well, last night was the first night I didn't have to sleep with compression garment. I decided I was going to experiment and see if I slept without it would I still be swollen (b/c usually I am) but I woke up this morning and swelling was only minimal. YAY! I'm ready to be done with that binder...dr already told me I could be but I'm chicken about getting rid of it. I seriously need to throw it out though the poor thing is coming unraveled.

Updated on 5 Oct 2011:
I've got to go to the dentist Friday and I've been reading that some ps ask that their patients take preventative antibiotics before going to the dentist in case of infection in implants from dental work. Have any of your PS suggested this? The receptionist at my PS office said no he doesn't require that, but from what I've read online, it sounds like I should. What do you ladies think?

Updated on 24 Oct 2011:
Ok, I'm 9 weeks and 3 days and I've been noticing a lot of swelling towards the top of my tummy. I've been having the usual swelling after sodium, I've ALWAYS had that, but I was wondering do any of the rest of you ladies this far along have pot belly swelling? Pic below. The picture doesn't show it as bad as it actually looks.

Updated on 24 Nov 2011:
Ok, I am trying to be patient. And I totally will be if someone will just tell me this is normal! In the morning I'm decent but at night I am still having that weird pot belly swelling from belly button up to ribs. It's a lot worse if I've worn jeans. Also, I'm noticing that my belly seems more rounded instead of flat. From bb down it's flat and then above its got a rounded look, almost like my muscle wasn't repaired tight enough or something, even though I don't think that's it b/c i still feel tight. Look at my newest pics and tell me what you guys think. PLEASE!

Updated on 1 Dec 2011:
I posted a picture of the weird swelling I've been getting. I've been really worried that something is wrong with the muscle repair but as a last resort I decided to sleep in compression again to see if it got better b/c it only happens after I eat and towards the end of the night. So....I slept in the compression garment the last 3 nights and it's always a lot better. I'm really hoping its not a MR problem and only crazy swelling. I guess time will tell.