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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

The Final Count-down...Jan. 27th - Oshkosh, WI

Name: The Final Count-down...Jan. 27th - Oshkosh, WI
Item: David Janssen, MD, FACS
Rating: 4
Author: lizzy-j

ORIGINAL POST

My full tummy-tuck, breast aug, and belly button...

lizzy-jJanuary 6, 2011

WORTH IT$12,000

My full tummy-tuck, breast aug, and belly button hernia repair is scheduled for Jan 27th. I am so nervous, but also excited. I believe anyone who has had this, feels the same.

I am 36 years old and have 3 children. They are 8, 7, and 3 years old. I have wanted to do this ever since my last child was born, but never thought I would actually have the nerve to follow through.

I am about 5 foot 9 inches, and weigh about 130 lbs. When I had my first child, I gained 75 lbs. and carried it all in my stomach. Needless to say, that popped a hernia in my belly button and made my stomach look like an old leather shammy. I've also always been small chested, but after nursing all the babes, I look like a pre-adolescent girl. I eat very healthy and work out as much as a mom who works full-time can (usually about 3-4 times per week). I feel that I am as healthy as I have ever been, and I just want to look as good as I feel.

I am wondering what size of implants other women have gotten. I know that I am getting silicone implants, but I want them to be natural. I do not want people to look at me and know that I've had work done. I'm thinking that I would like about 350 cc's, but the doctor said that I should go bigger because I am so tall. Anyone have any advice?
My biggest fear is that this will be a disaster, and I will have only accomplished a)killing myself, taking myself away from my kids and husband for a selfish reason, or b) waste money on fixing bad mistakes. I have saved and saved for this and am getting a great deal due to my hernia being covered by insurance. My tt was then 25% off, and my ba was 50% off. If I pay in full, I get an extra 10% off. This brings my total price to $10,800. This is also being performed by one of the 2 most respected PS in our area.

I guess I'm rambling now! It has been great to get some of this off of my chest (as if I had any extra to give). Thanks for this site...it's nice to be able to talk to women with experience or who are going through the same thing. My poor husband is soooo great, but absolutely hates talking about this surgery!

I'm not too computer-savvy, but I will try to post some pictures. Thanks again!!!

lizzy-j's provider

David Janssen, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

lizzy-j rating for Dr. Janssen:

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Replies (5)

Angie_M

January 6, 2011

Hi Lizzy,

Thanks so much for taking the time to post your story. I love your writing! Favorite line: "Old leather shammy". :) Having large babies can wreak havoc on your body. Mine were about that size too. You are going to look stunning once this is done.

Check out JenBob's 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Before A Mommy Makeover in our Mommy Makeover forum. Maybe this RealSelf user's question will help you choose a size.

Keep us updated and PLEASE send me a personal message if you have any trouble posting photos. I'd even be happy to do it for you.

trena

January 7, 2011

hey you can do it trust me, well worth the money and down time. I'm 16 days post op and doing great the best thing I ever did. I was nervous as well but couldn't wait to get it done, I was more nervous about the pain then anything else and when I was done hardly any pain at all just take your med and you will do fine. Take some before and after pictures so we all can see how your doing. take care

lizzy-j

January 8, 2011

Thanks for writing back. I will hopefully be able to post pictures. I went to take some, and I found a broken camera. We'll get a new one this weekend.

JenBob

January 9, 2011

Hi Lizzy. My PS said the inplant size depends on your breast tissue now. I was a full c small D going in. I had 350cc silicone put in and am now a full D. Very happy with what I have. I would tell your PS what you want to look like, what cup size, and trust him on the size. While on girl may want a full D and get 450cc and another wants the same thing and gets 325cc. From what I hear most people wish they would have gone bigger. I told my PS what I wanted and he provided. I wouldnt want them any bigger or smaller.

Cant wait to watch you go through this journey. If you need help posting pictures I would be glad to help!!

lizzy-j

January 9, 2011

Thanks for the advice! I have a fitting appointment on Wednesday, 1-12-11. Hopefully, we can come to some agreement at that time.

UPDATED FROM lizzy-j

15 days pre

I had my initial pre-op appointment today. Now I...

lizzy-jJanuary 12, 2011

I had my initial pre-op appointment today. Now I am majorly stressing out. This Dr. has 17 years of experience, has come highly recommended, but is SUCH an arrogant jerk. Now I have paid my bill and I'm scared I made a mistake. I keep telling myself that he obviously has a reason to be arrogant. He would never have gotten such a good reputation by his bed-side manner...so, I hope it's his talent. We'll see.

I'm going to attempt to post pictures tonight. I decided on 350-375ccs. He will make the final call in the operating room. I'm much happier with that size.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM lizzy-j

15 days pre

Added before photos.

lizzy-jJanuary 12, 2011

Added before photos.

Replies (12)

(unregistered guest)

January 16, 2011

congrats! I am 6 weeks post op and feel great! I almost look like you pre op sp I know how you feel! You will love it. Good luck

lizzy-j

January 17, 2011

What procedures did you have done?

Jett11

January 18, 2011

How exciting!! I am 19 days post op now and the recovery has been much easier than expected. I returned to work about 9 days after. You will be surprised on how quickly you will receive results. I have before and after pictures posted on my profile and I did not expect to see such a dramatic change in such a short amount of time.

Just relax and get ready for your new body!! You won't regret it.

lizzy-j

January 18, 2011

Jett- I saw your newly posted pictures. You look awesome. I want to have your outcome. I love that you look so natural. How many ccs did you go with? I believe that you started out larger chested than me, but I would like to gage size by your outcomes. I currently wear a Victorias Secret bra that is pretty much prosthetic breasts. These bras make me look like a "c" cup. I want to look like that, but without the heavy armor. I'm so happy for you that you got such great results. I've been trying to work out religiously to make the recovery easier. Only 9 more days...please wish me luck!!!

Jett11

January 19, 2011

Thanks so much for the compliment =) Before, my breast size was what I call a "nearly b". An A size was too small and a B was really to big. For my implants, I went with 450 CC's of silicone. I am ready for the to drop so that I can see the full effect.

My doctor told me to start taking vitamins if you're not already. He said the just a basic vitamin would help the body heal faster. I'm excited for you!

Baby Blues

January 22, 2011

lizzyj, just saw one of your posts to brooklyn. I think you will love your results. I really had problems trying to decide on an implant size. I am 5'5" and 120 lbs. I was a very flappy 34C before my surgery-gross. I went with a 339cc silicone implant with a lift. I absolutely love my breasts now. I wanted to be a D cup and I am absolutely the size I wanted- 34D. talk to your PS about where you want to land. I know I would not want to be any bigger than I am right now. I think with your height you could absolutely pull off a D without a problem - you may not be as happy at a C. I will warn you they will feel huge right after surgery. They felt like they were shoved up under my collar bones. Now they have dropped and look terrific. Also, you are tiny and my PS says silicone are better for slender woman so they don't ripple and show through the skin. I think you are choosing well but starting out small I bet you wouldn't be unhappy with 375cc. Looking at your fears we all have the same ones. You will come out of surgery just fine. I wrote my boyfriend a note about what I wanted if I died on the table and he flipped out on me. You will do fine and you deserve this for you.

lizzy-j

January 22, 2011

Baby Blues,
Thank you so much for the words of encouragement. With now only 5 days left, I am also writing everyone I love "good bye" letters...just in case. I think that going a little larger is good advice. I'm going to re-visit your post. The positive here is that I couldn't possibly get any flatter than I am now, and anything is a plus. My ps originally stated that he felt 400ccs were the best for me. Because I am so tiny (especially up top), I'm afraid that it will look very stretched out and fakey.

Thanks again for your concern. Did you feel like you were driving everyone nuts right before surgery. I feel like I am obsessing and only a few people know what I'm doing. Therefore, those few people are probably ready to throw me over-board soon:)

Baby Blues

January 22, 2011

I did obsess terribly! My mind thought of nothing else and I drove everyone who knew completely insane.

I really really struggled with picking my breast size and could not seem to find the answers I was looking for anywhere. What I finally did was I went to VS and tried on a bra without any padding or push up. The girl was fabulous - I had her measure me before and then asked her how many inches would put me in the next size bra. I was actually a C cup (not a very pretty one - a nasty droopy C)and I don't remember the number she gave me at the time but I went to the PS' office with a much more realistic view of my actual size tried on implants again and measured with the 2 sizes I was stuck between. I knew I wanted to be a D and it did work for me. I don't know if that will work for you as well being you are so small chested. I am pretty petit and my boyfriend was really concerned I would be too large. He loves them and thinks I picked perfect. Believe me he is so outspoken he would tell me if I went overboard. He would have been nice about it but made himself clear. You will be perfect at a C or a D cup with your height. Good Luck and keep us posted only 5 more days how exciting.