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Tummy Tuck, Butt Lift & Thigh Lift - Stellar Results! - Saint Louis, MO

ORIGINAL POST

Throughout my adult life, I wanted to get a tummy...

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nec10n
WORTH IT$15,000

Throughout my adult life, I wanted to get a tummy tuck, but did not know where to start. Over the years, I gained and lost weight, but no matter how much I lost, I still had the saggy skin that made the weight loss anticlimactic. Once I found the right combination of tools to help me keep the weight off (lap-band, exercise, diet), I was still self-conscious about the appearance of my body and the loose skin everywhere. Every day, I faced a person in the mirror who was very happy in life, earned a good living, had a loving family and wonderful friends, but was unhappy seeing her naked reflection. Do you know what that is like? If so, then you know it is profoundly disappointing. If you can relate to that feeling, then you owe it to yourself to meet with Dr. Prada. I have had numerous consults with area plastic surgeons, but there was always something missing or lacking in their approach, bedside manner, pricing structure or that “x” factor that must be present to trust someone with your life, health and happiness.

After what can only be classified as “massive weight loss,” I was in serious need of a body lift, thigh lift and probably every other procedure known to man.

I am a person who cannot freely spend unlimited funds on myself without tremendous guilt, so I set a strict budget for my procedure(s). Dr. Prada was the first PS who was willing to do one procedure at a time (tummy tuck, butt lift, thigh lift) rather than urging me to do everything at once.


My first procedure was a tummy tuck with muscle repair in September 2011. The results were amazing. After all those years, I finally had a flat abdomen! What a rush!! I had one minor allergic reaction that was handled by Dr. Prada’s staff as he was out of the office. When Dr. Prada heard about my problem, he called me from an airport while he was on vacation! Who does that?!? I was very impressed at his concern for my well-being, knowledge and the amount of time he spent understanding the complete issue as well as his long-distance recommendations to resolve my problem. Within a very short amount of time, my allergic reaction subsided, just as the doctor said it would, and I was on my way to complete healing.

My second set of procedures (butt & thigh lift) was in March of 2012. The recovery time was a bit longer as they were big procedures, but the results have been stellar. I had no complications and was able to return to work in my home office after just 2 weeks. I was able to travel back in the office after 3 weeks. My butt is lifted, my abdomen is flat and my thighs are slimmer! I put myself in Dr. Prada’s hands and he has given me the greatest gift ever: a body I can be proud to say is mine. I’ve recently bought a couple of full-length mirrors and like myself naked again! Yay!!!
 

nec10n's provider

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS

Christian A. Prada, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

5.0 | 518 Reviews
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nec10n

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Replies (15)

September 20, 2012

Hi there, welcome and thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. Congratulations on your weight loss, you totally deserve the new body you've worked so hard for! If you don't mind sharing, how did you lose the weight?

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September 20, 2012

Hello Kristy, thank you for the kind words. I don't mind telling you that I lost the weight by having a Lap-Band procedure in 2008 and combining that with exercise and sensible eating habits (usually!). It has been a long journey and was so happy to find a surgeon I believed in -- and who believed in me. I can't say enough nice things about him and his staff.

September 23, 2012

Well, congratulations on your weight loss, you look really good in your after pic and you deserve the new body you've been working so hard for! WLS isn't an easy way out, it takes a life time of commitment and you seem to be doing an awesome job so far!

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October 8, 2012
Thank you for the kind words. And thank you also for the suggestion to start a blog. I'm considering it!
October 8, 2012

No problem at all, yours is definitely an experience worth sharing!

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September 27, 2014
I think you are one of the photos in his portfolio in the office :) He was showing me the scarring from the lower body lift.. I was going into with mommy makeover and breast lift with augmentation. But this was an option and after talking it over I am afraid I would be left with horrible pan handles in my lower back area that would protrude over my jeans so lower body lift is the way I am going. Thanks for sharing your story and you wonderful journey.
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September 28, 2014
I'll be sure to send him a bill for putting me in his portfolio. ;-) You can trust Dr. Prada's opinion on what you need to be satisfied with the results. He didn't strike me as the type to oversell procedures just to make a buck. You're going to be so happy with your results!
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January 22, 2015
Less than a week away.. So excited..:)
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January 22, 2015
I was just thinking about you a few days ago! I'm excited for you. I know you'll be thrilled. I wish you all the best. Let me know if you have any other questions before your Big Day!!
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January 23, 2015
All my stress has come from workplace my FMLA was denied and so was my Short term Disability. So now I have to take personal LOA which is fine if they would just used enough Vacation time to pay for my benefits so I don't owe money when I return and getting a full paycheck again.. And I am only approved for 30 days need to try to get an extension. I am concerned about healing I know I will have two pain pumps and 4 drains I hope my results come out as good as yours I wanted to lose 20lbs and despite working out 5/6 days a week It didn't happen. As matter of fact when I started Insanity Max I gained 4 lbs I have lost inches and my skin is more laxed so I know there is more skin that can be removed. How hard is recovery.. Am I going to be in a drug induced coma the first week? I have a lift chair toilet seat riser and a walker. Pecocet for pain and valium for spasms. Is my husband going to be able to handle this? He is not much on blood ? I guess I will find out I don't think he will be doing much for me. I have prepared meals for the freezer and got some frozen foods and easy to make meals.. So will all be good I have stocked up on High protein shakes oatmeal and low sodium soup and broth Gatorade so I sorta feel a little prepared but not way to fully prepare until your there??? How was your recovery?
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January 23, 2015
Well, its unfortunate aout the FMLA and STD not being approved, but I'm glad you're proceeding anyway. I didn't let anything stop me either. Mine was done in two separate surgeries, so your recovery will be different than mine. Mine was fine though. I took off 1.5 weeks for my tummy tuck and I think 2 weeks for my butt/thigh lift. They were spaced about 6 months apart, but that was only because I couldn't afford to do all of it at once. I bought a toilet seat riser and walker too, as well as one of those grabber thingies for when I dropped things. I learned real fast that I needed a lanyard wrapped around the handle of the grabber though because I kept dropping the doggone thing!! I lived alone at the time and was able to manage everything on my own with very little difficulty. I wasn't a zombie or anything, but did not drive for the first week due to the meds and I wanted to give my body time to heal properly which would not have happened if I had been driving myself around. The drains were a pain in the behind, but I managed just fine. Be meticulous about draining them, logging the amounts, colors, etc and keeping clean with all of it. I know I dont have to tell you about cleanliness though. All of that will be behind you in a week or two and then it'll be smooth sailing. I think they left my drains in for an extra few days because there was a lot still coming out of them. Dr. Prada is very careful and thorough, so if he recommends leaving them in, then do it. He really knows his stuff. You're way more prepared for surgery than I was. I didn't have prepared meals or anything like that! Heck, I might just come to your house to eat! LOL. You're fortunate to have your husband there for you. The first couple of days you'll be out of it and adjusting to bandages, etc. There wasn't any blood except for the little bit in my drains. As for losing more weight, don't worry about it. If it was a problem, I'm confident that Dr. Prada would have said something to you. I hope this note helps. I'm here if anything else comes up. Of course the good Dr can answer detailed questions for you too.
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February 8, 2015
I survived !! 10 days PO and doing really well. The first night was the worse I has so much nausea. I was taking dilaudid around the clock. Got 8 liter of fluid during surgery only put out 200 in urine, I knew that was not going to be good for a couple of days. Only took 6 hours vs the 7 1/2 he was anticipating. I love my boobs and my belly button which is not longer a crater, but not seeing to much in lower body but don't really expect too for a while. I can see some changes like the one distinctive freckle used to be up under my left breast in now just above the incison line. I posted a photo of the skin he removed and some photos after my first shower have not taken any other since then will at my next visit on Tuesday when the last two drains come out and the sutures from belly button come out all the tape comes off. Did you use any scar treatment? I have some scar away I plan to use when allowed to, I did go for a couple of small walks outside today it was so nice. Or did you use anything on your scar at all? The office wanted me to buy the 247$ scar treatment from them but I didn't because I do know that if that is what I am going to use I can get it cheaper from Amazon. Just wanted to touch base with you since I made it to the other side :)
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February 9, 2015
That's great news! I'm so happy for you!! It'll only get better from here and you'll be more and more pleased with the results. You can do what you want with the scar treatment, but I used cocoa butter lotion (over the ciunter, recommended by Dr. Prada at the time). I also used some scar away sheets, but wound up just using the lotion due to aggravation from the scar away...and they didn't seem to be helping. I had great results just using the OTC lotion. Ask Dr. Prada for the benefit of their lotion over what you plan to use. I believe he'll be honest since he's not a partner in the overpriced med spa. That's just my two cents. :) Keep the updates coming. I hope to read your review soon.
June 15, 2016
You have improved a lot !! I would go back to enhance the butt, you need more fat to fill some of the lost tone skin in your chicks. Congrats for your new look!
June 16, 2016
Wow! Your results are fantastic! You look great!
UPDATED FROM nec10n

Lower Half Makeover (tummy tuck, thigh lift, butt lift)

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nec10n
Adding photos to my profile

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UPDATED FROM nec10n

Lower Half Makeover (tummy, thighs, butt)

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nec10n
Adding side view of before & after

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June 14, 2016
How was your recovery for your thigh lift? I hear these are very rough. Any complications? How long were you off work?