A. John Vander Zee, MD

Dr. Vanderzee is an amazing guy and surgeon. He made sure I picked the right size for my frame, made sure I knew what I was getting myself into and on my surgery day came and seen me before hand made sure I was alright and ready! He carefully explained what was going to happen. After surgery he checked me over said I looked good. At my 2 week check up he listened to me about my concerns and explained everything I am so happy with my outcome!

Tired of saggy baggy skin. I was ok with being curvy, just tired of looking lumpy. I am so thrilled with my outcome e so far!!!! I had an extended abdominoplasty with flank lipo. The first week was a drug hazed hell. Then it got better. Mid way between week 4 & 5 I started to really feel like me again......except sexy!

When I got pregnant with my daughter in 1996, I gained 60 lbs and then had a c-section and couldn't exercise right away. 5 years later, I was still fat so I started taking Lipodrene which back then had large amounts of ephedrine that helped boost my energy levels enough to work out very hard. I went to the gym every night after work and didn't leave until I burned 1,000 calories. I was there two hours a night and sometimes 4 hours on a Saturday. I lost 80 lbs in 9 months and looked the best I've ever looked!

Then....a few years later, ephedrine was banned at those levels because people were making meth and people were dying for misusing it. I never used it as a diet pill, just a pre-workout energy boost. Slowly, I gained all that I lost back.

I've tried everything to lose the weight and I can't work out as vigorously as I once did. I'll post pics of how I looked a short 9 years ago. It's heartbreaking to know back then, I considered getting a TT because of all of the loose skin I had from the 80 lbs I lost. When I went for mu consultation with the same doctor two weeks ago, he still had those pictures in my file. I looked at them and cried because I'd do anything to look like that again and I hated my stomach back then because of the sagging skin.

I've been on an emotional roller coaster ride with my love/hate relationship with my body. I just want to love me again.

Updated on 18 Aug 2014:
Here they are ick....

Updated on 25 Aug 2021:
I never got this surgery and don't think that I will. I have embraced by body and with diet and exercise, I think I look good for my age. Yes, I may have some extra skin from losing weight but it's not bad looking and I am confident I can maintain a healthy body by continuing to treat it right.

I am scheduled for a tummy tuck without muscle repair. Doctor says I don't need it despite giving birth to 4 children and and breast lift with augmentation. Surgery is 2 days away and I am a mess. This is something I have wanted for a long time but am beginning to think I am crazy and selfish for spending all this money on myself. I have a wonderful supportive spouse who loves me as I am but wants me to be happy. I imagine my feelings are normal. This site has been so helpful. I will post pics before and after soon.

Updated on 27 Jul 2014:
12 hours until surgery time. I have been relatively calm and upbeat today. I am going to try and post before pictures; usually I am very modest but here goes nothing!

Updated on 28 Jul 2014:
Had surgery at 7:30 this morning; it was scheduled for 6 hours and only took 4. I'm feeling a bit rough. Breast not so bad, tummy uncomfortable. I keep forgetting not to use my arms to push up out of chair but am quickly reminded by shooting pain in my breast!! I hate the drains, definitely feel they are worst part of surgery. I am fortunate, I did not need muscle repair so hopefully recovery is a bit quicker. I have an amazing care taker!! I will post pictures soon. Thanks for all the support!

Updated on 3 Aug 2014:
Today is my 6th day post op and I feel pretty good. Pain has been minimal since removal of drains on day 4. I have been rather emotional and teary eyed today. .especially when I look at my scars. I wonder what and the hell was I thinking! I had a major breast lift so the girls just don't look pretty yet and I keep telling myself wait... but easier said than done. My P'S told my S/O that I had so much natural breast tissue that he was only able to get in a 279 cc implant but they still look huge! Huge is not what I wanted.. I was going for a tad larger, perkier and natural. I guess time will tell. It has been difficult to lay around. I am a very active, athletic person and I have a terrible fear of losing all of my muscle mass and getting flabby. Even after reading other people's journeys I was ill prepared for the emotional roller coaster brought on by these procedures. I will post some pictures soon. Thanks to everyone who is willing to share it certainly has been helpful!

Updated on 13 Aug 2014:
Pictures from mommy makeover 16 days post op. Abdomen has a lot of swelling today; I worked too many hours. I did not require muscle repair so I am very happy with the contour. Breast still have a way to go but all scars are healing well thus far.

Updated on 13 Aug 2014:
I forgot front view

A little bit about myself. I am 22, 5 ft, 105 pounds. I am mother of 1 who I nursed for 1 year. The reason I am getting implants! I have always wanted to get my boobs done. Being the only female in my family that was not blessed with DDs! I was a good 32B before i got pregnant. Then when I was pregnant and nursing I went up to a 34C, which I loved! When i stopped nursing I completley deflated to a 32A. Absolutley no volume what-so-ever, just skin! I had my consult back in July. Just had my pre-op about a week ago. I decided on round, smooth, silicone gel, mod plus profile, 400cc. I am so so excited. hoping for an end result of 34Dish.

I will add photos in a little while..

Updated on 25 Sep 2013:
Here are all of my before pictures:)