After losing 160 pounds I was left with a lot of excess skin and Dr. A was able to help me restore my confidence. Almost 6 pounds of extra skin removed. She's incredible and really had great bedside manners and was always there whenever I needed her. Every time I had a question or concern she was literally a text away and would respond so quick! My recovery was great and my results are amazing. Couldn't be any happier!
If your in the Tampa area this is the lady to go to. Dr. Azharian and her staff of ladies are professional and personable. If you want a straight forward surgeon that keeps it real, this is ho you could go to. Updated on 3 Jan 2021: I don’t hold anything back Updated on 17 Jun 2021: Still feeling nerve pains on the left side I can’t completely lay there for a long period of time. I know it’s just my nerves waking up. I’m cycling now toning up everything else I still weigh the same but that’s just muscle. I can’t believe it’s been a year already man in the beginning I thought I couldn’t get through it. Best best decision I ever made
Dr. Azharian is the best and also her staff. My consultation was very relaxing like I was visiting friends. Dr. Azharian made me feel she cared I went on 2 consults before her and I felt like I was just another body to them going through a conveyor belt or something. Sh did such a great job on my Tummy. I'm on day 1 and love my results. Don't get me wrong I am hurting Updated on 19 Jun 2020: Went to see dr. Azharian everything looks good. I was shocked to see the results right away. My husband has been great taking care of me. The pain level day 2 is 6. Sitting back on the recliner is the worst. Doing my walking around the house bent over is painful on my lower back. Walking holding a pillow does help a lot. Updated on 20 Jun 2020: The gas pain is bad, feels like heart burn. Burning feeling in my ribs. I finally was able to pass some gas!! Lol I didn’t take my pain med today and replaced it with ibuprofen. I hope I can handle it. Right now having a BM is all I want Updated on 20 Jun 2020: Walking with a pillow really helps. Getting back pains so bad As contraction. It stops me dead in my track almost bringing me down. I still haven’t seen my Incision line. Still covered per my dr. Updated on 21 Jun 2020: Had to use a Suppository because of the constipation & the gas pain hurts so bad. Let’s not talk about the back pain as I’m walking takes me down to my knees. Still swollen of course. I have gotten better with my deep breathing using the barometer. Updated on 21 Jun 2020: Had my husband put Aquaphor on the total area because it was itching so miserable and uncomfortable but afterwords made such a big difference Updated on 22 Jun 2020: Woke up feeling great. So celebrating the fact that I was able to have a BM without any help was WONDERFUL! Lol I was experiencing numbness in my right thigh and toes. I text dr. Azharian and she replied like 20 min later. She said it wasn’t normal but I started asking questions and we figure it out but I need to put a heating pad on my lower back since that’s where I was having a lot of pain. I did what she said and Wala numbness is gone. I knew I picked a great dr. From the Beginning and this Verified it. I have had nothing but Encounters with her and her office since I chose Magnolia Plastic Surgery a year ago. Updated on 22 Jun 2020: The front of my incision was feeling really warm so I had my husband take everything off. A blister peaking out of my bandage. It does hurt at all. I texted dr Azharian with a picture and she responded right away. She told me Make sure I stay bent so it doesn’t pull and make sure my binder is tight - minus cutting off my circulation- lol. The spot that blistered is where the most tension is so bend if you feel pulling when you stand. It’s a scary feeling seeing this. Updated on 23 Jun 2020: I’m so miserable today. Sharp pains throughout my abdomen. The area around my drains are soar( don’t mention if the cord twist) . Swollen swollen swollen doesn’t even describe it. just tired off being in the recliner living in he living room. Have to keep reminding myself this is what I wanted. Updated on 24 Jun 2020: I can’t believe today makes a week. They weren’t lying when they said the first week is the worst week. I’m feeling much better then yesterday. Day three and five seem to be the worst days for me. This morning I was able to give myself a ho bath(lmao), make my own coffee and feed my animals. I am tired now but I had all the energy to do this morning without any pain. Updated on 26 Jun 2020: I was able not to cough up until this morning. I felt t like a bomb went off in my tummy! Excruciating pain is the only way I can express it. I had such good day yesterday. I was getting out of my recliner with no help , moving around the house more. I guess my body needed to remind me that I’m not healed at all. I have my 2nd appointment today to see dr. Azharian. I hope my drains come out today because one the area is tender by the stitches and I keep accidentally snagging the left tube. Let’s just say Today started out not so good . Updated on 27 Jun 2020: Finally my drains are out! I should be celebrating our happy but all the swelling is making me depressed. I know I just had major surgery and it will take time for me to see the difference when I look at myself in the mirror. Besides the surgery being a physical thing it’s definitely a mental thing to. I have to remind myself that this too shall pass. I am happy that I’m at the next step of drains out and then I can take a shower tomorrow. NO REGRETS!! Updated on 27 Jun 2020: I finally get o talk. Shower . I’m all very swollen and in pain. I went to get my faja today (compression) . I’m able to stand up straight with it on I don’t feel any pressure or pain. It’s almost like a miracle outfit because when I took it off I felt all the pain and pressure again. Updated on 28 Jun 2020: So last night I slept in my Faja and the most comfortable best sleep I’ve ever gotten since surgery. I’ve had it on all and I’ve noticed the swelling has gone down a little just by how it feels on my tummy. I’m telling you once your drains come out the faja is the best way to go and it’s worth the price. Updated on 29 Jun 2020: Swelling starting to go down. This makes me feel real good the hallways getting a little bit clearer I know I will see the light soon. You know you want something so bad and you think after surgery wow you’re going to see your results I really didn’t think this recovery was gonna be this hard even though I knew this is major surgery Updated on 1 Jul 2020: So I said I was going to do the first two weeks review of m journey. the two week mark which is tomorrow . I was able to stand up in the shower longer today . I still have my incision line covered. Today I went to take a shower and when I took my faja off I notice there’s a little smell, so I called my doctor and I have an appointment tomorrow for her to take it off to see what’s going on. I don’t think there’s anything bad I’m hoping it’s just from the bandage smell from me taking a shower. My stomach looks a little black and blue , the blister has flattened. I’m anxious to see the incision line for the first time I just hope it doesn’t look too bad and it is healing the way it supposed to. Updated on 2 Jul 2020: Went to See Dr. Azharian for her to take the bandage off the seroma that she had poked. The skin is still healthy which is such a big relief. I just have wash with soap, pat dry area down & apply bacitracin ointment , cover with gauze or when I’m sitting down let it air out. This is the first time you’re seeing this area without the bandage I’m very pleased. I’ll do an update in two weeks first month Updated on 3 Jul 2020: Feeling normal today , actually getting dressed by myself feels so good. When you’re not able to do anything For yourself and relying on somebody Man you take for granted the things that you could actually do for yourself. I’m able to test to see if a difference even though I have a garment on that’s not actually holding in my stomach. damn I feel good! Hold on ladies if you’re just starting out this journey it does feel like it’s not gonna get better but this is so worth it Updated on 5 Jul 2020: Updated on 9 Jul 2020: Through this process of my healing seroma (blister)I have seen Dr Azharian every single week. I send her pictures every day per her request. Dr. Azharian it’s so professional so down to earth makes me feel like I am her only patient. There has not been one time since the surgery if I’ve text her that I had to wait for a response . she has responded back to me that same day ,she even calls me sometimes to further give me instructions then texting. I tell you this if I ever decide to do another surgery I am definitely going back to her Updated on 9 Jul 2020: The little hiccup in my healing process is doing great. Updated on 17 Jul 2020: My body finally told me take a walk. I walk .4 miles And it took me 12 minutes. I never would’ve thought something so small like that would make me feel so good. I’m a very active person I’m used to running taking long walks and going to the gym so these past three weeks have definitely been a test to my patients. I told my doctor and I pretty much got yelled that she really doesn’t want me walking until about a month which is one more week. It was just something I really had to do I was getting a lot of anxiety the past three days. Updated on 17 Jul 2020: Finally got to see my new belly button.I was so excited for this appointment until I saw the pictures of myself . I know I’m still swollen an I’m not going to really see the results go awhile. I’m really unhappy right now cause to me I still look bad. I wanted to get the extra liposuction on my back but my husband wouldn’t pay for it. I guess I expected automatic results. This is a major surgery and put a major shock on my body and I just have to wait for everything to get to normal. through this journey it’s easier said than done. I’m just being real to anyone that looks at my reviews it’s not a piece a cake and you’re not gonna get those automatic results. Updated on 21 Jul 2020: I am my biggest critic as I think all women are. Today I decide look back at old pictures when I started wearing my Fajas because my PS Had told me i should call to get m faja taken in cause it takes a week. I didn’t think that it was time cause it fits perfect knowing it needs to be tight for compression. I’ve been feeling pretty down because I put myself on the scale and still weigh more than my pre op. Big big mistake don’t get on the scale this early in recovery ladies. I see the change today in the pictures and my Faja does fit comfortably which means I need more compression. I’m just happy that I could see the change because my mind fucked with me so hard these past couple of days. I’m happy today and out of my funk!!! Updated on 22 Jul 2020: So the area that I had the seroma (blister)has been healing really well and the last scab on there just came off. i’m not sure if it’s anything I have to worry about. I sent my picture to my PS she said Ok. Just do what you were doing. If it bleeds only on the spot that it came off it’s good when you scrub it with the guaze. Well it didn’t bleed so she said come in tomorrow and I can do it for you. It worries me that it didn’t bleed because it came up when I was in the shower from scrubbing it with the gauze. It didn’t hurt because I’m still numb over there. I think I’m getting myself all worked up for nothing. When it comes down to it there’s nothing that I can do but let it heal on its own it’s out of my control. I’m really not liking this feeling Updated on 25 Jul 2020: My last post I showed the last piece of the healing process of my incision line and I thought it was infected. GREAT news it isn’t and the yellowish stuff that you see is actually fat. I’m an ex smoker and very grateful that this is the only issue that I have had in my healing process. Small dehiscence of my incision line. Everything else is healing properly . I am definitely standing taller in the mornings but bent over by the afternoon . feeling more normal. I feel like I could do a lot more but I’m really trying to take it easy which is hard bing home with a 6 and 7 year olds . I doing the best that I can to NOT use my Abdominal muscles. Updated on 26 Jul 2020: Loving my results Updated on 27 Jul 2020: It’s time for me to get my faja adjusted. I found A seamstress that is able to take in the sides of my faja about an inch on both sides. I do plan on buying another one once after this adjustment more swelling goes down. The faja that my PS gave me is also lose but I wrap the surgery binder around my waist to Tighten up the compression. I find I best to hav 2 because when one is dirty or I have to wash one I have another, the only time I don’t have a compression on is in the shower. Updated on 30 Jul 2020: My skin finally softened up for dr. Azharian to close my Wound dehiscence. Im back in the living room keeping in recliner. I don’t want to take any chances of pulling it apart and my skin separating. They are dissolvable stitches but she wants to take them out in a week. It looks great Updated on 7 Aug 2020: First of all I would like to say that I’m grateful that this is all that I’m dealing with. The hole is smaller so now I am pretty much packing it with guys and just gonna wait for it to fill-in. Thi is the side that you don’t see in the pictures that are shown online. Recovery process isn’t all skittles and rainbows!! Updated on 11 Aug 2020: Back on antibiotics because this last section of my incision just doesn’t want to follow suit like the other part! Lol it is finally shrinking so hopefully after I finish this second round of anabiotic’s it’s only 14 pills hopefully it will close up with no more issues. Updated on 15 Aug 2020: Finally my incision closing up .probably a couple more days it is shrinking so fast. Saw plastic surgeon yesterday was able to pack the hole. woke up this morning gauze was pushed out and I can’t pack it today! I’m so happy this part of my recovery is about done. Updated on 16 Aug 2020: Finally my incision is all closed up!!! I walked 2 miles this morning and I feel great! This is the best I’ve felt through this process. Yes I’m feeling myself just a little today. I still have 4 more weeks to go before dr Azharian medically releases me . Today is a great day Updated on 22 Aug 2020: Four more weeks to go and then I get my medical clearance. I’m so excited so I’ve seen a lot of women using the Scaraway tape and things like that my plastic surgeon has me using vitamin E capsules cutting them open and actually putting them on my scar. I’m pretty happy with my incision line except for my actual tummy where I had my seroma but in due time the pigmentation should come back and if it doesn’t my plastic surgeon said it’s an easy fix. I’m doing daily 2 mile walks so feeling good these days. Since I’ve Been feeling good I thought I would try to have sex with my husband. Lol let’s be real it been a long 2 months. It was hard not o use my core muscle but I was laying down. I did have those sharp Like feeling electrical shocks after words. Being on top definitely was a No go. We are all adults and I want to be as real and raw as possible on my review and my update. It’s probably gonna be a while before I’m writing anything! Lmao!!! I caught my hubby checking me out the other and that made me feel so beautiful. He said I didn’t need the tummy tuck and I needed to do this for myself and to feel beautiful and to feel still attractive Updated on 3 Sep 2020: Oh my I cannot believe three months is almost here. I swear going through the process from day one of surgery till now seems like it never would come. I tell you this was not an easy process, definitely wasn’t skittles and rainbows lol. WOULD I do this again not sure!! My surgeon is great, my body looks awesome, But I wasn’t mentally prepared. I really did not think about the recovery process it was painful I felt trapped in my body especially for the fact of getting this done during the pandemic. I had no way to release and stress due to my body not being able to function in a normal capacity of walking breathing in the beginning. I am not upset about the outcome but if you’re reading this and you are making The decision to have a tummy tuck. be mentally prepared for little mishaps for, not being able to walk from the living room to the bathroom, Just standing, The first week of it hurting to breathe the process of it hurting to laugh , cough. I’m not trying to scare you I’m trying to help you prepare. I know everybody’s recovery is different some easier than others. They say the first two weeks are the hardest . personally the whole process even up to the end is tough it’s not just the physical aspect ladies it’s definitely a mental. Enjoy your body I love mine couple of weeks I’m bout to have my medical release and I can get back to fully working out to Sculpt out the perfect wonderful job my surgeon did. Updated on 4 Sep 2020: Updated on 16 Sep 2020: I am finally at my 3 month mark and so happy to be able to start lifting weights. I have been able to jog 2.4 miles every day for the past2 weeks without my compression but I make sure I put it back on afterwards. I pretty much have my compression on all day all night except for when I go jogging. The swelling it’s definitely real when they say the more activity you do the more swelling you get and my backs been hurting a little bit. I plan on wearing my faja for the next 3 months or maybe until my one year check in I find that exercising and then putting it on afterwords helps definitely with the swelling. Updated on 17 Sep 2020: BEST DECISION EVER, I picked a wonder plastic surgeon !! Updated on 23 Sep 2020: Getting my medical release was great outstanding wonderful. I found out that I can’t just jump right back into full excercising. I can’t even do a plank , push ups, or sit ups. Time to be realistic I could use 2 pound barbells I can squat I can do lunges. What I found is the more I move the more swollen I get. What I do to help maintain the swelling is after I exercise and take my shower I put my Faja back on and I wear it for the rest of the day if I’m staying in the house but I definitely make sure I sleep in it every night and I take it off in the morning. This real helps with controlling and minimizing the swelling. My incision line is looking beautiful even the front with the skin discoloration from my seroma. I’m not putting any scar tape or anything on it I’m using vitamin D capsules cutting them and squeezing it out and actually applying it to my skin. Just because the doctor says I can not have to compress anymore this is how I feel comfortable with controlling the swelling Updated on 26 Sep 2020: Working on my arms & legs with 10lb weights. Slowly working in pelvic lifts every other day. I’m not trying to over do anything. I still get those electric feeling shocks in my incision line and in my upper abs. I still wear my faja when I’m at home and I Definitely sleep in it every night. My surgeon said I didn’t need to wear It anymore but it helps with my swelling especially after working out. My stomach is not swollen the next morning it’s even flatter. Updated on 23 Dec 2020: Ok just had my 6 month check with my plastic surgeon. In my mind I thought at six months I would have these banging ass abs. I would be able to jump back into the gym and pick up post operation. I was totally wrong ????. I was able to do a full sit up with it feeling right and comfortable. Core exercises has been null n void up until now and it me easing into it. The only thing that I have been able to do is walk and jog. Now let me inform you of what I’ve gone through literally after I got my medical clearance from the doctor at three months. I had slipped and fallen at a McDonald’s went airborne fell on my left side and hit my head. The selling and Inflammation was bad. So I know that Definitely Prolonged the healing process. The good thing is I had no water retention in my stomach afterwards . Well that information given everything is healing fine everything has closed up my blister I did get a small keloid and my skin has never had keloids. Updated on 29 Dec 2020: Updated on 17 Jun 2021: Had my one year visit today with my plastic surgeon. Definitely was a journey and still is I still feel my nerves waking up on my left side I can’t lay on it for a long period of time everything kind of gets numb. But I’m able to finally do sit ups and I bought me a peloton bike so I’m cycling I’m toning everything up. One thing that I have learned about this journey is just because I get a tummy tuck doesn’t mean the weights going to go does it mean I’m going to have the ideal body that I want. Definitely have to work at carving your body into what you want once that big flesh is gone. I don’t regret it one bit
I am planning to have an arm lift done after having lipo several years ago. Although I have exercised and lost weight, my skin elasticity is gone. I am getting married in a few months and would like to have beautiful arms. Hoping that I have enough time to recover and have minimal scar before my wedding in July. Updated on 15 Mar 2017: Yesterday I went to the office and had the left drain removed. Left arm is dribbling but not too bad. Swelling a bit more in biceps today but hands and forearms look normal. The pain is probably worse today then the last two days my guess is that he local is wearing off now. I'm dealing with nausea and still eating bland diet. Just took something for constipation. Pain is 7-8 today. Updated on 18 Mar 2017: Spent the last two days barfing. I think it is due to the constipation. I've been taking Miralax, and finally that started to work. The nausea was so bad the doctor called in anti nausea suppositories because I couldn't keep anything down. This helped me out so much. Pain is down to 5-6, so I am definitely in much less pain. I went the whole day without pain meds yesterday due to the vomiting. I was in discomfort but pain was not terrible. Today I'm doing okay. Tips for anyone contemplating this: Prepare a basket or bin of essentials for all meds, lip balm, antacid, tissues, eye drops, and saline spray. During surgery they put you under anesthesia and use a medication that dries out all secretions you will be happy to have these extras on hand the first couple of days. Be sure to keep yourself hydrated which helps healing and will keep your bowels moving. Stock up on protein shakes or liquid protein because you may not feel up to solid food the first couple of days. Begin using some sort of stool softener or Miralax on day one because the pain meds and the anesthesia will back you up. You definitely don't want the added issues and pain from this. Invest in some good quality ice packs, these will help with swelling and definitely bring comfort to incisions. My favorite one has been an 11 x 14 size ice pack that I can mold around my arm or under my arm in order to touch multiple areas at once. Updated on 18 Mar 2017: See above for details Updated on 20 Mar 2017: Hallelujah, I got the second drain removed today! My drainage in the right arm was down to just a small amount so the doctor was ready to take out the drain. I have to wait until tomorrow afternoon before I am allowed to have a shower. My daughter ended up washing my hair in the kitchen sink couple of times so I wasn't totally grody. I used baby wipes on areas around my chest and arms, carefully avoiding surgical sites. As far as my lower half was concerned, we wrapped my upper half in a large beach towel and I was able to get showered off in the shower. Tomorrow I can take my first real shower. I have been instructed to use soap and water on my incision areas and pat dry. I have tape covering my incisions that will be allowed to fall off on their own I will just cut away pieces that start to hang off versus peeling tape. I measured my arms yesterday and they were 13 inches on the right and 13 and a half inches on the left. My right arm is the one with the drain and I think my left arm is possibly a little more swollen so I think they'll even out in the end. Even if they don't, I really don't think a half inch difference is anything I'm going to worry about. My left arm near the elbow joint inside is a little inflamed and I have to confess it is probably because I've been using that arm more since there was no drain attached. Now that my right arm is free I'm going to have to be super careful and baby myself for the next week. I am trying to keep my arms as straight as possible and I am trying not to lift grab or stretch. Listen folks this is one of the hardest things to do but you have to try and do it. During your recovery it is super important to have a really good support system around to wait on you hand and foot so you don't risk opening up your sutures by overdoing it, and causing more swelling which will split your sutures also. The first week is critical to ensuring proper wound healing. Follow your doctor's orders to the letter. Even when you're starting to feel better, don't risk overdoing it. You do not want a thick scar period. You do not want a scar that takes forever to heal. I kept having to remind my family to hand things to my hands (funny, right?) and place things within reach of my hands so I did not have to stretch or move too far in order to get what I needed. Anything you can do prior to surgery to prepare ahead, you will thank yourself for later. I was so happy that I had made a basket of up ahead of time with essentials like eyedrops and lip balm. The first couple of nights when you're out in the recliner by yourself it's nice to have those things handy. As a one-week veteran I would say my favorite things right now are my ice packs, multiple sized and shaped pillows for propping my arms, and believe it or not baby wipes. You are not extremely mobile so you will spill things on yourself and around yourself. They're also handy for quickly wiping your hands before eating, etc. Updated on 26 Mar 2017: So two weeks out I am beginning to feel the sensations returning to my arms. Today was a higher pain day. My arms felt swollen, but I measured them and they were still the same so all good there. I think it is just the nerves re-awakening. I'd say my pain level today is a healthy 5, definitely uncomfortable but not unbearable. Taking OTC pain reliever to manage the pain. My silicone strips haven't fallen off for whatever reason, I've seen some people at this stage that have. I'm okay with that as I hope it will aid the healing process. My incisions look strong and well healed so far. My armpit incisions look good too. I know some people have issues there but I'm doing ok so far. I am a little concerned about the incisions puckering so I put pics and a question in on ask a doc to see what they have to say. My fear is that they won't heal smoothly. I guess I'm a little swollen still so maybe that will settle down after a while. 2 week post op tips: I've noticed a loss of range of motion and stiffness, and read others stories about it later in the healing process. I've been doing some light range of motion exercises (taking good care not to over do) and guard my incisions. I just don't want to risk losing any mobility. Definitely do what you or your doc is right for you. I have been sleeping in the recliner. I tried the bed 2x but it was really difficult to manage elevating my arms. I am way more comfy in the recliner with the arms. I have also been using the colpack to ice my arms pretty regularly to keep swelling to a minimum. I go back to work tomorrow, but I don't think I am ready to drive myself because my incision lines are still tight and I don't want to take a chance on tearing anything. My fiancee will drive me in. Hoping I reach a turning point this week and feel more comfortable. I have long incisions from forearm to bra-line so i'm sure it will take me longer to get feeling better. Updated on 29 Apr 2017: Pretty happy with the results so far. I have been wearing my gel scar strips under the compression sleeves 18 to 20 hours per day without fail. I believe this has made a real difference in healing. I am happy with results so far. Still quite swollen around the elbow, and my scar is more red in that area. I work in an office and I am probably leaning on my elbows more, and the fluid is building up in that area. As you can see my scars are pretty flat but still pinkish red and my skin is a little mottled. Surprisingly I have bruising in my armpit area as well. When my arm is down by my side, you can really see the fact that my elbow area is swollen and uneven. What I am most happy about is that my elbow area was pleated where they sewed that area up, and there were a couple areas that were puckered, all of this is really settling down. Again - I swear by the scar strips. Today is the first day I am going to wear a regular bra and a regular shirt without the compression. I do have the scar strips on though. Updated on 29 Apr 2017: I made great strides this week. I have been faithfully wearing my scar gel strips, and they are making a big difference in my healing. I probably wear them 18 - 20 hours per day under my compression sleeves. All I can say is do your best to put up with minor discomfort and keep your eye on the prize. Wound care is what it's all about. I am happy with results so far.
Truly EXCEPTIONAL plastic surgeon. As a 35 yr old mother of 3 kids, I was in desperate need of a mommy makeover. Dr. Azharian is the most caring, detailed surgeon I have ever encountered. The post-operative care was beyond my expectations. She was available 24/7 for all my questions and concerns. I had a tummy tuck and breast augmentation and I could finally wear a bikini after 11 years!! I will continue to recommend Dr. Azharian to all my mommy friends and anyone who is looking for an awesome surgeon :)
I'm having 5 areas done, inner knee, inner thigh, hips, lower belly, and upper stomach. I'm looking forward to the results, but not the procedure! I've had lipo on my arms so I sort of know what to expect. I do have a bunch of sagging skin, but my doctor is hopeful that it will spring back. The draining is the worst part so I'm a bit nervous about managing so many areas. Updated on 26 Apr 2015: I have a high BMI (36). My problem is in my legs. Most of the volume will come out of inner knee, inner thigh. My upper body is pretty slim. That said, I have the problematic areas where pockets of fat settled and never went away despite the loss. We're also doing my lower ab, upper ab, and waist (love handles) but that will be more of a contouring than heavy fat removal. I'm having it done on a Friday at 7am. Taking the following Monday off. I've lost 100# but hit a plateau with weight loss and working out. I'm at a point where the fatty areas of my thighs make it difficult for me to exercise/move efficiently. Try doing plyometrics or jumping jacks with extra large thighs. I'ts pretty hard, believe me I've tried. I'm hoping that this will streamline me so I can up the ante and vary the type of exercise I do. Currently I've been biking an average of 8 miles six days a week. I'll let you know how this goes once I can return to my normal exercise routine. Clothing is the other issue for me. My waist isn't really the issue, but due to my large thighs it makes it super hard to fit normal pants. If not for my thighs, I'd probably be 2 sizes smaller. I end up buying pants to fit my legs and the waist is huge. Updated on 5 May 2015: I ordered a bunch of supplies to have on hand so I can manage the drainage. I got some XL chux pads, some poise pads since I'll have 4 drain holes down south, I also ordered some adhesive backed nursing pads so I can cover the other drain holes and maybe manage those a little. I've been told to drink 2 liters of water per day and stay hydrated. Getting a little nervous, but I think I'll do great! Updated on 9 May 2015: I had the procedure done yesterday, and I will give a review on that when I feel better. Didn't sleep much last night, the pain was bad and I couldn't find a good position. The draining was bad yesterday, but slowed to a stop today (day of procedure). Under doctors orders to leave garment on for 48 hours, so we fished out the pads that were super saturated and I feel so much better not having them in. The lidocaine has worn off for the most part, so the pain level is 6-8 unless I am moving about. Then its a 10+. When i woke up this morning i was pretty nauseated so I took some meds for that. I did have 5 areas done, so I'm significantly sore. This procedure definitely isn't for the feint of heart. Updated on 10 May 2015: I am swollen and feeling very tender today, but I feel that I'll be pleased with the results. Updated on 11 May 2015: The procedure was done on Friday 5/8 at around 8:00am. It lasted around 3 hours total. The doctor took a total of 4 liters of fat out of the 5 areas. I was given Xanax, Tylenol 3, and an anti nausea medication for the procedure. For the most part I was pretty lucid during the entire operation. They brought me into the exam room, and the doctor marked me up. Next we took pictures again, and the nurse washed me up. We started an IV "just in case" but had no intentions of using it. The procedure began with the insertion of the solution/lidocaine. It is by far the most uncomfortable part of the procedure. It is definitely an odd sensation having someone poke a stick under your skin and run through the fat layer. Not comfortable at all. The doctor took great care in making sure I was comfortable. The nurse was there to hold my hand during this part of the procedure. She filled up all of the areas before getting started on the laser part. The laser/lipo went pretty well and wasn't extremely painful except when she got to where I had my hysterectomy and gall bladder surgery scars. She worked extra hard to contour areas she thought would be lumpy or problematic. Once the suction part was over, the entry holes were patched up and I was helped into my compression garment. They put additional foam padding into the stomach/pelvic area to provide additional compression. The drainage on the first day was ridiculous. Oddly enough I got it all over with on the first day and by the middle of day 2, I had no more drainage. Post surgery, I can see how much work was done and feel there is an amazing difference already. See additional comments below for day by day progress Updated on 12 May 2015: Well, I have to say that I'm pretty pleased with the results so far. I am pretty swollen still, but can completely see results. I'm looking forward to what the final results will be after I lose more weight and continue to exercise. Updated on 14 May 2015: I went to work today, and was sitting and standing quite a bit. I am sure that it did not help with the bruising and swelling. here is a picture of my inner knee and thigh 6 days post op. Updated on 10 Feb 2016: 9 Months later, things have tightened up nicely. Super happy with my flanks. Super happy with my upper abdomen. I ended up with a little pooch in my lower abdomen, but I think that was due to the fact that there was so much to take out and she didn't take it all. At the moment, I'm about 20# less than I was day of surgery. Now that my legs and midsection are more trim, I am able to run and exercise more easily. I can even do jumping jacks. This has helped me accelerate my weight loss. Prior to surgery the extra bulk in these areas made it very difficult to do these activities. I do have to say that my skin has tightened up but it isn't "perfect". After 3 kids, I had plenty of stretch marks and this procedure wasn't designed to get rid of those. I won't be running around in a bikini anytime soon. Overall, I am extremely pleased with the results, and would do it over again. Once I reach my goal weight I will go in for a revision on any areas I feel need some work still.
I have decided to have breast augmentation with a plastic surgeon that I know personally and trust. Her bedside manner is amazing and she truly cares about her patients. I know she will do a wonderful job! My surgery is scheduled for January 21st and my post op appointment is Dec 31-next week! I am getting excited and its starting to seem real. I am mostly concerned about picking the right shape and size. I have already decided with Dr Azharian's help to get silicone, under the muscle with an inframammry incision. I think I want a moderate plus profile but I am concerned about not having enough roundness at the top.... I wish I could try a visulaizer that shows previews of thew different profiles on my breasts. My husband has been incredibly supportive and I also broke the news to my daughters and they took it ok. I have also told some of the girls I work with so they can help me out in the post operative weeks-they were also very supportive. Updated on 31 Dec 2014: I had my preop appointment today! My husband came and we spent a good amount of time talking to Dr Azharian about all of the preop and postop instructions. She is very thorough and made me feel comfortable. She took my pictures and measurements (I measure at 12cm and 12 1/2 cm). After that I tried on many sizes and profiles in my sports bra and bralette. I think I have decided on 350cc, but I'm not sure about the moderate plus or high profile. I will visit her office one more time before surgery to confirm the size/profile. I was originally thinking 400cc but she explained that I have a small frame with little breast tissue, so 400 might look too big. I definitely don't want a huge fake look. I paid my deposit as well today which means I am committed! I am getting really excited. I now need to start getting ready for the first week. I also need to contact my regular Dr for clearance and have labs/EKG done. I am finding that I am very preoccupied with boobs right now. I guess that's normal because it's going to be such a life changing thing for me. I just have a feeling that the next 21 days are going to be agonizingly slow! Updated on 10 Jan 2015: I saw my Primary care Dr for clearance today! Had my blood work done, and EKG. I also bought a bunch of non padded bras and other things to help in the days after surgery (arnica, cleansing wipes, wedge pillow...) anything else that was super helpful in the first week? Also how soon were you lady's feeling good enough to drive? Or type? I am planning to return to work on day 6 but won't be doing much but computer work... Updated on 10 Jan 2015: Too cute Updated on 14 Jan 2015: I picked my size! I will be getting 350cc mod + and my Dr. will be bringing 325cc implants just in case. Surgery is next Wednesday and I am ready. I have my arnicare, my pillows, my prescriptions and new non padded zip front bras. I am no longer nervous and I wish it was tomorrow, honestly :) I also found out she is going to use the Keller funnel which makes me happy because I know the scars will be smaller. I also stopped taking ibuprofen (it thins the blood) and I paid my balance so I really think I'm all set. I just have to get through the next week! Here's a side picture of me with my 350cc mod plus sizer. Updated on 20 Jan 2015: Well peeps, I survived the wait and tomorrow is surgery day! I'm as prepared as a girl can be I suppose. The surgery center called and told me to be there at 10, which is a little earlier than expected and makes me happy. I am going to clean my house tonight to calm my nerves and so that I can feel extra relaxed in my clean house (confession-I'm a neat freak). I am trying to stay very calm but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a tad but nervous. The idea of surgery or pain doesn't scare me. I'm mostly worried about feeling tightness or heaviness in my chest, as I can be a little claustrophobic. A word to the wise: DO NOT research on the internet the night before surgery, how you will feel waking up! Everyone is different and it's impossible to predict and all I did was get myself worked up! I'm sure tomorrow will go incredibly smooth. Dr Azharian is such a great surgeon and she is so comforting, I know I'm in the best hands. I will update tomorrow with my first pictures of the new ladies! Ahhhhh, my last night in the itty bitty [RS bleep] committee! Updated on 22 Jan 2015: Yesterday was surgery day, and I was so nervous I almost chickened out. My husband and the nurses were all so nice and made me feel better. Dr Azharian saw me in preop and once again she was amazing. She made me feel so comfortable and before I knew it I was being rolled into the OR on a stretcher. I don't remember much after that, except I guess I was in a lot of pain because I kind of remember crying about how bad it hurt when I woke up. Today Im still very sore, can't get myself in or out of my bed without my husbands help. Laying on my back is the worst because I love to sleep on my sides. I do have one picture while I'm still laying down in recovery that Im attaching. I'm so glad because I won't see them until tomorrow when they get unwrapped. In this picture they look awesome especially given the fact that this is only a few minutes after surgery. I know the discomfort I have now is a small price to pay for these perfect dream bobs! Updated on 28 Jan 2015: So it's been a week and I am healing nicely! I feel almost back to myself except for occasional soreness. I went back to work 2 days ago and managed ok with some help from my coworkers. I love my new boobies already although they still need to drop quite a bit. My PS has me wearing a strap to assist in this process. Right now my left looks slightly larger and higher, but they were a little asymmetrical to begin with. I still have steri-strips on and I am hoping they fall off so I can get a peek at the scars. I was also instructed to start massaging them today so they can soften a bit. Overall I am very happy and so glad I did it. I'm looking forward to getting sized this weekend. I know they will change in the next few months but I still want to know where they stand now! Updated on 29 Jan 2015: Updated on 16 Feb 2015: 3 weeks and they are dropping nicely!! I am feeling almost completely back to my self too. I am massaging them and still wearing the strap to help them drop, although I am not sure I want them to drop too much. They are starting to soften and the steri strips finally fell off too. I'm very happy with the placement of the incisions and the size of them. I am still a little numb on the bottom half of my breasts but I expected that. I am looking forward to wearing some real bras at this point. I did get them sized as a 32 DD at Victoria's Secret which made me happy! Updated on 24 Feb 2015: Dropping and Fluffing! Updated on 24 Feb 2015: Getting closer to my wish boobs. Wondering if I should have gone a size or two bigger? I'm sure that's normal, right? Updated on 10 Jun 2015: I could not be happier with my decision to have breast augmentation with Dr Azharian. My breasts turned out exactly the way I wanted them! I love the way they look in and out of clothes and I have a new sense of confidence that transpires to my every day life.
I’m 10 days away from my procedure . 42 year mother of three had my first child at 20 And the other 2 @ 35&37Which really did it to me and spread my muscles Because they’re 15 months apart and I didn’t give my body enough time to reset. I went on for consultations three of them so happens for men which made me feel like I was just another product that they were going to put on the conveyor belt and just get it done and over with. Dr. Azharian What is my last consultation. My husband and I walked into her office and while we were waiting conversations just got sparked with the staff members that were up there got taken to the back did what I needed to do and when I was about to meet her I had already met her she was upfront with the girls. truly made me feel like I was just a girlfriend coming in and we were discussing the procedure she broke everything down to me step-by-step her bedside manners was wonderful I felt her attention just on me. Her staff is wonderful. Kelley her office coordinator very friendly I booked the same day as my consultation. This procedure has been booked for almost a year and throughout this whole year I have been in contact with the office. I had Kelley’s cell phone number to text back-and- forth . My husband and I did not want to take out a loan for this procedure . the office allowed me to put payments no matter how much I wanted to put down no set date just long as it was full payments by preop appointment.
Dr Azharian did my first procedure. I was pleased the job she did both during the surgery and also with the results I had post op. She had great bedside manner and took care to make sure I had the best results possible. Updated on 26 Feb 2017: I am 1 month post-op for the lipo procedures. The feeling has returned to my thighs for the most part, but I am still very sensitive. I am experiencing a pain on the left hip that is intermittent. Every once in a while, when I twist a certain way I get a severe stabbing pain. It feels like a trapped nerve. Other than that I'm doing ok. I've been using the elliptical 5x per week since 4 or 5 days out. I had to take it easy the first few times I worked out, but now it's a breeze. No high impact. Also I am still wearing compression nearly 20 hours per day. I feel better in the compression than out still. I'll keep on wearing it until I am less sensitive. Updated on 18 Mar 2017: I'm 2 months post op. The tops of my thighs are still a bit numb and sensitive to touch but otherwise I am not feeling any other effects from the procedure. Pretty happy with the outcome, she reduce a lot of the bulk of my upper thighs and hips and especially around my knee caps. All in all this procedure has made my body proportional and less lumpy looking. After having lost a hundred plus pounds I had pockets of fat in odd places, so the body contouring procedures really help smooth out my profile. There was not a significant amount of weight loss associated with these procedures however the way that my body contour changed, enabling me to go down a size in pants simply because I wasn't fitting standard clothing correctly.
Hello and thank you for your question. I usually place an abdominal binder on my patients right on the operating room table as soon as we are finished with their procedure. They will wear the binder until their drains are removed (usually 10-14 days). After that they will wear a compression garment for about 6-8 weeks. As for the steri-strips, I recommend for my patients to keep them on until they fall off on their own. I have found that it helps keep their incisions flat and thin. These are my guidelines. For best results I would recommend that your follow your own plastic surgeons post op instructions and discuss any questions or concerns with him/her. Best of luck. Dr. Anahitan Azharian
Thank you for sharing your question and pictures. From what you described, in order to achieve the desired look you would need a lift. A lift would help reduce the size of your areola, and also address the "sagging". With a lift you have to understand the amount of scars that are involved, and potential changes in nipple sensitivity. As for changing your implant size, that is always a possibility, but truthfully going from 300 to 340 doesn't make much of a difference. 40 cc increase is like adding about 2.5 table spoons of volume, so if you imagine that as an addition to implant it will not look like much to the eye. Of course as always for the most accurate assessment I would recommend for you to have an in person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and results. Best of luck.
Thank you for your questions. I usually tell my patients to sleep on their back for about 4-6 weeks depending on if a round or shaped implant is used. I usually tell patients to avoid sleeping on their stomach for at least the first few months. Try sleeping on the couch with your back against the arm of the couch, with few pillows behind you to prop you up and with your side leaning against the back of the couch. This may make it a little more tolerable to sleep on your back. As always please follow the instructions of your plastic surgeon for best results.
Thank you for your question. Generally the first couple of days after breast augmentation you will have some discomfort mostly due to muscle spasm. During this time it helps if you sleep at a 45 degree angle to help with the swelling. Most patients, depending on their occupation, go back to work anywhere between 5-7 days. As a general rule my patients are restricted from pushing, pulling, lifting anything more than 5 lb. for 4-6 weeks. Most scars are placed so that even during the early phases they are harder to find. However generally scars may take up to a year to completely lighten in color. During this time I advise my patients to protect their scars from the sun by using sunscreen when they are out in the sun. As always follow the instructions of the plastic surgeon you have chosen to have your procedure with. Best of luck.
Thank you for your questions. Every office is different, however, most practices are very good about seeing their post op patients and addressing any questions or concerns they may have. This may have been just a mis-understanding. I would recommend for you to call back to clarify that you are an existing patient with a post op question.... Best of luck
