Ashley Chandler, MD

Eleven years ago, I lost 150 lbs and have maintained the weight loss ever since. I continue to work out six days a week, distance running and weight training and at the age of 44, I am in the best shape of my life; with one exception. I carried an excess of 5 lbs of loose skin on my belly. No type of workout was going to alleviate this even though I tried for a decade. This summer I decided to research tummy tucks to remove the skin. I went to a couple of consultations before visiting Dr. Chandler. I knew by the end of my consultation with her that she was the doctor for me. I book my preop appointment and surgery before I left the office. She made me feel so comfortable and gave a very informative overview of the tummy tuck I was inquiring about. Come surgery day, it was by far the most smooth and relaxing experience. When I woke up, I think I was the happiest I have been in such a long time. After a few weeks, once the recovery was well underway, I continued to watch the stories of other women who have undergone the procedure. When I look at my results and think about my own journey, I could not be happier! My incision in by far the best I have seen and so flawless. My belly button is absolutely gorgeous, I can't stop looking at it and it is still healing. Lastly, I had no idea my pubic region would be getting its own face lift and that resolves so much insecurity for me. For years, I showered in the dark and refused to look at myself unclothed in the mirror. And now, not even four weeks post op, I can't stop admiring the work that Dr. Chandler did. I could thank her a thousand times over and it would never be enough.

I’ve had a lifetime of surgeries: gallbladder, open abdominal myomectomy and a cesarean. I’m finally doing something for me! I’ve always been curvy but since I've had my stomach cut into multiple times it’s been virtually impossible to get any semblance of a nice stomach back. With over 2” of diastasis and the inability to engage my core, working out is very tough. From peeing myself when I jump to pulling into my lower back when I do lunges. Annoying right? Well, after much consideration it’s time to do something for myself and get an extended tummy tuck, lipo 360 and a breast reduction! Stay tuned.

Updated on 26 Aug 2021:
People say to prepare for the mental roller coaster that will ensue post surgery, but no one can REALLY prepare you for the mental roller coaster. It's like people say, "having a newborn is a whole new level of hard and chaos." But no one can TRULY understand that level of hard and chaos until they've lived it. So for those of you considering it and have smaller aged children (my daughter is two and a half), the mom guilt that you feel is intense. My first thought I felt was, "awesome, I'll get a bit of a break!" But when your child is crying for you at night or wants nothing but snuggles, it's fucking brutal because there's LITERALLY NOTHING you can do. To pack on the fact that sleeping sucks currently so I'm sleep deprived. It makes everything worse. Oddly enough I haven't read a review like this to express fully how emotionally hard it gets. I want to be honest with you ladies! Is it worth it? Hells yes. Hands down this is THE HARDEST surgery I've ever had. I'll include my post op photo of just how amazing I look! I feel like a pin up model! I will also say that I can already feel my abs start to engage and help my lower back out and my hamstrings are loosening up! But mentally, the struggle is real.

Updated on 31 Aug 2021:
Holy hell. I've read and heard about the swelling, I bought compression socks (those were a [RS bleep] to put on) I bought Arnica Tea and Pineapple tea to help with swelling! I honestly don't know if it helps but I keep doing it. I know the compression socks help until you take them off. I don't wear them round the clock, I swell too much in my knees and it hurts.
I'm taking Tylenol and ibuprofen round the clock. The muscle relaxers I take a half. Oxycodone I take one at night with a stool softener. THE STOOL SOFTENER IS KEY!!! I took 4 the first day home and now I'm regular!
I heard a lot of women did intermittent fasting during recovery. I did intermittent fasting before the surgery.I CAN NOT do it right now. You need food on your stomach for the meds (antibiotics, ibuprofen, oxycodone) LOTS. OF. VERY. SMALL. MEALS. Low carbs but not cutting out the carbs completely. Honestly, anything you can stomach. For me it's blander foods. (Hummus with tomatoes, blueberries, protein shake(just protein and almond milk, tofu)
I'll make a post about things I've bought for recovery next!

Updated on 5 Sep 2021:
Through everything I’ve read (which is waaaaay too much) this is the list I came up with and got!

1- a pillow set. I Amazon searched “post tummy tuck pillow” this is the one I got.

Lunix LX5 4pcs Orthopedic Bedpillow
Works great on a couch or bed. I read about buying an electric recliner. And renting a medical bed. I rented the medical bed but wound up hating every minute of it so I was outta that thing in 2 days and called the company to take it back.

2- alcohol prep pads. Not for cleaning but to “milk your drain” it’s so much easier and anything to keep clean is key!

3- stool softeners!!!! My first bowel movement afterwards was AWFUL and I immediately started taking stool softeners once I got home from surgery. Wish I would have started taking them 24hrs sooner.

4-a walker if you can get one for cheap or free. My mom had one already. It’s really just for stability immediately after.

5-toilet seat riser (unless you have higher toilets) just sitting down can be uncomfortable so anything to help out.

6- pineapple and arnica herbal tea (for swelling and to make you regular)

7-undergarment. They give you a binder immediately after surgery but that thing is sooooo uncomfortable. I got my drain out today and put my garment on that I bought. GAME CHANGER. I got a Marena high back faja that had compression all the way to my calves and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS FOR MEASUREMENTS. I got an XL it fits amazing right now because I’m REALLY swollen, the compression is perfect. I’ll be buying another today. Swelling will last at least 3-5 months post op) worth the price.

8- lanyard for the drain(s) for showering and to keep them out of the way.

9- compression socks. (Love my ones from pregnancy by Belly Bandit) Ladies, the swelling is INSANE and my knees wound up hurting and popping from the swelling.

10- post surgical pads to change yours in between showering. Kept everything clean and dry.

11- abdominal binder. I just bought one, Jury is still out as to whether or not I like it.

I’m pretty sure that’s it. I purchased Arnica gel but I like my Deep Blue better (for swelling) and silicone scar pads and gel but I haven’t used them yet.

Posting pics of me now, I’m 16 days post op now. You can tell from my first post op pictures how swollen I am. (And even 1 day post op I was starting to swell) I can’t WAIT to see my final results!!!

Updated on 9 Sep 2021:
Tomorrow will mark 3 weeks post op and I’m finally seeing the light! I took a VERY light walk today. (15 mins at a snails pace) But man oh man did that feel good. Swelling is really starting to go down. You can see I’m still prrreettttyyy swollen in my lower abdominal region. (Doc said that’ll take months to go down.) Funnily enough (because of the swelling) I haven’t actually lost any weight. I don’t typically step on a scale but wanted to for sh*ts and giggles. Picture update too.

It’s two weeks before my surgery, and I am anxiously awaiting it. I’m both excited and nervous. . I’m having bloodwork today, which makes it feel more and more real. I’ve had this scheduled since early October.

Updated on 8 Feb 2021:
Eeek!!! I could not be happier! Life changing surgery and totally worth the discomfort. My experience has been pretty good so far. My Dr used Exparel
in my muscles during surgery to help numb some of the pain for 72 hours post surgery and that made so much difference in the level of pain I thought I would experience. The lipo suction on my back and sides was the most painful part.
Updated on 20 Apr 2021:
My experience with Dr. Chandler was top notch. It is important that your surgeon be highly skilled and professional, and she is every bit that and more. What really stands out however, is her character. Every time I visited with her, I felt like I was visiting an old friend. She is warm, compassionate, and makes you feel so cared about. The trust was immediate, and my gut didn’t let me down. She did a beautiful job with my surgery and I couldn’t be more pleased with my result. The entire staff from the front desk to the surgical staff, is kind, efficient, and professional. Alex, Dr. Chandlers patient care coordinator is so attentive and immediately returns my emails, and does so in a way that you truly feel like she cares about your concerns and well being.

I could not have imagined a better experience with my breast surgery from Charlotte Plastic Surgery. The staff were all so kind and provided great customer service! Dr. Chandler is a very intelligent doctor with exceptional skill and bedside manner that makes you feel heard and secure in the care delivered.

Dr. Chandler has been such an encouragement and support to me with my diagnosis of breast cancer. Her wisdom and bedside manner has been so reassuring. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing any plastic surgery.

Dr. Chandler is an incredibly encouraging plastic surgeon who understands the traumas accompanying diagnosis of breast cancer. She avers that she chose this field in order to help women with breast cancer-this is her purpose- her calling. She exudes positivism and hope. The complexities of the patient's imagined fear are assuage by her skill in repairing the the breast, thereby maintaining and enhancing its natural appearance. With Dr. Chandler's compassionate and endearing team, her patients have access to questions regarding their personal care immediately.
Miracles do occur.

Dr. Chandler is a miracle worker!! I’m 51 with now very perky and porportioned breasts. Dr. Chandler took my large sagging breasts and put them back where they needed to be. Dr. Chandler did a reduction mammaplasty (breast reduction) on me in early March 2019. I was having daily headaches, neck/back pain. I had instant relief right after my surgery. Bras now fit properly, I feel more confident in my clothes, I just feel better about myself. If any of this rings true for you get in touch with Dr. Chandler and see how she can help you!!

Doctor Chandler may be new on the Plastic Surgery scene but don't let that stop you from contacting her. She is an absolutely amazing doctor working with and understanding the issues of Cancer Breast Reconstruction and Breast Augmentation. Extremely knowledgeable, caring and very personable. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in early October and by Feb 14th I had my tissue expanders replaced with my permanent new breasts. Doctor Chandler also did some liposuction to insure my new real fake boobs had a natural look. I will always be grateful to her and her staff for how they made me feel and look through the entire journey. I most highly recommend her and her wonderful staff. You will not be disappointed. AAA++++