Basil Michaels, MD

My breasts were mildly tuberous (pointy, slightly drooped, puffy nipples) which basically means that your breast envelope is too tight to allow your breast tissue to fall underneath, aka NO underboob, and it causes your nipples to be herniated with your boob fat. I always wanted them corrected as well as much larger, since i’m a larger curvy girl and was rockin AA’s. awful. I went to my consult on 12/5/18 and my surgeon told me that because of the shape, i would have to go high profile, over the muscle, which did make me freak a little. i had done so much research and everyone was getting under the muscle and saying how better that was. but after further research i realized that it is a common way to help fill out a tuberous breast and kinda lift it without actually doing a lift. my advice to you would be to keep an open mind when going in and getting the consultation, everyone’s body and situation is different. also, being 5’6 and 200lbs he said if i wanted a D, he recommended 450ccs at least for the width of my chest, starting size of AA and body structure. again, i watched so many videos and looked at so many pics on here and saw that sometimes a 300cc could look HUGE, so i was also freaked out about that. but again, he reassured me everyone is different. also, due to my larger nipples, and slight droop he did tell me he may have to do a donut mastoplexy around my nipple and reduce the size of it, but he wasn’t sure. later on after a 2nd appointment and trying some sizes on again, i ultimately chose 500ccs. go big or go home, right? i got the procedure done yesterday and it was my very first surgery so i was soso nervous. i never even had an IV before. but the staff was so good to me and friendly, very light hearted and even joking with me alot and it really helped. after the IV i was taken to the OR and was in there for less than 2 minutes before i was snoozin away. i woke up and the first thing i mumbled was “do i have [RS bleep]?” lol. i looked down at my boobs and i was so happy that i cried a bit. (also could have been from bein a little doped up aha). They did also end up doing my nipple lift. i had no nausea, they gave me something before i woke up, which i was thankful for. Not too much pain so far, mostly tightness. some girls online were sayin “its so much pressure, like an elephant on your chest, its hard to breathe”, but for me so far honestly, it’s doable. i can breathe fine. the most uncomfortable thing was that my throat did feel really sore from the breathing tube, its morning of the day after the surgery and it’s still hurtin a bit. the swelling is also a lot, its tight. my boobs are HARD AS A ROCK, FOR REAL and very high up. i was prescribed vicadin, but have never taken prescription pain meds and was super hesitant about it, i dont mind just taking a little and feeling some pain, if youre not in pain, youre not livin. but in general, not bad at all. the stiffness is real though, like “morning boob” as they call it, does happen. i have a post op in two days when i can start wearing a sports bra. i’m going back to my desk job after my appointment. and i can shower tomorrow night. i am just so happy with them so far, i dont care if my nipples are all bloody and [RS bleep], i didnt wake up with swollen bloody boobs and regret it, i woke up and had “normal” boobs for the first time in my life and felt such gratitude. likei have roundies! no more pointies! =] =] and they can only get better from here. i’ll keep posting updates as i progress, i want to share my experience because this site really helped me with my research and i dont think that tuberous boobs are talked about enough even though i’m pretty sure they are common and i dont think there are many experiences shared about bigger girls who want this done, either (for obvous reasons because a lot of the times curvy girlies are blessed with big girlies) but any chunky but funky ladies like me with itty bitties, i hope you don’t feel alone and i hope this helps! <3 Updated on 22 Jan 2018: Updated on 24 Jan 2018: i was introduced to the dreaded band at my appointment yesterday. its been the suckiest thing about the surgery so far, but after the hunp of the first day and getting used to it, its not AS bad. i have to wear it 24/7 except showering until my next appointment on tuesday. hopefully it will have pushed my implants down enough by then and i wont need it for a second week! cuz its so hard to sleep with it, i’m so sleepy at work! lol Updated on 27 Jan 2018: they are starting to get a bit lower from the band. Updated on 31 Jan 2018: steristrips are off on the underneath part, but still on my nipples. starting to drop, still a long way to go though. Updated on 31 Jan 2018: Updated on 6 Feb 2018: most of my steristrips have come off, my PS said it was fine, that they’ll fall off when they’re ready. the stitches are a little raised up in some places, but i assume its too early to put anything on the scars. i only have to wear the band at night when i sleep now and they seem to be dropping nicely. i can’t wait until i get the okay to take a bath again, oh my lord i have bath bombs to use. Updated on 10 Feb 2018: scars are still sore, some parts are raised, some are smooth. but i feel like they look a little irritated?? maybe i’m just being paranoid. also, my right breast is dropping a little faster than my left, still. my next appointment is in a little over 2 weeks, i’m hopingggg he tells me i caan get bras, that’s gonna be fun.

I had a tummy tuck with Dr Michaels. The whole process was really easy, I felt comfortable with him, and I went from pre-op to table in less than two weeks (my choice.) everyone was very kind and I felt supported. Recovery was very manageable with a pain pump/ I did not take pain killers. There was no compression garment as I did not have lipo done, just plication and excise of skin. The drains are still in, hopefully one is coming out tmrw (the surgery was last Friday 4/22, my post op is Tuesday 4/26) I've noticed I've been thinking more and more about getting a nose job whichever never occurred to me before because I was only thinking about my tummy. Is there a chance I could become one of those people, upon realizing how easy and bearable these procedures are, to start with the rhinoplasties and chin implants and liposuctions everywhere? I know I'm not perfect, but now that I've fixed what was bothering me most, I'm realizing that there's an awful lot left to fix all of a sudden. This is freaking me out. I did not expect to respond this way at all.

Had a tummy tuck with muscle repair 6 days ago. Was off narcotic pain meds in 2 days, barely needed any Tylenol after that. I had 3 children who stretched my body beyond all recognition, and now I have a flat stomach and a brand new adorable belly button. It is true, that you cannot feel your abdomen after the tummy tuck, and may never feel the center of it ever again, but it is a small trade off for the ability to wear clothes that fit right again, and to have the confidence that this is already giving me. I recommend finding a DR. that uses MAC anesthesia rather than general with Rib Blocks and then follows that with a Pain Pump that runs out in 4 days or so. This is because it tricks your body into thinking that you are not in pain, and you wake up easier and have no nausea after surgery. Totally minimizes risks. I don't remember very much of the surgery, only the beginning and the end- was sleeping through the rest of it. I am thrilled, even with swelling and numbness.

I couldn't wait to have this done. I am 52, 5'5" tall and have weighed arond 120 pounds my whole life. My skin just isn't aging well and seems to want to sag. Bad genetics i guess. I did a neck lift with fat transfer. Below is day of surgery and day after photo. Looks great but, as soon as i took compression wrap off to take a shower I felt something release under my chin. I went to the doctors to have stitched removed and told him and he said it looks great. I go back on the 20th to have staples removed. I have noticed that there is already loose skin under chin, not sure if it is just the swelling going down or what but time will tell. Fingers crossed. Updated on 18 Feb 2024: A little worried. Seems to be releasing more and more under chin. I go to doctors for staple removal in 2 days. I am hoping it works itself out but I doubt it. We will see how the doctor feels about it. Updated on 21 Feb 2024: I am now 2-weeks out and had my staples removed yesterday. Still concerned about the lumps under my chin but doctor says I have to wait it out 6 months to see how it settles. Time will tell. I never had any bruising. The black mark under my eye is marker. I did swell up a little on Friday afternoon into Saturday morning and then it just went back down. Updated on 21 Feb 2024: Looks good but the lumps under my chin concern me. As I already said I need to wait 6 months to see how it settles. Hopefully I won't look like someone who will need a neck lift in a few years rather than someone who just had a neck lift 2 weeks ago.

Hello all! I am very new with this but I am sooo excited for my tummy tuck. I had my consult about a week ago to move forward with abdominoplasty and possible muscle repair. I gained 60 lbs with my pregnancy and have the ample stretch marks to prove it. I have since then lost the 60 lbs, but ideally need to lose 20 more to get to the ideal bmi. My max weight was 201 lbs the day I went into labor. I'm back down to about 145 but need to be around 125-130 lbs for the best results. I'm scheduled to have my surgery on Dec. 16th and my 6-wk pre-op Nov. 10th. I have until then to reach my goal weight. I'll keep updating as I get closer to the big day. I can't wait!!!

Thank you all for posting your stories. I have booked my tt with muscle repair and have become obsessed with reading about everyone else's. I have lost 60 pounds over the last few years through changing my eating and exercise habits. Still would like to lose 20 or 30 more, but have been stable for awhile and have decided not to wait any longer to get rid of my apron of hanging skin. One question: any golfers out there? How long did you wait after your tt to golf again? I can imagine that a full swing will pull on the muscle repair if I try too soon. Updated on 24 Feb 2014: Had my final pre-op appointment today and will be at the surgery center Friday morning at 7am. Got all my questions answered and feel ready to get this done. I'll spend the week keeping busy with preparations and projects. Hope I can sleep -- I have a lot of trouble sleeping when I am either excited about something or worried -- and this week I think I am both. Thanks RS friends for all the good support and advice. It has been great to read all about your journeys! Can't wait to move to Flatlandia! Updated on 26 Feb 2014: Two days from right now I will be in surgery!! I am excited, mostly organized, and have plenty to keep me busy until Friday. I find myself constantly imagining things that will be different after my tt. Driving on a bumpy road I notice my belly jiggling and jouncing with every bump. I notice how much my tummy gets in the way when I bend over. I see the apron of flab every time I get dressed (and I push it up or to the side to imagine how different I will look). I am aware of my tummy sliding around when I turn over in bed. Cannot wait for all these sensations to be gone. I am ready to embrace the healing and enjoy the new, flatter me. Updated on 26 Feb 2014: This will be so different in a couple of days! Updated on 26 Feb 2014: I got a helpful tip from my primary care doctor that I wanted to share with everyone who has upcoming surgery. If you read the blogs the thing that lots of people suffer with is constipation and painful pooping after surgery. I discussed this with my primary care doc and he suggested starting miralax once a day for about 5 days before surgery. Miralax is so mild that you can take it every day for the rest of your life if you need to. It just ensures that everything in the bowel is very soft. If you wait to treat the problem after surgery you may have some residual hard stuff. Sorry, I know, gross. But we all have to deal with this, right? Anyway, I started taking miralax a couple of days ago and things are going very smoothly -- LOL. I will have my surgery on Friday and plan to keep taking miralax until I am off the vicodin. I like to mix it into hot tea -- can't taste it or even tell it is there. Just mix well. Good luck to everyone. Updated on 27 Feb 2014: Just wanted to take a moment to send good wishes to all my RS buddies who are having surgery tomorrow. There are at least 4 of us, so we'll have lots of news to share in the coming days. Thank you to all the kind, generous, honest women who bare themselves physically and emotionally on this site. Because of all of you, I am going into my surgery feeling calm and prepared. My mantra is "let the healing begin". Hugs and much appreciation to those who have gone before, hugs and best wishes to those about to embark on the next step. Can't wait to read everybody's updates. Updated on 28 Feb 2014: I have made it to the flat side! All went well. Doctor and whole staff were wonderful. Have a pain pump and vicodin. Going to rest now. Best wishes to my surgery buddies who are crossing to the flat side today. Updated on 28 Feb 2014: My husband drove me to the surgery center this morning and it was kind of an all-men, all-morning kind of day. The nurse was a great guy who chatted with me during all the preparation, followed by a hilarious visit with the male anesthesiologist. He noticed we have the same birthday so of course we bonded over that. Next came my cheery doctor who put me totally at ease. I was surrounded by men who wanted to take care of me!! Loved it. I have been home for 6 hours, have had lots of water, a little food, and a few walks. Feeling pretty good! Updated on 4 Mar 2014: All is revealed! Had my first post op visit today. Tape and pain pump removed. Things all look good. My Frankenstein belly is a little startling, but I think I will be happy. The deflated tire hanging around my lower abdomen is gone! Feeling good. Updated on 5 Mar 2014: Another view Updated on 5 Mar 2014: Getting better every day. Did a few little things to feel useful today -- rinsed a few dishes, folded some clothes, nothing strenuous. No Vicodin today, just some ibuprofen a couple of times. Back to the doc tomorrow. Maybe I can get one drain out? Output down to 20 on one side. Having a little leakage around one drain site -- messy and annoying. Hope you all are doing well! Updated on 6 Mar 2014: I think I have been on an emotional high since my surgery. I love my results already, the pain has not been bad, and my family has taken wonderful care of me. Today I had my second post op appointment. The ride there (35 minutes) felt really jarring and my skin was moving separately from my muscles with every bump in the road -- weird and unsettling. Then I had to wait in a very hot and stuffy exam room for half an hour or more. Made me a little woozy. Finally doc came in and said we could remove one drain. Great! That part went fine. Now I am home and wiped out. My incision stings, my muscles feel stressed, and I am a weepy mess. This is just the roller coaster, right? I'm hosting a pity party if anyone wants to join me. Updated on 7 Mar 2014: After yesterday's weeping and pity party I have turned a corner! I woke up today feeling pretty good and it has just gotten better. I washed my own hair in the kitchen sink, tried on a goal dress (big improvement!), and got dressed in jeans and a sweater. I have not needed any pain med, not even ibuprofen today. I have to keep reminding myself to take it easy and not overdo. Hope all my tt sisters are healing well. It really is getting better. Thanks to everyone for the kind support yesterday when I was such a mess. You're the best! Updated on 8 Mar 2014: The roller coaster continues -- weepy Thursday, happy Friday -- but I think I overdid. Today I am sore and swollen so I am taking it easy. I have to remind myself that one good day does not mean I have recovered! I am mostly lounging around, visiting with my dear sister who has been here to help me for a few days. We've been laughing and solving everyone else's problems. She has made me delicious, healthy food and then brought me delicate little scoops of salted caramel ice cream. Seems like a prescription for recovery to me!! Updated on 10 Mar 2014: Here is my day 10 frontal view. The steri strips are dark so it makes my abdomen look pretty scary. I actually feel great, no pain meds for several days now. I am still taking frequent rests, but doing more each day. Hoping to get my remaining drain out tomorrow. Updated on 11 Mar 2014: Okay, I am 11 days post op and I just broke all the rules -- I weighed and measured myself. The good news is I am down 10 pounds from my surgery date (doc took 7). My hip measurement is 5 inches smaller than my previous hip+pooch measurement. Whoo hooo!!!! But, my waist is 3 inches larger. What the heck? I assume this is swelling and means I have more shrinkage to look forward to. Have a post op visit today and I really need it. I am starting to smell funny and I think it is the steri strips. Is this possible? I have washed myself thoroughly but have to keep the incision dry, so it has not been touched in 11 days. Hope this last drain comes out so I can finally take a shower. Updated on 11 Mar 2014: Yipppee! I got my second drain out and have been cleared to shower. I thought when I got this news I would rush home and jump into the shower. Trouble is, I am beat. I spent about 2 hours getting to the doctor, having my appointment, and getting back home and now I feel too tired to enjoy a shower. Plus riding in the car is quite uncomfortable still -- I use a big pillow between my body and the seatbelt, but it still bothers my incision. Plus my doc does not use compression so I have bothersome jouncing of my tender skin when I ride in the car. It all just takes it out of me. I am back in my recliner and catching up with my RS sisters. Hope everyone is doing well. Updated on 13 Mar 2014: Woke up feeling different, more myself today. Perky. Can you stand it? I had another post op appointment and did not really want to go -- the car ride (35 minutes each way) has been distressing. I come home and my abs are in spasm -- tight and painful. One day I dealt with it by taking vicodin. The next time I tried scotch on the rocks. I liked the scotch better. Today I prepared by putting on Spanx higher power (my doc does not use compression), took a vicodin a hour before we left, and concentrated on relaxing my abs during the travel. I arrived home tired, but not as sore. The appointment went well -- doc thought from the looks of things that I was 3 and a half weeks post op, but in reality I will be just 2 weeks tomorrow. I am healing really well!!! So glad for that. Does anyone have experience with recovery without compression? I wonder when I will be comfortable riding in the car? I am beginning to feel housebound and want to get out. Hope all my tt sisters are doing well -- whether recovering or preparing. I love all the support I find here. Updated on 1 Apr 2014: I just created a side by side comparison from before my TT and one month post op. Whoa!!! When I get critical of my remaining lumps and bumps I need to take a look at this!! Thrilled with this result so far.