Brian Strand, MD

I'm 23 and have no children. I had tuberous breast so my doctor explained the process to me in detail. Typically, doctors prefer to insert an implant and open up the point of the breasts. However, because I am young and have a lot of elasticity left in my skin, my doctor inserted the implant and did internal incisions to open up the point of each of my breasts. This process is less invasive. Additionally, he said that after a year or so, if they didn't look normal, additional surgery could be used to open up the points. I'm tall, so my doctor suggested 400cc silicone implants, over the muscle. They are cohesive gel and feel soft. I have had them for less than a year, so my scars are still healing but overall, they look great. Most people think they're natural! Note: They looked VERY shiny and pointy at first. Six months later, the internal incisions have helped to open them up. You can barely tell that I had a severe tuberous deformity before. I would advise trying a round implant with internal incisions before complicating your surgery with additional external incisions. This worked especially well for me, partly because I tend to scar somewhat badly (I have fair/light skin).

I started this Journey at the beginning of April. I had a 14 month old, I was feeling sluggish and unable to enjoy my time with her. I was suffering from stress incontinence and it was basically running my life. My neighbor talked me into joining a fitness bootcamp with her and I LOVED it. Loved the way it made me feel, loved connecting with other women...but didn't love peeing on myself every time I did a jumping jack. 4 months into it I decided to see my OBGYN and talk about the options. He did an exam and pretty much said I could do keagles till my eyeballs disappeared and it wouldn't help. So he recommended the bladder sling w/ a hysterectomy (I'm telling you this 1 child did a number on my body and mind and I love her more than life but I do not want any more). He said the hysterectomy would increase the chances of success for the bladder surgery. From there I continued another month of working out, trying to decide what to do. I noticed that I was making great strides in my arm strength, leg strength, pretty much everywhere except my abs. I could not do a sit up to save my life and I def couldn't do it with out peeing on myself. So I started to make appointments with the 2 known PSs in the area. The first told me that no amount of sit ups / crunches / marathon running would correct my diastasis recti. He recommended the tummy tuck with mesh. The 2nd PS I saw did not recommend the mesh. He also spent A LOT of time explaining everything to me. I felt very comfortable there. So I worked with the OBGYN and the PS and we are booked for November 26th. I don't know what I'm more excited about. No longer appearing to be 7 months pregnant, or no longer peeing on myself! Both issues have been so debilitating. I stopped working out about 2 months ago after I tweaked my back. I decided to wait until after the first of the year and really go after the new me. I can't wait! a little more than 3 weeks away!

Updated on 11 Nov 2014:
I can't believe it's only 15 days away! Really trying to keep busy here and prep.

I am vacationing in Gatlinburg with my husband right now. It's been very nice not having any children around. We have been doing some serious relaxing. Yesterday we went to the outlet mall and I bought a few comfy things to wear while recovering. We are headed back home tomorrow.

I joined a facebook group for tummy tuck support. It's been great to see everyone's suggestions and read about their experiences. When we get home I'm going to start taking colace. The night before surgery I'm going to do an enema.

I've also got 2 shows I want to watch in Netflix. One is Breaking Bad. The other is Friday Night Lights. That should keep me busy during my recovery.

Updated on 16 Nov 2014:
Still busily trying to prep and research as much as possible. The FB group had mixed reviews on using a walker post surgery so I decided against getting one, but then I found one at a garage sale this weekend and got it AND a cane for $10. SCORE. So then I went on Amazon and purchased a riser for my toilet with handlebars. It should be here on Tuesday. My husband has been SUPER supportive but he'll probably get a good laugh at the toilet riser. It's was only $30. I'm sure he will understand. I pee ALOT. The OBGYN said the bladder sling would not decrease the number of times I have to go pee - it will only help with the incontinence. It is what it is. So toilet riser it is!

I really wish I could use the recliner in our little TV room. The room has a set of doors I can close to try and get some sleep. But I won't be able to put the leg rest up and down on my own and there is NO way the 2 year old will let me be behind closed doors if she's around. So I've opted to set up camp in the big living room with the couch that has electric leg rests. It's in the center of the house so I can at least be a part of the family while healing and there is a nice large TV with internet (netflix) that I can use.

My mom and dad (divorced) are coming down for the surgery. My dad is leaving the day after sx (thanksgiving) and my mom will stay until Dec. 3rd. Then my stepmom is coming to relieve her. She will be here for 14 days. So I hope I'm good to go after she leaves. I'm nervous about picking up the 2 year old and putting her in the car or her crib. My husband is here to help but he works VERY hard and all of this will be very draining for him.

I've also started prepping with supplies. I spent a butt load of money at CVS yesterday. I would have preferred to go to Walmart but I don't go near Walmart on the weekends. I still have several things I want to get so I'll wait and do that tomorrow.

Can't wait to get this show on the road and start the LOOOONG recovery process.