I am literally counting down the days on my bedroom calendar. I am 43 and have been thinking about this for 14 years (when my first pregnancy turned me from a 34DD to a 34KK) UGH! I had a second baby...and no deflation. Double UGH! I lost 25 pounds and went from a KK to a K. Not fair, really! It is really helpful to read the stories on this wonderful forum. I especially appreciate the women who are larger like me- really helps to see their before & after pics. I did buy 2 new tankini tops for the summer (but will wait on bras!). Tried them on and spilling out of them- can't wait until I can actually fit into them! Surgeon has suggested he will be able to make me an "easy D". I know from this site that size can't always be precise, and I will practice LOTS of patience and flexibility on that. For now, I will keep reading your stories! Updated on 3 Feb 2013: I have decided to add to my surgery (since I will save money doing it at the same time and will already have a recovery time) by getting a tummy tuck (with lipo at the flanks). I have had the saggy-baggy "flop" over at my lower belly above the C/S scar and want to lose it. Weight loss shrinks it but the skin is hopelessly stretched and saggy here. I feel a flop over start at the front of my hip bone all across to the other side. The Tummy Tuck incision will probably follow this ridge and go across my old C/S scar. I won't need to have the longer incision that some people get that goes from behind the hip to the other side. This will be purely a cosmetic procedure but it won't cost as much for the OR and anesthesia fees since my insurance is already paying for my overnight and I just have a facility fee copay. Now or never for me! My insurance portion for the BR will be about $1500. This additional stuff will add about $7K to the cost (but it would be much more if I did it separately). Updated on 9 Mar 2013: I would like to add an update now that I am post-op! The BR portion of my surgery has given me minimal trouble. The TT part about the same, but the MR is what is the KILLER! From the moment the nurse wanted me out of the bed to go potty my abdominal muscles started screaming. The worst was the getting out of bed and then maneuvering back into bed. If the person assisting me understood the need to give me back support, this was only mildly painful. If they did not, then this was agony. Be SURE to insist that the nursing staff give you full back support as you move about the bed. My experience was that the worst of this whole thing was the anesthesia. I never threw up and actually was not ever close. But my head was killing me, I felt sort of dizzy/fuzzy/woozy, and kind of like after you have gone on a spinning ride at an amusement park. But this didn't go away until about 24 hrs AFTER I got out of surgery. UGH! They tried zofran (didn't help), they tried dilaudid (didn't help, and in fact may have made it worse after I woke back up), percocet just made me more sleepy. I think it just needed time, fluids, and getting up moving around. Truly this was the worst part. I think that since my surgery was so long (over 6 hours) it made it worse. I have had a shorter time under anesthesia before without any problem. I am now POD#9 and feeling SO much better. Each day after Day #3 just got better. Each day I had less stiffness, less pain, more mobility, more energy, more appetite, etc. Things that are hard in the first week: ups/downs position changes, dealing with the abdominal swelling, pooping, coughing (I had mucus that just about killed me trying to get out), keeping your strength up by eating b/c you won't have much of an appetite, and getting good sleep. Getting a good night's rest is so important. UGH, the nights- I dreaded them! I never slept more than about 2.5 hrs straight and then would wake up restless and with bad back pain. I am a stomach sleeper and sleeping in my back was hard. I had to pee all the time as my bladder was coming back on line. And my back and hips really ached more than any of the surgery sites! I found a good combination was tylenol, muscle relaxer, and heat. Changing positions also was very helpful. Last night (POD#8) I tried sleeping in my own bed with only pillows (no memory foam wedge) and only woke twice and then was able to get back to sleep. A good night's rest will help you feel so much better, so be sure to do what you can to ensure this! I also found that sitting in a comfortable chair on my back patio in the sunshine really helped revitalize me. I do live in Florida which is why this can happen in early March, but if you have a sunroom that could also be good. Somehow the sunshine just worked its healing magic on me. I get restless when I cannot be active and this helped. My advice: The abdominal binder is very supportive- use it as long as you need it. Tylenol on a daily basis can keep the aches to a minimum. The heating pad is great- just DON'T SLEEP WITH IT ON! You can also use the microwave warmers or a hot water bottle- these will cool if you fall asleep so you can't burn yourself! Just remember some areas won't have normal feeling so you have to be sure you are not getting burned! Push your fluids- the last thing you need is a UTI, and your bladder will not be working right for a few days. For the BR- I find that the Genie bras and the Playtex full support/Simply Sized Wire-free bras are very supportive, soft and comfortable and will stretch with swelling and then still work after the swelling goes down. Found them at Target and Walmart. Also find that long pantiliners work great under the bra to dry up any oozing. Target brand regular pantiliners are short and nice & soft. Carefree Original Long Pantiliners are great for the under the breast incisions. I don't know how the other women on this site can blog daily updates right after surgery. I was in no shape for that! But I hope to help anyone who is trying to understand what this will be like. I will also post some before and after pics. Updated on 17 Mar 2013: Update: POD #17 today: getting better every day. Sleeping much better- still using a body pillow which really helps keep me positioned on my side. Rolling over takes waking up and being careful. I was back to work FT all last week and did fine- tired at the end of the day but managed it fine. Bruising is settling down but I do have some new smaller bruises on my belly. Guess these are from too much movement- Oops! All incisions are healing well. Still have a thin, yellowish drainage from the breast incisions, and have to cover with pads inside my bra. T-zones look good, no separation. New skin filling in nicely. Swelling at incisions is WAY down so this should hopefully get better soon. Breasts are still very firm but the outer edges have softened up some. Using Bio-Oil on all incisions and Arnica gel and salve on the lipo hips areas and any bruises. Massaging the hips to try to help the areas soften up. Belly always more swollen at the end of the day. I often put my binder back on when I get home but don't usually sleep with anything compressing. I found a great CG for daytime- HI-Waist Boyshort style by Maidenform (at Target). I also got some "wife beater" tank t-shirts on the recommendation of someone else on this site early on. I wear it UNDER my bra and get the mini-pads to stick to that, then put my bra on over. I got larger bras that accommodate for this (and the swelling) so it is very comfortable. It has been a good system and it keeps the bra cleaner. The 7-pack of t-shirts was very cheap.
During my routine annual exam 3 weeks ago, I asked my dermatologist to do some Botox magic on my neck. He said Botox wouldn't help BUT he gave me the business card of a plastic surgeon he recommended. I would never trust online reviews or the Yellow Pages, but him? Definitely. I made an appointment the same week, and asked my hubby to help me set a budget limit. He declined, saying he knew it was something that has bothered me for years, and I would know if the price was worth it. I am having a neck lift done at 8:30 in the morning. I am SO excited. I have frozen peas, flexible straws, a wedge pillow and Arnica on hand, none of which my doctor mentioned, but I have gleaned from reading your reviews! So - thanks to all of you who put pictures, candid evaluations and advice out there for people like me. I intend to do the same in return. Wish me luck - better yet, say a prayer! Pam Updated on 15 May 2014: Everything went well and I am home now. My head is wrapped like a mummy, but I have no pain. My mouth is extremely dry. No nausea. I can see some bruising sticking out under the wrap on my lower neck but nothing (of what I can see) on my face. My lips/mouth area a bit numb and smile is crooked, so hot soup is out. Really, I am not hungry anyway. I took a travel neck pillow with me for the ride home (another online tip) and it was a smart idea. I ended up having drainage bags so will have to go back to the office tomorrow for their removal. I'll find out then why they were needed after all, and whether he did the under-the-chin incision or not. Hubby took pictures, thinks if am crazy for wanting them. I will have to move them from his camera to my computer to post later - right now I feel more like taking a nap! Updated on 15 May 2014: Swelling has gone done a lot now. The pain medication has worn off, and now I can definitely feel where work was done behind my ears (as if someone is pulling my hair very tightly in those areas) but that's about it discomfort-wise. I ate a bowl of soup tonight, and have not felt any stomach upset whatsoever. My throat is sore and there is a raw place on the inside of my bottom lip, so I'm thinking they inserted a tube down my throat once I was out, and removed it before I woke up! I plan to take a pain pill before going to bed, setting another next to the bed in case I wake up during the night. Updated on 16 May 2014: Just home from having the drainage tubes removed. That stung a bit! but it is good to have those tubes gone. Ingenious method though - they look like hand grenades and the suction works regardless of gravity. Very little drained, but Dr. said my blood pressure spiked a bit and he wanted to be safe. I will remove the bandages myself in the morning and can shower and wash hair then. I was given a 'face bra' to wear as much as I can from then on. I return to the Dr. on Tuesday to have stitches removed, and again on Friday to get the staples out. Sounds like fun! I feel so much better than I look but still have the mummy wrap so there's nothing new to see today so no pictures. Updated on 17 May 2014: I am anxious to get the helmet off and take a look! Pain is minimal. Actually, it's more of 'discomfort' than 'pain'. Updated on 19 May 2014: It feels like my head is in a vice even when the 'face bra' is off. My ears feel so funny - like they are plastic fake ones, sewn on to my head! I slept relatively well last night (took pain meds before bed). My face is still puffy and the bruising is still present. The stitched areas seem to be healing nicely and my hair is going to cover most everything quite well. I go in tomorrow morning to have the stitches removed and plan to go to work from there. I have a sit-on-your-hiney-all-day job and my doctor thinks it will help keep my mind off everything else as long as I take it easy! Updated on 20 May 2014: I will enjoy not wearing that face bra all day. I finally figured out that a soft cloth between my chin and the strap helps immensely. The strap was forcing the swollen parts of my neck to the sides of the strap, and was quite irritating. I will get the stitches out in about an hour, then on to the office. I feel great, actually, and it's so nice to be wearing real hair and makeup today. :-) Updated on 20 May 2014: The doctor is very pleased, called it 'perfect bruising' and 'as expected swelling' and removed the stitches. I return on Friday for the staples to come out - he will be out of the office, so his assistant will be doing it. I've been putting a cotton ball behind my ears so the staples don't press on them with the neck bra in place. I'll be glad to get them out. Work went well - it was good to be distracted, actually. I must admit that I love my job, it may not be as good an idea for someone who does not. The doctor wants me to wear the face bra as much as possible, but reading so many reviews by other doctors who don't recommend them at all once the bandages are out, I feel I will be doing well wearing it 15 out of 24 hours and not guilty. I am meeting four close friends tonight for dinner - a once-a-month routine that would raise more eyebrows to miss than to show up with a discolored neck, so we'll see how that goes! Obviously I feel super, as well as super lucky to be feeling so great. Updated on 24 May 2014: The bruising is fading, but I still have swelling/puffiness. I had the staples out yesterday and can't get over how 'weird' my poor little ears feel. Not pain, exactly, but a tightness (which is what I wanted, right?!) in my neck and behind my ears. I think my doctor did a fantastic job with the stitching and hiding the evidence! I am sure I will continue to improve as the swelling subsides, and especially that the 'lump' under my chin and jowls go away as well. I am very pleased with the smoothness of my neck area. I have started using Bio oil (supposed to help healing, smooth skin tone unevenness, etc.) which also helps the stiffness a bit. Updated on 7 Jun 2014: I still have some swelling, and my neck and ears are still numb. I don't think anyone would suspect that I've had surgery unless they knew what they were looking for though. I am still using peroxide and Neosporin daily behind my ears, and Bio Oil on my neck three times a day. I have to be very careful using my curling iron - my ears don't feel the heat! Updated on 14 Jun 2014: My ears are still numb, but I am starting to get some feeling back in both ears and my neck. I am feeling pretty down though (so rare for me) because while my neck looks so very much better, I still have a 'lump' under my chin, and no also visible improvement at all in my jowls/jawline whatsoever. Did my doctor not think it was necessary? or did I not make my desire or hopes clear enough? Am I still swollen enough after just one month that more tightening may still happen? I would be sick to think that after all that $$ and all of this discomfort, that he and I were not on the same page as far as expectations go, because I certainly could not afford to do this again. Ever. My biggest issue has always been the excess skin on my neck, which he took care of quite well! Maybe my facial structure wouldn't allow him to address both at once. And he promised I wouldn't link like Joan Rivers - but none of my friends, my brother, or my hairdresser can see one bit of difference! I am reading things now that make me think doctors can hear 'neck lift' and think it does NOT include jowls. So sad today. And scared that it was my own fault for not being much more specific. Is this a common or typical feeing after something so radical I wonder?
I am 36 yrs old with 2 wonderful kids 6 and 2. My family is complete. I have been suffering with neck, back and shoulder pain since the birth of my second child. I tried physical therapy, chiropractic and massage therapy. Nothing helps. I am currently 5'4 165 lbs. (Lost 30 lbs since Feb) My breasts are about a 40 DD maybe bigger. I can never find bras that fit me properly. I can hardly find an exercise bra with enough support. I find it difficult to exercise. After loosing 30 lbs my breast have not gotten any smaller. So I have decided to go the BR route in hopes of getting some pain relief and an added bonus of maybe getting my confidence back. I had 2 consultations and have decided on a PS to do the BR which will be covered by my insurance. At some point one of the PS mentioned a Mommy Makeover and that got the wheels turning. My husband is very supportive and has said now is your opportunity since I can get it all done in one surgery with one recovery time. Here are my questions Is it worth it? I hear a TT is a much harder recovery than a BR. How long did your recovery take if you had a BR and TT at the same time? Do you think I would regret not doing the TT along with the BR? To be my ideal weight I should loose another 20 lbs. Would the results be good even though I still have some weight to lose? The PS would do lipo of the flanks and abdomen but I am wondering if I will still be left with a fat belly or will this help get me to my goal of a flat tummy? I know these questions should be answered by my PS but I would like to hear from you! I am freaking out a bit at the thought of recovering from all this. Also, the Dr I have chosen is only mentioned on this site one time. Has anyone used Dr Calvin Peters? Thanks! Updated on 5 Jul 2013: Less than 3 weeks away and I am considering backing out of the Tummy Tuck and going ahead with the Breast reduction only. I am scared of the pain and recovery time, especially since I have young kids. The only help I will have is my husband. I am having a lot of anxiety and am freaking out! Any advice or words of wisdom? Will I regret not doing all of this at once? If I don't do it now I know I will never do it. Updated on 5 Jul 2013: Heavy breasts and a stretched and saggy tummy Updated on 12 Jul 2013: I had to fork over the $$$$ yesterday! No turning back now! 12 days! O M Geeee! My nerves are getting the best of me! Updated on 17 Jul 2013: One week from today was my day! I just got a call from the nurse and she said the Dr. got called out of town and had to cancel everything next week. The soonest she could get me in would be August 5th. That's not so bad, the bad part is I had my time arranged off work and I think my boss will not be happy about the change in date do to work conflicts. I am so stressed! Updated on 21 Jul 2013: I have MS but have never had any problems at all until last week. I think the stress from the anticipation and then the cancellation of my surgery has brought this on. I have numbness on the left side of my face. My dr prescribed steroids but that is not helping. Tomorrow I have an appointment with my neurologist. I am nervous what he will say about me going through with the surgery. Please pray I can go on a heavier dose of steroids and get the feeling back in my face and also be given the all clear for my surgery. Updated on 22 Jul 2013: I had a hard day. I went to my neurosurgeon's office and saw the nurse practitioner. She did not think I should have the surgery while I am having a MS symptom just incase my body might not handle the stress. She was going to get a second opinion from my actual neurosurgeon tomorrow morning. I am just 17 days away. This has been a crazy roller coaster ride. I am starting to think someone is sending me signs. My face is still numb and the nurse said it will hopefully resolve on its own. Please pray the best thing happens whatever that is. Updated on 23 Jul 2013: My neurologist said no surgery for me for at least 3 months. At that time I will have an MRI to make sure the MS has settled down and my body wil be strong enough to endure the procedure. I am so disappointed but also know that I can't risk causing bigger problems for myself. Thanks for all your support! I will be following your posts and can't wait to hear how you all do. Hopefully I will be back in 3 months with better news! All the best!
