Charles V. Pledger, MD (in memoriam)

I was so nervous about having surgery. It's not really my thing but I really hated my boobs after have two kids. I didn't want big ones and didn't want them to look fake. Dr. Pledger was so awesome. He answered every question, knew everything there is to know about boobs and surgery and really gave me his honest opinion about my treatment. I couldn't be happier. My boobs look so natural...you really can't tell they're implants. I got zero scar tissue and my scars underneath are barely noticable. Plus, his prices are much more affordable that other surgeons. He really could be charging double for the kind of work and treatment I received. Let the boobs speak for themselves!!!! I went from an A (probably AA) to a full C/small D.

I got my tummy tuck with lipo to flanks, full mastopexy (breast lift) with lipo to sides of breast, and 371 cc silicone implants 2 weeks before my 40th birthday. I am 5'2 142 lbs and active. I ride century bike rides every year and I hate wearing the tight jerseys because of my big belly. I also like to run but so far the farthests I've done is a 10K. I would like to do more. I have 3 kids, 2 step daughters and 3 grandsons. I am now 17 days po and recovery has been really good. I think the worst part has been the back pain from walking hunched over. If someone would have told me that I would have strenghtened my back better before surgery. My incisions are healing well and I'm pretty much walking straight except when I get really swollen and tired at night. My surgery went really well, I have an excellent plastic surgeon. Surgery was about 7 1/2 hours (1 1/2 hours longer than they thought). I stayed the first night at the surgical center which was good because it seemed like the anesthesia took a long time to really wear off. My husband then took a week off work to take care of me which really helped! One challenge we are faced with is that the day before surgery we got temporary custody of my 11 month old grandson. That has really been hard for me since I can't care for him because I can't lift him. I can play with him on the floor or feed and change him if he's on my level but I can't lift him at all. The doctor says I should be able to 4 weeks po, so another 1 1/2 weeks to go. Otherwise he goes to a babysitter during the week while my husband is at work and I recover. I still have a bunch of swelling but I am so extremely happy with my results! I can't wait to see the final (no swollen) me. I am an RN so I am taking off 6 weeks of work because I can't lift anything that heavy until then and you never know when you need to lift a patient. Updated on 20 Feb 2013: Today I am 4 wks po and feeling great! I still swell by the end of the day especially if I do too much. I am going to try lemon water like others suggested and see if that helps the swelling. I also massage my tummy about 1-3 times a day lightly. I've learned a little online about how to do lymphatic massage on yourself and I do that at night before bed. I was also rubbing Arnica lotion stuff on my tummy but I think my incisions reacted to it cause they got all red so I won't be using that again. Normally I just use Bio oil on my incisions and lightly massage them but they seem to be getting darker and more purple looking. I'm not sure if that's normal healing or if I should just not use that anymore too. I'm going to try without anything for a few days and see if it makes a difference. The doctor told me that I can start doing light exercise on the treadmill or bike (walking and stationary bike for now) and that at 6 weeks I can do more rigorous workouts. I think I will try today to slowly walk on the treadmill and see how I do. I need to start being on my feet more because in 2 weeks I go back to work and will be on my feet for 8-12 hours. As far as lifting goes, I've been trying to hold my 1 yr old grandson more just not lifting him from the floor up yet. But I can definately feel it in my abs when I am holding him. He's only 18 lbs but boy it sure feels like more. My breasts feel more tender towards the evening and I have a hard time reaching for things high. I feel like my incision under the breast is going to pop open if I reach too high. I'm also starting to get a little cold so I've been coughing a little more which still isn't too fun. Not that it hurts, it just feels weak and needs to be supported/held when I cough. My throat is so dry and a little sore. I sure hope it doesn't get much worse because it sure has been going around the house. Updated on 28 Feb 2013: I am 5 weeks po now and feeling great! I started exercising two days ago and it's going pretty good. I do swell about 1/2-1 in after exercise but that is normal for me between morning and night anyway. The first time walking on the treadmill I noticed the top up my stomach/rib area in the middle was very tight like it always is (like a big rubber band was pulling down from there) but once I rubbed it a little and tried to stretch and stand up straighter it finally went away and feels better since. I'm also lifting my grandson a lot now and holding him and it feels fine. I'm still having a hard time reaching up high for things but otherwise I feel great. The incisions are getting more red/purple looking. I thought I was having a reaction to Bio oil so I quit using it for a few days but it still is red (especially my breast incisions) but I've been told that's normal healing. Yesterday I bought some Scar Away silicone sheets to use on my incisions. Not sure if it will help and it's kind of a pain putting them all one but thought I'd see if it makes a difference in the redness of the scars. Oh, and I also bought a rebounder/mini trampoline to see if that helps with the swelling and healing of the lymphatic system. I've heard good things about it so I thought I'd try it. It actually has good benefits for health in general. We're going to Las Vegas this weekend to see my son who's in the Marines. I'm so excited to go but nervous that I'm going to swell like crazy with all the walking and not being able to lay down and elevate my legs when I want. I guess we'll see how it goes. I go back to the doctor tomorrow for another checkup and then back to work next week.

I am a 39 year old woman with 4 children 15,15,13, and 11. I met my husband of 18 years at the gym where I was an aerobic instructor and he a body builder. Body image has always been important. After having twins then 2 more kids in 2 years I never had time to even think of exercising let alone do it. I was a dedicated mom raising my little ones. Once I got my youngest in first grade I headed back to the gym. I lost 30lbs and found my love of teaching again. I now teach up to 7 cycling classes a week along with running, hiking, biking and whatever else I can fit into my schedule. I am continually embarrassed about my "soft", rolly, tummy and refuse to wear a swimsuit let alone a bikini. I had a breast augmentation in March 2010. That was a huge and scary thing for me, but the best thing I ever did. I feel like a woman again...now I'm hoping the tt will give me that last step of feeling confident again. A day does'nt go by that I don't constantly think of my stomach and often get very depressed over the way I look...especially when working so hard physically to be in the best shape possible. My surgery is scheduled for Feb.8th...I will post before and after pictures soon as I have them. Hello bikini here I come:)!!   Updated on 13 Mar 2011: Im finally getting brave enough to post photos. Im feeling discouraged with my results at this point, but hoping it will get better. The after photos are 4 1/2 weeks post opUpdated on 11 May 2011:Updated on 19 May 2011:Although not having a muffin top is nice. The mental and physical turmoil my body went through because of this surgery has made me decide it is not a surgery for everyone. Honestly I dont think its worth all the money and pain. I know how important it is to look and feel good as women/moms but Im learning perfection is a disease I cant heal with surgery or anything else. Love yourself for all that you are, even if your not perfect:)

I'm 34 and a mother of two. I've always hated my boobs and the attention I got from them. Always known as the girl with big jugs. Always wearing clothes from the plus size sections. Bathing suits were a joke (that's a blog subject all on it's own). I decided I would try losing weight first and see if that would help. I lost 40lbs over a year and yes the girls did shrink but only from a heaping 42DDD to a 38 DDD. The more active I became the more bothersome my boobs were. My "Aha" moment was on my 34 birthday. I was feeling really good. Thought I was looking good too. Then I saw a pic that was taken. I was all boobs. That's all I saw. I became a bit depressed and decided it was time. I fully planned on getting insurance to pay for it but that ended up being a joke. I decided to fund it myself. I don't think my husband understands but supports my decision. I had my surgery Oct 16th. I'm on day 6 post op. Today has been the hardest day. I'm heavy with emotion and the pain seems a bit more present. The last 5 days have gone great. Little discomfort. The itching of the stitches is the worst and the drains are just annoying. I'm hoping to get them removed soon. I'm the types of person who hates asking for help and just sitting here awhile everyone does stuff I normally do is killing me. I tried doing some household chores yesterday and I think that's why I feel so terrible today. So my advice ladies. Don't do too much too fast. I have been reading all your posts and they are so helpful. I haven't been back to see the doc yet and you all have answered so many questions. There is so much I was never told or thought to ask. Much love to you all.