Dr. Hauge is amazing. I was born with a breast deformity and had it corrected at 18. Dr. Hauge not only made me look normal finally, but I've had the implants (saline) for 7 years with no problems. I still have feeling in my breasts, and no one can tell that they are fake by looking. Dr. Hauge made me normal, and for that I am so grateful.
I have wanted a TT ever since I gave birth to my twins, 16 years ago. Due to female issues, I have a hysterectomy scheduled, and realized this would be the perfect time!,,, I will have the time off, and the procedures can be done together. So... It's actually happening! In one month not only will I be free of pain and evil heavy periods, my twin belly will be gone!!!!!!!!!! Updated on 16 Jan 2013: Well, everything is officially scheduled and coordinated between Dr's, the money side is all worked out and solidified. Now I just have to wait! 27 days to go!!! I am SO excited! I little worried about the swelling from the hysterectomy, but hoping that if I take it really easy, eat clean, drink lots of water, I can keep it to a minimum. Anyone else have experience with that? I am also hoping my hormome changes dont make me crazy. :) Updated on 22 Jan 2013: I am exactly three weeks out! My PreOp appointment is next week. Here are some details about me. I am average build, 5'6", I weigh between 145-155. 155 feels TOO heavy. I got there again after Christmas, but am already back to just under 150. I would love to just hover at 145. Of course, even at that weight, I have my belly... but only for 3 more weeks!!!! I am adding some pics (GASP) I cant wait until I have the afters!!! Updated on 29 Jan 2013: I have two weeks to go! Today I had my pre-op with the PS. I got my prescriptions (antibiotic, pain killer, anti-naus pills) and some generic instructions. However, since I hadnt met with the GYN performing the Hyst. I had to reschedule the pre-op till next week. Grrrrrr.... I am just a tad annoyed, since they knew that was the case. And that the DR wasnt even in today. Soooo... I will meet with my GYN next week, determine if she will perform the Hyst either Vaginally or Abdom, and then see the PS the next day to clarify the timing of everything and answer my questions. I have to say, the past couple days I havent even been concerned with the TT due to the HUGE amount of pain I am from my goofy uterus... I have been miserable. And I am not even in my cycle. I cant wait till its all gone!!! And the TT is simply a bonus. :) I will update again after next weeks pre-ops. :) Updated on 5 Feb 2013: Well, had my pre-op with the GYN. I have made a new choice about my ovaries.. If she sees endometriosis she will remove all signs AND my ovaries. If she doesn't, then she will leave my ovaries. She feels that a majority of my pain is coming from my uterus and a condition I can't spell. BUT, since I know I have had endometriosis removed before... I feel certain she will find it. But, I guess I won't know till I wake up! And, I can change my mind the day of surgery.... Sigh. The TT is the simple part in all this!! Sitting at the hospital now waiting for my pre-op appt... :-) almost all done with all the prep! Updated on 6 Feb 2013: Had the last of my pre-ops today! YAY!! What a day my surgery day will be.. at the PS office at 930 to be marked (in my new, cute VS Bikini Bottoms), to the Hospital at 10am, and the surgeries start at 12pm. The Gyn will open me with his markings and do her thing, and the the PS will take over. Its gonna be a long day!! LOL!! And, I get a Morphin Pump in my IV the first night, woohoo!! :) I am so excited ladies for this ladies!!! Updated on 6 Feb 2013: Added a couple more pics... Can't wait to add the afters!! Updated on 13 Feb 2013: Just a quick update, all surgeries went well, I was able to keep am ovary, :-) most of my pain comes from the lower abdomen, but managing with pain meds. More later and hoping all the best for my fellow 12 th ers!! Updated on 16 Feb 2013: Well, four days post op. can't wait for the drains to get removed, should be Monday. Just truckin along pretty much. Updated on 18 Feb 2013: Added a couple more pics. And a before and after... OMG! Updated on 18 Feb 2013: Well, one drain out.. One in until Wednesday. Seriously thought I was gonna cry when he said, sorry, i don't take both out at the same time. I totally understand... But I was VERY excited to get them out.. Sigh. Updated on 19 Feb 2013: Feeling pretty good today! :-) showered last night, and even with the drain, it was wonderful! Then with about a million pillows, I slept in my own bed. Ahhhh. This morn I even straightened my hair, and was getting around great! And then, I FINALLY had a 2nd BM, it had even four days! Ugh!! Today is also my first day alone, all day. I feel like it should go by easily. Can't wait to see how I feel in another week! Updated on 20 Feb 2013: PO day 8. 2nd drain is out! Yay!!!!! I feel so much better with it gone. Now just praying I don't develop any seromas or anything. Feeling pretty good and hoping to get some photos tomorrow standing. :-) Updated on 21 Feb 2013: I took some pics after my shower last night, since the 2nd drain went bye bye! I am pretty swollen since its night, and my BB looks kinda gross because of the steri strips surrounding it. I was able to take a couple off after the pics and it looks SO much better! Feeling pretty good. Working some from my recliner via computer. Appreciating my wonderful friends that have taken me to appts, brought meals over for my family. They are awesome! Looking forward to an outing this weekend (and a little scared). So far.. All is well!! On the HYST side, no problems. Hormones seem stable, few hot moments at night (not sure if its a hot flash or not). Updated on 22 Feb 2013: Just for fun, put my jeans on this morn, and they fit! Yay! So excited to see how they fit when I am not swollen anymore! Since I was trying things on, tried on the bikini I bought to be marked in. Love it!! While I look a little think still, I know I am pretty swollen, so I am tickled!! I added a couple tics. Updated on 24 Feb 2013: I think I officially overdid it this weekend. Saturday my bf and I went out to lunch, and then took a two and a half hour excursion to watch my 18 year old daughter cheer at the Regional Basketball game. Boy was I hurting by the time we got home. Then, off to Walmart today with the help of my BF to get my weekly groceries. He loaded and unloaded everything. And then we made enchiladas for dinner. Talk about pain! Had a mini melt down, it's hard for me to NOT be completely self sufficient, as I have been a single mom for SO long! It kills me to ask for all this help and just be unable to everything on my own. Ugh. On a good note, almost all of my steri-strips are off and my BB is visible now, and I think I like it? Posted some pics... All in all, i am still VERY happy with the results, I just need to be patient with the healing process. Updated on 26 Feb 2013: I am PO week two, nothing new happening really. I have been wearing a tight compression tank during the day, feels like its a more even pressure all over, still wear the binder all night and some of the days. I have started tracking my measurements, and I am pleased with them. I am also down about 5 pounds to 145. I would love to be at 135.... But, time will tell if my body would agree. I am off to my two week PO appt with the GYN today. Should be I uneventful! Other than being ready for this healing process to be over, I am super happy with my results so far! Updated on 4 Mar 2013: I added a new pic sitting, so glad my lap fat is gone! There is a little pocket above my belly button that is driving me batty. The PS says its swelling and that the skin there isn't that great due to stretch marks.. Fingers crossed it will look better. Updated on 4 Mar 2013: Oh, and even tho my jeans fit? My dress pants for work don't! Lol!! My flanks must be swollen from the tiny bit of lipo he did (I say tiny cause there wasn't even any bruising). So, I am still swelling a ton i guess :-) Updated on 10 Mar 2013: I am feeling just a tad Blue. I think some of it is PMS (I should be starting a period, thank God I won't have one tho, YAY!). I am starting to really dwell on my stretch marks that still surround my belly button.... Of course, with less swelling, they look even worse. I am pretty sure that a Bikini may be out of the question... :-( part of me is confused, since the Dr said He removed 5 inches of skin... And I don't remember my stretch marks going up as high as they must have?? Boo. So, my other blue moment is having done too much yesterday and now I am hurting and swelling today. I decided not to make a 1.5 hour drive to spend the days with girlfriends.. And now I am regretting it. So, here I am whining on RS. I know you ladies will understand!! Thanks for listening! Updated on 12 Mar 2013: Well, here I am! At four weeks PO! I head back to work half days starting Friday.. I am nervous! I have added pics comparing my two week pics to today's four week pics. I also have a pic showing my incision. I am very happy with it, although it does go higher on my right side, but that may be swelling. One thing I am super happy about is my measurements. Pre TT my measurement at my waist was 33.5, at my BB it was 37 and around the fullest part of the bulge was 38.5. Today, my waist is at 30, my BB is 33, and the full point (well where I think it was) is 34.5. Yay!!!! Even with the imperfections and blue days, I would do it the same all over again. I look normal again!!!! Updated on 12 Mar 2013: Oh ya.. And to me, I don't see a huge difference visually between two and four weeks. Updated on 18 Mar 2013: 5 weeks! (Tomorrow actually) I worked a half day Friday, sat in the car 3 hours and watched Softball for 4/5 hours, and I have been feeling ok! I hope I am still swelling, I would love to see more of a waist (not that I have ever really had one) I am excited to get to exercising... I just have to wait for the all clear from the GYN. I have come to terms with the stretch marks that are left over and the weird sag above my BB. My dresses for work fit so nicely, I don't even care!! Lol!! Updated on 19 Mar 2013: I am changing my review to 'not sure'. I am VERY unhappy with the area above my BB. I know... Swelling. Well, we all know that yucky tummy skin tends to look better when it's filled out... And as my swelling decreases, that area looks more and more awful. I almost think I have just the same amount of stretch marks as I did before!! How is that possible!?! I can pinch plenty of skin above my BB.... Why wasn't it pulled down more!?! I see my PS next week for my six week appt. I am sure he will say wait and see. I also realize that a revision my help... But that's probably another 3000 in hospital charges and more time off.. And vacation time to boot. Boo. I am posting some pictures to show the issues... Updated on 23 Mar 2013: Almost 6 weeks!! I finally feel almost normal. I can lay on my sides and changes sides in bed comfortably... Yay!! I tend to get sore or more swollen depending on what I wear. I amTRYING to be patient with things... I get really frustrated with my upper stomach, but it changes (for the better and worse) depending on the day. So... Patience is my new mantra! Updated on 4 Apr 2013: This is my third week back to work, 2nd week with full days. I am SWOLLEN, SWOLLEN, SWOLLEN!! ;-) My measurements are all bigger than about 3 weeks ago, my weight is 5+/-, so I know its just the swelling that is skewing things. I am sure the sitting, and eating more normally (not afraid of salt anymore) really are causing me to swell, and I have to be patient thru this stage. I am hoping the 12 week mark shows improvement. Last week I saw the PS, he was very honest about the area above my BB, and it being the hardest area to make look good... he did say that if when I am completely healed, I am still unhappy, he would do some minimally invasive surgical procedures to make it look better. Be that lypo or a new incision around the BB removing additional skin. I was happy with that. So, other than the SWELL HELL... nothing new to report. Just staying patient!! :) Updated on 7 Apr 2013: Well, I got brave this evening and put on my bikini. Considering its the end of the day, I am ok with the way it's all looking. I love how my scar looks. Yay!! So, here are some pics. I honestly don't see too much difference at this point from about week 4 or so, but it seems to be that is the norm. Updated on 14 Apr 2013: So happy to say I went 4 days without a compression garment!! Yay!! My stomach muscles are sore today, but I have been basically back to normal. So I don't mind the soreness. I bought bikini number two, a fun string bikini!! One morning when the swelling is low I will have to post some pics. I have to say I am happy that I did this and things keep getting better!! :-) Updated on 20 Apr 2013: I have had an interesting week. I think I may have over done it with everything and my insides weren't happy about it. I think the Hyst takes longer to heal... I was definitely swelling in my pelvis region, and I even had some discomfort. I think the week prior I was doing everything normal, exercising, sex, pulled some weeds, and I think my insides said NO. This week I have taken it pretty easy, and it's feeling better. On a happy note, I bought bikini number two! I added pics. :-)
Hours away from my surgery. I see everyone else's before and after pictures, but I just can't believe that it's about to happen for me! I have so many questions...will it work? Will I have an attractive tummy? Should I really do this? Oh it goes on and on. Im going to post some pictures soon. Can't wait!Updated on 16 Mar 2012:At home recovering. Saw my PS today. First time my binder came off, and got my first glimpse of my new tummy! All I can say is WOW! This is my body?! I'm pretty sore, and using the bathroom is tricky. I have two drainage tubes, and they are a little work to manuever around..thank goodness for my family! I Still can't believe this happened. Its surreal. The pain mess have me in and out of sleep....this is just post op day 1. Will update again soon. As soon as I get some energy I will post pics...Updated on 18 Mar 2012:3 days post op. The pain is more bearable, and slowly feeling better. Still weak, and can't walk for more than a few minutes around the house. It's been 3 days since I showered. My hair looks greasy, acne is flaring up, and my skin feels dry and itchy. But, all in all, I'm ok considering I just went through major surgery. I still have my two drains in, but less than 20cc per drain per day. I see my PS tomorrow. My doctor is great, I've seen him once already and he has called me several times to check in on me. My hubby is going to help me with a sponge bath later, help me change the gauze, change my clothes, and straighten up my "spot" on the couch I've taken over. So far so good. I feel twinges here and there, no BM yet, have been drinking and eating good. Loved y IPad, it's keeping me occupied. Kids are great, they like helping me and I sure need it! Will update soon.
I've had my new Gummy Bear silicone implant for one month. It's for breast reconstruction. I love it! I feel just like it was just like my own breast only better! I'm glad this option is available for breast cancer patients, and I'm glad it's so much safer than the old liquid gell silicone implants, which I had removed ten years ago for fear of a rupture. I had mine under the muscle and some fat redistribution to help it look natural.
I had a Tummy Tuck w/lipo on Jan. 28, 2009. I have had 3 children, 2 when in my 20's and 1 six months ago when I was 35. I was in the best shape of my life prior to my last pregnancy, but still carried any additional weight in my abdomen. The MD said that he removed about six inches of skin and fat and liposuctioned an additional 1000cc's. I am thrilled with the results though I still have a large amount of swelling. I am hoping to have the drains removed tomorrow which will be 5 days post-op and will hopefully be able to return to my job as a nurse by Wednesday (my job is mainly administrative or the physical restrictions would prevent such a quick return). My pain was well managed with Vicodin for the first 72 hours and then tylenol. I would definately recommend medicating with anit-nausea medication proactively if you have any nausea associated with narcotics or anesthesia. Had I not used the anti-nausea med and had any vomiting that would have been incredibly painful. I had orignally planned to have this surgery out of town and I am glad I opted to stay locally as the recovery in a hotel room would not have been comfortable to me and the surgeon and his staff was excellent. Updated on 13 Feb 2011:
I went through 5 surgeries this year due to breast cancer. I decided to get a little more than a breast reconstruction with my last surgery which was four weeks ago. I have wanted a tummy tuck for years. For a long time I had a flat tum but lots of extra skin. After turning forty I added tummy fat to the equation, and no matter how much I was on my eliptical or trampoline or how toned the rest of my body got my tummy fat wouldn't budge. So I decided to do the tuck!!! I'm happy so far with the results. The recovery is slower than I had hoped...but my body's been through a lot this year, so I guess patience is my best friend right now. I have on and off swelling and won't be getting rid of my compression garment for a while yet to come. It's okay, cause that big bulge of fat is gone and once I'm healed for the first time since my first baby I won't have saggy skin!!! I'm happy to say for the past three days I'm back on my eliptical but taking it slow. I'm just estatic to be excercising agian,and it seems to be helping the swelling. I just take it easy and don't break a sweat like I am used to. I'm also taking arnica montana sublingual, and I believe that helps. I'm watching my salt and staying hydrated after a bout with major water retention. A tummy tuck is worth it, but ladies you will have to do some self care in that process for a lot longer than most of us know how to do. Relax and enjoy the journey!! Lots of greens to reduce swelling and b vitamins too. Well that's all for now. Oh and I had some lipo on my flanks as well as some on my tum to help contour my shape....I haven't noticed pain from either...just the incision. Updated on 24 Sep 2013: Well I assumed after the healing would come a much tighter look to my tum....but my skin was not pulled tight enough and so I never did get a great end result. Dr told me it would look tighter once swelling went down. It never did look tight. It looked better, but I always imagined a lot less give on my skin.
