Doctor Jansen Is amazing after loosing my trust and ready to give up after my horrible experience with my first breast augmentation(botched), Exactly how I walked into my consultation with him. But let me tell you that changed IMMEDIATELY after Dr.Jansen walked in smiling full of energy. :) he listened to me, he had plan for me, I mean I was like WOW thank Jesus :) For the fist time a Plastic Surgeon actually listened to me and cared about my pain, he listened to everything I had to say. He gave me back hope, thank you so much Dr.Jansen. may God continue to bless his hands. Currently typing this review with tears he did such an amazing job I can’t thank him enough Its like he brought me back to life. His staff is AMAZING! His nurse Sue is absolutely wonderful. I am seriously out of words to describe him and his staff. I just love Dr.Jansen and his staff, they are so loving,caring and they genuinely care. I was highly surprised that for my first week post op Dr.Jansen was seeing me and not his nurse;however they were both there with me smiling and happy. Thank you Dr.Jansen I’m excited to see final results. By boobs are looking great.
Dr. Jansen is more than just an excellent surgeon. He truly cares and listens to your concerns. I never felt rushed and he always answers all of my questions and has terrific staff. His work was superior and I could not be more pleased. I do not know how I would have made it through my breast cancer without him and I truly look younger now. Updated on 3 Jul 2019: This doctor is definitely one of the best. He truly listen and understands. With a breast cancer diagnosis I felt it was the end of the world but he made it better. I actually like my body...His work is superior and he takes his time answering your concerns explaining what he is going to do. His office staff is very nice and understanding as well. I highly recommend this doctor !!
All my life I've had really large breasts. They were never really pretty or sat where they were supposed to because they grew in so fast at such a young age. At 38 years old all I want is to feel more sexy and youthful. I told my Dr I just want big fake boobs! I told him over and over. I brought my girlfriend with me who has the perfect example of what I wanted. I pointed out exactly the look I was hoping for. I do not have that at all. I do feel the that he has made a huge improvement to what I had before but it's just not what I asked for and he never told me that I couldn't have it or wouldn't have it. When I put clothes on i look the same. I've been very upset the last few weeks and don't see my Dr again for 2 more weeks. They have already dropped down to almost the same length they were before and my skin is loose and giggly. He put in 360cc but I feel like all I had done was a lift. I don't know what to think or if I even want to go through with fixing it I'm just sad
Dr. Jansen did my liposuction almost 16 years ago. I was always happy with the procedure.Then menopause happened. There were inches that just wouldn't go away no matter how much I dieted or exercised. I saw Dr. Jansen again just a couple of weeks ago. What I respect about him most is he doesn't do procedures, just because the patient wants them. Dr. Jansen, took into account my medical history and spent time talking to me about the best procedures for ME to get the results I wanted , all while taking into account my medical history. We decided Cool Sculpt would be the best way to go. I was in the office last week and this week. I can't wait to see the results! The procedure itself was minimally uncomfortable and Dr. Jansen and his excellent staff took excellent care of me and call me to make sure things are going well. The have helped me understand what to expect and when to expect it. We are all looking forward to seeing how much better my " problem" areas will look. Stay tuned......
I'm 45 with three children, two born C-section. The skin of my belly and pons pubis (the area of fatty tissue above my vagina) were stretched badly during the C-section. For the last 15+ years I've hated my belly, it hangs over and makes me self conscious, but even worse was the pons pubis. It is a badge of honor my ex-husband said, it doesn't bother me. I learned to live with it. The last few years I started getting rashes under the Mommy Apron, as I call it. Everytime I work out, cut the grass, walk a fair or festival, it gets red, inflamed and irritated. Just another thing I have to live with I decided. I also started to have stress incontinence, another lovely thing to live with. If my friends made me laugh, I pee my pants a little, or a lot, sometimes...super embarrassing. Coughing or sneezing made it happen too. I was told by my Mom it was just something that happens after having babies, nothing to worry about. I started bleeding heavier and between periods. Yuck...Then pain during intercourse...this was the last straw...I just remarried and can't enjoy sex? Time to see a doctor. My Gynecologist was amazing and listened to all my concerns. He ordered blood tests, ultrasound, referred me to a uro-gynecologist. I didn't have one of my dreaded rashes when I went to see him so I didn't mention it, seemed to me there was enough to deal with already. The ultrasound showed that I had a cystoocele (prolapsed bladder) and prolapsed uterus which was causing the stress incontinence. Then I had a DNC to check for uterine cancer since the bleeding had gotten so heavy. Not a fun procedure, had to go under general and the anesthesiologist nicked my esophogus, causing my throat to hurt for two weeks afterward. The doctor didn't find cancer so said we would go ahead with a hysterectomy to deal with the bleeding and hopefully resolve the painful intercourse, as the position of my uterus could mean he's hitting it resulting in pain. At the same time, I'm visiting the uro-gynecologist who has given me meds to try to control the incontinence. Helpful, but makes me super-constipated and I already have IBS. When I let him know about the hysterectomy, he gave me questions to ask my GYN about the procedure and when I did, he suggested the uro-gynecologist do the hysterectomy since he will be able to surgically correct the bladder and urethra issues, which my regular GYN isn't comfortable doing. At one of my visits, I had the dreaded rash, from trying to work out again, to lose some weight. I'm 5'8" and weigh 250 pounds. I carry the weight well, but it would be nice to be a bit smaller. As usual, my belly gets inflamed. My uro-gynecologist sees the rash and prescribes me nystatin powder. The next time, I went to see my primary care for the rash, and they say the same, use the powder and put gauze over the sores. When I discussed having my uro-gynecologist do my Hysterectomy, I jokingly said can you cut off my mommy apron at the same time? He said no, but if you have a plastic surgeon in mind, I'll work with him to do that. Wow, just the idea that I could have a future without that apron of skin and rashes when I walk too much or sit outside in the heat, its just wow... That's how I found RealSelf...researching Mommy Apron Excision, aka Panniculectomy. Under my circumstances, it might be covered by insurance. I looked up surgeons that had the same hospital affiliations as my uro-gynecologist and came up with Dr. David Jansen. After asking my PCP for a consult request, the insurance company called and asked if I had someone in mind, I gave them his name and they got him credentialed and made the appointment. Not that it was hard to get the Plastic Surgeon approved, since he's the chief of plastic surgery at Tulane. I had my consult with him yesterday. Dr. Jansen was very kind, listened to my story and took a look at my Apron and said he could fix it. He's submitting a letter to my insurance to try to get the panniculectomy approved. He also quoted what it would cost for him to tighten the muscles and raise the pons pubis, that nasty stretched skin above my vagina. Coming up with the money in a short time frame is hard, but I'm so excited by the prospect of having a smaller flatter belly that I'm going to try my damnedest to get it. If the panni gets approved, I'll at least not have to worry about rashes or incontinence anymore. The Tummy tuck would just be a bonus. I told my Mom and she is happy for me. My Mom told my sister however and she asked why I want to do this to myself...to which I promptly said mind your business, then explained that I'm going to be in pain from surgery anyway, may as well get it all done and out the way. She told me about horror stories her friends experienced about not healing. I guessed that her friend didn't stop smoking. Right on the money, she didn't. Smoking is the number one way to ensure complications in any surgery. It restricts oxygen flow to tissues and slows healing. If you smoke and have to have any surgery, quit...I quit three weeks ago when I was told I needed the hysterectomy, and I'm so glad since I may now be having an even more heal intensive procedure. It is totally worth giving up to gain so much. Plus I'll save money. Now I wait to see if the insurance will cover the procedure...and for my rash to heal, which means no walking long distances for a bit. Updated on 18 Sep 2016: Both Doctors are looking at dates that work for them and the hospital. Will post exact dates as I get them. In the mean time, working on making meals, getting supplies, researching what to expect. And...taking before photos... Updated on 2 Oct 2016: Pre op appointments are set for both docs and surgery is scheduled for November 1st. Doing preparatory shopping, gotta get granny panties and Milk of Magnesia. Two things I forgot last shopping trip. Really want to buy a compression garment that covers the mons pubis area since the PS is going to do a lift there. I feel the compression belt I used after my c-sections could have contributed to the collection of fat at that area in the first place, after all my research that says the compression garment closes the gap between skin and muscle. The mons tissue was separated from muscle during my c-section but got no compression after since the compression belt went from the top of my bikini line to under the breast. Only problem is what size to order, since I'm not sure what my waist size will be after the procedure. I'll probably wait and order it shortly after surgery, when I can get more accurate measurements. I'll bring it up with the plastic surgeon as well, perhaps they can give me an idea what to buy or they will order it for me. These last few weeks are a challenge because I have to be completely rash free before the surgery. That means no walking more than across my house and no sweaty activities. Hard to do when you want to do so much for Halloween...I love haunted houses. But I guess one holiday is a good sacrifice to gain a life with no more rashes. Uploading more before pics so I can see the difference after the surgery. Updated on 8 Oct 2016: Under Bust - 41" Waist - 44" Hips 52" Thighs - 29.5 I include the thighs because I read in another review that their thighs swelled as much as their abdomen, just want to keep track. Definitely will order a compression garment that goes down to the thighs just in case...attaching a couple pics in my bathing suit, haven't worn a bikini since I was 24, so doubt that is gonna change, but maybe I'll look better in my bathing suits after this is over. Updated on 9 Oct 2016: Things I purchased Arnica Gel Protein shakes Fajate Post Surgical Abdominal Compression Lipo Board Bowink Female Urination device (don't laugh, if you don't have a raised toilet seat, this is the way to go, I've read.) MyM Hair Removal System for Home Use (Home laser hair removal to get rid of pubic hair which might cause infections with the mons pubis lift) Bromelain tablets (reduce bruising and inflammation) Surgical Pads (can also use maxi pads) Paper tape Butterfly stitches (just in case of incision separation) Dial Anti bacterial soap (will start using daily after pre-op, normally like shea butter dove) Milk of Magnesia (for narcotic induced constipation) Azo Urinary Pain Relief (don't know about you, but I get pain after having a catheter) One A Day Womens multivitamin 50+ has all the recommended vitamins for healing. Only problem is it does contain some that might have to be stopped just prior to surgery due to the increase in bleeding risk. Will let you know what they say about them in pre-op Things I already have that I plan to use: Wedge pillow lots of regular pillows recliner tv tray table books tablet (electronic) Hi waisted girdle Shower Chair Walker Ok so Food prep I consider very important, since its the thing that will help you heal faster I got enough Protein shakes for two weeks, just in case I don't feel like eating, they say appetite sucks just after. And protein is essential for healing. You body needs about 60 g of protein a day normally and healing bodies need it even more. So I'm trying to get about 75 a day I got 15g protein shakes, but wish I'd gone for the higher ones now, might make a trip back to SamsClub for the 25 g shakes I saw there. Bonus is the shakes have lots of vitamins, so no reason to take extra as long as i'm drinking those. For when my appetite returns, I wanted super healthy meals, but not something my husband would need to work hard to make for me as he only likes unhealthy food and I don't want to inconvenience him with making his junk food and my healthy food. Family pack of Chicken Breasts from SamsClub Brown Rice Mixed Frozen Vegetables (broccoli, sweet bell pepper, zuchinni, squash, edamame, wax beans) My husband grilled the chicken breasts, in a few different flavors, bbq, lemon pepper, and italian dressing, and I cut them into halves and packaged them with 1/2 cup brown rice and 1 cup veggies per quart sized ziploc bags. I pre-cooked the rice and veggies too so all he has to do is pop a bag in the microwave for 2 minutes and pour it on a plate for me to eat. I'm not picky about my food touching so its a great way to have healthy dinners at the ready. Each packet has about 25-30 g protein. YAY I also think before my surgery I will start to drink protein shakes for a few days prior to clear my digestive system of solids, to hopefully make constipation less of an issue. I'll let you know how that works out for me. There are a few more things I'd love to have prior to surgery, but I'm stretching my budget as is, so I'll just have to make due with what I have. As you can see, I'm a planner and a researcher, I've been doing my best to be prepared so that I'll have optimal results. Its 23 days away and I've gotten most of my prep work done. Will do some cleaning and organizing just prior to the big day, but I'm just about ready. Its kind of a bad thing though, because I'll be reading reviews and thinking of whether I forgot anything non-stop until then. Gonna drive my husband bonkers, I'm sure... Updated on 13 Oct 2016: 1st pre-op appointment done. My Urogynecologist is pretty freaking amazing. He explained the entire surgery and ended it with a procedure I wasn't familiar with. When I asked what it was he said it would tighten things up. My best friend went with me and when we left we couldn't help but joke that I was getting a designer vagina. Vagina by Hallner, Barry Hallner. Yes, I am easily amused. Anyhow, it will be excruciatingly painful, but I was assured that most of the pain would be from what my plastic surgeon will do to me... Updated on 19 Oct 2016: Jenny at Dr. Jansen's office went over all the pre-op and post-op instructions line by line, wow did it take forever it seemed. The worst one was she said avoid caffeine for 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks post...even chocolate. I have given up smoking (8 weeks now, I think), I had my last drink last weekend, but now even my coffee and chocolate have to go? I suppose I won't have any vices for the next month. Waking up without coffee is so hard...but I digress. Dr. Jansen came in and I signed all the consents, and he said he may do a little lipo as well on the upper abdomen. I figured he would have to to get the belly button right. He can do as much as he likes as long as I have a good outcome :D. My husband asked if he could drop me off at the hospital early after I told him I couldn't have any coffee or chocolate...poor guy Updated on 25 Oct 2016: I'm getting excited. I'm not looking to be a perfect doll, just fit better in my clothes and make moving around easier and way less painful. It will be amazing to have no more rashes. I joked about taking up jogging and my gynecologist said no, don'the ruin my work. So, walking it is. I even have a couple wish pics. I just want to look good in my lingerie. Can't wait... Updated on 25 Oct 2016: Updated on 31 Oct 2016: Doing my last minute prep, fleet is not fun...and the Doctor's office called to say my primary care doctor hasn't faxed the medical clearance letter...really will be angry if I prep and they postpone my surgery because of a technicality... Updated on 1 Nov 2016: Seems my bladder wall was thin, so Dr. Hallner had to reinforce it. As a result I get to keep the catheter for a week. No trips to the bathroom unless it's Bowel movement. I thought I would have a pain pump, but nope, didn't get that. I did get some lipo though. I wasn't supposed to get any, so perhaps he traded the cost of the pain pump for the lipo. The nurses don'the know how to milk the tunes for the drain, I had to teach them. Can't eat until tomorrow cuz of the bladder thing. I asked for ice packs for three swelling and they said not unless the doc writes orders for them....like really it's just ice packs...falling asleep they are really nice and the room is great... Updated on 3 Nov 2016: Touro Infirmary is a nice hospital, but they don'the deal with plastic surgery patients often. Thanks to my research, I was able to guide them a bit, but my three days there were definitely not easy being in pain and having to tell nurses constantly not to lower the foot of my bed or the head because I needed to be in a lawn chair position...home now but can't seem to get comfy. My chin is in my chest, it's ughhh. Might have tone try the recliner. Updated on 4 Nov 2016: Some made the bed work, but for me, the recliner is golden. I can sit up enough to keep my lungs clear (coughing every few hours is essential to not getting pneumonia) and lay back enough to rest pretty well. Gotten more sleep already than I did for 3 days in the hospital. I'very read that cats should be kept away because of the bacteria on Thier feet from using a litter box, but I can'take keep my little buddy away so I set up my quilt to cover all incisions and vulnerable areas. I'll have my husband switch the top blanket often to stay clean. Staying on top of my pain meds has made things better. Every 4-5 hours. Taking the arnica and bromelain tablets 3 days before and since ( took them after the first day even though the hospital wanted me to only take what they gave me. Didn'the get my blood pressure meds til late that day because of Thier policy. Blood pressure kept increasing, so I finally said screw it and got my blood pressure meds out of my bag and took them. Seriously let a patient feel sick and have heart palpitations because of bureaucratic policy. I felt better within an hour.) Have VERY little bruising from the lipo. I'miss gonna say it's because of the bromelain and arnica. Make your own decision if you will be medically rebellious but I'must sure glad I did. Catching up on Grey's Anatomy, and other series I missed preparing for surgery. Updated on 6 Nov 2016: Third day, second day home, I lost my appetite and started burping a lot, not so much bowel gas. Took my meds, ate, and then started vomiting, like alot. 1/2 gallon per episode ( gallon ice cream bucket vomit receptacle made it easy to Guage how much happened) Vomited three times from 8 pm to 5 am, called the doctor and they had me come back to the hospital. Started having bowel movements literally when I arrived. Had to get the Porter to wheel me into the ER bathroom. They did a CT with contrast to rule out a blockage and said it was an ileus ( sleepy bowel) because i was under anesthesia so long and taking opiods, hydrocodone for pain after surgery. 24 hours with no food later, i have horrible gas pains, but no pain from the surgery unless I accidentally stand too straight. Getting tired now. Post pics and take a nap. Hoping this food digests properly... Updated on 10 Nov 2016: Got my staples and the waterproof bandages removed, as well as one underachieving drain. It was only putting out 15ml a day. Doctor gave me the ok to switch to spanx from the torture device abdominal binders they gave me in the hospital. It feels so much better in my girdle. I ordered an underbreast boy short girdle with an open crotch, but it hasn't come in yet, so I'm wearing my high waist short girdle with a compression shirt, so they overlap and give good compression. Doesn't have an open crotch though so I have to pull the girdle down every time I go to the bathroom. The even compression from chest to thigh makes such a difference over the abdominal binders. With the abdominal binder on my butt swelled a lot and made the elastic of the binder cut into my waist. After a week of that, my waist is bruised. If I'd known it would cut so much I would have ordered a compression garment and changed into it immediately. List of things I've used Bromelain (so worth it) Vitamin C Pre-made dinners Sleep mask Abdominal lipo board (helps to press on this when having a bm) Safety pins Rubber yoga band ( pinned drains to it and hung around neck to shower) Phone (didn't read or use my tablet, just TV and my phone.) Bra (breasts hurt from swelling) Bacitracin 4x4 gauze Paper tape Long panty liners unscented ( good to cover incision) I'll add pics of my incision later, looks really good. Updated on 10 Nov 2016: Thought I'd add pics I took after my second shower, still some swelling but I think it looks great!! Updated on 17 Nov 2016: Little infection from my drainage site and one of the lipo sites that had been stapled. Doctor gave me cipro and told me to clean and change the dressings twice a day. I admit I was lazy and didn't clean and change the dressings daily the last few days before my post op. I had a migraine for 4 days on the left side of my head and stayed in bed with ice packs most of that time, so the infection is most likely my fault. So I cleaned and changed the dressings twice today and its already noticibly better. Posting a before and after, but there is still swelling so its not exact. I love it though. Moral of todays post...follow the doctors instructions...just cuz bandages look clean, doesn't mean infection isn't brewing. Updated on 17 Nov 2016: Updated on 22 Nov 2016: Ladies, if your BMI is higher than 30, expect to have your drains at least 2 weeks. When I had my surgery my BMI was 37. I had my drain 3 weeks and if it hadn't gotten infected and painful, I'm sure I would have had it another week. It was still draining 70 ml a day. But Dr. Jansen took pity on me and removed it. That hurt so much, but its so nice now that its gone. Just praying i don't end up with a seroma because the fluid has no where to go. Wish I'd known more and lost more weight before surgery. Might have avoided having the drains so long. He had to work on my belly button as well, cleaning with saline and packing twice a day. Gonna be 3 more weeks for that to heal he says. Good luck to everyone whos on thier journey now too. May your road not be as rocky as mine, even though it hasn't been horrible...I'd still have done it, just might have tried to lose more weight beforehand. Updated on 2 Dec 2016: Swelling everytime I do anything for longer than an hour is a little annoying, but I'm getting better. Not sure how to tell if the flap is healing right and connecting to the muscle wall, but I'm sure thats a common concern. The doc removed 2 stiches from my belly button and I'm still packing it twice a day. Hopefully it will be healed by new years. It is kinda shaped like a smily face...maybe I should have one tattooed around it, xD. 1 month before & after pics today Updated on 3 Dec 2016: How long before I have a decent looking belly button? It seems huge right now. Been cleaning and packing it twice a day. I thought it would be smaller by now...its been a month, plus the edges have clearly healed, so is that going to be the official border of my belly button? If so...refer to my previous happy face tattoo idea...cept now one side doesn't seem to be smily anymore...kinda rounded. Hate to complain but really...don't want to go through a revision. Heal process all over? Really... Updated on 23 Dec 2016: After my drain was removed at 3 weeks, I started retaining fluid as I feared. So the doctor had to needle aspirate the seroma twice a week. Instead of the fluid reducing, it seemed to increase, so we drained it three times a week. Still not decreasing, we decided to put in a new drain. It's right at the level of my incision and draining nicely. The procedure to place the drain was pretty gross. He used a surgery drain instead of a seroma catheter. Seroma catheters are thin like a needle and can be placed pretty much mess free...surgical drains...well...not so much. The surgical drain looks like a pen sized spike with one sharp end and the other attached to a long tube. He pushed the spike in one side and out the other, pulled the tube through and sewed it in place. The fluid build up poured out of me all during the drain placement. Serous fluid all over my legs, belly, butt, and on the floor...it looked like about a two liter of fluid. Then he sutured the entry hole closed and attached a bulb to the drain tube. We had to empty the bulb 5 times while they helped clean me up so I could get dressed. The drain hurt the first night, being impaled with a seven inch spike does some tissue damage I imagine, so I took some pain meds and slept. Its day three and its draining about 90ml a day for now. I went back to wearing my original compression belts, as I feel my spanx just were't holding things in enough for them to heal. I got a couple things off ebay that made the belts more comfortable. Lipo boards for the front and back. They keep the belts from bunching up as much in the middle and cutting into my skin. Wish I'd gotten one for both front and back in the beginning, might have helped reduce the risk for seroma. Maybe this will help someone else avoid one :). My belly button continues to heal, its filling in nicely, not sure how it will look in the end, but its not so bad. Looks better from a distance than these close-ups too. I'll post a pic in my new years eve dress soon. I love wearing dresses now...shows off the figure... Updated on 2 Jan 2017: My belly button is healing finally. A small spot smaller than a dime is still healing. Draining about 75ml a day now. About what I was drainjng when they pulled the last drain due to infection. I'm being extremely careful to clean and change the dressings daily and doing very little. The PS says the less activity, the less fluid buildup and the muscle wall can reattach. Keeping this drain as long as I can. I want it to heal nicely. My belly is looking smaller and smaller everyday. I think my final results will be great, just have to be patient. I knew the risk of these kinds of complications were higher due to my high BMI at the start. I was 38.5 BMI and at least 30 is recommended for this surgery. I had a little depression episode at Christmas and New Years. Really wanted to have healed enough to have sex on one or the other but no way I'm going to with a drain in. So, I'm still waiting. My husbands been great, helps as much as he can and reassures me all the time that I told him it would take 6 months to be fully healed and its only been two months, so give myself a break... Updated on 7 Jan 2017: For all my fellow travelers who are over 200 pounds it's very hard to find a compression garment that fits...everything online is sized strangely and every one I ordered didn't fit right, so I improvised and got the products below. Actually I didn't get the side foam, but I'm sure they would help as well. The front and back foam helped the elastic binders provided by the doctor to not cut me in half. I recommend wearing the compression binders until your drains have les than 30ml a day... My doc told me to switch to spanx after two weeks, and I did, being grateful for the extra comfort, but in hindsight, I would have been less likely to have this seroma if I'd stuck with my orginal binders. Been wearing them non-stop since the new drain was put in two weeks ago. I'm thinking I will need the drain for another 1-2 weeks. Don't rush getting the drains out. Just be meticulous about cleaning them with saline and changing the dressings daily so they won't get infected and have to be removed early like mine did. The longer they stay in, the less chance your belly will turn into a waterbed... Included a couple pics of todays outfit. Keep in mind I have two binders and lipo foam under that shirt, not to mention I didn't get lipo of my bra roll. I can pull the waist of my jeans out about 6 inches now and before they were tight, so its quite a big difference. I feel great in clothes, have even bought a few shirts, lingerie and dresses, kept to the clearance racks to keep the cost minimum, but it feels great to like my reflection in the fitting room now. Good luck everyone. I'll post my bathing suit after photo when I'm fully healed and drain free. Updated on 7 Jan 2017: Forgot about this...I am super sensitive to tape apparently, even paper tape and hypo-allergenic tape. For tape burns there is a little trick my wound care nurse taught me; dab Milk of magnesia on the tape burn and let it dry. The zinc in it helps it dry out and heal. Also rotate where you put tape to give your skin a break. Its annoying, especially if you are still changing dressings two months later like I am. I hope someone learns from my mistakes or my innovations and it makes their journey easier. My journey has been long but not as aweful as some I've seen. I experienced no tissue death thanks to quitting smoking, and drinking caffeine and alcohol. It has been very hard, especially through the holidays, but it is sooo worth it. I love my new belly. Updated on 21 Jan 2017: Still have the drain, thought it stopped working but it started up again so all's good. Doc says my belly button is done. Looks great from a distance. The scar tissue making tbe smiley should fade soon enough. Hope everyone is recovering well. Updated on 19 Feb 2017: Updated on 18 Apr 2017: I waited patiently for the drainage to end, but it didn't. Its been 5.6 months and after enjoying my Mardi Gras season and taking it easy to not exacerbate the fluid issue, I finally decided to call Dr. Jansen and see if there's more to be done. He gave me tiny 1/4 inch gauze, long qtips and dakins solution then proceeded to show me how to pack the wound. The idea is for the gauze to irritate the tissue and cause a healing response but I can't get the gauze over to the pocket that seems to be holding the most fluid. Tomorrow is a week of packing and my tummy is very swollen and uncomfortable. When i pull the gauze out, nasty yellowish greenish fluid pours out and I'm thinking its fluid thats been sitting in that pocket I can't reach stewing to a nasty brew. I go back to see him at 10AM tomorrow. On the bright side, my belly button is healed and looks pretty and my scars are fading. Dr. Jansen said if the packing doesn't work he's going to have to go in and clean it all out. Guess I'll find out tomorrow Updated on 20 Apr 2017: Went back to Dr. Jansen yesterday and he didn't like the look of the fluid coming from the drain site so he made a two inch incision on the opposite side and opened up the "tunnel" so we could get gauze all the way through. He numbed me up of course, but I was awake and able to watch a little. Now I have to go in every two days for them to change the gauze packing and dress the wound. Had to change the exterior dressing a couple times at home since it got soaked. This is the last ditch effort to keep me from having to have another anesthesia surgery. I think it will most likely work this time. Oh and can't take any showers...only sponge baths...ughhh. Is it weird that even after all this, I still think this is the best thing I've done for myself since having Lasik in 2004? I feel more confident and I know this is going to heal now that I stopped being stubborn and went back to the plastic surgeon. Don't think if there's a problem that it will just get better if you wait it out. Trust your surgeon... Updated on 4 May 2017: Yesterday I had surgery and Dr Jansen opened up my wound and cleaned it out, excising dead and infected tissue. Seems when the nurse removed my drain, a piece of it broke off in my belly and caused all the infection. He also found a small hernia and fixed it. Hopefully all will heal nicely this time. Dr Jansen has been excellent and empathetic throughout this odd journey. I'm glad I chose him. Updated on 6 May 2017: 3 days since wound exploration. At this time last surgery I developed an Ileus. Since I haven't had a bowel movement since surgery, I'm nervous that it's going to happen again. I quit taking the vicodin yesterday in an attempt to get my bowels moving again. Feeling ok, except for a little rattle when I breathe likely from staying still for so long. I'm using my handy dandy lung exercise machine as a precaution against pneumonia. Running out of things to watch on TV but I don't want to spend time at my computer in case spending too much time there last time impeded my healing... Updated on 23 May 2017: Since my wound exploration surgery, one drain came out after a week, but then the drainage started again, It should be decreasing and stopping, but its maintaining at 50-65 ml a day. It did go up on my shower day to 106 ml which I blame on not wearing my compression garment for a few hours afterwards. Doctor Jansen is sending me to an infectious disease specialist to isolate what is causing this, A lot of doctors I read about on this site have given up on a patient that has issues. Dr, Jansen has been very good about follow up care. Updated on 25 May 2017: Saw Dr. Yeon at the VA medical center in New Orleans, He's the infectious disease specialist. Seems there is a mycobacteria that is common in tap water in the south that can cause abcesses in open wound when exposed that are hard to kill once you are infected, MOST people have good immune systems that fight it off, but mine apparently is a weak nerd immune system like me so I get to take antibiotics for 6 months to kill the little [RS bleep]. Wish me luck... Updated on 28 Jun 2017: The Infectious Disease Specialist told me he wants me to have another wound exploration surgery after having me on IV antibiotics that this pesky bug is susceptible to for one month, then continue for another month after the surgery. Its an aggressive therapy, Dr. Jansen says, and in spite of the fact that my wounds have almost healed from the two months of antibiotics I was on, it is still draining and I have a lumpy area above the right side of the scar that could be infection traveling through the soft tissue because I sleep on my right side often. They are going to put in a picc line since I'll have the IV therapy for months to save my veins. I almost cried when I found out I will for the third time go under the knife, but my Plastic Surgeon has been great and is with me all the way. So many horror stories I've read about women with complications whose PS won't return their phone calls and do what is necessary to help them heal. Dr. Jansen is sympathetic and thorough and made sure I went to a specialist on Infectious Disease to find out the susceptibility of this persistant bug that most people are immune to. Thank you and all your staff for sticking with me for the long haul. <3 Updated on 5 Sep 2017: At least it had better be. I went back in for surgery on August 16th. Doctor Jansen went full hip to hip and fixed my dog ears while making sure to debride all the dead tissue from the infection. I have been very cautious since my surgery not to let any tap water near my wounds. I took sponge baths the first two weeks with distilled bottled water I heated in the microwave until the incision showed no signs of openings. Then waterproof dressings over the drain sites to ensure no water got in that way. My incision is beautiful. I got one drain out last week and Doc plans to take the second out tomorrow regardless of the amount of drainage. There is still quite a bit, but maybe he's thinking the drain tube is causing some of it, IDK. I'm bringing my tightest girdle to put on after it comes out to hopefully keep the drainage down. It's been a long road. Hopefully I'll be fully healed by my year surgery anniversary on November 2nd. After the surgery they removed the PICC line after two weeks and put me on oral antibiotics for another month. The cultures showed I had staphelococcus aureus in there. The infectious disease specialist asked if I manipulated the wound. Only by cleaning it with dakins solution and qtips. Like I want to be sick longer? [RS bleep] please... I went home and told my family and they all pitched in to clean my house top to bottom with bleach to kill any possible bacteria that could reinfect me. I'm doing well except for the excessive fluid still. As God is my witness, I will never let them put in another drain...I'll deal with the drainage with bandages this time if it doesn't stop. I'm so done with this rollercoaster. I just want off so I can start living my life and exercising again. No caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes for 6 months now. It's hard. Now we have hurricane Irma coming with Jose on her tail and depression 13 in the gulf all at the same time. I have bigger things to worry about than my belly. Drain b gone, and then maybe we b gone up north for a hurrication. Prayers for everyone affected by Harvey and all those i n the path of the current storms. Updated on 30 Jan 2018: Things are much better now. I did have to go in to have fluid drained twice, but the last time was two weeks ago and it doesn't seem to be filling up again. Hoping this means I'm finally done with Doctor's visits for a while. My daughter and I are starting to walk 30 minutes a day to get our weight back on track. Back up to 245 lbs. Tummy still looks great though, just know I'd better keep working o n being healthy. Not being able to exercise for over a year has made my back weak and hurts a lot more lately. FUPA is still there but it's not horrible and I have hopes that since the fluid is gone, that might follow suit eventually. Very satisfied with my results even though the road has been long and hard with the weird infections. Hope everyone is having an easier time than mine.
Four weeks post-op tomorrow and I have NO regrets! Well ... can I just start by saying how much I LOVE this website. It has been my life line for the past 4+ weeks! I'm 53 yrs old, soon to be 54, 152 lbs., 5'4". Before surgery I was wearing a 38DDD underwire bra (hate). Also had the underarm boob thing going on. I think I will end up being a 36C ... time will tell. I have thought about having a breast reduction for about 2 years -- after a co-worker had a successful one -- and after having a miserable experience looking for a dress for my son's wedding. I really started obsessing about it after bringing my sister-in-law to some pre-op and post-op appointments (with same PS) for her mastectomy and re-construction surgeries (she is doing fine). So here is my journey: August 13, 2014: I had my consultation with my PS. He suggested me going to a size D, but I really wanted a C. I knew when I left the office that I was going to go forward, but I gave myself two weeks to think about it. August 27, 2014: Scheduled the surgery for September 11, 2014. Regarding insurance -- I did call and they said they do cover this type of procedure, but there was a long drawn out process I would have had to go through to "prove" the necessity. I'm going to be straight forward here -- I would have had to lie to "prove" the necessity. I did have some back pain, but not much at all. Didn't want to go there. My husband felt the same and was very supportive. So I paid out-of-pocket for my procedure and am never looking back. I considered my choice cosmetic, not medically necessary. To each his own. I'm comfortable with my choice. Those two weeks prior to surgery were filled with emotion and doubt -- was i doing the right thing? was I being selfish for spending so much money? what if something went wrong and I chose to do this elective surgery? maybe I should wait? Maybe maybe maybe what if what if what if and then I started googling and found this website! Bingo! Need I say more! If you are thinking about it ... do it! September 11, 2014: Day of surgery. Wasn't nervous AT ALL! My PS came to "mark me up" and we discussed "the size" again. He said "okay one more time D or C?" I stuck to my guns and said C. My thinking was that at my age, weight gain was sure to end up in the boob area and this was my one and only chance .... so C is was. I asked him if was going to do lipo for the "underarm boob" and he said yes but not much. Well thank goodness because let me tell you lipo leaves you very very sore. I think he did a great job with the little not much lipo. I went home the same day with meds for pain, muscle spasms and antibiotics. Take the pain meds! I took them for four days round the clock. Pro: no pain Con: constipation (ugggh) Ice became my best friend (for swelling and comfort)! I slept in a lazy-boy recliner a lot those first few days with 2 little travel pillows under each arm so my arms wouldn't rest on breast area. I tried sleeping in the bed with a wedge pillow, but I'm not a back sleeper. So this didn't work for me at first. But then, I got use to the wedge pillow and managed to spend most of the night in bed. The wedge pillow prevented me from trying to roll over. At week 3 I could sleep on my side a little supported by one of my little travel pillows. Now at week 4 I can pretty much sleep on my side. I've read so much on this website about people being sent home with "tape". I was sent home with internal stitches, external staples (6 in each), external dermabond, covered with gauze and a post surgical bra. Oh and those miserable drains. I had one below each breast. My surgery was on a Thursday. The following Monday those miserable drains were removed (ouch!). However, that was the last morning I had to take my pain meds. Tuesday evening was my first bowel movement (gross I know). I tried Phillips Milk of Magnesia (recommended by my PS), eating Activia, raisins (I don't like prune juice), switched to Dulcolax and took probiotics. I don't know which "one" worked or if it was a combination but hey it worked. The following Friday, one week post-op, I had my dermabond and external staples removed. My treatment now was to use Bacitracin Antibiotic ointment over entire suture line and cover with light gauze for 3 weeks. This got old fast and was sometimes uncomfortable. Especially when I was itchy! But I will be 4 weeks post-op tomorow -- so I have one more day to go. This Friday (10/10/14) he wants me to start using Mederma on suture line for four weeks. My next appointment is not until 11/5/14 at which time he will switch me to a cream that he sells (can't remember name). After reading lots of post on here, it's amazing how every PS has their own post-op treatment regimens: some tape, some no tape, some bra, some no bra. So follow your PS's rules! Well, that's enough for now. I have so much more to say so I may post again later. My best advice is to rest, rest, and rest some more. No reaching up for anything, no bending down. Let loved ones take care of you ..... I did! Take care all ..... this journey has been amazing! Updated on 10 Oct 2014: Well ... I was suppose to switch from antibiotic ointment to maderma today ... But I called PS office and described what I see and feel (office closed today). Nurse said she is pretty sure I have a yeast infection and suggested I go get Lotrim anti fungal cream (for jock itch -- yikes). If this doesn't work, I can call her back over the weekend to get a prescription cream. Just a minor set back :( Updated on 12 Oct 2014: 4 weeks 3 days post-op and breast are sooooo sensitive. I literally do not want anything touching them. Not a bra. Not clothing. So I have been airing them out a lot. Since they have begun to soften, they are even sensitive when I walk. Whew........... Updated on 20 Oct 2014: 5 weeks 4 days post-op----- I started off my morning by visiting co-workers (and of course showing off my new boobies). Everyone thought I lost weight. Nope! Just new boobies! What a confidence boost! Anyways, I felt so good that today I actually cleaned my whole house. So everyone out there that is struggling in week 1,2,3 or 4 post-op ... Hang in there! Things do heal and things do get better! Another minor set back: I think I'm allergic to the Maderma ????. Started using it Saturday and it burns and makes me itchy and red. Gonna call PS office tomorrow. I'm not using it!!!!! Updated on 28 Oct 2014: Will be 7 weeks post-op in two days and I still have itchy breast and most of the time they are so sensitive. I'm not using any scar medication on them yet because I had an allergic reaction to Maderma. Scared to try it again. At one point, I sporadically started itching all over (back, stomach, head, arms, legs at different times, thank goodness). Took Benadryl at night for a couple of days but am tired of being sedated. Benadryl cream works but I just wish the itching would STOP! Other than that I'm doing great. Updated on 30 Oct 2014: I am now 7 weeks post-op! Boobies look great but I've been fighting irritation and itching! Met with my PS yesterday. As he suggested, I am now taking a low dose steroid pack for six days to help with the itching. Hopefully it will help -- so far so good. He also suggested switching to all cotton support bras (where the heck do you get these???), washing bras in Woolite, using ivory soap for showering and putting gauze in bra over irritated area. I'm allergic to "something" but not sure what -- and at this point it really doesn't matter. I just want the itching to stop and irritation to go away! He said I might have to be referred to a dermatologist but not yet -- great ????. So I went to Walmart last night and all I found were some all cotton nursing bras -- not the greatest but that's about all I could find. There was another brand that was all cotton but it had a seam across the cup and it was irritating. Went online and found a bunch but I hate ordering bras online. So today my Mom and so ventured out and did some more shopping. No luck -- grrrr. So I am about to go back online and just start ordering ............... Wish me luck finding a comfortable all cotton support bra!
The recovery sucks!!! But the final result is worth all the temporary discomfort!!!
The past year has been an emotional rollar coaster ride from hell. In July of 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my right breast. I was very lucky and found the lump early which saved my live. So ladies, do self exams and get mammograms, I am living proof that they save lives. After having bilateral mastectomy in August and then in November 28 treatments of radiation I was excited to be scheduled for my first surgery to begain the reconstruction of the boobs. March 12, 2012 I had the DIEP flap done. They harvested 2 veins and fat with skin to create two new breast. This would also give me somewhat of a tummy tuck. On May 4th, I was back in the hospital with a failed flap on the left side, along with an infection and some dead tissue. I knew going into this that there was a chance the flap would fail so I wasn't suprised when it happened. I had surgery on May 5th to remove the dead tissue and clean out the infection. On May 7th my plastic surgeon did the latissimus dorsi flap and put a temp tissue expander. I was devistated because now I would have 2 breast, one made of "real" tissue and one with an implant. I just knew they would look horrible. On August 13th I had my last surgery. My plastic surgeon did a little shaping and finished them off with my new nipples. I am also happy to say that there almost really is no difference in the feel or the look between the two of them. Next phase for the breast is getting the color tattooed on. The tummy tuck came about becasue of the scar I was left with after the DIEP. It was right in my waist line and it really had a hard time healing. Everything I wore rubbed on it and made it raw. Because he used tissue from that area to make me new boobs I was now smaller on the botton portion of my belly than on the top. My panties and my pants would fall because there wasn't anything to hold them up and wearing a belt was painful. After talking to my plastic surgeon about all of my concerns, said that he could revise the scar and do a small amount of lipo but that's about all my insurance would allow him to do. He suggested that I do a tummy tuck but without the muscle repair which would keep the cost down. This would allow him to move my scar down from my waist line to right above the pubic area. He would also be able to do more lipo. He sent me home to talk to my husband and think about it. I decided that if I couldn't have the bombshell boobs that I would spend the extra money and have my tummy area redone. Surgery day the doctor came in and made his markings. I was blown away with the amount of lipo he was planning but I was excited and couldn't wait to see the results and my finished boobs. They gave me the good stuff in my IV and away I went. When I woke up the pain was horrible and I was informed that I would be staying the night. I had 5 drains this time, one less than the last surgery. I also had the On-Q pain pump. The next day I was released to go home with a follow up appointment to see the doctor the next day.
TT & modified breast lift with implant & some Lipo. Same size, 36C/D. Some improvement but I was mostly disappointed in the breast lift & Lipo between the upper thighs. My breasts still sag & the aeroelas were damaged & some stitches came loose on left aeroela. I would have needed a full lift. I still wear a bra to sleep in due to discomfort & under clothing I need lots of support for profile. The Lipo seemed to be done in the wrong place on my thighs, still had rubbing upper thighs but a bit concave toward the back middle. I was relatively fit but needed help in one spot. Should have done a revision but I had no time available for another recovery due to work restraints. Besides, Dr Jansen & staff were not very responsive to concerns after the procedure. Patched up the opening on my aeroela & hoped for the best. Also think my surgery was rushed. Recovery nurse had to call him for follow up because he had left the hospital & was headed to his Metairie office from Thibodaux. She seemed perturbed.
Love Dr. Jansen. Awesome doctor and would recommend him to anyone. Couldn't have asked for a better doctor. And my results are great. Almost 4 months post op and had no problems. My breast were DDD/E-F and now I'm a large C smal D depending on the bra. I wouldn't change a thing. He is absolutely the best!! Love my new breast
Thank you for your question. From the photos you have a square shape to your buttock area. I would recommend aggressive lipo-sculpture above and around the actual buttock area. Round intra-musculature gluteal implants would add great volume to where you need it.
I think from the pictures you sent, that you have a square shaped gluteal area. This is best treated with shaping the surrounding area aggressively with liposuction and using that harvested fat to augment the actual buttocks. Perhaps you will then not need gluteal implants in addition to all this shaping .
You appear to have a variation of Tuberous breasts. This is more common than you would imagine. The correction involves a breast lift and most likely a breast implant to provide upper pole fullness.
I use permanent sutures to help hold the abdominal wall repair in great position. In certain patients we can do a drainless tummy tuck using Tissueglu(trademark).This is usually only effective when we do not have to liposuction the anterior abdominal wall.
Lip Implants in general should be 3/4 to 5/6 the length of the lip depending on lip shape. The position of the implant within the lip width is critical to provide the needed volume increase and lift.
