had large pendulous breasts. Didn't like the way I looked in clothes, and felt breasts could never be supported properly because they were heavy. Would get pains in chest, I believe, due to the pulling of the breasts. Had reduction/lift and went from a 46DDD to a 44B/C. Love the way I look, but am still in the recovery stage, so I still have pain, itching, etc. Painful irritation from bra band rubbing on stitches. Ugh! Updated on 24 Jul 2016: It is almost two weeks post-op. A little bit of breast pain when I walk, reach, or bend. I had some lipo-suction done on sides of breast, and that definitely contributes to the post-op pain. However, I was informed that lipo would cause some post-op pain, and they w ere definitely right. All the black and blue is starting to fade. Steri-strips are still on, but may come off with my next visit to Doc tomorrow. We shall see. My major complaint is intense itchiness at times, which is actually an indication of heeling. I also have irritation from bra band on stitches or steristrips. In summary, these are annoyances, but temporary, I am sure. I am excited to watch the shape and size of breasts unfold as time passes. I was told in about 3 months, I should have a pretty good idea of permanent size of breasts. It should go down about another one-half cup size from it's current size. Doc said we were going for a small B. I will tell you, I no longer feel sweat under my boobs in hot weather, feel nice and light, and no pulling, and look much better in clothes. Anyone who is thinking about this procedure, which I have done for many years, take the bull by the horns, and do it. A little pain and uncomfortableness for awhile is definitely worth the long term benefits. Updated on 24 Jul 2016: One thing I forgot to mention is that I love taking showers. I find it very invigorating and soothing as well. The water feels great running on the breasts, and there is no pain when I wash the breasts all around the incisions, steri-strips, and breasts themselves. It's also the only time I get to take my bra off. I usually take my shower before bed time, and it allows me to go in to la-la land feeling pretty refreshed. I usually take Benadry and 1 hydrocodone before bed to help get me drowsy, so I can fall asleep, and to help control the itchiness. Best of luck to anyone considering going on this journey. You will not regret it if you have been dealing with large, droopy breasts and know the uncomfortableness and self-consciousness that comes with the territory. I did not have to get the nipple removed which was kind of a fear of mine. Updated on 27 Jul 2016: Had 2 week post-op check-up. Had my steri-strips removed, and did not have new ones put back on. Nurse said I was heeling very well. Did not get to see Doc, but I definitely trust her staff to make judgement. Do not have to return for almost a month. Still have some pain when I walk, stretch, or bend. Also trying to sleep can be a little daunting at times. The itch seems to be getting a little better, and last night was the first night I fell asleep without taking Benadryl or Hydrocodone. I will try to continue the act of not taking pills to sleep. I no longer take any pills for pain or itchiness. Although there is definitely still some pain and discomfort, it is tolerable. However, I walk very slowly, which is about all I can do at this point, to control breast pain while walking. I look forward to being painfree and resuming a normal life, which I am confident will come in a few weeks. Good luck to anyone contemplating procedure, and I am sure you will be happy in the end. Be patient. It will not be a bed of roses for quite awhile. I will keep you updated on my progress.
After a lot of research, I chose Dr. Kenna and I'm so happy with her treatment plan so far! I have 13 year old twins and lots of loose skin and a 3" separation of my ab muscles and a hernia. I am having two surgeries at once: to fix the hernia and the tummy tuck with MR. I have lost 40 pounds to prepare for the surgery, now I eat well and exercise regularly!
I have been debating a tummy tuck for the last 2 years now. I went in for a consultation with Dr. Kenna in May 2013 and I got cold feet and chickened out! I was also considering expanding our family with one more child and didn't want to possibly "waste" money on something I could ruin again with a high chance of another multiple pregnancy or even just a singleton pregnancy for that matter! I'm grateful for the children I do have, so we opted to not proceed with expanding our family. I finally got so disgusted with myself that I made another appt with Dr. Kenna for another consult (or mini consult since I already seen her) and now I have my surgery date booked for the end of next month! I, personally, find Dr. Kenna and her staff warm and kind. I understand she is a very busy PS and I value the time she has with me as her patient. My cost is $7185 total - Paid a $200 deposit to hold surgery date - $400 of this cost is for the drug Exparel, I am opting to have injected into my abdominal muscles before being closed up to help with the pain for the 1st * 2-3 days post-op. Without that medication the cost of the procedure is $6785.00 I will take some before pictures shortly! Also, I am 5'4" 160lbs Updated on 3 Mar 2015: I am completely obsessed with reading reviews and looking at pictures of everyone else's TT, MR and hip lipo! lol Updated on 5 Mar 2015: Some before pictures I'm 5'4" 158lbs (as of today - fluctuate 5'lbs or so) Updated on 11 Mar 2015: I had my pre-op appointment 2 days ago (Monday morning). I was signing paper work just as if I was buying a new car! The medical assistant I had was very very kind and wnet through all the paper work with me. I spoke with the P.A. whom I confided how VAIN and SELFISH I feel for getting this procedure done. She was very kind and understood why I felt this way. Apparently most of us feel this way at some point during this process. Then my surgeon came in and took a look at me again and went through all of my allergies, etc. They gave me a brochure of a compression garment selection they wish for me to go through and buy one before the surgery. The P.A. and the surgeon told me TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ONES TO BUY. That has me a little concerned as if they aren't on the same page. Crazy, right? Anyway, pardon me for being so bummed today, but I was a little annoyed I have to pay for the compression garments. I was told everything was included in the price I was paying. Had I been told some of these bigger extra's that come along, I would've not been slammed with more sticker shock! Anyway, I am researching a few garment suppliers today and have read that buying TWO is beneficial so that you are always wearing a clean one. So, I guess I need to buy two? I have my surgery less than 2 weeks from today and I am trying to get all the supplies, medications, etc I will need for post op. Don't know if there are any extra's of anything I need??... I will be going to visit my family out of town this weekend, and the following week and weekend I will be doing meal prep for my husband and children....because let's face it......it's going to bea survival of the fittest without me at their beck and call for a few weeks!!! Updated on 25 Mar 2015: Updated on 25 Mar 2015: Had to be there to register for 6:30am and scheduled to start at 7:30am. Got my lovely period the day before so that's a huge PITA to deal with on top of the surgery! I started to cry walking back to the OR for my surgery over the fear of not waking up from General anesthesia. The nurse and anesthesia assistance were nice as pie and so wonderful trying to comfort me. My surgeon visited me for markings beforehand and she was In a great mood, on time and very sweet and reassuring. I fell asleep fast and when I woke up I got hit with terrible nausea and started dry heaving. They gave me anti nausea medicine and it knocked me back out. I had a very difficult time staying awake in recovery and wished I could've stayed overnight - but that wasn't offered. The grogginess and lightheadedness continued the entire time even after I left at 4:00pm ish. Getting in and out of the car was very uncomfortable and hurt but I'm glad I made myself leave before all the anesthesia wore off. Slept on and off on my couch propped with pillows. My kids keep wanting to bother me and lay with me and they can't and I feel bad for freaking out on them for bumping me! Got a straight 4 hours sleep, so that was good. Updated on 25 Mar 2015: I'm getting a lot of gas bubbles floating around inside on top of my period on top of my very sore abdomen. My upper abdomen is quite painful at the moment!!!! I got one drain in place and it looks like it drains quite a bit. Updated on 25 Mar 2015: Updated on 26 Mar 2015: The pain has been tolerable to moderate today. Got a little bit better sleep last night and managed an hour nap today. The gas pains deep inside are quite painful! My mixture of emotions are that I'm excited to see the results and the results over time yet I keep thinking of how badly things hurt. When I am sitting some of the pain from my abdomen goes away while the pain in my back and my ass flair! Nausea still comes and goes, especially when I take the antibiotic. Ice truly is your best friend!!! Updated on 27 Mar 2015: Had a sneak peek today while finally braving my first shower since the surgery. I notice a bulge off to the left of my belly button and skin rippling a few I ches under that where it looks like another puffed out bulge. I'm chalking it up to swelling but of course I'll be taking a watchful eye on the entire thing! I feel a bit better today and started spacing my meds out a little further. Updated on 28 Mar 2015: Day 4 post op and I'm feeling pretty good. I had my second shower today and I even felt good enough to blow dry my hair and style it and paint my nails! I am pretty swollen from my waist to my lady parts and I took off the binder and started wearing my compression garment that I ordered from Marena group. They still have quite a bit of stretch marks, but to me it doesn't really matter I'm still happy. I'm looking forward to no bulges in my jeans and no saggy overhanging skin over my underwear. I still plan on wearing a bikini, stretch marks and all this summer. :-) Updated on 29 Mar 2015: Updated on 29 Mar 2015: I have my first preop appointment tomorrow. I'm wondering what we will discuss. I'm thinking I'm a pretty good patient, doing everything I'm told, even with loads of swelling, I'm hoping for a great update :-) Tomorrow will be 8 days without a bm. I've been taking stool softeners since a few days before the procedure and I'm hoping to go soon! I'm looking forward to being able to lay on my sides a little as it will take slit of pain off my extended assbone!
So far, my experience with the Doctor is just average. Doesn't thrill me but she doesn't worry me. She should be fine. I'll see after tomorrow. Tomorrow is the surgery. More to follow. (This is requiring me to write a maximum number of characters and I haven't had the surgery yet so this is just filler in information). Updated on 16 Dec 2014: Went as well as could be expected. Doctor much 'warmer' today. Really like her more...guess when your in an 'operating room' and about to go through something the doctor shows a more compassionate side. I am sore around the drain area but SO HAPPY I DID IT. I LOVE MY TINY BOOBIES. Nipple a little frownie but she told me it would fill out over time and to massage them. Pics soon. Ladies - if your 'sick' and tired of them or just sick and tired of them, do not hesitate - DO IT! :0) Updated on 17 Dec 2014: Hi All - I was in the OR yesterday at this time. So after the first night of (not sleeping...ugh not a back/side sleeper...a stomach sleeper and couldn't do that) - I'm not thrilled but I am at a point in my life at the brink of "50" next month that I have learned what matters is not my boobs (lol), they are a bit frowny and wrinkled looking this morning ... first morning after. I am hoping after the darn drains come out and the wrap is off they will "fluff" some. Hoping the nipple/areola will spring out. She told me to massage. Either way, it all a matter of time. We all need to remember when we got them in...how hard and shiny our skin was cause of these new water balloons put in there and how long it took for them to drop, soften and look (somewhat) natural. I think the 'explant' process is the same thing...I hope. I'm giving it 6 months till I think I will look closer to the way they will be. Love this forum! :0) Updated on 17 Dec 2014: Ladies - has anyone had their nipples/areola do what mine are doing? I know it has only been 1 day, but I'm a little freeked that they are 'sucked in' looking and 'wrinkly'. I still have these dam* drains in and it hurts. Last night I think I rolled on it wrong and pulled it out slightly because I can see the stitch that was suppose to be holding it in and I was leaking right out of the incision down my side (as well as still in the drain). These drains are awful. I tried massaging my breasts the way she told me to and slightly tugging on my nipple but the left one seems like it is suctioned inward by some great force. Please give me some reassurance if this is normal and will eventually fluff. - Well here are my pics - From 10 years ago, 30 lbs lighter...tiny barely A cup to - ouch...look at those shiny bullets from right after the implant (AUG 2004), to just the other night (and 30+ lbs)...big oaf-y looking globs! Hated them....but now look at me...Ugh...will they get better...fluff out and the poor little nipples be ok???? HELP???
