Exercise wouldn't help with the skin so decided to get a tummy tuck . Everything went great saw immediate results, was very nervous before but the staff made me feel really comfortable. The doc even called me from his cell to check on me after I went home! His main concern was my health and to make sure not only did I like my results but felt good
The first time I had my surgery, my doctor recommended sub glandular implants with bilateral mastopexy. He placed naturalle silicone high profile implants and did lollipop on the left side and areolar on the right side. My left side was always the kids favorite side I guess because it sagged much more than the right. Surgery went fine and recovery was minimal. However, within 6 months post surgery, my doctor informed me that my implants were contracting from a scar capsule formation and would most likely need revision with another 6-8 months. He was right. They kept getting harder and more often these weird stabbing type pains were getting worse. Nothing I had to take medication for, but very annoying. At one year post my initial surgery, I decided to have the revision done. My doctor recommended that we go sub muscular this time and hopefully I would have less chance for capsular contracture. I am now 5 days post operatively for my revision and submuscular placement of my implants. Wow! what a difference in pain level. This is so very much worse than the first go around! Initially, my doctor had reserved the operating room for only 2 hours. My husband picked me up after I had been in there for 5 hours. then recovery. UGH! I trust my doctor, but my appointment for stitch removal is tomorrow and I have lots of questions for him. He used my same implants so that saved me some money, but I question how he removed them from the capsule with out damaging them. Honestly, even the very last day before I went in this last time, I was still happy with the look of my breasts. The pain and the hard rubber-type feel that drove me to this surgery, well. I hope they come out better this time. I am 46 years old, 5'7, 134lbs and my high profile implants are 400cc. Fort Worth, Texas Mom to 3 boys
More than anything, I would like to not have the constant pulling of my neck and shoulders. I would like to run and dance and jump without being completely self-conscious about the flopping display. I want someone to notice my brown eyes first, not my big boobs. After experiencing the true onset of menopause and its lovely weight gain and mood swing surprises, I decided I had suffered long enough. After praying about it first ( I didn't want God to be upset with me), my spiritual advisors helped me work that out.. When I had the peace of knowing He blessed this decision, I went into action and found my PS and made the appointment. We talked at great length, then took pictures, and measurements and sent the request off to my insurance company. Two weeks later, I got the exhilarating news that it was approved...after all these years, it was finally going to happen. Now I'm getting myself ready, losing weight, lining up help for a week or 2 and ready in every aspect. I will definitely keep everyone posted. Updated on 15 Nov 2015: Not scheduled until Dec. 14th. I will happily post "after" pictures once the surgery is over. Updated on 16 Nov 2015: Due to circumstances WAY beyond my control, I have to post-pone this surgery for a period of 7-10 months. :( Hopefully, I will rejoin the forum a few months closer to my actual rescheduled date. This has been THE single most helpful location to understand all that is expected financially, emotionally, socially, etc. before a major operation like this. I pray that all will be resolved soon and I can go ahead as planned. For now, I continue to endure the shoulder and neck pain. Very disappointing but I always trust my God who definitely is wiser and knows the better time and place for me. Updated on 24 Nov 2015: So my surgery was scheduled and then issues arose that made me cancel it and then things worked out so now I am back on for December 17th. Now it's starting to feel "real" and I'm getting mentally and physically (and spiritually) prepared. And posting my official "Before" pictures, as uncomfortable as that feels. But I realize that in the next month, lots of strangers (i.e., medical professionals) are going to be seeing the girls. Updated on 24 Nov 2015: I read where some people have been able to stay overnight or even two days at the hospital or surgery center. I think I would like to do that but not sure how you go about getting that authorized. Does anyone know? I think I'd be more at peace with staying there for at least a night. When and who do you ask? Updated on 4 Dec 2015: I'm not sure what's going on with me, but I can't seem to get my house clean and ergonomically straightened enough. I have been preparing almost like I did when I was expecting my babies. They called that nesting but not sure what mine is. I have so much to do before my BR date, 12/17/15. On another note, my very cool surgeon called me at home last night to talk with me about any concerns I have for my upcoming procedure. He was so helpful and patient. I appreciated that time more than I can state here. He also told me about doing a biopsy while they are in each I breast. I was wondering if every surgeon does that as a standard precautionary procedure since they're already in there. I think it's an excellent idea - the ultimate cancer screening. Sure hope everything comes out fine because, in the worst case scenario, he would stop the BR procedure and close me up to decide on the next plan of action. Kind of scary, yet reassuring. As I get closer to my date, so much is running through my mind. You ladies have been such a magnificent form of therapy and a plethora of information. in fact, I was able to tell him (my surgeon) some things that he didn't have to tell me because I already knew from this forum. Y'all rock!! Updated on 4 Jan 2016: Had to update you ladies about something that happened to me a few days ago. My lollipop incision (which is only on my left side) opened up to a gaping hole...it was pretty disgusting and quite frightening. I couldn't wait until my appointment with my surgeon today. About 4 days ago when I woke up, I noticed I had this disgusting "yoke-looking" stuff spewing out of this hole...I'll spare you anymore nauseating details. But the good news is that it is old fat that is "melting away" and we need to let it empty out, as gross as that process is. Hey, if it's getting rid of fat, I'll endure it!! He squeezed a lot of yuck out during my visit then bandaged me up really well and told me to put Kotex pads on it along with paper tape - no adhesive. Anyway, we both noticed that during this process, my breasts are falling nicely into place. So just another week off from work (for a total of 3 weeks) and hopefully I can go back in and not have any wound management issues to deal with. Thought I'd share this development. Updated on 23 Jan 2016: I wanted to post an update about my progress. Aside from the hole that developed at the "T" junction on the right breast, I'll have to say I am very pleased with the whole thing. My swelling continues to go down a bit every week. I flush my hole/incision twice a day with Betadine solution using a squeeze bulb and definitely in the shower as it is MESSY!! After each flushing, I clean it even more with Hydrogen Peroxide, apply a dab of iodine ointment, then cover with a clean gauze and tape it. Doc says it's looking great, healing from the inside out. Itching has subsided since I started using the CeraVe lotion that someone on here recommended. I'm so happy that I may actually be released to start running at 6 weeks...or at least walking real fast! I still can't feel anything in my nipples but that doesn't seem to bother me since I hadn't felt anything there for years due to the heaviness. I'll continue to post monthly or if anything develops that I believe you ladies would want to know about. Have a great day. :D Updated on 28 Jul 2016: Visited with my surgeon today, 7 months post op. He's pleased with them and so am I. Updated on 5 Nov 2017: My procedure was done almost 2 years ago, Dec. 17, 2015. It was by far the best thing I did for my body...my back, my shoulders! Here is a recent pic. Updated on 5 Nov 2017: Side view, 1year; 10 months post op Updated on 30 Nov 2017: I am 6 days away from my tummy tuck and lipoma tumor removal. It's starting to get real but I am not near as nervous as I was two years ago when preparing for my breast reduction. Reading all the posts have certainly put me in a better position to prepare. I have purchased or completed the following: Elevation Bed (with head and foot raising ability) Overbed table (really cool...straddles bed, up to a king size) Palmers Vitamin E Oil Silicone Sheets for scars Bandages Spanx Movable "snake" to hold iPhone/iPad Updated Will, Living Will, HIPPA, Medical and Durable Power of Attorney Life Insurance Policy Update/Review (should've done years ago but I'm set now) Lined up people to come help me each day and night for at least 5 days Stepped down from my church ministries for a while and got substitutes for that time period Downloaded apps (Sign Language, French) to watch and learn during down time Asked my prayer warrior groups for a little uplift in prayer on that day (and afterwards) And, finally, took the dreaded "Before" pictures of my disgusting self and have posted.
I have lost 120 pounds over the last 3 years from the 'sleeve' procedure. I am very happy with my results from that surgery, but now I have the excess skin from the weight loss.
