Ember Lee Ewings

After losing 60lbs over a time span of 3 years, my breasts were left with no volume. My breast skin was loose and saggy, and my nipples had lose their shape.

I am a personal trainer, and I weight lift 5-6 days a week. I can build a butt, but not boobs! I've always been against plastic surgery, but when I couldn't even look at myself in the mirror after showers, I knew I had to cave. I did my research and asked tons of people at my gym what they thought about BAs/lifts and they all agreed that as long as it helped to boost my confidence, I should go for it!!

I went with a donut (periareolar lift), as well as going through that incision to place my implants. Under the muscle.

Updated on 19 Apr 2016:
Today I had my 3(ish) week follow up at my PS office. Still another week of not doing anything. No work, no working out (except for light cardio and legs). I got to see my incisions for the first time today !!!
For everyone wondering about periareolar incisions, I have some pictures!!! ***NOTE: The rippling on my breast is from how tight my surgical bra still fits! NOT the implant itself.

Getting nervous little over 2 weeks left until surgery. I've lost about 12 lbs since I've seen the PS the first time. I know I still have a ways to go but I'm happy to have lost what I have. 2-14 I have my pre op physical with my PCP. Then the 17th my pre op appointment with the PS. I'm still waiting on hearing from insurance if they will pay for the full tummy tuck. They have told me that they will pay for the panniculectomy but feel the full TT and muscle repair is more of a cosmetic procedure. So I wrote an appeal letter, they said it would take 7-9 days to hear back but today is day 20 and still no word. If insurance does not pay it would be $2000 out of pocket. The kicker is that I have about $1500 saved up and I need to make the down payment by 2-14. I'm feeling stressed because of that plus just having surgery is stressful enough.

Updated on 14 Feb 2017:
Well insurance decided they will not cover the muscle repair, full TT. Below is a copy of the letter I sent to them. I am feeling stressed/ anxious. I now need to find a a couple hundred by Friday to make my down payment. It's still only a fraction of what most pay but it's hard coming up with the money. I have my period physical with my PCP today. I had fasting labs. I'm feeling guilty for having the full TT. I feel that this money could go to other bills, things......

Updated on 17 Feb 2017:
Today I have an appointment with my PS for my preop physical! Hubby will be coming to today's appointment. I'm very excited. Today is also when my payment is due. I finally have my money all set. I am feeling blessed that insurance is paying for all but the MR. so my portion is just under $2000. I ordered a couple CG's so I have those. I am hoping that today I will get a list of what else I will need.

Updated on 18 Feb 2017:
Here I am about 25 weeks pregnant with my triplets. I went until 36 weeks and trust me I only grew larger. They weighed 4.4, 4.9, 4.11. Plus another after them.
I saw my PS yesterday. Things went great! My questions were answered. I felt more at ease. Plus my payment was made!

Updated on 21 Feb 2017:
Getting excited and nervous about surgery! Feeling a bit anxious about it. I'm feeling fat feeling worried about the end results. I will post pictures next week Monday night on my pre TT.

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
Yesterday was a rough day for me. It's amazing all the things that go through a persons head prior to surgery. My PS requested that I try to stop my antidepressant due to the fact it can cause me to bruise more. Well that lasted 3 or 4 days and then I was a basket case. Hence yesterday. I also work Monday through Thursday and I was home yesterday with 5 kids all day because of a snow day. Don't get me wrong I love my kids but they can stress me out. Today is a new day and I'm feeling better!
It's hard to believe that in 3 days I'll be on the flat side. I am on this site many times a day wondering/ hoping that I will look like that person. I'm not getting lipo so I'm sure my results won't be as dramatic. I also weight more than most of these ladies so that will also change my look also. I think that is what worries me the most. I don't want to be to optimistic and not like my results. I'm not to worried about the surgery part or the pain I feel I'm pretty tough. It's mostly the mental side of things I struggle with. I will post before pick the night before surgery.

Updated on 28 Feb 2017:
Well it's here and today is the day I share my before pictures. It's hard to see them myself. It's kind of like that first appointment with my PS. Where you stand in front of the mirror and the point out what needs to be done.
I am not having lipo done. I am not doing this to be skinny. I'm doing this primarily for health benefits. I'm worried about how it will look like afterwards. Am I being to optimistic? Well that's it for now see you on the flat side.

Updated on 28 Feb 2017:
No peeking that's what the nurses say. But when I went to the bathroom I lived my gown and looked on the mirror. I am surprised at what I see!!!!!!! Omg I look small wasted. I can't wait to peek.
My plastic surgeon thought she'd remove about 5 lbs of skin and fat. She was very surprised at being just shy of 10 lbs. wow 10 lbs!
I'm surprised at the burning pain in my stomach. I don't feel the pain has gone away since surgery. The nurses are amazing and waiting on my every needs.

I'll take pic as soon as I can. I also hope this makes sense because I'm loopy on pain meds.

Updated on 28 Feb 2017:


Updated on 1 Mar 2017:
My flat side. Feels like I can see a difference. I already hate the drains. The are real low in my pubic area. And they pull. I'm sure we will become friends over the next 3-4 weeks.

Updated on 1 Mar 2017:


Updated on 3 Mar 2017:
Today I decided to take a shower. It felt amazing. We took pictures and I see more swelling than yesterday especially on my hips. To me I think I look awful. Swelling sucks. But this to shall pass in many many weeks.

Updated on 5 Mar 2017:
Had a busy day yesterday. I ate at Olive Garden and the swelling was horrible. To much yummy salty foods. So I have been paying for in ever sense. I'm very uncomfortable with all the swelling. Today is a new day and I will eat more while foods! I stopped pain meds yesterday but I still take the occasional muscle relaxant. It seems like my back needs it more that my stomach muscles.
I finally pooped yesterday. Not the easiest but I survived. I had a nasty dream that I was so swollen that my hips were splitting open. Nasty but thank the lord it was just a dream and I get this swelling under control.
I will try to post more pics later today because it is currently 3 am here.

Updated on 5 Mar 2017:
I'm wondering if my drain on my left side is plugged. It used to be the one that was draining the most but today not hardly at all. I experienced severe pain in my lower groin area also. During this whole post op recovery I have not had so much pain. So I tightened the binder lowered it to press more on my groin and laid down for a few hours. Now no pain but still not draining much. I will call the PS in the morning to see what she says. Swell is hell Is real. These are pics taken when I was having the episode of pain.

Updated on 7 Mar 2017:
I say my PS today as a 1 week check up. The big reveal of my belly button was done. It's swollen like the rest of me. She said all looks good. She said my bad pains that I had Sunday were from doing way to much Saturday. She said I need to slow down. ???? I told her with 5 kids I will try. I don't have to see her for another 3-4 weeks or until the drains slow down and each only produce 30 ml per 24 hours.

Updated on 9 Mar 2017:
I'm having a rough day. I'm sure this is part of the healing process. I feel fat bloated over all uncomfortable. My period started today and I hate my drains. Having a pad on and these drains is no where ideal. Tuesday when we were coming home from my post op check their was a guy in the ditch with a person doing CPR on him. I am also trained to do CPR so I stopped and helped. I think I'm still sore from that. Plus today I see his obit in the paper. I feel bad for that.
I took pics today but feel embarrassed about posting them. It's just hard to be positive today. Sorry.

Updated on 14 Mar 2017:
Over all doing pretty good! Went out with friends for a 3 hours last night and my poor pubic area was so swollen and sore. Over all I was up to much. I was able to get a drain out today!!!! Not a issue easy peasy!! No discomfort with the removal. Here are some updated pictures.

Updated on 22 Mar 2017:
Wow 3 weeks has gone since surgery. Things are going well. I hate this drain!!! Hate it. The PS says that my fluid numbers need to be below 30 ml for 2 consecutive 24 hour periods. Well for the past week it's been at 30 with the occasional 20.
Trying to find balance of being active and doing to much is a difficult balance for me. I feel good but want to get back to normal.
Because of this drain my pubic area and upper thighs are very swollen. Swell hell is horrible.