James W. Ward, MD (retired)

I've always had large breasts even as a young teenager and then as the years went by and 3 children later even thought I worked out and stayed fit! I really needed a tummy tuck and a breast lift and a reduction. Finally, decided I could justify spending the money on my self and met Dr. James Ward. So glad I did!

Looking to improve my self esteem.. This is something for me. . I have 3 beautiful Children but I'm not going to have any more. . So it's time to work on me and improving areas that are well over do. . My goal is to start over again And maintain my new improved shape. . Is been a while since I've seen a size 7or 9... I think I'm too hard on myself but I know this has to happen and I'm truly blessed to have such a Supportive husband my kids even support me do I'm super excited.. Updated on 2 Mar 2013: Im so excited the 8th is coming so fast... all I think about now when I see myself is this Friday ill have a whole new shape.. This is to real.. so what are some of you all wearing home from surgery? Updated on 4 Mar 2013: Almost there ladies my nights seem so long. . Everything is a go I'm so excited this is a blessing to me the 8th is so close. . Updated on 8 Mar 2013: Hey ladies quick update surgery went good and im so tired and swollen. . Over all everything went great i had to stay in recovery a bit longer until they had my pain under control. .. so I was finally sent home around 6 pm.. ill give a full update tomorrow im just excited n tired .. happy to be on the flat side... love you ladies Updated on 9 Mar 2013: Today is day one after my surgery and i have been OK with the pain a little stinging but that it, i cat walk straight up but i can walk. i feel a little dizzy from time to time but other than that everything went well, I did have a great surgery and while in recovery i was in a lot of pain that lead me to stay longer than they wanted me to my pain level had to be a 4 or less to be placed in a room. so then you have to potty before you leave the hospital and I swear It took forever to do that.. so my stay was a little long.. while i was full of drugs it felt like i was going to throw up everywhere and while i was dizzy i was able to maintain and just relax.. i was so sore when i came home and just wanted to sleep so that what i did. so i have the stitches inside and a glue that is holding everything together.. I do have a drain but for some reason he placed it on the left hip at the end of my cut.. so that i have never seen but my scar looks amazing im very pleased with the results so he did a great job. Updated on 11 Mar 2013: posting pic of post op day 3 Updated on 12 Mar 2013: Day four post OP.. I feel great and no pain.. Can't wait to see everyone pics healing... Updated on 12 Mar 2013: posting day 3 and 4 pics.. I'm super swollen and very tired.. other than that I'm doing just fine no meds so far.. the pain has really been minimal... thanks to all you ladies out there for the support also I'm doing a review on my journey on youtube follow me Blessedbeauty Patton.. cant wait to see you all pics and stories... Updated on 15 Mar 2013: my drain is out i can move better it didnt hurt at all. I think for the most part i havent had any pain at all.. but i feel great ps said that i would feel better but im still not even 60% healed and to take it easy. so i didnt listen i cleaned out my freg and man i was sore and my tummy looked as if i was 4 months prego.. so i layed down and it went away... so yes i know now to chill but it needed to be done lol... but over all im not eating all carbs and watching my suger in take as well as sodium.. have up loaded day 5 and 6 pics as well.. thanks again for your support Updated on 23 Mar 2013: Hello ladies. ..im 15 days post op... I'm doing great will post pics later today . The numbing os starting to wear off so i think the MR WAS done... my scar is healing nice the glue is starting to wear off.. no pain as of now and I have been shopping for dresses bc I cant wear anything else to class also I think I need another binder this one is getting lose.. so I think that is a good thing. Also Im sorry im so late between the kids homework n mine I just want to sleep... love you ladies thanks so much for the love n support. . ????xoxo???? Updated on 16 May 2013: Im still having trouble with the upper stomach. . So I'm going to start working out and counting calories so hopefully that helps. . I'm also trying it works body wrap.. let me know if any of you ladies want to try it with me. . It's working so far.. -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- Portions of this update do not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason.

My experience was good. I got up at 5;00am for a 715 surgery. Checked in, saw my doctor, got anesthesia. The next thing I know, I am in recovery getting morphine. Three hours of surgery. I went from a 38H to..I don't know yet. Day two wasn't bad, i trouble with nasea, and threw up for the next five hours after surgery on day one. I had No drain tubes!! I am wrapped up tight until monday, I get the bandages off. No driving for one week and no lifting for two weeks. Sleeping on your back every night sucks, but it wont last forever. I am glad it is over, so now the healing process can began.Updated on 28 Aug 2012:I made it to day 10. No major problems, no pain, no itching. My Dr. said everything is looking good. I have glue on my incisions instead of stitches. I have to start pealing the glue off at my convenience per the Dr. I don't have any outer stitches just inner. I have started sleeping a little on both sides with pillows to assist me. The only issue I have is sleeping on my back and sleeping Period. It takes a while to fall asleep which causes me to sleep late into the morning. Wearing a sports bra makes me feel like I don't have a bra on at all! which is an awesome feeling. They took 800mg which is 5 pounds all together.Updated on 7 Sep 2012:I just completed week 4! The weeks are going by sooooo fast! There were so many people who say they were bored, etc at home, not here! I have not gone back to work just yet. I am thinking maybe on the 17th. I have plenty of time built up at work. My healing has been going well I suppose. I havent had any draining. It seemed on week 4 they got sore. Nips extra sensitive on one side, no sensitivity on the other. The first three weeks I didn't feel a thing. I have taken only one pain pill the entire time, and i didn't really need that. The swelling has gone down some, and I think I need to get a smaller, lil more supportive bra. This Wal-Mart special is comfy, but not supportive, and it's a lil big. I did develope a little bubble on the left breast i noticed this week, but i know it will go down at some point. Not real comfy sleeping on the sides still, but i have been doing it off an on, Its the only way i can get some real sleep. I have soreness not necessarily where the scars are, but where the cleavage area is and on the top of the breast above the cleavage area. I suppose no one else has glue instead of outer stitches? I haven't read anyone's post that have mentioned it. I am suppose to peel the brown glue off the incisions daily until I get it all off. I have 45% of it off, but peeling around the nipple can be a challenge! Around the nips, the glue is in a swirl pattern, and it doesn't come off in big pieces. It doesn't really hurt because some parts of that area don't have feeling back in it yet, however, peeling glue the same as your skin tone is a lil different. It works best after a shower, and sometimes a lil lotion or vaseline helps. I haven't experienced any itching yet and I was instructed not to put anything on the scars. I plan to start exercising(walking) next week. (I am enjoying doing nothing). I am not to do real exercise before 6 weeks. ****The worst thing about the whole post surgery is that now I can see my STOMACH***. I had a great shape prior to surgery with the big boobs, (waist looking small) and nice butt. Now, the stomach doesn't look so nice! I will be in the gym after week 6 getting it in. I want the old shape back without the big boobs, so I got crunches to do. I refuse to get lipo/tummy tuck, and I know hard work will take care of this in time...plus ( i hear it is way more painfull). So far, it was definitely worth the surgery. Hugging people is better, hugging the hubby is even better, you can feel more! Intimacy is a little different for him, not being able to start at the top and work your way down...however, starting in the middle is fine with me....wink!Updated on 13 Sep 2012:I'm still doing well, a little itching, which is part of healing. I have completed week 4. Breast are doing good, still sore, and often feel "hard". Can't wait until I can stop wearing the bra 24/7. I wear my Wal Mart specials at night and a more supportive bra during the day..I'm thinking of going back to work maybe next week. Question: How many weeks did most of u stay out before you went back to work? I know everyone's job is different, but I'm just curious. Thanks.Updated on 17 Oct 2012:I am now two months removed from surgerey. My breast are still a little tender, and hard. Hopefully in a week or so, i will be able to sleep on my stomach (crossing fingers). I have started exercising more, because now that those big boobs are removed, i can see that pouting stomach I couldn't see before. I could use a tummy tuck now, but i plan to do work it off and not get anymore surgery. My bra size didn't change like I wanted it to, but I am glad that it is less than what I had. I am down to a 36DDD, some bras 38DD, and according to Nordstrom, a perfect fit under the arm for me is a 36G. It seemed my breast got alot shorter, but they are wide, which causes a small problem with some bras still. I know some of my friends had the sides of the breast lipo'd, but my surgeon did not recommend that. I am not 100% pleased with the size, but I thank god it's better than it was. I can now wear tanks without a bra if i want too!