Since the consultation about 6 months ago, Dr. Swetnam and his team have been more than accommodating. They really made me feel at ease and answer any questions I had. The pre-op with the nurses went well, and Dr. Swetnam's bedside manner before surgery was amazing. I really have no complaints about him or his staff at all! I trust him with any future procedure I might have!
I had been carrying excess sagging skin for over a decade from double c-sections and an 80 lb weight loss after each pregnancy. I’d gotten so used to trying to hide it with high waisted compression underwear, clothes that were looser in the front, and of course putting a pillow on my lap whenever I was seated. I struggled with intimacy because I didn’t want my husband to see me naked—nowhere to hide, there! Of course, I’d seen others undergo TT surgery but never thought it would be an option for me. Too expensive, too time consuming, too painful, etc etc. But through a series of events I ended up booking a consult with Dr. Swetnam, which both terrified and excited me. I have two friends (who are sisters) who both had cosmetic procedures with him and were so pleased (one was a tummy tuck) so I didn’t even bother booking another consult anywhere else. The process was a lot different than I expected. I thought the surgeon would try to upsell me on other problem areas he could fix for me, but that was not the case at all. In fact, if you go in thinking you might want some other areas looked at, you better speak up! Dr. Swetnam actually made me feel really good about the state my body was in (even though I’d put a few pounds back on during quarantine) and told me that he was going to make me a “curvy girl”, which thrilled my heart. Lol. I have always been super straight through the waist, even when I was obese. His tummy tuck uses a combo of liposuction, muscle repair, and skin removal to reveal the final result. I booked my surgery date before leaving that day and made my $500 deposit, which is required at booking. A few weeks later, they did call and ask to bump my surgery by a few days, which ultimately messed up my healing timeline/going back to work a little bit, but in the end everything was fine because as covid cases rise again, I am working from home and haven’t needed to return to the office. Throughout this whole process, I’ve gone back and forth in mind over how Swetnam prepared/didn’t prepare me for what was about to happen. He always took the time to answer my questions and was very kind, but it’s hard to ask questions when you don’t know what to ask. I did my best to research and stay informed with information I found online, but at times I felt I didn’t have enough information and wished my surgeon had given me a playbook or something because even the info I found online sometimes conflicted with the information he’d shared with me. And then at other times part of me was glad I didn’t know TOO much because I might have chickened out. But now, at almost 4 weeks post-op, I am sooooo glad I chose Swetnam. I’ve had two other friends here locally who had the same procedure one week before me, both with two different surgeons. As I’ve compared my recovery, results, and experience with theirs, I am absolutely ecstatic that Swetnam was my surgeon. I have had absolutely zero complications. My scar is completely flat and once it heals, I know it will almost disappear. It’s very very low, and can be hidden under cute underwear, a baiting suit, etc. and it’s perfectly symmetrical. He removed 5lbs of skin and fat during my surgery and the muscle repair is showing through. I can’t believe this body was hiding underneath those remnants of years gone by. Thank you, Dr Swetnam! :)
The last year has been eye opening for me. I have struggled with weight loss for years between kids. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons, and just wasn’t very motivated. This last year, it’s been more about me, my husband and my kids. I’ve realized I have been wearing myself out trying to make everyone else happy. My parents, my husband’s mom, work, and other people have controlled so much. Last January we just stopped being dictated. We took control, and that’s helped to make my weight loss journey successful. So a year later, I am going to fix somethings that just didn’t weather the storm very well. My stomach has been through so much. I have actually been to two consultations. I liked both doctors a lot, but after much debate settled on Dr. Swetnam. I have my pre-op set for March 5, and the procedure set for March 14. I am a ball of emotions. I’ve decided to go ahead and fix the ladies as well. So when the doctor was talking implants, he recommended the trans abdominal breast augmentation. Initially I was excited about this because there would be less scars. He also told me that I would have to put the implants above the muscle to avoid a snoopy effect. I was a little disappointed with this because I have read that below the muscle would be better. The doctor from my other consultation said that she would only partially be able to go under the muscle. So now I’m trying to research the procedure, and I’m having a hard time finding anything. This site was suggested by a friend, so here I am. I decided that this would be a great way to document everything. Going to add some not very attractive pictures. Updated on 5 Mar 2019: Well, I’ve made it to pre op day. I’m nervous, and didn’t sleep well. I have a thousand questions, and I hope I ask everything. I have them written down, but I tend to get caught up in the moment and don’t ask. I am excited too. It’s hard to imagine that in less than two weeks this extra skin on my stomach will my gone and my boobs will be filled back out. My amazing friend that is taking me in for a week after my surgery is going with me. So here’s to a good day! Updated on 15 Mar 2019: Everything seems to have gone great. Doctor said he was really happy of the results. Of course he told this to my husband. I was awake yet. Staying on top of my pain meds. Still uncomfortable, tight, and sore but it’s manageable. I drop in today to see him before I head home. I live 2 hours away, and he wanted to see me the next day before I headed home. I had 450cc put in. He liposuctioned 500ccs out, but only about 200 was fat. He cut off 2.5 pounds. My husband got to see the picture. I think he wished he hadn’t. I’m trying to drink as much fluid as possible. I’m in good spirits. Will post more after pictures when I’m up to it. Here’s my mark up picture and a picture of me about 5 hours later. Updated on 16 Mar 2019: Still tolerable. Keeping to the medicine schedule. I think the exparel Is still doing it’s magic. Sleeping like a baby when needed. My back does kill me, but I can handle it. I’m happy. I can’t get my picture to rotate. I’m standing up in it. Updated on 19 Mar 2019: I feel like I’m done with the oxys. I still Use a Valium when I can feel things getting tight, but they are pushed further away. I’ll update more when I can get a bit of a break. Here’s some pics. Updated on 21 Mar 2019: So aside from the occasional burning, everything seems to be good. I had my one week post op. He said everything looks great. Checked my drain. Said I can probably take it out on Monday. He uncovered my belly button. I think I’ll be super happy once it dries out and finishes healing. He decided I needed a band to help the ladies move down. He also showed me how to massage them. Thank goodness my friend was with me because I don’t remember half of it. He’s thrilled with the results. I told him that I’m very interested in labiaplasty. 4 kids have not done good things for down there. Something else to look forward to. I was told when I was home, no bra at all. Just the band. Curious if anyone ha been told this. Not complaining though. I hated the surgical bra. I’ll post update pictures later. Hope everyone else is doing well! Updated on 25 Mar 2019: So...I finally moved home from my friend’s house last Friday. She was an angel for taking care of me, and I can’t tell her enough how thankful I am that she moved me in and took care of me the first 8 days. With that said, coming home to my 4 monkeys (I mean kids) was very overwhelming. It was great to be with them, but by the end of each day this weekend I was exhausted. And I really didn’t have to do a whole lot. I had hopes of having my drain removed, but all of a sudden yesterday I had around 50cc in the drain. I’m supposed to call this afternoon to let them know, but I don’t think they will like that. I’m ok with it. I don’t want it removed before necessary. From what I can tell, things are going as they should. I’m doing the massages the doctor told me to do, but using the word “massage” is a joke. It doesn’t feel good. My belly button is healing more everyday. I’m just ready for some more energy to return. Also, (maybe TMI) but one bowel movement does NOT mean you are in the clear for constipation. Saturday night I was up until 3:30 in the worst kind of pain. So keep up with the Miralax or stool softener!! Hope all are healing well!! Updated on 1 Apr 2019: Things were going great, then on day 14 I started getting clots in my drain. Big, long clots that had to be really worked with to move through the tube. This constant working on my tube has caused a lot of irritation at the drain site, and now it looks a little infected. I am so ready to get this drain taken out. I know that taking it out before it’s ready is not a good thing...but I’m going crazy. I’m averaging around 35cc a day. My doctor wants it down to 25cc. Other than that, everything else seems to be fine. I still get tired really fast, and that isn’t good because my girls start their softball games today. I’m ready to be at the end of this journey, but I feel like I have so far to go. The tape and glue are still holding strong, so I guess it’ll be a while before I actually see my incision. No new pictures to post right now. Hope all is well.
Sweetest man and wonderful staff! My case is difficult and he and his staff have been Amazing! I’ve reached out multiple times with my concerns, questions about my recovery phase and I’m never brushed off! Highly recommend!!
Had a silkion 1000 on one side of my nose. Also had several botox injections. Expected some bruising, but had none! Dr. Swetnam was very conservative with the amount of the injection. I agreed with that. It has been 5 days and I see the improvement, but no other signs of the injection. Very happy. Don't be scared of trying it cautiously with him.
I had a tummy Tuck, muscle repair, liposuction and a week later sclerotherapy on my spider veins. Tummy tuck was way easier recovery recover then I thought. The liposuction made my skin feel tender, muscle repair was the only real pain. Spider vein removal hurt so bad during the procedure and a few hours after. Just bruising no pain the next day. They gave me Valium for muscle relaxation and it was a life saver. It was much needed over pain medications.
After losing 40 pounds, my breasts fell and lost their shape. I decided to get a lift and I'm very happy so far. I am 1 day out of surgery and very sore. It's not an unbearable pain but just very very sore. The pain medication is helping a lot. I will keep this journey updated. Updated on 4 Oct 2020: Updated on 7 Oct 2020: Something I’ve learned within this first week: DONT judge you boobs the first day out of surgery. When I first saw them they looked too big, awkwardly shaped, and just wasn’t too crazy about them. It’s only been a week and I am starting to LOVE them. The swelling has gone down and they are taking a good shape. I’m excited to start healing these scars too! Updated on 13 Oct 2020: Feeling better every day. Excited to take the clear tape off tomorrow. Updated on 13 Oct 2020: Feeling great Updated on 22 Oct 2020: My scars are slowly starting to flatten. Updated on 27 Oct 2020: Updated on 23 Nov 2020: So excited I got this done. I'm 18 and 2 months post op. So happy!! I recommend to anyone really, as long as you want it! I had so many people in my life tell me I didn't need it. I did what I wanted and I would do it all over again! I am so so happy with the results. Updated on 23 Nov 2020:
Thank you for the question!! For someone your age, and without seeing you, I would suggest Botox first. Kind of a rule of thumb, if the wrinkle is present at rest, you will need a filler, however, in younger people, Botox by itself will often, over time, make the wrinkle go away if you keep up with it. If it does not resolve to your satisfaction, I would then add a filler. I would suggest using both though. Using a filler without Botox shortens the life of the filler because of the muscle activity. Be sure to see a board certified Cosmetic Surgeon. Thank you,
The real question you should be asking is What are the bumps and what is causing them. It sounds as if they may be a form of acne. This needs to be controlled first. If there is scarring from the process, it can be treated accordingly. Good skin care, acne control (if that is the cause) and, yes, lasers can be very beneficial. Thank you for the question.
Thank you for the question. The short answer is, nobody knows if it is safe. The reason for this is the lack of studies. Companies that produce products for the cosmetic world don't spend the time or take on the liability of studying efficacy or side effects on pregnant or nursing mothers, therefore, we just don't know for sure. That being said, the safety profile of Botox is well documented and more likely than not, there will be no problems now or in the future with your baby taking the breast milk. I am sure there are hundreds of cases of newly pregnant mothers being injected with Botox before they know they are pregnant. We do not pregnancy test before injecting and to my knowledge there are no reports of any significant problems. The filler, again, has not been studied but also has a good safety profile. If you are losing sleep, the only solution now is to stop breastfeeding. I really think there will be no problems but again, there is no data to back up my opinion. Good luck and thank you again for the question.
Thank you for the question. I find that PRP facials using the dermapen (vampire facials) are very effective at improving overall skin texture and appearance. Depending on the depth and number of wrinkles present, it will have some effect for sure and may satisfy your needs. It will not take the place of a lift, botox, or fillers however. It is an adjunct. I have been very impressed at how youthful the skin looks 6 weeks or so after a treatment and recommend it highly.
This can be a problem for some people, especially if the pannus has pulled the umbilicus and its stalk below the pubis. In some cases, without moving it, as in a tummy tuck, surgeons elect to remove it. There are procedures to re-create the umbilicus. Though not perfect, they can look fairly realistic. I would recommend going to see a qualified surgeon to discuss. Thank you for the question.
