I had a wonderful experience in Dr. Jennifer Prince’s care yesterday. She is a very caring and friendly and thoughtful surgeon! I have health Anxiety and managed to keep it at bay knowing I had one of the best surgeons working on me. It hasn’t even been 24 hrs but I feel amazing all things considered! Lighter, easier to breath, no rib pain and my posture has already changed! They put me in a surgical tube top and I’ve never worn a tube top in my life because of my heavy breasts! I am over the moon that I went through with it after many doubts and anxieties, but after being hit twice in a car accidents and a shoulder surgery 2 years ago, my body just can’t carry my 32HH breasts around anymore! I think I will now be a DDD/E from what I can see and feel so much relief already!! Will post more after pics in a week! Updated on 7 Jul 2023: Had 2 check ups and all is healing great! No open skin and things are smoothing out. Was told today pathology is clean! So that’s great news and that in total they took roughly 1200 grams out, 600+ on my Left breast and 450+ on my right that’s roughly 3 cup sizes down! Leaving me around an E/F cup much more manageable:) Updated on 10 Jul 2023: What a truly wonderful experience Dr. prince provided me! I am very grateful to her caring bedside manner and team! Love my results and feel like a whole new me! Clothes shopping seemed like a chore as tops and dresses never fit me properly! I’d have to go to an XL and then the waist and everywhere else would be huge on me, I now am fitting into some medium tops with stretch and some Large non stretch tops are even a tad big! It’s a great youthful feeling and most importantly my neck and back pain are gone!!! I didn’t realize how much my heavy breasts were impacting my happiness and everyday comfort, although I am still healing, it is way less stress to try and sit upright or walk with good posture! I don’t need to lean on the table or sit forward with my elbows on my knees, the Surgery was a huge blessing!
Dr. Prince did a fabulous job on my breasts! I couldn't be happier. I felt like I had flat droopy pancakes after having kids and I feel like a woman again. I feel sexy in clothes and bathing suits again. Dr. Prince and her staff were so kind and informative and made me feel comfortable during the entire process. I would highly recommend!
After a 90lb weight loss and maintenance for over a year, I started researching for local plastic surgeons and was referred to Dr. Jennifer Prince by a friend who's mother had an amazing outcome from her tummy tuck. Right from my first telephone call into their very busy office in Surrey, I felt good about setting up a consultation with her. I quickly made my decision to set a date and was so pleased to be able to have surgery soon after. Her office staff and surgery center team are fantastic. I felt I was in good hands. All of my questions were answered straight to the point and with transparency. I'm so glad I had coffee with my friend that day! Updated on 28 Aug 2019: This picture was from day 5, I am 8 days now and have been diligent with not taking this binder off but I had to have a quick look! Can't wait to get drain out and have a closer look at my appointment tomorrow! Updated on 29 Aug 2019: Felt a little strange when he pulled the drain out but all in all not a thing! PS said everything looks really good, I have more swelling on my right side than on my left due to placement of drain and not to worry. I have my stage 2 compression garment now and that will help tremendously with getting the fluids pushed around and evened out. I do have a pouch of fluid at the very top of my incision where the binder couldn't quite cover so with a little extra packing up there, he said that should go down in the next 5 to 7 days. My pain in the right lung when breathing sounds like it's just my lungs haven't fully inflated yet and to keep with the anti inflammatory, taking Advil, and deep breathing exercises should help to see improvement in next couple days. This is not my personal PS as she went on vacation 2 days after my surgery but she called me to ensure that I would be in good hands with her colleague. He has been very informative and addressed all my concerns. Updated on 30 Aug 2019: Apparently I lost track of days, lol. I had a challenging night, my breathing was worse then ever. I did a little WebMD search today and my self diagnosis is pleurisy as I feel a little 'grinding' when inhaling, not a wheeze or rattle in my chest. The pain goes away when I hold my breath and it happens when I'm further constricted when sitting or lying back in the recliner. As soon as I stand and give my lungs the extra space, it subsides. I removed my compression garment to see if that helped but it didn't seem to make a difference. I ended up popping 2 Xtra strength Advil and was able to fall back to sleep. In most cases it goes away on its own or the doctor can remove the fluid build up. I don't have any coughing or phlegm so I can rule out fluid in my lung. And I am able to get nice deep breathes when standing. I guess my PS wasn't kidding when she said she got me good and tight! My insides have been forced into a much smaller space, lol. I haven't napped yet today, which is really surprising but I will no doubt be breaking out the Dilaudid tonight to ensure I get a good night's sleep! Updated on 31 Aug 2019: I ended up breaking the seal on my T3s last night instead of taking a Dilaudid, I figured I could use the antiinflammatory benefit of the T3 anyway. Pain when breathing has improved when sitting but still present when lying down. Last night and for my nap this afternoon, I timed my dosage to about 20 minutes before I went to sleep. I did my deep breathing in those minutes while I was waiting, still no problem getting that nice deep breath, feels equal in both lungs and not wheezing, rattling or desire to cough so good there doesn't seem to be any fluid collecting. I am really looking forward to this passing. I left my compression garment off for about a half hour today after my shower, felt good to get some air but also was very aware of the numbness. And of course still so surreal to turn to the side and not have my apron hanging down. Also, I had my usual menstrual cycle the week before surgery and today I am spotting... What is up with that! It's a week early. I am very regular, like to the day. Ugh :/ Updated on 1 Sep 2019: I made it through the day yesterday without feeling a need for a nap, first day with out one. I had a fairly active day; puttering around the house, 2 around the block walks with my dogs, a trip to the grocery store and I cooked dinner. I didn't get that ' l'm done' feeling until about 9:30pm. My breathing is still painful when lying down and I was up at 2:30 this morning needing to take some Xtra strength Advil even with the T3 before bed. I was practically sleeping sitting up straight after that, thank goodness my neck pillow was easily accessible! Pics are from before my shower today. Still quite a bit of swelling. Updated on 2 Sep 2019: And boy did I ever! I popped two extra strength Advil and went to bed at 10 p.m. last night and slept straight through until 7 a.m.! I can't tell you how happy I am to hope this atelectasis has subsided. I am able to stand perfectly straight, shoulders back, without feeling any pulling anywhere. The first couple minutes getting out of bed I still have the feeling to stay hunched but after a few steps, I'm good. I actually had a good stretch this morning oh, boy did that feel good! I am so looking forward to be able to have that big, full body stretch in the morning again. After about 5 showers now, I still have the tapes over my incisions, and I'm actually quite thankful that they are still there, holding my skin firm through the swelling. I have so many stretch marks along there so I can imagine the pulling on the sutures that would be happening if it wasn't on. I have not intention of helping them fall off either, I'm doing everything I can to ensure the scarring is minimal in the end. I do still have quite a bit of fluid at the top of my incision just under my breastbone. I don't believe my PS used lipo up there as the discussion was to remove that redundant skin and take the fat with it. I hope it's not too late and we can deal with the seroma in a noninvasive method. I have ordered an ab board to apply some extra compression there in hopes to get the fluid moving. My PS will inspect closer on Thursday when I see her. I can't wait to thank her for such a great job she's done but I do have a couple of questions that only she can answer. I have been giving my lipo areas a good massage after my shower as well. The right side is still quite a bit more swollen then the left and I can feel the little bumps under the skin. I have ordered one of those little hand held massager rollers to get in there and even things out. I will take a few photos tomorrow at the 2 week mark. Updated on 4 Sep 2019: This was yesterday's post and didn't actually click the Post button! I am at the 2-week post-op date and I can't believe it's been that long already. Day to day, I noticed little things like the ache in my abs is completely gone, it's easier to bend down to pick something up, I have more energy throughout the day and my appetite has improved immensely. The swelling is still present, that is to be expected, more so on my right side then left. I know a lot of that has to do with not having a drain on my right side as well as I had more fat removed from with the lipo from outside. As far back as I can remember, everything has always been bigger on my right side, lol. My hair grows thicker and faster on my right side, my right thigh is bigger, I accumulate fat more on the right side, my right breast... does anyone else experience this?? Day to day pictures don't show much difference so until the tapes come off and my incision is visible, I won't posted anymore pictures. I have taken to measurements though as this is definitely a more effective way to track progress and will post these changes weekly. Today's measurements are: Height: 5' 9.5 Under bust: 35 At waist: 34 Belly button: 39.75 Hips: 47 Thighs: 47.5 I'm so excited to see those numbers change over the next few weeks as the swelling subsides. I also bought these panties that I am wearing in today's pictures before my surgery. It's been quite some time since I have been able to put on something so small and not have it hiding under my apron! Updated on 4 Sep 2019: I feel so good today! Last night I decided to sleep without compression of any kind and I woke up more than usual, go figure! It felt good to have it off and I didn't see or feel an increase of swelling this morning. I think with my breathing troubles behind me, I'm getting all that extra oxygen and it's really giving me more energy. I am not going to go crazy and push myself too much, after all I don't want to create anymore swelling then I have but I did get out for a little longer walk this morning. Time for some self care as well, a mani/pedi is going down today! I even styled my hair and put on some make up... feels good. I pulled out a top that was not as loose as it should be pre-surgery and it now drapes down as it should... how awesome is that?! I'm excited to experience my clothes fitting as they should instead of always trying to stuff my skin apron into them. I always had to wear high waisted pants to help disguise it. I've been wearing body shapers for years under my clothes, even casual clothes, now it will only be for figure hugging dresses. :D Updated on 4 Sep 2019: I also want to mention that I have been using arnica cream on my lipo spots with my hand massager and ohhhh it feels good! I have one of those rollerball kind that looks like a hand, pic posted. The other night I boiled the skin and core from my pineapple and drank that yesterday, talk about flushing alot of fluid! I drink 80 to 100oz of water everyday and pee about 6 or 7 times a day I'd say. Well yesterday after drinking the pineapple water in the morning, I was in the bathroom way more than that, and they were long pees too! Like, holy is this ever going to stop kinda pees :D Not sure if this was just a fluke but I bought another pineapple today and am going to test this out again tomorrow! Updated on 5 Sep 2019: Got to see my PS today and thank her for doing such an amazing job with my skin removal. She also answered a couple questions that I had too and removed the tapes so we could have a good look at what was going on. After my shower this morning I noticed some red areas and a couple spots that had fresh liquid. The tape was beginning to irritate my skin and the spot where my incisions meet has pulled apart a bit. She said not to worry as it is common with fleur-de-lis TTs and she reinforced the area with extra sutures inside. She wants me to leave the tape off the open and irritated spots until it heals up but I can retape the rest of the incision. She confirmed that she did not do any liposuction above my bb but the plication started right at the top of my abs and feels that some of the firmness there are my abs still a bit swollen. She said I can go ahead with some extra compression there and we will address at my next appointment in 2 weeks time. All good news! Updated on 8 Sep 2019: My open area is starting to scab over and the redness from the tape irritation is significantly decrease. I have had a bit of an allergy flare up and sneezed a couple times today. I'm happy to say it was more of a brief discomfort and anything, I guess that means my abs are healing. I'm also able to move around a lot more but the twisting motion at my waist gives me the sharp reminder but it's still healing. I'm feeling awesome otherwise! Updated on 12 Sep 2019: Been out of town visiting family and missed my 3 week post op measurement check in this past Tuesday so these are from today; 3" decrease combined with most noticable at belly button. Swelling is obviously going down but still quite a bit on the right side and no decrease at bilateral thighs where I had lipo yet. Still using arnica cream and massager on these spots a couple times a day, the tenderness is completely gone now. Measurements: Under bust: 34.5 - .5 At waist: 33.5. -.5 Belly button: 38.5. -1.25 Hips at incision: 46.25. -.75 Thighs at lipo: 47.5. I kept my spots where it had opened and been irritated uncovered for 24hrs and big change. Going to get my compression back in now that it's scabbed over. Otherwise, my incisions and belly button are looking so good, started massaging with Bio Oil, what's everyone else using? Updated on 13 Sep 2019: My whole tummy is itchy! Not the incisions, just the skin. I have been keeping cream on it so maybe it's the skin and fascia re-adhering? I have been rubbing it all day like a budha belly... Is it gonna bring me food luck?! :D Updated on 15 Sep 2019: I'm so ready to get back to work and I am hoping my body is too. I anticipate a little extra swelling and tiredness but I have the flexibility to leave early if I need to. I have a sit/stand station at my desk so I can alternate throughout the day. I'll also have my Advil on hand! :D Updated on 16 Sep 2019: So my dog jumped on my tummy last night and reopened the spot where my incisions join again, what a bummer! It had scabbed over so nicely and I was excited about being able to apply silicone tapes soon. In other news, first day back to work went very well and I'm happy to report that there doesn't seem to be any extra swelling tonight. I am also enjoying my first glass of wine since the surgery... Mmmmm it takes so good. :) Updated on 21 Sep 2019: Well here it is, my one month update! I'm very happy with my overall progress in healing, our bodies really are extraordinary. Again this week I have seen significant improvements in the swelling with an overall 4.75 inch reduction: Height: 5'10". Standing up straight now Under bust: 34 At waist: 33.5 Belly button: 37.5 Hips at incision: 44.5 Thighs at lipo: 46 This was my first full week back to work and I did notice a little extra swelling around my belly button, most likely do to sitting much more than I have been... so many meetings this week! On Monday, I fly out to Ontario for a week for work meetings, 4 1/2 hour flight with very little movement, I have a feeling I'll see a return if swell hell :| The spot where my incision had opened is healing very nicely again, I'm being extra careful to make sure nothing opens it backup! I have ordered Embrace silicone tapes and am looking forward to getting those on to help with the healing of my scars. I'm also looking forward to getting a new compression garment as well. The post surgical garment my PS gave me is too big now and I'm not feeling I'm getting much help from it. I'm mostly just wearing my binder. My energy level is almost back to 100% and I have lengthened my daily walks to almost an hour now. I find myself quite tired at the end of the day and in bed relatively early... Not a bad thing as my body is still healing and needs that rest. Updated on 2 Oct 2019: I have not had the chance to do a measurements update. Being back to work and travelling since. I also ended up catching a bug when I was away that's kicked my ass the last 5 days. So, so, so happy that I didn't get this a few weeks back when my abs were still sore! Lots of coughing and blowing my nose. Overall, I've noticed more decrease in my swelling the last week and can feel the hardened spots along my scar when massaging now. I had my 6 week follow-up appointment with my PS today. She commented that she should have tightened me up a little bit more on the right side and along the top of my vertical incision. She suggested these were two spots for a revision after the 9-month mark. I agree, as the swelling is coming down, the skin is loosening, which she says is common... damn crepey skin!! I also got a smaller compression garment and started applying silicone tapes. Updated on 9 Oct 2019: Well thoroughly disappointed with the rash I developed from the Embrace silicone scar treatment tape I purchased. my crepey skin didn't do well with it :( oh well Maderma cream and Micropore it is then... way less expensive too!! The massaging has really been helping with the swelling and softening up my scar lines, what I difference I can feel. And my new compression garment too, feelin snatched! Lol :D Measurements: Under bust: 34. 0 change At waist: 31.5 -2" Belly button: 37 -.5" Hips at incision: 44.25 -.25" Thighs at lipo: 46 0 change
Dr. Prince did an amazing job on my breasts. I now feel so confident about myself again. I am so grateful for her kindness and expertise!! She was very thorough at explaining the whole process and I felt very comfortable knowing that she was my surgeon. Would highly recommend her to anyone!
I’m getting a breast lift with Lipo and a tummy tuck with muscle repair/ Lipo. I’ve lost 65 pounds the last few years and work out 3-4 times a week but the loose skin stays as we know. My surgery is in 3 days and I’m scared of course, but I am confident in my surgeon. I’ll post pics tonight of “before”. This site has really prepared me mentally and I’m grateful ???? Updated on 23 May 2018: Before! Took these 30 minutes ago and just about to go in the centre now! See you on the flat side !! Updated on 27 May 2018: I find day 4 post op my tummy hurts more, I have gassy pains and I cried at 245 am getting to to pee. Wondered why I hated my body so much that I would choose to hurt this way etc. I think I’m feeling more as my tummy and boobs relax and I read that I’d feel emotional here or there so I guess Sunday is going to be my blues day . I haven’t taken off binder yet as I’m scared but my hubby wants to later today to massage bruises areas with Arnica. I’ll take photos then too ???? Updated on 27 May 2018: Quick pic after husband changed my binder this afternoon... my cc”s are low today for fluid output ???? Updated on 2 Jun 2018: Day 10 and here’s an update with photos. I still have a hard time looking at myself, but trying a little harder every day to see the progress and embrace change. I added a two photo collage as well, to show a morning of surgery above a photo taken this morning. Updated on 10 Jul 2018: Having nerve pain which sucks for sure but making it thru the best I can! Every day I try be positive and focus on why I did the surgeries ???? Updated on 18 Aug 2018: Week 13 and loving new clothes shopping lol! Nerve pain I’m handling well and I’m back doing light exercise on the treadmill at the gym and a Zumba class once a week: here are new photos! Holding weight loss well down to 153 so 3 more pounds to go and I’m where I want to be Updated on 14 Sep 2018: Getting used to new clothes slowly but surely lol! It will take me some time as I never wear clothes that are hugging or close fitting but I will try more as the swelling subsides :) I still have numbness below the belly button, of course, as it has only been 3.5 months since surgery , but I am back at the gym here and there and trying to tackle a few pounds that I have gained! I was told weight gain is muscle that I am now rebuilding so I hope that levels off soon lol jeez!! Updated on 16 Feb 2019: Challenges with tightness in tummy still happening.. feels like some little munchkin is hanging off my lower belly! I started stretching at ninth 6 and feel that someone should have told me to do that sooner. I was avoiding it and I truly feel that caused me more pain. Getting down onto a floor or mat was difficult but easier now thank god! I’m having a minor belly button revision next month, otherwise healing well.
It is common for the scars to feel tender, raised and hard for the first 6 weeks after a tummy tuck. Usually after 6 weeks the scars will start to lighten and soften, but it takes up to a year for the scars to fully mature and to get the final scar result. Sometimes patients can also have a larger tender, firm area deep to the outer skin scar for the first several weeks or even months after the surgery. This is most common just above the pubic region and is due to scar tissue within the fat under the skin. It can feel quite hard and tender, and can be frustrating for patients, but it usually resolves with time and massage. Massage, and application of paper tape, silicone gel or silicone strips can help minimize external skin scars. It is important to follow up with your surgeon so that he or she can assess your healing and scars, and formulate a plan with you to give you the best long term result.
