Dr. Rowley is committed in providing his patients with optimal results possible. He want their experience to be as pleasant and rewarding. He is dedicated in providing them with safe, effective surgical and non-surgical treatments.
I had an amazing experience with Dr. Rowley and his entire staff! Dr. Rowley is a great listener and very compassionate. He really values subtlety and natural looking results which was exactly what I wanted! He and his staff have continued to check on me since my rhinoplasty 3 weeks ago! I am already loving my results and cannot wait to see the final result. I am so glad I made this decision and even more thankful I chose Dr. Rowley! Thank you much!
Wanted eyelid surgery for some time. My eyelids were drooping and making me feel old. I went to visit Dr. John Rowley. He did a fabulous job making my eye lid surgery look natural. He performed the procedure in his office under local anesthesia. It really was an easy procedure. I did feel some tugging, but that was it. The toughest part was the numbing process with needles. Even that was not bad. Afterwards, I went home and laid on the sofa. I filled the prescription pain medicine, but did not use it. I had my procedure in the morning and about 4 PM I had a terrible headache. I took four Advil and that was it. I never took any other pain medication again. I did have an ice pack that I had to place on my eyelids. Day by day after that, I watched my black and blue eyes slowly return to normal. I have a six week appointment coming up in another two weeks. It is four weeks and I am very pleased. I read that my eyes will continue to improve for up to 3 to 6 months. I would absolutely recommend this surgery and definitely recommend Dr. John Rowley. He has wonderful bedside manner. He cares about his patients and is a fine plastic surgeon! He also removed a squamous skin cancer from my leg last summer and the scar is minimal Updated on 3 Apr 2019:
Hello, friends. I've been lurking on this site for so long and now I think I'm ready to share my story. Brace, yourselves, I tend to talk a lot. I'm a 43 (almost) year old mom in Arizona. I've always been overweight and it made it very difficult to get pregnant, but 8 years ago we were blessed with a perfect baby boy. My husband is a saint. Never one to date chubby girls, he saw past my body and loved me for who I was. I know I'm so lucky, but despite his understanding, I can tell he has lost his ability to become excited by me. I can literally count on one hand how many times we've had sex since our son was born. And there will be fingers left over! We're so in love, but I quit letting him touch me and he quit trying. I was determined to do something about it, and I got one of those ninja things and started drinking my veggies, and soon I dropped 70 lbs. I still have a long way to go, but 70 pounds should be something to celebrate, right? Wrong! My once plump body has become a constantly jiggling mass of ooze. My vagina is completely hidden under my long, dangling belly. WTF? I actually look worse. My body is like a well heated lava lamp. Bluuurp goes my belly as it swings from side to side. Who is this person? I'll tell you what, ladies, taking these pictures has been a humbling and horrific experience. Not one person has ever seen this part of me in 8 years, and only then because I was pregnant and sort of had an excuse. So I found a doctor who is highly recommended and when I called for the consult, their first available appointment was on my birthday. I think this is a sign. I think this is the last birthday where I have to tuck my pajama pants up under my belly to stop the stickiness. Did I mention I live in the damn desert? Yeah, baby powder is my homeboy. I haven't met the doctor yet, but Candace has been an angel. She has taken so much time out of her day to answer my questions and put me at ease when I've called. I have so much more to get off my chest and ask of this community, but for now I will upload these horrible embarrassing pictures and recommend that you all watch a Disney movie afterward to replace what you are about to see... Updated on 11 Sep 2016: Thanks to all you beautiful sisters who have been supporting and encouraging me. I am glad you could identify with my story, but sorry that you carry a similar burden! I'm freaking out, y'all. I can't afford this! I mean, I have the money, but it is in our dream house down payment savings, and I feel soooo selfish for dipping in to it. I mean, can you imagine if I do this and my husband still thinks of me as a really cool room mate? What if I don't look any better and I spent all this money? What if my belly isnt the problem? [RS bleep]. [RS bleep]. I don't want to feel this way. This body is my own secret shame and I could just continue wearing that one pair of pants I don't look too bad in... See, this is what happens when we stop loving ourselves. We stop thinking we deserve things. [RS bleep] I wonder how long I've been this way. This is the first time I've dared to want anything just for me. Maybe I should take my own advice and realize I deserve better than this. We all do. Updated on 12 Sep 2016: Maybe I was hormonal, or maybe your amazing responses turned everything around, but I woke up feeling much better. I'm more looking forward than ever to my consultation. Exactly one week and one hour from this moment, you guys! I'm so glad I found this group, and so thankful to y'all for opening up your vulnerable stuff. Here's a group of total strangers telling me I'm worth it, it's about time I believe it myself! Updated on 19 Sep 2016: Oh my gosh, you guys I don't know where to begin but I first want to say a big thank you to those of you who have been so kind to take the time to write to me. Your private messages have been so candid and vulnerable and I know we all admitted to th j ngs that were hard. I feel terrible for not writing y'all back and I promise I will! I really enjoyed sharing our stories and I want to keep it up. But this week, as my consultation grew closer, I found myself slipping into some sort of denial. This is too expensive, this is too frivilous, what the hell am I thinking, yadda yadda. I have lost more sleep this week to anxiety and self doubt, but today, I turned all that [RS bleep] around. Today is my birthday, and my first consultation with Dr. Olson. I took my kid to school, gave myself a silkwood shower, and prepared to expose my shameful body. I'm not gonna lie, y'all. Being chubby sucks. You think you're losing weight, but just because those size 28 jeans are loose, doesn't mean you fit in this world. I was taken to a room and given a small coffee filter which, to the rest of the world is a robe. On me, it looked like round 2 of 'fat guy in a little coat'. I waited there, all exposed and ooky. The surgical coordinator was kind, and she explained some things and took some pictures. I didn't watch any videos, as others here have mentioned. Dr. Olson was very professional. He told me I could not get a thigh lift at this time, but suggested that lipo would help. I'm disappointed to hear this. I think lipo will just result in even more jiggly skin but I'm not the doctor. I hope the lipo will be enough. I wasn't expecting a thigh gap but I sure would like to create some air flow. So I have to go get labs and an ekg this week. My pre op appointment is September 29th and surgery is scheduled for October 14!! This [RS bleep] is really happening! I started crying right there in his office. I couldn't help myself. I just can't believe what was once a dream is actually coming true. Updated on 21 Sep 2016: This is a BIG decision, you guys, and a butt load of money. I talked to my mom yesterday and at first I didn't want to listen to her because mom's are always right, especially when they aren't telling you what you want to hear. But it's like when I was remodeling my son's room and she told me not to buy the cheap paint, because I'd have to apply multiple coats and need to repaint in a couple years vs. getting the Benjamin Moore and doing it right the first time. Long story endless, ME WANT TUMMY NOW and truthfully this is not something to rush into! Certainly not without a second opinion, no? So my friend, we'll call her R, recently got a tummy tuck with a lift and implants, and she looks amazing! She is actually the reason I had the courage to go through with this. I started looking through our old email thread and saw the doctor she had recommended. Why didn't I call him? I think Dr. O was the first doctor I saw and when he had an appointment on my birthday, I thought it was some cosmic message that this was the guy. I wanted to believe that so much that I didn't want to admit that I had a bad feeling about it. OK, not a bad feeling, but not a good one either. Now that the endorphins are wearing off, a few things stand out about my consult. For one thing, it felt like maybe it wasn't as comprehensive because it was Free? If I had paid for the consult, would I not have been left in that room for so long with the coffee filter over me, as countless people kept coming in to get stuff out of the drawers? Where's the aforementioned video? Would the doctor have discussed other treatments? Because mine did NOT, you guys. He asked what I wanted and then said you can do that but not that. He didn't understand my thigh problem and I felt too uncomfortable to get into it with him. Let's just say that the years of thighs being stuck together has resulted in a disgusting brownish chicken skin covered in blackheads, boils, and boil scars. I don't care if they're shapely, I want that skin GONE. He said it wouldn't give me shapely thighs but lipo would help the rubbing. That may be, but the disgusting skin would still be there. Once again, my lack of self worth prevented me from saying something right then and there. But I didn't, and if I dont find a doctor to remove this, I will forever regret it. Also I'd heard Dr. O had a great sense of humor, but my attempt at a joke truly seemed to irritate him. I ended up apologizing, explaining that standing there naked caused me to use humor as a defense mechanism. Honestly I felt like he didn't like me! I even tried to talk myself out of it, thinking he is a brilliant surgeon, not my bestie. But I dunno, last night this feeling hit and is still with me this morning. So then I call R to tell her about my consult, and she says, "Didn't you just LOVE Dr. Rowley? Wasn't he the best???" And I thought [RS bleep]. I didn't even go to him, and no, my doctor was not the best. Also, R sent me a copy of her receipt and everything from the procedure to the surgical center and anesthesia was considerably cheaper than my quote. Soooo, today I'm going to get on the horn and see if I can get in for a second or maybe third opinion. And I need to stop being such a mousey little [RS bleep] who doesn't stand up for herself. I'm not a second class citizen because I'm fat. My body deserves to be looked at as a canvas and not a deformity, just like every other patient. Updated on 21 Sep 2016: I really want to clarify that my rant was absolutely not directed at this doctor. All people get along differently and in no way reflects a doctor's abilities, professionalism, or talents. I wouldn't even characterize it as a bad bedside manner. He is very kind and professional, I just feel like something that I personally need/want to feel from him isn't there. A vibe, if that makes sense? I just really do not want to sound like I am bagging on him in any way. His before and afters are amazing, it's just something in my gut. Now back to your regularly scheduled program... Updated on 21 Sep 2016: Whew, I'm talkative today. But I wanted to update the update of my updated update. I called Dr. O's office and explained that I wanted to slow down a bit and get another opinion. Patty was amazing. She gave me some great advice and gladly refunded my deposit and we agreed to keep the lines of communication open. I'm not saying I still wouldn't have him do my surgery, I just think a second or third opinion is a completely reasonable, self loving thing to do. The way they handled this phone call speaks volumes about what kind of office they are. Now I'm off to schedule some consults! Updated on 3 Oct 2016: Tomorrow I'm going to a new doctor, who was recommended by my friend who was a patient of his. She looks absolutely amazing and speaks very highly of the doctor. I'm not looking for warm fuzzy feelings from my doctor, it's not that. But I troll these boards like a fiend, as I'm sure many of you do, and I see reviews that say "I felt like his canvas." That's what I want. I want to feel like he cares about how I'm going to look. Fingers crossed, y'all! I'll keep ya posted. Updated on 5 Oct 2016: Yesterday I went to my consultation with Dr. Rowley. I have been walking on a cloud ever since. Remember that episode of friends when Rachel tells Monica she looked like she slept with a hanger in her mouth? That's me! From the moment I walked in his lovely office, I felt comfortable. It was professional but not pretentious. Everyone was very kind and welcoming, and most of all they were down to earth, caring people. I felt like Dr. Rowley genuinely cared about me, wants what is best for me, and treated me with absolute respect and dignity. It was like night and day from my last consult. He sat with me, looked me in the eye, heard me out and told me that what I wanted was totally doable. I love this man. I'm actually glad that my previous consult did not go as I'd hoped, because I appreciate him even more. I can see now why my friend spoke so highly of him. This man is amazing. Since my research has led me to the unavoidable conclusion that my thighs are not going to be corrected surgically, I have shifted my focus to a tummy tuck with breast lift and implants. I think this will help Balance me out and give me more if an hourglass figure. Look, I'm always gonna be a big girl but when this is done I'm gonna be curvy and bangin! I'm going back on November 15 for my preop, and surgery is scheduled for November 28. He told me to wear a tight tank top under my clothes for the preop so we can try on different implant sizes. Dr. Rowley wants me to stay overnight in the hospital for my recovery. I'm excited to have extra help on the first night. They said it's a boutique type hospital with only 12 beds and everyone gets very personalized service. I feel so good about this. All my questions were answered and I have no doubts or hesitation. We're back on track! My new goal is a new years eve dress to stop traffic! Updated on 9 Oct 2016: I understand now why some of y'all keep your surgery a secret. I'm so excited about mine, and I just couldn't wait to talk about it. So one of the moms from my kids school is over, and I tell her I'm considering a TT, and she goes, "why wouldn't you get a gastric bypass?" And I was so stunned that I became tongue tied, and I struggled to explain myself while my brain was like "eat a dick, lady." Here i am thinking ive lost so much weight, and this lady thinks im bypass worthy? So a couple weeks go by, and I'm with another mom and she says, "are you seriously considering this? Let's try a diet first. We'll go on HCG, I'll do it with you." And even though she was trying to be kind, I felt like [RS bleep]. Here I am, celebrating my trimmer body like I have some kind of bizarro world, reverse anorexia or something. November 28th, [RS bleep]. Updated on 14 Oct 2016: It seems like every day, my body gets even more droopy. I was laying in bed the other night, and I felt some discomfort under my belly flap. Looked in the mirror and my skin is raw. Hot pink and painful. This is so gross! I'm disgusting!!! My pants are falling off me now but I refuse to buy clothes until this is over. In the meantime, it's a great reminder of how much I am losing, since my body gets even more grotesque with every pound lost. Ugh! Updated on 6 Nov 2016: The waiting is killing me. Come on, November 28th! In the mean time, I'm sitting here clipping my toenails and doing these weird contortions to get around my belly, and it occurs to me that soon it will be much easier to do this! So here's a mental list I've made (so far) of things I'm looking forward to: Not running away when someone is taking a picture. Putting in a tampon without grunting. Taking a shower with my husband. Running into someone I haven't seen in a while. Accidentally having my shirt come up when I lift my arms, and not immediately throwing myself into a fetal position before anything is exposed. Bitchin new years eve dress Tattoo cover up! I'm going to have pretty breasts and this thing is sooooo 90's, I can't even tell you. So please tell me, beautiful ladies who have a belly in the way, what are you looking forward to? And if you've completed your journey, what else can we look forward to? Updated on 21 Nov 2016: I'm a medical marijuana patient, and I love my doctor because he's incredibly laid back and open minded, so I felt comfortable asking a few questions I buy this topical balm for pain, but it's also a miracle for burn victims, or skin conditions like chronic boils, even cold sores. So I asked him about using it on my incision. We decided I'll use the silicone gel he recommends, except for a section on which I'll only use the cannabis balm. It's like we're doing a science project together. And then he adds, "only edibles, too. I don't want you coughing." I mean, is that forethought or what? This guy is amazing. It is exactly one week until my surgery. Precisely one week. I find myself going through crazy emotions. Guilt, fear....I'm trying to think of others but I guess that's it. Fear mostly. I'm afraid I won't be prepared enough. I have spent all week teaching my 8 year old how to do things luke make his own oatmeal and do laundry. Should have taught him a long time ago! My husband is super helpful but he works long hours and I don't have any other help. I'm making myself worried and I need to stop. Soooo I tried on some sizers and chose my implant size, and ever since, I've felt like I made the wrong choice. I feel like I should have gone bigger. Wouldn't it suck to spend all this money and go through the pain and then regret their size? It's a hard decision! We talked about 400-450 cc's and they really didn't look much different than what I have now. I'm a big gal, always will be, and I want to match my hips and ass but I don't want to carry big [RS bleep] around as I get older. But I want nice big full knockers. I don't know what to do! How do you pick your own breasts? It's crazy! I've bought everything on my preop list except for a front closing bra which I'll get today. Nothing to do but wait.. One week! Updated on 27 Nov 2016: Dear Belly, Farewell, you disgusting flappy piece of [RS bleep]. You will not be missed. I will not miss carrying you around, making my back hurt and my posture [RS bleep]. I will not miss having to pick you up off my vagina to dry the sweat. And I certainly will not miss the smell that comes out, or the boils, and hot pink, raw skin. I will not miss tucking my pajama pants up under you, to experience a moment of sweet, sweet distance between my skin. I will not miss sleeping with blankets on even though I'm sweating my ass off, in case I roll over in the night and my shirt comes up and my husband sees my body. I will not miss trying on outfit after outfit, and throwing them all down in disgust of the jiggly [RS bleep] attached to the front of me. Tomorrow, [RS bleep]. Tomorrow you will be in a bucket on the floor. It's hard to believe that it is finally happening. After waiting for what feels like an excruciating eternity, now that it is finally here it feels like just yesterday. Yesterday that I started my research, met that pretentious doctor who made me feel like a fat [RS bleep], and then found my Angel on Earth, Dr. Rowley, who looks at me like he just cannot wait to dive in and sculpt the goddess who lives beneath this flappy piece of lard. I've been having crazy dreams lately. Not good ones. I'm always lost, or trapped, in the back of an airport. I go through doors that always lead the kitchen of a restaurant, and when I ask for the way out, I get laughed at. Last night, all that changed and I was talking to some nice ladies and saying how I couldn't believe I'd just had surgery. Then I was in my own house, looking in my bathroom mirror of a flat body wrapped tight in a compression garment and I looked fabulous. I think God is telling me that everything will be OK and I'm going to try my hardest not to be nervous. Although right now, I'm nervous as [RS bleep] because I just drank the whole bottle of magnesium citrate and I am really scared of what's about to happen.... Updated on 3 Dec 2016: Ouch. That's all the energy I have for now. Ooooouuuuuuuucchhhhhh Updated on 12 Dec 2016: I have tried to check in with y'all for days, but either my phone, or this app, hates me. I have written long, brilliant solliloquies and then lost everything cause my phone rang. It's so frustrating!!! So now that I have a bit more energy and patience, I'm gonna try this again... Hello from the flat side! I made it! I'm not going to sugar coat this for you, ladies. I experienced the most horrendous pain of my life. For the first few days, all I did was cry. I wished I had never done it. I was afraid to eat because I never wanted to poop. I sincerely contemplated suicide. I know I'm usually the trying to find the humor in every situation, but I feel it's my duty to give it to to straight. Be prepared. Get a [RS bleep] load of ensure and get as much protein as you can. Ask for help. Don't worry that your house is getting messy. Get a recliner if you can. Beds are hard. You want to move around and you absolutely cannot. A recliner will keep your body in the right position. Now for the good part: IT REALLY DOES GET BETTER. Seriously, you won't believe the pain but it does get better. At my post op, I learned that I was impeding my own healing by not eating, and that was causing the uncontrollable sobbing. In retrospect, I'm glad my earlier posts didn't go through, cause I was talking like a crazy person. But today I woke up and it was like someone opened marcellus Wallace's briefcase and a beam of light filled my room. I'm walking around like a freaking boss! I did dishes, I made my own smoothie, I tried on pants! So here are some new pics, face and all cause there's no shame in my game, beyotches! Updated on 12 Dec 2016: Omg I totally forgot to mention the drains! [RS bleep] THOSE DRAINS! Those freaking drains were the worst part. They're creepy and they're just coming out of your body and you have to 'strip' the hoses or you get blood clots, and you are certain you will yank it out, then you have to drain this nasty ass [RS bleep] and measure it. I hated that I needed my husband to help me. I hated that he had to see that and touch it and gahhhh. On the morning of my post op, I called my mom and asked her to pray with me that they would take out my drains. I don't know if any of you guys are spiritual, but I swear after you go through this, you WILL be talking to Jesus. Anyway, they DID take out my drains! And I tell you, 80% of my misery ended right there. And it did not hurt. I thought for sure they would at the very least give me the willies but i didn't even feel it. Those drains suck. But they're not forever! Do NOT lose hope, you guys. It is soooo worth it and I do not regret it, no matter what I may have said during those first 3 days!!!! XOXO Updated on 12 Dec 2016: See, I told you I was feeling better today. So much to report, I forgot to talk about the breasts implants. Picking out your own breast size is a trip! It's a tough choice! What if I wish I'd gone bigger? What if they're too big? And then I saw Amber from teen mom and I was like yeah, I don't want huge knockers. I tried on sizers at my preop and chose something in the 450 cc range. Then I got home and I was like, this is a big decision to make alone! I don't even buy shoes without asking someone for a second opinion. So I called my doc to ask if I could come back with my husband, and they were like absofreakinloutely, because they are awesome. She's like, we're open till 5, come in any time. And when we get there, as soon as we walk in they're like we have a room all ready for you. And she had her little cart out with the weird bra and all the chicken cutlets, and we tried on everything again and without knowing which size I picked, my husband picked the same one. I have not had one single issue with my implants. There was no pain in the recovery. None. I wouldn't even know I had one, except they're freaking gorgeous. Maybe it was because the tummy tuck was so tumultuous, but the entire implant process was a breeze. Updated on 21 Dec 2016: I learned a lot about myself through this experience. Particularly, I learned of my own neurosis. Maybe I've always been a basket case and just never noticed cause I was self medicating with marijuana. But certainly, this experience is bound to take a toll on just about anyone, and thats why we're prescribed anxiety meds along with our pain pills. There are aspects of this that I never anticipated. Like, you hear people [RS bleep] about drains, but until you have "stripped" your drains tube with one hand, while praying to God you don't accidentally yank it out of your body, you just cannot prepare yourself. I still shudder at the thought, and mine have been out for 2 weeks. Then there's the garment.... big gals, take note. It is very difficult to find the right garment in a plus size, unless you can go to Lane Bryant and shell out 80 bucks for one. Although, after trying several cheaper styles from Walmart, I could have just bought a good one by now. No matter what kind you get, it is going to be too tight in places and muffin top you in others. Ideally, I should have bought the $80 camisole style but didn't want it to ride up on me. I discovered it does not matter, cause if it doesn't ride up, it rolls down, or cuts off the circulation in your legs, or digs into your breast implants incision. The compression garment is a ninja and it will find your weakness and attack it. You will itch and maybe even feel claustrophobic. It will feel like you ate a big meal and just want to undo the top of your jeans but you can't. And yet, when you take it off, you will feel vulnerable and unprotected, like that garment is the only thing holding your body together. It's bizarre. I am exactly 3 weeks post op now, and while I'm getting better every day, I must say I'm surprised that I haven't magically bounced back to normal. I'm not sure what I was expecting but I didn't expect everything to still feel so....fresh? Definitely most of my discomfort, immediately after and still, was the internal muscle repair. I am always aware of them and coughing or sneezing still kinda sucks. Now to focus on some positive stuff! The other day, someone called me the incredible shrinking woman. That was nice. It's weird when people say "look how skinny you are!" and "look how flat your tummy is!" Because I've never had anyone tell ME such a thing! Another positive, relations with the husband. We had a talk before my surgery, about our intimacy problems, and, well, long story short, I have a terrific husband. He assured me that he'd love me at any size, but he talked to his own doc and found out he has low testosterone. So now he's feeling all testoster-oni (the *other* San Francisco treat. Obscure 'Friends' reference) and I've got these hot knockers, and he's just chasing me all over the place trying to cop a feel or get a look at me. 15 years of marriage and I feel like a newlywed. So yesterday was my follow up appointment. All is healing as planned. I was given instructions on how to massage my implants, and they removed all leftover tape and sutures. He said I can ease off the garment a bit so I've started to remove it when I'm just chillin in my chair. I still feel unprotected without it so the love hate relationship continues a few more weeks. I can handle it. Another positive, I can almost wipe front to back again! And my favorite thing yet..... The first time I went to this doctor, his teeny tiny robe wouldn't close around me. Yesterday, I wrapped it around me and tied the belt and asked them if they'd gotten new robes.... Nope. Same robe. I'm just a tiny delicate little flower now. Updated on 21 Dec 2016: I never got my period during the month of November. I think I was due to start on the same day as my surgery and I guess it threw my cycle off because I am a walking ball of pathetic pms. If I'm not yelling at my husband, I'm sobbing on his shoulder. Also the first week I didn't eat a bite, but by week 2, I had turned into a caveman. All I wanted was MEAT. Particularly chicken tenders or tuna. It's all I have eaten for 2 weeks and I still have dreams about it. Anyone else developed weird behaviors during recovery? Updated on 22 Dec 2016: My doctor was very amused when he told me he gave my vagina a haircut. Don't get me wrong, I've always kept it fancy down there. A crew cut, if you will. But I'm sporting a full on shiny bald newborn baby hoo-ha now and for a few days, it was nice. Especially with all the tape and tubes and whatever other trauma I exposed it to.... But now it is growing back, and it's not soft, it's not a crew cut. It's like the not soft side of velcro. I bet I could stick things to it if it weren't so sore. Nothing like a big, swollen pupa with a scar trying to heal across it, while little shards of glass are growing out of it and the garment either squishes it or rubs against it. Doc said the swelling needs to go somewhere, so if I wear the compression underwear from Hell, it will help my pupa but then irritate my breasts. So basically, just have to wait it out I guess. Poor girl..... Updated on 22 Dec 2016: I have been stalking this page forever, and found lots of recommendations for things you should buy while preparing for your transformation. There's a ton of [RS bleep] you can get for this. There's even a company that sells kits for recovery. I've read about people renting hospital beds, some cream to prevent bruising, walkers, etc. and I was concerned that everyone was getting all this stuff and I was horribly unprepared. As it turned out, I didn't need any of that. Thankfully, I have tile floors and a chair with wheels, so I did scoot around for a couple days. Basically, if you feel better buying all that, then buy it. If you can afford it, and it makes you feel better, get it. But you probably don't need it. It's like when you have a baby and you buy all the accoutrements and once you get the hang of it, you learn that you don't really need a diaper pail because there's a garbage can in the next room. Having said that, here's one thing I recommend you have on your checklist- a smoothie maker. I have a ninja. It's not a high end vitamix or anything but it gets the job done. It's hard to eat after surgery, but you need nutrients and you need food in your belly to take pain meds. Frozen fruits and vegetables are just as good as fresh. They wont go bad and they have just as much nutrition, and you dont have to add ice. We've all talked about pineapple being recommended for swelling, so here's my smoothie recipe, even though you didn't ask... the base is always the same, about 2 cups of frozen pineapple chunks, and a cup of frozen spinach. From there, I throw in whatever is around. Apples, dates, kale, oranges, whatevs. And if you add a banana, all you taste is banana. It masks the veggie taste and it's really good! And let's face it, pooping is no picnic when you're taking pain pills. These smoothies will not only help you poop, but the poop will be easier to get out. I'm sorry to use all these technical terms with you. Poop poop poop. Omg I have had some major pain med related poop issues in my past. You know that poop where you try new butt cheek spreading techniques, clutch the walls with your hands AND feet, whilst trying to perform an exorcism on the rock hard demon turd birthing from your butthole? I've gotten to the point where I'm praying to Jesus, making deals with him. Once, a couple years ago, I actually passed out from the pain. Woke up on the bathroom floor with a book indented into my head. To this day, people will ask how I got that scar on my forehead, I have to say, "oh, I hurt myself shitting." Anyway, sorry to go on and on, I'm just all jazzed up from my super nutritious smoothie, and I thought of y'all and wanted to share my recommendation with you. We're all kind of doing our best as we go along, and every bit helps.... Hope you're hanging in there. Hit me up and tell me how you're doing!!! Any tips?
I can't say enough great things about dr. John Rowley. His bedside manner is incredible, he was patient and answered all my questions. There's just something about his spirit. You can tell he loves what he does. He's a "good dude". My surgery was great and my results even better. I Highly recommend him!! Updated on 1 Jun 2015: ok here's, my update. Left pic is post op day 6 and right pic is post op day 11
Spent 48 of my 60 years with very large breasts, so worth having the reduction & lift. Wish I'd have had it done 30 years ago! Very long, painful recovery but so worth it. Dr. Rowley is very kind and answered all my questions as well as being one of the best plastic surgeons in the Phoenix area. I went from GG or H cup to D/DD! My neck, shoulder and upper back pain has been relieved and it's actually fun to go clothes shopping! Am able to purchase bras at Victoria Secret for the first time in 40 years! Fun!
Hanging skin, pants did not fit right, dr. Rawley made you feel at ease and less self conscious. A friend recommended and was pleased with her entire experience. When I decided to have the procedure and was at the hospital, the operation nurse said he was the best cosmetic surgeon and she had worked w many which made me more at ease. I was extremely pleased with results, plus the method he used for suturing and amazed that his fees were around 40percent less than a cosmetic doctor in Scottsdale. I recommend any of my friends considering cosmetic surgery to have a consultation with Dr. Rawley.
Dr. John Rowley performed a breast augmentation and tummy tuck on 11/7/14. I am a 61 year old grandmother of five. I had been overweight a long time and decided to take control of my life and joined a gym, got strong and fit, and lost 60 pounds. No amount of exercise was going to help my diminished breasts and saggy tummy skin that also carried scars from numerous prior medical surgeries. I decided to consult with Dr. Rowley for the surgical procedures I wanted done. I appreciated his kind a gentle demeanor, and the confidence he showed that my decisions were right for me. He and his staff were helpful in selecting the size of silicone implants I would need, and luckily I did not need a breast lift with the correct size to fill out the space. I was treated with respect and dignity with every appointment, and they thoroughly answered any and all questions that I had. The surgeries took place in the surgery center located in the same complex and again was treated as an important person by everyone. I followed all of Dr. Rowley's orders for pre and post surgery instructions. However, I still developed a seroma, which is excess fluid accumulation in the abdomen, that Dr. Rowley aspirated twice, without any complications. I am thrilled with my results, and my confidence has soared beyond my own belief. I was afraid I was too old to consider these elective surgeries, but I can honestly say this has changed my life for the better, and no one is ever too old, words spoken by Dr. Rowley. Thank you so much! Updated on 1 Apr 2015: I should have mentioned in my review that Dr. Rowley used 450cc implants, and that my tummy tuck only involved removal of excess tissue and abdominal scarring. Updated on 11 Aug 2015: I have been very pleased with the results of my 450cc implants and abdominal removal of skin, and the confidence I feel with my body. These procedures have been worth going through even at my age.
I am searching for the right doctor right now in Arizona. Of course I don't want a half done surgery but I really want to benefit from it. I have to consults scheduled, one on 3/5 and the other on 3/6. I am so excited and nervous at the same time! Hopefully I can have the surgery asap because I am suppose to be getting married July 4th! But if my body is not ready I am not having this wedding that soon. Updated on 1 Mar 2015: I am excited, another step closer once I go to my consultations, I have been walking and wear this latex waist trainer and now I am going to start taking Arnica peeps this week because I want my procedure done asap!!!!!! I have wedding to start planning!!!! 7/4/2015 Updated on 5 Mar 2015: I'm so excited, I went to my 1st consultation today with Dr. Rowley, he was so nice and made me feel very comfortable. I appreciated everything from him and his staff. He said I have a lot of skin and he will pull it all down so half of my stretch marks will be gone, he said I will have some under my new BB. They are booked for the month of March but may be able to squeeze me in on the 20th, so I am really keeping my fingers crossed. So I hope so I'm ready to get to the healing process already! So hopefully I have good news tomorrow, I still have the other consultation with Dr. Repta as well Updated on 9 Mar 2015: I got the call this morning, they could not squeeze me in for March 20 but I'm scheduled for April 1st, even though it was a tough decision I decided to go with Dr. Rowley, him and his staff just were so welcoming and he was very understanding of what I am trying to accomplish! I believe he can bring my vision right to life! Can't wait I am so excited, my body should be ready by summer! Updated on 20 Mar 2015: I am nervous but I am ready to be on the flat side, talked to a few of you on here, who had great advise! I am so excited at the same time and cannot wait to update my after pics! These stretchmarks all over are so annoying, this saggy skin is dreadful! It's only a short time away, yay!!!!! I have my pre-op on March 24th where I have to pay for the surgery so at this point there is no turning back! Updated on 27 Mar 2015: I am nervous, but I know it will all be worth it. Today I found the plastic jewelry I need since I can't keep my regular body jewelry in. I had my Pre-op on Tuesday 3/24 and it was just pictures taken and a lot of questions answered. I think I am ready, I have a large support system of friends plus my man and family! So I think I'll be alright this time around. I am a little sad cuz I didn't realize Easter was the Sunday after my surgery but I am making their Easter baskets this weekend. So I think we will still make the best of it. Well I already picked up all my meds and I have to take that Magnesium Citrate the day before to clean out my system! So I'm ready as I'll ever be! Please I need prayers and I hope that everything goes well! Updated on 27 Mar 2015: Updated on 27 Mar 2015: Updated on 31 Mar 2015: Omg!!!!!!!!! The nervousness has really sunk in, I can't believe this is really happening. My life will change for the good (hopefully) tomorrow! Can't wait to join the flat side again! Already about to start ordering real cute 2 pieces lol! I have such a great support system and they all can't wait to help. My man is nervous he doesn't want me to go thru with it now cuz he can just imagine the pain I am going to endure. Well guess what I am doing it and for me, I am not happy with my body so I am doing this to make me happy and that's all that matter! Once this is out the way I can plan my wedding ???????????? Updated on 2 Apr 2015: Sorry I was out of it yesterday but I made it ladies, can't type too much cuz I just my meds but here are pics, I took a shower so I got to see for the 1st time as well. I have such a great support system! Updated on 8 Apr 2015: I went 4/7 and had my drains token out and let me tell u it is a huge relief but that ish didn't feel too good. It was ok as he was pulling them out but the aftermath of them being out burned like crazy! Updated on 8 Apr 2015: I am about 95% standing up straight! I'm moving good tho, tried on my bikini and it looks good. Can't wait to shop and wear all these brand new dresses I have in the closet! Updated on 13 Apr 2015: I had stopped taking my medicine on Day 6, I just don't want to be addicted plus I was able to tolerate the pain. I stay wearing this binder still he said not to switch over at least until week 3 but I'm hard headed and think if I wear a tighter compression garment I think that will help a lot more! I had a lot of swelling last night in my pelvic area due to a business road trip I had to go on. But I am doing good, I still walk a little slumped over but other than that I think the surgery was well worth it! I can't wait for swelling to go completely down so I can really get the feel of this flat side!
Hello I have 2 children 7 and 3 1/2 both delivered by C-Section. After my first C-Section I was left with an overhang that got worst after my last child. I had my first consult before my last child's 1st birthday. I decided I wanted to get within 10 lbs of my prechildren weight. I gained 31 pounds during my pregnancies. It was hard for me to shed a pounds until I was diagnosed as hypothyroid. With my new found energy and optimism I joined a gym 2 years ago and lost about 10 lbs down to 120 and gained 5 back which I have been able to maintain. I am looking forward to not having to dress around my overhang and wear a bikini without feeling self conscious. Mostly I am excited to feel more comfortable in pants and not have pain from the bulging pressure of my belly or not to have to be panys that are saggy in the legs just to not have to deal with the comfort issue. I am more comfortable with my health and the fact that I tried to give my body an opportunity to heal itself before I went the surgery route. Updated on 27 Sep 2014: I had a total of 3 consultations with board certified surgeons. The first I had about 6 mos after birth with the same surgeon who performed my BA. This surgeon said I was a good candidate then. After further research on the procedure, I decided I was too over weight with a BMI over 26. My research showed it was best to be within 10% of my body weight for optimal results. Fast forward 2 1/2 years later I decided to have a consult with another surgeon to gain a different perspective and also I was a little turned off by my previous surgeon's coordinator's pushiness for products I did not need and I did not like her attitude when I disagreed. It made me feel that I would not want to deal with that should something not go as planned or if there were to be a problem. So met with Dr. #2 and he had a very nice office with very trendy women running the place. I was placed into an exam room while he jumped from me to two other consults at the same time and everything could be heard between the exam rooms. His approach was to perform the procedure in his office, made no mention of anesthesiologist certification or accreditation of his surgical room. A woman came in who said she assisted him in his surgeries and would answer any questions I had and talk finances. I already knew this Dr would not be the one for me for a few reasons. When he walked in he looked nothing like his profile picture so much so that it became obvious his picture had some serious photoshop. I know it is not a big deal but I feel as though it is almost deception. He had a huge poster size picture of his family posed topless (his wife her breast were covered, small baby, and himself). He attempted to make a connection with me as if he were going through a scripted routine so he did not come across as geniune when trying to uncover a common thread to connect us. His costs were comparable to the previous surgeon the majority was his fee and the previous surgeon incuded an overnight stay. I was then urged to go home and cry to my husband as a means to get my surgery. Needless to say it was a no go. I tried non surgical methods (Vanquish) to see if I can improve the skin tightness and underlying fat at another's certified surgeons office (the only one to have the technology at the time) who said I would be a good candidate well what a waste of money. 5 months later I called my initial surgeon and her coordinator said I would have to come in for another $75 consult. So I did and nothing changed because I have not changed except for being more fit but her technique is pretty much the same regardless of the patient. My OB told me to get at least 3 consults so I went off to find another certified surgeon. It can be pretty difficult because I am easily turned off by the hard sell glitzy glossed over practices. So I tried to find someone with good rounded experience in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. I also wanted to give Surgeons closer to my home a shot if they were equally qualified. So I found a good prospective surgeon who happened just to practice down the street from me. He was very personable and easy to talked to and answered all my questions i.e. is everthying and everyone certified accredited, technique, etc. I also had my 3 yr old with me which did not seem to bother him the least bit. During the examination his opinion was I did not need lipo and should still be able to get a great result. His practice manager came in to discuss finances. She was a breath of fresh air from the overly done personnel from a previous practice. She was just refreshingly beautiful. She gave me a couple of quotes one with a stay and one as an outpatient and took time to answer my questions. Lets just say when you find two equally experienced surgeons it throws you in for some serious confusion because they each have great pros. Previous surgeon has my trust from previous procedure and the new one is closer is equally qualified I liked his approach to incision tension management and I got to see the one year results of an actual patient in person. His results and scar management were awewome. Most of all he actively listened carefully and addressed my concerns and welcomed my questioning. Let's just say it was such hard choice that I had to try and find factors I had not considered before to decipher between the two. I decided to let it marinate in the back of my mind and see what my instincts push forward. Updated on 29 Sep 2014: I chose to go with the surgeon who was closer to my home and equally qualified in experience and certification. The location day of surgery was closer to home. I also had the option of having my procedure as outpatient. The staff was awesome even accommodating my unannounced visit with a request to see more photos. I liked the Dr.'s approach to managing incision tension by not only using sutures but also using a surgical glue over the top. It was definitely a difficult decision to use a different surgeon from the one who did my BA because I already had a level of trust built. The surgery date and preop have been scheduled. It will be 6 weeks from now and I feel as though my heart is going to beat right out of my chest. I opted for an outpatient procedure and rented a hospital bed for 2 weeks. Is there anything else I am going to need? Updated on 15 Oct 2014: I have spent some time researching my doctor's certifications and experience and it has helped me solidify my confidence in him. I have also verified the accreditation of the surgery center for peace of mind. My surgery will be outpatient which is very common and deemed absolutely safe unless you present higher risk such as a high bmi or present health conditions that require monitoring. Just waiting to get more info at my pre op next week. It is getting so close. I have already rented a bed, got a heating pad, got compression stockings, milk of magnesia, benedryl, and gas x. Updated on 15 Oct 2014: Updated on 31 Oct 2014: I had my pre op appointment on the 21st. I was given an order for 4 blood tests that I completed at my local lab. I was also given several prescriptions : Dilaudid 2mg, Valium 10mg, 250mg Antibiotic, colace, magnesium citrate. The magnesium citrate is a laxative that I was instructed to take a full bottle the day before surgery with only a liquid a diet and very soft food and lots and lots of water through out the day to clear the intestines. I was told it would not be a good idea to do this at work. No herbs or unnecessary meds beginning at one week prior. Absolutely no liquids, gum, or anything that may produce saliva after 10 pm the night before. I am due at the hospital at 6:15 for surgery at 7 am. I received a packet of other instructions such as absolutely no lotions, oils, or anything else on skin. My photos were taken and any remaining questions answered. I also paid my fee at this time and given my follow up appointment for 4 days after my surgery. It is now one week to go and I have been pretty calm so far. The only person who knows is my husband and I let my employer know I was taking PTO for surgery, but did not divulge what kind. It seems I have been eating terribly the last week, I think it is subconscious nervous eating. My husband will be my only support. Updated on 8 Nov 2014: Had my surgery yesterday at 7 am. Reported to the surgery center at 6:15. I made my payment to the center and filled out a couple of page of paperwork and was taken back ro change into my preheated gown and do a urine test. I was taken to a recliner where I was covered with a heated blanket, lovely. It was a small center only 2 ORs. The RNs were all really nice to me and each other. The atmosphere was very peaceful. Spoke with my anesthesiologist who assured he would make me comfortable. He asked me if I had any questions in which I asked him to please wake me up. His response was anyone can put you to sleep my job is to wake you up. Dr Rowley came in and marked me, he gave me one more potty break and we were of to OR two. I sat myself on the table and listened ro the chatter about the room the anesthesiologist said so something about his wife's church activities and off I went into my slumber. When I woke I was asked for my pain number on a scale between 1-10. I rated 4 and quicly worsened to a 6. I was given iv meds and it immediately took the edge off. Saw doctor Rowley who said I did well and I replied he was a great doctor. They began to get me ready to get out of bed. It was a little rough with pain and nausea. I was given anti nausea amd slightly more pain meds and off to go pee. I was victorious and was able to go home. I was two miles a away nothing bad. I had to get up our stairs which was not bad since I still had hospital drugs. It was not too bad in the beginning every time I took my meds I would get up and walk to yhe bathroomto keep circulation going. As the night progessed my belly became increasingly sore. The Dr told my husband he ended up giving me lipo on each side to get his desired results. I have not had a peek have just been trying to get through the day sorry about typos , I trying tp stay awake long enough to post. Updated on 8 Nov 2014: I almost forgot a nurse came the 1st day to visit me at my house about 5 hours after I was sent home. She took my vitals and gave me an anticoagulant shot. She was surprised I made it all the way upstairs to my bedroom. That was not too hard since the hospital meds had not yet wore off. I did tend to get even more sore into the night. Every time I took my meds I would get up tp go to the bathroom. It was hard to get out of bed from the stiffness not as hard as I made my way back. Having a walker helped me to from and up and down from the toilet. I would say my pain level is at a steady 3 or 3 so it is bearable yet still uncomfortable. The doctor also called before I went to bed to see of I needed anything. Updated on 8 Nov 2014: 2nd day post op is coming to an end. I was much more sore today than the 1st. My hubby has been so helpful which I am grateful for. I did rent a medical bed which has kept me comfortable. I do need help getting lifted out and in. You absolutely need someone there to help you set up to use your legs. I have tried and there is just now way. If you must be by yourself at any time a recliner that helps stand you up is a must. I have been getting up every 2 to 4 hours to pee. It is much harder to get up after being down since you are pretty stiff. I bought a low cost walker carex brand off of Amazon and it has been tremendously helpful in keeping my back from hurting while walking hunched over. It also helps me sit and get up from the toilet easily. While relaxing I do feel shooting pains in my abdomen as if the nervew are waking. Have not had much of an appetite mpstly liquids an egg and a soup. I have stayed on top of my meds but it has only taken the edge off. The pain is tolerable. I was able to shower today but did not feel up to it as I found myself light headed and in naseaus sweats often. Towards the end of the night getting up has been getting easier. I have no inkling what the results look like so hopefully tomorrow I will fwel more up to a shower. Updated on 9 Nov 2014: Hello everyone I have begun to turn a corner pain wise. O have been able to get myself in and out of bed so far with help from my walker. Although I am still sore it is not nearly as bad as yesterday which has been the worst so for. I did begin to get thw cramping gas but I took my chewable gas x and all was well. I did also start a regimen of arnica montana 30x amd bromelain 2000 gdu 500 mg and feel it has helped tremendously with the swelling. I do fight to stay a awake so I will update later after I try to shower for the first time. Updated on 9 Nov 2014: Okay so I am 3 days in. Got to shower and get a peek of everything. I cannot honestly say I like what I see just yet. I have a huge hard ridge on my right side and it just does not seem normal. You can see it from the profile as well. It is tough to the touch. I know it is too soon to tell but I do not believe I have ever seen anything quite like this. I will remain positive. There is a similar assymertry on the left side as well. Updated on 10 Nov 2014: Today I woke up less stiff when it came to being able to get out of bed on my own. My pain level was much more manageable and I was able to sleep much more than previous days. The extra sleep was welcomed. My hasband still prepares me eggs for bfast, chicken rice soup for lunch, and naked juice when I still get hungry. It has all worked well with my med schedule. My drains have had 20cc in one and 30cc in the other. I believehaving a good support system to take it is easy is key to a speady reacovery. I have my first post opp appt tomorrow morning. I will shower in hopes for having drains removed. We shall see, happy healing everyone. Updated on 11 Nov 2014: This is the second time I have had a sip of water go down the wrong pipe The cough it produces has had to be the mosy uncomfortable of my whole recovery. Holy crap man it just about impossible to quell. I have my post op today I am going to ask if I should only have a day and a half of pain meds left. I sure hope not. Updated on 11 Nov 2014: Saw doc briefly everyone was very efficient. Even though my drain output is about 30cc he decided to leave drains in two more days until thurs. I was fine with that because they do not bother me in the slightest. I was happy to get out and even happier to get home. I have slept pretty much off and on since the pain became more manageable at beginning of day 3. Still no bm on my diet of naked juice, eggs, and chicken soup. My huppy was nice enough to by me chocolate yummy. Doc asked how I liked everything told him I still could not tell since binder is only off briefly to ahower. His staff is top notch. Updated on 12 Nov 2014: So I'm home alone for the first time since surgery.I have about 8 to 9 meds to keep track of and it has already been twice that I questioned whether or not I have taken the Med. I must admit I have been sleeping well now that I'm home alone. I had my first post visit yesterday and he Dr. felt it best to leave drains in until tomorrow. They have not bothered me at all since they come with blue clips that keep them out of the way. He gave me a full refill for pain meds I may not need since I am weenig my self off. I can't stand when I swallow water down the worng tube, talk about a major hurt fest. Cannot tell if I like the results because of all the rough lipo spots I did not realize I was getting. My husband , 3 year old, and 7 year old have been just fabulous. I have this awfaul vision that the overhang will be gone but the diastasis will still be around. Have not had a bm so I drank a whole small bottle of milk of magnesia ... yikes It does not seem to be helping. I am so glad I got my cheap 26 walker from amazon, my back has not hurt at all with that bad boy. It also helps as leverage getting up and down to the toilet seat. Also the shower chair was awesome investment I will contonue to use. I was on the fence about Arnica and Bromelain and ordered night before surgery for overnight delivery ... boy does that stuff really turn it around quickly. Started using at half of day 2 and by morning 3 I was able to get out of bed on my own. I will let everyone know how draons come out. Updated on 13 Nov 2014: I am one of those people whose drains never bothered me. My surgeon attached them to blue clips that attached to my binder and kept them close to my body. I also was not one of those that tried to be up at day 3 doing stuff. My routine was rest, meds, bathroom, and some kind of food every 3 to 4 hours. They gave me a lanyard to clip them to while bathing. I took my on shower for the first time last night. Not too bad my hubby had to help me dry up.This morning I gave myself 2 hours to get dressed. I just dont have the energy for it but wanted to look good and managed to get my makeup done, not that I wear a lot. So we get there and it is time to have the drains out maybe it was half the pain pill I took before I left but apart from the initial tug I did not feel a thing. Yay me! Updated on 13 Nov 2014: For some reason I feel wider. I was not supposed to have lipo and the doc gave me a little on my sides. Now my right side has a huge lump in it. I so hope it goes away. It is like a dent. I do not like it at all but I know it is too soo to tell. Did any one else have a hard lump that went away? Updated on 14 Nov 2014: So I had one of those days where I was feeling better. My PS said I had to continue wearing my garment or I can wear spanks. I asked him about wearing a squeem and he had no idea what I was talking about. So I tried my squeem for a few hours felt good and tighter than binder. After a few hours I did notice my huge lump go down on my right side. Could not find any info on squeem as post surgical so took it off. I had a pair of Spanx slim cognitos. My husband said I could never get them on so I waited until he went to sleep. I kept my surgical binder on which is actually pretty comfy went into the bathroom and struggled like heck to get those spanx up over my huge a$$. I was so afraid I was going to pop something but up they went. They felt nice and supportive even more so than the surgical garment. Lucky for me I bought a female urinal that helped me go without soiling myself. I did put my post surgical garment over. Oh the joys of finding the right stage garments. What are some of your faves? Updated on 15 Nov 2014: My post op week 1 photos. I have definitely seen some improvement in swelling so far incision seems low and bellow button has a nice shape. Updated on 16 Nov 2014: Many articles I read about abdominalplasty surgery around the net describe it as an impatient procedure. The inpatient usually takes place at a recovery center and not a hospital. Many times the center may be attached to the hospital but not managed by the hospital. Same goes for the surgery center which is why outside practices can apply to use the facilities. I was offered both options by my PS office. When I asked what the major difference would be in my case besides the setting, I was informed that the nurses handling after care are given the same instructions and meds as a home care giver. After further research of peer reviewed medical journals I decided to do outpatient because I had no serious health issues that required monitoring by special equipment. In both cases if there was an instance that pain could not be control the patient would be transferred to the hospital for admission. Being uncomfortable was to be expected, my pain was never more than a 3 and I would say it was more like a soreness when getting out of bed otherwise not an issue while resting. I did have nurse visit to take vitals and administer an anticoagulant shot. Also, received a phone call from doc before bed. The soreness the 2nd day was worst than the 1st. By the 3rd day the pain was pretty much gone and totally controlled with the meds. If you do too much activity it can and will have you feel like you are back at day 2. This is just home recovery from my point of view and given the choice again I would choose the same. Updated on 19 Nov 2014: Just when I thought the blues would escape me today I am crying about everything. I find myself in a state of deep pondering on life. Wah! I am going to try to find something to distract me. :( Updated on 22 Nov 2014: I am at 2 weeks post op. Currently, I am in the middle of my period. Yesterday I ate so horribly, I had 2 slices of pepperoni pizza and 2 breadsticks. I am totally feeling it this morning, I am so tight and swollen from one meal. I am still walking hunched over. Last night I tried streching my legs out straighter while sleeping in hopes it will help my posture. I go back to work after week 3 so I have another week of recovery at home. I have been working 1/2 days from home on Fridays and I do find it difficult to focus because I get tired. I wear my spanx slim cognito every day all day. I have 4 of them that I switch out and I feel the style really helps with swelling. I have been out a few different times to shop for at least 4 hours at a time it is very trying and feel like I went out to soon. However, you have to do what has to be done and you got to keep moving at some point. Some questions that have crossed my mind are how best to care for my bellybutton, PS office says not peroxide can use bacitracin if I want. Also, should I be trying to straighten out at some point or will it widen the scar. Updated on 25 Nov 2014: I was getting ready to take my daily shower which I have usually been taking around 3-4 pm before I have to pick up my oldest son from school. I noticed my belly button looked super dry and much smaller than the day before. Like many tummy tuckers before me I thought my cute little belly button was shriveling up and dying. I sent a pic and phoned my PS office, explained my concern, and after a brief hold to look at the photo the admin said everything seemed normal but if I was still concerned was welcomed to come in before they closed for the day, amazing! The office is way closer than 2 miles from what I previously thought. From the time I called, got dressed, and dressed my 3 year old I was at the front desk within 15 min. I live in Awhatukee and the office is 13 blocks from my house, just a few minute drive. So it turns out the antibacterial hibiclens I was still using to gently clean my bellybutton and surrounding surgical aread was drying out the stiches and skin. My PS removed all the old stiches and attached dead skin (didn't hurt at all) and handed me a few different options of scar therapy to start on the area. All I need to clean with is my regular moisturizing body soap. When my tape falls off I can use the therapy there as well. He also advised the the appearance of the belly button will change several times before settling down. He did not foresee any issues with my the way mine was healing, phew! I did not want to be paranoid but like Bblbme said it is better to be safe than sorry, especially since I do wear bikinis (even before surgery) and the belly button is such an important often visible part of the result. The office staff and Doctor were so cool with me coming in last minute with my baby in tow. I really like that. Updated on 29 Nov 2014: I have been able to stand up at about 80% so far. I have been trying to stretch out in bed a little. I was cleared for a spanx type garment at 7 days and have been wearing them since. Last night I decided to splint my belly by using my surgical binder for extra support. I woke up standing much straighter than yesterday. My midsection was feeling so fragile at the incision and below, seems the extra support helped alleviate some tension. I have been working 1/2 from home every Friday and I am suppose to return to my normal schedule on Monday. I feel good, I just have to remind myself that healing from this surgery is a long process that happens in phases. It is funny, before all I could think about how difficult the actual act of the surgery and immediate pain would be. Now I realize that the surgery was the easiest part so far. My surgical tape is slowly coming off. I have about a 14 inch scar from hip to hip it does not wrap to the sides. 4 inches of tape has come loose so far. It was placed over surgical glue and has only loosened in areas where the scab was ready to come off. If I try to lift the tape I can see it is still firmly attached to a fleshy scab on the incision. My knots on the side I was worried about my first few posts from the lipo are starting to slowly calm. I had lipo to my front sides. My left side is still harder and more swollen than rigjt side. Earlier in the week I thought I was losing circulation to my bellybutton and was afraid it was closing. Within a few days of seeing my PS everything looks fine. Updated on 6 Dec 2014: Since week 3 I have been able to stand much straighter and will begin to hunch or look lazy if I do too much. I had to remove my surgical tape while my PS was on vacay as it was starting to burn from the adhesive. I replaced the tape with mepitac. I woke up this morning and my right side seems to be much more contoured than my left and is much more noticeable as the swelling goes down. I am hoping my results will not be that assymetrical and is just my body working itself out. I will ask my PS his opinion this coming week but I am sure it is too soon to say for sure. I will update if I get a definitive answer. The tightness that used to wake me up at night is not as bothersome if I take a prescribed muscle relaxer before bed. I have been waking up on my right side and try to switch to my left to even out having too much pressure on one side and to keep my back from hurting from being in one position. I do feel the need to want to just stretch. I hope to be able to go back to the gym this coming week. Time has really flown by. Updated on 10 Jan 2015: I am officially 2 months post op. I still wake with the feeling like I need to stretch and my muscles still get tense. When it is too told tight I take a muscle relaxer to help me get some rest. Up until last week my dents from lipo done on the front of my belly were very pronounced and deep. I begin to aggressively massage those areas and they have softened up tremendously within the week. I also begin pressure massage on the areas of my scar that had pleating and those areas have also completely flattened out within a week. I have been babying myself with activity because on my last post op my PS advised me to do so. So no gym, no housework, and some light walking. I trust my surgeon and I feel more confident in the healing. I have not had any issues or worries since taking it easy and giving my body time to heal on its own pace. I don't want to risk widening the scar so I will not continue to massage the area until I have the okay from my PS. I have a post op appointment in a few weeks. I use arnica oil to massage my belly and keep it moisturized. On my scar I use bioCorneum 100% silicone gel with spf30. Once the gel dries I use Mepitac silicone adhesive tape to reduce tension to the scar line and prevent widening. I am very happy with the symmetry and low placement of the scar. Some oddities are the swelling which for me tends to happen in the upper abdomen. When I sit I have pooch but it is uniform and is more pronounced when I eat bad. Nerves waking = random sharp stabbing pains. No one has noticed a change at work or with family and no one but my husband and surgeon'so office know I have had surgery. My energy is still a bit lagging, other than that, I have had a pretry positive experience.
I am 37 years old...38 in June. I was a late bloomer and got a training bra when I was in 8th grade just so I wouldn't be the only girl without some type of bra on.FLAT AS A WALL!!! Freshman year I was finally a b cup. By senior year I was a double d and weight was about 175. I moved out of state.lost about 40 pounds....but my books didn't go anywhere. They just looked bigger. Fast forward 10 years I ended up getting heavier...200 lbs and 38f bra...and then as of 4/23/13 just before surgery I was at my heaviest ever of 247 and a 40h. Due to back pain I just couldn't work out the way I wanted to..I would try but it took 3 days of recovery and headaches to stop so working out wasn't worth the pain. I got approved with my insurance in a mere 4 days. I discussed with my PS that I wanted to buy bras off the rack. I wanted to get down to ac cup. This way when I work out and lose this weight I will be better proportioned...even if I lost a cup size I would still be happy. PROCEDURE: Free nipple graft. A lot of conflicting opinions about this technique. But because of how much had to be removed it was really the best option to avoid complications. I decided the trade-off of smaller boobs and no back pain is worth not having much sensation(which I didn't have much in the first place). Surgery was 4/24/13. After all the measurements and making were done and the iv put in my hubby had to go to the waiting room. I remember an oxygen mask and then waking up after the procedure was done. I got nauseous and vomited several times after waking from anesthesia. So I was able to leave the hospital about 3 hours after the surgery. The pumped me full of anti nauseous meds. Fortunately home was less than a five minute drive from the hospital...so I could get laid out and stop moving.didn't really feel pain due to meds. meds: was given percocet. Took the first 4 days. Days 1&2 I took1 pill every 4-6 hours depending how I felt and then took 2 when I went to bed so I would sleep. Day 3 up only took 2 pills the whole day and on day 4 I only took 1. Recovery: I go back to work today. It's a sedentary job so I am not too worried about over exertion. So far recovery has been great. I had drains in for a week the bandages were itchy the drain sites were tender.I have a huge bruise on my right side. The rest of bruising is pretty much gone now. nowI have been using non stick sterile pads over my nipples. A layer of dead skin has come off my nipples but that is part of the heading process. The tops are softer the bottom and outer sides are still feeling quite firm. Actually almost hard..... I have to go right now...but will add morelater Updated on 18 Jul 2017: I still have scars but they aren't as noticable. My nipples are a mottled color, and I'm slightly self conscious, but nothing major. I'm still a cup. I can buy bread of the shelf, but I guess buying bras is just as bad as buying a swim suit... Still a little hard. But this I think is more due to the fact that I'm still over weight. I have lost some, but not nearly what I could have. Kind of been up and down in weight. Good news is I can work out now with it pain. No more headaches. No more back pain. No more numbness. And yeah... I'm proportionate now . I think the only thing I'm not happy about is the sides. The scarring is more noticeable I feel like I have a fat flap. It's hard to describe. But hopefully as I work it and lose weight that problem will go away. I just need to lose about 60 lbs. Updated on 18 Jul 2017: Here are some pics I forgot to add to my update
I would recommend fat grafting or off the shelf fillers i.e. Juvéderm for the loss of volume around your eyes. I would recommend a direct neck lift for your neck. This does involve a vertical incision in the middle of your neck, but in my experience it is usually barley visible after the scar matures. I perform this procedure in the office with local anesthetic and there is minimal recovery time.
You may want to discuss doing both at the same time. This would have the benefit of one recovery and lower over cost. A facelift should not change the shape of your nose.
Silicone implants have a more natural feel. There are also several different types of silicone that vary in firmness.
You may want to talk with your surgeon about possibly removing a little skin from the lower part of your breast when you go in for the new implants. This would add very little to the surgery time and recovery and could help bring your nipples down.
From your pictures it looks like fairly normal reaction. Initial frosting followed by redness is normal for deeper TCA peels. Peels come in different strengths and it's possible your dermatologist used a higher strength. Since you are worried I would have your dermatologist take a look at it to give you peace of mind.
