Laura Figura, MD (retired)

I'm slowly getting reacquainted with my new body and building my confidence back. Before kids I was very fit, but 3 big babies later (one being a 9 pounder) my midsection had taken a beating. I worked hard to eat well and probably made things worse for my diastasis recti by trying to do core exercises when my abs were blown apart. But nothing could pull my belly back in, and as a result my clothes were all flowy to mask the baby bump left behind and my sex life suffered as I felt self conscious when naked in front of my loving husband.
Dr. Figura gave me another shot at living my best, sexy life and being a stronger and happier mommy. She was handed a challenge with me and she masterfully brought my belly back. Because of my long torso and not enough loose skin, I was prepped that I might have the inverted T incision, however my skin was so very thin from stretching during pregnancies, that she had to use the subcutaneous tissue underneath to stitch me back together there. I am grateful to have had such a knowledgeable surgeon who knew just how to make such a solid scar without any complications. I also remember in my anesthesia haze after surgery, her excitedly reporting that the gap in my abs was "massive" and measured 10 cm across! No wonder it felt impossible to see any change through exercise alone!!!
Dr. Figura has a wonderful, calming disposition and her enthusiasm for great results is contagious and immediately can turn you from anxious to excited. One of the biggest reasons I chose to go with her is because she is realistic about the outcome and is focused on a safe and smooth procedure and recovery. She will absolutely deliver fantastic results but will never sacrifice your well being for unrealistic expectations, and will be very open and frank about what is possible and what is the best option for your case. She's a rockstar and has your back.
Pictures show night before my surgery and 6 weeks post op. I still have swelling, mostly around my belly button and low around my scar and on my mons. I can stand about 90% straight. I am still hoping my belly button settles more and flattens out. But I am THRILLED with my shape! Here's to the new, stronger, happier me! :)

Updated on 29 Apr 2020:
A few pics of my body before surgery and one of me just before delivering my 9 pound baby 2 years ago My belly was so stretched it was practically translucent. No wonder my doctor said my skin was too thin to stitch together around my old belly button. It was depressing trying on clothes and no amount of diet or exercise or sucking it in would help hide the bulge.

Updated on 29 Apr 2020:
Super swollen and painful mostly where my muscles were stitched back together. And of course my super sensitive skin decided to freak out on my thighs at the injection sites for my blood clot prevention shots. My lower back bothered me more than the incisions because I was so bent over. I “slept” in the recliner but I don’t think I slept much because getting comfortable was near impossible for this side sleeper. And of course not being able to help care for my 3 littles was really hard.

My drain sites became inflamed and super itchy and irritated, so they came out on day 8 and I was put on a strong antibiotic just in case. Thankfully they hadn’t been pulling out much at that point so it was safe to remove them. I was sooooo much happier with them out!!!

Updated on 29 Apr 2020:
Weeks 2 & 3 got progressively better but inch by inch, which is really hard when you’re desperate to see progress. I still was walking hunched over, still very sore and super tight and having trouble sleeping due to not being able to find a comfortable position and unable to sleep on my side.

Around this time my sensitive skin also broke out around my incision likely from a reaction to the surgical glue that I was asked to keep on until week 3. You can see the reaction in one of my pics. So itchy and awful. I was so relieved when I could remove the glue and start putting the coconut oil on everything.

Still pretty swollen, mostly around my abs and incisions, definitely worse in the evenings and after more activity. Around this time I began worrying my belly button wouldn’t flatten out or ever go back to innie status. I confess this is probably my biggest disappointment even though I’m so excited to have my belly be so much flatter.

Updated on 29 Apr 2020:
Tried to perk myself up by putting on some cute underwear instead of the big panties I had been wearing my whole recovery for comfort. Still bent, but getting a better idea of how things will look. While my inverted T incision that’s visible above my panties screams “I HAD A TUMMY TUCK!” I am hoping over time this fades just like my stretch marks did and it won’t be so prominent.

Updated on 29 Apr 2020:
6 weeks is a milestone not some miraculous event. I found I wasn’t 100% and I still was unable to do most ab exercises at 6 weeks. It can really mess with your head, especially when you’ve been working toward this point for a month and a half telling yourself it will all be worth it if you an just make it to 6 weeks. It can really depress you when you still have swelling and can’t do all the things you imagined after fixing your muscles.
BUT! I am a bit straighter every day. I have been getting outside more with the nicer spring weather which help my recovery blues. And slowly I am able to do more and get more of a glimpse at the final result. A small set back has been seeing more stretch marks appear or reappear darker and it can really ruin your day when you have been so excited to be rid of them. But the coconut oil has been helping, and hopefully the will fade again in time. I’m still wearing my binder plus other compression garments around the clock to help support me and control swelling. I can not wait to be done with them!!! I hope to ceremoniously burn them when I’m finally healing and I can flaunt my new body uninhibited!

Dr. Figura is experienced, great bedside manner and made my experience a pleasant one.
I researched several surgeons from Ohio and Pennsylvania. Dr. Figura and her staff made me feel comfortable the entire way. She didn't push additional work as others did and focused on my goals. I went for 2 consultations before committing. She does not charge for those as others had. Her affiliation to UPMC gave me confidence that she had a good reputation and my recovery would be easier with a hospital stay. The nurses and entire staff at the women's hospital were simply amazing and professional. And now the most important, my tummy tuck with lyposuction looks beautiful (2weeks post op). I've had one minor complication with one of my drain tubes bleeding and the suture slightly pulled out. CPN Molly helped me virtually since I am an hour away. I still have several months until I know for sure what my results look like but I am happy so far!!The pain never became much more than a 5 of 10. I researched this for years. I was ready. I purchased a lifting recliner, wedge pillow, waterproof mattress cover, shower chair, toilet riser, stretch band with clips for holding my drains when showering, protein bars, nut butters and protein waters, magazines, Tylenol, ibuprofen, alcohol, peroxide, high waisted cotton panties, compression socks, nitrile gloves, ice pack for my back and high protein foods. My boyfriend took off Wednesday I Friday. Day 4 after surgery was the worst! I could almost stand up fully at week 1 and now at 2 I am stand all the way up. Do this for yourself, it is not selfish, it is for you and you deserve it. Get help week 1 and keep only positive supportive people in your circle. The benefits of this surgery go way beyond physical. Lastly, Dr. Figura is moving from PA, I'm not sure what she will pursue in her new state but I'd go see her.

Updated on 18 Mar 2020:
155 lbs, 5’4”
Before, loose hanging skin and fat around mid section.

Updated on 18 Mar 2020:
I needed a lot of help getting around.
Here’s some other items I found helpful week 1.
Remember to keep positive. Keep only supportive people around. And keep timers for your meds. This will keep you comfy. I simply told amazon to remind me every four hours for my Tylenol. And same with ibuprofen 6 hoursuntil I needed it further spaced and then none at all. Yes, let it wake you night to stay on top of the pain management.

Updated on 18 Mar 2020:
Standing up straight. Still swollen but not as bad as last week. Getting around and working from home. Pain level 1 or 2 in the evenings.

Updated on 18 Mar 2020:


Updated on 25 Mar 2020:
I’ve got a lot of swelling depending on how active I am. Sides are still so sore from lyposuction. Still swing stretch marks and puckering at the ends of the incision. Overall, still happy!!

Updated on 6 Apr 2020:
Overall healing well.
The incision looks gold, one spot with a small bump which I'll keep watching.
I can sleep on my side despite some pain.
I bought a new binder which is helping with the swelling.
The swelling is mostly on the right side.
My belly button is doing okay, one area seems to be swollen and has a small pinhole, I'll watch that.
I've been using coconut oil and Maderma.
I have scar silicone sheets which I haven't tried yet.
I weigh 149 up about 2lbs since last week.
I need to get in a fitness routine.

Dr. Figura did my breast reconstruction after I had my bilateral mastectomies in 2016. The expanders were dreadful, horribly uncomfortable but once I had my implants placed, it was like going from Stiletto high heels to the most comfortable pair of slippers. I might sound vain in saying this, but I have had several compliments on my implants. The best one was from the tattoo shop in Finksburg, Maryland where the owner Vinnie ( who has done 3 D tattoos for women all over the country) told me that mine were quite possibly the best reconstruction he has ever seen. Here’s a man who sees implants all day long. I took that as a huge complement. I’ve had a revision surgury since
my exchange surgury . It was to correct an area around the right implant by filling it in. Molly is very compassionate, Amanda rocks. Front desk is great as well. I would highly recommend Dr.Figura.

Dr. Figura is very thorough, particular, and attentive! I had read many many reviews and blogs about breast reductions and the surgeons who performed them. I had a large amount of anxiety going into her office. The range of expectations I had were extensive. After my initial consultation I knew she was the right surgeon for me. She is honest, realistic, and very knowledgeable. All things you would expect from your surgeon but the best thing about Dr. Figura is that her personality isn’t rigid and clinical! She is funny and personable and has an incredible bedside manner. I’ve read horror stories not only about the procedure but the surgeons performing them. I had my life changing surgery about 10 days ago. At my pre op appointment she went over every detail of the surgery, went through all of the possible complications that could arise and explained each one to me. She made me feel confident and comfortable about everything that would happen to me. She listened to all of my concerns and answered all of my questions. I am an engineer and have a very inquisitive mind and really feel the need to know more than the average person. She was patient through it all. I saw her next about 15 min before my surgery and she made her markings (like an engineer with a scalpel) very comforting for an engineer

Dr.Figura is the best. I would highly recommend her for your plastic surgery needs. She's been my Dr . Since 2014 . I had a tummy tuck and muscle repair. I am currently working with her for a thigh lift. I had gatrobypass surgery in 2011 so I have alot of skin repairs forDr. Figura perfessional knowledge and hands.

Bilateral mastectomies for unilateral infiltrating carcinoma with immediate tissue expander placement. SEVERE pain and muscle spasms started immediately post op and were unrelieved with pain meds +/or muscle relaxants. Plastic surgeon was very aggressive in pushing forward towards swap out but I ended up hospitalized because of intractable pain. Had to have expanders with only 280 and 340 ml volumes removed because Neurology wanted an MRI to rule out a brain leasion as the cause. Plastic Surgeon insisted on doing swap out to implant "to keep what we have already gained" She place 13.5 base/ 375 cc implants ( I had been a 40 D) 5 weeks later one had to be removed elsewhere after she wanted to treat a draining MRSA infection with oral antibiotics only. Pain and spasms on that side FINALLY resolved. She refuses to take out other implant (which has no projection , is hard and has a deep crease in the upper pole) claiming it is perfect and my continued pain and spams MUST be due to some neurologic problem despite the negative Neuro workup and symptom resolution with removal on the other side.

Updated on 26 Aug 2013:
Ok, so I'm fat. Really fat. Those pre- op photos don't hide a thing. But at age 55 and with 4 breast biopsies behind me the girls looked pretty good. Even the right side biopsy site with steri strip looks great (Thanks Dr. Duchini...you are the best)!! I wasn't expecting miracles with reconstruction, and I was even looking forward to getting rid of the roll-y bit that crept under my arm...(it kept getting in my way when I was doing surgery), but even though I am a physician / surgeon I was in no way prepared for how I was going to end up.

Updated on 29 Apr 2014:
Getting really good results. I can't say enough good things about my new surgeon. We are hopeful that another 2 or 3 scar release surgeries will have my chest and arm range of motion fully back to normal

Updated on 31 Mar 2015:
Nothing speaks louder and clearer than results. I am still taped for support but am ecstatic with my outcome. I see no need for nipples so I may be finally done with this whole nightmare behind me

Updated on 31 Mar 2015:
This is what my original "finished" reconstruction looked like. Dr. Figuras assessment was that it looked great. My right side shows the result seven months after the permanent implants were placed...flat, misshapen, full of divots and a crazy S shaped scar. I had to have the left side explanted in April 2013 because of infection, but even if both sides had looked the same, it's clear to see why I was not happy. And worse than that, the photos Dont show the problems with constant pain, muscle spasms and restricted movement that I was still experiencing at that time. Here I had lost 10 months of my life to reconstruction and this was what I had to show for it.

Updated on 1 Apr 2015:
They look better now than before Cancer.

Hi, my name is Galiena. I am a 42 year old single mother from Erie, PA whom lost over a 100 pounds 5 years ago & have maintained the weight loss. I was finally able to get my Insurance Company to approve receiving a Tummy Tuck. My surgery date is May 10, & I am looking for advice, suggestions, tips, anything you can offer. Thank You.

Updated on 3 Apr 2016:
Documenting my journey of my Tummy Tuck before pictures & after pictures will follow.

Updated on 12 Apr 2016:
Im excited & nervous at the same time.