Laura Gunn, MD

Hi,
So I've been an *ahem* RealSelf voyeur now for a while leading up to my procedure. It's done so I wanted to write a review in hopes that it will help anyone else considering this surgery.
I had my son at 17 years old. He's now 22. I was left with a LOT of stretch marks and pretty bad diastasis recti. I tried everything under the sun to treat this and of course nothing worked. I finally decided to get serious about getting the surgery. I had one consult and I didn't not like the doctor so there was no way I was getting my surgery there. I met Dr. Gunn when I initially started going to Kybea injections.
I had a constant with her and INSTANTLY knew I was in good hands and this extends to all of her extremely amazing staff.
I scheduled my tummy tuck for 07Nov2023. My anxiety the day before was the worst!!! But Dr. Gunn and her staff took care of me every step of the way. I was so nervous the day of and the were SO helpful.
Next thing I knew it was done and I was waking up!!
Currently I am 5 days post op and will put up pics when I can/get them. The first two days were the worst the second more than the first. That being said I would only rate the pain itself as 6-7. It's an dull constant ache in your abdomen.
Day 3 I felt markedly better and I keep improving. Day 5 I'm only taking pain meds as needed and that's mostly just to sleep. It was not nearly as bad as I had imagined it (only my own personal experience everyone is different!!). It sucks ass that you can't get super comfortable to sleep. I bought a set of pillows after the fact get them before! Oh and the raised toilet seat is a MUST well for me since I'm 5'11".
So yes I would do it again. I'm super super excited to start seeing results and sharing them with you guys!!
For reference I have bad anxiety and low pain tolerance and it was not r nearly as bad as in my mind LMAO.

Updated on 6 Mar 2024:
I wanted to add a two month and three month pic. I did not take any pre op pics I wish I had I was so nervous the day before!! The doctor took some pre op pics will post if I get them from her. The swelling of finally going down and I'm seeing a bit of the final results. I'm 100% happy with my decision I wish I had done this sooner!! I would recommend the surgery just make sure to do your research and what was most important to me was being comfortable with the doctor.

Dr. Gunn turned a horrific experience into a highlight of my year! About a month ago I fell and suffered a huge laceration on my forehead. It was as basically a horror movie - and not repaired in the ER - so I needed a plastic surgeon to get my face back, FAST!l

Amazingly, within one day of the accident I was able to see Dr. Gunn and her excellent assistant Beth. They were so caring and Dr. G offered the the only reassurance i’ve gotten through this whole ordeal. We even had a fantastic conversation about about her journey to becoming a surgeon. Let’s just say, it was extremely inspiring and it was clear she didn’t pick this profession just to create a bunch of cookie cutter Barbie dolls.

Dr. Gunn was and is essential to my recovery from this accident. She quickly repaired the laceration and even tightened my forehead a bit in the process. I am extremely satisfied with the results. Everyone who saw my “before“ is similarly amazed!

On top of all that, she has a plan for my follow up care that gives me a lot of confidence for the future. I believe she is a surgeon of the highest caliber. I think I’m probably a few months out from the final look at this car, but I may post pics later. And I will definitely consult Dr. Gunn for any plastic procedures I may want in the future.

About 30-35 units of Botox were used to get ride of line on my forehead and between brows. Painless. Lips were filled with almost 1 syringe of Juvaderm. Kirsten was amazing and has such a gentle touch! We saved just a little bit for a few weeks from now if I want to add more to the lips. I am so happy so far!

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
I have become more swollen and sore. The swelling is bad enough that I am glad we don't have any plans this weekend but not bad enough that I am scared or regretting my decision. I am hoping it will look a little better by tomorrow and hopefully be resolved completely by Monday.

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
Swelling so far. Hoping this is the worst of it.

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
I iced my lips and took two Advil and the swelling and soreness is a lot better. I can feel a few little lumps of juvederm but I'm expecting those to smooth out over the next few days.

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
Liking this look

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
I don't know if I'm just getting used to the swelling or if it's going down. Hoping for less swelling and lumps in the morning. So far so good.

Updated on 25 Feb 2017:
This is a before of the forehead I forgot to post. I'll post an after once I notice it has started to work. I think it takes about a week or so.

Updated on 26 Feb 2017:
It's been about 54 hours since the injections and a lot of the swelling has subsided but I think there is still a little more swelling.

Updated on 2 Mar 2017:
A couple days ago the Botox really kicked in. I love that the lines are gone but it feels a bit "heavy". I'm sure that will go away soon. The lips are still lumpy in a few spots but the swelling is all gone.

I have stalked pretty much every one who has had a tummy tuck and breast lift and figured it's time for me to finally leave a review, comment on others and discuss my own experience!! It's late and I've been off and on pain meds for days so I apologize if anything is confusing! I'll check this tomorrow and explain anything that doesn't make sense.
I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was 220 by 9th grade and it was hard. I ended up losing weight from the summer before 10th until senior year but not the right way. I starved myself and kept my carb intake under 20 for months. It was nice getting all those compliments and I weighed 155 by the time I graduated but I gained it all back and more after.
The college life....need I say more? Lol. I yoyo dieted, partied, smoked cigarettes and just lived this awful lifestyle from 18-24. By 2011, I had a desk job and weighed 276 pounds. Fed up with being obese and constantly out of breath from smoking, I decided to do weight watchers. I lost over 100 pounds with WW and doing Zumba but I just plateaued. I ended up eating clean and doing this workout which I love called buti yoga and I went from 176 to 145 doing that. My weight fluctuates and it was hard for me to stay at that weight so I would say my average weight now is 160.
I was so happy and proud of losing weight the right way over the course of 2 years but I had no idea I would have all this extra skin. People just don't understand how depressing it is to lose over 100 pounds and have this extra skin that no exercise or diet can fix. I've been somewhere between 145-160 the past 2 years and it's been so stressful living like this. My breasts also went from probably a size F or G (I don't even know) to a 36 D. That left them like deflated balloons and I just couldn't stand it. My breasts have always sagged, it's just a genetic misfortune but it became so much worse after the weight loss. Having a body like this has kept me from dating, being happy and just being content so I decided I would do whatever it takes to fix it no matter what the cost. I couldn't look at myself naked without feeling physically sick so there was no way I could imagine being in a relationship. It was different before I lost weight, I guess because there wasn't all this skin and craziness going on lol

Updated on 19 Sep 2015:


Updated on 19 Sep 2015:


Updated on 22 Sep 2015:
I guess they labeled me as a mommy makeover because I had a breast lift and tummy tuck. I originally put tummy tuck as the type of treatment but they changed it to mommy makeover. It's just funny because I have no kids but I guess it makes sense based on the definition of s mommy makeover.
My recovery is going well for the most part. I smoked electronic cigarettes from 2011 until a couple of weeks before my surgery and not having nicotine is horrible! There are days even 2 weeks later where in ready to punch some walls because I miss that feeling lol. I needed to quit and I hope this time not smoking helps me quit the habit. My problem now are these drains. I find them very uncomfortable at some points and if I twist, turn, breathe the wrong way or move the wrong way, it can hurt. The right one isn't too bad but the left one feels almost like its loose sometimes and I think what mainly creates that pulling pain. I keep the drains tucked in. My nurse said one woman had hers out one day and she slammed the door without realizing they were caught in the door and apparently she saw stars after that. I can't even imagine!!! It makes me cringe every time I think about it.
The drains are kind of a chore because you have to measure the fluid twice a day and empty them. That part isn't bad, it's just feeling like you can't move or walk the wrong way or you'll hurt yourself. I haven't showered since last Tuesday and even though I have wipes, it's not the same! I haven't gone more than 2 days without a shower since I was like 13 lol so it's hard. I told my grandma and mom that the minute I get home from these drains taken off, I'm taking a 2 hour bath and 3 hour shower lol.
I would say my pain has been a 3 or less for the most part this entire time. I take medicine when I feel I should and I'm sure that helps. I don't wait around if I feel a small pain hoping it'll go away, I take something then and there.
Other hard thing is bowel movements OMG. Before yesterday, I hadn't had one since the Sinday before which was like 9 days. I've always had digestion issues so I take probiotics but I haven't since the week before this surgery. I drank 3 doses of miralax 4 days in a row along with stool softener in the morning and night and it did nothing. I finally decided to try milk of magnesia and it helped. I've had 2 small ones so it's definitely helped my stomach. It's a horrible feeling to have food in your stomach, hear it rumbling when you take a laxative and nothing happen. I know most of these problems are the Percocet because it's a narcotic. But I would definitely say the drains and constipation are the hardest parts so far! I don't even mind the binder that I have to wear 24/7. I've included pictures of my lift and good luck to anyone reading this who has recently had or is having surgery soon!

Updated on 30 Sep 2015:
Just wanted to say recovery is going great and nothing like I expected. I thought it was going to be much harder then it has been. I had my drains removed yesterday and oh my goodness was it the best day ever! I found them to be the most difficult part of recovery. Having to empty and measure them every 12 hours was a chore but obviously worth it to have a flat stomach! They were very painful for me but I ended up taping the tubes down using gauze and surgical tape and that took away 75% of the pain I would say. The minute they clipped the stitch holding the tubes in, every inch of pain disappeared literally right away. I went to Walmart and the grocery store on my own today and I was perfectly fine. I didn't lift anything heavy and made sure to stay within my limits as far as walking goes. The only problem I have right now is a hematoma in my left hip. I first noticed it on Monday and its gone down significantly since I think because of the amount of walking I'm doing. It'll be nice when it's gone so I can admire my new stomach better lol. 've included after pictures and will continue to do so for anyone debating either of these surgeries!

Updated on 31 Oct 2015:
Having these surgeries is truly the best decision I've ever made and I am so thankful. Thankful to God for making a way for me to afford this (literally my biggest wish for the past 10 years). Thankful to my family and friends for taking care of me and fully supporting me. Thankful for this site and being able to follow so many women's stories. And thankful for my surgeon for being amazing.
I have had a hematoma on my left tummy tuck incision that I've been dealing with for the past few weeks. It was painful at first but so much better now. It's almost completely healed and I can't wait so I can see the results even more so. Not much else to say but thought I would post more pictures of my recovery. I purchased NewGel Plus silicone sheeting for my breasts, areola and tummy. I've not used them on my tummy yet because of the hematoma. I also use bio oil for when I'm not wearing the sheeting. It seems to help but I'm not sure NewGel is worth $200 which is what I'd pay every 3 weeks since it does eventually fall apart. The bio oil seems to work so I think I'm going to just stick with that. My scars are looking better each day and I am so grateful for that!

Dr Gunn & all her staff are just wonderful! Everyone is caring & concerned about every aspect of the surgery and the after care. Another surgeon botched reconstructive surgery after my mastectomy, Dr Gunn completely redid my breasts with perfect results. After previous horrible experience, it is so refreshing to be treated like a human being instead of a number in the system. Every concern was taken care of. There is not a better group of people!!!!!

I met this awesome doc last year when she did reconstructive surgery on my abdomen from a butchered hysterectomy. She greets me every time with a smile and hug. She has done an amazing job on both procedures I've done. This lady still has compassion and care for her patients. I highly recommend her.

Dr G and her entire staff are awesome. I had breast augmentation and a tummy tuck. I had some minor complications, in no way thier fault, and they held my hand and cared for me the whole way through. Dr. G always has a hug for me and as a critical care nurse, I have never seen a surgeon so involved in her patients care. She dresses wounds, puts on binders and answers all your questions. The key for me was that the entire staff was ALWAYS available to answer questions, look at this or that, or just tell me how great I look. I would highly reccomend the practice to anyone considering any cosmetic procedure. At 42, with two grown kids and 12 year old twins, I look better and feel better than I have in many, many years. I still have a ways to go, but with Dr G and her staffs care, I have no doubt that I will have a fantastic outcome! Thanks so much Dr G and staff, you ladies are amazing!

Dr. Gunn is amazing! She put both myself and my husband at ease and took the time to answer all our questions. Having been a nurse for over 20 years, I thought I had it all under control, but she clarified every last aspect of the procedure and after care. Im less than a week post op and already know I made the right decision!

Dr. Laura along with her crew are the nicest, professional, warmer, positive, understanding, loving, care providers I have ever met. I was devastated when they told me that I had to undergo a mastectomy, but when I met Laura Gunn she changed my life. Thank you for helping me to have a normal life again!!!!!

After losing 140 lbs and keeping it off for 2 years, I was referred to Dr. Gunn by the Duke Bariatric Center. She and her team are phenomenal. In fact, I wish healthcare in this country was modeled on the way her practice operates. Everyone is friendly, professional, and patient centric. Needless to say, my results were fantastic. I had 4.5 lbs of loose skin removed. There is as much art as there is science in what Dr. Gunn does. She also has an amazing team: Dr. Radoslav Kosanin (an Anesthesiologist with a sense of humor that does much to comfort the patient and family), Debbie Strickland (a nurse who took great care of me during my overnight stay), and Beth Freeman (as a Practice Manager, she makes the process seamless and anxiety-free. Here is my 6 week post-op photo, and that is a 42 year old body in a bikini.