I had a drainless tummy tuck, muscle repair and liposuction of abdomen, flanks, axillary and chin. I am snatched! This doctor is wonderful wonderful wonderful! I would 100% have him do this surgery again.
Wonderful experience. Dr Max is a great surgeon. I would definitely go back and I would recommend him to my friends! Not only does he make you feel comfortable but he is extremely helpful and answers any questions/ concerns that you might have.
Hello RS, I have been lurking for a little while now while I selected a surgeon. That search ended earlier this week when I selected Dr. Max of MP Plastic Surgery in Fort Worth, TX. I post my story to encourage other African American women to do the same. I researched for over a year and could not find all that many black women sharing their stories. A real shame in my option. Researching BA started some 15 years ago for me. Back then there weren’t very many options for women, and I wasn’t all that excited about the saline implants of the time. So I waited and watched the medical device industry, even worked in it. When silicone came back on the scene and was followed closely by cohesive silicone, I knew it was time. I researched both domestic and international options, across the map literally. I contacted each doctor via email - one of my primary ways to communicate since I work in a hospital during the day - to see how them or their staff would handles this type of communication. 20% never replied and of the ones that did, I got a mix of annoyance and patience. I focused on the more patient ones. Working in community hospital you learn a thing or two about patient relations. After weighing all my options, I decided on Dr. Max, and after speaking with Amber, I knew I made the right decision. My communication with Dr. Max’s office started with Eileen. She was great, answered my initial questions in a very patient and professional manner. I can’t wait to meet both of them. So let’s get to the good stuff… African American (black) Female 5’8” tall, 140 pounds, 3 adult children - Not Having Anymore Current bra size: 32AA GOAL: 32 B/C -- Silicone implant I believe I fall into the breastfeed and deflated category, although I was never larger than a 32A until I had children. The breast sizes in my family vary greatly. As I am sure most women would agree, the excitement and anticipation can’t be put into words. I’m having my surgery in 2016 and since I am not one that celebrates the normal holidays, my surgery date is my belated birthday present, Merry Christmas and Happy 2016 New Year. Updated on 10 Oct 2015: Since discovering I could finally do this, I have been super excited. It is pretty much all I think about now. I liken it to meeting a new guy who is the bomb in every way. A few days ago I purchased my airline tickets - first class all the way - and reserved my hotel. Afterwards, while I was printing the confirmations, I realized, this is happening. Wow! My first lymphatic massage was a few days ago also, and I did the hyperbaric oxygen chamber today. Both will be repeated a few days prior to surgery and 2 weeks after, and adding infrared LED sauna sessions. In my job, a speedy recovery is necessary but I understand I cannot rush the process; however, I can help it along. I already have a new suitcase (used once), and since I can check one for free on the airline, might as well use the large 22" one. I will be packing all my essentials over the next 3 months. I think this is as longest I have ever had to pack for a trip. Since I will be traveling for surgery, I must pack a mini medical kit (gauze, creams, medical tape...etc) and all the normal traveling items. I will have several "major" purchases: Pillow and Post-op bras My first "major" purchase will be my sleeping wedge. It is fold-able but must fit in the suitcase. I have heard its best to sleep as upright as possible and I don't' own enough pillows for all that. Plus at a hotel, even the best pillows are the softest. I plan to pack everything else around the wedge. I've been considering what to sleep in and found VS had button up PJ's but they are a little pricey and thin for my taste. I think I have decided on several button up bamboo PJ's I found on Amazon. I ordered one pair to see if I like them better. I don't care if they cost $60, but they should FEEL like $60, not $20 with a $40 name on it. VS, I love your bras but your clothes need thicker material. I have also been window shopping for looking at post-op bras and a little unsure of which to purchase. I know I will need at least 2 more. I guess the problem is that there are so many, they are rather pricey, and the return policies vary by seller. Again, I don't care that it cost $100, but if it is too small/big, and I haven't worn it, why not just exchange it. Post-surgery bra search TBC. For me, the pleasure from all this will be in each step from planning to surgery to recovery. After recovery it will be buying all the clothes I could not wear before. VS watch out! Updated on 10 Oct 2015: Updated on 13 Oct 2015: Ok, I have a question for all you ladies you ONLY had breast augmentation. Not being bias just want a better gauge. :) Regarding swelling, how long before you noticed the swelling was so minimal that you forgot about it? I want to know even if you are still going through recovery (new to whatever). Oh, first surgeries only please. I hear second surgeries can be easier. Thank you ladies!!! Updated on 19 Oct 2015: I've been reading and I agree with everyone that the Walton is the worse. No matter if your waiting on the big day, for them to heal and drop, or buy that first bra. The waiting is the worse. Figured I might as well get this on the road and start preparing. Wish all the ladies that have had surgeries fast recoveries, and those like me still in the waiting boat patience. Well get there. Updated on 24 Nov 2015: Well I am under the 60 day mark and almost to the 30 day mark. I think the nerves have started. I'm having nightmares about missing flights, planes getting lost in the sky and waking up from surgery a totally different person. These are just a few examples, I don't want to freak anyone out or cause a national security incident but my dreams are crazy weird. Nerves! I started slowly packing not wanting to forget anything and have collected most of the items both I think I will need and was told to pack. Its oddly calming to shop for this. I'm so excited I can't hardly stand it, except I am thoroughly enjoying every minute. I've read so many of you ladies stories, and follow a few, I know afterwards I'm not going to want to think about anything but sleeping and wiping after I go potty (I've read this can be difficult immediately after surgery). My days at work are basically blurs, if I don't write things down I basically didn't hear you. This has made work a bit more interesting. I work in a hospital but don't worry, I'm not part of the medical staff. LOL No ones needs a absent minded, boob happy nurse or doctor attending them. My nights are filled with online shopping for clothes I can wear immediately after surgery, and ogling over clothes I won't be able to wear for at-least 3 months after surgery. My job is basically corporate dress, so I have to looking magical Monday - Friday, no time for t-shirts and sweats...heck I can't even wear scrubs. I found this out last week. Thought it would be easier than buying clothes, especially tops, without knowing my future size. Currently I wear a small top but them again I am a 34AA-A. Considering I am going for a C cup, that may push me into a medium. Boss, also a Director, said "Nope". Oh the drama! :) Well the holidays are upon us. I do not celebrate, non-religious and too opinionated to listen to the media hype. So unlike almost everyone else, I will be home waiting for my own personal Christmas and New Years, January 8, 2016. I do celebrate Chinese New Year so I can't wait to post my after surgery pics in my Asian inspired garments. No boobs show but its the silhouette that I want to see. I wish everyone a happy whatever you celebrate, if you celebrate. Sending tons of fairy dust. Until next time... Wishing everyone successful surgeries and speedy recoveries. Sending twice as much fairy dust. Updated on 8 Dec 2015: Hello RS Ladies & Gents, According to my DELTA app, I have 28 days before my flight to Texas. That means I have less than 30 days before I go through what so many have and so many will. I'm both SUPER nervous and super excited all at the same time. Well my bag is almost packed. For my major supplies, I still have to purchase a cold pack of some sort and a thermometer, my old one (thermomenter) was well old. I have never owned a cold pack My daughter is 22, and I work for a hospital, so I have had no need for one until now. Weird the things you don't realize you need until you need it/them. Still waiting for a few clothing items I ordered. Although I have read many, ,many, stories from those who have had BA, I'm still unsure of what I will feel like to want to wear afterwards. I'm sure I'll be in PJ's the entire time I am in my hotel, but when I do leave, I want options. I'm not really a sweats or t-shirt person, so I've settled on spaghetti tanks (easy one and off), and button up sweaters and blouses. All can be casual or business. Other than those things, I'm pretty set. I have medical supplies, all my recent medical tests, airline tickets, hotel, and my personal medical personel have been notified in the event prescriptions are needed from my primary doctor, shouldn't but you never know. So glad I am not going to Mexico like I almost did. Not only did the story I read on here change my mind, I have been keeping tabs on some ladies that have gone to Mexico and they have had mixed results but nothing I want. I undestand there are risks but I like to minimiz those as much as possible and American Laws allow for that, to a degree. Mexician Laws does not to any degree. I will say that for my major dental work, I will be traveling to Costa Rica (June 20216) and for my nose job either Cancun or Tiawan (2016/2017: Denpends on dental work costs) - I have read about 4 surgeons located between these areas that are rumored to be a few of the best. Breast first!! I decided not to do WISH PICS since I do not want to base my results on someone elses. I have an idea in my head and I want to see that transform, not hope for results I may not achieve. I do look at pics but it is hard to imagine them as me or there breats as mine. Great news on the companion front, my brother could not make it but my daughter has stepped in to go with me. Due to work, she can't stay the entire time, but it will be nice to see a familiar face when I wake up. I think she is only going to ride in the limo that is transporting us that day. Yes, a limo. Since I can't drive and my daughter doesn't drive, transportation was necessary and I figured, why not a limo. Due to the length of time, and reason, the limo service is giving me a great deal. This is a big day for me. No pun intended. I can't wait to be posting pics. My next update will most like be later this month as my flight date gets closer. Until then, our hospital is in contract negotiations and both hiring and firing sprees; it's a very stressful place at the moment. Although, I bet most that work in hospitals say they are always stressful. This is my second year in the industry and I both love and hate it. In other words, I have found a temporary home. Well I wish all you ladies speedy healing for those that have gone through the process; good luck in your PS selection if you are just beginning; and, well for those like myself, are waiting thier turn, patience. As I understand it, the moment is done and over before you know it. Enjoy getting there, so that, enjoying the after is that much sweeter. Sprinkling BA fairy dust... Updated on 13 Dec 2015: Well all have gone well so far. The only thing that has changed is the limo ride. That is not a concern, just a tad disappointed. In the grand scheme of things, I AM GETTING BOOBIES!! The next few weeks are going to be a blur between work, working out, and final preparations for surgery. I still have to pinch myself sometimes to know that it is real. It seems like any minute I am going to wake up. Sometimes I wish I had more support but I know that I am accustomed to living a bit of a nomad life. My daughter is going to be with me but she doesn't truly understand the emotions of plastic surgery. The constant doubt and up and downs. So, in reality I share my story here for more of a therapeutic outlet, even though my initial start was for all black women, it still is a little. Until next time... Updated on 15 Jan 2016: Good Day RS, Well it has been done I HAVE BREASTS!! I can not say it was a completely smooth journey, but it was the adventure I hoped for. On January 6th I set out for the airport in thunderstorm conditions here in Los Angeles. I was prepared for almost anything and trust me when I say, fate put up her best. Here’s how the day went.. (1) I missed the airport shuttle I wanted to take. No problem, that was the early option. The next one got me there nicely. (2) Due to construction and the weather, flights were being rerouted through other terminals for other runways; therefore, my flight ended up being moved and I had to walk to another, further, terminal. No panic here, I’m early. (3) Flight delayed 4 hours due to broken windshield wiper. “Seriously!” I think. No big deal. I take a Valium and went to find a bar. (4) Realized I left my laptop at security check. Good thing my flight is delayed. I retrieved it with no problem. I found a bar, made a few new friends and went back to the gate to find my flight is getting ready to board. First class was booked, and so was the rest of the plane actually, and they immediately started serving drinks, which I enjoyed. The flight went great. Due to the flight being delayed, I arrived at my hotel super late but the Hyatt staff was understanding. With the exception of the my credit card being temporarily blocked for security, love Capital One, all else that day went great. My consultation was on January 7th and Dr. Max and staff were all excellent. There is the standard paperwork and then you go to the consult room to change into the mini open shirt. Dr. Max was great and explained everything to me, took measurements, and left me in the hands his assistant. She explained to me the sizer bra and silicone inserts. I was then left to “try-on” inserts. No one was far if I needed them, but I really wanted to make this decision myself. I think on some subconscious level I had already decided on 400cc’s but I tried on as any variations as I could, starting with 600cc’s (which is a combination of implant sizes). I went down to 300cc’s. Naturally 600 looked absolutely ridiculous on me, and 300 did not do what I wanted. I think 400 was a nice compromise. I choose HP 400cc, Natrelle brand with a mammary fold incision. Surgery day was January 8th at 5:30 am. I chose this day for astrological reasons but the time was all Barclay Surgery Center. Barclay in Fort Worth, TX was AWESOME!!!! I could not have dreamed of a better experience for any surgery. This place is 5 stars all the way. By the time I arrived home I had a card waiting for me from the surgery staff that assisted. I thought that was fantastic customer service. I hope they enjoy the little gift I sent. Yet I digress a bit; I can not speak much for right after surgery as I was out of it, really. I remember parts of the ride back to the hotel, I was sick as a few dogs from the anesthesia. My daughter relayed funny things I said and did when I was better from the nausea. I stayed on pain meds steady for 4 days. I did not want to feel anything. My first full day off pain meds was my follow up with Dr. Max. I felt all the tightness and stretching then, not fun...very painful. During my follow up Dr. Max explained how tight the fit was for my implants, and even he was a little worried about the end results, getting them in. Since I was in full blown pain, I knew exactly what he meant. I felt like I had a baby but no one would allow me to nurse for a few days, so engorged. My surgical strips could not been removed at that time, and I was instructed on how to remove them in a few weeks. Being in California, I will be sending pics to Dr. Max for a few months. I plan to travel back for my 6 month follow up. How do I feel? I know that is the question from many. It was absolutely worth it, in every way. MP Plastic Surgery is a great family. I could hear it in their conversations while I was trying on implants, and in the way they communicated with me as a potential, and as a current patient. I am soooo glad I did not go elsewhere. My swelling is minimal but because my chest size is so small (no fat space), and the implants are HP 400cc’s, the stretching is still happening, but it is more tolerable now. As I feel my breasts I can feel numb spots but my nipples just seem to be slightly sensitive, nothing abnormal and much like when I’m menstruating. I was not given direction on bras, to wear or not to wear; however, I have found that if I am just relaxing at home, no bra is great. If I am traveling, a bra is heaven sent due to bouncing which is still very painful. I have three post-op bras, sports bras tend to ride my stitching area so I can’t wear them yet. I have also ordered a compression band. Dr. Max instructed to massage down to help the implants settle and create a bigger pocket, but I thought wearing the band will also help in that area after my stitches had healed. Since I have been reading other ladies stories on boards, I know my final results won’t be seen for some months yet, even more for me. However though, I hope to end up a great C cup, but I have a feeling I am going to end up with a D cup. Neither is bad for my height and I will take either over my old AAA any day. I will upload pics shortly. Updated on 17 Jan 2016: Sorry to take so long.
Hi everyone well I will be having a brazilian butt lift and a tummy tuck next week before Christmas. I am super nervous , has anyone had this procedures done with overactive tyroid? I'm curently taking me for that I need to see if I should stop taking them before surgery. Also what kind of foods should I buy for after surgery. I'm pretty much looking for any input on anything regarding the tummy tuck Updated on 19 Jan 2015: Well worth it!!
Thank you for your question. I think the safest thing would be to avoid lying flat for 6 hours after Botox injection in the forehead. Even though injection techniques vary greatly, the most dreaded complication is upper eyelid drooping following the injection of Botox. This complication happens rarely, but it may be troublesome to a patient when it develops. Botox injection by itself is not a contraindication to CT with or without contrast. If the patient does develop upper eyelid drooping, eye drops can be prescribed to treat this condition. Usually, drooping resolves in 3-6 weeks after Botox injection. I hope that answers your question.