This reduction was something I had been considering for a number of years. I had never had surgery before and was so nervous. Dr. Van Laeken eased my nerves and answered any questions I had throughout the process. I am SO happy with the results and wish I did this years ago! I feel so much more confident and comfortable with my body.
I am a 27 year old mother of 2 and breastfed both for a year each. I was a 34B pre kids, and sill fit into a 34B however there is no upper pole and they are deflated. I have always wanted implants, however since having kids and finishing nursing I have been so excited to add the volume back and go up in size! I consulted with a couple doctors and have selected Dr. Nancy Van Laeken as she has excellent bedside manner during our consult, was extremely knowledgeable and is a mater of breast reconstruction. Updated on 23 Feb 2019: These are my wish pics! Based on these my surgeon recommended high profile under the muscle, between 500-600cc. I have another consult this week! Updated on 25 Feb 2019: These are the 550cc sizers from my first consult with Dr Van Laeken. They seem proportionate but the big number scares me! Updated on 26 Feb 2019: I saw Dr Nancy Van Laeken today for a second consult on my request as I was getting nervous about sizing. At my first consult, based on my wish pics, we had decided on 600cc high profile, saline implants under the muscle. I was fully on board until I came home and continued looking at pictures when I got nervous about such a big implant because 1) although they will all droop a bit over time, gravity of course takes over with an implant this large 2) I do not want to have to buy specialty size bras (like over DDD) and 3) I don’t want to be sick of the size in a few years. So during surgery, Dr Van Laeken will use the sizers to decide which ones look best. I have started all the recommended supplements and am getting so excited for surgery next week! Updated on 2 Mar 2019: Eek less than a week!! I am so excited it still feels so far away! I started all the recommended vitamins and supplements a week ago and am getting everything I’ll need post op this week. If anyone has recommendations of helpful things you needed post op, please let me know - including pillow suggestions! Updated on 4 Mar 2019: I didn't think I would get nervous! I have been waiting so long, I loved the anticipation, researching, being impatient, everything. I didn't mind the thought of going under, any post op pain or tightness, I've just been so excited! Now the week is here and while I was lying in bed last night, I pictured myself sitting in my PS' office one week post op all swollen and sore with Frakenboobs and now I've totally panicked myself! I hope this goes away and my excitement comes back full force - four days to go! Updated on 7 Mar 2019: My surgery is tomorrow at 12:30PM! I will be showering tonight with the medical grade wash, getting my clean clothes ready for tomorrow and my sheets are clean for when I get home! I have all my pillows ready to go as well as my medications beside my bed. I will be eating everything I could possibly want tonight before midnight! I took some last pictures tonight so I can compare angles post op. I am getting very nervous and also very excited, I hope I can sleep tonight! Updated on 9 Mar 2019: If anyone is still waiting for their surgery and reading this, please take it with a grain of salt because my nurse said the pain is never as bad as I’ve been experiencing so far (probably largely due to me getting my period 10 days early, so a couple days before surgery, lucky me!) We got to the centre yesterday at noon, did my pre op with the nurse, drawings with my PS, pre op with the anesthesiologist and then the OR nurse came and got me. Surgery started about 330PM (I was freaking starving!). Everyone was so great, chatting with me on the table and then the Anesthesiologist gave me my “margarita” and next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. This is when my pain started. I was almost crying and when the nurse asked if it was tightness, I said it definitely was not and that it was intense pain. It also did not help that my stomach was hurting and my whole body was SO restless, as well my arms and elbows were in absolute agony. This all kept me in recovery a bit longer as I got pain meds through my IV and then 2 oral pills shortly after. Once I was maxed out on pain meds, she helped me in the car and off we went. It took us over an hour to get home in stop and go traffic. I have never been so restless in my life, which absolutely must have contributed to my pains in my chest, because I could not stop moving my legs and kicking my feet and moving my arms. It did subside soon after we got home. We set up my pillows, I took an advil which is the absolute best, and fell asleep. I was up very 3-4 hours in a bit of pain, usually in time for my husband to sit me up and give me meds again or to go to the bathroom. My chest was definitely sore this morning - not so much when I woke up, but once my husband sat me up - that’s when I felt what I assume was “morning boob”. I was up and walking around, ate some crackers and it went away. I am and will be wrapped until my 1 week post op apt so I won’t even dare to sneak a peak! But here are some pics from this morning - don’t mind my crazy hair and hunched appearance lol! If anyone has tips to make it through the first few days as I know days 2-3 can be worse, please let me know! Updated on 10 Mar 2019: Today is day 2 and thankfully overall I do feel much better! I only woke once last night from 11PM to 9AM which felt great. My back is getting sore from sleeping at 45 degrees. I am able to stretch my pain meds from every 4 hours to 6 hours which is making my stomach feel much better overall. I still need help laying down and sitting up but I can do much more independently. The bandages are starting to drive me a little nuts, I’m getting itchy and they are digging into my underarms. Currently as I sit here I just have minor discomfort and tightness. Can’t wait for Thursday to get into a sports bra and see them! Updated on 11 Mar 2019: Definitely feeling better with every day! I woke up once last night to take my pain pills and have been able to sit myself up in bed alone for the first day! I am definitely more mobile, though still limited, I was able to bend over and put my hair in a nice bun and get dressed alone. My husband and I went to the mall to get sports bras for my Thursday apt and I was sized at 36DD or 36DDD and a M in a soft, no underwire bra. I have a feeling I won’t fit the 36 as I have always been a 34 but it was hard to be sized with the bandage on. I bought the 36DD, 36DDD and medium unlined bra. The trip to the mall really took it out of me and we came home and I slept for 3 hours. I’m taking one pain pill 6-8 hours apart now though I did have to double up tonight, probably from my busy day today. I removed a piece of tape that went from my belly to my collarbone as it was really irritating my skin and I can get the tiniest peek at my cleavage! I can’t wait to get this bandage off and see them, with them hidden its hard to picture them as changed! Updated on 14 Mar 2019: 6 days post op! I saw Dr Van Laeken today and I know I couldn’t have made a better choice in a surgeon. She removed my bandages (hallelujah!) and OMG. They’re here! They’re actually here! I know each surgeon does their post op bandages differently, but what I mostly see if straight into a bra. Dr Van Laeken did hers differently and I must say, even though I couldn’t peek for a week, I love the wrapped bandages more. I don’t have Frankenboob! I will still look semi-normal in a bra with no boobs at my collarbone haha! The last few days have been relatively the same but less pain every day. I weaned down my pain meds by day 5 and haven’t had any chance today. I have been getting a lot of let down sensations and feeling engorged. Each day or even each hour changes as to which breast feels more swollen/bigger. I am so happy. They seem huge, but I went into this trusting my PS with sizing and would much rather get used to them being big than to regret going too small. I get to wear a sports bra now (yay!) and I do not like the feeling of them being unsupported yet. They are a weird numb/swollen the bottom half and my nipples are starting to get sensitive. Updated on 22 Mar 2019: Time definitely starts to fly as the pain disappears! After the 1 week mark, I got markedly better every day. Soon after 1 week post op I was able to sleep with less pillows and have now been sleeping flat and on my side for at least a few days. So much better! Morning boob is also almost completely gone. I saw my doctor for my 2 week check up and she said I’m healing great. I am doing massage now and she said I can lay on my belly if I want and she also cleated me to return to the gym! Since I’ve gotten so soft and am feeling sooo back to normal, it’s so nice to be back. This is much earlier than other doctors allow, but she said as long as it’s slow and controlled and no jumping/jerking/quick movements, I am good to go. It feels SO good to be back at the gym! I have also bought some underwire bras and depending on the style I’m measuring at 34DD or 34DDD. I was also told I’m allowed to sleep braless t night if I want to, but I still don’t like the feeling of them being unsupported. The left is still sitting quite high but they are definitely getting softer with each day and with the massage they should even out within the next 3-4 weeks, as per my surgeon! Updated on 8 Apr 2019: I have been feeling 100% back to normal for about a week now and it’s so nice! I’m not getting any tingling or shooting sensations anymore but my nipples and some random areas are still numb. I am continuing to do my massage, focusing on getting the left to drop down. I am comfortably sleeping on my side and am close to being able to sleep on my stomach. I am back at the gym just about full force, just nothing that is isolated to chest exercises. My incisions are basically invisible, and the only time I notice them is if I stretch my arms too far (getting something off the top shelf for example) I feel them pulling and it’s a weird and uncomfortable sensation.
I am a breast cancer patient who was lucky to be referred to Dr. Van Laeken. She has helped me through a very scary time and her work was amazing. Anyone who has to go through complete reconstruction will be happy to be referred to such a professional, caring and thorough surgeon. Thank you to Dr. Van Laeken and her amazing staff for putting this smile on my face and helping me to feel confident in my clothes after this experience.
Hello - I am 46 years old, happily married with 2 children. In May 1996 (19 years ago) I made a (very hasty) decision to get my breasts augmented. I had gone from a 30C or 30D cup (at 17 years old ... not sure exactly how big my boobs were when I was 17 - as I most likely wore the wrong size bra for years) to a 28A or 28B cup at 27 years old. My hairdresser at the time mentioned to me that he knew someone that knew someone that knew a plastic surgeon, yada yada yada. It was the year of my 10 year grad reunion and in high school I had great boobs - not huge boobs, but big enough that they were pretty nice to look at and I looked proportionate and nice in clothes. I was a bit of a tomboy and not a big fashionista, but in the looks department ... I did okay. That one conversation with my hairdresser and the fear of walking into my grad reunion 10 lbs lighter and two or 3 cup sizes less, ended up with my beautiful little boobs (28A/B) becoming big boobs (28D/DD). I was 5'6" tall , 110 lbs with these Pamela Andersonesque boobs (no disrespect to my fellow Canadian of course) :) I had asked the PS to make me a C cup as I was into fitness and liked to run and workout. As soon as I woke up from the surgery I regretted what I had done. The PS said he made my implants larger (D or DD) because he knew I would be back for a revision and thought I would like bigger boobs. Not cool. Being young and naive I said nothing and just decided to live with my choice and get on with life. So I did. I got married and had two kids, and life was good and I liked my fake boobs for about 10 years, and then they got bigger after each pregnancy and about 20 lbs extra and settled and started to feel uncomfortable and they just looked big and were in the way. Yoga became difficult, Running became a chore and hugging my kids and family and friends was an unpleasant thing. I hated the lying. I did not tell my kids until this passed Spring of 2015 when i decided to go ahead and get a consultation with a new PS (Dr VL). Both my kids and my husband have been super supportive. My daughter, who is 15 now, could not believe that I had fake boobs. She said for two reasons, one they looked super real and she just thought that I am such a natural and down to earth person, she just could not imagine me doing something like plastic surgery. So, here I am 3 days post-op and very content. I worried for months (no ... probably years) about my boobs, and here I am now on the other side - less fearful and proud of my choice to explant and get on with my life with my "new/old" boobs. The day before my surgery I was extremely nervous - so nervous i slipped and fell exiting the shower. Thank goodness for my good core strength I landed on my left forearm and my delicious chubby bum ! The bruise I have on my left butt cheek was more sore than anything the day of my surgery. I slept uncomfortably the first night because of my sore butt, and the tenderness of my two breasts was secondary. Isn't life funny. Before surgery 3 days ago I was wearing a 30G (yes, girls you read correctly - 30G ! ), and looked very matronly in anything I wore. I have been wearing a compression bra since the morning after my surgery to keep my breasts compact and content, but I have tried on a few of my old bras and bikini tops and it appears that in the end I will be about 30D/DD or maybe even 30E. I am okay with the those letters and numbers. I am looking forward to this summer and taking time to heal and rejuvenate. I will enjoy watching the butterflies playfully flit around my backyard and I will be happy and good and okay with where I am in this adventure. Lastly, I would like to thank all of the brave women on RealSelf. Your stories, photos and courage got me to today. Thank you from the bottom of heart. Updated on 3 Jun 2015: Updated on 3 Jun 2015: Updated on 3 Jun 2015: photos did not load properly. and here is the compression bra i have been wearing during the day. I have been using the bandage wrap and a less heavy duty compression bra for sleeping at night and napping. Sleep it's the Magic Bullet :) Updated on 3 Jun 2015:
I'm done! It finally happened! After 20 years of living with this horrendous roll it's finally off my body. Healing has definitely been the roller coaster of emotions I didn't expect. I truly thought I would bounce back faster since I was so fit. Just finished the 1 week hurdle. Hope it gets easier from here on in! Updated on 1 Jun 2013: The drains finally came out. Yay! By far, the most painful part of the whole ordeal. I don't want to scare any one but I didn't expect that feeling. It was so painful for me that I almost passed out and laid there shaking for about 2 mins afterwards. Very strange. I am back next week to get my stitches removed. I'm so excited. I can already see my hard-earned abs from the side!!!! I didn't have my abdominals stitched so I was afraid these would be hidden under swelling for a while. Feel about 75% at day 8. I am actually surprised how long it's taking me to stand up straight. I work out a lot and I foolishly thought I would bounce back faster than most people - boy was I wrong. You can't just decide when you're going to get better (after my breast lift/implants I was ready to go back to work After 3 days. Walk in the park). It definitely is a slow loving process where you must make decisions to help your body heal. My biggest tip - drink 3 L of water a day. Yes that's a lot, but the benefits for bloating, anti-constipation, energy, cleaning out your kidneys from all of the meds, helping your liver process all the meds - drinking that water your biggest responsibility to ensure the health of your organs - which will ensure the speedy recovery of your TT. I feel like I have retained 98% of sensation in my stomach. It is in the flank lypo areas that I am feeling numbness, crazy bruising (still :)) and muuuucho swelling. At 8 days I am surprisingly not standing up straight yet. My Dr. Doesn't want me to until next week. Can't wait to see what the next week brings!! (Hopefully Return to work at the end of this week) Already love my tummy and it's only going to get better!! Updated on 3 Jun 2013: My thighs are SO swollen. My butt is wrinkled and saggy looking. Not even kidding when I say I wish I could just take my old butt back. I had upper butt/lower back lypo done to remove the "shelf" I had there. In the last moment before going into surgery, the surgeon circled 2 spots on my thighs and lypo'd those as well. I have major swelling in my thighs and in the place where my TT binder cuts me off, my skin is denting in. I emailed my docs office asking them for a binder to compress my thighs where I had the lipo done and to promote a smooth transition between my stomach and my thighs, but they haven't responded to me. Frustrated. I was really in love with my butt before I went in for surgery. Now I feel like my waist is disproportionately small to my huge thighs. Can't wait for this swelling to go down. Sigh. Updated on 3 Jun 2013: Updated on 5 Jun 2013: I spent the last two days downing water like there was going to be a water shortage. I am so thrilled that I did. My swelling had decreased by about 40%. Amazing!! Yesterday was my first day on the Arnica and Bromlain and Tumeric that all you ladies suggested. I don't know if this had anything to do with it as well - it usually takes more than a day for herbs to kick into your system. Feeling great today. Thighs, butt and flanks are still super swollen. The proportion of my small waist to my hips is still freaking me out - I still want to lose another 5-10 lbs so hopefully now that I don't have the fat cells on my tummy - they'll come off my butt and thighs first (haha dare to dream). Very happy with results today. Can't wait to get these stitches out and my new longer binder. This darn thing is still cutting me off at the hips and causing weird water pockets there. Cheers to a wonderful day!! Updated on 6 Jun 2013: Updated on 6 Jun 2013: I feel amazing today! I’m still drinking my 3+L of water and can’t believe how not-bloated I am for my 3rd day of having my period. I feel so, so, so, so, good and I can’t wait until my other TT sisters get to join me on this high. My theory on this whole process is that attitude is the BIGGEST key to your healing process. For the most part I’m a pretty positive person. I have wanted this surgery for the last 15 years and although I have whined about about the pain and swelling, I have been excited throughout the whole process. I have wanted this for so long and I knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park. I also knew that I hated my stomach so much that I would have gladly gone through this pain to have a body that I could be proud of. I would do this again and again – even the horrible drain removal – to have the body I have 13 days post op…. Can you believe it??? 13 days post op and I’m standing straight and my swelling is drastically going down. I’m elated today! I tried on a dress I bought on Rodeo Drive, as a gift to myself, in California this year. My stomach is almost flat enough to wear it. What made my journey easier is having had been in pretty good health and shape before my surgery. I took Vit C (for skin and immune system), Potassium (I don’t get enough of it in my diet), a multi vit, biotin (for skin), arnica, bromelain and turmeric, throughout my recovery process. I drank a lot of water and did my favourite “at home” things, enjoyed the down time (because I’m always so go go go) and messaged with my TT sisters about the journey. Don’t lose hope. Don’t lose faith. You have wanted this for so long. You’ve worked hard for it and deserve it. You were strong enough to have the children and lose the weight, that left you with this tummy. You saved the money and took the time off work. You are SO strong! This TT is just another thing that you’re totally strong enough to get through. You know you are too – otherwise you wouldn’t have decided to take this journey. Yesterday I went to my second PO appointment. I had my stitches taken out of my BB and the mole they removed. Doctor said that everything looks great. I asked her about scar therapy and she said that they really don’t suggest anything other than using the cloth tape. I think I’m still going to give myself body treatments every week. (I’ll post the youtube video of the natural products I plan to use). The doctor said I can resume light activities. Is Zumba a light activity?? Lol. If I could give anyone ONE piece of advice it’s: DRINK YOUR WATER. 3-4L EVERY DAY religiously. I dropped the ball for 3 days on my water drinking and MAN did I feel it. Bloated, huge belly, no BM, up FIVE extra pounds. 2 days into drinking my water again and I’m down 6 lbs, feel amazing, can drive, skin looks great. I didn’t want to post this in the May TT forum because I don’t want to feel like a gloater – but I FEEL AMAZING TODAY! I’m so happy I did this and YOU WILL TOO!!! Love, Veronica Updated on 7 Jun 2013: I needed to take a serious page out of my own self-help book today. I had a "low" day today. I kind of feel like I can't write about it in the main May page because a lot of you ladies are having a harder time than I am, and since I have been bible-thumping a positive attitude, I will do my griping in private on my page. I don't know if I told you guys but I have never worn a two piece bikini to the beach. At one point in my life I used to model and I managed to cover and hide my stomach. I have lived in constant shame of my body for as long as I can remember. Even when I was skinny, I had saggy wrinkled skin that I just knew how to hide. I would get my stomach airbrushed a certain way to hide any flaws. My horrible stomach has always been there haunting me; It was there when I went shopping, when I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror, when I met a cute guy I might like to date, when I thought about crossing over into 'sex' territory. I'd always think about what my stomach looked like or what someone might think of my stomach. Well... today I went to go pick up my 2.5% cortisone cream because I have been so damn itchy that I have been scratching myself at night and then ripping off my girdle in my sleep. I have been suffering. On the way To Save-on-Foods I noticed a new bikini store that had opened. I dared to enter. I have never worn a 2 piece bikini to the beach. The furthest I've gone is to wear shorts/skirt and a bikini top. My big promise to myself was to wear a two piece before my 30th bday (December 30th this year)... so I decided to have a peek at what this store had. Is bikini shopping supposed to be so hard? I didn't have very much fun, to be honest. I magically found like 50 extra pounds I'd want to lose before I hit the beach. JEeeeeebus. I thought it was supposed to be fun to be skinny. I found bikinis I like but I also managed to find new body parts I didn't like to go with them. I went home very disappointed. Luckily I texted my gf's. They were so incredibly supportive. They reminded me that I was just out of major surgery and on the 3rd day of my period. I needed to give myself a break. My boyfriend, hearing enough of my own advice, gave it back to me. He told me I looked beautiful and that I was being so incredibly ridiculous. He reminded me that my body just went through torture. I put it through so much stress and I couldn't expect that it was going to reward me for it right away. He then took pictures of me in the bikini I took my "before" pictures in AND - lo and behold ... I actually really liked them. I realized bikini shopping is a new stress of being a skinny girl!!! It's hard for ALL girls. It doesn't matter how fit and skinny you are, we will always find some flaw to fixate on that no one else probably notices. I needed that pep talk from him today. Now for the sex talk. You have been warned... if you don't want to hear it... click off now. Ok. Let me tell you a few private things first: I have never had sex without covering a portion of myself or by turning my stomach away from the person's eyes. I've always worried about what I looked like, what I felt like to someone's touch. My hands were always on guard to push my boyfriend's hands away in case he touched my stomach. I worried about what he thought, what I looked like, what it felt like to touch me. I've always been a very sexual person but my ruined stomach has put a significant damper on my intimacy. Last night I had the most honest sex of my life. I was able to get completely naked, feel completely free and 100% confident and sexy during the whole ordeal. It was amazing. I loved being able to have my boyfriend touch my body and to be proud of it. I happened to be on top, which allowed me to decide what I could and couldn't handle with my new tummy. He couldn't stop looking and watching. He was like a little boy in a candy shop. It was such a turn on to him - which was suuuuuuch an ego boost for me. Afterwards he told me that was some of the best sex he's ever had. He told me that it feels amazing to be able to touch my body without having me push his hands away. It's been so forbidden throughout our whole relationship and he absolutely loves it! I love it too!!! That is my victory for today!!! So I learnt a few things today, as the owner of a new flat stomach: 1. I am going to have good days and bad days, no matter how phenomenal I look. 2. Bikini shopping is difficult for everyone 3. Don't go bikini shopping when you're bloated from surgery and from your period. 4. Don't be afraid to realize that you're being totally ridiculous. 5. SEX WITH MY NEW STOMACH IS SOOOO MUCH BETTER THAN COVERING UP WITH ANY BIKINI!!! 6. The journey has just begun. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend full of lots of ups!! I have included my crappy fitting room photos that made me think I had a gut with fat legs...and the white bikini photos that my bf took, that actually made me feel very good. Love, Veronica Updated on 19 Jun 2013: I love my low scar and flat tummy. I will post more about progress on Friday :) Xoxoxo Updated on 25 Jul 2013: So happy and getting better every day. Sadly I have 2 really bad dogs ears - will post this weekend, and my back lipo is still bumpy but I am ELATED. This journey has completely changed my life!!! Happy Thursday Everyone. Updated on 4 Aug 2013: Hey guys. I wanted to do a quick update on my progress. My lower back is still very bloated. I've also included pics of my scar and dogs ears. My surgeon wants to repair them later this year but honestly I am so so so happy. Dogs ears, red scar and all. I can't tell you guys enough how happy I am. I have returned to the gym and have my abs popping through. I love everything about the result. I'm having the time of my life and feel like a million bucks. Some info 1)My scar is a weird shape because my surgeon cut out half of a scar I have from having had surgery when I was a baby. 2)I believe my dogs ears are a result of lose skin in those areas following weight loss. Happy to hear from anyone who has questions about the process. Happy TT journey!! Xoxoxo Veronica. Updated on 4 Aug 2013: Updated on 20 Oct 2013: It has been almost 6 months and this decision has truly been the best of my life. In 3 weeks I will be competing In a fitness competition. I love my body. I love my life. I am So grateful to all you amazing women who lifted me up, answered my questions and supported me though this. Do it! Do not think twice about it. Have a. Good attitude. This is THE BEST thing you could possibly do for yourself. The road to recovery won't be easy - for some it will be easier than others but the end result will truly be worth every freaking painkiller, cent and struggle. You are worth it. You deserve to be happy and YOU have the absolute power to make this experience as good or bad as you want it to be. There may be some hard days but you can either complain and gripe about it or you can see this as a stepping stone to getting the body you've always wanted. If you're on Instagram my journey is on there lazysundayxo. I am happy to share my experience with you ladies and am wishing each and every one of you, my kind of satisfaction. I have really bad dogs ears at the moment and can't get them fixed until after the competition because 6 months in I am still struggling with swelling, my back Lipo is still bumpy, but I feel like a freaking rockstar!!! Please don't be afraid to message me. I will answer any questions you might have and would be more than happy to support you on your journey. So much love to you all! Do it! JUMP! You will be so glad you did Xo Veronica. Updated on 8 Jun 2014: Since I got my tummy tuck, life has been amazing. Even if I gain a little weight, my stomach is flat as a board. I recently competed in a fitness competition which was a lifelong dream for me. The thing that I noticed however was that the swelling in my back never went away. I ended up with some fat deposits on either side of my lower back as well as indents on my butt cheek and legs from my lipo. The doctor was happy to fix these for me. I had surgery yesterday and will post some pictures for you guys. Here are some photos of my lower back before the surgery as well as some pictures of my fitness competition and recent photoshoot I got asked to do. I am super groggy and sluggish today and will update this post again soon. The pain is nothing compared to what I went through the first time. I was out and about today with minor aches. I dropped the heavy codeine meds in favour of advil and my antibiotic. Will post again in a few days when I am back to my usual self :) :) :) Happy Sunday Everyone! Updated on 8 Jun 2014: Back Lipo with fat grafting to hips and buttocks Updated on 8 Jun 2014: Competition and post tummy tuck pics :)
I just had Breast Augmentation with Dr. Van Laeken 2 months ago. I had them through the nipple and they are silicone gel. I was very nervous about this as I wanted a natural look and didn't want anyone to notice a drastic change. I'm a professional and having large fake looking breasts wouldn't be well received. I now have perky B cup breasts that make me feel feminine and sexy. I feel the confidant I've ever felt. No more covering up! I don't know why I waited for so many years to have this done. Her office staff were very helpful and accommodating. Beautiful Office & OR team was very caring. I would recommend her in a heartbeat!
I went to a clinic in Vancouver BC and was very very nervous. I wanted them to look full and natural, but not like I had them done. After reading reviews of "juvederm gone wrong" I started to panic and started to leave but then went back in and said let just get this over with!! They took my into the room to fill out some forms and talk about the procedure, didnt make me feel pressured, said I could wait another day if I was too nervous, but I insisted on getting it done. I was given an ativan to calm me down (I had some anxiety) they put a topical numbing cream on my face then injected a dental block (didnt hurt anymore then giving blood, actually giving blood hurt a bit more) then I felt my face getting numb. My doctor then began to inject the juvederm, letting me know every detail of what she was doing, cracking a few jokes and made me feel really comfortable! It was a great experience overall, not painful in my opinion, just some uncomfort! Will do it again when it starts to go away :) Ask for a dental block, topical cream and ice and you wont feel hardly anything!Updated on 2 Jun 2012:After only 3 days - While I am still very very pleased with my lips, I will say that the swelling has now gone down, and I miss the volume from the swelling! I didnt think the size with swelling looked too big, so now that the swelling is gone down, I wish they where a little more plump.Updated on 15 Jul 2012:I have decided NOT to ever get this done again. At first it was okay, but I am noticing now, that my smile is different and crooked and because it must have started dissolving or something more on one side. I also got my nasiolabal folds filled with a little bit too, and it just makes me look puffed like I have a swollen face. So after looking like I gained weight in ONLY my nasiolabial folds and a very crooked smile - I will never get this done again, I wish it would all just go away right now :(
I had lost over 100 lbs. I was seeking a BREAST REDUCTION and TUMMY TUCK, the Dr. said I needed a Breast Lift. I had the financing for the Surgery, so the day of my Consult, I was booked for Surgery at a Private Clinic. Surgery was performed, both the Surgeon and myself were not happy with the result, the Surgeon booked me at the same Private Clinic to have a Full Revision completed, at no further cost to me.
I had very old (24 years!) silicone implants replaced with cohesive gel implants 2 weeks ago by Dr. Nancy Van Laeken in Vancouver, BC, and I couldn't be happier. She did a great job of correcting the asymmetry and these new implants look and feel so natural! The surgery was a breeze and I've had no complications. It's great to feel proud of "my girls" again! Updated on 25 Jul 2013: Some time after writing my review, I noticed that, although the breasts looked good overall, the right side had no crease. I decided I wanted a revision because there was already almost a one-inch difference in where they started out at the bottom and I was worried the creaseless breast would slide further down my chest over time. Nancy agreed to do the revision without much discussion. I opted to do a tummy tuck at the same time as I was going in anyway. Post surgery: Horrified. It looks like the bottom half of my breast is missing. I've gone from having great-looking breasts overall, with one lacking a crease, to pronounced asymmetry, with one looking misshapen. My tummy tuck seems fine, still some swelling. Back in a week to get stitches out of my belly button. I hope to God the right breast "falls" into a better shape!
I have been lurking on this site for many months now. I felt I should write something as the many woman that have written made this journey way easier to understand what to expect. I hope this will help someone too. My journey has only just begun and I will try and update as it goes along. I have always had large breasts and kind of liked them. However, after 3 kids and menopause they just got bigger, heavier, uncomfortable and I couldn't' find any cute clothes that fit both my boobs and my body. I went to visit a recommended doctor and asked about a Breast lift. Thinking they would be smaller too. He indicated from what I told him, I would do better with a reduction. Because he didn't do reductions, he recommended another doctor, who I went to. I'm not mentioning names here because he came with very good reviews. I just didn't feel comfortable with him. So I went to see Dr. Nancy Van Laeken who was recommended by a friend and it made all the difference. She was very easy too talk too and explained everything. I didn't feel like any question was to silly to ask. She does not do MSP reductions, but because I was going to pay in the first place for the lift, I was willing to pay for the comfort she gave me. Updated on 26 Jan 2016: I checked into to the clinic at about 7:15am a basket of nerves. I have thought about this for a while and was sure it's what I wanted. But... when it came down to it I was so scared. Everyone in the clinic was extremely kind. I was in the OR and out by about 8:15am. When I came too, it was about 9:45am. I couldn't believe how quick it was. I was picked up and home by 12:30pm. There wasn't too much pain. When I woke the nurse asked my pain level and gave me fentanyl. Then gave me more about 20 minutes later. I kept up with my pain killers through out the day and was really never too uncomfortable. I was really worried about sleeping, but had made a little nest of pillows in my bed and was very comfortable, but couldn't sleep for long periods of time. I won't see the results until next week at my post op appointment as I am completely bandaged. Updated on 29 Jan 2016: So far my journey has been pretty uneventful. However, I haven't even seen the girls yet. I'm really looking forward to my first post op appt in a few days. My PS will remove the bandages and I finally get a look see. She has told me to bring a sports bra to wear 24/7. For how long I'm not sure yet. I was a little unsure about what size to bring so I brought her a couple on my surgery date to look at. I have a "tata tamer" from lulu lemon. (I already had it, they are very expensive) Yes, it's called that. lol She thought that was a good one. So I will bring that and another one a friend lent me. I haven't had a lot of pain. Kept up with the pain meds for the first couple of days, but since then I have only been taking one in the evening. I used ice pacs for the first two days. I have kept really quiet since the surgery, but today I am really restless and ready to start moving. I will be careful not to go overboard. My PS also gave me a product called SinEcch to reduce bruising. I have been taking it since day 1 and finished the dose yesterday. It has arnica in it and it's supposed to reduce bruising. I won't know if it's worked until Monday. When I look at the bandages I can't help but think they look so small. I'm really hoping I'm wrong. Did anyone else think they looked small and in the end were happy with the size? I know I asked for a reduction, but I also said I didn't want to be too small. Maybe a full C, small D. I guess I don't even really know what that looks like. I just keep reminding myself that the majority of ladies on this site are very happy they did this. Will update with photos next week! Updated on 2 Feb 2016: I went for my first post op appointment yesterday and finally got to see the girls. I couldn't get the bandages off fast enough. They were getting really itchy and I so badly want to have a shower. I have to admit, I was a little ( a lot ) shocked when I saw them. They look so small and weird looking, but still fit into a sports bra I was wearing a year ago. My PS said that they are still very tight and will soften up and drop a little in time. She said she took 290 G from one side and 320 from the other. It will be interesting to see where I end up. I don't know the size of the sports bra I'm wearing in the photo, I must have cut it out. But it would be at least a D cup. It's a lulu lemon Ta Ta Tamer. My PS really liked it as it is very compressive. She wants me to wear it 24/7 until my 2 week post op appointment when she will remove stitches. I was hoping my side scars wouldn't go so far out, but she said she needed to because my breasts were so wide. I'm not taking pain killers anymore and haven't for about 4 or 5 days. But occasionally I take a couple of tylenol when I have overdone it and they start aching. It's not really pain, but an ache. Will update again after post op appointment 2. Happy healing everyone! Updated on 2 Feb 2016: I just did a little before and after comparison. The ta ta tamer definitely fits a little differently. Updated on 11 Feb 2016: I have been pretty lucky, so far things have been pretty uneventful. I went out for dinner with friends a couple of times this weekend and no one noticed. Or didn't say anything anyway. They are still a little uncomfortable, but nothing I can't handle. I went to my PS yesterday to have the steri tape and stitches removed. That was a little uncomfortable, but again still manageable. She re-taped the incisions with 3M paper tape and has advised me to continue doing this for 3 months. Changing them weekly. Ughhh... On the up side. Now that the steri tape and all the ugly blood is gone. The girls have let down a little and I'm really liking them. I think we will stay friends. Bff's even! I will post another photo next week when I change the tape. This photo shows, before and now. I'm feeling pretty happy! Updated on 16 Feb 2016: I changed the tape today and saw the incisions for the first time. I actually don't think they look too bad. Although it seems my skin maybe reacting to the tape a little. There is a lot of redness and blemishly type marks. I did notice a small spot under my left breast that appears to be a little infected which concerns me a little. I have a message into my PS. Hopefully it's nothing to be concerned about. I'm getting more comfortable with them each day. Updated on 25 Feb 2016: So I contacted my PS about the spot that appeared to be infected and she told me not to tape it, clean it with peroxide and put polysporin on it. Which I did and it ended up clearing up. The scab is almost gone. However, about a week later I noticed a little clear brownish type fluid oozing out of a tiny pin sized hole under my breast. So this worried me as I am leaving for a trip to Mexico in less that two weeks. She had me come in yesterday and the problem was a few of the dissolvable stitches didn't want to dissolve and were trying to work their way out. So she took them out, covered them with a clear bandage and told me to leave it until it falls off. She says all should be fine now and I shouldn't have any trouble on my vacation. I hope so! I'm still feeling so good about all of this and I'm going to try on new bathing suits today! Yayyy! I can't remember the last time I actually looked forward to this. lol Updated on 1 Apr 2016: I haven't been on here in a while. I have been enjoying my new boobs in the sunshine. I will keep this short and sweet. I am at 2 months and 1 week post op now. Other than fact my PS wants me to continue taping the scars for another few weeks for scar maintenance I don't even know I have had this done. Well, other than I love the way clothes fit now. I am very happy with the results. I know the scars will get lighter, so not worried there. To all of you who are waiting for your date. I know it's scary, and I'm sure these words won't take that away, however, I am so happy I did this. The recovery was no where near as difficult as I thought it would be. A little tip. I bought new bras at 5 weeks PO and have gotten a little smaller. Must have been swelling. Be patient. I think I might have to go bra shopping again :)
