I finally got the courage to get my breasts done! At 16 I realised my breasts weren’t developing like my friends or sister. My gynaecologist tried to reassure me that I’d fill out and put me on hormones To help (big mistake)... later on she told me I had tuberous breast and the only option was surgery. Fast forward more than 10 years and with heaps of research, I saved up and booked in for a few consults. I couldn’t have picked a better surgeon— Dr. Paul Belt did not sugar coat anything, was clear, asked me what I wanted and what he could provide. His background in peer reviewed literature and other surgeries built my confidence in him. He took into account my skin tone, body composition, the fact that I’m active at work and schedule. Unfortunately my experience with other surgeons sort of told me what they would do without asking—I may be exaggerating but it felt like a pity party/ patronising. In the end we decided on 350cc anatomical, subfascial placement and diathermy to the nipples to reduce their puffiness. I’m two days post op, bloated, a bit sore but ridiculously excited to see my outcome. I’m feeling optimistic and happy :) Updated on 20 Oct 2020: 4 days post op.. I got self conscious about shape but after reading testimonies I understand it takes a while for things to settle, especially with high amounts of constriction. I’m happy and my boyfriend has got the most hilarious smirk when I change my bandages! Updated on 31 Oct 2020: Slowly dropping and rounding out :) one of the scabs on my nipples got ripped off so I’ve just got a little tape on it to let it heal. Other than that, my scars are healing well.. I’m still pudgy from the anaesthetic and restless from still having to sleep on my back, elevated, and not being able to workout BUT all for the name of progress and a better recovery!
I underwent a septorhinoplasty with Dr.Belt 12 months ago. He is extremely professional and made me very comfortable in his abilities. I'm very happy with the results and it was exactly what I had hoped for - a subtle correction to improve the overall appearance of my nose. In addition, the improvement to my breathing has been amazing! I have no hesitation in recommending Dr.Belt.
There isn't a lot on the internet about Dr Paul Belt in Brisbane, Queensland. In a day and age where many Doctors are very heavy with social media usage - Dr Belt doesn't go down this path. This can give the impression to some that because he's not "well known", he't not worth seeing. This could not be further from the truth. I began my consultations with Dr Belt in 2014 and just had my first operation (a bilateral mastopexy) on Friday 28 July 2017. I will be going back to Dr Belt next year to have breast augmentation and a tummy tuck. I would highly recommend Dr Belt. He is professional, caring and thorough. He doesn't try to charm you or [RS bleep] you. He tells it like it is and takes his work seriously. I trusted him implicitly and will have no problem trusting him again with my other surgeries. The mastopexy cost about $4800 after Medicare rebate. Stayed overnight at Greenslopes Private Hospital. The surgery and recovery has been fine. The only negative is the hospital experience but this isn't Dr Belt's fault. It's good to be home resting and recovering. I cannot find fault with what he did. The results look amazing. I never thought it would be possible to make my breasts look like this. Extremely happy with the outcome.
Decided on dr belt after visiting many ps's in Brisbane. He actually listened to me. Such a professional. He was easy to talk to and ask questions and I Felt comfortable with him from the start . I only had my surgery with him yesterday but already love the results !
One week ago I underwent a septorhinoplasty procedure by Dr Belt at the PA hospital. My primary motivation for this was to improve the appearance of my nose, which I've always considered, whilst not overly large or bumpy, to be quite bulbous; however I was also encouraged by the prospect of surgery enabling easier nose breathing. Today the cast was taken off, and I'm thrilled with the results, which are already exactly what I was after. I've read that some people are quite shocked and sometimes disappointed by the swelling (even though it subsides over time) however I am extremely happy. My hope was to achieve a more refined version of my own nose, which I feel has definitely been accomplished. I love the results already, so I can't wait to see how my nose improves when the swelling subsides! I found Dr Belt to be a extremely informative in his consultations. I have had consultations with other plastic surgeons prior to seeing Dr Belt and found that, whilst they're probably very capable, they were not nearly as informative as Dr Belt. In talking with me he answered all of my questions so that I didn't have to answer them. He was also very honest, outlining all risks and what he thought would needed to be performed for me to achieve my goals. He explained the entire procedure to me in lay mans terms, although with as much depth as someone with no medical experience could understand. I was told the surgery went very well, and I recovered nicely. Everyone at the hospital also spoke very highly of him, which is what you like to hear when you're freaking out before going into an operating theatre! All in all, I'm extremely happy and would recommend. Also should say I think his anesthetist is great, I was terrified going into surgery and he did a great job of distracting me!
More out of curiosity than anything else I decided to make an appointment with a plastic surgeon to see what could be done about the asymmetry and loss of breast tissue I had since breast feeding two children and just getting older. My left breast was significantly smaller than my right one and my PS said he could use two different sized implants to improve this. My ps took photos of my breasts and was then able to show me what options I had going forward. After seeing these pics exaggerate my breast size and volume it was too tempting not to continue. As luck would have it he had a cancelation come up and I was able to have the surgery after only one more consult. I had Mentor/ textured/tall height/ moderate plus profile/ anatomical/ implants of differing sizes implanted sub muscular via inframammary approach. I am now 3 days post op and will continue to post updates on my progress. :) Updated on 10 Mar 2016: Updated on 10 Mar 2016: Updated on 12 Mar 2016: Updated on 13 Mar 2016: Off all pain meds, finished course of antibiotics, sleeping better. Still feel very swollen under my arms. Updated on 13 Mar 2016: Updated on 15 Mar 2016: What a difference a day makes! :-D. Finally feeling like the worst is behind me. Feeling assured everything is going according to plan after my visit with my ps to review progress. My left breast is still sitting high but as I measured with fingers the distance between the top of the breast and my collarbone I know it is slowly working its way down into the pocket as what was 1 finger is now two. Not taking any meds, not massaging, just resting walking gentler and doing still day to day chores at a snails pace! Very meditative, I realise just how much more I get done when I slow down! Tried sleeping flat in my back but found it to be too uncomfortable so still sleeping in my recliner. If you don't have one, get one if possible as I have found it to be invaluable!! Especially when I find I'm going to the toilet 2-3 times a night. Updated on 20 Mar 2016: Fe Updated on 20 Mar 2016: Well I am really ready to start exercising again, shame my breasts are not. 4 weeks to go! I have thrombophlebitis in my left arm from the IV which is still quite painful and has hardened my veins all the way up to the elbow. Apparently this is quite common so something to be careful of, if you notice any tenderness in your IV have them move it right away. You don't need the extra discomfort on top of everything else if you can help it. Feeling a little less like a T Rex now but still loss of range of motion in my arms. Updated on 28 Mar 2016: Feeling like a new person today! Went for a long gentle walk and feeling great for it. Put an extra bra on for support and it worked a treat. Back in bed lying mostly on my back but also on my side for a little time as well. So everything is moving in a good direction. My left implant is still sitting higher but swelling has reduced significantly on both sides especially under my arms this last week.
While of course I knew that pregnancy was going to change my previously slim and fairly fit body, it came as a shock to find that by 8 weeks pregnant my pre-existing hypermobility (a fancy terms for stretchy muscles) that had previously meant simply that I got aches and pains and was very flexible, had turned into full-blown pelvic instability. Basically the muscles holding my pelvis together responded to pregnancy hormones by just giving up and going home! I also had much bigger babies than expected - both over 10 pounds - which took a toll. Despite doing all the "right" things - pilates, post-pregnancy support garments, careful exercise, endless physio - my abdominal separation never came back together after my second baby, and now it's really impacting on my self confidence (via a bulgy pregnant-looking tummy) and my quality of life (via lower back pain, core weakness and not being able to exercise properly). While I've kept pushing towards new fitness goals - I ran my first 10km a few months back - my body is letting me know more and more that it can't handle what I'm asking of it. I get so upset when I listen to my husband talk about his workouts, knowing that even a little 3km run sends my hips and pelvis into painful spasms. Anyway, I'm hugely looking forward to getting my significant abdominal divarification repaired so that I can hopefully begin to exercise properly again and banish my back pain. Not having a bulgy tummy will be nice as well! Updated on 4 Oct 2015: Updated on 5 Oct 2015: I'm reading all these reviews where people had liposuction along with their tummy tuck. It doesn't seem to be as standard here in Australia - you certainly can have both but it doesn't seem like most people do like in the US. Anyway, it's got me wondering whether I should consider flank and/or thigh lipo with my procedure. While I decided to have the surgery primarily for functional improvement reasons, I'm obviously also hoping for a very good cosmetic result (to make up for the scarring!) The main barrier is my husband - he's medical and may be a bit disapproving or think it's unnecessary from a strictly functional point of view! But the way I see it is that I'm going into hospital anyway, being anaesthetised anyway, wearing a support garment anyway, "out of action" and needing help anyway. The procedure is at a reduced rate for us so the cost isn't too problematic. So my question is - would or did you have liposuction? Updated on 5 Oct 2015: After seeing my surgeon this morning I feel really glad to have bitten the bullet and spoken to my husband about adding flank and outer thigh liposuction to my procedure. I've got a couple of fairly small but stubborn fat pockets on my love handles and outer thighs that have been resistant to every exercise I've thrown at them and I'll be very glad to see them gone. My surgeon was very careful to explain how he manages the risks of combining the two procedures and said that he thinks I'm an excellent candidate. He obviously left it entirely to me, but when pressed agreed that it will really enhance the aesthetic result. To my surprise, my husband was very supportive of my decision to add the lipo as well. Although I've always tried not to moan about my body (in my opinion there is nothing less sexy than continually pointing out your flaws to your partner!) he knows that my body changes since having our kids have left me feeling dumpy and down and not myself. In other news, seeing the before pictures he took at my first consult up close and personal on my surgeon's big screen has definitely reminded me that I've got good reasons for wanting this surgery! Holy confronting, Batman! ;) Updated on 6 Oct 2015: There are lots of ways in which now is not really the best time for me to get this surgery. I'm still breastfeeding my one year old, with no plans to wean him. That poses logistical difficulties, since I won't be able to lift him after the surgery and other people will have to help me lift him up for nursing. Also, I'll be in hospital for five days, so my parents are going to be bringing my two kids to visit me each daily, not least because I'll need to breastfeed my little guy. He's currently having two feeds per day, so I'll have to take my trusty breast pump into hospital to express milk for the feed he won't be there for, or risk getting mastitis. In general terms, my kids are still quite little. I still lift my three year old up for hugs several times a day. I lift both kids into their carseats. I carry them up the stairs. None of this will be possible while I'm recovering, and as a result I'll have to rely on my parents and expensive paid help (my husband works very long hours and travels a lot, though of course he'll help where he can). In a perfect world I would have been able to choose to wait another year, at least, to have my abdominoplasty. So, why am I doing it now? For me, this operation is primarily about addressing the functional problems that a big abdominal separation causes - back pain, core weakness, pelvic spasms, inability to exercise properly or lift heavy objects without pain. Of course I'm hoping for a good aesthetic outcome, too, but I wouldn't be contemplating the surgery if it weren't for the functional benefits it offers. In Australia, if you have an approved medical need for an abdominoplasty as I do, the government covers a small portion of the costs (about $1000) of having the procedure done in a private hospital, and a little more towards the cost of the anaesthetic. More importantly, though, the fact that there is a government-approved item number for my surgeon to claim against means that my hospital stay of five days will be covered by my private health insurance. Unfortunately, the item number for abdominoplasty is almost certainly being withdrawn from the end of October, so there will be no rebate, and my private health after 1st November will class all abdominoplasties as purely cosmetic procedures so the $10,000 cost of the hospital stay will not be covered any longer. The abdominoplasty part of this surgery will cost me several thousand dollars this month, or over $15,000 if I wait until next month. I couldn't justify that cost difference, so decided to pull the trigger now, even though the timing is far from ideal in some respects. I'm not alone in this situation - of the four surgeons I met with, three were having to schedule extra lists to fit women in before the law changes. I feel sad to think that so many women who, like me, have been slammed by the process of having children and significantly lost quality of life and health as a result, will now not be able to afford to have this procedure. One friend has just had her third child - after her second she had an 8cm abdominal separation. Her baby is only days old and there is no way she be able to have surgery before the end of October. She and her husband will not be able to spend $15,000 on her operation when she's physically able and available to have it done; she will likely be stuck with the resulting health problems for life. You could say she "chose" to have children, but our country wants women to have kids, and none of us are completely in control of how childbearing will impact our bodies and health. I feel angry that the government is quietly cost cutting by denying women surgery they need. By cleverly choosing abdominoplasty to target for these cuts, the government knows that if anyone objects they can imply that they are simply preventing public money being wasted on wannabe yummy mummies seeking aesthetic upgrades, completely ignoring the pain and risks women undergo when having kids. I think they are using women as a soft target for undermining our normally excellent and equitable health system. As I said to my husband, if having children resulted in functional damage to men's penises, there'd be a high profile national task force recommending fathers be eligible to attend free clinics on every corner, with state-mandated paid time off and extra foot rubs while they recuperated. It's just a shame our government doesn't choose to value the price women pay in their health and wellbeing to give birth to the next generation of Australians. Updated on 7 Oct 2015: I'm excited to be in the countdown to surgery. Only two and a half weeks now! I'm excited to (eventually) not have to wear particular styles of clothes to camouflage my tummy. I've found a brand of dresses that both suit my figure and match my style, but it will be nice not to be so restricted. And the fugly mum clothes that I've collected to try to disguise my midsection without every liking them are all GOING TO CHARITY. Yes, I know I was yelling there. Just got a bit excited. I'm excited to be able to rebuild my core strength. To actually be able to do a crunch. To not get stuck flat on my back like a flailing beetle because I can't sit up without feeling that my stomach contents are going to be ejected through my midline towards the ceiling. I'm excited to one day not have this lower back pain any more! Mostly, I'm excited to feel like myself again. It's going to take longer than I want it to, and I'll be impatient and probably have down times. But, fingers crossed, I'll get there in the end. Updated on 15 Oct 2015: Somewhere I saw a suggestion to take pre-surgery measurements for the sake of comparison. As someone who sews I know that measuring yourself with a tape measure is notoriously inaccurate, but still... Measurements as at 12/10/2015 Widest part of hips - 39 inches Bust - 37 inches High waist (narrowest bit, well above belly button) - 27.5 inches At navel - 33 inches At level of hip bones - 35.5 inches At the time this photo was taken, just before I got married in 2011, from memory my measurements were about 34-26-36! I'm really looking forward to getting my waist back and not feeling so boxy anymore! Updated on 15 Oct 2015: As soon as I started seeing surgeons while researching my tummy tuck, I got confirmation of my feeling that since having my kids there was something extra weird about my stretched-out belly button. Like a lot of women contemplating an abdominoplasty, I've got a small umbilical hernia that makes my belly button bulge slightly. My surgeon, Dr Belt, has taken a very thorough and careful approach to getting my hernia repaired during the tummy tuck operation. His rooms have organised a general surgeon, Dr Steven Allison, to attend during the operation and repair my hernia using a little bit of mesh, and a couple of days back Dr Allison asked to meet with me, despite the fact that I won't see him again during or after the surgery or in hospital (unless something goes wrong and I end up with a black belly button, aka "Zombie Navel"). I liked Dr Allison a lot. He was kind and funny, and his only reason for meeting me was to ascertain that I was aware of the risk that my belly button might not survive the surgery. He said he hasn't lost one yet, but also explained roughly what can be done to create a sort of faux belly button if the worst was to happen. All this is such a contrast to my experience meeting Dr Lily Vrtik for a consult a few days before I first met with Dr Belt. Dr Vrtik was nice, though she seemed a bit rushed, and she came highly recommended to me by a close family member, who liked her a lot. On examining me, though, she noted my little hernia and told me that repairing it would be likely to kill it, while leaving it would give me a bulging out belly button in contrast to my newly taut tummy, and it would probably be visible through my clothes. She went on to suggest that the easiest and best option would be for me to just agree before my surgery to let her remove my belly button altogether. She even said that nobody would ever notice that I didn't have a belly button! (STOP PRESS - I WOULD NOTICE!!!) Initially, although saying that I was fairly sure I wanted to keep my belly button even if it was going to bulge out, I felt I could live with that outcome. I even booked in for the surgery with her. But there were some niggling questions. Why had neither of the other two surgeons I'd seen said anything about my hernia being problematic to repair? If removing it altogether was really the best way forward, why had nobody else suggested it? When I told my husband about her remarks he seemed a bit non-plussed and said "I don't see why she couldn't get a general surgeon in? And if your belly button didn't cope with the repair, surely she could make you a new pseudo-umbilicus?" He's an anaesthetist so sees a lot of surgery; it was helpful to hear his point of view, because I too had been wondering why a plastic surgeon couldn't give me a mock-up belly button of some kind if that was necessary, but also wasn't sure if I was being unreasonable in my expectations. On my husband's advice I sent Dr Vrtik an email asking for clarification about the hernia issues, but also decided to go ahead with my previously booked consultation with Dr Belt and ask him about how he would manage the hernia. I'm so glad I kept that appointment! Dr Belt noticed the hernia immediately, organised for me to get an ultrasound to ensure his clinical assessment of it was correct (it was) and talked in detail about the way he would prefer to address it. Unlike any of the other surgeons I spoke to, he wanted to use a general surgeon who has more experience than him with hernia repairs to attend during the operation and fix it. He carefully outlined the procedure and how my belly button's blood supply could be put at risk by the combination of the abdominoplasty and hernia repair surgeries. Basically, because the umbilicus is cut out at the surface for the tummy tuck and then cut into internally for the hernia repair, that can leave it deprived of blood circulation and ultimately kill it. So worst case scenario would be either removing it during the operation when they realised it wouldn't survive, or getting the repair done then having it turn black and rot post-surgically, requiring a revision. Eww, Dead Belly Button Walking! He talked about the risks and benefits of the repair, and told me that if the worst came to the worst and my belly button couldn't be saved following the hernia repair he would make me a neo umbilicus - kind of a dimple in the right spot that wouldn't be exactly like a belly button but would fool a casual observer's eye into thinking I still had a belly button. Apparently the risk is small of this being needed, but more than anything else I was relieved that my surgeon "got" that having a belly button might be important to me! All this was such a relief. I immediately knew Dr Belt was the right person to be doing this surgery, and cancelled my booking with Dr Vrtik. To be fair to Dr Vrtik, she rang me to discuss my concerns with the hernia repair in more detail, which is when I told her I'd decided not to proceed with my surgery booked with her. I'm sure she's a brilliant surgeon (my family member was delighted with her results), and it may be that her remarks about my belly button being dispensable might just have been casual comments rather than indicating any lack of interest in getting my repair done properly. She didn't suggest using a general surgeon to do a repair, though, and that was really the clincher for me that made me feel so comfortable with Dr Belt's commitment to getting me the best outcome possible. So anyway, that's the Saga of the (Hopefully Not) Doomed Belly Button, and now I just have to trust I won't see my poor, stretched out and mangled current belly button swapped for one that will turn up its toes and morph into Skanky Corpse Navel! Fingers crossed! (If it does, I sincerely PROMISE to post photos!) Updated on 17 Oct 2015: Oh my goodness. Here's me trying on my post-surgery garment... which my surgeon has ordered me to wear 24/7 for the two weeks prior to surgery. On first try I knew there was no way in the world I could wear it full time in the lead up to my surgery, so I've compromised and am wearing my own very firm control garments day and night instead. After surgery I guess I'll just have to suck it up! The superwoman look with the undies over the top is because the garment is majorly crotchless and so without them the photo would be totally NSFW. Though I gather that lots of women wear them like that after surgery anyway, because otherwise you're pretty exposed, plus a friend who wore her knickers *under* her post-lipo garment ended up with permanent creases in her thighs from the seams. :/ This thing is ultra tight, especially behind the knees, and after challenging myself to sleep in it last night instead of my regular MiracleSuit I'm slightly dreading wearing it full time after surgery. Eeek! Does anyone else get a sore back and tummy cramps from wearing tummy compression garments? I was in agony when I woke up this morning, and I haven't even had the surgery yet! Updated on 17 Oct 2015: Even though I don't go into hospital until next Monday, I'm going to be away all week, so I need to start packing tomorrow. Unlike for many of you ladies, here in Australia most people stay in hospital for a good few days after an abdominoplasty; my surgeon says to expect 5-7 nights. I won't be discharged until my drains are out. I've seen lots of posts about what people are buying for their recovery at home, but not really any about what to pack for 5-7 days in hospital. Even after having two caesareans it's kind of difficult to imagine what I might need. Can anyone give me any suggestions for my list? What did *you* find useful, can't-live-without or not very useful in hospital? Updated on 22 Oct 2015: Everything is hitting me at once right now - I'm trying to care for my kids with no childcare, get my tax done before going into hospital (paperwork totally gives me cold shivers) plus working on a political campaign PLUS doing some contract legal work on a matter for a client who is insanely impatient.... The only thing that's keeping me sane is running! Funnily enough, I'm not at all worried about the surgery but I *am* worried about spending 4-6 weeks without being able to exercise. Being sedentary has never done very good things for my mental health. Has anybody else had this fear? Maybe I'll be able to do some gentle walks??? Updated on 25 Oct 2015: It's midnight, I'll be leaving for hospital in just under six hours and I've finally stopped running around like a chicken. Bags are packed, washing is done, bills are paid... My husband will be flying back from interstate with our kids when I'm coming around after surgery; I think we were both feeling a bit glum that he can't take me in and be there when I wake up. I'm not especially nervous (okay, maybe just a little bit) but despite insisting I could just catch an Uber I am actually kind of glad my long suffering sister is collecting me to drop me at the hospital at 6am. Just in case I have any regrets down the track, here's my "Remember Why You Did This" photo... Admittedly squeezing into compression garments is never an attractive process! More to the point, though, is what these pictures don't show - like that after my little 3km run yesterday my pelvis spasmed for 36 hours and was so agonising that a few times I nearly fell over when the pain hit suddenly. Hopefully the operation tomorrow will stabilise my pelvis and these bouts of pain and spasm will reduce. Fingers crossed! Updated on 26 Oct 2015: Here are a few piccies. So far, so good. I've been of surgery a little over twelve hours. No vertical scar, I'm told Dr Belt out my piercing scar but left my bblly button without any vertical scar. Can't wait to see it! Meanwhile, here's hopi g my surgery date buddies are feeling good. Updated on 26 Oct 2015: This morning Dr Belt and his lovely registrar came around to change my dressings and check my belly button. Dr Belt told me that Dr Allison had done a very clever repair on my belly button hernia and that they kept and eye on it for a couple of hours and while it hadn't looked like the healthiest belly button on earth for a while there it was clearly coping now. So that's good news. He also said that my scar was at the level of my old Caesar scar because the tension involved in lowering it further would have resulted in a thicker scar. I'm fine with that, especially since he apparently completely got rid of my old belly button piercing. In general I'm feeling okay, though with a couple of bad bouts of nausea. Apparently lots of patients here have had nausea today so just in case it's a virus going through the hospital all the nurses are suited right up and I was advised not to bring my kids in to see me. :( Got up once for a little stagger with the help of a walker but there was no way I was to the point of being able to have a shower. I had kind of thought the initial recovery might be about the same as a Caesarean, but it's a fair bit more severe than either of my Caesars, even after long labours. Anyway, onwards and upwards. Time to put some TV on.... Updated on 28 Oct 2015: Yeah, so the recovery is a fair bit more full-on than from a caesarean. The very nice and patient nurses tried to get me into the shower today but I nearly passed out when they took the garment off, so it was mission abort while I sat clutching the toilet having the cold sweats and trying not to barf everywhere. It was a big relief to get back into bed! Even having cut back on the stronger pain killers I'm pretty dozy most of the day and my idea of getting work done in hospital was seriously optimistic. I can hardly focus on watching TV. Onwards and upwards, though. Everything is healing well with minimal bruising or oozing and one drain might be coming out tomorrow, fingers crossed. Updated on 28 Oct 2015: My kids just left from a visit and after half an hour of having a three year old clambering over my bed and breastfeeding a wriggling 18 month old I'm feeling very sore and quietly relieved to not be worrying about having my drains yanked and instead to be able to space out with some TV. The drains are definitely the most painful part - my belly button is fairly numb and the incision itself burns from time to time but doesn't sting constantly like the drains. Today was a pretty good day - I got up twice, once for a heavenly shower and once for a walk then a sit in the chair next to my window. Both little activities left me a bit shattered but at least confident I can get myself up if I have to. This is a tough recovery but I'm feeling better each day. Still very glad to be in hospital rather than at home, though! Updated on 30 Oct 2015: Such a relief to be a bit less tethered! I am obviously still very hunched over but it feels good to be a little bit more mobile. Swelling is very evident above and below the incision but I'm already feeling stronger in my abs and less sloppy in my tummy. Updated on 30 Oct 2015: Quite swollen but feeling better and better. My belly button might be slightly off centre but I really don't care. :) Updated on 30 Oct 2015: Came home from hospital today. It's so nice to have the drains and drip gone, and to be watching tv on my own couch! Dr Belt said he was happy with my results so far. Apparently I have less bruising than most patients, but then I only got 200ml or so taken from each liposuction area, so that might be part of the reason. Dr Belt has been extremely meticulous about checking on me every morning, plus having a registrar check me in the evening and sometimes also phoning in to check on my drains via the nurses. He really is very fastidious and careful in his approach, which is exactly why I chose him to do this surgery. He measured me multiple times to ensure I got the most neat and symmetrical result possible, and his attention to detail regarding my hernia repair was outstanding among the four surgeons I met with. My cosmetic priorities were a smooth, straight, low scar and retaining a natural looking belly button and so far my expectations have been met in full. The care at Greenslopes Hospital from the nursing staff and physiotherapist were also excellent; I'd recommend anyone have their surgery there. So far I'm feeling good about the decision to have this surgery and looking forward to enjoying the functional results as I recover. I can't wait to start running again and rebuilding my new improved core muscles! Updated on 31 Oct 2015: I'm turning all the colours! Overdid it yesterday and could barely walk by evening. Being home probably means I need more naps and rests, not less. I'm looking forward to being able to stand straight again one day. :) Updated on 5 Nov 2015: I took these photos yesterday and can see that already today I'm able to stand slightly straighter. Note the indentations caused by naughty me wearing undies under a light compression garment I've got. Oops - apparently garment indentations that form after lipo can sometimes be permanent. I hope note this time! Had my 10 day post-op consult today. Dr Belt is happy with my progress, though he didn't miraculously announce that I don't need to wear the Nightmare Garment any more. Boo, he said I need to plod on with it for another 4.5 weeks, so no miracles here. It's cutting into my thighs and knees, taking skin off my groin and giving me lines from the zips and is just generally a massive pain. :( I'm still very stiff and bruised, but hopefully it evens out and gets easier soon. Updated on 12 Nov 2015: Now 2.5 weeks in and I'm feeling much better. Still slightly hunched and it's certainly getting harder not to overdo things as my mobility improves. Yesterday I had a couple of work meetings in the city and my taxi dropped me off a long way from the meeting venue so I ended up walking a kilometre or two all up, and today I'm shattered as a result! Must try not to get caught out like that again... I've been online shopping for bikinis - YAY - and am so pleased with my new shape. It wasn't my main reason for having the surgery but it's a lovely side effect to feel that I look like my old self again, though with a lot less muscle tone from two ultra-slothful weeks! (Incidentally my core muscles already feel stronger than pre-surgery. I'm not pushing it by testing them out, obviously, but if I sit up from flat I can feel them helping me, whereas before they gave me almost no support). I've got lots of front to back swelling so am feeling quite thick through the waist, but from reading everyone else's accounts I know that Tincture of Time is the cure and I just have to be patient. My belly button is healing really well and looks good. It's starting to spit some stitches as the sutures dissolve. My husband even mentioned that he thinks it's cute and he's not normally a noticer of such things. :) My bruising is fading and while typing this I've pulled the tape off my lipo incisions, so overall I'm beginning to look and feel less like I've fallen down the stairs. My parents have been absolute champions helping with my two little kids and it's good to feel that I'm able to take over more of their care again. I can't lift them in and out of their baths or beds or put my little guy in his high chair, but can now do most other things if I take it slowly. On the whole this process hasn't been nearly as tough as I feared, though to be fair I have been fortunate to have wonderful levels of help from my husband and parents. Having informed and reasonable expectations has made all the difference mentally. Updated on 19 Nov 2015: Everything's been getting to me today! My scar is itching and prickling lots. My husband is away and my parents have been great but I feel quite guilty. My kids have been grumpy, I've got a sore toe and am trying to fight off mastitis as well. Grizzle grizzle! Back still hunched and giving me a sore neck, plus I've caught a nasty cold. Sneezing is still no fun! Right now I'm hoping to hear from people about when their swelling dropped off and when they were walking upright again? Also has anyone heard of people using diuretics to control swelling? Updated on 22 Nov 2015: My dressing started to really lift yesterday. It was meant to last around six weeks and I'm only 4 weeks today, but perhaps because I shower twice a day it hasn't held on as well. I peeled it back where it was lifting, trimmed the excess and covered the incision with the breathable sticky tape dressing we use for pretty much everything in this house from covering insect bites to mending books. Anyway, that was all fine, and the bits of scar I saw mostly looked nice and thin and clean, but the right hand end is very raised and ropey, and it's pulling quite painfully, as though it's over tensioned somehow. Has anyone experienced this? I actually feels like a piece of cord under my skin in that spot. I rang Dr Belt's rooms and they said to text him a photo, plus I've made an appointment to see the nurse tomorrow. Hopefully there's something we can do to soften and flatten it - it's definitely not pretty, as well as quite uncomfortable! In other news, swell hell continues unabated, and watching all my muscle tone melt away is a bit disheartening. Bye bye, butt! It's certainly going to be great to get back to the gym in the next few weeks. Nonetheless, this is just a little blip in the generally very good recovery I've enjoyed. I'm still grateful and pleased to have been able to have this surgery, happy with my results so far and confident they will continue to improve. Updated on 4 Feb 2016: I'll probably make this my final update. Thanks to everyone who offered me support through this process. I'm so grateful to have been able to have my surgery; there's a whole set of frustrations and discomforts that are now lifted out of my life. Dr Belt and his staff have been amazing. My scar is thin and flat and is already pretty well smoothed out. Dr Belt was absolutely meticulous in placement and it shows; I've never seen a lower scar and it's very straight. I've had a couple of little stitch abscesses, one of which had to be dug out yesterday but that's a tiny blip in a mostly smooth process. My belly button is a good shape and healing well and once the redness dissipates will look fairly natural, I think. I'm finally back fully exercising now and that's a huge relief - having my diastasis repaired has been life changing and my back pain is already better and improving steadily. If you have kids you'll need plenty of support after this surgery, but it was worth the struggle through the first weeks. Good luck! Updated on 4 Feb 2016: Just realised I forgot to post scar shots... The tape is from a little stitch abscess I had dug out yesterday - ouch! Getting it removed was worthwhile, though, as I could feel the stitch poking into me from the inside. Otherwise I don't need to use tape anymore, just scar gel.
Hi there I'm Lauren for Aus- Brisbane and undergoing my first surgery ever this come Wednesday (2/27/2013) I'm really nervous mostly about not waking up! Is this silly? Is anyone here a surgery virgin who had no complications? I'm getting round textured implants with the incision under the breast I'm currently a 32 c and getting 275 cc to go up to a DD Please any feedbAck will be more than helpful Thanks ladies Lauren Updated on 25 Feb 2013: I will be posting up a daily blog about my experiences post my operation Also pictures daily Keep in touch and please I'm really nervous so any support or advice would be really appreciated! Love Lauren x Updated on 27 Feb 2013: Hi there! Yesterday I underwent surgery for new boooobs! It's now 18 or so hours post op and I can say I'm in so so much pain. Last night I was taking my pain medication but truely felt like I was taking nothing! I was sweating perfusiveley as well as vomiting. Luckily I had help from my amazing boyfriend who woke up during the night to give me my medication I will write a blog today after seeing my surgeon Lauren x Updated on 1 Mar 2013: So today I'm 3 days post op! Feeling so much better :) I'm going to try and ween of my pain killers tomorrow I'm taking endone every 4 hours :) So worth if! No bruising and starting to get a lil itchy but all part of the heeling process Happy to answer any questions Updated on 2 Mar 2013: hi ladies, Ok so today I'm 4 days post op! Feeling so on top of the world today, and feeling as though my pain medication is actually doing something! However, I'm hoping to be completely off my medication tomorrow and I'm hoping to get behind the wheel! So my advice is > Keep up on the dot with your medication! if you are sick don't adviod your antibiotics they are very important! > Buy a boomerang pillow!- OMG i wish some one would of told me this!!!! this is an absolute life saver! totally can sleepy comfortably on my back as I'm a side sleeper! > Have some one around to help you out AND THE BEST ADVICE OF ALL THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THAT PAIN TUNNEL seriously i can confidently say that i have never been in as much pain post op days 1-2! I know how it feels to be vomitting and sweating! but you get through it! around 9-10 hours after my surgery i went back to my PS and got nausea medication Best thing i did! and remember you payed so don't be afraid to hit them up for whatever you need Please if you have any question ask me! i want to help This is a pic 4 days post op with surgery bra on! Lauren x Updated on 2 Mar 2013: Hi ladies Today I'm going to blog about Surgical compression bras My surgeon provide a surgical bra for me to wear day in and out and at night for 6 week continually. This bra is A/B cup size as it needs to be super dooper tight! Its important to wear this to insure the implants move from under you arm pits (Which is where is found most pain!) Well the issue that i had with the one the surgeon provided basically was that it was saggy, ugly and hard to wear shirts of the top! So i decided to do some research to find something that was; 1. Tighter 2. more compressive 3. more attractive 4. and lastly something that didn't rub on my incisions! So after searching the web i came across this http://www.zodee.com.au/p36365-carefix-postoperative-zip-front-bra This is the one I'm wearing in my last picture Its so compressive, tight, attractive and so so comfy It really gets and lifts the breast from under the arm and places them in a really comfy position it was 55 aus dollars with free shipping Also for a margin check out the post op range target offers! Any questions I'm happy to answer Lauren x Updated on 5 Mar 2013: Hi ladies 6 days post op and finally feeling almost 90% Off all pain medication and drove short distance today and back to work tomorrow My 2nd check up is this Thursday at 1:00pm getting my bandaids changed :) Feeling so much better! Boomerang pillow is the best advice i can give! and i sleep all the way through the night as well! Here is my a pic of my new boobs Enjoy x Updated on 18 Mar 2013: So unfortunately after changing my tape today i noticed [RS bleep] fluid coming from my right incision Something in the back of my mind said to call my surgeon ASAP, and that i did! Thank the lord that i did, and i fortunately got him while he was still in his office. After taking a swab and observing the incision, he was worried He gave me 2 types of antibiotics to take and to come back first thing in the morning I had to apply bedadin (antibacterial wash) 3 times daily. After a night, wound looked better! Today i am 19 days post op. After visiting him in his office today my pathology results came back It determined that i had a bug infection :( and if i didn't come in on that day i would have lost my implant or worse my life My surgeon is the most amazing man, and does such a great job! so this post has nothing against him. These things just happen, and unfortunalty it happened to me! However, this infection is treatable with a new anti biotic that I'm not on to stop the infection SO PLEASE GIRLS CALL YOU SURGEON FOR ANYTHING even if its simple silly question! it could potentially save your life lauren x Updated on 8 Apr 2013: Looking good girls :) they have dropped and feel completely natural so lucky to have such great results infection was surface and cleared up successfully with antibiotics! Hope i have helped people through there time of healing Lauren x Updated on 9 Jun 2013: Updated on 9 Jun 2013:
Wow, where to start?? ....I am a 42yo mother of 2 teens and after 10 years of wanting this, everything has finally fallen into place and I have my TT surgery booked for 27th May in Brisbane, Australia. I live in regional NSW so need to travel about 4 hours to Brisbane for surgery but I am so lucky to have a very supportive husband who is with me every step of the way. I had 3 referals from my GP but after meeting the second Dr, I just feel so comfortable that I am not going to see the 3rd. I am 165cm and have worked so hard over the past couple of years to get my weight down (now 69kg) but no matter what exercises I do I can't budge the flabby, overhanging belly. I would like to lose another 3 kilos before surgery & am determined to get there. Only 5 weeks to go and I am now getting a little nervous. Updated on 28 Apr 2011: Ok so here's what I am thinking..... maybe I should get my boobs done too! I have an appt with my PS on Thursday to discuss getting a BA at the same time so I guess a Mummy Makeover. Oooh I am so excited, but my brain keeps doing this 360 thing... yes get the boobs done....No don't be ridiculous.....Yes you deserve it....No its so much money....etc, etc. It is only 4 weeks to TT day and I can't believe how much this decision has consumed my brain space. I find myself on realself daily (actually a few times daily!) and still find new things to read. I will update you all on my final decision about "boobs" when I make it. Updated on 5 May 2011: 3 weeks to go. I had my pre op appt with my PS yesterday and yay, I am getting boobs too! I initially was going for just the TT. I sooo wanted BA as well but was finding it difficult to justify the cost but after much consideration and reading lots of mommy makeover reviews and talking it through with my PS - I am all booked in for 27th May for full TT with MR and BA. I signed all the paperwork yesterday and went through all the risks etc which is a bit freaky but I am soooo excited I can't wait. Only 3 weeks to go and I will have a new body. WooHoo!! I will try and organise some before shots of my boobs to include. Updated on 8 May 2011: Just added some more before photos (that include my boobs). Only 18 days to go and counting. I have started writing lists of everything I need to organise beforehand. Because I need to travel so far (4 hours) I will be away from home for a week so I feel like I have so much to do. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband he is going to take control of the house and look after me whilst I am recoverying. Well he thinks he will have control but secretly even though I may not be able to get around I will still have control. lol!!! Updated on 10 May 2011: Ok so my PS rang last night, just to check that I am doing ok and see if I have any more questions. He said he got the results of my mammogram (all good) and my ultrasound. I have a very small umbilical hernia that he is going to fix whilst he is in there so I guess thats a bonus! only 16days to go and counting. I am not actually that nervous this week just anxious to get on with it, so the whole rollercoast of emotions has already started. Updated on 15 May 2011: Updated on 18 May 2011: Only 8 days to go! Just got my compression garments (stage 1 & 2) in the mail with a note from my PS that he wants me to start wearing them now - yes thats right before surgery??? anyone heard of that? so I have put one on and boy was that an effort. This thing is so damn tight I have no idea how I am going to get it on after surgery. Feels fine once it's on but getting it on was tough even had to get hubby to help! Updated on 23 May 2011: Ok so only 3 days to go, starting to get a little nervous and thinking that maybe I haven't asked enough questions, have I rushed this, have I chosen the best doctor yada, yada yada. Very irrational thoughts I know but my mind can't seem to focus on anything else. I have checked and double checked all my lists and I am pretty confident I have everything organised but I still have that gut feeling that I have forgotten something. I am going to take a couple more before pics to post tomorrow as I have reached my goal weight (66kg/145lbs) and think it will be helpful for me to look back at where I have come from when I get that dredded swell hell and a bit depressed during recovery. Updated on 25 May 2011: So tomorrow is the day. I am as ready as I can be and just can't wait to be on the road to recovery. Thanks to everyone on this site who has answered my questions, listened through my nerves and supported me no matter what. Updated on 6 Jun 2011: Day 10 post op - glad to finally be home and I am feeling really good. Not in any pain really just a little discomfort & back ache as the day goes on. Oh & I am so over sleeping on my back. I spent 6 days in hospital which was a roller coaster ride. Day 1 was horrific, I was very nauseous & dizzy and let me tell you throwing up is excruitiating, 20 times worse than a cough which is bad enough. Didn't get much rest in hospital as the nurses had to keep checking my vitals every hour on the first night, every 3 hours on the second & then every 4 hours til I left. I am walking a little hunched over but not too bad and I am off all pain meds just taking antibiotics now. I had 4 drains (2 in tummy & 2 in breasts) Tummy ones came out day 5 & breast ones Day 6. They didn’t hurt at all which I was very nervous about. My PS saw me every morning & every evening (even through the weekend) which was great because I got all my questions answered straight away. I have posted some more photos and I can honestly say, I love my boobies (now that the swelling has gone down) & so far I am very happy with my flat tummy even with the swelling. I know so many before me have said it but this has been so worth it so far and each day gets better & better. Updated on 9 Jun 2011: Day 13 Post op. I am feeling pretty damn good. My only complaint is that sleeping on my back is driving me crazy. My back aches and this keeps me from getting any decent length of sleep. I posted some more pictures which I took yesterday. You can see in one that I have this weird bulge above my belly button. It's freaking me out a bit. My bb looks a bit creepy too but it's this freaky bulge that has me stressing a bit. I know its early days but geez I hope it doesn't stay that way. On a positive..............I love my boobies, they are exactly what I wanted so Yay for me. Updated on 14 Jun 2011: Day 19. Thanks to everyone for your comments about this bulge that is freaking me out. I took your advice and emailed some photos to my PS. He called and wants to see me. He doesn't think it looks like a seroma and feels with some massage and time it will settle down but to be on the safe side he would like to see me to assess it. So I am off to Brisbane (5 hours drive) next Tuesday. But I would rather do this than spend the next 5 weeks until my next appointment stressing about it. Updated on 16 Jun 2011: So the last 24 hours has been an adventure. Yesterday morning my PS calls and says he was worried all night about my belly "bulge" and really didn't want to wait until next Tues to see me but wanted to see me immediately. He asked me to get up (it was only 7am) eat breakfast, throw an overnight bag together and head to his surgery in Brisbane. (5 hours drive away!). He said do not eat anything after breakfast as it was quite possible I would be going back into surgery that night! Well obviously I did what he asked, I am so lucky my husband works from home so he could come with me for support. As you can imagine the 5 hour car trip was not good, I was so nervous, scared, apprehensive and all those other bad feelings. We arrived at the surgery and within 10 minutes I was with my PS. The outcome was a mix of good news and some not so good news. Good News - the bulge was not fluid build-up, I did not have any infection and there was no need for me to go back to surgery immediately. Not so good news - in 3-6 months I will need to have revision surgery to correct the bulge. He is going to re-cut my under breast incisions and do a tummy uplift. Good news - I wont have any additional scars. Not so good news - I will have to go through surgery and recovery all over again. Good news - it will not cost me a cent, he will cover everything. I had a long discussion with my PS and I am confident that there is nothing he could have done to prevent this bulge, I just have a lot of loose skin above my BB that just couldn't be completely fixed by pulling my skin down. I still think he is a fantastic PS and I still look 1000% better than I did before, I just need to prepare myself for the fact that it is going to take a little bit longer than I thought to get that body of mine back. We arrived back home at abut 11.30pm last night and to be honest it all seems like a bit of a blur still. Updated on 1 Jul 2011: 5 weeks post op today!! Overall I am feeling really good. I am finally sleeping on my side and it is reasonably comfortable. I am getting used to my new boobs and loving them. As for my TT - from my bb down I am very happy, sooo flat I cant quite believe it. But I am still a little disapointed in the 'bulge' above my bb but I am back to my PS in 2 weeks for a check up and to discuss a date for my revision. The bulge has gone down a bit but not enough for my liking. I have added some updated pics from today, even one of me in a bikini! not great but so much better than before my TT.I just need to be patient I guess. I still feel the swelling and can notice that it is much worse later in the day. I am still wearing my stage 2 garment 24/7 and my binder of a night. They are not worrying me at all, I actually like the feeling of being secure & tight. I have not really got back to any regular exercise yet, just some odd walks here & there which I am finding really hard. I miss my morning boot camp sessions and can feel my fitness going down hill. But I am sticking to my PS instructions and so only have a week left before I can start back into it. Updated on 19 Jul 2011: 7& 1/2 Weeks post-op. I had my 6 week post-op appt with my PS yesterday and everything went really well. He is happy with how I am healing and gave me the go ahead to get back into exercise (best news ever!!). He advised that i start back slowly and let my body tell me when its ready to ramp it up. He also said I can stop wearing the garment and just put it back on during the first 2 weeks of exercise if I feel like I am swelling and need it. I also got the clearnace for underwire bras which is so fantastic because I am so over this post-op straight jacket, horrible looking thing. Now I just need to get fitted again properly cos my old bras are way to small - yay!! As for my revision, he discussed a few options with me and basically the best option is for me to have a 'reverse TT' to address the bulge, floppy / lax skin in my upper abdomen. He can do this procedure using the same incision lines I have from my BA. Although he does want me to wait until I am at least 6 months post-op but maybe even 12 months so as to give my body time to recover from this op before subjecting it to another. This is a bummer but it does make perfect sense, I am just a little down about having to wait so long for my new body when I was so looking forward to a bikini body this summer. I also got clearance to start scar therapy. He gave me some silicone scar gel and wants me to alternate this with Bio Oil a few times a day. So last night I slept without my garment and it felt so strange that I got up at 2am and put it back on!! I got up at 6am and went for a brisk walk / jog for about 40 minutes and that felt so good. I got back from my exercise, showered and put on my scar gel. I have been garment free for most of the day and am a little swollen but not too bad. So overall today feels like the start of the next chapter in this process but it does feel so good to be getting back to normal again. I hope to take some updated pics on Friday (8 weeks) and post them for you all to see.
The procedure itself may have been fine and his bed side manner, though stiff was professional. However I was VERY disappointed in their decision to leave my facial stitches in for 12 days. ? What? (how was I to know better) Yes typically facial sutures are removed at 7days maximum. I have been left with very pronounced suture scars. Also I was given no after-care handouts either on the day of the procedure or on the day of having my stitches out. Having to go from memory was hard and i was not informed how long i was meant to leave the bandage on before i could replace it with a fresh one and so on removing it too soon i tore a scab and now have a large dent where it was. Overall perhaps there will be a slight improvement years from now when it fades but the time it has taken to heal and the money and the stress i am not sure yet if it was worth doing. (note. i can not remember the actual date of my appointment or the exact cost. it was in March some time, so it has been 8 months approximately and 600 is a close estimate for the scar removal + ($200 for botox))
