I am 5’5, weigh 174 and 28 years old. With my first pregnancy my highest weight was 211. I lost down to 143lb and had my second son and got up to 208lb. I’ve been around 165-175 for the past 2 years. I run 3 miles 3-4 times per week. I have excess skin and stubborn fat in my midsection. I’m so ready to get rid of it! I’m nervous for the surgery and recovery, I am an RN and expecting to take around 3-4 weeks off from work. Updated on 13 Feb 2020: I arrived at the surgery center at 630. My surgery was at 730 and I left by 1130. The staff were extremely nice I was preopped quickly and only remember being wheeled in the OR and then waking up to walk to the bathroom. The pain has been pretty brutal with trying to get up and sit down but is manageable once I am all propped with pillows. I was sent home with an abdominal binder on, Percocet and an antibiotic. The Percocet has dulled the pain some but the tightness and burning is still very evident. Hoping for a good nights rest in my recliner and a better day tomorrow. Haven’t got to see my tummy yet definitely looking forward to that. Updated on 14 Feb 2020: I can’t shower until tomorrow but my binder was super loose so I opened it to adjust and tighten it. I snapped a quick picture. Needing my Percocet around the clock. I have 2 drains they have been putting around 25-30ml out. I’m comfortable in the recliner, only been up to use the bathroom with the help of my husband. Updated on 15 Feb 2020: Had my first shower sitting on a stool. I’m very weak but feeling a lot better than yesterday. Got all my bandages changed with the help of my husband and got to see my tummy! So happy with the results already although I’m very swollen. Updated on 16 Feb 2020: Feeling great this morning! I slept in my bed last night and felt amazing. Still taking Percocet every 6 hours. I was able to shower alone this morning sitting on a stool. I washed my hair too! Changed all my dressings and washed my binder. I put a little makeup on and my husband blow dried my hair. I started my period yesterday so that sucked but I’m a lot more energetic today. I don’t feel that swollen and am so happy with my results! Updated on 17 Feb 2020: No pictures today, but a great day of progress. I did a short shower on my own standing and my husband helped me change my dressings. I have more energy today and have cut my pain medicine down to half. I even went on a little field trip out of the house for ice cream. My drain output is slowing down. I hope to have them out on my appointment on Thursday! I feel like I’m standing up about 90% straight. Bruising and lots of soreness on my flanks from the liposuction. Getting up and down is becoming less painful and easier each day! One thousand percent happy I got this surgery done can not wait to see my full results once I am healed. Updated on 18 Feb 2020: Feeling better each day gonna start using arnica cream on my bruises. I got a shower this morning and have fixed my lunch. Trying to get my strength back in. Going to take in more proteins and vitamins. Hoping to have my drains out on Thursday. Output is still dropping around 15ml twice a day. Updated on 18 Feb 2020: I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair and liposuction 5 days ago. The staff and everyone were so nice. I am still so swollen but my tummy looks amazing, flat, and so natural! Can’t wait to see my full results! Updated on 19 Feb 2020: It’s been 6 days since surgery and I am feeling great today. I showered, washed and dried my hair, curled it and put makeup on. I am standing up 99% straight. Tomorrow is my postop appointment and I’m looking forward to getting my drains removed and out of this abdominal binder and into my compression garment. Energy is getting a lot better feeling over 50% of myself again. I don’t regret this surgery at all. Looking forward to being healed and enjoying new outfits and swimsuits. Updated on 21 Feb 2020: Had my first postop appointment yesterday and got both drains removed, and sutures removed from my belly button. Wearing high waisted spanks instead of the binder now! Wearing jeans today ! Got the okay to drive and moderate activity no excerise. Updated on 27 Feb 2020: I’m 2 weeks out today. I am feeling a lot more energized. Only taking Advil as needed. Still having to put antibiotic ointment and gauze on my incision but hopefully it will be completely healed soon. I absolutely love my results and for the first time in my life look forward to wearing a bikini and going to the beach! Updated on 26 Mar 2020: Today marks 6 weeks. I am feeling great! Only a little tenderness on rare occasion. Went back to work at 4 weeks and am gonna start exercising regularly again. I’ve only been walking and jogging a little. So happy with my results!
I absolutely love this website. This site has definitely inspired me to begin my plastic surgery journey by setting up my consultation. I’m a wife and mother of two. I have always been big busted which I’ve never mind until after I had my babies and these girls started to just drop like droopy jaws lol. Then the shoulder pain, boobies hitting me in the face while I exercise, finding the right bra size you name it. Anyways.... then after two c-section deliveries my belly is left with a kangaroo pouch. I hide behind my clothes constantly because of course I still pregnant after almost two years of having my last baby.
Dr. Runnels did an amazing job on my breast reduction. I have complaints. He explained everything up front and put my mind at ease. Afterwards, there was pain but it subsided in about 2 days. I was back at work 5 days afterwards, since I have a desk job. Great experience. I tell everyone about him. It's been 7 years since my surgery and I'm still just as pleased as I was in Nov 2010.
Breast cancer was my motivation. I removed any higher risk of the cancer becoming a part of me. 1 week post op. 385cc on each. After surgery watch your incisions and diet. Do not think its okay to eat whatever. You will be miserable. Allow those babies to breath. Keeping them covered for extended amount of time will only prolong your incision to heal. Antibacterial soap while showering.
I have really large breasts (but so does most everyone else in this forum) and a fairly small frame. I recently lost about #60 and my frame just can't hold it all up anymore. My insurance approved a BR for shoulder grooving, back neck and shoulder pain, and numbness in my arms. My surgeon anticipates I will be a full B or small C. I guess we'll only know that for sure when it's over. I don't have my heart set on a certain size. I'm just ready to feel better so whatever size I get I'll be happy with. He does say that I will likely need a free nipple graft. All will be revealed tomorrow. Hard to believe after a year long process of getting approved the day is finally less than 12 hours away. Updated on 11 Aug 2014: I am 3 days post op today and feel great. I have no pain, just some itching and a little discomfort. My back, neck and shoulder pain has virtually disappeared. I sleep better and I can already say that I am happy that I have had this done. I will go back to the surgeon today for a follow-up and to have the drains removed. I thought that changing the dressings would be hard for me and that I would have trouble adapting to the way that I look, but that is not the case. I did get a little lightheaded when I was changing the dressing the first day (I had some help), but I love the way they look. I anticipate that I will be a C cup when it's all said and done. I do plan to post some photos this week, especially of the free nipple graft. I wasn't able to find much information about the graft when I was looking on this site before. Updated on 25 Aug 2014: I will be 3 weeks post op on Thursday of this week (today is Monday) and I feel better every day. I returned to work last week on light duty and can tell a huge difference this week in my energy levels. Lots of people notice that something is "different" but not many are bold enough to ask. ha. ha. This is, hands down, the best thing I've ever done. My results are looking better everyday too!! I was apprehensive about posting photos here, but I've been helped so much by looking at the posts of others on this site that I couldn't NOT do it. Updated on 26 Aug 2014: My first comment in recovery (I was rather drunken on the effects of the anesthesia) to my husband was that I had itty bitty [RS bleep] now! And wow! Look at how high my nipples are. For the last few weeks this has been fodder for a great deal of jesting by my daughters who are each a size A or B cup. They inform me that my swollen D's which are likely to end up a full C do not qualify for this exclusive club. sigh. oh well. They still seem itty bitty to me..... and coming off the G cup I will probably forever call them that. Updated on 30 Aug 2014: Today is Saturday and these photos were taken this morning. I was 3 weeks post op on Thursday (2 days ago) There's a big difference in the appearance (to me) between the last set of photos and this one so I wanted to go ahead and post some more. I've done alot of healing this week!! yay. You may notice that one of my breasts is visibly healing slower and is noticeably larger. It still has more bruising on the stitch line and has generally been slower to heal than the other. This breast also had much more drainage during the first week (when I had drains still) than the other. I'm told this is normal and the breasts should even out. Hope so :) It's been a good week as far as my energy levels but I have had some discomfort. I think that I have pushed myself too much trying to get caught up at home and work from when I was off with my surgery. I've noticed more swelling, itching, and overall discomfort later in the day. I'm going to try to take it easier this week. Went bra shopping for some more comfortable bras yesterday with my daughter. I found several that I didn't buy that had underwire, but I just had to try them on. I'm anxious to see what size I will be :) I cannot fit a D they are just way too big, so it's looking like a C right now. yay!! I'm sure there will be more settling etc, but i'm just a wee bit impatient. Also, thank you so much for all the positive feedback and sweet comments. I've also had some wonderful private messages. Updated on 4 Sep 2014: Just an updated photo at 4 weeks. Healing nicely. Will see the PS on Monday. Updated on 9 Sep 2014: I had my one month follow-up yesterday (I will be 5 weeks post operative on Thursday). PS was very happy with my progress and prescribed the silicone sheets for me to start. He also wants me in a supportive bra with under-wire for work (as soon as I can handle it.) They are high and tight now, but gravity is a force at work against us all I suppose. 6 weeks of scar therapy and then I go back in early November. I can't do the under wire yet, but will continue with the good support bras I use currently without the wire. I've also noticed recently that I had gotten into the habit of holding my shoulders forward and hunching over as a mechanism to hide the size of my breasts (as if) prior to my BR. It is now taking me a real effort to remember to hold my shoulders up and not do this. I never even noticed that I did that before, but a friend at work has told me several times since the BR to stand up straight. Updated on 10 Sep 2014: I didn't address this in my previous posts, and here I am 1 month post operative on the BR, but I wanted to touch on a subject that (possibly) other people may be dealing with. I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in 2011. Let me just be clear from the start that I am very very fortunate as I am one of a small percentage of people who have no organ involvement. My Lupus consists of 4 of 11 symptoms and is accompanied by Fibromyalgia and a pretty severe case of Reynaud's Syndrom. Obviously, we can't know what the future holds, but today and the right here and now is good. Thanks be to God. When I got diagnosed in 2011, I did extensive research into non-traditional and alternative treatments and lifestyle changes. Using a combination of these things, the result was improvement in my Lupus related symptoms, including relief from the Fibromyalgia, improved health overall, and a weight loss of around 60#. The weight loss is one reason that I ended up needing the breast reduction as I no longer was able to support the weight of the boobage. Last year I had quite a scare when I had a total hysterectomy and ended up being readmitted to the hospital with an unexplained temperature spike and required an additional 3 days of IV antibiotics. No one ever said this was Lupus related, but I felt very strongly that it probably was and my OB/GYN just didn't have enough experience with autoimmune disorders to say one way or another. I had not thought to keep my rheumatologist informed, so she was out of the loop as well. In hindsight, she does feels that it could have been related but we're just not sure. So for my BR, I was determined to address this on the front end. I worked very closely with both my rheumatologist and my PS prior to my BR. All of my doctors, including my internist, were informed and kept in the loop about this surgery. I spent the week prior to BR on a 7 day dosage of oral antibiotics. I had the normal antibiotic shot the day of surgery and went home with a script for 7 more days of oral antibiotics post-surgery. I was very worried about doing this as antibiotics are known triggers for lupus flares. No problems though. Today at my rheumatologist followup I received news that all of my targets/markers are normal and bloodwork looked good. It seems that I had no adverse effects from the surgery or the antibiotics. If you have an autoimmune disorder and are considering this surgery, just know that you may need to take some special precautions for your condition and work closely with ALL of your doctors. Just a note: This is what worked for me. Blessings Ya'll. Updated on 13 Sep 2014: These are my 5 week photos. I'm happy with the healing. My leftie is still larger than my right. That may or may not resolve itself. I hope it does, but am happy regardless. Blessings!!! Updated on 15 Sep 2014: These are the Biodermis silicone scar sheets. I began using these on Friday night. I have very reactive skin and had to use the blue paper tape made for sensitive skin, when I was padding my breasts in the first couple of weeks. The tape was pretty hard-going for me, and it's made for sensitive skin...... so you can imagine what the silicone is doing to my skin. These things make me itch like crazy by the end of the day. I can also feel a slight heat underneath. So far no rash or reactions. I am watching very closely for signs that this is too harsh for me. In the meantime, I took a Benadryl last night and it really helps with the itching. Even by the end of the work day it was much better today. I know that my window to use these is limited, so I want to make it work, if I can. AND they were expensive. Any advice about using these??? Updated on 17 Sep 2014: The PS said I could probably handle underwire his early and he was right. I love my new bras! Got 2 at Dillard's with matching panties. Nude and dark grey. Wacoal in a 36C. I'm pretty sure if I continue to lose weight and have to go down a band size I will probably be a D cup then. For now through I'm liking being a C. Updated on 18 Sep 2014: Just a couple of photos for update. Today was my 6 weeks post op anniversary. Updated on 22 Sep 2014: I am six weeks post operative and I felt like most of my bruising and swelling is gone. I had several days last week where I wasn't even aware of my breasts. Meaning that they weren't uncomfortable, itchy (even with the scar sheets), or feeling weird. The FNG and loss of sensation does take some getting used. This is what I mean by feeling weird. Anyway.....today I notice that my breasts are the same size again. I can't figure out if the swelling is down on the left side or the right side has just joined the party. Either way the swelling issue is shifting gears and there are some pings and aches in the scar lines on my sides that I did not have issue with previously. Maybe the nipples have healed more and when they were healing I didn't notice that so much??? Who knows..... I just know that healing is certainly not done at the 6 week mark. I can sleep on my side (pre BR I couldn't sleep on my side as it made my arm numb) with no problems, and I've always been a back-sleeper - but no tummy sleeping yet. Let the healing commence :) Also - just a note about the scar sheets. Cortizone makes a roll-on anti-itch gel that has saved my life. I can't put it on the silicone sheets - but I roll it on the skin just outside the scar sheet. It seems to calm down all the itchiness. I don't know how, but it's working. (it might be a mental thing). who knows? who cares? It's working. Blessings ya'll! Updated on 24 Sep 2014: I think protein is a big part of why I healed so successfully and quickly. just wanted to share a couple of my shake recipes. I have one of these every morning without fail. Peanut Butter Banana 2 scoops PB2 powder 1 banana frozen 2 scoops vanilla protein powder 1 cup unsweetened plain or vanilla almond milk Chocolate 2 scoops PB2 Chocolate powder 2 scoops chocolate protein powder 1 cup dark chocolate almond milk 1 banana frozen enjoy!! Updated on 25 Sep 2014: I will be two weeks into using the silicone scar sheets tomorrow (Friday). There's a good bit of redness along the scar line from nipple to T-Junction. This is due to my reaction to the silicone in the sheets. I guess it's a good thing I didn't have an augmentation done with silicone implants. no telling how my body would have reacted to that. I am happy with the way my scars are responding to the sheets and I'm just going to soldier on. 4 more weeks of these sheets to go!! I do hope my nipples will lighten up with time. Not sure. Most everything I read about FNG says that there is loss of pigment. Right now they are darker than what I started with. Leftie is still bigger than rightie most days (including today). ??????blessings ya'll. Updated on 25 Sep 2014: Updated on 25 Sep 2014: Updated on 25 Sep 2014: Updated on 2 Oct 2014: I am 8 weeks Post Op today! I am 1/2 way done with my silicone scar sheets. Just 3 more weeks of that to go, but I can say that 3 weeks into it I can really tell a difference in the scars. Sorry the photo is a little dark. We are having a huge storm here. Blessings ya'll! Updated on 2 Oct 2014: I have struggled since about week 2 with the size of my breasts being different. It's not a huge difference and doesn't bother me too much, but still..... you know what I mean here. It's there. So I also noticed that when I was applying my scar sheets that the scar lines sit differently so I used a drinking straw to determine where my breast fold sits on the wall of my chest. They sit differently on my chest wall, so maybe the boobs aren't that different after all :) lol Updated on 8 Oct 2014: I'm really starting to see a change in my scar from using the silicone sheets. I still itch like crazy but I'm determined to tough it out. Lots of settling has occurred and leftie is larger still. On a positive note....I love them still. They are so much better than before. Updated on 15 Oct 2014: I am 10 weeks post op this week, but decided to lay off the graphic photos for a couple more weeks in the hope that I would see a much more dramatic change. Pre-BR I would never have worn this type of hoodie. I always felt that the boobs were so huge it made any graphics across the chest into a billboard. Not anymore!!! I found this in my kid's closet. She wasn't wearing it anymore because she doesn't like the kangaroo-style pockets. So it's mine now; and it's a unisex size L. Not a 2X!! So Yay me!! and Geaux Tigers!! Updated on 5 Nov 2014: Updated on 13 Nov 2014: So here's the update. I was not discharged, as I thought I'd be. He is happy with the results and the healing of my scars, but I am to continue to use the Biodermis Scar Sheets and return to him in February at the 6 month mark. The scars in the middle of my chest are thicker than he would like and he wants to see them again in 3 months. This may resolve itself, but if not we will talk options then. Overall, however, we are both pleased and I am so happy that I had this done! Blessings! Updated on 12 Feb 2015: I'm due for an appointment next week for the 6 month mark. Hopefully he'll discharge me. I will post more then just photos today. ??
I'm 62. I had a pretty substantial weight gain- and then loss - five or so years ago. In order for my belly to shrink, I lost way too much weight everywhere else. I worked to gain back some weight, and began to interview PS for surgery. I believe I found the correct one (Scott Runnels in Jackson MS) because my surgery has been a real breeze compared to what I read on this forum. I reacted badly to pain meds, so stopped taking them on second day. Found I really did not need them. Movement was uncomfortable, of course, and I had some trouble getting out of bed. I learned to roll off the bed, rather than trying to lift myself out. :) I'm sure it was a pretty funny sight. I had good care from my family. I have pretty much been able to be "off" for these three weeks. I know that is one reason I have done so well. But if I had been working at a desk job, I could have gone back even before the two week mark. I still have a drain, even at three weeks, and that would have difficult to manage while working, but I know there are folks on this site who have given good advice about hiding the drain. I am still wearing the binder, or if I need to dress for the public, one of several spanx type garments. I find I like the ones that let me wear my own bra under it. The ones that have a bra in them also compress my breasts. Ow! I encourage anyone who is afraid they can't stand the pain, must rent a hospital bed, etc, to also consider my story, and that of several others I've seen here. We have not had violent pain, and are encouraged that we are going to love the results! It just takes time.
I got my decade long wish of FINALLY being proportional. He gave me honest opinions about everything, answered my questions, calmed my concerns. His portfolio online is great, his nurses were wonderful and calmed my nerves and even told me how he did some of their work and they were happy. Would do again!
Ok so, I am 32, Momma to 3, breastfed all, 95 lbs, 32aa. I have been thinking of having breast implants since I was about sixteen. In my twenties, I was more confident and still had ok boobs.then I hit thirty and breastfed my last baby for eighteen months.after that, girls, there is nothing left.I have always been a little insecure, but the older my children get, the worse it is.I dread bikini season every year and my hubby has decided I need to do it for me!! After following this site, I have decided I would like to have 375cc, under the muscle, silicone gel, gummy bears. My first consult is with Dr. Runnels in Jackson, MS on May 13th. I am super excited and nervous too. Unlike a lot of girls on here, everyone knows I am having them done, and everyone is supportive. supportive hubby has to run the business, so my mom will be going with me for the appointment. It is scheduled for that afternoon, so I will try to post after the appointment. Updated on 12 May 2013: Well you guys, my appointment is tomorrow and I can hardly wait!! I posted a before pic even though it will be a while before surgery. I will let y'all know how it goes!! I am too excited to sleep!! Updated on 12 May 2013: Alright girlies, what do I need to take with me to my pre op appointment? I am wearing a comfy Sun dress because I have to drive like three hours to get there and I want to be comfortable. I thought I might need to take like a sports bra and tank top or short sleeve shirt to try on sizes with. Anything else? Any questions you wish you had asked?! Thanks in advance!! Updated on 14 May 2013: Ok so here is my update. Went to the consult yesterday and did not find out good news. I am dealing with it, but really need some support right now. Apparently because of my fibromyalgia I may not be able to get gummy bears because they may be contraindicated for my condition. I really did not want saline because of my lack of tissue to cover them. Also, my PS says he does not think I can go as big as I wanted. He suggests more along the lines of 300cc to get me to a mid c cup which is the after size I would like to be. He says he will try to fit as much in as possible, but the size I wanted is not worth the complications that may come with it. I know in my head he is right, but my heart was set on that number, you know.... I think as long as I will be a c cup that's ok, what do y'all think? I honestly could have fallen off the bench when he said 280-300!! I know I don't have much skin, but I also know how it stretches. He is the surgeon and I know he does great work so I think I should trust him, but I am afraid of being disappointed. I looked at those sizes last night on here, and I liked what I saw. Maybe I am being paranoid... Btw pre op is July 6, surgery July 11, and post op July 16 Updated on 29 May 2013: Alright Girlies, here is my update....first I would like to thank all those people who have responded to questions and written their own stories!! Without y'all, I don't know what I would do!! I have been trying to stay busy so that time will pass faster. Last night I did the tally, and I am six weeks from today for my surgery!! Yay!! Cannot wait! Question...do you think I can wear a sports bra like bikini top at the end of July? When is it ok to swim? Thanks you guys!! Updated on 14 Jun 2013: Yay!! So excited today because I talked to my PS office this morning and he has given me the all clear for surgery with the gummy bear implants I wanted!!! Yay!!!! I go for my pre op July 3 and [RS bleep] just became real yall!! I guess in the back of my mind I was thinking that I would not be cleared for surgery and knew I did not want to have saline so I kept kinda thinking that I may not be able to go through with it. Fibromyalgia be damned!! Momma is gettin boobies!!! Updated on 22 Jun 2013: I am now about 18 days from surgery and have been smoke free for four days!!! Yeah!!! I did not use any meds because I have fibromyalgia and a lot of meds interfere with my fibro med. I went cold turkey! After seventeen years of smoking, I am finally smoke free and cannot believe it! I went from almost a pack a day to nothing at all! Bring on the boobies!! Updated on 28 Jun 2013: This is my surgical bra that the doctors office recommended....sexy, huh!! I wanted to post some more before pics. My surgery is twelve days from today and I am not through remodeling yet!! Going to paint now!! Much love!! Updated on 1 Jul 2013: Ok you guys, I have to go for my pre op on Wednesday, July 3, so on that day I will meet with my anesthesiologist, and do my blood work. Does anyone know what blood work will be done?? I mean like what tests will be run that kind of thing? My sister has now completely freaked me out by reminding me that her mother in law almost died right after surgery from her boob job like she actually flat lined!! What the crap!!! Like seriously! Why would you tell someone that!!! I know she might be jealous, I mean, I get it, ok!! Don't try to scare me, jeez man!! I just think this is a very hard decision anyway, but to be intentionally freakdd out like that, just ugh!! I am kinda having a tough time knowing that my hubby will not be with me for surgery. I knew he could not shut down the business, but now that surgery is in a few days, it makes me a bit sad and anxious. Then with my sister going all non supportive psycho on me, I am kinda feeling like crap. Anyways, happy healing and keep your head up chickies!! Updated on 5 Jul 2013: So I went to my pre op on Wednesday. I met with the anesthesiologist and my doctors nurse to get my final blood work then met with the money lady. Surprisingly, I was actually in there f for about two hours! Everyone was super relaxed since it was a surgery day and I got to get more insight into my doctor and why he does the things he does. That is Awesome! If you want to know the down and dirty on your doctor, talk to the ladies he works with!! Turns out my doc is a super perfectionist! Not in a bad way, though!! He just wants everything to be as perfect as he can make it! He pays special attention to minor details. I don't think I could ask for better in my plastic surgeon. In the surgery instructions they give the family, they tell the family sometimes surgery takes longer than expected due to his driving need for perfection and not to be upset if it takes a while longer because you would want the same courtesy if you were in the OR! I think that is Awesome!! His bedside manner is more clinical than fuzzy, warm and that is fine with me because I have worked with doctors in the past and can understand that sometimes they are actually more introverts than extroverts. It is extremely gratifying to know I chose properly and the ladies he works with have nothing but high praise for his work! Stats one more time: 5'4, 95 lbs, 32aa, will be getting between 250-300cc and have changed from gummy bears to round silicon gels, don't know if HP or MP yet. Surgery date: July 11th Updated on 9 Jul 2013: I am two days from surgery. I cannot find the pillow with arms! Can anyone tell me where they got theirs? My whole body hurts with the trauma of losing a family member...He was not even thirty yet, one beautiful little girl left behind not to mention a tight knit family that is devastated. He was an addict. I don't know any more helpless feeling than to know someone is slowly killing themselves in front of you and there is nothing you can do but watch. He was a wonderful person and great to be around, but would not get help or let us help. He kept insisting there was no problem. He was found dead Monday morning. Funeral is tomorrow. I feel alternately numb and then too much. I cannot stop crying. I cannot find a happy place. This man was like my little brother and my husband's best friend. I am completely undone....prayers requested please. Thank you in advance... Updated on 12 Jul 2013: Hello everyone! Had surgery yesterday. Pain is not intolerable, but trying to get out of bed is really funny. I will post new pics in just a minute...more later. Updated on 17 Jul 2013: Everything is going well. Healing is just fine though my left scar is a bit raised, the PS says it will lay down in time. Went shopping after my post op appointment yesterday and I overdid it! Today I am paying the price for sure!! Very sore and swollen today. I keep forgetting I am only a few days out of surgery! I should actually make it to a d cup when I can be sized!! Yay! Updated on 17 Jul 2013: Updated on 26 Jul 2013: Loving my new boobs! Trying on clothes is so much fun! Updated on 27 Jul 2013: Heya girls! I am still having lots of fun with my new twins! I had to go buy a new swim suit because the old triangle tips looked like stickers and only covered my nipples! Lol! I do not have one top I can wear! I could never wear the bandeau tops before because I did not have anything to put in them, and now I am falling out! Ha! I got three different tops to go with some bottoms I already had. They are perfect. Just fyi wear your sunscreen! It kinda hurts when the new girls get too much Sun! That's ok cuz these babies have a tan now! Yay!!I no longer have morning boob at all and just a little tightness in the muscles leading to my arms. The incisions are a bit sore still so no underwire bras yet, but that's ok! I am loving the hot colors of bandinis and bandeau from Wal-Mart! They are cheap and comfy and go great under tanks with shorts! I live in Mississippi and y'all, it is HOT! Like 115 with heat index in the shade! We are having a really cool spell right now so highs are only in the mid 90's which is totally great because you can still look cute and your make up stays put instead of landing in a puddle somewhere around your neck! Will post more pics later! Love y'all! Updated on 5 Aug 2013: Hey ladies! Sorry, it has been awhile! I have been getting the kids ready to go back to school and trying to get back in a routine. I am still loving my new girls! They are getting softer as time goes on. My nipples are super extremely sensitive, though!! Like to the point of feeling bruised all the time! I almost feel like it is the first week of breast feeding a new born, but it's like that all the time!! Does anyone else have this going on?? That is my only complaint so far and this week, my incisions have started burning. I am going to post new pics too! Please ask questions if you got em!! Updated on 22 Aug 2013: Hello all!!I have sincerely missed you guys! So the painful nipple sensation is finally gone! I have no problems lifting or doing any of my daily chores. I can safely lift 50lbs. I know because that's how much my youngest child weighs! My boobies are now super soft and squishy. I have an appointment tomorrow for a follow-up. Just to recap my stats 32years old, approximately 97 lbs, 32aa-32d bra size, 350cc Natrelle high profile silicone gel implants, under the muscle I can fit in some 34c bras, but they are not supportive because the band width is too large for my small frame. I actually only measure 28 inches around my rib cage so if I could find a 30dd bra I think it would fit better.
Since January 2008, I have lost 103 pounds of fat and gained some muscle. The weight has come off slowly since I am a Type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetic, but that's fine with me. I think it has a better chance of staying off. As the weight came off, my abdomen began to protrude, especially on the left side of my navel. Scar tissue from insulin injections. I also developed the hanging apron. I would joke that I would need surgery one day to "fix" this, but never really considered it. Now I wear an insulin pump and for the past 7 months, I've been having difficulty wearing infusion sites in my abdomen due to the loose skin and scar tissue. After discussing with my family, my endo MD & NP, and the PS I chose, it seems like this will help me in the long run. I know I won't be able to use my abdomen for awhile, but down the road is better than not at all. What's funny is I never even realized the "cosmetic" aspect of it until my husband and I were picking up some postop pajamas. He said, just think how many inches you will lose in one day. I had never even thought about it. I wore a one piece swimsuit last year for the first time in 6 years and to think that one day I could actually wear a two piece - wow. It's funny because I went into this just with the idea that I was going to help myself in the future with my diabetes, but I will gain so much more. I'm now saying that my transformation will be complete. Right now I'm anxious due to anesthesia, the wound itself and possibly complications. I'm worried because I have taken time off work - 3 weeks- and I don't even call in when I don't feel well. But, everyone at work has been very supportive. My husband is awesome. He is off the week of surgery, which is scheduled July 3rd. Also, my mom, who is also a nurse, works weekends, but she has taken the two weekends after surgery off, so she will be moving in for a couple weeks to help . I'm also very stressed because I won't be able to exercise the way I do now. Which will be good for my body to rest itself, but exercise is what has changed my life - for the better. So, I will be so ready to get back to it once I'm able to. I started in January 2008 weighing 278 lbs with 56% bodyfat and I currently weigh in at 175-178 with 29% bodyfat. My goal weight is 165, so I'm close enough to proceed at this time. So, here's to using this site as more encouragement and support to get through this. I'm adding my before and my 100 pound off photos and will add the before surgery photos as soon as I can. Updated on 27 Jun 2012: Tomorrow morning is my preop visit. I believe I have all the necessary postop supplies at home. Paid in full. I am starting to get very excited. Going to spend the weekend getting my house good and clean. Also going to spend a little time taking all the photos of my belly that I didn't like for people to see. I guess since it won't be there anymore, I better get them while I can. I can't believe it's only 6 days away now. It really helps coming to this site and reading updates and others experiences. The support here is awesome. The support I'm getting from everyone else is awesome as well. I guess the final countdown has begun. Updated on 28 Jun 2012: Pre Op is over and done with. Got all of my final instructions today. Wow. This morning on the drive to the office, I think it actually sunk in that it's here. I still have alot to do to prep my house and just be as organized and ready as I can be. I am overwhelmed by the support I am getting from family and friends. It's so awesome to have such wonderful people in my life. As scared and anxious as I am, I feel like if I believe everything "bad" will happen to me, then it'll be alot easier once I crossover to the flat side. Updated on 2 Jul 2012: Less than 24 hours I will be on the flat side. Oh my! I can't believe it is finally here. It truly kind of snuck up on me. It's almost like I've been in an out of body experience the past week just getting my house ready. Spent some time getting some final pictures of my girth in this morning. I can't believe this bane will be gone forever. I don't know what else I could of done to prepare myself. I'm still scared and nervous, but very excited at this point. I'm looking forward to September - once a couple months have passed, I'm sure I'll be feeling better and hopefully will be very happy with the results. Updated on 4 Jul 2012: Well, it's been almost 24 hours since I went into surgery. Everything yesterday went without a hitch. The surgeon and other staff were awesome! He said he removed a "foot and a half" of mostly skin and scar tissue. Said I didn't have alot of subcutaneous fat. He also did "light lipo" on my flanks to give me a better contoured look. I can't wait to see the results. The recovery nurse and PS couldn't believe how well I was doing when I woke up. So far, I'm taking my pain meds on schedule every 4 hours for the first 48. I'm "living" in one of those reclining chairs that actually lifts you up as well. As long as I'm in the right position I don't hurt too bad, but getting in and out of it to go to the bathroom sucks. My wonderful husband and mom are with me. I hate asking for help with anything on a regular day, but right now I'm giving in and being a little less independent. Hopefully later today i can see my abdomen. My mom saw it last night giving me the lovenox injection. I couldn't tell anything cause I was lying back in the chair. She said I looked very thin - cant wait. Updated on 5 Jul 2012: Saw my new stomach for the first time. I love it! I can't believe how good it looks. Pretty swollen but what a difference. I have a couple pics but haven't gotten to the computer to upload yet. Yesterday I pretty much slept on and off. Couldn't pay attention to the tv or my book. Very short attention span, but I'm attributing that to the pain meds. Going to space them out more starting today. Luckily, my pain has not been too bad but that's because I got on a med schedule as soon as I got home. Updated on 13 Jul 2012: Well, my second postop appt is today. I can't believe I haven't been on my computer in almost 2 weeks. Needless to say, when my PS told me to be still and let my body heal, I took his words seriously. I came home the day of surgery and propped up in the recliner and started my pain med schedule immediately. The only time I got up was to go to the bathroom. The only time I opened the binder was when it was time for a dressing change. I have even been using my grandmother's wheeled walker to assist in the 10 steps it takes to get to the bathroom. So, I gave up my independence and let my husband and mom help me. At my first appt on Tuesday, he said he couldn't believe how fast I was healing and how good the incision looked. He even pulled out his own pre-op photos taken in the office and said he couldn't believe how good I looked and that I may set a record for fastest healing. Being a Type 1 diabetic, I was thrilled to hear this and we did do an second round of antibiotics just to be on the safe side. I had one drain (the one that I could feel) and my sutures removed that day. Went back home and got back into the recliner. I have showered every other day, had the dressing changed everyday. I haven't been in any pain (except my hunched over back). I have eaten well and made sure I had lots of veggies and protein. Also drinking my water everyday. I have gotten pretty uncomfortable in the recliner and bored at times because I never watch TV, but I have done nothing but watch TV and read. But I never have time to read either and I've finished 2 books so far. I have been using my phone for emails and checking the site, but today came to the computer. Just wanted to send a real quick update and the only photos I've gotten of my belly so far. Updated on 20 Jul 2012: Back to the PS today for the fourth postop visit. This past Tuesday, he thought I may of developed a seroma and attempted to drain fluid, but there wasn't any free flowing fluid. I didn't even feel the shot of lidocaine since my belly is still numb. I'm trying to stay away from sodium and I'm back up to my gallon of water a day, so hopefully this helps. I know the swelling comes and goes for a few months, but I'm still very excited about my results even with the swelling. I haven't even attempted to put on "real clothes". I've been living in nightgowns at home and tshirts with athletic shorts when I venture out to appointments. Crossing my fingers that the swelling will be down a little today so my PS can tell how I'm healing and maybe get cleared to walk a little bit more.
Im 43 black female 4 kids by c-section didnt like the scar from c-section and for years wanted a tummy tuck.finally got it 100% happy still have swelling but loving the new look. hope in time the swelling go away :)....i do have pic but i dnt knw how to post them just yet... Updated on 21 Mar 2015: To kelmail Im posting some pictures of my tummy so you can see the excellent job Dr. Runnel did on my tummy/lipo.. He is a awesum surgeon ..He has a very great and caring staff.. These pictures are from summer 2014.. Also you have to follow Dr. Runnel instructions exactly how he tells you.. Wish you blessing & success on your tummy tuck!!!
