I didn’t like my body image and I worked out 6 days a week, with minimum results. I can’t submit a picture because my career would be in jeopardy, so I will share My story. My mommy makeover Breast Augmentation with lift, and Tummy tuck With flanks. My recovery was somewhat miraculous. I was walking upright on the 3rd day, minor pain controlled with ibuprofen and slept in my bed with 3 pillows, Used the hem of my sheet to get out of bed and walking 2 miles a day on the 3rd week, my scars are healing well, I wear my binder daily, with minor swelling. I am so happy ???? with my results.
Surgery for tummy tuck with Lipo of flanks in the morning! I can't wait to get this ugly belly fixed! It doesn't matter how small I am this belly won't go away! I think it looks like a worn out crinkled up paper bag! I will be posting after photos. They said I will have excellent results... We'll see Updated on 11 Apr 2017: In recovery and will be staying the night at hospital. I am in a lot pain, not gonna lie. It feels like my abs are burning. I have 2 JP drains. I am not thinking very clearly bc of medication , lol , so don't judge ha ha! Updated on 16 Apr 2017: 5 days post op. I am getting up and around much better. I totally over did it today and went to the grocery store! ( don't recommend)I am very very sore. Lots of pulling on the top of my thighs and groin area. My JP drains are very annoying and I accidentally keep pulling them! Ouch! They are still attached by a stitch though. Not much drainage coming out so I should get them out on Wed. at my follow up. I am extremely swollen.. Can't tell a size difference at this point at all. No loose skin though. I feel like a got bulges in moth sides of my flanks where my drains are. I had this area liposuctioned so hopefully it will go down or it will look awful. I am optimistic. My surgical incision looks great.. Very clean straight cut & perfect placement. More pics to come Updated on 23 Apr 2017: Getting about 20cc a day from each side. Going for post week follow up tomorrow. Updated on 23 Apr 2017: Extremely swollen and tight. Compression garment causing irritation so DR threw it away. I am wearing Spanx now. WOW they are tight. Dr said she took 1 liter of fat from flanks and back, 500 cc from under breast and rib area. Total with actual skin, fascia, fat was 6 lbs!!! Good Lord! I didn't know I had that much to get!! Updated on 23 Apr 2017: Ok, so they took 6 lbs off me and went to my primary Dr today and I am 8 lbs heavier than I started!!! I feel like a stuffed meatball right now! Not posting pics for a week and hopefully things will be better. I have been up moving around, attending my sons baseball games went to Walmart, doing dishes, cleaning.. Sooooo that could have something to do with the increased swelling. I go back to work tomorrow so I needed to get my body ready! I am a home health nurse but I WONT be doing any lifting! Wish me luck and I will post 3 week pics! Today is day 12 post op. Updated on 26 Apr 2017: I am definitely feeling better, no pain meds even though I still hurt. I started back to work on Monday & can not work medicated. I am extremely exhausted though. By the end of the day I am beat!! Put on a pair of my jeans today and not even close to fitting! I am wearing my compression garments all day. I am just waiting for the swelling to go down. Updated on 28 Apr 2017: So I sent my jean pic to my Dr. and I asked about taking water pill. They ok'd it but said to make sure I am drinking and don't get dehydrated. It is helping. These pics were taken yesterday. Updated on 22 May 2017: Finally feeling normal. It has been a tough 6 weeks.. My energy is back, no pain, only a few twitches here and there. Still have some swelling especially as the day progresses. I am currently about 2lbs down from my pre surgery weight. They took 6 lbs so I am still carrying about 4lbs of fluid. I wear compression garments during the day and then take a break to sleep. Most of my swelling is in my hips ( more on the right side) and lower stomach by my pubic area. I will discuss the puckering of skin on my right hip at my 3 month check up if it is still noticeable. I am really starting I love my results! Updated on 1 Jun 2017: I can not be happier with my results!! I do still have swelling or a poochy look on my right hip. I am hoping it goes away. Too early to complain just yet!! Updated on 16 Jun 2017: I have been asked multiple times if I would do it over again. My answer is yes, with out a doubt. I am still in the recovery process but I absolutely love results so far. I am really looking forward to my final results!! I still swell with activity and t he end of the day. I also can't drink carbonated beverages! It makes my belly swell and it us upper uncomfortable. I get full faster too. My belly doesn't stretch and give like it used to so I can't eat as much. I am sure I could but I would be miserable. Updated on 11 May 2019: 2 years later and one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has lifted my self confidence. I gave my body to babies to grow over 15 years ago. Taking my my body is not vain it’s essential. We all deserve to be the best version of ourselves.
The questions/concerns mentioned are not unusual after pregnancy. Typically after the second or third pregnancy the effects become more problematic. Unfortunately, exercise and weight loss, often do not improve the situation. Some symptoms require other interventions; surgical and non-surgical. Two symptoms mentioned, hernia and diastasis, cannot be fixed with non-surgical interventions. On the other hand, skin tightening and rejuvenation can be achieved with less invasive options that avoid larger incisions to achieve good results. The most important thing to understand is that deciding what is the best option for the individual patient requires an experienced plastic surgeon.