I can't say enough good things about Dr. J - he is not only a plastic surgeon, but an artist in Winter Park, FL and is by far the best doctor I have ever gone to. He made my lips look full, but not fake at all. He is known for underwork and very natural. I am flying there just to see him from Boston-nobody around here compares to him. I have had Botox numerous times and it never takes, or not for long and with him it lasts about 4 months which is long for me. He is very down to earth and funny so is his assistant Michelle she's a doll, I feel like they are family. Best plastic surgeons office I have ever been to by far. He is very honest and would not do anything unless it was necessary. I will be going to him for the rest of my life :) I trust him completely and he is genuinely an artist.
Hello!! I am a 44 year old mom of 3 boys ages 19, 17, and 14. I am 5'3" and 152lbs. When I had my first son I went from about 125lbs to over 190lbs. I believe that a big chunk of that was water weight gain as I was borderline pre-eclamptic. For the next many years I gained weight, I lost weight, and gained it back again. When I reached 180+ 2 years ago I joined Weight Watchers (for the third time), lost nearly 40lbs and made Life-Time. Problem was, I really think that my motivation to maintain my loss took a severe nosedive when I reached 139lbs and my stomach still looked terrible. I still looked like I had a pregnant pooch whenever I would wear anything snug. Why was I doing all this work when I still hated how I looked in the mirror. Now, I hate to say that I did put back on some weight and I think it was because I was thinking that I would never have the results that I was looking for. One of the "after" pics I saw at the PS office was so nice and he mentioned to me, that after that patient had the procedure she was motivated to work more on her figure afterwards. That really hit a note with me!! Hubby and I had been joking about me getting a tummy tuck and possible breast lift for years. Once we made the decision to consider it seriously, it took him a bit to get over the sticker shock of how much one procedure was going to cost let alone 2. I decided to put off any breast work at the moment because my feeling is, I hate this stomach and I don't think you can do much to make it look any worse, however, I like my breasts, even if they do droop a bit, and I am not ready to run the risk that I won't like the results of a BL. Perhaps I will in a few years but for now this TT is totally for me! My surgery date is August 1 (yeah... 2 days from now.. eeeek!) We chose this PS about 3 months ago. My husband and I both went to the consultation. The PS was direct, informative, not pushy, answered all of our questions. I was immediately comfortable with him. Bonus is that I continue to run across people who know his name and have glowing reports about him and his work. A very big Pro to this doctor is that on top of his being a board certified plastic surgeon, he is also a wound care specialist. I feel extremely confident that I am in very capable hands. Now if I can get over the nervousness of the upcoming procedure! I have to be at the hospital on Monday at 5:30. Wish me luck!! :) Updated on 31 Jul 2011: Tomorrow is the day!! I am packing up my overnight bag for the hospital. Excited, nervous, feel like I need to get more things done around the house. A little worried about things. Wish me luck!!Updated on 4 Aug 2011:Surgery was monday, this is Thursday so I am looking at Day 3 post-op. I am feeling so much better. Surgery day I did feel like I was hit by a truck. I was beating myself up for having done this to myself. Anesthesia left me queasy and very jittery for the first day. Next day felt a little better, could eat a bit. **Want to suggest Nivea, a Kiss of Moisture hydrating lip care.** My lips were so dry from everything and this was one thing that didnt have to bother me. It's unscented so it didnt affect my queasiness. Day 1 I really couldnt eat. Had no appetite. Everything was either too dry or too sickly sweet. Drinking a lot of water!! Day 2: Applesauce is my friend! Its not too sweet, doesnt dry my mouth out. Finally I can eat. I had to go back to the PS office.. I have formed a small hematoma on my vulva (of all places). He says this is pretty normal and tells me to watch for redness or hotness coming from it. Hubby says he really see's the difference. Day 3: I have my sense of humor back but I am careful not to laugh too much. Moving around is much easier. Tried to sit up at my desk but that was too much. back to recliner and playing around on hubby's laptop for the time being. At the moment I am really enjoying being pampered :)Updated on 5 Aug 2011:Day 4 PO: A lot more energy but being very careful not to do too much. My compression garment is rubbing me raw in a couple of spots. We coated it in antibiotic ointment and a cushiony gauze pads. I am finding that I like the compression garment on snug now. Feel safer that way. *Possible TMI alert*: Have not had a BM since Saturday (today is Friday) I have been taking stool softeners all week.. had some gasiness but no real action. Not feeling sick or uncomfy. Didnt really start eating solid foods again until a day or two ago. I am planning to try Milk of Magnesia tomorrow.Updated on 7 Aug 2011:Day 6 po: It took until today to finally get my system plumbing to go. Oh I finally feel Soooooooooooooooo much better. Yesterday, on a whim I had stepped on the scale and my weight was registering at 152 and change. I was really annoyed that I hadn't lost a single pound with surgery, eating responsibly, etc... Today, after everything finished, I hopped on to see what the difference was... 148. WOW! Taking it easy today. Not having much discomfort so I am putting off taking pain pills for a bit. First PO appt is tomorrow.Updated on 9 Aug 2011:Day 8 PO: Had my appt yesterday with PS and he removed my drains. Despite the puffiness I can say I am very happy with my results. I have to wear my compression garment for another 2 weeks and then I can start going with out bit by bit. The garment is ok but I really need a light weight tunic t-shirt to keep it from rubbing my skin. Tried a regular t-shirt and I was just over heating. I have the green light to get out so hoping to have hubby take me over to a store to buy some new shirts. Still doing the sponge bath thing since I really dont want to deal with the gauze dressings over my stitches getting wet. Will work on posting a new pic soon.Updated on 11 Aug 2011:Day 10 PO: Going to post some new pics today. The nurse in charge of me from recovery until I made it to my room called today to check on me. Some good info from this call. I was so queasy and jittery after my procedure due to the anesthesia, she suggested if I ever have to go under again to request a patch that can be put on while I am under to help with that. Forgot the name she said it was but I plan to keep that in mind. So if you have trouble with anesthesia, be sure to talk to your Dr. about this. I notice that my food desires have changed big time. I am only able to eat small portions, I have totally detoxed from sweets and soda (neither appeal to me at all) and I shy away from "too-salty" foods. Being a Weight Watchers person, I am trying to eat my points each day but I am in no way trying to lose weight, or denying myself anything. Eat when I am hungry and drink water.. **Crystal Light on the Go packets for flavoring water**!! I can only manage about half a package at a time, full package is too sweet. I am curious if anyone else has experienced a marked change in food preference after surgery?Updated on 18 Aug 2011:Day 17 PO: Got my stitches out this week!! Little bit of infection on the incision site that my PS is keeping an eye on and having me self treat with antibacterial ointment. Stitch removal was annoying, his removing the steri strips hurt more. Appetite is starting to return to normal but I can't eat large portions.. not sure if it's my stomach or the binder I am wearing!! All told, I have lost about 5 lbs. I feel really capable of doing activity but it doesnt seem to take very much and my abdomen feels tight up and down.Updated on 4 Sep 2011:5Weeks PO: I know it's been a long time since I have checked in. A lot has changed in the past few weeks but this past month felt like it just dragged by slowly. My appetite has returned. Each day I can walk a little faster, further before I need to rest. I listen to my body completely and I have followed what my PS wants almost to the letter. I have watched a lot of movies and read several good books to keep the doldrums away. I absolutely did not want to do anything that would compromise my results. I met with my PS for my 5th week po visit. The middle spot on my incision was still oozing a bit and bleeding. He removed a stitch that had surfaced and it closed right up and scabbed over by the end of the day. Now that the incision is all scabbed and healing I am considering using Maderma or something like that for scar treatment though PS didn't sound as if he put a lot of stock in those products. I experience a lot of achiness between my navel and the ribcage and there is a patch in the very middle that still feels numb. It's a tight, sore muscle, after a work out, kind of ache. I'm not taking anymore pain meds.. really don't feel a need for them. PS has banned any ab workouts but I am cleared to walk and do normal stuff. I can wear my regular clothes again. I love the look of a flat front. I am so happy that I did this!! I will add new photos soon. I bought a Flexi middle garment to wear when I sit up for long periods or if I am going out. This one has boning in it so it helps me sit up straight but also makes me feel protected.Updated on 15 Sep 2011:6 1/2 weeks PO: I love that I did this! I love my new belly, the straight line, the clothes fitting. I still have days of swelling and I am continuing to wear a compression garment of some type around my middle. I really find I am not comfortable for long periods during the day without one if I am up and walking around or sitting. I have started exercise walking and while I am not to my pre-op pace, I am feeling stronger each day. I am back to losing weight and this operation has been my biggest motivator. This week I put on jeans that were a size smaller than I usually wear!!! Today I bought a bikini! I dont know that I will ever wear it out in public but.. who knows.. maybe I will next summer.
Here we go! I am a 66 year old woman who previously used Dr J for Breast surgery. Just saw him again after 25 years and felt comfortable all over again. I spoke with 4 other doctors who are successful busy practitioners and decided to drive back to Longwood and see him and booked with him. He said I didn’t really need lower eyelift but could do that procedure in office at a later date should I decide. We previously dealt with a ruptured silicon implant, lift and reduction-he made me feel cared for and safe even with an infection and all I was dealing with. Michelle is his office assistant who has been with him all these years. I have been a nervous wreck and reading everyone’s stories and seeing pics has been a great source of information and inspiration! Will keep you posted. Updated on 12 Mar 2019: So getting around in this blog is harder than recovery ???? trying and typing again. We had traffic and a Long ride (1hr and 15 min) home but made it inside and husband assisted me to restroom-note to self...they fill you with fluids. Go before leaving surgery center. Sat in recliner and had a table set up with a lunch bag cooler which contained a ziplock of ice and filtered water/washcloth. Used this pretty regularly on my eyes (small amount of blood so changed water when needed). Jello and yogurt never tasted so good I finally added in licking a spoon of almond butter since I couldn’t really chew. (Hmmm earlier I did drink a boost as well) It felt strange to open mouth but took small bites and drank a lot of water, then used throat lozenges. Watched tv and cooled eyes often, eventually moving to yay! an adjustable bed where I wore a neck pillow (worked really well) and a pillow on each side to rest arms and block rolling over. Took pain pills until about 12:30 am then slept till 5:45 then switched to 3 Tylenol tablets . My dear husband isn’t a cook but he scrambled some mean eggs and I finally had coffee (mixed dry collagen with peptides right in.) I am bruised but really not in much pain. I am taking Arnica so hope that eventually helps with bruising-May add in Bromelain (spell?) today to also assist. You will be wobbly and need an assist each time you get up. Feeling better than expect and will rest and chill now. Updated on 13 Mar 2019: Had surgery late Monday and fared pretty well. Today when I woke up I think my nerve endings were already awake. Back to at least 1/2 pain pill. The back of my head definitely felt on fire so covered a soft ice pak with some linen and that helped. Bruising has now progressed down my neck but just a little soreness and a little tight. Can’t wait for Friday when the bandage comes off and can wash my hair. I did make the mistake of scratching the back of my head automatically and that was a bad bad thing! Updated on 14 Mar 2019: I think it’s day 4 haha! (Surgery late Mon) Doing pretty well but sick of bandages and drain. Look like the Hamburgular and am swollen and bruised but it already seems to b lightening some. I have been using Arnica tablets and some Bromides along with a little essential oils today. At least I smell pretty. So happy for the info and pics you ladies share. It seriously helps! Updated on 15 Mar 2019: Surgery late Mon, today is Thursday and I will have badges and drain removed. Slept all night but sure felt missing a Pain pill earlier. It felt like barbed wire in the back of my head. Once I had use some ice and took a Pain pill, it was much better. Honestly, the itching is most annoying. It Will feel wonderful to finally wash my hair. I will post pictures after the Doctor unwraps this mess. Showered and so ready to lose some gauze! Updated on 16 Mar 2019: So last night after having the drain and eye stitches removed and all the messing around, I had a severe headache, iced and went to bed. Oh how weird it felt to touch these swollen ears. And wash my hair! Think I will rest a bit with tv. Everything you do makes you feel a little shaky and sick when messing with the stitches. Even the doctor said I started bruising as he was doing my eyes. I have very thin sensitive skin so I figured it wouldn’t be pretty. Updated on 17 Mar 2019: Tell me it will be worth it! I’m sick of bruising and waking up in pain. Took half pain pill and showered which always helps. My poor husband is putting up with a crank! Going to get some ice and dream of the day I have no bruising, swelling, puckering just a great face and fun attitude. Ta ta for now Updated on 19 Mar 2019: Finally had a good nights sleep! Feeling so much better and will have stitches removed tomorrow. Still a raccoon but the bruising is turning yellow in places so that’s a good sign. The best you can do for yourself is REST! Updated on 21 Mar 2019: Had som stitches around the ears removed on Day 9. Dr J goes thru the inside and I feel the scar Will be lessened by this approach. The last to be removed next week will be inside ear and along hairline behind ear. I tried a little cover up but there is no covering up blue bruises just lighter. Can’t wait for it all to be over and looking well. Updated on 25 Mar 2019: This has been a long haul but finally have all stitches removed. My smile is a bit crooked could be nerve damage but hopefully swelling. Hopefully, I will be able to post pics soon with no bruising and makeup!! Updated on 29 Mar 2019: Ok girls and boys-no matter what you use, it’s hard to cover a bruise ;) sad about the crooked smile/nerve issue. Still praying it I’ll resolve some. Those of you with thin skin, expect bruising for some time. Swelling and numbness/tightness still there but lessened a bit. I am so sick of hiding out and YES I used Arnica tablets before and still along with Arnica gel and Bromelain. I notice a thin white line over eyes but it’s not too noticeable. Oh and expect your skin to peel like crazy after the surgery.. Updated on 3 Apr 2019: Happy with my neck and overall look with very little time in . Not happy with the nerve issue Updated on 3 Apr 2019: Oops 1st pic did not work-worried about nerve issue but getting happier with all other results! Updated on 14 Jun 2019: Nerve damage is getting a little better but very distressing. Feel like once the swelling went down I still look tired AND have a crooked smile. Feeling a little bummed Updated on 18 Jul 2019: Pretty happy with my natural results. Upper eye and lower face/neck lift are not overdone. If I smile with teeth showing, still shows a nerve issue so be aware that can happen. Updated on 11 Sep 2019: No makeup , but thought I’d mention my Doc did a slight revision two days ago just to tweak my jowls and while he was at it, fixed an old scar near my eye. He is so kind! He offered to do the revision (at no charge of course) and It was pretty easy. Updated on 20 Dec 2020: If you are thinking of getting a lift, go a little tighter than you think you should. Ive been pretty disappointed in the saggiest since all swelling went away. I surely do not want to go thru the pain again but thought I would look refreshed longer than this!! Still have a slight quirk in my smile but that has improved a lot. Discuss this with your doctor before hand! Updated on 12 Nov 2021: I will post a few pics where you can see the outcome. My neck has pouches underneath but still better overall. Filler and Botox would probably be a good bet but I’m trying to be fiduciarily responsible lol Updated on 11 Jan 2022: Someone requested a pic of the little jowls under my neck so here goes …
