Stephen Cole Gauthier

I have had two tummy tucks in a little less than a year. My first one was so exciting because I felt like it was changing my life. And it did. The second one came as a recommendation from the surgeon and I thought I was dying. I am 16-days post op from #2 and now realize that it was worth it. It hurts and liposuction is absolutely horrid, but I survived and wouldn't change anything. I'm by no means ever going to be a bathing suit model, but I feel so much more comfortable in my own skin than I have for 18-years.

I started this post way too late I've been reading this site for a few months now haha. I am 130 pounds, 5 ft 6 in tall, I was born with a deformity, and my breasts were very asymmetrical. My whole life I knew I was going to fix my boobs, I have been to plastic surgeons since I turned 14, I had alot of fybrocystic tumors to add to the deformity and so needless to say I had horrible self esteem. I have been married and divorced, and have had a couple long term relationships and I would never let my boyfriends or husband see me without my bra on unless it was dark which is so sad!

So I was able to come up with the $6800 this year and put this surgery first for once. I knew I would never be happy with myself or be able to look at myself naked and like what I saw until I did, this was not something that could correct itself. I will be 24 in May, I have a four year old son who is my life, I work for a law firm right now and I'm in college full time so my life is busy and hectic.

I saw Dr. Gauthier in July of 2012 my mother who is a nurse referred me to him and he has been amazing. He walked me through it all and put up with me changing my mind constantly. I had my pre op appt march 9 and paid for the surgery last Tuesday. We decided on 400-450 cc and one side which was my right breast would need a larger amount because it was smaller and had less of the fybrocystic tumors. I arrived to the surgery center on march 15th at 7 am, my boyfriend took me and I was so nervous, one , because I have never had surgery, two because I was finally correcting the one thing I hated about myself.

I have been with my current boyfriend for almost a year and he had never seen my breasts in the light. So this was huge! My surgery took two hours, at first he was going to do the nipple incision but at last minute decided to just to the breast augmentation with the incision underneath my breast on the 15th and in six weeks he is going to do the lift in his office while I'm awake, which I'm so nervous about! My areolas have been stretched out so he Is going to raise them and make them smaller. Have any other girls done this? How painful is it? I knew alot of the people at the surgery center because my mom had worked there so they took care of me well. they hooked me up to the iv and I met my anesthesiologist who was awesome and my Dr came in to draw on my boobs some more and was telling me positive things. He is great the surgery lasted over two hours because I was so asymmetrical it took him awhile to make my right as close to even as my left. My cc are crazy so get this: my right got 410 cc, my left got 300 cc!! Haha crazy huh?? They look very close to the same size now for the first time in my life. I can't wait to see how the lift will look!

I am healing well I was in pain the first three days but I still got up and went out to stores and for walks but I definitely stayed in bed alot I returned back to work yesterday which was hard! It was harder than I thought and I've had insomnia since the surgery so I'm so tired but today went alot better and I get my son back tonight for the first night since the surgery. This is the longest I've been without him so I'm very excited. He knows I had surgery and to be careful. I just cannot wait for these babies to drop and fluff! The only thing is its hard to tell I had a BA because I wore very padded c bras before the surgery. I wish we could've gone a little bigger like 500 cc but I'm happy and I know they will change the next few weeks so I'm not concluding anything yet! This has been an amazing experience and I know I made the right choice I just wish I could've done it sooner! I will post pics tonight when I get home! The pain I've gone through and will go through with the lift is nothing compared to the embarrassment I've had all these years of never being able to show my significant other who u really am.


Updated on 29 Mar 2013:
I have tried to upade photos on my phone but they won't load on here so I just emailed them to my account and I will upload them from my lap top and im going to try and get my before pic from my PS because I was so busy I didn't take one haha! I am having the nipple reduction and lift on April 8 in his office awake so I cannot wait to see how they look then! I am two weeks post op to the day and I feel great! They are soft and drooping. I ordered a new swim suit from VS I cannot wait to try on! I haven't been able to wear a real bra yet and I think they will look even better in that so I'm staying positive about the size. Also I gained ten pounds, and I think they will look better after I work out and get more fit I bought an elliptical and stair master and I'm dieting like crazy and already lost 3 pounds. I am so excited for this summer ! I hope all you fellow BA ladies are healing wonderfully and loving your new boobs!!

Updated on 8 Apr 2013:
Hello everyone! I am a few days over 3 weeks post op! I am having my areola reduction/lift this afternoon in my PS' office and I am so nervous! Hopefully after I am numb I will be just fine lol I am feeling pretty good, my incisions have healed quite well. I still get sore, and its a weird spot where the soreness is. It is the incision on my skin, but it feels like the pain and soreness is where my muscle was cut? Has anyone else felt that? It is the strangest feeling! I have tried on some regular bras, just to see how they look and I love the way my girls look in them. They almost look ridiculous in real bras with just a little padding. I just wish they looked like that with no bra on. I am happy with how they look so far and cannot wait to see how they look after I am healed from this procedure. My boyfriend does not want me to go any bigger and gets upset when I say maybe in a few years if I feel like it I can redo it again. It's not that I want to get attention from anyone, it is what I want to see in the mirror, and what I envisioned I would look like. But he does not get that. I told him I would not redo this surgery ANY time soon, I am happy with the results and do not need to spend that money again right away lol. I have a second interview tomorrow with my dream job, that I never thought I could get, and I am so excited! It is a huge pay increase and I did not even think I would get a call back. it is like I have started a new chapter to my life this last month! I pray all the other ladies who are healing from their BA's are doing wonderful! You all look amazing and have helped me immensely with all my decisions. Thank you!

The whole process was a lot easier then I thought it would be and I feel great. would do it again. :)

I had cellfina done back in April of this year across my buttock area. Overall, it made a huge difference. The results are well worth the investment. There a a couple of places that need to be touched up. The pain was minimal and there was no down time. Dr. Stephen Gauthier did the procedure. He is fabulous.

Hello I'm a 38DDD in I finally got insurance to pay for my Breast reduction my surgery is on 9/19/2016 if anyone would like to share any helpful advice I would love to know I'm scared but I'm sure my back, neck, and shoulders will feel much better. How long will it be before I can drive when you I buy bras

Anyone googling plastic surgery will thankfully be lead to RealSelf. It's been a struggle to decide who and where to get this phase one done! But finally appointment is scheduled. My PS is highly recommended by my aesthetician who is quite conservative. I trust I am in good hands with him and his staff. Short recovery time, which I like! He is not on Real Self but known locally. Stephen Gautheir. Time to exhale!

Updated on 4 May 2016:
With my date set, my nerves are starting to get rattled. Because of my extremely low pain tolerance, nobody that knows me will believe if I really go through with this! Local? Really? Yikes!

Updated on 5 May 2016:
This is me at my heaviest. But what am I thinking now? Will My first of Jume lower face, neck and eye lift ruin my summer fun at the lake? I LOVE the lake! Will sunscreen and huge brimmed hat be enough? Should I change my appointment until October? My niece has big wedding in Sept so need to be presentabily healed by then. Anxious!

Updated on 17 May 2016:
Yes I think it's true. I have become a RealSelf junkie. Most of my free time is researching and reading peoples reviews. I think I better hurry up and figure out who is going to do my arms, my breast lift with augmentation and my thighs which are hideous. from the way it sounds it's too much to have all done at once, but I'd really like to only have one recovery time since I have no pain tolerance. I hope everyone is healing well and loving their outcome.

Updated on 25 May 2016:
I love the team that will be working with Dr Gautheir. He is a kind, patient and gentle man. He made me totally comfortable and excited to have surgery. I told him no one that knows me well would believe that I would have elective surgery due to my low pain tolerance. He assured me I will be fine. This is his favorite surgery to do. He doesn't like to give a time for when he'll be done because he likes to take his time and every patient is different. He will not change my features. He said the lower face lift will help my permanent frown somewhat but will follow up with filler and Botox. That's best to not give me an unnatural "pulled" appearance. I am ready to get this show on the road! He's okay with Arnica, Bromelian, vitamins A &C 3 -5 days pre surgery and post. Also eating fresh pineapple. I will have general anesthesia. I'm to arrive freshly showered and shampooed without and lotions,etc. I will also wear my compression hose since I have bad varicose veins (my next surgeries). He will also have those mechanical leg compressors on me. Will keep my 1 -1.5 hours after surgery to make sure I'm ok. And oh I will be using their Back door to come and go for all my dressing changes, stitch removals,etc. guess that's to not scare the waiting area patients. Haha! Really I think it's just thoughtful since I expect to look bad. They will give me gauze and only recommend ice cold water compresses for my eyes. Will also provide an ointment for eyes. Gave me scripts for a nausea patch to put on my wrist instead of behind my ear since he'll be working there. An antibiotic although most likely he will have me stop taking it 4 days out. Also Percocet although I shouldn't need much after day 2. I'm curious to see how that goes since I've read many reviews that say day 3 is the worst! He will cut lower eyelids just under eyelashes. My ear cut will be in front then go behind that middle front part and half way behind my ear. Small chin incision. I think this covers it. Did I say I'm confident in my surgeon choice and ready to go?

Updated on 5 Jun 2016:
I am excited and nervous. I have been eating protein and fresh veggies, taking all of my supplements to aid in a quick healing process. I don't know of anything else I can do. Oh I will be having protein smoothies with blueberries and coconut water the first couple of days post op.

I am nervous because I just found out last week I have to travel to NYC for a major customer the second day I return to work. I should have taken more time off but this will be great meetings! And I'll be gone 4 days, Post op day 14. My doctor said I will be ok. However this customer is an executive with one of the global leaders in skincare and cosmetics. Geez! I have to heal fast!

Tomorrow evening I am taking all my post op products and suitcase to my dads. My stepmom, who has personal ps experience will be taking care of me. Tues am I will drop my car at the shop (it needs some A/C repair) and then Uber in my button up pjs to the doctors office. I can't believe I'm going out in my Soma's but they do look a bit "lounge-ish. They wil call her when I'm ready. I'm ready to let the healing begin!

Any tips for speedy recovery are appreciated!

More from the other side!

Updated on 6 Jun 2016:
Hopefully the last pictures of my loose neck, jowls and droopy eyelids!

Updated on 8 Jun 2016:
Had my eyes, lower face and neck lift Tuesday. The general anesthesia numbing lasted a long time. Now taking Percoset whenever I start to feel my ears mainly. Here are my day 1 and two pics. More later.

Updated on 9 Jun 2016:
Still feeling good. I like that I can see my eyelids albeit swollen and have great hope for my neck. Eye stitches come out Sunday!

Updated on 10 Jun 2016:
I was worried about recovery since I am a side and stomach sleeper. I spent the first night in my dads recliner. Then I tried the wedge I bought on Amazon. And a neck pillow. I am so comfortable sleeping I can't believe it! Highly recommend both. Also I think my bruising is minimal because or arnica tabs and gel, Bromelian, zinc, vitamin C and beta carotene. Sleep well and heal quickly RS friends. Night.

Updated on 11 Jun 2016:
I'm going to pick up my new prescription sunglasses. Then to Ulta to exchange the concealer shade the salesgirl thought I would need. It's too dark. Japonesque velvet Touch Concealer is supposed to be less heavy than Dermablend. Hope Japonesque has a better shade for me!

Updated on 13 Jun 2016:


Updated on 13 Jun 2016:


Updated on 14 Jun 2016:
Full makeup and sunglasses. It's been one week. Still have ear stitches but scheduled to be removed Friday. Love me neck and jawline.

Updated on 6 Jul 2016:
I have not been on RS for sometime because my brother in law has a tumor on and end his spinal cord. I've been helping my sister in KC. Happy to report the doc got it all and it was benign.
Quick update on me. Healing is incredible. I tribute this to my doctors skill and all the healing supplements and nutritious food. I have received a lot of comments about how good my hair looks (ha! No change) and how good my weight loss has done to make me look healthier. (I've been at same wait months before surgery. Today the doctor took some pictures. He said he normally waits until 3 months out but thinks my healing is going so well. I've attached the pre op. I am incredibly happy with my neck, jawline (still a little swelling on left side) and my eyelids. I stopped in to my aesthetics office to make a Botox appt. she is the one who referred me to Dr G. Receptionist commented I look 15 years younger. No sure if she's exaggerating but I'll take it!
I've started my varicose vein removal treatments and seriously considering lipo and thigh lift later.
I hope all is well and healing is going terrific with you all!