Due to losing close to 200lbs I had completely lost almost all of my breast tissue and decided it was time to correct that issue for my own self esteem. I had visited several different plastic surgeons for consultations before finally meeting with Dr. Seidel. His entire staff was so welcoming and his personality was so friendly and much more upbeat than the others. When it came time for my Breast Augmentation my nerves were starting to get to me so the anesthesiologist who was there that day was amazing to say the least. She could see I was beyond nervous and took so much time talking with me before administering meds. I am now 12 days post op and Dr. Seidel plus his entire staff have took the time to answer every phone call and even get me in a day earlier than I was scheduled for my 1 week post op appointment because I had more bruising than I thought was normal. I was concerned something was wrong. So they had me come in and took the time to really sit with me and explain why I had bruised the way I did. I am beyond pleased with my results and my decision to choose Dr.Seidel and his office for this surgery.
I had a breast augmentation (saline) at age 20 in 2010. TUBA method, 300cc right and 330cc left. Went from 34A/B to 34D/32DD. I was highly overmedicated at that time to cope with endometriosis, and did not realize for 7 years that I had been blocking out a lot of other pain. I got pregnant with my son in 2014 and came off all pain meds. At 1.5yrs postpartum, I felt that something was wrong internally. My back pain was getting worse despite healthy diet and very active lifestyle. I started taking pain meds again and decided to give it time. In Oct 2019, I ceased medication and had a severe miscarriage. My symptoms by 2020: debilitating back pain -- full body ezcema -- mental fog and daily panic attacks -- chronic fatigue (I stopped working altogether) -- hair loss in clumps -- facial redness -- sunken eyes -- large pores -- CONSTANT gut issues -- worsened endometriosis -- deteriorating vision -- pectoral muscle swelling severe enough to immobilize my arm. I got 48 pages of blood tests done, and the only flags were high sediment rate, elevated white cell count, and low platelet volume. The GP chalked this up to pre-existing anemia and referred me to radiology for a mammogram and plastic surgery for questions about my implants. These visits were largely a waste of time. I was routinely dismissed. I called my original surgeon's office and was dismissed in the same manner. Finally, I was referred to Dr. Seidel by a family member whose cosmetic surgery highly impressed me. I scheduled a consult with him. He listened to my concerns instead of invalidating me. He informed me that while he couldn't speak to the accuracy of a Breast Implant Illness diagnosis, he had performed this procedure many times. Most (if not all) of these patients reported significant improvement in the following year. On May 31, I had an explant/capsulectomy/mastopexy. This took 3hrs. Despite undergoing this procedure with no opiates, I was in less pain DIRECTLY after this than I have experienced in over 10yrs. It has been almost 2 weeks, and this is what I can report: ZERO upper back pain -- skin changed color -- eczema nearly gone -- improved vision -- huge decrease in mental fog and anxiety. I have gone through some mood swings, dizziness, and gut issues in recovery, but these have been temporary and anesthesia always effects me in these ways. The black-purple bruising has faded to dark red. Sleep is still difficult since I am usually a side sleeper. Despite that, my mental energy has increased. Physical still getting there but it is worth not waking up in pain every single day. Best decision I've ever made for my health. Thank you Dr. Seidel.
Look no further, because he is the best. He is an excellent surgeon and a great person. Could not be happier with my results or the care I received. His staff was wonderful also. I wouldn’t go to anyone else.
I had let myself go for several years, but this year started exercising regularly and wanted to change my body. I was tired of fat hanging over my jeans, standing and sitting. I knew exactly what surgeon I wanted to use. Dr. Seidel and his staff are wonderful. I knew that I would be well taken care of. Rarely do you find a physician with skill and bedside manner.. this man has both! I had an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) with liposuction of my flanks, upper abdomen, inner thighs and knees. The entire process was a breeze. I cannot say enough about Dr. Seidel and his staff, they genuinely care about their patients. I stayed overnight in one of the suites with a wonderful private nurse who also took very good care of me. I am back at work now, swelling has subsided and I already see wonderful results. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone looking for a surgeon to visit Dr. Seidel.
I had upper eyelid surgery earlier this week. Dr. Seidel was very thorough in explaining the procedure and recovery to me and easing my concerns. I trusted his surgical skills due to his education at the top rated Harvard university, and his extensive experience. The staff was also very pleasant and professional. I felt great and actually traveled the next day. My stitches are not out yet so I do not see the final result but I am very pleased with what I see so far. My surgery was done in the office in a pleasant and safe environment. I would recommend Dr. Seidel highly.
54 year old exercise fanatic but couldn't lose the love handles. Heard about Cool Sculpting, thought I'd give it a try, since it looks so easy. Well, it was. I watched a couple of Netflix movies, and dis a conference call. Aside from a little numbness for the last couple of days, no discomfort. I'll post again once the results start to manifest.
I have wanted this procedure done since I was 14 when I was a DD. I was a thin teen so I was horribly top heavy. When I was 22 I was a DDD and just was angry at these breasts. Finally I decided to try alternatives to relieve pain. Physical therapy, weight loss, acupuncture, massages. Everything. Nothing helped. So just late year I took the plunge and made an appt to a PS. I was approved by my insurance on the spot and just had my procedure done Jan 13, 2014. I was checked into the hospital at 7am that morning. My husband was with me the whole time. Got my IV inserted and my PS came in to mark me. I was nervous. They gave me a ton of pepcid via IV and a patch behind me ear. I have a horrible reaction to anesthesia. They wanted to make sure I wouldn't puke everywhere. I was given something to help calm my nerves and was wheeled into the surgery suite. Everyone was amazing. Doctors, nurses, my husband. I don't remember much except waking up in my hospital room. I was lucky and got a private room. I was shivering so badly I thought I would roll right off the bed. My left breast was hurting so the nurse game me my percocet. I was able to take that every 4 hours and supplement with morphine. I didn't have a pump was the nurse would come in and inject it via IV. It burned! But I wasn't in much pain. I was very uncomfortable for sure. I didn't realize how much of your breast muscles you use for everyday things like, moving around in bed, going to the bathroom and such. I did have some pain but it wasn't bad. I did peek at my breast and thought HOW TINY! I wanted a C cup. I was a 34DDD/E and was taken down to a C cup. I just thought how little! I was swollen pretty badly. My stomach, my breasts, my back all was swollen. I did not have drains so I had to stay in the hospital over night. I wasn't really able to sleep well. I did get some pillows to elevate my arms and that helped. The next morning I was sent home. But before I was discharged my PS came in to check my incisions. He changed my dressings and said I looked great. The car ride home was just AWFUL. I could feel every single bump in the road. I couldn't stand up straight. Got home and went straight to my recliner to relax. I started to feel some pain so I took my percocet. I set my alarm for every 4 hours. I wanted to stay up on the pain. I couldn't really eat much. But I was up and walking around. Sleeping in that recliner was terrible. I'm a stomach sleeper so, it was awful for me. I couldn't get really comfy at all. I was able to shower that next day. I was to keep my back to the shower head. My husband had to wash me and my hair. I felt slightly humiliated to have someone do that for me. But I got over it. But I got really light headed and almost passed out. I had to sit down. My husband did all my bandage changes for me that whole week. He was just great and so supportive. I did have an allergic reaction to the steristrips. My 1 week post op appt they took off a bunch of them. I had blisters under neath. It didn't hurt because I was still numb. But I had to change my routine to heal the blisters. My left breast is healing beautifully but my right one is having issues. I'm 3 weeks post op and do not have any pain. I get some stabbing pains in my breasts, some burning and itching, but all that is normal healing. I'm still dealing with an icky black scab on my right areola that is now a white moist tissue. But over all I'm super happy. I did bruise and my right one was the worst. I did have more taken out on my right breast. Its been difficult healing it. I'm kinda impatient about it but I'm doing my best. Even though it was painful, uncomfortable and just strange, I'm so glad I did it. Now I need to lose some belly fat. I'm 5'2 at 162lbs before surgery. 1.7lbs were taken out of my left breast and 2lbs out of my right. I haven't weighed since the surgery. I'm still swollen on my right breast and some of my belly is swollen. But over all I'm super happy. Updated on 3 Jun 2014: Everything has healed wonderfully. I had some issues with my right breast and it still sits a bit higher than the left, but my PS said it will still continue to "fall" just give it some time. But it has softened considerably. My left one is just perfect. It is soft and the shape is beautiful. The feeling has come back except underneath in both breast. Still numb in those areas. I had gotten feeling back immediately in my left nipple but just now getting the feeling back in my right nipple. Still some swelling in my right breast, but considering the issues I had, its fine. I can go braless now if I like (which I have and its glorious) and I can now wear underwire bras. I haven't because they are so uncomfortable. I'm still in sports bras since they really are more comfortable for me right now. I went and tried on bras the other day and am right at a 34C cup. I could fit into a 34D but I gap at the top :) Sorry about the weird angle of my update photo's. My right breast looks WAY higher than it actually is. Its not that high at all. Updated on 3 Jun 2014: I accidentally hit the wrong button Updated on 6 Nov 2016: My scars have widened since my initial surgery. But it doesn't really bother me all that much. I still do not have any feeling underneath my breast. Some feeling on the inner part. Complete feeling of both nipples and around the tops of my breast. I still have a hard time wearing bras with underwire. With my scars it becomes painful.
Writing a review of my experience is more difficult than I thought. If it weren't for the deep appreciation I have for the generous women & doctors sharing here on RealSelf, I would be content to read & give a comment now & then. But it is helping me feel less isolated going through the deeply personal business of explanting. So here are the facts: At 28, 105 lbs @ 5'4", having the only 2 children I intended to, I made the decision to have a tummy tuck. During the consult the PS told me he did the same surgery for his daughter-in-law & balanced her breast size at the same time & she was my size (32A). Found I was a 'perfect candidate'...and in less than a week I had 5 1/2 inches surgically removed from my tummy & beautiful 34Cs. I had been exercising like crazy to try to rid myself of the flab, so I looked better than I ever imagined. My 28 yr old self would have never believed that at 64 I would weigh 146, wear a size 10 - 12! But here I am. My breasts have changed along with the rest of me. No health issues have been traced to silicone & from what they can tell, the implants are still in tact. I have to mention that after a couple of years of getting implants, I started to resent the very attn. I had basked in after the surgery -- having until then always been the skinny girl with no boobs, but very nice long hair. Ah yes, queens of camo we become, yes? First to hide that we don't have, then concealing we do. My daughters & dils always buy me clothes-that-fit for my birthday and Xmas. lol Very few people know I have implants. I have to wonder how many women were like me & went to a PS rather than a counselor to settle their issues with their bodies. So much in life is a perspective thing. Here's what may be helpful to someone else: I did everything wrong when I couldn't put off explantation any longer. I chose a PS quickly, had a consult without a plan, and agreed to do what seemed like the easiest way, quickly. Ya see, I don't want my body to change. I'd keep the implants forever if I weren't scared silly to keep them any longer. lol At some point common sense takes over. My loving dh of 33 years has wanted me to be explanted since the silicone issues hit the news (& my mailbox) in the mid-1990s. I set my deadline with the Dow Trust settlement ones & with Medicare. So I felt trapped to finally do something NOW. I just didn't know what something was. I took my surgical notes & images of my infantile scoliosis, in case my spinal configuration would be a consideration in creating me-the-next-generation. I looked at photos, had my exam, and the vanity side of me was back 36 years ago thinking about the expertise of gifted surgeons who are dream makers. They smooth, they tuck, they correct nature and accidental mishaps. My superficial self went into overdrive along with Miss Vanity, and for a little while I stopped thinking about the reality of being a 65 year old woman & accepting that. Afterall, I'd been the queen of smoke & mirrors in 1 way or the other most of my life. lol So I walked out of the consult with a surgical date & a plan of getting the old ones out & new saline implants in -- presto change - o. I felt instant relief. No talk of pre-op, post -op, surgical details, or anything else other than my form of payment. Well that lasted about 4 hours. During a conversation with my husband, who I insisted stay in the waiting room (another mistake), I realized how opposed he was & questions he had I couldn't answer. Yep. For a woman who likes to think of herself as half intelligent, I blew it. Then I found RealSelf. I sat up late into the night with a cup of tea & candlelight reading story after story ... comments, questions, studied the photos. Real women. Real struggles & triumphs. Real. Real life -- my real life. My real situation. I said prayers of thanksgiving and started asking myself the real questions. Self-dialog is as important as talking things over with my husband -- honestly. So fast forward...on the 27th I'm keeping my surgical appt. to be explanted. I settled in the decision not to get saline implants (there was something about "perky" and Medicare that didn't fit. The PS had advised a bit larger to fill in the top of the breast). Not getting the lift at that time. I read Dr. answers on questions re: lifts and realized I didn't have to make this decision right now. Something(s), someone(s) I have read about here has slowed me down to logical instead of emotional thinking, so I believe 1 step at a time is the best approach. Afterall, the mammogram is this afternoon & there still may be factors I don't know about at this moment. I will be counting myself lucky if the films show nothing unusual & am so glad this is the last time I will have to endure having my implants separated from my breast tissue for an additional set of films! Ouch! This is far longer than I intended, but being a bit of a story teller, you're getting off easy. So a quick re-cap (if you're still with me): mammogram this afternoon (23rd), surgery the 27th. After reading posts here I'm annoyed that the PS gave me nothing in the way of pre-op or post-op info. at the office or on the phone. When I called to drop the saline implant part of the procedure, it was clear she did not agree with the decision. I asked if I needed to come in to talk to the doctor or to re-do our financials, she said I'd get a call back. Very cool. This is not the friendliest group of medical professionals I've encountered. Only the receptionist smiles. But when I went for the consult, I wasn't smiling either. I'm not worried, as I have seen his work & know people he goes to church with. But yet again, I'll advise a person thinking of this deeply personal procedure to take their time, know their hearts & minds, and select medical people they feel are on the team. Oh yes, and let the people who love you join the team too. whew!!! That was long!! I feel a Tiny Tim "god bless us every one" moment coming on. lol Updated on 25 Aug 2013: Sorry about so many words in review -- overthinking I guess. On the outside I'm calm, but on the inside it's a different story. Trying all the yoga & meditation techniques I know. Again, so sorry to ramble on like that. I'm off to the store to pick up some items from the check list I found here. My full-service-husband is right here, ready to be my chef, nurse...whatever he has to be. We're both ready to stop thinking & talking about this. Updated on 27 Aug 2013: About 11 hours post op. I'll try to keep this post simple & not like the previous one! Duration of surgery: 90 mins General IV sedation with anti-nausea drugs. Only remarkable thing is the tube that was inserted down my throat after I was 'out'. Safeguard for the lungs incase I upset. I was slightly nauseated when I arrived. I always appear to be calm on the outside, but sometimes have bowel spasms & had taken a Librax the night before. So my throat is sore. He showed me how to ease it. No nausea after surgery or since I've been home. No outside stitches; No drainage tubes. Only surgical tape w/gauze over the original implant scars. I can shower tomorrow (& dab dry). Post-op visit in a week. Nurse will call tomorrow to check w/me & answer questions. No compression bra. Told to use a sports bra or ?? if I want. I'm wearing a Rhonda Shear Ahhh-BRA (which I love) I buy from HSN. No seams in the body of the bra, seams, no elastic. Holds gently. Has cups. You can easily put it on from the bottom up. No modesty pads (although I probably will need to wear them after healing) For symmetry & to add a little. I think I will have to post some photos -- hard to explain what they look like. Since I have infantile scoliosis & kytoscoliosis (side-side & back to front -- I'm supposed to be about 3" taller) born with the former. Without implants, the old problem of not looking quite alike will return I'm sure. I've taken 2 pain pills since I returned home (1 @ 12:30 & 1 at 6:30). Funny thing that the insert of the nausea pill said no to use w/the pain med. Yes I read the all the precautions. lol I slept off & on til 6. Now sitting in the recliner drinking more (& more & more) water. My appetite is good but taking it easy until I have a BM. My nurse is outstanding. (husband) The most significant thing is that BOTH implants were ruptured. PS says they appear to be have been leaking for awhile (no guess) and the capsules did their job. I've looked at the vials and wow! So imaging & physical exams can't tell the whole story. I'm feeling much better than I thought I would at this point. But as I said, I'm taking the pain med, if only in a half dose. Enjoying the ergo adjustable bed, but staying up in recliner for a bit. I'll give the name of my doctor now that we're this far along. I have complete confidence in him at this point. Prayers & much thanks for helping me more than I can say. Hugs, Updated on 31 Aug 2013: I wish I had known how well this was going to go. I dreaded it on every level. Each day brings improvement. Decreased pain med from 3, then 2, then 1 at bedtime. No nausea after day 2. Taking Tylenol though. Ducolax took care of the constipation (day 2, 1 pill, day 3, 2 and then it was ok) So we're good. Still napping & taking it easy, but can move around more freely & more often. I could shower from day 1 as there are no outside stitches -- the PS used the old incision & I can see it through the tape (which is peeling off as they said it would). Looks better on 1 side than the other, but pretty good. I swab the area with peroxide twice a day & cushion the incision area with sterile gauze. Wearing a sports bra 24/7 now. Doesn't look near as bad as I thought it would. Glad I didn't have replacement saline implants put in. At this point, glad I didn't get the lift. Hoping things continue at the pace they are! whew!!! what a relief. Updated on 4 Sep 2013: Best possible outcome. No bruising. Incision is good shape (stitches on the inside). No special instructions there other than apply vit E oil after shower as the surgi-strips come off (on their own) Whatever bra is comfortable other than underwire of course. Gradually resume normal activity, no lifting over 10 lbs. As a former exercise instructor & yoga student, I understand listening to my body & going slowly. Taking no chances. Just experiencing the normal weird little twinges & sensations as my body adjusts to it's new contours. I took 12 of the 40 prescribed pain med but did take Tylenol within safe limits. Only 2 nausea pills total. Lots of water, lots of naps. I still run out of steam quickly & have to sit a bit (get a little nauseated & weak then, but it goes away -- feels like a sugar drop, if ya know what I mean). My dh has been keeping my diet balanced. I had to turn a blind eye to the kitchen, as we each have our own ways of doing things. Mine are right of course. lol Having physical restrictions due to scoliosis, I'm accustomed to listening to my body & paying attn. to details, so my best advise is to take the very best care of yourself as you can through your surgery & recovery. Others can wait this time. Don't rush. Don't hesitate to ask for any help you need. It's your turn. (of course, I have a policy of not asking anyone to do anything I wouldn't do for them ) So back in 6 weeks. I'll scan photos later. You'll be amazed at the state of those old implants & capsules! I am very very blessed!! PTL Updated on 29 Oct 2013: ...and life goes on. I feel like I'm back home from a long trip -- like the month of Sept was cancelled & Oct was living another life. A restricted & sometimes emotional one. I was so lucky to get through those 36 years w/implants without consequence. I thought I would miss my full, natural looking boobs. (oh yes, I was proud of them. lol especially in a bathing suit at my age. They offset my weight gain in my lower body that has come with time) Vanity comes at a price & I've found my limits. Which the women on this site helped me realize. (thank-you again) Sooo...they look exactly like what they are. Round boobs that have a chunk removed. Everyone says wait 6 months to a yr to really know. We'll see. They feel nice & soft. Sensation more acute. Healing well. Gradually getting back to my fitness level but still cautious. Life is good. Updated on 7 Mar 2014: which is the time I set to consider whether or not to have reconstruction after explantation of my 36 yr old silicone implants. I just had them removed & hoped for the best. I am now a B cup, instead of C. In my stretchy bras & bathing suits things look good. Not without. They are not symmetrical. One is larger, there are indentions where the implant lived, one nipple is shy. I can see that having saline implants at the time of explant would have made them look better. But I have to say, that they feel great. I don't regret my decision to wait & see. It needed to be more than an emotional decision. They aren't perfect to look at but they're perfect for me. They're authentic. They are me. I am peaceful in the knowledge that I'm healthy & the ordeal is done with. If I decide to have saline implants put in, I can do that. A person learns a lot about themselves when they go through this process. If you let yourself think that is. At first I didn't even want to do that. After the procedure I couldn't stop looking or worrying about all the "what ifs" so I drew a big red heart around the 6 month anniversary of the surgery & just coasted, trying to stay away from the bathroom mirror. So here I am. Back to full exercise & wearing pretty underwear (which I advise every woman to buy before surgery). With imperfectly shaped, but remarkably soft & loveable breasts. I'm good. Only advice I have: be good to yourself. Whatever you do, do it for you. Not your lover, your gym-mates, or anyone else. I laugh at myself when I go & put the contour cups in my stretchy cup bras (I think they call them modesty pads, but who are we kidding?) lol I do that when I'm wearing a clingy top that shows the left being slightly larger than the right. lol So I'm not entirely the poster girl for self-confidence. My PS was not happy w/my decision not to reconstruct at explanting. But he's a dream maker -- I'm living a real life. I have his number if I change my mind. It's a long life hopefully. Who knows. Be peaceful & self loving in whatever you do. To those who verbally held my hand & offered support in a very vulnerable, sad time, I will always be grateful. I made a very close friend who made such a big difference. Congratulations to those with great results & to those who haven't, love yourself & do what's best for you. You are more the measure of your chest. Thank-you for everything. Updated on 7 Mar 2014: that was "You are more THAN the measure of your chest" lol But you probably knew that. See we are perfect in our imperfection. lol
I have been wanting (and needing) a tummy tuck for years now. I am 50 years old, 5'4", weigh 173, had 3 children all by cesarean sections. I told my husband I would really do it if money was no object. He said "well do it, if you want it". My mouth fell open.???? so I scheduled it. Had my consultation, went with my ps that did my breast augmentation in 2008. It is scheduled for July 14, 2016. He is FABULOUS! Dr. Seidel in Cullman Al. Also the nurses are great and wonderful. I am having a TT, and lipo on my upper part of my stomach, mid back and flanks.I am so excited right now! But I have been reading about all these wonderful women's experiences, and challenges, and was wondering about food or herbs to eat before and after surgery to help recover and also the items that's needed afterwards. Can anyone help me out? Thanks, and here we go with a picture. NOBODY but my husband, daughter, and Doctor has seen my stomach since the age of 16, that's when I had my first baby. Updated on 12 Jul 2016: Signed paper work, last bathroom trip, gown on, IV in, marked up, waiting on the sleep med. see y'all on the flat side!!! Woohoo!! Updated on 13 Jul 2016: I made it through! This is awesome! Wow, you do have to use your tummy muscles for so much. After surgery they put me in a recliner at the clinic . It hurt really bad getting up. The nurse got me up every 2-3 hours. Had a catheter for the first night. That was great. Ate an apple, 2 crackers, and 3 bottles of water. My mouth is so dry. The nurse helped me take a shower this morning. It looks so good. I can actually look down and see my private parts and my toes!!! That is what broke the straw, I couldn't see my private parts to groom it to go to the beach. I cried that day, and had my husband to groom me. That really did bother me. I am at home now. Drinking water, ate a protein bar, all is good. I get anywhere from 20-40 cc's of fluidity of my drains. The worse part is my muscles being brought back together.it stings a little bit where my drain tube is. The lipo incisions are a little sore. But all in all I'm doing great! My only regret about this is that I should've done it sooner. So happy!!:) :) Updated on 14 Jul 2016: I've milked the tubing but still can't get any thing. My other one is fantastic, not a problem. What else should I do? Updated on 15 Jul 2016: And my legs are swollen. Did anyone else have that problem. Have not had a bm either. Updated on 16 Jul 2016: Yesterday I was miserable. Hurting, couldn't get comfortable, couldn't sleep, still not much of an appetite, wishing this would hurry up and pass. And I don't like wishing that because that is wishing your life away, you may miss something that is important, but anyway this morning I laid down on my bed on my side, not straight in my bed just which ever way I fell, & slept for 4 hours!!! That was awesome! I was missing sleep. All I could sleep at a time is 2 hours max at a time. I think that is why I feel soooo much better today. I am swollen on my but and back and of course my belly. Bruising isn't too bad from the lipo. I can feel something in my belly moving. I know that sounds crazy, but it's probably gases, or fluids? I used non-stick pads on my lipo incisions yesterday on my back , today when I took a shower I noticed I have 4 water blisters from them. So I threw them away. My husband and I found a good way for him to help me up. He'll stand in front of me cross over his forearms, I grab his hands, we both pull at the same time, and up I am. It reminds me of water skiing, your almost there, then you just stand up. My last pain pill was yesterday, which was 4 days post. I took only ibuprofen today. Colace, indigestion meds., and my vitamins. I am used to being on my feet for 10 hours a day at my job, my butt is starting to bother me, so I think I need to go for a walk. Good Day to everybody. I pray it is all down hill from here. Updated on 21 Jul 2016: Yes, I've been walking straight before I realized it. Sometimes there will be real tightness in my upper abdomen, so then I have to bend a little. I'll rub it some & it will go away. Had my 1 week check up with PS. Healing good. No problems there. In one of my drains the inside spout broke off, it was still draining correctly, but he replaced anyway to be on the safe side. That same tube had some real thick blood in the upper tube, the nurse kept stripping it, and moving it. Now it really is sore, and the stitch was on the outside, but now it is in the inside of the wound, ( ouch)! Sometimes now if I move a certain way it really pokes me. I tried to pull it out just a tad, but I'm a wimpy chicken. Well I'll just slow down, can't move around as good as I did before "it was fixed". Count my blessings, healing-great, staying cool-great, have food and shelter- great! Have my health-great, have a loving family-great! I had also stopped taking pain med. and muscle relaxers by day 5 also, but now since the tube is irritating, I'm taking a pain pill in the evening. I can sleep on my side, either side. On my left side I sleep upside down in the bed so all I have to do is sit, lean sideways and lift my legs. Last night I was able to lay on my back with a large pillow under my knees for an hour or so. I'm still swelling around my hips and lower back from the lipo, and it's still sore, so I have to move positions often. I had a reaction to a pretaped gauze pad. It formed 5 water blisters under the tape. So I threw that gauze away! So that is almost healed. There's just one lipo incision that drained for about 7 days, now it has stopped. Yes I have had a few crying spells, but that comes with surgery, pain,& being out of your routine. I am trying to remember to COUNT MY BLESSINGS:) :) :) Updated on 1 Aug 2016: When I went to the Dr. at 14 days, 1 drain was still draining 40-50cc's so I got to keep that one. It has slowed down to 30cc's so I hope he takes it out when I go back on Wednesday. I felt soooo much better when he took that 1 out. I have started putting scar cream on my incision, belly button has healed and still just a little sore where I had lipo. I didn't realize having lipo would still be sore for so long. I still have swelling later in the day. Also have muscle spasms in my lower abdomen. It doesn't hurt, it just gets tight all of the sudden and swells a little, then it when loosen up. Here is some up to date pics. Hope all is healing good and God bless. In the pics I have indentions on my skin from my compression wrap. Updated on 24 Sep 2016: Went back to work after 6 weeks. The first week was hard because it's 10 hour days mainly on your feet, but I pushed thru it. I think people have an idea what I had done when I went back but I brushed it off as eating right, and at a decent hour and a routine.I also started harmone therapy while I was off so that helped I told them. I didn't lie, I just didn't tell everything. I still swell in my belly and my upper butt where I had lipo, also still numb. I am so very glad I had this done! I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband to be by my side to help me emotionally and physically. I am posting before and after pictures so you can see the dramatic change. I still haven't been to the gym yet. It's difficult with long work days, but I got to do it I know. I don't want any of this to get mushy or rolly. Lol.
Unfortunately you will not know the answer until you give birth. We know that mastopexy decreases the ability to breast feed, however, there are no good statistics to give you a percentage. We certainly could use a well-done study on this question because it comes up frequently.
