I had my first child when I was 15 and instead of growing breast I grew milk. I went from 121 pounds to 180 lbs. I had two more children since and I am currently 5'8, 160 pounds, breastless and full of stretch marks (as you can see in the pictures). I have wanted my firm stomach back for quite some time and I really wish I had nice breast so I've decided to finally do something about it.
I hoped to find some reviews on this site about local doctors but I wasn't able to, so I am going to write one for the next girl in my area. I've decided to use Dr. Zewert. Originally, I wanted to go with a surgeon who did "gummy bear" implants as they were the closest to natural that I have read about and they seem pretty safe as they hold their shape even when cut in half so how could they leak? After further research I found out that silicone implants aren't really necessary if you have a skilled surgeon. Great skill can turn saline implants into very natural looking and feeling breast as well. When I called to schedule my consolation with Dr. Zewert I learned that silicone implants require regular MRI's to check for micro leaks. I personally don't like spending money on medical tests so I decided a highly trained, skilled surgeon who does saline implants would be best for me. The best thing about saline, they are about 2 grand cheaper than the gummy bear implants so I think I'll be happy.
This post is pretty long so I will start a new one about the consultation. But the attached photo's show why I need the makeover.
Updated on 4 Jun 2015:
At the consultation I met with a nurse who went over a bunch of information with me. What I wanted to have done, how I planned to have it done, what size I was thinking, the recovery time, and things to consider. I got to “try on” implants. She brought some silicone implants in of various sizes, I originally wanted to go no bigger than a C cup, not that I really knew what that meant. As I tried on the different implants it turned out that I fell into the bigger is better category. I liked the 450 CC implant the most. The doctor came in when I was through and took a look, he pointed out that my nipples are close to my arm pits, they kind of look toward my elbows. The doctor said with my nipple placement I would require a bigger implant to give any kind of cleavage, he said perhaps a 465 CC implant filled to 480 which he said would be about a DD. I found that shocking but with my frame he thinks it would have a great result. Dr. Zewert also said that it's a shame that my stretch marks go up so high, even with a tummy tuck I will still have a lot of stretch marks. I don't really mind to much because I have a lot of stretch marks in my hip/pelvic area anyway.
After talking about the procedures I was sent to the scheduler (Phyllis), she was amazing. She said it would cost $12,400. The price would last for 6 months as the cost is all inclusive and the surgery center fee's are subject to increase so the price would have to increase if I went beyond the 6 months. Phyllis gave me a written quote and told me that I needed to put half down to schedule the appointment and I could pay the rest at my pre-op appointment which is two weeks before the procedure.
I went home, scheduled the time off work, secured funding for the make over and scheduled the appointment. I look forward to having it done on September 15. Now I just have a few tiny concerns I guess, 1. do I have enough breast tissue for 480 CC's of saline implants to be placed under the muscle and still look natural and not snow globe like? Well I guess that is my only real concern. If I do, then no worries, if not then I guess my other thoughts about how to remedy the situation come into play. Oh yeah I do have one more ponderance, should I be attempting to lose as much weight as possible before the surgery for a better result? or would I have a more dramatic reveal if I stayed 15 lbs heavier than I like to be?
Updated on 5 Jun 2015:
I was browsing Dr. Zewert's website last and I had all my apprehensions relieved. Dr. Zewer has video's on his web site about some procedures, in one video a patient said she wanted to have size D breast but Dr. Zewert told her for her frame it wouldn't look natural so she got C's instead. She had a great result and was very happy with it. So, if Dr. Zewert thinks I can pull off a DD, then DD is for me. I was also looking at his before and after pictures and everyone looks great. There are no snow globe breast so I ready to go. I just have to do the work to get the time off, and then September 15th here I come. I just sent my final payment in and I am super excited.
Updated on 5 Sep 2015:
I had my pre-op appointmentent, it was a little less impressive then I thought it would be. It was all paperwork and instructions. I was hoping for a detailed description of what exactly was going to be done. But I suppose some people do not want to know so he doesn't volunteer that information unless it's requested.
I was told no more medicine and guess what happens two days ago I got sick. I spent two days in bed with a fever and unmedicated (I don't usually medicate any way, I tend to be anti medicine). Here I am on a Saturday just one week and three days away from surgery and I just got over the fever and I still have a bit of a sore throat. If it isn't gone by Monday I am calling my surgeon. Anyone have any idea of the odds of my surgery being postponed?
Updated on 17 Sep 2015:
I had my surgery on September 15th and honestly I have minimal to report on that. I got signed in, vitals taken an IV put in and spoke to a few people. I was changing it up with my friend one moment and the next I was out of surgery. Totally groggy starving and thirsty. They gave me a cereal bar and aa juice box. I asked if I had lipo, they said no, Dr. Zewerts doesn't do lipo with his tummy trucks. Now I'm kind of disappointed. Is it possible he took my flabby belly to fab with out lipo? Time will tell. Perhaps today even as I have a dressing change appointment at 11.
So here are my mommy make over complaints. Drains suck, one of my drains dripped on me a few times so I have been wearing bloody compression hose for two days. I ordered some from Amazon so they will be here tomorrow. Perhaps the doctor has some he will give me. The compression garment is REALLY tight. Sometimes I feel like I can bearly breath. My paperwork days take deep breaths but I fear I will pop a stitch and that absolutely can not happen. I don't do wounds well. Giant fear. Sometimes I feel extreme pressure and it hurts a lot. That's when it's time for more meds. I'm always tired too. Everything makes me feel existed. The drains really suck. Striping and emptying them is gross. But better to drain it with drains then a large painful needle.
Updated on 18 Sep 2015:
So far for me, the thing I am hating the most right now is my hair. It is absolutely GROSS! I have learned to live with the drains, the fact that I can not do ANYTHING, and I am completely chair bound. All that I am OK with. But this oily hair is just unacceptable. Today I told hubby he is going to wash my hair. He's a nervous Nelly so he won't commit to it but it is going to happen. Any one have any suggestions on how to make it happen? So far we are thinking about me leaning over the bath tub and dumping cups of water on it and washing it that way.
So the hair thing is the major rant for the day onto progress:) yesterday I went in for a dressing change. It was great, they took off the boobie bandage opened up my compression belt and I got to see what I look like. Honestly, I look a little weird. I haven't had a flat tummy in forever so that's weird. My breast look like orbs with nipples. I'll post a pic of the boobs so you can see for your self. Can't show the belly cause I am compression bound till Monday. I hope Monday I will have my drains removed and be able to shower. Oh yeah, my nurse said be braless during the day and sleep in a bra at night. That is so much better for me. I can breath much easier.
Updated on 22 Sep 2015:
So, today I went to see the doctor. I was excited because I was certain he was going to remove my drains as there wasn't really much coming out. And he did. That was a very weird feeling having the drains pulled out. Which is literally how they remove them. They snip the stitches and have you take a deep breath and they just pull them out. It kind of feels like having a worm pulled out of you (or what one would expect that to feel like). Anyway, so the drains came out and the stitches came out of my belly button. I was surprised to find out that my belly button is numb. They said that is normal and it may or may not regain feeling in a year. The doctor said I can stand up straight now and to continue to do as I have been (meaning do nothing more than self care:pee, can start to shower tomorrow, brush hair and teeth and just rest). I can handle that. I was re-wrapped and sent home.
Updated on 22 Sep 2015:
I really should have asked the doctor more questions yesterday. Like how much do I clean the the area the compression garment covers? Normally I would scrub my entire body but should I avoid the sutures, should I give them a gental once over with just a soaoy hand should I use my loofa? I opted to just avoid the sutures. If anyone knows what the real answer should be please share. I took the attached photos before my shower and just doi g that tired me out pretty bad. I ended up sitting in my toddlers chair to shower. So far my breasts haven't fully settled into place as you can see, I also don't stand complely upright yet. I am concerned about my belly button placement. It's a belly button width to far to one side. Hopefully that is just swelling and when all is healed everything will be symmetrical.
Updated on 6 Oct 2015:
It has been three weeks since my mommy make over and I now believe Tummy Tucks are stupid. I had surgery on September 15, and was put on bed rest while I had the drains. On September 21, I had my drains removed and was freed to shower but nothing else. On September 25, I got food poisoning and threw up possibly popping something. On September 28, I went to the doctor and had blood asperated from my stomach and had a drain replaced. I was put in a compression body suit, and compression belt. No more showers, bed rest, and can't change my underwear because they are attached to my body suit that I can not even connect myself. On October 2, my drain was removed but I had to keep the body suit and no showers. On October 5, back to the doctor and I had more blood asperated from my belly. I got a new body suit (Yay, new underwear) and still on bed rest but no showers. Now here I lie in my 90 degree angle and I had to sneeze
Sneezing causes sudden muscle contraction and who knows what that may have done to my stomach. If have to be asperated again I swear I just might cry. Right now I think gummy Tucks are stupid.
Updated on 11 Oct 2015:
Maybe tummy tucks don't suck and its really just complications that suck. On the 8th I saw that nurse for a dressing change and to check to see if there was any fluid, and there was a little. The nurse folded 2 abdominal pads into quarters stuck them over the fluid pocket, and suffed me into a new body suit then replaced my compression wrap. She said I could shower Sunday (today), and to continue to rest. Hopefully with the compression wrap the fluid will reabsorb into my body and and things could be fine.
The days leading up to today have been rough, the new body suit was for women who had thigh lipo and a tummy tuck, it had the open crotch and butt for potty time. It was most uncomfortable garment ever. To tight on my ribs, to tight around the potty opening, just super uncomfortable. Sleeping has been pretty hard, I can't get comfortable. I spent my days in a rocking chair instead of my recliner, as I began to think it was probably the reclining that was causing the fluid. Honestly, I have been more comfortable in the rocking chair than the recliner.
So, today I got up and take a shower, oh it was great. It was my first shower since surgery that I really was able to enjoy. I wasn't tired, I was able to do everything, I knew how to handle the suture site. It was very nice. After my shower I took some pictures to show the progress. hubby and I looked for signs of fluid. It's there. I should have taken a pic of my little fluid pocket. Perhaps next time.
Then, hubby re-wrapped me. He put on my last body suit, that I have decided to love in spite of the clippy crotch. So, now here I sit, with very little to do awaiting tomorrow when I will have an other needle stuck in my belly to drain 15 CC's of blood from my belly and be told to keep on sitting. So sad. I think I am going to to have to ask some questions, this sitting thing has gotten old. I need to do just a little more than sit. Maybe just walk, walks around the block and showers would make me so much happier. Anything would be appreciated
Updated on 12 Oct 2015:
So, I went to the doc today and as expected I have fluid in the tummy. But, its just a little bit and the doc said we could let it be and see if it goes away on its own. I have this nasty scar wound that got gross last time. The scab grew onto the ab cover and got ripped off when I took it off. So I showed the doc and he said to put some xeroform on it and it should be fine. I asked about returning to work and what not. He said I should be able to start living again, showers, walking, moving and such. Still take it easy, no work for now. I suggested staying out of work till November 2, he said that should be fine. So there we are I'm free to return to life and have the ok to not work for a little longer. Oh yeah he also said the boobs are still high must squish the right one down for four minutes a day and lefty for two.
Updated on 12 Jan 2016:
Ok, so I think I'm pretty much healed, I feel great, sometimes my scar itches, its really big and really ugly, but my tummy looks great. My stomach still feels a little numb, but honestly I kind of like the feeling, it tingles when I run. I feel great. Now, on to my feelings of disappointment. My breasts aren't semetrical, one was naturally bigger than the other and the implants were filled the same. I would have perfered to have them balanced since I was having them operated on for aesthetics reasons. Since one is bigger than the other they did not fall to the same level, so my they aren't even. Granted that is in part my fault as I did not do my breast massages as directed but seriously, should breast massage be mandatory? My belly button, I didn't realize that my belly button was naturally off center, but I would think that a cosmetic surgeon would have been able to see that and at least give me a warning about it. I would have perfered that he lined my new belly button up with my clitoris, I think that should have been possible. My tummy scar isn't semetrical, I wish he could have done it with less of an angle and low cut, instead of the curved cut that goes nearly three inches up. I just don't understand why cosmetic surgical scars can't be done smoothly and evenly. My mound really could have used a little lipo. When I read that other docs do lipo on the mound when they do tummy tucks I thought that was genius, they really should attempt to make everything smooth. All in all, I am very happy with my results, but I do wish that these little things had been taken care of. I hope any one getting a mommy make over addresses these issues with their surgeon before hand. My doctor did not volunteer any of this information, and I didn't have reason to think of these issues before hand. But when, I get my next surgery I will. (10-20 years from now after gravity has given me more tissue to work with) I really would like to have my breasts closer to the center of my chest so I think I might look for a surgeon who uses the "bacon bra" from Botched, perhaps they can put it in my breasts to push them in ward. Would I recommend my Dr? I think I would, I would just ask him about the issues I had to see if their is any way to not have my concerns after.