I am a 44 G. I have a chronic pain from degenerative arthritis in my spine. I have had back surgery to remove disc that disintegrated. I also am Bipolar Type 2. I am concerned about how the surgery may affect my mental health along with all the usual concerns about recovery. I am healthy now but have had 11 surgeries in the past. But for some reason, this surgery is scaring me. Any advice would be so appreciated. But please, no horror stories or negative experiences besides telling me things I should be prepared for, with advice on how to. Updated on 29 Dec 2016: Hello, So here I go. Here are some photos of me in the before phase. I have degenerative arthritis in my spine and have had 2 back surgeries, one was debriding surgery for MRSA because of that surgery. The MRSA ate away at some tissue and caused a lot of nerve damage. I can be walking along and my legs will go out from under me. I have wanted this procedure for over 30 years now. I am scared as hell but I am doing it. Anyone that has any positive advice or stories is very welcome to follow along with me. PLEASE no negative photos or stories. I am scared enough. My surgery is on Jan. 24. He is taking 900 out of one and 1,000 out of the other. I'm hoping for a C cup but he has said he wants me to be proportionate and may have to go with a D cup. I was 332 lbs, but have lost 100 lbs so far. I'm hoping after the surgery I will be able to be more active and lose the rest. Updated on 31 Dec 2016: I picked up some gauze pads and things I'll need today and for some reason it made me realize this was really going to happen. It somehow made it more real. I guess I have waited for so long that I can't believe it is going to actually happen. I picked up some tylenol extra strength, 4x4 gauze pads, 5x9 gauze pads. (Although they said ABD pads so maybe they were not the right thing.) Bacitracin, Vit. B 12 & C, Wooden tongue depressors to apply ointment. I still need, Iodine, extra surgical bra, extra binder, and a partridge in a pear tree.... Seriously though, can anyone think of anything else they wished they had picked up before their surgery? I have straws already. that's been mentioned a lot. Updated on 1 Jan 2017: I have read that you have to limit your caffeine intake after surgery. One said NO COFFEE at all. Please say it isn't so!!!!!! I honestly can't function without my coffee. It will be a rough recovery without it. I only drink 3 -2 cups a day but it is very much needed. Updated on 10 Jan 2017: My plastic surgery center is awesome. I told them everything I had purchased - gauze, hibiclens, etc. They asked if I could return them to get a refund. They provide all of that for me. Including an extra surgical bra. I should have waited until this appt. to see what they would provide for me. But oh well, lesson learned. The appt went well, I passed the physical with flying colors. So, it's on the 24th at 10:30am. I can't wait! Updated on 14 Jan 2017: I am getting the house in order to try to make for an easy recovery. I'm doing all the little things like selecting a bunch of dvd movies out of my collection and putting them on an easier to access spindle. That way I won't have to pick up the huge books the dvds are in to find a movie to watch. I'm going to make Shepard's Pie, Chicken Pot Pie, Mac & Cheese Casserole, Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, etc. Meals that freeze well, and re heat easily. I live alone so I will be on my own for the most part. I do have neighbors and a few friends that will check in with me. I've got some bedding all laundered and put aside for when I get home. I have a few things I need to buy in bulk like cat litter. I won't be able to carry that up 3 flights for awhile! But for the most part, aside from doing all the cooking, I'm ready. I've got 9 days to go. 3 of which I am working. I think waiting for it to happen is just as hard! Can't wait for it to be over. Updated on 16 Jan 2017: Sorry but I won't be sharing anymore photos after a comment that someone left about the ones I had up. After checking their profile it gave me the impression that they were not on here to share their experience, but to lurk at the photos. I will share all the details and experience I go through, but I do not feel safe sharing photos anymore. Updated on 18 Jan 2017: Since I was a teen I have put up with lewd comments about my breast size. I even had a boss come right out and ask me what my bra size was before. That was my first and last day with that jerk. Over the years these insensitive comments have made me hate my breasts and my body. Even women can say the most inappropriate things to you. Like, because they are a woman too, it gives them the okay to be rude. I am having my surgery because of the pain it causes and the condition of my spine due to all the years of carrying the extra weight. But I will be so happy to be rid of them. If it wouldn't make me look weird I'd have my surgeon take them completely off. I have never been able to like my breasts because of the way I've been treated. It's not right how people sexualize you just because you have big breasts, it's not something you have control over. People don't realize the damage their "innocent" remarks can make. Updated on 25 Jan 2017: I am home. Surgery was yesterday. I am doing really well. Uncomfortable but not in pain. I had 900 removed from one and 1,000 from the other. I am moving around by myself just fine. I couldn't have hoped for a better experience. It is such a trip to look down and see how much smaller I am! And I am bandaged up pretty good, so they are even smaller than what they look like now. Plus they are swollen. So glad I did it!!!!!! Updated on 30 Jan 2017: I am doing really well. I felt good the first day I was home, then had a couple of rough days. Which I was told is very normal. My caretaker ended up in the hospital so I was alone for the first 3 days too. so that was not the greatest. I am now only using Tylenol and am not in any pain. I feel a little uncomfortable but that is it. I am even able to wear pull over shirts for a couple of days now. I am using ice packs when i start to ache and that is helping a lot. My 1st post op appt. went well and I go back on the 3rd for a re check. I am so happy with my size. I feel like I am a full C or small D. But time will tell. I feel so small and I am still swollen so I think I will be very happy with the size I end up with. Showering is getting easier, I'm on day 3 of doing that. I am still pretty boxy and misshapen, but that is temporary. Every day is better, definitely worth it!!!!!!! Updated on 1 Feb 2017: I am wondering if anyone else started losing the tape strips that are over their sutures at this point? I've lost about 4 or 5. The incisions look really good where they are missing, but not sure I should be losing them already. I'm having a lot of trouble with my surgical bra riding up and I think the constant readjusting is causing it. My PS even put some slits in the band to try and make it more comfy, it just made it move over the incisions more. I am padding under the band with thick ABD padding. I will be extremely happy to be in a different bra! Updated on 3 Feb 2017: I was able to have the remaining paper stitches removed. And I got to say goodbye to the surgical bra. I am in a very comfortable pullover sports bra. I am still using padding for now near the band, but I couldn't care less. I can side sleep if it's comfortable and even bathe! my incisions look fantastic! Even better than I thought once the papers were taken off. I am so over the moon happy with my new breasts! And my surgeon! Updated on 6 Feb 2017: I am going back to work today. I am so excited to be doing so well already. I am still not sleeping all that well, but I'm not able to side sleep for very long yet. So, that will get easier with a little more time. I couldn't have hoped for a better experience or recovery. I did have to take care of myself the first 3 days because of my friend ending up in the hospital themselves right before my surgery. I would not recommend that! But I did ok by myself. But definitely have a back up caregiver! I am going to start taking small walks to try and get my energy level back to where it was pre op. I can't exercise yet, but at least that will be something. I measured myself and with the swelling I am a D cup. I think once the swelling is gone and with a little more weight loss I might be able to get into a C cup! So excited! Updated on 9 Feb 2017: So, my wonderful Kitty, Sheldon decided to jump up and say good morning the other morning while I was sleeping. And yes, he landed right on the boobs. I got up and checked them and they were ok, it hurt when he did it, but not after. Then the next day I notice on one of my breasts that I have a palm sized swelling. Not bad, but it looks like how a mosquito bite looks. It's just a bit raised, but it's not bruised other than what was already there. I'm wondering if it is something I should be concerned about, or just see if it resolves on it's own. We are getting a Nor'easter today and really don't want to make the hour long trek to the plastic surgeons. Did anyone else experience this kind of swelling? Updated on 10 Feb 2017: I'm still not finding a comfortable sports bra. Everyone I get that has a nice seamless band rides up and hits the incisions just like the normal sports bra. I am still using padding under the band. I would LOVE to not have to do that anymore, especially under my scrubs because it can show as a bulge if I am not paying attention to how I am sitting. I have used as big a size that I can find and am stretching the crap out of the band hoping that will help. Anyone got any suggestions for a good brand that doesn't ride up? Updated on 10 Feb 2017: Updated on 26 Feb 2017: I'm feeling good. No complications at all. Very lucky! I'm still red under the breasts from the blood supply coming back to that area, but doing better every day. The incisions underneath are getting more comfortable and I am sleeping on my sides since a week ago. I am happy with the size, I would like them to be a bit smaller but I will do that through exercise and diet, now that I can exercise. The only problem I am having is my lower back pain is still here. I have a lot of nerve damage and they said that will always be there. But I am hoping now that I can exercise without upper back and neck pain that losing a little weight will help with that. All in all I am hopeful. That's something I haven't been in a very long time. Updated on 3 Mar 2017: My appt. went great. They removed the stitches that were poking out. I am able to go without a bra unless I am out and about. After wearing a bra for a month straight I will probably never wear one inside again! Feeling really good. Can't wait to sleep tonight bra less. And I have been cleared for exercise! So happy to be past this! Now to enjoy my life!
I have three children. I had my last child over 9 years ago. All were delivered by C-section. I later had a hysterectomy as well as an open abdominal surgery another year later. I currently have the c-section/hysterectomy scar as well as a scar going vertically from that scar up to and through my bb. If the scars are not bad enough, I have extreme stretch marks! My weight flexuated with all my pregnancies but I am currently at a good weight, and just can't get rid of the excess skin with out surgery. Updated on 13 Nov 2012: Well, had my pre-op today, blood pressure was great! Blood work done. I was surprised that I was given 4 prescriptions to have filled for after the surgery- 2 for pain- both oxycotin and oxycodone. That is a lot of pain meds : l . They also gave me one for antibiotics and one that is a blood thinner to take everyday for 7 days after the surgery. ( I had a DVT after c-section in 2003). The surgery date can't come quick enough now!!! :) Updated on 14 Nov 2012: The Nurse practitioner stated I would wake up with my CG, and that I should not remove it or touch it until I go to my post op appointment which will be 7 days Post op. She also said no showers, only sponge bathes.... I see everyone posting pics 1 or 2 or 3 days PO..and I won't be able to even see the surgeon's work for a week?? :( WTF? LOL I will be like a little kid at Christmas.. wanting to unwrap my gift. lol Updated on 20 Nov 2012: Next week at this time I will be in recovery- but I sit here worrying about the weirdest things. I worry, what if the PS doesn't take enough skin, what if he doesn't go up on the sides far enough? What if my scar is to high? Why is it I only worry about how it will look? And not about the Surgery itself? LOL Updated on 26 Nov 2012: Tomorrow is the day! I have done all my "pre-shopping" I think I just need to pick up some bendable straws, stool softner and laxatives to have on hand. I'm very excited, and a little nervous. Not about the surgery, but more about my results, and how my stomach will look. I just can't picture me with a bb again, or a half way decent stomach. - I mean, I know I will still have some stretch marks.... but I can't picture how I will look at all. Updated on 26 Nov 2012: Doctor rescheduled my surgery till the 5th because I mentioned I had symptoms of bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection... but can't know for sure with out a 48 hour culture- So they are postponing the surgery. :( I am so frustrated right now!!! Updated on 27 Nov 2012: This counting down from 1 week again blows.. lol I feel like a little kid that was dreaming it was christmas and woke up to realize Christmas is still a week and a half away :( Updated on 3 Dec 2012: Okay, back down to two days! Two days from now at this time and I will be in recovery! I can't wait to start the healing process and get past all of this!! Updated on 5 Dec 2012: I am headed out shortly! I have a few errands to run and then I will be at the Doctors office. It is so surreal! :) I'm getting very nervous. Updated on 5 Dec 2012: Home . Sleepy but not bad nothing to see yet wrapped up like a mummy Updated on 6 Dec 2012: well, I got home last night around 6. I went right to bed... and slept off and on till 9. My b/f got me out of bed, I walked around and was very proud that I was able to go into the bathroom and go pee alone. lol. I haven't been dizzy at all. I did have a little extra pain when I got home untl I got caught up on painmeds. I had to wake up at 11 so my b/f could give me a shot in the butt - blood thinner lol. I slept in my bed with two pillows under my knees and two pillows behind my back. I slept good. No problems. I was actually surprised. I got up a couple extra times through the night to walk around. I don't want to take chances with DVT. All I have had was nibbles at saltine crackers with ginger ale each time I take my pain meds. Doctor spoke to me after surgery said they were able to take more skin than originally thought, and that I did need MR. He and I were both surprised by that. My first Post op isn't till next week. My two drains are draining quite a bit. Updated on 7 Dec 2012: Last night I woke up at 230 in the worst pain. I think I slept through a pain pill that I should have had, and it took a while for the next one that I took at 230 to kick in. It hurt so bad I had to undo my binder... it was the first time I touched it since the surgery. No way I will be able to get it that tight again... but it was such relief to undo it, but then I had even more pain... I guess there is no winning with this. The drains are starting to slow down and are looking clearer, and not so much like blood, I guess that is a good thing.... Updated on 7 Dec 2012: Yes, I peeked, and of course I took a picture :) I am very happy with what I have seen so far :) Updated on 8 Dec 2012: I have a lot more energy and feel like myself today, now just trying not to over do it :). My back hurts and im gassy, my only complaints - and of course i cant shower so i have a bad case of swamp ass lol b/f promised to sponge bath me and wash my hair when he gets back from the gym and groceries- god i love that man :))))) Updated on 9 Dec 2012: I have not taken any pain meds yet today- i had a good nights sleep last night. I just want the drains out!! A bm wouldnt be a bad thing at this point : / Updated on 9 Dec 2012: I am bleeding from the area that my left drainage hole comes out of- i put some sterile gauze there for now, but im not sure if i should be worried or not? Maybe call doc? I just dont want him sending me to the er :( Updated on 9 Dec 2012: I have not taken any oxy's since last night. I am now just taking tylenol. The pain isnt bad at all- just some muscle soreness and irritation around my left drain- drains are not putting out fluid anymore - i dont have a doc appointment till thursday- hate to think the drains will have to stay until then?? On a different note i still have not had a bm- that is with 3 stool softners a day and a dose od MOM 2 days ago and another dose again today- im feeling bloated and full :( Updated on 11 Dec 2012: 6 dpo- I am a little sore, and certainly sick of my drains that are not even putting out anything to speak of. I don't go back to the doctor for my 1st po until Thursday. Tomorrow I technically go back to work, but I am working from home for the next week... so at least I can take a nap if need be... I am dying for a shower!! But I don't get one of those until after the pesky little drains come out. I took my last anti biotic this morning, and it seems weird that I will have the drains in for two more days with out taking antibiotics. I have not had any problems sleeping.... but I became a back sleeper a long time ago... probably due to repeated surgeries that required me to sleep on my back. :) Updated on 11 Dec 2012: I am overwhelmed on a couple of fronts after looking at myself in the mirror standing with out the binder on..... 1) The scar goes pretty high on my hips which I already suspected. 2) I don't know how I will ever stand upright straight again... It doesn't look like there is enough skin for me to ever do this. :( Has anyone else ever dealt with these issues? I was standing at about a 45 degree angle, and just do not see extra skin to stand..and when I do, I am sure it is going to pull my scar even higher :( I know I had a lot of skin and bad stretch marks to remove, and my PS did a fantastic job doing this.... but my scar will never be able to be covered by a bathing suit bottom :( I did even take a picture because I couldn't stand straight enough to do so :( Updated on 12 Dec 2012: I want to thank all the women that stopped by to reassure me about my incision and how I was feeling. I think with surgery we all have days of doubt... lol.. Today I am feeling much better... after thinking about it I realize just how much bad stretch marked skin the doctor was able to remove..and if that puts my incision a little high..so be it.. its a good trade off in my book :) I am feeling a lot better physically today.. only pain is when I cough or sneeze.. and that is a real sob.. lol. Hope everyone is doing well! Updated on 12 Dec 2012: Added two pics of me standing up finally- my midriff looks real short because I'm still bent over forward- cant stand . So I look mutated lol Updated on 13 Dec 2012: Okay, my PS is a genius - but also a [RS bleep]- lol he took my drains out and then have me a very stern speech about not doing anything at all- and that he didn't want to see me in here all full of fluid. I guess he knows me lol so, I still can't do anything- I even have to wait 24 hours before I shower - getting the drains out hurt like a sob- as did the stitches on the bb- I looked at it- and it looks pretty gross at the moment, but he didn't seem too worried just told me to put anti bacterial cream on it tomorrow - it hurts a bit right now. Well, I think that is it- comfort level is a bit better with out all the hose And drains, but nothing else different :). Updated on 18 Dec 2012: My 2nd post op was moved up to today after I called the PS office yesterday with some concerns. As it turns out... everything is looking good and nothing to worry about, just normal swelling going on here :) He took the steri strips off the belly button..so the little triangle is gone...its weird looking at my belly and seeing a real belly button... :) Its still full of dried blood and a bit gross...but if you look at my before pics.... my belly button was hidden.. Tomorrow makes 2 weeks since my surgery, and it is my first official day back to work. I have worked from home for a week... but it isn't the same as getting up and putting my "real" clothes on and driving into work... I have a pretty good idea that I will be very tired. I am finally at a point that I can stand 90% erect for short periods.. I can't wait for the day I can stand up and feel normal again.. I'm hoping I can hide the hunching at work tomorrow. Updated on 19 Dec 2012: First day back, just did desk work... and I got home, took binder off and saw that I had swelled to the worst proportions so far :( Taking it easy for the evening. Updated on 21 Dec 2012: I spent the day home with my feet up yesterday. It did wonders for me. I am back to work again today and will try to put my feet up at lunch and hope for limited swelling. I'm 16 DPO still only standing about 90%, sometimes 95% but my skin feels too tight at that point. Looking in the mirror I notice that the way the PS did the Tummy tuck gave a nice lift to the skin on the front of my hips.. which I am very happy with. All that pregnancy skin was hiding what I forgot- I am high hipped and short waisted.. lol I havn't seen this body in 20 + years. lol Is anyone else finding that they are crying over anything and anything? I think I am driving my b/f crazy with my emotions. Updated on 21 Dec 2012: Swollen after work but still happy with what I am seeing- cant wait for my belly button to finish healing looks yucky!! Lol Updated on 25 Dec 2012: Well, it's the holidays ! Drank for the first time since surgery, and ate crappy food for the first time- all yesterday and today :(. Not good, but the good news is even with swelling and bloating from surgery, food, alcohol I was still able to wear my normal pants all day today- with my cg under the pants :) feeling good , was up and about like a normal pre surgery day :) only mild discomfort here and there - :). Updated on 31 Dec 2012: I will knock on wood before asking this or explaining.. lol. I will start by saying that so far I have been lucky to have very minimal swelling. in two days I will be 4 weeks po. At night I still sleep on my back, with 2 pillows under my knees. When I sit on my couch I put my feet up. Through the holidays I did a lot of cooking, and went back to work at 2 weeks Po. My first day I swelled pretty bad, but then I was fine. I am wondering if continuing to sleep on my back with two pillows under my knees is part of why I am not swelling or are you girls that have significant swelling sleeping this way as well? ( I know I probably just jinxed myself into swell hell.... lol ) :) Happy New Year everyone! :):) here is to 2013 flat and fab :) Updated on 1 Jan 2013: I took these tonight after New Years drinks / snacks last night and feeling "puffy" today- I can feel the tightness from the swelling - high sodium snacks, and alcohol :( I'm not used to either - they made me sick :( oddly enough I swell on the sides right above the incision not so much on the front of my belly but definitely on top of my lady parts !! back to my healthy eating! Holidays are a killer !! Lol Updated on 2 Jan 2013: I had my four week Po this afternoon- no more binder and I have been released to start back at the gym- he til me to just listen to my body :). As far as scar treatment he recommends vitamin e oil. I go back to see him in 6 weeks :) Updated on 3 Jan 2013: You all seem to have the same question concerning the binder so I thought it easier to post a general response here. As soon as the doctor said I could go with out that sucker I tossed it into my purse and strutted my stuff right out the door. :) I stopped at the store and picked up vitamin E oil, then went home and did some laundry and put wood in the fire- granted I went from my doctor telling me since the surgery to not pick up anything heavier than a 1/2 gallon of milk- and don't bend over or do house work to - do what ever you feel comfortable doing and work up to what you used to do at the gym. So, a month in a binder that did all your core stabalizing for you for the most part..and now I am just doing house work, and being "normal". By the time it was bed time I felt like I had done a million crunches.. my core was exhausted and just felt naked with out my security binder. Not too much swelling, so that was nice. However today I sit at work..... yup you guessed it...wearing my binder.. lol. I figure each day I will go longer periods with out it until I am free of it .. Then just use it during the gym and martial arts. ( which my boyfriend has forbidden me to start back for the moment. lol ( too many high kicks, rolls ect.. its a great core work out... but too much for my new tummy right now :) Hope everyone is doing well with their healing.. :) :) :) Updated on 6 Jan 2013: Okay, for starters... I went the whole weekend with out my binder. I went shopping at the mall yesterday, my intention was to take my binder with me for when I got tired, but I forgot it at home. I did fine, shopped all day- and was wearing my normal jeans :) I felt normal... except that when I got tired, my stomach felt very tight, and I went numb from about mid thigh up to my ribcage- I didn't expect that. Today I wore leggings with a sweater. (no binder) The leggings elastic waist hit literally right above my scar. I was surprised that it didn't bother me. By the end of the day the elastic of the leggings felt tight on my waist. When I went to shower tonight, I did notice one surprising thing... the area on my left side which my PS and I suspect may be a dog ear...was deflated and almost non exsistant. I am not sure if the leggings elastic "compression" right above the scar made the difference or if it was just coincidence... but I was pretty happy, its the first time I actually felt like there was a chance that it might "settle down" and would turn out to just be localized swelling. Over all..not too much swelling for the weekend at all.. and just a few days of awkward tightness and I think I am free from the binder and all compression. :) Its a good feeling. Updated on 9 Jan 2013: 5 weeks post op do not bring many changes. I am completely free of my binder. That has turned out to be liberating. I still can't truely stand straight and arch my back in any way, still have a skin shortage. My belly button continues to change everyday, and I hope it will continue to change- so many on here worry about their belly button being to small, mine seems huge. lol I'm hoping it will calm down a little and take on a cuter shape. I continue to have localized swelling on my left where my nice little dog ear has taken up camp. My lady parts are looking a little more lady like... and best of all I am feeling like my energy levels are back to normal, but when I push it my stomach still feels tight from the usual swelling and over doing it. I will post new pictures soon- I have my cruise in 2.5 weeks and I am relieved to actually feel like I will be ready for it :))) Hope everyone is doing well! Updated on 10 Jan 2013: The picture is close up of my belly button - hard to understand just how big it is- but when you look from a distance it looks huge , not sure if some of that is caused by the scaring? Updated on 11 Jan 2013: So, yesterday afternoon I was at work and my bra kept slipping down over my rib cage. It was annoying me to no end. I decided to leave work early and take a stroll through the mall and maybe go to Victoria Secret. I am usually a 36DD however lately I have noticed that the band is slipping and I have to hook it all the way in, and it is still loose. I have suspected for a while after doing some internet research that I am now a 34. The tricky part which I just discovered is that when you go down a size in band - you go up a size in cup- Yes that is right, making me a 34DDD. Oh my. Well, as you know the staff at VS is always super helpful and willing to help you with proper fit and even give you a bra fitting. In the past before my surgery I always felt awkward because well, lets face it- all these young cute girls see me with just a bra on and all my extra skin made me self concious. So, here I am yesterday in the fitting room trying on bras... I have just my leggins on.. and I am checking myself out in the fitting room mirrors which used to make me want to cry- and I found myself calling the girl into the room as I stood there with just a new bra and my leggins on... opening the door wide with women waiting in line.. and asking questions... lol. I was not self concious and felt like actually pointing out my new BB that was bought and paid for. The upside was feeling confident in my body, with no need to hide or be ashamed of folds of skin- The downside was... the Victoria Secret store does not carry 34DDD in the store- you have to order online. Oh, sure I could buy some "full coverage" 34DD that the clerk was able to stuff all my boob into... but I was like... well, some of my shirts the bra is going to show.... the young girl looked mortified.. like a 41 year old woman should not wear anything other than a turtle neck. lol :) I will order some nice demi bras offline thank you very much :) Okay, on a physical note- I worked all day yesterday, then walked around the mall for 2 hours, then went home and cooked supper- I found I was a little swollen last night, and I only suspect this or could tell because the elastic on the leggings waist was now leaving a mark at my waist and hurt a little bit. To look in the mirror I didn't see much of a difference except that my waist looked a little thicker on the sides. :) Updated on 14 Jan 2013: I am just about 6 weeks po- and I think we turn into our own worst enemy right about now. lol. This weekend I was feeling completely normal, like I didn't have surgery... and then I would find myself doing stupid "normal" things... that quickly reminded my idiot self... that I am not quite "there" yet. examples- bring your trash out to your dumpster and swinging it up and over like its an olympic event... that got me a stern lecture from the boyfriend... Another example is.. not to give too much info.. but while in the bedroom.. things getting a little too energenic... some skin just isn't stretchy enough yet... and can remind you quickly that we must crawl before we can run.. :) Again... a reminder that patience is a virtue... and that Rome was not built in a day... I am willing to take all the time needed... and still think that this surgery, pain, and inconvienence was well worth every penny and tear spent. I asked my boyfriend and he is in agreement- thought he should have input, after all.. he was my caretaker for those first weeks and had to pick up the slack around the house. :) Of course he is now reaping the benefits of my new body.. :) Happy healing to all of our new TTer's . Updated on 15 Jan 2013: Last night while doing my nightly massage with vitamin E oil I was massaging in circles along the incision. I felt/heard this snap like a rubber band snapping- and felt it in my skin as it moved more freely like it was "released". I am still numb in that area.. but it almost felt like my incision had let go and opened, I freaked out and ran to the bathroom to look under the lights- Everything looked normal and my boyfriend now thinks I am going crazy.. lol. Has anyone experienced anything similiar? Was that just scar tissue releasing or a desolvable stitch letting go? is something going on that I should be worried about? Updated on 17 Jan 2013: Not much has changed at 6 wks po. Time has flown though! Funny when I was waiting for the surgery how slow time seemed to drag and now I m already 6 wks po. I am still getting burning and soreness behind my belly button from the muscle repair. I think it is because I am not engaging my core muscles and starting to work out. I have very litte swelling now. I had read that at 6 weeks you can start to get an idea of what your final results will be- I have to say that I am very happy with where things are. I have no complaints. It is still looking like I will need scar revision on my left side for the dog ear but otherwise the scar is thin and healing nicely. The scar on the belly button seems to be slipping into the belly button as my skin adjusts and the swelling goes down. Hope everyone is doing well with their healing! :) Updated on 21 Jan 2013: I needed to go shopping for new gym clothing, as none of mystuff fits anymore... and I was just so very happy when I tried this on! I could have never worn this before the surgery! Updated on 7 Feb 2013: I just got back from a week long cruise. Life was pretty normal on vacation. It was nice to forget about the TT and the healing process and just feel normal. Other than putting a ton of sunscreen on my bb and scar all seemed normal. I went to the gym on the ship, did cardio and weights with my fiancee' who always pushes hard... I think I had a little swelling from that but not much..and it could of been from the junk food on the cruise just as much..lol. I am now 9 weeks post op and feel totally normal. The numbness is gone, but body seems to have adapted to the changes. Tonight I will put my body to the test by going back to martial arts class, which will include a lot of core work for balance. I will not do any full contact yet...as I am not that crazy. lol :) Nothing else has really changed.. the scar does seem to have flattened out and become part of my body rather than a foreign thing- if that makes any sense. :) Happy healing all! Updated on 11 Feb 2013: Okay- martial arts results- swelling. Not the puffy kind, my stomach got hard, tight and just a little bigger than normal. I did all my kicks. as well as my floor work that includes heavy core work out. No pain at all, just the tight feeling after class like my muscles in my core could not relax. Life is pretty much back to normal. Recovery- a thing of the past. Ready to think about a breast lift and augmentation lol. Updated on 15 Feb 2013: I'm trying to read up on medical deductions... can I claim the expenses from my Tummy tuck ?? Anyone? Updated on 18 Feb 2013: I went in for my appointment last week ( 2 months post op/10 wks) I was surprised when my PS looked at my dog ear on my left side and said " well, if it isn't gone now lets just schedule that little procedure now" So, in 2 wks I am scheduled for an in office procedure. He will numb the area make a little incision and cut that little sucker out :) I thought he would have to wait till 6 months - i'm very happy to get rid of it early !! :) Here is to March 2nd! :) Updated on 28 Feb 2013: Do you guys notice a change in your weight for the next couple of days after working out? After my surgery my weight stayed even and steady. Now that I am working out my weight seems to keep spiking upward for a couple days after a hard work out..... OR.. am I putting on weight?? :( Updated on 11 Mar 2013: A week ago Friday I went in to have the dog ear on my left side removed. I was surprised that he was doing it so early in my recovery as I am at about 12 weeks PO. So, on the day he was running an hour and a half late. I was also scheduled for a consult for my BL and BA. He brings me into the procedure room and quickly does a numbing, and snip snip I am done- He is answering questions about the BL and BA as he does his work. Up until this point I have been completely happy with all of my PS work. I have not once complained to him about anything. While I was trying on different sizers he came in to talk to me. I noticed in the mirror that where he had put the stiri strips from the dog ear removal there was still a substantial "shelf" and the curve on my side still wasn't natural. He told me that I "had a shelf" on the otherside too and basically gave me the attitude of "tough sh!t". I was a little put out at this point and wasn't really feeling like giving a down payment for another procedure with this attitude he was giving me. I left their office with directions on how to "treat" the procedure site- but NO FOLLOW UP- Nothing... basically thank you for your money- we are now done. So now its a week later, the stiri strips have fallen off.. and guess what? I still have a dog ear- oh, its further back now, but that side still looks unnatural. That side has looked unnatural from the day I got out of surgery, but I wasn't worried because I was confident that my surgeon would fix the issue and it would end up looking like the other side. It doesn't . Not even close. Now I am left feeling like some how I had too high of expectations to assume that the curves on my side would look natural. I was able to live with the high scar he left me with because I understood how bad my stretch marks were, but I am very unhappy with how he blended the procedure into my sides... My PS's office doesn't believe in doing Lipo during a TT, and now I am feeling like i will have to pay another PS to fix the Dog ear and lipo my flanks in order for me to be happy with the results. Maybe I am just being too picky?? Updated on 14 Jan 2014: Life seems to keep speeding on by! Its been over a year. I feel normal, my stomach no longer seems "alien" when I look at it. It is now a part of me. I am now looking forward to a BL/BA with lipo at my waist and flanks. My PS wouldn't do lipo at the same time as the TT- so I will have it done while I am under for the BL. I have yet to schedule a date, but have already had my consult.
I am 30 years old with three children. Being pregnant has inflated and deflated my boobs over and over and left them lifeless. I want implants to restore fullness be possible areola reduction, leaving them somewhat larger than normal. Trying to figure out if I can do peri areola or doughnut lift to get some lift and implants to get me where I used to be. Currently I'm a 36C but would like to return to DD. I want minimal scaring as I'm unsure how the vertical scar would heal on me. I have included pictures of me and what I would like to possibly achieve. Would like cleavage and to be able to not wear a bra once in a while!! I'm 5'4" and stay Around 140 lbs with 5-10 more to lose after baby. This will Be gone in time for surgery. I have a consult with a board certified surgeon Friday at 9 am! Wondering what type of implant, above or below muscle and how big I should need to achieve. :) right is slightly bigger than left, assuming this can be fixed at time of surgery as well. Updated on 30 May 2016: Had my consult on Friday, I will need the lollipop lift and will be getting implants at the same time. I am trying to determine what size for the mentor memory silicone, my ps recommended 400cc but wondering if I should go a little bigger. Emailing back and forth with them about it and wonder if I can go back in and talk about the size again with the 3D imaging. I am 5'4" 140lbs and currently a 36C, anyone around the same stats? If so why did you use and what size did it put you at in the end? Updated on 16 Jul 2020: I have finally scheduled my appointment with Dr. Vaughan at Plastic and hand. 10-1-2020. So excited! This has been a LONG time coming. Updated on 26 Jul 2020: Scheduled for 10/1/2020, can’t wait for the day. Nervous about recovery but I’ve been wanting this for too long! Glad I’ve finally decided to go for it! My consultation went well and I’ll b requestion the surgeon to be at My pre op to ensure i get all my questions answered and final size and projection!! Updated on 1 Apr 2021: I haven’t my pre op on 4/7 and surgery 4/12!! Anxious me nervous, hoping the pre op clears my last questions and concerns!! I need to finalize size and profile and what to expect during recovery!! I am seeing dr. Vaughan in south Portland! Updated on 16 Apr 2021: I did not come out of the anesthesia very well and was very nauseas and vomiting right out of the gate. Therefore i couldn't keep any meds down which didn't help with the pain and discomfort. My surgery was at 645 in the morning and i got home about 2pm. I eventually got zofran called in to stop the nausea so i could take some meds. I have been managing fine pain wise with ibuprofen and Tylenol. I wasn't really able to eat the first couple days due to the nausea so working on slowly eating some foods that will settle my stomach!! They are riding super high Right now and it is so so hard for me to sleep on my back, nearly impossible. I cannot wait until i can sleep on my side, I'm trying to prop myself up as much as possible!! If anyone has any suggestions on how to sleep comfortably and safely when you are not a back sleeper at all PLEASE let me know!!!:)
