I am 45 and I have had 6 pregnancies. I had a mini tummy tuck along with an umbilical and diastisis repair in 2019. I was elated with my results initially. Now I have developed what can only be described as a "shelf" on top of my scar. When I sent these pictures to my PS I was told to come in for an exam. He is 2 hours away so I thought I'd ask here first. I did see a local PS about lipo but was told there is no fat in this area? What is my stomach doing this?
I have my surgery date ahead! 16 Days exact! I'm nervous yet very excited. I am 5"7 154lbs bigger build. I am going with either 450cc or 475cc. I am getting High profile and my incision will be under my breast. Updated on 1 Aug 2020: I'm 13 days out from my surgery date I am so nervous! Send positive feedback :)
I've thought about this since I had my first son at 21. Finally at 44, I decided it was time. I exercise regularly 5 times a week. I definitely could cleanup my diet and lose more weight. I'm 5' 2" and on the day of surgery weighed 151 lbs. Thank you Covid quarantine for the extra 10 lbs! Today sitting at 6 weeks postop, I am weighing 143 lbs. I decided on the following: breast lift with implants, abdominoplasty, as well as lipo to the flanks, back, inner and outer thighs. I was very nervous about all of this and was doubtful the day before. I worried that I had gained weight. I worried that I wouldn't heal properly. I worried that it just wouldn't make that much of a difference. However, I made it to the day of surgery very nervous and apprehensive to say the least. This is not something to be taken lightly. It is not going to create a model body. I've seen some photos where they got way better results than I feel I have but I accept that I did this because I wanted something to be better, not perfect. I was really hopeful for a more hourglass appearance too, but I just don't have that body I guess... however, I know when I drop those 10 lbs from quarantine, I have a possibility of having abs. Just seeing that there is a midline is so comforting, as I have not had that since before kids. The after surgery definitely feels like you made the wrong choice. There is pain and blood and what will become scars eventually. There is all of these "what ifs" that will happen over the next year probably (I'm only at 6 weeks). But day by day you see the progress in your healing and start to feel more like yourself. Have someone that loves you to help take care of you for the next two weeks. My husband helped me do everything for the first week and took care of all the things I typically take care of around the house for 3 weeks. He was truly the best nurse and caregiver. I hope you have such a great loving person to take care of you. A weird thing is you just can't eat as much right after, as you feel so full after a few bites. Take advantage and enjoy eating less and choose healthy options during this time. Your body is healing and needs veggies and protein. Also starting at like 3 weeks, I started involuntarily stretching. It's like my abs wanted to go back to separating so I felt like my abs were trying to sabotage my results. It was painful to sneeze or cough, let alone trying to stretch! I haven't been cleared to really exercise yet and I imagine from how I feel trying to do a squat, that weightlifting will be a little bit more time. The liposuction really makes everything feel tight and you can't really stretch for some time. Even now at 6 weeks, I feel that my hips are so tight that it I'll be several more weeks of working on mobility to be able to regain my ability to be able to do a full depth squat, perhaps even longer with weights (I'll have to update when I get there). My doctor chose Mentor Memory Gel Smooth Round Moderate Plus Profile left 200 cc and right 250 cc. I didn't want to go large and wanted something natural. I went from a B to a full C cup. That is all I need. Dr. Harvey was open and honest. His staff was very responsive and was able to answer questions, typically responding in a few hours. I would definitely recommend his practice to anyone looking for a doctor. I feel my results are pretty great. We'll see how much my results improve after I get to begin exercising and running again. I have my 6 week check in 2 days and hope to be cleared.
My second breast reduction surgery is next week. I had one 12 years ago, but my breasts were still quite large after the procedure, and I am not happy. I am uncomfortable, my neck and shoulders hurt, and the weight of my breasts pressing on my diaphragm occasionally will cause shortness of breath
I am an RN with 20 years of experience with 14 of them in an OR setting. I know that choosing the right surgeon is key to having great health and results! Several other doctors and nurses that I worked with gave me four local surgeons who had given them and their friends great results. Dr. Harvey was number one on their list and now he'll forever be mine too! Dr. Harvey and his office staff were terrific and put me at ease at my consultation visit. I planned a Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck as I had lost 95 pounds through diet and exercise and did not want to deal with the excess hanging skin any longer. I have never had any type of surgery other than one C-section many years ago. My experience at the Surgery Center of Charleston was phenomenal - the staff there were outstanding! I felt immediately at ease and knew that I had made the right decision. I am one month out from these procedures and I have never had any pain other than a dull abdominal pain where my muscles were sewn back up tighter - that only lasted 3 days. To this day I have not had any breast incision or abdominal incision pain. WOW! Unreal to think of how big of an impact for the rest of my life these surgeries will have had and to have no complications and bare minimum pain was just an extra gift I didn't think I would get. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Dr. Harvey to anyone considering plastic surgery - he does an outstanding job and has a wonderful bedside manner too!
I just had a mommy makeover on Friday (tummy tuck, lift, augmentation and lipo). While I haven't even seen the results yet since I am swollen and bandaged up, I needed to share with the world that Dr. Harvey is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! He and his entire team are! I was a nervous wreck the night before, crying and being overly emotional but when I walked into the surgery center and met Lauren, one of the nurses - I was immediately calmed down. The team put me at ease, reassured me I was in great hands and that I was going to be beyond ecstatic with the results. I had 3 consults before choosing Dr. Harvey. The other doctors were actually located closer to my home, their quotes were less expensive and I've had several friends that had surgeries with them. However, I knew immediately when I met Dr. Harvey that he was the best doctor for me - he was very confident yet comforting and honest. It isn't easy standing in front of a stranger in your birthday suit examining the bad shape my stomach was in post-baby but he didn't make it uncomfortable or awkward at all. He and I were on the same page about approach for my surgery and the results I was looking for. I also looked to him for advice on how big the implants should be - I work out 4-5 days a week, travel for work every month and did NOT want anything bigger than a full C. We originally planned on 300 cc but morning of, decided to go with 325 cc so I would have a little more size rather than just fullness we were initially aiming for. The really fun part (sarcastic)- RECOVERY! I heard so many horror stories of the pain I would be in post-surgery from blogs and other friends and was terrified of the recovery but after just 2 days, I am up walking around and the pain is definitely manageable. I am also standing up straighter than I had imagined and other than tightness in my abs, I don't have any pain in the lipo areas or my chest... it was definitely the right decision to do it all at once. I would recommend a recliner for anyone doing a tummy tuck as its been so much easier getting up and down. Sitting up is definitely the hardest part but is nowhere near what I was expecting. I have 1 drain in me and yes, its gross to think about however also hasn't been as disgusting as I was imagining. I have my post-op appointment tomorrow and will be happy to provide updates as the swelling goes down but if you are looking for a Doctor in the Charleston area, you definitely need to schedule a consult with Dr.Harvey! Updated on 4 Jan 2019: Went awesome! I honestly was most excited about my flat stomach as a result of this surgery but after seeing my breasts today I almost cried they looked so natural and amazing. Stomach is healing great and the scar is SO thin that I was pleasantly surprised. Brooke was my nurse today and she is an absolute doll - another fantastic member of his team! I am still draining a fair amount so we are waiting until Tuesday to remove that. I will keep everyone posted once the drain is out but 1 full week in and still with swelling, I could not be happier!!! Updated on 13 Jan 2019: Drain is out and I feel like a whole new woman - my husband says I look like I lost 30lbs Ana’s everyone who sees my breasts immediately says they want to go see Dr. Harvey. Healing process is going well and I enjoy going for my post op check ins because Dr. Harvey and his team make me SO excited about my progress!
I went for my very first mammogram. A few days later, my friend noticed that my boob had deflated (saline) implants. Yikes. That was a very expensive mammogram. Dr. Harvey took me right in as an emergency patient and I was put back together in no time. He did a wonderful job, And I still and will only go to him. The best! Forgetting mammograms for a bit.
My experience couldn’t have gone any better!! From consultation to surgery to follow ups! He is very professional. Love how he doesn’t do just what you ask but by his experience!! If wanting breast augmentation he does natural and that’s exactly what you get! I didn’t find my research on the computer I found mine by former waxing clients! The scars is a line and not thick and jagged! Which means hardly noticeable! Definitely a genius!
I went to many consultations, but Dr. Harvey was the only doctor who didn't leave me wondering if he was right, he had the experience and honesty to tell me exactly what needed to be done to meet my expectations. I get that some people dont want to hear it, but the truth is plain and simple and I value his honesty. I am 6 days post op, fabulous, perfect results already, and I barely had any pain , just the initial muscle diacomfort from a full mommy makeover. I recommend him and his staff from start to finish, especially Tiffany who answered all my annoying questions many times before I actuallly made up my mind. Thank you again!
I have wanted to get breast implants ever since my 2nd Child. After her/breastfeeding they did not return to normal. My 3rd Child took whatever was left lol. I finally decided to make an appointment with the love and support from my husband ( who still says that I didn't need to do it, I looked great before, but he knew I was unhappy). I met with Dr Harvey and discussed my goal of getting back to my previous size of fullness (I've always been a 34b/C but the volume was gone after breast-feeding) he said 275 would fill me back out without really changing the size, just the shape. After going to my consultation and looking at so many of the reviewers and pictures on Real Self I decided to go up to 300cc, and then on surgery day after speaking to the dr again about my concerns/goals I went up again to 325cc silicone. I am only 1 day post op so I really can't say how they look yet, but all in all im happy that I went though with it. I will update at my 48 hour mark and for the next few weeks as they settle! Updated on 29 Apr 2017: Incisions look great! In my pictures you'll see some lines, that is just from the bra I have on. I am so happy with the results so far. I got mentor 300 cc moderate plus silicone on the left and 325cc on the right due to some minor asymmetrical issues. Can't wait til I can take off and keep off the subpectoral strap though...oh how I hate it! But I know it's helping the implants settle correctly. I'll update again at my 1 week post op appointment. Updated on 29 Apr 2017: I know I already wrote the size but just to give more precise info: I'm 5'8", about 145 lbs. 34 small c before implants. Got 300 mentor moderate plus on left and 325 mentor moderate plus on right.
