W. John Suber, MD

I have had two surgeries by Dr. Suber, over two years. He did a great job. He is smart, caring, and seems like a real friend. But the one thing I wanted to say here is how he is so different in one wonderful way, compared to other doctors. And I mean *all* my doctors. So many are limited by the time they can or will spend with you. It's a few minutes at best and in-and-out, gone! Not so with Dr. Suber. He took 30 minutes with me at my first visit, has been always willing to work me in when needed. He is patient and really cares about his work and what he does. In the days of managed care and less personal healthcare, Dr. Suber is a gem that is almost impossible to find.

I wanted to do this for personal resasons and felt that I wanted to give myself a gift for Christmas. I'm a plus-size female with no shame in my game. Lol. I just wanted to get liposuction around my stomach and back area. I had my procedure last Friday so I'm 5 days post op. Had to stay in the hospital overnight for 2 nights because my heart beat would stay between 100-160 per minute. Yea scared. Home now. Went to first post op today and got a lot of padding removed. Still very swollen. I can't really tell a difference just yet but they showed me pictures of all the fat they sucked out. It was like 24 pounds. When i was in the hospital I had to have two blood transfusions. So I know my body went through a tough procedure. At times the pain seems unbearable but that's why I created this page to have someone to talk to. :-) Updated on 18 Dec 2015: So today is my 1 week anniversary. I feel soooo much better. I've been too drowsy on medications to take any pics but I will start. I actually got to see myself without any garmets on last night because I was tired of the hospital garment being dirty. So my doctor told me I had 30 minutes to get it washed, dried and put back on. I must say I'm very satisfied with what I saw. I'm still very swollen and bruised, but that's normal. Today was actually the first day I felt like getting up and walking around the house a little. Updated on 12 Feb 2016: Still a little swollen. More pics to come. I love my results though. Updated on 12 Feb 2016: This was like 1 month post op

Hi, Fellow RealSelf-mates!  Happy Friday to everyone!  :) This is my first review on the Breast Augmentation page; however, I’m still posting on the Tummy Tuck page (12/29/2014 TT date).  I had originally planned to get a breast lift, but my doctor suggested that I go with small implants to restore my upper pole fullness and fill in some of the lax skin.  If a lift is still needed after that, he can perform a minor lift as an in-office procedure.  So… I’m opting for 330 cc moderate plus, silicone implants under the muscle with an inframammary (breast fold) incision. I’m currently a deflated 36B, and the implants should make me a full C.  I’m a little nervous about going up in size, but my doctor seems to think that size will fit my frame nicely.  He did an OUTSTANDING job with my TT, so I definitely trust his judgment and abilities.  He recommended that I go with silicon vs. saline to get a more natural look, because I’m a little too thin to hide the bulkiness/roundness of saline.  We also agreed on the moderate plus style, because I need a little extra projection without the extra width of the moderate.  The silicone is a little more expensive, but I'd rather pay a little extra to get the best results. My stats are as follows: Age:  45 Height:  5’8” Weight:  146 Current Bra Size:  36B Desired Bra Size:  36C   I have 2 children ages 20 and 15.  I breast fed both kids for a year.  After breastfeeding, my breasts were no longer perky, but they weren’t exactly saggy until about 4 years ago.  They have gradually gotten lower and emptier… I call them my little bags of skin.  LOL.  A breast augmentation has never been on my radar, because I’ve always been satisfied with my breast size.  I always thought of a breast augmentation as a way to get bigger boobs, not as a way to correct the effects of age, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and gravity.  I consulted with two different surgeons prior to my tummy tuck, and both of them recommended small implants to restore upper pole fullness and lost density.  I’m still haven’t completely wrapped my mind around concept, but I’m marching forward. I’m still in the tummy tuck healing phase, so it’s kind of difficult to focus on my boobs.  I’m 3.5 weeks out from my augmentation, and I’m sure it’s going to be here before I know it.  My early tummy tuck recovery was pretty grueling, so hopefully this will be smooth sailing. :)  My sister took EXCELLENT care of me after my tuck, and I’m sure she will do the same after my “boob job”.  I absolutely LOVE her! I’m really looking forward to having marvelous breasts to match my marvelous tummy!  My surgeon is definitely a magician, so I know I will be thrilled with my results… after I adjust to the bigger size.  EeeeeK! Until next time! Updated on 24 Mar 2015: Happy Tuesday!  :) I am on the one week countdown, and I am a tad nervous.  Eeeekkk! I had my pre-op appointment yesterday, and Dr. Suber and Jenny were awesome as usual.  Dr. Suber is planning to use 339cc moderate plus, silicone implants.  We’ve agreed that he may go with 371cc if he thinks that will give me better results after he studies my pictures and gets going with the surgery.  I am so hoping that 339cc/371cc will not make me larger than a full C.  I trust Dr. Suber’s judgment, and my sister keeps reminding me that Dr. Suber is a perfectionist and he will make sure I have the best results possible.  I’m still a little nervous, but I’m sure I’ll look great, even if they are a little larger than I’m expecting. I have paid the surgical fees, and I will pay the surgical center and anesthesiologist fees when I arrive for surgery next week.  I need to pick up the prescriptions for my pain meds, muscle relaxers, anti-nausea patch, and antibiotics.  I plan to go shopping later this week for button/zip front shirts, snacks, bottled water, prune juice, ginger ale, ice packs, reacher/grabber, and an extra ace bandage.  I already have the following:  sports bras, recliner, raised toilet seat, shower bench, neck pillow, wet wipes, heating pad, bendy straws, arnica and bromelain supplements, arnica gel, tylenol, stool softeners, and hibiclens antimicrobial soap. Time just seems to be moving so fast.  I can’t believe it’s so close, and I can’t believe I’m really doing this!  Dr. Suber is absolutely amazing, and my tummy tuck results are better than I could have ever dreamed. I’m sure everything is going to be more than PERFECT (self-talk...LOL). I have a collection of loose fitting shirts that I wore before my tummy tuck to hide my stomach/pudge.  I’ll continue to wear those for a while to hide my new “twins”…until I get used to them.  LOL I’m already planning a tattoo for the “twins” when they are all healed.  I lost a tattoo when I had my tummy tuck, so I’m going to have it replaced on my chest, instead of my hip bone.  I’m pretty excited about that.  :) I'll post my "before" pictures soon... Until next time! Updated on 30 Mar 2015: Time has flown, and it is almost boob time! I'm scheduled to arrive at the surgical center at 11:00, and my surgery starts at 12:00. After seeing the "before" pictures my friend took for me, I am more ready than ever! My breasts are soooo deflated. It was a great reminder of why I'm doing this. :) I'll check in later in the week... Until next time! :) Updated on 30 Mar 2015: Updated on 2 Apr 2015: My BA was 2 days ago. I woke up in considerable pain, and the nurse gave me a shot of Demerol, and that helped quite a bit. My sister took me to her house and got me settled into her recliner. The tightness and pain was pretty constant all day. I was completely bandaged around my chest, and I think the pressure from the bandage contributed to the pain. My first post-op appointment was yesterday, and Dr. Suber adjusted my bandage. It is now above my breasts pushing the implants down and into place. Dr Suber informed me that he inserted the implants through areola, instead of my breast fold. If additional tightening is required, he plans to use the areola. I'm pretty exvited that i won't have a vertical or crease incision/scar. My range of motion had definitely improved over the last couple days. I still haven't raised my arms above my head, but I can reach horizontally and vertically down. My boobs seem pretty large to me, but I'm hoping that it's due to the swelling. I was able to take a peek them during my post-op, and they look great so far. Dr. Suber is amazing! I'll check in again soon. Until next time! Updated on 2 Apr 2015: Updated on 4 Apr 2015: First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new breasts! They are still incredibly sore, and I feel a weird buzzing/bubbling from time to time, but they are beautiful! The last few days have been a blur because of the Dilaudid and Flexeril. I'm trying to wean myself off the prescription meds, but I'm still taking them as needed. I'm spending a lot of time in my recliner, but I'm gradually getting back to my normal life (cooking, laundry, caring for my pets, etc). I had a "moment" this morning, and I was frustrated with the soreness and how the pain meds make me feel. I took a nap and woke up with a brand new outlook on life. LOL. My sister stopped by and changed my ace bandage for me. It felt SOOO good to have it off for a while. It is definitely doing its thing, because my boobs are already looking natural... and I don't have the round baseball boob at the top. I'm pretty excited about that! Overall, I'm more than happy, and I can't wait to see my final results! :) Until next time! Updated on 4 Apr 2015: Updated on 15 Apr 2015:

I have 2 children, ages 19 and 14. When I was pregnant with my son, my stomach errupted in stretch marks at about 7 months. I was very careful to apply cocoa butter and massage my skin to avoid this, but genetics and a large baby nixed all of my efforts. The stretch skin has always bothered me and made me feel fat, even though I am relatively fit and well within the ideal weight range for my height. I have learned to dress to hide my "pudge" (as I call my lower belly), but I am always very conscious that it's there. For some reason, a tummy tuck really didn't seem like an option for me or something I would even consider.... until a few years ago. I finally decided about a month ago to take the plunge. I have had consultations with 2 different surgeons, and I decided to go with #2. I am so excited now that I have actually scheduled my surgery! I know it's not going to be a walk-in the park, but it's going to be SO worth it in the long-run. 124 days to go! Wish me luck! :) Updated on 8 Sep 2014: Hi, Fellow RealSelf-mates! Happy Monday to everyone! :D It’s exactly 16 weeks until my surgery, so it’s just a waiting game at this point. I’ve been reading a ton of reviews and doing a lot of research… probably too much if that’s possible. I must say that the RS reviews and comments have been incredibly helpful and enlightening. I understand that everyone’s journey/experience is different, but I feel much better prepared already. It has also helped me to understand what to expect…somewhat. For instance, I know that I will probably grow to hate the dreaded drains. :( That seems like a pretty common theme throughout… And let’s not forget “swell hell”. Since I’m several months out, I have no real updates at this point, so I’m just going to log a few thoughts and decisions. • I’ve decided to invest in a recliner and a rolling walker (sounds like an oxymoron, huh?). I’ll probably purchase the walker (possibly a Rollator) on craigslist and resell it when I no longer need it. Hopefully, I’ll never need it again! • I’m opting for the pain pump that the hospital offers… and all of the anti-nausea meds and patches my surgeon recommends. I’m sure I won’t be pain free or nausea free, but it won’t be from lack of trying/preparation. LOL. I’m a real wimp when it comes to pain. • I’m planning to take 2 weeks off work and possibly work from home the 3rd week. I may be a little unrealistic/aggressive with this goal, but we shall see. My job requires very little movement, except typing, talking, and shuffling papers… so hopefully, I’ll be ok. My only concern is that the restroom is on the other side of the building, so I may have to temporarily move to a different location in the office for a week or so after I return. Time will tell. • I’ve decided to stay at my sister’s house during my first 2 post-op days. She’s going to be taking care of me, so that will make it much easier for her. My daughter will be on Christmas break, so she’ll be staying with a friend for a few days. My son is 19, so he will be at home taking care of our vast array of pets… and partying like it’s 1999. :) • I’ve emailed a few questions to my surgeon’s assistant, and she has been incredibly helpful. I’m not sure if I’ll schedule a follow-up consultation prior to my pre-op visit, but I’m keeping that option open… maybe as time starts winding down. I’d like to get a few more specifics (e.g., the estimated location of my scar and how many of stretch marks will be removed), but most of my questions can really wait until my pre-op. I’m just thinking out loud and rambling at this point, so I guess I’ll wrap it up. Until next time! Updated on 28 Dec 2014: I've been so busy, I haven't posted an update in quite a while. My surgery is at 7:30 a.m. I can't believe my big day is already here! When I scheduled my TT 4+ months ago, it seemed so far away... I have to wake up in about 4 hours to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 a.m., but I wanted to post a few pictures of my nastiness (tummy) before I catch a few winks. Good luck to all of my Tummy-day buddies who are scheduled for 12/29. Updated on 4 Jan 2015: I couldn't get the pictures to upload the night before my surgery... Better late than never. :) Updated on 4 Jan 2015: Since my surgery date was 12/29/2014, it will probably take a few posts to catch up on everything. The morning of surgery, my sister picked me up from my house at 5:15 a.m. and drove me to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital and were asked to wait in the lobby until we were called. I wasn't nervous at all; just ready to get the show on the road. My sister and I waited and talked and joked and giggled for about 30 minutes. Then we were then led to the 2nd floor by the surgery coordinator. We were escorted into Room #9, and that just happens to be my favorite number. :). The nurse in the prep room was AWESOME. She was funny and very personable. We had a great time while she was getting me all suited up and prepped for surgery. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me an overview of what he would do. He was nice enough, but rather subdued. Next, the surgery nurses came in... They weren't very exciting either, but they were polite. At some point, my surgeon came in and marked up my stomach and flanks. He was bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to g.o. His confidence was very comforting. I was given something to make me relax, then was wheeled into the OR. We went thru a set of doubledoors... Updated on 7 Jan 2015: I "awoke" in the recovery room. I wasn't completely awake, but I was semi-coherent. According to my sister, I was in quite a bit of pain, so the nurse administered several doses of IV meds to get the pain under control. My sister was concerned about my pain level, but I kept assuring her that "beauty is pain." LOL After leaving the hospital, my sister drove me to her house and deposited me in her oversized recliner next to her bed. That is where I lived for the next 6 days. My sister is 2 years older than I am, and she has always taken care of and spoiled me, but she really outdid herself this time. She put her life on hold and literally took care of me around the clock for almost a week. I’m usually very independent, so it was difficult to ask someone to help, so I thanked her profusely for everything she did. That eventually got on her nerves, and she asked me to please stop thanking her for everything. LOL… After that, I still thanked her, but I apologized for thanking her. It was quite comical. I am very sensitive to prescription medications, and I was prescribed a combination of Flexeril and Dilaudid. The first few days are just a blur of pain, protein shakes, trips to the bathroom, and mental fogginess. Whenever I was frustrated or in pain, I would do a self-check to ask myself if it was worth it. The answer was always a resounding YES… I would do it all over again! Updated on 7 Jan 2015: Just a few highlights… My first post-op appointment was 12/30/2014 – Day after my surgery. My sister decided that I should just wear my pajamas and my Batman slippers. I wasn’t coherent enough to argue, so pjs and slippers it was! I’m sure I looked really charming, especially bent at the waist with my red rollator walker. I found the walker on Craigslist, and I was quite pleased with it. It has hand breaks, reflectors, and a seat that doubles as storage. Dr. Suber was quite impressed by it and refers to it as the red rocket. I don’t remember a lot about the visit, but I do remember that we had an in depth conversation about my walker and super heroes. LOL. Dr. Suber and his assistant, Jenny, are the absolute best. My sister worked for a few hours on Wednesday – post op Day 2. That day was mostly a blur, but I remember having a small moment of panic when she left. I shook off the panic and decided that I was going to be more independent… Big Mistake. My perch (the recliner) is a rocker-recliner, so I needed someone to stabilize it for me so I could scoot to the end and hoist myself up with my arms. I tried it a couple times on my own, even though my niece and nephew were more than willing to help me. That was not a smart move. By the time my sister returned home, my pain level was almost through the roof, especially along the incision line. It took almost 12 hours to get everything under control again. I’m a very stubborn person, but I learned my lesson. My sister had no idea why I was in such bad shape when she returned, but I finally confessed the next day. I knew she would be angry with me, but I had to tell her. She was a little angry and very disappointed. :( I had done everything I could to avoid constipation, but I didn’t have my first BM until Saturday – Day 5. My doctor had instructed me to use Colace and drink 5 oz of prune juice 4 times a day. I added a few doses of Magnesium Citrate (yuck!), and by Saturday afternoon, we were in business. My original plan was to stay with my sister for 2 or 3 days, but she refused to take me home until I had a bowel movement. I was released from her care on Sunday afternoon. Updated on 7 Jan 2015: Just a couple photos with 1) binder, drains and pain pump and 2) one remaining drain. The painpump and the first drain were removed at the my second post-op appointment on Day 7. The drains were not really as much of a hassle as I had expected. Showering was a little cumbersome, but otherwise, I just worked around them. My incision is longer than I had expected, but it is also much lower than I expected, so it all balances out. I am very pleased with my belly button so far. That was one of my biggest concern. It looks pretty rough right now, with the stiches, glue and swelling, but I think it’s going to be cute. For now, I have named it Frankenbutton, because it looks rather Frankenstein-ish with all the stitches. LOL My incision is healing very nicely. I plan to have the scar covered with a tattoo once everything is completely healed (6 months to a year). Dr. Suber is very pleased with my progress and he assured me that my scar will be so fine that I won’t need a tattoo. I absolutely love his confidence! Updated on 7 Jan 2015: I have settled into a nice routine at home. My children have both been unbelievable! My son has taken care of all of our critters (6 dogs, 1 bird, and 2 snakes, plus the bird that we are keeping for friends). My daughter has been my helper. She hung out with me the first couple days to make sure I didn’t need her help with anything. I usually take care of EVERYTHING around the house, so I was shocked at what a good job they did with everything while I was away. The house wasn’t as neat and tidy as I had left it, but it was good enough. :) My second post-op appointment was on Tuesday – Day 8. I am still walking a little hunched over, but I managed to drive myself to my appointment and scoot my way to Dr. Suber’s office. This was my first outing on my own, and I felt very accomplished when it was over. Dr. Suber removed my pain pump and one of my drains. The second drain will be removed at my next appointment on Monday – Day 14. The drain removal was a pretty harrowing experience. It was not painful at all, but it was really weird and gross feeling. It felt like a small wet snake was slithering through my abdomen. I almost threw up! Throughout the day, I had little flashbacks of the feeling. I showered when I got home and tightened my binder, and that made me feel a little better. LOL. I’m looking forward to the freedom of having my second drain removed, but I am DREADING the feel of it. Everything is healing nicely, and Dr. Suber is still pleased with my progress. My incision still has a little puckering, but it is smoothing out nicely. I can’t wait to see my final results. It has been 20 years since I’ve had a flat, wrinkle-free stomach. My son turned 20 on Monday, and that pregnancy is what stretched my abdomen all out of shape. Good times! Updated on 8 Jan 2015: I was a little too aggressive in my pursuits yesterday. I felt really good, so I did several errands. Halfway through my last stop, my upper abs starting feeling really tight. I finished shopping and drove straight home. Getting out of my car was an arduous task, and I was walking really hunched over. I rested with my feet up for an hour and felt much better. Apparently, I didn't learn my lesson, because I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, then swept my livingroom and kitchen floors... Back to the recliner. I slept until 10:00 this morning. I was still really drained, so I took a 2 hour nap and woke up feeling much better. I took a long shower, and it felt absolutely amazing. Time for round 2... I picked my daughter up from school and took her to the orthodontist. She politely told me that she could go in alone and I could stay in the car and rest. I'm sure it had nothing to do with fact that I was wearing baggy sweatpants and walking bent over like a little troll. LOL Next we picked up dinner and headed home. A repeat of yesterday... My upper abs seized up again and I struggled to exit the car, walk into the house and climb into my recliner. Tomorrow is another day, and I vow to take it easy! Happy Healing to Everyone! Updated on 8 Jan 2015: I'm still waiting for my appetite to return. I'm still living on fruit, saltine crackers, animal crackers, protein shakes, water, and multivitamins. I have not eaten a solid meal since my surgery. My sister coaxed a few bites of salad (lettuce and dressing) into me at one point, but that’s about it. Today I ate half of a 6” sub with turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce, and mayo… Yes, that is a 3” sub. It tasted really good, but I felt as though I would explode. I’ve always had a very healthy appetite, and I can wolf down a 12” sub in a matter of minutes, so being full after eating a snack is a novelty for me. LOL Back to the protein shakes and fruit until my appetite decides to reappear… Updated on 12 Jan 2015: I have officially hit the 2 week mark! It seems like it has been a lot longer than 2 weeks. I am feeling better and better every day. My stomach is still VERY tight and I am walking a bit hunched over, but I am about 95% straight most of the time. When I first stand, it takes a little while to straighten up. I am still sleeping in my recliner, but I plan to move to my bed tonight after my 2nd drain is removed. I have my 3rd post-op appointment at 2:00 today. I can’t wait! I am not looking forward to the drain removal process, but I can’t wait to be free of it. It really hasn’t been that bad, but it is yet another milestone in my healing process. Also, I can’t wait to take a shower without having to work around it. My appetite still hasn’t returned and I have lost almost 10 pounds since my surgery. I’m still drinking protein shakes. My doctor recommended Premier Protein, which has 30 g of protein and only 1 g of carbs. They don’t taste great, but they’re not terrible either. I am still using my Isagenix protein shakes also. They taste a lot better, but they have a lot of carbs also. I am still wearing my binder 24 x 7. I plan to switch to a regular high-waisted girdle. Dr. Suber recommended the Cupid - Extra Firm Control High Waist Brief Style from Wal-Mart. The Wal-Mart item # is 550573313, if anyone is interested. I ordered a Medium… hope it still fits. It has to be more comfortable than this bulky binder. I may still wear the binder at night though. If the girdle works out, I’ll order a couple more. My wonderful sister took me grocery shopping yesterday. I just can’t say enough good things about her. She has been absolutely amazing. I plan to take her on a cruise this summer to show my appreciation for all of her help. The grocery shopping was quite an adventure. I am such an independent person, it is so hard to be helpless. I rode around on the little electric handicap scooter thingy while my sister did my shopping. I rode the whole time, and I was still exhausted by the time we left the store. We still had a really good time though. I think I may just have the best sister in the world. More to come… Updated on 2 Feb 2015: I've had trouble getting accessing the site to make updates, so this is about 2 weeks late. Week 2 was an eventful week. I had my 3rd post-op appointment, and Dr. Suber removed my second drain. Fortunately, I didn’t feel that one at all. I had a mild burning sensation on the lower left side of my abdomen for a couple days after the drain was removed; however, the drain removal made a HUGE difference in my mobility. I could immediately bend a lot further and easier. I still have a lot of scabbing, but everything looks really good so far. Frankenbutton still has some stitching and swelling but is starting to look really cute! I switched to a high waist girdle style compression garment after my post-op appointment. It is a lot less cumbersome than the surgical garment I wore for the first two weeks; however, it is the style that has the hook-eye closure in the crotch. My sister calls it my onesie. LOL. That just did not work for me on a 24 hour basis, so I went to Kohl’s and purchased a Maidenform corset style waist nipper ($42). I wasn’t planning to spend that much, but the onesie was just not working for me. I ended up ordering a similar version from Walmart.com. This one is a Maidenform Flexees, and it only cost $14. It is almost identical to the $42 version I purchased from Kohl’s. I now wear the onesie at night and the corset during the day. That seems to be working like a charm. They are both very snug, but I have had no problems with swelling… knock on wood! I returned to work full time after 2 weeks. I worked from home on Monday and went back to the office on Tuesday. I should have worked at home part of the day, because by the end of the day I was EXHAUSTED. I was so tired, I felt as though I was coming down with the flu. I was aching all over and felt very lethargic. I finally made it home and into my perch (recliner). I slept for 1.5 hours and woke up feeling totally refreshed. I tried it again on Wednesday, but I left the office a little earlier. I realized at 5:15 that I had a 6:00 dental appointment. I rested for a few minutes and headed to the dentist. Everything was fine… until half way through my cleaning, I felt a sharp pain on the left side of my back. If toughed it out and drove home is excruciating pain. It hurt to move, breathe, blink, etc. I finally made it home and hobbled to my perch. The pain continued until I relaxed for about 15 minutes. At that point, I was relatively sure that I was not having a heart attack or throwing a clot. However, as soon as I stood from my recliner, the crippling pain returned. I took 3 Ibuprofen and ½ a Flexeril, and the pain subsided somewhat. I finally took a Dilaudid and fell asleep in my recliner… still wearing my work clothes. I awoke the next morning pain-free. I emailed my doctor’s assistant and she assured me that I was just having a muscle spasm and I wasn’t dying from a heart attack and there was no risk of permanent paralysis. She’s quite a character, by the way. She explained that returning to work full time and sitting at my desk all day most likely triggered the spasm. My back was trying to compensate for my weak abdominals, thus the spasm. She called in a refill for my Flexeril and encouraged me to continue taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen several times per day for the next week or so. According to her, using Ibuprofen for “short term management” will not cause stomach or liver damage. I’ve had a few small back spasms since then, but I have forced myself to relax and breathe… I was tensing and hold my breath before, and that exacerbated the problem and made the spasm much worse… vicious cycle. I also worked from home on Thursday and Friday, so I could relax in my recliner periodically to rest my back. I managed to over-eat on Monday, and I was absolutely miserable for hours. I will NEVER EVER do that again. My appetite has not returned, but I tried to eat a normal meal… which would have actually qualified as a snack prior to my surgery. I was miserably stuffed and I felt as though I had food stuck in my ribcage and in my throat! According to my doctor, the muscle tightening has squeezed everything together… so the ole appetite may never return to normal. I guess that’s a pretty good side effect… especially since I haven’t been able to exercise in almost 4 weeks. Hopefully, my doctor will release me to resume my workouts gradually next week. I’m really looking forward to that! :) Enough for now…. Stay tuned! :) Updated on 5 Feb 2015: This has been a good week so far. My appetite has finally returned; however, I still have to eat really small portions. I've lost 14 pounds, since my surgery, so I really need to go shopping soon. I still have a few sore/tender spots, so I'm still wearing elastic waist palazzo pants and yoga pants. I returned to the gym on Sunday... I'm only doing light cardio at this point, but it feels really good to exercise again. I've lost a lot of muscle tone over past 5 weeks, but I plan to get it all back... and then some. :) I'm still loving my results. My stomach still has a little swelling, but it still looks absolutely amazing! I've decided to move forward with a breast lift with implants. That is scheduled for March 26th. I'll start a review in the Breast Lift section soon! Good luck to everyone... Until next time! :) Updated on 5 Feb 2015: Updated on 12 Feb 2015: Week 6 has been a good week. I still have some soreness and a little swelling, but I feel really good overall. I'm gradually getting back into my exercise routine..just walking 3 miles/day 3 days/week. My lower abs near my incision still feel really tight, but my doc told me that it's nothing to worry about. I had a follow-up visit today, and he prescribed a diuretic and a potassium supplement to ease the "localized swelling" a little. I'm also using Arnica Gel on the swollen areas. I'm also planning to start taking Bromelain again thus weekend. I'm in the second week of scar therapy/massage, and I've started to see real results. :). My scar really hasn't lightened very much, but it is really starting to smooth out. I plan to start a review in the Breast Lift with Implants category. Phase 1 of my lift is scheduled for March 31st! Until next time! Updated on 12 Feb 2015: Updated on 9 Mar 2015: As of today, I have officially reached the 10 week mark. Everything has been going well.  I’ve had a couple “swell hell” days since my last updated.  The swelling didn’t look very dramatic, but it felt like I had a ton of bricks in my abdomen!  At times, it felt as though my belly button was being pushed completely out of my stomach.  Fortunately, that only lasted 2 days.  I still have a little swelling, mostly on my upper right ride and lower left side.  Hopefully, it will resolve itself soon. It still hurts a little when I sneeze or cough, and I occasionally have shooting pains and spasms, but nothing too serious.  I am still numb all the way down the middle of my abdomen and along part of my scar line, but the sensation seems to be returning gradually. I’m trying to wean myself off my corset/girdle this week.  I’ve made it 2 days in a row and I’m feeling ok.  I’ll still wear it when I exercise or if I start to swell…which hopefully will be minimal.  I am continuing my scar treatment/massage.  I switched from Vitamin E oil and Mederma night cream to Bio Oil about 3 weeks ago.  My scar is still getting smoother and lighter every week, but I can’t really tell if the products I’m using make a difference.  This week, I’m planning to start using Vitamin E oil in the morning and Bio Oil at night. It hasn’t been a walk in the park, but I am grateful that I’ve had a relatively uneventful recovery, and I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE my results.  I don’t think I could be happier with how my tummy looks! I’ve started my review on the Breast Augmentation page.   I’m scheduled for 03/31/2015 at noon (22 days a counting).  I’ll continue to update both pages. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and a wonderful journey! Updated on 29 Mar 2015: Happy Sunday to everyone!  J Today is exactly 3 months since my tummy tuck.  Time has really flown, and I am more than thrilled with my results!  I am still experiencing swelling in my upper abdomen, but trying to everything time to settle down.  My lower stomach is SO FLAT!  I simply love it.  My breast augmentation is scheduled for Tuesday (03/31), so I’m trying not to do too much shopping until everything is healed.  I’m going to need a totally new wardrobe when it’s all said and done. :)  Shopping is still very weird to me, b/c I don’t have to worry about hiding my stomach anymore… I’ve been shopping around it for so long, my mind hasn’t adjusted yet.  LOL I’m still not back to 100% in the gym yet… still primarily sticking with cardio.  Hopefully within the next month, I can get back into my normal routine of cardio (jogging, elliptical, powerwalking) and weight lifting.  My scar is definitely changing.  I’m not sure if it looks better or worse, but it certainly looks different.  LOL.  I have continued the twice daily scar massage with Vitamin E oil and Bio Oil.  I will continue this routine for the next 3 months, and hopefully the scar will just be a thin line in no time at all.  I will try to post a couple pictures later. Until next time!