Walter Efird, III, MD (in memoriam)

I am a 25 yr old mom of two boys 7 and 3. After putting on 50lbs with my first, then donating a kidney to my father, then getting pregnant again my stomach looks absolutely horride!! I breast feed my second son so there went my boobs! I have wanted to do this for many years and finally got the courage and money to do it. My surgery is scheduled for March 25.

I have been reading everyone's reviews and I must say I am still really nervous but I am so glad I found this site. I will keep everyone up to date and post pictures soon.



Updated on 21 Mar 2011:
4 days until surgery!! I am getting very excited/ nervous, I talked to my doctor today and took him some new pictures of what I wanted to make sure my expectations were realistic and that we were on the same page as far as outcome. I have decided to go with 425cc gel implants placed under the muscle. I can't wait to see the outcome!!


Updated on 24 Mar 2011:
So my big day is tomorrow and I can't wait!! I have been eating fresh pinapple to help with the bruisong and swelling (thats what the nurse tells her face lift pateints to do).
I will post my pictures as soon as I feel up to it. I couldn;t bring myself to post my before pictures without the after... trust me girls they aren't a good sight!!! Anyways I am super excited for tomorrow, wish me luck, and keep me in your prayer!!!


Updated on 26 Mar 2011:
So yesterday was my surgery and I am happy to report that my new boobs are WONDERFUL and my belly looks GREAT even with the swelling! I can't wait to be back to myself and able to move a little a better. I have been forcing myself to get up and move around as much as possible. I think I am doing pretty good considering I managed to get myself in and out of the recliner all on my own!!! Thanks to everyone who was thinking about me yesterday. I will try to take some pics tomorrow and get the posted.


Updated on 27 Mar 2011:
So I am feeling worse today so the pictures will not get posted today! I feel like maybe I did too much yesterday or the medicine from the hospital is wearing off. Either way my lipo area and my incisions are hurting pretty bad today. My boob are still really hard and swollen, I hope they drop soon I can't wait to see the final outcome. IF I wasn't in this much pain I would swear I was dreaming because I have wanted this for so long!


Updated on 28 Mar 2011:
So I am hoping to get some pic. today when my mom comes to help me. I saw my stomach and stitches yesterday for the first time. MY mom was helping me clean and change my bandages and I almost passed out... not sure was going on but we are going to try again this morning and hopefully it will go smoother. I can't wait to get this drain out so I can take a bath!!!


Updated on 28 Mar 2011:
So I didn't do any better today with the cleaning and dressing of my incisions. For some reason when the girdle comes off I get a really weird feeling like my muscles are going to fall out of my stomach!!! I assume the pain med is what makes me feel sick, since I have never done god with pain meds anyways.
I feel really tight today in my breasts and stomach, I hope this passes soon b/c I can't due much feeling this way. Anyone else 3 days post op feeling this way??


Updated on 29 Mar 2011:
Ok so I made it through yesterday, and even managed to get my 3 year old in my lap for a while to watch a movie. I am feeling a little better today, now my back is KILLING me!!! I didn't sleep very well last night because me incisions were burning and itching like hell. I guess I will be off of my pain meds after today since I will be OUT!! I am not one to take pain meds but its the only way I am getting any sleep. Anyways my goal for today is to not get sick and faint feeling when we clean me up today. My mom is at the doctor with my oldest son this morning, we think he is getting strep... boy things just can't get any better around here!! Oh well chin up, I did this to myself and things will get better soon.


Updated on 30 Mar 2011:
I had my first post op visit today and they said everything looked good! I was hoping to get some of my stitches and drain out but that did not happen. I go back Friday to get the stitches taken out of my breast and possibly my drain. I felt really accomplished today when I got cleaned up and dressed by myself. I know it seems silly to be proud of this but hey we have to celebrate the small things right now!! I did pretty good today when we ate lunch after the doctor and now I am going to get my hair washed!! YAY no more nappy head:) I hope everyone is doing well and thanks for all the encouragement!!


Updated on 31 Mar 2011:
Ok ladies bare with me on the pic I am putting up. I still have stitches in my belly button, TT incision, and boobs not to mention I am REALLY swollen. I was hoping to get my drain out tomorrow but thus far today I have drained 50cc already so I don't for see getting it out Friday. I really don't have any complaints other than my monthly visitor coming soon, I have been cramping all day! Anyways I hope everyone is doing well.


Updated on 1 Apr 2011:
I got my stitches taken out of my breasts and some of my TT incision but I kept the drain. I am wondering if anyone else with Silicone gel implants was told to squeeze/ massage them into place? This seemed I little weird to me, I was told to squeeze the implant down and breast up, and she told me to stop wearing a bra. If you have seen my pic it is obvious they aren't standing up like I hoped they would so how is this going to help??? I guess I will give it a try even though it hurts likes hell when she squeezed it that hard!! Any suggestions on the implants or to help with swelling PLEASE let me know.


Updated on 5 Apr 2011:
So I had another post op appointment yesterday with my PS and asked him about my boobs since that seems to be what I am unhappy with right now. Before surgery we had discussed using a 25cc difference to correct slight asymmetry but my surgeon decided in surgery that he didn't like the smaller implant so he went with 475 in both. I am hoping that once they drop I will like them better. He mentioned wearing a band
to make them drop, I go back on Wednesday to get the rest of my stitches out. Oh how could I forget I got my drain out yesterday YAY!!! I was actually able to take a shower this morning and it was wonderful!! I did however need a nap after the shower and blow drying my hair. I feel like I may be bigger now than before surgery, I am hoping this is due to swelling and it goes away soon because I am tired of living in sweats.


Updated on 8 Apr 2011:
I had to go back top the doctor today to have fluid drained off my belly. I started getting sore last night and just thought maybe I had done too much but then when I took off my binder this morning I knew for sure I had fluid built up. Anyways it feels much better now, not quit so tight. There is not much pain these days, my right breast has finally dropped. Although I am still not very happy with my breast. I will update my pictures in the morning when I am not so swollen. My scar doesn't seem to be healing quit as fast or flat as I hoped it would; maybe it will get better with time. Anyways off to buy cleats for baseball we have two games tomorrow to kick off the season!!


Updated on 12 Apr 2011:
1st day back at work yesterday!! It was pretty good until about 3:00 and then I got really tired and really sore. After this weekend I seem to be really swollen and have a pocket of fluid collected around my scar. I go back to the Dr. Wed. so I am hoping I can hold off on getting it drained. I had a friend ask this weekend "why do you look bigger now than before surgery?"... I am not going to lie ladies I know I am swollen (the fact that I can't fit in my clothes gives that away) but can we say RUDE!! I had been at the ball field all day I was burnt, swollen, and tired. If I hadn't been so tired I may have gotten more upset. Anyways hopefully the swelling will subside soon and I can get out of stretchy pants and scrubs. Will update pics once the fluid is drained. In case anyone is wondering how to tell if they have fluid build up after their drain is removed think of a water bed when you touch your stomach!!


Updated on 16 Apr 2011:
I am 3 weeks and 1 day post op today. I still a little sore when I do too much during the day or at work, other than that I am not having any pain. My breasts seems to be really sensitive, and my stomach seems to be even more swollen these days, I can't even wear jeans that were loose before!! I had to have 120cc of fluid drained again last Wednesday. My pictures show just how swollen I am.


Updated on 19 Apr 2011:
I went to the doctor yesterday for my check up and because I noticed that my scar has "split" open right over my hip bone. He says this is normal and will heal soon that I am just doing too much. I will put up a picture of it soon. Other than the new open wounds everything seems to be healing fine and I am happy with the results thus far just ready to able to fit into an actual pair of pants... good thing I wear scrubs everyday!! I know all of the parents on my sons baseball team think I only own sweat pants and t-shirts...
Oh well what is a girl to do when she spent this much money to be in pain and not fit into her clothes because of all the swelling...


Updated on 23 Apr 2011:
I am posting my 4 week pictures, still really swollen, boobs are doing a little better. I am also putting a picture of the "split" in my incision. Nothing to complain about other than being tired ans swollen from working weird hours this week. MY husband is loving my new boob but wants to know when the swelling will go down in my tummy. I told him if I knew I would be happy to tell him!! I think he is just tired of listening to me complain about not having any clothes to wear, he always answers just put on a pair of jeans... wish I could!!!


Updated on 27 Apr 2011:
I am almost 5 weeks post op feeling back to normal as far as energy levels and no pain. The boobs are looking better everyday and so are all of my scars. I am just wondering when I can expect to put on a normal pair of pants again and quit with the stretchy pants. Either way I am really glad I had this surgery and can't wait to start working out again!

Updated on 6 May 2011:
I haven't been on in a while and I must say ladies not much has changed. Alothough I haven't had any realy pain for a while I still get sore and swollen by the end of the day. I am very happy with my breasts since they have settled in. I am wondering if I should ask my Dr. about the lipo on my flanks b/c I noticed today that they seem to be uneven. I will post pictures tomorrow morning when I am not swollen and let you be the judge but as for now that is the only thing I am not 100% happy with.

I am a 31 year old mother of three(11,8,6) who is tired of my stomach sitting in my lap. I have tried different diets and different gym memberships and no matter what the pooch is still there. So this year for my birthday I am sending it packing !!! After a yr of research I will be having my TT with lipo on my flanks in the morning at 9. I am sooooo excited and nervous.

This site has given me so much comfort in making my decision. Thank you all and feel free to offer words of advice :-).. I will post before and after photos after it's done.

Updated on 6 Feb 2011:
It's day 2 post op and I'm doing really well. I only have to take one pain pill every 6 hours. I've been walking around the house and can get in the bed alone. The only problem is getting out the bed. My best friend removed my tape and cleaned my stitches and belly button today. I'm pleased with the results even though it's still swollen.

Updated on 13 Feb 2011:
It has been one week since my surgery and I feel great. No more pain pills and I get my drain and stitches removed tomorrow. Yay me !!! The drain was more of an inconvience than a pain. It's hard to find something to wear that hides it. I was kinda upset about my "new" belly button as well I liked the way the old one looked, but hey the fat's gone so I can deal with the new belly button.

Updated on 16 Mar 2011:
Last Friday made 5 weeks since my surgery and I was feeling kinda sad because I didn't think I was as small as I should be. My doctor had informed me that swelling was normal and due to the lipo I would no begin to see my actual results for at least 3-4 months. I noticed that my stomach was doing a weird waving thing when I would lotion my stitches. I googled seroma and it took me at least 2 days before I could finally get an understanding of what to look for(the waving pattern or waterbed affect when touched). I called my dr's office that Friday morning at 9:30 and was seen by 12pm. He confirmed it was a seroma and drained it. When he was done my stomach was much smaller ! I just wanted to post this to say watch your bodies and if you think something is wrong ask about it. The seroma was brought on because I celebrated a little too hard for my birthday the week before. I am now taking it slow again like I should have in the 1st place.

I had both in infrared laser and pixel harmony. The infrared laser was 200 a session, I had 3 on my face and one between my breasts. It removed most of the pinkness from my cheeks that was permanent damage from a sunburn. The ones on my face were only painful as I was being zapped. After the each zapp the spot did not continue to hurt but the machine makes a loud noise each time you are zapped and I had to sit on my hands not to react. The one on my chest was to remove brown spots from lying on a tanning bed. It hurt. It was only one zapp but an hour later I was sick to my stomach, that's how much it hurt. The brown spots fell off with only one session and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I highly recommend it. I also had 3 sessions of pixel harmony. It was supposed to tighten my skin. I only paid 200 a session because I only had it done on my cheeks and not the rest of my face. It does not hurt at all. It is just like you are being rubbed with a stone that has been lying in the sun and the machine makes no noise. Each time the effect has worn off more quickly.

I am not sure if I want to do it again. It does make your skin instantly tighter, similar to the way it feels when you have a suntan. (real sun, not tanning bed sun) If you had to look good for a reason, (photos, wedding, make someone sorry) then yes it does work and it is absolutely worth it. The effects have not been long lasting for me.

I had 3 sessions of Pixel laser on my cheeks to tighten the skin. I only had it done on my cheeks and not the rest of my face. They were not done 3 weeks apart but at random intervals over a period of about 5 months. The first time the skin got tighter and stayed tighter for 3 weeks. The second time it only stayed tighter for two weeks and the third only for 7 days. Each time it was hotter so I had assumed it was on a higher setting. Should I have it done again? I had thought that each time the tightening would last longer but it seems as if I am growing a tolerance to it if that is possible. I did have 3 sessions infrared laser a year` ago and it did remove the redness from my cheeks but it did not affect the spider veins near my nose. She told me that she didn't believe that more sessions were going to have any further effect. Can you grow a tolerance to lasers?