I had 2 C-Sections with my children in the latter part of the 90's... I had gained excessive amounts of weight and kept it on and then some... In 2011 I had gastric bypass surgery and lost a total of 140 lbs in just over a year... It left me with a great deal of excess skin... I was fortunate enough for it not to be debilitating but it was still ugly and made me extremely self conscious... I felt like a new person with all that weight off me but but the skin was still there... I finally was able to afford the TT 5 years after my RNY and I couldn't be happier... life changer!!
Well, as of now I am on day 3 and the pain has gradually gotten better. The first 2 days were AWFUL and I thought I was crazy for actually going through this. I went to my post op visit yesterday and my husband and daughter saw it for the first time and were amazed. That completely made me feel better. I am trying to taper off the narcotics as I am feeling constipated. Blah..... of course I haven't really had much of an appetite. I got to take a shower today and got to leave the binder and bra off while they were being cleaned. That felt really good, but I was nervous I would tear something. I will try to put up pictures when I start feeling a bit better
He seemed to be a nice doctor when you meet him. We talked about what was going to be done during surgery. Like how low the scar is and that he was going to fix my belly button. But the results are the total opposite my lower scar is high and pubic area is maybe 2 inches below my belly button. Plus now I have a big target like scar around my belly button. He ruined my life and now I'm so depressed because I don't have the money to fix myself if I can even be fixed. I'm gonna need a tissue expander put in to create more skin. I asked for my money back or at least half to help pay to fix me and they won't do anything. He doesn't care he ruined me and my life. I feel like all he wanted was my money.
Just got my referral for my breast reduction and i now have my first appointment monday ! Trying not to get to excited cause i have feelings it’s not going to go the way i’m wanting it too !! A few people have told me what they first appointment was like and how long it took for things to get rolling and i wanna hear from others about it was like and how long you waited for insurance and surgery dates ? help me out guys Updated on 5 Feb 2019: Today was my consultation ! It went okay ... He asked a few question about working out i told him it a struggle because of my boobs that it’s hard !!!! He felt on my back and said something to nurse .. Looked at shoulders seen how much the bra had been digging into them so he said yes i need the surgery but since i had a baby 6 months ago that my insurance might deny it . I told him i had united health care and he said ummmmmmm it’ll probably be a 50/50 chance . They could approve it or deny it and say i need to wait till after a year of having the baby ! So after i left i called my insurance and asked them how long do i need to wait to have the surgery after having a baby they said there’s no wait on there end it would be up to the doctor !! and then asked how long does it take for them to make a decisions and she said about 4 days she said by the end of the week you could hear something if they sent something over today !!!!!! I’m having different feelings about it i feel like ima be denied !!! but i guess so now i wait !!!! ???????? Updated on 8 Feb 2019: OMG I GOT APPROVED !!!!!! ???????? now i’m waiting on the surgeon to call me , i know my insurance company said that the date said march 1 so idk if i’m not gnna hear from them till then or what ??? i know he said i could call them and see cause they’ve already called them and told them i’ve been approve ! Updated on 25 Feb 2019: WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG !! the plastic surgeon place is saying they are waiting on them to receive the letter but i’ve been got mine !!!!!! So wth Updated on 4 Mar 2019: Finally got the lady on the phone and she told me she called me and left me a message BUT my out of pocket price is 2946$ and they don’t do payment plans so looks like i won’t be getting the reduction !!!!! Updated on 7 Mar 2019: Soooooooooooo i went through a couple of loops tying to figure out how i could come up with money ! Couple of doctors offices i called asking if they did payment plans they all said the same thing ... No but we do care credit ! So i called and tried didn’t get it . Had my mom do it she didn’t get it . So i asked my fiancé if he would and he got it !!!!!!! He asked for 2000$ the procedure is 2946.19 so we’ll put the 900$ to it which he is going to go in half with me on it . ???? so hopefully i can call an schedule next month and get in !!!!!!! Updated on 29 Mar 2019: Well the lady told me wrong and i can’t use care credit and my insurance at the same time so i’ll just have to wait till 2020 to get it done hopefully !!!!! ?? Updated on 9 Mar 2020: Okay so i’m back and starting the process AGAIN and hoping for a breast reduction at the end of this lol ! we have a different plan so our deductible isn’t no where near as high so let’s see how this go . Consultation is next tuesday 3/17 @ 11:45 ???? Updated on 16 Mar 2020: welllllll i had my consultation schedule for tomorrow BUT they just called and said i need to reschedule because the doctor will be out at that time Updated on 17 Mar 2020: appointment is back on just later on this afternoon !!! Updated on 26 Mar 2020: STILL WAITING TO HEAR SOMETHING FROM INSURANCE ! i’ve called every other day trying to see what’s the status if it been approved or denied ! starting to worry ... Updated on 29 Mar 2020: geez !!!!! I think i got denied because it’s not showing on my account anymore !!!! I’ma call first thing tomorrow and see ! Updated on 30 Mar 2020: the doctor hasn’t even sent my letter over to the insurance place !! Updated on 31 Mar 2020: Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyy !!!! it’s been approved now i’m just waiting for them to get the okay that they can start doing surgery’s again !!!!! Updated on 31 Mar 2020: wanted to add some before pictures ! ???? Updated on 7 Apr 2020: i’m soooo nervous i don’t even have a date yet and i’m super nervous ! i’m scared something is going to go wrong , i’m not going to heal right , they gnna be uneven some botched type of stuff ! i’m freaking out reading reviews !!! Updated on 23 Apr 2020: Just got the call that they got the okay to do breast reductions and the first one is may 14th or i can push it out a little bit . So i’m trying to see who’s gnna be able to take off and help me for a little bit . So i told her i would call back at the end of the day and let her know !!!!!!! YAAAY Updated on 23 Apr 2020: MAY 28th !!! i’ma nervous wreck lol Updated on 1 May 2020: Just got the call for my hospital fee 2945 .... uhhhhhh i’m stuck now Updated on 18 May 2020: Pre-op appointment is tomorrow at 1:30 .. Ahhhhh i’m so nervous lol the only questions i could think of was Do they use drains ? What size did he think he could get me down to ? Paper work for my job about restrictions ? and how i forgot how long i gotta wait to pick up my 1 year old ? ANYTHING IM MISSING LADIES ! please let me know Updated on 19 May 2020: Pre-op done he answered all my questions before i could even ask them he made me comfortable but i’m still so nervous lol it was a pretty good appointment tho Updated on 20 May 2020: Okay ladies i haven’t brought anything for my surgery so what are some things you had that helped the recovery . Updated on 28 May 2020: well the day is here i’m at hospital checked in ready to go .... i guess Updated on 28 May 2020: i was all worked up for nothing !! surgery went amazing i’m home now i’m super tired but other than that the pain is manageable the drains aren’t even bad and i found the perfect set up for sleeping on my back so so far so good hopefully it stays like this . I’ll do a better update tomorrow or later !!! Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers ! i love you girls honestly i couldn’t have done it w out all and all the advice y’all gave me Updated on 30 May 2020: Hi ladies !!!! so i’m 3 days post -op and i’m feeling okay i spoke to soon the other day about the pain lol i mean the pain has been manageable but my left drain has been leaking a lot so that’s been aggravating and so has the drains just all round i’m ready for them to come out a lot of sleeping and just trying to take it easy i’ve been getting up and walking like my doctor wanted and i’m slowly easing off the pain meds anyways i guess i’ll talk about the day of surgery i had to be there at 7am for check in i got there around 6:45/6:50 got my temp checked and they asked me a couple of questions and then i waited to be taking back to room once i got in the room ore questions was asked of course and i told her how nervous i was and she kept reassuring me that i was gnna be okay they was gnna take care of me and we laughed a lil and then i changed all the way down to just a gown and some socks got some warm blankets and got an iv started surgery wasn’t suppose to start until 8:30 and was gnna be like 2 1/2 - 3 hrs long so the nurse said the anesthesiologists would be in to talk to me and then my doctor would come in and do some markings so it happen just like that so after he did his markings the anesthesiologists came back be gave me the good stuff and we was on our way to op room and i honestly don’t remember anything after i kinda remember going into the op room but it’s honestly so blurring lol but then soon after i was waking up in the recovery room another nurse was calling my name and i was slowly waking up and she kept giving me pain meds in my iv slowly she said she had do small amounts cause i was still trying to wake up but i told her that wasn’t helping at all so she gave me some oxy and that helped and made me comfortable and she gave me some Pepsi to drink while in the recovery room which i hung out in there for a hr then i was rolled back to my room where i ate a couple of crackers and had to stay in there for another 35/40 mins before i could go home the doctor kept calling my fiancé while i was in surgery to let him know everything was going good and i was doing great and they took almost 3lbs out of my breast so that was nice and made him comfortable while he waited lol so the ride home was okay it wasn’t so bad i did the pillow thing across the chest once i got home me and fiancé climbed up into bed and watched a lil tv and took a long nap after that nap my drain started leaking it stopped and then started again so we called the doctor and told me to lay down and remove my bra and change the gauze out and to take it easy put my arms and legs up so i’ve made a set up on the couch and i hate it lol i can’t wait to sleep in a bed and have then drains out and take a shower lol i can’t take my bra off or get my drains wet for 5 days so i don’t even know what they look like yet the anesthesiologists said i was gnna be very happy w my results so fingers crossed but that’s all it might be some typos in there but hey lol THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH HONESTLY for taking this long ride w me and answering any questions i’ve had i’ll post again once i get my bra changed out and drains removed !!!!!!!! Updated on 2 Jun 2020: got my drains removed very weird kinda feeling lol but glad three out my boobs are super swollen and achy a little bit no pain meds at all today so i’m getting better . Had my first shower today and oh my lol it was tough i was so scared to shower and let the water touch my boobs and it wasn’t the best shower my arms kinda hurt and are sore i’ve sleeping on the couch w my arms propped up and oh god i’m just ready for some good rest but i’m loving the look of my boobs so far Updated on 2 Jun 2020: forgot post the picture in the last one !! Updated on 8 Jun 2020: No pictures cause my boobs still look the same i’m doing great i feel great i wore t shirt the other day when i ran out for a min it was still something baggy cause i didn’t want anything tight on my breast but that just meant my arms are getting better cause there still kinda sore and can’t lift them all the way up over my head but i’m getting there . My left boob the boobs that’s gave me the most trouble started bleeding under saturday so i called the doctor sunday and he said it was normal and that it should stop in about 3 to 4 days and if it got worse today ( monday ) go give him a call and he’ll get me in but it hasn’t it’s just like a little drip like if you didn’t turn the water all the way off so i’ll keep a eye on it but other than that everything is going good !!!! Updated on 30 Jun 2020: WOOHOO !!!!!! i’m a month post op and i feel great i went back to work about 2 weeks ago that was kinda weird cause i was trying to be extra careful but it wasn’t bad at all i’ve been back to doing everything for myself for a couple weeks now i just feel so good seriously i love the way im healing . I had another appointment today and he has cleared me for everything pools , baths , hot tubs , exercise and laying on stomach so i’m pretty happy about that he told me to massage my breast in the morning and at night for about a min w some lotion !! i’ll post a pic some time this week or weekend ! how’s everybody feeling that had surgery about around the same time ? Updated on 4 Nov 2020: Question !!!! i can feel my nipple but pinching or scratching my boob i can’t feel ? Anybody else ? do it change ? Updated on 1 Sep 2021: What do i need to put on this ?
I will be having surgery on 5/5/2016. Im very excited to see how it will all turn out. I was refered by a friend to Dr. Caulfiel, I went for my consultation and he was very professional and explained exactly how the procedure would go. I have lost 15lbs with hopes of dropping 5 more before surgery. I have confidence that he will deliver!
I have been thinking about getting a tummy tuck for many years. I have of always put myself last raising my children and now it's time to think about myself. I feel like it's the perfect time do go through with the procedure. My children are grown youngest 18, I have a great career that I worked hard for and I'm single. Updated on 10 Oct 2014: Updated on 23 Oct 2014: Went to see the PS and got all my questions answered and everything signed! I am really excited but getting a little anxious. It is the day after my pre-op and now things are getting real lol. I do have a few questions. I went to fill all of my prescriptions and was wondering if I'll need 20 tabs of (phen) for vomiting? I only filled half of the prescription due to I feel like I'll waste it. Also i forgot how long you are unable to lift anything over five pounds? Is it 4-6 wks. I talk to PS about the compression garment and he said it was adjustable meaning Velcro. Does anyone else have one like this and is it comfortable? Updated on 30 Oct 2014: Anxiety is almost impossible to deal with. I feel like someone is choking me. I got the call for my confirmation on surgery time today and it's at 9:45 am . I was hoping for first thing in the morning but know that I've thought it through that's not that bad. Please keep me in your prayers. Updated on 1 Nov 2014: My surgery was yesterday at 11:00. Everything went fine . The only problem I had was that I could not use the bathroom . I tried and tried but could not pee. They used a catheter instead and then let me leave to go home. We'll by midnight I still was not peeing on my own. I was in so much pain due to my bladder being full. I had to go to the ER to have catheter put in and what a difference that made. I was hurting worse from my bladder being than from the tt and lipo. Has anyone else had this issue? I will be going bak today to get it takin out I just hope I'm ok and that able to pee on my own. I'm on. My medication so can hardly see what I'm writing. Also did anyone have redness around the areas of the binder as the day went on my began to speed. Updated on 2 Nov 2014: Wow I have to stay on pain meds if not to uncomfortable. I have a catheter in will get it out today hope that my bladder is able to funtion mow from all the meds. Updated on 4 Nov 2014: Today was my first po appt. I was very excited to see what he says and to see my new figure. He told me everything looked good . I wanted to know how much tissue was removed and liposuctioned. He removed 4 1/2 Ilbs and lipo from hips was 700 cc which was 2 1/2 ilbs giving me a total of 7. Lbs! We'll before I left for my appt I took a pain pill so that I would be comfortable there and back. We'll while in his office I became pretty loopy. I was fine but didn't feel so good being that anxiety had build up from all the excitement. He handed me a mirror and I could not believe it. It already looks so good I haven't seen my waist this small in I couldn't tell you when. I was unable to take drains out at this time, will have to wait till it's under I think 90 ml a day before he will remove them. We left the appt and did a couple of errands and wouldn't you know it I get sick at a red light. I now know that riding and pain pills don't mix . Ok I will quit rambling on and on so here it is! Updated on 5 Nov 2014: We'll the medication for pain will surely constipate you but my good after a few laxatives I feel like the toilet is my best friend. lol. Things are going better today I've took my second shower and let me tell you that takes forever! Preparing and securing and resting in between everything. Just to get cleaned up and Neosporin and fresh 2x2 over insicitions. I can say the second shower went a little faster than the first. I don't and haven't had much of an appetite since surgery and practically have to make myself eat. I have been drinking insure to get the needed protein to help the healing process and eating lots of fruit, yogurt and cranberry juice. I have noticed I have to eat take my pain pill and then shower. If not I get quezzy when I take my compression garment off from seeing the incision and the feeling of the tissue just being so vulnerable. I was wondering does anyone else have this issue when you remove your compression garment? It's so early on I'm sure it get better. My PS recommended Neosporin for incision to heal what do you guys think is the best for the incision? Updated on 6 Nov 2014: The morning started off a little ruff so I took my meds and showered and got my day going. Didn't take another pain pill till bedtime. My whole day went a little better than yesterday. I can see a difference each day. Also I got my wonderful appetite back. I wanted to eat everything in the house! Updated on 10 Nov 2014: Here is pics 10 days po. I am a little concerned with the rippled skin at incision on both sides and also the dark area in the center ( possible blood) it's been there since the first time I seen it? Any opinions on my results. I also felt like my right side incision line was a little higher than my left what do you guys thinks? I ask my PO he said the rippling on the sides will fade away over time when the skin get more progressed along? I hope he is right:/ Updated on 11 Nov 2014: Went to see PS today. Showed him where the spot was that I am worried about in the center of my incision. It looked like blood under the skin ever since my surgery. Well today it opened up and bleed some. Dr told me to keep applying neosporine and we will watch it hope it's ok. He said their was not an infection he said that's the furtherest from the blood supply that's why it's not healing as well. Pleas keep me in your prayers that everything heals well thanks. Updated on 13 Nov 2014: Clearly everyone stated " are you sure your ready to go back to work?" Me " yes I'll be fine I'm bored sitting at home and I'll be ok" part of that was right but I can say I am definitely more swollen than I have been. My job physically is bad on the lower back well this recovery from the surgery definitely did not make it any better. Ouch lower back is crying. Even after my whining I am still very thankful I made it through. One more day and I'll get the weekend off. I was wondering at what point in the healing process does the "swell hell " as they call it subside? Updated on 15 Nov 2014: Finally starting to feel normal again! Yay. I did not take anything for pain as in nothing over the counter. I did fine except for the usuall swelling which is going to happen. I am excited to put my clothes on and not feel insecure about my old belly any more! :) still have one drain to be taken out which will be at next weekly visit. Updated on 18 Nov 2014: Here is a pic from first thing this morning. I have one drain left which will be out tomorrow "thank god" and you can see how I'm healing now. Things are looking better but not at 100% healed at incision. Scar seems to be a little higher on my right. What do you guys think from how I'm healing so far? Don't know what I would have done without you guys. I don't know how I could have gotten through all of this with out all the support from RS :) I would have drove my PS nuts and been freaking out in the process lol Updated on 19 Nov 2014: Seen my PS today. Drain is out "can you say Amazing"! You don't realize how much it get in your way and makes everything uncomfortable! When they removed the first one it did not hurt but this one, ouch! PS said everything was looking great! He told me to continue with Neosporin on spot in middle and put a band aid over it only. He said belly button is looking good no more Neosporin there. He told me to start massaging my incision, except for spot in middle, to smooth out ripples on either side. To push down and toward the back to guide skin into a smoother position. He told me my scar in the center would be a little wider once it healed than the sides. The center would be about 4-5 mm and sides should be about 3 mm in width. He said down the road if we need to we can do revision in center if I'm unhappy with. Nurse told me I may only have to wear compression garmet 1 more week and then I should be fine since drain is out. She said the garmet only keeps fluid from building up in areas where there is wounds. Hoping by explaining some of this it might help someone . :) thanks to all my supporters out there in RS world. Updated on 19 Nov 2014: Updated on 22 Nov 2014: I went to the christmas show today. I did a lot of walking and my back is feeling it. We were there from 11:00- 6 pm and everybody and there bother was there. Lol. I'm swollen but I can tell my body is definitely healing. It feels better having the compression garmet on but when I've been standing and walking for long periods of time I have to take it off. I have noticed on my scar on the far right it hurts to just touch it. It seems to look a little red I'm hopping it's not getting infected. I will stop putting lotion on it and Neosporin until the redness goes away. I thought it might be from lipoed areas but it's not. Anyways I'm loving my new belly so far I fell like I walk around with my breath held but of course I'm not. It makes you feel amazing to not have to worry about rolls around my belly anymore :)
