I have been uncomfortable in my own skin for as long as I can remember. Now, after having my 3 babies and breastfeeding each of them for 2 years a piece, it’s finally time for me to do something for me! I have been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last 7 years! I am 30 years old, 5’3 130lbs. My boobs were huge, a 36dd in VS. I hated them!!!! I’m way too small for such big boobs. When I went in for my consultation I had only quit nursing a few days before, so my boobs were huge and engorged. She put me down for a tummy tuck, lipo of flanks, hips, upper and lower abdomen, and a breast reduction. It has now been a month since my initial consult and my boobs have significantly gone down. To the point of me now thinking I need a lift and potentially a small implant for volume. I want to be a perky small C. My surgery is scheduled for November, so we shall see at my pre-op appointment what is going to happen with the boobs. I’m really debating on saline vs silicone. I am more comfortable with the thought of saline in case of a rupture, however, everything I read on the gel implants says they are so much more natural looking and feel nicer. I really need to talk to my PS about the pros and cons. Anyway, I will document more later as my journey continues!
Updated on 25 Oct 2018:
I am getting so excited. My surgery is scheduled for November 20, 2018. I decided I needed another consultation to figure out what I was going to do with my boobs. It has been 4 months since my first consultation and 4months since I stopped breastfeeding. Unfortunately, I have gained 7-8lbs! It really upset an discouraged me. I had started working out with a personal trainer and was exercising more than I ever had, yet the scale kept creeping up and up. I guess breastfeeding really does burn a lot of calories! Anyway, my PS reassured me that it was no big deal, and said the flabbier my stomach, the lower she could get my scar! I am very short so getting the scar low is important. We decided that instead of the breast reduction I will now be getting a full lift with the silicone “gummy bear” implants. I had originally thought I only wanted about 255cc but in doing more and more research I am leaning more towards 325-350cc. My pre op appointment is November 7th. We will make all the final decisions at that point. I can’t wait!!!!!
Updated on 18 Nov 2018:
I am so excited and nervous! I have 3 young kids, 6, 4, and 21 months. I have wanted this for as long as I can remember. I am 5’2 , now about 136 lbs since I quit nursing my daughter 6 months ago. On November 20th I will be having a full tummy tuck, liposuction of upper and lower abs, hips, and flanks, and a breast lift with silicone gummy implants. I can’t wait to finally be on the other side and recovering, I scheduled my surgery back in June so I’ve been waiting along time, I will be so happy to be done thinking and obsessing over it! Lol I’m sure everyone in my family will be excited not to have to hear about it anymore also! I can’t wait to finally feel comfortable and confident in my skin.
Updated on 20 Nov 2018:
I am so ready! I’m surprised with myself, I have been able to stay extremely calm and positive the last few days. I slept really well last night. I just can’t wait to get to the doctors office and get this thing going. I haven’t been able to take even a sip of water since midnight. My doctor wrote me a prescription for a single pill to take an hour before anesthesia to help prevent me from getting sick for 24-48 hours after surgery. I’m praying it works!!!! It was the only Rx that was not covered by my insurance, it cost me $110 for this one pill! But honestly, not getting sick after a mommy makeover is priceless to me! I live an hour away from my doctor’s office so I hope the ride home goes well. I can’t wait to be in my recliner this evening! I have a really good feeling about everything, I think it’s all going to go really well! Wish me luck! Here’s a few more gross before pics, I had my sister take them last night.
Updated on 24 Nov 2018:
Sorry for the late update, but a surgery of this extent is NO JOKE,and the first few days for me were pretty brutal! I went into surgery at about 3:30 on 11/20/18. It took about 4 1/2 hours. I woke up feeling sore but not in any huge amount of pain. One thing that hurt the most was actually my right arm where it bends at the elbow. They had the blood press cuff going there the whole surgery and having it extended out like that really hurt! Lol the hour ride home went fine, I didn’t get sick after surgery or in the car thank God! Walking in the house was difficult and very very slow. I made it to my recliner and had already had my first Percocet and anti nausea med right before we got home, as I had been eating crackers in the car wit water. Everything seemed fine until about 1am when I had decided to try half a Valium to try to sleep. I had had a small bowl of chicken soup as well as Gatorade. About 30 mins later I became extremely nauseous!!!! I got extremely hot and had to throw all the covers off of me, and blast the fan. I was in a panic because I knew I was about to throw up. My mom got me a pan and I went through the motions of dry heaving once or twice. That was ENOUGH! My mom was just trying to talk me through it and massaging me. After about an hour it passed. From then on I was absolutely terrified of the pain meds and decided I would have to do this on Tylenol alone. I would rather go through the pain than be sick like that again. So I did! I am 4 days post op today and sooooo thankful I am through the worst of it! I have gone through this on two Tylenol every 6 hours! And believe me it has not been fun! I will say that had I been a “normal” person who could handle their pain meds, this surgery and the pain would’ve been completely manageable! So don’t let me scare you away from doing it! I am a rare breed when it comes to taking ANYTHING! I can’t even drink because it always makes me sick. Anyway I am feeling so much better at this point and am able to get in and out of my chair alone and go to the bathroom alone and finally wipe my own butt!!! Haha. Even though I still haven’t had a bm. I’m thinking today could be the day. I will post some after pics now, let me know if anyone has any questions, I’m happy to help! I will also be making a list of all the supplies I got that have been a lifesaver for me!
Updated on 24 Nov 2018:
Updated on 25 Nov 2018:
Yesterday morning I had my first bm. It went very smoothly thanks to my stool softeners. Today I was finally able to shower! It felt amazing! When I’m in my recliner my pain is very minimal. However, I have not slept well the last 3 nights. It’s been so hard to find a comfortable position to fall asleep in. I’m still only taking Tylenol once every 6 hours. Today I woke up feeling a little depressed. I miss my kids, yet I’m so scared to go back home. It’s been really good staying at my parents having my mom take care of me. Peaceful. I’m heading home tonight after dinner though. My mom will be coming with me, thank goodness! Tomorrow I have my 2nd post op appointment. I think I may get at least one drain out, I hope! They really aren’t putting out much anymore. Yesterday I had a couple coughing spells. One came out of nowhere and the other came when water went down the wrong tube. It was excruciating. It hurts so bad to laugh, cry, cough, sneeze, hiccup! I think it’s the muscle repair and lipo That hurt the most. My boobs haven’t bothered me hardly at all and neither has my tummy tuck incision. The drains are annoying. I will be so glad to be free of them. However I think they’re totally necessary, where does all the fluid go if it’s not getting drained out? Somethings that I bought I have been extremely helpful would be my power lift recliner which I rented from Rent-A-Center for like 30 bucks a week, a 4 inch lift toilet seat, 1 million pillows, Arnika Forte pills from Amazon, I started them 2 days before surgery and really feel like they are helping me recover quicker. I also got Bromalein powder That I add to smoothies or just water twice a day and it’s supposed to help with bruising and swelling as well. I also got that on Amazon. I only got one box of surgical ABD pads which is not enough because I need six a day and the box only comes with 12. I also suggest a huge bottle of Neosporin. And a couple here’s a very comfy stretchy pants. That’s all I can think of right now I will post some more recovery pics.
Updated on 27 Nov 2018:
It’s been 1 week today! I’m so glad to be a week into this journey. I think I’m doing really well. I have been taking it extremely easy. I spend most of my day in my recliner. Resting as much as possible. One thing I will say as a piece of advice, is that I could not have done this on my own! That is an understatement! Like I said in the beginning, I have three young kids. My youngest being 21 months. I am so grateful I have had my mom, and 3 sisters to help me every single day and night. They have been cooking and cleaning and watching my kids, changing my incision dressings, and pretty much waiting on me and and foot. I honestly don’t know how people do it without 24/7 help at least the first 2 weeks. I’m still pretty sore. I wonder how long it takes to be able to laugh and cough without major pain. I feel like it’s slowly getting better but definitely not safe yet lol! I also got a few blisters on my outer thighs. I wonder what that’s from, I have read that people do get them after surgery sometimes. Yesterday I got my right drain removed. ???????????????????????? it was nothing! Literally took 1 second. Felt a little weird but you had no time to really feel much of anything. Dr. Q and her staff have been amazing! I love all of her staff and nurses and her of course!
Updated on 3 Dec 2018:
I am feeling pretty darn good. Yesterday I was able to do a little cleaning up around the house and make lunch for my kids and I. One thing that I did not read a lot about was how hard and lumpy you get after liposuction! It is super tight. I have begun to massage all of those areas a few times a day, hoping it will help soften it and get things moving in there again. The muscle repair and lipo continue to be the source of all the pain. I still can’t cough or sneeze without a good amount of pain, but it is getting easier! My left boob is still a lot more swollen than the right. It is also still very misshapen compared to the right. The scar seems to have a pucker or pinch in it. I wonder if that will improve or not. Regardless I am extremely happy with my results so far and know that they will only get better and better as time goes on. I am still very swollen in my tummy as well. I am no longer taking anything for pain, not even Tylenol. I finished my 2 weeks of Arnika Forte pills yesterday, I highly recommend them! My bruises are almost entirely gone. And I usually bruise terribly! I am very happy with my scars so far, everything is healing great. I can’t wait to start scar therapy! What did you use and were you happy with the results? I’ve been looking into Biocornium and Embrace silicone scar sheets.
Updated on 3 Dec 2018:
At 10 days post op I got my second drain removed. It was more painful than the first one coming out. I felt like it was up in my hip area. Grossed me out! But I’m FREE!!! It feels so good to have them gone! No need to fear removal though, it is very quick, only a few seconds and it’s over! I will have another appointment this Friday. I am icing my boobs like crazy trying to get the swelling to subside. Okay, I will update more later!
Updated on 5 Dec 2018:
I feel as though healing is slow going now. However, I do notice that each day I’m able to do a little more than the day before. Today I made shredded beef tacos with homemade salsa and rice. So if I’m able to do all that, that’s saying a lot! I still haven’t driven since my surgery. Mostly because I can’t lift my daughter into her car seat. I’m going to have to train her to get in and out herself. Lol. I’m still taking the bromelin powder 1-2 times a day. I’ve also been drinking a protein shake everyday as well. I can’t wait until I can stop cleaning and dressing my incisions, and I can start trying on clothes! I have too much padding under my garment to be able to see my new shape. I haven’t worn makeup in 2 weeks either. My next appointment is on Friday, I plan on actually getting ready and looking pretty for this one. Lol. I cannot wait for this swelling to go away, and the hard lumpiness. Coughing and sneezing and laughing is definitely getting easier, it still hurts but it’s not excruciating anymore. Just feels tight, like I did a major ab workout. Tonight will be my first night back in my bed. I hope I sleep well, cuz getting my baby to sleep from my recliner has been so hard! We’ve always co slept with our babies so she really missed her mama these last few weeks. She’s actually already asleep so #winning!!!! ???? hope everyone is healing well!
Updated on 6 Dec 2018:
Updated on 10 Dec 2018:
I’m getting back to my normal daily routine now. Today was the first day since surgery that I took my son to the bus stop! I am able to do most of my household chores. Today I brought out all my Christmas presents and arranged them around the tree. Wrapped quite a few, did dishes, showered, marinaded 17lbs of beef jerky! Lol then I took a nap. I am still pretty sore and am feeling lots of pins and needles. I guess it’s my nerves coming back together. I’m still swollen. My bruising is almost all gone now. I am continuing to massage my lipo areas a few times a day. It looks like the swelling is going down some in my breasts. They are still very tender. Everything is. I think I’m healing very well though. I’ve been sleeping back in my bed since last Wednesday I believe. It’s nice, but I still have to sleep on my back. I can semi sleep on my side for a little while. Still surrounded by pillows. I will see my ps next Friday. I will be almost 5 weeks post op.
Updated on 14 Dec 2018:
Updated on 18 Dec 2018:
Finally one month in! I’m feeling good. I am able to do pretty much everything like Normal. I am still tight and lumpy on my sides where the lipo was done and also on my upper back. I bought a small wooden rolling pin and I’ve been rolling my sides upward towards my armpits, that’s where everything will drain to. I guess normally your stomach swelling and what not would drain to the lymph nodes in your hips, however after a tummy tuck it is rerouted to drain from your armpit lymph nodes. That’s why the swelling takes so much longer to subside, because it has much further to travel. I feel as though the rolling pin has been helping to soften and smooth my sides, even after only a few days. I do it for 5-10 mins twice a day. It also helps with the pins and needles feeling in my stomach, which I guess is all those nerves waking back up and coming back together. I can’t wait to see if I can start scar therapy at my doctors appointment this Friday. I ordered the 50g bottle of Biocorneum from the Sientra website. I’m getting more excited everyday with my results. I can’t imagine how thrilled I’m going to be when the swelling is finally gone! I can’t wait to go shopping ???? I am so happy and thankful that I chose Dr. Q for my PS. She is so talented and good at what she does and I feel like she truly cared to go the extra mile to make sure I got my desired results. I never mentioned this but the day of my surgery, when I was in the operating room, I felt so calm and taken care of. Her nurse Sheena was so kind and down to earth as was the anesthesiologist Dr. D. Before I went under Dr.Q came in and grabbed my hand, she smiled at me as she rubbed my hand and said, “we’re going to take good care of you.” That seriously touched my heart and made me feel so safe. I think she’s an awesome woman all around. Her staff is so friendly as well. I haven’t encountered anyone there who wasn’t kind and courteous. I highly recommend Dr. Q!
Updated on 9 Jan 2019:
Time for another update! I’m feeling good! I can pretty much do anything I normally would. I am still very tender and lumpy on my sides. I am still numb all over my tummy and hips. I started Biocorneum silicone scar gel on December 20th on my TT scar and last week on my BL/BA scars. Last week I noticed a lump that feels like a small bouncy ball under my left boob. I immediately called my ps and she got me in that same day. She thinks it’s the breast implant pushing down on my scar tissue. We are going to keep an eye on it. Everything is still healing well. I’m still swollen above my TT incision and my left boob is still swollen as well. I’ve pretty much quit wearing my binder over the last 2 weeks. I will put it on sometimes when I feel like I’ve done a lot that day and swelling a lot. I also bought a compression tank top, it’s much easier to wear under clothes. I’ve also started to walk a few miles a day. I’ve been trying to eat as healthy as possible and drink lots of water. My muscle repair is still sore, but nothing compared to what it was. Thank goodness I made it to about 6 weeks before I got my first cold/cough of the season. At first it hurt pretty bad, especially when I would get into a coughing fit, but it’s gotten easier. I went and bought some new wireless bras and sports bras, and tops. Let me tell you, it is already soooo much more fun going shopping in this new body! I still have a long way to go, I can’t wait for my sides to smooth out and the discoloration to go away. Also to see how my boobs are going to be once they aren’t swollen and have settled. My PS said that after a year I can have a revision on anything that needs tweaking, like my TT scar and boobs. I am very happy so far and love that I can look forward to things looking better and better!
Updated on 11 Jan 2019:
I have been going to town, massaging my sides everyday. But I think I need to kick it up a notch. I use a small wooden roller, a hand held vibrating massager, and lots of bio oil. I wonder how long it generally takes for the liposuction areas to soften up and get flat and smooth.... scary to think of healing like that!
Updated on 11 Mar 2019:
In a week I will be4 months post op! I feel great. They only thing is that I wish my boobs were smaller. They are still a size D which is what I was before surgery except now they are lifted, fuller, and prettier. I spoke with my plastic surgeon last week and told her my concerns. She said that at my 1 year revision, that she would make them smaller for me! I was beyond happy to hear that! Cuz while I am extremely happy with my results I couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed that I still had these big boobs. I’m only 5’2 so I need smaller ones! I like the fullness I get from the implant but would like to be closer to a small C. I really hope we can get them quite a bit smaller. Other than that, everything is healing great! My lumpy sides from the liposuction are slowly but surely smoothing out. I continue to massage them daily. I think I’m going to get lipo on my upper arms during my revision surgery as well. I have tried so hard to workout and tone them on my own but due to previous injuries I have a really bad neck. Almost any exercise I do leaves my neck in so much pain for days or weeks. So I think I’m going to go through with it, because I know it will be worth it and make me so much happier. Plus this is probably the last time I’m going under so I need to get it all done:)
Updated on 4 Jul 2019:
I can’t believe it’s already been almost 8 months since my mommy makeover! Everything has been great except one thing.... My boobs. I have not been able to get use to these implants. As I said before, I was hoping to have much smaller boobs after surgery. Initially, I had decided that I would not get implants, but the more reviews I read and the more pics I saw, pushed me harder in the direction of getting a small implant for the cute round full breasts I thought I needed. I wish I had just gone with my first instinct and not gotten them. While my surgeon did an amazing job and while they do look a million times better than before, they are still huge and heavy and very uncomfortable. So, on July 30th I will be going back into surgery to have a complete Capsulectomy, Explant, and lift! I told my doctor that I wanted to be as small as she could get me. Close to a B cup! I am very excited to get these boobs off and out of me. I’ve decided that I do not like having a foreign object inside my body. I want the freedom of being able to wear whatever I want, be as active as I want, get to lay/sleep on my stomach! I will post some before and after’s of my breasts. And keep you updated!
Updated on 12 Aug 2019:
Surgery was on July 30th! Everything went very well. Surgery took about 4 hours which was quite a bit longer than I anticipated. I was slightly nauseous after coming out of anesthesia but I never threw up, thank goodness! The whole first day I was loopy from the anesthesia but not in a huge amount of pain. I felt pretty darn good that first night, I thought it was going to be a breeze. Then the morning of day two arrived and I was in so much pain! Extremely sore! And Tylenol every 6 hours just doesn’t cut it all that well, especially when your about 2-3 hours away from your next dose! Luckily I had some stronger pain meds left over from the first surgery so I got brave and took 1/4 of one, when I did well on that I increased it to a 1/2 next time. I did that 3 times that day and night. The next morning I woke up super nauseous! I think it was just too much medication, between my pain meds, arnica, antibiotics and little to eat, I felt gross! Plus I had not had a bm yet either. So I went back to just the Tylenol. I forgot to mention that the first 2-3 days my stomach was super swollen! I looked pregnant. I guess it’s from the anesthesia and lack there of a bm. Thankfully it returned to normal by day 4. So far I am super excited about my new natural way smaller boobies! They are at least half the size they were. I can’t wait until all the sutures fall out and my incisions are healed. Plus they are still swollen, so they will only continue to look better and better. It feels amazing to have those implants out! No more fake shit inside me, I’m so happy I got them out as quick as I did, and I’m so grateful my doctor was willing to remove them and lift them again for me and only charge me for anesthesia and operating room! I was terrified it was going to be way more than I could afford, that is truly the sign of a good caring PS! Here’s some pics so far!
Updated on 12 Aug 2019:
Updated on 15 Aug 2019:
I’ve been getting lots of questions on how my scar looks after eight months. So here’s what it looks like.
Updated on 26 Jun 2020:
Loving my smaller boobs and scars continue to fade!
Updated on 13 Dec 2021: