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CLAIM YOUR PROFILEMany of my patients ask about taking supplements before and after surgery that might help their recovery. Unfortunately for all of us, there does not seem to be any "magic pill" that does just that - at least not yet.
As far as what is available to us now, arnica does seem to help some patients reduce the amount of bruising and swelling they experience after surgery. However, some patients also see no benefit at all from taking arnica. If my patients ask if they can take arnica, I let them know that I think it is safe to use - scientific studies have shown no significant harm - but that it is up to them, and they might not see any effect.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Prior to surgery, including mommy makeover, I ask my patients to discontinue any medications (such as ibuprofen or aspirin) and supplements (including fish oil) that increase their risk of bleeding. If they are taking high doses of specific vitamins (like Vitamin E), I have them stop taking it two weeks prior to surgery. I feel like a standard once-a-day multivitamin or prenatal is safe to continue before and after surgery.
If your plastic surgeon has recommended doubling your multivitamin dose, he/she may have good experience with that regimen, but you should double check if you have concerns about the amount of Vitamin E you would be taking.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
If you are otherwise healthy, do not smoke, and have a stable weight and good exercise tolerance, being a type 2 diabetic should not prevent you from having breast augmentation and tummy tuck.
It is important, however, to have your blood glucose levels as optimally controlled as possible. Diabetic patients who have elevated fingersticks or A1c are at higher risk for complications like developing wounds at their incisions or infection postoperatively. Tight glycemic control reduces your risk of having these types of issues after surgery.
You may consider checking in with your endocrinologist to see how else you can optimize your blood sugar levels prior to having an elective major surgery like mommy makeover. And as always, be sure to consult with an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who will be able to guide you safely through your journey.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
For many patients who are unhappy with the appearance or size of their nipples, combining a corrective nipple procedure with breast augmentation is possible to reduce downtime and take advantage of that time under anesthesia. What type of nipple surgery you're seeking may matter - whether you have inverted nipples that you would like to have stay out permanently, or if you have a naturally flatter shape but want more projection.
Be sure to have a consultation with a board-certified, experienced plastic surgeon who can fully discuss the risks and benefits of combining these two procedures together. Certain decisions regarding incision placement and implant pocket placement can reduce your risk and increase your satisfaction with your results.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
At just a week after surgery, your body is still very early in the recovery process.
Many patients who look very symmetric preop, receive the same implant size on both sides, yet still have some differences in the way each breast looks, feels, and heals postop. Many patients who notice that one side looks different than the other early in their recovery see things even out as everything continues to heal.
Keep a close eye on how you're healing and be sure to follow up with your surgeon, who will be able to guide you best through the recovery process.
Best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Day to day fluctuations in swelling after tummy tuck can be normal and often related to activity. Adjusting your level of compression and modifying your activity can help improve the degree of swelling, especially at this point 4-6 weeks after surgery.
I encourage all of my mommy makeover patients to start with gentle walking right away after their surgery and generally wait 4-6 weeks before allowing them to do any cardio like running or activities that strain their core muscles.
Every surgeon has their own protocol for return to exercise, so be sure to check with your own plastic surgeon, especially if you are continuing to have pain and swelling despite rest and compression.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
You look great for just five weeks after mommy makeover - you and your surgeon have clearly done lovely work.
Five weeks is still pretty early in terms of results, and I would imagine that as the next several weeks to months tick by, you will continue to see subtle but sure improvement. Depending on their starting anatomy and the size/placement of their implants, some patients will see the final drop and fluff of their implants as late as 9-12 months after surgery.
As you approach that postoperative mark and if you are still not completely satisfied with your results, your plastic surgeon should be able to help with a plan for revision - perhaps a larger sized implant and/or some additional capsule and soft tissue work - to get you closer to what you ultimately want.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Tummy tuck (or abdominoplasty) can be a great two-part solution for extra skin and a "pooch-y" stomach that can appear after having babies. Most women looking to improve this area after pregnancy do have some degree of separation of the abdominal muscles, and repairing this diastasis helps flatten the abdominal profile (gets rid of the "pooch"). After doing the internal repair, the second part of the tummy tuck focuses on the outside - trimming away the excess skin.
I have found that most women after pregnancy appreciate adding a third component to this surgery - because no matter how hard we work off that baby weight, there is often a little extra in the flanks (or "love handles") that wasn't there before pregnancy. Liposuction is a great way to improve the contour here and does not require any additional incisions. I usually include this as part of the tummy tuck for my patients, as it all goes towards improving the shape and appearance of the abdominal unit, top to bottom and around.
Check with your own surgeon - he/she may already be planning on doing a little liposuction to your flanks as "part" of your tummy tuck, or may not be opposed to adding that little procedure on for you.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Having an IUD should not interfere with having a mommy makeover.
The Mirena IUD releases a very low dose of hormone, and these types of hormones (particularly higher doses associated with oral birth control pills or postmenopausal hormone replacement) have been associated with higher risk of developing blood clots in your legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT; and pulmonary embolism, or PE).
As with any patient undergoing multiple surgical procedures like a mommy makeover, it is always critically important to start walking right away after surgery, to help prevent blood clots from causing problems.
Be sure to mention that you have the Mirena IUD when you talk with your plastic surgeon, so that you can best be advised on your preoperative preparation and postoperative expectations.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Every plastic surgeon has his or her own preference in terms of managing their patients' recovery after breast augmentation. Some surgeons instruct their patients to massage their implants while others do not believe that these displacement exercises make any difference. Be sure to check with your own surgeon to see what you should be doing to achieve the best long term results for your silicone breast implants.
Hope this helps, and best of luck,
Dr. Lim
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
From the first consult, Dr Lim was careful to listen to what my goals were, and talked me through the Breast Augmentation procedure, options (location, incision, etc), all the risks and possible complications, and of course through the sizing options that best aligned with what I was going for. Dr Lim's was the only practice I consulted with that used breast-shaped sizers, instead of just shoving a sample implant into a sports bra, so I also feel her office gave me the most representative example of what each size would look like. She patiently answered all of my followup questions afterwards too, about possibly adding a lift or not (ended up not), or what other things might factor into my choices. On the day of the surgery, it went well, I was released 3 hours after arriving, and she checked in with me later that afternoon, as well as again a few days later. Recovery went well, and by my post-op appointment I was off the painkillers and sleeping on my back through the night. I'm now a month post-op, my scars are already fading, and while the settling has already started, I know there's a more that'll take time. I'd recommend consulting with Dr Lim and Duet for anyone considering Breast Augmentation.
I'm so glad I went to Dr. Lim for my BA! I went to a couple of consultations but I felt the surgeons weren't really listening to my needs. I said I wanted natural-looking breasts but they kept suggesting I go bigger. I chose Dr. Lim because she listened to me and didn't pressure me to go bigger. Also, the entire experience was seamless and enjoyable. Before the surgery, Dr. Lim and Jolie thoroughly explained to me the process and what to expect. They took everything I said into consideration and made me feel comfortable the entire time. Both their demeanour is kind and patient. On surgery day, Dr. Lim and their anesthesiologist were really nice and had the exact energy I needed to feel safe and less nervous. The night before, I read a couple of reviews from other surgeons offices where patients would have to walk into the room that they actually perform the surgery in. That really scared me but at Dr. Lim's office (Duet Plastic Surgery) I did not have to do that. I was in a waiting room where I laid on a comfortable bed and their anesthesiologist put a warm blanket over me. They moved me into the room after I was asleep so I didn't have to see the operating room beforehand. After the surgery, was very painful but expected. The pain only lasted 4-5 days and the medication Dr. Lim provided was enough to get me through it. Now, I'm 6 months post-op and I LOVE my breasts. They look very natural and feel soft. The size that Dr. Lim chose for me is perfect for my frame. If you're in the Bay Area and looking to get a breast augmentation, I highly suggest you go to Dr. Lim! I'll add before/after pictures soon :)
I have been considering a tummy tuck for several years. I decided to pull the trigger and interviewed 3 very capable surgeons. I met Dr. Lim and decided to choose her given her methodical approach. I am glad I did. The results have been outstanding. The recovery has been without any complications. Dr. Lim says that is because I am a good patient but I believe it has more to do with her ability as a plastic surgeon. I can highly recommend her technical and artistic skills.
Before the BA I had literally nothing, I struggled to fill in my bra and relied on padding for sure. Because of how little I had pre-BA, I was super wary of doing everything possible to get a natural yet full result. I just felt I couldn't get away with certain implant sizes/profiles like others with any starting breast tissue could. Details: - Silicone, under muscle, crease incision - Allergan SoftTouch implant - 295 cc moderate profile My PS said the largest she could comfortably (and naturally) fit was 295 cc in moderate profile, or 325 cc full profile. I went with moderate and the smaller volume for a more natural look. I was in the camp of worrying about going too big versus too small. That being said, I am happy I went with 295 cc rather than 275 or 250 cc like I see similar chest girls doing, only because I love having bigger boobs :) But I am a bit glad they aren't bigger, I think the 325 cc full profile would've given me that more obvious, always round and high look. Always keep in mind that push up bras exist girls! You don't need the push up bra look even when you are naked if you don't want it !
Went in for my surgery yesterday at 1pm, my surgery started at about 2pm ad I was in the car headed home at about 3:40pm. I wanted a really natural look and was debating between 250cc and 275cc pretty much up until right before my surgery, but Dr. Lim assures me the 275cc would be perfect for my frame. I'm sooooo happy with my results, it's only been 18 hours since I got out of surgery and they already look so natural! Thank you so much Dr. Lim! Trying to sleep last night was pretty awful because of all the back pain and pressure, my bandages were very tight especially because of the swelling. And I did throw up at about 2am. But I took the bandages off at about 9am and I already feel soooo much better. Updated on 19 Jun 2020: Very minimal bruising, only around the incision site. I forgot to mention I’m 5’5” and I weigh about 135 for reference. I feel better than yesterday, i can lift my arms higher and go to the bathroom by myself now, hoping tomorrow gets even easier Updated on 30 Jun 2020: Went for my post op appointment yesterday, she took the tape off of my incisions and said I could start using scar cream, also told me I could start massaging and using lotion! Updated on 6 Dec 2020: Loving my results so far! No complications or issues. I did notice my right breast might be dropping slightly faster than my left, but It doesn’t really bother me. I find that I’m still a little restricted at the gym, just listening to my body. Overall, still the best decision I’ve ever made.
I'm very happy with the procedure done by Dr Lim and staff at Duet Plastic Surgery. They were recommended to me by a Kaiser plastic surgeon, whose opinion I trust. I highly recommend them to others. Dr Lim is a fantastic listener. I met with several doctors in the area, and besides Duet's glowing credentials, I heavily weighed the doctor's communication skills - their ability to listen and understand my wants and concerns before offering options. She was always calm and intently listened. It was confidence-inspiring to talk to her while feeling heard and not rushed. Background: I'm an active rock climber, /completely/ flat chested, and just wanted the tiniest something to feel feminine. I had 200cc saline previously but always thought they felt large on my frame. I was very embarrassed by them and would only wear clothing to hide them. After explant, I was unfortunately also dissatisfied by being completely flat, so I decided to do the procedure again after 2 years. I had concerns about notice-ability, impact to my strength, BAD, and safety. Other doctors immediately suggested silicone 200cc without much perceived thought, citing the base width diameter of my chest. Based on our conversations, Dr Lim suggested 125cc saline, which is the smallest possible volume for saline. Even though the diameter is very small, she thought it would still look realistic and it met my concerns. Yes, they don't look perfectly real (fat has a droop and movement different to implants) and I don't love that I have implants, but given the cost-benefit analysis, I'm sincerely happy with my results and decision. I'm back to sending climbs outdoors, and don't feel self-conscious about notice-ability. Besides my happy decision with the doctor, the staff is wonderful. Jolie makes scheduling easy. The staff is very welcoming and sweet. This wasn't a factor in my decision, but it felt great to support smart, capable women.
Done with my BA today! I'm in a lot of pain right now and woke up to take my meds. I haven't peeked at the girls yet- still in bandages, but going to my first post-op appointment tomorrow morning and hopefully will get a good look at them! A few pre op pictures. I started off with basically nothing and had 310cc moderate profile in both breasts. My stats: Height: 5'8 Weight: 117 Updated on 19 Dec 2019: Went really well. Dr. Lim took the bandages off me and put me in a surgical bra. I got to look at the girls for the first time! I’m really liking them already. I think they are the perfect size. Can’t wait for them to fully drop into place. Updated on 20 Dec 2019: Day 3 post op, pain is much more manageable today, I stopped taking Percocet the stronger pain med and have only been on the prescribed gabapentin, pain wise it’s probably 2 out of 10 right now. Day of surgery was the worst pain about 8 out of 10, then yesterday it was around 4-6 with the Percocet. Tomorrow I will be taking gabapentin only twice a day, we’ll see how that goes. I may have to take Tylenol in between. The pain is mostly soreness around the implant, especially on the side where it’s not completely dropped yet. Overall I’m happy with the size although I think I could have gone bigger. Boob greed is real! I was so afraid of going too big pre op and asked for the smaller size on the operating table. I just have to remember that I didn’t want big boobs to begin with, I just wanted something to fill in the bikini with. I’m happy with where they are right now. Can’t wait to see how they will settle. Updated on 20 Dec 2019: Feeling great so far except for some pain around the incision area Updated on 22 Dec 2019: Today has been a little rough. I’m not supposed to take the Gabapentin until dinner time, and all morning I was feeling really tight in my chest, constantly feeling out of breath and exhausted. I woke up at 7am and ended up taking another nap around 9am. I was just so tired. I’m also still thinking that I went too small, for going through all this and if I ended up being a 34B, which is exactly where I was pre kids, seems like it’s not worthwhile. But then again, the girls haven’t really settled so I don’t know what size they will be in the end. And, if 310cc is already making me so uncomfortable, a bigger size will be even more painful. I still haven’t gotten my sensation back on my nipples and boobs except the upper boob area. When do you girls get your sensation back? This is really bothering me. Updated on 27 Dec 2019: Went to my one week appointment yesterday. Dr. Lim said I was recovering beautifully, better than most at this point. She took the stitches out for me and told me how to massage a few times a day. It was pretty straightforward. Went bra shopping afterwards and got a bra in 34C, exactly the size I wanted after BA. For some reason my boobs look smaller in pictures, but overall I’m still pretty happy with the size I chose. I’m feeling 80% back to normal today. I drove yesterday and today and other than some tight feelings when I turn the wheels really hard, it’s been quite manageable. Updated on 28 Dec 2019: I have almost no pain right now, only some random shooting pain here and there but nothing crazy. Feeling 90% back to normal. Went bra shopping today and happy to report that I fit perfectly in a 34C in one brand (which is the exact size that I wanted post BA) and a 32D in another brand (which I also don’t mind). Feeling so much more confident and loving my boobs more every day. Some updated pics of day 10 boobs and scars. It’s the first time I see my scars and they are a bit bigger than I would have liked but I know they will get better with time. Updated on 29 Dec 2019: Updated on 29 Dec 2019: Updated on 3 Jan 2020: It’s been 15 days since my surgery, funny how they seem bigger than the first day? I definitely am in love with them and so glad about the size I chose. Updated on 12 Jan 2020: Still really happy about my results, and loving my size more everyday! Nipple sensation is also slowly coming back which I’m really happy about! I’d say about 90% is back on my right and about 50% sensation is back on my left nipple. I’m actually glad I didn’t get a bigger size, otherwise I wouldn’t have had such a smooth recovery and sensation would have taken longer to get back. Overall, just super happy about my decision and wish I had done this sooner! Updated on 15 Jan 2020: Extremely happy with how my scars are healing. They are almost invisible at this point. Updated on 22 Feb 2020: It’s been two month since the BA, time just flew by. They now feel like a part of me and I forget I even had surgery. Some bikini pics from the beach vacation I just came back from. I do love them but also have boob greed (which is completely unexpected because I wanted to be modest and downsized from 345cc to 310cc). I do think they look smaller once the swelling goes down. Overall I’m really happy with Dr. Lim’s work, she did a great job and got me exactly what I was looking for going into the surgery, and the scars look great too. It’s just now that I’m used to them I’m starting to want them bigger
Dr. Lim is an honest and talented surgeon who takes into consideration your wishes, but advises and cautions where appropriate. I came in for a consult with her a year and a half before I decided to pull the trigger, and I didn’t consult with anyone else once I decided to move forward — that was how confident I was in her. She and her ps partner, Dr. Weintraub completed their ps residency at Stanford and have years of experience; it really was a no-brainer. I felt that I could be super open with her pre and post-op; that there was nothing too embarrassing to say or ask. She is very responsive to email as well. I am glad I went with her suggestion on cc size, as it is completely proportionate with my body and exactly what I wanted. I’m very satisfied and will return for a Mommy makeover in a decade or so. :)
Background: I contemplated a breast lift with implants for over 10 years, and i waited so long to pull the trigger because i wanted to be absolutely sure about my decision. I ended up with 195 cc saline implants, which have me at a full C cup. I started with a large B or small C but due to the lift i lost a little skin, so the implant helped fill me out. I'm 5'4'' and depending on how strict i am with diet / exercise i range from 123-130 lbs. This size ended up being perfect for me and compliments my hour glass shape without being too large. I can maintain my exercise regimen with my new breasts and I'm not scared to push myself during workouts. I conducted my own research for about 1 year on best doctors in the Bay Area - i looked at hundreds of pictures, reviewed educational backgrounds, and ended up feeling most comfortable / confident with Duet Plastic Surgery. I appreciate that Duet is an all female practice, they promote self-love with natural results. After spending many hours looking at hundreds of before and after photos it was clear to me that Duet has a superior eye and are truly a couple of the best plastic surgeons in America, especially as it pertains to breasts. Dr. Lim was transparent with me from our first appointment and set expectations very well from the start. She also answered my laundry list of questions without being annoyed, which i greatly appreciated. I ended up slightly panicking and changed my mind on my final decision (250 ccs) and Dr.Lim called me to talk through it. I was very grateful for her call as she assured me i have options and extra time to think about it. I didn't feel pressured to make a decision right away and that helped ease my mind so i could make the best decision on sizing for my body. Actual procedure: My breasts were quite saggy and the mental anguish (due to my nerves and excitement) leading up to the surgery itself was the worst part of the procedure. The surgery itself was a great process and it was clear Dr.Lim, her partner, and the anesthesiologist were all pros. I felt very comfortable with the team and "going under." I woke up after the procedure and for the first time after surgery, i did not feel queasy and i did not have the urge to vomit. I've had roughly 7 surgeries in my lifetime, mainly ear nose and throat for allergy issues and it was truly impressive the i did not get sick. I felt very little physical pain after the procedure and i healed incredibly well. I am about 3 months healed and i look at my breasts at least 5 times a day in the mirror, because i am just so pleased that i now have full, tasteful, perky breasts with nipples placed where they should have always been! :) The pricing is worth it and then some because you're paying for quality and you have two doctors by your side during your procedure. Both Duet Doctors (Dr.Lim & Dr.Weintraub) have residency training from Stanford University and i sincerely believe this makes a huge difference. Thank you Dr.Lim & Duet Team!
I had the surgery 8/1/18. I’m 26 years old, no kids. I’ve just had saggy boobs for most of my twenties. I decided this is [RS bleep] and I want perky boobs now. I’m elated with the results!! It feels like one of the best decisions I’ve ever made
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