I saw Dr Lim for a breast reduction and tummy tuck after having 5 children with the last child just 5 yrs ago, and then natural 100+ lb weight loss. I've had shoulder pain and back pain due to breast and body size for years. I'm 5'9 and starting weight at beginning was 323 lbs. lost naturally over 100. And after BR and TT I'm at 165lbs. With so far 2.4 wks post TT I've lost 6 inche in lower abdomen (apron) and tummy. And after 4 months BR am a 36C. So far I'm pleased. Lots of healing to go for TT. Dr lim didnt do the procedures together due to my age and healing with diabetes. He felt it best to do separate. Insurance Covered my BR and I covered my TT. Breasts are a bit off in size and shape. I did have some scar retraction on left. But seems to be releasing and settling nicely. TT is hard. Swollen and puffy at almost 3 weeks. Looking forward to seeing it flatten out. Dr Lim is not an easy smooth communicator. I however am very outspoken. It took a bit of wit and charm to draw him out. But he is sweet caring and genuine. He was clear on every detail and always available to me. I trust his judgement and expertise. I would totally recommend Dr Lim.
Was expecting a life about 2inches higher on my chest wall. My lateral chest wall grew 4 inches with no weight gain. Now a reduction to finally get to a c/d? Just tell me what went wrong here? I mean nearly everything it feel like. No compression was given or silicone. Scars are hypertrophic with way too much tension. Can see internal staples in incision line.
I am 45 now and have had relatively nice breasts for most of my life. I was a perky C cup in my 20's, had a baby in my late 20's, gained some weight and went up to a D/ DD cup in my 30's. After breastfeeding my 2nd child for 18 months in my late 30's, the girls were an uncomfortably large DDD and gravity had taken a toll. I have had the typical back, shoulder, and neck problems, strap marks in my shoulders, and rashes. I started looking into a reduction mammoplasty in 2010 when my chiropractor mentioned it. I went to a PS for a consult and was actually a bit scared off by her enthusiasm, lol. My husband was not really a fan of the idea as he has always adored the "girls", so I put it off. Finally this year; after shoulder surgery, PT for my back, and a cervical epidural (with 3 different medical experts recommending a reduction) I did it! My out of pocket deductibles had been paid for the year so it didn't cost me anything (definite plus!) It has been 6 weeks since my surgery, and I felt an immediately relief in my back and neck. My posture is naturally much better and the weight of my breasts are no longer pulling my shoulders forward- amazing to me! The nitty gritty stuff? Here are my thoughts; my biggest regret is that my surgeon did not use lipo to remove and "side boob". He refused and said that was a weight issue and not medically necessary . I really wish I had been more proactive about that, they feel a bit more oblong and flat- but I am trying to be patient for them to settle into their "final resting place". They used a block and it took about 4 hours. PS said he removed approx 2# from each breast and the surgery was quite extensive. Everything went well in my surgery and post op. I was prepared with a soft pillow for the car ride home to put between me and the seat belt. I slept a lot for a couple of weeks, the bruising and swelling lasted for about 4 weeks. I got those nasty zinger type pains every time I moved or bent over for several weeks and I had to take pain meds for them- highly recommend taking a stool softener for the whole time you are on narcotics! I found out the hard way after my shoulder surgery that thrombosed hemorrhoids are not fun at all! I also used ice and heating pads on my breast and they are a lifesaver! I was not prepared for the way my breasts react to cold weather! When I get cold the whole breast area feels engorged, like milk needs to let down but it doesn't. Nipples getting hard in the cold hurts a lot! The heating pad is my best friend then. Other than that, the healing went fine until about week 4 when I developed an itchy rash all across my chest. PS didn't know what it was caused from and benadryl cream made it worse over the next 3-4 days, but triamcinolone cream took care of it in about 7 days (very miserable days!). I have also developed several "suture abscesses" that my PS snipped out and told me I could snip on my own if they continue to happen. I think about every single internal stitch they put in is coming to the surface. They start out looking like tiny white heads; I try to wait for them to come through the skin before doing anything, but I have also used sterile tweezers to open it up to get at the stitch. Right now I have about 5 little open areas that are draining a bit, and a bunch of ones trying to pop through the skin. It's frustrating! I can't use scar strips yet because of them. I have no sensation yet in my left nipple, but my right nipple is fine. The outer sides of my breasts had numb areas, but they itch deep inside and I can't feel anything if I scratch, so that is annoying. I have some work to do to get rid of my tummy; my breasts used to stick out further than my stomach, so I carried my extra weight very proportionally- now, I feel like a pear. My husband is actually pleased with the way they are looking, and looking at the before and after pictures really show a huge difference! Sex the first time happened at about the 4 week mark, and I was scared that my breasts/ nipples would hurt a lot; fortunately they didn't hurt at all- but I do recommend caution to minimize making them bounce- that hurts. One thing I would like to talk about though is my pathology results after the surgery. I have mammograms every year, and usually an US afterwards. They have never showed anything. I was really shocked when my PS called my husband back during a post op appt to tell us that the tissue they removed came back showing Lobular Carcinoma In Situ (while not benign, it is not yet invasive) and Atypical Hyperplasia in both breasts. He did remove the cancer but said where there is one of that type, there is usually more. I have been referred to an oncologist and they do consider it to be a positive cancer diagnosis caught in the earliest stage. I have started tamoxifen and will be having MRI's and all the other tests soon. None of this would have been found if I didn't have this surgery, so I consider myself very lucky- it likely would not have been found for several years and by then it could have been invasive and at a much later stage. It will be ironic if I end up having mastectomies though. So that is my story to date. Overall, positive but the journey has been a bit bumpy and I have a feeling that the rough parts aren't over yet. Updated on 29 Nov 2016: Didn't have pictures up when I posted my original review. The before picture is at the end. Updated on 29 Jan 2017: It's been about 12 weeks post op. Things are settling now and my breasts feel much softer. I am still having problems with sutures coming to the surface. I had one pea sized area on my left areola that turned black and had a white pus filled center that opened up. It went quite deep and drained for about 4 days. I cleaned it with normal saline and put Neosporin and gauze over it. The pictures are about 2 days after it opened, it seems to be healing ok. The underside of my breasts are tender where the skin is close to my ribs, and the elastic of my bras' rub on it. I still have a lot of numbness that feels strange. When I lean forward, my right nipple does not point straight down, but more off to an angle, and I have 2 "dog ears" on the sides that I do not like at all. I am not sure if those will decrease as I lose weight. I have lost about 5#'s so far. I think they look a little lopsided with one nipple higher than the other; but I know I am hyper critical (and before my surgery my left breast was bigger than my right). My PS discharged me at 8 weeks. I asked him about scar strips or other treatments and his response was "Eh, if they work- use them; if not- don't." Not really very helpful>.< As far as the update for the LCIS- I have been taking tamoxifen for breast cancer for about 2 months now; the hot flashes are no fun. I have my MRI scheduled for 2/5/17. Hoping for no new masses :) Still incredibly happy that I had the surgery, but my self image is taking a while to adjust to this new smaller look. Updated on 14 Sep 2017: I am overall happy with my post surgery results, however the Dog ear on the R side really annoys me. My R breast itself has a deep itch under the nipple that can never be scratched, and I get some shooting pains towards the center. That whole side is mostly numb, like the feeling when you go to the dentist and the Novocaine is starting to wear off. I don't know if I will ever get used to it. Updated on 3 Jul 2018: Just within the last month my Left nipple became really painful for a couple of weeks. It hurt to touch from the outer skin to what feels like deep inside the breast, turning over in bed wakes me up, bending forwards hurts- reminders of the zingers I used to get, but not as bad. I have been using ice and ibuprofen which helps. I talked to my doctor and she said that it is likely that the nerves are still growing back and that it can take 2-3 years! I don't like the pain, but if it means I get nipple sensation back, then I can hang :) The girls have gotten smaller with my weight loss, and have lost some of the fullness that I was enjoying. I have MRI's every 6 months for the breast cancer, and had to have a biopsy in April for a new area of concern. It was something that they called NASH, and I was told it wasn't anything to worry about. Life as a B cup is much easier, and less painful!
So excited. In 5 more months I can get rid of this pannus I have been carrying with me for the last 18 years! I have chosen to get my surgery done in Mexico. Cosmed clinic has been in business for 30 years and they have amazing facilities and reviews. Updated on 3 Apr 2019: I have had 3 children all csections, have lost 80 pounds and no matter how hard I work out my belly stays. I have researched so many different drs and I am hoping I am making the right choice! Updated on 28 Apr 2019: So I saw my PCP and she ended up Referring me to a plastic surgeon to see if insurance would cover my Panniculectomy. The PS submitted and I was approved for both abdominalplasty and panniculectomy. I am now scheduled for May 1. I hope I will get good results as I would with a self pay. Dr. Lim is who I was referred to. I haven’t even seen his work so I am not sure if it is good. I really wanted the lipo and contour but not sure if he will do since it is though insurance. I will post photos in a few days. I’m scared excited all at the same time. Updated on 30 Apr 2019: Had my preop yesterday. Getting a full abdominalplasty which is unheard of when insurance is involved. There will be some lipo not much, but that’s ok. I guess I can do later with my BBL! It’s hard to remember I am 44 so my results are not going to be that of the 20 year olds on here. Hoping for a good improvement. Dr Lim is very nice so far and staff is nice as well. I am concerned that he does not do compression garments or anticoagulants after. I have heard so many different opinions on that. Hopefully I will sleep tonight!!! Updated on 30 Apr 2019: Just sharing my mark ups... no lipo marks :( Updated on 2 May 2019: Ok so get to the clinic at 630am.Was wheeled back to surgery and I was out after th oxygen and my cocktail was administered . When I woke up I was in a ton of pain I think a worn off and they couldn’t give me anything because I was still sleeping. After I got loaded up I was able to go home. I was sore but it was manageable. Taking pain meds every four hours two of them. Norco 325. It was supposed to be 6 but a can’t go that long. So yesterday all day was ok then fast forward to about midnight. Ouch....my drain lines hurt on my pubic area and my muscles r sore and where they did lipo. The incision itself is not too bad. I can’t tell what my results are yet because I have a chance to be undeessed and take the pictures so possibly tomorrow when I wake myself down I’ll have my husband take couple snapshots. Another weird thing, no binder or anticoagulant. Updated on 2 May 2019: It hurts. Very similar to the csection slightly worse. I had three and thought it was gonna be easy but it’s not. Getting up is soooo difficult. I bought a used lift chair and walker and do not Know what I would do without it I encourage everybody to look on either craigslist or Facebook marketplace to pick one up for cheap. I also put the extended height toilet seat. I walk like crazy cuz I’m paranoid of blood clots. But today is soooo hard to. This is lookindown from by belly button. No pannus. Yay. Hella swollen though. I pray it goes down. Updated on 3 May 2019: Well I am on day 3 and my upper abdomen is super swollen. Hoping it’s not missed fat or something. Had a BM yesterday. Please keep up its your water and Colace because it makes you feel super bloated and causes pain. My dr only gave me 4 days of pills 1 every 6 hours. I had to double it up because it as not working at all. Now at day 3 I take 1 Norco every 4 hours and a regular Tylenol. I Still have not had a chance to see the entire belly but here is a before and after from what I can see. Updated on 7 May 2019: Wow, the last 6 days have been pretty difficult. From day one through day five I regretted having the procedure and could not see a light at the end of the tunnel. I had emotional ups and downs I cried and felt guilty for making my husband take care of me and my kid. Have been hella uncomfortable. The constipation is horrible. But today DAY6 was a big turning point for me. I am feeling a lot better I’m not on any hard medication and I’m looking forward to taking a shower and getting my drains removed tomorrow. Some of my swelling has gone down although it varies our to our and I can see a huge difference. Although I am no bikini model I do not have a big chunk of that sitting on my lap!! I get my bandages off tomorrow so I’ll take some pictures kind of nervous to see the scarring and the new bellybutton. Updated on 8 May 2019: Well I don’t like my results at all. Because I didn’t get lipo I look very puffy on top and no contouring. I feel sort of like I look like Frankenstein. I don’t know maybe I’m just having a bad day. Hubby said it looks weird :( Updated on 9 May 2019: I am officially back to the living. I feel so much better. Drains gone shower etc. I broke down and took some Motrin since I felt I was away from the bleeding risk and OMG. I’m a new person. My swelling went down, I am in no pain except when bending getting up etc. I am still swollen though. I took this pic sitting down and I am super sad there is a roll over my panties. Unfortunately I know this is not swelling but just not aggressive contouring. At least it’s better than before. :(
lost 125lbs 3 years ago doing a meal replacement type diet that my insurance paid for. I was planning on being a fabulous babe afterwards. Instead I was a grotesque monster and could not even look at myself naked. My boobs were the worst. After breastfeeding 5 kids, wt loss and age I just had wrinkled empty sacks. For a long time I would cry every time my husband tried to touch them. I had always had large breasts which I knew he loved and it just killed me to be so ugly now. He would always say he loved them no matter what but how could anyone be excited over an empty sack! I could roll them up and stuff them in a bra for a decent look but without a bra I was flat down to my tummy. I tried to get the insurance to pay for a repair. I have a pacemaker and with no more fat up there it flipped all around when I bent over. So they paid for my first consultation with Dr. Lim their breast reconstruction PS for cancer patients. His office was very clinical and he had no bedside manner at all. Also no before and after photos. He said I was so bad I would need 2 surgeries to get my breasts back. Lift then implants. It would stabilize the pacemaker but insurance said no and I had no money. After a while I decided the cost didn't matter I had to get them fixed. I started looking for the right guy to do it. This was a problem because of my pacemaker and heart history. Many just refused me. One I had a surgery date and even paid for but his anesthesiologist canceled the surgery. Said I was a poor risk. I really wanted it done in one surgery not 2. The PS's were split on that, but any that agreed to actually do the surgery said it had to be 2. I saw 9 surgeons. I even went to Utah to their best guy based on all your reviews. (Plus it was almost 1/2 the price), but he said no. One of the PS I saw who couldn't do it, said I really should see if Dr. Lim would do it. He said Dr Lim was the best he had seen (besides himself) at the kind of reconstruction I would need and he was connected to the hospital if I had a problem. He did not know I had already seen him. After meeting all these awesome, wonderful surgeons in their fancy offices with silk robes I had no desire to go to DR.Lim. So I kept looking. I went back and talked to him two more times. He still said two surgeries because the blood supply to my nipples would be comprimised doing such a big lift and past open heart surgery and my pacemaker. Did I want my nipples to fall off? My husband was convinced that going to a surgeon who would have all my records and was operating where all my other doctors would have access was the best thing to do. He was also less expensive. (Someone has to pay for those robes!)So after 3 years I was ready, so ready I did not care anymore who did it! The before pics are the night before surgery when I was all marked up. See they are not even boobs any more! I had the first surgery Sept 30th. Update coming soon. Updated on 21 Oct 2016: I had the surg on Sept 30th 2016. The pain was not to bad. the worst part was he said to lay flat for the first few days. I hate that and it hurt my back so I took pain pills to sleep through it. On the third day he removed all my dressing. When I looked down I was in shock. From my angle all I saw were these strange small lumps with man [RS bleep]! My friend was there and she kept saying I had teenager boobies! I felt a little sick and actually fainted in the office. Luckily I got to a chair when things started going black! Very embarrassing! The next day when I could examine more closely and see the whole thing in the mirror I was much happier. I was still concerned about the size of the areola because mine had been so huge and these looked so little. I was really upset when my husband did not seem impressed. I cried most of the night and did a ton of research on this site about it and got a better idea about normal. The PS had also said that there was a purse string stitch around the areola which would relax when it dissolved and then they would be bigger and flatter.The next day I told hubby all I learned about areola and that they would get bigger. He just laughed and said there was nothing wrong with them. He was just freaked out by me being all cut up. (wish he would have said that at the time!) It is true they are getting bigger and I think they are ok now. When I went for my next PS appt he was all impressed with my breasts and said they were so big and wonderful I wouldn't need implants now. Humm I think he is used to mastectomy patients and I am probably bigger than them. I have mixed emotions about it. I guess I will just have to see how they continue to heal over the next 9 months. Updated on 21 Oct 2016: I gotta say I have been more sore this past week than the first week. The incisions seem to rub all the time and feel a little burning. The PS said the nerve endings have woken up. I am still wearing the sports bra 24 hours a day. There is glue on the incisions which is starting to peel off. maybe that gets pulled by the bra. Also last week I got really tired where all I wanted to do was rest. The last 2 days have been better. I guess I have been doing to much. I have a lot of swelling on the sides under my arms. The PS said on the one side there is a lump which feels like a hematoma (bleed) formed there. But it will go away and has not gotten bigger. I like them more and more every day! Updated on 7 Nov 2016: So I am at the 5 week mark. I did get a little opening in my suture line at the areola and the vertical line. I was totally freaked out because I was out of town. After reading several of your posts about it happening fairly often, I put some antibiotic ointment on it and tried to relax. I have been wearing the sports bra day and night but I know I am lifting things I shouldn't. It seems to be healing now. I also read about using the silicone sheets on the scars. I did start that on the sealed areas. The thing I am wondering about is I still have scabs around my areola. Did any of yours last this long? The photos make one side look bigger or higher than the other. In real life one may have dropped a little more but I can hardly tell. My chest is a bit uneven because of heart surgery and scar.In my mirror they look the same. I am still wondering about getting implants. I feel like I am a full b small c at this point. Maybe small high profile would be more what I am looking for? Updated on 3 May 2017: My breasts have changed a bunch. They are no longer high and firm like after surgery . They are sagging, scarred and not attractive. I knew I was a bad scar candidate. Because of previous open heart surgery with the big scar on my chest. All the plastic surgeons I went to did not seem concerned with that. But I do have some ugly wide scars. They are also a little raised around the areola. (Yuck) Which really bugs me. I'm bugged also because there's no upper pole fullness which I know I can only get with an implant . I sure wish they could have done it in one surgery. Because now the idea of another surgery and the cost is overwhelming to me. And probably out of my reach. Being that I also need to get a tummy tuck to take off all the extra skin around there from my weight loss. Laying down on my side one of my breast looks pretty nice. We call that the professional breasts. But standing up it's not really attractive. Also the scars along the sides of my breast toward my arm pits are very sore. Sometimes at night it feels like it's tearing inside along those scars. Well at least I know they can't sag much more. And they are breasts when before they were just sacks.
