John F. Bershof, MD

I decided I want to be fabulous at 60????my birthday is 09/12/1957. I have good genes and look young but after 4 abdominal surgerys I need a tummy tuck so my body matches up with my face. I am having surgery January 13, 2017. 12 days from now. I'm scared and excited ???? I am healthy and ready to be fabulous! Updated on 4 Jan 2017: I think I look young on the outside but my stomach does not match my face. I will be 60 on September 11, 2017 and I want to be the best version of myself. I have had four of Abdominal surgeries, I have lost weight and I am ready to not only have a flatter stomach but to be able to strengthen my core. Updated on 5 Jan 2017: Today is my preop and we've had a huge snowstorm in Denver. I also need gas so of course I'm going to drive two hours to see the doctor. Today would be a day I would definitely stay home but have to go. I do have a list of questions that I want to ask and I will post those and the answers to those questions after my appointment. I am nervous and excited but this is definitely not the day you want to be out seeing anybody!! Updated on 5 Jan 2017: I had my preop today and we are all set for next Friday. Here are the questions I asked and the answers they gave me; Day of .. meds to relax u as soon as you get there? Yes, after consents are signed ???? How and what to prepare? I got my girdle and it has to be worn all the time.. no underwear. Go shopping, make small meals, fill pain meds, walker, lifted toilet seat, grabber ( for picking things up) you need a cart taker for 2 weeks. Exparel ??! That's the 3 day medicine that numbs you for 3 days: My Dr does not use this because he keeps you overnight. My Dr feels it's such a big surgery you need care for pain management and blood clots. How long do the drains stay in? 1 week. Some doctors don't use drains anymore however, in my research most doctors say you need them because there is no other Place for the blood to go and you could have bleeders (which could be a problem.) How long on meds? Realistically how long will I be in pain and laid up? Drs say 2 weeks patients say 4-6 weeks so, it seems this is individual however, the first 3 days are really bad, most feel better in 2 weeks but it's a good 4-6 week recovery and most say a year for complete results. Will my results be great, Good, fair? My doctor said no one regrets it, should get excellent results.you can't eat whatever you want because the fat will go to other areas. You still need to watch your diet and exercise. Chances of blood clots? In 26 years my Dr. has had 2 patients that have had them in the leg but they were caught early. He said they can't use blood thinners on a tummy tuck. The big thing is you need to move your legs and walk, walk walk. How many has he done? 26 years worth. I told him how nervous I am and he said it's understandable but try not to worry. I'm going to set my intention that all will go great and it will be worth it. I'll keep you all posted and would appreciate feedback on what helped you the most???? Updated on 8 Jan 2017: I had my preop today and we are all set for next Friday. Here are the questions I asked and the answers they gave me. Updated on 8 Jan 2017: Well, my surgery is Friday. I have gone shopping for food, picked up meds and I feel I am as prepared as I can be. I had posted earlier that I am scared but have decided to shift my thinking and put my big girl panties on and be grateful I can do this. I will spend much of the week continuing to get ready to be laid up for 2 weeks. Updated on 10 Jan 2017: Well, the real pain happened yesterday when I had to pay all of the final payments. Ouch.lol The doctor called and answered all of my final questions. I am confident in him and the team. Now, the worst part waiting. I'm excited but I also am ???? anxious. Updated on 11 Jan 2017: Today I did my pre-registration for the hospital and I also did my medical history for the hospital. I believe I have everything I need to recover at home after a nights stay at the hospital. I did go buy some baggy sweats and a baggy sweater so that I can be comfortable coming home. I have two girdle garments and my clothes have to fit over that and I don't want anything tight. I was told the anesthesiologist will call me tomorrow night and chat with me before he sees me Friday morning and then he will come in Friday morning and after I sign all consents he will give me something to calm the nerves. Thank God!! Scared but excited to get rid of my fupa!! Updated on 12 Jan 2017: So, today is the last day of waiting. I tried to pamper myself today got my nails done because you have to have at least one clear nail. so ladies if you have polish on you need to take it off or do a French ????.I got a pedicure because I know it's going to be a while before I can do that again. I put my hair in braids so that it will be out of my face and I'm going to eat a little bit more today because I know I probably won't eat much tomorrow. I'm going to treat myself with some of my favorite foods because I've been on a diet for almost 12 weeks now. I have about 10 more pounds to lose. I believe this will motivate me to lose the rest. Who wants to go through all this pain and agony and then continue to put weight on. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow morning. I will take a picture right before I going to surgery. Please pray that I am put to sleep, that I wake up (that's always a good sign) no complications and good pain control. I don't think I'll sleep much tonight but I'm going to try to go to bed early and at least relax. Updated on 14 Jan 2017: I had to tell me tuck and lipo yesterday as you guys all know. My doctor said everything went great and he pulled me real tight and he took out 5 pounds so that's exciting. I did stay in the hospital last night and I'm glad I did. I wouldn't say the pain is that bad but the pressure is bad. The compression garment presses everything up so you feel like there's an elephant sitting on your chest. I do have pain I'm not gonna lie but I feel it's more uncomfortable than anything. I got up once to walk last night and will do more today. They took the catheter out so that I can walk more to the bathroom to avoid blood clots. I did have a rough night last night from late afternoon till about four in the morning and then I was able to sleep. They did give me a sleeping pill and that helps. I will be going home tomorrow so I will keep you updated on how today goes. Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and well wishes???? Updated on 17 Jan 2017: Well, I am going home today. I am leaving at about 1:30 PM. I live about 45 minutes from the hospital so I'm not looking forward to the drive home. I am feeling a lot better today. I feel I have had excellent care and I'm really glad I stayed in the hospital Friday and Saturday night because today I'm feeling really good. I have pain but it's more of an uncomfortable pressure then it is a sharp pain. You have to really be careful how you move that causes extreme sharp pain however, if you move slowly and settle in , take the pain meds, walk bent over it's not bad. Updated on 17 Jan 2017: Today I had to change my garment and wash up a little bit. I took the first peek at what I look like. Not too bad. I can tell my stomach is a lot flatter and I think it's gonna look good. I still have a lot of swelling and I'm having Burning and itching. Having to put on the second Garment is really tight and uncomfortable. I know some people like having a garment on and some downed I don't like it to me tomorrow and comfortable. However, you have to wear it for a month so I don't have a choice. Updated on 23 Jan 2017: I got my drains out today and for the first time I got to see my stomach. All I can say is OMG. It's as flat as a pancake. Pictures to follow but I would definitely say it is 100% worth it. Updated on 2 Feb 2017: Well, tomorrow will be 3 weeks since surgery. I'm still swollen and the recovery is slow!! As I have said I'm not really in pain just uncomfortable but not back into the swing of things yet. I thought I would be further along. I have gotten out, driven etc but can't do much. I also developed a rash to the garment!! This was not fun!! It's been horrible and finally had to go on steroids and Benadryl. I had to buy spanx and wear those. Sleeping is still difficult as you still can't lay flat or on your side. I'm off all the pain pills so that also makes it hard to sleep and get around. Here is hoping next week I will be much better. Pictures to come!!

I made an appointment two months in advance. I explained to the scheduler that I would take 9 days off of work in order to have the procedure done. I was promised that it was no problem. I called one month, a week, and even two days before I was seen to verify everything and I was assured that it was no problem. The day of my appointment, I went in to find out that everything was a problem. The staff had failed to communicate with each other, with the doctor, and with me. They made zero attempt to correct the issue or be helpful in any way. The scheduler Lyn and the office manager Susan were rude and unprofessional. In light of their bad behavior and lack of competence, I will never use this doctor. Find a practice that has consideration for their patients and actually have their act together!

My surgery date is tomorrow! ah! been wanting this for quite awhile now, probably since middle school. I'm completely paying this by myself ( been working so much!) and think this is a great opportunity to get it done before I have a career and more financial things to worry about. of course my family is against it ( although surprisingly supportive) its been a long journey to get tis done... but finally happening! ive gotten everything I think I need and what my doctor had written down... been on for 2 weeks: Arnica pills and gel Bromelaine pills and 1000 mg of vitamin C I was prescribed Percocet for after the procedure and an antibiotic! ive been doing my best to catch up on sleep and drink plenty of water... My surgery is at 7 a.m tomorrow so ill update before and after!Updated on 24 Jun 2013: So surgery was exactly how I pictured it.. Kinda scary but went fast and easy. The prepped me in a room with an Iv and I got into a gown. Just about fainted with the Iv which was the worst part of the whole day haha they wheeled me back into the operating room and BOOM! I was in recovery. One thing that surprised me is that my tears were blood... Which apparently is normal but freaky. I was pretty confused in recovery because I didn't even know it ended so waking up with things on your face is a little weird and also it was hard to breath after! Wasn't terrible tho... Currently I'm sitting in my basement. I'm on a reclined chair since u can't lay on your back or side for swelling. My pain level is only a 2 but wow it's just annoying uncomfortable! Haha can't breath with the packing and I'm traumatizing my poor mother with how black my eyes are getting... Just staying quiet ill update before bed!Updated on 24 Jun 2013: Oh and just as an FYI the plan for the appearance was to straighten it ( was extremely crooked) my doctor even though I broke it it was so bad! I also have a very bulbous tip with no real definition, and adding a slight scoop to the bridge :) suddle exciting changesUpdated on 25 Jun 2013: Last night was a little rough, three up lots of blood and with packing in your nose it's extremely uncomfortable. Slept overall better than I thought, just ate some eggs and took another pain pill. Feel alright tho :) just feels like a bad cold. I got dressed and put my hair up which mentally makes me feel better than sitting in pajamas all day haha my bruising is starting to get darker and lot of swelling in the Forhead. My nose is bleeding a medium amount id say.Updated on 25 Jun 2013: Updated on 25 Jun 2013: Updated on 26 Jun 2013: Today is day 3 post op, and the pain level isn't bad at all, but the discomfort is getting old! Apparently swelling is at its peak around 48 hour which is about where I am. Most of my swelling is where the bridge of my nose meets my forehead, looks freaky! The bruising is also shift ontop on my eye lids. I GET MY PACKS OUT TOMORROW! :D so excited I know ill feel 1000 times better, wish me luck!Updated on 27 Jun 2013: So I just got done getting the packing out of my nose. Some things u should know: It really does go by fast! Just when u start to think that it kinda hurts they're already out. Don't be concerned if a lot of blood comes out because its normal. U feel IMMEDIATE relief! If u have been miserable with the packs in like I have, the feeling of air going thru your nose has never felt so good haha. My doctor cleaned out some of the blood but advisemed me to just get warm soapy water and slowly clean out the blood. The pressure in your face also changes so I can feel my pulse under the cast! As far as my bruising goes its going well. The ARNICA GEL REALLY DOES HELP! I applied it around my eyes two weeks prior to the surgery and I have very little bruising, and my swelling is well... All over haha can't escape it! Over all the recovery is going good :)Updated on 27 Jun 2013: Something I read on this site is how you lose you're smile for awhile... And it's true!! My doc said its from swelling but I can't move my upper lip.... It's so creepy looking haha so be prepared for that but apparently it does go away! :)Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Feeling more like myself today My bruising is turning yellow Swelling is quickly going away The inside if my nose is swollen with minimal dried blood Zero pain My only complaint is how bad my nose itches under the cast! My skim is also extremely oily and just looking bad, but I expected that with all the things I read on this site. Clearly after day 3 things really start getting better fast. I'm a slow healer with a lot if things ... So this is surprising. Also I'm keeping up with the arnica, bromelaine, and vitrines C. I STRONGLY suggest getting these and taking them two weeks before and after the surgery!Updated on 28 Jun 2013: Updated on 1 Jul 2013: My doctor took the cast off for a couple minutes today to let me see!! I snagged some pics for a sneak peak but its still so swollen, I LOVE it. A subtle BEAUTIFUL change, ill post more when it actually comes off!Updated on 12 Jul 2013: I absolutely am so happy I made this decision. I couldn't be more happier and confident! no regrets at allUpdated on 2 Dec 2013: its been about 5 months now since my surgery and I still love my results. After the cast comes off your nose will change shapes as month go on, it is supposed to take its "right" shape at about a year! its still a little hard to breath in the mornings from swelling, and when I blow my nose its a little bloody every time.... but nothing drastic! I love it and still think I made the right decision, you will be surprised what you will do when your confidence is better!!Updated on 4 Dec 2013: every day it gets better and betterUpdated on 11 Dec 2013: its about months in!! there is still swelling in the tip which is normal because thats where the most work was done/ thats the area that takes longest to lose swelling. So far, so good!Updated on 24 Feb 2014: Wow, i cant believe its been 9 months post op!! I still have swelling at the top of my nose ( where most of the work was done) and apparently its normal that it takes about a year to subside. I still have blood when i blow my nose and my nose is still a little tender. These are no biggies but just something to mention! i'm loving the results, and i am more and more happy and proud of my decision every day.Updated on 9 Apr 2014: 10 months and loving it