Paul M. Heath, MD

So after 5 years of begging my husband to let me get a BA he finally said yes!! October 29th I have my consult and I love my doctor! I am currently in a 36B and am going to hopefully go to a 36DD MY PS told me I could go up to 550cc if I wanted! Husband is a little worried about the size but I know he will come around. After all, I'm doing this for me, not him:) my surgery is set for November 7th and right now I'm a wave of emotions and am still doing to a ton of research to make sure I have everything ready to go! Oh, I'm also going with textured saline implants under the muscle. The count down has begun! Any info would be greatly appreciated! I'm go glad I found real self.com! It's been so much help reading all your reviews! Updated on 5 Oct 2014: Got my papers in the mail for surgery yesterday. So much info, defiantly glad I'm going with them! Even sent me a thank you gift for being a patient:) the count down is still on and each day it creeps closer the less nervous I am! I booked my hotel today, one with a recliner so I can sleep (or attempt) to sleep upright and on my back... I'm a stomach sleeper so this will be a challenge all in it's own. But I'm excited for my adventure and new bigger boobs! 33 days!!! Updated on 5 Oct 2014: I'm really lacking the upper fullness and volume that I want and that goes with my frame. I'm 5'4 and 180lbs with wide hips and shoulders. In pictures I ALWAYS push my arms in, this pushing my chest together making it look like I have more there. I don't want to have to do this. I have plenty of breast tissue my PS told me, that the saline is going to be a good fit for me:) yay! Updated on 5 Oct 2014: Just some wish boobs:) Updated on 7 Oct 2014: Going shopping today for some extra comfy pillows to help keep me propped upright after surgery. Ordered an ice pack that won't get stiff and hard after being in the freezer! Will get some coco butter for after! So happy I found real self or I wouldn't of thought about that! Getting my house all in order and deep cleaned before the big day so I don't have to worry about that part! I was gonna do some premade meals but my husband said no, he would cook if I just walk him thru it! Haha he doesn't like frozen, he prefers fresh out cooked meals, so this will be interesting! 31 days to go! I can't believe how real it's getting:) I can't wait to look down and see boobs! Haha:) did anyone use coco butter before? Or just after? Wondering if it would help to pre moisten the skin? But anyways! I also looked at some bras (sports bra) on eBay but my papers I got said to use a bandeau bra? The only ones I can find are strapless? Is that right? Updated on 10 Oct 2014: sleeping after surgery is going to suck. I currently have the flu (im happy I got sick now, so im not sick for surgery) last night I had to sleep on my back propped up so I could breath, oh boy is it hard for me to sleep that way. my neck is killing me:( but... im finally down in the 20s for days till my surgery! 28 to be exact and im still reading stories every day, seems to help calm my nerves:) I cant wait! this journey is going to be amazing Updated on 27 Oct 2014: So I only have 11 days to go before my surgery. I've gotten some negative feedback about my choice to go with saline, and really I could careless what anyone else thinks. This past month has flown by! And it's all getting so real and coming very quickly!! I'm ready for it, still a bit nervous but that's to be expected! I just want boobs! Added a few more wish pics! Updated on 29 Oct 2014: So I've dropped down into the single digits for my count down! Oh em gee! A week and a half and I'll have new girls! I can not wait! 9 days to go! My mom and sister are coming with to my surgery along with my husband. My sister is staying in the hotel with us the night of the surgery and then staying at my house after for a few days to help with my puppy. I have a 16 week old pup who is all hyper and loves to cuddle! Lol don't wanna have to fight with that right after surgery. I'm so excited and now getting nervous all over again Updated on 30 Oct 2014: I have one week till my surgery! I'm now entering into the " am I going to big" stage. Yet all the boobs I look at online I like the bigger fuller round almost fake look. So I'm gonna stick with it:) I can't believe how fast this month passed by! Updated on 1 Nov 2014: Im so sick of people telling me not to go with saline. "You'll have to redo them years later" my PS told me you have to redo both of them after 12 or so years. I don't understand why people are so against saline. Updated on 5 Nov 2014: Got the call from my surgeons office today! I got all the do's and donts before surgery and I have to be there and checked in at 9:45am! It's a few hour drive from where I live so it'll be an early morning with I'm sure very little sleep the night before. I can't believe tomorrow is my last day of work before I go in Friday! Just doesn't seem real that it got here so quickly! Mm Updated on 6 Nov 2014: I seriously have the biggest wave of emotions right now... But mostly I'm excited to feel sexy in my clothes. Because I don't now. My husband won't leave me alone, lol says he needs to get as much time in as possible with the real me before they change! Lol he's too cute:) but. I just hope I can sleep tonight! Updated on 6 Nov 2014: Updated on 7 Nov 2014: Well I just pulled into the parking lot, in 30 min when I walk in my life is going to change forever and I'm so excited about it! I'm waiting for my mom and sisters to get here they drive down to be here with me. I have such a supportive family which is amazing! My husbands family doesn't know and I'm wondering how long it'll take them to find out. Haha well I'll post an update when I'm all done! Updated on 7 Nov 2014: Well surgery today was quite the experience. Woke up in recovery and felt drunk. Asked if I had even had surgery yet. They then asked how my pain was and have me some pain meds, after that they took me in to my room and my husband met me there after, I ate some crackers and drank some 7up. And they took out my iv. Then my dr came in and my right looked more swollen then the left so he thought I was bleeding inside and wanted to bring me back into surgery just to make sure I wasn't. So I got another iv put in and was brought back again. Turns out the right was more swollen cuz the left implant was defective and had a leak. So they replaced it with a new one and now I'm good to go! I went in with a bunch of pictures for my PS and was origin ally gonna go around 500cc and he ended up putting 630 in to closer match my goal pictures! Holy crap! Lol at the hotel now and resting. My husband has been super great and such a big help. I love that man so much! I'll update tomorrow after my follow up appointment :) Updated on 8 Nov 2014: What's that? Lol! My back hurts assuming from this super tight ace bandage around me. I'm in a hotel and had requested a recliner to sleep in. So I have a pillow under my lower back which helps some. I tried to walk out to the vending machine with my husband to get some sprite for me which was right by the pool room. As soon as that heat hit me I got light headed and all the color flushed outta my face and I was in a cold sweat and told my husband I needed to go sit down before I passed out. As soon as I was in our room that is much cooler I was just fine and felt much better once I sat down. I have alarms set for my pain meds. Because it's such a large implant and they had to go in twice I'm very sore and don't want to fall behind on them and try to play catch up. I get about an hour or so of sleep then I wake up awhile and then drift back in after awhile. But I'm not super tired. Must of been from being put under twice. Updated on 8 Nov 2014: Updated on 8 Nov 2014: Updated on 8 Nov 2014: I'm very sore today. Took a shower, that was amazing.... Here are some pics! Updated on 9 Nov 2014: So I have a very painful bruise on my left incision (the one they had to replace the implant) I couldn't even hardly move with my surgical bra on because it rubs so bad. So I called n talked to the on call doc and got the ok to take my bra off but to keep the band on because they are such a large size he doesn't want them creeping up. So much better now! Updated on 9 Nov 2014: He is so great, gentle and such a great help! I really don't kno how women without someone in their life can do under the muscle surgery. He has to help me in the bathroom. To get dressed, sit-up. Everything. He is great???? I was able to go to the bathroom alone but pulling up my pants was a chore all in it's own. Holy crap! I don't think I was quiet expecting the pain to be this high. I'm down to my last 3 Percocet and since they are stronger then the hydro codeine I'm saving them for at night when I need to sleep. But I just keep telling myself the pain will be worth it in the end! I can't wait to see them change:) Updated on 10 Nov 2014: Pain today is better then the last few:) my left side still hurts but that's to be expected. I'm smiling today me move around more. I still haven't had a bowel movement yet but have gas like you wouldn't believe, lol one more dose of my antibiotic and I'm all done with that. Yay! I hate taking pills. I took 2 of my hydrocodeine at 4 am and didn't take another till 11 am so I'm not needing them as much. Which is awesome! I only took a muscle relaxer to go to sleep last night. I have been sleeping very well at night which is a huge relief cuz all the stories I've read sleeping sucks. But not for me:) will update with pics later! Updated on 10 Nov 2014: I have some shooting pains in both breasts. Must be nerves reconnecting? All I know is it sucks :( Updated on 11 Nov 2014: Today I woke up and my bladder was gonna explode! I still can't sit up on my own so I had to text my husband to come help me up. I started to cry because I feel so helpless. I hate not being about to cover myself up, get up to pee or even scratch my itches. He reassured me that's he is here to help me and it's going to get better. I really wish they wouldn't if had to go back in on my one side. Because that's the side that still hurts the worst. I'm now worried I'm gonna be in pain going back to work:( ughhhhh I hate feeling like this. Yesterday I stopped my narcs and tried just Tylenol and that was a BIG mistake! So I'm back to the narcs for a few more days and only take the muscle relaxers at night :) Updated on 14 Nov 2014: Today is one week since I had my BA and I'm loving them:) I had an appointment today with my surgeon and he said things are looking really good so far! Incisions look good and when I see him again in a month we will talk about scar management. I got the ok not to wear my yucky surgical bra, thank goodness. It has lace on it and I have super picky skin so I'm happy happy happy about that! I also was given the go ahead to stop wearing my band if my implants are where I like them. I want them a little bit higher, I like the "semi fake" look... So I'll probably only wear it at night now! For probably another week or so. I also went to my local walmart and bought a zip up genie bra, SUPER COMFY! And I got a strapless sports bra for when I wanna not have my straps be seen until I can wear a normal bra again, but honestly, sports bras are amazing and comfy so I'm not complaining one bit:) P.s. I absolutely love the cleavage without having to wear a bra with padding! Makes me smile:) Updated on 14 Nov 2014: One week post op Updated on 15 Nov 2014: So I'm not sure if it's a heat rash but it's all over my upper body:-/ and it itches! I had saved a few Percocets for my drive to my appointment cuz I had to be in the vehical 2 hrs one way. And so I took one of them after not taking them for 3/4 days. So I think it could be that but I have also been perspiring cuz I'm in pain so it could also be a heat rash.... Arggghhhh!! Updated on 16 Nov 2014: Updated on 16 Nov 2014: I wanted to put together a list of things for anyone waiting to have a BA with questions on what they may need or what they can expect after surgery from my experience:) Do's: * BENDY STRAWS: seriously you won't be able to lift and tip a heavy glass. They saved my life! * lots of pillows. Sleeping isn't the most comfortable and having soft pillows, some what helps * ice packs. Ice helped me. 20 min on 20 min off (only if your doc says it's ok) * a back scratcher. You won't be able to reach all your itches both on your arms, legs or back. So having something to reach them with helps! *stool softener. Start taking them right away. Don't wait till you've been backed up for a week before you start, seriously it happens! * yeast infection kit. Antibiotics can cause a yeast infection.. No fun ladies:( *get lotion. Your skin will be tight and itchy *chapstick. Your lips will be dry * 7up helped my tummy issues don'ts: * don't expect to be able to take yourself to the bathroom the first few days. You will not be able to pull your own pants up or down *dont expect to be doing your hair for at least 4 days... *riding in a vehical is painful. Avoid it as long as possible * don't use your arms to sit up, my husband still has to help me on occasion and I'm a week and a half post op. Your muscles take a beating! *dont cough or sneeze after, it hurttttts bad Please note these are all from my personal experience and each and everyone is different, I just want to help those women I can:) this site really helped me prepare for my BA Updated on 23 Nov 2014: So I'm developing a crease in the shape my breasts used to be, I reallllllllllllly hope this fixes itself when the drop and fluff? Anyone seen this before? I had somewhat pointy breasts before but I don't think they would of been considered tuberous? Ahhhhh! Updated on 23 Nov 2014: Had to help them a little, yesterday I snagged one pulling my bra down and that hurt. It bled a little, so I knew they needed to come off! Updated on 1 Dec 2014: Things are going great! I bought a cute wirefree bra today from walmart.. It's a 36 DD cup fits nice but it's tight around the rib cage. So I'm going to try a 38D and see how that fits:) Updated on 2 Dec 2014: Updated on 14 Dec 2014: They are just a tiny bit small:) Updated on 14 Dec 2014: Love having boobs:)

Hello! I am a 32 year old mom and wife. I have a 4 year old son. I also have twins. TWIN ROLLS on my belly, that is! In 2004, I weighed 224lbs. I am 5ft 7". That was rediculous. I took control of my obesity, lost 69 lbs and haven't looked back since! By June of 2007, I was at my goal weight of 160 and have managed to stay within 6 lbs of that for the last 4 years. But guess what? The skin that embraced my 224# belly never left. So, here I am today, ready for the belly party to end on 4/21! I consider myself a very strong woman. I am stubborn; lifting, carrying and moving things I really should ask for help with. I lift weights with a personal trainer and get mad at him if I feel like he's being "easy" on my. If he wants 8-10 reps, I make darn sure he gets 12! I attend 60 minute Cardio kick/step classes 2 times per week, and on the "off days" I run 4 miles on the treadmill followed by 15 agonizing minutes on the treadmill. But...when I look down...my belly is still there! Sound familiar, ladies? On 4/21, I will have a full TT with lipo of my flanks, a little upper ab lipo and even a little back lipo. I am SO excited. My husband is on completely on board, as he sees how broken my spirit is when I work so hard, to see very little reduction around my waist. My sister, an RN, will be my caregiver for the first 4 days. I am overjoyed with the thought of having my own little nurse. My mom will come and stay, spoiling my son rotten the whole time. I think it sounds like a win-win for nearly everyone. One day, I want to pull a shirt from the closet and put it on. I don't want to immediately see the roll over top of my jeans and then have to find an "over" shirt just to hide it. I want to run 5 miles and not think about my belly knocking me out. I want people to see me and appreciate how hard I work, instead of thinking (wow, she's got pipes, but look at her belly). The day is coming and as nervous as I am, it is going to be the best day for ME! I will upload pics later this weekend. Updated on 12 Apr 2011: Before photos...GULP Height 5ft 7" Weight 165 Updated on 12 Apr 2011: Before photos...GULP Height 5ft 7" Weight 165 Updated on 22 Apr 2011: I'm alive! Had surgery yesterday. Came out of recovery around 4:30. Last night was WAY better than I expected. Percocet every 4 hours with snack. It's 2:45pm CST now, and I'm just feeling a little more pain now. Pain is about a 5. More stinging or discomfort that anything. My sister said my tummy looks awesome...I haven't had the nerve to look yet :) Will post some pics sometime when I can. No regrets thus far! Updated on 23 Apr 2011: Correction- 800cc from LIPO, not from lip :) Updated on 25 Apr 2011: Post op 4 day update: I'm on the tail end of my 4th full day post op. I am taking XS tylenol about every 4 hours and ibuprofen about every 2 hours. It is working nicely to curb most of my pain. I have been updating my progress in the April Tummy Tuckers forum, but also wanted to update a little here. I was terribly sick from 3am-9am on Sunday morning. Nearly threw up several times. Turns out my body was toxic with Percocet. After talking with the PS on call, it was determined I had to just had to wait it out. By 9am, I was through the worst of it, and thankfully, have not been nauseated since. Praise GOD, it was terrible! I know I am swollen but I also know my stomach is FLAT! Amazing, considering what my PS started with. I am excited to see what's under the binder, by when I take it off, I feel like my insides are going to fall out, so I can only look for a few minutes. I know that feeling will pass as well. More updates to come. Thanks readers! Updated on 29 Apr 2011: Greetings from FINALLY sunny MN! Today is Day 8 post op. I am feeling pretty good. I had my drain removed yesterday. Got a new garment (mid thigh to under breast- zips and velcros on the sides) It is actually SO comfy compaired to the first one I had. I slept on my side last night. It takes a bit of time to get comfy, but boy, did it feel great to not have the aching, tingling butt. Once the drain is gone, boy, what a great feeling! The drain removal was completely painless. I felt the tubing under my skin, but it was short lived and there was ZERO pain. Here are some Surgery day stats and an update Post op day 8. Surgery 4/21 Weight 162.3lbs Post surgery weigh in 4/28 Weight 159.4 I tried on some of my pre-surgery clothes today. I had a pair of Silver jeans I had bought before surgery, and loved them, MINUS the giant roll/muffin top that hung over the top. Today, I can say for the first time in my adult life...NO MUFFIN TOP...NO ROLL! I would cry if it didn't hurt my abs so bad! LOL! I started back on my Alkalyzing drink today. It's called Greens, and it is made up of 38 super veggies. Mix it in water and drink it up. I took it all winter and didn't have ONE cold, flu, sickness. I've missed it. I am taking tylenol or ibuprofen when I remember, but ALWAYS before bed because that is my sorest time. I still have a little tingling in my left hand, but my PS said it could have been my positioning on the operating table, or the nerves reattaching (since I had lipo on my back). I am also a bit dizzy at times, but am going to start really keeping track of my water intake, as I suspect I may still be a bit dehydrated. Anyone else have a little dizziness 8 days out? I am happy I made this decision. I have emotional ups and downs, and I want to the Kimmers and ABEKVV for communicating with me via email and helping me through the downs. I do NOT know what I would do without the support of this forum. I'm off to take a shower, then I must rest. I find that once I've overdone it, I get a little tired, panicky and emotional. My poor husband. :) Happy healing and I'll continue to update on the April Tummy Tuckers board as well. Updated on 9 May 2011: Today is day 18 post op. I am feeling good, but am VERY tired by bedtime. I have uploaded several photos, a few from 1 day post op to 17 days post op. What am I seeing recently? #1. My scar is looking fantastic. I rub Palmer's Vitamin E Oil on it (and my entire trunk, because I LOVE IT) about 3 times per day. I have just a few scabs left and the rest of it looks nice and pink and is healing great. I have no incision pain at all. #2. My lower abdomen is shrinking, but my upper abodmen is swelling. I haven't been wearing a binder or garment, just flexies tanks, so that could be part of it. I am patient and still so pleased, that I don't care about the swelling at this time. My pre-TT jeans fit fantastic and I don't have any rolls, so how could I NOT be happy? #3. My BB is slow to heal. I had some stitched removed (even though they were disolvable) because they were causing irritation. I am just patiently waiting for it to heal. #4. My right side seems to be healing much slower than my left. Bruising and muscular pain worse on that side. That is also the side I had my drain in, so I believe all of that comes into play. Overall, I am so happy. I talked to my PS's nurse today, and she reminded me that 6 months is where I will really see my new figure. I told her that if my final results were similar to what I look like now, I would be happy. I want to feel good and be able to work out. I am content with being a size 10/12 the rest of my life. My belly is gone and I have won that battle! Happy Healing Ladies! Updated on 22 May 2011: Thursday was my 1 month post op anniversary. Things seems are going well. I am still battling an issue with my belly button. Seems that the inside doesn't want to heal as fast as the outside, so I'm currenly try to keep it open with a 2x2 gauze, rolled and covered in bacitracin. There is a chance I may need surgery to correct it, but will know more on Thursday (5/26) when I go for my 5 week consult. Let's see...what else can I share? Height 5ft 7" Pre-op weight: 162.3 Current weight: 156.6 (Wahoo!) What PAINS/BOTHERSS me? My upper abdomen seems to swell the worst now. It sometimes protrudes further than my lower ab, but I believe it is all normal. My right side feels like there is a big ball of muscle (to the right of my bellybutton) even though there is NOTHING there. Doc tried to asperate last week and couldn't get a drop. Doc did not think I would have any feeling in that area, so she stuck the needle in and I nearly fainted, it hurt SO bad! I guess it's good to know my nerves are reconnecting, but HOLY COW...hands down the MOST pain I've had since surgery. I thought I had wet my pants it hurt so much. Apparently the pain caused me to sweat so bad I thought I had peed. Was kind of funny after I realized I didn't pee :) What PLEASES me? I can sneeze and cough (still carefully) and I don't have the 5 minute burn afterwards. I don't panic everytime I think I have to cough or sneeze. That is a nice feeling. All of my clothes fit me, and I don't have a big roll over top of all my bottoms. I am so pleased. Sometimes when I get down about my bellybutton, or my upper ab swell, I try on clothes for a few minutes. It is great therapy! Most of my 12's are a bit too big, so I am thinking that when this is all said and one (6-9 mos) I will hopefully be an 8-10. That would be fantastic! Got my period for the first time since surgery (1 week late) and it wasn't any worse than normal months. That is great too! Scar is healing fantastically. Using Palmer's Vitamin E oil on the scar and the Palmer's Belly Butter on my stretch marks. Both are fantastic for my skin and I have no complaints. Time will be my friend with my scar, and I am ok with that. I miss the gym terribly, but when I asked my PS if i could go back, I was told to drag my feet. My upper ab muscles were so seperated, and that means my plication was quite tight. There is no good reason to jar, stretch and stress those muscles any sooner than necessary. I am ok with that. I'll just keep watching my eating so I don't gain much. Overall, this experience has been a good one. I find it important to remember that everyone heals differently and at different speeds. Each day gets better, but I have by no means reached the point where I've forgotten I've had this surgery. I know my body is recovering, and some days, I know it more than others. I'll update my profile again in a month or sooner if anything "earth shattering" happens. Take care and happy healing! Updated on 27 May 2011: 5 weeks yesterday. I feel great, overall. I had a follow appt with my PS. My belly button is healing, and it sounds like I won't need surgery to fix it! I roll a 2x2 gauze, (I feel like I'm rolling my own cigarette, if I smoked, that is) slathered in bacitracin and I twist it in my bellybutton. This is keeping it open long enough to let the inside heal. I think it's going to be pretty cute after it's all healed, WAHOO! I asked my PS about the upper ab swelling. I wake in the morning, flat and standing tall. By about 4pm, I'm hunched over and look like I used a bike pump on my upper abs. I asked him what I should expect at 6mos...he said I should expect to look like I do in the AM, ALL DAY, EVERY day, once I'm fully recovered. I wanted to jump on his lap and kiss his face, but thought it would be a little much for the man, as he's quite a quiet and shy guy. Regardless I'm so happy! I think my 10's will be too big soon, what an amazing feeling! One day at at time is the only addage I can swear by. Enjoy this great memorial weekend ladies. I will try to take some pics, as it's been almost 3 weeks since my last photo update. Updated on 20 Jul 2011: Greetings fellow TT'ers- It has been 3 mos since my surgery, and although I've been tardy on updates, it's not because I'm unhappy. Quite the contrary, I'm so happy, I'm out and about all the time! I'll try to cover some of the things I've been experiencing since my last update (Memorial weekend) I started back at the gym very slowly at 9 weeks. I did the elliptical, treadmill and bike. It went fine, but by evening, I was as tight as I could be. I felt tired and a little depressed. Was worried that I would not be able to exercise and feel GOOD after it, but that has all gone out the window since about the middle of June. I bought a bike and have been biking on average 10-15 miles per day. I also have been running on the treadmill at home and at the gym. I am back to my 10 minute miles and that is an amazing feeling. THe first time I ran, my miles were over 11 minutes, and I wondered if I had lost my "mo-jo"...nope, I found that too. I would like to get back to my 9:50/min miles, but in due time, I must tell myself. My clothes are fitting so nicely. I am wearing all 10's comortably, and got rid of all 12's and 14's I owned. I am hoping to make it into an 8, but only time, dedication and my genetics will tell. I am still having belly button issues (oozing a puss type substance) but no pain or redness. I am seeing my PS tomorrow, so we will see if I will need a BB revision or not. I'm trying to not overthink it because SO many other things could have gone much worse. Trying to count my blessings and deal with the revision if I need one. I am wearing a bikini, but only around my family. I am not quite confident enough to wear it out in total public, but suspect with time, I will. I detest my stretch marks, but am learning that nearly every human being has them, so I may just say "f" it and rock the bikini in public. I already have a bikini picked out for next summer, and I plan to order it and keep it as my motivator all winter. All of my life I have had some article of clothing as my motivator, and this bikini is going to be it. I welcome the challenge! I dont' swell too bad anymore, unless I haven't got my water in. I have been enjoying a few too many beers lately, and that can bloat anyone, even the most seasoned drinkers (LOL)! My scar looks great. Very pink right now, which is normal. I tried Mederma and it dried my skin out so bad I returned it to Walgreens. I've been alternating between Palmers Vitamin E oil and Bio-oil. I put a few extra drops of quality lavendar oil in the Bio Oil, just for the extra healing boost. It seems to be working and time is the only real remedy for a scar this large. Here are some pics I took this morning. It is so hard to take your own photos, but everytime I think to ask my husband to do it, he is not home. I still check the TT boards often, but don't write too much. I suppose it's because the "Drama" of the surgery is fading, which is great. That's what we want, right? To go back to life, normal, fun, FLAT BELLIED??!! I hope that anyone out there that is feeling down, lonely or regretful will reach out to some of the great members that may be a few months ahead on recovery. I felt so great talking with others when I just wanted to know if I was normal or not. Love RealSelf, Love myself and Love this new body. Remember, perfection is only in the eye of the beholder, and if you love yourself, everyone else seems to as well. 100 degrees here in MN today. Heading outside to enjoy the sun. Take care! Niffie Updated on 1 Apr 2012: I cannot believe that on April 21st, I will celebrate my 1 one year surgery anniversary. I mean this when I say, where has the time gone? Yes, the first 2-4 months were a little rough, but after that, time has just passed by so quickly. I have not had one single moment of regret- not one. Finally, my outside matches my inside, and I could not be happier. I am officially a size 8 now- weighing in at 154-156 for the last 6 mos, and it feels fantastic. I am not a slave to the scale any longer- I simply use it to keep myself in check, once a week or so. I exercise about 5 days a week, doing a variety of things. I love how I feel when I finish a good workout. I love that my belly does not plague me any longer. My scar looks great. It will always be there- but it looks better each month. My BB revision that I had in Aug healed nicely and I wore a two piece on my FL vaca a month ago. There is nothing bad I can say about my experience. Once you get through the first few months, any regret you may have had fades. This is the very best thing I have ever done for myself. It has changed my life and made me care more about my health and my life. Positive thoughts for anyone out there that is just on the other side of recovery. Keep the faith, be positive, take care of yourself and be proud you took control of your life, I certainly am!

I’ve wanted a new nose since I can remember.My nose is so big and wide and i never liked it.So i guess it is the time to move on Updated on 16 Dec 2010: I just had a rhinoplasty this afternoon, it has been 6 hours since i did it, I am feeling so good, no one can tell about my bruising just me. I was so nervous the whole week, but when i got to the hospital I was so comfortable, the nurses were so nice and the doctor was amazing, I can't wait until I get my cast off to see the result.

Was denied by insurance twice last year for my reduction surgery but I got the call today that I was approved and they scheduled for Dec. 16th! I have no idea what I should have for recovery at home, I didn't expect to actually get the okay and an appointment so soon! Any tips or great products to have would be awesome!! Updated on 7 Dec 2016: So, I found out I was approved for surgery finally on Monday and was scheduled for next Friday due to a cancellation - which was crazy!! Had to go get a mammogram Monday afternoon and got a call today that there was an abnormality on one side and I have to go in and have an ultrasound done this afternoon. I called my husband from work and bawled because of course I'm nervous it could be something bad but also that even if it's nothing to worry about, they probably will postpone my reduction because we needed to have everything in and read and okay'd this week. I'm stressed and disappointed. I hope I get some answers today ???? Updated on 8 Dec 2016: So I had the ultrasound on the abnormal whatever it is in my left breast and they still aren't really sure. It sounds like he thinks it may be a benign fibrous tumor but they want to do a biopsy ???? The soonest they could get me in was next week Tuesday which would absolutely mean postponing my reduction surgery so I bawled of course...but after talking with one of the triage nurses for my PS at Midsota, she made calls and pulled strings to get me in for a biopsy about an hour and a half away tomorrow even though they usually don't schedule these without the notes and imaging from the original ultrasound and mammogram - my hospital only mails them so they wouldn't get there in time. I will be picking my stuff up and hand delivering it to the imaging place that my biopsy is scheduled with but there is still a chance that once they look through the imaging and see what needs to be done that it won't be something that can do there. So fingers crossed that it's just a straightforward needle ultrasound guided biopsy and nothing more complicated or hard to get to because if they can do it there then I could have my results back in time to still go ahead with my surgery the 16th. Unless my biopsy results come back with bad news of course....and that I can't even think about yet. Just wanted to note though that my PS office has been AMAZING through this process. Between getting me in for a same day mammogram and fast results to making the calls to find someone willling to do a biopsy ASAP - I am thrilled and so thankful for the care they have provided. I will definitely be recommending Midsota to anyone! Updated on 10 Dec 2016: Biopsy was done yesterday and now we just wait. They are hoping to have results Wednesday or Thursday and if it's good news then my surgery is still scheduled for Friday - and if it's bad news, well I don't know then. I'm a little stressed and until I know things are okay...I can't even begin to plan for surgery so this week is going to be chaotic no matter what the outcome is. Updated on 11 Dec 2016: So, I've been sitting around feeling sorry for myself waiting to hear back on my biopsy results hopefully by Thursday...and I just hadn't even been excited about my surgery scheduled for Friday. I just felt like I couldn't get excited until I know FOR SURE that the surgery is a go which I won't know until they get the results back from pathology and the mass is benign. Anyways, I decided that I'm going to be positive and assume that everything is good and on schedule until I hear otherwise. So as of right now I am planning on getting my breast reduction in 5 days and knew I better get ready! I ordered some gauze and medical tape, vitamin C and zinc, a couple of post surgical front closure bras that I've seen recommended on here, a couple more zip up hoodies and sweatpants. I have a plan to pick up a few groceries the night before surgery (I live 1 1/2hrs away from the surgical center so I will be on the road EARLY Friday and have to stay overnight at a hotel) and have pineapple, oranges and blueberries on hand for their healing/vitamin properties, easy protein sources, ingredients to make smoothies, honey throat lozenges and yogurt. Being back at work tomorrow will help with not having so much time to just think and worry but I CANNOT wait until the biopsy results are back. Any other suggestions that I should get before surgery would be appreciated! Updated on 13 Dec 2016: So to anyone who cares, my biopsy came back negative for malignancy so I am in the clear and still on the schedule for Friday!!! I am so excited and super nervous! I also took the plunge and took before pictures even though I didn't want to and didn't ever really want to post them because I'm just paranoid and it feels weird to post my boobs online but I know how much I've appreciated all these posts in my journey to get to where I am now so I decided to do it. I also wanted to be 15-20lbs lighter before I did this but that didn't happen ;) As of today I am spilling out of my 34ddd and set for reduction this Friday! Updated on 15 Dec 2016: So tomorrow is my surgery. Super nervous about what I will end up with and how the recovery will go but ready to be done with this! I will try to update tomorrow but we'll see how it goes ???? Updated on 17 Dec 2016: Okay, I made it! I checked in to the surgical suites at 8:30am yesterday and believe that I went into surgery around 10-10:30am. My surgery took about 4 hours and the first I remember waking up in recovery was awful. At 3:05 I got to go back in the room with my husband (or maybe they brought him to me?? It's kind of a blur!) and I was in quite a bit of pain. Apparently I looked rough too so although I had just taken 2 Vicodin when I woke up in recovery, the got the okay to give me another kind of pain med through my IV. I was crying - it was just overwhelming and feeling like I was going to be in that much pain even AFTER pain meds was all I could think about. I don't even know what happened after that. I took some anti nausea meds when I first woke up because once I starting moving I got super sick but I had some crackers and 7up and not too long after, we got to go and get settle into the hotel. We live about an hour and 45 minutes from where I had my surgery so we had to stay the night at a hotel so I could be seen this morning for a post op check before we went home. Midsota recommended the handicap rooms at the Holiday Inn because they have a couple with recliners so that's what we ended up doing and it worked out great. Oh, another thing. Sorry to be jumping around here - these pain meds mess with my head. So when I was back in the room with my hubby right after surgery he says to me "did they tell you about your nipple?" What the hell? No, no one said anything about my freaking nipple! I was so paranoid before surgery that my nipple was going to die and fall off anyways and then that's what he says. So he could tell he totally freaked me out and he told me it wasn't a big deal but apparently because I was really swollen on the one larger side, they took out a couple of the stitches underneath the nipple because he wasn't getting good blood flow. I have to go back down there on Friday and if everything looks fine he will get it stitched back up. Ugh, not ideal. I'm trying not to worry about it but it still freaks me out that something is going to happen to the nipple. I have feeling in the right one (it hurts!) but nothing in the left/half stitched back together one. Trying not to stress because I don't want to mess with my healing but also the idea of stitching up my nipple while I am awake sounds like torture. Anyways, at the hotel I sat in the recliner with a pillow behind each arm and one behind my head/neck/back and was pretty comfortable all things considered. My pain was much more tolerable than it had been at the surgical center and my husband was really good at making sure I was staying on top of the meds and taking them every 4 hours and even set his alarm to get up twice during the night to get me meds and see if I needed anything ???? I didn't sleep very well because of a lot of things - I hate sleeping on my back, it's hard to sleep sitting up for me, the fricken snow plows in the parking lot in the middle of the night, general discomfort and then I was super itchy. But all in all it wasn't a terrible night. This morning I met with Dr. Heath even though he wasn't the on call doc for this weekend but he came in to check on me and even called my husband about 10pm last night to check on me - super impressed with how well taken care of I have been with Midsota and Dr. Heath. I started bawling because I was so scared to take off the dressings because they were kind of stuck to the incisions and when I had tried to pull the on gauze pad off my nipple at the hotel before we left, I got super lightheaded and nauseous and had to take another zofran so I was terrified of the whole process and putting on the surgical bra. The dressings came off without too much trouble - a couple ouchy moments but not as bad as I was expecting and then we put some new pads on under the surgical bra and wha la! We talked a bit and Dr. Heath got me a new pain med RX since he thought maybe the itching was a a slight Vicodin allergy so now I am taking Tramadol. But that was it, I can shower tomorrow but am dreading it, and we are home now taking it easy. I'm pretty drowsy and can't guarantee that any part of this update makes sense but I wanted to update :) I have a couple of not so helpful or interesting pictures I will add and I will keep updating! Updated on 17 Dec 2016: Night two - took some Tylenol pm with my tramadol just a bit ago hoping to sleep tonight. Last night was a lot of small cat naps and shifting and itching. I don't know if it's just me or I'm crazy but both kinds of pain pills I have seem to make me itch like crazy! Anyways, really hoping to get some good sleep tonight. I would give almost anything to be able to lay down to sleep instead of sleeping in the chair. Updated on 18 Dec 2016: Just about 48 hours post op now and I'm just tired and sore. I get to shower today but I'm terrified and I don't really want to. My gauze is stuck to my nipples and the one nipple is half unstitched as it is and I just have no clue how to get it off without passing out or hurtinf myself - any ideas? I think I'm really most likely just a huge baby, I cried at my post op appt yesterday because I was so scared of them taking off all my bandaging and ace wrap and now I'm dreading taking a shower for the same reasons - is there anyone reading this who understands or has any tips? I'm scared and sore and not sure what I'm doing or if hurting this much is still normal or why my bandaging keeps sticking so much. This might be the pain pills talking because I am just a mess but I could use any encouragement or help right now. Also, I feel like I'm still bigger than I wanted to be :( I was hoping for full B/small C and realistically I should probably bot be smaller than a C because I am not teeny tiny so I don't want to look too small chested for my body - but in recovery I asked the nurse what size she thought I ended up and she said maybe a D. I wanted to cry. I didn't do all of this to still have big boobs, I have hated being large chested since I was 15! I don't know what to think, I'm just feeling down and uncomfortable. I will try to take some new pics when I work up the courage to shower. Updated on 19 Dec 2016: I got the okay to shower yesterday but I was so sick and had such a migraine that there wasn't no way that it was going to happen. I worked up the nerve and got it done this afternoon though, and yes - I do feel better. But it was rough and I almost passed out. I felt lightheaded before I even got in the shower after getting undressed and removing all my bandaging. Yuck. And I don't know if it was the warm water or what but it took all I had to get some shampoo in and rinse out of my hair and a quick washing with some antibacterial soap before blacking out. It was insane, I wasn't expecting that. But it was the first good look I have had at my new boobs and...I don't know. I have gotten so many good responses on giving it time and they it's probably just the swelling, that they will go down in size as the healing progresses....but they just looked so big still. It was kind of a bummer and I promise I am trying to be patient but I had these nice, small boobs in my head and then I looked in the mirror today and I feel like they don't look much smaller than they did before my surgery! :( Also, has anyone else had part of an incision left unstitched to give it some time to let the swelling go down? Apparently my left nipple had some blood flow issues and was really swelling up so my PS took a couple of stitches out under the nipple and just used a wet dressing or something to temporarily cover it for now. I go back on Friday and if all looks okay, he is going to stitch it back up (ouch!!) but it just looks weird and is freaking me out. Sigh. This is hard. I hope I'm being crazy but between the size and this nipple thing, I'm disappointed. Going to try to stay positive. Updated on 23 Dec 2016: I haven't been updating as much because a) I don't know that anyone is even reading these lol and b) I was having a rough time - physically and emotionally and just didn't feel like sharing. But I'm getting over it and I had my one week post op appointment this morning. If you've read my past posts, my PS had to go back and remove stitches from my left nipple during surgery because they weren't getting good blood flow and there was a lot of swelling. So this past week I've been stressed about this large open wound I've had and it's been messy and the gauze and bandages they've had me using was sticking so every morning I would have to slowly peel this stuck on, bloody gauze off and replace it. It SUCKED. So today they cleaned it out and stitched me back together! Not the most fun I've ever had but I'm thrilled to be all back together and just on the road to healing now. Everything looks good and he was happy with how it was going. If I'm being totally honest, I wish I was smaller. I was slightly worried about being too small for my body but I mostly just didn't want to be too large and...I don't know, maybe I'm swollen and maybe it's just hard to tell right now but they look big to me. I will add some photos from a couple days ago but I can do new pictures soon. I can't take off the dressing that put on today until Sunday but I'd like to know what you think - if anyone reads this. Still very sore from the lipo on the sides - wow! Glad he did it though, my PS said I would have regretted not doing it because I would have had side boobs! Lol, thanks pal. Updated on 23 Dec 2016: Photos from days 4-5 post op Updated on 23 Dec 2016: Finally remembered to ask how much they removed during my surgery because a nurse after my procedure had said 300 or 320 grams but the actual total ended up being 412 grams from the right side and 479 from the left! Updated on 25 Dec 2016: I'm struggling with feeling so sore and not myself for so long. And not sleeping well probably adds to that. My new stitches are looking good so I'm happy about that but it's hard feeling so bad for so long and being kind of stuck in the house. I feel fat and lazy and crabby. Hoping this passes but I'm irritated that I'm going through all of this and my boobs are still bigger than I wanted. Maybe when I'm feeling good I won't be so pissy about it and maybe once the swelling and bruising has gone away but they are big and the larger of the two is STILL bigger so I'm lopsided. See? I'm just a crab. If I was so sore but things look small and cute it would be one thing but to be so sore and not like what I ended up with stinks. I need to take a breathe and relax, I know. The lipo areas are SORE but I'm so glad we did it. Anyone know if a tight bra is okay right now? The ones from the surgeon are looser and so things move around and rub where the one I have is relatively right and I'm pretty squashed in it but then there is less movement. Anyone know?

I have been thinking about Liposuction and a Tummy tuck for the past year my husband and I are not planning any more kids so I think I am finally building up the courage to do it. I went in for my consultation yesterday and everything became a lot more real for me. I am extremely nervous because I have already had two C-sections surgery completely freaks me out. I almost threw up yesterday just thinking about it and I'm not planning to have surgery for about two months. I don't mind pain I am freaking myself out over possible infections and risks of the surgery. I am also very scared about the long scar that a Tummy tuck leaves. Can someone give me expectations on how I'm going to feel after the surgery? Also has your scar been very annoying to you? And how bad is the scar?