Barbara Howard, MD

I am 34 and have had five babies all by c section. My babies were all decent size and my belly got huge with most of them. I had stretch marks and an awful overhang or mother's apron as they call it. I had hated it forever and always wanted a tummy tuck but was too scared. I had a few consults but it never felt right until I met Dr. Howard.She was the most patient and knowledgeable doctor I had talked to and I truly felt she understood what I wanted. I booked my appointment with her that day and just had my surgery November 5th of 2021 and am over the moon with my results. I can't even begin to properly express my gratitude for how good of a job she did. She removed 2.2 pounds of skin and lipo was luckily not needed. I keep looking at my belly in disbelief that this is me now!! Updated on 16 Nov 2021: Updated on 16 Nov 2021: This really shows the excess skin and muscle laxity. I am so happy to have all of this gone!

I was 32 when I had the procedure and only wish I could have done it sooner! I first went to Dr. Howard for Botox a few years before and lightly discussed a future TT. I felt so comfortable with her. I have had 2 prior cesareans so I did a full TT and back and side lipo. My recovery was good. Comparable to c-section but better. I spent one night at the hospital but I don't feel it was worth the $600 extra. My friends were better caretakers than Capital Region.I rented a recliner from Aaron's for $35 a week with a lift and that was a lifesaver. I love my TT and I will have a minor touch up, but worth every penny. I did a bank loan to cover it.

My story is similar to lots of others. I developed way younger than my peers- my large breasts caused me embarrassment from the beginning. I did anything I could to hide them with clothing and posture (it's probably going to take years of physical therapy to fix that). Got older, had a bunch of kids, they grew up. Finally decided I was going to do something for myself. There are very few things in life I want (besides the usual health and happiness), but I do want to wear a cute little sundress once in my life- right off the rack, not from a specialty big girls catalog for twice the price. Anyway I had never gone to the doctor or anything about my back or neck pain or my posture, I just sort of figured it was my lot in life. Still, BCBS approved me right away- perhaps because of the amount I needed removed? I have no idea but the who process was extremely quick. I had the first surgery of the day Thursday May 9th. Honestly I was terrified that I wouldn't wake up from the procedure, going so far as to write letters to my husband, children and grandchildren expressing my love, in case I wouldn't be around to express it myself. Thankfully, it went well. I got marked up the morning of the surgery, then only a few minutes later went back to the operating room. The only thing I remember was how small the table was, and how they made me stretch my right arm out onto another small table or something. I said, "the table is too small", to which they responded, "no it's not." That is the last thing I remember before waking up in my room. My husband was there, and he told me I had been on the operating table for almost six hours. I couldn't believe it was afternoon already. I then asked if I was in the room I was going to stay in, and they said "yes." That was it for a while. My next 24 hours were basically waking up, getting morphine and going back to sleep. I did have a catheter in which was removed the following day- I was so thankful for that. Honestly I couldn't have imagined getting up that first day. I was out of my mind with the drugs. I did feel sick to my stomach and was nauseous every time I was given painkillers. I didn't actually throw up though, but did have dry heaves once. The next morning the surgeon checked on me when she did her rounds, changed my dressings and told me I could go home whenever I was ready, that there was no actual check out time. She also told me she had removed around 1500 grams from each side- almost double what she had anticipated at consultation. A nurse removed my catheter and told me I could leave as soon as I was able to use the bathroom on my own. Up until that point I had been given morphine by IV and I was asked if I wanted it that way again, or if I'd rather take my oral meds. I opted for the oral meds (Percocet) since that is what I would be taking at home, and the morphine really knocked me out. By noon I had peed and was ready to go home. Honestly I don't remember much of Friday. I got home, sat in a recliner and slept off and on all day and night. I took the Percocet as scheduled but it made me sick to my stomach, as well as Valium to help with sleep. Saturday, day 2, I was pretty alert and not feeling much pain at all, it was more of a tightness, burning, discomfort kind of feeling. My husband helped me change my dressings, which were mostly dry, except under my arms where my side boobs (soobs) had been removed. That was a bit weepy. By Saturday night I decided I wasn't going to take the Percocet any longer- I hated that groggy sick dizzy feeling it gave me. I had been prescribed Ibuprofen as well and started taking that exclusively. I still took a Valium at night for sleep. Sunday, day 3 I finally worked up the courage to shower, and honestly it felt great. My husband did help me wash my back (lots of dried blood) and he stayed in the bathroom in case I needed help. There was tons of dried blood in my hair, which was pretty gross but I didn't have any problems or pain lifting my arms to wash. That was a relief. Which brings me to today, Day 4. I actually feel great. I haven't taken Ibuprofen since yesterday and I am not in pain. Once in a while I feel an itch or pull from the dressings rubbing (I'm using maxi pads!) but it's quite tolerable. The biggest challenge is finding a comfortable place to sleep (I'm a side sleeper). I've gone from the recliner to the couch to the bed loaded up with pillows. I am so incredibly excited about the way they look. I have no idea what size I was before (DDD? more?) because I was never fitted properly, and honestly I don't care what size I am now (and I wouldn't even venture a guess at this point). They are so beautiful to me, even cone shaped and bruised and taped up. I feel like a normal person. Someone who could walk down the street and no one would notice me...unlike before when everyone, men and women alike would stare at my boobs. So anyway, I don't know what else to say, but I'm happy to answer any question anyone might have. And thanks, thanks, thanks for this website- I lurked for ages when I was trying to decided if I should take the plunge or not. Updated on 15 May 2013: Thanks everyone for the nice comments about my new boobs! Honestly I can't stop looking at them- I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Before the surgery my PS went over things like, you know they might not be completely even, and they won't look perfect and so on- I didn't care I just wanted the weight lifted from my neck and back and shoulders. The fact that they turned out nice is totally a bonus. So today, post-op day 6 I went back to my PS for a check in. She was pleased with the way they looked and removed tape from all of the lower incisions (the others she told me will come off on their own). I do have some yellow discharge on both sides under both arms which she said is normal. I was also given permission to get rid of this horrible straight jacket of a surgical bra, and just wear a sports bra or tank with a shelf bra in it. So relieved about that, but nervous because when I have taken the surgical bra off to wash it, and the ladies are just hanging free, it feels like they could bust open at any minute. That's about it. I still feel great but I do get tired so easily. I'm thankful I have several weeks off from work to just chill and heal. Thanks again for all the support, you ladies are amazing. Updated on 15 May 2013: One more tiny update. Guess what I'm wearing? A sports bra! Guess how much it cost me? Just over three dollars! If I didn't feel like I'd bust some stitches I'd be doing a happy dance right now. So THIS is how the other half lives! I'm diggin' it!!! Updated on 16 May 2013: So very tired today. Not sure why, I've done absolutely nothing. Having a hard time finding a top (sports bra, shelf tank, surgical bra) that keeps my dressings in place but doesn't rub. Seems I'm constantly adjusting the pads. Wore a button up shirt today- buttoned up! Loving the smaller side of life. Updated on 24 May 2013: Honestly, starting week three, I'm more uncomfortable than I have been this whole time. My side stitches rub against any kind of bra I have tried- shelf tank, sports bra, surgical bra etc. I have tried every thickness of dressings too. I am constantly adjusting my sides. I also have a horrible, sunburn-like pain on the tops of the breasts, from above the nipples on each side almost to the arm pit. It hurts to touch (not hot or anything and I don't have a fever), it just feels like a burn. It also makes any kind of clothing rubbing uncomfortable. Is this normal? Plus, tonight I noticed a huge bruise on the underside of lefty- I look every day and I certainly haven't noticed it before. I have one to a lesser degree on the other side. The skin under the lefty bruise feels dead- I mean, when I touch it it's like I'm touching someone else (it's very Silence of the Lambs-esque, as if someone else's skin was stitched onto mine). Is it normal to have new/more bruising this far in? I've done absolutely nothing for 15 days, so I don't know what I could have done? Finally, I just don't think they look as cute as they did last week. I'm still swollen like crazy too. **Sigh** Whining is now complete. Updated on 6 Jun 2013: Not much to report. That horrible sunburn feeling is mostly gone, thankfully. That was awful. Still swollen and sore. It seems the right side is more swollen than the left, but since it was way bigger to start with it may remain bigger. Who knows. I am willing to live with that. I have broken out in a little rash- looks like a heat rash. Not itchy or anything but not attractive. Seems like I have been in a holding pattern for a bit. Can't wait to go braless for any period of time and maybe buy a bra but it seems my swelling just stays put. Hopefully I'll see improvement soon. Hope you are all doing well.

Like most of you I developed very young. I remember wearing my first bra the end of my 4th grade year. By the time my 8th grade year came around I was already a c/d bra. I was called many names and teased growing up. By my senior year in high school I was a size g and captain of my swim team. I always wanted my breasts smaller and was not allowed to try younger. College came and went got married. Six years ago I tried to get a reduction and was denied. I forgot about it until we changed insurances with my husbands company when a friend of mine in town told me I should try again because BCBS of tx was the same insurance she was approved for and did not have to jump through any hoops. January 11 of this year I made an appointment with the same ps. She sent my information off and by January 30th the predetermination of benefits was approved. I went on a cruise on February 9th and got back the 21st. to find out I was approved for surgery. My surgery is scheduled for May 3rd. I am a size J/K bra and looking forward to a c/d. I will post pics soon. I have been reading the site for a couple of weeks now keeping up on most of you who recently had theirs done and the ones that are about to go under. I find myself like everyone else a little nervous. I have no idea why this is not my first surgery. I do have one question though. I do not like the button down pj's that are out there. I have been looking at tube dresses for the recovery. I have one now that will fit my j/k breasts and was wondering if anyone thinks those will be to binding? Any help will be appreciated...Updated on 14 Mar 2012:I have added new pics to my profile to show before and after pics.Updated on 20 Apr 2012:Just got done with my pre op. Surgery is scheduled for the 3rd of May. I am looking at a 6 hour surgery with at least 2600 grams removed from each breast. I am looking for some zip up tops and tube dresses to wear after surgery. Here's to 13 days and counting.Updated on 2 May 2012:Tomorrow, tomorrow I love you tomorrow.. You'll only a day a way.. Woo Hoo. not that I am excited or anything. Surgery will be around 6hrs. I am getting things ready for tomorrow. I am sure as he night goes I will start to get nervous. Good luck to all of the other ladies out there who are getting this done.Updated on 4 May 2012:I had to be at the hospital at 6am and surgery was at 745. Like most of you have said. WOW they were on fire when I woke up. Nothing like Morphine to cure the burn. Now to answer all of your burning questions. I had 6803.8 grams removed total 15 lbs.. wow.. Trust me I can feel it. So I started at a M and made it down to after swelling of course a d. That is fine by me. She said recovery will take a little longer then most of you guys. I lost a little over 1/2 liter of blood. I hope all of you who had surgery yesterday is recovering well. I am off to bed well my recliner that is. Try to update tomorrow.Updated on 23 Jun 2012:Sorry it has been awhile ladies. Long story short. I lost my nipple and areola on my left breast. Also had the fat inside it rot and die. I have been going through her cutting out and packing my hole with bleach and saline soaked guaze. I have no feeling in that side so I don't feel her cutting away or poking around. Good news is I do not have an infection was tested a couple of weeks ago. I still get tired really fast. I am up walking a bit during the day but mostly when sitting in a recliner reclining so my body will spend the energy healing itself. Its funny how I can wake up with full energy at 8am and need a full nap by 1 or 2pm. This has not been an easy road but I would do it all over again. In a heart beat. I posted some photos and they are very graphic but I wanted someone who might be facing the same fate to see what the process was for me. If you have a weak stomach I would suggest that you skip over them. When I change my dressings I will take another one and post it so you can see the difference of the ones posted. I hope every one is healing well and has not had any complications.

I am SO excited! I finally scheduled my BA for Nov 27...I have always been fairly flat-chested (I'm currently a 32B), and I've wanted to get my boobs done since I was in high school. I'm 20 years old and some people may think it's too young to get implants, but I've thought about this for years now and I can't wait to finally get them! At my first consultation with Dr. Barbara Howard, I told her how nervous I was and what I was hoping to get out of the BA. I want to be a full D, so she suggested 425cc moderate plus profile silicone implants. I've thought about it quite a bit since then, and I've decided to go with 450cc implants because I've heard a lot of women say they regret that they didn't go bigger. I go in for my pre-op appointment tomorrow and I'm super nervous! But I'm so excited!!! If anybody has any advice, especially things to do to prepare myself for the surgery and recovery, don't hesitate to message me or comment! Thanks! I'll try to post some pics as I go along, and I'll DEFINITELY post tomorrow after my pre-op!Updated on 26 Nov 2012:Soooo I've decided I'm not going to be getting my BA with Dr. Howard. I was scheduled to have it done tomorrow, but I'm going to hold off a while. I have another consultation this coming Friday with Dr. Madhukar Chhatre in Lee's Summit. A friend of mine got hers done by Dr. Chhatre and they turned out great! I guess I kind of got cold feet with Dr. Howard. My pre-op wasn't as comfortable as I'd hoped it would be. I just want to make sure I have the right doc!! Thanks for all of your comments, by the way! I'll try my best to post after my next consultation. If this one goes well, I'm going to try to schedule surgery for early January before I have to start spring semester classes... Wish me luck!Updated on 30 Nov 2012:I had my consultation with Dr. Chhatre today, and I must say, I feel wayyyy more comfortable with him! Nothing against Dr. Howard, but the level of professionalism Dr. Chhatre exhibits is mind blowing. He's extremely knowledgeable about what he's doing, and that's obvious, especially since he does over 200 procedures each year! I scheduled the procedure for January 9th. Since the office is over two hours from my house, we arranged for my pre-op paperwork to be mailed and emailed to me, prescriptions to be called in early, and before pictures were taken. I'm so excited!!! Dr. Chhatre informed me that I'm slightly asymmetrical, which saddened me :( lol but he also said that nearly 99% of the women he's operated on have had some sort of asymmetry. So ladies, if your boobs are uneven, have no fear!! You're not alone!! I had no idea that mine weren't symmetrical. As of right now, I'm going with Natrelle 450cc high profile unders; pretty different than what Dr. Howard suggested. Anne, the nurse, and I were talking about sizes and we agreed that 450s were probably the smallest I should go. I liked the look of the high profile sizers much better than the moderate plus profile sizers I had previously tried on. The high profile didn't look as unnatural or "saggy" as the mod plus. And they stick out farther :) I should be getting my pre-op instructions in about a month. Maybe sooner. I feel so relieved to know that I've found the right surgeon. As soon as he walked into the room I knew that I would be scheduling surgery!

Age 46. Laparotomy 1995. Pregnancy 1996 and 1998. Reasons for choosing a tt: my stomach doesn't reflect how I feel.Updated on 13 Jun 2012:I've been walking 2 miles and doing a 15 minute ab work out every night this week. Going to be consistent in my exercise to get strong for surgery. Called a hospital supply company yesterday and priced a hospital bed. $100.00 a month. I think this may be a good idea during first month of recovery. From what I've read it helps with rest and sleep during the night.Updated on 13 Jun 2012:Getting educated. Made the decision to rent a hospital bed for a month. Cost is 100 bucks. Reasonable. I want to ask for anti nausea Meds in my IV too just in case.Updated on 15 Jun 2012:6/15/12, last night at my son's baseball game as I was sitting on the bleachers I was really noticing my roll of belly skin hanging over my yoga capris. I'm so ready to get rid of it for good! It feels like such a burden!! Anyone else feel this way?Updated on 23 Jun 2012:I got bold and had my husband take my before pics. Very humbling. He is a wonderful guy, I'm so blessed to have his support and understanding! What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man! Yes, he is!!!!Updated on 23 Jun 2012:I'm really getting excited and soooo ready to do this. Sitting on bleachers for baseball games really makes me notice my tummy. It just gets in the way. I think it's causing me lower back pain at times. Could that be possible? So many things are running through my brain. I want to see how I feel in the mirror.Updated on 8 Jul 2012:7/8/12. Had to buy swim suit for our family vacation. It was comical but after TWO HOURS of trying on and re trying on I found two that are not frumpy but aren't string bikinis either. Wish I could just pull on a pair of trunks and go! Not Fair guys!! I'm staying busy. Weeks are flying by. Told my boss. I'm renting a hospital bed to help me sleep comfortably. My husband has been so supportive and caring. All my contacts with other ladies on this site have been so positive and encouraging.Updated on 12 Jul 2012:Four weeks out. Four more weeks until my tummy tuck! Does anyone move like they are pregnant because of the girth of their tummy? I FEEL like I do. I'm not tall, only 5 3" and a small build. My tummy is too big for the rest of me. It's such a burden. I hope I really notice an improvement afterwards.Updated on 16 Jul 2012:This week my pre op appointment happens! Wednesday July 18th. I'm going to ask every dumb silly question I can think of. My husband is going with me. I hope that helps. Sometimes I helps to have a second person there to remind you of what to ask for to remember more of what the doctor says. I'm really getting excited. I'm skipping some of my son's late night baseball games this week. It's the last week of travel baseball, and I really need to continue to exercise and get to bed on time. I want to be in tip top shape come August 9th. It's very hard for me to put myself first for a change. My husband is encouraging and my biggest supporter. He wants me to focus on myself and get prepared. What a blessing I have in such a great husband!! :-)

I'm due for my procedure (breast augmentation) January 3rd, 2020. I've had lots of questions I've been thinking of and I just call her office and there's a nice lady that always answers every question I have. I have had one consultation so far and I fell in love with Dr. Howard and scheduled my surgery a week or two later. I highly recommend Howard Plastic Surgery thus far! Updated on 12 Dec 2019: I'm 5' 6" 150lbs. No kids high breast. I'm thinking about 445cc that's what I have on in the pictures then I've got some wish pictures curious if 445cc will give me the same look as my wish boobs. I'm scheduled for surgery 1/3/20 and have my final pre op apt 12/23/19. Updated on 12 Dec 2019: Some before pictures and also I went and bought my first d bra tonight!! Updated on 24 Dec 2019: Went to my final pre op yesterday decided on 485. I’m super excited. Only 9 days till I get my boobieeeees Updated on 30 Dec 2019: Went and got all the last of the things I need. Stool softener, fiber bars, protein shakes, wipes, dry shampoo, etc. I’m so excited, not nervous at all yet. Updated on 2 Jan 2020: Surgery is tomorrow at 7 and I am so freakin scared. I can’t sleep. Updated on 3 Jan 2020: Super sore. Once I take my meds it pretty manageable tho just a little uncomfortable. Updated on 4 Jan 2020: Way better than yesterday. As long as I take meds on time I’m totally fine. Getting more range of motion. Just feels like I did a huge chest workout. Still haven’t got to see the new girls yet. I get to talk everything off tomorrow and shower. Super excited! Updated on 5 Jan 2020: Got to take my first shower. 485cc. They look small now but I know they will drop and fluff. Updated on 5 Jan 2020: I know it’s only day two but wow they look fake. Updated on 7 Jan 2020: Updated on 7 Jan 2020: Updated on 8 Jan 2020: Not so sore. Getting liiiiiiittle softer not much. My nipples aren’t as numb. Gonna go get my hair done today, Super excited!! the best way to get through the healing process is just really enjoy some “me” time. Updated on 10 Jan 2020: Back to normal life. I was honestly back to normal yesterday but more sore even with ibuprofen. I’ve only taken ibuprofen once today. I can lift stuff (within reason) drive, reach up, bend over, jump, squat, you name it I’m fine. I can’t feel the bottom of my boob, I can feel some on my nipple, and the top is completely normal, and the Sides are tender. I am still low on energy a bit just from having something so major done but it’s not to bad.

I am so excited to be finally getting this. I have been wanting boobs ever since puberty, but that never happened. Even after I had 2 wonderful children! My sister got it all and I have/had nothing! I went to the office and she measure me. I have a larger ribcage, so the big size fits me perfectly. I am 124lbs and 42 years old. I look young for my age. Everyone thinks I am at least 10 years younger than my age. I went in for my pre-op already and have all my meds and instructions. I am very nervous about the pressure in just a few weeks.