Stephen M. Lazarus, MD

Dr. Lazarus and his entire team, especially Theresa, are incredible. Very helpful in understanding how I wanted to look; took into account my lifestyle; made surgery day easy and called to check up on me the day after; very attentive and responsive in the weeks following surgery when I called with questions / med refill requests; and clearly very knowledgable and passionate about what they do! I would send anyone their way with total trust and confidence.

Amazing work!!! So glad I chose dr Lazarus. He did a fantastic job, not to mention at the best price! Having his surgical suite in office made me feel very comfortable, and he was always available for questions! Thanks so much!

I had a tummy tuck two months ago. After having twins and then a third child, my stomach was terrible. I was recommended to Dr. Lazarus by my mother who had a breast augmentation several years back and has had a very good experience with him. She has seen him for 10+ years now for various things. I researched and looked at several doctors but ultimately selected Dr. Lazarus. I am very, very happy with my decision. Dr. Lazarus and his team were extremely thorough pre-op and have kept the highest level of communication post op, answering all of my questions and making sure I had everything I needed to recover properly. I was most concerned about the appearance of my bellybutton because I have seen pictures of bellybuttons that looked unnatural. I would say he exceeded my expectations here, my bellybutton looks awesome and he kept all of the stitches inside so you can't even see a scar! My incision is healing perfectly, I have kept right on the schedule they advised and followed their instructions. I highly recommend Dr. Lazarus and his team. I never had to wait in the waiting room more than five minutes, and all of my appointments have gone quickly and not been a huge interruption to my day. From the first day I went into the office they made me feel very comfortable and very much at ease with the whole process.

Amazing experience. Best $ I ever spent. I was a small A cup got 500cc silicone and I'm IN LOVE! PA & nurse was very nice & made me feel very comfortable. I was so nervous going in but left without any pain & only had discomfort for 3-5 days.

I was tired of flat, deflated, ski-slope, post baby boobies. I went on a couple consults and when I met my PS, and his staff, I knew it was the right place for me. From the 1st phone call to the last follow up I've had, it's been great. They are all helpful, kind, patient, open, knowledgeable, and highly professional. When I met my doc, I knew he was "the one". His bedside manner is great. Same is true with his nurses. He (and they) answered each question, no matter how small or silly I thought it sounded, patiently and openly. I knew I wanted silicone and unders (unless they had some reason why i shouldn't...which each PS I met agreed on unders), he didn't try to talk me out of anything and just explained options and what was gonna work for me. I also knew it would be on the large to xl size. I was very happy when I met him and his nurse and they reassured me that I wasn't crazy, that with my frame and body type, the larger implants would NOT look fake or stripperish. (It's a MYTH that large implants automatically equate to adult entertainment!!) I tried on from 600s up to 725ccs on that 1st consult. When I had my 2nd consult/pre-op and size decision day (hubby was there this time), I tried on 725 and 775ccs. I had thought I wanted 750s and decided to just go for that extra 50ccs, so that i could never regret not going larger (which too many girls go thru), and never get boobie greed. I believe that lots of PS's go smaller for the extra business. If you take care of yourself and your investment, large implants are NOT any more of a problem than "normal" range sizes. (A good PS doesn't bat an eye when you want 650 or 800 CCs and have broad shoulders or weigh more than 130 or so. Cuz it fits the body!) This is my 1st, and I plan on it being my only, ba. I have a large bwd (15.2) and natural cleavage (says the doc) and side boob. So fitting those suckers in here was actually no issue. Of course with 800s, I got the largest that i could fit the 1st time anyway. Which fit my frame amazingly!! I finally have the hourglass figure I never thought I'd have! I'm almost 5'5", 140, size 4, but not thin. Broad shoulders and waist, but slim enough from a side view. I consider it an athletic build because there isn't a lot of curves, but I'm muscular and not thin. So for me, 800cc was not too big, at all. My doc has his own suite in a medical park. He has surgery in house in a separate area of his office suite. He has RNs and an anesthesiologist to assist in surgery. So it does save a bit on hospital fees. There were fees for anesthesia etc, of course, but less than other quotes I had gotten that would've taken place in a separate facility. Also, it was nice to show up and walk in a private side door and walk out that same private door later....privacy! The nurses were amazing before and after (and I don't remember more than 2 minutes in the OR). Of course I woke up thinking my ribs were being sat on by elephants, and having a hard time getting real deep breaths. This is normal! (for all sizes!) And it got better within a day or two, and was completely gone by about day three. I was sent home in a post op front closure bra, and a boobie strap. All med scripts were given at pre op (2 weeks ahead...I prepared as much as possible for all post op needs, ahead of time). If you stick to your meds and doc instructions (do NOT stray from pain meds for a day or two at least, and stay on schedule!), it IS bearable. Some ladies have it easier than others. Under the muscle is a harder recovery, usually, from what I've learned from research. So for me, it was a good week til I really felt pretty normal and almost 2 weeks or so til I didn't feel totally weird lifting my arms or doing normal stuff like washing my hair! I think it's important to know that around week 3 I no longer had brick boobies. But the crazy looking, high, square, flat looking boobies is known as "frankenboob", and is normal. Not everyone gets it...but lots of us do. I did. At post op day 22 I finally did not have square tops. They still had a bit of man-body-builder flatness, but much less than even a few days before! As of now, pod 28, they look almost normal! Slightly hard still and still high. But much softer than day 1, and lower, and shape is improving daily. I'm beginning to understand that part of why mine are dropping and changing shape so slowly, is because they are large and under the muscle and it's my 1st ba. So, my muscles are still trying to adjust and argue with their new situation. This is normal. My scars (crease/under the breast incision) are already improving (how they feel [the lumpiness]...the pinkness will take a bit longer to fade). I have been using tea tree oil and bio oil and coconut oil (depending on what I feel like doing at the time) on the scars for healing, and silicone scar sheets for pain. I know they're supposed to help with the healing, but I don't care. They put a barrier between my bra and my boob...after a week or so The incisions got more sensitive. Way more. Which is normal. After a few days Of the rubbing, I got fed up and bought the scar sheets (which I cut into small strips) and started using them all the time. They help so much!!! Also about 1-1.5 week my nipples were really sensitive (also normal). My doc has me use lotion on them and use slight pressure while rubbing them, to help them recover from the painful sensitivity faster. It helps. I can feel it. So at this point, I'm very happy. Can't wait for the drop and fluff to be finished. But the size is great for me and I finally feel like my body is womanly and sexy. I may get a tt in the future. Right now, I'm just happy and recovering from my ba. And adjusting to life after/with big boobs! It's wonderful! And my hubby is very happy too! Do NOT be fooled that large CCs automatically means a certain look. Or that HP does either! That's silly. It's 100% Based on your body type, your bwd, and the look you desire! All my aunt's (but one) have huge boobies, naturally. So now I just look like the rest of my family in the boob department...except mine have full upper pole!!! Woohoo. My current measurement (which I know will change with the d&f process) is 32G. Also, a bit of real talk/advice: if you don't KNOW your surgeon is the right one for you...meaning, on the same page with what YOU want and how to get you there...and you're not 100% confident in their skills and trustworthiness, keep looking! I'm serious. I met with others who I liked and would've certainly have had a "good" result, but I'd have ended up with boobie greed and ultimately unhappy cuz I didn't follow what I wanted for myself. So I kept looking. And my doc has almost 35 years experience, and was totally on my page (as were his awesome nurses!) and was able to answer my questions so that I knew that he knew what the heck he was doing! This is vital! Trust is vital! Do research. Read the stories of girls who don't have good support post op. And keep looking so you do NOT become one of them! I'm glad I did! And last thought is this. It's 1000% worth it! I'm more confident. I feel sexier. It's nice to full out tops that fit me weird before. I have a shape I never imagined. My hubby is thrilled. And I would absolutely choose the same everything if I had to do it again! Updated on 21 Oct 2016: Wanted to put some pics to show how balanced I look now. I don't feel fake at all. I feel balanced and womanly! Yes, I now have large breasts, but I don't think they look crazy fake. I love them. I want others like me, who've always felt off balance and boxy or flat, to feel hope too. Updated on 23 Oct 2016: Updated on 23 Nov 2016: Everything looks better with boobs. With nicr, full boobs, I should say! Updated on 11 Dec 2016: Pink top and grey bra is to show the difference from earlier post op to now and the other pics are just cuz they look so darn good!!! They look and feel pretty darn real to me! Yay big boobies. Updated on 29 Jan 2017: Life is fun with big boobies! I'm including some stuff to show the difference in wearing fitted vs loose tops... and how it makes ALL the difference in how "fat" I look (someone asked me this, and it's useful info), and also how the larger boobs improve the way the body looks overall (imho)...creating the "hourglass" appearance. I will say that at about 3 months post op, they began fluffing again and now, at 4+ months post, I definitely have larger boobs and need bigger bras again. So, yes... they keeeeeep on changing for a while post op, ladies!! Also, I'm currently going through some nerve reattaching/healing, because sensitivity has definitely been up the last couple weeks, and it is different each day. So, that is something that takes some time to get fully back to normal too. No, it's not painful necessarily or even sore, just sensitive to the touch, mostly. Maybe this info will help somebody know what to look forward to. I know this site has helped me immensely since I began my journey! Speedy recovery ladies!! Enjoy those new boobies!!! I know I DO!!!! Updated on 19 Mar 2017: I was posting on another person's wall and trying to help her out with sizing, etc. I realized that lots of us need help finding out our true bra size. Most ladies wear a band too big and cups too small, so we never get great support for our boobies! Sad face!! But the plus side to implants (other than having huge(er), beautiful, fluffy, boobiebags, of course ;-)!!), Is that in researching our butts off, we often find out that most of us have been in the wrong bra size forever, like I was, and the process of surgery and recovery can lead us to find out how to get the RIGHT bra size! So, I've been bookmarking sites since I began my journey last year, and thought it could be helpful to post all of them here together for everyone (of course, I didn't bookmark every good site I found, but these are ones I've used many times)! And if you know a good site that I don't or didn't include, feel free to link it in the comments!! Have the breast day ever!!! (Totally did that on purpose. You liked it. Admit it.) Here goes. In no particular order, just how I copied and pasted them from my bookmarks. Sites I've found SOOOO useful for bra size info... http://thebraguide.com/how-to-measure-your-bra-size/ http://www.85b.org/bra_conv.php (for international conversions, since many good/quality bras for larger breasts are from UK and Poland, etc) http://www.sizeguide.net/bra-sizes.html http://m.brasize.com/m/bra-sister-size/ (with this one... remember only ONE size up in the band for good support, because the band should be 80% or more of your support! But helpful when you just can't find your true size and need a bra, or they are out of your size but you just "need" that bra!) https://bra-obsessed.myshopify.com/pages/sizing (this is one of the bend over ones, that have you bend over to measure your cup size. I've found some do it this way and others in standing straight position. I measure both, usually a 1" difference in my cup size from bent to straight up. FYI.) http://www.sophisticatedpair.com/bra-size-calculator/ (SoOoOoOoO helpful!!!!! Just plug in your numbers and comfort level and find your size!) http://thebraguide.com/25-types-bras-every-woman-needs-know/ Bra wisdom (or not) that I've just picked up along the way. Take it or leave it. It's all good. But man, learning through experience when I could've just learned from someone else's muck-ups, is such a more painful way to go. Sometimes, literally. Teeheehee. But really. So here goes. Nothing life changing. Or maybe it will be. Just my experience. XL implants are not easy to shop for IN STORE, unless you live near a Nordstrom's, or something similar. Like a weirdo, I got implants and then moved out of the country 2 months later. Now, I can't find bras even close to my size in store. Brilliant. But hey, I didn't know. If I'd have known, I'd have bought a few more bras before I left, up a cup size or two. And I'd have absolutely tried on A LOT more brands and made notes (really, I should've done this!) I've fluffed at least twice since then, and now am busting, and unable to walk into any store anywhere around me, and buy anything even close to my size. Totally serious right now. It SUCKS. I'm trying online shopping, but it's not easy if you don't know your sizes in the different companies beforehand?. Lack of industry standards or regulations really sucks sometimes. So my advice with this issue is: when you're at roughly month 3-6 (before 3, you'll still be changing waaay too much for a true measurement), go somewhere like Nordstrom's, that have pro fitters and carries LOTS of brand names, and get fitted and try on ALL of them, lol. But really. Or at least a lot of them. To see your size in all the brands you may like. Then you'll at least have a good jumping off point if you find yourself in a place where you need to do mostly online shopping. Like me. I know this sounds off the wall, but if you don't know how the brand fits you, you will find that they all fit a bit differently and could lose tons of money on return shipping. I've already been doing this. Fuuuuun. Next. For me, I've found that NO bra keeps them 100% still/immovable, if I'm doing any jogging, jumping, or similar movements. So I stick to doubling up the HIGH impact sports bras when I know I'm going to jog or jumping jacks, etc. This keeps them probably 85-95% still or more (it really depends what I'm doing and how agressive I'm doing it). Again, I can't find any actual sports bras in my size either. Yay. So, for that I'll post my next life lesson... If you can't find a sports bra in your size but need it immediately, do what I do. Go against the band measurement rule. I know. I know. 'But PillowTops, that's so hypocritical'. Um, get over it, I'm improvising here! What I find that really works is using high and ultra high impact bras (even though I'm totally NOT that girl...crossfit and body building, um, NO...but I DO jog/run while walking, in intervals, kind of like the h.i.t. concept. Or other exercise routines sometimes that include j.jacks and running in place, etc. When I do this, I NEED that extra support. Need it. Need. So. Do. You.). So I found ones that were available to me, high impact, and would be tight as all get out, and got multiple of them to double up. It works very well, for me. (I'll include a pic of the sports bras I've found that work for me. The top 3 are PBX Pro reversible metro bra in size large, next down (in pic) is a Champion world's best sports bra high support (it comes in max support top, but it wasn't available to me) size 36DD (biggest they had), and bottom black one is a danskin now size large, I can't remember, but I think it's high impact. The top two I layer...Champion under the PBX for my higher impact needs. The champion by itself it pretty good, it I had one of those soft wire type thingies. The danskin is good support for walking or normal activities. When I don't feel like a real bra, this is my go-to. I'll say that in bras that run small to large type sizing, I don't have a choice. I need large or my boobs don't even fit inside. So I can't use just one for high impact because this leaves far less support in the band than is necessary. Next. For me, and this may not be true for some of you. But for me, I feel much better support from the soft moulded type bras and firmer, than I do from soft cup bras. The soft cup can basically hold me in, but they do NOT hold me up (remember, I have 800CCs). So, I love the higher support type bras, and feel that for me, I can't get that without a moulded up or padding or something like that. (If you have super large boobs too, and found soft cups that lift, hook a sista up!! Please, cuz they are cute, I just need lots of support.) For me, I never, ever, ever, I mean ever, go without a bra on. Unless I'm showering. (And I actually would do it then too, but that's kinda weird, so I refrain.) I would, on a date or something, for a short time...like a few hours or so. But I keep my puppies supported without good reason not to. Always. My doc made it very clear that revision and lifts are absolutely NOT a necessity or requirement. Not for my size, or any size implants. That if you take care of them and have no issues, you can keep them. So, for me, I support them ALL the time. Lounging at home I wear my danskin bras. Looking cute and out of home, I wear "real" bras with clasps and underwires (cuz my uniboob is pretty freaking massive these days. Just sayin.). Working out I wear high impact sports bra. For higher impact workouts, I wear two high impact sports bras. For bed, I wear either my Macomb? i-bra or a danskin. (the PBX would work well too for casual or bedtime. I just tend to be a creature of habit, and have formed the habit that at home lounging around, I wear the danskins. Like, right now.) As far as MY experience with those danskin and Macomb bras, here's what I've found. The danskin work awesome for basic needs. They have adjustable straps, which I LOVE in a sports bra. But they get too loose/less supportive, if they go for more than two wears or so. (Don't even act like you always wash your bras after every single wear either. That would be crazy. Unless you have 100 bras. Then I guess it COULD make sense. Sorta. Except that you must spend too much time washing clothes. And that sucks too!!) But I usually wear them a couple or few times, depending on my activities (you can FEEL when it's time!), and need to wash to get that stiffness and support back into it. That's the danskins. As far as the i-bra goes. That's a whole different monster. It is supposed to be for larger implants. They claim on their website on the description, that it's for XL implants. But I think they really mean for XL implants as per what the standard/average size of implants are in the UK, not actual XL implants, in general. (This is in NO way a judgement about the average implant size or type overseas, it's simply an observation.) What do I mean?? Good question. From what I've seen, the UK ladies just don't get too many ACTUAL XL implants. It's more common over there to stay under the roughly 400-450cc range. Under that. (And I've noticed they do a lot more overs over there too, but that's for another discussion.) Most docs generally say (at least here, in the US) that an XL implant is 650cc and up. So, when purchasing the i-bra I expected that. It is soooo not the case. They do not cover my boobs. At all. And one of them is even slightly smaller than the other (although they are the exact same size, supposedly), so I can't even wear my red one. It stinks. Cuz that is such a cute color! But I find that my black one makes me feel good and snug. (Not: good. And snug. But good-and-snug.) So, although it kinda creates a crazy quadboob cleavage effect, it really supports. (They are medical compression bras, designed for post op recovery, btw). So, I actually enjoy wearing it to bed. No flop at all. Completely immobile. But I do feel like a freak too. Cuz it makes me look crazy. Fo realz. Like, really. So although I'm using it and feel supported in it, I do not recommend the i-bra for anyone with actual XL implants (by the generally accepted definition of XL implants, that is). Maybe up to 600s or so, it would probably be covered? well and not look insane. It's extremely supportive. And expensive. I wanted them to work for me. Maybe they will for you. Who knows. Just do your research and decide for yourself. What else? Let's see. Oh. Yes. The type of bra I wear completely affects the way tops look. For example, if I wear my soft cup bra, my more natural shape and slope gets exaggerated when wearing any t-shirts with pockets (which I think are so cute!) because of pocket-placement-to-boob-ratio. It's weird. So I need to wear a moulded bra or something other than my crazy, no lift, soft cups. And also the bra completely affects cleavage too. This one's kind of obvious. But hey, I'll say it anyway. However, for me, I have huge, wide, fluffy boobs, so I get the cleavage no matter what. (Thank you God for my wide-boob genetics, and thank you Dr L for being so good at boobiebags and placement!). It becomes a matter of how extreme I want it to be. For me, most of the time, I just wear a softer mould, t-shirt type bra. I don't want extreme cleavage, usually. I live in a place where everyone is like a foot shorter than me (and I'm practically a midget without heels. Sorta. I'm barely exaggerating these descriptions, btw.) And mostly/generally, they all have a lifetime, card-carrying, full fledged membership to the itty-bitty-[RS bleep]-committee (that one's not exaggerated). No judgement. I was there for over 30 years! Finally burned my membership card! It just makes me feel very out of place, and culturally they are very modest and shy, so that just adds to my discomfort, if I run around with my giant [RS bleep] hanging out. Which looks awesome, btw. I just feel under a microscope sometimes and prefer to be NOT looked at like that. Back home, absolutely...cleavage I will be showing. It just feels? inappropriate for daily life, here and now, for me. And sports bras aren't automatically ugly and like I'm not trying, imho. It totally depends on the look and outfit. If I'm going casual and in a goofy t-shirt, then i might wear my sports bra anyway, cuz darnit, it just feels pretty good! So, don't feel like you have to be dressing to the nines all the time just cuz your boobs are all massive and stuff. That's just silly. Do what feels good AND doesn't make you look like a crazy person. Then you'll be comfy and UNselfconscious about it. ;-) Lastly, fake boobs do NOT look the same as real ones. Not in the way you may think, necessarily either. Mine look pretty freaking natural, with lots of lower pole fullness (that's bottom of the boob fullness, for any boobies-newbies). I mean, size-wise. And not in the way I thought they'd look before I had my own boobiebags, either. I expected them to look bigger than the same size natural boob.... um, no. Real boobs look bigger. Let me rephrase that. Natural boobs look bigger. My fake ones ARE real. Just not fully natural. But I'm way bigger than a DD, and nobody would ever guess it. Maybe a little bit bigger, some might guess, but nobody would guess I wear an I cup and bigger. (Except us surgery girls. We know what's up!) And nobody looks at natural DD boobs and believes they're DDs either. Strange but true. I believe a lot of that is just simple misconceptions and misinformation and true ignorance. The only time they may guess some huge size, is if someone can see obvious upppr pole fullness... because that's something that most natural boobs just do NOT have, or have much of. Combined with the fact that most women aren't even wearing their true bra size, either. So, when nobody wears the correct bra size, how COULD they realize what a DD really even looks like? It's crazy! Most of us have spent our lives wearing a band that is too large and cups too small. Which is why I posted this whole thing to begin with!! Boy, did I get off track! Whoa. Oh well. Maybe I made you chuckle. Maybe I helped you figure out something that I learned the hard way, and you'll be spared excessive return shipping fees. Or maybe I just wasted your time and you wonder what's the point? The point is this: boobs are awesome, and we need to take care of them! Simple. Nextly. Some of the brands I've found that are geared toward us ladies with larger busts are: Panache, Curvy Kate, Pour Moi, Ewa Michalak, Fantasie, Freya, Wacoal, Natori, Goddess, Parfait, and let's not forget Frederick's. I know there's more. But in my extensive research, these pop up the most. Polish bras are all the rage for support and beautiful designs! and Panache, Curvy Kate, Freya, and Fantasie show up over and over as good for busty gals. FYI. Add any fab finds to the list, PLEASE. Ok. I think that's most of it. Probably. I can't think anymore. Need more caffeine. But feel free to ask anything I might have forgot to mention. I'm by NO means any kind of expert. I just tend to learn everything the harder or longer or less obvious ways, which makes for good commentary and life experience, sometimes. Sometimes it gets me into trouble and causes shenanigans. But not today. I've just researched my butt off, and been through some things. Oh. And lastly. This is a big one. This is a support site. For info and support. That's something else I've learned. It's not the right place to be hurtful or negative. Not because opposite opinions don't have value, in some places. Of course they do! But they are NOT good to share when someone is in recovery and not seeking your input. Why? Because people who just had surgery are very, very, VERY vulnerable and sensitive, and susceptible to being hurt by negative comments. I've seen mostly support on here, but sometimes I've seen the polar opposite of support. And my input about it is this: if a person posts their updates and images, and ASKS for people's opinions, then, and ONLY then, is it the right time to say the less-than-positive things! And it's ONLY okay, if it's said with some friggin tact and kindness!!!! But if someone posts their stuff, and hasn't asked for people to critique them, then it's probably (more than probably... definitely) inappropriate for negative comments. Why? Because it's hurtful, and causes insecurities during a difficult and highly emotional time. And if someone has never had their own surgery experience, they probably shouldn't bother saying it either, imo. This is something I've seen repeatedly and it is absolutely horrible. It's just as important to know how to treat each other with kindness during a vulnerable time, as it is to know when to double up your bras, or take a notepad to the bra store. I mean that. That being said, I hope that didn't kill the "fun" buzz. But it needs to be put out there. I LOVE this site. I love the support I've received here. I love supporting YOU guys. And I do truly hope something on here was useful and informative. So, that's some of the stuff I've figured out about sizing and bras and life with huge boobs. I'm posting a few pics too. Just my current stats cuz it seems relevant. My ribs are taping at 32" and my boobiebags are 41"-42"...I JUST ran and taped myself again. And realized I've grown since the last taping a few weeks ago! Geesh. (41" up and 42" bent over). So my current measurement makes me a 32I-J US, instead of the H-I I thought I was. See why this stupid crap isn't stupid crap, and actually matters??!!?!!!?? I JUST ordered like 4 bras and now I hope I got them big enough!!!!!! Stupid return shipping fees!!! You guys have a boobtastic day and I hope you find these websites as useful as I have, and maybe some of my thoughts are kinda helpful too. Again, please update me on good bras or sites I might need to know! Spread the love. Boobs are fun. Smile. Updated on 18 Oct 2017: so. it's been an entire year since my first post on here. hi all! i wanted to do a one year update... i feel it's very important info for people to get a good gauge of what to expect during the first year of getting implants. so, here's my personal story/update/experience/two cents (technically, 516,600 cents. plus the price of meds, bras, clothes, shipping fees, creams/oils, etc, and the incalculable value of my confidence boost!). soooo much has happened with my boobies since i began using this website and decided to get implants. in this update i have included a few pictures of my very early post op boobies (there are more detailed pics in previous updates, showing various stages up to about 5 months PO), pre-op pics, and lots of pics from mid year PO to now (almost 13 months PO). each pic has been edited with info and some have dates, to make it easy to know what specifically you're looking at. measurement update: my first post op stats (oct 2016) were: 32" ribs and 38" around the fullest part of my new boobs. may-june 2017: 32" ribs & 41.5" fullest. current stats 10/13/17: 32" ribs, 42.5-43" fullest, and 44" fullest in bent position. i've learned it's best to measure your ribs with breath expelled, and holding the tape firm and snug, being careful to keep it as straight as possible. and to measure the cup size, you tape the fullest part of the boobiebags, keeping the tape loose but straight. some manufacturers like you to measure bent over (instead of or in addition to upright), which is done the same as the other cup measurement, just in a bent over 90 degree body position. then deduct the ribs from the fullest measurement to get your cup size. in my case it's 10-11 inches, which means i-j cup US sizing. i forgot to measure myself pre-op. but i was an A cup, possibly a small B cup. from then til now, i've gained 9-10 cup sizes. that's absolutely a few more than i actually expected. which btw, i'm ok with. but my perception of cup sizes and what they are supposed to look like versus what they actually look like, has actually changed a lot. like most people out there, i had no idea what sizes really looked like. i think i was expecting to end up roughly a dd or e cup. nope. depending on the bra, i actually ended up fitting best into 34h or 32i and depending on the manufacturer and style, that can easily vary up or down up to 2 cup sizes. (i think we all learn that buying and wearing bras is no joke after surgery!). physical changes in the last year: i am going to recap to the best of my ability without rereading my original post (but you can, if you want more detailed info on the early days). i do not claim to have a perfect memory, so this is just an ISH recap. how my body felt... i woke up post op feeling like an elephant had sat on my chest. not my actual boobs. but my ribs and lungs felt like they were being sat on. this is completely normal. i had literally added 2-2.5 lbs per boob (800cc silicone). this feeling went away in roughly 2 days. my back took some time to adjust to the changes though (it may be sooner for younger ladies, but i had my surgery in my late 30s). that took longer than anything. because my posture/movements/everything was undergoing a change too. morning boob is very real. (read up on it to prepare yourself if you've never heard about it and you're getting implants!) propping myself up at night helped with this adjustment period. about a month or so PO, the back sensitivity was gone. i still need to be conscientious about my posture and how i carry myself. having bad posture AND huge boobs is not a brilliant combination. as far as how they look(ed)... first days/weeks i had what is commonly referred to as frankenboob. i call it brick boobs or body builder boobs. they look tight, high, flat, and square during this phase. it is different for everyone. it seems much less of an issue for over the muscle ladies. but i went under the muscle, which means i was jamming 800 ccs of silicone under there. at roughly one month PO the square look disappeared. they stayed kind of flat (body builder looking, all lower pole, instead of full on top), until 6-8 weeks or so. then, finally, they began the fun to watch changes! for me, i stopped dropping fairly quickly. they were where they still are, at roughly 3 months PO. and then the real fluffing process began. it happened in waves. i think i was finally done fluffing completely, around month 8-9, or so. gauging these changes is easier to do if you are taping yourself regularly. then, you have numbers to verify what your seeing. i recommend taping yourself once a month or so, for the first year. some ladies keep fluffing and seeing some changes up to two years or so. i think i'm done with my changes. but, we shall see. total body image... i went from a wide, athletic type build, with NO hourglass to an actual hourglass. body issues post op: i did get the initial swelling in the abdomen that is common post op. i also gained some weight due to the initial lack of ability to move, and then the adjustment period to using my chest/arm muscles. my PS cleared me for activity after a couple months. but i moved immediately. so, working out (i'm an only at home worker-outer) took a little longer than expected. and then once i did begin working out again, i HATED feeling my chest muscles move over the implants. like, ocd style hate hate hated it. so, it took me a long while to be ok with doing chest/arm exercises. this feeling still irks me, but i am ok dealing with it now. it didn't become ok until about 6 months PO. but that's just me. some chicks get back to the gym within 2 months. not me. but that's ok. i don't know numbers for sure, but between moving to japan, the complete dietary change, post op inability to workout, then my strange ocd about my muscles, i gained some weight. not an extreme amount, i am still able to wear lots of my pre-op clothes. but of course, i can't fit even half of the tops i owned because my boobies got so huge. so, if you gain some, don't sweat it. most of us do. just get to work when you can to get back to pre-op weight. emotional and other stuff: my confidence is higher than ever before i had surgery. i never loved my body before, because of my wide shoulders and boxy frame. but i am happy with it now. for me, i knew i was getting XL implants early on in the process. and for my body frame and natural healthy weight, they balance me out very very well. you can see prior posts for more details about this too. some people have a stupid stigma or opinion about larger implants. to them i say, you're wrong. period. because, each of us has their own ideas of beauty and healthy and sexy. if you dislike large implants, that's ok, just don't judge it as an automatic bad thing based on size/numbers. some of us need those big numbers to balance out our frames. and some ladies need to go even larger than i did to even get a balanced look at all. so, i get frustrated with judgements based on numbers. medically, there is NOthing wrong with larger implants, if your board certified surgeon does his/her job properly and you take care of them. that being said, each body reacts to surgery and foreign objects inside it very differently. i have been blessed. my body is fine with it and i've had no issues. none. i feel sexy most of the time now. something i rarely felt before. i love my curves now. something i never did before. my husband can't keep his hands off my body now. something that he was able to do before. i love the way my boobies look in most of the tops i like to wear (but yes, the types of clothes you wear does have an impact on how your overall body image looks...fat vs curvy. see my prior post about this topic if you wish.) perfectly imperfect boobiebags: here's the thing. nobody has perfect boobs. nobody. so, when you shove huge bags inside them, that can amplify your imperfections. for me, one always looked a bit bigger. mine are naturally wide. and i already had deflated and saggy boobs. so, my results are certainly imperfect! but i love them. and honestly, when looking at my wish boobs compared to my results, i really have no reason to complain. at all. the only actual complaint i can honestly say, if i HAVE to find one...if i am being a total nitpicky perfectionist...is my scars. one of them is roughly an eighth of an inch further out from my crease than the other. that's it. that's all i got. no big whoop. nobody can see them anyway!!! it is insignificant and i don't care at all. my doctor is brilliant and kind. he did an amazing job. i'd recommend him to anyone. as far as how they photograph... somehow i can't get them to photograph well at all. they don't actually look as obviously lopsided in person. but in pics, they do. this goes back to our body's natural shape. you can't change that by getting implants. implants just enhance the shape you already have. make it bigger and fuller. and i'm totally ok with that. my results are amazing. they look natural to me. they have the slope of a natural boob and don't have ridiculous upper pole fullness to create the unnatural look. (i'm not knocking the fake/volleyball look, it's just not my preference. more power to you if that's your thing.) i prefer fluffy, pillowy, full, soft boobs. i got them. they aren't perfectly balanced and they have stretch marks, but they are 1000% better than pre-op. but they were imbalanced before surgery (and not enough to get different sized implants because silicone implants go in 25-50cc implements), and they had stretch marks from my baby, way before i ever got implants. stretch marks and scars... implants did not increase the stretch marks at all, for me. and i scar fairly easily, and my skin heals pretty slowly. so, my scars are looking amazing, for me! immediately post op they were bright red. then they became purple and raised (slightly). now, they are completely flat and smooth and the color is faded to the peachy-white in some spots, or peachy-pink where color remains. i'm very happy with this. i expected worse. and they are virtually impossible to see unless you go searching for them (like, lift the boobs to see underneath and find the scars). products i've been using: i use bio oil. it must help because i have no new stretch marks from pre-op and my boobs look great. you have probably already heard of this in your research, it's a well known product that's used a lot post op. i like it. i also recently (last couple months) got the jenny eden's boobie butter. i like it. it's completely organic, but i feel it's overpriced. if it was cheaper, i'd be singing it's praises all over these surgery sites. but it's still too new to see any certain/absolute results from this product. i used the silicone scar sheets early on PO. they helped me with hypersensitivity on my scars. but are supposed to help with scar healing too. i stopped using them once i ran out...for me, i was just trying to stop the pain of material rubbing my scars. it works miracles. i used silicone nip covers for that same reason...sensitivity. again, it works amazingly to provide a layer between skin and cloth. i highly recommend both for this reason (details and pics are in a prior post too). i use coconut oil too. have for years. love it when they feel dry. also used it for the sensitive nipple training my PS put me through. it helped a lot. coconut oil is amazing. for so many things. bra info update: for me, buying bras has been a major problem. like a genius, i moved to japan 8 weeks post op. i traveled fine, and had no post op issues, but the Japanese are a small statured people. so, that means, i can't find bras over a D cup. anywhere. so, i have had a much much harder time than lots of the ladies have finding bras. i highly recommend all of us/you going into a nordstroms at least twice (around 6 months post op and a year) to get accurate measurements. but you can do it at home too. i know i do. i've found a couple that work well for me. but really need to get a new pro measurement asap. in the pics i'm uploading, i've included 3 new bra pics since earlier posts. the purple and pink bras are a brand that gets mixed reviews, but i like it. Alegro. they both have 3 clasps for hooking the bra, which i like a lot. extra support/strength on the band. the purple is strictly soft cup and has a panel down the outer side and around the bottom of the cup, for extra support. which i really love. it looks cute on too. the only issue is the width of the band is quite wide, and after a few hours or more, it can irritate/cut into my underarm/side area, depending on my activities. the pink one is a molded cup with slight padding (for support not added size). it gives a beautiful rounded cup look (which is my absolutely favorite look). it supports wonderfully. is comfy and super cute. the cute draping material look on the cup, looks like it'll show through your shirt material. but it doesn't. it looks cute and works well and is about 1" less wide than the purple, so it causes no issues with comfort or pain or anything, no matter how long i wear it for. the beige one is the coveted ewa michalak polish bra. i hate it. it sucks. it's 85ff. band runs way too small. it's a demi cup, so coverage feels too little after implants. it does lift and support very well. but the seams and weird shape just make them look weird. i hate the way it looks in and out of clothes. even using their own measuring system and consulting with them before ordering, the size they recommended was way off. i had to go up in band and cup. and it still is too tight. but i didn't want to deal with exchanging it again. the entire process too waaaay too long. many months from start to finish. customer service was ok, but they were so slow it was insane. and they charge paypal fees they aren't allowed to charge, per the paypal seller agreement, and i had to pay all the shipping, three times. overall, i would never recommend their bras. ever. i did also get the ewa michalak sleep bra. i DO like that. it is in the first size i ordered, 80f. which is too small, but in a sleep bra, tighter (tons of support) is ok. and it isn't painful, like the daily bra was. so i would recommend their sleep bra. but only if they stop charging fees they aren't allowed to and if their turnaround time improves greatly. so, for me i actually spend a lot of time in sports bras. have to. until i can visit the US or somewhere NOT here, and can get to a nordstroms or similar. and then i will stock up! extra stuff/final thoughts: not much. i think i covered it all. but i love my implants. they are NOT saggy in any way. they look amazing still, after almost 13 months. (a big part of this is ALWAYS wearing a bra. except in the shower and rarely during sex or a couple times [literally only 2 in a year] sleeping overnight when i felt my body needed it). that's my secret to firm, huge boobs. my body image is up. my confidence is up. i love having XL implants. i recommend any lady considering XL implants to do their research, get a great PS who can deliver, and don't sell yourself short from what you really want (unless there is some medical reason why you can't get them). my hubby loves them. i love them. and i finally got completely used to them/felt they were truly a part of me, at roughly 7 months PO(ish). i forget they are implants if i don't think about it now...unless i'm working out, then i remember. otherwise, they are just a part of me. i'm a woman of faith. and i feel blessed about having these. God isn't going to judge you for getting implants. don't let that stop you. man's traditions have nothing to do with your worthiness with God. don't let other people sway you. for me, i kept this to myself. nobody knows except my hubby and our kid. it's none of their business. but if they ask, i'll be honest. i've had conversations with friends about boobs and nobody has a clue. i even took a girlfriend with me to get my nipple pierced, and she even had no clue. so, it's as personal as you want it to be. don't feel obligated to tell anyone you don't want to. it's not shameful, it's just not their business! do what's right for you and your lifestyle and your own body and family. i did. and i'm so glad i did. so is my hubby. and my kid recently told me he'd forgotten about the surgery until i said something, because he was so used to them now. so, it's as big a deal (or not) as you want to make it in your life. boobiebags are wonderfully fun and if you want some, get some. just be informed and get a good board certified PS who is on the same page as you and what you want. have the breast day ever!! enjoy your new boobies and body! i know i am! Updated on 14 Jan 2019: There's not much to report. My boobs have looked the same as they have since about one year post op. No changes. Bras change fit based on body weight, just like before I plants. That's the only thing I've experienced in the last year and a half. If you take care of them, if you keep them in a bra and don't let them hang out all the time, they will stay firm. Mine have. No issues, no complaints, no regrets! I don't think implants are necessarily for everyone. But I know there's nothing wrong with them and with proper research and informed decisions, they are something I would recommend to most anyone. So, don't let fears or haters hold you back. If you want them and do your research, making informed decisions, then I support your decision! Just know your information and get a good doctor! I've included some pics from April 2018 (1yr 7mos post) through January 2019 (2yr 4mos post). Please feel free to ask questions! I didn't have much to report and my body is doing well and they look the same! So, it's a short update this time. Have a boobtastic day! Updated on 22 Mar 2021: I'm so sorry it took so long to do this. My life has been so freaking hectic for the last few years. Lots of ups lots of downs. I'm still very happy with my boobs. They still look awesome. I do still think they are absolutely some of the best boobs I've ever seen. So no regrets with any of that. I have been thinking that there are a few things that maybe people want to consider before going through something like this though. For me, I've always struggled with my weight. And I had lost a lot of weight over the course of a year before my surgery. But since then, because I couldn't work out and then I moved to a different country, and all kinds of crazy things happened that for me off track, I've gained some of the weight back. And I don't know, I just I feel more self-conscious about my body again. Overall. Unlike when I first got the surgery. So what I wanted to say about that was, if you're somebody who's struggled with your weight...up and down, like I have...have a solid PLAN for your recovery which I did not. Like, have a plan to start movement and make sure you have a post-op workout plan (it's best it it starts easier and works your way back up to your pre-op routine) in place that you can implement. It's too easy to just not do anything because it's suddenly harder to do it, or get started again...you know? So I really just wanted to throw that in here. And I also want to add that if you're going through any kind of emotional struggles pre-op, that it's probably not the time to make decisions like this. I was in a very good place when I had my surgery done. But now I'm in a not so great place. Which impacts how I feel about me. So I just wanted to say about that, that if you struggle with any kind of emotional stuff or stress/anxiety stuff or your life is going through a valley right now, PLEASE pause, and really think and pray if that's your thing, and have a good game plan before you jump into this. Have a plan to take care of yourself after...for a good while. Because it's a fact that these surgeries put you on an emotional roller coaster. That's not an opinion. So if you're already in a rocky place, it can make it really, really difficult. All of that being said, I do NOT regret my implants. I do not regret the size. I do not regret the journey. There's just so many other factors in my life right now, that I feel self-conscious about my body as a whole due to the extra weight. I don't want anyone else to have those fears. Have a plan! Learn from me...I didn't have any plans for those things and in the long run, it mattered. I wanted to put an update up for you (and me, it's long overdue!) I will say that over the course of the last 2 years since my surgery (I'm over 4 years post-op now)...in the last 2 years, the changes have really been pretty minimal. Most of the changes are due to my extra weight. Extra weight has made my boobs massive. They were like a H or an I, I think it was, the last time I updated. And the last time I bought bras in the last year or so, I had to buy a K. A freaking K. So they definitely dropped and fluffed fully by now, and gaining weight DOES impact the size. I don't have any new stretch marks or anything though. So that's a plus. These are things that I hope for anyone looking to get this surgery, to consider while deciding. Also, I've had requests for some videos so I did film one a year ago. And then I just I was so distracted and forgetful, that I just never updated. And I DO apologize for that. But with some pictures...and again there's not a whole lot of changes... I also have two videos. One video from January of 2020 and then one from January 2021. So you can see all the progress over the last couple years since I've updated. Also there's pics from 2019, 2020, 2021 here, and a few older ones for remembering the changes, my pre-op boobs, and my results vs my original wish pics. I will check back over the course of the next few weeks to see if anyone has any comments or anything. I apologize for my vacancy. So, hopefully this update appeases those who have been looking for an update. I appreciate and I'm very grateful for EVERYone of you who have had beautiful things to say to me. It truly makes my heart feel good when I hear something positive about my body, at all. Because of the other emotional stuff and anxiety...it's got nothing to do with the implants...but when one of you babes says something nice to me, it it makes me feel really good! So thank you for that. Also on that note, if there's anyone out there that you're thinking about saying something nice to... please do it! Because you never know if they NEED to hear it or not. And I know I do sometimes. Okay I think that's everything. Maybe. Probably not. If I missed something, we can get it in the comments. I'm open to answering any kind of questions about my breast and generally about my body situation...so ask away if I missed anything. Thanks for reading my novel here. Hope it helps some of you!! Hugs. (PS... I couldn't get them to load in order. But i did add notes for each. Sorry!!) Updated on 12 Jul 2021: Hi all! So, in my previous update it was requested for some full body images. Most of mine were posted in the first or second post/my update. So, I am doing an update with some current pictures. Showing my masssssssive boobiebags, with my current body weight, and exactly how proportioned they are on my body. Hopefully, these images help those looking on with cell phones, to get a better idea of how things look. I'll say that there really have been no real changes in the last 3 years or so. Most changes were the first year with some during the second. Any and all updates since then are strictly due to weight fluctuations. (I'm heavier now than I was when I had my surgery.) I hope this helps someone! ALSO. Yes all the info is in the title of my page/review. But in case you missed it somehow..... I am 5'5", I have 800 cc silicone mentor high profile implants (800cc HP unders), they are under the muscle, they were placed in the traditional way (scar is under the boob), and currently, my bra size is 34-36K. Yes, K!!! All of these were taken 2021 between March and July.

Dr. Lazarus performed a tummy tuck my post suction muscle repair on me January 20, 2016 I could not be happier with my results he was an awesome surgeon who answered all of my questions and was available day or night if I needed him I never was in pain during the whole process I would do it all over again in a second he also did my breast augmentation in 2012!!!

I'm a week post-op, and I fear I may walk into a wall and damage my pretty new nose because I can't stop looking at my reflection. I've always hated my nose. I have a significant dorsal hump and was able to feel pretty from a front view, but never from my profile. I wish I had more before pictures, but I never really kept any photos of myself that were not flattering, aka from the side. Already I can tell this will change my confidence level for the rest of my life. My profile has drastically improved and I couldn't be happier. Here are my tips: 1: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I had one thing I didn't like about my nose and had realistic expectations. The bad experiences I've seen from reviews seem to be those who had a near perfect nose to begin with. No one is perfect. Everyone is a littl asymmetrical. Don't risk making your nose look worse over a very minor deformity. 2: Pick the right surgeon for you. It was crazy how different I felt at different consults. I cried at one of them. Which may sound crazy, but I felt very uncomfortable there and started questioning things of which I once felt sure of. You have to see a dentist to get your teeth cleaned. You don't need to have plastic surgery. It's very important that you like your plastic surgeon. (Don't get me wrong, I have mad respect for plastic surgeon; you know what I mean). 3: Expect some discomfort. Ok, that's not really a tip. But it does make you appreciate the little things in life --like laying flat on your back and being able to breathe through your nose. Eating becomes a workout. Food doesn't taste as good when you can't smell it cause your nose is packed. But the good news is there's very little pain. Only 3 doses of pain meds the whole time. :) Updated on 2 Oct 2015: Still happy. Here'ssome after shots without tape Updated on 7 Oct 2015: Had my two week post op today! Went ahead and took some before and afters there. Still can't stop looking at it. My doctor told me I had very little swelling and bruising, although my dad did just tap me I'm the face on accident. Wasn't a hard hit, but I cried-- partly out of fear and partly from initial shock of pain from sensitivity. I think all is well though. The first bump is brutal. Updated on 24 Oct 2015: There's not too much more to update except that it occurred to me that I am now one month post-op. I'm still a little sensitive, but honestly it feels as though more time has passed than just 4 weeks. I haven't been working out because I don't think I'm supposed to for a couple more weeks, but for the most part I feel great. After reading about how much the nose can continue to change up to a year after surgery, I have been anxious about the healing process. Im happy to report that healing could not have gone better for me so far. I'm still so happy with the results and this has done wonders for my self-confidence. I feel great meeting new people and no longer worry that my hooked nose is my identifier. The experience has been great and I'm so glad I had it done. Updated on 24 Oct 2015: Here's my before and after a from the front. I haven't posted many from this angle because I didn't care about it. I was mostly happy with the way I was from a front view. I just hated my profile. I feel like I have more than one angle to take a photo now, which is awesome. If anyone is curious, I had a closed rhino. I was a little caught up on the differences. My two other consults suggested open-- mostly because that is the way the preferred. They almost had me convinced it was the better way to do it for everyone. The doctor I went with did both closed and open procedures, but thought closed would be good for my particular case. I liked that he would do both and chose what was best for me, instead of his own personal preference. I think it is also part of the reason I had so little swelling. From what I understand, open is good if you're having tip work, which I did not want.

I had a breast augmentation with doctor lazarus. All of the photos of his work are amazing and my surgery went smoothly. They made me feel very comfortable and safe during the entire procedure. I had minimal pain after, as was off if medication by day 4. I had my surgery on a Friday and was able to get back go work on Tuesday. Updated on 1 Jul 2013: So this past week has been excruciating. I'm on week 2 since my augmentation, and my PS has been out of town. I have called the nurses every day just to touch base with them on how I'm feeling. They are wonderful! Like I mentioned before, my surgeon and his staff are wonderful! The work is fantastic. Bottom line is that implants are not for me. They are not a "quick fix" to the underlying self esteem issue I have. I want to go back to natural ASAP. Monday I will discuss with my surgeon and state my case to have them removed sooner vs later. He told me at my 1 week post-op that he insists I wait at least 3 months before he will take them out. I just do not think I can undergo any more depression or anxiety of having these things in! It's not his work, it's me. This was such a dumb move on my part. I thought I needed this to be beautiful and to feel beautiful. My fiance, my family, and my friends all told me how silly that statement was and how I should not do it! I feel terrible for not listening to them. Beauty really does come from within, not from how much is hanging from your chest. I just wish I had realized this before deciding in vain to alter my natural figure through a self-elected surgery. :-(

I am 38 the mother of 2 kids 11 months and 5 years old. My daughter (11 months) did quite the number on my tummy! I've never struggled with weight issues and eat well and exercise for the most part. I am 5'8 and currently 145lbs. I am most comfortable between 135-140 so I am a bit over my "ideal" weight. I gained 45 pounds (YIKES) with my last pregnancy and worked hard to take all of the weight off but was left with stretch marks and a very saggy tummy. I had an umbilical hernia that came back during my pregnancy with my daughter so I knew I was going to have to have it repaired and made the decision to go ahead with the tummy tuck at the same time. I was really unsure about my decision because it felt a bit selfish but my husband was fully supportive of whatever I decided. Trying to find the time to do this with my small kids and especially the baby was tough. Was able to get it scheduled on Nov. 2nd 2012 and arrange for help for the month of November. I am now 11 days post op and all I can say is that I am SO SO Happy I did this! Don't get me wrong...the first two days I literally thought I was going to die. I was SO sick from the anesthesia (I did IV sedation instead of general) that I threw up 5 times before leaving recovery and continued to be sick the rest of the day several times. It was honestly the most excruciating pain I have ever felt in my life and I've had several rounds of kidney stones and given birth twice (once with no meds) Once I got the nausea under control it was still pretty awful. I was feeling a bit better by 4 days post op and continue to get better and stronger everyday. I have been off of pain pills since about 7 days post op and am trying to get my body to fell as well as my mind! The incision is well...huge. It is hip to hip (much larger than I thought it would be as my PS did a fair amount of lipo on the flanks. I am still unable to stand up straight and still pretty swollen. BUT my tummy is FLAT. FLAT! My belly button is kind of hideous right now but I think it will be cute when healed. I had a definite innie before and now it might be kind of an outie. My scar looks yucky but my PS closed with staples and the removed staples and drains 3dpo and it is healing nicely, though a bit of a pucker on one side. I had my belly button sutures removed last Friday 7 days post op and have another appt this friday (14dpo) and then will begin scar treatment I think. I'm not able to wear anything but very comfy loose fitting pants or sweats right now, tried on a pair of jeans and couldn't button them (fit fine before surgery) so I know that I am still swollen. I really just wanted the flab and stretch marks gone. Since all of my stretch marks were below my belly button I am proud and happy to say that they are ALL gone. Tummy is flat and stretch mark free! I am excited to see how I progress and how much better it will get! PS told me that I wouldn't even see the results of the lipo contouring for 6 months but I would be pleased with it. I cannot say enough good things about my PS. He and his staff are amazing! Very pleased with my decision!Updated on 14 Nov 2012:12 days post surgery today and doing really well! Feel great and was able to get out a bit today. Standing straighter so less back pain and just really sore tummy muscles. Itching near the incision line on both of my sides but area is still numb. Weirdest feeling. I was able to pick my almost 1 year old daughter (18 pounds) this evening and really felt it in my muscles. Didn't stand and hold her for long. So scared I am going to mess something up! Not a whole lot to report, which is good I guess! Go back to dr. on Friday and hope that I get the okay to drive next week! I am still in the binder the doc gave to me. I have tried Spanx as I had several pair before surgery and they are very uncomfortable and too tight. I bought a large size compression garment (instead of the Mediums that I have) at Target today and it felt good in the lower tummy area but very uncomfy near my rib cage. Very strange. Will update with photos tomorrow!Updated on 15 Nov 2012:Drove today! Did great! Slowly getting back to myself! I am worn out at night though! Post a couple pictures 13 days post surgery!Updated on 19 Nov 2012:I am 17 days post op now. I think I overdid things on Saturday and I was very sore yesterday. I had been feeling so good so it's a bump in the road. Still having to sleep in a reclined position, laying on my side (either side) makes my upper tummy muscles ache. I am very very sore in the upper tummy. Must have been quite a bit of repair work there or maybe I'm just getting feeling back in that area? I feel like I have been punched and kicked in the stomach. I am silly because I really thought I'd be up and going by now and I am not even close. I can get around but still have low energy and it hurts to hold my daughter who just turned one and weighs 18 pounds. So thankful for my awesome husband, without him taking time off and helping I could never have done this. He keeps telling me to be patient and I am trying. He's headed out for Thanksgiving shopping for me! We will have 18 people over for dinner. Yikes. Long day. I saw my doctor on Friday and he gave me a tube of scar cream SkinMedica Scar Recovery Gel. I have been using it twice a day and am happy with how my scar is healing thus far. He said that things looked great and that I actually looked better than average for 2 weeks out. I'm so happy I did this!Updated on 24 Nov 2012:I am 3 weeks post op now (as of yesterday) and doing well. My swelling is subsiding and my tummy looks pretty amazing. I was able to wear jeans for the first time on Thanksgiving with a CG underneath! These were the first pair of pre tummy tuck jeans I was able to get into (size 28/6) It was pretty awesome to have zero muffin top! I slept on my side for the first time last night and still not super comfortable. My tummy aches after a while and am still most comfortable in a reclined position. Scar is healing well, flattening out though I still have some puckering but for 3 weeks it looks pretty amazing. My biggest challenge right now is lack of energy and my back still hurting a bit. I am upright but find myself stooped at the end of the day and it wreaks havoc on my back. Every day is getting better and there have been no complications. I hope to start on the elliptical this week for about 10-15 minutes and gradually increasing over the next few weeks. Just taking it slow and easy. Really wanted to get out of the house today and do some shopping but after a busy two days with Thanksgiving and family in town I am pretty exhausted so yet another day of doing nothing...resting...getting stir crazy! :)Updated on 25 Nov 2012:Just had to share this...I tried onto a pair of jeans that I had prior to my son's birth (so...its been 6 years now) and though I've been able to get back to the size 6 and fit into them previously I could not wear them because they looked horrible. They are low cut and after my kids I had to move to mid rise jeans and still battled the muffin top in the front! Tried these on today and they fit on super easy and they look GOOD! I was pretty happy considering I'm only 3 weeks out! I'm still swollen in my flank areas but YAAAYYYYY!!! I of course put my Yoga pants back on because I'm most comfortable in those right now but it is encouraging. The thought that I might be able to wear jeans that don't come up to my belly button makes me SMILE!Updated on 5 Dec 2012:nearly 5 weeks out and doing great! I am still a bit tired and have swelling if I am doing too much during the day. I haven't returned to the gym yet. I am going to wait until 6 weeks. I am finally able to sleep in bed on my side and move around with little to no pain. I can lay straight on my back with no pain! Scar is healing nicely...things are going well. Posting a couple of pictures.Updated on 27 Feb 2013:Almost 4 months post op! I am SO THRILLED with my tummy. I started taking barre3 classes 3 weeks ago and my tummy was super sore. I have worked slowly and can feel my tummy getting stronger. I didn't really lose any weight due to the TT, but I did lose almost 4 inches. Most important I can wear any of my pre preg. jeans (from my son over 5 years ago) with no problem! No muffin top! I am down to a size 27/28 in pants/jeans (4/6) and in a 4 in dresses. I have had to lay off the strenuous working out and to be honest with you I really don't miss it. I was crazy trying to get fit and now...I work out because it makes me feel good. I'm no longer driven by the scale and just want to feel comfortable in my own skin. I get to see my PS tomorrow and haven't seen him since the beginning of December. My scar...well...it's still there. :) I tried silicone sheeting but honestly it was such a hassle. I am super active with two young kids 5 and 16 months and couldn't get them to stay in place for anything. I was using a creme that my dr. gave me but he stopped using it because a few patients had an adverse reaction to it. I massage with Mederma 2 times a day. I just want the redness to go away! I will talk to PS tomorrow but I know it just takes time. Will post new pics soon!

I have had Sculptra 2x, & I like it. It makes a small difference, adding a slightly more youthful appearance.