I've been lurking on RS for 2+years reading and researching my "next steps" to the new me. In 2008/2009, I started my journey to become a Cancer Survivor and opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy and transflap breast reconstruction. My original PS did a great job. I was truly blessed. Throughout the recon process I had to reshape the way I reviewed my body which took an emotional toll on me and my marriage. What woman doesn't want to feel sexy and look sexy to herself when she looks into a mirror (with or without clothes). So now the lurking began...thinking and considering my next steps to the new me.
I'm going to stick with my Original PS even though the lure of the Dominican Docs are real strong, those docs snatch your waist and give you an hourglass figure. But I'm no spring chicken and doesnt want to experience the "what if there are complications". Therefore, I'm going to stay with Dr. Lemmon. I trusted him once and he didn't let me down then so I know he'll doe right this time.
Updated on 28 Oct 2015:
I'm super excited about the thought of a new curvy me. I'm hoping to secure a date before the end of the year. I'll try to post some before pics to officially kick off my RS journey. Bye until next time Dollz.
Updated on 28 Oct 2015:
Here's a few before pics of my Transflap done for my breast reconstruction. Didnt know at the time that I could have gotten lipo of flanks. Dr. Lemmon said he would lipo, flanks, back, inner and outer thighs, and stomach.
Sorry about the size ways pictures!
Updated on 5 Nov 2015:
Finally received my quote, all inclusive. Making my deposit tomorrow and starting my count down. I actually have two procedures, Nov 12th #byebyeovaries and my sx the first week in Dec 3rd or 4th for now. Having my stomach, flanks, and thighs done. Not too nervous just looking at wish pics to ensure that Dr Lemmon know exactly what I want. I completely trust him. He performed my breast reconstruction which included a tummy tuck. Because of the cancer I wasn't focused on any cosmetic stuff, just beating the cancer. All in all, I was pleased with how my body looked originally but after I started to mentally "heal" from the cancer, I wanted to look sexy again and get my body back. I'm going to upload more pictures and show you guys just how square I look in my clothes.
Ready to say bye to all my back fat and saddlebags:)
Updated on 10 Dec 2015:
Had my consultation with Mr. Lemmon. Ready for the my new body. Nervous and scared at the same time. I've reviewed so many profiles and dont want to wake up disappointed. The one thing I do know is Mr. Lemmon does great work. So I'm in safe hands.
Updated on 16 Dec 2015:
So I had my SX yesterday:tummy tuck scar revision, lipo of flanks and outer thigh. Dr. Lemmon did an amazing job...i was so square and oddly shaped with the dog ears (love handles) and saddle bags. I still have to lose weight but I'm happy with my new shape.
Updated on 16 Dec 2015:
So I've been home all day resting and taking 800mg ibuprofen to keep the pain at bay. I dont want to take hydros so I have to just deal with it. The tummy tuck revision hurts the most. Weird thing is my doctor didnt give me a compression garment so I'm using a pair of small Spanx and it seems to be doing the trick. I've order a front zip garment from amazon and hope to have it by Monday. The lipo isnt so bad. Of course I'm sore but its the dang tummy tuck...painful and cant stand up 100%. I had hoped to go back to work by Friday since I'm not draining much. Swelling is under control somewhat. I'm a busy body so I cant sit still for very long. Here's another picture of what I look like in my Spanx....not too bad for post 1 day.
Updated on 17 Dec 2015:
Pain management is better today. I'm still very sore but that is to be expected after being cut and chopped..lol. I'm am so happy with what I see so far because I'm swollen but I see the results and improvement to my shape. Started a high protein diet to help melt away some of the extra fat. If you ladies are in the DFW area...wow Dr Lemmon is awesome. I love his compassion and attention to detail. I thought about going to DR but I'm so much better off staying local. He did a great job and I'm going back in 2016 to get my breast areola tattooed and maybe arm lipo...not sure yet but he's definitely my guy.
Updated on 19 Dec 2015:
It's been less than a week and I'm feeling great, of course I'm still stiff and soar. Will load pictures soon.
Updated on 20 Dec 2015:
Last night was the first night that I slept in my bed: elevated head and pillow under my knees helped a lot.
I need your help RS family. I live in the DFW and want to get a lymphatic drain massage. Please PM me. I want to reduce the swelling and promote healing. Actually I read so much about them from other RS Dolls in the Miami, ATL, and DR that I want to maximize my results as well.
Updated on 21 Dec 2015:
Worked a full day today and felt okay. The back pain is real and its now the most uncomfortable part of my recovery. I have my post op appt with Dr Lemmon. Ive spoken to his staff a couple of times. I also found a massage therapist for LDM. Omg, she's very expensive. Said she could look into my eyes and access what I needed for my health, lymphatic draining. Really cant find other professionals so I'm going with it. Also Dr. Lemmon office is providing a post lipo garment. Hummm....not sure if it will be a faja. Gotta post pictures soon. Until tomorrow.
Updated on 22 Dec 2015:
Went to Dr Lemmon for my post op appt. He gave me a compression garment and prescription from scar medicine. Dieting but I cant tell that Im losing inches because of the swelling.
Updated on 24 Dec 2015:
Hey RS Family, hoping everyone has a merry Christmas! Make it safely to my family's house and when I arrived, my new compression garment and a lipo board were waiting for me to squeeze into:) So pleased with it that I wont wear the one that my PS provided. I purchased it from amazon and it is the right support. My waist is 31 so I followed the size guide and ordered an xxl. Like the lipo board a lot. So glad that my RS family suggested it because it gives added support for a flat stomach.
Updated on 25 Dec 2015:
Merry Christmas RS family. Today was a good day. Changed the order of my compression garment process to : spanx, lipo board, and body garment. The spanx feels better next to my skin and is smooth, no lines or marks.
Updated on 29 Dec 2015:
So I'm totally bound and wrapped up with lipo boards, ad binders, and compression garments. Is it worth it? The moment I take it off, hello swelling. How long should I torture my body?
Updated on 30 Dec 2015:
So here's a picture of my progress. I'm feeling better each day. I have a few hard spots on my thigh but massage them multiple times each day. Today I decided to take a "break" from the full compression garment and lipo board. I have on spanx and my ad binder all tucked away underneath my clothes. I dieting a bit until I'm released for exercise. Otherwise I need to tone because I'm pretty pleased with being a curvy size 8.
Can't believe I'm saying that because I used to starve myself into a 4/6. Learning to love me for me and all that comes with it...curves and all.
Updated on 31 Dec 2015:
Hi RS family, thanks for all the love and support and tons of valuable information pictures and posts. My PS journey would have been totally different if I didnt have yall backing me up.
Today I'm wearing my spanx and using the lipo board. Less stress going to the restroom at the office.
I'm super thrilled with my results but need help with my ugly dark scar. Most of the surgical glue is off so I can begin my scar therapy regimen. Any tips on how to treat AA skin? Thanks in advance.
Happy New Years and Many Positive Body Images to come:)
Updated on 2 Jan 2016:
So today I had my first LDM and I can already notice the difference in the "tightness and soreness". It was worth every penny of the cost so much so that I'm going back tomorrow to begin a series to maximize my results. I feel so much better that I'm not wearing my compression garment and feel normal. Cant explain how it works but it just does. Hopefully will post pictures soon. Going out tonight so I'm getting my pedi now. Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend RS fam.
Updated on 3 Jan 2016:
So I had another session today and can "feel" the difference, my flanks aren't as tender and I don't feel the need to wear the compression garment during the day. I'll continue to wear it at night but the swelling is reduced significantly. The only issue is the price...cant get it for those DR prices but the consultation and information provided is worth the investment. I figure if I'm going to spend thousands for the procedure, I might as well protect my investment and do things to ensure that I look as nice months/years from now.
Here's Allegra's contact information: 214-965-0190 . She certified and knows what's she doing. Because she's the real deal, she won't work on the scars area until 6 weeks after the procedure. She will work around the area and do a grear job for you.
Gonna get around to those pics this week. I'm having another session on Wednesday and want to capture the progress.
Updated on 4 Jan 2016:
I decided to put my binder back on despite the LDT (2 sessions) because I'm back at the office because I'm up on my feet most of the day. I did notice that this morning, my flank area were more puffy and looks kinda swelling more than normal. Anyway, I'll continue the good fight and endure the many ups and down of the post lipo swell hell.
I probably should have continued to wear the garment but I was so excited about feeling better and less sore that excitement got the best of my good judgement.
I will live to fight another day. Until the next time RS fam.
Updated on 5 Jan 2016:
I'm looking for small improvement with a reduction in swelling. Is it my imagination?
Updated on 9 Jan 2016:
So yesterday was ny first day in the gym in over two years. I know, embarrassing but the truth. Thinking long and hard about changing my lifestyle to healthy eating, no glutin or dairy and including moderate exercise. Not sure if I can do this ...tried a million times and haven't successfully accomplished toning and weight lose. God help me get motivated to make the necessary changes to be wildly successful in all of my endeavors. Amen.
Updated on 11 Jan 2016:
Trying out a waist trainer at night when I sleep. Out of all of my lipo stuff, thumbs up for the LDM and lipo board with spanx.
My exercise struggle is real....
Updated on 18 Jan 2016:
I've never been big the whole exercise your heart out regime. No don't get me wrong, I've tried every weight trick in the book. I'm a few days into my 30 day mark and when I look in the mirror, I don't see the noticeable improvements. While I havent been dieting or really exercising consistently, I'm modified my lifestyle to eliminate gluten and dairy.
To break the plateau I'm starting to walk on my treadmill 20 mins a day. Doesn't sound like much, but exercise is so blah to me. So I purchased a cute workout outfit for motivation, lol. Nite RS family, pics to follow.
Updated on 20 Jan 2016:
So the newness is wearing off and I'm objectively evaluating my progress more. My sides/flanks should be smaller....ugh. I can pinch more than an inch of fat. When I have my follow up, this will be a topic for discussion. However I can't imagine going under again but a correction is necessary. Here are a few pics of my progress albeit slow I'm in a medium spanx and on the last row of hooks for my waist trainer.
Updated on 6 Feb 2016:
To sum it up: Patience.
Had my 2nd post op with RPSC and the talented Dr. Lemmon. The first thing on my mind was the "pinch more than an inch" issue that I wrote about in one of my earlier updates. I felt that the assemetry was noticeable. The second concern was the darkness of my scar. While my scar is completely flat its dark.
His response, patience...while he agreed with the assemetry, he reassured me that I still had a considerable amount of swelling under the skin and we would reassess the situation in May. He felt that the swelling would be down, if not completely gone. The tough thing about this journey is I cant imagine going back under the knife for a revision. He reassured me again when he explained that there are several things that we could do to address it if the issue persists after 3 months.
Bottom line for me: I need to be patient. My I have an awesome board certified PS who have me a hell of a price and a total body transformation with a curvy shape.
Regarding the scar: patience as well. I'm using Bio-oil for even skin tone.
Thanks for the support, words of encouragement, and love RS family. I'll see you guys next month.
Updated on 6 Feb 2016:
This pic goes along with my 2nd post op. 49 days in
Updated on 2 Mar 2016:
I'm feeling pretty good these days and have been able to start consistently exercising on the threadmill at least 3x per week. My goal = tone my flanks, hips, arms, and butt. Today's update, I'm in my fav yoga pants, no compression.