Paul McArthur, MBBS, FRCS

Excellent Mr MacArthur was very professional and I am currently sat at home with my new boobs. He is very calm as I was very scared and I felt I was being very well taken care of . The overall experience has been amazing and all done at the spire Warrington which is literally like a 5 star hotel with Amazing food . The breakfast is gorgeous . But seriously Mr Paul MacArthur has changed my life I can't thank him enough and his wonderful team .

I have an 1yr old, a 28mth old & a 14 mth old. All quite big babies & the last 2 very close together. I always said I would need to help my body get back to normal after my last 2 babies. So, I have my op booked for 10th Sept 2015- 4 days away!
I have a gap in my tummy muscles & hope that I can return to be fully active within a few months- I like to keep fit & if after the op I was to start feeling like I am letting myself go or can't do the exercises/activities I want to do in the future will be counterproductive. I had a choice between uplift with implants or just implants- I chose just implants.
My worries are healing well, scarring, any long term restrictions on activity & recovery with 2 babies

Updated on 9 Sep 2015:
I am very very nervous. Having second thoughts. I have eczema and worry if this will delay or complicate healing. I worry that the tummy muscle repair will stop me from being active (fitness, running/dancing/playing/rough and tumble with my children). If there will be any restrictions. I am a police officer and worry about (the sometimes physically challenging) situations we are faced with. I have been reassured that there are no future complications with Abdominoplasty?
I am nearly 40 and should just accept that I have 3 children and my body is the way it is because of age and having children...
Will my body feel like my own any time after?
Are all these normal thoughts?
I have been told I will have to wear a tight garment 24/7 for 2 weeks afterwards (no showering). And then I will have to wear it for 6 weeks afterwards for some parts of the day. I have bought cheap sports bras for recovery (told I didn't need expensive ones for recovery).
I am going to get some Arnica (told not use it until after the 2wks initial hearing/recovery phase) for the bruising etc and Senna to soften my stools.
Got butterflies in my tummy!

Updated on 9 Sep 2015:
Day before op pictures

Updated on 9 Sep 2015:
Before photos

Updated on 10 Sep 2015:
I'm all done! Surgeon was surprised how separated my muscles actually were. He said I will notices big difference when I look at my self. Boobs no longer flat and tummy no longer bulging.
When I was initially brought in to recovery they said I was in a lot of pain and it took a while to get me sorted and settled. Thankfully I can't remember that. When I came round properly my tummy felt very very sore. They loaded me with pain killers and I am now comfortable. Felt very drowsy earlier but feeling more with it as time goes on. I can feel my right nipple when touched and my left nipple feels tingly when touched.
Not got out of bed yet- dreading that because when I try to manoeuvre in bed it hurts. Will do pictures when I am able to.

Updated on 13 Sep 2015:
Still feeling quite uncomfortable in my tummy area. My breasts just feel swollen and big!
The corset is so uncomfortable and is rubbing under my breasts. It is very very tight (presume that is how it should be)...
Been told not to take it off for 2 weeks- I have managed 4 days... So 10 to go! No showers for another 10 days :(
I am really happy that I have had the surgery but very apprehensive about the results- want them to be worth all this discomfort and extra pressure I am putting on friends and family... Not to mention having to say no to my 2yr old and 1yr old when they want me to pick them up ????
I have to go back to have my belly button wound checked tomorrow- hope it is ok. It was oozing a bit prior to discharge and when they removed the dressing they put extra steri strips on it -hoping it's ok!!!
Anyway, each day gets me closer to getting this corset off!
Jayne

Updated on 14 Sep 2015:
4 days post... Been for an appointment at the hospital to have my belly button wound checked. They took the corset off which felt really odd! Prefer to have it on... Feel much more secure. Belly button dry and healing well. So that's a relief.
I mentioned about how tight my corset is around my ribs, beneath my breasts and they said it was ok to unzip it at the top. Feels much better. I can handle another 10 days (24/7).
All going well at home with my children- I obviously can't lift them but my other half is off work until 27th Sept and does all the lifting etc. I am able to assist with feeding times and potter about- doing bits of washing up, cutting veg for meals and things that I don't need to lift or bend over for. Still getting plenty of rest and putting my feet up though. Still not standing up straight. My back aches as the day goes on.
My breasts feel ok. Little bit sore but not bad at all.

Updated on 16 Sep 2015:
Quick question... My tummy has felt really tight today. Feels like there is a fluid build up in the area where the skin was lifted from the muscle. Is this normal? I expect swelling etc but feel like fluid has gathered in that area. I keep mentioning my compression garment- I know it's supposed to be tight but the band below my breasts is extremely tight. Worried it is restricting circulation??
No heat, temperatures or localised tenderness (apart from what is normal) so don't think there is infection. Experience/knowledge greatly appreciated.

Updated on 17 Sep 2015:
This week has gone very quick. It has whizzed by in a blur really (maybe a drug filled haze)!
I am feeling ok (still hurts when I cough, sneeze or laugh)...
Trying to drink plenty and cut down on portion sizes- unfortunately I still have a healthy appetite (which is fine when I am physically active). I generally eat healthy anyway but trying to be even healthier!!
Still worried about my protruding belly... Maybe I am overreacting -I don't know... But going to see cosmetic nurse tomorrow for reassurance (hopefully it is ok)...

Updated on 24 Sep 2015:
Well, it seems I am full of wind and my tummy has blown up like a balloon!

Seen the nurse and surgeon this morning.
I have small pocket of fluid but nothing that the surgeon is concerned about. But he did say I was full of wind (which can be normal post op). Don't think the tightness of my CG has necessarily helped and he has said I can swap to some good supportive Spanx.

Scars are looking good and healing well. Minimal scarring on breasts -just around nipple and underneath (even though I had an uplift). He has said they are still swollen and will drop more.
He seemed very happy with his work... So it has reassured me.
Next appointment is 30th Dec! But to call if I need him in the meantime.

Updated on 29 Sep 2015:
My pre op pictures.

Updated on 30 Sep 2015:
Close up of scars... Nearly 3wks post op.
Just a slight red and itchy area in the middle of my tummy scar. I suffer with eczema and I am wondering if it has got a bit of that in it? Keeping an eye on that area.
Still bloated and swollen in my tummy area. And still have fluid in the area which was undermined.
My breasts seem to have drop a bit and although I am still getting used to having them, they are fine :)
Still taking it easy and just pottering around the house until this bloated and swollen tummy subsides.
Hoping to start turning a corner soon.
Not great photos but shows the healing.

Updated on 10 Oct 2015:
I think I underestimated the recovery. Surgery was the easy part. Getting very impatient and feeling very lazy. Still don't feel ready to do any exercise (I know some RS' we're out running by now). I still get very bloated -I am opening my bowels etc (sorry TMI).
I am still wearing my CG 24/7.
My back aches- think it is because the core muscles have been tightened and need to settle??
I'm still not lifting more than 10lbs which means I am still not able to lift my 2yr old and 1yr old. Finding that really difficult. It's very tough on my OH because they're not great sleepers so I can see he is shattered from being up and down like a yo-yo (and working full time). I miss being able to lift them so looking forward to the 6 wk mark when I can start helping out more.
I have an infection in my tummy incision -just above my pubic area. Seems to be a common place for wound infections. I am on 500mg flucloxacillin 4x per day for 7 days. I am halfway through the course. I think I have been googling too much because I am worried necrosis is going to set in!!! Not seen my surgeon or spoken to him about it. I saw my GP and she has advised any change for the worse or no change at all I will need to return and contact my surgeon. Can't get it wet and I'm dressing it every day. Back to no showers/baths for a few days! Quite frustrating when I am quite a healthy person and have done everything i was told to by my surgeon.
My boobs are healing well and I am still hoping have some settling to do because they are quite big!

Like others say on here- I have positive days and days where I lose sight of the end goal and days where I worry...