I'm scheduled for surgery July 12, that's in 4 days! So far I'm a bit nervous about what to expect! I have questions and concerns. Tomorrow I plan to contact my Surgeon to clarify some issues before my date. Updated on 10 Jul 2018: Surgery is 7/12 and so far minor issues like my PCP sending in bloodwork etc.. had to go there and make sure. Then I learned today that they didn't complete a urine analysis! Soooo I'm rushing downtown Atlanta in the morning to have it done at the surgeons office. Finally some to someone at the surgeons office about my garment. I'm disappointed that it's not included in the procedure and that I'm left to figure out if the one I purchased from Macy's is correct. It's a Lianisa which they recommended. Hopefully it's ok and I won't have to have my fiance go look for another garment after the surgery. I'm really worried about getting dog ears andther results. Time is ticking and I hope my blood pressure doesn't increase! I'm starting to feel really nervous and like this isn't my life!! Updated on 11 Jul 2018: So as I mentioned, the surgeons office called because my PCP failed to do the urinalysis which should have been disclosed to me sooner but here it is the day before surgery and I came to have the urinalysis done with the surgeon. I rushed down because the assistant said he'd be here by 8:30 ...and nobody is here! I'm waiting in the lobby of the hospital. Maybe he thought 9am since iI was not sure what Atlanta traffic would be like this early. Oh well I'll use this timeto chat with you all and try to make sure I have my to do list in order. Crunch time!! Updated on 11 Jul 2018: It turned out to be forthe best! Had my urinalysis done at Emory waiting for results. I'm relatively healthy so it should go well. I'm so happy I went into the office today. I had the opportunity to talk with the staff and they were all so awesome!! Very welcoming and reassuring. Got a little info I needed and the visit just reaffirmed my decision to do this for myself. I feel much more comfortable and I know that tomorrow I will be in good hands! Updated on 11 Jul 2018: In about 5 hours I'll be at the surgery center. Still can't believe this is my life. Not nervous just sorta in shock! Had anyone else said goodbye to their old body? I took more pics today and willl post in remembrance to the gut that should have never been!! Lol Updated on 13 Jul 2018: Everything started off well yesterday so I thought. Went into surgery center everyone was extremely nice especially the care nurses. My BP wws a little high so that worried me but they kept checking it and it went down a little. They said I could be given something for it to help so I felt ok with that. My surgeon Dr. Jones came in and marked me abd I felt really confident that he'd be great! They wheeled me into the procedure room and started to put me to sleep. Next thing I knew they were waking me up but something was wrong! I felt no pain only my throat was sore and off course I was groggy. Unfortunately they stopped the procedure because of my breathing I think. They spoke with my fiancee ...and he said my breathing was off, still not sure if I seized orwhat actually happened. Something about I should see a pulmonary specialist. I have no idea what to do from here. Hopefully I'll hear from my surgeon this morning. I don't know whatgid means since I've already paid and of course I still want the procedure and I also want to live. I'm so disappointed and disgusted with myself and things. Never expected to return home in the same body. My fiancee said the nurse suggested I lose weight but I'm not obese at least I didn't think so. Do i look really heavy in my pics?? I'm 5"6' under 200 pounds abd my problem areas is my stomach. I don't know what to do, think or feel. Updated on 3 Oct 2018: Soooo, it's been 3 long months since my scheduled surgery was started and abruptly ended without obtaining a new me! Well after several doctor appointments and being placed on meds for high BP, I'm back in the saddle baby! Surgery scheduled for October 18rh! Much deliberation because I wanted to have it while out for the summer but at this point I'm taking the time off with and doing me! Giving myself 4-5 weeks off to heal mentally and physically. I'm back on realself and YouTube researching and questioning. I'll keep you guys updated!! Updated on 12 Oct 2018: Soooo, I am scheduled for my TT and Lipo with Muscle Repair on next Thursday the 18th! I am on pens and needled. My surgeon is Dr. Nicholas Jones with Lexington Plastic Surgeon in Atlanta, GA. The experience so far has been up and down. Some of you know my original surgery date was 7/12/18 but plans fell through while on the table and they aborted the surgery. I have my thought about that but will keep it to myself for now. The doctor's office recently moved and it's been difficult getting information and being kept up to date with things from the office. I have had to make most of the contact myself. They went through a staff change so I am not sure if some details I discussed with previous staff members and will have to clarify those myself I guess. Just found out I have to take off work Monday to run in and sign clearance forms again even though my blood work has not come through yet. My mother was scheduled to come from up north to help take care of me but with communication between the doctor's office and myself being so nerve raking I don't want her to purchase a flight and come again without things happening the way I planned. I am a teacher so I am already on edge about taking time out during the school year but I feel I need to handle this asap. I keep looking at photos hoping I get similar results. I'm nervous but ready to get this done and start my healing process as well as new-realself! LOL. Wish me luck guys, I will keep you posted!!! Updated on 15 Oct 2018: Went today for my Pre-Op, must say I'm a bit concerned about what was going on at the office. My surgeon Dr. Nicholas Jones' has just relocated his offices ...and this are in disarray. The person that I initially had met consult with apparently is no longer there and that's causing confusion regarding what was promised to me. My doctor ran a promotion for adding a liposuction area and since my procedure was put on hold I called to take advantage of the special because I had already paid nearly 10k. She assured me I would get to use the special but now she's not there and it's like ghost. They said they're working on it but I'm put off because there's currently a special for 2k off liposuction and in my eyes they should honor that along with the miscommunication issue since the person left the office. Smh, it's frustrating ...and I'm trying to keep calm I don't want my blood pressure to be aggravated. Hopefully I'll get some good info tomorrow. Otherwise, I'm nervous, still researching and watching videos and reviews. I can't wait to pay my pics so you guys can see my progression. I'm praying over my surgeons hands and that he will make this all worth it. Wish me success!! Oh and ther new office requires you to pay for parking, glad I had the money because I was not informed. Updated on 16 Oct 2018: Here's one of the current specials my doctor is running. Iwould love to get a little bit of lipo on my arms. Hopefully I can take advantage of this. It would be nice considering everything so far. I forgot to mention that my surgeon is part of the surgical team for another Dr. Jones who has a really tv show called Meet the Jones' I think that's the name. They usually film in the NY location but I believe they may start using the GA location. We will see. I'm home today getting the house cleaned from top to bottom so surgery day everything is good. My fiance will be taking care of ne but I have a good friend whos also helping. I hope I'm not biting off more than I can chew! Updated on 18 Oct 2018: I'm finally here! I feel great when though I'm a bit nervous, who wouldn't be? I have questions about recovery but it's my turn now. I'm taking my moment! It feels good and weird to do something so big just for myself! You only live once and I'm taking my opportunity. Just met with the new anestisiologist (sp?) He was really nice! Love nurse Barabra! I feel more relaxed now. Told to ask for espiral? I need that if it's going to lessen my pain! Updated on 22 Oct 2018: Feeling ok, still haven't pooped been talking colace so when ther time is right it'll be easier. Sometimes I have an appetite sometimes I don't. My baby has been wonderful he's taking really good care of me. Good exercise before walking down the aisle, shows he's the for me and the support is appreciated. I think my belly button may be uncentered but it could just be ther swelling. I go for another follow up on Wednesday I have questions about the garment. They didn't tell me to wear boards or anything to keep my skin flat like I've been reading lately. Hopefully that's ok too can't wait to agree a good after pic! Thanks everyone for your support and messages. Updated on 25 Oct 2018: I'm already tired of being home but also tired of being tired lol, I don't go baby to work for another 4 weeks I think. I appreciate it though cause I need to heal and I need to learn to live this new me life. I see the change but I have no idea how i'l feel when I'm more mobile and back to normal. Thoughts of returning to my students and wondering if the change will show both outside and inside from co workers. Now the tough part of recovery. 1. Sleeping at night can be tricky ...and when I awaken I'm so stiff. 2. Going to the bathroom is very tedious, I sleep in my garment of course and removing everything and being careful not to pull at my drains makes of really annoying. 3. Had a BM today and even though I've been taking the visitors since before the surgery it has not seemed to help soften the stool, I'm drinking some pineapple tea my daughter recommended and will take mirilax tonight. I just need it softer to expel. 4. Drains are still flowing learned how to squeeze it at my post op visit yesterday. The surgeon said next Wednesday I should be able to get them both out!! I am so excited about that. 5. Meds, I don't really have much left except the percocet which I only use early on the day maybe once to help me relax if my stomach feels right other than that it's tylenol PM at night to help me sleep longer, nights are long. I will post a few pics. Updated on 25 Nov 2018: So, I'm a little over 5 who ...and I'm realizing that this area on my stomach isn't changing. I'm pretty sure I'm still selling but I think there is a fast pocket that at first I mentioned to the nurse I thought was a seroma. Went back in this past Friday ...and the same nurse says it's fat. They took pictures for the surgeon to review when he comes back from the holiday. I feel like I did this for nothing. I understand that things happen but you don't go in expecting things to go wrong. I want that flat tummy I see on others and mine is not. While I do appreciate the difference in my before and after I disheartened to say the least. I do not want more surgery for many reasons!! Smdh! Updated on 12 Dec 2019: Awful experience and results are not at all what was expected. Dr. Jones is noisy concerned about his paycheck than his patients. His work is sloppy and he fires night stand by it. I went for a revision which even after he told me he didn't make dog ears. He said he would tighten the area of my stomach that he left loose but during the procedure he only did a dog ear revision which turned out worse than ther first surgery! No apology, no explanation etc just awful! I won't even mention the way the office was run in disarray etc! Available to discuss and plan on sharing my story in front of his office this summer! Ask me!
Bonjour ! I'm a 26 year old Mommy who is finally focusing on myself. I separated from my partner last year, which was long overdue. I'm now on a journey to reclaim my vibrancy and happiness. 2017 is my year! I'm finally getting my keloid removed & hopefully getting a BA in December. I got an awesome industrial piercing when I was? 18. So rad. Unfortunately after two years it developed a small keloid. I've dealt with this for several years now. I try to cover it with my hair?. But now I want a cute short haircut for summer time. So it's time to fix my ear! I booked my appointment with Lexington surgeons in Atlanta. My pre op was today. They explained everything and sent me for blood work. My surgery is Monday June 19. I'll be awake, with local anesthetic. I'll receive three radiation treatments after to keep the keloid from growing back. I'll keep y'all updated on my journey. I can't wait to have a normal ear again! Also, I'm currently looking for a doctor to do my BA. Ladies please let me know if you recommend anyone. I live in Atlanta but will travel for the right doctor. I'm an A cup looking to be a full C. I'm abnormally narrow lol so I need a doctor who knows how to work with petite women. Updated on 18 Jun 2017: Tomorrow I get my keloid removed. Im scared that the doctor won't be able to make my ear normal again. Im not too worried about the pain. Im not sure how local anesthetic works... Will they give me a shot in my ear? Ouch. I wonder if they'll allow me to take the prescription Tylenol 3 before the surgery. I went to a tattoo parlor to get my barbell removed. I never took it out in the 9 years I had it. Im sad to see it gone :( but it had to go. I really want another piercing to replace it but I know that's not a good idea... I uploaded a pic of my naked ear without the barbell. Updated on 28 Jun 2017: Keloid-free and loving it. When I got to the surgery center, I was nervous about the pain so I asked if I could take a Tylenol3 right away. The nurse said yes. I nearly fell asleep after that XD that stuff is strong and I'm easily affected by medication. The operation itself went smoothly. The worst part was the Novocain! That needle was huuuge. Dr. Bootstaylor injected it into my upper ear cartilage, and I was squirming in my seat from that pain. Ouch. But then the anesthetic began to spread and my ear just felt numb. I will still nervous that I'd feel pain, so I asked the nurse to test it out. She poked my ear with something sharp and I couldn't feel it, so we were good lol. I had really good conversation with the nurses. I mentioned that I want a BA in December, and they were impressed that I knew exactly what I wanted. (High profile, 300-350cc, round smooth silicone.) Surprisingly, they did not try to sell me on their own doctors... they just said to go to different consultations and go with whoever I feel good about. Anywho, the doctor cut into my ear cartilage to remove the keloid. It was soooo weird hearing the scraping of the scalpel against my skin. Like, really really weird. But it seemed quick. She stitched me up after, and I felt fine. My mom drove me home and I took another Tylenol3. I slept most of the day away, then woke up that night to take my math test (I'm taking online classes to finish my degree). Somehow I aced my math test (96%!) while on the drugs which is CRAZY because I really struggle with math, and my other math test grades--while NOT drugged, mind you-- have been in the 70s. After the surgery I had three days of SRT. I think that's... "Something" Radiation Therapy. Anyway, it's like getting an xray. They apply direct radiation to the incision to keep the keloid from returning. The side effect is hyperpigmentation that lasts about 6 months and temporary flaking/irritation like a sunburn. I'm in the flaky sunburn phase now and still have my stitches in. Even though my ear cartilage is darkened and flaky and stitched, I'm so happy with my results. I've been wearing my hair up to expose my ear, whereas I used to always keep it hidden. I'm not ashamed of it anymore. In fact, I'm going to Puerto Rico tomorrow for 6 days! I've been told to keep my ear dry and protect it from the sun, but I also can't put sunscreen on it because that could trap bacteria apparently. So I bought a waterproof liquid bandage from Amazon Prime. I hope that was a good idea... it'll protect my ear from getting wet and keep germs out. I don't think it'll necessarily protect from the sun, so I'll have it keep it covered most of the time. I have a BA consultation with Dr. Colgrove as soon as I get back from PR, so I'll start a new story/review for that next week.