I have had three kids and wanted to get back some volume to my breasts. I found Dr. Steven Williams online and he had excellent reviews. He answered all my questions and listened to what I wanted. I’m very pleased with the results
I am 2 weeks post op and have nothing but great things to say about Dr. Williams and the entire staff. The whole process was well explained, questions answered & made sure I have everything I needed pre & post op. My recovery is going just as explained & look forward to being fully recovered. Like my results already. Five years ago I had a face & chin lift. LOVE IT! Thank you Dr Williams & the Tri Valley Plastic Surgery team.
I am a 30 year old mother of 2 amazing children. After my first child everything basically went back to normal, with the exception of a tiny umbilical hernia showing up. After my second child, my breasts drooped significantly and now are saggy with almost no volume at all (thank God for good bras)! On top of the girls swinging low, I have some extra skin on my belly that just won't tighten back up, plus the umbilical hernia is larger than before so, 2 piece swimsuits, and crop tops with anything but high waisted jeans are completely out! I'm 5'9" about 140 lbs and in pretty good shape but I am ready to look better than ever before so I found a wonderful surgeon and i am finally getting my mommy makeover!!!! I struggled for years with being at peace with what my body has become and the opposite side of wanting it to look how i want it to look.....so, the decision is made...I will be doing a breast lift with implants, hernia repair and a mini tummy tuck. My PreOp appointment is this week and I have a list of questions for my Doc. My actual procedure is next week! I am nervous and excited and I want to share the journey with you all because other women and mothers sharing their stories has definitely helped me gather information to make an informed decision about my upcoming procedures. Check out the pics of what I'm currently working with as it will all be changing very soon....... Updated on 21 Dec 2016: As I prepare my self to restore the damage caused by the awesome tiny humans who love me far less than I love them....clearly...... I've come up with a list of questions some gathered from other sources here, some from family, some from the googler and some from my crazy brain....so here they are in no particular order with no numbers but I hope you find them helpful! PreOp Questions: Should I wear a compression garment? What supplies/compression garments will I need post-op? Which of these do you provide? Can compression garments raise my risk of necrosis? What kinds of bandaids do I need to get before surgery? What can I do to reduce swelling? How long can I expect swelling and where will the swelling be? Are the internal stitches dissolvable, if so how long do they last?...or are they permanent? How can you make my waist as invisible as possible without liposuction or rib removal?...I'd like to keep my ribs, I hear that I need them. How soon after surgery should I try to stand up straight? How do you gauge how long to leave the drains in? How long will i be in pain? How long will i need the medication? How long until I can laugh again? When can I start driving again? What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure? How are complications handled? What happens if I wake up during surgery? What kind of anesthesia do you recommend for me? How long until I can go braless....all the time? How long until I can work 2 and 3 hour jobs on my feet? When can I take my first post op shower? What happens when I go pee an poop? Will I be able to wipe my butt? (This is a major concern for me folks.....I'm quite regular) How long will the tummy tuck scar be? Where will my scars be located? What will my belly button look like after surgery? What are my options if the cosmetic outcome of my surgery does not meet the goals we agreed on? What will you expect of me to get the best results? I hope these questions helped. My PreOp appointment is tomorrow so if you think of anything else please feel free to post it in a comment! Updated on 29 Dec 2016: Sooooo I had my preop appointment last Thursday and now tomorrow is the big day!!!! I'm a ball of nerves, excited and anxious. Strangely, I feel almost guilty about removing the changes that my children gave my body. I think to myself, "am I really doing this?" And I quickly answer myself, "yes I am!!!" Here is a pic of the supplements I have been taking I'm preparation for my procedures... normally I take charcoal capsules very regularly as well as Chlorophyll, and a butt load of green tea, but the anesthesia nurse told me to stop taking those prior to surgery so it's been since last Thursday and I miss them so! Ah well.....it will be worth it. Updated on 29 Dec 2016: My lovely patient coordinator called me a couple of days ago and asked me if I wanted to add the Exparel nerve block local anesthetic to my drug caboose (and my bill, $500 extra!). It's a non narcotic local anesthetic that numbs the area it's applied to for up to 3 days. She told me that they would use it for my tummy area, since I am doing umbilical hernia repair, liposuction and a tummy tuck. But a little further north, I am also doing a breast lift and implants soooooooooooo, either up top or below I am going to feel some thing and I would love to keep the money in my pocket. I have read up about Exparel and found doctors and patients who totally love it and thenot on the other hand I've found ps that do the use it for a multitude of reasons. I'm leaning towards not using it because I will be on meds and sleeping for those first few days anyway and although I won't be numb I don't know how much of a difference it makes if I'm passed out anyway.......this could be a terrible decision for me lol. I could be cursing myself for the first few days post op wishing that I had gotten numbed up.....but we will see. I have been changing my mind about it by the hour so we will see where I'm at by lunch. Anyways ladies this is a good thing to consider and research before your procedure. Ask your ps if she or he uses it and or recommends it for you. Updated on 31 Dec 2016: My mommy makeover was successfully completed yesterday and although I'm all wrapped up in bandages I'm sure the results will be amazing! The hardest parts right now are, standing up and sitting back down. The standing up part is getting easier because I'm getting up every 2 hours and walking to the bathroom but sitting is still hard. I am managing the pain (which basically feels like intense pressure) with Percoset, Valium and an antibiotic that I can't recall the name of and can't move to grab it. I also have been given a medication for nausea. I will keep you posted on my recovery. I hope this helps! Updated on 31 Dec 2016: Ladies doing a full mommy makeover, including breast lift and implants and tummy tuck and liposuction (and for me also hernia repair), do yourself a huuuuuuge favor and get a recliner that reclines and sits up electrically. You want to be able to press a button and be up or down because u won't have the strength for a push back recliner or a lever controlled recliner. I loooooooooove my recliner. I got it from Costco, I will take pics the next time I get up. Speaking of getting up.........seems like I'm getting stronger by the hour even though I'm not even 24 hours post yet. I'm able to walk to the bathroom on my own, get myself up and get myself back in my recliner - still hunched over but I'm making a conscious effort to get more straight backed and upright each time and I see the improvement. I walked up and down the stairs once with no problems and I am taking 10 to 15 long deep breaths each hour to expand my chest and lungs with minimal discomfort. I'm still listening to my body and keeping it short when I get up to avoid the lower back pain. I'm getting up every 2 hours to pee or just to move around a bit and so far it's going well. I haven't started using the bags of frozen peas for the swelling yet because the idea of being cold is off putting, but I will be doing the frozen peas today. Updated on 1 Jan 2017: Today I am noticing I have a greater range of motion in my arms, compared to the t-Rex arms I was working with yesterday. I also noticed that when I woke up my abdomin was aching pretty badly. I guess all the good stuff from the hospital was all the way out of my system and I woke up nauseous and needing to catch up with the pain. After the meds kicked in, I felt physically better (a little weak though) but pretty grumpy grrrrr! Now the grumpiness is gone, the pain is under control and all that remains to irritate me is this growing itching underneath my belly binder thingy (real medical terminology). I feel like it's loose and bunching and too long for my torso and I really want to tighten it or take it off but I don't know if that's allowed. So I opened it up just enough to relieve my itchy skin for a few seconds, I replaced the gauze that had dried up blood on it and got all wrapped back up again. Here are some pics of day 2..... Updated on 2 Jan 2017: Day 3......day 3........what can I say about day 3? I still have almost no appetite, only eating with my meds to avoid sickness. I discovered the earplugs and the eye mask the hospital gave me and I'm very excited about these things. I will be using them all day. I'm not sleeping as much as I thought I would be/wanted to be for these first few days so today, sleep is the goal. I'm keeping myselfon track with my meds and my drain pretty much on my own now. My cousin made me a paper pinned to the wall that outlines each med and how frequently it can be taken, and I update the time I took it, and then write down the next time another dose is due. I use the other side of this paper to log my drain fluids, how much at what times etc...I still have not pooped. Which I'm ok with for now. Here's some pics from early this morning. Updated on 3 Jan 2017: So I'm basically standing almost completely upright and my back is withstanding for longer periods of time on my feet. I'm less dependent on my pain meds and my appetite is slowly returning......currently craving Brussel sprouts! Now friends......a sweet little story on my recovery journey......sitting upstairs in my recovery lair the doorbell rings and I hear someone say that they have a delivery for me! So my cousin makes her way upstairs past the gate keepers and the dragons and brings me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers from my amazing Doctor and the whole team at Tri Valley Plastic Surgery! Thank you so much! Updated on 3 Jan 2017: Here's a little booby sneak peek Updated on 4 Jan 2017: So today is post op day 5 and I finally had my first post op appointment this morning. Im still suuuuuper swollen but im walking upright and feeling better. My stomach is really tight and so swollen and the flanks where I had lipo are still incredibly swollen as well but I am on the mend and healing in good time it seems. My drain was removed today as well, since I got down to draining less than 30 ml in a 24 hour period. My back pain is kind of becoming a norm after standing up straight for a few minutes at a time with nothingto lean on. But anyways here are today's pics....day 5 and only getting better Updated on 6 Jan 2017: Officially one week in recovery. Feeling great for the most part, standing totally straight walking normal again, though my stomach is still numb and tight. I rely on my binder to continue to minimize abdominal swelling and help me feel supported in my core.....really looking forward to when I can work out again....anyways here's pics of the girls today. I will post pics of my belly and flanks tomorrow. Overall, im loving my results and i know they are only going to get better from here. Happy Friday yall! Updated on 10 Jan 2017: So my abdominal swelling has gone down a lot. I have my second post op appointment tomorrow. All of my tape is now off! I still am covering my tt scar because some parts are still less healed so I'm keeping it protected still but I will post a picture of it later tonight or tomorrow. Now that the tape is off of my aereolas, I can see they are uneven and my nipple placement is not quite centered, especially on the left breast. But I know that even on completely "unaltered" breasts, the nipples and areolas are never the same or symmetrical so I'm still overjoyed with my results. So I'm not going to nitpick at myself - been there done that. Love this revised and upgraded body - asymmetrical areolas and all lol! Plus who knows how they might change as my recovery progresses...... Updated on 10 Jan 2017: So excited to be braless as often as possible lol!!! The freedom in having had this makeover...ahhhhhh! Just blissful. Updated on 11 Jan 2017: I had my second post op appointment this morning and it went great. My recovery is going really well despite myour bad habit of doing too much and not sitting still enough.....that may be the hardest part of recovery....anyone agree with that? So now that my incisions are all closed, I can start using my oils and things to help the scabs fall off and be less crusty. Here are some pics of today's incisions and things. Oh and to be specific, my implants are Mentor 350cc on both, silicone, high profile. Updated on 15 Jan 2017: I've been so lucky to have an amazing support system that has made my recovery sooo much smoother. I finally drove for the first time today.....the first time this year!!! Only like a couple of blocks away but doing something normal felt really good. I'm off the meds, although I still have back pain especially first thing in the morning and in the evening before bed. Im usually always on the go and out of the house, and when i am home, im always getting things done. All this sitting waiting to recover has really got my spirits way down (also my period is coming which definitely gets me emotional). Hoping to start to feel myself again soon. Swelling in my abdomen continues to go down, my breasts are softening but I think still swollen. I had hopes to be a full c cup and I nearly cried this morning when I put on a wireless non-padded 34d t-shirt bra. They are really beautiful but I am worried that if they don't shrink some more they will be too big, especially for someone with my frame (no hips and a bite-sized booty)..... I also know I can't trust anything I think right now because I'm not in my usual optimistic mindset. Arrrrrggghhhhhhh......ah well. Tomorrow will be better.... Updated on 17 Jan 2017: Feeling a little better today. Running on very little sleep but got pretty busy around the house which feels wonderful. Here are some pics from today. I think I'm going to actually start wearing other things besides sports bras, sweats and workout pants this week - woooooot! Updated on 20 Jan 2017: Today makes week 3! So excited to be getting further along in this recovery process. I have my next post op appointment next week and I'm happy to report that I'm feeling pretty good for the most part. The mild depression has lifted, back pain has been much better, and my abdominal swelling continues to go down. I've been driving for the past few days and that has been going well, but it feels slightly like a light workout in the pectoral area which I guess makes sense given that I have not really used any of those muscles much for the past few weeks. I do have a dog ear developing on the left end of my tt scar but the other side looks fine. I'm not too concerned about it tho, I know that on each the scar heals the dog ear won't be as noticeable and even if it is, so what! I'm still happier with a dog ear and a smooth belly than what I was working with before. It's definitely time for me to start treating the tt scar so I will keep everyone posted on how I do that! I will also treat my scars on my breasts although they are already barely noticeable. Happy Friday yall! Updated on 20 Jan 2017: Sorry posted the last one before adding the rest of the pics.. I still wear my compression garment btw.....I will probably continue to do so until about week 6 because it helps give me support in my abdomen and lower back, especially since the hernia repair is still recovering. Updated on 20 Jan 2017: Here's a collage of side view from week 1 post op to week 3 Updated on 2 Mar 2017: So I fell off the map on updating my recovery but here are some pictures from today! I still have swelling in my lower abdomen but overall I'm pretty happy, back to being super physically active and always on the go. Love going braless.....probably more than I should...
I just want to start by saying that the price above is for a Tummy Tuck and inner thigh Lipo. After my consult with Dr. Williams had to think about getting a breast augmentation because the look I was going for requires a lift and I wasn't sure if I wanted that long scare down the middle of my breast with the possibility of keloids. After, I decided since I'll be under I might as well so still working out the price for the extra procedure, should be anywhere from $13,500-$16,500 not sure yet. Any back to my consult... I came in super tired as I worked a 13hr day the night before, however the front desk ladies were so bubbly it kind of woke me up a bit (that and my rockstar lol). I completed my paperwork and was called back to speak with Dr. Williams within about 15mins of finishing my paperwork. Before this surgery I had Lipo about 2yrs before when I should have gotten a tummy tuck in the first place, Dr. Williams asked me what brought me in to see him and I explained that I had a baby at a young age and for literally half of my life I've had issues with my tummy, I didn't know if I need a mini or full tummy tuck so I wanted his expert opinion (I mean he went to Yale come on lol) I also explained that I wanted a breast augmentation and showed him a photo of a woman who had very perking and nice 450cc Silicone High Profile implants under the muscle. He said ok I think I understand and gave me a robe and said he'll be back with a camera and Tracy the patient coordinator (you know so I can't say he got fresh with me lol!!) love her I'll explain that later. I asked if I could have a similar look as the photo I showed him as I know know ones healing, placement, or body is the same. I told him I did not want a lift because of the scarring. He said you will not get that look without a lift due to sagging of your current breast, if I got the implants they'd be bigger but would still sag a bit, after I do the tummy tuck your current breast will look bigger and you might be happy without an augmentation. Now I thought hmmm I saw another surgeon before him who promised me the moon, this man took my well being and happiness into account without worry about the extra $8,000 or so he just talked himself out of. That's someone I can trust. From the very start of the consult though I was nervous, he was very welcoming and honest, he even made me feel like I didn't need anything done but perfect my already perfect body lol! Back to the tummy...he could tell immediately by my tiny bit dark scares that I had another procedure and I told him I had Lipo 2yrs ago. He said I would need a full tummy tuck and Lipo of the flanks to correct my love handles and achieve a result. Also, since I had a baby I need muscle repair. Overall I think it was a great consult, he answered my questions and I didn't feel rushed, we even cracked a few jokes and I made him laugh a little which doesn't seem hard to do as he seems super cool and down to earth. He asked if I had anymore questions and then told me Tracy would be in to get me for a price quote. Within 1.5min there was Tracy again, I joked with her that she reminded me of a Classy Real Housewives of Beverely Hills although later when I thought of it she is actually more like a Lady of London lol I'm sure where she is from but her accident and cute little body is amazing! She explained everything to me, gave me two quotes one with and one without Breast Augmentation. Then at the last minute I sprung inner thigh Lipo on her lol she handled it with ease and it was under $1000 extra. Of course everyone's price will be different due to your size and time required for the surgery but the tummy tuck and Lipo quote was very reasonable. I am not so sure about adding the Breast, I'd think that since you're already paying for the facility and anesthesia then the only cost would be for the implants and surgeon fees. Not sure, I don't have a final price yet so I can't say for sure. Needless to say I booked my surgery that very day! Dr. Williams exceeded my expectations and I didn't know what to expect as the last surgeon who shall remain nameless because I am not one to bash someone, kind of turned me off. Think of a sleazy lawyer, sweaty armpits and greasy hair lol! He wasn't but that was the impression I left with. He did have very good pricing but my life is worth more than any procedure. Even though I booked with Dr. Williams I still have another consult because you should always get at least 3. At the end of I choose another Doctor I'll $500 but not my life and $500 is not an end all be all for at this point in my life. If you are starting your journey and are in the Bay Area do yourself a favor and at least see Dr. Williams as one of 3,4,5 how ever many consults you feel you need. I am 62 days post op! If we can't agree on the Breast Aug I might still do the tummy tuck and Lipo, I even asked if he could tie my tubes while he was in there like I said he went to Yale hahaha I'll take post op pics a week before my surgery. Happy Journey everyone!! Updated on 23 Sep 2015: Hurry up already!! Lol I would like to thank Msking for her review, photos, and informative diary. She is the reason I went to see Dr. Williams, he is the reason I chose to book my surgery with him. Very ashamed of the pic but hey what can I say, maybe I can inspire someone like Msking inspired me. Updated on 24 Sep 2015: wish pics!! Updated on 29 Sep 2015: Lol I am really counting down like its Christmas or the first day of school lol Today I am here to let you all know that I listened to Dr. Williams advice and gave up smoking...well...I won't go that far as I am only 18hrs in lol but you have to start somewhere. I read many horror stories from women who wish they had quit smoking before getting surgery. I heard your skin could die, remain numb, not heal correctly etc...and being afraid of scarring badly in the first place, I don't want to do anything that will help a keloid form. I have smoked since before I got pregnant with my daughter 16 years ago and stopped cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. I am trying to do the same thing now but if I need help I may get the patch or gum. Lets see how it goes, for now just trying to stay busy at work and at home. I am scared of gaining weight as well so I got some almonds to snack on when I get an urge. Have a great day all, actual pre op pics will be posted closer to surgery. Updated on 30 Sep 2015: I am now 41.8hrs of not smoking, OMG this is so hard. I am doing it cold turkey, i want to see just how strong i am mentally. Its going pretty good, I am at the point that I don't want to smoke because I'll have to start at zero. I get these boost of happy feelings when I think go smoke a cig and then i remember I can't lol so weird what the mind can do. If i can do this I can do anything, Dr. Williams knew how hard it would be to quit, I will be proud to tell him I quit almost 8 weeks before my surgery rather than the 4 weeks he advised. Updated on 6 Oct 2015: I am still smoke free!! Updated on 8 Oct 2015: As I mention before I had lipo back in 2013 by Dr. Reza Tabriz in Fremont. I regret that I was not as educated on researching Dr's. and there credentials and any actions against them. I recently found out he was on a 3 year probation in 2010 and then had his license revoked in 2014, 5 months after performing my surgery! I had no idea!! he lied about being Board Certified, he lied about where he studied, he lied about his specialties, he just lied about everything. I thank god everyday that I did not suffer any complications or death from being so stupid and anxious to get the lipo done that I put my life in someone's hands who was not only dishonest about his credentials but also to frugal (cheap) to employ an licenses Anesthesiologist and had a nurse performing functions they shouldn't have. To look up your Doctors Information go to: http://www.mbc.ca.gov/Breeze/License_Verification.aspx To Look up Certifications go to: http://www.certificationmatters.org/ I have looked up Dr. Steven's countless times and he checks out in all areas. How scary is this! I emailed my friend to look up her surgeon as well. Do your research, if it's too good to be true it probably is. PS: Still smoke free almost 10 days Updated on 18 Oct 2015: I am a little disappointed that since I stopped smoking I have gained about 10lbs ugh! Now I am on to a new goal and that's lose 25lbs by Nov 20th Updated on 18 Oct 2015: Just some before pics of me Updated on 3 Nov 2015: Time sure does fly, I remember when I was 57 days pre op. I was like hurry up already, now I am trying to get everything done in time. Supplies: Arnica tabs Brom tabs Gauze Tylenol Laxatives EOS chapsticks (love these I needed a reason to get more lol) A few memory foam pillows Foam wedge for knees Neck pillow (so comfy) Ice packs Coco butter Silicone sheets Heating pads Granny panties lol A couple zip front valour suits Compression garment (prior Lipo) I'll get a new one after surgery Tons of E books with kindle unlimited love Amazon half of these supplies were free by applying for their rewards visa :) I shop so much on Amazon it's worth it. Am I missing anything? Next pics are pre op breast photos in my can't wait to wear new tops!! Updated on 3 Nov 2015: Pics taken last night Updated on 10 Nov 2015: I am so excited! my pre op appointment is tomorrow, I am not sure what to expect but once I pay in full its really happening Updated on 12 Nov 2015: Hi Beauties!! So I had my pre op appointment yesterday and it went great, my blood pressure was extremely high because I keep my trusted Rockstar case in my trunk and drink one every morning. I will certainly cut down from now on and just get more rest so I am not so tired in the morning. Also high was my freaking weight! I haven't weighed myself in over 2 months but I knew I gained weight I could tell by how I felt and how my clothes fit (or didn't fit ????????????) I told Dr Williams I quit smoking and packed on a few pounds and he said the important thing is that you quit I'll just do a little more lipo lmao!! He's so cute haha I appreciate him making light of my heavy haha On to the goods: Dr. Williams answered my short list of typed questions with ease then I was off to see the gorgeous Tracy the patient coordinator. I'm so weird about being naked in front of people so I kind of rushed this part which I regret it's just how I am. I took a few pics with the sizers but I should have let her do it when she offered ???? Hard to tell which is which, I will add the pics for your viewing pleasures lol the look I want is also included, it's a fellow real seller who has amazing boobs! I forgot her name but will add it as a caption after posting Updated on 16 Nov 2015: I promise to always be positive to all the people who care enough to ask me questions or give me support. I truly appreciate you ladies for taking the time to read about my journey and post, of course I will follow your journey as well. A few more sleeps and I'll be on the flat side!! Hurray ???????????????????? Updated on 18 Nov 2015: I'm getting nervous lol Updated on 19 Nov 2015: I am so ready to do this, I haven't been able to wear a Bikini since I was 16 :( Updated on 20 Nov 2015: I am in the bed waiting for my doctor to come and mark me up! IV in and so anxious and ready to go. Updated on 20 Nov 2015: I may it to the flat side ladies! I am in so much pain ugh! I don't feel like the pain meds are working good enough. Only one drain so that's good and Dr. Williams said I did good in surgery and he got my waist really small can't wait to see it! For my breast he only put in 400ccs, he said 550cc was too big for my chest wall I think. Pretty drugged so kind of out of it. Ttyl! I'll update tomorrow Updated on 21 Nov 2015: Not sure how ladies take pic of their tummy tuck this early, I can't take the garment off until my first post op which is the 24th. Also, I feel like I am straining one breast too much when getting out of bed when everyone is sleep to go to the bathroom scared I'll disrupt proper healing Updated on 21 Nov 2015: My left Breast Updated on 22 Nov 2015: Hello beauties! I feel much better than yesterday, I've tried to sleep in many positions and on elevated on my back is the most comfortable for now. Updated on 22 Nov 2015: Updated on 23 Nov 2015: It's hard to get comfortable with all these pillows and the soreness in my chest and tummy but I'm getting there. My right best is extremely bruised, scared me at first but I know it's normally. I have zero liquid in my drain so I think my Dr. may remove it tomorrow at my post op appointment. Pain is about 7/10 Still and 10/10 moving as my back hurts from hunching over, trying to straighten it as much as possible without overwhelming myself. That's all for now ladie bugs Updated on 25 Nov 2015: I am still on a lot of pain but happy with my decision. My right Breast is super bruised to the point of needing a prescription for Silver Sulfadiazine Cream I posted a pic in the last review. I had my first post op yesterday and got two more prescriptions one for higher MG pain pills and the other for the cream. My Dr. Said this is happening because 400cc was literally the max I could go plus they are high profile. I'll just keep using the cream and monitoring the bruising but all in all Dr. Williams did a great job, I can't see my incinsions yet due to tape but I can see the incinsions is very thin! So excited about that. Even though I am swollen it looks great can't wait to see the final Results!! Lastly, when I got home after my post op there was a nice bouquet of flowers from Dr. Williams and his staff! How sweet of them, that made me tear up a little bit because I've been in a lot of pain but they care so much about us and we're not Just case numbers. Oh...it's so weird but I had a dream that I was chased DR. Williams because he had my implants lmao not sure if it was before or after sedation but I think I had the dream because I originally wanted 550cc and he went went 400cc lol! Due to the bruising and blister so glad he made that call and I am so happy with how they look now. Updated on 26 Nov 2015: I hate that I had to page him on Thanksgiving but I was scared and wasn't sure if I should wait until my next appointment (see photo) so what I thought was a bruise is actually a burn and when I went to clean it skin wiped away revealing flesh which scared the crap out of me because I thought it was just a bruise. So I had to page him to make sure that was expected with the cream and he and Dr. Kim said it was so I am at ease again. He told me not to apologize for calling him that is what they are there for and I love the fact that he called me even though another doctor called me earlier about it. He's such a great guy and really cares like I said before. Now on to the good news my left breast is still healing nicely and my tummy tuck scare is so amazingly thin it exceeded my expectations. I'll stick with Tri Valley Plastic Sergery for all my beauty needs moving forward. Updated on 3 Dec 2015: Feeling pretty crappy, the pain doesn't seem to be getting better, everyday is different. I stopped pain pills for about 2 days because I was scared of addiction (I smoked for so many years I was scared to become dependent on the pills) my family talked me into taking them at least at night so I could sleep and they were right. Still having issues with my right breast, my skin is healing ok. I think I just have that type of skin that needs more time healing, or maybe I didn't quit smoking soon enough. It was about 8 weeks before surgery. Today was my first day back at work and sitting at a desk is not cool. I don't think My doctor wanted me to go back this early but I had to. Standing up after sitting for an hour feels like your skin is being pulled from your toes to your breast so you hunch over from the pain which hurts your back. I was saw my Doctor on Tuesday and actually started crying smh, this is a process and very emotional, I just have to remind myself to take it one day at a time, be positive and remind myself it's a process. I really hope I don't need a corrective surgery because my cruise in March will be ruined and already paid for. DR. Williams stated I wouldn't have to pay anything if I need another surgery but I am praying I don't, I can't take it at this point it'll be like starting all over again plus More time away from the office. Idk how people get so many surgeries so frequently lol guess I'm a big ole punk. This is hell for me and to think I was counting down for this lmao wow enough rambling for now. Updated on 4 Dec 2015: Updated on 5 Dec 2015: Super small incision, waist is getting smaller and my breast is healing slowly but surely. Updated on 5 Dec 2015: Hey Beauties! Feeling better today, decided to make a progress grid for my right breast. 3 days post op started with a bruise and a small blister and turned into hell haha but healing well, praying for minimal scarring. I wanted 550cc high profile mentor implants but could only accommodate 400cc, I am so happy I had such a great Doctor who made a decision on the fly with my safety and happiness in mind knowing that could have pissed me off hahaha but I am Happy with the size and can't imagine what would have happened to my breast had he gone bigger, it would be so much worse. Thank you Dr. Williams Updated on 8 Dec 2015: This photo was taken this morning. It's an odd color and a little scary. Like is that my implant? I doubt it but the cloudy appearance is weird, I'm getting feeling back in my nipples and shooting nerve pains in which is bad pain wise but great healing wise. My next appointment is on Thursday, I plan on not using the cream that morning so my Dr. can look at it the discoloration. My tummy tuck is healing and progressing perfectly without any issues. It still sucks getting up and laying down, sleep isn't happening which causes me to be tired at work. Taking it one day at a time, watching the VS fashion show thinking one day I will be healed and feeling like these gorgeous bombshells lol! Good night beauties Updated on 10 Dec 2015: Hi Lady Bugs! Today was a good day, my Dr. said I was healing well but wanted to remove the last scab to speed up the healing process. He said I've been doing good taking care of it as there is no signs of infection which is great! My after shower process is tedious, cream, gauze, tape, repeat lol! But worth not having an infection. He is such a great Dr. he said he'd do a scar revision free of charge which is amazing because my lack of healing is not his fault, he said he thinks it was that I smoked and I believe him. I quick 8weeks before but smoked for over 10 years, the havoc it did to my body didn't dissapate In 8 weeks so ladies if your surgery is months out stop asap, they say 4 weeks before but I am walking testimony that the earlier the better!! The pic is the scab removed very gross lol cloudy area normal when healing deep wound :) Also, Kim took out my stiches which was awesome, wasn't expecting any of this to happen this morning but glad it did. Some areas were very tender but my skin married some of the sutures and they didn't dissolve or fall out. Me and my weird skin lol so far no signs of keloids so that's amazing! Updated on 10 Dec 2015: Here is my tummy at 14 days post op, I've been so focused on my boobs lol Updated on 13 Dec 2015: The bigger scar is where the drain was, as you can see my skin had a hard time healing here as well :( I used two silicone sheets and cut them small, these things are too expensive to waste on areas where there is no scar haha I plan to do progress pics once per week. I have another Post Op appointment in the morning where I am going to tell Dr. Williams to schedule the revision asap, I'd rather do it now so I have about 12wks to heal before Mexico! Updated on 29 Dec 2015: My wound still isn't healing and showing more tissue than before. My Dr. called today after looking at my photos (I missed my appointment thinking it was tomorrow) and said he wants to do the revision within the next two weeks. That sucks for me because my schedule is literally planned down to the with meetings for work. Ugh, I know there will be little to no down time as it's just skin and not muscle or anything which is a plus and also it's 2 months before my cruise so maybe this time I will heal correctly, we shall see only time will tell. ???????????????? Updated on 5 Jan 2016: Hello Beauties! I'm scheduled for my revision this Friday, I really hope I heal correctly. A little bummed that I have to get smaller implants, I hope they aren't too small that will defeat the purpose. I see women with DDs, Es, Fs lol why can't I? Lol, I don't want Es or anything crazy but was getting used to my baby DDs ???? I don't want to go lower than 350ccs and really hope all goes well and I'm healed by my cruise in March. My tummy is healing great! Super flat, rarely swollen and my belly button is coming together ok, his incision line is higher than I'd like but super thin. Almost invisible in some areas. Over all extremely happy with my tummy tuck with MR. Still a little sore when getting up but instead of 1000 sit-ups it feels like I did 15 with weights lol still happy with my choice even though I'm having issues with my breast. All I can do is pray it goes smoothly the second time around and ask God to lay healing hands in Dr. Williams lol Ttyf!! Updated on 9 Jan 2016: Hi lovelies! I am at home and feeling amazing, Dr. Williams is truly the best Dr. I am still very happy I chose him. My breast look awesome! That huge scar is gone, they are much more perky, and I got to keep my implants (400cc high profile). Of course it's only been a day and I am little swollen but the pain is minimal I don't even need the Norco's!! Scar: I'm not sure if you can see it but the scar on the right breast isn't vertical due to how large the original scar was. Updated on 18 Jan 2016: Hi Ladies, Only 9 days post op but feeling and looking great! Finally able to try on bras without the fear of getting creams on them or getting an infection from a not so clean bra (you never no at Victoria's Secret) lol still have tape on that is not budging which isn't bothering me. I am in love with this bra it's a 36DD and I love it! Cute little boy shorts set :) Updated on 24 Jan 2016: Not a happy camper today, I think I will need a 3rd surgery!! Though minor still another one. If you read my very first post I didn't want to touch my breast because I didn't want a lift with all the scarring. Should have followed my first mind, 1. Had a huge scar as per the photos so I needed another surgery 2. Now my nipples do not match, so annoyed with the whole thing. Should have left well enough alone and just got a tummy tuck or implants without a lift, tell me what you think am I trippen? Your left is the breast that had the huge wound, you can tell he did more work on that breast and nipple but not much to the other side so they aren't symmetrical and the right nipple is much larger than the right and I don't think that's going to change ugh
First of all, this is a wonderful site! I'm so glad I found it. I've always been very very flat. Growing up, I was always envious of the girls that even had B cups! My two best friends are so well-endowed, but I remained flat as a board. At 15, I decided that I was going to get implants one day, but I gave myself 10 years to see if I still wanted them. Well, now I'm 25, and I DEFINITELY still want them! I was always worried about the attention that I would get from men after getting implants, and wondered if they would like me for me, or for my bra size. So, I've found and dated the most wonderful man in the world, who loves me exactly how I am, and I have decided to get the implants for MYSELF now! I'm so excited. After doing so much research, I decided to go with Dr. Stephen H. Williams of Trivalley Plastic Surgery in Dublin, CA. He has great reviews, and after having a consultation with him, I felt immediately at ease and booked my surgery right away! My pre-op appointment is on Dec. 11th, and my surgery is scheduled for Friday, December 16th. Did I mention that I'm so excited?! I'll have boobs for the holidays! I am posting a few pictures of my currently non-existent goods. I am not thin, just average (140 lbs at 5'5"), but all my weight goes to my bum. NOTHING stays at my stomach or breasts, which is a good thing in terms of stomach, but sucks for my itty bitties. Looking forward to updating soon! Updated on 12 Dec 2014: So yesterday was my pre-op where I got to choose what size I am going to be. My mom and my best friend came with me, even though my boyfriend had offered. I think I preferred female eyes to tell me what would honestly look good on me, so I told him to stay home. My mom has been on edge about this whole thing since I told her about it a few months ago. Initially, I had expected her to be the one who would support me, and my dad would be the one to not accept it as he's super strict, but it turned out to be the complete opposite! My dad had gotten a hair transplant a few years ago, and told my mom, "What's the difference between my hair transplant and her wanting this for herself?" I was speechless! My mom, on the other hand, was a complete blubbery mess, which turned me into a blubbery mess too. She told me that I was perfect, that she and God made me perfect, and it hurts to think that I think that something is wrong with me. We cried together for a little bit, but she eventually said she understood. Well, anyway, since that depressing day (lol), my mom has been so antsy about everything. I think she's asked me, "So you've done all the research? You're sure? Is it going to hurt a lot? Is it dangerous?" and various other questions like 100 times. But I think it's cute because I know she cares about me and wants to make sure I'm going to be okay. SO...yesterday to my pre-op, I brought her with me. She was super nervous as usual, and was wringing her hands the whole way there. As soon as we got to the office, Tracy (the patient coordinator) met with us right away. She explained EVERYTHING to us, and I could tell that my mom was softening up and worrying a lot less. Everything that Tracy told me was typed up and put into a folder, so that helped a lot when it came to remembering what to do pre- and post- surgery. Then came the sizers. I wish I had taken pictures, but I totally forgot in all the excitement lol. I had initially walked in thinking that I would get 350cc's (Mentor Silicone Gel), but after trying it on, my mom chirped, "Go bigger!" Haha I don't think I had ever been so surprised! My best friend and I looked at her like she was a whole new person. My mom just said, "Well, I mean, now that you're doing this, might as well go bigger!" So we decided that 400cc's would look the best on me. After spending almost an hour with Tracy, she led us into another room where Dr. Williams would be answering any of my questions. I didn't have many, but he answered any that I had left, and, at that point, I was just getting so excited. As we were about to leave, mom hung around for a minute to look at all of his degrees and certifications on the wall, and I knew it made her feel like I was in the right hands. Anyway, so we left the office with smiles on our faces, and my mom actually said to me, "Can I be the first to squeeze them?" Lol! I'm so glad that Tracy, Dr. Williams, and the rest of the staff were able to make my momma feel comforted. She's a bit of a worry-wart, but I'm just happy to see her just as excited about this whole thing as I am! Updated on 16 Dec 2014: I'm getting super nervous. I realized that I'm a tummy-sleeper, and I'm going to miss doing that with such ease! My stomach is all in knots and I feel like I'm going to throw up all the time. Can Friday be here already?! Gahhhh... But anyway, I got waxed today so that I'm not a fuzzy monkey in the operating room, and also so I won't have to worry about it after the procedure. So that's about as productive I was today. Let's hope these next few days goes by quickly! Updated on 19 Dec 2014: So today was the day, and I went by incredibly smooth. I went to Wal Mart yesterday and got a bunch of things that I would need for the next few weeks, like a yeast infection kit (in case the antibiotics cause one), some medical grade cleanser, fiber pills (in case I get backed up), Extra Strength Tylenol, a couple front closure bras, and some comfy button up shirts. I was supposed to check in to the Pleasanton Surgery Center at 6:30am, so my parents and I left at 5:45. We got to the parking lot at 6:15am, but there was a nurse waiting outside saying that the person who is usually there at 6:00 hadn't shown up, and she didn't have a key. She told us to just hang out in the car and wait until someone can't to open the door. At 6:50am, I got a phone call from the surgery center asking where I was. I said, "I'm outside! Just waiting for someone to open the door." The nice woman on the other line said, "...um, our doors are open! Did you go to the right place?" Of course, I totally freaked out because at this point, I was late. But the nurses were totally understanding. These two centers were a stones throw away from each other, so according to the staff, people always get mixed up, Anyway, my parents wished me luck, and left to go run some errands. (I thought it would be better for them to keep busy instead of sitting around worrying). The nurses prepped me for surgery and I went to the bathroom one last time. Let's just say the fiber capsules I bought WORKED and it felt good to go into surgery with an empty bum. The anesthesiologist came and talked to me, and she was the sweetest and most calming woman ever. Then my doctor came in, drew on me, and asked me a very difficult, yet very important question: "If I were to go 'too big' or 'too small,' which would you prefer?" I responded that I would go too small. I think if my breast ended up smaller than I wanted, I would be disappointed, but I could live with it. However, if they were too big, I think it would be a bigger inconvenience for me, since I'm so used to being so small. I was asleep before I knew it, and woke up feeling like I had an elephant on my chest. But no other pain and no nausea, and I felt like waking around right away. I had some of my Norcos with some saltines and water, and I was able to go home. The drive home went fine, but I was really sore at home. The top of my breasts feel the most pressure, as does my sternum. I took a Valium when I got home and slept on my back for 3-4 hours. I get my bandages off on Tuesday. I can't wait!!! Updated on 20 Dec 2014: Photos so far Updated on 23 Dec 2014: So today was the big reveal! I had been peeking at them since Friday, but I finally got to see what my new girls look like. I am soooooo happy. Of course, right now they're riding high and are swollen, but I know once they D&F, they're going to look UH-MAZING. Let me tell you a little bit about how I handled my pain. As soon as I woke up from surgery, I was given 2 Norcos, and was able to be sent home an hour later. The car ride back was smooth as my parents had stuffed the backseat with pillows. I took a Valium when I got home, and another 2 Norcos after 4 hours from taking the first dose. Then I slept for a few hours and woke up to have some dinner. I literally had NO pain (just a lot of pressure) the whole day. My friends were super weirded out that I was talking and moving around (albeit slowly) as if nothing had happened. However, I took another Valium and 2 Norcos at bedtime, and woke up at around 4am in excruciating pain. But, my dad propped me up and gave me another 2 pills and that was the last time I felt any sort of pain. The next day (Saturday), I switched to 1 Norco every 4 hours, and 1 Valium at noon and before bed. Sunday I switched to 2 Extra Strength Tylenols every 6 hours and 1 Valuum before bed. I'm a DIE-HARD Oakland Raiders fan, and was able to attend the game AND tailgate on Sunday! I didn't do much except sit in one spot and eat food (lol), but I was able to get through a long day without any significant pain. On Monday, I switched to 1 ES Tylenol every 6 hours and 1 Valium before bed, and today I've only had 1 ES Tylenol all day! I think the key to managing the pain is to stay ahead of it. Keep a timer on your phone to remind you when to take your medications! As for my antibiotics, I'm still taking them (it's a 5 day course, and I started on Saturday). I usually get yeast infections and terrible breakouts whenever I use antibiotics, so this time, I paired them with probiotics! I bought some probiotic pills from Wal Mart, and take one pill 2 hours after my first antibiotic pill in the morning (I take my antibiotics Morning-Afternoon-Night), and I really feel like this has prevented me from getting a yeast infection or breakouts! Also, I bought a stash of Activia yogurt, and eat that 2 hours after my last antibiotic pill of the night. If you're prone to terrible antibiotic reactions, you may want to give this a try! Also, Tracy (Dr. Williams' wonderful patient coordinator) suggested some vitamins for me to take before and after my surgery. I feel like these have REALLY helped with my recovery process as well. If you'd like me to mention which vitamins, please let me know and I'll go dig through my little personal pharmacy-in-a-cardboard-box that I've set up for myself. OH!! And sometimes it can get super tough trying to remember all of your vitamins, pain meds, antibiotics, etc, so I grabbed an AM/PM pill box from Wal Mart for like $5, and I keep it in my purse, so that I can keep better track of my meds. It's super useful. Anywhoooo, today I saw Dr. Williams' PA to get my bandages taken off, and she told me I was healing really well. I have some weird bubbling sensation in my right breast, but she explained that that's just the fluid from the swelling slowly draining, and it's nothing to worry about. That satisfied me! And now that I've rambled on for way too long, I can finally attach pictures! Yay! Oh but wait, I've taken these pictures before showering for the FIRST TIME since Friday, so excuse me if I look sweaty and gross with much of the marker drawings still on me. :/ Updated on 26 Dec 2014: So I know I should have waited until my breasts had dropped and fluffed until I got sized, but I was WAY too curious and VS has a SALE! So the lady told me I was a 34C!!!! Ahhhh! I wish I'd taken a picture of the bra I'd purchased, but maybe I'll upload that tomorrow. It's been a week now, and I couldn't be happier. Updated on 29 Dec 2014: For Christmas, my best friend bought me this super tight bandage dress to show off my new girls in (=P). So far, I've just been wearing a front closure support bra to hold everything in place, but I thought I would try on the dress anyway for fun. AND I HAD CLEAVAGE! For the first time in my life! With no bra and no padding! My breasts are still swollen and that's why I feel like the line wasn't fully centered on the dress, but oh my, I cannot wait to see what these puppies can do in dresses after they drop and fluff! Eeeek! Updated on 31 Dec 2014: So as I was taking my bra off before showering an hour ago, my steri strips peeled off as well. I was mortified at first, but then remembered that Kim (Dr. Williams' PA) told me they would fall off on their own. I finally got to look at the incision site, and I was mortified again (but in a good way). How did that big ol' thing get squeezed through such a tiny hole?! *faints* (also, that's what she said =D) Anywho, as I was just about to shower, I realized that the area might sting when water touched it, so I braced myself for the sting as the water hit the incision sites, and...nothing! No pain, no burn, no nothing! Woohoo! I shower with an organic soap as it is (because my skin is super sensitive to everything), but I've been using this surgical soap that I found at Walmart to clean around the steri strips with. I lightly cleaned the incisions with that soap and there still wasn't any pain, burning or itching. I covered the incisions with some waterproof jumbo band aids because I'm afraid the stitches might get caught on my shirt. Eeek. Goodnight, ladies! Hope the New Year has new boobies in store for you, or has your new girls healing well! Updated on 5 Jan 2015: I saw Dr. Williams today for my 2nd follow-up. First, Kim saw me and I explained to her that I've been covering up my incisions with bandages and they've become super itchy. I had no idea that my stitches were dissolvable, and was trying to protect them this whole time! Lol, I felt like a dummy, but Kim let me to to just apply some hydrocortisone cream and Aquaphor over the incisions until the stitches dissolve. I can start Mederma as soon as the scabbing falls off, which shouldn't be long from now, as my left incision is pretty much free of scabbing almost!! (Yay!) The, Dr. Williams came to see me and said that I'm healing well. One breast (my left) is slightly bigger and higher than the other, but I know that's normal right now considering I'm only 17 days PO. But yay again, everything looks good! I am way too excited to see these puppies drop and fluff. I was so sad during the VS Semi-Annual sale because I WISH I knew what size I would be! (Btw, the 34C bra I bought last week is now too small on me, so I had to return it! Eek!! Pleasant surprise though =P) So before I made more horrible financial decisions in the bra department, I decided to stick to my cheap and comfy Walmart bras until I'm finally at a stable size. You and I shall meet at your next Semi-Annual Sale, VS! Side note: I bought these cool Nexiderm bandages to cover up my incisions, but since Kim told me that I don't need to cover them, I've been using them as nipple covers. THEY'RE BETTER THAN BANDAIDS! They work wonders for nippie sensitivity! Kinda pricey, but they can stay on for up to 7 days, and are waterproof. My poor nips were in such uncomfortable pain, and I'm liking this little solution I've found. Toodles, ladies! Updated on 6 Jan 2015: My friend let me try on some of the 34D bras she bought the other day during the VS Semi-Annual sale, so I gotta show you pictures! Yes...34 D!!!! I wonder if I'll stay this size or get bigger/smaller.... Hmmm :) Updated on 13 Jan 2015: So I HAD to get sized today because it's been 3 weeks and I've been using the same front closure Walmart bras, and I can barely fit in them anymore. I had a coupon for VS, and decided to go there a few weeks earlier than I planned. And holy moly! I'm a 32DD! Oh, I also went swimming this morning for the first time in a month and had no soreness or anything. *prances around with joy* Question for you gals... Has anyone experienced any phantom itching on/around their boobies? I have this urge to itch around the nipple but I can't seem to find where the itch is coming from. It's so uncomfortable! Is this normal? Wishing you ladies well! Updated on 16 Jan 2015: Updated on 5 Feb 2015: I could not be happier. I put together a small collage so you can see my progress. I LOVE MH BOOBS! I just love them so much. They're the best decision I've ever made... Updated on 5 May 2016: I realize I haven't updated this review in so long, but I thought today would be a good day to do so. I LOVE MY NEW BOOBIES! This was the best decision I ever made. I finally feel confident in my skin. I finally settled into a 34D or 32DD. One of my scars is completely gone, while the other has a slightly dimpled look to it. But it doesn't matter, because what's important is that I healed well without an infection or any problems. Dr. Williams had multiple follow ups with me to see if I was heading well, and when I showed him my dimpled scar, he immediately said he could cut out the scar tissue and stitch me back up. Although much appreciated, the scar doesn't bother me in the slightest, because it's so well hidden under the folds of my breasts. I'M SO HAPPY! I've only JUST stopped thinking about my boobs - they feel totally natural to me now. They move, look, and feel just like normal boobs. I still have a little bit of sensation loss underneath my nipples, but it's nothing that bothers me at all. Except - sometimes I feel an itch on my boob that I can't scratch, and it drives me nuts! Other than that super minuscule detail, I haven't had any other problems. I have also always been a stomach sleeper, but after my surgery, I had to sleep on my sides and back, which was super uncomfortable at first. In the past 6 months, I've started sleeping on my stomach again, and I have no pain or uncomfortable feeling at all! I got 350cc's of the moderate profile Mentor implants, and I'm glad I didn't go any bigger or any higher in profile. They look natural enough to not draw to much attention from people who know how flat I used to be, while drawing just the right amount of attention in a figure-flattering top. Sometimes, I do feel "boob-greed" and wish I'd gotten big pornstar boobs, but realistically, I wouldn't have been happier with anything more or less than what I have. Dr. Williams is a magician!!!
I got married right after high school, almost seven years. By the age of twenty I had two lovely children a boy and a girl. Still after different medical complication during my first pregnancy I went from 5 ft. 2 inches and 118 pounds, size 3 to past 220 and barely fitting into a size 20. After being depressed I decided to enroll back in college and simultaneously during 2 years lost over 50 pounds. I decided to check if I was a candidate for a tummy tuck in January of 2013. I went to many doctors but Dr. Steven Williams from Trivalley Plastic Surgery got my trust. Before giving my deposit I decided to remove unwanted facial hair with laser in his office. I built a good relationship and on November of 2013 gave my deposit to have surgery in June of 2014. A long wait but it was the least conflicting with college, work, and when my family could help the most.
So I booked the surgery with Dr Williams in Dublin at Tri Valley Plastic Surgery. This has been something I have been dreaming of for years. I am a little nervous due to getting a blood clot (PE) when I had a breast reduction 13 years ago. But I researched and interviewed quite a few amazing doctors and know I made the right decision with Dr. Williams. Looking at getting a full tummy tuck with a breast revision and augmentation. Any tips for quick recovery?!
After my first child, I did probably only needed a belly button revision. After the second, I my pregnant belly was two inches bigger which has left me with a lot of extra skin despite a proper diet and exercise. I go to the gym 4 to 5 days a week and eat very healthy with minimal process foods. My only option to get my body back to it's pre-baby status is surgery. As for my breasts, I was an early bloomer. I had a 34D in middle school. I think not wearing a properly sized bra combined with Physical Education and little knowledge of how to take care of my breasts at this age caused them to hang early on. So, I was never able to really enjoy perky breasts when I finally became sexually active and more aware of my body and body image standards. Updated on 19 Jan 2016: At 9 months postpartum it was becoming clear that my belly was not going to change much more. I don't like the sagging skin or my loose navel. My mommy makeover is in less than three weeks. I hope all goes as planned! I have my preop on 1/28 Updated on 28 Jan 2016: I had my pre-op today with Dr. Williams. It was scary reading over the breast lift and tummy tick consent forms thinking of all the possible things that could go wrong. I made sure to ask questions about some of the items like getting my skin sensation back and the possible but rare cases where my belly button and labia could be moved out of place. Dr. Williams explained that these were not likely especially in my case based on my size. I also learned about an anesthetic injection that can be injected into the belly after surgery leaving the area numb for two days!!! It cost $500. I saw I had a $500 discount on my quote so I figured I should use that to get the injection. I hear the first two days are the most uncomfortable and painful so I think this is the way to go! At this point I have stopped taking my vitamins (which have some herbal stuff in them) and any other supplements linked to herbs. I am only taking acidolphilis and Bone marrow supplements. I have stopped all weight lifting at the gym to give my muscles a break and will focus solely on cardio. I have scheduled to have my hair shampooed and straightened the night before so I don't have to worry about it while recovering. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30 in Livermore which means I need to arrive there at 6AM. I sounds like the surgery will be about 3 1/2 hours and that I should be able to be picked up at 12PM. The main stress has been trying to get a babysitter for that day. My mom will get here at noon and my husband would prefer to not work from home. It's always stressful trying to make sure somewhere is here to be with the kids especially in a situation where I'm physically unable to care for them. I just ended my period a few days ago (I know slightly TMI) but it is something to consider when scheduling surgery. That means I won't have to deal with it right after surgery. It should be at least 2-3 weeks before it returns which is a relief that I will be walking around and more myself. I can't imagine being groggy from drugs and trying to get up and change tampons/pads or accidentally leaving a tampon in for too long! Next week I plan to get all the laundry clean, clean the house, have the guest room ready for my mom and print instructions for taking care of the kids/pets. I am so worried that my mom will get overwhelmed with the kids. At 11 months and 2 1/2 they are a handful and their schedules are CRUCIAL. If I'm burnt out I know it will be hard for her and totally appreciate her for sacrificing three weeks to take care of all of us! I starting to see healing from this surgery almost like vacation--hehe in a sadistic kind of way! PS: I also added my ideal photos today. I showed these to Dr. Williams and felt relieved that what I was looking for was very typical: perky breasts, innie-navel and flat tummy with a more hour glass-like shape. Updated on 7 Feb 2016: Like most, I was a mix of nervous, excited and curious...and STRESSSED!! There was so much do be done before surgery around the house and with work. And of course my washing machine broke so I had to call someone out and of course that day was going to be my surgery day. That Friday (2/5) was looking crazy. My husband had to be at work around 8:30am. My babysitter is to be there by 7:45am but has to leave by 12:45pm for an appointment and my mom lives just under two hours away and as long as traffic is fine she should be there by 12:30p . A little too close for comfort if you ask me. Meanwhile, my surgery is 15 miles away at Valleycare in Livermore and I need to be there at 6am for prep and should be officially operated on beginning at 7:30am and should be recovered sometime between 11am and 12pm to go home. Washing machine repair guy is coming between 12pm and 5pm. So I'm super stressed!!!! Luckily I've been maintaining my usual weight around 112lbs so all the skin I want off should be gone!!!! Trying to stay positive. I know if my husband needs to get back from work in Pleasanton to make this all work out he will. So I focused on what I could do and washed the dog, got my hair done, set out I instructions on caring for the pets and kids and got as much work for my business done as I could. That night I couldn't sleep much and spent most of it texting my friend. Updated on 8 Feb 2016: FRIDAY 2/5 - Surgery Day I had nerves all Thursday night. In fact I did more texting than sleeping. Before I knew it it was 1AM so I finally decided to try to sleep. At 5AM I as up, brushed my teeth really well and gargled with Listerine ( as I was instructed),put on loose sweat pants and, a sip up sports bra and a sip p sweat jacket (to make it easy for the nurses). I made sure I had no metal/jewelry/piercings on me, put my hair in a braided pony tail with a non metal hair tie and requested my Uber ride. The Uber ride was totally worth it from San Ramon to Livermore. Only $16 considering the demand at the buttcrack of dawn was rather low. When I checked in at Valley Care, all the nurses/Anesthesiologists/doctors were SO SO NICE! I remember Allison in particular--she was great with a sweet can caring bedside manner and a great sense of humor. And so was Judy! But even the nurses with whom I was not under their direct care were so friendly and would smile and wave as they walked by my hospital bed from the hall. I appreciated all the double and triple checking they did to make sure I was the right patient receiving the right procedure with the right doctor and given the correct meds. After all the prep, it was almost prime time. Dr. Steven Williams came in to see me. He made markings on my breast and belly, explaining what they meant and what to expect from how these markings will be a blueprint for the incisions to be made. It was very exciting to get a visual of what to expect. He asked me if I had any questions--I didn't. Between my talks with him and Tracy at the office at Tri Valley Plastic Surgery, I couldn't think of any concern or question. Dr. Williams explained a few more things and once again asked if I had any questions. I still didn't but truly appreciated his concern in making sure I had no questions or concerns. Minutes later, Nurse Allison came back with a drug to relax me. It felt as if I had a glass of wine. I was rolled into the operation room. All I remember was looking at the lighting on the ceiling. They never told me when the anesthesia was put in or maybe they did...all I know was I conked out after that and that I was in good hands. When I woke up, I was all wrapped up, but could see my cleavage was more heaving that usual--I had a feeling I was going to be happy with the breast lift. I was in a bit of pain, but decided to bear through it because the nurses said whenever they gave me pain meds, my heart rate would drop. I had paid an extra $500 for a injectable anesthetic called Exparell (totally worth getting by the way-don't skimp on this!) which is given in the belly before waking up. The nurses said it would kick in in a few hours. I toughened up through the pain which felt like moderate menstrual cramps and by the time my husband was there to pick me up I was feeling better. Once my husband took me home, I was able to pretty easily get out of the car and walk hunched over to the bedroom with some assistance. I took my meds and slept. Don't remember too much after that. I made sure to drink lots of water and got up only to go pee. My mom or husband would come in to drain my drain. Yay. DAY 2 (2/6) - PEEKING DELIGHT I was much more alert and chipper today. My mom helped me create a good system for my meds by placing the ones I needed to take next in clear cup near on the nightstand. It's hard opening the med containers so once I familiarized myself with what each pill looked like it was easy to take them directly from the clear plastic container. After sleeping for most of the day, my curiosity of was starting to bloom. I pulled the gauze around my breast forward a little to tale a peek and was delighted with what I saw. My breasts were quite perky. I realized they're still swollen but overall they almost look like very naturally done implants at this point. Be aware that the Valium (despite for relaxing muscles and decreasing anxiety) can make you hallucinate a little if you already have the tendency for hallucinations. When I have either mentally or physically under stress and tend to get Sleep Paralysis and Hypnotic Negotia. I had a pretty creepy episode that is hard to recall now I just remember my eyes being wide open but not being able to move and seeing weird things and hearing strange sounds (like music I had never heard before). Because it was Saturday, I asked my husband to stay with me for the remainder of my nap which made me feel better. He also got me some won-ton soup from my favorite Chinese restaurant, Peking Delight, which was the perfect thing to have post surgery. All I had on surgery day was about 5 crackers when I got home lol DAY 3 (2/7)- UP and ABOUT I was amazed with my energy level today. I was still eating light. Mostly fruit, veggies and finally lean protein. Hubby even treated me to a little ice cream. I was able to help out with little things like letting the pets outside, making a formula bottle for my daughter, picking out clothes for the kids to get dressed and things like that. I have been worried about my mom and hubby getting stressed so I walked around, hunched over of course, and slowly but surely did what I could to assist. When my 11 month old when down for a nap, I took one too. I realized my goal is to stay on the same schedule as her which is nap around 10AM for 1 to 2 hours and then nap again around 1:30pm for 2-3 hours with bedtime at pm. That seems to be the best way to get my blood circulating enough during waking hours but still get enough sleep to rest and heal. My follow up appointment is this Weds 2/10. I plan to take my Vicodin and Valium right before as I think Dr. Williams will be removing my drain and I am quite nervous about that! Updated on 16 Feb 2016: It's been 11 days since my surgery and things are going well. Every day I'm able to walk just a little faster. I'm starting to get itchy so that's a good sign of healing. 2/10/16 - First Follow-up Apt (5 Days Post Surgery) I'm draining just over 30CCs so I couldn't get my drain taken out yet. Have to wait until Tuesday! Everything is healing well which is great. I even had the nurse take progress pics on my phone so I could easily post them here. 2/16/16- Second Follow-up (10 Days Post-Surgery) My drain is out and it wasn't that bad. I took Norco and Valium about 30 mins before the appt to help. It felt mostly like the nurse explained--a little pressure and like a worm was being pulled out of me. Not much pain at all. She also pulled off the sterri strips which was a little uncomfortable here and there but nothing close to a bikini wax. FYI- I got a little woozy after the train came out and felt like I might faint. The nurse had me sit back with my feet up and gave me some water. I advise bringing a juice box to your drain removal appt just in case you feel faint. The feeling crept up on me and did not happen right away. I also got to speak to Tracy at the office who helped me decide on the tuck. She was genuinely happy for me and excited to see my results. The entire office is wonderful and very sweet. I can tell they really care about their patients and their happiness with their surgeries. I was advised to: - Keep wearing a sports bra until for at least 2 more weeks - Keep wearing a compression garment for 4 more weeks 24 hours a day and then 12 hours a day for 2 weeks after that- whew! - Put Aquaphor on the incision areas to help soften the sutures and wear a gauze over that so that sutures don't catch on my clothing - Stop taking Valium if it's causing hallucinations. What's new: - I am tapering off the Norco. Norco at morning and night only with tylenol in the middle of the day unless I feel a lot of pain. - I'm due back on March 2, 2016 - One breast is dropping a little faster than the other. I was told to wait about 3 months for all the swelling to subside to see the final results. So far very happy with the results! The incisions are so thin. I think this will heal well!
