Upfront and Personal with the "Full Mommy" - Beverly Hills, CA

Yes, it has been a challenge at times. I am still quite sore and my most major accomplishment was trying to find a supportive enough bra to wear once the surgical bra was no longer appropriate and doing any sort of a job. The thing is....you need some kind of compression. Not full compression but thing sneed to stay in place and secure enough. The bra is to be worn 24/7 for a time as well. I am petite and lots of sports bras are just too tall in the gore or under the arms and end up cutting in too much. I looked at every kind of sport bra and so many of them are the "pull over your head" kind which will not work. Those would be the most comfortable as well. I tried the zip up the front and hook in the back of many brands. The hook in back gave more flexibility to adjusting the band. Remember that no underwire is allowed either. At first as was layering 3 softer but stretchy Yummy Tummy camisoles together. It was comfy but not enough compression. Finally I found a Wacoal bra that is wireless "How Perfect Soft Cup Wireless Bra" style #852189 and it is actually fairly supportive and both wearable and able to sleep in. I looked at reviews and a number of women were using it after reconstruction surgery so, I am giving it a try. One issue solved. I found a Spanx compression garment that is much less thick but still performs called Spanx Incognito. It goes up to the breast and thigh high bike short style. It is much lighter so better for SoCal, but still very sturdy for holding things in place.
I also have dissolvable stitches. Some were removed last follow up visit but others are peeking through in the healing process and I have managed to use tweezers and a small scissor and clip a few out myself. Although I feel well enough, I still get tired easily. I have managed to take longer and longer walks though. The thing is to be careful to go slow and easy. Still not lifting anything over 10 lbs...including my small dog. I do feel bloated and my abdomen is quite puffy and numb which is to be expected at this stage. I get tingling sensations, sometimes sharp hot stabbing pains too. That's good though because it is part of the healing and even though it is uncomfortable, I would rather feel it and know that feeling was returning that the alternative. Much of the bruising on my breast is greatly reduced and the poor purple nipple is now nice and pink with just a hint of scabbing left. All is much better in the world of recovery and I am so very glad I had this explant and then some done....

So I am now 2 weeks out from my surgery and things looks much more optimistic. To be honest the first few days were not so much fun. I stayed at aftercare for an additional day, because my husband was a bit nervous about the level of care I needed and his ability to be a good nurse. I was happy to have stayed. I was under the influence of some pretty effective pain meds and I was not ill from them but I was definitely challenged in other way. Moving was difficult no matter how I positioned myself. Frankly my breasts looked far worse that my tummy area, but the tummy was my most difficult challenge. Once home, I got off my pain meds ASAP and used only tylenol to ease my discomfort. Sleeping inclined and with multiple pillows was difficult and I only managed a few hours at a time. however, 2 weeks later, so much improved. I still look rather battered and bruised around the chest but my ab area looks sleek even though a bit swollen. I have made peace with the 24/7 commitment to my breast high, thigh high super power spanx which I will wear for about 2 months for best results. Sleeping is still not so easy but I feel great and am doing quite a bit of walking and some yoga (child's pose0 to keep my back muscles looser. My stitches are dissolvable but a few are coming to the surface and I have just started using silicone strips and scar treatment potions. Unfortunately, I did not get any before photos and not sure when I will get some afters. My breasts still need to adjust and settle into their ultimate shape and perhaps even adjust from some residual swelling but I love, love, the feeling of the implants being removed! So freeing. No more muscle pressure from implants sitting under the muscle. My "girls" are so much softer too. So very happy!

All set for my surgery on Monday, February the 13th. I am back with my favorite PS, Dr. Brent Moelleken, MD FACS. All my test reports are in, my labs done, and my prescriptions are filled (including the all glorious anti-nausea pill that costs so much). My reservation for a night of aftercare's at Serenity is in place. Costly, but essential for the first 24 hours after surgery. My speciality items are stocked: stool softener, gauze pads, super spanx high-waist garments for week two (Thank-you Penny, Dr. Brent's trusted Office Manager and the most sweetest lady) and my loose fit button up flannel tops and "easy to part with later" ugly but comfy sweats. I have crackers for the meds, coconut water for electrolytes during recovery and a fantastic husband who is taking a week plus to keep me balanced and cared for. I have finally decided to take out (explant) these 225cc silicone implants, under the muscle, that have been in place for almost 2 years, which replaced 20 year old larger saline implants, on top. I am a petite 60 year old woman, 4' 11" and 102 lbs. They are just too darn large on my pixie sized frame and they are difficult to weight train with and frankly ...I am over so them. I am looking forward to a softer, smaller, more natural shaped breast that is all my own and I do not want to ever have to be concerned again about repair and replace! Dr. Moelleken is a fantastic surgeon. I have worked with him before on a few things and he performs in such a way as to give natural results, never contrived or too over the top "Hollywood". He was not responsible for my first two breast procedures, just to be clear. I know he will give me my own breasts back with a lovely natural slope and shape, that will sit where they should be, no longer large and matronly and taking up half of my waist to shoulder area making me look overweight when I am not! This will require a mastopexy (breast lift) and we must remove the capsule area as well. Additionally when I was in my pre op consultation, I spoke with him about my abdomen and how I might deal with all this crinkling of my skin above the navel and my abdomen that looks like I have a constant "Wheat Belly" when I have given up most grains. And yes, I did have children so there is that. Dr. Moelleken does a few variations on the abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck). Instead of the traditional version, he is going to perform a "hybrid tummy tuck with a vertical". Basically, this means a lower, smaller scar and the fascia tightened from low to high abdomen area. The navel is not floated! He believes that just looks weird on people, but the area around it is somehow adjusted. I saw photos and the results looked inspiring. Maybe in a few months all that work in the gym will actually look like I worked in the gym. It could happen. LOL. Even when we are older, we need not give up on being sexy and viable, where ever and however we find that for ourselves. So Updates and photos to follow...