Mommy Makeover with Rady Rahban

I’ve been having so much fun going shopping and wearing things I normally couldn’t. I used to walk past anything that was form fitting because I knew I couldn’t pull it off with my tummy flap in the way.
I’ve been consistent at the gym too and I think that’s really important.

These pictures go in order of one month or so pre-op to 5 months post-op. As you can see, my scars are doing very well and some areas are already turning white and becoming hard to see. I’ll post some pics with clothes on so you can get a better idea of how I look.

Research:

Finding Dr. Rahban was a years long process.
I wanted to find someone who was talented at both tummy tucks and breast lifts with implants, aka the Mommy Makeover.
This proved extremely difficult.
Real Self was my number one source for first hand accounts from women on their experiences.
I relied heavily on this site and I’d like to thank all of you who are brave enough to share.
One thing that became immediately clear to me was how quickly plastic surgery can turn ugly and result in years of pain, deformity and revisions.
I realized how important it was to get it right, or as close to right as there’s no such thing as perfection, the first time around.
So I needed to find a board certified plastic surgeon whose number one priority was my safety.
I discovered Dr. Rahban and after going through his gallery, realized I wanted him to be my surgeon.
I knew I couldn’t rely on his gallery alone so I started scrubbing the internet trying to find every piece of information I could find on him.
I realized his standards and goals aligned with mine.
Board certified plastic surgeon.
Clear communication.
Safety.
Does all his own work.
Clean, thin incisions.
Natural results.
Realistic looking belly button.
Excellent follow up and after care.

Consultation:

So after realizing Dr. Rahban was the one for me, I admired him from afar for a couple years until it was financially possible to schedule a consultation with him and get the ball rolling.
He’s a very busy man so the wait time can be a bit long. This didn’t bother me since I’d read about it in other reviews and expected it.
His office is nice and comfortable. You can check out his before and afters on a screen or check out his photography books in the waiting room.
Once our consultation began I had his undivided attention and spoke with him for about 45minutes.
He agreed that I needed a tummy tuck and a breast lift with implants.
I thought I might also need lipo but he didn’t think so and of course turned out to be right.
Once we finished and were in agreement, I was eager to get my surgery scheduled.
Dr. Rahban wrote down what was needed and handed me over to Sally, who was very nice and went over payment options.
In order to get secure a surgery date, a 20 percent deposit was required.
We set the date for my pre-op appointment and surgery date.

Pre-op and preparing for the big day:

A mammogram, labs and clearance from my primary doctor were needed to move forward.
Everything checked out and we were good to go.
At pre-op we went over everything one more time and I payed my remaining balance for the surgery.
Since I was having multiple procedures done, Dr. Rahban required I book a stay at a recovery center for a minimum of one night. I booked myself for two nights just in case.
I went and filled my prescription for the meds I’d need after surgery and proceeded to have two weeks of sleepless nights anticipating my surgery!!!

Day of surgery/Day 2:

I live in Long Beach and my surgery was in Beverly Hills.
I decided to book a hotel near-by so I could just wake up and go.
I arrived at the surgery center and was extremely nervous.
I got an I.V and Dr. Rahban came in and marked me up for surgery which took about 20min.
He explained to me that I might need a vertical scar and that my butterfly tattoo, which was right beneath my belly button, might not be removed completely.
I was upset and asked him to do everything he could to make sure it was completely gone.
He assured me he’d do his best and we walked to the operating room.
I was so nervous I just started walking out of the room and Dr. Rahban had to remind me to get my gown on hahahahaha!!!!
I saw the table and went faint.
He reminded me I’d been cool up until that point and to stay that way.
So I stayed brave and hopped up on the table.
The anesthesiologist was very nice. I explained to her my fears of nausea and she assured me there would be none of that.
I laid back and listened to the 80s music playing, yelled over to Dr. Rahban to please make me hot and that’s all I remember.
I woke up in another room and was shaking uncontrollably but I felt fine. No pain at all and no nausea.
I couldn’t even open my eyes yet but managed to ask if the doctor got all of my butterfly.
They said yes and I felt relieved.
I still couldn’t stop shaking and someone gave me a shot of Demerol I think which then caused a wave of extreme nausea.
Nooooo!!!
That was probably the worst part.
They helped me into a wheel chair and to the car while I dry-heaved.
I put the puke bucket over my head on the 15-20 minute drive to the recovery center.
The nurses got me in bed and gave me nausea meds. I felt better about 20 minutes later.
Endora was my nurse and she was so kind and compassionate.
She kept on top of my meds and brought me smoothies.
I begged her not to make me take my Norco but she talked me into it and I ended up being fine.
I had a very bad experience with Vicodin one time and was scared the Norco might do the same.
I tried to eat but felt gross so I mostly just slept.
I had a catheter and compression boots for the first night so I didn’t sleep well.
I was never in any severe pain just extremely uncomfortable which seemed appropriate.
My first night was done.
Between my husband and Endora, things went as smoothly as they possibly could.
I woke up the next day and was immediately thankful I had booked an extra day.
There’s no way in hell I could have gone home.
They took out my catheter, helped me to the bathroom and I went for short walks around the floor using a walker.
My body felt like it weighed two tons.
It took a lot of effort to lift my legs and walk.
It was a very humbling experience.
As the day went on I continued to eat, sleep and do walks.
My chest felt hot and my incision stung a bit.
Dr. Rahban called to check up on me and see how I was doing.
He confirmed my butterfly was gone and I was ecstatic.
By the end of the day I was able to do a lap around the floor without the walker and felt confident I could go home the next day.
Book the two days of you can.

First week:

I got home from the recovery center and my husband had set up the couch for me.
At first I was going to rent a recliner but Dr. Rahban said I’d be fine with three pillows behind my back and under my legs.
He was right.
Here’s the thing about recovering at home. You need to make sure you have a really good support system.
Someone needs to be with you all the time for at least the first week.
You’ll need someone to help you get up and down, empty your drains, give you a sponge bath, time your meds, get you food and drinks etc...
It’s not an easy job so make sure you have people you trust.
Especially for bathroom stuff ;)
My husband, sister and mom rotated shifts and I was lucky enough to have someone there for me the first three weeks.
Make sure you take your meds on time, every time and do exactly what the doctor tells you.
I did and the pain was manageable.
The first week was probably the easiest for me, because I was on pain meds and don’t remember half of it.
Also I got the Experal shot for my tummy tuck which lasts a few days.
That was $500 extra and well worth it.
I saw Dr. Rahban at one week post-op and he took off the bandages and I got my first peek.
‘Twas amazing.
The incisions were impressive.
He said everything looked good and I could start to stand up straight.
He had his assistant Heidi (who’s awesome as hell) clean me up, remove my drains, take out my stitches, apply new tape and put me in a new binder.
The first binder and bra never came off the first week. I was instructed to leave everything alone until my first appointment.
They give you these instructions for a reason. Follow them.
The new binder combined with switching to Tylenol was the second worst part of the process.
It feels torturous having to keep it on 24/7 except for showering.
I wasn’t in my Norco haze anymore so I was keenly aware of every discomfort after that.
No pain. Just discomfort.

Second week:

By my second week I was much more mobile although I still needed quite a bit of help.
From week one to week two I got scared I was doing things wrong with my binder.
I called Heidi and she put my mind at ease as she would continue to do so many times after that.
I don’t know how she does it.
I know I’m not the only one and we must drive her crazy.
It was awful trying to adjust to the new binder but I just needed to realize how temporary it was and remain positive.
I read about post-op sadness and freak outs.
Sure enough I ended up crying and feeling sorry for myself around week two.
I got it out of my system and felt better.
It was still extremely uncomfortable.
I had weird stabbing pains in my belly button and some difficulty sleeping.
I was finally back in bed by week two.
I went to my second post op appointment at two weeks and everything was progressing as it should.
Dr. Rahban said everything looked great and he’d see me at 6 weeks post op.
Heidi showed me how to tape my incisions and gave me a schedule to follow.
I’d need to alternate between tape and Aquaphor.

Weeks 3 to 6:

I’m a hairstylist and took three full weeks off of work.
I wish I’d taken four.
I hired an assistant who took care of all my shampoos and blowdries and styling.
I only did the parts of my job that were absolutely necessary and I only took two clients per day.
I had my assistant for two weeks then I very slowly got back to doing the work on my own.
Although my activity level was low, my swelling increased quite a bit and my binder was killing me.
Of course I freaked out and called Heidi.
She said it was normal and to cut back on activity where I could.
From week three to six, if I wasn’t at work, I was at home relaxing and sleeping.
Issues that came up during week three to six included a stitch I found in my areola but got out, extreme swelling and one breast dropping a lot faster than the other. I was very concerned my right wasn’t falling into place.
I couldn’t wait for my 6 week post-op appointment.
I saw Dr. Rahban and he said everything was looking good. He said the swelling was normal and would continue to subside over time and that my breasts still had a ways to go before the were completely settled. If they didn’t settle the same, it could be fixed later.
He cleared me for exercise and getting back to life as usual.
He told me I could ditch the binder for good and to go get myself some good supportive bras.
I left his office free from my torture device (woo hoo!) and went straight to VS and loaded up on bras and underwear.

Week 7 to 5 months

I was afraid to go back to the gym but I mustered up the nerve at week 7.
On my first day I pretty much just stretched and used a pvc pipe to go through the motions and just feel myself move again.
It felt great and as the days and weeks went by, I slowly increased my weight and speed.
If something didn’t feel right, I backed off.
After a couple of particular workouts the swelling was scary so of course I called Heidi. She assured me I was fine, as usual.
I’m pretty much back to normal at the gym now except for sit-ups.
Slowly I began to realize there’s nothing I can do but follow instructions and take care of myself.
Swelling takes time and I need to let my body settle in and become what it will be.
A few days after my 6 week appointment I threw away every stitch of clothing I owned and treated myself to a whole new wardrobe. I’ve been shopping a lot and it’s been great having things just look good on me.
It’s amazing to not have a flap of skin on my lap, it’s great to lay down and not have my boobs in my armpits.
People have noticed I’m looking good and definitely feeling good about myself.
So at week 6 I was worried about my right breast not dropping. It ended up dropping just fine.
Now I’m worried about my left breast and will discuss it with Dr. Rahban at my 6month post-op appointment.
My tummy is doing great.
I’m still sore at times but overall doing very well.
I have to say that Dr. Rahban is definitely the right man for the job.
I was right to place my trust in him.
My recovery has gone better than I expected it could.
My scars look great. They are thin, already turning white and are easily hidden.
Feel free to ask me anything.
I’ll update at 6 months.