Mommy Makeover During Pandemic 2020

During the pandemic, my husband and I had significantly more time together and we decided that we wanted to take the opportunity to develop a healthier lifestyle that we could maintain as we went into the retirement season of our lives. So, we dusted off the weights in the garage, and through diet and exercise, I achieved a weight loss of over 50lbs.Due to multiple pregnancies and weight gains/losses of 60lbs. in the past, my breasts were sagging. I hated trying to find clothes to wear and felt old and worn out. ? I also had several unsightly abdominal scars from previous surgeries and the dreaded muffin top.After discussion with my husband, he encouraged me to have a mommy makeover – a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and a breast lift (mastopexy). As a retired nurse from Iowa, I was not familiar with the surgeons in Omaha. I researched several plastic surgeons in the area and was seeking one that was certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and/or The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). I also wanted a surgeon and office staff that provided personalized care. I made appointments with three different surgeons. There really wasn’t any comparison in my opinion; Dr. Finkle and his staff clearly stood out. He took the time to listen to my goals and concerns. He provided photographs documenting his previous patients’ results. He discussed possible complications. And fortunately, he utilizes Exparel as a form of pain control for his abdominoplasty patients. The office operates efficiently while maintaining COVID precautions. My initial consultation included my preoperative teaching so I did not have to schedule another appointment prior to surgery. I also received my prescriptions so that they could be conveniently filled prior to surgery. The surgical procedure was performed in Dr. Finkle’s outpatient surgery center. The staff at both the office and surgery center were warm and caring as well as professional. Finally… the results! I have had other abdominal surgery and dreaded waking from anesthesia to severe pain, nausea, and vomiting. Let me tell you: I WAS AMAZED! No nausea! Thank you, Dr. Finkle, for taking the time to prescribe an antiemetic (anti-nausea) patch prior to surgery. In addition, very little discomfort!!! The pain medication used, Exparel, reduces the need for narcotics postoperatively. Dr. Finkle had injected it into my abdomen during the procedure and it started controlling my postsurgical pain before I even woke up from surgery. I was discharged with non-narcotic pain meds and I was able to switch to Tylenol for pain control within the first couple of days after surgery. Decreased pain following surgery was beneficial not only because of comfort; it allowed me to become more active quickly after surgery which decreased the possibility of surgical complications.I am thrilled with my outcomes. The breast lift has given me more of a youthful appearance and simplifies choosing clothes that are flattering. My abdomen has never been this flat; not even when I was a teenager! My husband has always wanted to take me shopping for clothes and I have never wanted to go. Thanks to Dr. Finkle, I will go now and ENJOY it! L.C. Papillion, NE.