Hi All!! 3.5 weeks Post Op! Full TT, 400cc Mentor Silicone Gel BA/BL/Lipo- Calgary, AB CAD

Height: 5'8" ---short waisted.

Procedures being done:
--Full Tummy Tuck with diastasis recti repair and lipo to the abdomen, waist and flanks
--Lillipop Breast Lift (no anchor), tubular correction with nipple reduction, 397cc Cohesive Gel smooth round moderate profile + implants

The adventure begins:

Three years (and a lifetime) in the making, I'm really looking forward to this surgery.

I'm regaining the body I had before! Pregnancy ruined my body!! Time to get ME back!!!

Those are the common cries from so many here in RS land.

For me, I never had that curvy feminine figure to being with. I've always had my little "spare tire" square shape (no matter how much I work on it or eat super clean...) and I was born with my awesomely late developing, tubular, low-nippled breasts to top it all off.

They DID feed two babies though... and have still been a lot of fun ;) but it's time. It's long time for this change.

My cry is this: Looking forward to a new me! The me I know is in there. Somewhere.

I'm a simple girl. I love horses and mountains and horsey mountain men. (I have a wonderful husband who fits that category and so many more) I'm a sports-bra-wearing, bow-toting, pony-tail-flaunting, fly-fish catching kind of woman who would far rather hike the backcountry of Patagonia than sip coffee in the streets of Paris. (Tried the coffee Paris thing and spent that time yearning for the wilds of Scotia)

When I told my Family MD (love love love my family MD--he's an incredible man who delivered both my babies) about my decision to have corrective and plastic surgery he said "I would never, ever, have guessed you to be a person to choose that" then profusely apologized in hopes he didn't hurt my feelings. Heck no, I said. I take that as a compliment of the highest degree.

All this is not to say that I don't have a feminine side. She comes out often enough and I like to keep that balance. You know. The one where I'll say something like, eeeeeeek----spider! But then 10 minutes ago was chopping firewood like a pro.

I'm honestly looking forward to being able to choose a pretty bra instead of the pancake masher I usually do. Shopping for something new? Tried. So many attempts. Always a hasty affair that ends in either frustration or embarrassment. Shape aside.... my left breast is a whole cup less than my right. Fit that. Chicken Cutlets you say? They're weird. What a weird invention.

Isn't it easier just to keep them locked away in a sports bra? With the rest of the loose skin, belly, hidden beneath boxy shirts and hoodies? Yes? I thought so too at one time. But I'm tired of it. I'm so tired of my uniform as I call it. What I wouldn't give to just be able to throw on a pair of tight jeans with a simple t-shirt (in a size that does not come down mid-thigh to hide my middle) and just go... just go without worrying about tugging something into place, or out of place. Or tucking. Or untucking. Or standing or sitting or BREATHING or living a certain way.

And so. This adventure will at long last begin-------and I'm so looking forward to discovering the woman I've always known is there.

There is a really good site called Rate MDs. For those still searching, it's a great place to find basic, helpful and precise reviews of the MDs' you are looking into.

For me it was especially helpful in finding Dr. De Haas. I initially went for a consult (paid $180 to see him) with another Calgarian Dr who has boat loads of experience and taught other surgeons at a world class University. He was very strongly opinionated, which I know isn't necessarily a bad thing mind you, of what size would be best with my height and shoulder width---I'm broad shouldered---the problem main problem is, I need a lift. So that implant will be sitting on a lollipop scar with all its weight and over time, have me needing another lift. The skin itself then stretches thin, creating stretch marks and requiring anchor lifts, interior bras or other procedures that do not need to be a part of my body---all because he's certain I need to look at implants 500cc and over. 550s are what he suggested we start with.

When I went in thinking 375 max.

I explained my lifestyle. That I love to rock climb. Hike. Ride horses.... huge boobs might hinder that for me. Not to mention never having any breast tissue and suddenly having DDs or bigger.

Enter RateMDs. I spent some time debating between him and another Dr. Thinking that the first ones experience would be an asset if I could only make him pinky swear not to put in 550cc while I was down for the count. To keep to the 375 range and no higher. In mulling over this, and feeling unsettled, I came across his review page and knew my gut spoke the truth. So many women on there disappointed about the size they ended up. Not only that, but in more difficult cases----like tubular breasts needing lifts---so many unhappy ladies lamenting how uneven the work is.

I happened across one review saying that she originally went to this doctor but upon needing the work fixed....one nipple showed out of her regular bra it was so high, while the other still pointed down.... :(.... she went to an MD by the name of William De Haas who does reconstruction for Cancer patients. She loved her consult and went with him and could not speak highly enough of his work--> (both tummy and breast correction)

Price wise, for Dr. De Haas to do the work, it was the same cost as breast alone from Dr. University.

Maybe that old adage is true. Those who can't really do, teach.

My consultations with De Haas were both wonderful. You end up waiting on him past your appointment time. It's not that he's trying to be rude, or arrogant---or anything like that---it's that he spends every minute you need in answering fully each question you might have. I bought an actual list to him, printed out. He chuckled, sat down and said, let's start from the beginning! I knew right there, I'd hit PS gold. ;)

Also, he does not charge for consultations.

Before I even mentioned what I was hoping for results wise he was adamant that he does not perform breast augmentations where massive implants are put in. He is passionate about the breast being the most perfect it can be, moving in the pocket in a natural way, and being a size consistent with what the body can handle. He then said if I was interested in large implants, that I would have to find another PS!

I explained what I wanted and he was happy to suggest a lollipop lift, no anchor needed after measuring---but not to exceed an implant over 415cc at any point in my life due to the thickness/elasticity of my skin/breast/age/activity level.

He is very thorough. Kind. Dry sense of humour without making light. I knew right away, he was the only one I would go to.

I asked what his revision policy was. It was a question I also asked Dr University---and he said I wouldn't need revisions. His work would be perfect the first time around. If something did happen, I would need to pay for it.

Dr De Haas is different. He is careful in his lifts not to take out too much or lift too high. If too much is taken there can be splitting or necrosis. He says he is always happy to revisit his work, depending on how the body heals, and take a little more if needed. This would be an in clinic, quick procedure at no cost. Same for the tummy tuck. If there is an area with a dog ear, or thick section of scar, he is happy to revise it until his work is perfect. He very much prides himself on everything being symmetrical and natural and looking the way it should. He spoke of many surgeons choosing to have an implant look perfectly round on the bottom half of the breast from the get go. He does not do surgery this way. The breast looks almost flat on the bottom. But as the implant settles, the roundness takes shape and the perfect breast appears. This way----there is no bottoming out of the implant and a need for a revision because suddenly the upper pole has disappeared.

My second consult was a year later. Still preparing and saving for surgery. Checked in again with him, to be sure nothing had changed with my body for a future surgery date. (Consults with him are good for 6 months to a year depending on your age/health) All was the same and we took my pre-op photos which I'll get and post at some point.

So looking forward to my MM!!

So I love healthy food. And I think we can take our diet a great big step beyond boxed dinners and make a mix packages. That for our own health, and that of our families we need to take the time to prepare low HI foods. Jason Vale (aka the Juicemaster) from England speak of HI foods. Standing for Human Intervention. We want foods that have been fussed with the least. Honey for example, straight from the hive, vs honey that is pasteurized (boiled to condense) and re-flavoured. Oh, it's out there. Think low HI when shopping and you'll be amazed at what can't go in your cart.

Try not to choose anything white. Go for Whole Wheat (non enriched!) flour over white. Go for sprouted brown rice, over white. Go for a low glycemic Coconut sugar, over white. The list goes on. If anyone would like to know how to find things like whole red wheat and wheat grinders to make your own flour in two seconds flat, let me know and I can post links.

You'd be amazed how whole ground red flour wheat tastes over something you buy in a bag at the store. And that's the other thing, lol, whole wheat flour? Organic? The price is crazy. You can make your own for pennies comparatively. And fresh. So fresh the germ is still intact in the flour and the enzymes are still living. Whole wheat flour should always be stored in the fridge and used cold. It keeps it alive for later use if it can't be all used at once.

This all said. I also love a company called doTERRA. I have three kiddies, all boys, and I use essential oils in my home daily. I also ingest them, diffuse them, apply them and yes---cook with them! Absolutely in love with what such good quality---pureeeeeeee----essential oils. Amazing what they can do.

I have a recipe I've made to treat my scars with the EOs. eeek! SUPER excited about it since I've had amazing results with smaller scars! More on that later. :D

In my readings I've come across some great ideas on how to start a pre-surgery bliz for health. It's something we can all do....and continue on to make better choices afterwards too.

Most of us are thousands in on surgery. Wouldn't a healthier approach to life afterward help in keeping and maintaining that investment?

Without further ado:

Start with a healthy liver:
In the case of operations involving a general anaesthetic, the liver is the organ that takes the hardest knock from the drugs used. A good form of preparation for an operation would therefore involve restoring the liver to optimum health prior to undergoing surgery. Avoid alcohol and saturated fats. Wake up to a cup of hot water with the juice of half a lemon squeezed into it. Eat grapefruit with your breakfast and plenty of fresh fruit with lemon juice squeezed over it. Eat lots of fresh, raw or lightly steamed vegetables, especially the colourful varieties. Drink plenty of juiced carrots, beetroot or any other vegetable juices you can tolerate. These will very effectively detoxify your liver.

Remember to drink drink drink! Water with Pink grapefruit essential oil by doTERRA is especially helpful in helping flush the body of excess water and bloating.

Sulphur containing foods best:
To prevent the after-effects of anaesthetics, such as hepatitis, eat foods rich in the sulphur-containing amino acid, methionine, such as free-range eggs, brazil nuts, fish and meat. St Mary’s thistle which contains the active ingredient, silymarin, is excellent in protecting the liver against anaesthetics and so is dandelion root. These also help to regenerate liver cells if there is damage.

Anti-oxidants:
Plenty of anti-oxidants are needed to neutralize the free-radicals which result from all the chemicals in anaesthetics and other drugs that may be prescribed. Mopping up of these free-radicals depends upon your levels of beta carotene, vitamin A, C and E as well as zinc, manganese and copper levels. Microplex MVp is also an amazing multi vitamin I can't be without.

Your surgeon may insist you stop all vitamin supplements just prior to and immediately after the surgery until your mega-pain killers are flushed away. This is good advice due to reactions with the chemicals being used: but do try to get back onto them as soon as possible to give your body a fighting chance against infection. Prior to surgery eat plenty of pawpaw, beetroot, carrots, broccoli, apricots, kale, spinach, all citrus (unless otherwise directed by your doctor) even the pith, and green, yellow and red peppers.

Afterward, drinking swollen Chia seeds will literally suck the toxins from your intestines that your liver disposes there. To make a Chia drink: mix 1 TBPS black chia with an 8 oz glass of water. Let sit for 10 minutes until the seeds have their jelly coating on them. This coating is what mops up the junk---and as an added bonus will help you go #2 post surgery as well. :D Add in a few drops of your favourite EO (being certain it's safe for ingestion, many are not but the ones I use from doTERRA are. I like the Lime or Wild orange.) Give a good stir and chug chug.

Preventing blood clots
For at least a month before your operation take an amazing grade fish oil capsule called xeOMega (there is also a vega option!! Which is hard to find) as well by doTERRA. It's one of the most incredible fish oils you will every feed your heart and brain. And one of the only ones I've ever noticed a difference in my body while taking. Do take them daily to keep your blood thin and prevent clotting after surgery. You will need to tell your surgeon you are taking these as he may wish to put you on a blood-thinning drug such as Warfarin and the two should not be taken together as this may cause excessive bleeding during surgery. Continue with your fish oil capsules as soon after surgery as possible.

Healing of wounds
Build up your liver stocks of beta carotene a week prior to surgery with carrot and beetroot juice which will also detox the liver. Beta carotene converts to vitamin A in your body and will improve wound tensile strength, thus preventing possible tearing. Eat lots of apricots and watermelon if in season. Vitamin E promotes healing of ulcerated tissue and helps prevent hard scar formation. Use it mainly as an ointment rubbed on the scar after the wound has closed but the vitamin E in your plant-based multivitamin supplement will also be of great benefit.

I will be using a recipe I made from incredible EO's stay tuned for before and after pics of wound care.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes elastogen and collagen formation and prevents pressure sores. Mouth ulcers, common after surgery or chemotherapy, heal faster with 250 g vitamin C at meals and 500 mg at bedtime!!! Eat broccoli, pawpaw, kiwi fruit and oranges pre- and post surgery.

Bromelain
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, reduces oedema and inflammation. Either eat lots of pineapple or take bromelain in supplement form. With plastic surgery, minimize bruising by using Vitamin C, bioflavonoids and zinc before surgery and bromelain after.

Arnica is also amazing for bruising and promotion of wound healing. Be sure to use before and after!

Food:
In general our diets pre and post surgery should include fish especially wild salmon, good organic red meat, oysters, brazil nuts, eggs, pawpaw, apricots, kiwi, oranges, grapefruit, all citrus including pith, pineapple, carrots, beetroot, brussel sprouts, broccoli and capsicum (the pepper family).

Then, because I'm talking about anything natural, I have to add this: Disclaimer. All information here is for educational purposes only and is not meant to cure, heal, diagnose nor treat. This information must not be used as a replacement for medical advice, please listen to your doctor's advice in all things.