Never Too Late for a New Beginning :-) - Orange County, CA
Hello Lovely Ladies... I'm 48 years young...
Hello Lovely Ladies...
I'm 48 years young and the mother of 4 beautiful children, ages 17, 19, 21 and 23. I am currently 5'3 150 lbs. Three of my 4 children were delivered via c-section. I have struggled with weight most of my life. In junior high my mother put me on Weight Watchers and I lost a lot of weight. So from 14 until I started having children at 25 I was 5'3 115-118 lbs. With each baby I gained more weight and the weight would linger, resulting in a lot of yo-yo dieting. Add that to a bad marriage and food became my best friend. Last August 26th (day after my 48th bday) at my highest weight 223, I had gastric bypass surgery (and double hernia repair.) I am down to 150, feel I have lost really slow and hit a lot of stalls, would like to lose another 25 lbs, but even if I stay at this weight, I feel so much better and am much healthier.
I am excited for my mommy make-over. Of course like many women on here, I've been struggling with the guilt of doing something so expensive for myself, yet it's the one thing I really want to do for ME.
I am scheduled Sept. 2nd for BA and Tummy Tuck. My PS is the wonderful Dr. Bui in Anaheim, CA. Dr. Bui discussed a lift with me, and said at this point I'm borderline and that I can do the augmentation now and see how my breasts settle and decide later on if I want a lift. I'm still on the fence about silicone or saline, Dr. Bui has been very informative as to the pros and cons of each and I have been really researching them both extensively, but I'm still indecisive. Any opinions/advice any of you can share on what type and why you choose what you did would be greatly appreciated. I am opting for the pain pump and as far as pain meds afterward, Dr. Bui said he will prescribe whatever pain meds have worked best for me in the past. I haven't really taken pain meds, for my gastric bypass I was given something in a liquid form and not even sure the name of it now haha. Any suggestions for pain meds? I heard Percocet helps a lot.
I'm hesitant to post my before photos because I feel my body looks hideous compared to everyone's before photos. My tummy is very deformed looking and I even have thoughts that no amount of surgery is going to improve it's looks, but Dr. Bui reassures me that the results will come out great. He did say that I have more fat tissue on the right side of my stomach, and I can see it when I look down and in the mirror, kinda odd.
I'm happy to have found this site and love reading about everyone's journey and all the support given to each other. Feel very fortunate to have you all there with me on this roller coaster ride!
Until next time...
Hugs
PurpleRayne's provider
Replies (23)
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would spend countless hours looking at another womens breast and trust me I wore the Mentor site out!
I know this- Silicone-Mentor memory gel- Under the muscle- and moderate profile( I want good top cleveage)- CC's??????? (as of now 275cc/300cc) But as I do more reesearch it seems everyone is saying if in doubt go bigger or my only regret is I didn't get bigger boobies!! ???????????????
Still on the fence of CCs! Hope this helps some!
The time has gone by so fast...my Mommy Makeover...
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
Hugs
Replies (5)
Well, here I am ladies...9 days post op (surgery...
Surgery was scheduled for 10:15am and arrived at 8:15am. Had my procedure done at LaVeta Surgical Center in Orange, CA. Everyone there was professional and super nice, they took good care of me. My surgery was a little over 4 hours long.
I'd have to say that my recovery was just discomfort, I never experienced any excruciating pain. The worst was day 2 and 3, but still, nothing too terrible. I thought I would sleep in the recliner like most women have said worked for them but found I felt/slept better in my bed. And yes, the walking hunched over takes a toll on the back, I would use a walker to get around, did help some with the back pain. Most of the discomfort was in my breasts, not in my tummy.
Went to the doctor on Monday(labor day) to have one drain removed. He said he was impressed and pleased with how well I looked overall and how I was moving around. Went on Thursday, my one week check up and got the other drain out and dressings removed.
I have been happy with Dr. Bui. That being said, I have been very depressed with the results of my tummy tuck. He said I'm just swollen and to give it time, however, looking at everyone else's after photos at say one week post op, looks nothing like mine. It's like I have a butt in the front of my stomach. My stomach does not lay flat. That is not what swollen looks like. You can't even see my belly button and I'm getting sores from the skin being pushed together. And a small section of my suture area looks puckered. He says I need to be patient, but I have seen hundreds of photos and read hundreds of womens journey's to know something is not right. I have posted photos for you all to see, maybe someone can shed some light on why/what is going on. I have been extremely depressed and just want to sleep so I don't have to think about it or look at myself. I had this procedure so I wouldn't have to "hide" my stomach anymore and lift my self esteem/confidence...I went through all this to feel the same pre surgery, I'm just crushed.
The breasts are coming along fine. I was borderline lift and opted to wait on that. I ended going with saline and had 450cc on left breast, 470cc on right breast. I can see where down the line I may get a lift. They still are in the process of settling, but so far I am pleased with the results.
I wish I had better news to share. I will raise my concerns to him at my 2 week appt. But I don't know what he can say/do at this point.
I had so looked forward to this procedure, was so excited for the new me...only to feel depressed and disappointed.
:'(
Replies (3)
Thank you for your concern.
I read where you are on the fence about saline vs silicone. I have heard good things about saline but I chose silicone and am sooo happy with them. The reason I went with silicone is that I hardly have any breast tissue and I wanted my boobs to feel as natural as possible. They feel amazing...just like real boobies. Plus I have over the muscle implants...and there has been no rippling! If I went with saline I would have had to go under the muscle. I wanted overs...just a personal choice due to my anatomy (wide sternum). You have natural breast tissue so if you chose saline I am sure they will look and feel lovely! But I wanted to give you my two cents ;)
I wish you the best of luck!! Can't wait to see the new you!
Hugs :-)