27 Year Old, 6'6 /270 Lbs, Getting Lower Body Lift After Losing 140lbs! - Chicago, IL

Hello Real Self Fam,

I've been enjoying this new body so much that I hardly have any time to sit and type anymore now that I'm in full beastmode at the gym again (where I tend to spend a lot of my free time!).

However, way over due for an update and I saw my inbox was getting full again -I will be messaging you all tonight :).

So, three months out and my body is really starting to take shape. Not that it wasn't before, but now that I can work out at full steam I feel like I'm able to mold my body how I want it and really tone up. During the first months of recovery I was very thin and felt a bit weak since I was used to working out daily. I had a thin, deflated look. Now I can see definition (woo hoo no more loose skin blocking my hard work) and can really target the areas I want to add mass/muscle to.

The scar is coming along, in the pics I've attached I have some showing the scar and some showing how my boxers cover the scar (I used to think I would have to raise my boxers pretty high to cover the scar but they actually sit just fine and cover it without me feeling like I have to raise them higher than I would if I didn't have a scar to cover up).

It is very red in the photo because I literally finished rubbing Mederma on it. Side note -I started off by using the Biocorneum cream on my scar first, but the tubes of cream are SO SMALL they both ran out in less than a month. Since I haven't had time to schedule my next post op visit where i take my official "after pictures," I opted to buy Mederma as a viable alternative. So far, I really like it and it lasts much longer. The cream is also less thick so you can use less and spread it across the scar more. It is almost half the price of biocorneum and so far works basically the same. I will update you in about one more month to see if I notice a difference. I have the Mederma Advanced Scar Therapy cream (bought it at Walgreens fyi).

As far as movement, I can bend, sit, stand, lay in any position I choose and feel zero discomfort. I never really was a stomach sleeper but if I do roll over it doesn't hurt. The only time I have any sensitivity in my abdomen area is in the gym when doing something that really engages your core like push ups.

Best perk so far post op -clothes fit AMAZINGLY WELL. I never realized what a HUGE difference it makes to not have a tire of loose skin to try to conceal in clothes anymore, now, the tighter the better (ok ok not THAT tight lol but just enough).

As always, I have attached some photos with my current physical state.

I love hearing from you guys, I mean it when I say "Real Self Fam" because you all are like my extended family. And again, if you have any questions or feedback feel free to comment or send me an inbox.

Catch you all later!

-Charming

Hello Real Self Fam!!

My apologies for not posting nearly as often as I should. This forum helped me get prepared for my big day and I know that some of you are looking at my journey to prepare for yours. I will make a conscious effort to stay on top of things (at least post biweekly).

This thursday will be my 8th week post op. I can not express again how BLESSED I feel with how smoothly this journey has been for me and how amazing my results have been. I understand that I am nowhere near done healing, and things are still swollen, but even at my current state I am obsessed with how amazing my results turned out. I love the way I look in clothes…..hell I love the way I look out of clothes ;). I digress…

So to sum up the last month and a half - I returned to work after being off for three weeks (originally i took off 4 weeks, but was feeling great as well as extremely bored after three weeks and decided to go back early -best decision ever).

I started working out week 5. By working out I mean very light cardio (slow jog) and some light weights (like 10 lbs). The sensation in your abdomen area when running is so weird, it's almost the same tingly feeling you get when your foot falls asleep. Lifting was difficult as I felt weak along with the fact that I was so paranoid not to overdo it so that I wouldn't compromise any of my results.

I bought this cream called Biocorneum and started applying it to my scar twice a day as of Week 4 and on. The cream is expensive ($75 for a small bottle). I'm already on my second. It did make my scar flat, the color is still dark but we'll see how it goes as time progresses.

My belly button is looking better and better each day. This was my biggest concern, I do not like the "surgical belly button" look. Like the ones that clearly are not real or have been reconstructed. I want mine to look natural. It's getting there, but it's still very dark. I don't know if I'm supposed to put cream on there to make it lighter, but I figure I'll ask Dr. Shifrin when I go in for my official "after" photos.

I still sleep with my binder EVERY DAY. During the work day I wear the 2 Xist high waisted compression boxer brief (8 inch compression band above the boxer). It's ok, not the most comfortable but tolerable. I don't know if it's in my head, but I feel like wearing all the compression garments and boxers makes my lower stomach really flat but the part below my pecs and above my lower abs seems to be "puffy" or look like I have a ball inside of it. Almost like if I was a bottle of toothpaste and someone squeezed the very bottom so now all the tooth past is in a lump in the middle. Like i said, I love my results, but do get slightly paranoid that the compression garments are making my upper torso puff out since it doesn't get covered by my surgical compression garment or my compression boxers. The only other thing i notice is that my mid torso area kind of dents in (coke bottle style lol) and my hips stick out a bit. I don't know if it's because I wear my garments 24/7, or maybe it's just still healing, but I definitely want to have my sides go straight down…not really going for the hourglass shape haha.

Lastly, I can not express enough how AMAZING the entire staff at Dr. Shifrin's office has been. Donna must never sleep as she answers my text messages within minutes morning, noon or night. She is so dedicated to making sure all of my questions are answered and that I am 100% content. She rocks!!

Dr. Shifrin really came through for me and I love my results more and more as each day goes by. Can't wait for my next visit (it's when I take my official "after" photos). Of course I will be posting those for all of you. Until then, I leave you with some photos I have taken in the last couple of weeks.

If you have any questions feel free to message me or drop a comment, I will do my best to answer ASAP!!

Later gators,

Charming.

Hello Real Self Fam!

Well, it's official, Body Lift complete!

I wanted to update you all way earlier but I've had nonstop family and friends over visiting me so I couldn't just sit and just write like I wanted to. Today it's just me in the living room while my grandpa (who is my caretaker during recovery) runs some errands so you all get my undivided attention.

Warning -this post may run long!

I don't want to skip anything so let me start from the beginning (day of surgery) until now. I will try to cut to the main points and answer in depth in any of the comments ;)

Day of surgery -my surgery was first since it was the longest (scheduled on the books for 5 hours -yikes!). When I got to the same day surgery center in River North they ask you to fill out more paperwork (basically sign your life away). I was full of adrenaline and nerves. Then they had me change into my gown and get prepped with an IV. I REALLY started to freak out. I met my anesthesiologist during this time -she was absolutely AMAZING. I'm talking like an angel sent from heaven. So nice, funny, and very calming. She was from Northwestern and had been doing this for over 30 years. I told her I was scared and she said "why, you have me and I'm going to make sure everything is alright." She injected me with some numbing fluid, then stuck the IV in my hand and had this cold liquid go into my veins. She said it was so that during the surgery my bladder would be slightly full. At this point she mentions during surgery they will stick a catheter through my penis that goes up to my bladder (sorry for being graphic) and it will drain any urine. I didn't know this was part of surgery and told her that sounded painful -she said "has anything hurt up to this point" I replied "nope not at all" then she said "don't worry about it you will not feel anything you will be asleep."

At this point my family came in to say a prayer. Dr. Shifrin was there and he greeted everyone and assured them I would be fine. They let him know they were going to do a prayer for me and if he wanted to be included. He said that would be fine, so my family prayed for me AND for Dr. Shifrin out loud with our hands all clasped together. It was just what I needed and I felt totally at peace. Brownie points for Dr. Shifrin for being a part of the prayer circle! He's the best. After they left, he marked me up and had me wheeled to the surgery room. I remember the room being cold, and me saying I wanted them to make sure I was asleep during the procedure. They laughed and said not to worry those "horror stories" are very rare. They put the anesthesia mask on me and I remember saying "I'm still very much awake" and the lady said "please breathe in more" I took one big breath and -LIGHTS OUT!

When I woke up, I felt AMAZING. Literally like I took a much needed nap. I was not groggy, nauseous or dizzy. I felt literally like I woke up from a nap. I remember the nurse saying "you're all done" and me thinking there's no way I was done. I thought maybe they didn't go through with it (probably a bit delirious lol). I do remember feeling like my stomach was being sucked in for me. That's when I noticed I had a huge bandage all around my torso. They warned me to get up on my own and to just lay for a bit. After about an hour, I was released. When I got up to walk, I was hunched, but I felt just fine. Super numb, like you literally can't feel anything other than a little "knot" in your stomach, it reminds me of the feeling i would get when i sleep on my stomach for too long at night.

Day 2 - On Day 2 I had to get up early and go in for my one day check up. I'm not even exaggerating when I say this, but I was expecting to be in A LOT of pain, and again, I was NOT in ANY PAIN. I felt literally nothing at all other than a "tight" feeling like my stomach was being sucked in for me without me holding in my breath. The drains did not bother me, I have four and they all come out of my front pubic area. Every few hours we drain them and the liquid in it is very bright red like Kool-Aid. I was told it is not all blood but a mixture of my blood with the saline that they pump in during the liposuction process. One thing I did not like, is the actual act of urinating. It HURT, REALLY REALLY REALLY BAD. Like a horrible burning sensation. It was the worst pain I've ever had, and it had nothing to do with the actual body lift surgery, but with the Catheter they put in to drain your bladder.

When I saw the doctor's assistant (Dr. Shifrin was out of town at a conference) he said I didn't even look like I had major surgery and was recovering at a very accelerated pace. He took the bandages off and all i have is the surgical tape on my scar. He said it was best so that my scar could scab up and breathe in order for the healing process to begin. He also said I could show ever whenever I want. I brought up the horrible pain when urinating and he said it would go away the more I urinate, and to drink ginger ale to speed that up. So I did, and by day 4 I had ZERO urine pain. Thank GOD!!

Day 3-5: Every day I find myself standing up a bit straighter, I can move more and sit in different positions. I sleep on my lift chair but I'm finding that I don't really need it as much as I thought. My whole abdomen and back is very numb, but I can feel it is bloated and that a little liquid pocket in the back is forming (probably from sitting so much? idk). It's not too bad, but I'll bring it up during my next visit this Friday. The drain sights leak a little bit, but i bought gauze pads and tape so I just put some by the drain entry sight and it absorbs everything. I haven't showered yet (I'm scared lol) so i just baby wipe my entire body every morning. I think once the drains are out I'll feel more comfortable. Coughing does hurt, but it only hurts around the belly button area. It's an odd feeling so I try to cough very gently and push a pillow into my stomach -that helps a lot! I stopped taking my pain med day 4 and I also had my first bowel movement on day 4 (yesterday). I was getting a bit nervous about that, but it came and went, and now I feel I am functioning back to normal. I can't wait for my consult on Friday to see how things have progressed. I notice that my upper chest area has a lump that kind of protrudes (similar to when you suck in your stomach but your upper chest puffs out), I'm hoping it goes down after a couple weeks and isn't permanent, but I'm sure it's not as I've seen lots of pictures from all of you and everyone's end results look great!

If you have any questions about the procedure or my recovery/process let me know! At this point I just want to thank all of you for being so supportive, all of your tips and advice truly made a difference as my recovery is going VERY WELL!

To end the post, I included a few pictures I took the night before my surgery along with some post op pics i took in the bathroom room a couple days ago! I'm swollen but i know my results will be AMAZING! I will be changing my official decision tag line from "Not Sure to Worth It!!" Dr. Shifrin and his team get nothing but 5 stars from me up to this point, they constantly call and text to check up on me, give me positive vibes and make me feel cared about. I went with the Best and got exactly what I paid for :)

Looking forward to hearing from all of you!!

-Charming