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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

1 year post op. Mommy Make Over, 375 cc high profile and tummy tuck.

ORIGINAL POST

I at one time had 3 kids, 3 and under. I felt like...

3rdxmom
WORTH IT$11,800
I at one time had 3 kids, 3 and under. I felt like I was constantly pregnant and no one quite knows what my true shape actually is anymore. I remember though. I have worked my butt off (80lbs since leaving the hospital 18 mos. ago) after the last pregnancy with the ultimate goal of rewarding myself by getting a tummy tuck and my body back after I've proven I'm willing to do the hard work. I really don't have a lot of family support, beyond my husband and a few friends that know. My mother knows, but since deciding to add on a breast augmentation she has had conflicted support and will not acknowledge that part of the surgery and I can tell it is even making her hesitant to acknowledge her willingness to help post surgery (she takes on a tone in her voice as if she would be aiding and abetting in a criminal act). My husband and I are confident we can do this though, referring to the kids. We have is scheduled perfectly so his work would not demanding of him and he could work from home the first week at least.
As I said the breast augmentation was not my primary concern but when starting the consultation rounds with Plastic Surgeons, I did a bit more research and thinking....and thinking...and more research and decided I think I would really like and enjoy the results. I don't want the girls to be showy, I don't want them to be the first thing someone notices about me. I just want some natural looking filled out boobs, instead of the empty cups, I'm sporting now. When I was nursing I wore 36DD and didn't like how they felt running or how conscious I had to be with what I wore. I currently a a 34B, I when I did my consult I like the weight and look of the 325cc's. He recommended the high profile round. Which made me hesitant because everything I read signified that high profile do not give the natural look I was looking for. He assured me that they would and showed me some before's and afters that he had done. He was right. He said he prefers the hi profile because how how they fill up and less wrinkle. He has been doing this for 18 years, established his own practice with his own surgery facility, so I don't have to go through the whole hospital hoopla. I consulted with three different surgeons and I liked his personality, office, staff, services, and pricing the best. Plus it helps that my running partner had her TT done by him and was very pleased. I come from a rural area so I have to travel 50 minutes to get to his office so I have only had the one opportunity to try on the implants, but I think anywhere between 325 and 350 would give me what I want, but i like the weight of the 325 the best. He made the final recommendation of getting the 290 hi profile silicone since have a narrower torso, and filling them to 350, right around their max capacity to reduce wrinklage. Does this make sense? I 'm going off of his good reputation and years of experience and trusting him.
I've noticed two of the three PS's I talked to are not listed on this site so I won't be able to link the surgeon I chose.
So all in all, I can't wait! I've got a little bit over a month but I feel like all I do is look at boobs now, making sure I'm making the right decision on size, shape, reading about recovery and figuring out how I'm going to do this with a 5, 3, and 1 year old. Thanks for any input on how you guys did it with small kids that still need lifted up so much. What made things easier. What brands of Compression worked best? Those drains scare me with moving around and kids.

3rdxmom's provider

Dr. Matthew J. Fox

3rdxmom ratings

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Dr. Fox did a great Job. You can see in my review above that there are a few things I'm not 100% on. Overall though I think he was very professional and caring. Sometimes his bedside manner was hit or miss (sometimes he barely knew me, other times he was so happy to see me and I was a work of art. I'm sure he goes through a lot in a day of work, so that is understandable to me.). There were a few times where I felt like I had to remind him of Key Points I wanted him to be aware of, or things he, himself had said and was saying something totally different (about the results). He is a perfectionist though and if you are not happy, he will fix it. They have an OR in their building so I feel like they are perfectly happy to provide revisions if we are unhappy with a result. If you need beyond local anesthesia though, you will have to pay the contracted out anesthesiologist. I only needed local though for my revisions, so it was at absolutely no cost to me. The Staff and the Facility are why I recommend this office. Whether you choose Dr. Fox or one of the other two in the office. The staff is so caring and so nice!! They would answer any random question I would call in about with honesty and never made me feel like I was a bother. Having a built in OR means no surprise hospital bills, a doctor that is in complete control of all aspects of his OR, privacy, and a more personal experience. Very happy with my results. He gave the natural look I was desiring.

Replies (22)

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November 19, 2014
Wow, felt like I could've been reading my own profile - your stats are so similar to mine! 3 kids too! Want a vet opinion? I'd say go with 400. I know, sounds like a lot. It's not. Go big or go home. :) Hope reading my journey will help you along the way! :D
November 19, 2014
I just checked out your reviews! What a helpful, informative resource you are! Love the lists. I'm a non-listmaking person that completely relies on list makers!
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November 19, 2014
I used to be college notetaker... I still have people come up to me and say they remember my notes! :) Ask if you have any ?s that come up during the course of your journey... always here to help!
November 19, 2014
I'm 5'4 1/2 and 131 lbs! Super close in stats. Ha I also had three kids three and under! They still are three and under lol I'm with ya girl. Keep us posted!! So excited to hear how things go. Now sorry saline or silicone? I seen silicone but u said he would be filling them past that and they are already prefilled so did u mean saline?
November 19, 2014
silicone. I think he must be ordering them that way? I don't know, that is a good question. He showed me a chart on the sizes and how full he could have them at that size, so perhaps that was what he could order? My next appointment is 3 weeks pre op, so I'm sure more will get explained then. Honestly, he was talking, and I was still looking in the mirror debating between 325 and 350.......
November 19, 2014
Do you have a surgery date? Thanks for clarifying. I always thought they came prefilled and that's why there's a bigger scar with silicone as well.
November 19, 2014
Yes my Surgery is December 26th. I have a few friends, both with saline and silicone and all swear by their decision. I didn't really notice a difference in their scarring size, and you could barely see them. Ultimately what made me decide between the silicone and saline is the decreased chance rupturing. I called the office and discussed my concerns between the two because my friends weren't helping the decisions, but they did pose good questions for me. The nurse had stated that while the 15 years the doctors in the office had been together, they have never had one single silicone implant rupture, where as they have had many saline ruptures. So that helped sway my decision. Plus my husband and I both just really liked the feel of the silicone better.
November 19, 2014
I shouldn't say many, I don't think she said many.
November 19, 2014
Right but more than silicone. Got ya. Did u notice a feel like on your friends between saline and silicone? Or just like the implants in the office? I wish I had friends with boob jobs! Lol wow that's coming up. Bet ypur excited
November 19, 2014
My friend with Saline has had them for 18 years with no problems, she's the only one I'm close enough with that would let me feel em out. To me they felt great, to the point I was convinced I was going the saline route, but then I talked to a silicone friend via phone and then the conversation mentioned above, and my husbands preferences won out. I am very excited.
November 21, 2014
I felt some lonnnggg ago when I was like 15 lol and I liked them because it was my friends mom and I wasn't brave enough to actually grope them haha. But I wish I could have some side by side to compare lol. I'm excited for you. Can't wait to see your results too. Especially with our similar stats haha
November 19, 2014
Also my review is similar. Not a lot of support and I'm modest dont want many people to know. I want larger implants though not huge. Maybe around 400ccs. But still want to be able to dress them down
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November 19, 2014

Thanks for starting your story on RealSelf and congrats on losing that 80 pounds! Here's a list of pre- and post-op tips for you. Please keep us posted!

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November 22, 2014
Congrats on making this big decision. I hope you have a positive journey. If you have questions, I'm here for you.
November 30, 2014
Thanks!
UPDATED FROM 3rdxmom
1 month pre

Additional cost for Hernia

3rdxmom
I got a call from the financial Lady at the the PS's office. She wanted to let me know what my insurance's was not going to cover the hernia in my belly button, and even if it did our deductible was so high that we'd be paying for it anyway. Here I thought giving our insurance information was just a formality because we had planned on paying for everything out of pocket. I assumed the hernia he was referring to was all a part of the tummy tuck procedure. So she called to let me know it would be adding an additional $1,000 to our bill for fixing the hernia, because it wasn't originally a part of the pricing contract I signed? Is this normal? Do I even need to get this fixed if its not a problem and a lot of women get these after pregnancy and never fix them? Help?! This all conveniently comes after I called them to cancel the liposuction of the flanks as she told me I had time to get back to her until my pre op oppointment. So I took of $1500 off the bill just to add on and unexpected $1000.

Replies (6)

November 22, 2014
I'd think that was an odd coincidence. My PS office said a small umbilical hernia my doc would fix for free because it's simple! Another PS I was talking to said they'd do it with the insurance. The insurance companies usually pay for the umbilical hernias if they cause pain.
November 22, 2014
We have really odd insurance and every time we go to the doctor for any reason, I know we will be spending time on the phone to fight for coverage. Whether be well check visits, vaccines, emergency kidney stone surgery, urine tests....I have spent hours on the phone to argue coverage, so it does not surprise me that they do not cover a plastic surgeon even if it is a medical condition such as a hernia. I'm just irritated that they didn't mention even that there may be an additional cost before. I'm curious as to whether or not other surgeons in the area charge extra for this if its not covered by insurance. I may call around and see if this is normal or if they are just trying to get more cash out of me. The timing of the phone call was just odd. They are already stitching up the abdominal muscles, I would figure it would be just a couple more stitches. Maybe not, I'm no surgeon so who am I to talk.
November 23, 2014
Wow maybe switch insurances? Lol vaccines? Crazy! Anyways yeah I'm sure it all depends on the PS. Some want every penny they can squeeze out of you. I've seen some reviews where the PS seemed great until follow up, then office stops returning calls and emails. And then you have some that genuienly care about their patient's. Hopefully yours does. I don't like surprise costs. When they give me a ball park figure I don't want them to be thousands of dollars off. All of the PS offices I spoke to made it sound like if the hernia was small that it was a super easy prosedure. I looked it up on here lots of people have asked about them. U could even ask a dr on here about them if u haven't already. Me either ha this is my unprofessional opinion! Lol but I had a common consern so thought I'd offer what I've seen/heard.
November 23, 2014
and I appreciate that!
November 23, 2014
;)
September 4, 2015
I know you're already Post op but maybe others will see this comment... When I woke up from my surgery my Dr informed me she fixed 3 hernias. I think it's important to find a surgeon that doesn't nickle and dime you. My bill literally had 5 lines on it... BA, TT, implant, anesthesia, and over night stay (plus 2 misc things). Point is I think a good plastic surgeon includes everything in the cost to get a better chance at a good result.
UPDATED FROM 3rdxmom
29 days pre

A month out!!!

3rdxmom
We are a month away!! This site has taken over my day. I have so many concerns that I see many of you having too:

1. What if I die because I chose to do something that is medically unnecessary? My kids will no longer have a mother and my husband will inevitably remarry fast to someone with out my values because he won't be able to cope with 2 preschoolers and a toddler. ....etc..etc.. (this concern may be a little over board, but Its at least a small thought many of you have had)

2. 325cc or 350cc Not a huge difference but taking over my life. photos are not helping because one person's 325cc look so small, another's look HUGE! both results I worry about. I'm keep telling myself to stick with the 325cc. Its what I liked when I tried them on.

3. My family disowning me. ;) ok, they may not disown me, BUT I will be the talk of the next extended family vacation in June. They freaked out at a belly button piercing when I was 17. Maybe I could just say I am fixing that dirty deed? I'm counting on my brothers and cousins bringing their live in girlfriends to distract them from me physically bettering myself.

4. My children and family care. My husband thinks he can handle me and the kids. He doesn't know all I do for these three during the day. Plus he is brushing off things when I explain to him the condition I will be in post op. I think he thinks I'm going to be down for a day and back up and doing laundry, cooking meals, and bed times soon after. I believe he can do it, I just don't want him coming out of this resenting me for putting him through this, so I'm trying to prep him for how serious the surgery will be.

5. Cost, it is so hard to conceive of spending this much money on myself.....and living with the knowledge and little, teeny, tiny voice in my head telling me so afterword. (Even though I know, I'm going to rock this, and it will be all worth it.)

Blah....... ok I need to get off this site.

Replies (11)

November 26, 2014
Pretty sure everyone of us has thought these same things. It really comes down to who u r personally and how much you value this. Money will always be spent. On something better, something worse? Who knows but it won't last forever and neither do we. Your kids will grow up one day and you will look back and be glad you did it while you were still young. Your husband sounds tipical. All men brush everything off because of course they are "amazing" at everything. When the time comes remember to take it slow and let your hubby take care of things. Do t push yourself because you are being a profectionist. He will do it differently than you and let him. Don't nag him and just relax. Then when you are all healed clean the mess up the way u like it and look hot doing it lol. Thank and appreciate him and your babies and surgery. You aren't doing an elective surgery every month so do this for yourself. and maybe again 10/20 years down the line for replacements and touch ups. Life is short. You love your kids and husband. Love yourslef too. :) just my opinion and of course I'm not reallllyyy telling you what you should or shouldn't do but I think all of us need to hear this.
November 26, 2014
Boy you don't sound like your only 20! :) Thank You!
November 28, 2014
I don't feel 20. Lol I hardly have friends my age. I started having baby's young and enjoyed it and still am with the same guy since 8th grade. I guess I matured quickly lol. You're welcome! Hope to keep reading your updates!
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November 26, 2014
Mothers still Need to do things for themselve! So not feel guilty and I am having the same difficulties with my daughter as you are with your family. I have to take me time for once and you should too. I am one week out and will be any support you need for questions through the process. Happy thanksgiving :)
November 26, 2014
Thank You! Thank You!
November 27, 2014
Wow, I have all of these exact thoughts. The dying part I think that is a valid concern. You will likely be the talk of the next family get together. The cost is a huge expense I keep asking myself do you really need this, can u live without it. The answer is no I cannot live like this. I sacrificed my once lovely body for two amazing children. But Now I want that body back!
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November 27, 2014
I totally agree ! We sacrifice so much for our children. It's about us for just a minute.
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November 29, 2014
I hear you! But don't worry too much, if your families anything like mine, they are gonna talk... I'm going to tell mine right before surgery because they'll see my tummy come June/July as week are on the boat every weekend... But I'm not ready to hear all their argents yet about how the money is going to selfish things and should go to my kids instead. We got you here!
November 29, 2014
See, I think if I were just getting a TT I could be open right now about it, because yes, I've worked very hard and while I shouldn't think I need it, they understand. But I'm also getting a BA with is singularly reserved for all the prostitutes and strippers that are going to hell. My mom came over last night, and I may get a little joy in putting her conversations where the surgery may come up. (I just want to here her acknowledge that its a reality.) This site has just been awesome in the support realm and seeing all these regular women wanting the same things as me and succeeding.
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November 30, 2014
Oh dear, lol! I'm sorry you have to deal with that. Sounds very closed minded, maybe sheltered a little much... you want your old perky boobs back, there's nothing wrong with that. I'm just going to try my hardest to ignore the Comments I get. Most of all it pisses them off when they don't get a reaction out of me, then I feel like I've won. Lol. If nothing else, I'll just say, "well if you don't like the idea of a TT or BA then just don't get one." The options out there for those of us who DO want it :D