POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
Over Fifty - Don't Be Afraid. My Body Was Restored to my Former Beauty Queen Shape! - Encino, CA
ORIGINAL POST
After decades of being the "pretty big girl", I...
WiseMammaDecember 30, 2014
WORTH IT
After decades of being the "pretty big girl", I wanted to be normal, again. I wanted people to see my face first and not my excess weight. I was tired of being the beautiful woman trapped in the "overweight" body. Last January, I committed a full year working with my RFO doctor, nutritionist, RFO group therapy, and personal trainer. I thought that I could restore my body by exercise and diet alone. That was not possible! Yes, I lost 55 lbs from diet and exercising 3-days per week. However, it only made matters worst because I then had sagging arms, tummy, back, legs. Worst of all, my full D-cups were reduced to a barely there B-cups, more specifically, flat breast pointing toward the floor.
So, I interviewed five plastic surgeons. I explained that I wanted to keep my curvy shape and just wanted to firm up a few key areas. I did not want to be transformed into a "thin stick with big boobs." Some doctors had their own vision what they could do for me. They offered to liposuction for everything from head-to-toe, including my knees. Others offered to give me a Brazilian butt using the fat that they removed from my belly. There was nothing wrong with my perky, round, "sista girl" butt. I didn't want any of that extra work. I also wanted to keep my big hips and thunder thighs. I wanted fuller breasts and a smaller waist.
I arrived 30-minutes early to each of my visits, on purpose. You can learn a lot about the office staff and patient satisfaction/complaints just by sitting and observing the waiting room. In some offices, I heard nurses and receptionist being rude to patients who were clearly in pain or in a panic state of mind. I watched how the staff treated each other - disrespectfully or graciously. I observed staff frantically searching for missing files, incorrect patient information or proof of payment. I saw spoiled children creating havoc in the waiting rooms and non-responsive parents ignoring the high noise level that they created. Their offices were chaotic and disorganized. Some office waiting rooms were so small, that I had to shift my chair to let patients arrive or leave. In one cases, I was so disturbed by the lack of order, that I left without ever seeing the doctor. The last thing I wanted was to be in that chaos (in pain) after my surgery.
TIP to surgeons: ban children from your waiting rooms! Make those disrespectful mothers find a babysitter or stay at home! Your patients are already stressed out when they arrive to make the decision to have an elective surgery. Loud, demanding, crying brats, destroying the magazines and demanding candy treats in the waiting room, only increase our level of anxiety.
After checking references, patient rating on websites, medical board of California, and a host of other resources, I decided to move forward with S. Sean Younai, MD, FACS. His office was clean, spacious and lots of rooms for patient privacy. He and his staff were cheerful and caring. He listened carefully to my requests and was able to show me actual before and after pictures of patients that had my body shape. He clearly understood that I wanted to be a curvy woman, but not too provocative that it would distract from my professionalism.
In preparation for the surgery, I was supplied with ample information (packets). They explained the DOs and DO-NOTs; how to care for the recovery and number to call 24/7 if I needed help or had questions. The surgery was great! I had booth BA and Tummy Tuck.
Today, I love my body and I am happy with the level of care that I was given by Dr. Younai and staff.
So, I interviewed five plastic surgeons. I explained that I wanted to keep my curvy shape and just wanted to firm up a few key areas. I did not want to be transformed into a "thin stick with big boobs." Some doctors had their own vision what they could do for me. They offered to liposuction for everything from head-to-toe, including my knees. Others offered to give me a Brazilian butt using the fat that they removed from my belly. There was nothing wrong with my perky, round, "sista girl" butt. I didn't want any of that extra work. I also wanted to keep my big hips and thunder thighs. I wanted fuller breasts and a smaller waist.
I arrived 30-minutes early to each of my visits, on purpose. You can learn a lot about the office staff and patient satisfaction/complaints just by sitting and observing the waiting room. In some offices, I heard nurses and receptionist being rude to patients who were clearly in pain or in a panic state of mind. I watched how the staff treated each other - disrespectfully or graciously. I observed staff frantically searching for missing files, incorrect patient information or proof of payment. I saw spoiled children creating havoc in the waiting rooms and non-responsive parents ignoring the high noise level that they created. Their offices were chaotic and disorganized. Some office waiting rooms were so small, that I had to shift my chair to let patients arrive or leave. In one cases, I was so disturbed by the lack of order, that I left without ever seeing the doctor. The last thing I wanted was to be in that chaos (in pain) after my surgery.
TIP to surgeons: ban children from your waiting rooms! Make those disrespectful mothers find a babysitter or stay at home! Your patients are already stressed out when they arrive to make the decision to have an elective surgery. Loud, demanding, crying brats, destroying the magazines and demanding candy treats in the waiting room, only increase our level of anxiety.
After checking references, patient rating on websites, medical board of California, and a host of other resources, I decided to move forward with S. Sean Younai, MD, FACS. His office was clean, spacious and lots of rooms for patient privacy. He and his staff were cheerful and caring. He listened carefully to my requests and was able to show me actual before and after pictures of patients that had my body shape. He clearly understood that I wanted to be a curvy woman, but not too provocative that it would distract from my professionalism.
In preparation for the surgery, I was supplied with ample information (packets). They explained the DOs and DO-NOTs; how to care for the recovery and number to call 24/7 if I needed help or had questions. The surgery was great! I had booth BA and Tummy Tuck.
Today, I love my body and I am happy with the level of care that I was given by Dr. Younai and staff.
Replies (11)
January 2, 2015
I love Dr. Younai. He is an excellent physician. He preformed my TT with liposuction of flanks, lower and upper back, and post lateral on 12/17/14 and I was in no pain whatsoever after. I did have a pain pump but I believe that his skills attributed to the comfort after my surgery. Not to mention he took my 48 inch waist to a 32 and I'm still swollen. Thank you Dr. Younai and I can't wait to get my breast implants.
January 2, 2015
I just love his personality, too. He is a perfectionist. My scars are beautiful and perfectly placed. Like an artist, he takes great pride in each patient. I felt like a celebrity because he was so attentive to my every need. I had my breast done a month later. I am just so pleased with the shape and size. I am telling all of my friends and they are planning to use him as well. Thank you Dr. Younai, you are my hero!
January 2, 2015
I'm glad to hear you went back and got your breast done in 1 month because I was thinking I need to wait at least 6 months. Where you in a lot of pain?
January 2, 2015
I heard that some people have all procedures at one time. Well, I was not brave enough for that!
I was only experiencing discomfort from the TT every now and then by week four. Don't get me wrong, I could not have returned to my full workout or done anything demanding. I was able to work all day and enjoy my partner (in moderation). Just saying that I no longer needed any pain medicine and I had a reasonable amount of energy. My initial goal was to complete the process, top to bottom, over the holidays - Thanksgiving to New Years. I accomplished that goal! Yippee!
Now, you asked if it was painful. The truth is the first five days were a breeze, because I was on full meds. Then, one morning someone left a neat pile of bricks on my chest. Ouch! I did not see that coming. They are heavy and tight, but beautiful! They are sensitive to the touch and take a little time to get used to. In summary, they were just a fraction of the discomfort that I felt from the TT.
Caution: Please understand that I was very healthy before I began this process. I was not on any daily drugs for any medical conditions. I was physically, mentally and spiritually fit. These procedures will not solve any of your problems - social, financial, intellectual, physical, mental, etc. For me, it just realigned the woman inside of me with the women that the world sees. So, if you are emotionally healthy and your doctor believe's it is physically safe, I would do it.
Either way, I wish you all the best.

June 14, 2015
It seems that you really did your research. I also had my tummy tuck and liposuction a few years ago by Dr. Younai and I am also extremely satisfied. why don't you post your pictures.

August 23, 2015
U look lovely Ms. Lady, weeerk it! They probably can pay attention to grandma's pies. They to busy keeping an eye on grandma
Great tips! So smart of you to arrive early to the waiting rooms. How many consultations did you go on before you chose your surgeon?