POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
47 Years Old, Lost 50 Lbs., Ready for a Tummy Tuck and Breast Reduction/Lift! - Gainesville, FL
ORIGINAL POST
I met with Dr. Gregory Gaines for my consultation...
$12,000
I met with Dr. Gregory Gaines for my consultation last March and scheduled my surgery for July--and then promptly developed diverticulitis, which brings a lot of lower abdominal pain. I rescheduled, and fast! My surgery is now slated for November 6th, and although I've lost 50 lbs. in the last year, I'm trying to shove off a final 15 lbs. in the next few weeks. I'm five feet tall and medium-boned, 140 lb., and have been dealing with DD breasts for much too long. No pregnancies--the damage to my abdominal muscles and skin is from carrying 50 extra lbs. Things just don't bounce back after age 40!
I'll try to update here as things progress. I can tell you that I'm pretty scared, but I've been through a lot physically, including liposuction 20 years ago, and I'm trusting myself to heal in a positive way.
I'll try to update here as things progress. I can tell you that I'm pretty scared, but I've been through a lot physically, including liposuction 20 years ago, and I'm trusting myself to heal in a positive way.
janon's provider
Replies (5)
September 19, 2015
We can only take one step at a time and it sounds as if you are headed in the right direction. Good luck and congratulations for taking those steps. I look forward to watching your journey come to light. ;)
October 29, 2015
Just read you posts. This is what i needed & did. I kept it easy and simple. I bought a used good quality walker. That's it. Didn't make anything in advanced. Bought my daughter a weeks worth of goodies that I would never buy. But I knew I wouldn't get tempted to eat them because it hurt to much to go get them.lol. (My daughter laughed at that reasoning) but as far as me a thing of protein drink & greek yogart & steel oats to mix in it sliced half a banana so I had a fruit & the water. I did m as ke sure to get drink packets thou. Almost forgot. Now as far as the little things I got chapstick,hard sugar free candies, laxatives ( 1 in pill other in chocolate), gas x, vitamin E oil for incisions and that was about it. Wore my fleece top &bottom. Don't recomend that. Get a one piece gown of some sort. I was COLD alot if the time so I used my soft socks. But my fingers & feet always are cold. Since I lost so much weight I've got that way,but I'm not complaining. Nope not me. I just have a super soft blanket i bring.lol lol. Rest,relax, enjoy the new you. And when you are tires of this process,remember, it's just a right now thing. Think of how amazing you are going to look . The. Loths. I am still replacing my cloths. Just finished with my jeans,sumer shirts,need winter cloths now. But go to garage sales if you are interested in that. I am, I don't even care what someone says. I look great and didn't spend massive amount of money either.lol. But just word of advice get a good quality bathing suit. Don't skimp on this part. I NEVER EVERHAD a bakini before. But I do now. I went to everything but water. They are pricy but so worth it. My measurements are now a 36DD/ (that part didn't change)26/27/ 36. I ware a 4 -6 jeans. Nicely. it's hard to find the right top & bottom and they had if for me. Take many pictures. And if it doesn't grose you ou tt try to get a pic of your abs while in surgry. I love medical anything so I told Dr.Hubbard I would like a pic of my abs & he did. It's one of my favorite pics. It realy showed how bad my abs were & how blessed I am I got this opportunity. Hope this helps
October 30, 2015
This is such awesome info! Thanks for sharing your experience with me. I'm so glad you're happy with your results, and I'm certain your positive attitude has a lot to do with your success. You're an inspiration!
October 30, 2015
Aww thank you so much h. You are so very kind to say that. And having a positive attitude has helped me greatly. I don't always but I try to see everything in the best of light.its like the weather, even if it's raining (it was unreal in Texas last weekend. We were flooded in Dallas area) there is positiveness(not sure if that's a word but I like it.hehe) in the whole mess, the water level is up again, and if I wanted to have a shower in natural flow I could have gotten a bathing suit on & soap up. It would have saves on our water bill. ;D. I decided to go wash my car, Free car wash. Free is good!There is always a ray of sunshine. We just have to such for it harder sometimes
UPDATED FROM janon
28 days pre
29 Days, but who's counting???
Surgery day is less than a month away, and between now and then I have some fancy footwork to do regarding preparation! Time is flying so fast, especially because I'm going to be visiting family for about ten days and will return four days before Nov. 6th. I just ordered a bed rail from Amazon, and one of those EZ Gripper things to use when I drop something. I got an extended toilet seat, and something to help me stand in the shower (the stall is too small for a chair), an adjustable wedge pillow from Bed, Bath & BeyondI'm taking Bromelain, Ester-C, and a few other vitamins for two more weeks before I have to stop them (according to surgeon's instructions). I've made a list of questions to ask the PS during my pre-op on Oct. 20th. I'm planning to begin drinking protein smoothies a couple of days before the surgery so my system isn't stressed with heavy food and, as many wonderful TT patients have advised on RealSelf, will begin taking a stool softener to deal with the pain meds before any problems can start; I'm drinking more water and coming off of Diet Coke this week too. (*sob* But that stuff is poison!) I'm making ice packs to keep in the freezer and bought some arnica cream and tablets to help with bruising. I've gone through all my lingerie and clothing, and gotten rid of stuff I know for certain will not fit after Nov. 6th (DD bras, adios!!), although I know not to go too crazy until I give myself a few weeks of recovery--then I'll buy some pretty new things. Wheee! I'd love to hear about what other people are doing in these weeks before your surgery date. Any advise?
Replies (2)
October 18, 2015
Janon, I am eating more iron rich foods and eating as clean as possible for the next 30 days. I brought a few things. I do not want to go over board. I would like to lose 15 pounds by 11/23. My thoughts are everywhere. Do you have an outfit to wear on 11/6? I was advised to wear something loose and the shirt should be a button or zip up. As I think of stuff, I will keep posting. I am rooting for you.
October 18, 2015
Good for you! Eating clean will make such a difference for your recovery. I recently purchased a couple of tight-fitting, long tank tops, as advised by other RealSelf people, to protect the binder from aggravating my skin, and drawstring yoga pants. Other than that, I'm waiting on buying anything else just to see what I need after the first week. For surgery day, I'm wearing a (kinda ugly!) button-down dress that could also be a nightgown of sorts. It'll do. :-) Good luck with your weight loss. If you're eating clean, it'll definitely come off, AND you'll feel great!
UPDATED FROM janon
16 days pre
Pre-Op is done!
I saw Dr. Gaines today for my pre-op appointment. He sat down with me and addressed all my questions, then he went over potential risks of both my procedures and some instructions. He's wonderful--never makes the patient feel rushed, and answers every question with sincerity and care. After that, they took pictures of me (UUUUUGGGGHHHH!) and then fitted me for a compression garment. It wasn't covered in the cost of my surgery, but I'd rather get it through their office than try to track the right one down on my own. When I left, they gave me a folder with my prescriptions and more information and instructions. My surgery will be first thing in the morning on Nov. 6. I'm leaving town for two weeks tomorrow, which will be a good distraction and will make time go by faster. I'm hoping that will help distract me from being scared! Then I return on Nov 2, and that gives three days to tie up loose ends. I had a nasty car accident yesterday (the traffic cop looked at the marks on the road and asked me if I believe in a Higher Power!), and right now my husband is really mad at me because the wreck was my fault. So having my surgery basically right on top of all this is worrisome. Here's hoping all the stress lifts while I'm out of town, and that I'll return all ready to face the surgery.
Replies (3)
October 20, 2015
For starters I am glad you are ok from the accident. Have you been seen by a doctor? Secondly, I am glad you have a full schedule to keep you busy. Did you tell your PS that you were involved in an accident? Was the garment expensive? Please take care of yourself. I am rooting for you.
October 20, 2015
Thanks Kymkym! I have absolutely no injury from the accident, not even soreness. I am so lucky!
I can't find my receipt at the moment to tell you how much the garment was, but I'm sure it wasn't cheap! At the same time, I'd rather pay more and get one that the doctor endorses because it will be a good-quality product.
I'll update when I get back into town. For now, all I have left to do is fill the prescriptions and set everything up for the big day. (Squeak!)
I can't find my receipt at the moment to tell you how much the garment was, but I'm sure it wasn't cheap! At the same time, I'd rather pay more and get one that the doctor endorses because it will be a good-quality product.
I'll update when I get back into town. For now, all I have left to do is fill the prescriptions and set everything up for the big day. (Squeak!)
October 24, 2015
Oh my. That was quite the day for you. Hope you enjoy your time off and let the stress go.
Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Let us know how we can help you get prepared for your surgery and feel supported by this community.