POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
Almost 34, Mama to 4 Kiddos and Ready to Feel Good in my Own Skin Again!! Scheduled for March with Dr Vath! - Golden, CO
ORIGINAL POST
I am scheduled for a mommy make over with Dr Vath...
$15,000
I am scheduled for a mommy make over with Dr Vath in Golden, CO on March 18, 2016. I am so glad to have found this site, I have been pouring over all of the reviews of forum posts for a few months now but am finally ready to be an active part of it myself. I had my consult with Dr Vath early December and left his office feeling beyond excited for the possibilities. I've met with two other dr's and was never even remotely tempted to stray away from my first choice, I am incredibly confident in Dr Vath's skills and have enjoyed all of my interactions with his staff thus far.
A bit about me. I will turn 34 the first week of March, I became a mom at the tender age of 19 and with the blessing of youth I bounced right back to my pre baby self within weeks of giving birth. I had always been naturally thin, I am about 5'7" and only weighed in at 127lbs the day I went into labor with my oldest! I went back down to a size 0 after him and my small (a cup) breasts grew about one size when I breastfed him but went back down to a small A once he weaned. Fast forward 6 years and my husband and I decided to have a child together. I was still only about 105lbs when I got pregnant with our second but my tatas blew up with that child. I LOVED the way that I looked when I was pregnant with him; I filled out a bit and with the new boobs I felt womanly and beautiful for the first time in my life. I was very happy with the way I looked post birth with #2, I was around 110 but with a C cup. Then 6 months later BAM, we found ourselves pregnant with #3. My body changed a lot more with that pregnancy (girls, they say they steal your beauty, I kinda believe it lol), I ended up about 128lbs after that birth and my left breast seemed to just FALL. It was always my larger breast but now it was bigger AND saggier. :( When my daughter was 17mo we found out that we were pregnant with #4 and this was the pregnancy that really killed it for me. I was fortunate enough to not really get any stretch marks with any of my pregnancies but the number that kid #4 did on my stomach was much more severe. I ended up around 135lbs after that baby and had lower ab skin that didn't want to tone up all the way. When our youngest was around 1 year old I got into kettle bells (I had never been active before in my life!) and got into really good shape, I loved the way I looked in clothes but my stomach just didn't look or feel taught enough for me to feel comfortable in a bikini no matter how hard I worked. I ended up having two back to back 12 week miscarriages in 2013 that put me off of working out and sent me into a deep depression which caused me to deal with intense panic attacks for about a year before I finally broke down and went on medication to help ease the anxiety. Within months of going on the meds I gained 20lbs. I was touching 150 when I finally went off of them and decided I wasn't much happier feeling that way either. Those 20lbs changed the entire make up of my body, I now had cellulite where I'd never had any before and the bulk of the gain was around my middle. My breast asymmetry was starting to bother me too and after 6 months of just lamenting about my body I finally went back to kettle bells and decided to pursue a mommy make over. Hubby was snipped at this point and we were past the baby making years, I decided it was time for ME!
Dang, did your read that whole novel? HA!
When I was younger (my early 20's) I really wanted an augmentation for my small breasts but now that I've had and breastfed 4 children there is so much more that needs to be fixed in the chest area. ;) Dr Vath suggested a lift on my left side to address the asymmetry along with different sized implants and different projections in the breasts. I am looking for a very natural breast, not too big at all but something to fill me back out and have the girls point in the same direction. I chose a 275cc moderate profile for my left breast and Dr Vath suggested a high profile in the right and asked me to trust him to fill the implant to match the other during surgery. I do trust him to make them look as close as possible but the more I look at breast pictures the more I wonder if I am going too small? I do remember trying on the next size up in the office and thinking they looked too wide on me, Dr Vath came in and agreed the smaller looked better on my frame. Carrie, his patient consultant, is sending me some implants in the mail to try on before I make my final decision as I am a 6 hour drive away and won;t be able to get back up to his office before my surgery. I am also on the fence about lipo in my hip area, I need to decide by my (phone) pre-op on March 9th!
I am currently going back and forth about every two hours on my tummy tuck. A couple of days ago it was so bad that I thought my husband might leave me from all the back and forth and tears. lol I am terrified of the surgery and the post op, I am afraid of the way it will slow me down for so long and of the possible complications. I worry how it will affect my ability to do things like hike and be active with my children in the months to follow. I worry that is in incredibly vain and silly of me to consider. I almost talk myself out of the surgery and then I catch a glimpse of my tummy when I am sitting or something and get right back on board. I am sure I will be on this emotional rollercoaster up until the day of the surgery and then a different emotional rollercoaster after as I heal but I am hoping to find some solace and encouragement here on this site!
Other details of my surgery I guess that may be pertinent: I rented a house in Golden for 8 days after the surgery, my husband and oldest son will be in Golden for my surgery and to take care of me the first 3 days. My mom will relieve them on day #4 and stay with me until the one week mark. I am hoping I am up to the 6 hour drive with all four kids (hubby will be driving but you know how co-piolting is!) on day 8 and that I can survive the next week which just happens to be SPRING BREAK. I am hoping to enroll the younger kids in a spring break day camp to keep them out of the house and allow hubby to work and focus on taking care of ME. ;) In the next 10 weeks I hope to continue with my kettle bell routine and loose the last 5lbs or so that I gained from the medication, I notice that the working out helps curb my anxiety a TON and it helps knowing that once I have the surgery I will finally be able to appreciate the rest of the progress I'm making with working out instead of being frustrated with the things I cannot change!
That's it for now! I am uploading some before pics and wish pics. I would appreciate any feedback on sizes and lipo and all the encouragement on the tuck you have to offer!
A bit about me. I will turn 34 the first week of March, I became a mom at the tender age of 19 and with the blessing of youth I bounced right back to my pre baby self within weeks of giving birth. I had always been naturally thin, I am about 5'7" and only weighed in at 127lbs the day I went into labor with my oldest! I went back down to a size 0 after him and my small (a cup) breasts grew about one size when I breastfed him but went back down to a small A once he weaned. Fast forward 6 years and my husband and I decided to have a child together. I was still only about 105lbs when I got pregnant with our second but my tatas blew up with that child. I LOVED the way that I looked when I was pregnant with him; I filled out a bit and with the new boobs I felt womanly and beautiful for the first time in my life. I was very happy with the way I looked post birth with #2, I was around 110 but with a C cup. Then 6 months later BAM, we found ourselves pregnant with #3. My body changed a lot more with that pregnancy (girls, they say they steal your beauty, I kinda believe it lol), I ended up about 128lbs after that birth and my left breast seemed to just FALL. It was always my larger breast but now it was bigger AND saggier. :( When my daughter was 17mo we found out that we were pregnant with #4 and this was the pregnancy that really killed it for me. I was fortunate enough to not really get any stretch marks with any of my pregnancies but the number that kid #4 did on my stomach was much more severe. I ended up around 135lbs after that baby and had lower ab skin that didn't want to tone up all the way. When our youngest was around 1 year old I got into kettle bells (I had never been active before in my life!) and got into really good shape, I loved the way I looked in clothes but my stomach just didn't look or feel taught enough for me to feel comfortable in a bikini no matter how hard I worked. I ended up having two back to back 12 week miscarriages in 2013 that put me off of working out and sent me into a deep depression which caused me to deal with intense panic attacks for about a year before I finally broke down and went on medication to help ease the anxiety. Within months of going on the meds I gained 20lbs. I was touching 150 when I finally went off of them and decided I wasn't much happier feeling that way either. Those 20lbs changed the entire make up of my body, I now had cellulite where I'd never had any before and the bulk of the gain was around my middle. My breast asymmetry was starting to bother me too and after 6 months of just lamenting about my body I finally went back to kettle bells and decided to pursue a mommy make over. Hubby was snipped at this point and we were past the baby making years, I decided it was time for ME!
Dang, did your read that whole novel? HA!
When I was younger (my early 20's) I really wanted an augmentation for my small breasts but now that I've had and breastfed 4 children there is so much more that needs to be fixed in the chest area. ;) Dr Vath suggested a lift on my left side to address the asymmetry along with different sized implants and different projections in the breasts. I am looking for a very natural breast, not too big at all but something to fill me back out and have the girls point in the same direction. I chose a 275cc moderate profile for my left breast and Dr Vath suggested a high profile in the right and asked me to trust him to fill the implant to match the other during surgery. I do trust him to make them look as close as possible but the more I look at breast pictures the more I wonder if I am going too small? I do remember trying on the next size up in the office and thinking they looked too wide on me, Dr Vath came in and agreed the smaller looked better on my frame. Carrie, his patient consultant, is sending me some implants in the mail to try on before I make my final decision as I am a 6 hour drive away and won;t be able to get back up to his office before my surgery. I am also on the fence about lipo in my hip area, I need to decide by my (phone) pre-op on March 9th!
I am currently going back and forth about every two hours on my tummy tuck. A couple of days ago it was so bad that I thought my husband might leave me from all the back and forth and tears. lol I am terrified of the surgery and the post op, I am afraid of the way it will slow me down for so long and of the possible complications. I worry how it will affect my ability to do things like hike and be active with my children in the months to follow. I worry that is in incredibly vain and silly of me to consider. I almost talk myself out of the surgery and then I catch a glimpse of my tummy when I am sitting or something and get right back on board. I am sure I will be on this emotional rollercoaster up until the day of the surgery and then a different emotional rollercoaster after as I heal but I am hoping to find some solace and encouragement here on this site!
Other details of my surgery I guess that may be pertinent: I rented a house in Golden for 8 days after the surgery, my husband and oldest son will be in Golden for my surgery and to take care of me the first 3 days. My mom will relieve them on day #4 and stay with me until the one week mark. I am hoping I am up to the 6 hour drive with all four kids (hubby will be driving but you know how co-piolting is!) on day 8 and that I can survive the next week which just happens to be SPRING BREAK. I am hoping to enroll the younger kids in a spring break day camp to keep them out of the house and allow hubby to work and focus on taking care of ME. ;) In the next 10 weeks I hope to continue with my kettle bell routine and loose the last 5lbs or so that I gained from the medication, I notice that the working out helps curb my anxiety a TON and it helps knowing that once I have the surgery I will finally be able to appreciate the rest of the progress I'm making with working out instead of being frustrated with the things I cannot change!
That's it for now! I am uploading some before pics and wish pics. I would appreciate any feedback on sizes and lipo and all the encouragement on the tuck you have to offer!
MamaGotHerGrooveBack's provider
Replies (17)
January 16, 2016
I am so excited for your momma! Dr Vath is my doctor and he's a genius! Your breasts are already very pretty even though they're slightly asymetrical. So when you have implants and a little bit of extra help, they're going to be even more gorgeous, because they're already close together and you have great cleavage and really pretty nipples. Wait to you see his results!
January 16, 2016
Why thank you lady! That kind of cracks me up about the nipple compliment, my mom always teases me that they are "puffy." I am pulling inspiration from all you previous Vath patients!!
January 16, 2016
Hey Mama! Congratulations on picking Dr. Vath as your PS! The TT is COMPLETELY worth the downtime! My tummy was much worse than yours and I'm so happy I did it! I'm a little over 3 months post op and I'm back at my normal work out routine. I'm so happy you have help for your recovery. My mom was with me for 4 days and I needed every second! If you think you may want to go up a size on your breasts consider it. I've seen too many women go with the suggested size and were disappointed. Kari is awesome at helping you decide any last minute uncertainty. I've had panic attacks since I was 17 years old and I've been taking Klonopin (generic version called Clonezepam) since I was 19 and I didn't gain any weight. I'm thrilled you've found a different way to deal with it and don't worry before surgery. Dr. Vath and his entire team are the BEST! It's YOUR time now, enjoy it! :-))
January 16, 2016
Helllllo from one anxious mama to the other. ;) I am finding a lot of relief from a supplement my acupuncturist has me on. It eases the attacks at least, doesn't take them all the way away but I'll take it over the side effects I had. It was like "hey at least you aren't anxious anymore but now you can go ahead and be depressed over this body that you don't recognize." :/ I love your encouragement mama!!!
January 18, 2016
You can control the depression by getting mad at it. Unfortunately it comes with the territory of anxiety. I've had a couple incidents in life that got me down and I within 2-3 days I recognized what path I was about to go on. I said to myself "Bulls**t! I'm not going to let this win and go on anti-depressants"! I got pissed off and changed my thinking, which after a day or two changed my mood. I haven't been on anti-depressants since my son was born 12 years ago. Did you request the first surgery of the day due to the anxiety? I did and told Kari why. She couldn't guarantee it, but I got in first! I didn't want to deal with the anxiety everyone, especially us, feels for hours before the time came!
January 18, 2016
Oh that's an awesome idea! Totally emailing to ask about that! I figure I won't sleep the night before so the first surgery of the day will be fine. ;)
January 16, 2016
Congrats on your decision to have a MMO. And thank you for sharing your story. I had mine a month ago. Even though I still have healing ahead of me, I love feeling sexy in so many outfits. I would suggest you make some rice sizers out of rice and pantyhose and wear them in a sports bra. A lot. I was like you at first, wanting a modest increase in bust. But after wearing the sizers every chance I could at home, I very much looked forward to a larger size. I went with 400 cc and have no regrets. I'm looking forward to being able to run again in about a week and really test them out. We are similar in height and weight. Good luck with your surgery. Recovery is a process both emotionally and physically but so worth feeling sexy again. :)
January 16, 2016
Good tip on the rice sizers, I will totally look into that! Best of luck on the rest of your recovery and thank you so much for the encouragement!
January 16, 2016
I just read your story and I have to say you look really great right now, just know that. I am excited for the new you!!! Remember to take it easy, let your husband help as much as possible and let your kiddos know they need to help mommy out for a while. Dr. Vath is wonderful so I know you won't be disappointed. Carrie was such a huge help with deciding my size. Can't wait to see your results!!! p.s. the anxiety leading up to the surgery is normal. That is ALL i thought of the 2 weeks prior, scouring the internet over things and even changed my implant size at my preop appt. :0) You will do great!!!
UPDATED FROM MamaGotHerGrooveBack
2 months pre
Exparel or nah? Also another belly shot and wish pics.
I forgot to ask about Exparel in my first novel. ;) Anyone use it for their tummy tuck? The dr offered it but didn't push it, I'm hoping it will help with the pain med consumption some but wondering how well it really works.
I have never had surgery outside of the D&C's for my miscarriages and so I'm really questioning my ability to deal with the pain after. I had my kiddos all natural at home but I feel like that's totally different.
Adding more pics below to show what it really is about my belly that bugs me the most and updating some more boobie wish pics. Some of you may recognize yourselves in those. ;)
I have never had surgery outside of the D&C's for my miscarriages and so I'm really questioning my ability to deal with the pain after. I had my kiddos all natural at home but I feel like that's totally different.
Adding more pics below to show what it really is about my belly that bugs me the most and updating some more boobie wish pics. Some of you may recognize yourselves in those. ;)
Replies (18)
January 17, 2016
Dr. Vath didn't offer that when I had my surgery. I read about it on here and always wondered what it was. The TT is different from ANYTHING and I had a c-section with my son. It hurts very much the first week. I can't take Percocet or OxyContin because it rips my gut up. OxyContin is a long lasting pain killer and all I could take was Vicodin which is short acting. I survived though! The hardest part was needing help with EVERYTHING! Laying down, sitting up etc. This is as close to feeling paralyzed without actually being paralyzed! Let your intuition guide you. Your emotions will be fine, be strong! Best of luck and definitely keep us updated!
January 17, 2016
I actually think Carrie was the one to mention it to me. One of the other dr's I met with includes it in his package (which he pushes hard) too. I wonder if it will feel insanely weird to just not feel your tummy at all for a few days?
January 17, 2016
Yes, I wonder that too. I remember seeing CCS post information on their Facebook page about it a couple months after my surgery. I think it had something to do with FDA approval or a study. It wasn't discussed with me. What concerns me is, if it numbs your tummy will you not know if you've caused any possible injury? Every doctor in every field always tells us to listen to our body and let pain guide you. How do you do that if its numb? You can't stand up straight 100% for about a week because you feel the tightness. I don't know if I would want it. Part of controlling anxiety for me is to be in control of myself. Being numb for a couple days in one area sounds kinda freaky. Once you get it there's no turning back. With pain pills you control it. I'm glad I wasn't given the offer because I honestly don't know what I would have done. Weigh the pros and cons on that one.
April 20, 2016
Hmmm....Im planning to use it...now I am wondering if it changes your "Ive got to go #2" feelings???
January 17, 2016
Your belly is a cinch for him to make perfect...no pun intended..;-) cause I would not even figure you for a Tummy Tuck candidate...that is barely anything!
He will be in Heaven "fixing" that tummy;')
He will be in Heaven "fixing" that tummy;')
January 17, 2016
You are way too kind. Lol He did tell me I'm a "perfect candidate" for the tummy tuck and muscle repair. I am so excited to have a pretty flat tummy again!!
January 28, 2016
I did the exparel and think it made a huge difference! My boobs hurt awful but tummy not as much (I went 550's so hurt more). I recommend it!
January 28, 2016
Thank you!!! I haven't seen a ton of people mention having it so I was wondering. I think I'm going to go for it!
March 11, 2016
I went with the Exparel and was so glad I did! My back and breasts were sore but no tummy pain. Highly recommend it! It made the first week of recovery so much less painful than it could have been. Good luck!
May 23, 2016
I've been following your progress- what beautiful results!! Thank you so much for your detailed posts! I'm scheduled for a BA with Dr Vath in June...starting to get real over here in Boulder yikes!! Thanks to your post on Exparel and also my first consult with another PS (asked what the heck the pain pump was), I requested Exparel. I understand it is now preferred over the pain pump because it doesn't require any tubing etc. (so lessens risk of infection if I remember correctly). I think he thought I was being a big baby but he didn't say that of course because you know how sweet he is. He just said he uses exparel for TTs because those are so painful compared to BAs but that I could definitely have it for the BA. It does cost an extra $500 but I don't care!!! Even if there's a 50-50 chance it will take the edge off those first couple of days I'm all in. I don't respond well at all to opioids and they make me so sick. Nervous as hell about them. My sister is the same and for her last knee surgery her doc recommended a newer opioid called Nusenta and it'd didn't make her vomit nonstop but she did get cold sweats etc after only being on it for a couple of days. I'm thinking about requesting it. I think it may be a little pricy. Anyways thank you! And glad to see you are feeling back to normal!
May 23, 2016
You have chosen an amazing dr to do your work, I really am so pleased with my results. I wish I had the Exparrel in my boobs! lol They hurt more than I thought they would. I felt no pain in the TT with the shot. I love the Dr Vath doesn't use any extra drain type things so there is less risks of infection and less CRAP to deal with! I was so nervous how I would respond to the medications but I did ok. They give you a nausea patch to wear the first 72 hours which I think helped. For my breasts the muscle relaxers were what I REALLY needed more than the pain meds. Good luck, your time is getting close!
May 23, 2016
Oh and I don't know if you saw my post but since it's easily accessible to you in CO I cannot recommend getting a cannabis salve enough. I used it on my breasts (not the incisions, just on the sides and top where I had pain or pressure) and it helped a TON. WAY more than the arnica gel did!
May 23, 2016
Ok yes I had noted that as I saw you recommend the salve to TFishe!! I just forgot to follow up on it. Ok I have to admit I don't know anything about cannabis (should I be embarrassed living in CO? or maybe just an idiot for not taking advantage?!!). Is there a strength of salve I should ask for at the shop? I'm so going to put this on my checklist of items to buy beforehand. Thanks so much!
May 24, 2016
I think you could probably just go in and ask, that's what my husband did! We def aren't connoisseurs either. I don't know if they have different strengths to be honest.
May 24, 2016
I'm laughing over here. I haven't been in a cannabis shop yet and I've lived here going on 12 years. I'm just going to stroll in there and act like I know what I'm doing haha.
May 24, 2016
Just stroll in and tell 'em you're looking for the boob cream, see what they say to that! hahahahaha
UPDATED FROM MamaGotHerGrooveBack
2 months pre
What can I do during the loooooooong wait?
Man, 8 weeks seems SO far out ladies! I think I might drive myself completely insane with all the review stalking and dreaming of the post op experience. I started a new weight loss challenge with my gym today, it's 4 weeks long so I am hoping to see some decent changes in my body before March 18th (trying to avoid that hip lipo! Keep the funds in the post surgery clothes shopping account haha). I found myself looking at bikinis online last night wondering what I am going to look like in one this summer or if I am really going to feel confident enough to wear one. Wondering if my scar will really be hidden beneath those teeny bottoms. I want to shop now but that's just plain silly, I know. Is there anything I can be doing in the mean time to start prepping? I know it will fly by really because the kids keep me busy but right now it seems like eons away. :(
Replies (2)
January 19, 2016
Haha! This is one of the most difficult time...the anticipation! Look at bikinis, lingerie etc. Keep that vision of what you will look like after the surgery in your mind. It helps with the wait and is exciting to "mental shop" of how wonderful you'll look 3 months post op! It will be here before you know it. I had a countdown by days on my calendar at work for 5 months! You really are going to LOVE the results from Dr. Vath. :-)))
January 28, 2016
My scar is completely hidden and low! I had surgery with Vath 1 month ago and already love my results. You will 2!
Thank you for sharing your journey with this community. I hope you find a ton of support here, as well as any feedback you need to help you feel prepared and ready to take what sounds like a well-deserved step for yourself. Please let us know how how we can help.