Getting the Info….and Before Pics - Grand Rapids, MI

I un-expededly was presented with an ideal time to take the plunge and have surgery this next month so I spent the past week and a half setting up/going to consults. The two biggest things that I wanted to have them look at was my stomach and breast implants that are right for me. I had 4 consults all together (i know, I'm a little anal about being thorough) All of the surgeons I met with were well respected, had very high patient satisfaction rates and seemed very friendly. Two of the offices, although very nice, made the experience feel rushed, which was a little bit of a turnoff. The entire consult consisted of whisking me around, room to room, and having a few 5 min conversation in-between . For some people that probably wouldn't even bother them, but with a decision like this I wanted someone that I didn't feel like I was bothering if I asked a question. However, all the offices were informational... but each PS definitely had their own opinions and preferences. I think if someone takes the route of going to multiple consults you should do your own research before and be comfortable enough to asks why they prefer one thing over another or it might get confusing. I think all the doctors had good approaches and idea's except one that I questioned a little when addressing my issues with my midline area. I personally don't think its to big of an issue, but I did question whether the uneven area's were due to left over fat or excess skin from being pregnant. In the past few weeks I have just started focusing on working out properly and targeting specific areas of my body to tone up so I don't doubt I have some work to do. I was hoping that was the case with my waist but I didn't want to drive myself crazy trying to tighten it only to find out it needs more attention than I can give it. The first Doctor I met with didn't really address it so I made sure during the second consult that I asked more questions. He instantly jumped on the tummy tuck train and said for me to fix any of it I would have to get one. I personally am mixed on the looks of them and definitely do not want the scar considering I've made it through three huge babies naturally. I also felt it was a very extreme approach for something that seemed minor to me. I have never had a six pack and am not self conscious on my stretch marks because honestly there's very few and they blend very well with my skin. I could be wrong but I don't feel like my stomach sticks out to far either. My only concern really is just tightening the surface so that it doesn't seem so uneven. I'm sure someday I may consider doing one to bring my muscles back together but right now I don't think its to bad.

I didn't want to have to go through two different recoveries if I without a doubt needed it... plus combing the surgeries would be more cost effective but I definitely wanted some other opinions so I posted a question to the wonderful docs on here who gave me some great advice and then discussed it in the other two consults. After all that I am confident that right now, with what I would like to accomplish with my stomach, a tummy tuck isn't the right approach. Doctor Leppink (the PS I chose to go with) was wonderful about explaining everything and why at some point he would recommend a TT but he was very supportive and less pushy about it. To get a completely flat and tone stomach I will need to have the muscle repair and I do have a hernia in my belly button from the separation. Also I don't have much excess fat around my waist so its only going to shrink a little bit more but that might be enough for what I'm looking for. If I want to have that super flat 6 pack looking stomach I will probably need to have one to repair the muscles and remove a small amount of skin, but I'm willing to wait and see what diet and exercise gives me since I'm not to overly conscious of it.

I can't say enough good things about Dr Leppinks office. Everyone is amazing and I have never met a doctor that was so informative and willing to spend so much time with his patients. I never once felt rushed during the consult and whatever questions I had Dr Leppinks answered before I had a chance to ask them. His approach and ideas about the augmentation where much closer to what I was looking for which made it a great fit and I'm very confident that I can trust him to make a good call while keeping me in mind. I got pretty nervous when I went to talk to scheduling and they said they were scheduling out a month or two. This next month and a half was really an ideal time for me to do this and I liked the office so much I hated to think that might be part of my decision. But the girls in scheduling were amazing and found a cancelation at the end of November!! I paid in full two days later and today I had my post op visit!

I am so excited that its finally happening (even though from the time I made the decision to finally do it ….and surgery, it will only be about three weeks;) Everything has seem to fall into place so easily that I'm even more confident that nows the time!