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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

Much needed MM complete!

ORIGINAL POST

Hi ladies! I've been looking at your pics and...

michsd
WORTH IT$18,000
Hi ladies! I've been looking at your pics and reading your stories for the last year, at least. Well, I finally have the courage to share my pics and have scheduled my surgery for 1/27/16. I'm terrified! I have had many surgeries throughout my life, but for some reason (maybe it's becoming a mom and having someone else's well-being to think about other than my one) I'm scared to death of not coming out of this.
Short back story, I've been married for almost 10 year (this November!). I'm 43. I had my only son at 35. About a year after having my son, my body went crazy. I began gaining and losing 40+ pounds over and over again. My boobs grew huge (I had a BA about 10 yrs ago but the girls doubled in size). I started have pitting edema on my lower extremities. I became terribly depressed. I saw many doctors who all told me it was all in my head, I had post-partum depression, etc. I knew my body and something wasn't right. (I am a former ER nurse and was pissed when no one was listening to me!) I was pretty much written off as crazy. One day I started lactating. I thought, enough. I went to Cedars Sinai, saw a specialist and one visit and an MRI later, was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. It's been a roller coaster since. But I've been stable for a couple years. My boobs never went back down and my belly is a disaster.
I am scheduled for a full TT, breast lift plus implant replacement (smaller and silicone), and some light lipo of flanks. I'm going back to the same PS who did my implants years ago. He did a great job the first time and I love his staff so I figured, why waste my time looking elsewhere.
Anyway, here's my body in it's sad current condition. I have had numerous abdominal surgeries starting at age 12, including exploratory laparoscopies, open laparotomies, and one c/s; hence the disfigured way my belly hangs due to incisions. I used to have a perfectly flat tummy, never did ab work. Those days are long gone, but hopefully not for long!

michsd's provider

Johan E. Brahme, MD

Johan E. Brahme, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

michsd rating for Dr. Brahme:

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Replies (6)

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October 23, 2015

Thank you so much for sharing your story and your photos. It sounds like you've been through a lot, so taking this step for yourself will be so exciting. Let us know how we can support you and get you ready for this. 

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October 23, 2015
Dr. Brahme did my surgery in May this year and he did an absolutely excellent job, although my recovery has been slow I think his work is superb... Best wishes I'll follow your journey and it takes a lot of guts to do a full tummy tuck but you're young and you ought to be able to bounce back a little faster than I did.. I also love his staff
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November 10, 2015
I'm excited for you! You'll find a wealth of info here at RS. I'm so happy I found this place.
November 20, 2015
I am so super excited for you :) It is a blessing that you have a PS that your already familiar with and feel comfortable with. I have no doubt you will start 2016 looking amazing !!!!
January 5, 2016
Hi, I'm having Dr. Brahme perform a belt lipectomy on me this Friday 1/8. I have my preop today. He was so sincere and genuine with me. He listened to all my questions and took his time. I'm 52, have teenage twins, and just lost 50 pounds. Ill be happier in a few months when I'm on the other side of this, but I trust Dr. Brahme and his staff! Sorry about what happened to you at the bank! Insensitive!
UPDATED FROM michsd
2 months pre

Surgery Date moved up to 1/15/16. Oh Em Gee!

michsd
I wanted to push this surgery out as far as possible but at the same time I want it done as soon as possible. Work is pulling me in a direction to have it done sooner rather than later. I've been trying to lose weight, keeping a food journal, exercising daily, but my body is fighting against me every day. It just doesn't want to drop weight. So, I'm going to move forward with surgery and accept whatever comes with it. Hopefully with my midsection returning to something more normal for me, the rest of my body will follow. With years of hormonal issues plaguing my weight, I may have to accept that I have a new normal. I may never get back to my weight pre-pregnancy, but I will make the best of what I have now. I will look better after surgery than I do now, and I could use a good dose of confidence moving into the new year. You ladies inspire me every day and I sincerely thank you for sharing your journeys. I've given up on miracles but I'm happy with vast improvement. :-)

Replies (5)

November 17, 2015
I was the exact same way. Just try to maintain your weight and not over obsess with trying to lose before your surgery. I was doing that and my ps told me to chill out, because she said that unless I lost 20lbs...it wasn't going to make a difference. Trust me you will lose after your surgery....you will have no appetite to eat and when you do...... you wont be able to eat much... win win!!
November 17, 2015
Thanks! Great advice! Maybe if I stop obsessing, my body will relax a little. ;-)
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January 1, 2016
I was so busy with work and preparing for Christmas I ended up gaining five pounds before surgery. I agree about the eating part afterwards, I gave been eating every couple hours but small portions. Scrambled eggs, fruit cups with cottage cheese, Naked smoothie drinks, a little mashed potatoes, chicken broth. Only yesterday did I eat 1/2 of ham sandwich along with the broth. Husband and I ordered an elliptical and it will be here in three weeks so I'm hoping that by the time I'm better I can begin my workout and propel me to lose the last 20 pounds.
January 1, 2016
I'm officially down about 15 pounds so I have a chance of hitting my goal before surgery. Very excited about that...considering the holidays suck for weight loss, I'm admittedly impressed at what I've accomplished. I think it has a lot to do with my MD increasing my synthroid dose and keeping my calories strictly controlled. I walk almost every day. As long as I can keep this up, I think I'll be in relatively good shape! Happy New Year ladies! I can't believe I only have 2 weeks until the big day!!!
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January 1, 2016
I'm super excited for you. You will look great afterwards.
UPDATED FROM michsd
1 month pre

Going for it, no matter what.

michsd
I've been super strict on my eating and exercising. I have exactly a 7 pound loss to show for it. Not very impressive but age and hormone issues are no joke. The struggle is real! My goal is to lose at least another 10 before surgery on 1/15. Not going to be easy with so many holiday parties, lunches, and dinners this month. Ugh! But I can do it!!!

Replies (6)

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December 3, 2015
You're going to love your new bod!!! I so happy at 4 weeks out and constantly question "why did I wait so long"?
December 3, 2015
Thank you! That thought put a big smile on my face this morning!
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December 4, 2015
I'm excited for you! I can tell that you will have a beautiful shape after your procedures- stay positive. Our before pics look very similar- I'm almost 3mo po and believe me, it goes fast! Best of luck in Jan. :))
December 11, 2015
Yes you can do it! Just always keep your mind on the end result. Exercise in the morning and at night if you can, I found out that the weight loss came off so fast that way esp if you combine it with clean eating.
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December 15, 2015
Hello! We are having surgery (TT for me) on the same day! I'm full of nerves! I will be following your journey!
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January 17, 2016
I have a hard time w weight loss too - specifically fat loss - so I tend to concentrate on gaining muscle instead. LOL