POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
44 Yrs. Old, 156 Lbs. MM Plan - TT W/MR, BA, Lipo - Marina Del Rey, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I had four consultations, one doctor was wonderful...
WORTH IT$15,000
I had four consultations, one doctor was wonderful but really expensive; one was simply not for me, he only does saline implants and wanted me to get bigger than I wanted; so it came down to two, both were great but one uses a no-drain method for tummy tucks and that sold me on Dr. Macias. I waited until the last minute to have my babies, turns out your body doesn't really bounce back so well having 2 babies 14 months apart at 40 years old. I now have muscle separation, partial umbilical hernia, and slightly saggy B-cup boobies that do not stick out past my tummy on most days.
I have related to a lot of you brave ladies on RS, thank you for your candor and sharing your experience. I always kind of wanted plastic surgery, especially boobs, mine have always been small, but I had a lot of judgment and fear about it though. I still have some misgivings about the price, and risks associated with elective cosmetic surgery. My kids are the best thing I have ever done without a doubt, and I worry that something could happen to me from the surgery, I realize that my ride to and from the doctor's office is likely more dangerous than the surgery itself, being that I live in Los Angeles, but I still get scared that my vanity could cost me or my kids dearly if something went wrong.
On the brighter side, I feel a little less guilty that I couldn't get my pre-body back with diet and exercise alone knowing I have a muscle separation that makes it practically impossible to get a flat tummy. I currently 156 lbs. and am working out 3-4 times per week. I hope to lose 10 lbs. before my surgery date. I'd like to back to 135 someday. I am still on the fence about whether to lift or just to a BA. I am planning on 325cc textured silicone unders but am afraid of the "snoopy deformity" or the "waterfall". Two doctors recommended a lift and two did not so I am really on the border. I figure I can lift them later if need to. Thanks, for listening, I will post before pics as soon.
I have related to a lot of you brave ladies on RS, thank you for your candor and sharing your experience. I always kind of wanted plastic surgery, especially boobs, mine have always been small, but I had a lot of judgment and fear about it though. I still have some misgivings about the price, and risks associated with elective cosmetic surgery. My kids are the best thing I have ever done without a doubt, and I worry that something could happen to me from the surgery, I realize that my ride to and from the doctor's office is likely more dangerous than the surgery itself, being that I live in Los Angeles, but I still get scared that my vanity could cost me or my kids dearly if something went wrong.
On the brighter side, I feel a little less guilty that I couldn't get my pre-body back with diet and exercise alone knowing I have a muscle separation that makes it practically impossible to get a flat tummy. I currently 156 lbs. and am working out 3-4 times per week. I hope to lose 10 lbs. before my surgery date. I'd like to back to 135 someday. I am still on the fence about whether to lift or just to a BA. I am planning on 325cc textured silicone unders but am afraid of the "snoopy deformity" or the "waterfall". Two doctors recommended a lift and two did not so I am really on the border. I figure I can lift them later if need to. Thanks, for listening, I will post before pics as soon.
SallyMay's provider
Replies (8)
April 28, 2015
Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with you. I had surgery on April 17th. I had a BA with a BL and also a drainless TT with lipo of the flanks and muscle tightening. Drainless for me was amazing. I am so happy I didn't have to mess with the drains. ALSO my PS used Exparel which is injected into the muscles at the time of surgery and provides 72 hours of pain relief. I personally never had over a 2 out of 10 in the pain dept. When I had my follow up yesterday he told me to follow that sentence up with I am not normal and that isn't the norm, but Exparel DOES lessen the pain quite a bit, just not usually to that low level. I have had several surgeries in the past and I do recover quite quickly so I might not be the best to gauge your experience by, however see other people's opinions on Exparel and see if it might be available for you. I think it is worth it. I have lots of updates and pictures on my profile. Best of luck to you! I have no regrets.
June 17, 2015
Thank you! I asked my doctor about it and he said he has used it in the past but doesn't as much anymore since it didn't seem to lessen the pain overall that much. Thanks for sharing your experience with me and for the support, I am really starting to get nervous but mostly exited.
June 17, 2015
Mine told me that it is like night and day between those who get it and those who don't I just know I was grateful for it. Don't be nervous! Be patient and force rest. Also eat light before your surgery for a couple of days and drink lots to avoid constipation, luckily I did and had none of the horror story constipation issues like some have posted about.
June 15, 2015
We're the same weight and I'm also trying to lose 10lbs before surgery. How tall are you? Have you considered over the muscle implants? The double bubble & snoopy deformity are real problems going under the muscle without a lift, so I chose overs since I don't want the extra scarring and super high perky look of the lift. That might be an option for you as well, but you are probably all set to go now!
June 17, 2015
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me, I am going with unders, all of the PS I saw suggested going that way so we'll see, I'll definitely ask what my doctor thinks again though.
June 30, 2015
Hi SallyMay, it is really comforting to read your post and I completely relate to everything you have written. I have a four year old and one year old twins and am 38 years. How right you are when you say the body changes drastically and just doesn't bounce back. I have always wanted bigger boobs and decided I could do it now since I am done with having babies. The high cost and risks however has always deterred me. I feel the same fears about the risks and complications and whether it is worth it in the end, also feel I'm too old now and may not be the best role model for my three girls. I have been trying to research as much as I can and always end up back on this site for information. I just went for a consultation for breast augmentation and was told that I too had muscle separation which I had not even heard of before. I have stretch marks and loose skin and a pooch but know I couldn't afford a mommy makeover so have not even thought about it. But now I wonder if I did my breast would I then in time want to do my tummy because no amount of exercise and working out will get rid of my belly. Also have been told the diastasis recti is mild but in the back of my mind would that stop me for doing certain exercises because i fear the muscle separation would get worse. Now I have started researching mommy makeovers and wonder if that would be an option. I know its expensive but it would be one down time and one recovery. I would like to wish you all the best and know that I will be following your story.
Replies (6)
April 27, 2015
Doesn't look like you need a lift - not now anyway. Save that for later bcz the lift will give you some visible lollipop scars. Given your body shape, I would go for now less than 400cc's. Sounds big, but it's so worth it! I'm 44 and got 550s. You hernia doesn't look too bad bcz you're puffy all around. Mine was all up front with a 3" diastasis so I literally looked like I was 3mos pregnant all the time! Not fat - pregnant! I think it's reasonable for you to lose 10 lbs before sx, but don't extreme diet too much. You want your body in the best shape, health, and stability before sx. I went to see a Bev Hills dr too when I was researching - not too impressed. Ended up staying local and it's been a happy 8mos! :) Good luck.
April 27, 2015
Oh, also given your age, I would go for under-muscle. That'll keep your implants in place better, despite skin laxity over time. Just know that under muscle will take away about 25cc's so go a bit larger to compensate.
April 27, 2015
Not too far away. I'd give yourself a month to lose the weight - my preference is the Special K diet with some exercise and careful eating. Then with the last 2 months, I'd start prepping for surgery - eat clean, lots of water, double up on multivitamins. The day will come sooner than you realize.
April 27, 2015
Thanks for posting your photo. I suggest checking in your surgery date on this calendar so you can share feedback and get support from others getting their procedures around the same time. Do you have any questions about anything?
UPDATED FROM SallyMay
16 days pre
Pre-Op Coming up!
I have my pre-op appointment on Wednesday. I am starting to get scared, anxious, and exited all at the same time. I am not sure if I need my husband to come with me or not. I am not sure if I feel supported by him, or more embarrassed with him there. He is very supportive, the judgment and insecurity is in my head, not because of anything he's done.
I am also interested in adding a neck lift, I figure if my doc thinks it's safe I might as well do it, instead of the Ulthera I was looking into which seems to have really mixed reviews, is very expensive and can deliver "subtle" results. I'd rather add it on and be sure to get results. My neck is getting saggier daily and I hate it.
I have been eating pretty well and working out as much as I can but am not losing any weight. To be honest I can't seem to pass up my lowfat frozen yogurt after dinner, that would probably help. I have also been under an absurd amount of stress at work the last two weeks and I know stress makes it harder to lose weight.
I am worried about scaring my daughters, they are young and won't really understand why I am out of commission. I am scared of healing complications and surgery complications, and pain, and every other thing that everyone on here is afraid of; bad scars, uneven lipo, ugly results; too big, too small, too high(the scar), too low (boobs) - and then there's death! What in the world would my family and friends say at my funeral if I die while getting a tummy tuck and boob job! :) I am mostly joking, that's how I deal with the stress.
I am also very exited to be getting closer to my surgery date, and at the idea that my stomach might not stick out past my breasts for once, looking balanced would be really nice. There's no way to know for sure what the outcome will be but I feel like I have made a good choice on my doctor and the rest is kind of out of my hands.
What questions should I ask my doctor on Wednesday? I feel like they have covered everything pretty well in all the documents and directions.
I am also interested in adding a neck lift, I figure if my doc thinks it's safe I might as well do it, instead of the Ulthera I was looking into which seems to have really mixed reviews, is very expensive and can deliver "subtle" results. I'd rather add it on and be sure to get results. My neck is getting saggier daily and I hate it.
I have been eating pretty well and working out as much as I can but am not losing any weight. To be honest I can't seem to pass up my lowfat frozen yogurt after dinner, that would probably help. I have also been under an absurd amount of stress at work the last two weeks and I know stress makes it harder to lose weight.
I am worried about scaring my daughters, they are young and won't really understand why I am out of commission. I am scared of healing complications and surgery complications, and pain, and every other thing that everyone on here is afraid of; bad scars, uneven lipo, ugly results; too big, too small, too high(the scar), too low (boobs) - and then there's death! What in the world would my family and friends say at my funeral if I die while getting a tummy tuck and boob job! :) I am mostly joking, that's how I deal with the stress.
I am also very exited to be getting closer to my surgery date, and at the idea that my stomach might not stick out past my breasts for once, looking balanced would be really nice. There's no way to know for sure what the outcome will be but I feel like I have made a good choice on my doctor and the rest is kind of out of my hands.
What questions should I ask my doctor on Wednesday? I feel like they have covered everything pretty well in all the documents and directions.
Replies (1)
June 30, 2015
Good luck to you. The stress is normal. Thoughts of death are normal too. :) I wrote out death letters to my kids, my husband, my mom... lol. I write them when I go on long vacations, when I went to the hospital to deliver the next baby, etc. I like to be prepared. Like I wrote on my review, I bought gifts for each of my kids to open while I was having surgery. They were ecstatic - forgot all about me being gone. Then once I got home, I put up a portable rolling clothes hanger and slung a blanket over it to shield the kids from all my pain and agony on the other side - and to give me some space away from daily family life. The kids were very respectful... and somewhat helpful. I went to my pre-ops by myself... felt I didn't need the input from my husband (or family) bcz I was doing this for me, not anyone else. I knew what I wanted - it was between me and the dr. I did bring my husb for one sizing appt - the one where we confirmed size right before surger - bcz I wanted him to know I was going with the size the dr recommended (not too big and definitely not too small). I brought my mom for one of my follow-up appts bcz I need help moving around and getting in/out of my CG. But otherwise, I did all this pretty much on my own. As for getting the necklift... I would think it would be hard to have your neck strapped and body strapped and not be able to move anything except your arms and legs, let alone be able to look around. jmo tho. Ask your dr about range of motion. Bad enough that you can't bend to pick things up, but you can't even look to see where it is! lol. :) hth... and again, good luck on your pre-op!!!
Thanks for sharing your story. We'll be here for you if and when you have questions or need support!