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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

Weight Loss Leads to Extended Tummy Tuck and BL with Augmentation - Miami, FL

UPDATED FROM weightlossbarbie
21 days post

Forgot one photo

weightlossbarbie
$12,870

weightlossbarbie's provider

Leonard Hochstein, MD - Account Suspended

Leonard Hochstein, MD - Account Suspended

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Replies (4)

February 14, 2014
I would like to know how long you stayed in Miami after surgery? Was it long enough? I read that you still have your drains in. Do you have to remove them yourself after you are home?
February 14, 2014
I stayed for 2 weeks. It was definitely long enough. The only thing about traveling was that I had to have help with my bags. I'm guessing I could have traveled around day 10 too. Yes, either I have to take them out or I have to go to a hospital. For some reason I trust myself more and don't want to pay for the hospital to take it out. I've seen youtube vids of others doing it so I'm not scared that much.
February 16, 2014
Thanks for answering my question. I was wondering if you think seven days would be long enough of a stay before returning home? Also, how was the plane ride after surgery? I'm also curious to know how long will you be leaving the drains in before you remove them? I'm not surprised that you had difficulty with your bags... Sometimes they can be difficult to manage even without surgery.
February 18, 2014
I think on his website he says 7~10 days minimum stay. I personally felt a little uncomfy at 7 days. But if you have someone to help you and/or wheelchair service you should be ok. Personally my breast lift and implants were the only thing causing me pain. Pulling lifting and pushing even 5~10lbs. caused them to be really sore. Plane ride was fine. If I could do it over again I would pay for extra leg room. I could'nt really sleep on the plane but only because I has no leg room. Normally that is not an issue but I guess the tummy matched with no leg room caused me to not sleep.
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March 4, 2014
Congrats!!! Thanks for sharing your experience!
August 23, 2014
I would love to know how you are doing now
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August 24, 2014
How are you healing?
UPDATED FROM weightlossbarbie
21 days post

Wow, so late! Here is an update...with late photos

weightlossbarbie
Hey guys, sorry I didn't post.

So where did I leave off? Recovery has not been too bad. Just annoying. Week 1, I knew it would be hard and I was expecting to be in horrid pain but it was okay. It went by. I was sore and bent over but it was expected.

Week 2: I was getting super tired of being bent over. I knew that I could stand straight, well straightish, and I wanted to do so. But Dr. H said that I shouldn't stand straight until day 10. (Helps with healing of the incision) I was literally causing myself back pain but I was not going to go against doctor's orders lol. LOL. But this is when I began to be annoyed by recovery. I just want to feel like myself again. And at this point coughing, laughing, moving too fast, back pain, etc. where all causing issues.

And now I have officially made it to week 3. I feel good! I still feel tight. Apparently, I'm a little bent over when I stand. My tummy feels really tight still. When I go to stretch it's like I can feel the muscle repair and it stops me from stretching. I get tired easily. My breast feel sore from doing little things. BUT!!! I do not regret this. It's hard because I still have my drains in (taking one out tomorrow) and I wear my bulky cg 24/7 so I can't really see my tummy or breast. But whenever I take a shower I'm always amazed. Even at night when my swelling is the worst I think it looks good!

I can't wait for week 6, when I hopefully feel a bit more normal. I can go to the gym and get focused on my diet again!

Oh and a few more things:
1. I've always read that your tummy hurts more than your breast lift. Yeah, that did not happen for me. My breast have been causing way more issues than my tummy lol. One of my breast had extreme sensation from day 2. Anything that touches it feels like a little stab. And they seem to be in constant pain. Whereas my tummy...nothing really. Even coughs don't hurt anymore. Although I do have these damn drains in!

2. It's week 3 and I still have my drains. :/ I'm taking out one tomorrow but the other one is still draining about 60cc per day.

3. Never got depression...just extreme annoyance lol.

4. Very easy going through Miami airport even with my drains. Had a very cute wheelchair service man aswell haha.

5. I have a feeling of being full because of the muscle repair...but I have extreme cravings. Don't know why, I think that is just how my body works. So I have been portion controlling. Don't wanna ruin my new tummy ;)

Can't think of anything else for now. I will post some old pics. They are from week 1. Hopefully, I'll have newer pics up soon.

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM weightlossbarbie
4 days post

Day 3, 4 and 5

weightlossbarbie
This is going to be a quicker update. Day 3 and 4 were okay. Day 3 I was doing great until later on in the night I felt like something was stabbing me in my left boob. We called my doctor and he said it was probably nothing and to come in the next day. But all night I just felt this extreme pressure under my left breast. I thought the cg was hitting me.

The next day we go in and I saw everything. I never felt lightheaded. I was okay. I did notice how flat my stomach was though. Haha And when they took off the binding for the breast I noticed a lot of blood came from my left breast. That's when my mom said it was bigger than the right. Dr. H came in and said that everything looked great. I asked about my boob and he said it should even out soon (to be honest cant remember his exact words, just that it should be okay.) I asked a bunch of questions and he answered all of them...still super friendly. I do remember being surprised, by how flat my tummy was. Like wow, when I can stand up straight it will look amazing. And my boobs are very coned shape. Like very high and tight lol. Ready for that drop and fluff.

Today was okay. Had a bit more energy to walk around. I can pretty much do everything except get up from a reclining position, and shower by myself. My mom also gets my medicine and cooks for me. My boobs look way more even then yesterday!!! So happy, Dr. H is known as the boob god so I should probably relax a bit. I wish they would drop and fluff quickly but I know that can take months so I need to be patient. Took a shower...and it was exhausting. Wow.

I am having trouble keeping,my cg down and my incisions protected. I tried putting pads on top, but my incision is so low that they slide up along with my shirt inside the cg. I tried taping them to my body and nothing. If anyone has any tricks I am open ears. Like how to keep the incision from becoming irritated from the cg.

Replies (4)

January 31, 2014
please add some pics!! :) hope you're doing ok!
February 14, 2014
pics added!
February 4, 2014
Hi weightlossbarbie I got a breast to knee compression garment and put my other cg on top to stop irritation but to keep extra support . How are things going now ?
February 14, 2014
Hey, I might have to try that! I still have my drains in :(, but once they are out I am getting out of this binder. I've grown to hate this thing. Things are going okay. Getting better everyday! How about you?
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February 7, 2014
You look so great! Oh he is wonderful! I used him too & have amazing results at 6 months. We truly learn the meaning of the word "patience" when we go on a surgical journey like this but i promise you its so worth it! All I heard was that i can go back to work after ten days which i did but but the turning point was about 5 months & thats when i knew id be normal again. I go back at a year which will be july 19 and ill have a another round of photo, before & after. What till you see me all lean and ripped. Im going to really work out now.. its the first time i really feel able. i can jog pilates and work out even my abs! So Feel good and know every day gets better :)
February 14, 2014
Thanks! Oh wow 5 months lol. Yeah, that has been my big thing. I want to feel normal again. But I guess it is all patience. I have to stop trying to rush everything. You look great too! Can't wait to be where you are!
February 10, 2014
Hey there! I've been following you blog on here and wanted to know more about how your tummy tuck turned out. Can you please tell me how far the scars extended? Pics would be fabulous, please post some. I hope that you are starting to feel much better.
February 14, 2014
Just added photos ;)
February 14, 2014
Thank you for the update! I can see a huge difference from the before picture! Your shape has improved so much. I think you are going to be happy when everything has healed. I have been following your blog because he did an extended scar on you... It's my best guess that I will need the same due to having gushy flanks already. Thanks again for posting pics!
February 14, 2014
No problem, the scar on the other side runs a bit further, but they both stop somewhere around mid-hip.
February 16, 2014
It looks great, I'm so glad he didn't have to extend it all the way around to your back.
February 18, 2014
Yeah I'm pretty sure he went lipo heavy in those areas. Lol I love it! I am going to make another post but the scar is also really thin.
February 18, 2014
cant wait to see your next post. thanks for all of the tips regarding travel.