#MommyTune-up

First-time cosmetic surgery patient; first-time surgery/anesthesia patient Period! My Dr. & staff met me at my level of experience, ignorance, & education regarding the procedure. This journey began with a dreams convo with the hubby & evolved to the results I’ll share in pictures. After hubby’s homework, we choose Dr. Sternberg of Ponte Vedra Plastic Surgery. We completed an initial consultation, received quotes for several options we were considering, & made a decision within the next week or so. I’ll credit our decisiveness to Dr. Sternberg’s professionalism, expertise AND my husband’s due diligence with researching doctor’s credentials, years of experience, etc. Reviews were considered as well, but we had to consider that results are based on the individual. Any reviews we found for our doctor was nothing but positive. So, we decided on a mommy makeover-Abdominoplasty with Liposuction and Breast Augmentation/Lift with Liposuction Surgeries. After the consult, I had pre-operative appointment to sign my life away (lol)-mostly medical awareness, precautions, & pre-/post-op instructions.
The only significant preparations I made were adjusting my work schedule & sending my toddler to my in-laws. My husband & other children picked up the slack during my downtime. This is important to keep in mind; while this is elective in nature, it is still a REAL medical procedure that will require some alterations to your normal schedule. I also purchased post-op meds, stocked on water/Gatorade, & altered diet items (broth, soup, applesauce, jello).
I dressed in what I would need to wear home post-surgery-a front-zipped-down mumu, a long-sleeved front-button-down nightgown, oversized jogging pants, fuzzy socks (to keep on during surgery), comfy slippers, a scarf, & beanie (it was freezing the day of and after).
My surgery took a total of 6 hours, but I probably wasn’t fully aware that it was over until about 1 hr 15min later. I was so cold & shivering because naturally the temperature is very low in the surgery room. I was also a little disoriented from the anesthesia-I began talking myself through what I slowly began remembering was happening. I was also talking my self out of what I thought was hearing from a nearby patient to be death-talk. Again, it was from the anesthesia-the more I became aware, the less disoriented I was. Because of the complexity of my surgery, I was an overnight stay but successfully discharged the next morning. The entire experience was very personal, seamless, and discreet. 5 weeks, 4 post-op visits later & I’m healing well and cleared to return to normal activities. My abs are still not 100% cleared (this is usually an 8-week healing process, per Dr.). Otherwise, I’m returning to as much normalcy with minimum aches and NO complications. I’d recommend Dr. Sternberg hands-down!