Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS

Almost 5 months post op ! - Nashville, TN

ORIGINAL POST

About 10 years ago I was 220 pounds. I then lost...

AnnoftwoJanuary 23, 2013
WORTH IT$13,000

About 10 years ago I was 220 pounds. I then lost to 180 pounds then regained with pregnancy to 220 then lost again then gained again. At the end- I had reached 220 pounds three times. I had one vaginal birth and one c-section. I am now 5'7 and 140 pounds and 31 years old and have maintained this weight for 5 years. I am very active with weight training and cardio and I eat pretty well. I have wanted this surgery for almost 3 years! About 3 years ago I went for my first two consults only to realize that I could not afford the procedure. Fast forward to now... and its finally time. I am WAY more nervous now! Was everyone else? I also have alot of guilt- not being able to go to my kids valentines day parties at school, not being able to take care of everyone for a week or two ( I get up early and prepare all meals for everyone and take care of the house and all errands) I am not used to having any help and I hate to be asking for it. I also have never had surgery (biggest thing I have had done is c-section) I also have never done drugs or had any pain killers or really anything but tylenol and epidural so I am nervous about how my body will react to the medicines. I am super excited too! I can't wait to be more comfortable in the bedroom!- That is the main reason I am doing this!- I also cant wait to stop layering my clothing, especially workout clothes. I am always scared they will rise up and my skin will flap about. LOL. Also- I want to go to water parks and play on all the kids stuff with my kiddos and not be worried my tank top swimsuit will raise up.
The other hard thing is when people make comments. One I heard yesterday was "I'm just sad that you are unhappy with yourself and feel like you need to do this." Truth is- I am happy. I am enhancing. Make sense? I love myself and if for some reason I couldnt get this procedure done- it wouldnt be the end of the world. I am excited and my husband is supportive and we finally have the money to move forward. I cant wait to have girl boobs again!! Ha!( I used to be a DD when I was heavier!) I also am getting excited that for the first time in my adult life I might even wear a bikini! :)
Anyway- I am so greatful to have found this site. It has really helped me alot! Thanks to everyone who posts!!

Annoftwo's provider

R. Bruce Shack, MD (retired)

R. Bruce Shack, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Annoftwo rating for Dr. Shack:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (13)

luckybear89
January 25, 2013
Good luck! I miss my Nashville! We moved from Brentwood a little over two years ago and MISS, MISS, MISS it! Anyway, I just had my surgery done on the 21st...so today is day four...this morning I decided that I could get off the pain meds so I took two ibuprofen and have not not needed anything else. I am also walking around straight, I feel good...on day FOUR! Now I did have an appointment with my doc today who reinforced the "take it easy" for at least another week....and what he said made sense...just because you feel good doesn't mean it is right to take on too much and then take two steps back on recovery. So take it easy, let someone else take care of you...you would do it in a heartbeat for your hubby, kids, parents, friends...why not you? So you go girl and put yourself first this time...The other thing that I have in common with you is people saying "but you look good, why are you doing this"? Yes, I look good in jeans and a non-tight shirt with a bra that lifts those girls high, but when I look in the mirror, I am pissed that all that weight training and cardio is not cutting it enough. So I decided that this was my body, my life, my decision..in the end i will be more confident which can only help make me a better person to others. So much luck to you! Keep me updated!
Annoftwo
January 25, 2013
Thanks for posting! I'm so glad you are healing well!! I hope I have the same experience!! Yeah, when I'm smaller I look even worse- the skin hangs more! When I have a couple extra pounds on me it looks better which brings me to.. Yes it sucks that weight training and cardio and strict dieting will not fix it. Hope your healing continues as it has!!!
Blondebomb
January 25, 2013
I am also having a mommy makeover on Valentine's day and I can relate to your story. we will have to stay in touch during the recovery. Good luck!
Annoftwo
January 25, 2013
Sounds good! Good luck to you as we'll! When is your pre-op?
Blondebomb
January 26, 2013
My preop is the 31st. I am still not sure about the size or the type of implants. That has been my biggest dilemma so far. I am hoping I make the right choice
Annoftwo
January 26, 2013
I'm definitely going silicone. I have heard that saline can sound like sloshing and also that they have a higher occurrence of having to be replaced (double check me on that) I also think they have a longer warranty. My dr. Measures my width to help come up with high, low, or moderate profile. I think I'm leaning towards 400 cc or 375. My pre op is Tuesday (well hopefully! My little girl got diagnosed with the flu today so as long as everyone is healthy) I have alot of friends who have had breast augmentation done an they all say to go bigger if between two sizes if that helps. :) it is a tough choice!!
Blondebomb
January 26, 2013
I am a little concerned about the MRI and having to pay for it if the insurance doesn't cover it....I think that is why I was leaning more towards the saline....but I am also concerned about wrinkling with the saline...I posted a question for the doctors on here and I think they all pretty much recommended the silicone which should tell me something...lol. I am having the implants placed under the muscle and I have heard that you also need to go bigger for this as well. I just don't want any thing that looks GIGANTIC and unnatural for me....I will find out a lot more on Thursday...I am so excited...I hope you don't get the flu or maybe if you do that would be better to get it now than closer to surgery. Let me know how your preop goes
User Avatar
Angie_M
January 25, 2013

And thank YOU for starting your story. I totally get where you're coming from and I hope you can just let the 'control' of the household go and rest up. You don't want to compromise your results by doing too much too soon. Go ahead and ask for that help. You deserve it.

I'm looking forward to following along on your journey.

Here's a list of supplies you might want to consider before the big day.

Annoftwo
January 25, 2013
Thanks!!
User Avatar
JayLu29
January 27, 2013
Good luck! My MMO is on the 15th! I totally get everything about the stress of the house and kids! I'm going to my parents house for three weeks to recover, and I hope my house is still standing when I get back!
Annoftwo
January 28, 2013
Good luck to you too!!!! :)
User Avatar
TNlady458
January 29, 2013
Love your story!!! Don't ever feel bad for wanting to make ur self better!!!!
UPDATED FROM Annoftwo
10 days pre

I'm getting so excited!! More excited than nervous...

AnnoftwoFebruary 4, 2013
I'm getting so excited!! More excited than nervous finally!! It is next week! I finally told my kids that I will be having a surgery and they will be going to grandma's for a couple of days. They are good with it all! This has been a very interesting process. I don't know if anyone else feels this way and perhaps I overanalyze it all- but throughout this process (thinking about surgery, waiting, telling friends and family, asking for help, paying for it, etc.) I have changed. It may sound ridiculous but I like myself more now than I did 3 months ago. Not because I am having a surgery- but because I have had to really think about why I wanted a surgery to change my body. I also had to grow a pair (LOL) I have always been a people pleaser and I was terrified to tell people what I was doing for fear of them judging me for it. Well, for once in my life I dont really care. Ha! I am doing what I want. If someone doesnt approve, I respect their opinion and concern, but quite frankly, I dont give a damn. It feels good to finally be like this. It has changed me. Also, I realized how much I do like myself. I really did have to think on this one. I am scared to death of surgery and it is a lot of money for our family to spend- so why was I doing this. I realized that I am doing it becausw I do like myself but these are enhancements and I think its going to make me more fun in the bedroom ,Lol ;) I also realized that there are risks in life- you just choose which ones you want to take. You have to choose to live- not just exist. Thats what I feel like I am doing. I am living- I am going to have a rockin body, better sex life, buy my first bikini, look forward to vacations that involve water, and for once I am going through with something that pleases me, not everyone else. Anyway- I may get some eye rolls when someone reads this because I might would and my husband would (Lol)- I have definitely thought about it all alot and as probably most would say I have WAY overanalyzed this... but maybe there are some others that feel like I do and have struggled with some guilt and anxiety. Anyway- just thought I would share. I will add before pics when I take some and figure out how to post- I'm not the best with techi stuff!

Replies (9)

User Avatar
JayLu29
February 4, 2013
That was so well said!!!!! No eye rolls from me!!
Annoftwo
February 4, 2013
Thanks!! :)
luckybear89
February 4, 2013
Hell to the YES! LOL! I like you too and your new set of balls : ) Truly, good for you....being a former people pleaser (and I still digress occasionally, it is ultimately YOUR OWN life....if your not doing anyone else any harm, then it is none of anyones business unless you allow them in. Take care and lots of luck!
Annoftwo
February 4, 2013
Thanks!!! :)
User Avatar
allinalida
February 4, 2013
Ann-you will feel so much better if you own this surgery. I am an over analyzer, but I didn't with this. I spent years working towards goals (physical, mental, financial) to be able to achieve this. Being that I am a very healthy thin looking person in clothes I often got the "why? You are so small" but I kindly would tell them that under my clothing was lots of skin and I was beyond ready to part with it. I've told anyone that inquires about my surgery and most say "good for you" the others tired to scare me with "do you realize how painful the recovery will be" but I mentally have been preparing myself for that part since August of last year. And the pain never once made me second guess my decision. Best wishes to you. As long as you have support and assistance with your children you will do just fine! You will be in my prayers. To me the two weeks prior were the hardest weeks. Waiting sucked!
Annoftwo
February 4, 2013
Thanks! We have similar stories. I worked hard to get my body in physically great shape and actually became a personal trainer to make money for this surgery and because i love it. I also get all the time, why are you doing this, you are thin and flat. I usually just show my skin on my belly and then they see why. I also get a lot of supportive responses but for a while there the negative ones I got would get to me. I think I posted because it finally all clicked this past week and I am owning it now. I do feel better! I'm finally letting go of the anxiety and feeling way more excitement! Aren't you like 4 days out and off pain meds? i hope i recover like that!!!! Thank you for supporting me and praying for me I will pray for you as well that you will continue to recover so well. Thank you for sharing your story and being encouraging to others! :)
User Avatar
allinalida
February 4, 2013
I was blessed with healing immediately. Didn't take the first narcotic. Used muscle relaxer twice for the day time and took 1/2 a lortab to sleep through the night. My doctor uses an internal pain pump that last about 3 day and from what I've experienced that may be key to my lack of meds.
User Avatar
Happierthanbefore101
February 8, 2013
I always get the "why". And my husband always said he'll do this to make me happy. I think we are mentally going into this better than most. We are happy. We just want to be better. I am physically prepared and am becoming more and more emotionally prepared. Some women use plastic surgery as a way to lose weight, find a man, help with depression. Luckily, I don't have any of these issues. I just want to look and feel the best that I can feel. I've done my part, with weight loss, now it's my PS's turn!! And another thing in common... while recovering I plan on studying for the group exercise certification test!
Annoftwo
February 8, 2013
Hey! I totally agree! I am so glad that I didn't get this done 3 years ago when I started looking into it.. I was not ready mentally. I am so much more confident and happy now. I'm looking at this as a way to enhance my life, not fix anything. When is your surgery? Congrats on your certification!!!!!!
UPDATED FROM Annoftwo
6 days pre

Had another appointment today just to go over...

AnnoftwoFebruary 8, 2013
Had another appointment today just to go over everything again and be clear. I decided to go up in size to 425 cc- well actually one breast will be bigger like over 400 and the other slightly under 400. I have assymetrical breasts and we are doing this to see if it helps balance out without a lift. I can always go back in later for a lift. I also found out that he is not doing any lipo- just cutting off skin and fat and stretching down skin super tight and muscle repair. I am excited!! My husband seems a bit freaked out now though! He is scared I will have breasts that he doesnt like. He is EXTREMELY supportive but does have a preference in the look of the breasts. I told him not to worry - that anything is better than what I have now. LOL! Anyway- I am going to attempt to upload photos.

Replies (1)

User Avatar
Happierthanbefore101
February 8, 2013
Oh my gosh! I felt like I was reading my story, but actually reading yours!! I look forward to hearing about your journey. The only difference b/w us is that I am getting a lift too. Mine are awful! My husband also does not want big breasts, he's sort of an all natural kind of guy and is worried I'll look plastic. Getting excited. I'm scheduled for March 6th, 26 days!
See More Mommy Makeover Reviews
See All Reviews