I've finally stopped nursing my youngest and have...
I've finally stopped nursing my youngest and have decided it's time to get things back to where they used to be. Actually better. I've always been a little thick around the tummy and flanks. Years ago I was a size 2 and pants fit every where but the tummy. Pretty straight body with broad shoulders. Smaller boobs (small B) from years of competitive gymnastics. Then I had two 10 pound babies and nursed a long time. Now it's time to have a more woman-like figure.
First consult was a very reputable surgeon but he said he didn't want to do the TT with the implants and flank lipo. It would every difficult for me with my job to be off twice. And I just don't want to. I found Dr. Young by happen stance and felt very comfortable with him during the consult. I'm planning to get a full tummy tuck with lipo to the flanks and implants. My goal is to fit my body well in a natural or slightly larger than natural look. He's suggested 350-400cc which he says will put me at a large C/small D depending on brands. I can't even grasp what boobs and a waistline will look like on me.
No going back now.
Deposit is paid and I played around with the implants. I thought I'd better decide what size and now I'm probably more confused. I thought I wanted very natural and I do but part of me tends to think natural plus a little bit more. Anyway, his staff was great and let me stop by and answered a bunch of questions. I've ended up thinking anywhere from 365cc to 415cc and leave it in his discretion. I also pretty much only wear loose shirts now and with larger boobs I'm probably going to look big in those. Guess I'm going to have to get some new shirts too :)
Now I'm trying to get prepared and buy stuff I might need. Got a couple large sports bras which felt odd since I have very little breast tissue right now. Kind of crazy to think how different I will look.
His nurse also showed me where the TT scar will be and I feel ok about that. The next 5 weeks are going to drag.
It's almost here
Tomorrow night is the last night I go to bed with the body God gave me untouched. Part of me feels vein for not accepting it the way it is. But the other part of me says it's not something to feel guilty about.
I'm nervous about the ups and downs of the healing process. I'm nervous the months of swelling will make me look worse during that time. I'm nervous of how I will be able to interact with my kids during that time. I'm nervous that my husband will be mean about my choice to do this. In general he's not that nice and I'm sure he will have something bad to say about the feel of the implant or the appearance of the scar. I don't really care what he thinks but if I'm struggling with the healing process I don't want to deal with that too.
I just keep telling myself this isn't that big of a deal. I can do this. And, I can.
Made it!
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29 Nov 2016
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Day of treatment
I made it. Dr. Young was amazing before surgery. It hurts but is bearable. Will add more tomorrow.
PO D1
It's 4:00 am on my first morning after and it definitely stings. But it's bearable. I've only been taking one of my meds at a dose than two. I wish I stayed awake more than 30 min-1 hour at med time. But it's the first day.
He ended up doing 450 cc which was on the high end of what I was consider. But peeking down my bra they don't look huge. I shower tomorrow so I will see more.
I think he was going to use glue instead of steri strips because during pre OP I was turning pink anywhere they put tape for my IV. I also reacted where the tame was on my eyes for anesthesia.
Overall it's not easy but bearable. My husband has been helpful which is really nice. I've not really had an appetite but I've had a handful of saltines with my meds and a small bowl of egg drop soup. I haven't felt nauseous yet.
PO day 2
Off rx pain meds all day and feeling ok. Just feel pretty tired after doing much. LOVE the location of my incision and cannot wait to see it heal. I hadn't really planned to go as high as 450 but that's what he used and I definitely wouldn't have gone any smaller. I can't wait to see what they look like in a real bra.
Pain really only comes when I move much and then it's more discomfort. I only had one drain (said I was small enough not to need two). It's not too difficult to keep up with.
I can't get over how easy going Dr. young was in the pre OP meeting and very calmly showed me as he was marking. Anyway, so far so good. Back is tender from lipo.
First day out
I got tired and didn't make it long but I got out of the house. It was tiring. I'm. It in much pain until I try to talk around. Standing up is a struggle.
Also tried a bralette on I'd gotten from Vic's to see how big there were. In my surgical bra they didn't seem big. I love them. Ow. In the bra they looked much bigger. My stomach doesn't seem flat. The muscles seemed smooshed together in the middle but I'm sit it will look better with time.
First Post Op Visit 6DPO
It went great! He took out my only drain and stitches from the lipo. Said I'm doing great and can wear other compression garments and sports bras as long as though there is no wire. They gave me massages to do every day. I go back I five weeks.
Feeling good
The pics are from 8 DPO but each day I try to get out and do something. I really don't want to be depressed from sitting on my booty all day. I feel pretty good and haven't taken anything for pain since like 2-3 DPO.
I go thru phases where I feel like my boobs could be bigger but in reality I really don't think I would want that. Occasionally I get a slightly engorged feeling but they don't hurt. Im still sleeping in the recliner. My stomach and incisions aren't bad either. I stand up more but not all the way. My biggest worry is still having bulging flanks. Im trying to be patient hoping he did enough lipo. Im definitely not smaller than I was but I know there is a ton of swelling. I need to watch my sodium intake better.
Anyway, here are my comparison photos from morning of surgery and 8 DPO. Dr. Young and his office have been amazing.
Update as of 18 DPO
A few days late but here is 18 days post op.
Darn flanks are killing me. Occasionally in the morning they are smaller than this but not much. I know it's early, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to need touch up lipo. I don't really blame him because I'd rather be conservative because the touch ups won't cost more and can be done in office. I just want it done in time to have my swelling down by summer. I'm not sure how long swelling on touch up lipo lasts.
The boobs look uneven but they don't look like that in person. I love the size he went with and really dont think 450 looks that big on me.
I am SO thankful of his scar placement even though I haven't really seen under that tape yet.
Im pretty much up straight all the time unless it's first thing in the morning or after I've sat a long time. All in all it's been pretty smooth thus far.
3 WPO I removed the tape today
I starting noticing redness under the tape near my hips and a little crusty residue on my underwear so the nurse said to remove it. Took a long hot shower and it came off pretty easily. No pain.
It looks worse than it is. I think some of the redness is irritation from the tape. I also think I stay pretty red from cuts for awhile. I had an old scar on my knee that was red/purple for quite awhile that's barely visible now. So I'm not going to get too worried.
Incisions under my boobs look ok.
Hopefully the small pleats go away as swelling stops.
Almost 12 WPO
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18 Feb 2017
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3 months post
Feeling pretty good. My flanks aren't quite even but he said he can easily touch that up in the office. I may see about fixing part of my scar that is a little wider than I like. I am not too worried because it's very low. I am wearing smaller pants. I have more curve and hour glass look than I thought I could even though some have much more. I'm just very short waisted.
