POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews
35 Years Old, 3 Kids in 4 Years
UPDATED FROM Ghwm
6 months post
6 months post op BA 325CC and TT and Lipo on hips and flanks
WORTH IT
It has been 3 months since I posted last. I went to my 6 month check with my PS last week and everything is great! I am beyond happy and I think my pictures speak for themselves. I still have a scar (always will ladies!), still have some stretch marks (I did birth 3 kids after all), BUT I have a gorgeous flat tummy that WILL be able to wear a bikini again! No saggy, deflated boobs or rolls of extra skin on my belly any more. I have some numbness in my tummy, mostly along the center around my belly button. I still would not suggest doing an ab workout- I did a 10 minutes video a month ago and was in a lot a pain for about a week! Almost called my PS. And I am a runner so I though my core would be okay to try it. Nope. Other than that, I am so excited for the summer so I can show off my new body. Very, very happy. I would never, ever change a thing and I had an incredible PS who is kind, positive, discreet and helpful. Really, nothing much else. Surgery is done and gone and I have moved on with my life.
Ghwm's provider
UPDATED FROM Ghwm
3 months post
12 weeks (2 1/2 months post operation)
Things are going really well! I ran a half marathon last weekend- at 11 weeks post operation after muscle repair, tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I am pretty darn proud of myself! I couldn't really train and only ran for 5 weeks prior to the race, but I did it! My time was two minutes slower than my previous slowest half, but I never had to walk so I am thrilled with that.
Specifics:
Muscle repair: My muscles still get sore after runs or if I over stretch. My upper stomach swells sometimes, I feel really full if I eat too much, and the skin over my stomach doesn't have all of its feeling back in some spots, but it gets better and better each week. It looks amazing and flat- I LOVE it!
Tummy Tuck: Skin is perfectly healing flat on my scar. The scar is still a little dark, my plastic surgeon noted that at my check up this past week. I am getting used to how high it is and how far it wraps around me. Some spots are starting to lighten up (you can see some parts are lighter than others in the pictures). I have been using aveno lotion, bio oil and mederma daily since week 4, so I am doing everything I can. My PS noted that my belly button scar was a little raised in spots so I am using a prescription steroid and Scar-Away strips for the next few months to see if that helps. I have been using the combination for 5 days and I feel it already looks flatter and lighter in spots. My stretch marks were really purple for awhile too, and then turned white, so that is likely what will happen with these scars too.
Breast Augmentation: I love my new breasts! They are soft, have cleavage, look beautiful. Doc said I can start wearing a bra if I like. I went to Victoria's Secret and was sized at a 32DD (I was a 34A before). My goal was a full C, so I guess I got that and then some! With my skin being pulled so tight I went down to a 32 ribcage I guess- realistically I must have been closer to that than a 34 before though. One breast is a tad lower than the other, but that is how they were before too. Totally expected and not noticeable in clothing or in a bra. I have exercises I do off and on, but I am thrilled with how they look. Not concerned.
Lipo: I didn't get much lipo. My lipo areas are still a bit numb and tingly, but get better and better each week. No major worries or concerns. My main reason so getting lipo on my flanks was to avoid dog ears and it worked, absolutely no dog ears.
So, that's it. I go back in 3 months for a 6 month post op check up. No worries or concerns, I am very happy and have absolutely no regrets.
Specifics:
Muscle repair: My muscles still get sore after runs or if I over stretch. My upper stomach swells sometimes, I feel really full if I eat too much, and the skin over my stomach doesn't have all of its feeling back in some spots, but it gets better and better each week. It looks amazing and flat- I LOVE it!
Tummy Tuck: Skin is perfectly healing flat on my scar. The scar is still a little dark, my plastic surgeon noted that at my check up this past week. I am getting used to how high it is and how far it wraps around me. Some spots are starting to lighten up (you can see some parts are lighter than others in the pictures). I have been using aveno lotion, bio oil and mederma daily since week 4, so I am doing everything I can. My PS noted that my belly button scar was a little raised in spots so I am using a prescription steroid and Scar-Away strips for the next few months to see if that helps. I have been using the combination for 5 days and I feel it already looks flatter and lighter in spots. My stretch marks were really purple for awhile too, and then turned white, so that is likely what will happen with these scars too.
Breast Augmentation: I love my new breasts! They are soft, have cleavage, look beautiful. Doc said I can start wearing a bra if I like. I went to Victoria's Secret and was sized at a 32DD (I was a 34A before). My goal was a full C, so I guess I got that and then some! With my skin being pulled so tight I went down to a 32 ribcage I guess- realistically I must have been closer to that than a 34 before though. One breast is a tad lower than the other, but that is how they were before too. Totally expected and not noticeable in clothing or in a bra. I have exercises I do off and on, but I am thrilled with how they look. Not concerned.
Lipo: I didn't get much lipo. My lipo areas are still a bit numb and tingly, but get better and better each week. No major worries or concerns. My main reason so getting lipo on my flanks was to avoid dog ears and it worked, absolutely no dog ears.
So, that's it. I go back in 3 months for a 6 month post op check up. No worries or concerns, I am very happy and have absolutely no regrets.
Replies (1)
November 7, 2016
You look so amazing!! Congrats on the half! I can definitely see changes in your right side. I think you will continue to see changes there. But, wow, the TT looks fantastic. Dr. Q did a great job. You should be so proud of your results!
UPDATED FROM Ghwm
2 months post
7 weeks post op- 49 days
It's been awhile! I am now 7 weeks post op. I still haven't gone back to the dr since my last update- I have had to reschedule twice so I haven't seen doc wince 3 weeks post op! I go back in a few days though.
SCARS: For the last 4 weeks I have been using bio oil twice daily and Mederma PM every night the last 3 weeks. So far, not really impressed. My scars seem more red/purple than before but that is probably just the healing process. My other older scars (from stretch marks to bug bites!) started purple too and all eventually have turned white. Just takes time I guess. Although, with a TT scar this HUGE and a tad high it is easy to get impatient!
PAIN/SWELLLING: My incisions do not hurt anymore (armpits or tummy or belly button or drain site). They do itch slightly and I'll have discomfort after clothes have rubbed on them all day sometimes. Jeans and undies that fall directly on the incision line are still not very comfortable. I usually wear leggings and dresses to avoid this. I am a little more swollen by the time evening gets around, especially after days when I run or am really active. My swelling though is always above my belly button (never below) and runs up until my breast line. I usually have some minor pain/soreness in that same area the next day or two after I run or am busy too. My breasts are a little tender sometimes still, especially after running or a long day.
NUMBNESS: I still have some numbness in my tummy in various spots, a lot of numbness in my hips where I had lipo, and my nipples are still numb too.
RUNNING: It is hard to get myself to run some days. My lungs feel constrained after a few miles. I am pretty sore a day or so afterward in my upper stomach, and have minor swelling in my upper stomach as well afterward. I am up to running 5 miles at a time. I am scheduled to run a half marathon in 4 weeks- so I am hoping to get my training up to 8-9 mile range by then and then push through to hit 13.1 for the first time that race day. I need to stay active- I feel like I am getting a little layer of fat again (very LITTLE I know) but I do not want to get a pudgy tummy again!) I also need to eat healthier-- I am getting lazy and not focusing on my diet like I should be.
WHEN CAN I WEAR A BRA?!?!?! I hate not wearing a bra yet. Clothes feel weird with no bra. I wear sports bras when I run and occasionally some days when I am going out in public. Otherwise I just put this pads in my tight shirt and hope they don't fall out! Thinking about getting sized at VS and buying one bra so I have something to wear when I absolutely must wear a bra with a certain shirt or dress.
OVERALL: Things are really, truly good! If I didn't keep trying to run, I'd say I am feeling 98% normal! Pushing myself to run further each week is difficult. Otherwise though, I was so worried that this recovery was going to take 6 months or longer, but I am just 7 weeks post of and I FEEL GREAT considering! I love my new body. It is so fun to look in the mirror and not see my gross tummy and wrinkles, empty breasts anymore. NO REGRETS!!!!!!! Best decision I have ever made for myself. I still haven't told that many people at all, so as I start to see people over the holidays I am a little nervous if they will notice the "new girls"... Not sure what I will say when that happens. Suggestions?!?! (comment please!)
WARNING: I went to register my Mentors online today, but thought I had 60 days, not 45, to purchase the extended warranty. Today was day 49. So, I missed that! I am so sad. Mentor has a good free warranty, but I wanted to purchase the additional for just 200$. Oh well. Darn- hopefully I don't need it anyway ;) GET ONLINE AND REGISTER yours if you are seeking the extended warranty!
If doc says anything significant I'll post again next week, otherwise I'll wait a few weeks again.
Take care ladies! I hope your upcoming surgeries and/or recoveries are going well too!
SCARS: For the last 4 weeks I have been using bio oil twice daily and Mederma PM every night the last 3 weeks. So far, not really impressed. My scars seem more red/purple than before but that is probably just the healing process. My other older scars (from stretch marks to bug bites!) started purple too and all eventually have turned white. Just takes time I guess. Although, with a TT scar this HUGE and a tad high it is easy to get impatient!
PAIN/SWELLLING: My incisions do not hurt anymore (armpits or tummy or belly button or drain site). They do itch slightly and I'll have discomfort after clothes have rubbed on them all day sometimes. Jeans and undies that fall directly on the incision line are still not very comfortable. I usually wear leggings and dresses to avoid this. I am a little more swollen by the time evening gets around, especially after days when I run or am really active. My swelling though is always above my belly button (never below) and runs up until my breast line. I usually have some minor pain/soreness in that same area the next day or two after I run or am busy too. My breasts are a little tender sometimes still, especially after running or a long day.
NUMBNESS: I still have some numbness in my tummy in various spots, a lot of numbness in my hips where I had lipo, and my nipples are still numb too.
RUNNING: It is hard to get myself to run some days. My lungs feel constrained after a few miles. I am pretty sore a day or so afterward in my upper stomach, and have minor swelling in my upper stomach as well afterward. I am up to running 5 miles at a time. I am scheduled to run a half marathon in 4 weeks- so I am hoping to get my training up to 8-9 mile range by then and then push through to hit 13.1 for the first time that race day. I need to stay active- I feel like I am getting a little layer of fat again (very LITTLE I know) but I do not want to get a pudgy tummy again!) I also need to eat healthier-- I am getting lazy and not focusing on my diet like I should be.
WHEN CAN I WEAR A BRA?!?!?! I hate not wearing a bra yet. Clothes feel weird with no bra. I wear sports bras when I run and occasionally some days when I am going out in public. Otherwise I just put this pads in my tight shirt and hope they don't fall out! Thinking about getting sized at VS and buying one bra so I have something to wear when I absolutely must wear a bra with a certain shirt or dress.
OVERALL: Things are really, truly good! If I didn't keep trying to run, I'd say I am feeling 98% normal! Pushing myself to run further each week is difficult. Otherwise though, I was so worried that this recovery was going to take 6 months or longer, but I am just 7 weeks post of and I FEEL GREAT considering! I love my new body. It is so fun to look in the mirror and not see my gross tummy and wrinkles, empty breasts anymore. NO REGRETS!!!!!!! Best decision I have ever made for myself. I still haven't told that many people at all, so as I start to see people over the holidays I am a little nervous if they will notice the "new girls"... Not sure what I will say when that happens. Suggestions?!?! (comment please!)
WARNING: I went to register my Mentors online today, but thought I had 60 days, not 45, to purchase the extended warranty. Today was day 49. So, I missed that! I am so sad. Mentor has a good free warranty, but I wanted to purchase the additional for just 200$. Oh well. Darn- hopefully I don't need it anyway ;) GET ONLINE AND REGISTER yours if you are seeking the extended warranty!
If doc says anything significant I'll post again next week, otherwise I'll wait a few weeks again.
Take care ladies! I hope your upcoming surgeries and/or recoveries are going well too!
Replies (1)
September 16, 2016
First off... I am always SO amazed at your results. You look fantastic!! You can tell you took care of your body prior to surgery. But the surgery really accented the work you had already done yourself. Have you heard of the nippies? They are self adhesive nipple covers that stick on your boob. They really do stay on! I wear these EVERY DAY since I cannot wear a bra either. You can get them on Amazon. I felt the same way about running. And honestly I wonder how much of it has to do with the fact that we totally missed acclimating to the humidity this summer. Humidity/heat always affects my running SO much. Especially since we didn't have a chance to let our red cells increase! I've only had once person actually ask me about my procedure. But when I've told my close friends or family I always say, "I work really hard to be healthy and exercise and you just can exercise your way into bigger boobs! It's something I have wanted to do for a long time." Good luck with your training. I hope Dr. Q shows you the exercises he showed me. I think they will help.
September 16, 2016
Thanks so much! You look great too. Your breasts keep looking better and better. Makes me excited! I went back and looked at your 7 weeks and then now and you have had a lot of progress these last several weeks. And I totally agree about what to say to others that might notice and ask- that's a great response. In fact, I'd say you can only exercise and eat healthy into worse looking boobs in my experience (and really empty looking stretch marked extra gross skin on your tummy!!!). You also have a good point about running- that could be the case. I need to be at 6 miles by the end of next week and I am dreading it! I have a friend pushing me through the longer runs which really helps. I will have to look into those nipple covers. I remember you posting about them awhile back. I may have to break down and get some- hiding nipples with no bra on is pretty much impossible! Thanks for all of your kind comments and support. It means a lot- especially when I don't talk about the surgeries with anyone in my "real" life!
Replies (3)