32 YO Mommy of 2; 90 Lb Weight Loss Patient - 1 WEEK PO TT, Breast lift w/ Aug

Hi Everyone!! So I am beyond excited and nervous about my Mommy Makeover that is officially scheduled for 10/5/17. I have a 10 YO and a 7 YO. I had the gastric sleeve surgery in between pregnancies and I have lost 90 lbs. since my heaviest at 266 (yikes!) After my 7 YO I ended up gaining some of the weight back. I never wanted to go back to being 266 so I knew I had to do something when the scale hit 215. I was out of shape, unhealthy and overall insecure. Being very self-conscious and hating my body was not a way of like. But that's the only like I've ever known. So one day I decided enough was enough. I started working out at Orange Theory. For 6 months I busted my butt off ant thought I was eating better and although i felt better and everyone around me complimented me the scale refused to budge. I got frustrated but didn't give up. I went to see a nutritionist who helped me figure out what I was doing wrong in my diet. In December 2016 I started my new lifestyle eating regimen as recommended by the nutritionist and kept working out. I'm down almost 40 lbs and I can see the difference. All along my goal was to have breast augmentation and a lift as it's something I've battled with hating about myself my entire life. So as I was able to turn my life around and become a healthier me, I am rewarding myself with the surgery... and while I am at it, I am throwing in the tummy tuck as I really need it due to all the excess skin and I am too afraid to even think about surgery again :) So... after 6 consultations and countless hours researching I have chosen my surgeon... Dr. Gregory Delange! I felt convinced from the first time I met him. It's funny bc I kept reading othe rstories about how they just knew that was the one for them, and then I started going to appts and kept coming out dissappointed thinking maybe I won't have that click with anyone. Maybe I am over thinking it and not allowing myself to feel comfortable with anyone. But sure enough when I went in for my consult with him I was sold. I saw several doctors in the area and was so shocked at their style, responses and overall personality with me as they were trying to gain my business. Dr. Delange made me feel as ease and most importantly safe. I hope I don't regret my decision, but I don't think I will. I hope to post as I am going thru the crazy roller coast emotions of the surgery and recovery to help some as others have helped me with their stories! Best of luck to you all!

Hello Everyone!!! Words cannot express my happiness! Just got back from my 1 week post-op appt and I am doing phenomenally well! Sorry I haven't posted sooner... it really did fly by! Ok so I have to say the worst part of it all so far was my car ride home. Yep... that's it! I have had pain, nothing unbearable (however for the first 72 hours I made sure to stay on top of pain meds and muscle relaxers. I have had discomfort, again nothing unbearable.

I sincerely thank with all my heart Dr. DeLange and his crew at the Estetica Institute! They never once let me feel anxious the day of surgery and trust me, I totally thought I would be. As I walked in the day of surgery Dr. DeLange was there ready and waiting for me. His energy and excitement was just what I needed that morning. He was happy for me, he reminded me how long I had waited and planned for this, and he reassured me that I was safe and I would be so happy! I was so nervous with my severe Latex Allergy and his nurse was on top of it from the second I saw her. She was warm and welcome, sweet and gave off this air of confidence with care and concern. I cannot say enough wonderful things about her! And anesthesia was amazing. He numbed my hand first and then put in IV... I didn't feel a thing! A tiny poke for the lidocaine and then slight pressure and manuevering to put IV in for like 20 seconds and done. Then he asked he if I was ready to relax. I said yes and he put 2 syringes into my IV and all I remember is him saying "OK lets walk over to the OR." I don't remember walking, but I obviously did. And I don't remember getting onto the OR bed, but I did. And then I vaguely remember hearing him say "Let's wrap her arm for the blood pressure cuff." (which was something he told me he'd do as an extra precaution for my latex allergy. He was confident there wasn't latex on the cuff but since its plastic and it would be on for long, he wanted to be as safe as possible, which made me feel safe!) And then I was being woken up by my awesome nurse telling me I was done. Yes I had pain, but that was mainly bc of the post op reclining chair, as the pain was more in my back then anywhere else. Needless to say, my nurse went and got my anesthesiologist and he gave me something through my IV and I was comfortable again! And that was that, I walked out to my car (yes in pain, uncomfortable and groggy, but not horrible crazy either).

And then the worst ride of my life began! My poor, poor husband !!! I moaned, cried, yelled and screamed at him over every little movement the car made. It really wasn't my tummy tuck, it was more the boobs that provided pain for me. Almost like difficult to breathe. Well our car ride home was normally a 35 minute ride and it took us just over an hour. I didn't think I'd make it alive, but I did. And from there on out, every single day I have felt signicantly better. Stopped all prescription pain meds on day 4. My doctor does use Exparel during the Tummy Tuck which I can only assume aided my decreased pain from that significantly. I don't have another tummy tuck without it to compare it to, but considering I have heard and read horror stories about the pain, my pain was no where near that so I am going to go on a limb and say, that really works and is a must!

I did have a very healthy lifestyle for a year before my surgery. I worked out until the day before and ate clean as well. I also believe that this has helped my recovery and healing process.

So here I am 1 week post op and I want to be 100% back to my normal life, however I know I can't. I still have discomfort. I am taking Tylenol Extra Strength about 3 times a day. I still have my drain... it's coming out tomorrow!!!!!! Cant' wait! Not because it hurts or anything but bc its simply annoying. Gym starts in 7-10 days (low impact, walking, stairmaster, etc)!!!! And doc says I can drive if I want to but I am going to give it a few more days.

Again, if anyone is in the market for this procedure, Dr. DeLange and the entire crew has been over the top phenomenal with me and I would recommend them completely!!!