WORTH IT - Mini Abdominoplasty W/ Tattoo Excision & Breast Augmentation (POST OP - DAY 3) - Phoenix, AZ

Becoming a mother is a rewarding achievement for a woman...it is, essentially, the moment of truth that makes all those periods excusable. Excuse the pun. Unfortunately, during pregnancy...around, oh say Week 38, a woman looks at herself & is in complete disbelief that she has allowed herself to live in uncomfortable fatness for the last 9 months. Once child meets mother & mother touches child...all is forgiven & life is forever altered in a woman's mind. I digress...while I was plump & pregnant, I got fat, my skin stretched, & after giving birth & slimming back down to my almost pre-pregnancy weight...I was about 8lbs above my pre-baby 110lbs, which I attribute to working out & building muscle - my body still looked worn out. My skin was hiding my youth...I hated looking at it. Please note, I was very against the elective surgeries to fix my previous fat phase because of several reasons...too many to list here - however, in the end I finally opted to do it - more pros than cons...the rewards outweighed the risks. I'm happy with my decision & excited to have a boosted self-confidence again.

My recovery? That's what everyone googles - so here's my opinion on it...it sucks. This is graphic...please proceed at your own risk. Ha ha ha. It's really not that horrendous...just think stomach flu mixed with the gym. I am healing & yes, it hurt. It's called Plastic Surgery - not Playful Procedures. My body feels forced to recover faster because it's self-inflicted pain. I'm depressed one moment, elated the next, anxious, self-conscious, self-confident, tired, awake, excited, energetic, impatient, patient, bored, restless, sleepless, sore, achy, in pain, nauseated, constipated, not constipated, pee, pain, pain, pee, shock - this is from the drainage bulb attached to my pelvic region...dehydrated, starving, over-stuffed feeling...did I mention pain? Please note, I have a high tolerance for pain - as I have been suffering w/ chronic back pain without medication for almost 4 years...I digress again. The recovery is definitely worth it & you know it when you can tangibly visualize your old body as simply a memory.

(I didn't want before pictures...my doc has those - reference his records if you'd like to see them.)

26YO - Mother of 1 (Breastfed for 9mos - bust during pregnancy spiked to a full DD)
Preop Bust: 32B-32C
Implants Recommended: 505cc Sientra High Cohesive Strength Silicone Gel Implants

2 weeks postop - I'm feeling great! I'm just waiting for the go ahead to return to my normal activities. I've probably been more active than advised, as I can't stand sitting around my house doing nothing. The first 72 hours after my procedures were painful, however...each & every day after that, I've began to feel better & better - from the inside out. My doctor did an incredible job - I still can't believe how I had no bruising & very little pain after those first 3 days. I'm so happy to have found my doctor for years to come. I'm so excited about my new body. I'm happy that I didn't opt with going any smaller on my implants. I decided on 500cc with my surgeon, as I was trying to stay a full D cup...however, now that my swelling has gone down, a little bit bigger would've given me some extra volume on the sides of my breasts. Oh well, something to think of next time. Initially, I was actually worried that 500cc was going to be too big. What's nice about my new set is that they look more natural than I imagined preop...my nipples actually fit my breasts now. My tummy is recovering nicely...probably another 2 weeks before I'll be 100% down there, but I'm still surprised how well I've felt since being cut open. I'm extremely happy with my decision for plastic surgery thus far & can't wait to receive my go ahead to return to busy, daily, activities & routines.