POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover REVIEWS
28yr Old Mom of 3 Body: Extended TT, BR/BL
ORIGINAL POST
Hi ladies! I've been a lurker for a coupe of...
egassnerMay 10, 2014
WORTH IT$14,882
Hi ladies!
I've been a lurker for a coupe of months now, but figured since I cleaned to mirror to take pics, I ought to introduce myself and post them. I, like many I see on here, have the 'mom droop'; The life sucked from our body after having children leaving puddles of skin in the aftermath.
I've never been 'small' and have struggled with self image (and still do) my whole life. I married young and weighed 180ish prepregnancy. And then the kids... I took on 60# with the first ( taking advantage of the situation, or so I thought), 30# with the second, and 50# with the last. Never quite loosing it all in between. My heaviest (pregnancy) weight was 260# and 210# 6wks postpartum with my last child.
After the 'divorce diet', I was finally down to my pre-prego weight and have never gone back! After life settled, I stated working on me. I worked out and watched my calories, but could not get under 150. I would start to to gain back in muscle mass. Along with the scale discouragement, my 'belly button' had become a vertical crevasse of skin/fatty tissue on my midsection. Needless to say I said screw it! That crap was not coming off without a knife. So here I am!
I have my consult in 2 days with Dr. Bohley. I am definitely going with the TT, but after nursing 3 kiddos for a year each (and making milk like a Holstein!) my breasts have seen better days. I was a F cup at one point and now puddle into a D. So a lift and BA might be on the table.
I've got a long list of questions, but are there any more you ladies thought of after the fact you wish you would have beforehand? Also, any ladies get a lift without BA and stay roughly the same size? I have lots of dense breast tissue....it's just hangin' with gravity ;)
I've been a lurker for a coupe of months now, but figured since I cleaned to mirror to take pics, I ought to introduce myself and post them. I, like many I see on here, have the 'mom droop'; The life sucked from our body after having children leaving puddles of skin in the aftermath.
I've never been 'small' and have struggled with self image (and still do) my whole life. I married young and weighed 180ish prepregnancy. And then the kids... I took on 60# with the first ( taking advantage of the situation, or so I thought), 30# with the second, and 50# with the last. Never quite loosing it all in between. My heaviest (pregnancy) weight was 260# and 210# 6wks postpartum with my last child.
After the 'divorce diet', I was finally down to my pre-prego weight and have never gone back! After life settled, I stated working on me. I worked out and watched my calories, but could not get under 150. I would start to to gain back in muscle mass. Along with the scale discouragement, my 'belly button' had become a vertical crevasse of skin/fatty tissue on my midsection. Needless to say I said screw it! That crap was not coming off without a knife. So here I am!
I have my consult in 2 days with Dr. Bohley. I am definitely going with the TT, but after nursing 3 kiddos for a year each (and making milk like a Holstein!) my breasts have seen better days. I was a F cup at one point and now puddle into a D. So a lift and BA might be on the table.
I've got a long list of questions, but are there any more you ladies thought of after the fact you wish you would have beforehand? Also, any ladies get a lift without BA and stay roughly the same size? I have lots of dense breast tissue....it's just hangin' with gravity ;)
egassner's provider
UPDATED FROM egassner
1 month pre
Consult: Check!
egassnerMay 13, 2014
Got home a little while ago from my consult with Dr. Bohley. He was running late from surgery, so it was a little over an hour after my appointment time before we got to meet him. His staff was great and the MA was hilarious.
Working in a medical office myself, I could tell he wanted to get back on schedule, so I kept my questions short and sweet, but he never at any point rushed me or gave me the 'quick answers'.
My main concerns going in were:
Can I do a lift without implants to keep my current size (would rather not go smaller)
If implants were an option, what was the maintenance like
and Would a tummy tuck address my love handles.
The breast assessment was first and he felt very confident that I had enough boob left to keep my current size and suggested getting the girls back in place before adding to them; give myself some time to adjust having them back on my chest again. And if I felt like I wasn't satisfied with the size, get the implants at a later time. He suggested a 'cosmetic reduction' which wont actually reduce them at all, but give the same lifting results as they would for a reduction patient. Basically it's like using the heavy duty tow strap to cinch them up.
As for the belly....well, lets just say I felt like a pie with it's edges crimped after he got done turning me around. I'm about a 100#'s less right now then at my peak pregnancy weight and it showed. He suggested an extended TT to address all the skin (which I just assumed was stubborn fat) that settled onto my hips. This body was made for baby makin', so I have great hips for resting babies on...or skin apparently. Going this route will not only take care of my pooch in front, but take the love handles off and lift my butt a little. Win win!
The cost was a bit more than I expected going in for, but still manageable. Their office administrator was amazingly kind and not pushy about money or a deposit ect.
I'm all sorts of nervous/excited/relieved to have answers for my questions, knowing that this is a reality and no longer a fantasy!
Working in a medical office myself, I could tell he wanted to get back on schedule, so I kept my questions short and sweet, but he never at any point rushed me or gave me the 'quick answers'.
My main concerns going in were:
Can I do a lift without implants to keep my current size (would rather not go smaller)
If implants were an option, what was the maintenance like
and Would a tummy tuck address my love handles.
The breast assessment was first and he felt very confident that I had enough boob left to keep my current size and suggested getting the girls back in place before adding to them; give myself some time to adjust having them back on my chest again. And if I felt like I wasn't satisfied with the size, get the implants at a later time. He suggested a 'cosmetic reduction' which wont actually reduce them at all, but give the same lifting results as they would for a reduction patient. Basically it's like using the heavy duty tow strap to cinch them up.
As for the belly....well, lets just say I felt like a pie with it's edges crimped after he got done turning me around. I'm about a 100#'s less right now then at my peak pregnancy weight and it showed. He suggested an extended TT to address all the skin (which I just assumed was stubborn fat) that settled onto my hips. This body was made for baby makin', so I have great hips for resting babies on...or skin apparently. Going this route will not only take care of my pooch in front, but take the love handles off and lift my butt a little. Win win!
The cost was a bit more than I expected going in for, but still manageable. Their office administrator was amazingly kind and not pushy about money or a deposit ect.
I'm all sorts of nervous/excited/relieved to have answers for my questions, knowing that this is a reality and no longer a fantasy!
Replies (1)
May 13, 2014
Great post! Keep the story going. I had my MM today (full TT and BA). I was told Silicon Breast implants should be checked once per year. I had saleen for about 17 years and never had a problem or had them checked. The down side is saleen ripples. Today I had them switched out for silicon. I would visit one more doctor so that you have something to compar. Congrats on your decision to take the mm journey!
UPDATED FROM egassner
1 month pre
Oh Emotions...
egassnerMay 14, 2014
Now that I have put the money down and there is no turning back, I have that lovey guilt stricken feeling. There are so many others things to do with that money; down on a house, 529's for the kids, a new car! And I keep telling myself (as does my other half) that the increased quality of life cannot be quantified.
And then there's the procedure...I have spent an embarrassingly amount of time researching a MM/TT to preparing myself for what to expect during the procedure as well as recovery. I hadn't really looked into the full wrap around TT and I don't see too many reviews on here of people similar in build/excess skin who have had it. I feel down trodden that I *need* to have the more extensive plastic surgery to fix what I did to my body.
But I know this is all irrelevant and temporary...damn lady time must be coming soon! Lol
And then there's the procedure...I have spent an embarrassingly amount of time researching a MM/TT to preparing myself for what to expect during the procedure as well as recovery. I hadn't really looked into the full wrap around TT and I don't see too many reviews on here of people similar in build/excess skin who have had it. I feel down trodden that I *need* to have the more extensive plastic surgery to fix what I did to my body.
But I know this is all irrelevant and temporary...damn lady time must be coming soon! Lol
Replies (11)
May 14, 2014
We live so close..... I'm in eugene OR! Excited to watch your journey as I wait for mine.. July 24th seems so far away! I have the same guilty feelings but know it will be worth it in the end!
May 14, 2014
We are close! I lived around Corvallis for years and now am in the gorge. I still go visit friend around Albany when I get a chance. :) I know these feelings will flux as the date nears...and then after, but this is something I have wanted for a long time
May 14, 2014
My surgery date isn't until July 29th! Which seems like forever from now! I'm in Gladstone, Oregon!
May 14, 2014
I think I would drive myself to insanity having to wait any longer than I am! It is constantly in the back of my mind and I'm trying to research and prepare myself for anything that may come....I know why all the great geniuses are slightly mad!!
May 14, 2014
LOL! It's kinda crazy for me waiting! My mind (and emotions!) are all over the place! Mega-excited to get this surgery done, am I doing the right thing?, Did I choose the right Dr.? (I consulted 3), Will the surgery be a fabulous success or will I regret it? Will I be able to get through all the hassle and discomfort of post-op? I'll have to wear the CG all through the heat of summer, should I have waited until the Fall? But I can't stand this wait now! Yeah, I can relate to feeling a little nuts over all this and I'm soooo preoccupied by it! Too much! My rational brain keeps telling me to take this on day by day, distract myself with work and other areas of my life. That's no easy task for me! Keep me posted on how you're doing and I wish you all the very best!
May 14, 2014
We have the same surgery date! Im having your sane worries. I've asked my PS a million questions and still feel unsure about things. Im a natural saggy dd. I love my size. Just want them full and perky again. We're going with 450cc HP silicone. Im hoping with what I've already got that bim not huge and end up saggy in a couple years. Big congrats on your weight loss. You deserve this surgery. Ill be following your journey :)
May 14, 2014
Thank you! I def wouldnt mind having the girls a little bigger; this is the smallest my chest has been since high school! Lol. But having them pointing the horizion agaijnis the goal for now. Not to mention the liklihood of replacing them twice in my lifetime would be even more money to feel guilty about later on. I am counting down the days tho...7 more weeks!
May 14, 2014
I feel the exact same way, exactly! You articulated it very well! It sounds like we are both getting very similar procedures as well! Dr. Bohley is going to do the cosmetic "reduction" on me, promising not to take away any more breast tissue than is necessary. I can't afford for him to actually make me a smaller cup size! I'm currently a full C, barely a D right now and I came into the consult appt. wanting implants! I'm still trying to get my head around the whole concept, big time! He's also going to do the love-handle, remove excess skin, butt lift (sea-gull incision) by extending my TT scar out further! I'm excited about this procedure! In addition to having some lipo on my upper & lower abdomen. Hoping that this is all successful and I like the results! I sure wouldn't mind being thrilled, I have to say! I too, am wrestling with not feeling guilty about the money this whole project is going to cost me! If it makes you feel any better, my work comes out to $17,400! It's even difficult to just type those figures let alone justifying the expense. This is a major investment I am making in myself. I feel both guilty and selfish at the same time! I've also wanted these areas of my body addressed for about 10 years, which is a very long time to want something and wait! And I'm not getting any younger! I thing it absolutely wonderful that you have the opportunity to have this surgery when you're 28! That is so excellent and the odds of your surgery being a success is so great! I'm 52 and skin elasticity & gravity, not to mention weight gain reduce my odds a bit. Let's hope Dr. Bohley can work his magic on the both of us and we greet the Fall season, better versions of ourselves. The bottom line is that we are indeed worth this investment. Imagine how fantastic you will look and feel once the 1st hurdle of recovery is over! I've been doing tons of research on PS for a very long time and one thing I've read over & over on this site in particular, is to expect is that it seems like days 3 to 5 post-op, can be pretty rough! Both physically and emotionally! I'm trying to prepare for this phase! Remembering that this time is only temporary, and we can deal with temporary, right? Sorry this is so long winded! I just felt like I could genuinely relate to what your experiencing right now. I put down a hefty deposit and I'm committed to seeing this "project", all the way through! Feel free to contact me anytime if you need a pep talk! We can do this thing and come out better for it! Take care! ~ Cyndi
May 14, 2014
I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one Cyndi! It's so bizzaar to have this roller coaster of feelings on something you've wanted for *so* long! That is so exciting we're having such similiar procedures from the same Dr.... and fairly close too :) I totally want him to take before and after AND during pics as well! I keep telling myself that the depoit is what's going to keep this train moving forward. It's non-refundable and loosing with nothing to show would make me feel worse than spening the lump sum on something I know will make me feel mentally healthier
May 14, 2014
I know! I did put 5,000 down and told myself, Wow! There's no going back now! I'm committed to this thing! I too am going to ask Dr. Bohley or his MA to take before and... After (!) photos with my camera. Hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to post them on this site. Really looking forward to those "after" shots, esp. at 3 months post-op! LOL! Now, I have to deal with this horrible, long, waiting for surgery period, ahhh! I bet you're waiting for the end of June like I am eager for the end of July! We should both be rockin' this Halloween! Have you got your labs, EKG and mammogram set up yet? Preparing for the surgery is making all this more real to me! I've already started to buy stuff I'l need for recovery! This site has a lot of good lists and tips for things to have on hand! We're doing this thing! Yeah!
May 14, 2014
You are such a motivator Cyndi! I love your spirit! I have been trying to minimize the amount of money I spend on recovery stuff. I bought some gauze and other dressings on clearance the other day ($6 for two boxes of gauze pads and 2 roll of tape!!) and plan to buy just a few work appropriate dresses for when I go back as well as stage 2 compression garments. Due to my age, I was not required to do the mammogram or EKG and recently had a CBC, so I think there is just one more lab I need to do that Tish is mailing to me this week. And yes! I cannot wait for the date to get here simply so I can stop obsessing over it! Lol
Replies (11)
I'm happy for you and am looking forward to following along on your journey!