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POSTED UNDER Tummy Tuck Reviews

My Bariatric Life 1-yr Post Tummy Tuck. Dr. Joseph F. Capella Changed My Life at 49yo! Results Are So Much More Than Expected!

UPDATED FROM My Bariatric Life
1 year post

Only in my widlest dreams could I have imagined life-changing results

WORTH IT$7,100
Hi everyone - I just thought I'd share one last time to inspire you that dramatic change really is possible through plastic surgery after massive weight loss. I am about one-year out from my plastic surgeries (18-mos or so from TT). Please take a look my video to see the dramatic change in just one-year. In April 2013 I was a size 14 before my tummy tuck and afterwards I was a size 8. After my second stage body contouring in October 2013 I am down to a size 2. And I had facial plastic surgery in December 2013 to get rid of the sagging skin just as I had gotten rid of the sagging skin on my body. Massive weight gain and loss really did destroy my body. But my plastic surgeons, Joseph F. Capella MD (Capella Plastic Surgery) and Catherine Winslow MD (Winslow Facial Plastic Surgery), and Paleo diet and exercise gave me a beautiful face and body. Since my gastric bypass surgery in 2003, when I was a size 24W, I've lost 135 pounds and 11 pants sizes and look about 15 years younger! And those are just the physical changes. The emotional changes have been equally powerful and transformative.

If you are interested in the other procedures I had done, please visit my profile to access my detailed reviews on all of my procedures. It has been a labor of love to detail my experience here on RealSelf. My reviews have helped a great many patients to realize the possibilities, that they can take control of their health and their lives -- and yes, that dreams really do come true.

I hope that you will follow your dreams. Your life belongs to you and you are going to live it only once, not twice or more.

My Bariatric Life's provider

Joseph F. Capella, MD

Joseph F. Capella, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Dr. Capella is the top plastic surgeon for post-bariatric and massive weight loss patients. He is an innovator and pioneer in the field and has one of the largest experiences in the world having performed more than 10,000 body contouring procedures. He truly excels at sculpting beauty from gobs of fat – not only am I living proof of that but also check the many hundreds of patient photos on his website who are living proof, too! I promise you that if anyone can make your body look good, it is Dr. Capella. I went from a size 14/16 to a size 8 in only 3.5-mos after my tummy tuck! Then less than 6-weeks after my 2nd stage surgery upper/lower body lift and thigh lift, I was a size 4! And at 4.5-mos post op I was in size 2 jeans. You may read about my body lift experience here: http://www.realself.com/review/ramsey-nj-medial-thigh-lift-lbl-arm-lift-flankplasty-breast-lift-monsplasty#/entry-form It was a wild emotional roller coaster ride for me but when I had fears and concerns Dr. Capella was always gentle and calming and gave me all the time in the world, never once trying to hurry me through an exam or on a phone call. Dr. Capella has always made himself available to me, whether in the wee hours of the morning, or the weekend, and even on his lunch break. I have always felt safe in his care before, during, and after surgery. I could not go to any other plastic surgeon for my body contouring.

Replies (15)

I just watched ur video! U r an inspiration to us all. Congrats!!
Thanks so much!
Amazing!!!
TY!
Amazing! Amazing! Amazing, and well written!!
Thank you, my love. You are always so supportive and I very much appreciate that.
Ur welcome!
You have done an amazing job of telling your "story" and the documentation has been inspiring, thank you!
You are very welcome. Good luck on your journey!!!
Amazing transformation! You look gorgeous!!! :)
Thanks so very much! I feel like the ugly duckling who turned into the swan. Wishing you well on your journey!
UPDATED FROM My Bariatric Life
1 year post

My Bariatric Life photo gallery

I am creating a photo gallery on Flickr of my before and after photos --
Before I became obese
After I became obese but before weight loss surgery
After weight loss surgery but before plastic surgery
After plastic surgery

It is a work in progress but lots of photos are up at this point. My wish is to inspire people to defeat obesity and live a life they love! I've attached a few photos from My Bariatric Life on Flickr and you may view my other reviews on RealSelf to see others.

You have within you what it takes to succeed!

Replies (14)

Hi there. I stumbled upon your blog while I was reading Bella's blog. I just wanted to congratulate you on your transformation and admire how to "took your life by the horns." I know a lot of people will be inspired by your story. Finally, I pray you continue to be blessed and happy!
Thank you for such a very lovely and encouraging note. I am making up for lost time!
Hi! I just happen to see your post to another RS friend and read your story. Wow! What an incredible transformation and great story!!! Way to go and at 50 you are an inspiration (I'll be 50 next year). Thanks so much for sharing your pics and your experience. It left me somewhat speechless. Wonderful and kudos to you!!!!!!!!
Thank you so very much, my love. I will check out your story, too! Good luck on your journey!
Love your braveness and admire your strength! I have to ask something a bit more personal... After suffering through my c section my constipation/stomach ache issues had a really bad affect on my wellness and recovery. I found myself vomiting. I've lived with my shark mouth scar and excess skin for 18 yrs now. I'm desperate to fix it and researched all the docs, but I have to ask how you handled the tuck and bowel issues that might've followed such an extensive surgery. Thank you for the inspiration and guidance!
Thank you - my body contouring plastic surgery experience was very hard and it made me a much stronger person as a result. As for constipation, it was a big problem after my tummy tuck. I also remember being constipated after my face lift and the bearing down made my face swell and bleed more. I do not believe I had this problem after my body lift. Just drink lots of fluids, take colasce as direct by your doctor, have magnesium citrate at the ready when needed, eliminate constipation causing foods and eat food that aid elimination. Personally I would rather over medicate myself and have loose stools than constipation. That is not medical advice - check with your doctor. Good luck!!!
Thank you for sharing your experience, one quick question; when taking laxative/stool softener following my section, my uterine contractions plus the surgical area felt as though my organs were about to rupture... Did you feel that way after your tuck with the stool softeners? Thank you so much for the truth and sharing.
No. On the contrary. The constipation made it feel like I was going to rupture something.
Wow
Thank you my dear :-)
What an amazing journey, you are inspirational. I had gastric sleeve last year and lost 72 lbs, last week I had TT, BL, and fat grafting in my face because it got too thin. Today is 4 days post op. Can't wait to read you other journey.
Isn't it cruel that we have fat where we don't want it and no fat where we do want it? I hope the fat transfer works for you as I know you do not want foreign substances in your body. I get filler done... but at least it is a natural substance that our body makes. I am getting saline breast implants. I wish I did not need them but I really really really want beautiful round breasts. They look pretty good after my breast lift. But I am so desiring beautiful breasts. It will be my last surgery.
UPDATED FROM My Bariatric Life
1 year post

Oh the clothes you will wear! The things you will do!

I did an outdoor photo shoot this past week. Never did I imagine I'd bare my tummy at 50 yrs old. But I do! And I feel wonderful.

Replies (31)

Must say you look very nice. Hope I feel the same once I have my surgery
Thank you. Nothing can prepare you for how wonderful you will feel -- look at all of the before and after photos and read the journeys but once you go through your own transformation, WOWOWOWOW it is exhilarating! Just you wait and see!
Awesome!
Thanks, love.
Woohoo go for it girlfriend :-)
Thanks so much, love.
Looking good! 50? No way!!! I'm so happy for you!! You look beautiful!!
THANKS A BUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You look so great!!!
Thank you! I am very happy.