Massive Weight Loss = No Boobs + Saggy Belly

Being overweight runs in my family. It isn't something I've ever liked, but no matter how hard I tried, I could never get the weight off. Between hip issues and a seriously sadly performing metabolism, I was doomed to a sedentary life. About three years ago, I took drastic non-surgical methods to start loosing weight. Then about 5 months later I met an amazing orthopedic surgeon who took on the challenge of rebuilding my hip and the muscles around it. After that procedure, I could actually work out. More weight came off. My top weight was 235 pounds and I was in size 16. My bottom weight was 158 and I was in size 8. I am now at 170 and in size 6. (I am 5'8" and will be 35 in a couple weeks).

As you can imagine, 25+ years of being overweight can reek havoc on one's body. At my request, my husband began a crazy information gathering adventure for me on what my options are. He spent hours upon hours researching over the course of a year. Yes, it took me that long to even take the leap of going to a consultation. In the past 6 months, I've seen 7 plastic surgeons and some of those twice. I've even seen my GP to see what his thoughts were. You see, I've worked so hard to get into shape without surgery and, to me, a tummy tuck was cheating. Each person I saw was amazed at how well my skin did rebound from my past, but every person I spoke to confirmed that there was no possible way I could exercise my way into tighter skin. I had done everything I possibly could. So, after 22 months of research and 6 months worth of consults, I finally became comfortable with the idea and scheduled my procedure!

Now, choosing a doctor was quite a challenge. (My husband did his research well, which made it difficult for me to reduce the list!). I got along with each and every one of them. Not one of them gave me a bad feeling and I'm sure I would have gotten good results from any of them. Therefore, I couldn't use that as a limiting factor.

To prepare for my consults, I researched questions to ask and I took detailed notes. Each appointment would give me a new piece of information that would be useful at my next appointment. I would especially listen to their recommendations and preferences so I could understand why they did things the way they did.

There was no one thing I could point to that would reduce the list of candidates. So, we had to get creative. Going over my notes, we started looking for inconsistencies in the responses. What I mean by this is why they would use techniques such as: over the muscle vs. under the muscle for the breast augmentation or size/shape/length/location of the tummy tuck scar. When I started the consultations, I was seriously concentrating on the breast augmentation. I figured a tummy tuck, is a tummy tuck, is a tummy tuck. That is not the case. Make sure you ask detailed questions on where the doc is going to cut you and where your scar is going to be. Like I said, size/shape/length/location are very based on what your doctor thinks will work best. As you see the different doctors and you gain more knowledge, you will find that you'll want to talk to previous doctors again so you can get their opinion. As I mentioned earlier, I did that very thing. As I started noting the difference in their responses, I was able to slowly reduce my list.

I ended up choosing the doctor Whose tummy tuck products I fell in love with. While I had decided I was going to wear my scar as a badge of honor when this whole thing started, I realized that I actually had options. She has a very particular way of doing her scars which allows them to be located lower than most of the other doctors I talked to would do. Keep in mind that low isn't always good because if it is done incorrectly, you can end up with tugging on the mons in an unattractive way. So be sure you're comfortable with your doctor.

Just because I ended up putting a lot of weight on the tummy tuck procedure, I also needed to be comfortable with this doctor's breast augmentations. I actually had a lot of hesitation at the beginning on her BA's. The photos she had were really good and I liked what she had to say, but I was not comfortable with the size she suggested. Every other doctor I talked to would put me in 475-600 CC's, but she was only suggesting 375-400. The discrepancy was because she does not use sizers and we were only discussing a "look". She doesn't use sizers because she feels they give a misconception of what you will look like and they are not accurate. She also believes it can also skew a persons view on what their body will actually accept. So, when we are talking of cup size, I had asked for a full D. I had always been busty and had been as large as a G at my largest. That may have skewed my idea of size. I realized after doing a little bra shopping that I wanted a full DD. It turned out that what I thought I was telling her I wanted was different than what I actually wanted. She was giving me her suggestion on what would get me to the look I asked for. I just needed to up the size I requested. How I found this out? I made rice sizers and got my measurements done. The 500 CC's was definitely larger than what I was asking for.

Once I figured this out, I went down to the office, scheduled my appointment and put my money down. I did my pre-op appointment which covered what I needed to know about the surgery and recovery through the first couple post-op appointments. I've picked up my prescriptions and surgery is this Wednesday. More to come.

I had my pre-op appointment on the 15th. We went over a giant stack of paperwork and made sure all my questions were answered. We made sure that I still wanted to proceed with the TT and BA and confirmed what size I was looking for. We will do that again day of surgery. There was a long list of NO items to eat/drink/take. The shopping list wasn't too crazy (dial soap, easy on the tummy foods, get your prescriptions ahead of time, straws - helps you to drink more and that's very important, and a good multivitamin). Also, you can only take Tylenol for the two weeks leading to surgery. Other helpful tips have been a shower stool, hand-held shower nozzle, a walker (since you will be bent over for a few days), and a raise toilet seat. Soft pull on pants and shirts you don't have to pull on over your head are a must.

I've got a great support structure. My husband is going to be with me the whole time and my girlfriends are going to keep us fed and/or supply company. (There is concern my husband may kill me if he tries to cook so better safe than sorry). Food is extremely important for the body to heal. Make sure you have easily accessible foods that do not require prep. The companionship will be helpful too. Keeping your spirits up is just as important as the food in my opinion.

I will be out of the office for 19 days, but back to working from home after 12 days depending on how I feel.

Here are some before pictures. I just took these yesterday.

This morning got away from me and I didn't get an update done before going in. The nervousness did start to kick in this morning. I've been so busy with work that I haven't even really been able to think about my surgery; however, that was not the case this morning (or last night).

All of the staff were super supportive and very friendly. They made me feel very comfortable physically and mentally. The doctor came in and we reviewed everything one last time to make sure we were on the same page. I have lovely marker lines all over my body. It looks like a jigsaw puzzle. I really liked the anesthesiologist as well. We actually had similar procedures.

Once all of that was done and all questions were answered, I was wheeled into the operating room and my hubby had to go wait outside.

I do not remember the discussion after my procedure and have to rely completely on my husband for that information. Apparently, my muscles are too dang strong and it took a lot more effort to get my implants in under the muscle than expected but she got it done. She did minor repair work on my ab wall, more for aesthetics than anything else and some minor lipo on my flanks to help make that hourglass figure.

All in all they were very happy with how the procedure went and I was able to go home. Postop appointment is tomorrow and I'll have more information then.

Here are some pictures of me home resting in bed.