Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Breast Lift REVIEWS

33 Year-old Having Trouble Deciding Between Tummy Tuck or Breast Lift - Rhode Island

ORIGINAL POST

Here goes. I have been lurking a bit here reading...

User Avatar
j_lab80
$7,100
Here goes. I have been lurking a bit here reading stories and looking at photos for quite some time, and the women on here have given me so much information and help just by sharing their stories. So thank you for that! I am in need of some advice, since I don't have any girlfriends who have kids and wrecked bodies.

I am 33, in pretty good shape. I have three kiddos, ages 3, 6, and 8. I have been nursing straightaway for 8 years (I only stopped for 1 month before my third child was born. Nursed kiddo #1 for 3.5 years in tandem with kiddo #2, and kiddo #3 is almost 4 and I'm starting to really wean her now). Needless to say, the girls are a bit wrecked. Before kids they weren't that awesome anyway. I always had stretch marks after I lost 15 lbs after high school. They were a 36C before kids, now I stuff them into a 36B with room to spare. I think I have more skin than actual breast tissue. So, I'd love a lift and possibly the tiniest implant available to give a little fullness. I want Leslie Mann's boobs from "This is 40." That would be my goal, and my expectation with breast surgery would be to have the chance to go bra-less in certain summer tops and to have a youthful, stretchmark-free area for once in my life. I have 90-year-old ta-tas currently and would like to reverse the clock as much as possible.

Onto my stomach. With my second pregnancy, my belly button pretty much separated from my stomach and now it sits there on its own. The skin around the belly button is wrinkly and hangs unattractively over the bands of my underwear and sweatpants. Other than the area directly around my belly button, my stomach isn't so bad.

I have the money saved for one operation only. I cannot combine. I do not know when I will be able to undergo the second surgery - it could be 5 years, could be 15. I need advice as to which surgery I should take on first. Recovery is a huge factor in this. I was pretty certain at the start I wanted to have the tt, but I really do not have a ton of help at home and cannot take more than 2 weeks off from work (I have a very light job in a library, so that's not really my main concern). I am more worried about the recovery at home and the repeated follow-ups that would be required for the tt. Plus, in my area tt is definitely costlier. I do think that for the money spent, the results of a tt will be more life-changing overall. But ...

My boobs really bother me, and I am starting to lean more toward that surgery because of the easier recovery. Is it worth it to have the boobs done, ladies? So you who have had it done feel dramatically better about your bodies? Please offer honest advice if you can. Thank you!

Replies (32)

February 26, 2014
I just had TT and BR. I would go for the breast surgery.
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Did you have both at the same time? Which are you personally more please with?
February 26, 2014
I had them at the same time. I love them both, but I feel better about myself with the breast reduction. You can hide your stomach most of the time. However, having perky breasts helps my self-esteem more.
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
I replied to this above "Ain't it the truth ..." still trying to figure this format out!
User Avatar
March 8, 2014
Agreed. I will end up with both procedures when financially feasible, but I'm so ready for the boobs now. I am going on vacation next week and returned 3 bathing suits to Zappos because my breasts looked so awful in all of them. I think that answered my question as to which one bothers me more. I can't even pull off a one-piece anymore.
February 26, 2014
I say check out the breast revisions and breast implant removal reviews. Breast implants are not forever and so many people end up needed revisions even before the full lifespan of the implant. I had implants placed 12yrs ago because of severely asymmetrical breasts and while I liked the for the first give years I've hated the last seven. I know this probably isn't something you want to hear but we just paid 7000$ (that could have done so much for my family in other ways) so that I could have mine removed and fixed. If you opt for the breast surgery start saving for your next breast surgery immediately :(
February 26, 2014
Sorry for the typos. My phone has been glitch all day.
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Thank you, I will check out those boards. I totally agree that $7k is a lot of money and that if I'm choosing to spend it on myself in this way, I should look at the longevity of the procedures and I know that I probably won't need another tummy tuck but the breasts aren't a sure thing. My mother in-law and sister in-law have both had breast implants and have both had to have revisions. I'm concerned that a breast lift alone won't give me the results I'm after, but I am very wary of implants. I need to discuss this with my surgeon ASAP since I have already scheduled the tt for April. Again thank you for sharing your thoughts!
February 26, 2014
I hope you didn't think I was being harsh. Being tired and typing on this piece of crap phone kinda made me look that way. I'm glad to hear you are wary of implants. My ps said she is removing more and more all the time and not replacing them. I have two sisters that are planning to have theirs out and not replaced. My mom wanted them for years but now doesn't after watching what we've gone through and we haven't had any serious complications like you can read about on here. Even the smallest implant will still feel like an implant:( wish you the best!
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Not harsh at all! I'm looking for honest opinions and not just high-fives! I am a borderline hypochondriac (self diagnosed, of course ;-) and I think the reality of having implants inside of me would really wear on me. I'd totally dwell on it and wind up wanting them out ... and yet I want nice boobies!
February 26, 2014
I think we all want nice boobies:) I've just change on what I think are nice boobies. I'll have tiny, healthy ones with scars and they will be awesome:)
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Exactly. I had large breasts as a teenager and I felt awkward the way guys looked at me. Now they're small and I like that, just not the deflated aspect. I would love to be one of those girls who can just wear a bralette without much support and still look fine. I'm making an appointment with my PS for next week to come in and explore my options. The TT is still on the table at this point. The surgeon I'm seeing is tops in the state for breast surgery (I learned of him through my mother's friend who had post-mastectomy reconstructive surgery with him). I will update then!
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
I would opt for the TT. I am actually in need of both procedures myself. The PS that I will probably go eoh told me that I'm too flaccid for a lift alone so I'm worried about what they will look like afterwards. I never wanted implants and I get anxiety whenever I start considering them. Also, I heard of a process called the ULTIMATE BREAST LIFT from another blog but have not researched it as of yet. Hope this helps!
February 26, 2014
Some people with the ubl have okay results (I personally prefer scars that will fade and better shaped breasts, but that is just my opinion) and I've seen some that were left horribly deformed after. Looking at a lot of his after pictures some people end up with severe pleating, a band like scar tissue across the front part of the breast, very boxy breasts and breasts that look smashed or have tissue hanging from the implant. Very scary!
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Ain't it the truth that you can't hide from saggy boobs? They're literally right there in your face every time you look down. I just visualize being able to look nice in low-cut tops and not have to worry about hiding the loose skin and stretch marks.
February 26, 2014
Your stomach looks good imo. Ive had 2 c-sections & the pouch above my scar is hideous. However I opted for the breast lift first. Trying to get the nerve up for a tt, I want one so badly but the recovery scares the living daylights out of me.
User Avatar
February 26, 2014
Thanks for the compliment! I might not have truly captured the pouchy flap of skin that dangles independently from the rest of my body when I'm in plank position. It's quite special ;-) How did you like your breast lift? Did you post pics on here?
February 26, 2014
Oh my, I haven't looked at mine while planking..scary thought lol. Yes I have a couple of pics. Just got my b4 from my ps, I need to get those posted & a current one. I had my lift on 11/14/13. No implants-just because I didnt want to have any more surgeries later in life. Other than that I have nothing against implants. I am completely over the moon with the new ladies : )
User Avatar
February 27, 2014
Plank is frightening! I'm happy to hear you're in love with your results. I made another consult for 3/24 (which seems soooo far away!) and I'll update then. I'm definitely leaning toward BL w/o implants at this point...
February 27, 2014
My ps had an album full of his before & after of his lifts, and I was referred by a friend who also had spectacular results. Does the doc you're having your consult with have any reviews on here? Keep us posted. Exciting time!
UPDATED FROM j_lab80
2 months post

Only a few more days with the pooch ...

User Avatar
j_lab80
... and I'm freaking out. I have already cleaned the floors on my hands and knees, done 97 loads of laundry, and overloaded on difficult yoga poses. I might actually be ready for a break now :-)

I am getting so scared about the actual surgery. What if I don't wake up? What if I get an infection? What if, what if, on and on ...

Oh and I'm posting another before photo of my belly. Why not? I'm going to miss it ;-)

Replies (5)

April 28, 2014
How r u feeling?
User Avatar
April 28, 2014
Not bad, thank you! I'm going to post an update on my TT review later this afternoon. Hope you're feeling good hon!
April 28, 2014
A little better everday, Thanks:)
April 28, 2014
I did my tt first. Currently 2 1/2 months post-op. I'm paying installments already to fix my boobies (breastfed the last one 4 years :-o.. She gave me the hardest time to wean off ( ridiculous) anyways they look like hanging socks but with a good bra (they fool anyone) except hubby, when the bra comes off. Hubby is amazed and in love with my new tummy. He even massages the scar and every chance he gets he touches/rubs the belly ( the one who said he loved me the way I was, before the tt. You can always get the twins done later. Ask your PS if you can pay installments for another procedures, as many offices do.
User Avatar
April 29, 2014
That's a good idea to start paying now for the boobs. I am almost 2 weeks post-op for tt :-) I'm still too swollen to love my belly but so far I think the results are going to be well worth all the difficulty. I am still nursing my third child, who will be four in June, so I totally understand what long-term nursing does to the ladies. I always say mine look like tennis balls in socks, lol! I am going to check your account to see if you've posted belly pics!