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POSTED UNDER Mommy Makeover Reviews

Part 2: Ultimate Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck. 4 years post-op update with vid.

UPDATED FROM TwoPlusOne
4 years post

Has it already been 4 years?!

WORTH IT$17,000
Okay, it's not quite 4 years. Tomorrow is my fourth surgiversary, but I'll be busy, so I'm posting today instead!

I'm back up at a reasonable weight now, thanks to medication stopping my bleeding colon. I'm at about 120 lbs (5' 7.5" tall) so my results look really, really good, and I have breasts again! You can still see the stitch-line of the mesh through a little, but it's not as bad as when I was skinnier.

Another wonderful thing that happened this year, (a few months ago, actually,) is that I am no longer self-conscious about showing my scars. So I can wear lower-cut bikinis and workout clothes without worrying about that. So liberating!

You may notice some surgical tape in the vid. That's because I had a large cyst in my left breast. It was something called a galactocele, which means a milk cyst. Only the 'milk' was hard, so they couldn't just drain it, which is the most usual way of treating it. So I just had that surgically removed two weeks ago, and they used my old scar to go in there. It's still swollen and misshapen, so it's hard to know how that'll turn out.

I can't think of anything else to say right now, but as usual, I'm happy to answer questions. I'm still very pleased overall, and all of my complaints are nitpicky. I'm actually really grateful I went to Dr. Horndeski and got the results I got. Even the doctors and nurses here in Sweden who examined and operated on me me for my recent surgery said that my doctor did a great job and that my breasts looked fantastic. And they never even saw the 'before' pics!

TwoPlusOne's provider

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Gary M. Horndeski, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 319 Reviews
PROFILE
Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

I found Dr. Horndeski here on this website and, despite some misgivings because of negative reviews and what looked like fake reviews, I gave them a call. Talking to the doctor allayed all my fears and I scheduled a date right away. I'm going to be blunt. This doctor is offering procedures no one else offers. The ultimate breast lift is proprietary and he hasn't taught it to anyone else. His tummy tuck procedure is also unique, as far as my research goes. While I was unconcerned about whether I'd have a vertical scar, the fact that this procedure does without will reassure many patients. For me, retention of nipple sensitivity and a FIRM result with upper pole fullness WITHOUT an implant were irresistible. The internal bra, however, is FANTASTIC. So far, my shape isn't settled yet, so they look fake, but even as they are, I'm extremely pleased with my result. As far as the TT goes, I'm happy with that too, but I can't stand up straight yet so it's not a fair test. I took off a couple of stars for wait times because we had to wait 20 minutes our first appointment day, and because we always have to wait, even when I was crying and in pain post-op. Five minutes feels like an hour in a waiting room when you're in pain, half delerious, and can barely breathe. I took off one star for aftercare because as on out of state patient, I won't be able to have follow-up visits that more local patients will get as part of the price. Finally, I took off one star for bedside manner just so that people will read my warning. Dr. H is an engineer. He is very friendly, but he talks like an engineer. He is focused, very sharp, (smart, not mean,) and very technical. I had no particular opinion about how my breasts should look, other than 'good', but if you do, bring pictures. He is not that great with sympathy, so bring someone who is if you can. I'm thinking specifically of the drain removal now. It was painful for me, and it was nice to hear sympathetic words from DH. My husband and I both have degrees in Computer Science and are very comfortable with engineer types. We found the doctor to be fun and reassuring. But even if you are a little put off at first, the results you can get with him might be worth a second interview. If you like the results pics you see. I'll try to continue to post updated pics as time goes on.

Replies (11)

You are looking really awesome!! I'm so jealous of how smooth your transition is above and below the TT scar. My mons being fuller than my tummy is my only remaining issue/insecurity. You look really great!!
I know exactly what you mean! As soon as I get up to a "healthy" weight, my mons is huge, despite them defatting there. :( It's still bigger than "normal", but it doesn't bother me. It's a struggle to maintain this body fat, though.
Interesting.. I wonder what it is about that area.. my Dr did mine twice and it still sticks out.. I don't fret over it much.. just one of those things you wish were different when you think about it. You are looking really great!! Glad your colon is doing better!!
It's great that you are happy, but these scars are not OK. He stitched it together in a very unprofessional way and the scars under the breasts are way too high. You seem like a positive person so I guess you are looking at the good side, but had you gone to another doctor it would not have looked this way, you'd barely see the scars by now
Please consider, when you post a comment like this, that there is a human being behind these anonymous photos and videos--a human being who hated themselves enough to get cut up and put back together by someone they didn't know whether or not they could trust. Someone that could have killed them accidentally. We post our photos and videos so that others can learn from our experiences and make their own choices. At least, I do. Anyone looking at my photos and videos can see for themselves what my results look like, and judge fir themselves whether those results are what they'd consider acceptable. Thus, your comment serves only to belittle me personally, and is unkind. I've been on RealSelf long enough to handle it, but a year after my surgery, you might have caused a severe depression. Please remember to be kind to others. You don't have to lie and post that you like results that you don't like, but pointing out deficiencies which should be obvious in a photo is unkind.
TwoPlusOne ~ thank you for saying that to Pearlygate. Keeping positive should be first and foremost.
The positivity I've gotten on here has been a huge factor in my recovery. :)
I thought you were beautiful before I read pearlygate’s comments. But after reading your reply to her I find you down right stunning. We gain so little by finding the downside to a situation. I’m a thin girl like you and I have been considering a breast lift without aumentation for quite some time. Your posts have helped me make the final decision in this grand new endeavor. But it’s your attitude & positivity that have made me a fan of yours. You look absolutely remarkable. And I am so damn inspired by the fact that despite those that tend find something negative to post, you think you look damn remarkable too.
Love you. Love your reply to pearlygates. Love your results, scars and all. ...and most of all, thank you for your courage to post your journey and inspire those us who use this site to grow and learn from eachother.
Just looks fantastic. You are a super trooper. Thanks for all you've shared with us. :)
Thank you! :)
You look great! Thank you for your courage and sharing your journey. You are helping so many people.
UPDATED FROM TwoPlusOne
3 years post

Sorry, I'm actually 3.5 years post-op, not 4.5!

This is just a short vid showing the mesh line--since I wasn't super-clear about that last time. You can't actually see a mesh pattern through skin :).

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM TwoPlusOne
3 years post

3.5 Years Post-Op with vid

3.5 years! Just another short update.I look very different now because I'm around 14-15% body fat. I have no boobs now and, here's the kicker, YOU CAN SEE THE MESH AND STITCHES THROUGH MY SKIN! Not attractive, folks. The odds of anyone doing the 'ultimate tummy tuck' and then thinking of going very low body fat is pretty low, but if that's in your future, I would recommend getting a cleaner tuck and telling them your plans and that you don't want to be able to see suturing through your skin. Show them my vid as an example of what you don't want :-/.I'm still happy I did the surgery though and I look fantastic in the right bikini. Plus, I can work abs, which I couldn't pre-surgery. So, overall a win!Last edited by TwoPlusOne on May 13, 2016

Replies (8)

What is your weight at now?
I am just under 115.
are you considering breast aug? Not that you need it. You look great. Just wasn't sure if you wanted fuller breasts.
Nah :). I don't want to have to deal with an expiration date. Where I live now, getting surgery is much more difficult than in the US. But I also kind of enjoy having no boobs. I've had all the way up to a G cup during my life and considered reductions many times, so this is a relief for me, even if it's less attractive! :D
I don't see the mesh ? Can you explain what minute marker it is? And what area? Btw, you look great!!
I'll upload another vid showing it, cause it's not super obvious if you don't know what to look for. :D
It doesn't look like mesh--just a ropey line of stitching.
You are so tiny! The results still look good! I think you've provided a fantastic and thorough review. It's great to see what happens to your body after major surgery and after weight loss or weigh gain. It's only natural that people will gain or lose weight or yo-yo but I've never seen people post pictures of this after having surgery. Thank for sharing your private videos and pictures with us ive learned a lot and now know what to expect. You look great I hope to have my surgery one day and look as good as you.
Thank you, and I'm so glad you've found this useful! Good luck to you!!!
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