Tummy Tuck W/ Lipo & Renuvion Skin Tightening

Just a quick update on my progress before surgery... Yesterday (8/4/19), I completed the “Pre-Surgery Medical Clearance” required by my surgeon. I was given the clearance form when I booked my surgery, and asked to have it completed within 30 days of surgery (and before my pre-surgery appointment scheduled for 8/21/19). It was pretty quick & painless. I took the form to a local Urgent Care Center that completes these clearances. I did have to pay for the visit and tests out of pocket, which was a total bummer, as they told me they do not bill insurance for these clearances..... But it was only $185.00, and I kind of felt like- in the grand scheme of things, it’s best to check these things before surgery JUST IN CASE. :).
Two things were required for clearance. 1. Labs (including CBC w/diff and CMP) and 2. EKG. Results should be ready in about 3 business days. If all goes as planned, the doctor signs off on my form and then faxes the form and results over to my surgeons office.
The form says that if the EKG is abnormal, I will also require a cardiologist clearance... honestly, I don’t think that will be the case, but I’ll sure feel a lot better once the clearance is given. Urgent Care will contact me to let me know the results also, in a few days. (Note: I wasn’t given instruction on whether to fast before the labs or not, so I did anyway..)
Other than that, I’ve just been picking up a few things here and there that I may (or may not) need post- surgery. I’ll probably have way too much that I won’t even use, but I’d rather be over prepared!
Also, I took some more before pics that I will post. I plan to use the same swimsuit to take progress pics throughout my recovery, so that it’s easier to see the differences. I’ve never been a big fan of body pics of myself, but I never want to forget where I was and how far I’ve come. Can’t wait to be taking POST-Surgery pics !!
...... 24 DAYS AND COUNTING UNTIL SURGERY !!!

The dreaded “before” pics. LOL! Can’t wait for this saggy skin to disappear. Curious to see how I’ll look with an actual waist! The pic of my belly (sitting), where my skin is all scrunched up, is how it looks when I tighten my stomach muscles.

So, on 07/17/2019, I went for my second PS consult. My appointment was at LA Plastic Surgery Center in Bradenton, Florida. I had researched this particular surgeon and her work online, and thought she certainly had done some really beautiful work. Not all of her reviews are great, however I don’t believe that any surgeon can satisfy 100% of their patients all of the time. I decided to consult with her, and decide for myself.
The surgeon is Dr. Melinda Lacerna. I found her to be super friendly, knowledgeable & genuine. She did not seem to be in a rush, and answered all of my questions fully, in an easy to understand manner. The staff was also friendly, inviting and helpful. The facility is modern, beautiful and clean. This is the practice’s new facility that they just recently moved in to several months ago (I believe), and they are all very proud of their new digs. Attached to Dr Lacerna’s Office, in the same building - is their on-site surgery center (Elite Surgery Center), as well as Orchid Dermatology & LA Skin Spa.
After checking in, and filling out a bunch of forms, I was taken to a small consultation room. I was not asked to change into a gown, which was surprising to me. The surgeon came in just a few moments later with her assistant. I believe her assistant’s name was Kesha, (not 100% sure, as there was sooo much information to take in!) Both Dr Lacerna & Kesha were very helpful in answering my many questions, and putting my mind at ease. I expressed my concerns and got clarification on several things. (Of course, now I can think of a thousand questions I didn’t ask.. LOL! I’ll be sure to write them all down & ask them at my upcoming pre-op appointment.) Dr Lacerna asked to see my areas of concern. For me, my areas of concern are my hanging stomach, saggy skin on my hips and back area, etc). I removed my shirt and showed her the areas. She felt the condition and laxity of my skin, and quickly came up with a game plan. She recommended a TT/with MR, Lipo of the flanks and back areas; and something that I had never heard of called Renuvion. She explained her techniques in detail, as well as the reasons she uses those particular techniques.
Lipo of the flanks and back side would be done, and then after that a skin tightening procedure. This is done using a tool called Renuvion (aka: J Plasma). The Renuvion wand or cannula would be inserted into the Lipo incisions and once activated- will cause the skin to “shrink”, (sort of like shrink wrap) in the areas where it is inserted and drawn back out. Diastasis Recti Muscle Repair is also done using the Renuvion, which she assures will pull the muscles back into place, causing an “internal corset”. She told me that she has been successfully using this technique for the past two years and has had extremely good results even years later. Because she uses the Renuvion for the muscle repair, there are no internal stitches placed in the muscles - allowing for less pain and faster recovery post op!
After that, she explained that she would make a very low incision, almost hip to hip across my lower abdomen, even using my CSection scarline which is very low. The tummy would be pulled down and all extra skin excised. The use of the Renuvion also allows for less actual skin to be excised, as some of it has been “shrunk”! She does use two drains. They will be inserted and then the Tummy is closed up. (Important things I totally forgot to ask about: belly buttons, pain management, etc). I did ask about recovery and return to work, and she’s ok with my returning to a light duty desk job once my drains are removed (around 7-10 days).
I even spoke with her about the possibility of maybe adding a breast lift and implants, and again, she was happy to answer any questions I had. Kesha spent a lot of time with me, showing me her “boxes of boobs”. LOL. I tried a few “on”, and learned a little more about the differences in several of them.
At the end of my consult, I asked for two separate quotes. One with and one without the breast lift & implants. Both quotes I received were fairly priced, even lower than I had seen in reviews for like surgeries with other local surgeons. Dr. Lacerna is Double Board Certified ( American Board of Plastic Surgery, as well as the American Board of Surgery). She is also a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
I asked how far out she was booking her surgeries, and her assistant went right to work to find dates close to the upcoming holiday (Labor Day). This would allow me to use less of my vacation time at work. She was able to come up with two dates for me to choose from that worked well with my schedule.
I thought about it for a bit, and decided this was the right decision for me. I met with Brianna, the office manager next. She was so very helpful in the financial portion, and then finally, with booking my pre-op appointment and Surgery with Dr Lacerna!! I PLAN TO BE HER BEST WALKING BILLBOARD! LOL! Even thinking about doing a YouTube channel to VLOG my progress, because obviously I’m much too wordy to type it all out! :)
Seriously though, everything moved along seamlessly, and I felt no pressure at all to schedule. Almost seems like it was meant to be. I felt very at ease and totally comfortable with all of the staff at LA Plastic Surgery Center, and so far have nothing but great things to say! I pray that I have made the right decisions and chosen the right surgeon.
This is a surgery that I have dreamt about having for so long, and honestly never thought it would actually happen! It is almost surreal. I am very hopeful, excited and nervous, for surgery and recovery.
Pre-op date: August 21, 2019
Surgery date: August 29, 2019!