[txnikita]

Has anyone had a breast lift after their weight loss? I am curious to know if the scars are worth it. From the plastic surgery info I have been looking at I would probably have to have the anchor scar. I am also going to need a tummy tuck that I think my insurance would pay for since I have had 4 csections. I have a huge apron of skin that really needs to go. I have set a weight of 165 as a target weight to start looking for surgeons.

I would imagine that the tummy tuck is going to be like a really intense c-section but I have no idea what to expect from the Breast lift.....

[Meg]

I had a breast lift with implants after my weight loss and think it was definitely worth the scars and surgery. I had the anchor cut but the scars are virtually invisible. You'd have to have your nose right up to my boob to be able to see them! Certainly nothing would be visible in even the skimpiest bathing suit.

A tummy tuck is like a less intensive C-section, in my experience (I've had two C-sections). With a C-section, the doctor cuts into your muscles and uterus. But with a TT, your muscles and organs aren't cut into, though ab muscles can be stitched together to tighten them. The only thing that's cut is your skin, which is then pulled tight. So it's not nearly as invasive of a surgery. I remember feeling tight and uncomfortable after the surgery, but it didn't compare to a C-section in terms of pain. So if you've made it through four C-sections, I don't think a TT would slow you down at all!

Best of luck to you!!

[PhotoChick]

Meg... please feel free to answer this via pm if it's too private for you.

I really want to have a breast lift after I hit my goal and have maintained for a while. I hate the way my boobs sag even now - I can't imagine how they'll be after another 30 lbs.

I dont' think I need implants or anything .. I just want to have everything tightened up a bit and I don't mind being a bit smaller if my boobs are firm and perky

But ... geeze ... venturing into TMI ... my breasts are pretty sensitive and nipple stimulation is a huge part of my sex life. I'm pretty scared that I'm going to lose the sensitivity that I have if I have a lift.

Can you give me any thoughts on how you've reacted to having a lift? Have you lost any sensitivity? Can you give me an idea of what to expect?

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[Meg]

I don't know if I'm typical or not, but I didn't lose one bit of sensation after the breast lift.

I had several skin removal surgeries and this was the easiest because there wasn't really a lot of skin to remove like there was with the lower body lift (22" inches of excess skin from my hips and butt!) And the area wasn't under tension the way my lower body was after the surgery. I don't remember the recovery being very uncomfortable at all.

I'm one of the sad cases who lost everything -- EVERYTHING -- in my boobage when I lost the weight. But I was really anti-implant and intended to only get the lift, but my plastic surgeon pulled up the skin that I had been stuffing into my AAA bra and showed me that I was as flat as a guy (but had great pecs!) I would have looked really masculine with a lift with no implants. But if you still have breast tissue left under all the skin, then you may be one of the lucky ones who only needs a lift.

When the time comes and you're exploring surgeons, perhaps they can give you more insight into the sensitivity issue. Like I said, it's hard to say how typical my experience is, but I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

[PhotoChick]

Thanks Meg!

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[Shannon in ATL]

I just found this thread after my vacation, and I'm glad someone else asked this question! I've been wondering about the sensitivity issue myself but found myself afraid to ask it.... I'm back in the 'almost A' of my early twenties and now they are saggy almost A, which aren't very attractive. I'm seriously considering some surgical intervention. Though I want to maintain the weight loss for a while first...

Meg, can I ask a question too? Were you put completely out for the implant/lift surgery or was it done with local anethesia?

[Meg]

Shannon, I was completely out under general anestesia. I wasn't presented with any other options, but that doesn't mean there aren't any. Put it on your list of questions for interviewing doctors and see what you can find out.

I have a funny story for you about implants and general anesthesia. I spent a long, long time figuring out what size I wanted to be with implants because I didn't want to be too big or obvious -- I just wanted to look normal. DH and I looked at before and after photos together and we both generally liked the befores rather than the afters -- -- so I really wasn't after big boobs.

So my doctor had a pretty good idea of the look that I wanted -- around a 36B. He selected a range of implant sizes to take into the OR with him and while I was asleep, he tried the different sizes on me to see which actually looked the best and the most like what I was seeking. I ended up with 240cc implants, which are almost the smallest size made and I still ended up as a 36C, but a natural looking one (I think!)

The OR nurse told me that as my doctor tried the sizes on me, they sat me up (still fast asleep), and everyone in the OR got to offer their opinion about the size being tried on. Of course, my doctor had the final say, but I still get a giggle about the OR voting on my boobs. I'm totally satisfied with the size I ended up as, so they did a good job!

[Shannon in ATL]

That's pretty funny! I have this picture in my head now "Everyone who thinks Meg should be a 36C say 'Aye', all opposed..." and so on.

I'm not looking for huge boobs either, I've looked at some before and after pics myself and I also tend to think some of the before shots were great! Since right now I'm a 32 Almost A going up dramatically would look way too obvious...

Thanks for the info!

[PhotoChick]

The OR nurse told me that as my doctor tried the sizes on me, they sat me up (still fast asleep), and everyone in the OR got to offer their opinion about the size being tried on. Of course, my doctor had the final say, but I still get a giggle about the OR voting on my boobs.

Hahahah. Oh I needed that giggle today.

Thanks for all the info Meg.

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