39yo Fit Mom, 5’3” 120lbs - Mommy Makeover TT W Small Vertical Scar and BL with Small BA - My journey started about 7 years ago when I dropped all my baby weight (I had 2 8lb babies, 30 mos apart) and got in amazing shape. On my bucket list was to compete in a figure bodybuilding show. With a lot of hard work and clean eating, I achieved my goal and competed in two shows. While I looked and felt great, I was left with an umbilical hernia (from pregnancy) and excess loose, saggy and wrinkly skin in my lower abdominal area. No amount of exercise or healthy eating was going to change that. As time went on and my kids started school, I started working part time as a fitness instructor and personal trainer. I continued to exercise and train hard, however all the while my hernia was getting worse and my loose excess skin continued to bother me. Finally, this last year, I pulled an abdominal muscle while packing up from camping. That in conjunction with my worsening hernia made me explore a TT. I researched mesh repair for hernia, but didn’t like all the negative reviews about mesh and even then, mesh doesn’t address overall abdominal weakness. That then lead me to research surgical hernia repairs. While this was more appealing, it still didn’t address overall muscle laxity and the cost was more than half of a TT. So with all that in mind, I started researching PSs. I wanted a consultation for a MM with mini TT. While the tummy was my main concern, I figured it couldn’t hurt to have my breasts evaluated as they were completely deflated after breastfeeding 2 kids. My first call was to Dr. Soto. I found him on RS and right away liked his work. I called and inquired about a mini TT and was told that he did not perform those. I was disappointed, but at that time, I was really thinking I wanted a mini, so I kept researching. I consulted with 2 other PS and each had a different take on my breasts, but agreed I was a candidate for a mini TT with MR and hernia repair. I wasn’t crazy about either of these consults, so I figured I would call Dr Soto’s office back and at least go in for him to see me, and maybe once he saw me, he would realize he could do a mini on me. His office staff were very professional and friendly. The office was not overly done, but just right. Their process was efficient and respectful. They give you heated gowns to change into, which is a nice touch because the rooms are cold. Dr. Soto comes in and meets you while your clothed and discusses what your goals are. You then change and he comes back in and evaluates you. He is very professional the whole time. Once he’s done evaluating you, you change back into your clothes and he comes back and goes over what he thinks is appropriate. He has TVs in his rooms and brings up before/after pictures while you’re discussing options. I found that to be very helpful. He explained that the reason he doesn’t do mini TTs is because ultimately, you would end up with a muffin top because you are only tightening the lower abdominal muscles, not the upper. So the upper muscles will still have their laxity, while the bottom is tight. He used a balloon as an analogy. He said what happens when you squeeze the bottom of a balloon? The top expands... Anyhow, now I finally understood why he doesn’t perform MTTs. After my consult with him, I decided that he would be my PS and I would go ahead with the full TT with MR and hernia repair. I also decided on BL with BA.
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