You ask me for my story and I ask – which version should I tell?  How much of the heartache, disappointment, and self-deprecation do I focus on?  Or do I focus on the great joy, love, achievements and success I have experienced?  The later certainly has outweighed the former. So why have I focused and put more weight on the former? No pun intended.

As a child I was raised in a family with much love, excitement, chaos and food. Being one of 12 the challenge was to be noticed and of course liked.  I remember being the designated baker and would bake all of the birthday cakes or other treats.  “If I do this they will like me”, I would rationalize. Continuing this practice I would try to woo friendship with cookies, cakes, etc.
While I was not an unusually large child I matured early and therefore quickly stood out as much larger than my siblings or friends. So in my mind, I was “fat”.  I tried a litany of diets and plans to become what I believed was the right size.  Thus began the roller coaster in my weight. Throughout college – thinking “if I just lose weight, I will have boyfriends, friends, be popular”.  Then when it didn’t materialize after the weight loss I would say – forget it and gain it back.  Depression followed failed attempts and what a great friend food is – it’s always there and at least temporarily fulfills only to be followed by depression which of course was followed by more food.
In my early 20’s I was blessed to meet my husband – a wonderful godly man who loved me regardless of my size.  I always promised myself I would not be heavy in my wedding pictures and successfully lost weight and at least for a few days I was at my goal weight at 135lbs.  After the wedding I continued my roller coaster and my weight went back up topping out at 228.  In addition to the extra weight I had 4 c-sections leaving my body an embarrassing blob.
The year I turned 50 – I decided it was time to take charge.  I hired a personal trainer, lost 50, ran a half marathon and changed my habits.  At that point I decided that the greatest gift I could give myself was a healthy lifestyle and being a good steward of the great health my genetics offered me.  At that point I decided to visit Dr. Pousti and improve my body-image even more.  I have been thrilled with the results – as has my husband.
In no way is this the solution to a life of roller coaster rides but it has moved me closer to being who I believe God created me to be.  So the life of heartache, disappointment, and self-deprecation…it will always be an excerpt in my life but I have chosen for it to be a footnote instead of a key chapter. I’m choosing, instead, to write new and revised versions.  I have been blessed, loved, cherished and that is where I choose to live.
Thanks for you and your incredible staff playing a part in this new edition.

This 29 year old patient had lost a significant amount of weight and was left bothered by her excess abdominal tissue. After completing the hard work of actually loosing the weight, the patient decided it was now time to feel good about herself. She was interested in finding a Plastic Surgeon serving the San Diego area who had extensive experience with patients who had extreme weight loss and found Dr. Pousti’s website.

The patient was not able to diminish her extra/loose skin with exercise. She was bothered by the “droopiness” and unevenness of her breasts, she wanted them more “perky” with the areola placement improved. She and Dr. Pousti discussed how patients who have had massive weight loss have skin elasticity issues and caution must be taken during surgery to achieve their goals.

Although the patient wanted breast implants in addition to breast lifting surgery, San Diego Breast Surgeon Dr. Pousti recommended that things be performed in 2 stages for safety.  The first surgery would include the breast lifting (mastopexy) surgery as well as the extended tummy tuck (abdominoplasty with back lipectomy) and after things have healed, they would perform the breast augmentation portion of the procedure.  The patient was happy with the Breast Surgery Experience of San Diego Surgeon, Dr. Pousti and proceeded with surgery.

Markings and measurements were performed the night before surgery, while Dr. Pousti explained the mastopexy and extended abdominoplasty procedures in detail again with the patient. Very precise measurements were taken for both procedures to ensure as much symmetry as possible.

All measurements are re-checked the morning of surgery prior to the start of the procedure.

In the operating room, after the back lipectomy is completed, the patient is turned onto her back so that the breast and tummy portion of the surgery can be performed.  Below you can see the right breast is being worked on and how nice the placement will be compared to the left breast.

The excess skin that will be removed during the tummy tuck procedure is shown below.

Immediately after surgery.

This 57 year old patient from Winchester, California had unwanted skin in her abdominal area after a significant weight loss. After her Massive Weightloss, she was interested in body contouring and was looking into Tummy Tuck Surgery.

Her body proportions left her unsatisfied and she felt a tummy tuck surgery would improve her abdominal section.

The night before surgery, markings were performed and are then reinforced and checked the morning of surgery. Dr. Pousti checks and re-checks the measurements to guarantee symmetry for the patient.

While Dr. Pousti performs markings, he will also discuss the procedure again with the patient to make sure the patient understands the tummy tuck procedure.

In the operating room, you can see the extent of excess skin, which will be removed from the abdominal area.  Recovery can take up to one year (for swelling to subside and for the skin to re-drape).