I am a 41 year old and have been fighting my weight gains and losses ever since I was 23 years old. In high school I thought I looked okay. It wasn’t until I married and had 2 children that my weight problem got serious. Every year the pounds just kept adding up until I was at 265 pounds and didn’t know how I got there. I tried many different weightless programs, and always seemed to put the weight back on just as fast as I lost it.

After 2 years of hard work at the gym and watching what I ate, I managed to loose 80 pounds, which left me with what I called my “skin tutu” around my middle and my breast hung down to my waist, which my kids referred to as my “cuddle buddies” because they laid on the bed next to me.

The more I lost the worst I looked! I wanted to love the body I worked so hard to get, but that isn’t what happened. The skin would just hang worse every pound I lost I wanted to love my body.

I started looking on the Internet at “mommy makeovers” before and after pictures, and at people like me who lost a lot of weight, and wanted the skin removed. I would say for every 10 women that I found, that I looked like in there before pictures, and loved their after pictures, 8 out of those 10 women were done by Dr. Pousti.

I looked at before and after pictures for at least a year prior to my surgery, wondering if I should do this or not. I was scared of what was involved and how I would look after. I didn’t want to look like one of those women who have surgeries and look worse afterwards.

Well, with the love and support of my fiancé, my children, my parents and my friends, I decided to make an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Pousti.

The day of my consultation, my fiancé and my mother came with me to my appointment. We went to Dr Pousti’s office in Murrieta, Ca. The moment I walked in, it felt so right. The women who work there were not just stunningly beautiful on the outside, but on the inside. They made me feel so comfortable and at ease! Dr. Pousti came in and looked at me and said he thought I would have amazing results. He suggested having an extended tummy tuck and a breast reduction, with some liposuction.

I weighted in at 207 and knew I had more weight to lose. I wanted to have this surgery in January when my business is slower. Dr Pousti suggested that an ideal weight he would like me to be for surgery was 180 pounds. Well, I was within a few pounds of my goal when surgery day arrived.

About 1 month prior to my scheduled surgery, my fiancé found out he had Thyroid Cancer. I wasn’t sure if I should cancel my surgery with Dr. Pousti. When I came in to see Dr. Pousti he could see I was nervous about my fiancé’s news. Dr Pousti asked who the surgeon was and he personally called every ENT Dr. That he knew to see if anyone had heard of this surgeon, and what his experience was. He called me personally the next day to tell me of his findings. Dr Pousti didn’t have to make those calls, but he did, and that meant the world to me. He doesn’t just care about me, but also about the man I love. My fiancé had his surgery and it was a success!

The day before my surgery my fiancé, and my mother came with me to Dr Pousti’s office in La Mesa ca. He did all his markings of what was going to remove, where he would cut and where he would lipo. He marked my breast so I would have my best results.

We stayed at my aunt’s house ,which was close to the surgery center, and is where I stayed for the first week after surgery. My mom was my nurse for the first week! I can’t thank her enough for helping me. I stayed at my aunts because Dr. Pousti wanted me to stay close by so he could check on me post surgery.

The day finally arrived, and we arrived at the surgery center. Dr Pousti uses the same surgery center, with the same anesthesiologist and the same nurses and assistants. I was so scared and everyone calmed me and made me feel comfortable and so special. They were very professional, and they had a way of making you feel like you were their only patient! Dr Pousti came in and checked his marking and did some minor adjustments,and then they took me back to the operating room. I woke up 8 hours later 6 hour surgery 2 hours of recovery, and I felt like I just got there.

The feeling I had was the feeling of tightness! I’m not going to lie week 1 was the hardest week but it was worth it! He installs a pain pump that numbs the incision area. I had 4 drains 2 from my breast and 2 from my pelvic area. They sent me home the same day of surgery. I really don’t remember too much as I was still really groggy.

I stayed at my aunts house and slept in a recliner for the first week. Dr Pousti and his wife  were so kind to check on me the first night after surgery! They even brought me flowers! Never have I heard of a Dr. doing this before. The compassion and love he has for his patients is very apparent! He has always made me feel like I was his only patient, and his # 1 priority, even though I know he has many more patients.

The nurse or office staff called me everyday to check on me! Everyday was easier than the day before. I got around with my trusty walker, my BFF after surgery!

Dr Pousti told me that after surgery you go through an emotional state, but what found was not what I expected at all! I was expecting tears of pain and thought of regret, but that isn’t what I had at all! I never once thought why did I do this? The emotions I felt were eye opening to my life! The tears I shed were tears of love and joy and how lucky I am to have parents who took care of me for 6 weeks, a fiancé who supported me, no matter what I wanted to do, and my daughters, who stood by my side the whole time. Then the flowers, the cards, and the text messages came from friends, and clients thinking about me. The love I felt was overwhelming! Every tear I shed, were tears of joy of my life, my new body, and my new life to come!

This whole experience was the best thing I could have ever done! The most important thing is I truly feel like I was led to Dr. Pousti, and the results I got are amazing! He is a true artist of the body! He knows what will look the best and what is needed and not needed. He doesn’t just make you feel like he’s just your surgeon, but your friend, with your best interests in mind! The surgery is going to change my life for the better, and can’t thank him enough!

This 33 year old from Harker Heights, Texas was interested in a Mommy Makeover procedure, usually consisting of combined procedures which may include an extended abdominoplasty, breast lift, breast augmentation and liposuction. She had been upset with her abdominal area and breasts for several years after multiple pregnancies. She researched the internet for a board certified plastic surgeon and found double board certified surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti.

After weight gain and weight loss associated with pregnancy, she was dissatisfied with the amount of excess skin in her abdominal area and felt her breasts were “saggier”. After communicating with Dr. Pousti through emails, the patient felt she had found the experienced surgeon she was looking for. She decided to fly in to have her Mommy Makeover surgeries performed by Dr. Pousti. In her case, her Mommy Makeover would consist of an extended tummy tuck, breast lift and breast augmentation with flank and back lipectomy.

Prior to the patients Mommy Makeover procedure, Dr. Pousti met with the patient in his office to discuss the patient’s goals further and to perform measurements. Markings of the back, abdomen, and breasts were performed the night before surgery.

Markings prior to Surgery

The “x” indicates where the new nipple/areola complex will be located following the breast lifting portion of surgery.

Dr. Pousti uses a ‘tailor tacking’ method when performing markings for breast lifting procedures. This method allows Dr. Pousti to assure that symmetry is met when rearranging the breast tissue as well as the nipple/areola complex. 600cc Silicone Gel Breast Implants were used along in combination with the breast lift achieve the patient’s desired look.

After Breast Lift/Augmentation

During the tummy tuck portion, Dr. Pousti removes all of the excess skin from the abdominal and lower back and also tightens the abdominal wall that is separated during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Before final sutures, the patient’s belly button is brought through a new hole, revising the belly button appearance. Once the excess skin has been removed and the internal abdominal repair has been completed, the stomach is flat and smooth.

This 26 year old from Spring Valley, California was interested in a tummy tuck and breast augmentation for several years. After the weight gain/loss associated with pregnancy she wanted to regain some of her confidence back with a mommy makeover procedure. The mommy makeover usually consists of combined procedures to enhance and refine the body. She had heard about Dr. Pousti from her friend/previous patient and decided to schedule a consultation to meet with him.

Upon examination, Dr. Pousti felt the patient was a great candidate for a mommy makeover and would greatly benefit from an abdominoplasty and breast enlargement procedure. She wanted fuller and larger breasts with more roundness on top and cleavage. During her consultation, she was able to meet with many other patient’s who had surgery performed by Dr. Pousti. After seeing their results first hand, she knew she was in good hands with Dr. Pousti and decided to proceed surgery.

Dr. Pousti met with the patient before surgery to perform markings of the breast and tummy. The patient had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Pousti several times prior to the procedure to review her goals and make sure she has realistic expectations. Markings assure that symmetry is met and are used as guidelines throughout the surgery.

In the operating room, markings are checked again and the patient is prepped for surgery. During the tummy tuck portion of the mommy makeover an incision just above the patient’s belly button is made. The patients abdominal muscles are then exposed allowing muscle repair to begin. This muscle repair is not done for every tummy tuck but is for those that are good candidates. It is very common for the abdominal muscles to be damaged after childbirth and/or weight loss. The outer muscles of the patient’s abdomen are brought into the middle of the abdominal wall and sutured together, creating an internal corset.

After muscle repair the excess skin is then removed and the incision is closed with sutures.  Dr. Pousti can then move to the 2nd stage of the mommy makeover, the breast augmentation. Prior to surgery the patient’s size goals and desired look are discussed. Pictures are generally used to show what shape and size the patient is aiming for. These pictures are used in the operating room along with sizers to determine what implant is needed.

Immediately After Mommy Makeover in Operating Room.

850cc saline implants were used in the patients breast to give her that nice, round, full shape she desired. Once the mommy makeover is completed, a significant improvement is immediately noticeable.The patient is now 10 days post-op and is very happy with her surgery.

This 34 year old patient from Newport News, Virginia wanted a Mommy Makeover (in her case a breast lift and tummy tuck). She was searching for the Best Plastic Surgeon to perform her surgery and came across San Diego Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Tom Pousti.  She sent photos of herself as well as her “goals” and she and Dr. Pousti had a discussion as to how to achieve her goals.  Because of the larger size the patient wanted to achieve, Dr. Pousti recommended that the patient perform the abdominoplasty and breast lift in one procedure and then return after all of the incisions have healed to perform the breast augmentation portion of the surgery… to do things in 2 staged procedure.

She decided to proceed with Abdominoplasty surgery and Mastopexy (breast lifting)  which would also address her breast asymmetry .  She flew into San Diego, California and met with Dr. Pousti.  Markings and measurements were performed and the procedures were discussed again in detail..

Measurements of the abdominal area are performed to maximize the results of the tummy tuck but minimize the risks and potential complications associated with this surgery.  The breast lifting surgery is also measured carefully to do the best to achieve as symmetrical a result as possible.

The patient didn’t like how empty her breasts were and how they “drooped”.  She wanted them perky and fuller.

In the operating room, the clamps are placed onto the separated abdominal muscles that will be put back together and sutured in place to give the “tight” tummy she was asking for.

Above you see the separation of the abdominal muscles (purple lines running up and down). Below you see that they have been brought together.

Immediately after Breast Lifting and Tummy tuck surgery.

4 Weeks Post Operative Tummy Tuck and Mastopexy Procedure.

Swelling is normal and will subside as the patient continues to heal.

This 26-year old mom of 3 from Kentucky researched for a mommy makeover (usually a breast augmentation, mastopexy, and abdominoplasty) specialist and found San Diego Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Pousti on the Internet.  She was concerned about her breasts, tummy, and sides after losing 50 lbs of pregnancy weight.  She was unhappy with the asymmetry of the breasts and wanted them more symmetrical, fuller and perkier.

The patient contacted Dr.Pousti via e-mail, after several consultations, the patient decided to fly in and proceed with breast surgery as well as tummy tuck surgery.

After deciding on a surgery date, the patient flew into San Diego a week before her mommy makeover surgery. She met with Dr. Pousti the night before surgery to have markings performed.  The markings are performed with careful measurements to use as a “road map” in the operating room.

The night before and the morning of surgery, Dr. Pousti is able to mark the details of the mommy makeover procedure that she will be getting and answer any questions the patient may have before proceeding with surgery.

In order to shape and contour her back and sides, an extended tummy tuck as well as liposuction were performed in her back, flanks, and upper abdomen.

Dr. Pousti corrected the placement and size of her areola with breast lifting surgery. Saline filled implants were used and filled to 630cc in both breasts and placed under the muscle.  The size of the areola are also reduced during this breast lift surgery.

Completed mommy makeover. Immediately after surgery you can see the flatter tummy from the abdominal muscle repair.

This 39 year old mom from Ridgecrest, California was interested in Mommy MakeOver (Abdominoplasty, Breast Augmentation, Mastopexy) surgery.  She was unhappy with her post-baby and post-nursing body and wanted to feel better about herself.  Her breasts were “empty” and “droopy” and she wanted them lifted and fuller on top.  She researched for an experienced Mommy Makeover Plastic Surgeon and found double board certified surgeon, Dr. Pousti.

She and Dr. Pousti met several times and discussed the breast augmentation surgery as well as the breast lifting and tummy tuck procedures. She met with the doctor the night before surgery so that he can take measurements and make “markings” to assist him with surgery. These markings are used to achieve symmetry during the breast lifting and breast augmentation surgeries and during the tummy tuck procedure assure that accuracy with incisions and suturing are achieved.

The markings and measurements are checked again the morning of surgery.

In the operating room, Dr. Pousti takes time to measure things out to achieve the patients goals.  The tummy tuck is performed as well as the breast lift with implants.

The patient is now healed and extremely happy with her results of her Mommy Makeover!

Pousti Plastic Surgery is pleased and excited to announce the practice’s adoption of the innovative CoolSculpting fat removal technology for patients desiring fat removal without the cost and recovery associated with traditional liposuction. Pousti Plastic Surgery is one of the first medical and cosmetic surgery practices in the Southern California region to offer this breakthrough in non-invasive fat reduction.

CoolSculpting is an exciting and innovative new approach to non-invasive fat reduction. “This technology has demonstrated significant positive results in clinical studies for removing unwanted body fat without the possible risks and recovery of invasive procedures” said Dr. Tom Pousti of Pousti Plastic Surgery in San Diego, California. “This fat-reducing technology is particularly effective in resistant localized areas of the body such as back fat, love handles, and isolated belly fat. The CoolSculpting procedure is extremely comfortable and patients are very satisfied with the process and results.”

Cleared by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the CoolSculpting technology works by gently cooling unwanted fat cells in the body, inducing a natural and controlled elimination of fat cells. CoolSculpting is based on scientific discovery from the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. The research proved through vast research that fat cells are more susceptible to cold and are selectively, painlessly, and permanently destroyed.

Several weeks after the procedure, cooled fat cells begin a process called apoptosis and start to shrink and disappear. The patient begins to naturally and gradually eliminate cooled fat cells, thereby reducing the thickness of the fat layer in targeted areas of the body.

Unlike other harsh fat reduction or removal procedures, CoolSculpting requires no needles, surgery, or recovery periods. During the procedure, a non-invasive applicator delivers precisely controlled cooling to the treatment area. Treatments last between one and two hours, and patients have the option for additional treatments for more substantial effects if desired. Each CoolSculpting procedure results in an undeniable reduction of fat in the treatment area, and patients see results as early as three weeks following treatment. The most dramatic results occur over a period of between two and four months in most patients.

This 34 year old patient from San Diego, California was interested in abdominal surgery. After having 2 children the patient was left with damaged abdominal muscles and extra/loose skin and extreme abdominal wall separation. She read several testimonials from Dr. Pousti’s mommy makeover patients and decided to meet with Dr. Pousti.

The patient felt extrememly comfortable after meeting with Dr. Pousti and felt he was overly qualified to perform her tummy tuck surgery. Before the mommy makeover procedure is performed Dr. Pousti discusses the procedure in detail. The markings of the exact incision are then done and the patient proceeds to the operating room.

During the mommy makeover and abdominoplasty procedure the abdominal muscles are repaired with internal suturing. As you can see the patient has severe muscle laxity.

After muscle repair the excess skin is then removed and the incision is closed. During this procedure a new belly button is made as well.

The patient is extremely happy with the results of her tummy tuck procedure and loves her new body.

This 40 year old patient from San Diego, California was interested in a tummy tuck procedure. After two pregnancies, the patient felt no matter how much diet and exercise, her abdominal walls would always be separated resulting in a bulging stomach. The patient began researching plastic/cosmetic surgery blogs and found several of Dr. Pousti’s patients’ blog entries. After reading how thrilled they all were with both Dr. Pousti and their surgery results, she decided to meet with Dr. Pousti. The patient met with several cosmetic surgeons, but felt that none of them compared to Dr. Pousti.

At her initial consultation, the patient was able to meet with Dr. Pousti’s previous patients who had a mommy makeover performed by him. Dr. Pousti listened to the patient express her goals and took the time to go over the entire procedure from surgery to recovery in detail. The patient was ready to proceed to the operating room for her abdominoplasty procedure.

Markings were performed the night prior to surgery and then are re-checked the morning of surgery. Measurements are taken to ensure as much symmetry as possible is met.

Following multiple pregnancies, the abdominal muscles have separated and the abdominal skin becomes loose/ damaged. Below, in the operating room, the clamps are showing the separated abdominal muscles that will be brought together and sutured to create a flat surface during the tummy tuck surgery.

Diet and exercise alone are not capable to retract the muscles, so repairing the muscles surgically is the only solution for a “tight tummy” and smaller waistline.

Following the muscle repair, the excess abdominal skin is removed and the previous incisions are then sutured together. During this process, a new belly button is also made. Immediately after the procedure, the patient’s waistline is significantly smaller and the stomach is completely flat.

The patient is very satisfied with her results and new waistline!

Before working in the Intensive Care Unit, I worked at a plastic surgery recovery house in La Mesa and La Jolla, California. There I took care of all types of patients recovering from their desired surgeries, including an abundance of mommy patients who had tummy tucks and breast augmentations.  At the time I was on the nursing staff recovering patients coming from multiple plastic surgeons operating in the San Diego area.  However, I found myself always so excited whenever I heard I was getting a patient coming from Dr. Pousti!  What made his patients stand out the most from all others were indeed the quality of the work and the lack of complications his patients experienced.  This made life much easier for the nursing staff.  Thus, I knew when I was ready to get my “mommy makeover” the only person I would trust my body, my life with, was Dr. Pousti.

Besides taking care of patients, I am a twenty seven year old mother of two beautiful babies.  Although having my children young, and living a healthy lifestyle, I managed to gain an extremely large amount of weight with my pregnancies.  After both deliveries, I eventually lost all the weight I gained while pregnant.  Unfortunately, the loose skin was there to stay.  For years I felt like a mother kangaroo with a big empty sack with no baby in it.  I had even have had my own patients in the past ask me when I was expecting… two years after having my last baby!  It didn’t matter how thin I got, the loose skin was still there.  After giving time and exercise a fair shot, it was clear to me that it was time to take care of business, and finally my turn to become one of Dr. Pousti’s patients.

Meeting with Dr. Pousti and his staff for the first time was such a wonderful experience.  They were proficient, personal and understanding of my concerns and thoughts.  His staff consists of friendly experienced personnel, and Dr. Pousti‘s bedside manner was pronounced. Together we discussed the results that I was looking for and in solution the finest way we could attain them.  We decided that I would achieve the best results getting an extended tummy tuck in which the incision would go all the way around from front to back. Also, I wanted a breast augmentation to fill the loose skin in my breast area, and decided to go with silicone implants.

My surgery went smoothly with absolutely no complications as expected.  The first week of recovery was the most challenging as I adjusted to my new body.  Nevertheless, I had minimal discomfort.  By the third week post-op I was off my pain medication, standing up straight and driving my daughter to dance class.  At six weeks post-op I started running again, and never have I ever felt so grand in my life!

I can’t express my gratitude enough.  Dr. Pousti and his staff took exceptional care of me, as I am sure he does with all his other patients.  I give my utmost recommendation to any vigorous woman who is considering getting an extravagant “mommy makeover”.  I am extremely satisfied with my results, and I thank Dr. Pousti for working his magic on me.

Sincerely,

A Very Satisfied Patient