Thank you to Angela for sharing her story with us! Angela underwent an extended tummy tuck and breast lift at 59 with Dr. Somogyi. Patient names and images have been changed.
What made you decide to seek out plastic surgery?
“I only contemplated plastic surgery after I lost a massive amount of weight – approximately 125lbs. I had sustained my weight loss and realized that I would need surgery to correct the lax skin problems. I consulted my family doctor who concurred the only recourse to correct the loose skin problems from my weight loss was through surgery. No amount of exercise would fix this.”
How did your first consultation go? What made you choose Dr. Somogyi for your surgery?
“My family doctor recommended Dr. Somogyi to me. I was very comfortable with my doctor’s referral and booked a consultation right away. The only other surgery I had had was when I was 8 years old and had my tonsils removed, so this was a big deal to me.
The FORM office was very professional but friendly. I immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Somogyi. I liked that his practice was both reconstructive and cosmetic. I realized that the surgery I was having was elective, but for me it was necessary and more than just cosmetic. He was very patient and answered all my questions. He also asked me questions to find out what was important to me, what were my concerns. I felt positive and that I was in good hands. I reserved a surgery date before I left that day. My surgery was delayed because I was unexpectedly hospitalized for an unrelated issue. I spoke to Dr. Somogyi while I was in the hospital, which was very comforting. On his recommendation, I re-booked my surgery for about 6 months later. Unfortunately my surgery was delayed again because of COVID restrictions. On the insistence of my family I did have a consultation with another surgeon [who could operate sooner]. Although the other surgeon was very qualified, I was more comfortable with Dr. Somogyi and decided to keep my surgery date with him.”
How did you feel in the days leading up to your surgery?
“I was not worried about the surgery as I was confident in Dr. Somogyi’s skill and was assured that even though the surgery was being done in a clinic I would have the same care as a hospital. My concerns mostly surrounded my recovery. I wasn’t worried about scars, but was worried about pain and healing. I live on my own and have two dogs so I needed to know I could look after myself and my pets. I’m a bit of a pain wimp!”
What kinds of emotions did you feel during the recovery process?
“I never had regrets, but the first couple of weeks I did have some ups and downs. I was quite swollen when I first got home. I foolishly thought that I would feel ‘skinny’, but between the extra binding and some swelling I couldn’t even put on my regular clothes. I had to find some of my loose fitting ‘fat’ clothes to go over everything.
It was also difficult for me to do anything on my own for at least the first week. For the first few days I needed help getting in and out of bed, reaching anything, getting dressed. For an independent person this was difficult. Honestly the first few days were difficult. Surprisingly my breasts had little to no pain, BUT my tummy felt like I had done 1,000 sit ups. Oh boy and when I had to cough – off the charts!!!! Don’t even think about sneezing!!! I’m not a big medication person either and don’t like to take anything unless necessary…PAIN MEDICINE IS NECESSARY!!! Follow the pain medication instructions to the letter. I actually only needed to take the narcotics for two days after I got home but continued with the Tylenol for a couple of weeks. Actually follow the instructions you get for aftercare exactly. They know what they are talking about. Wear your support garments, put on your scar gel. And move. I was up walking immediately after surgery. You may need help to get up and down, but start moving. It helps with fluid retention and honestly you feel better.”
What kind of support did you need after your surgery?
“Because it was a big surgery I opted to spend one night at the clinic. I’m glad I did. For me it just gave me some reassurance that I was okay. I was very fortunate that my sister came to stay with me for two weeks. My recovery would have been very difficult without her. At least for the first few days I needed her to get me out and into bed and remind me that I had to get out of bed every few hours to walk around. Once you get in a comfortable position you don’t want to move because it hurts…but you must move. I live in a house so I had to go up and down stairs. She helped me with my medicine, food prep, laundry. I would not have surgery again unless she could come and help me out. I think everyone needs someone to stay with them after surgery, at least for a few days.”
What advice would you give to someone preparing to undergo the same procedure? What helped you to get through the negative and embrace the positive?
“Do your research. Check your doctor’s credentials. If your surgeon doesn’t have time to see you and answer ALL your questions, find another surgeon. I liked that Dr. Somogyi was associated with North York General Hospital and that my family doctor referred me to him, but I still got a second opinion. It didn’t change my mind but rather solidified that I made the right choice. I was also realistic about my results. Dr. Somogyi was very clear about what my options were and what my expected results would be with each option BUT it was up to me. The follow up appointments with Dr. Somogyi were also important as they assured me that I was healing well.”
How do you feel about your results now? How has your life changed?
“I’m thrilled! I knew about the physical change to be expected, but I wasn’t prepared for how psychologically different I would feel. I have such a better attitude about so many things. I thought I was a happy confident person before surgery, but my family and friends have commented on how much happier and confident I appear now. I didn’t realize how much I hid myself. I’m far from physically perfect, but now that I have fixed a couple of areas that really bothered me I’m the most comfortable I’ve ever been in my own skin. It was definitely the right surgeon for me and the right surgery.”
