I'm a Beauty Enhancement Awards Contestant!

This album is an official submission to the Beauty Enhancement Awards. (Read more about it.)

I'm competing in the following categories:
Best Breast Augmentation, Best Female Tummy Tuck

My Personal Statement:
I decided to have a tummy tuck after the birth of my third son. A combination of having 2 large babies and one still-born baby within 2 years was enough to leave me deformed and with a very bad self-image. Being in my 30s, I knew my body would not go back to what it was. I had lost all of the weight I wanted to lose and I knew that surgery was my only answer. My main issues were my distended tummy and associated loose skin and my droopy deflated breasts. It was embarrassing when strangers assumed I was pregnant still! In addition, I was suffering posture problems from the extra "appendage" on the front of me.

I saw three surgeons before I made a decision. The best option for me was a full tummy tuck with muscle and abdominal hernia repair, as well as silicon implants placed over the muscle to fill out my existing breasts. I was nervous about the implants especially as I feared they would look fake or too big.

The operation went extremely well. I had minimal pain and no nausea thanks to a wonderful anaesthiologist (sp?). There was really no pain to speak of after a day or two and I went home feeling good. My only challenge was taking care of my youngest baby who still needed to be lifted alot, but my husband helped me there. The worst part for me was the binder I had to wear, but that only remained on for 4 weeks.

I am absolutely thrilled with my results. My breasts are exactly the same size they were before I had children (a 10D) and look totally natural. My tummy is tight and flat as a board. My scar is barely noticeable now, except for the ends which were revised 10 months PO. My body is the best it has ever looked my whole life, and that is certainly saying something now that I am 34! I can wear whatever I like, my movements (I'm a dancer) are totally unrestricted now, and I feel so confident in my physical self. I feel very liberated.

To anyone considering this surgery, be realistic about your body and what results you think you can achieve. The cost of these procedures was very high, but I'm still relatively young and have the rest of my life to enjoy it. I have absolutely no regrets and am thankful that my results have far exceeded my expectations.