“My breasts have always bothered me. I am very petite so imagine trying to buy clothes with 36DDs,” says Joanne. “I could never wear the tops I wanted to.”

While she was in her consultation, Joanne and Dr. Parker decided she would also benefit from a lipoabdominoplasty with liposuction as well. After two pregnancies, the last one being a C-section, Joanne had sagging skin around the tummy. In April, she had all of her procedures performed at once. In November, she went on a family vacation to Puerto Rico.

“I haven’t worn a bikini since I was 18!”

“Of course, after the procedure, I had to buy new clothes because my breasts were so much smaller and shaplier, but I also had a flatter, contoured tummy,” she says. “So, I added a bikini to my list.”

She was quick to say it wasn’t a skimpy suit, but more of the sporty style. Nonetheless, she never thought she’d don a bikini again. It was almost like a dream- hanging out on the beach, enjoying her family and loving her new body.

After all of the years spent wearing unattractive support bras and being unable to wear form-fitting tops, Joanne can now wear the styles she likes and feel good about herself in them.

For women in New Jersey, breast reduction and lipoabdominoplasty are just two of the cosmetic procedures Dr. Parker performs in his state-of-the-art fully accredited Surgiplex. For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit the Web site at www.parkercenter.net or call (201) 967-1212.

“I had really poor self-esteem, I felt that nothing ever went right for me and I doubted that things would ever improve.  I didn’t like how small my breasts had become and when I bent over all my stomach would just hang.  I did a million crunches, owned every piece of abdominal equipment ever sold, but my belly never disappeared,” explained Monica.

Monica found Dr. Parker and the Parker Center through the internet.  She did a lot of research and looked at several surgeons websites.  While visiting the Parker Center website, Monica looked at the videos and testimonials and even submitted a few questions on the “Ask Angela” form.  Angela Parisi, Dr. Parker’s Nurse Coordinator, who is also an R.N.,  called Monica the next day to answer her questions and encouraged her to come in for a free consultation.

“Angela scheduled my consultation so that I could learn what the procedure was all about.  I really liked how the office was set up, the staff was friendly and they really listened to my concerns.  I never felt rushed.  I felt very confident after meeting with Dr. Parker that he was the surgeon I wanted.  I stopped searching at that moment,” said Monica.

Monica was interested in a Mommy Makeover which typically involves a breast augmentation (sometimes with a breast lift) and a tummy tuck.  Even though it is more cost effective to have both procedures done at the same time (reducing the cost of anesthesia and the surgical suite), Monica couldn’t swing the total cost at the time.  She had a breast augmentation in May 2010 and followed up with the Parker Tummy Tuck (a combination of liposuction with a traditional abdominoplasty procedure) in July of this year.

Monica felt that Dr. Parker really took a lot of time to listen to her concerns.  He also explained in detail what was going on with the umbilical hernia.  Monica thoroughly enjoyed her consultation at the Parker Center especially her time with Liz Kobb, who handles the implant sizing and computer imaging sessions.  Monica brought home her breast implant sizing photos so that she could really look at the photos, see how she would look with different implants and make her decision.

“Before I had my breast augmentation, I was very unhappy with how my breasts looked.  The surgery went very smoothly and afterward I really had no pain whatsoever.  I really loved how my breasts looked after the surgery.  Because everything had gone so well with my breast surgery, it encouraged me to keep saving so that I could have my stomach done too,” Monica stated.

Monica works as a receptionist and with both surgeries used her vacation time to recuperate.  Even though Dr. Parker had told Monica that it would be two weeks before she could go back to work, Monica felt really good after just one week.  Monica followed Dr. Parker’s post-op instructions to the letter and believes that’s the reason she recovered so quickly.

“My results are phenomenal, mind-blowing really!  I can’t believe how flat my stomach is.   It’s incredible, I have no regrets and I would recommend Dr. Parker to anyone who’s interested in changing something that makes them unhappy.  I’ve recommended him to my mom, friends and co-workers, “said Monica.

Monica believes that the best thing about her surgeries is her new outlook on life.  She’s got her self-confidence back and she now believes that anything is possible for her.  Monica says she’s no longer the “down” person she was in the past.  She feels like a whole new woman, she’s going to finish her degree and is ready to take on the world.

If you are interested in a New Jersey Mommy Makeover or any other cosmetic procedure, Dr. Paul M. Parker and the staff of the Parker Center can help you feel like you can take on the world. Please contact us today at www.parkercenter.net or 201-967-1212 for a free consultation.  Dr. Parker and his staff want to give you back your confidence and help you enjoy your life more.

This good question led Nicole, a mother of three, to Parker Surgery Center and New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Paul Parker.  Breast augmentation surgery was something she had been thinking about for a long time.  After the birth of each of her children, Nicole found her breasts getting smaller and smaller.  Prior to childbirth, she had been a “B” cup but after three pregnancies, she couldn’t even fill an “A” cup.

Nicole’s husband was unenthusiastic about Nicole having breast augmentation surgery and thought she looked fine.  Finally, after she kept talking about it, he said, “I’ll make you a deal, if you quit smoking, you can have the surgery.”  Nicole had quit during her pregnancies but always went back to smoking.

“I quit that day, on the spot and I’ve never looked back,” said Nicole.  It was the motivation she needed to quit and she started looking into having the breast augmentation surgery.  “I never wanted be huge, I just wanted them to look like what they should have,” says Nicole.

When investigating having surgery, Nicole set up consultations with three other plastic surgeons.  Dr. Parker was her first appointment and after meeting him and his staff, she and her husband immediately felt comfortable and secure in choosing the Parker Center for her breast augmentation.

“I had done my homework before the appointment and researched him and I was happy with what I saw in writing.  When I was there, I just said oh my God, I want to just do it.  I cancelled all my other consultations and I have no regrets about that.  I love him and everyone in that office.  I tortured them with questions and they were always so nice to me,” said Nicole.

“My self-confidence is now sky-high.  My friends say I stand up straighter.  I walk differently.  I love to get dressed up and putting on a bathing suit is no longer a nightmare,” says Nicole.

Nicole had her New Jersey plastic surgery in July 2009 and really enjoyed bathing suit shopping this year. She loves her new breasts and is very happy that she had the surgery. She loves the way she looks in the mirror and in clothing.

Nicole has The Parker Center’s phone number saved in her cell phone and gives it out regularly.  She says that anyone considering a breast augmentation needs to meet with Dr. Parker.

For more information about a New Jersey breast augmentation or any other cosmetic procedure visit us at www.theparkercenter.com.

“I’ve always thought about breast implants, but for the longest time, I was ok with what I had,” she says. “But, once my athletic body started changing so drastically after menopause, I knew it was time to act. My breasts were looking smaller, my midsection was getting thicker. My athletic body was turning into a pear shape.”

Susan was aware of Dr. Parker’s reputation by word of mouth. But, going in to make her appointment for a consultation sealed the deal. “The women in the office were so great,” she says. “Just talking with them made me feel at ease. They strongly believe in Dr. Parker and what he can do for patients; that is a great testimony to him as a surgeon.”

She felt completely comfortable talking with Dr. Parker about what she didn’t like. While she wanted breast implants, her main concern was the fat around her middle. Three kids and one menopause later and she really felt self-conscious about her body, especially when the family would go to their beach house in New Jersey. Liposuction gave her back her shape and her confidence.

“If I wanted to, I could walk down the beach in a bikini now and know that I look good instead of feeling like a dumpy old lady,” she says. “I look as young as I feel now!”

After liposuction of the tummy and hips along with 275 cc breast implants, this 55 year-old mother of three has a new lease on life. She has the flat tummy, a shapely waist and her breasts are in proportion to her athletic shape that she had prior to menopause.

“I have to keep pinching myself to make sure that this is me,” she says. “I am so happy I did this. Every time I look in the mirror, it’s like a big present! I would definitely recommend Dr. Parker to anyone thinking about cosmetic surgery.”

At The Parker Center for Plastic Surgery in New Jersey, liposuction, breast implants and other cosmetic procedures from Dr. Parker are performed in our state-of-the-art Surgiplex Operating Suite. View before and after pictures and listen to video testimonials at www.parkercenter.net or call for a consultation at (201) 967-1212.

“The girls had left the party,” she jokes. “And, I used to have great boobs too!”

When she started looking for cosmetic surgeons in New Jersey, a friend recommended Dr. Parker. After looking at his before and after pictures and then meeting him for a consultation, Darlene was sold. She asked the Parker Center staff to squeeze her New Jersey breast augmentation and New Jersey blepharoplasty on the surgical schedule for the following week.

Now, for as much as Darlene has been impressed with Dr. Parker, his medical staff and her results, she is ecstatic about the Rapid Recovery Program, which consists of a carefully devised plan of supplements and medication pre-op and medications and massage post-op.

“The Rapid Recovery process worked so well, I didn’t even feel like I had surgery the day before,” she says. This explains why Darlene could be found at the dentist the very next day after surgery! While in the waiting room of the dentist, Darlene actually recommended another patient to Dr. Parker who ended up making an appointment and scheduling her own procedure.

“She couldn’t believe I was at the dentist the very next day and looked the way I did,” says Darlene.

Darlene admitted that she felt so good after surgery that she overdid things a little. By the time she went in for the manual lymphatic drainage massage, the post-operative portion of the Rapid Recovery Program, she was somewhat swollen. Her reaction to the idea of a massage was typical of many patients.

“I thought it was going to hurt, but it actually felt really really good,” she says. “And, the swelling went down considerably afterwards.”

Having previously had a rhinoplasty with another plastic surgeon, Darlene has something with which to compare her New Jersey breast augmentation and New Jersey blepharoplasty experience at The Parker Center.  “The experience at the Parker Center was incredible.”

After having surgery without a Rapid Recovery regimen and having surgery with the Rapid Recovery, Darlene says she will use Dr. Parker if she ever decides to have another cosmetic procedure. “I was extremely impressed with how I felt and looked afterwards,” she says.

For Darlene, the recovery was the icing on the cake to an overall wonderful experience at The Parker Center. She was very impressed with Dr. Parker and commented on how comfortable everyone made her feel.

About our nurse educator Angela, Darlene says, “She made me feel so comfortable and relaxed, like we were old friends. She also thoroughly prepared me for the procedure and recovery process afterwards.”

If you are looking for cosmetic surgeons in New Jersey, give Dr. Parker at call at (201) 967-1212 to schedule a breast augmentation or blepharoplasty consultation today!

The consultation process is integral in determining what the right procedure would be for each individual mom. New Jersey breast enhancement, tummy tuck and liposuction are the three most common options for makeovers.

There are various forms of each of these procedures that one may take. Breast surgeries include augmentation, lifts, and reductions. These procedures are used to reshape the breasts after some of the less flattering effects of pregnancy. Some of the forms tummy tucks take are liposuction, a mini-tuck, or a Lipo abdominoplasty. Liposuction can be used to treat different areas of the body for excess fat that can be retained following pregnancy. Dr. Parker often reshapes the hips, thighs, buttocks, arms, back and/ or neck.

“The combination of procedures that each mom needs depends on their age, genetics and how parts of their body have aged due to pregnancy,” says Dr. Parker. “One mom may need a breast augmentation and a mini-tuck while another mom may need a breast lift with implants, lipo abdominoplasty and liposuction of her hips and thighs. There are quite a number of possible combinations.”

Facial procedures have increasingly become more popular with moms over the years. The effects of weight gain and loss after pregnancy can speed up the facial aging process, prompting these patients to seek face and neck lifts. Many moms requesting these procedures are in their 50s and 60s and want their face to match their younger-looking bodies. New Jersey plastic surgeon , Dr. Parker, performs all of his procedures in his state-of-the-art on site, fully certified ambulatory surgical facility. Here, his experienced team of board certified anesthesiologists and registered nurses have worked tirelessly with him to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.

Many moms are concerned about taking time away from their families to undergo and recover from these surgical procedures. The Parker Center’s Rapid Recovery program allows these patients to recover quickly, minimizing the pain associated with these surgeries.

These patients not only look great after, but they feel better too. Many women who waited years before getting the surgery often regret waiting so long. “If I had known I would look and feel this good, I would have done this sooner”.

Whether its an older mom who wants to feel more youthful or a young mom who wants to have her body match her age again, a mommy makeover can help them achieve their goals.

Dr. Parker understands that each mom will have different concerns. “Each mommy makeover procedure is relevant to the individual patient’s desires and anatomy,” he says. “Often times, there is one main issue, say sagging breasts, that brings them in. But, during our consultation, I have them show me in a mirror what they don’t like and then we plan together a treatment that they will be happy with.”

For women in New Jersey, lipoabdominoplasty and breast augmentation are the most common procedures in a mommy makeover. However, each process is very different. While one mom may want implants and a lift, another may actually need a reduction and a lift. It isn’t always necessary to perform a full tummy tuck where a mini-lipoabdominoplasty will suffice. Thigh and buttocks lifts are sometimes added whereas liposuction of the area may be all that is necessary.

However, there is one thing that remains constant when a patient comes in for a New Jersey mommy makeover at The Parker Center: patient safety, natural results and a rapid recover from surgery.

“In recent years we’ve been able to combine several procedures into one surgery,” says Dr. Parker. “The reason for this is our commitment to safety and our finely-tuned staff of registered nurses and board certified anesthesiologists.”

For those patients that are leary of the multiple procedures and following pain, Dr. Parker offers his unique rapid recovery program that gets moms back to their normal daily activities within several days. He follows a pre and post-operative program that minimizes the risk of pain and complications. It is the reason New Jersey mommy makeover patients can get a moving the day after surgery.

“For any of our patients who are unsure about the process, we encourage them to talk to others who have been through it,” says Dr. Parker. “In fact, we have many former patients who are gracious enough to share their experiences with anyone who has questions. While we do everything we can to educate and make our patients feel comfortable, sometimes it helps to talk to another mom who has previously walked this same path.”

As a premier New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Parker is dedicated to providing natural results in the safest manner possible. The Parker Center’s on site state-of-the-art Surgiplex ambulatory surgical facility is accredited and certified by Medicare, JCAHO and AAAASF—the highest level of credentialing possible. Their facility is designed for overnight patient stays following lengthy procedures, such as mommy makeover procedures. The Parker Center’s highly trained team of registered nurse provides one to one patient monitoring following these surgeries. Several days following their surgery, patients are scheduled for the first of three Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage treatments in the Parker Center’s onsite medi-spa, known as Beaura Spa. These treatments contribute to the Rapid Recovery program at the Parker Center, which allows patients to comfortably return to the activities of daily living within several days after their procedure.

wearing a bathing suit. When they come to Dr. Parker about implants, they undergo an extensive evaluation, a sizing session and very thorough pre-operative education about breast implant surgery.

The image in the mirror is often the culprit of low self-esteem and lack of confidence in a woman. Often women who are unhappy with their appearance don’t know where to start. If they find they want to seek surgical treatment it is important to follow a certain set of steps to help guarantee the upmost satisfaction with their new look. The Parker Center in New Jersey follows a plan that may help many see the important steps in beginning your journey for a new look.

A consultation for breast augmentation in New Jersey with Dr. Parker begins with him spending a few minutes getting to know the patient. He will then listen carefully after asking the patient to tell him specifically what bothers her. Dr. Parker performs a physical examination to correlate the patient’s concerns with her physical findings. Options for treatment will then be reviewed, including a detailed discussion of saline versus silicone implants in order to find what’s best for each patient.

Determining desired breast size which looks natural is a very important consideration in women pursuing breast augmentation. New Jersey patients have at least three opportunities to clarify this at the Parker Center. Immediately after meeting with Dr. Parker, they will undergo a breast implant sizing session with one an experienced staff member to determine how they would like to look. The Parker Center staff refers to this as “taking a test drive”. The patient will use different size implants in a bra under a tank top. She will look at herself in a mirror and pictures of the various sizes will also be taken. These are posted on the Parker Center website to be accessed only with a special password. This allows the patient to go on-line and peruse the photos at her leisure. In addition, it enables the patient to get opinions from her sister in California and her best friend in New York. Finally, within two weeks of the scheduled surgical procedure, the patient undergoes a pre-op education visit with Dr. Parker’s Nurse Educator. The sizing session is repeated once more during this visit.

Breast augmentation surgeries are performed in the Parker Center’s onsite fully certified ambulatory surgical facility under general anesthesia. The procedures usually require roughly one hour to complete. Patients are discharged shortly thereafter. Thanks to the Rapid Recovery Program developed at the Parker Center, patients almost always recover quickly and painlessly from surgery.

Following a breast lift, New Jersey plastic surgeon, Dr. Parker has observed the following:

• Over 90 % of patients have an improved body image and self esteem.
• Almost all of his patients would undergo the procedure again and recommend it to their friends.
• When seen at their one year anniversary following surgery, patients report the procedure exceeded their expectations.
• Patients report they feel more comfortable with their bodies, a greater sense of femininity and their relationships are enhanced.
• Patients feel more self confident and demonstrate improved interpersonal skills.

Many patients feel a psychological lift from now being able to wear stylish clothing and bathing attire that they previously could not.

When patients return for their postop visits to see Dr. Parker he often hears that they are back looking in the mirror again. Now, however, they smile when they look at what they see and also what they are feeling. It’s gratifying for Dr. Parker and the staff at the Parker Center to witness these transformations and make such a positive difference in their patient’s lives.

Wendy is a petite woman and all of her children were quite large when they were born. Needless to say, that took a toll on her body. She had her last child 7 year ago and knew she wanted to do something but the timing was all wrong. She was finishing up her degree, getting ready to start a new job plus the everyday obligations of family; she kept putting herself on the back-burner.

“I was making all of these accomplishments- school, work and family- but my body and mind weren’t in sync.” She knew what she had to do to achieve happiness with her body but the expense was all too great. Instead, Wendy threw herself into researching New Jersey tummy tuck. Seven years later, she came across Dr. Parker’s Web site, looked at the lipoabdominoplasty photos and knew that the Parker Center was the place for her.

Wendy and her husband decided to go in for a consultation. The cost factor had been one of the issues that had been stopping Wendy for the past 7 years and she was still doing it. Her husband said, “You have to do this. You are never going to feel good about you if you don’t.”

Wendy’s description of the procedure is quite poetic. She likened those first few days as if she were a caterpillar going through metamorphosis. “I could feel it, sense it. A change was taking place and it was extraordinary,” she said.

After waking from the surgery, she looked down and felt tightness in her abdomen and knew at that moment that her life was changed. She is now 6 weeks post-op and already back to all of her normal activities. Every day, Wendy sees it getting better and better. Her tummy is flat again and the lipoabdominoplasty technique also gave her some womanly curves that she just loves.

For Wendy, finally deciding to have the procedure was a long time coming. She was so glad that she chose the Parker Center. “Everyone there made you feel like you were the only patient there,” she said. “Dr. Parker is an amazing gentleman. He really is interested in you and helping you.”

After her procedure, Wendy found the mind/body connection that she had been missing as she was hiding behind baggy clothes and sagging skin. “You feel good about you. Your self-confidence exudes and it affects everyone around you.” And her confidence is through the roof- she’s even gone out and bought a bikini just for her.

For anyone on the fence about having this procedure, Wendy emphatically says, “Do it. Do it now. Run- don’t wait.”

For more information on lipoabdominoplasty, visit www.parkercenter.net. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Parker, call (201) 967-1212.

According to Dr. Paul Parker, there are a number of biological reasons that prevent the body from returning back to its pre-pregnancy shape, including breast engorgement and the natural stretching of the skin.

“During pregnancy the breasts engorge and the abdomen stretches with the baby. This has the net effect of stretching the skin in both areas, often creating extra or sagging skin afterwards. The underlying paired rectus abdominus muscles in the abdomen are stretched as well, creating a gap between them known as diastasis recti,” notes Dr. Parker.

And as a result of these changes, some women suffer from excess skin, stretch marks, sagging or deflated breasts and lower abdominal “pouches” that are resistant to traditional diet and exercise.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t a diet or exercise program in the world that can restore volume to the breasts or tighten up loose abdominal skin covered in stretch marks. Short of cosmetic surgery intervention, there is very little a woman can do to reverse these conditions,” says the New Jersey plastic surgeon.

Thankfully Mommy Makeovers now exist to help a woman return to her pre-pregnancy shape with less downtime than what was required in the past. That is because during a Mommy Makeover, a woman can undergo a number of procedures at once (or over a short period of time) to re-shape and tone problem areas of the body.

“New Jersey Mommy Makeovers are designed to quickly address the issues of loose skin, stubborn fat or the loss of breast volume for a total body transformation,” adds Dr. Parker. “We actually use a combination of procedures such as breast augmentation and or a breast lift, liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) or lipoabdominoplasty, which is the combination of liposuction and a tummy tuck procedure”.

So what’s Dr. Parker’s suggestion to mom’s unhappy with their appearance after childbirth?

“A woman should always give traditional diet and exercise a try—and give the body some time to adjust on its own after the baby is born. But if a year, or even a few years go by with no change, chances are the body needs surgical intervention in the form of a New Jersey Mommy Makeover to tighten up and enhance some of the loose skin or stubborn fat that’s preventing it from returning to its pre-pregnancy condition.”

For further information on the New Jersey Mommy Makeover procedure or New Jersey Plastic Surgeon Dr. Paul M. Parker, please visit http://www.parkercenter.net

Why the confident responses?

Well for starters, when it comes to breast augmentation, New Jersey residents choose the Parker Center based on their state of the art technology and ability to walk a patient through breast enhancement before actually going under the knife.

Specifically, this includes a personal photo session to help the patient get an accurate idea of what her breasts would look like following augmentation surgery.  Based on the digital images, a woman can then decide if she wants to go bigger or smaller than originally planned.

Furthermore, we also provide our patients with a special bra filled with the implant size of their choice so they can truly see the way their breasts would look and feel under clothing.  This also helps a patient to accurately gage their desired implant size.

Clearly, our shaping and sizing sessions are a huge benefit for women that desire larger breasts, yet feel nervous about making such a permanent decision without seeing some version of the final product.

Second, and equally important, is the dedication to patient safety within the Parker Center.  The Parker Center uses one specific team of anesthesiologists for all surgical procedures–thus ensuring the highest level of safety in this particular area of medicine. Similarly, Dr. Parker, (who is one of the area’s most experienced plastic surgeons) operates in the same onsite and fully certified ambulatory facility using the same supporting RN’s and technicians.  Additionally, his vast experience and judgment lead to predictable results and very satisfied patients.

Furthermore, Dr. Parker performs every breast implant procedure himself; therefore, patients can stand confident that they will not be a guinea pig for students or rookie cosmetic surgeons with limited surgical experience.  This factor and the other safety factors mentioned above are some of the top reasons why our patients will refer friends and family for years to come.  They know their loved one can be trusted at our facility.

Finally, after choosing the Parker Center for breast implants, New Jersey residents generally cite our methods for expedited healing as one of the main benefits of the practice.  Specifically, the Parker Center has a very strict protocol (including the use of medication and herbs before surgery) to reduce the typical amount of pain, bruising or swelling that patients experience post-operatively.  Furthermore, 3 lymphatic drainage massages are included with every cosmetic procedure to help rapidly eliminate swelling and speed up the overall recovery process.

But don’t just take our word for it.  Call (201) 967-1212 to set up a free consultation with Dr. Parker himself.  You’ll be amazed at the difference.

Before	After
Before	After

Sarah’s problem is not a lack of income … Sarah and her husband have been saving for the surgery, but she is ready now for her breast augmentation.  She does not want to wait to save up for the entire surgery cost.

Sarah called Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, Paramus, and spoke with Angela who completely understood the situation.  Angela offered plastic surgery financing options to Sarah.   The ability to schedule your plastic surgery procedure should be when you are ready at an amount you can afford each month.

Because of the financing plans available at Parker Center, Sarah scheduled her breast augmentation and will be enjoying her beautiful new figure much sooner than she had expected.

Monica, a New Jersey healthcare worker, had been considering a breast lift for several years. Happy with her breast volume, she wanted to correct the droopiness that had bothered her since the birth of her children. Monica contacted the Parker Center for Plastic Surgery, New Jersey and learned of the financing options available to her.

Before	After
Before	After

She learned she could pay for her breast lift through CareCredit or CapitalOne healthcare finance. Both plans offer low fixed interest rates and a choice of monthly payment options, allowing Monica to go ahead and schedule her breast lift. New Jersey plastic surgeon Paul M. Parker offers an array of plastic surgery procedures, with “no surprise” pricing, allowing Monica to understand the financial aspects of her surgery up front and know she could afford it.

Before having my children I was an A cup size, and although I went to a B after my kids were born, the shape of my breasts changed. They were flat on top, round on the bottom, and slack. One of my friends with a similar figure had a breast augmentation and looked great. The doctor I consulted with told me I needed a breast lift which surprised me because I didn’t think the amount of droop I had warranted all of that reconstruction. I went home really discouraged and decided to forget about it. But that is easier said than done. I am working toward receiving my credentials as a personal trainer, so I am very in tune with my body. Honestly, my breasts were never the source of my confidence one way or the other, but it bothered me that improving them was no longer a possibility.

Before	After
Before	After

In talking with other women, Dr. Parker’s name kept coming up. Turns out he helps a lot of moms trying to get their pre-pregnancy bodies back. My husband encouraged me to get that second opinion. After Dr. Parker examined me he determined I did not need a lift after all! He explained that while some women cannot avoid a lift because of the degree of droop—I was not one of those candidates. I was thrilled and scheduled right away. I chose silicone vs. saline because of how natural it felt. My incision was placed under the breast fold.

Here I am at 4 weeks post op and one of my greatest fears—the pain—never materialized. Of course I was sore, but I would describe it as feeling “engorged” when you are nursing. More pressure than pain. Dr. Parker prescribes herbal supplements which eliminated some bruising and swelling. All his breast augmentation patients also get three massages spaced a week apart to stimulate healing and help the implant fall into place. That was a treat. Even just a month after surgery, my breasts are simply beautiful.

My advice? Find a doctor who listens to you. Someone who is genuinely interested in you as a person. I found Dr. Parker and his staff to be very attentive to my needs before, during and after surgery. I wish I had visited Dr. Parker sooner, but I am grateful we finally connected.”

Although Dr. Parker performs a full range of procedures of the face, breast and body, I felt a special affinity for tummy tuck patients. I related to their stories. After two pregnancies, I was hyper-aware of my own extra skin and forever holding in my stomach. I also identified with their anxiety about anesthesia, recovery, the scar and most of all the guilt of doing something for myself.

Before	After
Before	After

My son is 2 and my daughter is 6. At 41 years old, I really don’t look too bad from the front, but my profile made me self conscious and I had to be clever with how I dressed. The day of reckoning came when I was helping my daughter with her homework and she asked, “Mommy, are you having another baby?” I was wearing a t-shirt and sweat pants—not what you would call “form fitting.” That was the tipping point. I scheduled my surgery the next day.

Having complete trust in Dr. Parker’s skill and care was an advantage. I have seen hundreds of happy patients, thrilled with their results. But even so, I was apprehensive. Elective surgery still involves risks. It helped to know both Dr. Parker and his anesthesiologists are board certified. Safety has always been a big issue in our practice.

Recovery sometimes presents a hurdle. In a tummy tuck, the muscles are actually tightened from the inside and in my case some liposuction was done for contouring.

Truthfully, it wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. I felt a little stiff, because it takes a while to straighten up, but there was no real pain. The liposuction was actually more uncomfortable than the tuck.

You want to be sure you have a strong support system waiting at home. My husband and both sets of grandparents took over for me. I was able to watch TV and do puzzles and homework with the kids. They knew mommy had a “boo boo” and were careful around me. They liked that I was in the room even if I couldn’t do everything.

Within 10 days I was back at work, but not at full capacity. The Rapid Recovery program Dr. Parker designed really accelerated my healing and kept me comfortable.

Today, my abs are back and so is my self image. I knew I would look better, but I never imagined the impact a cosmetic procedure would have on my confidence. I feel amazing and can wear anything I want.

No longer dreading summer…
Janet