Debbi's Story

I have been overweight all my life. In 2002, I was at my largest size. I was 49 years old, weighed 289 lbs, and extremely depressed. I hurt everywhere; my feet, my legs, my hips, and especially my back hurt. I wore a size 22/24 and my feet swelled so every day that I could only wear 1 pair of dress shoes comfortably and without embarassment. I had been considering gastric by-pass surgery for a couple of years and had just witnessed one of my best friends go through it with great success.

I made the decision to have the by-pass surgery and after going through all the steps required, had the surgery on June 24, 2003. My case was textbook and I had no problems. By December 2004, I had lost a total of 150 lbs and felt great. I was wearing a size 6-8 and I looked pretty good in clothes.

I was very happy with my weight loss but the amount of weight loss left my 50 year old body with a lot of excess skin. My breasts, which had previously been a 42 DDD, had become what my fiancé termed as "36 LONGS". I had nothing left but empty skin sacks. My abdomen also hung with loose skin. My legs were extremely horrible with a lot of loose skin and my arms had "bat-wings".

I made an appointment with Dr. Hedden to talk about having four procedures. I met with him in November of 2004 and he gave me the prices for all the procedures I wanted, which were tummy tuck, breastlift, leg lift and arm lift. My legs were what bothered me most and I called to schedule that procedure first. I spoke with Marcia and she actually talked me into doing the tummy tuck first. I ended up doing both the tummy tuck and breastlift with augmentation. I'd had large breasts all my life and having just the breastlift would have left me with a full B/loose C cup. After talking with Dr. Hedden, I decided to go up 1 cup size. That is a decision I do not regret.

In April 2004 I had the tummy tuck and breastlift with augmentation. The surgery was done in his office. The staff was wonderful to me and very professional. I was given a prescription for pain killers and muscle relaxers. My first night was spent in a hotel room so that I could be close to Dr. Hedden's office in case of an emergency. My fiancé stayed with me and helped me up and down to the restroom and cared for me. I had mild discomfort but it was nothing like what had been described to me by other people who "knew someone who had had the surgery and couldn't move for 6 weeks". I did just what the doctor ordered and had very little discomfort even having both procedures at once. The staff at Dr. Hedden's office marveled at my recovery time.

I am now a happy 36D with a very flat tummy. I love my new body and I have been able to shop at Victoria's Secret for more than just the lotions!! I will be going back for the other 2 procedures (legs and arms) after the first of the year. Maybe after that I will have a facelift..after all I am 51 years old now!

I would highly and happily recommend Dr. William J. Hedden and his staff to anyone who is considering cosmetic surgery.