{Life Changing Plastic Surgery Stories} FOF Chris C.

LEAVE A COMMENT 2013 February 14

FOF Chris C., a 52-year-old Indiana hairdresser, liked her body in high school. While many of her classmates were insecure, Chris–above-average height, slender and well-endowed–was confident. So why, decades later, did she decide to have three different plastic surgery procedures: Breast augmentation, tummy tuck and breast lift?

“Having kids changed everything,” Chris says. Breastfeeding three babies, three C-sections and a hysterectomy left her breasts with far less tissue and her stomach looking like “a jigsaw puzzle.”

“There were scars left to right and up and down,” Chris told us.

Ten years ago, she decided to take action and met with Dr. Gus Galante, a board certified plastic surgeon, for her first consultation. She says it was one of the best decisions of her life.

“Dr. Galante has done his part to make me look the best that I can. I’d do it a thousand times over.”

How did you find Dr. Galante?
Dr. Galante and his office manager were long-time clients at a salon where I worked in Schererville. We became really good friends. But, never in a million years did I think I’d have work done.

What treatment did you have first?
I had a breast augmentation around 2003.

Breast augmentation performed by Dr. Galante on Chris.

What made you decide to do that?
I breastfed all three of my children and, as a result, didn’t have much breast tissue left. That’s what happens…you lose it. When Dr. Galante’s office manager came into the salon, I’d talk with her about having an augmentation. She suggested I consult with the doctor.

What did Dr. Galante recommend?
At that point, we decided solely on the augmentation and that maybe down the road I’d have a breast lift.

What size were you before?
I was a C but it was just skin–there was no tissue at all. Dr. Galante gave me a saline implant, and I ended up a Double D. My breasts filled up my bras again, and lingerie shopping became fun again.

You also had a tummy tuck?
Yes, about a year after the breast augmentation I went back to Dr. Galante. The skin on my stomach looked crazy because I had three C-sections. I also had a little bit of excess skin, which the doctor removed.

Abdominoplasty performed by Dr. Galante on Chris.

Were you happy with the results?
The results were wonderful. Dr. Galante did a great job removing the excess skin. I don’t have big, thick scars. After the surgery, he had me wear special foam tape religiously and now you can’t see the scars at all.

What were the treatment and recovery like?
Everything was good. The surgeries were done on an outpatient basis.

Tell us about the breast lift you had last year.
When Dr. Galante put in my implants he said I might eventually want a lift. Ten years after the augmentation, the implants didn’t move, but due to gravity, everything else did. So, I had my breasts lifted this past October.

“This is the patient 10 years after her breast augmentation,” Dr. Galante says. “You can see how the age-related changes have affected the shape of the breast. She underwent an implant exchange with a slightly larger volume and a breast lift to improve the shape.”

At one point you never dreamed you’d have plastic surgery, but now you’ve had three treatments. Why were you hesitant?
I had three kids…and kids are expensive! The cost [of plastic surgery] is not cheap, but it was worth every penny. As a hairdresser I felt it was important to look my best. You’re not going to have your hair done by someone whose appearance isn’t good.

You used Dr. Galante for all three treatments. What do you like about him so much?
I’ve known him for years. I trust him wholeheartedly. He’s down to earth. He’ll tell you right off the bat if he doesn’t think a treatment is right for you or if what you want doesn’t work with your body proportions.

What do your husband, family and friends think?
My husband thinks I look great. My oldest daughter just had a baby and said when she’s finished having kids she’s going to Dr. Galante. My college-aged clients say they want to look like I do when they’re my age! I’ve sent three or four of my clients to Dr. Galante. I was confident about how I looked before, but knew that I could look even better.

A note from Dr. Galante:

“Chris’ story is not uncommon to women who have gone through several pregnancies. The breasts may undergo involutional changes and may appear deflated. The tummy skin and muscles stretch out. These patients consult with me to get the figures they once had before children.

Performed separately or simultaneously, these procedures make up what’s commonly referred to as the “mommy makeover.” Chris was emotionally and physically an excellent candidate for these procedures.”