Sad of looking “forever pregnant”, Maureen (who goes by Makemeheal.com username Mojo1) decided she was ready for her journey to Flatlands by having a tummy tuck for the extra fat and skin she had post-pregnancies. Native of Windhoek, Namibia (South-western part of Africa), Mojo1 selected a well-known female, board-certified surgeon in practice for over 10 years to conduct her abdominoplasty.

See Mojo1 Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album
While preparing for her tummy tuck, Mojo1 used the Makemeheal.com message boards for support and information about the procedures and various products that everyone needs to heal better and faster.
Though recovery was not easy, Mojo1 had her husband and kids by her side to help her. Today, Mojo1 is a bubbly and happy woman who is more confident and excited to finally be able to wear fitting tops and shirts that get her lots of compliments.
The advice she’d like to share with everyone who is considering this procedure: “You have to be well prepared and ready mentally, emotionally and physically. Don’t compare yourself with others and have realistic expectations. Lose excess weight before your surgery for best results and follow your doctor’s orders carefully.”
Please join us below for an interview with Mojo1:
MakeMeHeal.com: When did you first have the idea to have your procedure(s)?
Mojo1: When I saw the Extreme Make over programs on TV and how good these ladies looked afterward.
MakeMeHeal.com: What were your motivations behind your decision to have the procedure(s)?
Mojo1: I had constant back pain and rashes due to my large breast. My tummy was just in my way during exercise and I could not wear nice form fitting tops and shirts. I looked forever pregnant.
MakeMeHeal.com: How long did it take you to make a decision and was it an easy or difficult one to make?
Mojo1: Not long and it was not difficult, it was just a matter of financing the procedures. My DH who is so selfless and generous paid for both procedures. I would do it again in a “wink”, the best investment I have ever made.
MakeMeHeal.com: Did your family, friends, and any other people in your close circle give you support, opposition, or did you make this decision without considering them?
Mojo1: My DH and kids knew about that and supported me but I have not told any family members or friends. I like it to keep it that way for now.
MakeMeHeal.com: How did you research the procedure(s) and come to decide on this particular procedure(s)?
Mojo1: I researched most online and by word of mouth. A friend of mine had a breast reduction surgery about 13 years ago and I saw the results and comfort of not having big, saggy boobs hanging on the tummy. That motivated me to have the surgery.
Make Me Heal’s resources definitely helped and prepared me beyond my tummy tuck. Still an active member and the ladies on the message boards are just so WONDERFUL, always helpful and full of advise. I don’t think I would have pulled it off without the MMH site.
MakeMeHeal.com: How did you come to choose your doctor?
Mojo1: I am from Windhoek, Namibia (South-western part of Africa), a relatively small country and we only have one board certified plastic surgeon who is very well-known (female) and in practice for the past 10+ years. My friend who had a breast reduction some 13 years ago had a plastic surgeon from the neighboring South Africa who use to fly in once (for a week) every month to do surgery and for consultations, but he has since retired. I had 2 consultations for each of my procedures and was a very good candidate for my procedures.
MakeMeHeal.com: Please discuss if you have any role in deciding the type of technique used for your surgery by the doctor, incision placements, implant brand, anesthesia type, etc.
Mojo1: From the very beginning, she informed me what she normally does, what she does not prefer and the best way for the best results. I was well informed by my surgeon and she even drew some sketches to show me how she was going to do and the best part, before and after pictures. She didn’t mark me up as I saw on TV except for my BR surgery.
MakeMeHeal.com: How did you prepare for the surgery?
Mojo1: I told my boss that I had to go in for a hernia repair surgery and he was very understanding and encouraging and that I could be off for up to 6 weeks. I bought all the products mentioned on the MMH site like antibacterial wipes and soap, etc. My kids were on school holiday (have a 21 year old who is a 3rd year University student, she and her father took care of me (like cooking for the family, helping to put my binder on, etc.). My 13 year old boy was always by my side, getting me my meds and refilling my water bottles and taking pictures of my progress. He is a real mommy’s boy and still reminds me to rub-in Bio-oil on my scar.
MakeMeHeal.com: How were you feeling the night before the surgery and on the moments before the surgery itself?
Mojo1: Oh gosh, that was really hard. I was so nervous and tense, I had these weird thoughts of not waking up from anesthesia, dying and the news would hit the local newspapers and my friends and family would find out (lol) and leaving my kids all alone with DH. I prayed every night that the Lord would guide the hands of my PS and Anesthesiologist for a successful surgery, recovery and healing and my prayers were not in vain. Thank you Lord for that!
MakeMeHeal.com: How was the recovery process?
Mojo1: My recovery was quite good. The only side effect I had with my BR surgery was the intense pain (fire) when I woke up and the nausea, could not eat for 2 days. With my tummy tuck surgery, I also had the intense pain at my incision (like a burning fire) but after taking pain meds, no pain afterwards and no nausea this time around. I didn’t feel hungry at all and didn’t eat for almost 3 days post surgery (had the occasional grape or two, a bite or two from an apple, a tablespoon of yogurt) and lots of water. My DH and kids help me lot during recovery since they were on school holidays for a month.
MakeMeHeal.com: Please discuss the pain or discomfort you experienced during the recovery?
Mojo1: The only pain I experienced after both my surgeries was the pain (like my incisions were on fire). With the TT surgery, my back “killed” me for walking hunched over and sleeping only in one position for the first 5 days. After day 5 I tried lying on my sides with pillows propped-up and it was heaven.
MakeMeHeal.com: How well prepared were you for the recovery from physical, emotional, and mental respects?
Mojo1: I was so well prepared and Oh Yes, all the credit goes to the MMH Message Boards. The ladies were very encouraging, helpful and best of all shared their experiences and advise with me. BIG THUMBS UP FOR MMH MESSAGE BOARDS!!!
MakeMeHeal.com: What are your top recovery tips to other patients?
Mojo1: Rest and take it easy and follow your PS orders and advise. I moved around a lot in week 2 (went to town and did shopping) and swelled-up badly with a little bit of “necrosis” at my incision which has since healed up nicely.
MakeMeHeal.com: How long did you take off from work? What did you tell your co-workers about taking this time off? Did anyone notice your cosmetic procedures at work and what did you tell them if they asked about it?
Mojo1: I was booked off for a month. My told my co-workers beforehand that I was going in for major hernia repair. They noticed my flat tummy and was asking question, I just showed them my binder and said doctors orders to wear it for as long as I want. Some say I lost a lot of weight and look very good. I never told them about my procedure and it will stay that way.
MakeMeHeal.com: How happy are you with the results?
Mojo1: I am so THRILLED with my results. The best investment ever!!
MakeMeHeal.com: How has your makeover impacted your life from personal, social, career, and other respects?
Mojo1: I was always a confident and bubbly person before my surgery but now I don’t have to hide my tummy under big loose clothes. I now like form fitting tops and shirts and get a lot of compliments which even boost my confidence more.
MakeMeHeal.com: Would you have done anything differently if you had the chance?
Mojo1: Not at all except for resting more.
MakeMeHeal.com: What is your final word of advice to other people considering the procedure(s) you had?
Mojo1: You have to be well prepared and ready mentally, emotionally and physically. Don’t compare yourself with others and have realistic expectations. Lose excess weight before your surgery for best results and follow your doctor’s orders carefully. The best thing about this surgery was that I quit smoking, have not had a “siggie” in 2 months and didn’t have any cravings and withdrawal symptoms. HOORAY!!! Last but not least, MMH message boards was so good to me during my recovery process and made it a lot easier for me.
MakeMeHeal.com: Was Make Me Heal beneficial to you along your journey?
Mojo1: OH DEFINITELY!! And it is still, I recommend it to anyone intending having surgery. Make Me Heal is the best!!!
See Mojo1 Before & After Plastic Surgery Pictures Album
See Before & After Plastic Surgery Photos
Chat on Plastic Surgery Message Boards
Shop for Plastic Surgery & Beauty Products
Share Social Bookmarks:
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Tags: abdominoplasty,
Before and After Pictures,
plastic,
plastic surgery,
surgery,
tummy tuck