After four pregnancies and years of deliberation, Katerina decided to undergo abdominoplasty, a breast lift and a breast reduction in a single operation. She had been considering surgery for nearly two decades, but concerns about scarring, a difficult recovery and losing her hard-earned fitness repeatedly held her back. Now, five months after the procedure, she says she finally feels at home in her own body.
Four pregnancies left their mark
Katerina gave birth to four children over the course of seven years. She gained more than 20 kilograms during each pregnancy. Although the weight came off quickly after each birth, her skin never returned to the way it had been before.
“I’ve always exercised and tried to keep my body toned, but no amount of training could get rid of the stretched skin. It bothered me a great deal and limited what I felt comfortable wearing. I was constantly wondering whether my clothes concealed my stomach and breasts well enough.”
Katerina has always had a fuller bust, and pregnancy and breastfeeding inevitably affected the shape of her breasts. What troubled her most, however, was the excess skin on her abdomen, which hung over the waistband of her trousers.
“The slimmer I became, the more noticeable the loose skin was. Finding well-fitting lingerie was difficult too. At the beach, I could only wear a one-piece swimsuit because bikinis simply weren’t an option for me. Backless dresses were out of the question as well, because I couldn’t go without supportive underwear.”
Her reasons for considering abdominoplasty were not purely cosmetic. Four pregnancies had left her with severe separation of the abdominal muscles, known as diastasis recti, which also limited the kinds of exercise she could do.
“I wouldn’t say that my appearance had completely destroyed my confidence. No one criticised me or made me feel bad about my body. I was simply unhappy because my body no longer reflected the way I saw myself or how I felt on the inside.”
A decision almost 20 years in the making
Katerina had been thinking about surgery for nearly two decades. Her greatest concerns were the scars and the possibility that she might no longer recognise her own body afterwards. She was also worried about having to take a long break from exercise and losing muscle mass.
The final push came from a podcast about cosmetic surgery.
“The surgeon being interviewed said that their oldest breast surgery patient had been nearly 80. That made me realise I didn’t want to wait until I was 80. I want to enjoy my life and my body now.”
A chance encounter at the gym led Katerina to Aurora Clinic.
“I noticed a stunning woman in the sauna who had beautiful breasts. I worked up the courage to ask where she had had her surgery, and she recommended Aurora Clinic. Personal recommendations and real-life experiences are the best form of advertising.”
Her fears remained right up until the day of the operation. Above all, Katerina worried that the result might not live up to her expectations or that she would miss her former body. She also found herself contemplating the worst-case scenario.
“Of course, I wondered what would happen if I didn’t wake up. I even made a will before the surgery, just in case.”
An honest consultation built trust
Katerina’s first consultation left her with a strong sense of professionalism and trust. Her surgeon, Merle Rohtla, carefully explained the available options, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
“What I appreciated most was that the surgeon didn’t show me only perfect results. She spoke openly about the possible risks and showed me photographs of cases where things hadn’t gone as planned. That helped me understand what I needed to be prepared for. Rather than making me more afraid, her honesty made me trust her even more.”
The consultation answered questions Katerina had not even known to ask. By the time the day of surgery arrived, she felt calm, excited and positive about what lay ahead.
Recovery was easier than expected
Despite the length of the operation and the blood loss involved, Katerina felt surprisingly well during the first few days.
“As soon as I was back in my room, I started moving around on my surgeon’s advice. I walked around the bed to keep my circulation going. Before the operation, I had been afraid that I wouldn’t even be able to wash myself without help, but everything went far more smoothly than I had expected. I was able to manage on my own.”
Getting into and out of bed proved to be the most difficult part. She had to move onto her side first, and every such movement felt uncomfortable in the beginning. The biggest positive surprise, however, was the lack of pain.
“I had prepared myself for my wounds to hurt, but they didn’t. I experienced discomfort and numbness, but no actual pain.”
After beginning to share her experience openly, Katerina was surprised to discover how many people she knew had undergone similar procedures.
“People simply don’t talk about it. They feel ashamed, and it’s still seen as taboo.”
“My body is finally the way I have always wanted it to be”
Since the operation, Katerina feels that her body finally matches the way she has always seen herself.
“It’s still my body. I’m not necessarily slimmer or more toned than before. My breasts are simply where they should be, and the skin on my stomach is smooth instead of hanging over the waistband of my trousers. I’m incredibly happy with the result. I finally feel at home in my own body.”
Although her abdomen had bothered her most before the surgery, the greatest visible and emotional change has been in her breasts.
“My breasts are beautiful and firm, and they hold their shape even without a bra. I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Katerina’s relationship with clothing has changed too. She no longer chooses clothes according to how well they conceal her body.
“I can buy what I genuinely like without constantly wondering whether it covers enough. I can also wear clothes that don’t work with supportive underwear. I dress more boldly, show off a little more and stand taller.”
Her new appearance has also given her more motivation to exercise, as the results of her hard work are now easier to see. Katerina stayed away from the gym for two months and returned to training very gradually. Five months after the operation, she is back to the same training volume and weights as before.
“Being in good physical shape before the operation definitely helped me recover more quickly. Returning to exercise was much easier than I had feared.”
Adjusting to a new body takes time
Although Katerina’s physical recovery went smoothly, the emotional adjustment proved more challenging than she had expected.
“For decades, I had been used to seeing the same body in the mirror. It took time to adjust to the new one, even though the result was beautiful. During the first few months, I sometimes struggled to understand that this really was my body now.”
For this reason, Katerina advises others not to rush such an important decision. The desire for change should come from within, rather than from pressure exerted by a partner, loved ones or society.
“No one had criticised my body. My husband never commented negatively on my appearance or suggested that he was unhappy with it. The desire to make a change came entirely from me. I don’t regret taking my time to make the decision.”
The support of loved ones is invaluable during recovery
When Katerina told people about her plans, she encountered both support and strong opposition. In fact, more people tried to talk her out of the operation than encouraged her to go ahead. Her children’s understanding and practical help during her recovery therefore meant a great deal to her.
“I was surprised by how harshly some women, including other mothers, judged my decision. Perhaps there is still a belief that becoming a mother means silently accepting every physical change, regardless of how a woman feels in her own body.”
Katerina believes cosmetic surgery should not be treated as something shameful. Open and honest personal stories can help others make better-informed decisions and understand that choosing to change one’s body does not diminish anyone’s worth as a mother or a woman.
“I understand why many women don’t feel able to share their experiences. Society still isn’t entirely ready to see cosmetic surgery as a modern and accessible option. But everyone should have the right to make their own decisions about their body.”
Would Katerina make the same decision again?
“Yes, absolutely. The operation met all my expectations, and the result was even better than I had hoped.”
Every surgical procedure and recovery is different. A personal consultation with a surgeon is essential to determine the most suitable treatment plan and assess the potential risks and expected recovery time.
