Pre-op scheduled for 10/12!
I'm a 33 year old mama of 2, whose boobies got put through the wringer while nursing! I've got a petite frame (5'1", 100lbs, 26" under bust) and am currently a 30C/32B, but with minimal breast tissue and enlarged areola.
After SEVERAL consults, I have decided to go with Dr James Murphy for a Benelli lift and small implant; my goal being a perky, full C cup. I have read SO many mixed reviews on this procedure, but my nipple placement is acceptable (pseudoptosis), so a full lift isn't required - BUT I *really* would like my areola to be reduced. I'm just going to cross my fingers that my body responds favorably!
Updated on 14 Oct 2016:
I had my pre-op on Wednesday, and am left feeling a bit nervous. Dr. Murphy has suggested Natrelle style 10 implants, and stated that he would order the 240-270-300 range of sizes, as they are smaller than what he has in stock. No measurements were taken (they may have been taken at my consult last year?)...no sizers placed...no Vectra scanning. While I REALLY like his work, I was expecting a bit more than just taking"before photos" and forking over my $. I did share a couple of my wish pictures with him, and stressed that I don't want to be large chested; I just want to regain the fullness that was lost from pregnancy and breastfeeding. I was a bit surprised with his decision to use the lower profile implants with my frame being the size it is. I think that both the 270 and 300 cc implants are greater in diameter than my BWD (by less than a cm, but it seems that this is a less popular approach. I'm nervous that I may have too much side boob, potential rippling, and too flat a profile if the larger implants are required to fill out my saggy booby skin. I know it's probably just me being neurotic, but I decided to call their office this morning to discuss the benefits of low (style 10) vs mod (style 15) profiles. I told her I trust the doctor's opinion, but I wanted him to be aware that if larger implants are required, I'd prefer greater than ideal projection vs width. The coordinator said she'd discuss with the physician and get back to me. I just want to make sure there is time to order additional implants, if we decide to change the profile!
I made myself some 200ish cc chia seed sizers in snack sized ziplock baggies, and am happy with the size in a bra, and under tops. I'm crossing my fingers that the 240cc implants fit my breast envelope/remaining skin, and all of this worrying will have been for nothing!
Updated on 24 Oct 2016:
I had 300cc Allergan Style 10 moderate projection implants placed sub-muscularly last Thursday. The procedure went well, other than the fact that I was a bit of a bleeder, and required drains. I was sent home mummy-wrapped and advised to leave my goods intact until my follow up appointment today. The pain's been completely manageable with somewhat regular med dosing (Percocet every 4-8 hours) on days 1-3; I'm off all pain meds as of this morning. I honestly think the tummy bloat may be the most uncomfortable bit at this point!
My post-op went well today. Drains were removed, along with my foam tape. Now I've just got my steri-strips and band aids on my incisions. I am so happy with the outcome thus far! Fingers crossed that the incisions look as good as the rest of my breasts at their reveal next Monday!
*its amazing to me how much more noticeable my stretch marks are now that my breasts have been re-filled...maybe some of it is the lighting?
Updated on 31 Oct 2016:
I had my second post-op appt. today. Dr. Murphy has such a wonderful bedside manner. I am so happy to have chosen him for my procedure!
Tape came off for a few minutes, and I snapped a quick photo...still a bit of bruising, and the areolar incisions are scary (though VERY well approximated).
I feel well for the most part. It's been a bit of a roller coaster in terms of discomfort and energy level. Some days I feel near normal, and others, I feel almost as if I'm catching the flu: sore, with chills and just super sleepy. I'm hoping those days are behind me!
I've been given clearance to resume all of my normal daily activities...just no strenuous chest workouts. Life is good!
Updated on 10 Nov 2016:
Healing is going well. I'm keeping my incisions taped to try and minimize scarring, but the wounds look great and my pain has resolved for the most part. I'm back to all of my regular activities, which feels SO good! Went on a three mile hike last weekend, and felt SUCH a mood improvement from the exercise and fresh air.
I've still got some yellow bruising around the areola on my right breast. There is a also a bit of areolar asymmetry between the two girls...I'm hoping that if there's bruising, there is swelling; meaning that there's decent potential for me to own two boobies that look similar when healed.
While I think that my implants are in the correct position on my chest now (I can feel the implant at the bottom of my breasts when doing my massage), I'm waiting for my lower pole to fill out a bit more (fluff?). My PS was adamant about using moderate profile implants, and there's a piece of me that's still a bit nervous that my final outcome may be have a bit more side boob and less projection than I was hoping for. I am 110% happy with my size, it's just that the shape seems a bit strange (I do realize that there much time for this to change...trying not to worry myself over it).
...all of this recovery stuff sure is stressful!
Updated on 21 Nov 2016:
...and the holiday season is now upon us, eek!
I've got a weekend in Vegas planned for early December, and it's been super fun trying on cocktail dresses and swimwear! I'm just hoping to get hot-tub clearance from my PS at my 6 week post-op!
I'm a bit rashy from the paper tape and have given my incisions a break from it the past 48 hours. My boobie pleats are a bit less prominent now, and the scarring is looking pretty good!
My only real boob-complaint, at the moment, is that I CAN NOT find a "real" bra that fits. I've got cute bralettes, and have a couple of fun sports bras, but i want a bra that's got a bit of shape and shows off the goods! The closest thing I've found was a Natori "feathers" bra, but I had some boob spillage out of the 30DD, and couldn't find a 30DDD to try on. I really need a 28 band anyway (my underbust is only 26 inches), which I can't find locally...do any of my fellow petite ladies have any suggestions?
Updated on 18 Dec 2016:
...and not too much to report. My left breast seems to be settling a bit more than the right. It's not tremendously noticable unless my arms are raised. I would say that the post-op discomfort has resolved about 95%; I still have tenderness around the borders of my areola (perhaps due to the permanent sutures), but my crease incisions are now pain-free.
I've bought a few new underwire bras (30DDD and 28F) that seem to fit okay, but they aren't super comfy for all day wear. While I know it can't really prevent bottoming out, I feel that my breast creases are better supported in underwire.
Just (impatiently) waiting for the scarring to mature at this point.
It's funny how small my boobs seem to look in photos...they seem so much bigger irl!
Updated on 20 Jan 2017:
The girls are officially three months old; for the most part, I like them. There are days where I look in the mirror and question whether I ought to have gone with a "stronger" lift, or had a less-wide, more-projected implant placed (and there is a minor dent on my lefty), but I'm probably just being overcritical. Must repeat the mantra: perfect is the enemy of good. Good is exactly that: GOOD! I am SO greatful for the tremendous improvement to my shape!
At 3 months, I've got tenderness around both of my areola, as well as occasional left underboob soreness, but nothing I would classify as pain. I do believe that the healing process is pretty near over.
My scars are doing well (in spite of the fact that I haven't been applying anything to them). My IMF scars are still red, but completely flat, and my lift scars are nearly invisible, though I've still got some slight pleating.
All in all, I am happy with my outcome, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend the procedure to anyone who's considering it!
Updated on 1 Mar 2017:
All is well. I am still very happy with my decision to have the procedure, and with my choice in surgeon! The boobs don't seem to be changing much these days, which is fine by me. Puckering is continuing to improve, and the scarring isn't nearly as noticeable as I was anticipating. Yay!
Updated on 6 Apr 2017:
Seeing as plastic surgeons generally say, "final results can be seen between 3-6 months," I figured I should post my *final* result.
Not much has changed in the past couple of months. My implants are rather palpable at the bottom of my breasts, but there isn't much in the way of visible rippling (very glad my PS recommended silicone!). My lefty is a bit more lateral than the right (and still has a couple of dents from the lift), but overall symmetry is pretty good. Aside from the scars, and muscle distortion with pectoral flexing, they look like natural boobs. They're squishable, and have decent "bounce" as well.
...still a happy camper here!
Updated on 2 Jul 2017:
Before and 8 months post procedure...quite a difference!!!
Updated on 28 Oct 2017:
The girls just celebrated their first birthday. It's been nothing but smooth sailing. I am still really happy with my decision to repair my ta-tas. I continue to have anxiety about the possibility of capsular contracture, or bottoming out at some point...but that's just me being neurotic.
My 300cc implants added almost three inches to my bustling, putting me a lot closer to the "hourglass figure" that I was looking for. My measurements are currently 33-23.5-35. Having curves has definitely made it a bit easier to shop! I know you can't purchase self-esteem, but I was SO disgusted with my boobs, that it negatively impacted my sexuality. It feels awesome to be comfortable in my skin...I know that we're all supposed to love ourselves for our insides, and be appreciative of our bodies for the awesome work they do/have done (I AM grateful that my body grew and nourished my babies), BUT I wanted pretty boobs, dammit ????.
They aren't perfect, but they're soft, squishy, and perky-so I won't complain!
Updated on 1 Nov 2018:
...and, at this point, I honestly don’t give too much thought to my boobs anymore. They’re not perfect, but I’m overall happy with them. I am once again confident in my birthday suit! I havent really noticed many changes over the past year, despite choosing not to wear a bra to bed. Comfort and good sleep outweigh perky boobs in my book!
To anyone with breasts similar to mine (empty, and with pseudo-ptosis) who is nervous about having a Benelli (there are so many surgeons who seem to HATE them-I had consults with two docs who told me that they would ONLY do a vertical lift on me): Choose your PS wisely AND make sure that you have realistic expectations. I wanted my pre-baby breasts back, and I think that was fairly well accomplished...I am nearly certain I would have been disappointing with the scarring from a vertical lift. The “improved” shape it would have offered me would not have outweighed the scarring. Also, advocate for yourself. My PS would have gladly added an extra 100cc+ to my implants if I hadn’t stressed my desire to keep small breasts (30DDD tiny, lol). Cosmetic surgery should be done for our own personal aesthetic appeal, NOBODY else’s (not even our PS’s). Know what you want, and find the best surgeon to be able to offer that to you!