POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
45, 34f - Asheville, NC
UPDATED FROM AVL123
6 years post
6 years later, LOVE IT
AVL123September 3, 2021
WORTH IT$5,000
I would do it again.
I would SOOOOOOO do it again.
The scars fade, the boobs start to look more normal, and all things being equal, I would do it again.
Yes, I do wish they had removed more,.... but it wasn't a big enough difference to want a revision. Not even close.
I could finally put on a sports bra, and pick up run(ish) ing...
(Run-ish, because it is faster than walking, but others are speeding past me)
I am able to get about, get cloths, and enjoy all the things that having bolders on the front end prevented.
The doc has since retired, but even with his Post-op care, I would have used him for other procedures. The scars are so minimal, it's amazing, and that has to do with my after care to myself, and his skill.
Thanks to all on here for being awesome.
I would SOOOOOOO do it again.
The scars fade, the boobs start to look more normal, and all things being equal, I would do it again.
Yes, I do wish they had removed more,.... but it wasn't a big enough difference to want a revision. Not even close.
I could finally put on a sports bra, and pick up run(ish) ing...
(Run-ish, because it is faster than walking, but others are speeding past me)
I am able to get about, get cloths, and enjoy all the things that having bolders on the front end prevented.
The doc has since retired, but even with his Post-op care, I would have used him for other procedures. The scars are so minimal, it's amazing, and that has to do with my after care to myself, and his skill.
Thanks to all on here for being awesome.
AVL123's provider
UPDATED FROM AVL123
3 months post
3 months.. Happy I did it, but still struggling with communication with the PS
AVL123September 27, 2015
Hello
I have been off line for a while. But here is my update.
I would reccomend this surgery, even if you were going to have my funky results! So I am still happy I did it.
I would NOT reccomend the surgeon. He did a great job, and the scars are fantastic.. But the fact that he wouldn't communicate with me after the surgery has made my results less satisfactory... and Now I have to see other doctors to take care of what he is ignoring.
I have included pictures, and ladies, I am sure you can see the difference between the normal healing, and my "T" intersection that seems to be attached to my pectoral muscle so it rides up when I lift my arm. My T is literally acting like it is stapled to my chest wall, and moves with my arms. Ummm not quite the way it should be.
And that mew mew anime look that my breasts have is .. well.. not quite the end result goal.
The Doc literally walked out of the office when I said I still had a hard lump, and as he walked out mumbled something about that going away eventually. um.. hellooooo a few questions here.
It was his assistant who acknowledged that this strange mew mew look (think that strange anime cat face shaped like a 3).. it isn't the end goal.
Any way
No pain, but of course, I have NO feeling in one of them. None. I do have some feeling in the right, but I could damage my other side if I kept trying to get its attention. The odd thing is that both sides react to stimuli. I just can't feel it on the left side.
The mass is on the right side.
And that is my update.
Would I do it again? YES!!!!
even for the same results? YES!!!
IF I could do it again though, I would go with a different doctor!
That is my update ladies!
I have been off line for a while. But here is my update.
I would reccomend this surgery, even if you were going to have my funky results! So I am still happy I did it.
I would NOT reccomend the surgeon. He did a great job, and the scars are fantastic.. But the fact that he wouldn't communicate with me after the surgery has made my results less satisfactory... and Now I have to see other doctors to take care of what he is ignoring.
I have included pictures, and ladies, I am sure you can see the difference between the normal healing, and my "T" intersection that seems to be attached to my pectoral muscle so it rides up when I lift my arm. My T is literally acting like it is stapled to my chest wall, and moves with my arms. Ummm not quite the way it should be.
And that mew mew anime look that my breasts have is .. well.. not quite the end result goal.
The Doc literally walked out of the office when I said I still had a hard lump, and as he walked out mumbled something about that going away eventually. um.. hellooooo a few questions here.
It was his assistant who acknowledged that this strange mew mew look (think that strange anime cat face shaped like a 3).. it isn't the end goal.
Any way
No pain, but of course, I have NO feeling in one of them. None. I do have some feeling in the right, but I could damage my other side if I kept trying to get its attention. The odd thing is that both sides react to stimuli. I just can't feel it on the left side.
The mass is on the right side.
And that is my update.
Would I do it again? YES!!!!
even for the same results? YES!!!
IF I could do it again though, I would go with a different doctor!
That is my update ladies!
Replies (1)
October 2, 2015
Hi AVL, yes, I hear you! I have similar experience with My doctor. I have never seen anything like this in the private practice, I just don't understand what is going on, and the new ways that are setting in! Your breast looks very nice. The technic is different with the T, instead the usual, anchor , like I have, with a lot more scaring.. I also, cannot get answer about persisting redness, is it normal, or not ! I have no idea! It is disturbing,that these doctors don't take responsibility for their work! I just read review from a 21 year old girl that went to my doc for breast augmentation, her experience was horrifying ! So, ok, we got great boobs, now we need to recover already!!! Hope you will feel as great as you look very soon!! :-) hugs, Galina
UPDATED FROM AVL123
2 months post
Moving right along (10 weeks post)
AVL123August 23, 2015
OK..
so.. I am still larger than I wanted, but I grow accustomed to that. I also realize some of it simply could be my brain stuck in an old pattern. I am smaller. So, perhaps I am just so used to being big, that I am not really SEEING what I am now.
Any way, I include pictures again, just to show the fun of having a .. I think it is a ball of adhesions. My scars at the T appear to have attached to my chest wall; so you can see as I reach up, how it actually PULLS the intersection UP into the breast tissue, rather than laying at the base as it should.
Not a huge deal, just part of the fun of healing.
The picture of me handling my left is to show the textural difference of the tissue where the mass of inclusions or the "..toma" is. I don't see my doc again for another month, but hopefully this will go down. I did see him a bit over a week ago, and he did FINALLY recognize that the swelling is more than it should be, and that there is some sort of mass. But he is taking the wait and see, let it heal approach. I am not too bent about that, simply because I am doing what I can, and it seems in this, my body is going to heal the way IT wants to, and I have to let it!
The mass and the scars bother me less than the size, (and the fact that the one with the mass is bigger and pointing down a bit).. but again, I know that I have an unusual amount of swelling. I will just hope that by the time it goes down, my breasts haven't decided to drop/droop! And perhaps when the swelling goes down I MAY BE A B! (perhaps)
For the body image thing, it was the strangest thing. I went to Bali/Hanes store here in town and got measured. Now, they measure differently than a Vickies Secret or even the Department store, but it was a place to start. I want to wear this cute wrap dress, but not with a sports bra. My scars still hurt, so I can't wear a "real" bra for any length of time, but for a night out.. yea.. perhaps with a bit of gauze on the scars.
Well, turns out I am now measuring to them at a 34C.
(excuse me as I drop my jaw in shock at that)
I think in Vickies Secret that puts me at 24D or something, but still.. It was really amazing. I kept looking at the racks, and seeing the 36G or larger and my brain would light up, like "ohh, they may have my size... " and then I realize,... noooooo... looking for 34C!
She had me try on a 36B but the band was simply wayyyyy to big.
Any way, it is going to take a while to start looking at the right sizes in a store! my brain just couldn't stick with the new size! I don't know what size I am in shirts and stuff either, but I figure I will be the same, just because my arms haven't shrunk. It will simply be that I am no longer pouring out of them, or stitching them closed.
WOW
You can see my scars are still red, which means they are active still. So I am just a slow to heal kind of girl is all.
Over all though, I think my surgeon gave me a very pretty set! I actually don't mind the scars at all, which gives me a chuckle, because I was SOOOOOO stressed about them before the surgery!
So.. Perhaps another update in a another month, but I don't see any changes happening at any speed to warrant more than monthly or possibly bimonthly at this time.
and again
I AM SOOOOOOO HAPPY I CHOSE TO DO THIS!
SOOOO HAPPY!!!! With all of it, I would do it again!
so.. I am still larger than I wanted, but I grow accustomed to that. I also realize some of it simply could be my brain stuck in an old pattern. I am smaller. So, perhaps I am just so used to being big, that I am not really SEEING what I am now.
Any way, I include pictures again, just to show the fun of having a .. I think it is a ball of adhesions. My scars at the T appear to have attached to my chest wall; so you can see as I reach up, how it actually PULLS the intersection UP into the breast tissue, rather than laying at the base as it should.
Not a huge deal, just part of the fun of healing.
The picture of me handling my left is to show the textural difference of the tissue where the mass of inclusions or the "..toma" is. I don't see my doc again for another month, but hopefully this will go down. I did see him a bit over a week ago, and he did FINALLY recognize that the swelling is more than it should be, and that there is some sort of mass. But he is taking the wait and see, let it heal approach. I am not too bent about that, simply because I am doing what I can, and it seems in this, my body is going to heal the way IT wants to, and I have to let it!
The mass and the scars bother me less than the size, (and the fact that the one with the mass is bigger and pointing down a bit).. but again, I know that I have an unusual amount of swelling. I will just hope that by the time it goes down, my breasts haven't decided to drop/droop! And perhaps when the swelling goes down I MAY BE A B! (perhaps)
For the body image thing, it was the strangest thing. I went to Bali/Hanes store here in town and got measured. Now, they measure differently than a Vickies Secret or even the Department store, but it was a place to start. I want to wear this cute wrap dress, but not with a sports bra. My scars still hurt, so I can't wear a "real" bra for any length of time, but for a night out.. yea.. perhaps with a bit of gauze on the scars.
Well, turns out I am now measuring to them at a 34C.
(excuse me as I drop my jaw in shock at that)
I think in Vickies Secret that puts me at 24D or something, but still.. It was really amazing. I kept looking at the racks, and seeing the 36G or larger and my brain would light up, like "ohh, they may have my size... " and then I realize,... noooooo... looking for 34C!
She had me try on a 36B but the band was simply wayyyyy to big.
Any way, it is going to take a while to start looking at the right sizes in a store! my brain just couldn't stick with the new size! I don't know what size I am in shirts and stuff either, but I figure I will be the same, just because my arms haven't shrunk. It will simply be that I am no longer pouring out of them, or stitching them closed.
WOW
You can see my scars are still red, which means they are active still. So I am just a slow to heal kind of girl is all.
Over all though, I think my surgeon gave me a very pretty set! I actually don't mind the scars at all, which gives me a chuckle, because I was SOOOOOO stressed about them before the surgery!
So.. Perhaps another update in a another month, but I don't see any changes happening at any speed to warrant more than monthly or possibly bimonthly at this time.
and again
I AM SOOOOOOO HAPPY I CHOSE TO DO THIS!
SOOOO HAPPY!!!! With all of it, I would do it again!
Replies (5)
August 23, 2015
Typo, not 24!!!, but 34, when talking about Vickies Secret sizing. Please excuse.
August 23, 2015
They're so small and cute! I'm happy to hear you've fallen in love with them. I was sad to read your disappointment when you still felt too big-- that's a huge fear of mine! They look great. :)
August 24, 2015
I'll add that I really appreciate how genuinely you're sharing your feelings about the size. It's encouraging me to be firm with my surgeon that anything above a D is not what I want. You really do look great, I hope they settle into B or small C nicely and you continue to feel happier with them. :)
August 24, 2015
Thank you AsToldyGinger.
Take a look at the after shots your doc shows you. If they are all about the same, you are going to want to be really CLEAR with them what you are looking for. Even go and spend a few $$ on a bra in the size you want to wear.
I can look back and realize that almost all of my doctors after pictures were in the C/D range. Another Doc had some B's and A's in there, but I didn't like the nipple placement with him.
I think I chose the right doc, I just think I may not have been quite firm or clear enough. A bit too much of the .. being shy about talking to any one about what I REALLY WANT, and letting them have their say.
Since this is your body, you get YOUR say first! :)
I don't think I would have hurt the Docs feelings if I had been firmer, so just be clear!
And again, I would do it all over again regardless!
Take a look at the after shots your doc shows you. If they are all about the same, you are going to want to be really CLEAR with them what you are looking for. Even go and spend a few $$ on a bra in the size you want to wear.
I can look back and realize that almost all of my doctors after pictures were in the C/D range. Another Doc had some B's and A's in there, but I didn't like the nipple placement with him.
I think I chose the right doc, I just think I may not have been quite firm or clear enough. A bit too much of the .. being shy about talking to any one about what I REALLY WANT, and letting them have their say.
Since this is your body, you get YOUR say first! :)
I don't think I would have hurt the Docs feelings if I had been firmer, so just be clear!
And again, I would do it all over again regardless!
August 23, 2015
Hi Hun, I had a similar problem with adhesions on my breasts too but mine were underneath and I could feel it pulling down to below my ribs and it was very visible too - initially I thought she'd left a needle in me during surgery.....what a fool eh! Thankfully it seems to have sorted itself out as I'm 4 months post op and I no longer have the pulling sensation when I lift my arms up. Hope yours sort themselves out too. X x
August 24, 2015
Thank you smiffy66!
I find it very challenging to find information about adhesions and the proper "care" or what ever that I should be doing.
I appreciate knowing that they will soften up and hopefully "sort themselves out"!
:)
I love being able to sit strait with out getting neck pain! LOVE IT
I find it very challenging to find information about adhesions and the proper "care" or what ever that I should be doing.
I appreciate knowing that they will soften up and hopefully "sort themselves out"!
:)
I love being able to sit strait with out getting neck pain! LOVE IT
August 24, 2015
My PS said to keep stretching my arms up and to keep massaging the area - worked for me. Yes, my posture changed immediately and was very noticible too as before I stooped a lot (so I'm told!).
August 25, 2015
I have two friends who have even commented, that I am standing and walking "younger" because I am not stooped! It gave me a chuckle, but .. well, I am standing differently!
(And it is AWESOME!)
:)
(And it is AWESOME!)
:)
August 24, 2015
Hi AVL, it is me, the whiny fellow engineer :-). So happy for you, I think your boobs look great. As for my, on day 20, still in a lot of discomfort (let's call it so, lol). I was thinking to ca the PS, but what will I ask? They cut half the boob of, huge incisions, what do I think, it should not hurt! I would sound completely idiotic :-). So, ok, I went over your and others review and decided, it just has to take time. But I will tell you, the results are amazing! Looking great!!! Will be back to work on Monday ... Must feel better! Thank you so much for the derailed update! Really helps!
August 24, 2015
Galochka,
Calling your PS regarding pain is completely acceptable! I turned out to be allergic to the tape! I couldn't see, I had no idea, the tape was hiding the reaction. You don't know what is acceptable pain and what isn't, THEY DO!.. My doc, while a bit of a challenge to communicate with, wanted to see me EVERY time I did actually call.. even when I didn't think it was worth it, I was just asking a question. This is part of it.
I found the pain or discomfort was worse around month 2 than the first month. (but I think that my body did the go numb thing to a very deep level) And now.. well, one feels bruised (and each time I think that, I kinda think to my self... the same as you.. um, DUH.. ) so one feels bruised (like hit with a bat bruised).. And the other doesn't.
At the same time, I am grateful to feel bruised because that means feeling is comign back!
So call your doc,
and laugh.
You are allowed to do both!
And YAY and Congrats, and your new headlights look magnificent!
Calling your PS regarding pain is completely acceptable! I turned out to be allergic to the tape! I couldn't see, I had no idea, the tape was hiding the reaction. You don't know what is acceptable pain and what isn't, THEY DO!.. My doc, while a bit of a challenge to communicate with, wanted to see me EVERY time I did actually call.. even when I didn't think it was worth it, I was just asking a question. This is part of it.
I found the pain or discomfort was worse around month 2 than the first month. (but I think that my body did the go numb thing to a very deep level) And now.. well, one feels bruised (and each time I think that, I kinda think to my self... the same as you.. um, DUH.. ) so one feels bruised (like hit with a bat bruised).. And the other doesn't.
At the same time, I am grateful to feel bruised because that means feeling is comign back!
So call your doc,
and laugh.
You are allowed to do both!
And YAY and Congrats, and your new headlights look magnificent!
August 25, 2015
Thank you so much! I will call tomorrow morning.. It does hurt a lot right where the incisions are and of course the shooting pain, that is ok.. Tape allergy? What did they do, removed or replaced the tape? My next and last appointment is Thursday, before I go back to SC.. Oh boy.. Will call tomorrow...
August 25, 2015
Tape allergy, (caused some of my initial swelling) but caused a lot of pain.. Of course I didn't see it, it was under the tape, and I was still icing.
He took the tape off, and apparently I had blistered pretty badly under the tape, and the swelling and blistering was tearing skin (and potentially stitches)..
So we switched for gauze and silvadine for the remainder of the "closing". No tight compression then either, just a loose bandu or something that would hold the gauze in place with the cream.
it worked out, and I guess, since my body was in heavy healing mode, there are no scars from the blisters!
However, really, the scars don't bother me. (they are getting a strange texture now, but they are still healing, and I am massaging them when I wash the silicone strips). I am growing accustomed to the size, and as I keep saying.
I would do it again even knowing what I know now! I do love being smaller, and I am grateful for that EVERY DAY! And I am amazed what the human body can recover from! I wouldn't want to work on the human body (squishy messy things!) but they are amazing!
:)
How goes it for you, did you call the doc?
He took the tape off, and apparently I had blistered pretty badly under the tape, and the swelling and blistering was tearing skin (and potentially stitches)..
So we switched for gauze and silvadine for the remainder of the "closing". No tight compression then either, just a loose bandu or something that would hold the gauze in place with the cream.
it worked out, and I guess, since my body was in heavy healing mode, there are no scars from the blisters!
However, really, the scars don't bother me. (they are getting a strange texture now, but they are still healing, and I am massaging them when I wash the silicone strips). I am growing accustomed to the size, and as I keep saying.
I would do it again even knowing what I know now! I do love being smaller, and I am grateful for that EVERY DAY! And I am amazed what the human body can recover from! I wouldn't want to work on the human body (squishy messy things!) but they are amazing!
:)
How goes it for you, did you call the doc?
August 26, 2015
OMG, you have gone thru so much with the recovery! I talked to the office yesterday and since I have appointment tomorrow, they said that it is ok to wait.. I have no fever, just pain, so ok, tomorrow it is .. I would not be surprised if I have blisters under the tape, the pain is right on the anchor base incisions., but strangly not around the nipple . I will no tomorrow. The doc will examin me first time after the surgery. I take it back, he did see me the next day after the BR. Went to get my hair done, the whole thing, color and all, then went to the mall, ate some sweet staff, I know what you mean about the sweets! Should try to loos some weight to match my fab boobs! Not ready to go back to work! But I must :-( and, looking at my account is giving me real good incentive (lol). I wander what will be discovered under the tape.. I'll keep you posted! Many thanks for sharing! Galina
P.S. I was thinking exactly same thing aboud human body and it's miraculous ability or recover! Sientific methods are not even close to replicate anything like it.. I am with you on NOT wanting to work on any of the parts.. Don't have stomach for it :-) , valves, pumps,
P.S. I was thinking exactly same thing aboud human body and it's miraculous ability or recover! Sientific methods are not even close to replicate anything like it.. I am with you on NOT wanting to work on any of the parts.. Don't have stomach for it :-) , valves, pumps,
September 4, 2015
Hi AVL, again, it is same me :-) . I think it is very important not overdo it. I went back to work on Monday , did ok, somewhat, but, on Tuesday left earlier, at 5 pm, and ... Everything went wrong! I got stuck with my car in the middle of nowhere, absolutely catastrophic failure, had to tow my truck, it was so hot! I needed to clean it up a bit, what can I say, I made it home at around 9:30pm.. Boy, did I ever have to pay for all that ordeal ! Pain was so bad! Yep, the key is not over do if! You are sooo right! And, your boobs look beautiful ! They are perfect! Time will go by and we will forget about all the pain we had to handle, and we will only have pure joy from the beautiful breast we have ! :-)
Replies (3)
Good to hear that they will look more normal with time. I'm 5 months post op and I'm still bothered by my nipples:(
They look similar to how yours looked at 3 months so your comment is calming. If possible, can you upload a more recent picture? I would really appreciate that. Thank you!