Two Years On, Glad I Did It. - Centennial, CO

Nine years ago one of the happiest days of my life occurred. I had my son, Stephen. He's the light of my life and I am so blessed and happy to have him. I chose to breastfeed him and it wasn't too long after he stopped breastfeeding that I had the chance to really look at myself in the mirror. I wasn't happy. I wasn’t myself - or at least the “myself” I had always known. I'll admit that I'm a perfectionist at heart - but I have traditionally given myself a little bit of room on my body, simply because I think society puts outrageous demands on us as women. But gals, I have to tell you, your body just fundamentally changes post-child. I'm sure I'm not the first, nor will I be the last to tell you this, but life is just different for your body post-child. Fat goes to different places, how everything looks changes...and I wasn't happy with how I looked naked. This led to insecurity in how I dressed and how I perceived attention from the opposite sex. It also threw me for a loop as far as setting realistic weight and fitness goals. I felt lost.I was (and am) a single mom so I didn't have the resources to do right then and there what I wanted - which was a lift and shape of my breasts. I didn't need a fundamental change - just some helpful nudges, I thought. This of course, can’t address the philosophical part of plastic surgery - what does it mean to have “corrections” to the body I was given? And I’m afraid I can’t answer that here - this is just a review of my experience - but I think you can’t ignore that aspect as you explore whether this is right for you.It's the internet age - so I didn't *have* to have any awkward conversations with anyone - although my mom had done it some 30 years ago it wasn't until right before my surgery that I really started to talk to her more about it (I know, I should have talked to her sooner. Guilty as charged). I checked out the internet. There are all sorts of stories out there. There are women who are doing a sort of post-op video diary. Then there are ones like this one where the doctor is walking you through a consult (you kind of feel like you're in health class, in a supplemental chapter).  And then you have the professionally-shot videos with the doctor outside of the clinic so that you "get to know" the guy.That - I have to fundamentally say - was ultimately the most important thing - getting to know my doctor. I wanted him to be likeable, to have a good bedside manner, and ideally, have worked on some people that I knew so I could have some more comfort with the procedure.Part of that initial consult, where you get to know your doctor as well as explain your reasons for the surgery (which is just as much an opportunity for you to actually say them out loud to yourself as they are to inform him), is looking at some before and after photos. I think part of the process is so that you can see "success stories" but also so that you can start to get a visual of what you think you want for yourself. I would go to sites like Baker Plastic Surgery and just keep clicking through the photos. What did I want? After my conversation I realized it was a little bit more complicated than a lift and going up one cup size. I had to figure out whether I would choose saline or silicone, etc.After I settled on my doctor and we had settled on a date, there was the waiting game. There was looking at myself in the mirror and imagining a "better me." I don't think that plastic surgery can itself make you fundamentally happier - but it can give you a push in the right direction. I think you have to have the right attitude about yourself in order to see this as a change - an adjustment - not a "reboot."The day of the surgery came and of course, I was nervous. But again - I go back to the bedside manner and the relationship with my doctor. It made it all easier.The recovery wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and some weeks after, when things had "settled" I got to check myself out naked. And I liked what I saw. I had to buy some new clothes and change the way I thought about buying clothes. A bigger chest changes the way a button up shirt looks and feels. I dealt with extra attention from men. These were the corresponding psychological adjustments to my actual cosmetic adjustment.Not everyone noticed. It wasn’t a huge move for me (I went from a C to a D) so it was more subtle than many surgeries, but those who did generally approved. It often led to a lot of questions and I got to know old friends in ways we had never really talked about. The surgery gave us an opportunity to explore some topics we just had never touched before.It's been two years now and as I was coming up on my anniversary I stumbled across this site and thought it might be time to jot down my story and reflect on what happened. Ultimately, I'm glad. It's still me. Just a slightly better me! :-). I know there are lots of doctors out there but I can recommend Dr. Baker unconditionally. He’s professional, kind, and thoughtful. Just the sort of person you want helping you through such a major decision in your life.