Breast Augmentation: Stories

Another highly regarded DFW surgeon insisted I needed a breast lift to fill the lack of volume at the top of my breasts (yay, motherhood!). The invasiveness and cost of the procedure made me rethink if it was worth it. Then I met Dr. Ethridge...

He examined me and told me that a lift was not at all necessary, and that higher placed implants would require much less recovery and give me the results I was looking for. I also inquired about resizing my aereolas (I've always thought they were a bit big), and Dr. Etheridge gave me information about it but gave me the impression that he didn't think it was necessary and I might want to wait an decide later. It made me think highly of him and respect that he had my best interest in mind and not an extra few zeros on my bill.

We discussed different volumes and thought we would go with somewhere between 325 and 375cc's, but he explained that once they are compressed under the muscles it may be necessary to make adjustments. I ended up getting 425cc's and feel so lucky to have a surgeon with such good judgement. My breasts were about a 36C/34D previously, so it sounds like they would be enormous now, but he placed them so well that at one week post op, I'm about a 38D/DD (which is very proportional to my height and weight.

Most important to me was that I not look like I had "bolt ons" and he succeeded marvelously. I'm of the opinion that not looking "done" is the true mark of a great plastic surgeon. One of my best friends of over a decade didn't even notice until he asked about some plastic surgery paperwork I had laying out. I'm so excited to see how everything will look once the implants have settled, because I'm already so impressed with my results. Oh, and Dr. Ethridge was right- my aereolas look proportional now, no surgery needed.

 

I'm at two weeks post op and feel great. I'm back to just about all of my regular activity (still not lifting anything more than about 5 pounds) and only have brief moments of pain if I reach or stretch too much or in an awkward position. My incision scars already look really good- I'll update more pics when I'm at one month. I'm now able to sleep on my side (I wear a tight fitting cami with built in support and my compression bra over it so that there's no breast movement). I think the swelling has gone down completely, as most of my breast feels softer than a week ago. I'm not a "dancer" but have several friends who are and I visited them at work today and they all wanted the name of my surgeon. Talk about a group of women who know boobs!
I do have a slight burning sensation on the undersides of my breasts up to my nipples, but it's not painful or bothersome and a good sign that I won't have any loss of sensitivity when all is said and done.The doctor says that means the nerve endings are healing properly.

I forgot to add in my previous comments- GET SOME DULCOLAX! I think the pain meds affect that whole process and bowel movements were REALLY painful.

Well, I'm 6 weeks post op and feel great! I can occasionally feel the implants under my muscle when I lift, pull, or push substantial weight (mainly picking up my 45 lb. son), or when I shiver I can feel my muscles. It's not painful at all, just an odd feeling. It's going to sound weird, but I can make my boobs bounce individually or together by flexing my chest muscles. You can decide if that's a good or bad thing, lol! They have dropped and have softened considerably. I can still feel a little firmness on the undersides of my breasts, but you can't at all tell where the implant and my natural breast tissue meet. It feels really natural!
I love being able to wear backless dresses and tops now! People have asked if I've lost weight, because my breasts are higher now and it makes my torso looking longer and slimmer. I would definitely do it again and would tell anyone who's considering it to go for it. And if you live the the DFW area, go see Dr. Richard Ethridge!

My breasts have pretty much settled to where they should stay and I am a 36DDD at Victoria's Secret but went to a bra specialists website and according to my measurements should be a 34G! It sounds enormous but it truly isn't. Aside from the two friends of mine that know I had this done, no one is the wiser, including my mother (which is what I wanted!). The scars are healing nicely and the implants themselves are feeling very natural. Could not be more pleased!