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First, Thank you to all the women who have so...
First, Thank you to all the women who have so graciously shared intimate details of a most personal decision/experience. I have used this site, as one of my many, many research tools on BA before my decision to proceed. It has been very interesting reading the BA reviews from around the world. I would also like to take a moment and thank the site management, for closely monitoring the postings and removing those that were/are inappropriate. Especially on the blogs. I believe your emotion's have a lot to do with healing, and one should be in a very protective mode, energy wise during any recovery but especially evasive surgery. It is due to this protective mode I'm in, I will be closing this account soon after this posting. I have posted a review directly on my PS website, so any women in my area, considering my PS will read a positive review. I don't want this to be an advertisement for a surgeon. Thank you for understanding.
As far as surgeon's. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!! Yes, that's caps on purpose. Research your doctors BEFORE you set the consultation appt, thoroughly. Are they board certified? What type of surgery do they specialize in? Where did they go to school? How long have they been board certified? How long have they been in practice, how many surgeries like yours have they performed? All this information can be found creatively with a free google search. In addition, there are numerous pay sites to inquire on lawsuits, etc., if you want to take it even further. I found enough information using free search engines and didn't have to pay for info, but it's a personal choice and option.
And then, most important, at the consultation ask for "a few" PERSONAL REFERENCES from the doctor; names & telephone numbers of women who have gone through a similar surgery to yours. It's that easy - and then actually make the call on the phone. Like all of the wonderful women on this site, they were so happy to talk and share their experience with me. Use technology to your benefit but don't discard the value of speaking to someone over the phone. Email/internet gives us anonymity, but there is something about hearing a person's actual voice that was the final deciding factor in my decision to move forward with my PS. Also, the PS I eventually selected, also had an extensive website dedicated to BA with videos from his actual patients day of surgery, post op day 1, 2, and 3. It was very helpful and informative!
My personal Experience:
In the spirit of "paying it forward" I am posting my personal experience with choosing to have a BA later in life. Most of the women on this site are young, understandably. I wish I had made this decision earlier in life, however, it was never the right time. Now, month's away from my 50th birthday - it was time! Truly, a now or never moment for me.
I do feel had I done the procedure when in my 20's perhaps recovery time would have been faster...??? who knows. One thing I do know for certain is surgery is surgery. Even though I selected a surgeon who practices the dual-plan technique/ (rapid recovery) which uses gentle, precise surgical technique to speed recovery by not damaging tissues unnecessarily - it still entailed recovery time. Surgery is surgery. Granted, with some of the stories I've read on this site... I've had an easy time of things BUT - I started off very healthy & also allowed myself time to heal. Your body will be going through a very evasive procedure. You need to give yourself time to heal. Today I'm day 9 post op... and just now starting to feel like myself...with implants! :) Below is my experience to date:
POST OP:
You can see I'm AA cup... and asymmetrical. I have a familiar story of living with padded bra's as long as I can remember - and can happily say YAY to throwing them all away! Pre OP, I was weighing in at 144lbs day of surgery (Peri-menopausal weight gain). I'm 5' 7". My ideal weight for my frame size is 135. I have attached a few pre op photos. I had all the nerve, anxiety issues associated with going into the unknown - but felt I trusted my surgeon. I communicated my wishes with him - very clearly - I wanted to be a full C cup. Larger would be okay, but not much. My PS brought multiple sizes into surgery with us - ranging from 300cc - 375cc, but would leave the final decision to be made during surgery, based on his expertise and my body type. I wanted to look as natural as possible.
BA SURGERY: dual-plane / sub-muscular / 304cc / 339cc silicone round, smooth, inframammory breast crease incision - internal sutures & dermabond. No bandages - no surgical bra... just me and my new breasts!!! (I was amazed at that!)
My surgery which typically should take 45 minutes - took my PS one hour, ten minutes. I have very tight chest muscles and he also tried a larger implant (we originally thought a 330 - 375 range to make me a full C/small D but it didn't work out that way. My PS took his time. He didn't rush through my surgery - I was so grateful to learn he spent the extra time needed to carefully, and slowly make precise incisions so my recovery would be minimal. He did amazing work. My recovery stands as testament to his skill. But I'm getting ahead of myself... let me back up to the sedation. I had general anesthesia. I was comforted by a caring surgical staff, and was prepared by all the pre op calls I received from the anesthesiologist (also an MD), my doctor, and also the RN who would be with me during surgery. I was asleep in no time - remember nothing - except waking up in the recovery room with a nurse asking me questions. Giving me water and yummy cookies! I was never more thankful for a simple cookie!!! I did get one serious wave of nausea when I eventually tried to sit up - but it passed within a few minutes and that was it on the nausea. I was fine thereafter. I do remember, while lying on the recovery bed - still in surgical gown - my PS came in to check on me - I saw his caring face - and he said can you feel this? And he glided his fingers across my nipples - I was shocked - YES - I can feel that!! I responded. I was truly shocked. I had read where so many woman lose feeling in their nipple area. Then he asked me to raise my arms above my head and touch my biceps to my ears if i could - I do remember saying to him, a little testy: "Right now?! You want me to do that NOW?" He said - yes. And I did - quite easily. Again, I was a little loopy still but clear enough to feel shock that I could actually feel and move. Wow. I was amazed - but it didn't last long. The rest of the day was spent recovering from the anesthesia. Yuch - I did not enjoy that. I went home with my meds - antibiotics and Ibuprofren. that's it. Ibuprofren. No narcotics. It was EXCELLENT!!!!! Granted 800mg Ibuprofren but still - It was great not being on narcotic drugs. I don't enjoy the sensation of not being in total control of myself, so the fact I was only taking strong Advil was great!!!! I was clear headed and not nauseous from a narcotic, nor backed up...(BM wise.) Nothing that the fiber from some blackberries couldn't render movement in my body.
Back to Surgery Day - Day 1 - I went home, sat in an upright position in a chair and ottoman in my bedroom and rested. Took my meds as scheduled. Ate - whatever my body craved - mostly what I researched :)... all the anti-inflammatory foods. Peanut butter, pineapple (fresh), protein, etc. I did eat carbs too - all in moderation. I didn't' deprive myself of anything - like when I'm dieting but I was conscious of portion control. - as usual.
Pain.... I never had pain exactly. I did have EXTREME, EXTREME tightness on my chest. It was sometimes difficult to breath that first day. I had these weights on my chest - it was a wild feeling. Very unnatural. Not easy at times. The only time I experienced Pain - would be with movement. Again - tightness... not sharp, shooting pains. Just very tight muscle pain. Plus, part of my recovery was to do the arm over your head exercise - 5 times - at the top of each hour. (And other than the 2 hour nap I was instructed to take immediately after eating and taking an ibuprofren I was told to stay awake until 10pm the first day. And I did.) I did the arm over head exercises religiously. It was tight - but the more I did, the easier it got. It wasn't pleasant - but necessary. I also was instructed to lay on my stomach starting that first night for 15 minutes. this kind of freaked me out pre surgery. I spoke to my PS about it - and he said its important to keep the muscles loose. His nurse also told me that women who don't do it the first night, typically don't do it at all. I wanted to follow my PS instructions to the letter - so as instructed later that night, I took my evening Ibuprofren with food, waited 30 minutes - took a warm shower - then once dried and in my pj's... i rolled from my side (with my husbands help!) to lay on my stomach on my soft bed for 15 minutes. (Not a second longer!!!) My husband had to help me get into position on my side, then gently roll onto my stomach. I used a pillow for my face/head to rest on, and it actually felt good. Weird that first night - but good. Getting up was not easy, in fact the hardest part. If this is part of your doctors recovery/surgical procedure then you know what I'm talking about - but you find a way. It's day 9 post op for me, I've done my arm exercises and 15 minutes on my stomach nightly...and will for the first 4 to 6 weeks. I will share this: my husband was wigged out about this part of my recovery. He later said, he just was strong for me but couldn't believe I was going to lay on my stomach the night of surgery for 15 minutes... I thought - my goodness, how do the implants stay in place -what if they fall out??? Silly thought - but I'm being honest here. They didn't and won't. now being post Op day 9, with 8 times doing this as instructed by my PS - it feels good - and the implants - last night - are starting to feel more like I'm laying on my own muscle and not a foreign object.
Day 2: Post Op
Rest. Rest. Rest. Rest. Rest..... that's all I can say about day 2. Oh, and the emotional roller coaster ride started day 2... I cried. Thought the implants looked so small to go through so much... and i was BLOATED!!!!!!!!! My body retained fluids from the surgery... they say it can take as long as 3 to 4 weeks to fully be absorbed by your body... OMG - that is the worst part of this. I had just lost 7 pounds prior to surgery. slowly, 1lb a week. Very healthily. And in one day - bam - it and more is back. I am carrying fluids in my abdomen. My abdomen was rock hard day one and 2 and gross. Worst part for me. Very depressing. So add that to the emotional roller coaster you typically experience with any surgery and I was an emotional mess. My husband just reminded me - this is all temporary. I needed to remain calm, and think of nothing but healing...and be patient. Best advice Ever!!!! Thank you to my wonderful husband. He took off two days of work to be with me, I was very grateful.
My saving grace: A chenille blanket & wedge pillows. When the depression kicked in, I stopped looking at my boobs. Instead, I found that when I wrapped a cozy chenille blanket around my shoulders and softly covered my tender new breasts that it was comforting and calming. I lived with my blanket for several days!!! (I still do at night - it feels comforting and protective.) Bottom line is find what comforts you...it's important and we are all different.
Day 3 - 6
Not much change. My breasts are tight, high, but loosening 'a little' bit each day.
I continue my exercises. Started light movement around the house but nothing too serious. I walked the dogs with my husband... that was the most exercise I opted to do. I'm listening to my body and thankful I took a full 10 days off from work to heal... I think I'll need it. Emotions are fine now. I don't think my new breasts are are too small now - well, not all the time. I'm actually quite thankful to have any size at all - I look at my pre op photos as a reminder of what life was like. I think once these heal, drop and fluff I will be more than happy with the results.
Day 9 Post Op: (White bra photo)
This is the first day I've even tried to wear anything for support like a sports bra. I bought quite a few, and found this white bra to be most comfortable. I think its made by Champion. It actually feels good to have some support. Especially on the sides of my breasts. They are incredible tender last two days. I'm still numb around the incisions - which I will take a photo of and post - but they are barely noticeable. I still see some of the purple marker more than an incision... when I shower I only soap the top of my breasts and let the soapy water run down. They are very sensitive today. I'm careful when putting on the sports bra - but once on - it feels good! Comforting, kind of like my blanket! :) I still have lower abdomen bloating. I'm just going to be patient...three or four weeks. Ugh... But all in all this has been an interesting experience. Would I do it again.... hmmmm. Yes, but I should have done this in my 20's. Waiting until I'm turning 50 may have not been the best idea, but I am sooooo looking forward to spending the next half of my life with BREASTS!!! Bathing suits! Sun Dresses! No Bras!!!! Better yet - I will own bra's that are not padded!!!! Still pinching myself.
That's my story. I wish you well on your adventure into BA! The biggest take away I hope would be Surgery is Surgery. BA is evasive surgery. Your body needs time to heal. Your mind needs time to adjust to your newest anatomy additions...:) Don't go through this alone, have someone with you at least the first 2 days to take care of you. Load up on movies, good wedge pillows, lots of water & healthy foods. I see some of the women who are bandaged up, needing ice packs (I bought frozen peas, just never needed to use them) negative side effects from narcotics, etc., and my heart goes out to you. Not all surgeon's are the same. Not all patient's are either. We are all unique, different and will have different experiences. Try to keep positive and calm. Keep yourself as calm as possible after surgery - especially the first few days. Don't panic. Communicate with your surgeon should you have any concerns. That's what they are there for and they WANT you to communicate with them. Think positive, loving thoughts and know that 'This too shall pass'... meaning the swelling, extreme tightness, the weights on our chests that will soon become a part of us. Change is rarely easy. Sending Light, love and healing energy your way!
PS: (My sister has had her implants nearly 30 years (wisely in her 20's) - & they look incredible to this day!!!! She had teardrop saline.)
forgive any typo's / grammatical errors
As far as surgeon's. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!!!! Yes, that's caps on purpose. Research your doctors BEFORE you set the consultation appt, thoroughly. Are they board certified? What type of surgery do they specialize in? Where did they go to school? How long have they been board certified? How long have they been in practice, how many surgeries like yours have they performed? All this information can be found creatively with a free google search. In addition, there are numerous pay sites to inquire on lawsuits, etc., if you want to take it even further. I found enough information using free search engines and didn't have to pay for info, but it's a personal choice and option.
And then, most important, at the consultation ask for "a few" PERSONAL REFERENCES from the doctor; names & telephone numbers of women who have gone through a similar surgery to yours. It's that easy - and then actually make the call on the phone. Like all of the wonderful women on this site, they were so happy to talk and share their experience with me. Use technology to your benefit but don't discard the value of speaking to someone over the phone. Email/internet gives us anonymity, but there is something about hearing a person's actual voice that was the final deciding factor in my decision to move forward with my PS. Also, the PS I eventually selected, also had an extensive website dedicated to BA with videos from his actual patients day of surgery, post op day 1, 2, and 3. It was very helpful and informative!
My personal Experience:
In the spirit of "paying it forward" I am posting my personal experience with choosing to have a BA later in life. Most of the women on this site are young, understandably. I wish I had made this decision earlier in life, however, it was never the right time. Now, month's away from my 50th birthday - it was time! Truly, a now or never moment for me.
I do feel had I done the procedure when in my 20's perhaps recovery time would have been faster...??? who knows. One thing I do know for certain is surgery is surgery. Even though I selected a surgeon who practices the dual-plan technique/ (rapid recovery) which uses gentle, precise surgical technique to speed recovery by not damaging tissues unnecessarily - it still entailed recovery time. Surgery is surgery. Granted, with some of the stories I've read on this site... I've had an easy time of things BUT - I started off very healthy & also allowed myself time to heal. Your body will be going through a very evasive procedure. You need to give yourself time to heal. Today I'm day 9 post op... and just now starting to feel like myself...with implants! :) Below is my experience to date:
POST OP:
You can see I'm AA cup... and asymmetrical. I have a familiar story of living with padded bra's as long as I can remember - and can happily say YAY to throwing them all away! Pre OP, I was weighing in at 144lbs day of surgery (Peri-menopausal weight gain). I'm 5' 7". My ideal weight for my frame size is 135. I have attached a few pre op photos. I had all the nerve, anxiety issues associated with going into the unknown - but felt I trusted my surgeon. I communicated my wishes with him - very clearly - I wanted to be a full C cup. Larger would be okay, but not much. My PS brought multiple sizes into surgery with us - ranging from 300cc - 375cc, but would leave the final decision to be made during surgery, based on his expertise and my body type. I wanted to look as natural as possible.
BA SURGERY: dual-plane / sub-muscular / 304cc / 339cc silicone round, smooth, inframammory breast crease incision - internal sutures & dermabond. No bandages - no surgical bra... just me and my new breasts!!! (I was amazed at that!)
My surgery which typically should take 45 minutes - took my PS one hour, ten minutes. I have very tight chest muscles and he also tried a larger implant (we originally thought a 330 - 375 range to make me a full C/small D but it didn't work out that way. My PS took his time. He didn't rush through my surgery - I was so grateful to learn he spent the extra time needed to carefully, and slowly make precise incisions so my recovery would be minimal. He did amazing work. My recovery stands as testament to his skill. But I'm getting ahead of myself... let me back up to the sedation. I had general anesthesia. I was comforted by a caring surgical staff, and was prepared by all the pre op calls I received from the anesthesiologist (also an MD), my doctor, and also the RN who would be with me during surgery. I was asleep in no time - remember nothing - except waking up in the recovery room with a nurse asking me questions. Giving me water and yummy cookies! I was never more thankful for a simple cookie!!! I did get one serious wave of nausea when I eventually tried to sit up - but it passed within a few minutes and that was it on the nausea. I was fine thereafter. I do remember, while lying on the recovery bed - still in surgical gown - my PS came in to check on me - I saw his caring face - and he said can you feel this? And he glided his fingers across my nipples - I was shocked - YES - I can feel that!! I responded. I was truly shocked. I had read where so many woman lose feeling in their nipple area. Then he asked me to raise my arms above my head and touch my biceps to my ears if i could - I do remember saying to him, a little testy: "Right now?! You want me to do that NOW?" He said - yes. And I did - quite easily. Again, I was a little loopy still but clear enough to feel shock that I could actually feel and move. Wow. I was amazed - but it didn't last long. The rest of the day was spent recovering from the anesthesia. Yuch - I did not enjoy that. I went home with my meds - antibiotics and Ibuprofren. that's it. Ibuprofren. No narcotics. It was EXCELLENT!!!!! Granted 800mg Ibuprofren but still - It was great not being on narcotic drugs. I don't enjoy the sensation of not being in total control of myself, so the fact I was only taking strong Advil was great!!!! I was clear headed and not nauseous from a narcotic, nor backed up...(BM wise.) Nothing that the fiber from some blackberries couldn't render movement in my body.
Back to Surgery Day - Day 1 - I went home, sat in an upright position in a chair and ottoman in my bedroom and rested. Took my meds as scheduled. Ate - whatever my body craved - mostly what I researched :)... all the anti-inflammatory foods. Peanut butter, pineapple (fresh), protein, etc. I did eat carbs too - all in moderation. I didn't' deprive myself of anything - like when I'm dieting but I was conscious of portion control. - as usual.
Pain.... I never had pain exactly. I did have EXTREME, EXTREME tightness on my chest. It was sometimes difficult to breath that first day. I had these weights on my chest - it was a wild feeling. Very unnatural. Not easy at times. The only time I experienced Pain - would be with movement. Again - tightness... not sharp, shooting pains. Just very tight muscle pain. Plus, part of my recovery was to do the arm over your head exercise - 5 times - at the top of each hour. (And other than the 2 hour nap I was instructed to take immediately after eating and taking an ibuprofren I was told to stay awake until 10pm the first day. And I did.) I did the arm over head exercises religiously. It was tight - but the more I did, the easier it got. It wasn't pleasant - but necessary. I also was instructed to lay on my stomach starting that first night for 15 minutes. this kind of freaked me out pre surgery. I spoke to my PS about it - and he said its important to keep the muscles loose. His nurse also told me that women who don't do it the first night, typically don't do it at all. I wanted to follow my PS instructions to the letter - so as instructed later that night, I took my evening Ibuprofren with food, waited 30 minutes - took a warm shower - then once dried and in my pj's... i rolled from my side (with my husbands help!) to lay on my stomach on my soft bed for 15 minutes. (Not a second longer!!!) My husband had to help me get into position on my side, then gently roll onto my stomach. I used a pillow for my face/head to rest on, and it actually felt good. Weird that first night - but good. Getting up was not easy, in fact the hardest part. If this is part of your doctors recovery/surgical procedure then you know what I'm talking about - but you find a way. It's day 9 post op for me, I've done my arm exercises and 15 minutes on my stomach nightly...and will for the first 4 to 6 weeks. I will share this: my husband was wigged out about this part of my recovery. He later said, he just was strong for me but couldn't believe I was going to lay on my stomach the night of surgery for 15 minutes... I thought - my goodness, how do the implants stay in place -what if they fall out??? Silly thought - but I'm being honest here. They didn't and won't. now being post Op day 9, with 8 times doing this as instructed by my PS - it feels good - and the implants - last night - are starting to feel more like I'm laying on my own muscle and not a foreign object.
Day 2: Post Op
Rest. Rest. Rest. Rest. Rest..... that's all I can say about day 2. Oh, and the emotional roller coaster ride started day 2... I cried. Thought the implants looked so small to go through so much... and i was BLOATED!!!!!!!!! My body retained fluids from the surgery... they say it can take as long as 3 to 4 weeks to fully be absorbed by your body... OMG - that is the worst part of this. I had just lost 7 pounds prior to surgery. slowly, 1lb a week. Very healthily. And in one day - bam - it and more is back. I am carrying fluids in my abdomen. My abdomen was rock hard day one and 2 and gross. Worst part for me. Very depressing. So add that to the emotional roller coaster you typically experience with any surgery and I was an emotional mess. My husband just reminded me - this is all temporary. I needed to remain calm, and think of nothing but healing...and be patient. Best advice Ever!!!! Thank you to my wonderful husband. He took off two days of work to be with me, I was very grateful.
My saving grace: A chenille blanket & wedge pillows. When the depression kicked in, I stopped looking at my boobs. Instead, I found that when I wrapped a cozy chenille blanket around my shoulders and softly covered my tender new breasts that it was comforting and calming. I lived with my blanket for several days!!! (I still do at night - it feels comforting and protective.) Bottom line is find what comforts you...it's important and we are all different.
Day 3 - 6
Not much change. My breasts are tight, high, but loosening 'a little' bit each day.
I continue my exercises. Started light movement around the house but nothing too serious. I walked the dogs with my husband... that was the most exercise I opted to do. I'm listening to my body and thankful I took a full 10 days off from work to heal... I think I'll need it. Emotions are fine now. I don't think my new breasts are are too small now - well, not all the time. I'm actually quite thankful to have any size at all - I look at my pre op photos as a reminder of what life was like. I think once these heal, drop and fluff I will be more than happy with the results.
Day 9 Post Op: (White bra photo)
This is the first day I've even tried to wear anything for support like a sports bra. I bought quite a few, and found this white bra to be most comfortable. I think its made by Champion. It actually feels good to have some support. Especially on the sides of my breasts. They are incredible tender last two days. I'm still numb around the incisions - which I will take a photo of and post - but they are barely noticeable. I still see some of the purple marker more than an incision... when I shower I only soap the top of my breasts and let the soapy water run down. They are very sensitive today. I'm careful when putting on the sports bra - but once on - it feels good! Comforting, kind of like my blanket! :) I still have lower abdomen bloating. I'm just going to be patient...three or four weeks. Ugh... But all in all this has been an interesting experience. Would I do it again.... hmmmm. Yes, but I should have done this in my 20's. Waiting until I'm turning 50 may have not been the best idea, but I am sooooo looking forward to spending the next half of my life with BREASTS!!! Bathing suits! Sun Dresses! No Bras!!!! Better yet - I will own bra's that are not padded!!!! Still pinching myself.
That's my story. I wish you well on your adventure into BA! The biggest take away I hope would be Surgery is Surgery. BA is evasive surgery. Your body needs time to heal. Your mind needs time to adjust to your newest anatomy additions...:) Don't go through this alone, have someone with you at least the first 2 days to take care of you. Load up on movies, good wedge pillows, lots of water & healthy foods. I see some of the women who are bandaged up, needing ice packs (I bought frozen peas, just never needed to use them) negative side effects from narcotics, etc., and my heart goes out to you. Not all surgeon's are the same. Not all patient's are either. We are all unique, different and will have different experiences. Try to keep positive and calm. Keep yourself as calm as possible after surgery - especially the first few days. Don't panic. Communicate with your surgeon should you have any concerns. That's what they are there for and they WANT you to communicate with them. Think positive, loving thoughts and know that 'This too shall pass'... meaning the swelling, extreme tightness, the weights on our chests that will soon become a part of us. Change is rarely easy. Sending Light, love and healing energy your way!
PS: (My sister has had her implants nearly 30 years (wisely in her 20's) - & they look incredible to this day!!!! She had teardrop saline.)
forgive any typo's / grammatical errors