Breast Implants: Stories
Write a ReviewAbout 5 weeks post-op - waiting for 1 more week!
- Rach0806
- posted 3 months ago
- updated 1 month ago
- Worth It
- Cost: $6,300
- Adam Tattelbaum, MD (Rockville, MD)
So I'm really excited to finally be getting my...
- 25 Feb 2013
- 16 days pre
So I'm really excited to finally be getting my implants. I wanted them way before I was ever legally allowed to get them. I've always been active in sports--the last few years it's been yoga though, so that has left me very petite on top. However, I have a very muscular structure and a big butt, so I don't feel that my upper body is proportionate to my lower body. I have the most difficult time finding clothes that fit me becauseI am so narrow on top, and constantly have to get things altered. Due to age and financial limitations, I have had to wait until now to even consider getting them.
I don't want to look fake, although I realize that in a bathing suit they will be obvious. My PS and I agreed on 375cc HP silicone unders and I feel confident with that. Initially it was between 304cc MP and 375, but since I am narrow and I would like the upper fullness and they'll be under the muscle, I think they'll be perfect. I was looking for a full C, small D at the most, and I don't think they'll ever be bigger than that.
My husband is active duty Army and was just deployed for a year so I'm very excited to finally be doing this. I'm a little nervous because the Army is moving us the first week of May and I'm not sure how recovered I will be by then. We have to drive cross-country too! My PS said I would be fine to move as long as I am not too active and don't life anything heavy. I'm also a little concerned because I get surgery on a Thursday and have to return to work on Monday--I have a desk job though and don't move at all, not sure how my typing on a keyboard all day long will affect my pain and healing.
I've done a lot of research about how to prepare for surgery and what I will need post-op to speed up the healing process. If anyone has any tips to offer please do! I look forward to starting this journey in 16 days and to getting to know others on here!
I forgot to mention what my stats are! I'm 5'3",...
- 27 Feb 2013
- 14 days pre
Okay so now I am less than 2 weeks away from my...
- 1 Mar 2013
- 12 days pre
Okay so only 4/5 more days until the BIG day!! I...
- 9 Mar 2013
- 4 days pre
My PS told me I could come in an extra 2 hours before my scheduled time before surgery, so that we can go over cc last minute. I'm glad about that because I keep changing my mind. We're also going to talk about the incision location again. I keep going back and forth because I'm getting 375 cc HP as of right now and I'm worried that they will be difficult to place under the muscle if my PS goes through my areola. I don't want to do the crease unless it is safer and better recovery. Does anyone have any advice to offer on this--who got one or the other and had similar implants?
Please share any other pre-op ideas that I haven't mentioned! I'm always open to suggestions! Oh and I forgot to mention I'm a 32b now! I gained a bit of weight intentionally before surgery but didnt think my breast size would go up from a 34a to a 32b because I haven't changed clothing size. Still a size 0 or 2, but I weigh 120 instead of 115 now.
I will keep you updated the day before surgery and of course the day of! Pictures to come!
I am only 2 days away from my BA! This time on...
- 12 Mar 2013
- 2 days pre
I decided I would share with all of you a list of things I still need to do and a few things that were recommended to me, in case any of you are looking for extra tips.
Pre-op & Post-op tips:
Cut sodium intake down to 2,000mg or less before, 1,500mg after BA.
Take Bromelain 800-1000mg (1 pill, 2 x day) 3 days before & 7 days after BA.
Take Arnica Montana sublingual 30x (1-2, 4 x day) 3 days before & 7 days after.
Take Vitamin C, up to 1000mg per day.
Take usual multi-vitamin.
Take Calcium supplement, standard dosage.
Take metamucil/fiber supplement (up to 4 x day) 2-3 days before & after BA.
Take stool softener (1-2 pills per day) 1-2 days before & 2-3 days after BA.
Take grape seed extract starting 1 day after surgery, up to 2 weeks.
Start back on other supplements (fish oil, etc.) 1-2 days after surgery.
Take 2-3 shots of mineral oil per day if still constipated after post-op day 3.
Aviod caffeine 1 day before & after BA.
Use Arnica gel/cream after incision healed/ sutures removed.
Use Vitamin A crea/Neosporin for stretch marks.
Elevation, massage, compression, and ice for post-op swelling/edema.
Eat BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) 1-2 days post-op if needed.
Take before & after pictures everyday.
I still need to:
Print more pictures to show PS and have during BA.
Buy bendy straws.
Buy post-op sports bra.
Buy desitin for surgical bra/armpit chaffing.
Fill script for Valium, muscle relaxers.
Shower morning of BA w/ anti-microbial soap (Dial).
Shave/wax everywhere morning of BA.
Leave one-time ice packs, heating pad, bucket, sea bands, pillows, arm rests, blankets, electronics, etc, next to bed.
Leave clothes, toiletries, meds, food, drinks, etc at hip height.
Let me know if you have anything to add to these lists!!
I can't wait to post pictures the first few days and see everyone else's pics--for those of you with close BA dates.
Oh my god! I am sooooo excited now. I was feeling...
- 13 Mar 2013
- 1 day pre
The nurse said I would be able to meet with my PS again, before prep, so that I can make last minute decisions about implant size and incision, etc. I feel such an adrenaline rush right now! I can't believe that tomorrow morning I will have ACTUAL TITTIES! I started out only wanting a mid-C cup, but throughout this process I realized I want something bigger than that...as many of you have expressed, I don't want to go through all of the pain and recovery, not to mention money, to not have gone up in size that much. I'm like a 34A/32B right now and I'm hoping for a 34D once I have fully D&F. We originally discussed 304 moderate silicone or 375 HP silicone because of my width, but I know I will be going to at least 400...I just don't want them too high profile and fake looking.
Who else is getting their BA tomorrow?? I can use as much support as possible...no idea how it will be when I wake up. Some people seem to have little pain and recover quickly, while others suffer horribly.
I CAN'T WAIT TO POST PICTURES! I will post a couple pics as soon as I am coherent enough, tomorrow. No promises though, but I will def be posting as many pictures as possible in the beginning of post-op so others have something to go off of.
Okay well I'm at work right now (jumping out of my chair) and I need to focus again, but just wanted to share this with all of you! Wish me good luck!
See you all on the other side :)!!
Hi everyone! Well I made it through and with no...
- 14 Mar 2013
- On day of treatment
I love them! Or what I can see so far lol. I'm in a surgical bra and ace wraps. We decided on the 400cc high profiles and through crease incision. I'm in a good amount of pain since I'm not really taking anything. Feels like bad heartburn and then a lot of burning and in armpits. I have range of motion in my left arm but limited in right. The right side hurts more too. My back hurts almost as much as my chest.
I had surgery at 930 AM and was awake by 11AM. I livr almost 2 hours away so got home around 1 PM. Had a few crackers and some water but that's it so far. My hubby has taken such good care of me and I am so lucky to have him!! :)
I posted one pic post-op at the surgery but will post more later!!
Soooo happy that I finally have them.
Hey girls! So this is technically post op day 2....
- 15 Mar 2013
- 1 day post
But this morning I woke feeling a little better or maybe just being able to handle it more. My right side doesn't really hurt and all, including my right side of my back. My left side...especially my back...there is no relief to it..it's cramping like crazy. Did anyone else have this?
I feel better overall then yesterday but worse in other ways. I'm excited I can take my bandages off to take a shower. I haven't even really seen what they look like yet. There really isn't anything else to post at the moment as far as pictures. But one ill try to tomorrow for sure!!
So I'm already feeling a little better because ...
- 15 Mar 2013
- 1 day post
Added a couple of pics from just now. Let me know what you think!!
Just a pre-warning that I'm a little drugged so I...
- 16 Mar 2013
- 2 days post
K so I feel 10 times better even from earlier when I posted. Not exactly sure why, but something happened and I'm so happy haha. I've been sleeping off and on today...alternating between tylenol, a couple of vicodin, and valium. I took ambien to help me sleep last night and it definitely did the trick. I've been trying to walk around every few hours and move my arms...and of course having my hubby give me back massages to take away the pack tension, every so often, helps even more :). I found that moving from my comfy memory foam bed, to the hard futon has actually made my back pain go away. If I just sleep with a foot rest, I think I'll sleep even better tonight. Yesterday was probably the worst day (post-op day 2), which I think most of you agree with. I feel like I'm on the downward slope now.
It doesn't look like I gt 400cc HP submuscular, even though I did. I just think my muscles are super super tight. The implants are still pretty high, but not as much as I was expecting. I've been taking my antibiotic, arnica montana, bromelaine, vitamin C, multi-vitamin, and probiotic religiously. And also switching between tylenol, vicodin, and valium. I have also been using the arnica cream a couple of times a day.
I don't have my first post-op until next Thursday (week after surgery), to get my stiches removed and learn some massage techniques. My PS told me not to ice them or do anything because they are still numb and I might injure myself. I have been lightly massaging the top though and keeping the ace bandage above my breasts to help push them down. I cannot wait to take a shower tomorrow morning though!
I am still a little nervous about going back to work Monday morning...so I may have to call out and take an extra day, but I only have a desk job, so I don't know.
Have any of you gone back to work after only a few days? It will be my post-op day 4, or 5 if you include the day of surgery. Any advice?
If anyone has any suggestions for what I can do to help heal even quicker and get these boobies to D&F even quicker, please let me know!
How are all of my boobie buddies doing? I know many of you got yours around the 14th as well.
Oh and I forgot to mention that my PS is amazing! I have virtually no bruising and he keeps calling to check up on me. I would highly recommend him.
One last question....does anyone have any suggestions for bras that are really comfy for the first few weeks? I know of the danskin foam sports bra from Walmart...but anything else?
Thanks ladies! And thank you again for all of your support! :)
Happy recovery!
Hey girls! So this is the first day that I decided...
- 17 Mar 2013
- 3 days post
I decided to take off the ace wrapping and surgical bra and just go bra free. But I'm still using the ace bandaging as a strap under my armpits/above my boobs to help push them down. They're still pretty high up and hard/tight but I'm making progress :). I think I might call my boss and see if I can telework for tomorrow. I feel that I might be up for going back to work tomorrow, but I would be safer going back on Tuesday instead.
I don't remember everything I just typed haha, but if I haven't already said it, just let me say that I LOVE MY NEW TITTIES. I have no idea what size I am right now and probably won't go to be sized until after my first preop which is this Thursday, but I've tried on a couple of tops that were huge on me before--posted them on here. I've finally found back relief as well and just took my first shower....yayyyy!! About to venture out to Walmart to get one of those danskin foam bras everyone keeps raving about lol.
Question though.
Are anyone else's super warm to the touch? Like I don't feel like I have a fever or anything but my breasts are just super hard, tight, and really warm to the touch, compared to the rest of my body. Any insight would be much appreciated!!
So the girls feel a little softer today, but still...
- 18 Mar 2013
- 4 days post
Thanks! I'll post more pictures when things have changed...hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday.
Hope everyone else's recoveries are going well!
Quick update before I go to sleep...have to be at...
- 18 Mar 2013
- 4 days post
Is it totally bad that I don't think I'm very big? I was a 34A and I got 400cc high profile under the muscle...and I really don't feel that big/different. My hubby thinks I'm crazy but I just wonder if I should have gone bigger haha. I know, I know...join the club. I just thought that 400cc HP would have been a lot bigger than they are. I know a lot of settling and d&f has to happen before I can be sized...probaby another 3-4 weeks, but still. I'm just unsure.
I can't wait until my post-op so I can ask my PS about the pain/hard was on the sides of my breasts. They just happened today from being too active I think...but very tender and hard to the touch. And bruises. Hopefully that will go away.
Any insight girls? I know I just threw a bunch of info out there for you. AND don't get me wrong....I LOVE MY NEW BOOBIES...because I can actually say I have some now :).
Ill post some pictures tomorrow morning before work and then after, in my new foam bras.
Hey guys...don't have much to update other than...
- 19 Mar 2013
- 5 days post
Surprisingly, I had a long talk with my boss today and she was mad that I didn't take more time off of work. My PS recommended at least 5-10 days, and I went back to work on my 4th day PO. She said I was crazy to do that and wish she had known, so she's letting me telework from home for the rest of the week. I didn't think she would be understanding since it's not like I needed surgery...it was elective. I got breast implants.
It really surprised me how supportive my coworkers, friends, and family have been. I was almost trying to pretend like I didn't even have surgery and just cover it up as much as possible. I am not realizing that I should be proud of my decision, and even if it was elective, it was still surgery, and I deserve to recover the same as everyone else.
I realize people might be supportive to my face but gossip behind my back, but I don't really care, because I know I love my boobies and will love them even more once they D&F. Anyone who is negative is just jealous or close-minded. I just don't care what people think anymore.
One thing I am having trouble with is clothing....since I got 400 HP, you can really see the upper pole even with the surgical bra, through my clothes. So it is kind of awkward to go out in regular clothes because the profile of them look distorted right now. Does anyone else have that issue haha?
I bought a 34B and 36C Danskin foam sports bra like people recommended...and neither fit perfectly, but that is all that was left. I think the 36C was actually way too tight on top but I didn't full fill out the bottom...so I'm thinking that I'm at least a 32/34D right now with all of the swelling. Once it goes down I'll probably be a 34C....not really sure what to do about a bra right now.
Do any of you have recommendations that aren't actual cup size bras and are stretchy enough to accommodate the change in size? I'm really lost when it comes to that right now. I know I'm only a week post op, but I'm allowed to wear other sports bras, just don't know where to start.
Any help would be appreciated!! Happy recovery to my boobie buddies! I hope you're having better luck than me as far as your incisions. And good look to all of you who are scheduled for surgery this week :)!!!
I'm exhausted from today so not much to say, just...
- 20 Mar 2013
- 6 days post
So hubby and I went to Nordstrom to get a few really cute and comfy bras. I think I got like 5, but they're all spandex and stretch so even if my size goes down when inflammation goes away, they will still fit.
Splendid, Zella, Gap Body, and a couple other brands I don't remember now. I posted pictures of them!!!
I'm still really high up, and my left breast is higher than the right...also more swollen. Funny story behind that is that my left breast is actually smaller than my right, naturally. I got 400cc in both, but because of the way they are healing they look the same size now haha. Not for long though....
Let me know what you think about the bras! Happy healing everyone!!
All of a sudden have some pretty bad post op...
- 23 Mar 2013
- 9 days post
One funny thing, I think my husband is afraid to touch them lol. Like he doesn't want to hurt me or do anything to them, because when he helps me massage, he's super delicate and concentrates. I think it's cute. I told him he is allowed to touch them, he just usually stares :).
Hope everyone else is healing well!! I'll post a pic of the bruising as it it is today.
Okay so I'm reluctantly posting on the day after...
- 29 Mar 2013
- 15 days post
I just hate that I can't wear anything right now! I'm still so high up and weirdly shaped that I don't fit into any bras or tops and am too big on top :(. I guess my skin and muscles are just super tight. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.
Only pain is near the incision at this point and I'm still right and high obviously. I'm not allowed to out a steri-strip or anything on the incision even though it keeps opening back up from me moving around! I just get to use gauze and tape. Ughh. Can't really post anymore tonight because I don't even want to think about them anymore.
I've been looking at all my boobie buddy's recoveries and I'm glad everyone is healing well!! You all look amazing! Hopefully ill get there too. :)
So...had a post-op with my actual PS (the one who...
- 2 Apr 2013
- 19 days post
JUST when I thought I was finally pain free and healing...only concern was my implants dropping more. Nope, now I have to deal with the incision again. I'm at post-op day 19 *sigh*. BUT I am really starting to love my boobies overall, so that's one good thing right? haha! I do love them now and think I will more and more each day. I just need to work on healing the incision so that there is no "worst case scenario". I can't have surgery again :(!! My husband and I are moving from Maryland to Colorado at the end of the month...the Army is making us, so we don't have a choice.
As always, I hope my boobiful friends are loving their new additions!! I will post more pictures this weekend because I think a lot will change in the next few days.
Happy Healing!! :)
Hey girls! So I'm finally going to be better.....
- 4 Apr 2013
- 21 days post
I'm not going to lie, I'm actually really relieved that I'm finally going to get some relief and heal. I'm excited and nervous...but mostly excited! Hubby has to take me because I was asked to take the valium beforehand to help with anxiety. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow! :)
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Thanks for all of the support throughout this process. It has helped so so much!
Hey girls! Hope everyone is having a great...
- 6 Apr 2013
- 23 days post
The only thing he didn't warn me of is how much pain I would be in once the local wore off...not like the first time I had surgery when my lower part of my breasts were literally numb for a couple of weeks. Nope...I could feel everything. It was the worst pain and burning sensation I've ever felt. It's really bad again right now but nothing like last night. I thought I would be good to go this weekend haha!! Looks like ill be recovering for the next week or 2 again, but have to be very very careful. He also said that since I already had scar tissue forming and healing, that the incision wouldn't take as long to heal...it's not like starting from scratch. So that's good.
On the plus side...getting my hair done today, so I think that will make me feel much better :). Thanks for all of the support and kind words, you all help me get through this...it will only get better from here!!
Hey everyone. So I'm 4 weeks post-op today and I'm...
- 12 Apr 2013
- 29 days post
Over all, I'm loving the girls. They are finally starting to drop and shape a little more, so they don't look so weird. They're definitely still high and probably will be for some time, but I'm really falling in love with them now. :). I hope all my boobie buddies are loving theirs as well and are healing!! Good luck to the girls who are about to get their BA or just had it!! XO
Hey everyone! So I know I haven't been updating as...
- 20 Apr 2013
- 1 month post
I hope you are all having a boobiful weekend! For my buddies, you're all looking even more amazing than me. For the girls who just had their BA, be patient, you will love them!!
Thank you for all of the support...I don't know what I would have done without this website and all of you beautiful ladies. :)
PS: I posted a couple more pics.
My Doctor: Adam Tattelbaum, MD
My rating:
I actually found Dr. T through RealSelf and I really liked the work I saw on his website. His explanations for how he operated were very thorough as well. As soon as I had my first consultation with him, I knew he was the one. He is extremely knowledgable and very understanding and caring. I did not feel as though he rushed me at all, and took the time to let me try on many sizers, ask a million questions, and explain as much as he could. And his consultation was free too!! He called me several times before I had my surgery to make sure all of my questions were answered and I felt comfortable about the procedure. He wasn't just another PS looking for money...he wanted to make sure my implants would be proportionate to the curves of my body more so than what the cup size was. Oh and have I mentioned Pei? She is the best patient coordinator ever!! She seriously emails you or calls you back within minutes! I constantly had questions and was surprised at how quickly she got back to me. She was so friendly and helpful, and made the overall experience that much better. I would recommend Dr. Tattelbaum to anyone on the MD/DC/VA area...or even anyone further away. I know he has a lot of "out-of-towners". He offers a military discount too which was helpful for me. He did an amazing job and listened to everything I wanted. I have little to no bruising or inflammation...they are healing perfectly!! Although I'm moving in May, I would certainly go back to Dr. T if I ever needed anything else. He's the best!
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