Breast Implants: Stories

I'm a mommy of two darling girls and I'm married to a supportive, loving husband who is also my very best friend. My youngest was born 2 and a half years ago and my breast size has been shrinking since then. As I lose weight I'm getting smaller and smaller breasts! Sadly, gaining weight comes in the thighs or I'd get on the candy bar diet and grow some breasts! LOL Right now I'm wearing a 36B bra, although I measure at a 36A.

I'm 5'7" and 138 pounds. My right breast is smaller than my left. During my first visit with my PS a few months ago we talked about 375 and 400 cc's. I started my search summer 2011 although it's been a plan to do this for the last several years. I visited with two different PS and absolutely hated the first one. She didn't listen to what I wanted and instead told me her ideal for me. I was so frustrated. You don't have to go with a doctor like that! There are so many other choices. Don't settle!!

After that I visited with the PS I've ultimately chosen, Richard Fryer. I liked him so much, my search stopped there. Things didn't work out financially like my husband and I had planned. The boob fund went to pay for other things that were more important at the time. Now, we've saved again and I'm ready! Preparing psychologically/ emotionally/ spritually has taken some work. It took a lot to calm my fears and apprehension about having a surgery for cosmetic purposes. I've thought a lot about the spiritual aspect. I'm very Christian and questioned whether I was being selfish and prideful. I share this because I'm sure there are women who may have the same concerns. I was concerned that I should be spending the money for surgery on a more "worthwhile" cause. As I've pondered these things I've come to several conclusions. 1) My body is important. The way I feel about my body is important. When I look in the mirror or when I feel my bra-less chest, I'm unhappy and very disappointed. 2) In the past I've worn gel or water filled bras. I love the way I feel when I'm wearing one of these bras. Why not get a permanent fix? I wear make-up, earrings, dress well. I dye my hair on occasion. Getting implants is the same principle. 3) My family, the one's who know me best, have been very supportive. They're happy for me and that helps me know I'm doing something that is worthwhile. Other people's opinions are not the most important thing, but having approval is a nice thing.

I'm scheduled for Feb. 16th for my second consult. I plan on scheduling my procedure at that time. I'm so excited!!! I'd especially like to hear from someone who has children about how they hid/explained their procedure. I don't want to tell my kids, but I don't want them to worry either. Things like, "What's wrong with Mommy?" when I first get home and am recovering. My kids will be able to go to Grandma's for a few days so that will help. Ideas? Thanks to RealSelf for helping me find my PS and providing all the supportive reviews I've read. I've really learned a lot and hope to share my journey with you all.

Today was my pre-op visit! I'm scheduled for March 1st. I'm going to have 350 cc on the left, 425 cc on the right. Saline. Quite a bit of assymetry, but they'll look great! I was surprised the cc's were less than I thought it would take. I've been playing around with size and knew how many inches I wanted my bust to measure at, 40 inches. The cc's I'm getting is all it took. I'm very excited! My cost went down because I paid in full when I scheduled. Definitely ask if that's something your Dr. offers!

One week to go... I bought my cold packs yesterday and put them in the freezer. I'll go Monday and fill my prescriptions. Time to deep clean the house over the next few days so I'm not going to go crazy when I can't after surgery. It seems like EVERYTHING is happening next week so I'm trying really hard to not be overwhelmed with it all and prioritize and set limits so I don't mess up the beautiful job Dr. Fryer is going to do. I have a few anxieties about the size I've picked so I'm going to call Dr. Fryer's office today to talk it out. I hope poking at my anxiety doesn't make me crazy. We'll see. I've had anxiety issues for years, so it's a pretty familiar feeling I'm having. I try not to over, over-think things, but sometimes that's exactly what happens. Deep breathing... stay focused. I can't wait for the waiting to be over. It's Christmas Eve times 100!!

The clock could not be moving any slower... Yesterday I scrubbed my kitchen clean down to the tiniest little detail. Cleaning the bottles in my spice rack... come, on! It's crazy! In the evening I did the same kind of job on the bathroom. Finally I fell asleep on my kids' bedroom floor while singing them their lullabys. I totally have exhausted myself physically and emotionally. This waiting game is no fun!

I've been a lot more calm the last few days. On Saturday I met up with a girl friend and we were chatting about my BA coming up. Long story short: to get some perspective and to help me out a ton (like the great sister-friend she is) she measured around her chest at the fullest part of the breast and then under it. She has the exact same measurements I will have after surgery and she looks fantastic! How awesome is that?! I'm so grateful I have such a strong support system through this whole experience. My husband, my family and my friends are all cheering for me.

It's 4:00 in the a.m.! What in the world am I doing awake this early on the day of surgery?! The 2 year old would not go back to her own bed and I couldn't sleep once I was awake. I couldn't stop thinking about all I need to get done today before I check in at 1:00 this afternoon. I met with my PS on Tuesday. After having intense fears about ending up smaller than I want, I increased my ccs. 400 left and 465 right. I would be completely devastated if I ended up smaller. I can handle bigger. Hopefully, I'll end up just right ;)

I think I'm ready. I hope I haven't forgotten anything serious in my preparations. My kids are going to be gone for the whole weekend at Grandma's and the hubby will be home with me. My friends have been amazing, offering meals and babysitting. I'm so grateful for the support.

I'm starving! I know it's all in my head. I can't have anything to eat or drink (or even chew gum!) from midnight until after surgery so of course, I want to eat! I'm going to be so thirsty after surgery. I can just feel it. I want a western bacon cheeseburger!! I know what I'll be asking for tonight!! Wish me luck! I'll post some pics soon when the girls arrive. ;)

I am feeling fantastic!! Surgery went so well. My PS uses a method which is extremely gentle and there's less than a teaspoonful of blood loss which makes recovery super easy. I've showered myself today and washed my own hair! I didn't think I would be able to do that so soon. I'm so happy I asked to increase the size of the implants. I have Natrelle high profile 400/465 ccs. My assymetry is almost completely corrected and I'm told it will get even better. They look fantastic right now, so looking even better in a few weeks means I will be in heaven (and my husband too...tee hee hee). I'll post some pictures in a bit. I wasn't thinking and got the bra and strap on before I remembered I wanted to take a photo so I'll get it in a bit to ya'll. I'm so, so happy!!

I haven't needed much percocet because I've been using ice all the time and they're still a little numb. It's a good thing because it makes me nauseous even with the phengren. My PS has me doing little shoulder rolls once every hour to keep the pecs loose. It feels so good, especially waking up in the morning really stiff.

I have had no anxiety. There have been a few times when I've thought to adjust the girls, thinking they feel like I have on a water bra, but I don't! They're permanent and a part of me now. Whoo hoo for boobies!!!

I'm one week and 2 days post-op.

My advice, listen to everyone on here and take it easy after surgery!! If I'm not Super Woman, you my sister, definitely are not either! Give yourself time to heal both physically and emotionally. Your body has been through major renovation!

What a week it's been! I thought the week before surgery was long, this one seemed to last twice as long. It's been really frustrating to feel good and start back to normal life things like playing with the kids and housework and then get totally exhausted because I'm pushing myself too hard. I had two nights this past week when I finally crawled into bed I was so tired that my emotions took a hit. One of those nights I was crying and saying to my husband things like, "What was I thinking?!" "How could I do this crazy thing to my body?!" "They're too big!" I'm so grateful he is extremely patient and super supportive. He talked me into calming down and going to sleep. I felt so much better when I woke up the next morning.

I'm really happy that my PS has had me doing shoulder rolls once every hour to keep my pectorals loose. It's not comfortable, but it feels so good afterward. Being stiff is difficult for me. I hate not being able to move. Doing those shoulder rolls has been so good to fight being stiff.

Sleep is difficult. The first two nights I was so drugged I slept in my recliner with my ice packs on and don't think I moved the whole night. I was very well rested. The 3rd night I tried being in the recliner, but was uncomfortable and didn't sleep well at all. I switched to being in my bed propped up on pillows. That was good for a few nights. Last night was rough. I really wanted to be on my side, but it hurt a little too much. The weight in whichever breast was furthest from the bed pulled on the muscles in my chest and made it tough to breathe too. It also doesn't help that I have to wear the strap at night for this week. Once I'm done with the strap next week I know it will be better.

I've started my massages. Both implants are positioned really well. The left side has the smaller implant so it's dropped really well and I love the way it looks. The right has a larger implant by 65 ccs and not much tissue so it's harder and hasn't dropped as well yet. I can see a difference as each day passes and my muscles relax and soften up. I've had a lot of water gain and swelling so as that goes away things are looking fantastic!

Bruising. I've had a lot more than I expected. When I showed my mom she about died. I know it's because I haven't taken things as slowly as I should have because I'm feeling pretty good. I have a super high pain tolerance and that is sometimes not a good thing because I don't remember to take it down a notch to heal. I push my body pretty hard.

I wish I could double "thumbs-up" Worth It. The size is perfect. I'm so well proportioned now. I measure at a C size bra now which was the goal. I could probably get away with a D if I wanted. I can't wait until it's time to try on new bras and have a bra burning party for all my old water and gel filled bras and of course the teeny tiny ones that don't have a chance of fitting now!! I could not be happier with my breast augmentation. (My husband is also pretty happy too, and it's fun to see his reaction when he catches a glimpse of the new girls. lol)

If you're a woman considering BA start a blog or a journal and write why you want this. You will need it when the recovery is not so fun. I'm so glad I've been involved in conversation on this site. When I was having my less graceful moments, freaking out about size and pain and all the craziness, it was nice to remember the words of other women on here and re-read the things I wrote before so I would be brave. It has made this whole process much easier than I think it would have been otherwise.