Breast Implants: Stories

I am almost 3 weeks post-op from silicone under muscle augmentation and breast lift. The first week and a half were tolerable and progressed as expected pain/discomfort-wise. However, this past week has been misery. I cannot get comfortable in the surgical bra, or a sports bra. First the pain on the sides was miserable. That passed, then the undersides were real misery! Still are. Part of the problem is the padding under the band to protect the anchor surgical line. The padding pressed into the underside of my breasts, making indentations and very sore.

Excellent experience pre-op - very informative, and day of surgery was smooth, and 'easy.' Was home that night working on my computer. Felt comfortable enough with meds and remnants of anathesia to work on my computer (without a nap).

First week great. Nausea minimal. Craved water and carbs first five days. Taping of incision areas really works well, suture lines are tiny and seem to be healing well, so concerns over scarring are reduced. Do not like the color of the nipple area - hopefully will change a little more over time. Disappointed with the post op understanding of what to expect. Guess it varies too much by person. Feel I'm 'behind the ball' on pain. This week was miserable and distracting from normal life activity.

Why? At 42 I'm lean, fit, and have taken good care of myself. The only area it seems I cannot improve is my breasts - over time they had lost volume. I missed my profile and how my clothes had fit. I was tired of the padded push up bras to obtain the look - heavy and embarassing undressed.

What can I do to speed up my recovery and minimalize pain? I read where some folks are scoffing at pain after a couple of days and they are crazy. I'm fit, healthy, athletic and can't figure out how to feel better to stop taking the oxycodone, which causes delightful constipation. Hydrocodone doesn't work on me. Advil is too mild still.

What can I realistically expect for pain in the next couple of weeks? I wasn't expecting to go backwards. I've lost my enthusiasm for this surgery.

At 4 week mark after lift and augmentation. Very sore, but week 3 was the worst. 

Wish I could get past pain part - disconcerting and disruptive. Have moved from "pain" to "very sore and tender."  Undersides of breasts more sore - from surgery, implant size, or just normal healing?  Due to under muscle? Sometimes dull, burning feeling, sometimes achy, sometimes feels like fingers or pencils stuck inside. Weird! The implants themselves do not like cooler air - makes the muscles (or whatever) tighten up uncomfortable. Best comfort spot - the bathtub! Not getting the breasts or lines wet, but for some reason the hot water is soothing and less pain while in there.

No sports bra or regular bra comfortable for long. Pressure in the nipple areas from the bras, underside of breasts sore, then the bands of the bras are just too tight at night, regardless of size. Might be breast tissue too tight, but bands are misery. Placing surgical pads under band to keep it off lines.

Really looking forward to continued improvement.  Its been a drag.

What is the appropriate amount of time to tape the breast scars? What should the scars look like to know when to discontinue, and what further changes should I expect to the scars? They look better than I expect currently, will they darken/worsen? Or continue to improve from how they currently look?

Update 2/2/09:  Around the 8-week mark after lift and augumentation under muscle.  My experience - a healthy, non-hypochondriac, non-smoking, very fit, 42-year old without children:

Pain: Has subsided, but not completely. Nipple area most uncomfortable now. Sides and underside are so much better - thank God. Weeks 3-6 were just plain misery. Puzzling.  Still uncomfortable, but better than pain, and finding a bra that is comfortable is challenging. Have tried about 30...closest comfort has been a stretchy nursing/sleeping bra (never thought I'd be buying one of those!) 

Sleep: Still cannot sleep flat on side.  This is a process for some of us. Overall...I don't know if it was worth the efforts.

Scars: Still healing; red around the nipples and underside. From Nipple to bottom scar line very good.  The breasts aren't 'pretty' yet. I accept that it may be due to my age and having both surgeries.

Shape: Improved. More teardrop/natural and less round flat balls, which disgusted me. They really do take awhile to relax. Right one taking a little longer, has more cc's in it. Left hangs a little lower and appears flatter at times. But overall they're coming around.

Support: Please remember, your plastic surgeon is not there saving lives for the general good of the world. He's there to make money. He's very supportive pre-op and shortly after post-op, then you'll be on your own. They do not make money on you after surgery, you're then an expense with office visits.  I have went through a lot of puzzling pain (considering what you read online) and no support. I would like to see my plastic surgeon walk around in his 6 year old's underwear pulled up his butt for 6 weeks, and have his doo-dad surgically moved and stuffed. Then tell me the average person doesn't have pain.  Idiot. It was demoralizing and you feel alone in your pain through the post op process if you don't fit the norm. Beware. Advil/OTC does not take the pain away. Think before committing of what you can stand for months. At 8 weeks they are still in the forefront of my daily comfort and hurt. Period.

Well, I am close to the 3 month mark.

Pain: And thankfully most of the pain is gone..just residual discomfort with regular bras (the sleep bras are more comfortable). I've spent alot trying to find something comfortable. 

Biggest issue is one being higher and fuller looking than the other - okay in a bra, but won't be thrilled undressing/showering with my guy! Hmm. I don't know if it needs correction or if it will correct itself. I have a suspicion I'll have to get it corrected.

Scars: The breasts are coming along. Scars are improving but still there, especially red after a long day. Bottom of anchor taking the longest to heal. Around nipple hardly noticeable. Good job there. Can see line down but its not bad.

Would I do it again? Absolutely not. It is the stupidest thing I've ever done. This type of surgery would ONLY be good for folks who have medical issues, flat chested, or just don't like their bodies.  I have always liked my body and shape.  Now I don't recognize myself and feel unappreciative for what I was given to begin with.

I thought I would give a 3-year post lift/implant update as the date draws near. I am now 45 (time flies). I have to say I have never felt like myself since getting them and still want to reduce them. The thought of another surgery doesn't thrill me. But I think I will later this winter.

Self Image: The breasts may look 'natural' under the muscle, but they seem to age me a little and make me feel 'fat' when I've always been lean. I think they came out to a 'd' and I should have just went to full 'c.' I have never felt in proportion.
Shape: Under the muscle may be more natural, but that also may mean they 'hang' lower and wider. You still may have to use a push up if you want a fuller look on the top. Last thing I wanted to do was wear any weird bras.
Scars: they are still there, and still ugly, after three years
Nipples: They are always, always "on" - no nipple covers or bras work.

So ladies I hope you think carefully about your decision. They work well for a lot of people. But not everyone. I will never forget the pain either - and the fact my surgeon and office acted like I imagined it. Unnatural experience all the way around.

My recommendation: Just enjoy your beautiful 'as-is' body!