auntysteph

4 Months Post Op - Folsom, CA

Glad to help! Let me know if I can answer a question that we haven't covered that I might be able to help with :)

Schmarla:
No problem! I just want to share my experience because that's how I was able to gain research prior to surgery. My PS did hand out fliers but it's just the basics and I wanted to hear personal experiences of the pros and cons.

I was nervous a bit at the idea of having to do a surgery (having never had any surgery before) and my PS prescribed some valium which I took before I went in. Once you go through with it you don't have real nervousness because you'll see the progression of your implants dropping and your breasts feeling the way they need to be. One recommendation would be to take a photo each week and not try to look at them EVERY day because it'll be hard to notice the progress (then you'll end up getting discouraged). I know most PS on this forum say that you need to wait until 4, 6 or even 12 months post surgery for full healing.

Your implants will start to feel apart of you and less like a foreign object. You'll notice it as the months go by that you don't think of your breasts as having implants at all, because they look and feel natural. I don't know if there's a difference if they'll feel more foreign if they are placed over the muscle.

Also, I know that some websites sell implant sizers if you want to try out implants at different cc's before you go in. I would use a camera and clothes that you where often to get a good idea of what you'll really look like. Maybe even wear the implant sizers out to the mall and see if you feel comfortable/confident walking around with the size and trying on clothes.

I was able to try on sizers at my PS's office only once and the day before surgery, I'm REALLY happy she suggested a larger size than the ones I tried on. I didn't want an unnatural look since I'm so petite but I do think if I had gone with the original size that I had planned (275cc) that I would have been disappointed. At first I though that was such a huge difference 275 vs 450 but now that they are settling down they are exactly at the size that I want them. Also, I go to the gym and they don't ever get in the way (I wear a C sports bra), you just need to get bras with good support.

Hope this helps!

Pamela6058:
Since I had kids, my breasts got up to a C when breast feeding. That's how I knew what size I wanted to go to (I also got a few stretch marks the first time my milk came in when I got engorged, you might get some too after surgery). I wasn't shocked at all at the size since I was accustomed to seeing my breasts the same size during breast feeding.

When they first put in your implants they will rest high on your chest and be VERY firm. That will be weird. They'll feel very foreign and not look natural. My implants dropped rather fast though I know someone who's took a lot longer and we both breast fed so I don't know what affects that. When they are high they may look a lot larger and are still swollen. I could feel swelling around my bra strap, down the sides of my body and under my arms so don't try walking around too long after the first week.

Mentally it wasn't a problem at all. I would suggest not getting a size that is too large or uncomplimentary to your body. You don't want to look too top heavy (both front and side views) because that just screams 'fake'.

It did feel like there was a foreign object in my body at first but once the implants settled it just reminded me of having milk in my breasts (a full or heavy feeling). When they soften they also feel more real. The one thing I wasn't prepared for that I didn't read about, was the scar. I could feel the scar from different angles when I palpated my breast. Now, 4 months later, it doesn't feel that noticeable but earlier I could definitely feel it.