After reviewing everyone elses stories, before and after photos, I too wanted to share my story to help others as well as document my BA journey.
I am 38 years old.
Two children, 5 & 7
4 feet 11 inches
115 lbs
Before children I was a 34B, after my last child and breast feeding both children, I ended up in a 34A Victoria Secret push up. Lost a lot of volume in the upper pole of my breasts. Decided to get this procedure done now because my youngest is 5 and no longer needs to be carried as much as before.
My procedure is tomorrow. I am expecting to get Allergan Natrelle Silicone Soft Touch gel, Moderate Profile. Code is SSM. My plastic surgeon measured me at 11cm at the consultation and confirmed to try 255 cc and 275 cc with an inframammary incision. (Originally I had wanted to go through the nipple, however the surgeon informed me of the higher risk of capsular contraction due to bacteria in the duct glands. ) I am hoping to go with 275 as everyone says they wished they could have gone bigger.
Overall Cost: ~$6,250
Surgeon's fee - $4725 (consultation fee was $75 but placed towards the procedure)
Hospital Fee - $905 (other surgeon's operate from their office and may not have this fee)
Anesthesia - $500
Anti-Embolism Stockings - $43
All meds (hydrocodone, antibiotics, nausea, Tylenol) - $20
Optional compression tops and breast band from Amazon - $50
Dial Soap - $2
3 & 4 inche Gauze - $4
Prior to my preop appt I had to get a mammogram screening (insurance paid 100%).
I am excited for the outcome but anxious and scared for the pain to come. I titled this story as #BOOBthousand19 because my girlfriends and I are all approaching our 40's. Our children are becoming little adults and we can finally put ourselves first! I also heard you feel like you are back in your 20's when you approach your 40's P
Updated on 3 Jan 2019:
Forgot to include in the previous story that my implants are Smooth and Round.
Today was my surgery day.
Woke up at 6am to shower with the antibacterial soap. Dropped off the kids super early at daycare at 7am and headed to the surgical center. Appt was at 830am. I was very nervous. I had an IV placed on the side of my wrist. I also got something for pain and antibiotics in the same IV. Doctor came by around 9am to mark up my breasts. Before going into the operating room, I received a "cocktail" dose to calm my nerves, however, I think I got it to late as I was still nervous when I had to transfer from the regular bed to the operating room bed. One of the nurses said to breath deep and placed a mask over me. Next thing I know I am waking up in the recovery room. I woke up to a sign that said "SUPPORT FARTING" lol. (other patients from other doctors were operating there. I know there were also 2 colonoscopies scheduled as I was able to hear other patients talk to their nurses.) Nurse gave me apple juice to drink and it tasted like the best juice on earth! Doctor called my husband at 11:18am at completion of surgery. Nurse was able to bring my husband to me at 12pm. Nurses also said to take deep breaths and cough to prevent pneumonia in my lungs.
Paperwork confirmed I am a 275 cc! yay! So glad it was the bigger option. Want to get my moneys worth!
I am not in much pain as I thought I would be. Definitely feel tightness and pressure. I slept on the car ride home (approx. 45 mins) and 1 hour at home right after. When my eyes are open I am wide awake, but when I close my eyes I can go into a deep sleep. I tried not to lay in bed too long. I wore a travel neck pillow all day since I've been home. I even wore it in the car when I went with my husband to pick up the kids.
I see the implants are sitting high, but that is expected. Before I was able to grab all of my breast with 1 hand and my fingers cover most of the skin area from bottom to top. Now it is like 1.5 hands! I am sure that will change when they drop/fluff. Surgical bra strap was not placed evenly, but I am too scared to remove the bra until my 1 day post op appt. My nipples do not seem even but I am going to assume it is from the Frankenstein boobs.
I took at pain med at 3pm and will take another at 9pm and will get ready for movies in bed!
Updated on 4 Jan 2019:
Oh Boy, they said the hardest part (first 24 hours) is over. I hope so!
I had a hard time sleeping last night. Major pains kicked in around 1am. Assuming the hardcore pain meds from surgery wore off after the regular pain meds. All these new aches, pains, and sensitivity is going to take time to get used to or to go away.
Luckily I learned from another girlfriend to put my meds into a ziplock bag that way I don't have to lose a battle with a childproof container or have to wake anyone up at 4am to open it for me.
I had my 1 day post op visit with my doctor and they said I can now start my massages. Such a weird feeling to squeeze on them as they hurt so much, but you have to do it in order for the breasts to drop and fluff.
I just did my last round of massages for the day. I massaged them for an hour (cause my chest felt like it needed it badly) and I'm drinking water like I had run a mile.
Nurse said I cannot shower until tomorrow. Doctor said every 24 hours it gets better and better. I hope he is right.
Pics posted showing bruising at my sternum in the middle of my breast. I also feel swelling on the sides of my body. Still very high at the top. I tried taking 2 extra strength Tylenols to see if there is a difference, but after that 6 hour is gone, I'm going back to the stronger stuff! Hurts when I cough now. Maybe because I am swollen now. IDK. Will post again at 1 week post op.
Updated on 6 Jan 2019:
no pics to update but wanted to share what my days were like.
After I was cleared to do massages at my 1 day post op, I pretty much massaged my breasts as much as I could on day 2 & 3. I was so sore and tight that the only way to feel better was to massage. I massaged the way my doctor's office informed me to. I did different massages from all sorts of youtube videos. I did it all. It hurt so much on day 1 and 2 that massages were my life. I would massage when I wake up, after lunch, before dinner, before bed, then at 4am. Any chance I had, I was massaging these puppies.
My abdomen is still swollen from the surgery which I thought was strange. Didn't think this procedure would effect that area.
I can raise my arms now but I only do it carefully with caution. I can open a car door and the refrigerator door. I did the dishes just to see what I was capable of, but even doing that felt like running a mile and I had to take a rest afterwards.
It is the night of day 3 post op and I think I am OK to stop taking the heavier pain med. I don't have any pain in my breast and armpits anymore as I did the past 3 nights.
I had diarrhea today, I think from the antibiotics, but I also ate raisin bran because other vloggers were saying how constipated they were from the pain meds. I was trying to be proactive in this department. Going to skip the cereal tomorrow.
I can now see a small difference in the mirror. My breast are starting to look like [RS bleep] boobs (not exactly what I wanted, but my husband is anxious, poor guy lol). Can't wait for them to soften and drop more.
Updated on 10 Jan 2019:
The pain hump is over!
It has been one week and I am no longer saying to myself "Why did I do this!".
Doctor today cleared me to no longer wear a surgical bra. I was given a breast band to help drop the implants. I can exercise lightly, sleep laying flat and on my side. I can have sex.
Nurse cut the knot from my stitches and said it may take a couple of weeks/months to dissolve. Stitches are internal. I was surprised as I thought they were internal.
I still have some steri-strips on my incisions. Since I was very sensitive with the first steri-strip that she took off she allowed me to leave the rest on and let them fall off on its own.
Still have bruising at my sternum and on one side of my breast, but it is slowly healing. Nurse also informed me that my lower abdomen is still tender/bloated because so much went into my body on day of surgery that now it is slowly working its way out and will eventually go away.
I attempted to do Zumba at the gym today and I looked like a lazy dancer who wouldn't raise her arms lol.
I can see subtle dropping of my right breast, but not by much. I read waiting for boobs to drop is like waiting for hair to grow. Funny as I also got a haircut today, wonder where my boobs will lay by the time I get my next hair cut.
I drove my car for the first time today as well. Hurts to drive. I was driving like a grandma. My husband drove my car last. He is 5'10 and I'm 4'11, so adjust the seat was very painful to push and pull.
My next post will be at 5 weeks post op or when both boobs finally drop at a decent level. Hopefully it will be the latter of the two.
Updated on 9 Feb 2019:
Stats: 4'11'', 275 cc, round, smooth silicone, 115 lbs
Today was my 5 week post op. My doctor said I am still high and that I need to continue wearing my breast band for another 3 weeks. Previously I had a 4 month post op visit scheduled, but decided to push it up to 3 months instead.
He also said I should start my scar treatment. Previously the scars were light and pink but today they seem darker.
Some days I am pleased with my outcome, other days I still have boob envy. I wonder, what would it be like if I were to go a little bigger. And I tell myself that I am sure whatever bigger size I went with, I would probably continue to say, what if I was bigger, until maybe it was too big. Then I imagine myself probably wanting to go smaller. So to keep my head grounded and away from boob envy I tell myself, no matter what, the grass may seem greener on the other side.
In the end I think I look great with clothes on. The size I am at now allows me to exercise at ease.
Updated on 9 Feb 2019:
last post it did not allow me to upload pictures. Here it is. And it is also saying I need to input a minimum number of 200 characters. WIshed it would just allow me to edit my last post to add pics only.
Updated on 21 Feb 2019:
Stats: 4'11'', 275 cc, round, smooth silicone, 115 lbs
Today is my 7 weeks post op!
Went into Victoria Secret on Monday and measured at 34 D. I tried on 6 different sample bras and walked out with 34D TShirt Bra and 32DD Sexy Illusion Bra!!!! I was on cloud 9. I thought I was only going to end up being a small C. Before boobs I was 34A push ups in Victoria Secret.
Tried on bathing suits at Target and even the size mediums in bathing suits seem a bit snug. I was typically a Small.
They dont seem to have dropped 100% but thats OK. I kinda like them where they are at. Still wearing my breast band, which is becoming cumbersome.
Before my husband and I would see other women with big boobs then stare at each other to see who would catch the other one staring first. Now my husband finds men staring at my boobs and points them out at me. lol It is kind of funny how tables have turned!
Next doctor's appt changed from 4 months post op to 3 months.
Is it worth it, I would say yes.
Should I have gone bigger, hehe I do wonder what 330-350 would be like. But with bra/lined sports bra, my size it just big enough since i'm very petite. Would mind have a closer cleavage though. Healthy round boobs is what I got, in 34D and 32DD. I'll take it!!
Updated on 23 Feb 2019:
Found a bathing that really brings out the best of my breast. Before surgery when I tried on a Target bikini top size 34B (because they didn't have or make 34A) I had a gap. Today I bought a size 34C bikini top and it looks very good
I'm very excited!
Before I was teeter tottering on if I liked my size, should I have gone bigger. But now that the surgery is done, what needs to change is my wardrobe! Bought tight tanks too. Will only wear loose clothes in front of my dad, uncles, and at work, but will definitely flaunt these out as much as I can with my husband and girlfriends :) If I continue to wear loose clothes my boobs will look the same as before pre op and I will go back to complaining about how or if I should have gone bigger. Wanted to share and log these new looks/sizes.
Updated on 4 Apr 2019:
just updating after photos
4' 11'
115lb
Before 34A to 34D
275 cc round smooth silicone moderate profile SSM Natrelle
sub muscular
inframammary incision
Wouldn't say they are 100% dropped but comparing these pictures to my 5week visit, there is a difference.
I am able to workout more at the gym, however, chest exercises are still a struggle. I can't do 1 push-up without feeling like my implants are going to pop. I am running now. I have to stick my chest out for the girls not to bounce so much if the sports bra isn't too supportive. All else they feel as if they have always been with me. Now its time to focus on leaning out and getting a nice tan! (Update wouldn't allow me to post unless I had 200 characters)
Updated on 30 Apr 2019:
I waited until my 4month post op to review the overall procedure and doctor and I am so glad I waited. I LOVE my final result of my breast augmentation. Dr. Scott's website is what caught my interest initially. He has over 100 patients in his gallery for this procedure and had a lot of details to them to help me compare my stats to the patient and decide on size. Most of the after pics were pretty and symmetric. For my consultation the office staff made me feel first class with each visit and phone call. Thank you Samantha, Beth, and Lisa! Dr. Scott was very informative and I enjoyed his kind humor. I appreciated that he informed me why I should do one incision over another and reasonings why. Other doctors that I met just said yes to everything I asked. I have recommended Dr. Scott to other potential ladies and will continue doing so.
Updated on 16 Feb 2020:
Just wanted to share how I look now. It has been 1 year and I've lost weight to match my hot boobies. Hope this inspires some of you. No issues. They have dropped. I lost approx 10 lbs since my surgery..cant wait for tanning, poolside, beach. Great confidence booster.