Carolyn C. Chang, MD

After considerable research and 4-5 different consultations, I landed on Dr. Chang. She performed a tummy tuck, muscle repair, hernia repair and some lipo. The results are amazing. Very happy with it.

Updated on 14 May 2021:

As soon as I stopped growing as a teenager, I was so disappointed. Disappointed in my height (too short) and my bust size (too small) immediately thought of plastic surgery. College came and went and that’s when girls my age were getting implants left and right.

I water them but they all looked so.... fake. I get it, if they are fake how could they not look it right? Well, wrong. Ish. I figured there had to be a different method so I couldn’t look like Pamela Anderson (some women want that - which is fine, just not me). My frame wouldn’t look good with the obvious breast implant.

Mid 2000s I went to a consultation and didn’t get the right feeling with the doctor so I chose not to do anything.

I, like so many other women then opted for the bombshell bra, the silicone chicken cutlets, the stuffing of my bra because I felt like I looked boy-ish with my regular breasts (size A).

Fast forward years (and years later to December 2017. I had all but given up on my quest for the figure I’d always wanted until a coworker showed my Dr. Chang’s instagram feed. I was in shocked! The before and after of these women were exactly the aesthetic I had been looking for and she was in my geo-location! I wanted to look natural, have Cole age when I wanted but also able to fit into a type of clothing without looking dumpy. Essentially, I wanted the perfect breaths.

I called to set up a consultation immediately. Of course she’s popular so I want able to get in until March 2018. Needless to say, the visit went very well. She assured and informed me and then exhibited her 5 inch thick stack of before and after photos of women who had my physique who ended up getting my desired results.

I. Was. Sold.

Of course, just to do my due diligence, I visited another popular surgeon in the area. While he’s very talented and personable he wanted to make me the Pam Anderson aesthetic that I eyed to void altogether.

My surgery was May 23, 2018 and I was so nervous. The pre-op appointment went well - I was super comfortable with the size implant I had chosen, Dr. Chang’s method of me even picking my size had the exact approach I needed - a woman’s. For example, every male doctor I went to see had the fancy technology, cameras and photoshop tool to “show” me what I’d look like post enhancement. That’s meant nothing to me. Dr. Chang however had me bring my favorite clothes and I stuffed implants into a bra and tried on my clothes. Sure it’s not perfect but it gave me a glimpse into what I would get.

Surgery went seamlessly and post op was fairly smooth. The unwrapping of my bandages was a glorious day as there they were - perfect!! Yay!!

Every month that has passed has found my breasts more and more natural. They’re the exact size I wanted and I can wear all the clothes I’ve ever wanted to wear! In fact, I can’t even begin to tell you, the reader of this, how AWESOME it was to buy new swimsuits!!

Dr. Chang gave me the body I had always wanted and dreamed of.

I have come to rely on Realself so much to help me come to a decision on breast reduction that now that I've decided to do it, thought I should post my own experience. I am 43 years old, 5'4", 135 lbs, with a breast size of 30F. After a lot of research, I decided on Dr. Carolyn Chang. I had narrowed it down to 2 plastic surgeons. My sister has a lot of contacts in the San Francisco medical community, so I asked her to ask three of her doctor and surgeon friends (one obgyn, one oncologist, and one a gp) who they would recommend. All 3 came back with Dr. Chang, so my decision was made. Dr. Chang has been fantastic (and my situation is complicated by the fact that I live overseas so would be flying in for the surgery). The office was also fantastic. They submitted all my documents to my insurance company and worked very hard to get that elusive pre-authorization. Dr. Chang is out of network but having most of the procedure covered has been fanrastic. I just had my last pre-op appointment, so tomorrow is the big day. I will aim to post before photos as soon as possible, as well as report my post op experience along with progress photos. Thank you to all the women who have posted their experiences, which has been an invaluable help to me. Wish me luck and I will post an update as soon as possible!

Updated on 16 Jun 2016:
Surgery yesterday went great! It lasted 3.5 hours- I did a short scar reduction and axilla liposuction. Dr. Chang estimated she would remove 400-450 grams of breast tissue per breast. I forgot to ask today how much was removed so will update later. I woke up after surgery with moderate pain but it was quickly handled with IV pain meds. After one hour in recovery, I was wheeled into my room. I was given the morphine pump which I only needed to use sparingly because the pain was not bad at all. I also had "leg pumps" that basically massage your legs to prevent blood clots and feels fantastic. I had some chicken broth at around 1 pm and then picked at a salad at 7:30 pm. The morphine made me dizzy/nauseous and I
vomited but felt fine after. Slept through the night. All in all, a lot less pain than I had expected.

Updated on 16 Jun 2016:
Discharged today and also saw the new boobs for the first time - I am AMAZED! I saw them at the surgeon's office so don't have a picture to post but will as soon as I remove the bandages and bra. I was shocked - it looks like a different body! 2-3 cup sizes smaller, perky, great shape. I'm thrilled and wonder why I didn't do this sooner. My breasts are swollen still and a bit sore, but the pain meds (percocet) take the edge off. The armpit lipo is actually more painful. Also, I had not realized that your body can become quite bloated from the surgery and IV fluids. Hoping that the bloating (not breasts but rest of body) goes down fairly quickly.

Updated on 17 Jun 2016:


Updated on 17 Jun 2016:
Hi all, I'm not posting any new pictures because they look pretty much the same as yesterday! But I will post maybe tomorrow or as soon as I see any changes. One thing to keep in mind to those of you who are planning a BR is that I've realized that managing the pain is really important. I was reluctant to take the full dose of percocets last night, a mistake I won't make again because I woke up in a lot of pain at 2 AM! Today has been better in that I took 2 percocets in the morning (my prescription says 1-2 pills every 4-6 hours). And then I took 1 percocet 4 hours later and then another single pill 4 hours later etc. I will then take 2 before bed. This seems to work as I think it is important that you not wait for the pain meds to wear off completely before taking your next one. Aside from my breasts, I'm still bloated from the iv fluids and surgery so am trying to drink loads of water, and keep the food really light - mainly fruit and light broth soups. I still think the lipo is causing more discomfort than the actual reduction, something my surgeon said would be the case. Despite a fair amount of pain, this has been so so worth it! I just wish I had done this 20 years ago!

Updated on 18 Jun 2016:
So surgery was on Wednesday and today is Saturday. Now that I've figured out the pain med schedule, the pain is much more manageable. For sure the lipo areas are much more painful than the breasts (I actually barely feel the breasts!) I have a lot of bruising with the lipo as well - the bruising in the photos is from the lipo as you can see. One of my breasts is larger than the other and I'm really hoping that this is just assymetry from swelling and that they will be even. Originally, my breast were not symmetrical so the surgeon reduced the larger one first, then matched the smaller one to the newly reduced breast. So the breast that now looks larger post op was originally the smaller of the two! I hope this will go down and they will both match - has anyone have similar issues post op? How did it turn out? Other than that, I'm very happy with my surgery and recovery. I'm still bloated from the surgery - stomach, legs, etc. i had not expected that and have been eating very light to try and help things along, but the bloating is still there. I'm also quite constipated from the percocets - I'm on stool softener but no luck so far!

Updated on 19 Jun 2016:
Wow, last night the constipation really kicked in. I'm on a stool softener, drinking tons of water, eating fruit and veg only, but nothing! I stopped taking my percocets yesterday at 4 pm because pain from constipation is frankly worse than pain from the surgery and I know the percocets are only adding to the constipation problem. After eating prunes, drinking prune juice, and nothing still...This morning I went to the pharmacy and got a constipation suppository. Hopefully that will work. Who would have thought that this was the worst part?! Pharmacist said that if the suppository doesnt work, I would need to go to the doctor on Monday (tomorrow). It is weird, I am so constipated but it feels as if my body has forgotten hoe to "push" the poop out (sorry to be gross but that is the only way I can describe it) - it is clear that I have a BM in there, my body just seems helpless to push it out. Anyone else had constipation so badly they had to go back in to the doctors? Thanks ladies!

Updated on 22 Jun 2016:
It has been one week now since surgery and I'm feeling much better. Being off pain meds on day 3 was less than ideal but the constipation was so bad I knew it was necessary. Constipation is resolved now, my bloating is slowly going down, and yesterday I went back to the PS office where the nurse said everything seems to be healing well! My breasts are still swollen and sore but I know that will take some time. The lipo pain is a bit better - but I would definitely say the lipo pain is worse than the BR pain! Will post more photos on Friday, when I may get the stitches around the nipple removed.

Updated on 22 Jun 2016:
Uploading photos from today - exactly one week post op. The boobs look pretty much the same as they did post op day 1! I'm wondering when I will see some swelling go down. The marks on the breasts are the surgeon's penmarks, and the "wrinkling" is from my bandages! One is still slightly bigger than the other. Lipo bruises still very visible, but pain overall is significantly reduced.

Updated on 24 Jun 2016:
For yippee - This is my bandaging process. The abdominal pads are very helpful in keeping the incisions from hurting. Hope it helps you! I think you can buy the abdominal pads and the big ace bandage at a pharmacy or a walgreens/cvs/rite aid.

Updated on 29 Jun 2016:
Today it is officially 2 weeks post op! I am still VERY sore but am very pleased eith the healing. One of my breasts is still slightly bigger than the other, but has gone down compared to how it was one week ago. I am still bandaging religiously 24x7, and still on a very strict diet and rest regime. My nipple stitches were taken out last Friday, and the remaining stitches will likely come out this Friday. All in all, I am thrilled!!!

Updated on 6 Jul 2016:
All - 3 week post op update: I got the results of pathology back and the total amount (for both breasts), including breast tissue, skin, and lipo was 855 grams. A lot less than I was expecting - and though I would have been happy to have been a B cup, I recognize that it was more important to preserve blood flow etc! Right now it looks like I will be a full c cup. Recovery is much improved and I will be flying home in two days (I flew to San Francisco to have the surgery because I used to live here, but I am currently living in Hong Kong). I'm not looking forward to the 15 hour flight but I think it will be ok - I will walk around a lot, drink a lot of water, no alcohol, etc.

I am attaching updated photos (one breast is still a tad bigger but it also feels harder and had more bruising so I'm hoping it evens out in time). Also attaching side view, as I'm really pleased with the projection and I love their perky shape! Yesterday I went to the store and bought some bralettes (I never could have done that before, I almost cried!) and some lovely spaghetti strap tops that I've not been able to wear since puberty. Again, almost cried!

Updated on 11 Jul 2016:
Hi all, I made it back to Hong Kong with no issues, though I think it was definitely necessary to have spent those 3 weeks post op in San Francisco before flying. If I had had to fly back after 2 weeks, I think it would have been too soon!

On my last day in San Francisco I went and bought some super cute spaghetti strap tops and a couple of bralettes (which NEVER) would have been possible before! When I got back to Hong Kong, I put my old bra (30F) back on and was shocked because it was SWIMMING off me.

My goal now is to keep my scars clean and dry (difficult in the subtropical and highly polluted climate of HK) and to start using the silicone strips as soon as all the scabs fall off. I plan to continue to use the abdominal pads under my surgical bra to keep them dry and protected. How long did you all keep using absorbent pads under your bras (especially when being outside?). Also, am thinking of substituting panty liners under the bra because they are thinner than the big abdominal pads - has anyone else done this?

Attaching before and after photos (before and after bra, and before and after breasts)

Thanks!!

Updated on 13 Aug 2016:
I haven't posted in awhile so thought I would send a new update. I am now 8 weeks post op and still healing well. I had one "spitting stitch" which just came out with a tweezer (no pain) but other than that have had no issues. I hope it continues to go as well! I think the trick is that once you get to 8 weeks, you start feeling pretty good and you have to remember that you should still take it easy! So I have to remind myself of that. I'm flying again for work (Hong Kong to New York) so am hoping the long flight is uneventful and my body feels ok. It is easy to overdo it!

I still have one breast larger than the other and I think it will remain but I will talk to my surgeon as to whether it can be corrected with a little lipo. If it is anything more invasive than lipo (like cutting in again) I won't do it because it is not significant enough!

I have been using the epiderm (biodermis) silicone strips now for about 3 weeks. My scars are healing nicely though it is hard to tell if that is due to the silicone strips or just because. In any event I will keep using them religiously! What I do love about them is that they provide some protection/barrier between the scar and my bra making things much more comfortable!

Updated on 14 Aug 2016:
For Jabrody08 - here are two photos of the silicone strip stickers. Sorry for the red marks on my torso - I literally just got off a 15 1/2 hour flight (the boobs held up fine!) The stickers in this photo are a bit wrinkled (again, I think the product of the long flight and changes in air pressure.

So I wear these silicone strips 24/7, only taking them off to shower. I started wearing them about 5 weeks post op. I was them every few days with cool water and a mild liquid soap, let them dry for about 30 minutes and put them back on. They last about 3-4 weeks before I need a new one (you know you need to replace them when they stop sticking well). They are pricey though, like usd 60 for each set! I also have a silicone gel that I can use if I don't want to use the stickers (I used the gel at first because I wanted to make sure the scars were completely healed before I started putting sticky things on them!) It doesn't hurt to remove them, you just need to do it carefully and slowly. Hope this helps!

I finally decided it was time to do something about my aging face, I looked like I was in my late fifties on the outside, but felt 40 on the inside. I met with two other surgeons and decided on Dr. Chang after seeing her before and after photos and well as the result of one of my friends who had a facelift with her. I felt very comfortable with my whole experience, she is extremely knowledgable and professional and her staff is very responsive and caring. My surgery went off without a hitch, within 2 weeks I was back to work and at 3 weeks went to a dinner party. I am very pleased with the natural look that she achieved for me. I look like my younger self, but even better! My only regret was that I waited this long to have this surgery!

Complete loss of breast volume after two pregnancies/breast-fed babies.


Updated on 26 Jan 2015:
No lie, it was not easy to make sure that my little boys (ages 5.5 and almost 3) were covered during that most critical first week of recovery. It helped for me to write a detailed schedule for the 10 days following surgery so I could see exactly where I needed help (getting the kids ready for school, school drop-off and pick-up, birthday parties, sports games). I posted a copy of the schedule in the kitchen. I had my husband, whose workplace is 90 minutes away, work from home that first week. He got the kids ready for school everyday and also helped take the kids to school and pick them up. I also arranged with some of my Mommy friends to help shuttle my kids around. Finally, I hired my regular sitter to come everyday to help once the kids were home from school. My boys are pretty rambunctious, so it was really important to have someone playing with them- otherwise they would have been all over me and I would not have been able to rest. Finally, I made sure all food shopping was done a few days before surgery and gladly accepted friends' offers to bring over dinners!

I'm here to share the story of my botched BA, hoping to share my lesson learned and get some professional opinions on where to go from here.

I got my BA in mid April. I’d never really considered plastic surgery and while unhappy with my lack of breasts throughout my teens and twenties, I found peace in my thirties, got married, had kids etc. I wore a 36A bra and while I could never fill it out it was ok.

Then last year one of my best friends decided to get a BA and it piqued my curiosity. She sought out one of the top surgeons in the area, her results were stunningly natural, and her surgery was a breeze. We were out to dinner a couple of days later and she raved about how excited she was to go swimsuit shopping.

And for the first time, in my forties I wondered what it would be like to actually feel good about my body for once. And so I decided to go for it and with the same surgeon.

My doctor went to a top school, has been practicing for twenty plus years, has a bustling practice, and has graced the pages of fashion magazines and best-of lists. I hit it off with her in my consultation and knew we were in sync on aesthetics and the idea of going small. She looked at my breasts and she said I was a great candidate.

A week before surgery I had my pre op sizing appointment and that’s when it started to go south. A nurse put me in a room with some disclosures to sign, a bag of implants, a sizer bra and made some suggestions. The doctor was running late and I was on my own for nearly an hour before she came in, rushed, and asked what I was debating. I told her I just wanted to be a B cup. She put the 255cc in the bra and said that would be a B and I said ok. She said she was excited to see me in surgery the next week.

The day of surgery I met with the anesthesiologist who explained what would happen and shortly after I was escorted into the OR and seated on the operating table. My surgeon wasn’t there and the nurse said she must be on her way. But she wasn’t. So they started paging her. The anesthesiologist left and the nurse said she’d call him when my doc showed up. More paging. Then the nurse said “She better show up soon. We have a hard out today.” I was filled with dread knowing my surgeon was going to be rushed. The nurses and I made awkward small talk about remodeling, the virtues of uber, rent control, and one’s own experience with a BA. I studied the trays of surgical instruments and got increasingly uncomfortable, missing the pre op lounge. More paging.

Finally she arrived and apologized and said she was on the phone. She flipped open my chart, confirmed my 255s and asked me to stand so she could make some markings and it all happened within a minute or two.

Post op I removed the ace bandage and I was confused. For one I still had an electrical lead glued on my torso which reminded me again what a hurry they were in. But my right side incision was at least a half inch below my inframammary fold and below my bra line. The left side incision was directly in the fold. My right side also felt weirdly lateral. To top it off I put on my 36A bra and I could just barely fill it.

I raised the concerns at my post op appointment and she said I had pre existing asymmetry and she had to drop the fold on the right side in order to make the distance between the nipple and the fold more equal. She said my breasts looked pretty big to her. I was surprised since this asymmetry stuff was new info but I was also relieved to hear it was her intent to mitigate it by dropping the fold, and glad she was happy with the size. I trusted her and agreed to wait and see.

Seven weeks post op (pictured) I went back to see her and said my left side is high and socked in. It’s firm and barely moves. My right side slides around and is quite low. My underwire bra rides up and cant seem to support it. There’s also no curve from the fold under my right nipple toward my medial line.

She asserts that my left breast is so firm because there is more original breast tissue there and the pockets are indeed the same size. She said there’s nothing she can do about my right side because of my pre op anatomy and breast tissue. She can’t dissect the pocket to allow for a curve under the breast because there is no breast tissue there and there is risk of a double bubble.

She said I'm early for a revision since my left could drop up to another centimeter but if I'm too anxious she can drop my left implant and possibly swap that side to a smaller implant to match the right.

She offered if I want her to, she will open up my right and can try putting a couple stitches in to tighten it up but there’s nothing that will move the implant toward the medial line. She said if the fullness under my arm is bothering me then I should get a smaller implant. I definitely don't want to go smaller.

I am lost and full of regret. I considered having them removed altogether but with the right side scar below my natural fold and bra line I feel like there’s no undoing it.

I don't love that my surgeon is asking me to decide whether to open up my right side or not. And the idea that she believes or pretends that this is an acceptable plastic surgery outcome has shaken my confidence. I just want someone to advise me on a course of action that will result in attractive breasts and am currently seeking second opinions.

And painful lesson learned: Its important it is to ask what sort of results to expect and how it will be achieved.

Updated on 3 Jun 2015:
Wanted to show share how my breasts look in a bra. No bras are comfortable because of the heavy pull and bulging on the right. I have a constant feeling of wanting to lift and move my breast into a bra but it won't stay there. That is regardless of whether I am in a soft bra or an underwire. In an underwire bra the breast pushes the underwire away from my skin and it sort of floats near the bottom of the implant. The top of my underwire bras pucker because there's no fullness in the right upper pole. Meanwhile I have cleavage on the left that I can't hide no matter what I do. In this tank bra you can see how the incision is well below the bra line too.

I cannot wear swimwear, v-necks or scoop necks, or anything that is cut lower than my collar bone.

Updated on 24 Oct 2016:
3 months post op, in July 2015, I went in for a revision.
I sought two additional opinions. Both docs said they didn't understand why she dropped the fold on my right as that breast was already lower to begin with, and said the pocket was overdissected. One doc wanted to operate right away and sent desperate follow ups which was off putting. The other doc maintained that I should go back to Chang and give her the opportunity to make it right. So that's what I did.
Dr. Chang, in a surprise development, diagnosed me with cap con on the left side and said that I'd need to replace the implant. At my pre op we revisited the conversation about revising the right and she maintained that the stitches may not hold but that she would try it if I wanted her to. I asked if my chance of cap con was higher having had it once and she said yes. I said then I just want to take care of the left. She could tell I was unsure and said I could think on it and decide on the day of surgery. She said she would get everything ready for bi lateral revision and that I could change my mind. The day of surgery came and in the OR she asked me what I decided and I said left only. Not worth the risk to revise the right especially with no guarantee it would hold. And she said ok.
Next thing I knew I woke up in recovery and my husband was there and said that Chang called him during surgery to tell him she had me sitting up and was going to proceed revising the right and she thought I would be happier. My husband, unaware of the conversations I had with her or the risks involved, acknowledged the update and that was that.
Within two weeks of surgery I could tell the right was getting hard and did not look normal. The left was dropped so low the scar was visible an inch above the fold, and a slight double bubble was evident. I went back to Chang and she said I had cap con on the right. I said that was why I didn't want to revise the right in the first place. And she said, well at least it is socked in now and it's not going anywhere. She was incredibly arrogant and rude. She told me my body just doesn't like implants.
I forgot to mention, immediately post op she also told me that because she revised the right and it took more time, it would change the costs. (Jaw dropping)
From there I returned to the other surgeon I liked and explained what had happened. He was shocked, supportive and compassionate. He said that it was cause for malpractice and what she had done was battery. I made a decision and she took that away from me while I was under anesthesia.
It's been so painful I haven't wanted to even post about it, much less take on a lawsuit. But it affects me daily and is a source of great distress. I am now more than a year post revision and cannot wear some dresses or swimsuits because it looks so bizarre. I took asthma meds and have massaged to no avail.
At this point I am saving for explant surgery and trying to find a good time to schedule it early next year. With a different surgeon of course. And I'm a little scared too. And upset and deeply ashamed. I haven't even been for my mammogram this year because I can't bear the thought of explaining my mistake to a stranger.
I just want to feel like my old self again. I didn't love the way I looked. But at least I didn't hate myself. And I felt like I owed this post to the community, hoping to save someone from Dr Chang or from a procedure at all. It's truly not worth it.

I finally have booked my TT/BL surgery and have paid the deposit!!!! I have been dealing with loose, wrinkly stretch-marked skin for over a decade now :( These stretch marks are on my belly AND my boobs :( Clothes have not fit right since my first son was born. I am always trying to suck my belly in and am so self-conscious about the skin. My waist just always looks "thick".
I find that the stretch marks look even worse whenever I lose weight!! The fat fills out the stretch marks and makes them a little less wrinkly.
My boobs look like I am 80 years old...grade 3 ptosis :(
I am shy in the bedroom, and never want the lights on...my poor hubby probably cannot remember the last time he has seen me walk by in a bra and underwear, nevermind naked LOL When I work out at the gym I never get undressed anymore and I shower at home as I have had perfect strangers approach me and comment to me about my stretch marks (such as "I bet you had a big baby with those marks").
I have not bought a pretty set of lingerie in over 14 years. I have also not worn a dress in all of these years either.

I weigh 163.5 lbs this morning. I am hoping to lose another 15-20 lbs before my surgery. I will have to be super strict and keep active to reach this goal. I have already lost 26 lbs in the past 3.5 months, so I think I can accomplish what I am setting out to do as I want the best results I can get.

I will take some pictures at my current weight and will update at 155 and 145 lbs.

All of the reviews posted here have helped me out so very much, so I wanted to contribute as well :)

Updated on 12 Nov 2014:
I will have some before pics to post later on today. It is so hard to believe that tomorrow is the day! I can feel the butterflies in my stomach (despite taking ativan LOL)! When big time nerves start up I usually get IBS, and that seems to be right on schedule. I have no appetite either.

I guess at this point I just want it to be over with!

Th weight loss went okay...I weighed in at 149 this morning...so a few pounds shy of my 145 goal, but I am still proud of myself for sticking it through all of these months. I started at 185 about 6 months ago, so 36 lbs total. I look extra wrinkly now...my stomach looks like a testicle when I bend over I kid you not!!

The OR is booked for 6 hours...I think that is what scares me the most. That is a long time to be under. I opted out of lipo to flanks as I didn't want to push it further with my anxiety (I do have general anxiety disorder). So I am just getting TT (with MR) and BL with a partial reduction as they are uneven.

I have all of the confidence in the world in my surgeon, I am healthy and at my goal weight, so I will just think lots of positive thoughts tonight and tomorrow :)

Updated on 26 Nov 2014:
I have not taken any after pictures yet, but on my next shower I will so I can post them. I do have my before pictures that I kept as a reminder, when things got tough post op, of why I did this. Those pics have worked many times when I was feeling down and guilty about getting the surgery LOL I will have to get the before pics up as well.

I now weigh 1 lb less than when I went in. I do not have too much swelling...it definitely peaked around day 4,5,6. Lately, the past few nights, I can see that swelling is decreasing then as well. I can fit into my old clothes, but now there is no roll hanging over...no stretch mark laden muffin top overflowing over my waist band to be seen :) I am still swollen, so I think I will drop a size eventually down the road.

My recovery has been pretty much uneventful. The first 2 days were tough, but once I got on top of the pain meds....then everything was much better! I definitely found days 1 and 2 to be the most difficult. Every day since then has been gradually better :)

Drains were out on PO days 5, 8. At first I wore just the abdominal binder with a large sheet of gauze under, but after drain removal I now wear a spanx-like compression garment under my abdominal binder with a piece of foam sandwiched in between them both, and there has not been any additional swelling after drain removal. Eventually I will just be in the spanx :)

I want to cry every time I see the new "girls"!!!!!! I did have a slight reduction as well as a lift. I have always had breast ptosis, even before having kids. I always had to wear extra wide bra bands, huge/industrial strength underwire etc. Back pain was constant. All of this is gone!!!! I have never had boobs that were perky!!! I am just in awe whenever I see them :) My PS did an amazing job on them!

My scar is doing well...I need some scabbing to fall off, then I guess in 2 weeks can begin scar therapy. My PS did an amazing job of giving me as low of a scar as she could. I had so many stretch marks that went way above my belly button, but most of them are gone except for a few which are below my BB now. I am high-waisted, so was worried about looking too boxy, but for the most part I have kept my shape, so am happy about that! I just wanted all of the loose, floppy skin GONE!

I am off pain meds for the most part, and only take a regular tylenol when the back pain sets in from hunching over. I still have to work on standing straighter. I think a lot of it is psychological at this point and I have to just make myself stand straighter and believe that my incision will be fine LOL

I walk around my home and yard about 20 min every hour or so, and climb stairs with no problems. I am now sleeping properly and no longer need naps....overall, I am really just starting to feel more like myself. I still have to be careful on outings. I can begin feeling energetic, but all of a sudden can start to feel light headed if too much walking has been done. I find this to be true with showering as well as it doesn't take much to wipe me out when having one.

I will post pics in a couple of days once I get my post op ones taken. Just have to get hubby to edit my face out and resize them LOL

I am 34 years old and the mother of three beautiful kids. My breasts have been on the bigger side my while life. In high school, my aunt would buy my bras in the bay area because no local stores carried a 32DD. My weight jumped all over the place during my pregnancies, with weight gains anywhere from 30lbs to 63lbs, and bra sized up to 38F. By the time I went for my consult with Dr. Chang, my size was down to a 34DD, but Dr. Chang said it was mostly skin. I've lost all the weight from my younger two kids and only have an extra 11lbs left over from my first pregnancy. **This first set of photos is from my pre-op appointment on 1/10/14 and I am hugely pre-menstrual and retaining water! My tattoos are blurred out for privacy reasons.
I am having a breast lift with augmentation on 1/27/2014. If we did just the lift, my bra size would likely drop to a 34C. That would be ok if my hips weren't on the bigger side. My husband's only request is that my body is balanced and he thinks doing just the lift would leave me pear-shaped. At my pre-op a few days ago, we all agreed a 320cc silicone implant, placed under the muscle, would fill me back out without being obnoxiously big. Dr. Chang is known for doing very understated work and that’s a big reason that I picked her. Another big reason is that she only does plastic surgery. She doesn’t run a med-spa on the side, or sell trinkets or makeup in her lobby.
Before booking my surgery with Dr. Chang in San Francisco, I did see a surgeon closer to where I live, Dr. Lars Enevoldsen, in Modesto. He refused to discuss implants. He does not do them in a single procedure and said that if I really wanted implants, I would have to wait six months and then he would do them. The cost of the two separate procedures was very near to what I’m paying for the single procedure with Dr. Chang. He also said I would probably end up with an anchor scar. Dr. Chang saw no reason to split the procedures up and said an anchor cut would not be necessary.

Updated on 19 Jan 2014:
I did my mammogram and blood work on Friday. My prescriptions are all filled and ready to go. All that's left to do is stock the kitchen with food and pack for the three day stay in San Francisco. It's crazy to think that a week from now I'll be on my way to San Francisco!

Updated on 27 Jan 2014:
We are in San Francisco, getting ready to head to the outpatient surgery center. No make up, no food or drink after midnight, and I'm supposed to wear a shirt that zips or buttons up the front. The coordinator from Dr. Chang ' s office said not to buy any post-surgical bras as she would provide them for me. She said not to use anything on the wounds, so no neosporin or Vitamin E. They have special silicone pads cut for lollipop scars that we can discuss after 4 weeks.

Updated on 28 Jan 2014:
Everything went extremely well yesterday! Every single person at CPMC we came into contact with was so friendly. First we were put in a private pre op room where they got me into compression socks and a gown that hooked to a heater. They put the IV in and got a urine sample. There was a recliner instead of a bed. From there they moved into the surgery area where I sat in a cube and spoke to the anesthesiologist and circulating nurse. Finally they moved me to the OR where Dr. Chang marked me and I was knocked out. I woke up super nauseated. The recovery nurse gave me something for that plus pain medication. Dr. Chang told me that I was going to be very happy with the results. After awhile in that room, they moved me to a private recovery room and brought my husband in. He said Dr. Chang spoke with him and said "they look wonderful!" We got to the hospital at 9 am and left around 5:30pm. They wrapped me in gauze and an Ace bandage. My chest feels huge. I'm very swollen, including my face, and very pale. We go to post op this afternoon and Dr. Chang will put me in a bra. I will post updated photos then. On a side note, my husband has been beyond awesome! He's doting on me like crazy and even got his own Real Self login so he could update the comments yesterday.

Updated on 28 Jan 2014:
I just got back from my first post op appointment. My nausea is really bad so they switched me from Percocet to Vicoden, and gave me Ambien because I haven't slept at all. I go back a week from today to get the stitches around the nipples out.

Updated on 30 Jan 2014:
I didn't take any new photos today but will try later. We made it the 2.5 hours home from San Francisco last night and finally got some solid sleep. The pain really doesn't bother me but the nausea has been the worst! As soon as we got home I took a Zofran and then used one of the suppositories The Doc Prescribed. It made all the difference. This morning I am very groggy and a bit off balance. Still very tired. The urge to sleep all day is strong.

Updated on 30 Jan 2014:
I felt some rubbing under my right breast and it would seem the doctor did have to stray from the lollipop cut we planned on. You can see in the new photos that there is a tiny anchor cut on the bottom of my left breast but a fairly long cut to the side of my right breast. I will ask her about it at Tuesday's post op, as she didn't mention anything the day of the surgery or the day after.

Updated on 31 Jan 2014:
I got to shower today! I bought some waterless face wipes but those ran out, should have stocked up on more. My hubby had to actually wash and condition my hair because I couldn't reach. I've stayed up on my pain meds so it's hard to say how bad it hurts. The nurse said not to let the pain creep up on me so we've stayed on schedule. Today is Friday. I will start backing off the Vicoden over the weekend and see how it goes.

Updated on 4 Feb 2014:
Today was 8 days post-op! Dr. Chang removed some of the stitches from around my nipples today and told me to come back in a week to get the rest. She is really happy with the way they are healing. I asked if the ace wrap was still necessary and she said some patients are more comfortable with it on, but I could switch to any soft bra now as long as it's padded with bandages.
I'll post today's pictures tomorrow but one thing I noticed is that one breast is either more swollen at the top, or maybe the implant hasn't settled as far. I'm not going to worry yet since we haven't even reached the massage phase. It seems like a pretty common issue that the sides don't match right away.

Updated on 17 Feb 2014:
Today is officially 3 weeks post-op. The nurse took out what we thought were all of the stitches last week, but some of the scabs came off and there are three more stitches that need to come out. Dr. Chang said that I am healing at least a week ahead of schedule. That's good but also bad because the skin is starting to heal over the three stitches so hopefully she can get me in this week to pull them.
I really struggled the first two weeks thinking this was the dumbest thing I'd ever done, LOL, but now every day that goes by, I love my new breasts more and more. The swelling has gone down and the tissue has softened and relaxed. They feel natural. The scars look excellent for 3 weeks and the nurse said that if I keep healing at this rate AND use the scar therapy sheets, by one year my scars will be hardly visible. I have the silicone sheets ready to go and am just waiting for the last of the scabs to come off and the last stitches to be pulled to use them. I'm cleared to exercise again starting tomorrow, which should help the extra 4lbs that creeped on. The funny thing is that everyone thinks I've actually LOST weight rather than gained. I tried on a few bras in my closet and am slightly too big for a 34D and slightly too small for a 36DD. It looks like 34DD/36D is where they'll land and that is PERFECT.

Updated on 17 Feb 2014:
Here are the photos I took a few days ago. They're selfies so forgive the angle. The implant nearest my tattoo needs to settle just a tad more so I attribute any asymmetry to that, plus the angle I had the camera at.

Updated on 19 Mar 2014:
I need to take new photos but wanted to give a general update. Everything has healed nicely and I started using the silicone scar therapy sheets this morning. Dr. Chang said to wait until all the scabs were off first. There were a few spitting stitches but those are all done now. Both implants are settled and I am really happy with the final result. If you get this surgery done, know that it will take awhile for things to settle into position. I am MUCH happier with how they look now than how they looked right after surgery, position-wise.

I went shopping for new bras last week! My pre-surgery size was 34D and my new size is 34DD. A few people have made the comment that they can't even tell I had surgery and I take it as a compliment. My goal was BETTER, not BIGGER. Of course, this comment is always made when I'm wearing a regular blouse. The difference in appearance once the top comes off seems like night and day. My purchase included a new bikini top and it looks great. I will try to get the hubs to take new photos this week. My next follow up is in about a month.

Updated on 26 Mar 2014:
The longer I have these new boobs, the more I love them. I started the silicone scar therapy finally last week. That should take about 12 weeks. Taking photos is hard because of the way I hold the camera, so if they look offset or uneven, it's just the way I'm standing.