I am scared. But my new mantra this year is: do it scared. My surgery is tomorrow. And I am going through with the surgery even though my 3 adult daughters are against the surgery. I'm 54 years old with long flabby breasts. I lost 170 lbs with the lap band. My size F breasts now look like tube socks hanging from my chest. I wanted the surgery for over 30 years, but I was afraid of the pain. So I suffered with incredible back, shoulder, neck pains. Headaches so severe at timed that it felt like someone shot an arrow through the back of my head. I expect to look and feel better. I need advice about self care. I look forward to reading your replies. Updated on 13 Sep 2012: Made it through the night. No pain meds. No assistance needed to go to bathroom Getting ready fort my morning walk. Going home today. Spent the night because PS removed loose skin under my arms. No problems with that either. Will update on discharge instructions. Thankful that my state employees health insurance paid for everything. Updated on 13 Sep 2012: Just met with Dr. Shell. Going home this morning Any lady who lives near Oxford or Memphis should see this kind compassionate PS. The nursing staff at Baptist hospital are the absolute best. Explained discharge instructions clearly. Asked if I had questions. Updated on 17 Sep 2012: Went to church yesterday. I didn't drive, But i believe that I could have driven. This morning I had the strangest sensation in my left breast ( a deep fluttering). Not painful. Just different. I can see swelling now in my breasts. More like a C now than the A/B that was present immediately after surgery. They look good. Nipples look dry. Will ask the PS on Wednesday if I can apply vitamin E cream. Ladies, thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Oh yes, I'm going to work this afternoon. I'll let you know how that turns out! Updated on 18 Sep 2012: Definitely not ready to return to work full time. Will take it easy the rest of the week. Last night I started itching. I am thankful that I have bandages covering my incisions. But I believe that itching is a good sign of healing. Ladies, thank you so much for your support and wise counsel. Will update on my first post- op visit tomorrow. Updated on 19 Sep 2012: 9/19/12. One week post-op visit with PS. He removed my bandages. Just put steri-strips on certain spots. My boobs are beautiful. I feel so pretty. Pain and swelling under my arms. But not such that I need a lortab. Will contine to wear the sportsbra. Return in two weeks. I can drive again. Work half days until I return in two weeks. I forgot to ask about vitamin E cream. Can't pick up anything heavier than 10 lbs. Updated on 20 Sep 2012: Worked four hours today. Noticed bruising. Is this normal? Bruising on my back where PS removed back fat. What type of daily care do you do? Do you use creams, polysporin, steri-strips etc? Updated on 24 Sep 2012: I'm near two weeks post-op. when can I sleep on my side? I find myself waking up on my side without pain. But I don't want to harm myself. I now keep my scars covered with paper tape. It is much easier to work with. I was sent home with large bandages that looked like small pillows stuffed into my surgical bra. I now put thin gauge bandages in my bra. Is this ok? I also switch the surgical bra with two sports bras. The surgical bra has Velcro that is very uncomfortable. Is this ok? I use Dial soap for my shower as I read that it is an antibacterial soap. How long will I have to wait to use Dove? I will travel to DC on 11-8-12. How do I handle a carry-on bag? I will pack light. But I'm worried about putting the bag in the overhead bins on the plane. Laugh out loud moment: before having the surgery my breasts hung like deflated balloons from my chest, but now when I've bent down to pick up something my new perky breasts have bumped into my knees Ouch! I just look at them and thank God for my surgery. I am trying to do everything to protect this precious gift that God has allowed me to have. This is a life-changing blessing for me! Ladies, thank you for your words of instruction and comfort. Updated on 1 Oct 2012: Pics! I have tried to post pics to my profile, but they are upside down. Please help! Updated on 2 Oct 2012: Will see my PS 10/03/12 for 3 week post- op visit. Little nervous about tape coming off. Nipples become erect at touch but still basically numb. However I am very thankful for my new breasts. When I'm given clearance, I plan to start exercising more instead of just walking. I'm considering an arm lift, but I want to see if weights will help the appearance of my arms. Updated on 3 Oct 2012: All bandages removed and not replaced. Told to just use cocoa butter for scarring. Slight burning now in incisions. PS removed tape from nipples. I am very pleased. Next Post-op visit is 12/03/12. Purchased a Genie bra today. Loved the feel of it! PS stated that I could wear underwire bras in another 3 weeks. Nipples react to touch but sensitivity is still minimal. I am still pleased! Truly a wonderful life-changing experience! Updated on 4 Dec 2012: My breasts are beautiful! Yesterday, my PS released me. I'm using cocoa butter and cocoa therapy oil. I also take a multi-vitamin daily and vitamin E three times a week. I have minimal sensitivity in my left breast and moderate sensitivity in my right breast. This is ok with me because before they were highly sensitive but resting on my thighs, lol. Now they are ski slopes. Lol. My BF loves them even though he was worried about the surgery. Today, he is very happy. I've decided to have a tummy tuck and an arm lift. I'm also considering labiaplasty and a thigh lift. Again, my BF is worried about medical risks. I will consult with my PS next year about the tummy tuck. Our bodies are our temples. I'm just polishing my temple, lol. Updated on 18 Dec 2013: I'm great! My breasts are beautiful! I'm constantly telling ladies about my PS. I have No regrets. Best thing that I ever did for myself.
I was 33 years old when I got my smooth saline implants over the muscle. I went from a 38AA to a full 38C. I never had a problem until two years ago when I developed a cc on the right side. My ps told me point blank that without implant replacements, I would be concave and wrinkled due to my age, thin skin and the fact that I had very little breast tissue. He assured me I wouldn't like the results and he was clear that replacing the implants was the best solution esthetically. After reading the Real Self Testimonies for months, I knew I wouldn't get implants again. Your personal accounts helped me realize that there was a chance that problems could crop up with new implants and I didn't want to have anymore surgeries. You all said that you didn't regret your explantations and nearly all of you were happy to be natural again. So I went forward hoping for the best but expecting the worst. I scheduled my surgery for the removal of both capsules and implants for February 28, 2014. My procedure was done under general anesthesia and it took about 1.5hrs. I don't remember anything about the surgery except waking up after it was over. Unlike most of you, I wasn't wrapped snuggly in anything, and was sent home in the shirt I came in with the drain collection bags clipped to it. My right breast filled with fluid more than the left due to the scar tissue removal from the cc. Though the drains were annoying to deal with (dressing around them and tracking the fluid output), my biggest inconvenience was having to sleep on my back until they were removed. The drains were in for 6 days. My ps removed them (it was painless) and told me I could resume my elliptical exercise, just don't use my arms for a couple of weeks. He said he didn't need me to come back and to call if I had any problems. I haven't had any problems. I'm blessed with a husband who is totally supportive. He helped me through every phase of the surgery and homecare after. As you can see by the pictures, I'm definitely not "esthetically perfect", but I'm not the monster that the ps was predicting either. I can breathe deeply for the first time in 27 years and I can lay on my stomach comfortably again. I hope my golf swing will improve since I don't have to reach around a protruding, unyielding chest and I'm looking forward to wearing smaller tops and bras. I'm happy with my results and so is my husband. I owe a great debt to all of you for your selflessness in sharing your stories and pictures. I have a huge respect for you younger ladies who are making the "no more implants" decision in your 20's, 30's and 40's. I wish I had done it sooner. I know there are alot of us older women out there too. It was because of you, that I made my decision to explant without replacements. Thank you so much for sharing your journeys. My hope is that my story will help someone who is struggling with similar circumstances. Stand firm and know what it is you want not only from the surgery, but also from your life going forward. Our health and well-being is worth so much more than our breast size. Good luck to all.
20 years old, 32A bra, 5'9", 140 lbs athletic build I'm commissioning as a U.S. Naval Officer in less than 9 months and only 2 weeks from getting "the twins" (aka 375cc implants). I've been a fairly active person my entire life and was born into an IBTC family, so I was basically doomed to be less busty from the beginning. I've just finished my pre-op blood work and its finally setting in that in 2 weeks I will be going in for my procedure! I haven't started getting anxious yet, but I'm sure the nerves will come a few days prior. I will be staying with my boyfriend during my recovery (my surgery is the Friday before the Thanksgiving holiday so the "hardest" part should be over by the time daily life resumes) and have started making my checklist of things to get done before surgery. They include: clean sheets, clean apartment, Harry Potter movies (8 disk collection), ice packs, extra strength tylenol (for when I want to get out and do things without the side effects of pain meds), button down flannels (to make getting dressed easier post-surgery), VS satin PJs (to wear around the apartment during recover also button down top), prescriptions (the PS is calling in my prescriptions the day before the procedure in order to have it filled before the day of), and I'll prepare several tupperware containers with meals pre-op so that my boyfriend has one less thing to do for me. If anybody has any advice on pre-op nerves, preparation, or just a general what to expect those first couple of days, I am all ears! I will post my pre-op pictures soon! Updated on 7 Nov 2015: Here are a few ideal outcomes that I found online! Updated on 7 Nov 2015: I am attaching my before and projected after photos from the Vectra 3D imaging device that my PS uses! What a cool piece of technology and now I am even more excited about my procedure! Updated on 16 Nov 2015: Omg y'all, it's finally the week of surgery. I have just completed my final physical training test (for the Navy) until I heal up from surgery and my nerves have finally flared up. I had my first "boobmare" this past weekend. I dreamt that I went through the procedure and when I finally got peak at the finished product my bf checked them out and said, "Those don't even look good... I can't believe you paid to have that done." Needless to say, I woke and lot him hear all about how inconsiderate he was in my dream. (I can't even describe to you guys how vivid/real this dream felt) Anyways this weekend: I cleaned my apartment from top to bottom, bought extra strength tylenol and bio oil, bought some super comfy button up pjs (there was a sale on Ralph Lauren pjs in Dillard's), bought a big comfy pillow with arm rests (for sleeping in the upright position post-surgery), and went out on the town to celebrate my last bar hopping session in my A-cup pushup bra (might of taken a few shots in celebration of the semester being almost over and the soon to be arrival of "the twins"). After talking to my mom and aunt, whom both have undergone breast augmentations, I have decided to go 400 cc instead of the 350 or 375 that I initially considered. I just don't want to get out of surgery with regrets of "wishing I had gone bigger." Especially since I am young, I can worry about being more modest later in life. All other details remain the same, i.e. doing the subpectoral, saline, round implant. I have a feeling this work week is going to go by extra slow, since I really can't wait for this Friday now! Surgery check-in is 0730 and the procedure is slated for 0900. I'm not sure if this is customary, but the surgery clinic told me that they will be keeping me there until around 1 to make sure I recover correctly and only then will I be allowed to be released to go home. (Also, no visitors until I am released from the recovery room) I'm sure there is a good reasoning for that policy; I just hope I can either sleep until 1 or make some friends in the recovery room. How long did everyone else have to wait before they can "peak" at their new additions? Good luck to my 16NOV-20NOV surgery girls!! I can't wait to see how everyone turns out! I will be posting my last small boobies pictures on Thursday night after my early "friendsgiving dinner", aka dinner for several people within my unit, I honestly invited them over to help keep myself preoccupied this week but I am making venison chili. :) Updated on 18 Nov 2015: So I'm less than two days away from surgery, and I'm starting to get anxious. I'm sure my bf is tired of hearing about/seeing pictures of BA before and afters, but it's literally on my mind every hour. My bf actually was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection this week, so I've been keeping him quarantined for safety measures because there's no way I am letting it affect my surgery date. I have started to get a little paranoid about post-op stretch marks though. I've heard to use bio oil, but are stretch marks just inevitable? If there are any recommendations to counter them, please let me know! Also, best of luck to the ladies getting their procedures tomorrow, 18NOV2015, I know you must be way excited! Can't wait to see your post-op pictures/reviews! Updated on 19 Nov 2015: I'm trying to keep myself busy today. It's honestly almost surreal that I am having my procedure tomorrow. I couldn't be more excited (for everything except the IV), but I am about to get all prettied up for my last dinner date in my (soon to be old) push up bra and then get in my last late night cardio with my smaller boobies! I can't even begin to thank all of the ladies and encouragement that has been available on this page. It's really been amazing to have such a support group from ladies that I've never even met who are going through or even contemplating the same procedure. All the different body types, life stories, and ages make it such a useful took for anyone looking into a BA, and I just hope that when all said and done that my review could possibly help somebody make a better decision for themselves. That being said, I will go put on a dress and make up and see you all on the other side tomorrow! Updated on 21 Nov 2015: I had my surgery yesterday morning, and I was released from the hospital around 1 PM. I went home and slept for several hours, woke up, had some coffee, and went to watch Mockingjay Pt. 2. I thought it was extremely helpful for me to get out of the house and think of something else besides my boobs or being uncomfortable. I woke up this morning with what I assume to be "morning boob" (i.e. pain and discomfort from being stationary all night). I combated it with my arm stretches from the plastic surgeon and then getting in the shower. Although I felt very tight beforehand, the warm water enabled me to stretch out, and I was even able to wash my hair without too much discomfort. I got out again today (I got to Ole Miss and we are having our final home game against LSU this afternoon) but I had to leave at the end of the first quarter because the cold air started contracting my chest muscles and causing serve discomfort even though I took a muscle relaxer right before leaving. I think I might have over estimated how well my recovery was going, but I plan on backing off for awhile. I am back at my apartment now under my electric blanket and making hot tea. I will post some post-op photos later today of how my boobs are looking. With the exception of some nipple swelling, I couldn't be more happy with the way that they have turned out so far. I'm fairly bloated in my abdomen too, but my surgeon said that would go away within a week or so. The incision sites are covered by water proof bandages, so showering isn't hard and I don't have to deal with the issue of redressing my wounds. Updated on 25 Nov 2015: I apologize for the delay, but I have been a busy bee post surgery (well busy, but still moving a little slower than usual). Anyways as I said before, my procedure went great! I went to the surgery center on Friday morning (my surgery was slated for 0930), and went into a pre-op. Although we had a little bit of trouble getting my IV in (apparently I don't have any "good" veins in my forearms/hands), we were finally able to put it in the bend of my arm. Then the plastic surgeon was in to mark up my chest and go over some post-op instructions. I vaguely remember being wheeled into the operation room moving onto the operation table, but after that the only thing I can remember is waking up to such a sweethearted nurse in the recovery room. She answered all of my questions (most of which I don't remember asking) and when my boyfriend was allowed into the room she instructed him on caring for me for the first couple of days. I haven't been in too much pain, mainly just uncomfortable. I was prescribed a pain med but I wasn't a fan of feeling groggy so I fully switched to Tylenol after the second day. The muscle spasm medication seems to help, but nothing is a better cure all than a hot shower. I recommend having somebody there to talk to you (inside the shower curtain or even just sitting in the bathroom) just to keep you from falling asleep, but the warm water and having to wash my hair (by myself) has been the best stretching and an all together feel good remedy. My incision sites are a tad itchy and sting a bit during various activities, but the majority of my discomfort during recovery has been from constipation. I felt so bloated the first few days that it made my almost regret the procedure. I tried to combat it with milk of magnesia, but diarrhea was fairly uncomfortable, too. Honestly that was to be my biggest complaint of the whole ordeal. Now that I am about 5 days out from surgery, I am certainly past the hump, if you will, and moving towards resuming my regular daily activities (minus the workouts and lifting anything over 10 lbs). I have been released to ride a stationary bike if I would like, and I will let you guys know how that goes when I make a trip to the gym tomorrow. My incisions are still tender (as to be expected) and they have started bruising above, but the doctor assured me that everything looks perfect and was impressed by how mobile I was at the 3-day checkup Monday. He also mentioned to me that daily activities would not hurt the implant; all the pain and discomfort that I am feeling is due to the muscles being stretched and of course the actual incision site healing. I guess I was initially being extra careful to touch even the breast skin around my implants, but it's just something to keep in mind for those who are also in recovery. Implants aren't a crutch, the only healing you need to worry about is the muscle/incision. Updated on 28 Nov 2015: Hello everyone, I am 8 days post-op and I am feeling great. I cannot even stress to you all how important it has been to my recovery to get out and see how mobile I can be. Being stationary has made my worst days worse, but I got out and went Black Friday shopping yesterday... It was my best idea yet. I not only had to walk around, but I also got use of my muscles (that I have been avoiding) by trying on clothing that fits "the girls." My incisions non longer bother me, my digestive tract has gotten back on its normal routine, and the only discomfort I have is the slight soreness/tightness in my pecs. (Possibly because I got the under the muscle implants) I am still unable to lift heavy objects, but I was power walking through sales yesterday like a champion. I took frequent breaks after walking through larger stores or trying on a lot of different clothing, but besides that I am just about good as new. Since I did a good bit of shopping yesterday, I have discovered a few things. Let me know if anyone has any similar tips or even clothing recommendations to better help our shopping experiences. 1. Victoria's Secret - wonderfully comfortable bras, decent price, but I am slightly concerned that their bras run a bit small (like a whole cup size small) - I was fitted yesterday and they told me that I was a 32DDD.... Holy cow y'all, I was aiming for a C/D and my jaw dropped when she brought me a bra with 3 D's on the tag. I didn't even know that was a size, and I almost immediately started regretting my size decision for surgery. After trying on the bras, I decided that although they looked fairly large that maybe it was just because I have been so used to my smaller A cup bras for the past 10 years. That being said, my boyfriend and his mother both assured me that I had nothing to worry about and that the size looking perfectly proportional. Has anyone else had experience with VS sizes like or even opposing this? Lululemon - Let me start off saying that I do not usually treat myself to the higher end yoga gear sold in this store. I think it is incredibly cute, but I am so hard of my workout gear, its almost unfair to the brand for me to abuse their clothing (I do a lot of outside training, flipping tires, low/high crawling in mud, the works) Now, I plan on wearing my new fun finds to the inside workouts only (I'm not a huge yoga fan anyway), But they have a "We Made Too Much" rack that is absolutely phenomenal. I found (reasonably priced) clothing that tailors perfectly to my new body. They have a lot of stretchy material, but with my new "assets" it was worried that clothing would look boxy compared to my smaller frame. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I only had to go up one size in their shirts (with the built in sports bras) in order to fit "the girls." That being said, I highly recommend the brand to anyone here whom is looking for workout gear (or even lounge gear) that tailors in more towards your waist while still comfortably fitting your new boobies. Underarmor - I know some of you maybe be Nike babies, and I completely understand. I hoard Nike shoes just as much as the next tennis shoe collector, but I have found that the Underarmor tops tailor in to my waist just a little bit better than the comparable Nike Pro gear. I am in love with the Underarmor color schemes, and their vast variety of quarter/half zip tops. Also thank goodness for bikinis that tie. I am going on a cruise for spring break this year and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to wear any of my swimsuits anymore due to the surgery; however, I have found that the majority of my tops still fit, just fit a little differently. That being said I'm not claiming that I won't still go swimsuit shopping to find a couple more (maybe more supportive) tops, but just a small side note. If anyone else has any recommendations for brands that tailor in to a more hourglass figure (or just work well with bustier chests), please feel free to recommend them.
