David Benvenuti, MD

It's been 20 years. Not a day has gone by that I haven't wished I could go back and just say no. I went in for a consultation to get my eyes done. The doctor insisted I needed cheek implants. I've never looked normal since. It changes your whole face. I look the strangest when I smile. Pictures are the worst. I avoid them as much as possible. I recently went to a professional photographer for my family's Christmas photo. Out of 64 shots, all but two looked abnormal. Every time I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of the huge mistake I made so many years ago.
I'll never look normal. I look very strange from the side. One is real high. Both have a strange ridge where they stop. I've wanted them out since day 1 but no reputable surgeon will do it. I''m so angry at this doctor for pushing them. I'm mad at myself for not just saying no.
If I can save one person from doing it, I am happy. Don't try to change your bone structure. It's drastic and not reversible if it turns out badly. I wish I knew then what I know now.

So many of these reviews have really helped me narrow in on my choices so it's only fair that I write one in return.

I've been contemplating BA for about 10 years, since I figured out that puberty was never quite going to hit me in the chest region. Originally I was delaying really talking about the procedure because I thought I wanted to wait until after having children. I got married at 22, and here I am at 28 and we'd like to wait a few more years before children. Meanwhile I started feeling like I should get and enjoy bigger boobs while I'm in my prime! (Even if I need a lift/revision later because of breastfeeding).

So just after Christmas I went for a consultation with a PS that came highly recommended by a close friend (who had hers done by the same PS years ago, and I didn't even know they were enhanced until she said something). At first the visit was weird, but as soon as he pulled out the lookup chart with ccs and BWD measurements I felt reassured that I could be somewhat scientific about size selection.

I wanted to get surgery on a Thursday or Friday to minimize the number of days off from work. I'm not a huge football fan so Superbowl weekend didn't seem like a bad idea :) I'm 3 days out from surgery and here are before pictures.

Updated on 31 Jan 2018:
I started my course of antibiotics (cephalexin) this morning, took 4 today, none tomorrow and then another 4 on Friday. I've had some slight nerves all week if I'm going to be honest. Tonight it's just a strange sense of time going fast - I can't believe this is happening tomorrow. I've wanted it for a decade, but I've only planned for it for about 6 weeks.

Nonetheless, yesterday I started washing with Hibiclens soap on my chest and abdomen twice a day per my PS, and I have to do one more tonight. I have high anxiety about needles and IVs so both my anesthesiologist and PS said that I could take 0.5 to 1 valium in the morning about an hour before my arrival time either swallowing them dry or with the tiniest sip of water possible. So that's what I'll do!

I can't have any food or water after 11pm for a 9:30am surgery. They said 2 hours for surgery and about an hour in recovery.

I'll post pics when i can, including with marker before the op if I can. Wish me luck! My PS said he rarely has to use drains in his patients so fingers crossed that I am not one of them.

Oh I almost forgot... after TONS of deliberation between moderate plus and high profile mentors, 375cc and 400cc I have decided on 400CC HP because my doctor thinks the moderates would be too wide for my thin skin and small amount of tissue. I don't want to be able to see the implant or have boob going into my armpit!

See you on the other side!

Updated on 31 Jan 2018:
BTW this was the collage I sent to my PS as a wish boob dream board!! Ha!

Updated on 2 Feb 2018:
I was nervous for surgery yesterday despot the half valium. Surgery took place at Newport Beach Surgery Center with Dr. David Benvenuti.

Anaesthesia was easy, one minute I'm laying in prep holding my husband's hand then I blinked and woke up in the recovery room. Pain was barely there when I got up. I requested Tylenol when I woke up. Made it home no problem and posted up on the couch.

Been taking Norco half a pill at a time (they gave me 10-325s) and I don't like taking a whole one.

Another day of complete rest. Tomorrow I shower and take off the wrap to show you all!

Updated on 4 Feb 2018:
So a few things, walking around has been pretty easy for me but for 2 days after surgery it was difficult to sit up or lay down without engaging my chest muscles.
It's now day 4 and I can lift my arma, I even managed to put my hair in a ponytail. I haven't used any Norco in about 24 hours because the bloating and constipation are very real. The sooner I get off the heavy medication the sooner the prunes and miralax can do their jobs.
Yesterday I was wearing a 34d sports bra from target (highly recommend) and when i first removed my ace bandage, showered, and put on the sports bra it felt like heaven. It was fully supportive.
Over the course of the day though I think they got more swollen to the point where the sports bra was hurting and restricting a lot. I went and got a 36D knowing I needed to sleep in a sports bra too. It felt better and this morning waking up I actually have some extra room and would probably go back down to the 34D.
There is a fair amount of sloshing and shifting when I move around. The most pronounced difference us that these things are so HEAVY. I mean truly the pull on my chest and upper back is such a surprise and will take a while to get used to.
Here are some photos. I'm back to work tomorrow wearing these sports bras. I'm excited to do a one week update and see the changes then.

Updated on 5 Feb 2018:
After approx 4 days of rest and recovery. Back at work today and extremely cranky. The fullness and tightness hurts in a dull constant way and it's very distracting. I'm most comfortable when I can lean back about 20 degrees but that looks weird in an office chair. Having lots of electrical zap pains which the dr. Specifically said was normal.

Basically I'm very uncomfortable as my body tries to stretch around the impants. Will post a photo later tonight.

Updated on 5 Feb 2018:
Super swollen and hard. Wearing a target champion 36D sports bra for sleep and daytime.

Updated on 8 Feb 2018:
Keeping it short and sweet I've been doing my post op exercises to enlarge the pocket and allow the implants to settle. I haven't taken any meds since Tuesday night (48 hours ago) . I've been using my arms as normal except avoiding lifting over 20 lbs. I feel very healed, doctor cleared low impact cardio starting on day 10 to 12.

I'm very happy with the shape and aopearance, I debated really hard about high profile vs. Mod plus. Seeing them now a 400cc mod plus would have been too wide for me. I would probably have to have done a 350cc mod plus and I'm not sure if I would have liked the results. I followed everyone's advicw and went one step bigger than what I thought I should get, in hindsight the 375cc would have been great. These are great too.

Will post back around 2 to 2.5 weeks when stitches get removed.