Edward S. Gronka, MD

Had a breast augmentation two years ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Went from a small B to a D and they look SO natural. You would never know I had implants from seeing them in a bathing suit or low-neck top. After the surgery, I was worried that I didn’t go big enough and actually went back to see him and considered having another surgery. He didn’t think it was necessary at all and encouraged me to wait until they settled a bit more. I’m so happy I listened and waited until the settled because they’re perfect for my body! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I'm a breast cancer survivor who had a left mastectomy. My treatment and surgeries were done by a large cancer treatment hospital. While I do not dare disrespect the plastic surgeon who did my surgeries, my body did change quickly from looking presentable to not so presentable. Dr. Gronka was suggested by another surgeon. He did what I call a reconstruction of a reconstruction of both breasts, using fat grafting to the left breast to give a more natural look. He also did a "mini-lift" to my right breast. Lets just say that I went from not so presentable to WOW! Even my oncologist was VERY impressed. I've bragged about Dr Gronka whenever I could. I'm very late writing this review but, better late than never.

Dr. Gronka, Thank You so much. I'm extremely pleased with my breast reduction and lift. I highly recommend all mothers to you. Get your pre-babies body back ladies. This will be the best thing you've done for yourself.

Hi I'm a mom of two boys age 2&3 nursed both of them. I have also lost 110 lbs. the combination of the two has left me with practically nothing but loose skin and nipples. So i have decided to fill them up again. I chose smooth round silicone mentor implant the size will be determined during surgery. I would like a c cup but know that's up for interpretation of bra companies. Somewhere between 300-400 cc. My husband gets to go in the operating room while I'm under and they will try out different sizers to find the size/profile that fits my body best.
I plan on going back to work 5 days later but am going to keep the boys in daycare for the full week. I'm very worried about caring for my children while healing from my new additions.

Updated on 21 Oct 2015:
I'm so excited I feel like a kid at Christmas. I hardly slept last night. Yesterday I cleaned my whole house and prepared a couple of meals showered and shaved. My mom and husband will be off work all day if I need anything. I put on the anti nausea patch. This morning I need to take valum (sp) and anti acid Meds.
I'm worried about recovery as I do use my arms a lot for work and childcare.

Updated on 21 Oct 2015:
Feel a lot of pressure and it feels like my milk just came in via breast feeding days. I have no nausea but extremely dry mouth. I can't remember the surgury just felt like a super great sleep. No pain just pressure.
My husband got to pick the size and went with 425cc smooth round silicone little bigger then I thought but they fill out quite nicely I'm very happy so far.

Updated on 22 Oct 2015:
So everything was going extremely well felt great. It kinda felt like when ,y milk came in after children and I had missed a couple feeding. Then 1am I got up go to the bathroom and got very dizzy and almost feel down luckily my husband was there to keep me from falling. Then came the pain and swelling only in my right boob.i just knew something wasn't right.so called after hrs.. They lined ,e up for 8am said he was going to have to reopen my stitches then take the implant out then clean and drain fluids I might need a drain. He said could be water or blood. Minor setback but I I still love them
The swelling goes all from my neck to just below the rib cage. I would take a pic but in too much pain. Taking my heavy pain pills and resting til they go back in. I have to wait til 300 because I ate some goldfish crackers.

Updated on 22 Oct 2015:
I had to be worked in so nothing for me to eat or drink all day. I'm starving so currently eating chicken noodle soup. Yumm
They removed 200cc of blood from my lright boob. Lefty a still good normal swelling. They also put a drainage bag in the right one.. Which is uncomfortable but really doing the trick already had to empty it. The swelling stretched around to my back and hurts to lay down. I think my boobs hurt even more now.

Updated on 23 Oct 2015:
So my left boob is two days post op and right is 1 day because they had to reopen the wound. Lefty doesn't hurt at all and if it weren't for the hematoma in the right and the super uncomfortable Drain bag I'd be well on way to recovery. I think I mentioned earlier that got 200 cc of blood from the right when the opened me up. But I have since collected another 100cc in my blood bag.

Updated on 23 Oct 2015:
Thank goodness I looked at so many reviews because my boobs look pretty silly right now. Between all the swelling and the blood bag I'm all set for Halloween. Luckily I know they won't stay that way forever.
My drains are still pumping out 40 cc per every two hours

Updated on 23 Oct 2015:


Updated on 23 Oct 2015:
I'm 5foot 6iches and the day of the surgery I weighed 135. Today I weighed myself and I weigh 143.8. I would be alarmed if I had been eating garbage food but yesterday I couldn't eat because of having to have my right breast drained. Today all I have rated was chicken noodle soup healthy choice. I know my implants weigh a couple pounds but I think the majority of my weight gain is water weight from be so swollen on my right side the swelling goes all the way down to my hips (right side only)
Why did I have to weigh myself? Out of habit really. I have been doing weight watches for the past two years and dropped 110 lbs.

Updated on 24 Oct 2015:
I should have showered with pain pills but was trying to wait them out cause they make me sleepy and I didn't want to slip in the shower. I took off the gauze and bra and felt lots of unsupported pressure. So I tried to support them and the stupid blood bag while my husband washed my hair. First off he is the worlds worst shampoo boy (he does normally only take 5min showers) but he was full on creep stalker he couldn't focus on my hair when all he wanted to do was check out my new boobs. I think I'm gonna have to get a bra to shower in

Updated on 25 Oct 2015:
It's day 4 for lefty and day 3 for righty. I really expected to be off the pain pills and swelling to be down. I think the hemotoma really slowed down healing and added to the swelling. My right side down to my hips is bruised. I tried no pain pills this morning but was a total b$&@h to my hubby. So I'm sticking to the pills and keeping ice on myself and hoping to get rid of this swelling. I'm holding a lot of fluid in my stomach and right hip area. Still have the lovely blood bag. I hope to get rid of it by Tuesday at the latest.

Updated on 27 Oct 2015:
Well I got my blood bag taken out;) such a relief. My boobs are shaping up nicely over the next few weeks they will drop into place. I have several bruises but I do bruise easily and I did retain a lot of water. I was prescribed a diaretic because I have gained 15lbs over 5 days. I will try it tomorrow if I haven't shed a couple pounds on my own. I'm still in a little pain at night I think it was mostly uncomfortable because of the drain. I got prescribed more pain pills hoping I won't have to take them.

Updated on 30 Oct 2015:
I am starting to really love my new breasts I'm excited to see what the next few weeks bring. I have lost almost all the water weight I'm still up by about 6lbs. I'm still pretty bruised but that's to be expected. Pain is pretty much gone except sometimes at night. I'm starting my breast massages. I wear the compression bra pretty much all the time. I bought a couple new sports bras but they don't seem like they give as much support so I'm sticking with the ugly one for now. Wish it's didn't give me weird booby wrinkles and it would look better if it was black. Lefty has dropped a little faster then righty so far but from what I've gathered that's pretty common.

Updated on 30 Oct 2015:
I think they are starting to shape up to look quite a bit like my wish pics. Once the right one drops I think they will look more even.

Updated on 3 Nov 2015:
Not too much has changed but I do love taking pictures of my new boobs so thought I'd share.

Updated on 6 Nov 2015:


Updated on 11 Nov 2015:
I feel great. No real issues just sometimes my bra rubs on the incisions so I keep them covered. Bruising almost gone. Oh and I love that I don't have to stuff my bra!! Very happy with the implant size haven't gotten greedy yet and don't think I will either. I still have no idea what my cup size is. Still wearing ugly sports bras size medium. Was told not to waste my money until they are settled.

Updated on 17 Nov 2015:
I'm very pleased with the dropping and fluffing. I can't wait to go bra shopping I hate sports bras. No pain at all and I now have more feeling in my breast pretty much 100% sometimes they itch all over but I guess that comes with any wound healing. So funny most people are like I thought you were going to get implants I then have to fess up that I have been stuffing my bra for years. Not actually stuffing but buying only bombshell bras from vs. my husband still can't keep his hands off them.. He makes sure to inspect them twice a day. I still can't believe that just four weeks ago I was my before pic.

Updated on 24 Nov 2015:
Everything is healing great got the ok to go bra shopping. I also got the ok to wear underwire. Got sized 32 dd. or I can get away with a 34d I Tried a couple push ups for fun. Didn't buy felt like a cartoon character lol. I also found a dress to wear to a Christmas party. It's pretty low cut and no bra because it's also low back I have always wanted to wear something like that. Got a blazer to go over it and the girls are completely safe from popping out as there is built in wire in the v part.

Updated on 2 Dec 2015:
Everything is great! I love my boobs still. Best thing I ever did for myself. Currently letting my spray tan dry so why not take some selfies.

Updated on 16 Dec 2015:
Almost two months post op. I'm completely healed and I think fully settled. My scars are almost invisible. I'm super happy with the size chosen for me wouldn't want them any larger as I think I would have troubles finding bras ect. I have been back living life as usual for over a month now. I still wear a sports bra to bed. Underwire lightly lined during the day. I wore the dress to my Christmas party bra less had both girls and guys tell me I had nice boobs.. Lol most would be offended I wasn't at all hey I paid for them:) my husband normally not the jealous kind followed me like a hawk.
Advice for anyone that hasn't gotten their boobies yet. 1. Don't be your own surgeon find someone you trust and trust them to pick size and shape. I went to one consultation with dr.gronka knew I trusted him showed him wish pics and he picked size and profile. I did not try sizers I didn't even request a profile. I know I'm not a surgeon and he does this all the time. 2) give them time to settle. Know that they won't look the same after 6 weeks. Don't stress. I worried so much about my nipples being too low but I just needed to allow time for them to drop.
Also thank you to everyone on this site for kind words and encouragement. It's truly meant a lot to me. Also thank you to everyone who have wrote reviews and posted pictures.

Updated on 20 Jan 2016:
I had my final check up today with dr. Gronka. Still very happy with the results. Got my before and after photos from his office and thought I'd share;) it's hard to believe that was my before breasts I have grown so used to them. My incision look a little more red in the photos but honestly I think they were more red from the bra I was wearing.

I've always had larger breasts. I was a D cup by the time I was 13, and it only got worse from there! I've been a 36 F/G (depending on the bra) since my 20s. In my early 30s, I started having back trouble. I never really connected it to my breasts - it was all in my lower back, and I was told I had mild scoliosis and that an accident I'd had years previously was also affecting it. In my late 30s, I gained a lot of weight, which led to even more back problems.

Fast forward to my 40s: I started having a lot of neck and shoulder pain when I was about 42, and finally started putting it together that my breasts could be part of the problem. I wasn't interested in a reduction as anything but a last resort. I went to the chiropractor weekly to monthly for years. I tried physical therapy. I bought more supportive, wide-strap bras. Then, at the end of last year, I finally decided that it was getting to be too much and I turned to my second-to-last resort: weight loss. I was 223 pounds when I began, and I'm 173 now. But you know what's coming, don't you?

Rather than making my neck and shoulder pain better, the weight loss has actually made it worse. I've lost 50 pounds and not a single ounce of it was from my breasts. As a result, even when doubling up the sports bras I'm now incapable of really vigorous exercise because it's just too painful. My arms get numb. The exercise I do often leads to rashes and breakouts under my breasts. So, last month I decided to turn to my very last resort and start researching breast reduction.

First I spoke with my chiropractor, who agreed it was a good idea and recommended a plastic surgeon. Then I spoke to my primary care physician, who also agreed but sent me to an orthopedic surgeon "just in case." Then I spoke with the plastic surgeon's office and set up a consultation. By mid-August, the orthopedic surgeon had ruled out any other possible cause of my pain and agreed with my other doctors that breast reduction was my best option. I met with the plastic surgeon and was very impressed with his candor and professionalism. Next step, submitting the request for approval to Cigna. That didn't go so well.

It only took them two weeks to deny me, so I guess at least I wasn't waiting around too long. I was somewhat prepared for that, though, because I'd read about so many other people's experiences here at RealSelf. The denial letter gave a whole laundry list of reasons and seemed very cookie cutter, which made me feel like they deny everyone at first just to see if you'll go away. I didn't! I sat down and wrote a two-page letter stating my case point by point. I included every physician's letter recommending surgery, documentation of my weight loss, additional photos of my breasts, even printouts from Amazon showing the types of bras I've been purchasing. I felt like it was a really good letter and the plastic surgeon's office agreed, but I was still afraid that I'd be denied again.

Now for the really good news :) I wasn't! It took a little over two weeks this time, but today I received a letter telling me that I won my appeal - my breast reduction is approved! I don't know how long it will take to get it scheduled, but I'll definitely be on the phone trying to get that done first thing Monday morning. I cannot wait!

I so appreciate everyone who has shared their experience here. You've really helped me in making the decision to get a breast reduction, and in knowing what to expect. I hope that my story will help others as much as yours have helped me!

I'll update as soon as I know when my surgery is scheduled, and I'll get some photos up as soon as I can.

Updated on 8 Oct 2015:
I've called the PS's office Monday, Wednesday and today, and still don't have an appointment set. How frustrating! Everyone there is very nice and the doctor comes highly recommended, but it takes forever to get a return phone call, and apparently they are in no hurry to get new clients' procedures on the books.

Have a couple of "before" photos. Hopefully I'll be scheduled soon and can post some "afters"!

Updated on 9 Oct 2015:
I feel like I was overly harsh in my last update. Everyone at the PS's office really is very nice and I'm scheduled now, so please ignore my previous whining :)

Since my insurance is covering it and I've paid my out-of-pocket maximum for the year, my only cost is going to be for the lipo of my "side boob" fat. Now I just need to gather my supplies and wait!

Updated on 17 Oct 2015:
So, I picked up a couple of the recommended bras to wear post-op, and boy do I hang out of these things everywhere (especially the side boob)! I can't wait for them to actually fit :)

Updated on 19 Oct 2015:
I had my pre-op appointment today. I got my prescription for the 10,000 meds and all my instructions. Now it's just a waiting game for the 4th!

Updated on 27 Oct 2015:
Holy cow am I tired of waiting! The good news is that I got that pre-surgery energy boost others have talked about and spent all day yesterday doing crazy nesting activities. So I may go insane with the wait, but the house will look fabulous :)

I feel like I'm about as ready as I can be at this point. I've made and frozen some soups for after surgery, and we also splurged and bought a week of Fresh N' Fit (a service that provides fresh, healthy meals) for immediately after surgery. I haven't watched a single episode of some of my favorite shows so I'll have something to watch. I have a giant book of Sudoku puzzles and a couple of new books on the Kindle, too. I've also gathered a few extra pillows, some bags of peas and other odds and ends for recovery. Now I just need next Wednesday to get here already!

Updated on 3 Nov 2015:
Today was the second time I've had someone say that to me after I told them I'm getting a reduction. Seriously - I know they're on the saggy side, but I was wearing a bra both times! I guess it's all a matter of perspective...

In other news, I still don't know what time I'm going in for surgery tomorrow, but they should be calling soon. I haven't slept well at all the past few nights - I guess that was good practice for the first few days or recovery :) I'm looking forward to being on the other side of this!

Updated on 4 Nov 2015:
Everything went really well. We were there at 8:00 and home by 1:00. Everyone at the surgery center was great. Even though I had the reduction and lip, I didn't need drains, so that part is awesome. Also awesome: Dr. Gronka said I'll definitely be a C. Yay for small boobies :) I can't take the wrap off to shower tomorrow and can't wait to do it so I can see them.

I feel asleep pretty much instantly when we got here and have not been in much pain - none at all when sitting still, a little when I move my arms. And I can't get myself out of the recliner, but that's what husbands are for :)

Here's a picture of the old girls all marked up. I'll try to remember to take one tomorrow when I'm out of the binder too.

Updated on 4 Nov 2015:


Updated on 5 Nov 2015:
I took the binder off to peek at the girls but didn't want to pull all the gauze off yet. I'll do that tomorrow when I take a shower. They're really tiny, though! I'm thinking I might even be a B :) How exciting is that??!

The pain level is also a lot lower than I'd feared. I'm definitely achy, but only have more severe pain if I move my arms too much and when I first get out of the recliner. I'm down to taking two hydrocodone and 1 keterolac every 6 hours. That still seems like a lot when I type it out, but it's one less hydrocodone and a larger span between them so I'm calling that a win. All in all, I'm incredibly pleased!

Updated on 5 Nov 2015:
Here's a photo. The hubby says they look like C's to him, but we'll have to see once the swelling goes down. Whatever cup size they end up being, they're little and perky and mineminemine :) I love them already!

Updated on 6 Nov 2015:
Previously most of my pain was in my sides, but today I've started feeling it in my breasts. They're really starting to itch at the lower incision line, too. All of that is very bearable, though. I'm still taking my pain meds and arnica a few times a day so I'm sure that's helping. The worst part of my day today was finding out that my mom was rushed to the hospital and is in ICU. She's 600 miles away from me and I just don't know what to do. I don't feel like I'm well enough to go right now, but I absolutely feel like I should be there. I guess I'll wait until Monday morning's appointment and ask the PS if it will be ok for me to go, and hope that she's doing much, much better by then.

Updated on 7 Nov 2015:
The hubby helped me with a shower and washing my hair today. It felt really nice. I still have itching, mostly on the big incision under my breasts, and more pain today. Both nipples have sensation, so I'm happy about that. The left is really pale, and my left breast/side are noticeably larger, but I'm assuming that's just how I'm healing.

I'm also very sad today, and really confused about what to do. My mom isn't going to make it. They're pretty sure she's braindead, but dad wants to wait to take her off the respirator until they do an EEG on Monday. I feel like I should be there for my dad and siblings, but I'm also very much afraid to be there. I don't know how I go and don't overdo it, or how I keep people from trying to hug me, or how I can be anything but another burden there when I can't even comb my own hair yet. I feel really helpless and sad and confused. I'm going to think on it tomorrow and talk to my PS Monday morning and then decide whether to go ahead and go now or wait and go stay with dad next week instead.

Sorry, I know this is supposed to be all about the boobies, but I needed to vent a little. I'm adding a couple of photos to get it back on track. The black bra is one I took a photo in before surgery so you can see the difference, and the other is just how the girls look at 3 days.

Updated on 9 Nov 2015:
I had my first post-op appointment today. They trimmed my sutures, changed the tape, and treated a blister on my right nipple. It was a bit ouchy when the nurse cleaned the incisions, but otherwise uneventful. Judging from what I've read on everyone else's reviews, I'm really lucky that I didn't have drains!

I've been sleeping okay, all things considered. I'm camped out in the recliner with a wedge under my knees and I've been comfortable enough, but I am looking forward to sleeping in my bed soon. It's just really high and I'm not ready to try it just yet. Maybe next week.

Updated on 12 Nov 2015:
I felt more energetic yesterday, so I went for a walk in the morning and walked about a mile, then another half mile with my husband later in the day. Boy, are my boobs sore, especially at the big incisions underneath. I guess I should try baby steps instead! I'm also not sleeping as well in the recliner anymore because it's starting to hurt my upper back. So all in all, the last couple of days haven't been great, but I know I'm still having an easier time of it than some folks so I'll keep my complaining to a minimum...

On the bright side, the swelling on my sides has gone down quite a bit and the bruises are starting to yellow. They're still painful/numb to the touch, but they're getting there. I still don't have much swelling in my breasts even after yesterday's adventure, so it looks like the arnica and bromelain are really helping on that front.

I think I'll take it really easy today :)

Updated on 17 Nov 2015:
I went in for my two-week post-op appointment today. Lefty is healing really well. Righty is having blood flow issues, but they're improving so I just have to keep putting the treated gauze on it. I can also stop wearing the binder, which is awesome news. I still have pain on the sides, occasional zingers, and of course on the incisions if I stand for too long, but all in all I'm feeling really good. I love how small my breasts are now!

I'm finally leaving to spend time with my family tomorrow, so I probably won't update for two more weeks.

Updated on 4 Dec 2015:
I had my one month post-op appointment this week. Righty is still healing really slowly, but the nipple is finally healed. They cut away the scab on the vertical incision and I'm to keep using the treated gauze on it until all the yellow goes away. Lefty looks really good. I still have some puffing out on the sides and I'm still a little numb from the lipo. I also still have pain if I overdo it, but all in all I think I'm healing well.

Dr. Gronka and his staff were angels in helping put me back together! Lots of prior surgery and scars to overcome. Dr. G did a fantastic job with a not so good palette! Very, very pleased. At every visit I was greeted warmly....and they knew who I was. I was not just another patient, another number. I felt important, that they really cared about me and my situation.

I've never been so happy with results from a physician's office :) This was absolutely the best decision I've ever made! I had a huge hernia from my second pregnancy, stubborn love handles and I've always wanted to increase my breast size. After a couple of surgeries, Dr. Gronka did an awesome job. I love, love, love my body. My surgeries with Advanced Aesthetics was a huge enhancer. The staff is very nice and courteous. They're always there to answer any questions. I recommend them to anyone considering plastic surgery.

This experience was much easier then I thought. The placement of the incision can barely be seen and I am happy with the 425cc gel implants in each breast. The first few days after surgery were a little rough but the pain meds helped! By day four I no longer needed the pain medication and took Advil.

Hi, my name is Michelle :)

I am 31 yrs old and I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I am scheduled for 375cc silicone, under the chest muscle this coming Wednesday and I could NOT be more excited! I am married for ten years with a nine yr old daughter.

I am 5 feet tall and 120 lbs and I am not honestly sure what my bra size is. My guess would be an A cup but a 12 yr old boy kind of A cup lol they are THERE just not much.

I have been self conscious about my breasts all my life. Not just bc they are small but I always knew the way they were shaped was off too. All my friends had rounder breasts, even the small ones. Mine were round too but not AS round, they seemed to be a little - pointier, for lack of better words. But I just figured they come in all shapes and sizes and wrote it off as bad luck.

I got pregnant and gained about 50 lbs, topped off at 180 lbs in a size 14 jeans. The ONLY good thing about being fat was that my [RS bleep] looked a LOT nicer! lol They were bigger and rounder and just looked better in general.

A couple years ago, I made a commitment to lose the weight and I did (I attached a before and after) but boyyyy did my [RS bleep] suffer lol one is clearly bigger and higher than the other and they are both just plain small.

When I went for my consult, my dr informed my that my breast were ever SO SLIGHTLY tuberous (google that if that is foreign to you) and then it all made sense to me. Why they always seemed to be shaped differently than all my friends'.

Anyway, as my title says - I feel like I have been waiting for this day my whole life and I can't believe it's nearly here!

I filled all my RX's today - here is the list:

TRANSDERM-SCOP 1.5 MG/72HR - Nausea patch before surgery
KETOROLAC 10 MG TABLET - NSAID for pain (anti-inflammatory)
CEPHALEXIN 250 MG CAPSULE - Antibiotic for after the surgery
DIAZEPAM 5 MG TABLET - Valium for anxiety on the day of surgery
RANITIDINE 150 MG TABLET - Zantac to reduce chances of reflux during intabation
METOCLOPRAMIDE 10 MG TABLET - Also used to reduce gastroesophageal reflux
PROMETHAZINE 25 MG TABLET - Nausea for after the surgery
HYDROCODON-ACETAMINOPH 7.5-500 - Vicodin for after the surgery

And I also got one of those back pillow things with arms. I also bought some canned soup and jello and bottled water. I stopped by Goodwill and bought a few XL button up shirts because I am told trying to put a shirt on over your head is NOT fun. I was also told to buy one additional bra aside from the one they give me bc it's really painful to not have any support for them when you're in the shower but you obviously don't want to get the bra wet and be stuck having to wear a wet bra. So I was told to get a spare I could kinda hang in the shower and switch in and out of.

I guess that is why I am posting here - of course we all obsessively google when we start this whole process and the more details and pics and advice we can find to comfort our doubts and anxieties and answer our many questions, the better!

I do have some concerns, but I am way more excited than nervous but there are a few...

1) The recovery process - How badly will it actually hurt? How LONG will I be in real pain? I am a runner and I work out a couple times a week in the gym, the thought of being on the bench a few weeks terrifies me!

2) There is a settling period. They aren't going to look "right" for a couple months at least and even though I know that, I just know I am going to freak out when I look at them for the first time and they are all mis-shapen and swollen and all "Frankenstein-ish" I know every day I will take pics and obsess over whether they look better or worse than the day before etc

3) Double bubble - they are going to have to lower my inframammary crease (the crease below your breasts) and so it's very possible I will have a double bubble for at least a short time while my old crease loses it memory and the implants settle. They said it should go away within 6 months but secretly I am hoping to god I don't have them at all.

4) One of my breasts is bigger than they other but the dr didn't seem concerned. I don't know if that's because he doesn't see it as being prevalent or bc he is going to address that in surgery. I hope the latter! I hope they aren't obviously different sizes post surgery!

5) My nipples tend to kind of slightly point outward (toward my arm pits) and I worry some that they will STILL look that way after my surgery.

I guess that is all I can think of to tell y'all right now. I know this post was long but when I was researching, I REALLY could not get enough information. I wanted to be as knowledgeable as I could prior to the surgery and there are somethings that dr's just won't take them time to tell you, things that only women who have been through the whole experience can tell you.

Like I said, my surgery is Wed and I will definitely continue to update! :)

Updated on 3 Jun 2013:
I am SO nervous and excited I can hardly stand it! I think I am going with 400 cc and tonight I am going home to clean the CRAP out of my house so I can heal in a nice, clean, organized environment. I am going to stop by Blockbuster tomorrow night and get a few movies in case what's on TV or the DVR bores me. I am also gonna get a big cooler to keep next to the bed so I can have access to drinks and stuff without getting up. My husband is going to make me sandwiches and cut of fruit and stuff to keep in there also for me to snack on. This SOUNDS sweet and it is, but really he is just trying to minimize the hundereds of times I ask him for help lol :) I am all geared up and ready to do this thing!!!

Updated on 4 Jun 2013:
Sigh, I am packing my gym bag for the last time for a while. The surgery is tomorrow and I won't be able to go back to the gym for at LEAST a couple weeks and even then I will be limited to light leg work; SLOW elliptical or recumbent bike. At three weeks at the EARLIEST I may be able to run lightly and go back to light weights. I am going to back slide in my running and gain ten lbs! I am going to start trying to incorporate short (5 min or less) daily walks outside on Friday. Both to get outside and to get some exercise.

Not being able to get into the gym has honestly been my worst fear. NOT bc I love it so much but because I worked REALLY hard to get down to this size and I am terrified sitting around like a lump on a log and having nothing to do but eat and watch TV is going to set me back; both in weight and in running. I can't even weigh myself for like two weeks because the fluids from surgery bloat you up so much that the number would be so inaccurate.

I cleaned the HELL out of the bathroom and bedroom last night. I absolutely cannot stand the idea of trying to heal in a disgusting mess. I even washed the sheets and made hubby take the comforter to the fire station to wash; I can't wash it here bc it's a king and my washer can't handle that, but they have an industrial sized one at the station. I need for everything to be clean and to smell good lol

My daughter is going to spend the night at a friends tonight so we don't have to worry about what to do with her the morning of surgery and hubby doesn't have to deal with her while trying to get me home and settled. She will not come home until late Wed.

I have frozen peas on stand by to shove inside my giant non sexy surgical bra they send you home in and I am gonna call directv today and add every single movie channel there is (which will of course be canceled as soon as I go back to work next Tuesday lol)

I have filled all my RX's and aside from all that, I am not sure what else I can do now but wait 24 hours for the fun to begin. :o/

Updated on 4 Jun 2013:
I have to be at the surgical center at 7:30am tomorrow and I am SOOO nervous and super excited! I will update just as soon as I am awake tomorrow!

Updated on 5 Jun 2013:
Got my anti nausea patch on behind my ear and my huge button up shirt on and about to pop my Valium and Zantac so I'll be out of it pretty soon! Eeeek! I can't believe this moment is finally here!

Updated on 10 Jun 2013:
It's been a CRAZY week so I haven't been able to update and I'm about to fall asleep but I wanted y'all to know I'm here and I will update later tonight!

Updated on 17 Jun 2013:
I went back and forth as to whether or not to even post about what really happened bc I don't want ANYONE to be afraid to have their surgery bc of it. It was a FREAK thing and the surgery is STILL perfectly safe! I think right, now I am just going to post this and let you guys digest this and then we can play q&a if y'all want, I am totally open to answering any and all your questions. I just don't know where to start! If this link doesn't work, copy and paste! I will be back later with pics.



Updated on 18 Jun 2013:
So Wed AM went in for surgery everything went fine right up until the very last ten min. I started to twitch some like I was going to wake up. They didn't want to put me back under IV sedation bc it would have put me down for hours and hours and they only needed a few min. They gave me a gas called Sevoflurane - it's very common, used ALL the time and perfectly save for most people.

Almost immediately, my fever spiked to over 110 degrees. The suspect higher but at that level conventional methods of take temps become inaccurate. My heartrate was over 200 and my mucles began to contract - rhabdo is one of the major symptoms of MH. It also causes the body to become unable to take in oxygen or to release carbon dioxide which causes resp failure eventually. The kidneys and liver start to work over time to try to filter out the meds and again, they would eventually fail if not treated properly.

The surgeon basically threw open the doors and hollered for his nurse to call 911. They transported me by ambulance to a hospital which happened to be across the street, thank god and they also had the only antedote for MH on hand which single handedly saved my life.

I was admitted through the ER and the easily the first three catheder bags were 90% blood. I couldn't move my arms or legs bc they rhabo was so bad and my muscles were basically locked. It was extremely painful. I was on a morphine drip and was also being given percocet orally as there is a definite cap on morphine.

I was admitted into ICU that afternoon and they were giving me all kinds of meds to stabilize my metobolic levels (ie, potassium, calicum and CK levels - also known commonly as lactid acid. It is what causes your muscles to burn when you work out).

By Friday, my levels were near normal for everything but CK. Normal adult CK levels are less than 200 and mine were coming in at over 32,000 - and that is only bc their labs only read that high. It remained unchanged for two days so they are certain it was much higher than that for a while.

I could not feed myself or brush my own teeth or anything :( It was a nightmare. I was hooked up to a heart monitor and blood pressure monitor and 3 or 4 bags of meds through 3 diff IV's (bc the meds could not be administered into the same IV. They had to draw blood for labs hourly and I quickly ran out of veins to get it from. They started trying the smaller ones and blew several of them causing both forearms to pretty much bruise entirely. Every time they stuck me was agony really. Not even the morphine could touch that.

I was in the hospital just short of a week. My muscles did eventually let go and my CK levels were at 3,000 when they discharged me. Still WAY over normal but they had been watching them drop and were confident that they would return to normal within a couple days and that I could go home.

I just got my insurance summary and the total cost is over $29,000.00. Luckily I have great insurance and I only have to pay $500.00 of that.

The meds that combat this condition are VERY expensive and have a very short shelf life. Dr's have to throw away unused vials all the time as they always have to keep a fresh stock on hand. Because the cost is SO high many dr's fudge that or don't replace their supply at all, especially since the chances of this happening are SO slim. My dr's office has 4 dr's in it, all of which have been practicing over 20 years EACH and none of them has ever actually seen it. They all train for it, and are aware and ready for it but no one had actually ever seen it. Nor had my dr in the hospital or any of my nursing staff.

I am very lucky to be alive.

My first thought upon waking???

"OH MY GOD, did they get both boobs done??? I wasn't left with just one or anything right?!?!?" :)

I will post my after pics when I get home tonight. They don't like me posting pics of my own boobs at work lol

Updated on 18 Jun 2013:
So just a couple notes -

Any wrinkles you see in the front of them are from the stupid bra they made me wear. My left is a bit bigger than my right but it really doesn't bother me because they look so damn good! LOL

When I started out, my right was bigger than my left and so we used 400 cc silicone on my right and 425 on my left but then it just kind of flipped it around where my left was bigger than my right instead of vice versa but the ratio definitely changed a lot. The difference between the two used to be very noticeable where now I think I have to point it out for anyone to be able to tell.

At the end of the day I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. If it wasn't for working out and running I actually think I would like to have gone a bit bigger!

Updated on 18 Jun 2013:
Here they are...

Updated on 18 Jun 2013:

Got up this morning. My BA was scheduled for 12 noon. I got there. They took me to prep. The nurses we're so nice. Anesthesiologist was super cool. Gave me some antibiotic before surgery the the I've. Think he gave me some versed the second time he came in. I don't remember. I remember telling my hubby I was going to take a nap while I waited for the. I woke up in recovery with boobs! lol no pain I feel great and these boobies are looking great. When the swelling goes down I think they'll be perfect!
When the swelling goes down I believe they