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CLAIM YOUR PROFILEEverybody is concerned with stretch marks coming, particularly after something like a breast augmentation where there’s a big amount of stretch of the tissue and people that have had kids that have stretch marks or a big amount of weight loss... and the reality is stretch marks are somewhat genetically determined. If you have bad skin it’s gonna get stretch marks - it’s gonna get stretch marks. You can’t prevent them, but you can do things that will help and moisturizing your skin is far and away the best thing to do. Vitamin E oil sometimes will help to diminish the amount of stretch marks that you get, but as far as treating stretch marks, there’s simply no FDA approved treatment for stretch marks. There’s a lot of stuff out there. There’s lasers, there’s this, there’s that. All of these treatments rely on making the skin swell, which makes the stretch mark look better. But, after the swelling goes away, the stretch mark is still there and it comes right back. So don’t be fooled by that stuff. There simply isn’t anything that’s a long term cure...yet. We’re all crossing fingers and hoping, but so far, nothing.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
This is a common question in my practice. Women are anxious to know how long they are going to have to be off work. The answer depends a little bit on the type of work you do. Typically, you can go back to work within two weeks. In the first couple weeks, the biggest risk is bleeding. You don't want to be using your upper body. If you have any specific questions about returning to your own routine, you should ask your surgeon, and as always, you should follow those recommendations closely.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
When making your decision, you should keep in mind, both types of implants have the same type of shell. The silicone implant is filled with cohesive gel that sticks to itself and the saline implants are filled with water. Most women opt for silicone implants because they feel like real breast tissue. They also have a lower rate of rupture and breakage than saline implants.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
This is a great question and one that many are confused about. Basically, the difference is in the material used to fill the implants. Silicone have cohesive gel that sticks to its self and saline have water. Their shells are identical. Most women choose silicone because they feel like real breast tissue and have a lower rupture and breakage rate.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
There’s no right or wrong answer with that; other than to say, if you’re gonna have kids within the next year, then probably you shouldn’t be doing implants. Since you are considering a baby in the next couple years, you may want to hold off on your augmentation surgery.
The implants don’t change breastfeeding. They don’t change anything about the way the breast functions. So, you can have implants and then have kids later.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
If you're planning on having kids within the next year, you probably shouldn't do implants. You can do the implants later. If kids are a ways off, get the implants. Implants don't change breastfeeding or anything about the way the breast functions.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
The risk in the first 2 weeks is bleeding if you use your upper body. Ask your surgeon but people typically go back to desk work at 3 days, moderate work at 2-3 weeks and freight loading at 6-8 weeks.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Take a shot glass, fill the shot glass halfway, that's 30cc. If you have any kind of breast volume at all, you're not going to be able to see 25cc. We recommend about 50cc between size choices.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
We are talking the difference of about a half a shot glass or less between those numbers. We recommend about 50cc between size choices before you see any difference.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
When you are talking about 26cc, the difference is too small to have any noticeable affect. We recommend about 50cc between size choices.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr Ratliff and his staff are an amazing team! They made me feel so comfortable and confident in my decision to have this procedure. The after care was top notch and I’m just sad I didn’t find him sooner!!
Dr Ratliff changed my life! I had my first c-section at 19 and my last at 33! My stomach always looked flabby and stretched no matter what I did! Dr Ratliff did a full tummy tuck, lipo of the flanks, thighs and back. I lost 6” just on my waist! I had lost 62 lbs prior to this. I couldn’t be happier! I interviewed 7 Dr’s before deciding! You can not compare to his experience and the cost!
From the moment I walked through the door for my consultation till the day I left my 6 week follow up I was always greeted with smiles and care. The office is beautiful and tastfully decorated. All of my questions were always answered often times before I even needed to ask them because Dr Ratliff and his staff are so experienced. I healed faster than I would have imagined and my scars are already looking great. The level of care and attention I received exceeded my expectations. Not once did I feel worried or stressed because Dr and staff always gave me confidence. After losing 100lbs my breasts were beyond large, sagging and hopeless- now I can wear a normal sized bra and they look fantastic! My abdomen had so much extra skin that my flap would get in the way while sleeping,now I have a flat tummy that I haven't seen in 20years.
From the start we absolutely loved Dr Ratliff and his entire staff. He listened to what I had to say and answered every question I had. I absolutely love my new body and the confidence that it has given me. I am so very thankful for them!
I have had two procedures with Dr. Ratliff. I had a breast augmentation and a tummy tuck done a year apart. I highly recommend him. Very knowledgeable and explains everything. His staff was amazing to me. The facility and on site surgery suite is very nice and clean. I love my results and couldn’t be more happier with my experience.
I had a breast augmentation with Dr. Ratliff. I was very nervous, especially since I work in Healthcare and know everything that can go wrong in surgery. But, Dr. Ratliff and his team were very nice and answered all of my questions. My surgery went exquisite and my results are amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better surgeon and team.
I’m not sure how to do this because I feel like I’m talking to myself but I’m gonna give it a shot because I need some people to talk to. I was scheduled for BA for May 4 but they had a cancellation for April 23 and I was impatient so I jumped on that one. I have 3 kids, ages 7, 2, and 1. My first week- 2 weeks was very difficult. I’m 3 weeks post op now and everything is getting quite a bit easier. I just started doing the massages. My main thing is- I thought 445 was going to be way too big, but I went with it, and now I feel like they’re barely even any bigger than what I started with and it’s a little depressing Updated on 11 Jun 2021: Feeling so much better! I can sleep how I want and lift whatever I want to now and the freedom is amazing, lol I was thinking they weren’t even any bigger than what I had before and was depressed... but then again seeing them next to each other, I can definitely see a difference! I have some weird arm pit fat... and I never noticed how crooked my nipples were until I had the augmentation, but then I looked at my before a and noticed that’s natural crookedness that I’m gonna have to embrace :/
My Breast Augmentation is scheduled for April 23rd 2021, I'm so excited, I'm 4ft 11in 107lbs and currently a 32A I chose smooth round 400cc high profile silicone gel implants under the muscle. So excited! Updated on 24 Apr 2021: First day home from breast augmentation! Swollen and sore but am so so happy with size they are! So in love with my new breast! 400 cc high profile silicone implants! My dr is amazing ! Geez 200 min characters is alot !!!!!!!!!!!!! Updated on 27 Apr 2021: 3 days post op!! One is swollen more than the other but doctor says is normal!! Was a 32 AA before, cant wait to see what I measure at in 6 weeks!! Totally loving the new boobs!!!! Totally worth every penny, 200 characters is alot to put on update , glad the pain is going away , first 2 days were kinda rough! Updated on 8 May 2021: 2 weeks post op, no longer hurt at all, loving the way they are looking!! Cant wait to see what they look like in a month! Best money I've ever spent,! I feel like they are perfect size for my body !! No boob greed either! Love them Updated on 12 May 2021: I would say I was less than a AA befor surery, I tried to find other pictures but i didnt save them to my phone, my doctor will give me my before pics when i go to my next app. So I will post more pics then. Updated on 22 May 2021: My boobs are already so soft and natural looking . I still have full feeling in my nipples and the numbness I had under my boobs is also going away !! I could not have picked a better size implant for my body!! They are exactly what I hoped they would be! Loving them!!! Updated on 2 Jun 2021: Well I've had the girls for 6 weeks now and I honestly love them so much! I love that I can go braless, I went from 32AA to a 32D !! No Regrets at all , I would do it all over again!! Absolutely 100% Worth it! Updated on 10 Jun 2021: Well I went to follow up app and my surgeon said I will need to get a pocket revision to tighten the pocket on my right breast , he said it can be fixed with a few stitches but I decided to wait until December to do it, it's not very noticeable but looking forward to getting it fixed! Updated on 20 Jul 2021: Well it's been almost 3 months since my surgery and I almost feel like they've always been mine ! I'm able to comfortably sleep on my stomach again! Love wearing bikinis now, absolutely love that I can buy whatever top I want and they all fit nicely. Updated on 26 Aug 2021: My Doctors office called me today ,they want me to come in On August 31st to do my pre op for my revision surgery to tighten up the pocket on my right breast! I'm a lil nervous , I'm hoping this will be as simple as my surgeon says it will be!! Updated on 13 Oct 2021: I absolutely love my boobs , I have so much more confidence! I can't believe it's already been 6 months since my surgery ! I'll post more pics after my revision in a few months ! But even now I still love the way they look .
I’ve wanted a breast lift since I was 16. I noticed things were off when I was 14, decided I better guzzle soy milk at 15 and since then I’ve been agonizing over bras, never wearing cute shirts, and afraid to take my clothes off with the light on. Well I’m 26 and I finally got my breast lift, and let me tell you- this is craaaazy. I mean, I have a whole new body shape it feels like. I’m only two weeks out, but the results are better than I could have imagined. Dr Ratliff did an amazing job, they have seriously looked amazing since I first saw them right after surgery- and I was expecting a mess! I cannot recommend Dr Ratliff enough, he’s been reassuring, answered all my questions, and most of all- did an AMAZING job. I will make more posts detailing my experience with surgery and recovery, as those details from other women on here really helped me out! For now enjoy my (sorry, not great) before pics to 2 weeks! Updated on 9 Apr 2021: My surgery was scheduled for 1pm on a Tuesday, so I took Tuesday-rest of the week off and got up and did some chores to prepare/showered with antibacterial soap/etc. When I got to the surgery center, my partner and I watched a video about caring for me after surgery, then he was taken to see another ‘training’ video and I was taken back to take before pictures and start and IV. I wore a soft button down shirt and no bra, with yoga pants and my ugly slip-on slippers (I was thankful to be in those and not slides/sandals) I also wore some thick socks cause it’s cold back there! The nurse talked to me about what I could/could not take after surgery (meds and herbs wise) and started my IV, then my partner came and sat with me for a bit before the dr came back and marked me for surgery. I was on my period, so after that I had a trip to change my tampon/pee and then went right to the operating room. I laid down and expected it to be a few minutes, but the nurses and anesthesiologist chatted with me for maybe 2 minutes before I was out completely. Magically, I woke up 1 second later with new boobs! They unwrapped me to see them before bandaging me up completely. I was practically asleep still when they wheeled me out, and the rest of the day I spent on the couch with my partner forcing Gatorade down my throat. I took maybe 3 hydros that first day. From 4pm-10pm ish. I also bought a $200 pillow on Amazon that moved with me between the bed and the couch to keep at an angle. (Lunix LX5) I returned it after the first week no problem ;) Updated on 9 Apr 2021: The next morning I woke up feeling alright! A little sore, but nothing too crazy. Wednesday- Friday is pretty much a blur. I took hydros every 4 hours that I was awake for the most part. I was pretty weak-feeling. And sore when I moved around so I tried to avoid it. I got up to pee and let my dog out just to move around. Watched ungodly hours of 90 Day Fiancé. I didn’t eat a whole lot the first few days, some junk food and ice cream and my partner made me protein shakes with fruit and veggies in them. I also ate a lot of little sweet peppers for the fiber, oranges, and avocado toast and eggs. I wanted to eat as healthy as possible to heal fast, and I regularly eat pretty healthy. But I supplemented with sun chips and ice cream, no regrets!! On Friday I was feeling pretty good, I took one hydro when I woke up and then laid off them the rest of the day. I helped my partner clean the house a bit (I would not recommend this, I hurt afterward) and then walked outside a bit with the dog. Saturday I woke up incredibly nauseous, not feverish but hot and exhausted but still restless. I was so nauseous I wanted to cry, but never threw up. I also had a piercing headache. This lasted until about 11am when I took another hydro and lo and behold! Cured!! After that I slept it off, woke up about 4 absolutely starving so I went out to eat with some friends! (Weird to wear a surgical wrap under real clothes, but I did it) Sunday I took two hydros during the day and rested, but felt pretty good and was sure I could work Monday. Monday I started my day working from home, some soreness but I was determined to stay off hydros so I could work. That ended about 9am when I logged off and immediately fell asleep for 4 hours. The lack of hydros knocked me completely out all day. I had headaches when I was awake and some nausea, but mostly couldn’t keep my eyes open. I’ve never taken opioids before so I think I had an especially strong reaction when I tried to get off them. Both Saturday and again Monday. But Tuesday I woke up just peachy! Updated on 9 Apr 2021: The week after I felt good. No more pain meds or antibiotics! I was instructed not to get my heart rate up, so I didn’t do much. A couple shorter walks around, and playing with my dog in the backyard. But other than that I took it easy. I work from home, so no real change/need for accommodations there. The Dr took my steri strips off at my week-post appointment and I was finally able to take the ace bandage wrap off for good. I’m wearing cheap cotton sports bras with no lining, no shape, and no cinching. The doc also gave me some different tape to wear for 5 days straight, then take it off and shower and dry thoroughly, then reapply the tape. It makes me feel secure, and my Dr says it’s better than scar cream in the long run. So I haven’t used any of that yet! I’ve been trying some other cute clothes and bras on though-carefully, and WOW. This is cool as hell. I’m in LOVE. My partner is too. The PAIN: It’s different now. The week- two weeks after I’ve been feeling it a lot more, my nipples almost feel like they’re chafing (they aren’t) a lot. But the seams are sore often, and my breasts feel like when your foot falls asleep and starts to wake back up. It’s all manageable! I’ve maybe taken Tylenol twice to ease the pain. But it’s noticeable! NUMBNESS: sometimes I can feel both nipples, and they’re WAY more sensitive than they were before surgery. Sometimes I can only feel one or neither. Same way with the rest of my breast, it fades in and out (with the foot-falling-asleep sensation) and the Dr said that’s completely normal as the swelling alternates and they heal. Updated on 15 Apr 2021: I got cleared to exercise!! Ratliff recommended no jumping/bouncing/running or chest workouts- like bench press. I did bike sprints this morning and some ab exercises and I feel great! He warned that the scars would probably hurt more with exercise- because of the swelling/aggravation, so I’m aware that may start happening as I continue to workout. I can feel some bumps on either end of the underside scars, Ratliff explained thats where the stitching is tied off and it should dissolve. He also explained that the pains I am feeling are normal healing pains! They’re never intense, mostly to the touch. It’s just nice to be reassured that it’s not because I'm doing something wrong. Lastly, some darker areas at the “T” zones where the stitches intersect, and a small scab on one nipple. But they aren’t raw or open, so healing well! I’m keeping micropore tape on for the next 3 weeks! Every 5 days I removed the tape, shower, and then retape! Updated on 22 Apr 2021: Quick update, I changed my tape out yesterday and everything looks closed/healing nicely! I have some stitching poking out on either side of my ribs (Dr explained that is normal, there might be too much stitch there for the body to absorb so they get pushed out) It’s WEIRD having boobs that don’t flop. I’m still moving rather gingerly with them, treating them little they’ll fall off LOL BUT I’ve been taking my bra off a bit and WOW!!! This is wild. They just sit up like that on their own. I don’t reach down and “rearrange” them in my shirt or bra. They don’t sit on my stomach if I haunch over, they don’t ‘prop me up’ if I lay on my side. It’s wild. 10/10. Updated on 6 May 2021: Had my 6 week checkup yesterday! Minor complication- you may be able to tell the right breast is healing a bit slower, I had (what looked to me like) a couple of open wounds on the middle seam, but the Dr assured me those are from stitch rejection and will heal up soon. I was told I did not need to do scar cream or anything else since I wore the micropore tape for 6 weeks. I don't need to address the open spots either- they're already dried up since removing the tape, and they should heal soon. Red seams should go away and become thin white scars in the next 9-12 months. Overall, I am quite happy with this procedure. I feel good, I feel more confident, and I love the new shape. As you can see from the photos, one nipple looks to be offset from the other, but I'll give it a good 4-6 months before I look into changing anything!
Amazing doctor and team. Excited about the results and felt so informed and comfortable throughout the pre-, procedure, and post- services. I have already recommended him to multiple friends. It was an incredible experience.
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