I recently underwent a breast augmentation through A Better You Cosmetic Surgery Clinic with Dr. Gentile. I am extremely happy that I did! Dr. Gentile is not just a skilled surgeon with many years of experience to make each of his patients look and feel their very best; he has a natural gift to see-not just what you as the patient wants- but he can also see what you're going to need and want, presently as well in the long run. Most doctors go to school and they have to learn what they should be looking for aesthetically to bring out the best looks in their patients, but Dr. Gentile had already developed this skill, as is shown throughout his many years (24 years) of skilled experience. I have had two procedures done at his office - Restylane lip injections in 2007, and Mentor implant removal / replacement with Ideal Implants in March of this year. There is no way I would go to a different plastic surgeon if I decide to do something else later in life. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that I decided to invest a little more money for the Ideal Implants, which have a lifetime warranty, versus the Mentor Implants that came with a ten-year warranty. I want to warn anyone who is considering the Mentor Implants: No sooner than my ten year warranty was up, I developed a slow leak , and this became more and more noticeable over time. I will never have to worry about this again with my new Ideal Implants! That alone is worth its weight in gold!! To Dr. Gentile and his knowledgeable staff , thank you for making me feel like "a better me", inside and out.
So I was one that loves my face but hated my profile and every time I look down a lil I get a double chin. I hated when people took pictures of me. We went with a small implant and LIPO under the chin. Before surgury I ordered my healing kit. The kit included an am vitamin, a pm vitamin, bromelain and Arnica Montana 30x. I also had a tummy tuck revision done at the same time so I really want to make sure I'm healing the best possible. After the first two days I opted not to take the pain meds and I did fine. I am currently 6 days post op. Tomorrow is my post op appt. I'm still a little bruised (yellow colored) on my lower cheeks and my neck/under chin. I feel like my smile is a little different but not enough that anyone would be able to tell. I saw my mother in law and didn't tell her I had it done and she didn't notice or was polite enough not to say anything. Either way I'm pretty happy with the results so far. Updated on 26 Jun 2014: Updated on 3 Jul 2014: Ok so first off I'm in love with my results. I wouldn't change a thing however there are defiantly some different stages and emotions I went through. Hopefully it will calm the nerves of anyone reading this that is pre op or post op. So day before my surgery I was on this sight and every other place people were posting there results and experiences. It's scared the dickens out of me. I was terrified that something would go wrong. It didn't. The day of I was nervous and excited but ended up strapped to the table sobbing like a baby because I was scared again. The first day I was pretty out of it. By the my 3rd day post op I was really questioning if I had done the right thing, if my implant was the right choice, what were people going to say? I and so will you be if you decide to go through with it was swollen. I felt like my face looked masculine. I googled and googled until I finally passed out. 7 days post op my swelling was down. I didn't feel so masculine anymore however I did feel like I had a huge chin sticking out of my face and everyone was going to notice. So I hid for a few more days. I went through a tiny depression where I doubted it but wanted my final results already. I would look in the mirror and my chin was all I could see! I held my mouth a tiny bit different that first week but it's normal now. After my post op appt which forced me to leave the house I felt like everyone I came in contact with was staring at me...at my chin. But they weren't no one said anything except about my new cut on my chin. And yes I lied about what happened but mostly just pretended like I didn't hear them point it out! People noticed because I had a steri strip on it still so it was noticeable. I'm currently 14 days post op and I feel awesome. I think it looks amazing. I don't feel like everyone is staring at me or like it's too big or even that anyone I didn't tell would even notice. A friend of mine did comment that my face looks slimmer but had no idea I got the implant done. So before you completely freak yourself out just know that it takes a little bit for your final results to come out. You will go through some crazy emotions about it but it will be ok. Unless you have some sort of complication give it a few days and you will love it too! Updated on 3 Jul 2014: Updated on 3 Jul 2014: Oh and I forgot to mention how awesome it is that I don't have to take high up selfies to prevent my double chin then edit my pictures to make my chin more defined!
I am so excited! I chose June 30 because of summer break. I can't expect to walk the little ones to school right after surgery. This surgery is something I've wanted for about 11 years now. I was 19 when I had my first daughter and gained 60 lbs. that never came off fully. The next two were 20lb. gains that were almost all baby and water weight. I've been 190-200lbs. for a long time now and I'm 4'11". I have PCOS and once the weight's on it's tough to get off. I'm not trying to make excuses either. I like cake! PCOS just makes it a bit harder. I chose Dr. Herve Gentile for my surgery. I like his conservative style on his before and after pictures. I think he can best understand me when I ask for my new body. I'll get some photos up hopefully today. Good luck everyone! Updated on 11 Apr 2016: These are my gross before pics. Updated on 13 Apr 2016: Age:31 Height:4'11" Weight:190 Updated on 17 Apr 2016: Updated on 17 Apr 2016: Updated on 11 May 2016: I decided I won't tell my youngest two anything other than mommy's having surgery. (4 and 5) I did tell my oldest (11) what I'm doing. She will realize I'm a different size after so I didn't really have a choice. I explained that after having kids your stomach stretches out and blah blah blah... She said she understands and I deserve to have a normal stomach again. I love that kid. Updated on 23 Jun 2016: I had my pre-op today. Paid, signed papers, looked over blood work, and all that other good stuff. I'm very excited. I got all my meds ready too. I'm 100% ready. One more week. Updated on 29 Jun 2016: It's after midnight. My surgery is today. They want me there at 6:45 am. I can't sleep. I'm super excited and nervous. I'm nerv-cited!!!!! Yay! I'm so not sleeping tonight... Updated on 1 Jul 2016: I'm doing good. The abs hurt more than the incision. That was surprising to me. I'm very loopy from the pills so sorry for any spelling mistakes. Updated on 3 Jul 2016: I want a shower so bad! I put my head over the edge of the tub so my husband could wash my hair. I feel so greasy and dirty. I'm wiping myself down with baby wipes like crazy. Updated on 4 Jul 2016: I was told not to change the bandage but the pad on my drain was full of blood that had hardened to a point. It was stabbing my drain hole. So I changed the dressing and got a first look. It's hard to selfie your stomach when you can't move very well. Updated on 6 Jul 2016: Last night I had a hard time sleeping. My entire abdomen had a tingling/burning odd sensation. Today my incision has the tingling/burning sensation. It's very annoying. Updated on 7 Jul 2016: I just had the drain removed. OMG that felt so weird! I wouldn't say hurts, wrong is a better word. Also I didn't realize but it was inserted in my right side and went all the way to my left side. My muscles spasmed when she removed the drain. So strange. My husband watched it, he was so grossed out. Lol Updated on 11 Jul 2016: I don't know if it because of the surgery or because I struggle with major depressive disorder but I am very down right now. Usually when I'm feeling down I go get redbull or coffee and I feel better. I think it's a combo of caffeine and getting out of the house. I hate that I have to act like I'm made of porcelain right now. I really don't want my incision opening up either so I'm having to snap myself back to reality. Back to sitting in my recliner doing NOTHING. I'm so bored. I can't go do my norm without feeling like I'm over doing it. Updated on 11 Jul 2016: Well it looks like I'm opening up. I see the Dr. Wednesday. This pic it in the center of the incision. At least it's not dying.
My surgery date is SET! June 18th, 2015 is the day I begin my journey, After more than 10 years of waiting and saving up money for this procedure I am finally getting it done, and just in time to celebrate my 40th birthday! I am super excited, (and honestly quite scared) but Oh my goodness, it's *finally* HAPPENING! I opted for a breast lift (without implants) and a full TT. 2 MONTHS! Updated on 18 May 2015: Well here I am one month from having my MM surgery and so I am starting to her my after care stuff together. I've been eating more protein and have nearly cut all salt out of my diet. I have never had surgery so I really don't know what to expect as far as the way my body will heal (swelling, bruising, etc...) . Is there anything that someone who has gone through this surgery already would recommend that is a MUST HAVE for after care? I want to buy some Arnica for bruising but was wondering if anyone could tell me if I need only the pills OR if I should get the pills and the gel. I figure I will get both and can return what I don't end up needing. June 18th can't get here soon enough! I'm so stinking EXCITED! Updated on 19 Jun 2015: MM Surgery was done yesterday morning and I am now home recovering. Everything went well. Surgery took about 3 hours. I'm not gonna sugar coat it - it hurts like heck but it is worth it. I have not seen my tummy yet but I look so tiny in the CG. I did take a peek at my breasts (got a breast lift - no implants) and they look like they did when I was 19! FABULOUS! My breast don't hurt at all which I am happy about. My tummy is hurting enough for both of them I suppose. Good luck to everyone that has their procedures coming up. Don't be scared, it's worth it. I will post pictures next week probably after my 1 week check up (which is when I will also see my tummy for the first time) Happy Healing to all who already had theirs done!! Jennifer Updated on 26 Jun 2015: I am 8 days post op from my mommy makeover. I only had one drain in my tummy and that was removed yesterday morning. Talk about feeling free! I couldn't wait to get that out of me. I am still quite sore but my doctor said everything looks great. I didn't have any bruising on my belly but did have quite a bit on my left breast. After venturing out to the doctors office yesterday which was my first time out of bed in a week I did experience some pretty bad swelling in the evening after I got home and showered (YAY for showering!). Swelling in still happening but that is to be expected for a while after this procedure. I briefly saw my tummy and breasts for the first time while at my drs appointment but last night before my shower I was really able to get a good look, and WOW! I am blown away. It's amazing that a surgery like this can be done and that such a dramatic change can be seen. It was so hard for me to invision what I would look like after my MM and now seeing it just makes me even happier. I am so glad I did this for myself. I'm including some pictures to document my journey. Jennifer MM - June 18, 2015 - Texas
Had surgery twice on right side. Both times remove. Left looks awesome. Got infection staph twice. Removed twice. Not sure if I am going give it a third time. Doc does procedure in or suite in office. A lot of turnover of staff. The pain and disappoint I don't think I can handle again. And my health
Tomorrow I will be having my very first breast augmentation consultation with Dr. Herve Gentile. His office is located here in Corpus Christi, TX and, even though I haven't seen any reviews on him on this site, I have seen good reviews on him so far on other sites. So I have decided to give it a shot. If I don't get a good impression of him or his staff, I plan on scedualing another consultation elsewhere. Getting a breast augmentation is something I have wanted for years now, so Im going to be taking it very seriously. I plan on posting how it goes tomorrow. Fingers crossed. Updated on 11 Sep 2013: Let me start of by saying that this was my first consultation with a plastic surgeon, so I had NO idea what to expect. Just a few questions and an open mind is all I brought with me. When I walked into the building I was greeted with a lady at the front desk who instructed me to fill out some paperwork on my medical history and a few other standard questions. As soon as that was done, I was greeted by Dr. Gentile and he walked me back to the examine room. He came across as very professional and tried to make things as comfortable and easy to understand as he could. When it was time for him to examine my breast, he left the room and returned with a lady who stayed in the room while I was exposed, that did help with the comfort, not that I am shy, but it was nice to have another woman in the room while he examined me. After he took a look and knew what he was working with, they stepped out again and returned when I was clothed and comfortable. He explained to me that one of my breast had a slight tubular (characteristic) I forget the actual term he used, but basically my right breast slightly points downward, and doesn't have a roundness underneath. I've always thought that it looked pretty slight but when he pointed it out in his office I could see how just putting an implant behind it would only magnify the discrepancy. He then told me that I had some options. The option he thought would be best was for me to have a breast LIFT first and then the augmentation 6-12 weeks afterward. I was immediately disappointed because I couldn't just get the implants like I wanted. I'd need to have two separate surgeries. We went over some pictures and discussed what would happen if I didn't want to do the lift. But he told me the best next step would be for me to go home, think about it and come back for a breast lift consultation. After that we walked out and I met with the lady who gave me the quotes for my surgeries and that's when I really got discouraged. The quote for the breast lift was 5400 and the breast augmentation was 5200. My first thought was "holy smokes, 10,000 for a pair of boobs!" But now that I've entertained the idea, I understand that he's only trying to give me the best results and two surgeries is what he thinks will make me the most satisfied. I just wasn't expecting or even thinking about getting a breast lift, I never thought I needed it. It makes since to me now I'm just a little disappointed. I decided to get a second opinion on my breast augmentation and I will be meeting with another doctor next week. I have more questions to ask this time and I feel like this first step was a good learning experience.
