I have been seeing Dr. M for a few years for Botox as well as a few other procedures to include breast implant replacement with revision. He is a perfectionist, which is exactly the type of doctor I want taking care of me.
I had very little volume and uneven breasts after nursing 3 children for a total of 4yrs. Dr. M was very thorough, up to date on technologies, and so detail oriented. He put me at ease when I was highly anxious. Updated on 22 Mar 2019: I started consults 2 years ago for breast augmentation. Then I had my 3rd child. When I was finished nursing, my breasts went even flatter and saggier. I knew I wanted to do it. I went and had 4 consults with different surgeons around town. Dr. Movassaghi was by far the most detail oriented consult, and I really felt like he had the eye for every nook and cranny and imperfection, which is exactly what I was looking for. My breasts are naturally asymmetric - and I was hoping for help making them as even as possible. Dr. Movassaghi explained that just making breast bigger won’t change their natural shape, so even with some work, they will always be somewhat different looking. I appreciated his honest feedback (where other docs said “oh yes! No problem, we can even them out!” And felt more like a sales tactic rather than being 100% real with me. After deciding to go with Dr Movassaghi, we pretty much booked the surgery 6 weeks later! It kinda happened so fast, and I still wonder if I was crazy to just book it being a stay at home mom with two young kids at home. Now that I’ve had the surgery, I’m GLAD I DID! I could have spent the rest of the year “waiting” for the right time to schedule the surgery, but there will NEVER be any right time. I’m happy I did it sooner than later because now I’ll have time to recovery and be ready for bikini season. Dr. Rosin was an AMAZING anesthesiologist. I had zero nausea after surgery and when I came home, I didn’t have to take any of the anti nausea medication. I was afraid of this, but it was great. The day I came home, I pretty much slept the whole day. The next day is when I felt some pain for the first time, but my husband helped to keep up on pain meds every 4-6 hours. By day 3 I was feeling okay. Still resting so I don’t overdo it, but I feel like I could go for a walk. I have some bruising, and numbness. Besides for that, I’m excited to have fullness in my breasts again! Updated on 25 Mar 2019: I’m having a hard time trying to figure out if what I am feeling is normal, a part of the healing process, or not. I’m definitely feeling better than I did day two or three of course, but I just can’t shake this overall feeling in my body just being run down, kind of the feeling you have right when you’re getting the flu or some other major cold. Even my nerves feel sensitive, like I’m easily frightened or on edge. I don’t present any symptoms of infection, So I don’t believe these symptoms would be from that. I’m also starting to feel a change in the sensations and feelings in my breast. Definitely noticing the stinging and burning sensation, and sharper zings every once in a while. I was confident in my mind that I would be able to care of my two young children by 1- week postop... assuming we just had low-key days at home. However, I actually had to get my husband to leave work at lunch today to take the kids over to grandmas house. I was just feeling overly exhausted, getting irritable, and had this overwhelming feeling to just lay down. It was also really frustrating because half the stuff I wanted to do involved lifting that Im not able to do yet. I feel a little foolish needing extra help with the kids, especially since the last week I had planned full-time childcare and help from grandma, and didn’t really need to do much of anything except focus on recovery. I will admit that on Saturday Im sure I over did it by going to my daughter’s ballet lesson, then going out to lunch, a little shopping, and then going out to dinner, and then doing more shopping. Wondering if pushing myself on Saturday has a direct effect on how I’m feeling today. I’m kicking myself, and wishing I would’ve just stayed in bed all day. Either way, I’m going to track how I’m feeling over the next couple of days. I don’t have my next post op visit until 2 more weeks from today, but if any symptoms get worse of course I’ll call Dr. Movassaghi. I think this part is the worst part of the recovery process, because the first four days I was on pain meds and didn’t really care how I was feeling. Now I’m moving through each stage fully present and it’s not fun feeling all the strange, uncomfortable, sensations while not being able to do everything I want to. Post-surgical depression is a real thing! Updated on 29 Mar 2019: Day 10 post op! First of all, since my last dreary post a couple days ago... I’m feeling 130x better! I’m feeling some of my energy back, I’ve been able to care for my young children each day (just not lifting the 2yr old yet), been cleaning and have even gone out shopping multiple times and out to eat. I’m still sore around incisions and breasts when bumped or pushed, but I’m not feeling the overall body symptoms anymore. With that, I’m super bummed how my breasts are coming along. They are very different sizes. I mean. Probably at least a half cup size difference, and my left breast still sits 1-2 cm lower. That side is starting to sag down while other side is perked up! The perkier right side is also a lot higher than the left. So you see the breasts protrusion much more than the other. I’m trying to be patient, I know there are many more weeks of healing and settling- but they were placed above the muscle so I don’t think there’s that much settling. As you can see from my before picture, they have the same creases and difference between them as they do now. I’m glad I have my energy, not excited about how small the right boob is compared to my left. I might do a shoutout to know what the supras are like.... hmmm
I breast fed both of my boys and gained 80 lbs with both pregnancies. I had a grade 2 ptosis and was very uncomfortable in my skin. I originally just wanted implants but 2 different surgeons said I would need a lift as well because of how much loose skin I had. This has been the hardest thing I have ever gone though and would give birth over and over again before I did this again. I had a Mastopexy and a 400cc gummybear implant in my left and an 385cc gummy bear implant in my right. I tore open my incision last week and I have a suture that is tied to my rib cage constantly poking me that feels like a knife stabbing me. I may be one of the unlucky ones with just a very bad recovery but Monday will be week 3 and I'm hoping to start climbing the mountain instead of continuing to fall. Updated on 14 Jun 2017: Saturday morning a clear orange fluid starting draining from a hole that had not closed under my left breast. Monday was my 3-week post-op so the hole being open was a little abnormal. I sent in pictures of what it looked like and Dr.M wanted to see me right away. I went in Monday and after he looked at the incision, an almost worried look was on his face. I immediately knew something was wrong. My two options at the moment were both devastating because they both required immediate surgery. This recovery was a very difficult one for me. Anything that could have gone wrong did. I was the "special" one. My options were to have the implant removed and wait 3 months to have it replaced or have it removed and the pocket cleaned of the infection and have a new implant put in. Once the implant was exposed to the infection that had started it was no longer good. Dr.M was so great with me as I could not stop crying. Yesterday I went in and had the implant replaced and a drain tube placed. I was started on antibiotics and am taking it very easy. I am hoping for the very best outcomes and am thankful for the great surgeon I have. Here's to another hopefully not so long road to recovery!
It has only been five days since my facelift surgery. I am still in the early stages of healing, but I am doing very well and equally satisfied with the entire experience. Dr. Movassaghi, his staff and the Mckenzie Surgery Center exceeded my expectations. It has taken me years to make this decision for myself and it is a wonderful place to be when you feel that you have made the best decision for yourself. I highly recommend Dr. Movassaghi for not only the great skill he has developed, but also for the competent and well trained staff that supports him. Updated on 7 Mar 2016: They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The picture in the upper left hand corner is before my Facelift. The lower right photo was taken 21 days after my facelift surgery. The decision to have this procedure occurred over a two year period. I did my research and my decision to go forward with Dr. Movassaghi, was one of the best decisions I made for myself. Most important to me was to look myself. I hoped to look healthier, rested and vibrant. Dr. Movassaghi exceeded my expectations, as well his wonderful staff. Thank you all at Movassaghi Plastic Surgery & Ziba Medical Spa for helping me to have my outside reflect more what I feel is inside
Dr. Movassaghi did an exceptional job. My breasts look great, symmetrical and realistic. My nipples point the same direction and he did a great job in reducing the size of my areolas. I went with 450cc gummy bear silicone implants, under the pectoralis muscles. I'm so glad I went to him. Only reason I'm not posting photos is because I have too many identifiable tattoos.
Dr. Movassaghi is a miracle worker! He revised a botched tummy tuck from another plastic surgeon from many years ago and fixed an abdominal hernia I had. It was an extensive revision as I didn't have much skin to work with but he did an amazing job, I had NO problems at all after my surgery. Dr. Movassaghi spent a lot of time with me about expectations and I felt like he really was concerned and wanted the best outcome for me, he is a true class act.
I am 5 ft 5 128 pounds. 40 years old, My base width is 13cm & 13.4 cm. 28 inch rib cage...measured right under breasts. above breasts from arm pit to arm pit im about 33 inches. 26 inch waist. incase someone wants to know exacts to help them decide on their size choice. (4 perfect kids. 2 boys 2 girls) Just stopped breast feeding my 1 year old 4 months ago. I had surgery 4 years ago. (350cc round smooth high profile silicone mentors under muscle) They feel 100% natural even my husband thinks so and he was against me having surgery. They look natural and I work out, run lift weights do yoga they have never been an issue. I have always thought breasts were so pretty and spent most my life being envious of all the girls with curves. From around age 13 I had wished I had boobies! I thought about it all the time. I was always about a B. Then had a few kids and after breast feeding lost most of my volume. Finally at age 36 I had the ability to afford surgery. I had thought about it for years! Then did HOURS of research and had surgery done but soon after I had a few more children. I have a 17 yr old, 14 year old, 3 year old and 1 year old now. Turned 40 in Sept. I have NEVER regretted having surgery but ..... I like so many others do wish they had been larger! I imagined 350CC looking larger on my body and in clothes. But the amount of self confidence I have gotten from having surgery is priceless. It has changed my life and I am so grateful. But after having 2 more babies that I breast fed I have lost additional volume. Im happy my breasts are still in good shape and perky even after more babies. I just wish I had more upper pole and volume. They are SO discreet in clothes and I wish I looked a bit more curvy. They look pretty good naked , larger than when im in clothes. I hate padded bras so I hardly wear them. I am disappointed how small they look in a sportsbra. They feel so natural. Ive had NO problems these 4 years so its really hard for me to decide to have a revision to go larger when what I have is pretty and no issues. But I spent my whole life wanting boobies and I have wished they were larger since 6 weeks after surgery. Then with pregnancy they got huge so I had to deal with that and then after losing baby weight they seemed extra small to me. I have been researching so much on textured and my wish would be to have in the larger 500's range but I know they can come with more issues so would be smart to not go above ( 475CC round high profile textured under muscle) in hopes that they would look rounder and a little firmer and stay there in a swim suit when lying back.I have looked at hundreds of photos and have so many wish pictures but when I showed them to my surgeon he just said you will never look like that. I also wish I could find ladies on here 5 years post op with around 475CC and see how they have aged. If the skin has ended up sagging rather fast or if they still look great. Every girl on here with that range of CC's and on up look awesome but I think we all look awesome the 1st year. I want to see years later. Just so concerned to go up in size just to have them sag in 3-5 years and then be sad about making this decision. So I am just looking and reading all of your ladies stories trying to decide. :) Updated on 4 Oct 2014: Wanting to upgrade from 350cc to 475cc Textured Updated on 4 Oct 2014: wanting to see how you ladies have done with larger implants in the 450-600cc range after a few years? trying to decide if its worth a revision to go larger or will I just regret that a few years down the road? Updated on 20 Oct 2014: This is exactly the outcome I had hoped for. Just worried will this size just mean too much sagging within a few years with a 40 year old like me?? Updated on 20 Oct 2014: this is a photo of a girl with 300cc round high profile so I just don't understand why with her having less cc's she still looks great and full in a bikini. I don't have near this with 350cc Updated on 27 Oct 2014: updating pics Updated on 27 Oct 2014: wishing I had more fullness but doing research to see if going from 350cc to 475cc would even make the diff I want. trying to read and see if textured would help etc. Updated on 6 Nov 2014: Had one consult a few months ago then had another consult with a diff surgeon today. This surgeon says they do not do the sizer test in the office because of how innacurrate it really is and that too many patients come back with the reality of wishing they had gone larger. The surgeon uses all the pictures you bring in for the look you want and then uses sizers in the operating room puts them in you sits you up etc to get to the point where you look like the pictures you brought In. How many of you ladies have done this kind of surgery?? Were you happy with the outcome. I have 350cc and wish I had at least 450-500 cc Updated on 7 Nov 2014: still researching to decide if I should pursue a revision to go larger. wondering if my hopes are achievable by going to 475cc? and would a cohesive implant help with this rounder fuller look than the smooth round I have? Updated on 30 Apr 2016: Switched from 350cc round smooth high profile silicone under muscle to 470cc round textured ultra high profile Inspiras under muscle. Love them already after 4days post op. Still have drain tubes but no brusing no pain as of today. Very happy. (although...I would have thought they might have looked a little bigger...but I did not want over 500cc due to complications that can come from larger implants.) Updated on 30 Apr 2016: Here is a Before & after side by side. I heal pretty fast. I drank so much water..took lots of vitamen c and green vegetable juices. Lots of protein. I Believe all that helps Updated on 30 Apr 2016: Side by side photo Updated on 1 May 2016: I love that they are finally full! Left shows 350cc HP( right shows 470cc UHP) Updated on 4 May 2016: 1WEEK POST OP .....no pain seems to no swelling. They feel normal. And with a revision you don't have all the nerve pain and sensitive nipples to go through. Everything feels the same...no new numbness or anything. I'm really impressed at how easy it was. Not that surgery is easy or good for our bodies but my recovery has been impressive. I did juice a lot of fresh greens and take lots of researched suppliments and protein before hand durring and still. Updated on 9 May 2016: Had some muscle pain the last 3 days and then Today they seemed to have dropped more into place.I wish they would stop. I was happy last week! I wanted them to stay high???? just the way my body is...I must have a long upper chest because now that the fullness on top dropped down into the pockets I don't see the fullness in a tank top. But still very happy. My scars are pretty gross and lumpy not sure why. But feel good...they are soft and natural looking., implants really look great on people now days. Updated on 9 May 2016: I've had no post surgery blues....however seeing my scars has depressed me. My first surgery with same surgeon they were not this ugly. I don't understand why they are thick,lumpy,over lapping. They have not hurt much and have not been red. But they are truly ugly. Anyone else have anything near this ugly? And did they ever flatten out? ???????? Updated on 13 May 2016: At 2 weeks there is Pretty much no pain...even the incisions don't ache anymore. And I'm sleeping on my side with lots of pillows to prop and no discomfort in any way. Crazy how easy this was. I was hoping I wasn't seeing much swelling those 1st 10days but I was???? they have gone down in size. I honestly thought 470cc would seem larger but they look the same in clothes and work out tops. I don't even have more cleavage in clothes like I had thought I might. I do lool better in my bikini top But I guess something about my body/chest shape whatever it is I don't have the wow factor. I would need 650cc for that I think. But again I'm 42 so I have to remember larger would just be tough on my skin and what I have right now looks good and healthy and natural .....even though I wanted a slight rounder unnatural look lol. UHP isn't something to be too worried about...mine really don't look like they are too full or round. Updated on 13 May 2016: Ok I at least feel better in a bikini! I hated how my( 350cc HP Smooth) looked when laying in a bikini. Made me really sad. And now with 470cc UHP textured They have shape when I lay down. So happy about that. ???? Updated on 23 May 2016: Everything feels great. Not a single bit of pain...no nerve twinges..no numbness. Feeling softer. Rt side just dropped this last few days. I still keep tape on my incisions and rub on coconut oil Updated on 25 May 2016: Going 4 weeks without Excersize...up 6 pounds and jeans are all right...squishy belly. Surgeon told me do nothing for 6weeks. I know some people get to workout sooner but he's adamit about nothing. I'm just following rules because im,too afraid of complications at age 42. So being causious. But all u ladies in my shoes it's a little depressing! I am getting soft and for ULTRA high Profile they sure aren't very ultra lol....full body shot and they just seem average. I'm happy with shape and grateful after nursing 4 kids that I don't need a lift...but I sure imagined these being larger. But yes I'm happy. I love following all of you ladies on here...so many of you are inspiring! Stats...5 foot 5. Currently 134pounds And can't wait to get Back to 128 and a little firmer! Updated on 29 May 2016: Wanting to know if girls that have dealt with caosular contraction have firm breasts all the time...in every single Angle and position...or can the implant feel soft in certain positions? My right is still a bit higher And is firm. More as the day goes on. "Softer" in the morning but tighter with activity. But even in the evening when it's the tightest if I bend forward I can totally squish the implant And it only feels full because it's the Inspira but not tight. Once I stand straight it's firm. So much that I'm sure it's felt if someone were to hug me. Just so nervous. Just has me needing to know if girls with contraction have no position where the breast softens. If I hear they do feel soft in some positions then I probably have it beginning....but still looks pretty shaped so far. Updated on 1 Jul 2016: I have no discomfort I'm sleeping on my tummy again and everything feels normal. ( they are inspire so feel a little rounder and fuller though when I sleep on them) The right is still a little high and firmer but isn't very noticable. I don't massage because they are textured and if you massage textured it can cause the tissue to tear because they are adhered to the tissue. Then that can cause capsular issues.I still look at myself and can't understand why 470cc ULTRA high profile implants look fairly small on me. I've read surgeons say they look unnatural and protrude etc and this scares some girls away from ultra high but imagine if I only had chosen moderate profile! They would have looked flat. I know all our chests are shaped differently but for some reason I can't achieve the full large Breast look even though I've seen,470cc look large on other girls. I had hoped for a little more side boob. All the surgeons say 470cc is a "rather large" implant. I should send them all my photos so they can see they are not necessarily large and dont protrude too much. So don't let a surgeon turn you away from these. Don't be afraid of high profile or ultra high I've had both and They are not obvious. They look Pretty darn natural if you ask me? I'm 5 foot 5. Weigh132 pounds. I am 42 years old. Natrelle inspira round silicone textured under muscle ????
So where to start... I have been wanting a BA for at least 10 years now. Turing 30 this year and am done having kids. Breastfeed for a total of 2 years and now am a small B/A I think :). Went up to a D when breastfeeding and would like them back. Minus the milk part :). I go between 125-129 and am 5'5". Thought I was 5"6" I guess I'm shrinking. I called a million Drs and finally found one who uses Sienta implants. I worrying about rupture and leaking and the form stable makes me feel a little better about having silicon in my body. My Dr is Dr Movassaghi in Oregon. I'm planning on textured maybe 410-450cc under the muscle. I'm worried about being too big and lean towards the 410cc but I have read a lot about people always wanting to be a little larger and my husband says go big or go home... Anyone else wear the rice sizers and think about the weight your going to be carrying around? Maybe I should start working out my back haha. I'm going to post photos of before and after just need to get the guts to do it :) Updated on 7 Apr 2014: I went to the Natural local hippie store and bought some Arnica tablets to take 2 weeks before my surgery( My Dr. has you take it post op). I have read that it helps if you start taking it before. Lady who helped me said not to use any peppermint with it because it counter acts the Arnica.... Hmmm wondering if anyone else has ever heard of this. Also got the cream to put on after surgery. I'm trying to make sure that I have a quick recovery. Picking a size is kind of driving me crazy........ Cant wait to talk to my Dr and hear what he recommends. Updated on 8 Apr 2014: When I first decided to start calling Drs I was 122lbs... Now 130. Just lost 2lbs this week. Feeling more motivated to work out and eat better because I'm spending so much money on my boobs. Might as well make everything else look good :) Did my measurements today and my rib cage is 32'' and boobs 34.5'' waist 26.5'' bum 36''. I'm hoping to get back down to my normal weight so when my Dr and I decide on size it will be right. I have moved a lot and let myself go for the last 3 months. Started detox tea a few days ago. Hopefully all of this will help with recovery. That's my biggest concern now. May needs to hurry up and get here :) Going to post before photos when I lose some LBs, maybe I should post now... lost weight... then new boobs. Updated on 11 Apr 2014: So... I'm trying to loose some lbs before my surgery. Was 133 last week or so... today in photo 130, hopefully 122 soon(my normal weight) I think I can do it before May 29th Updated on 11 Apr 2014: Updated on 12 Apr 2014: I keep going back and forth on wanting to be a C or a D. Seems like such a hard choice. I think a D would be obviously fake on my body and a C more natural but I'm seeing all these boobs on here that are Ds and they look good. If I don't want anyone to know and just fill out my clothes better then maybe C..... Ahhhh wish I didn't even have a choice. I think my husband is tired of hearing about boobs. May seems so far away. I'm trying to get all my things together and ready so I don't forget anything. I am flying out of state for my BA and don't want to be last min shopping the day before my BS in a city I'm not from. About 6 weeks more to go and I will be heading out for boobies. Yay!!! I bought a bunch of zip up sweaters/hoodies. Wondering if I will be able to put a t shirt on. Updated on 12 Apr 2014: Updated on 30 Apr 2014: Went to my Gyno Dr to get a boob exam and check everything else out. Talked to her about implants. Nice to hear a second opinion from someone who has examined them a lot. Had her check my height because I can't seem to figure it out :) I am 5'6'' and 129lbs. Goal is to get back to 122lbs by the time of surgery. My tickets have been bought for a while now just waiting until May 23rd to fly out and begin my crazy boob journey. Updated on 2 May 2014: Updated on 14 May 2014: Getting excited. Feeling more real like its actually going to happen. I fly out in 9 days. Still need to book one more hotel. So a big big thing that I have been worrying about... My period is the week of my surgery. NOT good. So I went to my gyno Dr and asked if it was okay for me to take Plan B to make my period start so it will be done by the time I fly out. She said can't hurt anything so try it. Called Drs office and they said go ahead and take it but not a big deal if I'm on my period during the surgery BUT she did say that might make my boobs hurt worse after BA. So I went and got plan b and took it 1 week ago. Surprise I got my period yesterday! It worked!! well so far it has. Hopefully it won't keep going until my normal time. My friend who is a pharmacists takes it before vacation if its going to be that time of the month and works for her. I haven't lost anymore weight but then again I am on my period again and usually go up a few lbs so maybe I have... After the 15th I'm going to start taking the arncia tablets 3X a day. Limit alcohol too. Excited!!! Updated on 26 May 2014: Can't believe after all the months of waiting that tomorrow I am going in for my pre op and surgery Thursday. Flying into Eugene today. The plan b worked and made my period before this week. Was NOT fun and would never do it again but it worked how I wanted it too. Haven't had alcohol since last wed and stopping ibuprofen today. I have also been taking iron pills every day and some times 2Xs a day. Last thing I want is to fly all the way here and have the Dr say I have low iron. Anxious to hear what size the Dr recommends. Updated on 27 May 2014: Tried on a few sizes. Decided on 400cc classic shaped textured Sientra implants. I will post some photos of the sientra sizers with and without them. They are on order! I am sooo excited. Updated on 28 May 2014: Updated on 28 May 2014: Updated on 28 May 2014: So it's crazy how different drs all have different instructions afterwards. Things my dr said to do or not Sleep flat on my back not on an incline. Do not massage ever (textured) Don't touch them. No bra for 6 weeks then whatever after that. No stretching above my shoulder hight so don't raise arms all the way up. Have to shave and use some soap they gave me tonight. Finally this day has come. Wondering if I will be a D or a C after. Starting out with an A and adding 400cc. Need to be at the surgery clinic at 2:30 tomorrow. Might be bitchy because I'm going to be starving by that point :) Updated on 28 May 2014: Updated on 30 May 2014: 400cc classic shaped textured sientra implants Updated on 31 May 2014: So yesterday I went to surgery center had my surgery probably around 9am. Nurse tried 2 times to get an IV in ( hurt really bad) then the anesthesiologist put it in on my other arm. Got marked up by dr then walk in surgery room. Woke up in recovery 10:30 am. Kept thinking the anesthesiologist have me too much. I was soooo sick but managed not to puke. Got a scopolamine patch and phenergian(sp?) shot with some pain meds. Needed wet cold towel and tried to take all blankets off me. I was sooo hot. Around 11:15 I was feeling better and my in home care lady showed up. Perfect timing. She drove me back to my hotel and stayed with me until 7pm when my husband got back from Bend OR. I took my norco 2 pills every 5 hrs. Did not want to be in pain. Slept for 2 hrs then went out to Chapals Mexican restaurant. Felt pretty good. 1 day post op. Got up washed my face took pills and I feel pretty good. Waiting for my dr for post op visit. Can't believe I have boobies!! So far to me everything looks great. I'm so happy I chose dr movassaghi. I put Arica cream on my boobs and have been taking the pills too. Wish I would have done some more ab exercises before this. Would have helped getting up from sitting and laying down position. Dr told me to sleep on my back. So happy I don't have to sleep on an incline. Will post day 1 photos when I get back to the hotel room. Right now the most pain is under my arm puts and ribs below boobies AND my tummy from being backed up. I have been taking colace twice a day for a while. Not helping. Might have to resort to docolax but that [RS bleep] is harsh Updated on 31 May 2014: Hurray for boobies!!!!!! Weird shadowing is from the iodine left over from surgery on my sides and ink all over. Some ink marks on my left boob too. Updated on 31 May 2014: Under boobs. I think I need to leave these things on for a while. Can't remember how long. Have small burn from cauterizer but it's healing. I think it hurts worse than the incision cuts. Updated on 1 Jun 2014: Woke up this morning in pain. Was close to my next does. My right boob swelling seems to be going down a little bit. The left one is bigger now. Left one feels like it has more fluid moving around in it. It also spasms twice as much as my right when I use it. I do the arm stretches that my Dr showed me and it stops the spasming. I took my scopolamine patch off yesterday and this morning my vision is a little weird and I feel dizzy/high. I think my eyes are still dilated from the patch. Ate breakfast and finally had a bm. I feel sooo much better and the pain meds are kicking in. Only real pain is the burn mark and the incision below boob where he made my boob creases. I am soooooo happy with my boobs. I have been sleeping great on my back. I don't have to be on an incline thank god. Last night I drank senna tea, 2 docusate/colace, and 1 docolax. Been drinking a ton of water/coconut water too. I wish I would have done this sooner in my life. They haven't even settled and I feel like I look better. Finally my ass matches my boobs. I'm going to post pics today after we get back from our sightseeing and shopping. I bought a zip up track suit from VS before my surgery and wore it surgery day. Most comfortable outfit. Updated on 1 Jun 2014: One is more swollen and lower than the other at this point Updated on 1 Jun 2014: Trying again Updated on 2 Jun 2014: Boobs look uneven and right boob incision very painful. Last 24 really bad nausea From the norco. So I stopped taking them and only taking 5mg of diazepam until I can talk to my dr. Updated on 3 Jun 2014: So yesterday I was crazy sick. Like really really sick at 5:20am. Was due for a norco dose. I didn't take it. Dose before that was 12:20am. I decided that I should stop taking it because I was having every side effect and for the last 24 hrs trying not to puke had rashes blurred vision and extremely dizzy. So I just took 5mg of diazepam that I had left over from one of my c sections. I do not do well with Percocet and now for sure norco. Got promethazine from walgreens for my massive headache and nausea but it just made me pass out. Sleeping through that was probably the best thing for me. Went to dr and he said everything looks fine and gave me script for tramadol. I have the bottle but decided to see if I can go with out pain meds. Post op day 4. Got up this morning and have slight morning boob and right incision pain only when moving in certain directions. I think I'm going to take a Celebrex and maybe 1/2 a muscle relaxer. I think the pain meds were making my recovery a lot worse. My husband and I are driving to the coast today so I'm going to bring everything with me just in case. One is still more swollen than the other and higher but I think that is normal. I will post pics this everning when I get back. Updated on 4 Jun 2014: So my surgery was Friday at 8:30am and today is wed so.. 5 days? Whatever So I didn't post yesterday's because they looked just like the day before. I think they are still uneven because of the swelling hopefully. I am pain med free. Just taking Celebrex and docusate. I think my tummy bloat is on it's way down but it's still noticeable I am having a skin reaction to the paper tape over my burn below my boob. Going to leave it off today or maybe use tagaderm. Updated on 8 Jun 2014: Been with my kids the last few days so I am a lot more sore than I was before and swollen again. I have a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old. Traveling home today after this long boob journey. Happy I did this. Still can't believe I have boobs! Oh and my nipples are crazy sensitive. I have to put a gauze pad with tagaderm over it so nothing rubs on them. My burn is healing slowing and still putting silver cream crap on it. Updated on 10 Jun 2014: getting confused on the post op days :) before and after swimsuit photos Updated on 10 Jun 2014: Left for BA weighing 129lbs and after 2 400cc implants and 15 days of eating out every day and living in hotels I weight 132 now. Wondering how much of that is implant weight. Going to wait 6 weeks post op to start on treadmill and pilates again. Updated on 11 Jun 2014: 32DD don't look that big in clothes. I love them but if I need a revision I think I would go bigger. Updated on 16 Jun 2014: Sizing is crazy. Sometimes I fit into 32-34 dd bras and the one in the photo is a 36d..... I think I will just have to know the brand and what size I am in each. Need to get to a Victoria's Secret. I just tried this one on. Didn't buy it. Not suppose to wear a bra for 6 weeks. Updated on 18 Jun 2014: Big improvement from what I had before. Updated on 23 Jun 2014: 5'6" 130lbs now. Can't wait to get on the treadmill and get ride of 5-7lbs. Updated on 25 Jun 2014: Thought I would add this to my review. My left breast is 12.5 and right 13 if I am remembering correctly. I have the classic shaped textured Sientra implants. The oval were too wide and the round shaped were too short heightwise. So that made it easy to narrow it down to classic shaped. Then we looked at width. Dr Movassaghi gave me a range that he thought that I could go from. I think it was 310cc-400cc. If you look at the chart its kinda easy to figure out. The 450cc could have fit but it would have gone up another cm in height and I did not want it up that high on my chest. I tried on sizers and my husband took photos. Dr Movassaghi came back in the room and asked what we picked. We then asked him what he would have picked and it was what we wanted 400cc. I think the size evens out my butt and fits my body. I had almost no breast tissue so round was not an option for me. I wanted a natural looking boob. Next was textured vs smooth. The smooth implants tend to drop after a while and it appears that your scar rises up on the boob and nipples are no longer positioned correctly on the breast. I'm assuming if you wear a bra all the time that this might not happen but gravity is gravity. The textured adheres to where your Dr puts it and it stays put. I don't like to wear bras and want to limit my chances or needed a revision. Sientra has a Capsular Contraction guarantee it also has the lowest CC rates. With the textured it gets even lower. Forgot to add before but I have scoliosis. My spine is not perfectly straight. My Dr noticed this and lowered my right incision to even my boobs out. They were technically even before but since I kinda lean to one side they look uneven. He fixed that. I will talk about this in my next update. Updated on 25 Jun 2014: Updated on 25 Jun 2014: Sooooo where to begin. In the post above I mentioned about my scoliosis. My right boob incision was lowered to accommodate that. I used to go to a chiropractor once a week in high school for my back. Always had it but never really cared but when you add a set of boobies to the situation it needed to be fixed. I'm only 3 weeks out so I'm not expecting it to look perfect. It was anchored down but I was worried that it may have lifted and so the scar is higher up. I called the Drs nurse Janet about it. Always makes me feel better to ask her my miscellaneous paranoid questions just to calm down some ocd I have :) Dr said during my pre op that I had slight pectus excavatum. Meaning my rib cage kind of slants in. Hopefully that helps me with some cleavage and less boob gap. Yesterday I was applying my scar gel after my shower and felt a pop on the right side(lowered incision side). Like cracking your knuckle. Pretty sure it was an internal suture that broke. They are meant to dissolve at 3 weeks but I still can feel all of them. Now I have a softer spot under where it was. I can only feel it when I put the scar stuff on. Not an issue at all as they all will go away just scared the hell out of me for a few min like WTF did I just do :) So far I think the scars are looking good. I pointed out a dent in my left boob. Pretty sure that my boob was like that before the surgery. Maybe the shaped implant will push it out. Wishful thinking :) I am happy with them exactly how they sit now. If they get better then hey a plus but I am soooo happy at this point. I look back at my before pictures and feel like it was someone else. They are kind of jiggly now and some parts seem like they are "fluffy". Skin is not as tight. I still get morning boob every morning. Its not painful at all but tight and then it loosens up in a few minutes. Not a big deal. Worth every cc in these boobs. I still look at them every time I walk past a mirror in my house. Like I'm checking to make sure they are still there and I actually went in and got these things and not dreaming. Yay for boobies!!!! One of the best decisions ever. Updated on 27 Jun 2014: Didn't buy anything just went shopping and wanted to try a few things on. Sizing is weird... Need to go to nordstrom in a month and get fit for a bra. I'm sure they are not their final size. 34DD fits but I'm guessing they will shrink down to a 34D. Updated on 1 Jul 2014: Last night leaning over on the couch to comfort my crying 2 yrs old I popped another internal stitch. Not painful but scared the sh*t about of me. I popped one before putting on the silicon scar gel. They are supposed to dissolve on their own at 3 weeks but none of mine have and only have 2 that are popped now...... hmmm. The other thing is that I'm really noticing my left is larger than my right. Enough to see it in a bra cup. I hope this evens out with time. My right side is the smaller one and I'm right handed. I am still sleeping on my back. I really want to sleep on my side but it feels so weird. I am a side sleeper. Enough of the [RS bleep] fest I'm going to get a glass of wine and tell myself everything will be fine Updated on 3 Jul 2014: Who said sientra implants are firm.....? I think they are very squishy as long as I take it easy. Can't believe it's almost 6 weeks. Thank you so much for everyone who has supported me and helped me through this process. I really really appreciate it! Updated on 5 Jul 2014: Everything seems to be going great. Can sometimes sleep on my side. 5 weeks as of yesterday. I think my swelling is all gone and you can see where the implant is. Left is still larger. Hopefully my right will loosen up and be closer to the same size. Been using scar gel everyday. Got bio oil for when I run out of the gel. I posted some flexing photos. I was doing it as hard as I could in the last photo. Pretty sure this is normal when going under the muscle. I would take that any day over increases CC and less natural look of the overs(cause I have less tissue). I still can see the line under my nipples where the muscle is in certain light. Wondering if that is because it needs to loosen up still???? Anyone have this too? Updated on 6 Jul 2014: Went to Nordstrom and Aerie and got sized this afternoon. Still didn't buy anything because I want to wait until I'm 6 weeks post op. Less than 1 week away. At Aerie this young girl told me I was 36B based on measurements. 29.5'' ribs and 36.5" bust is NOT a 36B. Maybe she was new. I tried on her bras and showed her. I couldn't even get them on. Another lady came and helped me and said I am a 34DD and 34D depending on the style of bras there. Going to post some photos from there. Black sizing bra from there was my fav and super comfortable. Went to Nordstrom after that. Damn I forgot how expensive Nordstrom bras are. I tried on 15+ bras and am a 34DD but the band is slightly loose and the 32DDD fit but band is slightly tight but the lady said that it would stretch a bit and I would be better getting the 32DDD. $68.99 was the cheapest bra I tried on there. I really didn't understand bra sizing until recently. I can see how sooo many people can get the same implants but vary so much on bra size. It really has a lot to do with your rib measurement. If you are kind of heavy and have a 38'' rib measurement your a B or C but the same boob size on a 30'' rib measurement might be a DDD or DD. Its all relative to the rib measurement. Thats why other 400cc girls on here have different cup sizes than me. And if I loose 10lbs I might wear a smaller band and larger cup size. Correct me if I am wrong but this is what I have learned from nordstrom, herroom and other boob websites. I will post the photos from today. Happy healing everyone. Updated on 6 Jul 2014: So 34DD fits but the band is slightly loose but cups are good. Lady said to get a 32DDD. Updated on 6 Jul 2014: No bra. Love my boobies!! Updated on 14 Jul 2014: I'm feeling really good in the mornings. Morning boob is gone and they are really squishy now. Still have not bought a bra. Have 2 sports bras but they are loose in the band and not supportive. I just wear them to hide my nips when I leave the house. I went to Aerie yesterday and spent and hr trying on bras. All of the 34DD seemed to small in the cup and that is the largest they make. I ordered 3 bras from zappos. I might get the 32DD next. Having a hard time finding a bra and really want to wear one. My right boob crease is not creasing yet and makes the boob lower and uneven with the other. I think if I wear an under wire bra that it will help make a spot for it to stay and settle. Other than that I'm pretty happy with my boobs. If I'm ever not I just look at my before photos and think OMG anything is better than that :) I will post some photos in a bit. Started working out again. Slowly getting back into it. Crazy how much 6 weeks and make your muscles into mush. Updated on 14 Jul 2014: 400 cc sientra shaped textured Updated on 14 Jul 2014: Updated on 14 Jul 2014: Updated on 17 Jul 2014: Today I'm turning 30.... Old body new young boobs hahaha. Finally got a bra in the mail from zappos 34DD. It's snug but I need something. Updated on 28 Jul 2014: So I'm a little over 2 months now. I can sleep on my sides and kinda lay on my front but its not the most comfortable thing. I try to wear an under wire bra during the day to help make a crease on my right boob. I don't really think about them all the time, maybe a few times during the day when I pass a mirror :). My left is slightly bigger than my right but I think they were like that before my BA. I bought 3 32DDD bras but my boobs are still kinda coming out the top..... I have no clue what would be beyond that 32F?? Can't wait to go to Victoria Secret when I fly down for my 6 month app. I still don't have all my strength back in my pec muscles and can flex and distort them were they look bad. Hopefully I won't do that motion in a bathing suit haha. They have softened up but are definitely firmer than a real boob. I think they will get softer with time. I can get some cleavage now. I really feel like my boobs have balanced out my body and actually made me look thinner even though I have gained weight. My husband says my legs look smaller and my waist too. My left incision is healing well but right is more red and not as far along. My right is the side that he lowered the incision. I keep thinking how much this has changed things for me. I feel so much better about myself than before. I wish I would have done this sooner. I'm going to post some photos in a bit with some different clothes on and the bras I bought. Updated on 28 Jul 2014: Updated on 4 Aug 2014: Got some squishy boobs. My husband said he can only tell they are fake because I have the scars. Yay! When I lay in my back my right boob is straight up but now my left one goes a little over to my arm pit ;(. I started sleeping with my underwire bra and stopped sleeping on my left side. I hope it stops it from going that way. Still look good when I'm standing up. My right has fluffed more like my left. Wonder how much better they will look at 6 months. Updated on 18 Aug 2014: SO, I have been dealing with an issue with my right implant. I have textured and they are not suppose to move but my Dr and I are thinking that my stitches possibly failed on that side. I had post months or more ago about the stitches popping and I was worried blah blah... well the implant dropped. It was below its crease. I have been worried and was thinking this was happening the whole time and should have listened to my gut feeling and flown back to see my Dr. Well I have been wearing an under wire bra 24/7 and wear a band under my breast to keep them even. It has gotten slightly better but I think if I stop doing it that the implant will just slide back down. Who knows but I'm going to try to wear the strap thing for a few months and hopefully it heals back up that way. I will post some photos. I want to try to get it to stay in that position as much as I can before I'm 6 months. Not sure if it will work but it had already improved by half. Going to fly down and see my Dr in November/December and see where we can go from there. He told me on the phone that he would do a revision for free but I don't want to be cut again. Its not worth the added CC risk from re operation. I think it has gotten a lot better in just the past week. Fingers crossed that I can fix it Updated on 18 Aug 2014: Left side of the photos are from a few weeks ago and right side is from last week after I have been trying to fix the dropped side. Updated on 18 Aug 2014: Forgot to add that I can't feel the implant. I know its there but I can't feel any edges and have no rippling what so ever. I ask my husband all the time if he can tell or he can feel it and he says no. Biggest give away is the scar. I had almost no breast tissue and am surprised how much your muscle can cover it up and hide the edges. Updated on 2 Sep 2014: Been dealing with my right implant wanting to drop. Seems to be about 50% better after wearing a under wire bra and a band. I don't do it 24/7 because it drives me crazy. Before I had implants I would take my bra off as soon I got home. Wearing one 24/7 is torture but it seems to have helped a bit. I have pains in my boobs. Almost achy. I think when I lay on my sides at night that the implants pull on my muscles or maybe my bra is too snug. I pop out of the top. Maybe its smashing them :) I will post some photos in a bit. I still think my left is larger than my right even though I got 400cc in each side. I think my right muscle was tighter and might just take a bit longer. Running still does not feel good. Seriously thinking I might not ever run again. Walking is fine though. Putting lids on tupperware is still uncomfortable. Updated on 2 Sep 2014: Updated on 22 Sep 2014: Few photos. Been 4 months and 3 days. Been sleeping on my stomach for about a week. Sometimes it feels weird on my side because the weight of my boobs so I hold a pillow and it helps. Still not running because it feels terriable with boobs. I need to get a really good sports bra. Might help. I wear silicone strips on incisions 24/7. I think it has helped a lot. Was using the gel before and I don't think it did much. Updated on 8 Oct 2014: Some photos Updated on 20 Oct 2014: I don't have a problem getting some cleavage. I think it's a misconception about shaped implants. Had a question about it so here are some photos. Updated on 31 Oct 2014: Been 5 1/2 months already. Going for my 6 month in 2 weeks. Been working out everyday. Kinda let myself go during the recovery time :( I'm going on vacation and want my body to look as good as my boobs :) Updated on 18 Nov 2014: Going to over post some photos. Just had my 6 month post op in OR on Friday. Very happy about my boobies. I love them. Hope this helps some one with size choose and shape options if your completely flat to start like I was. Not anymore :) Updated on 2 Dec 2014: Some new photos Updated on 29 Dec 2014: Here are some photos from last week. Updated on 29 Dec 2014: Boobs are doing really good. I don't even think about them anymore. Wireless bras feel the best. My incisions are still kinda purple and I am still using the gel on them. Guess I just take longer for the scar to turn skin colored. At least its under my boob and no one will see it. So this month has been kinda bad for my weight. Well since thanksgiving :) Finally got on the scale last night which was probably a bad idea because I had been eating all day and it said 138lbs. I was on the treadmill for 30 min yesterday and am going to try to lose 10lbs or whatever gets me back into my clothes. I weighed less than 138 after each of my kids births!!! Ever since I got these implants I've been pretty lazy. So I'm going to work out every day and keep track of calories. I'm going on vacation in about a month in 1/2 and want to be in shape. 5'6'' 400cc Overflowing out of a 32DDD wire bra but wire free stretchy fit great. Probably cause I gained some weight. 12/28 138lbs 12/29 137.2lbs goal -10+lbs. Think I look best between 122-125lbs Thanks Boobs4momof3 for the motivation! Updated on 30 Dec 2014: Starting my weighloss. 12/28. 138lbs 12/29. 137.2lbs 12/30. 136.6 lbs Updated on 3 Jan 2015: Well 12/31 and the 1st I was quite bad and am back to 137.2. Tried running yesterday and my boobs were soooo sore in the evening. Went on treadmill for 30 min today 3.4 speed and 3.0 incline. Maybe I will wait longer to run :). Back on my struck eating. These are some photos of my tommy Bahama swim suit I just got. Size medium. Bottom is a skort that can be cinched up on the sides. Updated on 4 Jan 2015: I forgot to post this one. From 6pm web site on sale. Size medium. Might need a large in this style. It has the bra hooks in back and straps can be changed to cross back or what ever you call it. Been back on track with working out and food journal/healthy eating 12/28/14 138lbs 1/4/15 135.8lbs Yay!!! I know once I'm in the 120s that it drops off slower. But I'm happy so far. That New Years 1/2 pizza and 3 bottles of champagne was worth the delay haha. Updated on 5 Jan 2015: Tried on some more outfits. Love this green one. It's actually a dress. Started Pilates 30 min last night in addition to 30 min on treadmill. Have a surgery on the 13th and not sure how long I will be out for. Have to fix some uterus stuff from having 2 babies. So going to try hard to stay on track for Mexico in February. Started 12/28 at 138lbs Today. 1/5. 134.4lbs Going to post some of my diet. Only up to lunch. Will post diner and late night food later. Updated on 5 Jan 2015: Updated on 9 Jan 2015: Got some swim suits yesterday. Blue stripped from Venus and the tester from nordstrom rack. Updated on 9 Jan 2015: VS bra. 32DDD. I like it. Should have gotten matching underwear. Updated on 18 Jan 2015: I had a hydro ablation on the 13th. Off the meds the next day BUT i had a scopolamine patch on and OMG I have been and still having bad withdrawals. I can't drive and am dizzy and weak all the time. My pupils are still dilated and seeing double everything. My husband thinks I'm having a bad reaction to the patch. He said its a normal reaction and I have to just wait it out. (hes a Dr) I seem to be very sensitive to meds. Everything else with the surgery is fine but holly [RS bleep]. I feel like I took a ton of drugs and will never feel normal again. Its scary but I have been reading a lot about it online and it can take about a week or more to feel normal again. Watch out for that patch!!!!!!!! I will NEVER use it again. Medicine head times a million. I haven't been working out or following my diet since surgery but I am 135lbs today and normally would start my period tomorrow. Hopefully I don't have one again :) Updated on 24 Jan 2015: Only in fitted clothes do my boobs look big. Probably a good thing so I can dress them up or conceal them. Updated on 25 Jan 2015: Some photos of my scars. Still purple but that's just how I scar. Takes years to turn white. I use silicone treatment everyday but.... Can't hurt right :) Updated on 28 Jan 2015: Love this dress!! Small fit my body but got medium because the smalls top was too small. It has pockets! Can't wait for Mexico Updated on 7 Feb 2015: I got this scar treatment from my ps for when I go on vacation. He said this was better than the last scar gel he gave me. Has sun screen in it. Almost week and a half ago I went in and got botox. Touch up with dysport. I wait about every 6 months to get botox and after I do i feel like it's night and day. I really need to go every 4 months . All my horizontal lines are gone and my frown lines too. I'm debating doing a review about my determologist who was doing my botox for years. I was up to 80+ units for just my forehead and a few above my lip! Crazy!! Cost a lot of money and it would wear off. Found out from a girl I became friends with who quit her office that she started diluting her botox a lot to make more money. Wth. I was spending like $800+ and it still wasn't as effective as when I first started going to her and getting only 20-30units. Well I went to another Dr not a ps and he only did 35 units and so far it has worked way better than the last few years of botox with my determologist. He seems way more knowledgeable about muscle anatomy and did a brow lift just using botox. So far very happy! Dysport still needs another 5/6 days to be in full effect but for some reason I feel botox works better. Too scared to do fillers. Maybe if I really need it in another 10years. I don't like the over done surgical look. Updated on 7 Feb 2015: Same pattern as my other Trina Turk bikini top but halter. Down to 134lbs. Haven't worked out in a week or watched my diet too much. Trying to take it easy so I can heal completely from the hydro ablation. I'm thinking the first few lbs lost were water bloat. Might come back in Mexico from all the beverages lol but whatever. 134lb is good for me. Started at 138lb Updated on 20 Feb 2015: Back from Mexico. Have some weird tan lines from the bikinis :). Weight the same which is weird. Probably lost muscle mass from sitting on my ass and having beverages. Time to get back into shape. No one could tell my boobs are fake. Probably cause they match my ass now haha man do they jiggle in a swim suit. Usually I wear supportive bras and don't notice it as much but in a sting bikini they have some movement. Updated on 24 Feb 2015: Been a little over 9.5 months. Can't believe it's been that long. Slowly getting back to normal after surgeries and letting myself go. December 138lbs Today. 133.6lbs Maybe I will lose 5 more lbs in another 3 months haha. At least it's not going up right :) I will try to post some more photos later. Not the best selfie taker. Updated on 11 May 2015: Just wanted to add a few photos. Found a little lump in my left breast about 2 weeks ago. Can't find it again which is weird. Went to a dr where I live and he said to have my PS look at it. I'm going to fly to Oregon beginning of next month for my one year and have him check it out. Had a few uterus issues and a surgery in January so I think I'm just having some hormonal issues. We will see. Will post 1 year photos in a few weeks. Happy healing everyone! Updated on 3 Jun 2015: It has been one year now. Gone by really fast. I have been getting some feeling back on the lower half of my boobs and my left nipple more. Kinda feels like itchy tingling stinging but not all the time. I am very happy with my boobs. I'm going to post some photos. Bought nipple covers. Will give them a try on my trip to see my PS on Friday. I just had a sports bra on so there are some weird red lines in some photos :). Will post more later Updated on 3 Jun 2015: Updated on 3 Jun 2015: Updated on 8 Jun 2015: Was 138lbs in December now 132lbs. Goal to get back around my normal range. 122 was my normal but I think at 125-127 and I would be happy. I might need those few lbs to balance out these boobs lol 5'6" 400cc sientra shaped classic base textured under muscle Updated on 7 Jul 2015: Laying on my back. Updated on 7 Jul 2015: New bra Wacoal 32F. Fits snug but says will loosen with wear on website. My scars are starting to turn white. Finally. Updated on 12 Jul 2015: Lululemon no bra and a day bra from nordstrom for $10 Updated on 18 Oct 2015: Things are good with the boobies. I thought at a year that I didn't notice them and that they were a part of me. At over a year now I think that is more true now. They were achy over a month ago because I was wearing wire bras all day but now I do about 1/2 the time and they are not achy anymore. I don't think about them unless I get out of the shower and am like damn I love my boob :). Best decision ever. I'm thinking about a little lipo next but will see. Takes a lot of time and research and right now I don't have any of that. It still feels weird to close tight Tupperware containers but door closing and opening is fine. I still wear 32DDD. They are still soft. I don't have any rippling or end of bag showing. I do notice that when I'm braless that my nipples and around that area gets cold!! Really weird. I have a lot more feeling back in my under boob area. My nipples are still more sensitive than they were before implants. Sometimes it hurts to shower. Wish I was one of those girls that lost all feeling in them. And they are always hard too. I wasn't like that before. Not an issue but just something that is different. Updated on 9 Jan 2016: Boobs are good. Bought this sports bra from Nordstrom rack. It had an underwire. I have been having a hard time finding bras that fit well. Will do more of an update when I have some more time.
I am a 29 year old mother of three kiddos ages 10,8,& 6. I have been wanting to get this surgery done since my first and very badly since my third. I had three consults and chose a Dr. who is going to do a high lateral tummy tuck w/lipo and muscle repair, breast lift, and augmentation. I have a small athletic 5'0" 115lb frame but my skin and muscles did not recover well. I would recommend on not choosing a surgeon until you have seen at least a few as all three Doctors were not only different in their personality but in their treatment and recovery plans. I also have carefully calculated my surgery date for a time when my kids sports are on a break, school is on break, my Mother is in town for the holidays and my husband will have time off for the holidays and I would recommend everyone be very thoughtful of the time of year you choose! Can't wait to get this over and done with finally! Updated on 19 Oct 2012: Put in my request for time off today and got bold right before and instead of requesting enough time off to give me 16 days off I am getting 21 days!! Super excited that part is out of the way! I will now be able to recover while my kids are on xmas break, while my mom is in town to help and don't have to worry about making it through a work day for three weeks! 60 Days until surgery day! Updated on 5 Nov 2012: A month out from my preop appointment and 41 days 17 hours and 47 min. from surgery but who's counting right! Actually an app on my phone is. I have been bouncing up and down weight wise 10lbs the past couple months and I've decided I need to get down to a good weight that I can maintain before my preop apt so I am aiming to lose 6 -10lbs. I am 122lbs at the moment but 112-114 is a good weight for me that I can maintain easily. I am also going to start working on a preop questions list and a list of things I need to do/get before my surgery and one of those is deep cleaning/organizing this house. I will be staying at my Mom's about 20 min. away the first week or so and my kiddos will be here with their Dad so I need to at least start with a nice clean house. I'm kind of excited about being down for the holidays because I can just relax for once and let the hubby handle shopping and running around to a million family functions. Updated on 3 Dec 2012: Preop tomorrow yay! Took another pic of the stomach blob before it gets cut off in two weeks! Updated on 4 Dec 2012: Pre op today yay! Didn't hear much that I didn't already know today thanks to lovely sites like this that have educated me about this process but I did learn that my ps doesn't allow me to wear any underwear or pants until all drains are removed ahh!!! Moo moo's here I come. This pretty much guarantees that I will not be attending xmas gatherings at the inlaws house!! I also learned I will likely not have any drains for my breasts but I will have two for my tummy tuck. My surgeon also uses a softpulse pain device which the nurse said really has helped reduce the pain meds patients are using. I finally chose my implant size today also. My ps uses a textured gel implant as he thinks it may reduce scar tissue problems and I was torn between a 275 and 300cc implant but in the end my ps pointed out my breasts are different sizes so he had me try on the larger size with the smaller breast and the smaller with the larger breasts and he said that will give me a very even look so problem solved! I am getting a round moderate profile under the muscle. My ps has a very conservative plan with regards to resuming exercise which although tough I appreciate. I can't do anything but walk for two months then may resume light movements like yoga and physical therapy type stuff. Then at three months I may lightly begin to resume my workouts and he recommends a personal trainer or physical therapy. I have lots of prescriptions to pick up now, bras, night gowns, robes and such to gather before my surgery day in the next two weeks!! Ready to get this show on the road!!! Updated on 10 Dec 2012: 6 & 1/2 days till my sx!! So ready to get this over with and move on yet soooo not ready, still have to get supplies, xmas gifts and get this darn house clean!! I've got a list going and will be working on it throughout the week. I'm also eating very clean this week in preparation for sx although I generally eat pretty good anyway. I plan on doing only liquids (protein, veggie, and fruit smoothies) over the weekend to hopefully help for the first couple days after my procedures. It could be seen as the worst time of year to be going through this over the holidays but even with the stresses of the holiday prep I am sooo happy to be doing this right now. Looking forward to laying around with the kids while they are on break from school and relaxing! So far this is the shopping/preparing I need to do this week..... Two night shirts Two robes one short one long Slippers Surgery bras Heating Pad Cleansing wipes tv Tray Body Pillow Healthy foods Stool Softners Probiotics RX meds and the list will continue to get longer as I remember more things! Updated on 18 Dec 2012: So I'm finally 1 day PO!!!! Glad to finally be on this side of things and not waiting, that was getting old!!! So I was expecting the nerves to hit me when I got there but I was still very calm and ready in fact my pulse was 49 and my bp was like 104/70, my husband even seemed annoyed I wasn't nervous because he was! It was funny because the anesthesiologist said I'm going to give you medicine to make you drowsy and I swear as soon as I felt it bam I was out and awaking in post op! I didn't wake up in pain but was really bothered by feeling like I couldn't take deep breathes and by the fact that I was wide awake and wanted to talk and open my eyes but they felt so heavy and I kept dozing back off for a bit! The worst pain I felt at the surgery center was a shot she gave me in my leg for the ride home which was a pain med and anti vomiting med. I felt fine the whole way out to my Moms and coming into the house in fact I had to make myself lean over cause I felt like I wanted to stand straight but I definitely can't now! I really didn't have much pain yesterday just slight discomfort while sitting in my chair pretty much all in the chest and only a bit of pain getting up to go to the restroom! I slept a lot and was really hungery so I snacked a lot throughout the day. I was in an out of sleep all day and was kind of frustrated I couldn't stay awake when I wanted to but I know rest is good. We set an alarm for me to wake up at 3:00am to take new meds and empty the drains which would have been the 4th time but there wasn't enough to drain! Hope that keeps up so I can have these out before Xmas! I have some bruising on the back side of my hips so I'm thinking and hoping he was able to go farther around for the lipo than planned cause that would be an extra area he wasn't planning to lipo back there?!? I also have what's called a 3rd nipple under my left breast which looks like a large mole that he was going to remove if he could but he said my skin was pulled so tight he wants to wait to do it in the office in a couple months when there is less tension on it! My boobs definitely don't look to big which I'm happy about because I really was mostly wanting firmer and perkyer. He also said I didn't need the lollipop incision just a lift with the incision around the nipple and underneath the breast which is fantastic because one of the other surgeons said I would require one! My Dr called last night and got an update on how I was doing from my Mom but also wanted to talk with me to make sure I didn't have questions which was nice! I have my first post op apt today where I would imagine I get to finally see all this uncovered and will take pics for sure! Can't wait to see! All in all so far recovery for me is more annoying than anything and if it stays this way I'd say this is pretty easy to go through for me!!! More pics updates to come and thanks for all your well wishes!!! Updated on 18 Dec 2012: Pics from 1st post op apt. Sitting down and very swollen but liking what I see so far! Updated on 19 Dec 2012: Well day 2po yesterday wasn't to bad but was a bit worse than day one which I was prepared for! I was still just uncomfortable when sitting and just felt pressure and tightness but had pain when I had to get up to go to the restroom. I really feel like most of my pain when moving is from these drains I swear I can feel them in there poking stuff! I didn't sleep as much yesterday as the first day and I'm sleeping in pretty good chunks of time at night, really wish I could lay down on my side cause sleeping up right sucks! If I were to describe the pain to someone I'd say in my stomach its like when your preggo and your bladder is full and the baby is pushing on it but its pretty much all the time and the boobs feel like when my milk came in those first few days and were super engorged. The pain when walking is mostly in my lower back and possibly the drains! It takes me awhile to pee cause I have to really focus on relaxing my bladder. I have only been doing half my allowed dose of meds during the day since the beginning and then the full dose at night to sleep which they said means I'm doing really well. My drainage also seems to be decreasing really fast, we started out emptying full drains every couple hours now I can go 8 hours or more and they still aren't full so hopefully that means I can get then out soon! I haven't felt any queezyness at all and have had quite the apatite!! At my preop they said everything is looking great and that I can open my bra and garment every now and then to air out and take a break which I'm doing for my boobs right now! I also asked how my belly button looks and she said I shouldn't worry because the only belly buttons they've seen not heal well were a few that had hernias and my didn't! She said for me to report my drainage amounts and maybe from the look of things I will have them both out by Xmas eve!! I would say sitting on the toilet isn't hard at all if you squat using your legs but I'm used to using my legs in crossfit a lot. I'm getting drowsy not so that'll be it for the moment but really want to try and give as much info as I can for those yet to have surgery! I am going to attempt to post pics with this now hopefully it works! Updated on 19 Dec 2012: Well this was technically my day 2 PO because yesterday was my first full day post op and today would be day 2 but I counted the day of my surgery as day 1 PO so I'm all confused!!! Anyway today was probably the toughest day but still not nearly as bad as I was expecting! After my Fragmin injection I got a headache that just wouldn't go away all day which was tough. The swelling in my upper buttocks and outer thigh is uncomfortable and annoying when I walk and of course walking immediately makes my lower back hurt. I would say for me any pain in my stomach or breasts isn't an issue as much as the other discomforts like side effects of the meds, headache, swelling and such. I can also feel the drains inside me sometimes in certain positions which is uncomfortable! Last night felt like the longest night ever because I kept waking up just due to the difficulty of sleeping in a chair. I can tell my whole body is retaining fluids and look forward to that starting to flush out which they said should start to happen around day 3. I had a bm today after taking senna tablets last night and this morning, it wasn't to difficult I just had to sit there for awhile and let it slowly work it's way out because I wasn't going to try to push. My breasts were very swollen today and I can't imagine they could swell anymore so hopefully they start to go down tomorrow! I was standing much straighter today and my nurse said if I'm doing what I'm supposed to she thinks I should be walking upright at my 1 week apt next week! Took a peak of my stomach mid day while my Mom did my drains and my incision goes around my hips a ways like he said it would but I'm more than fine with that because he said who wants a flat tummy just to have obvious love handles and loose skin on the sides! My incision also looks nice and low but will know for sure once I try on underwear! Still very anxious to see if I'll finally have a cute belly button again!!! Plan on taking more pics tomorrow!!!! Updated on 20 Dec 2012: New pics first thing this am, bathroom lighting is weird but here is what it looks like so far! Very swollen and still not standing completely straight! I'm very happy with how everything looks so far! Updated on 20 Dec 2012: So this is um day 3PO!!!! The days are starting to run together but I would have to say I already feel like I'm getting better and better day by day! I am already walking almost totally straight it's really just my right hip area holding me back from standing straight because I feel some pulling on the right hip when I go straight! I had a bm easy on day 2 and TWO today which is more than I go on a normal basis! I still definitely have discomfort when coughing, laughing, walking or moving to quickly but not pain really! I am getting in and out of my recliner easily on my own both today and yesterday even when it's layed back! I weighed today and have gained over 10lbs of swelling and I can see it on me but I am drinking lots of water and tea throughout the day and I know it'll flush out when my body is ready! I'm only emptying my drains once in the morning already and once at night so my ps said I can get my first of two drains out tomorrow only 4 days in and likely my last one on Christmas Eve 1 week in! I really couldn't have asked for a better smoother recovery and I feel so blessed and lucky! I'm still only taking half the dose of pain meds every 6 hours and I take one nap mid day! I am nervous about getting the drain out tomorrow I'm really hoping it doesn't hurt, I've felt so good this whole time I'm worried my good luck may run out! My Mom said my hair is looking greasy today ugh guess I need a shower but can't till both drains are out so what a Christmas Eve gift that would be to shower! My kids came out to spend the night at my Moms because they have No school and they have been missing me a lot more than I realized they would and its been wonderful having their sweet little faces around me again! I miss my husband too, I sent him the pics I posted late last night/ early this morning and he said I'm looking good! I'm enjoying the down time and look forward to moving this rest and relaxation back home to be with my family but my Mom and Dad have been wonderful company and caregivers through this! Updated on 21 Dec 2012: Well I started off day 4PO pretty excited about get my first drain out and ended in a much different mood! My kids stayed with me today at my Moms and my sister came out with her kids which was nice but I didn't realize the toll a full house would take on me or how the rest of the day would pan out. The nurse told me I didn't need to worry about getting the drains out because to most people it just feels weird but as soon as she started to slide it out I could tell this would not be the case for me. The pain was horrible and very shocking for me. I felt like she was ripping all my insides out and I cried out in pain and couldn't breathe and as soon as she told me to breathe I broke down in tears. It's honestly the first time I've had any pain this whole time the rest has been just discomfort. I'm now dreading getting the last one out Monday and really gonna be worrying about it all weekend. They said I look more like 2 weeks into recovery not 4 days and she thought maybe my fast healing had something to do with the pain she thought maybe she pulled on a nerve that was attached! They don't think I should have the same experience in the other side but I don't feel so confident! They said I'm walking great pretty much almost upright just slow and that I'll probably be able to pick up my workouts pretty well when I can! I came home and got two long bouts of the hiccups which is one major annoyance I never thought of and then the fact that I don't get to see my husband because he is having to Xmas shop and that I can't even talk to him or my friend because I have no cell service out here at my Moms hasn't put me in the best mood today! I'm hopin tomorrow is a better day!!! Updated on 23 Dec 2012: Today day 5 PO was a long day for sure! I woke up still not in the best of moods. I made the mistake of trying underwear on last night to see if they cover my incision and they do except on the hips which bummed me out but after thinking about it today I knew it could show and I knew before hand It wouldn't be a huge deal because it will fade and my stomach will still be so much better than before regardless. It may not even show it just did in those underwear with how I look now. I'm also having sharp pain in my left breast which is very frustrating because until yesterday I've had really no pain but now I can't hardly move without that sharp pain over there! My stomach still feels great and today I finally tried putting a tank under my binder like my nurse suggested and its much more comfortable. I'm a little worried because I don't have many days left worth of pain meds and I want them for sure through Monday when I get my last drain out so I'm going to use then lightly! I took a pic tonight and my stomach looks pretty good even for the end of the day but I'm not posting that one cause I'll have lots of others to post! I am walking mostly straight but have regressed a bit since my left breast is hurting I'm walking around less and getting a bit tighter feeling again. I feel some pain today from where the right drain used to be which is just furthering my fear about getting the left drain out. I planned to do daily post until my one week then just weekly posts and pics unless something significant happens and then after 6 weeks probably monthly! Updated on 23 Dec 2012: Day 6 PO was better than the last two days but still not as good as I was before day 4! I tried decreasing my pain meds to one when I woke up and one at bed and I did fine and was happy to feel mentally more me but this sharp pain in my left breast is really make it hard for me to move, get up or do anything! I made a meal for myself for the first time while my Mom was in town and it went pretty good since I'm walking so straight but really exhausted me and I napped after! My left drain is easily under 30ccs for the day so I'm certain it'll come out at my apt tomorrow but I'm beyond terrified to get it removed after the first one felt like a hot poker going through me!!! Can't believe tomorrow will be week one, it amazing how well the body recovers yet how much it has to go at the same time. It will feel so good tomorrow after the drain is out to finally be able to shower, get cleaned up and wear normal clothes again since I haven't been allowed pants or uderwear all week! Updated on 25 Dec 2012: Merry Christmas y'all! Day 8 PO today my first week is over!!! Got my last drain out at my 1 week apt yesterday and hooray it didn't hurt this time! I was given a cream to start putting on my scars twice a day when the glue comes off. I was told one more week with the binder then switch to a shape wear compression type garmet. I also found out I don't need to do any massaging of my breast which isn't the norm so I found that surprising. I was given Vicodin for the rest of the time I may need pain meds so no more Percocet. I was able to shower finally and I did my hair and makeup and finally wore pants and underwear and I felt so much better! Yesterday's activities really exhausted me for sure! I'm adding one week pics today also! I'm worried about my BB closing up to small but they said it looks great just swollen but to be on the cautious side I'm putting an ear plug in it for now! Updated on 27 Dec 2012: 10 days PO, meant to do a 1 week post but it was xmas eve. I had my second and last drain out at my one week apt on Christmas eve. Unlike the first one which felt like a hot poker being ripped out of me this one was painless. My nurse said the first one most definitely must have caught a nerve as it was coming out because she said that kind of pain for a drain removal isn't common. I was given a silicone Vit. E cream to start using once the glue comes off of all my incisions. I also was told I don't need to do any massaging of my breasts which I found surprising because it seems most people are. I was able to come home and take my first shower which was wonderful and finally put on pants and underwear. I put on makeup and did my hair and felt like a whole new person! Having an apt., my first shower, getting cleaned up and then a get together on xmas eve followed by a late evening and more get togethers on xmas I was so worn out by Wednesday that I slept almost all day. I started that time of the month which I'm sure is causing even more water retention although today I was within 2lbs of my surgery weight. I do feel like once the swelling goes down I will be at or under my start weight for sure. Even as flat as my stomach looks during the day I can still tell I have a good deal of swelling in my breasts, stomach, and upper pubic area, even some in my upper thighs. The swelling in the upper pubic area has to be the most annoying and frustrating. I have only been taking pain meds at night and I haven't been taking anything for regularity but seem to be going everyday just from eating oatmeal and good foods. I am still walking straight and have been able to sleep on my side even though my incisions go all the way around my waist on both sides. I'm still not in my bed for fear of my hubby bumping me. Even as I type this I'm still having that sharp twinge of pain in my left breast when I use that arm. It was getting better until I tried using my left arm to get off the couch the other day. I returned home on xmas day from my Mom's which was nice and I have been spending more time on the couch and have ditched the recliner and I am much more comfortable sleeping on the couch. I am really excited about the results so far and can't wait to continue to see progress!! I have posted more 1 week pics and a couple more reference before pics. Updated on 31 Dec 2012: Week 2 PO!!! Time is flying and dragging at the same time, I can't believe its been two weeks but also wish I was farther along! Love the results so far and have been very good about not picking at certain things. I have spots on each end of incision that could be dog ears but I'm not worrying about it cause I know I have so much more healing to do and my belly button isn't very deep yet, and the ends of my incision peak out of my underwear a bit. Here is my attitude and what I think everyone should remember is even if these three things don't change my body still looks SO much better and I am so much happier with this than what I had before. We spend so few days in our life in a bikini that nit picking about if your scar will show seems nuts considering your lucky to even be thinking about wearing one again! I think people forget what they were having to look at in the mirror everyday or feel hanging over their pants! The fact that I can wear any clothes I want again and no shirt around my husband is enough for me to jump for joy, people can't expect to have a body that doesn't look at all like you've had kids and or surgery! The scar will fade and you will continue to heal just be happy about the new you! Speaking of the hubby we resumed normal "activities" on day 12 PO and it went great we've never been able to stay away from each other long;) Talk to you again at week 3! Updated on 7 Jan 2013: 3 Weeks PO today and first day back to work. Very happy with my progress so far and I'm doing well with more healing to go for sure!! I had my first day back as an dental assistant today which requires lots of getting up and down, walking back and forth, lots of movement of your arms. The first half of the day was very easy and rather pleasant even with my super tight spanx on but I didn't go out to my car and lay down on my lunch like I had planned and man was the afternoon tough. By the end of the day I had a headache, my shoulders hurt, I could feel I was super swollen and my chest was super tender. I will be taking a pain pill probably at bed time for the first time in over a week if Advil doesn't cut it. The discomfort I'm in is totally bearable and really not necessarily more than expected but I do have to go do this all over again tomorrow and I want to make sure I get enough sleep. I posted my 3 wk pics today and included one from after work so you can see the difference in swelling. Updated on 14 Jan 2013: 1 Month PO today!!! In the past week I have returned to work (phew) and had my 3 week checkup! Returning to work wasn't to bad for me even though I'm an orthodontic dental assistant which requires a lot of movement in fact I think moving is so much easier than sitting all day would be because when I sit for even an hour as soon as I get up I can feel swelling as pooled down lower making my stomach feel tighter. I seem to feel totally fine the first half of the day and then struggle more to get through the second half as I start to swell pretty bad and my shoulders start to kill me. It doesn't seem to make a difference if I lay down through my hour lunch or not although I do it anyway. I'm glad to be back to work though I couldn't handle laying around anymore. I had my three week checkup a couple days ago and my Dr. said I was healing way ahead of schedule he even joked "slow down girl". He said I could resume light activities like yoga at around 8 weeks but wouldn't discuss further activities until my next apt which will be at about 2 & 1/2 months. He said my scar is looking great and I don't need the sheets just the silicone/vit E cream he's given me(newgel). He said the folds in my skin around my nipples will go away that I still have swelling and settling to happen. He said my scar will smooth out and lay flatter on its own to that the way he does the stitches underneath he puts the tension on your fascia and not on your skin so that my scar isn't getting pulled on. Loving how things look so far minus the swelling of course and look forward to my scar smoothing out and fading a bit but I'd take that over my old flabby skin for sure!! Updated on 28 Aug 2014: Almost 2 years out so worth it!
I am a 39 year old mother of four. 13, 11, 9, and 6. The first three were vaginal births and the fourth was a c/s as I was a gestational diabetic, he was very big, and frank breech. I am 5'2" and have weighed between 135-145 for 20 years. I have a super short waist so every pregnancy popped out as if I were carrying multiples. The last two were about 9# each and my skin never recovered. I have stretch marks from under my breasts all the way to my thighs. And my flabby floppy belly skin is nauseating, hanging over my c/s scar. I have hated my body for years and always hide behind baggy shirts. I have petite arms and legs so I look like a marshmallow with pretzels sticks. Gross. I talked to many friends who had PS and they all recommended this PS. My brother-in-law is a general surgeon and also said he would be his first choice if his wife were to need surgery. And finally, my PS first went to Harvard dental school and became on oral and maxilofacial surgeon, then returned to Harvard to become a Plastic surgeon. My husband is a dentist and said this doctor would have even greater attention to detail because he began his career fixing precise problems. I have told my closest friends that the most humbling thing I have done is stand in front of the PS while he took pictures of the body that I loathe so much. You know that you are strong enough to go through the surgery if you can make it through the photo session. Nothing worse than bending over so your disgusting skin hangs down for the camera to capture. The PS's office has been wonderful through every moment. I even started getting panicky after reading a lot of googled info and my doc said to call him any time and HE would answer any questions I had. I had my surgery at 7am on August 13. Even the anesthesiologists were great. I walked to the OR and said I was nervous. I have been a RN for 15 years and had seen some rough surgeries. The anesthetist said no worries, let's get you relaxed. O thought I was home dreaming in my bed and I opened my eyes and I was in recovery. That was awesome. Recovery is tough. Way more uncomfortable than any c/s. Nevertheless, this is a choice that I am making to better my appearance. As moms and wives we take care of everyone else all day. This was very uncharacteristic of me which makes it even more special. We have the right to feel comfortable in our bodies... Thank you Lord for the ability to make this dream a reality.
This is a very good question that I am glad you asked. At the end of the day, we have to determine what the best and safest way to perform elective operations without putting patients at undue risk. After reviewing the information provided, I don’t see any red flags in your health history. Given the fact you have asthma, I would like you to get clearance from your primary care physician prior to surgery. Many patients have exercise induced asthma and unless you have been admitted to the hospital for breathing issues in the recent past, I don’t see red flags here. Asthma by itself is not a contraindication to elective surgery under general anesthesia. Your family history does not preclude you from having general anesthesia although, again if you have any concerns, you can get a clearance from your primary care physician before you undergo anesthesia. You can perform an augmentation under sedation with local anesthesia. However, when you do augmentation and a lift combined it is difficult to do under local anesthesia with sedation. This is because in order to do the lift portion of the procedure the patient has to be sat up in the operating room. This allows the surgeon to exactly determine the amount of lift they want to perform which would be hard to do with sedation alone due to lack of control of the airway. I personally do not have any reservation for you to have general anesthesia with local anesthesia to supplement. With that said, if you have any concerns you can always get clearance from your primary care physician to make sure they don’t have any reservation either.
Your anatomy brings in some unique features that we need to discuss and your surgeon needs to be very comfortable addressing. First of all, you have what is called a low footprint of your breast, meaning that your breasts naturally sit low on your chest. They have always been like this and they will always be like this. However, with that said, you do have droopiness of your areola and the bottom of your breast has bottomed out. Weight fluctuation has contributed to this problem because every time you gain weight, your breast gets bigger, and when you lose weight, you deflate your breast leaving extra skin that hangs lower. Now, you do have significant volume. The question to ask yourself when deciding if you want an implant is; if you like what you see when you have a bra on. If you like what you see when you have a bra on, this means you like the volume of your existing breasts and therefore, there is no need to add an implant. On the other hand, if even with a bra you still would like more volume, then I would suggest considering an implant. Alternatively, you might say I like my volume but my volume sits lower and I would like more fullness in the upper part of my breast. In that situation, I would recommend doing what is called auto-augmentation. This is where you can actually lift the breast but take the volume from the lower part of the breast and put in higher up on the chest to give you a more organic fullness of the upper pull without using an implant. Looking at the limited picture of your trunk, it appears to me that you have adequate volume in terms of the proportionality but the volume need to be shaped and distributed a little differently on your chest. So, one recommendation, which I have been doing more and more in my own practice, is to consider a lift with auto-augmentation where I move the bottom volume and put it higher on your chest and maintaining that shape with a mesh, called GalaFlex mesh. GalaFlex mesh is dissolvable and creates a hammock effect underneath the breast to support positioning. Once your breast has healed in the desired shape, your body naturally dissolves away the mesh. Now the use of mesh is off label, but is FDA approved for tissue support, making it a good option. Another good option if you do not want to do an implant is to consider what we just talked about with the lift and the mesh but also add even more fullness to the upper part of your breast with fat injections. Obviously, that requires you having some fat in other parts of your body like your thighs or your abdominal area to harvest from. If you have that, we can organically rebuild your breasts to give you more fullness and redistribute the volume in the areas where you are most interested. Again, you must realize that you are always going to have a low footprint of you breasts because that is your natural anatomy.
I can see why you are concerned about your previous experience with your augmentation in regards to your scars around your areola. To me, it appears that your areolas were reduced in size however, because they did not use permanent sutures your areolas have expanded with time and as a result you have developed hypertrophic scaring, widening of the scar. Especially in a person of darker skin tone, these scars can become more noticeable. With that said, I don’t think that you are necessarily a bad scar former, so I would not allow that to sway you away from future procedures. Now in terms of your abdomen, I can tell from the side view of your photograph, you do have significant protrusion in the abdominal area combined with increased curvature in your lower back. This suggests that you have a tilt forward of your pelvis. This usually indicates that you have separation in the front recti muscles and you will have significant diastasis. Now, I can only be certain in diagnosis upon examination. If I am correct and there is a significant gap between your muscles, the only way we can fix the problem is by repairing the muscles back together in means of a tummy tuck. I agree with one your surgeons who said your belly button, umbilicus, sits high on your abdomen and you may not have a lot of loose skin. Therefore, in my opinion, you are a perfect candidate for a tummy tuck. I would recommend doing an operation with a floating umbilicus. This is where the umbilicus is detached from the muscle underneath and then reattached lower on your abdomen. This allows you to not have a scar around your umbilicus or vertically on your abdomen. Rather only having a scar in your bikini line. When I do a tummy tuck, I design the surgery so the scar falls within the outline of a bikini and most of my patients post op can wear a bikini, if they are comfortable. The difference between a mini tummy tuck and a full tummy tuck is semantics. In my opinion it is not about the length of the scar, that’s important, it’s about the contour of your abdomen. When you are doing this operation to improve your contour, the scar is the price of that. I hope that answers your question.
Let me start by reviewing the plan for your surgery. In terms of the volume of your implant, I am not privy to how you came up with the volume of 325-375 ccs. With my patients, I am less concerned with the volume of the implant itself. Rather, I talk about the volume in a bigger picture of shaping the breast. What volume of implant you choose depends on how wide your implant is, how tall your implant is and how much projection you desire. You can have the same volume of implant, but completely different shapes depending on what specific implant you choose. In terms of the placement of the implant, you can choose to place in front or behind the muscle. In your case, based on your photograph, I think you are a candidate for both options given the thickness in the fat underneath the skin above your breast. I think if you choose above the muscle, a subfascial augmentation, you can not only camouflage some of the droopiness of the breast, but also avoid having to cut the muscle, which in turn will give you a quicker recovery. In terms of whether you need a lift or not, I tend to agree with your surgeon in that you are right on the border. I think it is perfectly fine to do breast augmentation especially in the subfascial pocket and not do a lift, then assess where your areola sits. As mentioned before, you are a candidate for a lift as well. Please do realize that your body will naturally age and if you don’t do a lift now, you may still need to do a lift in the future. With that said, I think you need to choose the implant with the right shape and the right type of gel that will help determine the shape of your breast, which is ultimately what we are trying to do. Remember, we are trying to shape your breast not just add volume to your breast.
Thank you for your question. I understand your concern about not wanting to have surgery and the potential having of future pregnancies. However, based on your photos and the fact that you previously had a twin pregnancy, I do not see any way to achieve the results you are striving for without performing a tummy tuck procedure. You have a significant protrusion in your abdomen that suggests that you have diastasis recti, a separation of your muscles, which is very common after pregnancy. I also see a curvature in your lower back, which again goes along with the fact that you have a tilt in your pelvis and therefore, you most likely have muscle separation. In addition, you have significant laxity in you abdominal skin which is accompanied by stretch marks and some fat accumulation on the sides. In my opinion, if you do liposuction whether if its 180 or 360, it will not address your concerns entirely. I would recommend a tummy tuck procedure that includes liposuction, along with the tightening of the abdominal muscles to improve the strength of your abdomen and to address the extra skin from your previous pregnancy. Lastly, I agree that it is best to hold off on doing any surgery until you have completed your future pregnancies and then at that time, consider body contouring.
