For years I always felt uncomfortable in my body. After buying super padded bras for years I finally saved up money to get my breast done. I was hesitant due to worrying about what my family and others would think but I came to realize it's for YOU. No one else. I have wider hips so being a 30 A makes me feel like I'm missing something. Ready to be a DD. Updated on 26 Jan 2021: Updated on 27 Jan 2021: Woke up in a lot of pain since I didn’t take meds in the middle of the night. Felt like I pulled every muscle in my shoulders. Took meds feeling good. It’s hard to put my chest up all the way when walking though. But glad I’m not taking the narcotics! Updated on 28 Jan 2021: Woke up in a ton of pain. Took meds and I’m feeling better. My shoulders hurt the worst and it’s starting to sting around the incision Updated on 2 Feb 2021: Well... I want to rip these things out. I did not expect to be this disabled. The worst part.that is so random and unexpected is the unbearable pain in my neck. every time I go out and walk around my neck hurts horrendously. My right boob is a little higher than the other and is still boxed while the other is more round. I’m hoping they each drop at different rates. I’m just a little unable about the neck and shoulder pain I wasn’t warned about. I’m ready to be healed already. Updated on 1 Apr 2021: We are at our three month mark and let me say. Yay I have boobs. But, the boobs I paid for and went through so much pain look like I got attacked by an animal from the amount of stretch marks. I was nervous and aware that I was prone to stretch marks prior to surgery, I asked my doctor and nurse if I should be worried, expect it, or do anything to prevent. She was so optimistic and said oh nooo you won’t, and in rare cases they are below the boobs. Now I have tons. On the corner right where V cut shirts and bathing suits show. I’m disappointed because she had me convinced I wasn’t going to get them.
Overall really good experience. So glad I trusted Dr. Saltz with all this! I found some of the lengthier reviews helped me to feel calm and confident about the procedure, so I’ll try and do the same! Will update as they heal and drop. I went with 285cc Textured Silicone moderate+ profile, sub-muscular with an infra-mammary incision Pre-op:I can see why a couple people may have felt Dr. Saltz wasn’t very attentive. She gets straight to business and doesn’t waste time making people comfortable or entertaining conversation that she doesn’t find accurate or important. Personally I appreciated this since I was already pretty researched on her work and the procedure. You can see from her work she has a very distinct style, which lined up exactly with what I wanted. Any bedside manner you may miss with Dr.Saltz, her nurse Ruth makes up for tenfold. My ONLY complaint was a rude wake up call around 7:20am, day of surgery from a frantic nurse who insisted I come in “like now.” 5 hours before my scheduled appointment, and that I “should have been ready to be here at any time”. I live about an hour away and she seemed to have take that personally. It’s vaguely written in the pre-op pamphlet to be prepared for surgery time to change due to anesthesia supply, but the scheduling nurse the day before insisted that I should plan on being there at 11:30 and there was no need to plan on being there any earlier. Thankfully when I told the receptionist about my experience she was mortified and everyone was extremely polite and attentive once I got there (no rush at all).The whole surgical experience was swift and easy as well. Even the surgical table was comfortable and heated. When u arrive at the center you are taken to a room with a heated reclining chair and blanket where you change, fill out paper work and dr. Saltz does her final measurements and markings, then you’re walked to the operating room, and can get comfortable on the table, strapped into the most relaxing leg massaging devices (for circulation I think?) and given an IV, and then you’re OUT. Once you’re up, they’re pretty efficient about getting you home and comfortable. The next day check up was swift as well. I saw Ruth, she checked everything, gave me another bra and sent me home! Recovery for me was surprisingly easy as well.No Sickness at all thankfully, they really do use the highest quality anesthetics. Here are some things I’m so GLAD I did:-staggered the muscle relaxers with the pain meds so that I was never without anything. -has button up pajamas-has stool softener and fiber as well as the laxative -drank my WEIGHT in water.-stretch mark cream just in case-diaper rash cream for the chaffing of the bra under your arms ...and some things I WISH I’d done.-taken a vaginal probiotic, and NOT worn latex underwear, and had monostat on hand. Even tho it’s only one day of antibiotic, it must have been a strong one because at day 5 I woke up with a yeast infection. -not been so hesitant with the Oxycodone. It seemed like so little at first that I wanted to ration it so I only took it at night. By the third day I felt much better and didn’t even need it. Realistically I could have just taken it consistently for the first two days and not been in so much pain.
My experience with Dr. Saltz was wonderful!!! So happy with the results! Her staff is so professional and I love that they tell you ahead of time verbally and in writing on what to expect. They reduced any anxiety to a minimum. So glad I went with Dr. Saltz!
Dr. Saltz, her nurse, and the entire team at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre absolutely exceeded my expectations for my surgery experience. Not only is the office suite absolutely gorgeous, it is a comfortable and welcoming environment with tons of amenities. Dr. Saltz and her nurses treated me with such kindness and care- it was like I was speaking with family. They thoroughly explained all of the options available to me, and helped me decide on what would make me the most comfortable. The actual procedure was so smooth and seamless- I felt safe and secure the entire time. I am so thrilled with my results, it has only been 2 months and there is barely any trace of the incision. I am so much more comfortable in my skin now and I receive compliments everyday about how totally natural everything looks!
I have wanted boobs for at least a decade now. Ever since my friends started sprouting boobs in late elementary and early middle school, I wanted them. I waited patiently, checking in the mirror every day and noting any changes. Throughout the entirety of grade school, I barely filled an A cup. I’d be reassured through friends, magazines or my mother that they would soon come. They had to! Everyone told me to wait until high school, or wait until I got my period. So I kept waiting. By sophomore year, and with no sign of a period yet, I started losing hope. My mom would buy me milk with extra hormones, as we thought that would help. I had also read somewhere in Cosmopolitan that chest workouts boob growth—which, is false, by the way—so I started doing push ups and chest flyes in my bedroom at night when everyone was asleep. I felt like I was trying everything I possibly could and then, out of nowhere, my period came.. just without the boobs. I had started to accept the brutal truth that my body was just not going to naturally grow a sizable amount of breast tissue. While I was a teenager, this was difficult. I still found myself wearing double padded bathing suits and VS Bombshell Push-Ups to shove what little boobage I had to the sky. And after a while, I decided that I would have to love and accept my body as it is and without the facade. I’ve grown to love my small chest, truly, but there’s always been a part of me that wished I had a little more. Maybe a fleeting moment of disappointment when I can’t fill out an extra small top, a defeated shrug, and I’d continue with my day. I don’t feel insecure. And I’ve never felt like I needed larger breasts to complete me. But if given the opportunity, why wouldn’t I do it? And so I am. — I’ve decided to book my surgery with Dr. Saltz. She’s highly qualified for the job, with years of practice and plenty more happy, completely satisfied patients. From the get-go, she and her team have made me feel heard, comfortable and confident in my decision. My experience thus far has been perfect. The surgery centre is warm and welcoming—yet quite chic! I love Ruth, her nurse, as well as the entire staff. Everyone I’ve interacted with is so nice and very professional. Dr. Saltz, herself, is such a sweetheart. You can tell she deeply cares and wants you to be happy with the procedure in every aspect. I couldn’t have asked for a better surgeon and team behind her. I’m 5’4” tall, about 110lbs and have recently started lifting weights 5-6x per week, so I’m becoming more lean. I’m currently a 30B/32A bra size (my band size is approx. 28”), although I barely fill either of those. I’m looking to be around a C - small D cup depending, and am going for 415cc’s, smooth round silicone high profile implants, under the muscle. I want them to be on the larger side, but still look natural. I absolutely hate the look of fake boobs when they’re super round from the side, specifically on the top. I’m looking for a more natural slope, perky and full at the bottom. I’d like to simply wear a push-up bra for cleavage, but I know a lot of women opt for a braless cleavage look! I brought in photos to show Dr. Saltz and asked her opinion on which type of implants she thought were right for my frame and cup size currently to achieve my desired result. I had been to another consultation where I felt rushed and pressured to go smaller (like 200cc smaller!!), so I chose 350cc. But after meeting with Dr. Saltz, I felt comfortable spending my time considering the sizing and decided to go larger. My appointment is booked for next week on July 25th and I’m beyond excited! I go over reviews on this site nearly every night, and figured I would post my journey too as it’s helped me so much and I ultimately want to contribute to what might help others as well. I also have my experience so far posted on YouTube, in case you prefer to watch and not read ;) my username is karstinkle. Anyway, just about got everything I need.. my prep list includes: - all prescriptions filled - button down tops - Vitamin C - Arnica Montana - laxatives lol (going to try senna tea first!) - reading pillow - books! - TV tray - water bottles with caps pre-twisted - coconut water - ginger beer (for nausea) - bendy straws - prepped meals So nervous I can barely think about anything else! Also really bugging out about the size I chose.. on some girls with my same stats, 415cc implants look HUGE and other times they look really small. I’m nervous they won’t be the size I want :( Updated on 17 Jul 2019: Just wanted to add some before photos and wish photos! Also photos of what I DON'T want, since I didn't even think of that before. Really want to stay away from the "fake boob" look, so no cleavage and minimal fullness at the top. No bolt ons! Personally, I want a nice even slope (but not so far that it shoots back into the sky like a ski slope!) and then have them more round and fuller at the bottom. As you can see from my before photos, I'm very small -- breast and body. I do want larger boobs (C-D cup), but the round, cleavage-y implants are a dead giveaway that they're not mine. I think with larger, but natural breasts then they will still look proportionate with the rest of my body! Updated on 24 Jul 2019: I got the call earlier for my check-in time tomorrow, it’s at noon! Was hoping it wouldn’t be at 5am, but also wish it were a bit earlier than it is because I’ve just been a big ball of nerves for WEEKS. Basically ever since I booked my appointment and knew it was officially happening, I started freaking out. I’m talking combing through this site until 2am, watching videos on YouTube of breast augs being performed, looking at more pictures of boobs in one night than a whole class of teenage boys combined, getting no sleep and needing to distract myself at all times. On the upside, however, my house is sparkling clean ;) I prepped about 10 days of food this morning, and have everything set out for tomorrow. Meds, a ginger beer, water, straws and my camera are in a bag by the door and a I’ve got a fresh change of clothes on my dresser. One thing I didn’t see mentioned anywhere (and maybe it isn’t a big deal) is to pre-tear your toilet paper off of the roll. I expect that the smallest movements will hurt, so I thought that would definitely help during bathroom breaks! Especially since my toilet paper roll is kind of at an awkward place where I’d have to turn around and probably squish my new boobs. Can’t believe this time tomorrow I’ll have new boobies! Will update as soon as I can! Updated on 25 Jul 2019: The title says it all: they’re in, girls!!! My appointment was around 11am, and I probably got onto the operating table at 12:30pm. It literally only took Dr. Saltz 45 minutes to get those suckers in there before my boyfriend got the call that I was done and in recovery. I was nervous about the anesthesia, mostly the initial pain from the needle and being nauseous afterward. I didn’t think it was bad at all! A small pinch, and then you feel this wave moving up your arm and then BOOM! You’re asleep. I woke up, my eyes heavily coated with ointment and I heard the nurse tell me I was in recovery. I had to ask to double check that they were actually there, because it seemed like I just blinked and then I had boobs! Once I got the ok to go, I was wheeled out in the wheelchair and said, “hello world! I have boobs!” to a small audience of my nurse and my boyfriend lol. The pain is about a 3 out of 10. Only really hurts to get up from a reclined position and moving my arms certain ways. For the most part, it just feels like a lot of pressure but I’m not sitting in agony over it. I’ve been trying to accept the pain, feel it, and then let it go. I went with smooth, round 415cc soft touch silicone Natrelle (Allergan) implants. I believe they’re moderate plus, or perhaps high profile, but I have to double check! Gonna try to nap and start this healing process positively :) Updated on 25 Jul 2019: These photos were taken after I saw them for the first time without the bra! Yes.. they’re riding high and get boxy and ugly. It feels super tight and doctor said I basically maxed out when it comes to size and my body couldn’t take any more lol. My doctor recommended a hot shower at the end of the night, which felt AMAZING. Steered clear of the incision sites, but let water run over my boobs for. Few moments. That, plus taking the muscle relaxant was so helpful. Also, the bloat is freaking real. I look like I’m pregnant!! Hoping that will go away soon. I have an appointment tomorrow morning at 10am, will update then :) Updated on 26 Jul 2019: Went in to meet with my nurse this morning. She said everything looked ok, asked me a couple questions, put me into a new surgical bra and that was it! I’ve been sleeping on and off. I definitely need help getting up from a reclined position, and I’m finding out what movements hurt and what doesn’t. It’s not necessarily painful, just uncomfortable. It feels really tight on my chest, and as if I did an extreme chest workout the day before or something. The sides of my boobs near my armpit also feel like they’re on fire! Drank some natural laxative tea, but still haven’t been able to go the bathroom. Even peeing is difficult as it comes out so slow and I never know when I’m done. Wiping is hard for me to do too!! All seems ok though and healing well. Just want this process to fly by so I can be a normal, functioning human again—just with boobs this time! Updated on 28 Jul 2019: Finally went #2 on the morning of the third day! I’ve been drinking senna tea to help with that. Woke up around 6am feeling like I had to go, so I got up and went about my business. Nothing happened for about a half hour, until I got super bad stomach cramps that made me nauseous to the point where I was sweating. I had to lie my forward on the cold sink for a few minutes until it passed. And then, number two!! I felt much better after that. Both days 3 and 4 have felt the same, day 4 being a little easier since I feel a little less sore. They look about the same to me, although I think the bruising is worse today (day 4). Still really out of it and napping most of the day, but I know this means my body is healing. I still am mostly feeling sharp stings on the sides of my boobs, specifically the right. However, I’m no longer taking the heavier pain killers and have switched to just ibuprofen and the muscle relaxant. Plus a couple 100% CBD gummies ;) Updated on 30 Jul 2019: I think I’ve been tracking my post-op days incorrectly. My surgery was 6 days ago, so that makes today the 5th day after. Right? Anyway, I stopped taking the muscle relaxer (it was making me SO tired anyway) and the 800mg ibuprofen, and switched to regular 200mg this morning. I’m still not driving yet, but I had my sister take me to run a couple errands and it was nice to get out for a bit. I felt like a dog sticking my head out of the passenger side window!! The fresh air was amazing! The past two nights, however, were rough. I couldn’t get comfortable enough to sleep even though I slept like a baby every night before. I kept slowly getting up, rearranging the pillows with my T-Rex arms, carefully lying down, then huffing in frustration when it still wasn’t right. No matter what I do, either my upper or lower back hurts :/ I’ve been using a heating pad to help alleviate some of that pain, but for whatever reason it just hasn’t been doing anything. Fingers crossed for tonight! I’ve started applying Bio-Oil to my boobs after my shower and letting it soak in while I wait for the incision tapes to dry. Hopefully that will help with any stretch marks that want to form! I’ve also got a sizable bruise on the side of my left boob, and it looks like I’ve got some sort of yellow curry paste plastered along my entire ribcage! I’ve been using topical arnica gel to help. I’m also starting to realize that my sternum tattoo might have been placed unevenly? I’ve never really noticed, if that’s the case, but after staring at the progress pictures I take every day I feel like it might be off a bit which in turn makes my boobs look uneven. I obviously can’t say anything until after I’m healed and can see the final result, but the placement of my new boobs with my sternum tattoo was something I was concerned about from the beginning. I think ultimately, I want symmetrical boobs and will deal with the tattoo as is or even get it lasered off.. just something that’s been on my mind. Updated on 31 Jul 2019: Every day gets easier and easier. I'm still taking Ibuprofen a couple times a day, but in significantly less pain. I no longer need help to get up out of bed or from a reclined position, and I can do most things without my body telling me to stop. I even did a couple loads of laundry today using my foot to open the doors (I have a front loading washer and dryer) and had my sister swap the clean clothes to dry since they're a bit too heavy when damp. I had to fold everything slowly and definitely needed a nap afterward, but that's progress! I've just been listening to my body for what I can and can't do. I slept better last night. Meaning I slept through the night, but woke up around 6am, which is early for me. Since I can't really move into another position to get comfortable, I sort of just stared at the ceiling frustrated lol. I ended up moving to the couch in the living room instead and sleeping for a couple more hours. I guess the change of scenery/stiff IKEA couch did the trick? As for my BOOBS, they also look better as the days go by! I'm starting to see a bit of cleavage and they're slowly starting to settle and not feel as tight on my chest. Still have a ways to go, but any progress is good. Today was the first day I think I've genuinely felt excited about them post-op, since all I've thought about is either alleviating pain or asking, "why the heck do they still look so boxy?" I'm impatient. Trying to me more grateful and appreciate the jOuRnEy!!!! That's all for today! I attached a pic from earlier :) Updated on 1 Aug 2019: Today officially marks 1 week post-op!! I can’t believe it, it’s crazy how the time has flown by. I’ve attached photos to show the comparison between my surgery day and now :) I’ve also included one from 2 days post-op (I don’t think I took photos the day after because I was so zonked) because the lighting and angle makes it easier to see the differences, I think. I felt almost back to normal today! Did some light tidying of the house, ran some errands with my sister (she drove) and felt more mentally aware in general. I can only lift my arms up and out at about a 90 degree angle with my elbows bent, but it’s easier to pick up or push things than it has been. I can just about wash my hair decently on my own, have shaved my legs and even my armpits finally! Still using my feet/legs to aid me in things like shutting dresser drawers or opening the dishwasher, but it’s nice to not feel totally helpless around the house. I have little to no discomfort today! I did take a 200mg Ibuprofen this morning, but expect to stop taking them tomorrow or maybe just at night to help with swelling. We ran out of CBD gummies so I’ve just been relying on that. I haven’t had a BM in a few days.. but that’s my fault because I stopped drinking the laxative tea. So. I’m still bloated :| My boobs look soo different even just compared to a few days ago! You can see cleavage forming and that they’re starting drop a teeny bit. I put up a video to kind of show how tight and hard they still are. The lower poles seem to be more squishy! They do not budge at my command all, definitely stuck on like barnacles but moving along. I’m really excited to see how much they change in another week’s time! Now that my initial recovery period is “over”, I realized that there were some things I really wished I had and some things I didn’t need during the first week. Thought it might be useful to share: NEED - 40/45 degree wedge pillow!! I wished so badly that I had one of these at night. Stacking a bunch of pillows that would move around during the night was NOT the way to go. My back would hurt so bad in the morning and I’d end up having to shift myself back into a propped position a few times during the night which was.. not fun - Heating pad for your back! For me, it was my upper and mid back that would ache and sometimes keep me up at night over the boob pain. This was a lifesaver! - Bendy straws. No exceptions. - Some sort of laxative. You end up being bloated AF. I recommend Senna tea with some honey before bed! - A supportive caretaker!!! I am so lucky to have had my mom stay for a few days and help with cooking and cleaning, as well as my boyfriend by my side whenever I needed him. You need help preparing meals, opening pill bottles, getting up and lying down the first few days at least, pulling up/down your pants, showering, etc.! Basically anything that requires movement and your arms, especially. DON’T NEED - I didn’t really care for the “reading pillow” that I bought. Even during the day when I preferred to be sitting more upright, this just did not feel comfortable at all! Definitely just get a good wedge pillow instead. - TV tray. This might be helpful if you don’t have a nightstand or some sort of side table to use during the night, but if you share a bed like I do then I don’t think you’ll even need it. I used mine once and that was out of guilt. Will start updating now on a weekly basis, unless something comes up! Updated on 3 Aug 2019: Have been getting “nit picky” right on schedule about my surgery. Going into this, I knew and have constantly reassured myself that healing takes time and I need to be patient to see even and inkling of final results. However, I’ve seen so many girls who are about my same body type and same cup size before, with no kids who get the exact same implant as I do and to no surprise.. they heal differently than I am! I’ve seen some whose boobs also appear really boxy and funny looking, but they settle down within a week and look attractive enough to be worn in clothing. Mine aren’t yet. I’ve seen more who pop right out of surgery and their boobs look like they’ve already dropped and fluffed! I keep getting upset that mine look asymmetrical and unflattering right now, no matter how many times that I or my boyfriend or my mom or my friends (!!!!!) tell me that it’s so early on in my recovery process and that they will look good eventually. And again, I know this. I was prepared for this. But I still get a little upset about it. I’m only 1 week and barely 2 days post-op, but in clothing my boobs look like I’m wearing a sports bra that’s a couple sizes too small :( they still have a shelf on the side, one boob is stretching super far into my armpit—and has from the beginning—and the other is not and prefers to be oval looking. I’m constantly worried that they won’t settle nicely or symmetrically or that my dumb tattoo will make them appear asymmetrical. I chose my PS for a reason and all of her results turn out so lovely and symmetrical and I do not doubt her. It’s just hard when it’s your body and you want your boobs to look the best they can ASAP! I guess I have to trust that everyone is different and everyone heals differently. People have different skin elasticity, different measurements and different everything, really! I need to remind myself of this more. Just been really emotional I guess. I am a Pisces and started my period yesterday though lol. Really glad that didn’t happen during or right after surgery, because my flow is heavier and I get pretty bad cramps!! Anyway, I’m sure I’ll feel better in time and I know these feelings will pass. Just wanted to document in case anyone could relate. Nothing new to report except that I’m still feeling more and more better as the days go by. I did contact my nurse recently a bit concerned because I’ve been getting night sweats. Like, waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, night sweats. I don’t normally sweat at night. Was worried it might be early signs of infection or medication related, but she said I was fine and that it was probably hormones. She said since I’m on my period now and after my body went through trauma from the surgery, the night sweats have probably just been amplified. So I do feel reassured on that. Updated on 6 Aug 2019: Just thinking about the last post I made on here made me feel embarrassed. I almost wish I could delete it. But I think it’s important that women understand the emotions that come with this procedure, and how it effects your mental state. I’ve learned to tell myself that these fear based thoughts are ok, and they are also temporary. Throughout this experience, I have felt definite lows but I have also felt greater highs. I choose to acknowledge my fears, reassure myself (honestly without RS lol) and go back to feeling excited. This does come with PATIENCE—the entire process! Which I thought I had understood from the beginning, but I see it differently now. If you’re feeling down, know you’re not alone, it will pass and your boobs will look great! Practice feeling the positive thoughts that drove you to want to get this done in the first place, lest you create a less than ideal situation/result due to a negative, lingering disposition. OK SO, I had my two week post-op appointment today! My left boob has decided to cooperate and drop a bit, although it hasn’t stretched outward much yet compared to my right. The sensation of a boob hanging down on my chest is so foreign!?? The right boob, however, prefers to stay put where it is! Although this one did stretch outward toward my armpit basically on the first day. Not sure if the muscle might be fussy about this whole new boob thing? I feel like I might have started using too much of my right arm when I went back to doing normal activities around the house and a light version of chores, so now I’m trying to use more of my left to see if that helps. Everything has gotten easier to do, and I feel like I can at least pretend to be normal now. I still need help scrubbing my back in the shower, getting into or out of bed is still a bit uncomfortable and lifting/pushing/pulling anything over 5lbs is a no go; but I’m no longer in constant pain, which is nice. I can sort of sleep on my side, although I prefer my back and am able to sleep semi-ok through the night without propping myself up! Yay! I still get tired randomly throughout the day, so I listen to my body and take a nap. I’m very fortunate that my boyfriend is able to support us both and that I do not have to go to work, so I’ve been able to rest as much as I need and have only gone outside to walk around the block or run quick errands. My boobs still look funny in clothes, so I prefer to stay home and just wear my surgical bra. I have an appointment tomorrow to get my sutures removed, will update then and post pictures! Updated on 8 Aug 2019: I realized that in my last post I said that I had already gone to my two week post op appointment. That’s incorrect lol. Disregard! It was yesterday that I got my sutures removed, which was virtually painless. My incisions look a lot cleaner than I had expected! I asked my doctor about my hot flashes, fatigue and pins and needles in my hands and feet when I sleep, as I was concerned, but was assured that it was all fine. I was told to take into account my menstrual cycle and the hormones associated with the breasts, and that my body would be doing a lot of unusual things because of this and the surgery itself. So long as I do not have a fever and/or one big, swollen and red boob, I am ok. She also asked if I was getting enough nutrition—honestly not, just because I don’t have the energy to make full meals for myself—and it was suggested to eat a banana lol. So I bought some ;) I’m not in any pain, maybe just a random uncomfortable feeling to remind me that they’re healing. The ribs right under my fold feel really sore, and I think that’s what makes it difficult to get up out of bed. Whenever I flex my abs, I can feel pressure just under my boob and I think since my fold was anchored down and stitched to my ribs that this is what hurts me. Other than that, with some movements I just feel sore and tight. After I took a shower this morning, I gently massaged Bio-Oil onto the girls and noticed for the first time how womanly I look. Me! My boobs! Because they still feel so alien to me. Like they’re not mine, I’m just watching over them for a while. My waist even looks slimmer because I actually have some curves up top now!! Anyway, I got really excited and took a *SeXy* photo for myself. Also trying on old tops or dresses makes me feel really good too, even if my new boobs still look funny. I went to VS yesterday to try on some bras, mostly for fun. I know I’m still healing and swollen, but was measured today at a 32D! I couldn’t believe that I fit into such a large bra, I remember sifting through lingerie racks and seeing D cups and thinking they were sooo big. Even an A cup was too big for me though; I never wore bras. I’m really happy with the size I ended up with, I think they’re perfect and I’m starting to love them more and more! I’m really glad I’ve been taking progress photos. They change so much in such little time! My side profile is definitely a lot fuller, I’ve gained some cleavage and they feel softer. My posture is almost back to normal, as it was uncomfortable to have my shoulders back and straight since my chest was so tight! The worst of my bruising is over and the bloating is gone. All in just under two weeks! Updated on 8 Aug 2019: Added my last review without my 2 week update photos, so here they are! I also wanted to talk about Ruth, the nurse who works beside Dr. Saltz. Ruth has been wonderful from the very beginning. I really think she has helped form my experience into an amazing one! She’s very honest, talks to you as if you’re a friend, remembers things you’ve told her about yourself, and has been so helpful and responsive throughout this entire process. I’ve had a few concerns pop up after my surgery, and she always responds right away to comfort and reassure me. She’s never made me feel like I was nuisance, even texting her on a weekend! She’s seriously the best. I truly appreciate and am grateful for Ruth and wouldn’t trade her for anyone else. Dr. Saltz, herself, did call me the day before my surgery and a couple days after to see how I was doing and I felt touched that she did so. She gave me advice on how to feel more comfortable since she knew my muscles were really tight and checked in to make sure I was ok, which I didn’t expect honestly. She’s a busy lady! I think she and Ruth make a great team because they sort of make up for what the other lacks. Dr. Saltz is professional and to the point, Ruth makes you feel comfortable by being a bit more relaxed and helps explain what Dr. Saltz means. I love them together. Anyway, back to healing.. I’m going to try to find some comfortable wireless bras to start wearing and then I think I’m going to take a break from RS until the next update. Until then! Updated on 15 Aug 2019: The girls are 3 weeks old!! I can’t even believe it. I feel tremendously better, mentally and physically about everything. The “blues” seem to have passed, and I am no longer worried that I made the wrong choice or that they won’t look good once they’re fully healed and settled. My right boob is still resisting the drop, although she’s going down slowly. Looks a lot rounder and is bigger than my left now. Leftie is looking good, still tight (although this was my tighter side before surgery), but no longer swollen and filling out nicely. I’m still bruised on that side, but it’s gotten significantly better! My nipples are sooooooo sensitive nowadays, I feel like when I go out I’m constantly shielding them—even with a good bra on! Up until a few days ago, my boobs didn’t feel good in anything but my compression bra that was given to me after surgery. Now they hate it. My favorite lounge bra with good support is by freaking HANES of all brands, but I love it! I attached photos of it, along with a couple others that I got and have been liking. The Hanes bra is super comfortable, doesn’t bother my incisions and has an adjustable hook and eye closure in the back. Love it for around the house and sleeping. Another brand I really love is True & Co., their seamless and wire free bras. Buttery soft, so so thin but oddly supportive? You wouldn’t expect it to be. I don’t even notice it’s there. For whatever reason they’re a fraction of the price at Target, so that’s definitely the place to go if you’re interested in trying it! I’m going to go back to the gym this weekend, which I’m excited for! Just some light walking on the treadmill and static, body weight workouts. Lower body only! My PS said not to do upper body until 6 weeks, and I will happily abide by that. Although I do miss working out my arms :,( everything else feels normal! Yay for the body healing and yay for BOOBS! Updated on 19 Aug 2019: Noticed that I have faint Mondors cords near the incision of my right breast. Would have had no idea what these were if it weren’t for this site! A quick Google search claimed that this is an “extremely rare condition”, however, I’ve seen loads of women who experience this after breast augmentation! So who knows what’s up with that. Anyway, doesn’t hurt really unless I’m trying to stretch but don’t know if that’s because my folds were stitched down to my ribs or because of these dang cord things? Probably both. Updated on 22 Aug 2019: Time seriously just flies by! I can’t believe how normal I feel, when just a couple weeks go I was crying in bed wishing I could just simply lie down and get up without yelping in pain. I can finally get into and out of bed with no pain. I can lie on my side, briefly, until it starts to feel uncomfortable. Can even lie on my stomach, propped on my arms! I can open heavy doors at shopping malls (for a while I was having to use the handicapped button lol)! I carried boxes to the post office from the car, stacked on top of each other and squished against my still very rock hard boobs, no problem. I’m basically back to my old self, which is great! A little bit sore, a little uncomfortable sometimes, but loads better. My boobs are also looking better and better, but still look funny. Still tight, the left more than the right. Tiny bit of bruising left. I can see them filling out more, although the changes are becoming more subtle. My right boob is still high and round and appears bigger than the left. But.. ya know. Progress. No more mental breakdowns over them either! Yay! Have been needing to exchange swimsuit tops for LARGER sizes!! Never had to do that in my life. If anything, I needed a smaller size that didn’t exist. My boobs now burst out of tops that I would have otherwise been swimming in! I attached a couple pics, along with *~nUdE~* progress pics weeks 1-4, of course! Updated on 29 Aug 2019: Updated on 5 Sep 2019: Updated on 10 Sep 2019: Like I said a few posts back, I feel so much better now physically and mentally. I do feel like my emotions are more in check and I’m not constantly overwhelmed or being pulled to either end of the spectrum between feeling cheerful and blissfully optimistic, to overly upset and crying about it. But don’t get me wrong, there are still days where strong emotions come up! As they will, of course, you can’t avoid them. Anyway, a few days ago I broke down (full tears and everything) for a few different reasons. First off, I felt guilty that I wasn’t already in love with my boobs. It’s difficult to reap the benefits of RS without comparing yourself to others and their journey, it’s just inevitable. And I found myself upset because while other girls were able to seemingly appreciate their new boobs very early on in their recovery process, mine still felt foreign. Like they didn’t belong to me. And the be honest, they still feel that way! I’m definitely not used to them yet in any way. On top of that, I realized that I get PISSED when I receive any sort of attention from them. Mostly coming from dudes.. I watched a guy nearly drool out his car window as he drove by from what I can only assume! This got to the point where I felt protective of them, and I’d even get angry if my boyfriend went to touch them in a playful manner or something like that. Those feelings passed, and I’m back to feeling good! But I just wanted to kind of pop in and mention this, in case anyone else was still going through the emotional ups and downs at this point of their recovery. I don’t see a lot of women talk about it. Beside all of the emotional talk, my boobs are feeling great! I still massage Bio Oil onto them once to twice daily, although I haven’t started using the scar cream yet. They’re hardly ever in pain or uncomfortable unless I’m lying on my side for too long or on my stomach. Otherwise, I feel totally normal! Still haven’t gone back to the gym, probably a mix of being lazy and just not feeling ready, but I do think I’d be able to do some upper body if I wanted to. I technically have clearance now anyway since it’s past the 6 week mark! Will probably wait to update until the 2 month mark this time.. :) Updated on 25 Sep 2019: I don’t even know where to begin! Looking back on old photos and being able to visually track my progress throughout this journey has been SO helpful. I can’t believe how much they change! They look soooo much better than they did a month ago, even a week ago I’m sure. I can’t get over it! My measurements haven’t changed. I’m still a 35” bust with a 27” underbust, technically making me a 32C; although after trying on bras I’m more like a full C/small D—which is exactly what I was going for. I can still wear an x-small in tops, sometimes a small depending on the style. And in bathing suits, I’ve found I’m usually a medium! I’m really happy with the size, and although some days I do wish I was a little bigger (boob greed?!), I think my results looks perfect with my body. All of the small concerns that have come up mostly in regard to how my boobs look aesthetically, have gone away. For a while I was concerned about developing “double bubble” on my left breast and that has now smoothed itself out. I was also worried about rippling on my right breast, which has also smoothed itself out (not completely, but getting better which is all I care about). I’m don’t feel 100000% excited about them YET, but that’s only because I know they’re still changing and my results are yet to come. I am excited about my progress though, don’t get me wrong haha. I feel normal again. Mentally and physically. My emotions have calmed down to how they were before my surgery and I no longer have to ask for help to lift heavy things. I can lie down flat on my stomach without any pain, sleeping is no problem and I generally just don’t feel restricted any more. My nipples also have calmed down in regard to their heightened sensitivity following my surgery. Overall sensation is coming back on the rest of my breasts. Basically, I’m healing well! Photos are to show comparison from the first week, first month and now at the second month mark. I also uploaded another video, because I’ve found that these were helpful from me when looking at other reviews! I’m wearing the “Feathers” bra by Natori in a 32D, but other bras I can wear a C cup. Will update again at the three month mark, which is also my next appointment with Dr. Saltz :) Updated on 26 Oct 2019: I remember thinking during the first few weeks after surgery that my boobs weren’t healing as well or as fast and they should be, and felt a little discouraged. Another user told me wait until at least the 3 month mark, and how she started to love hers at that point. I’m finally there (as of yesterday) and can honestly say that I love the way they look! I’m still getting used to them on my body, but as for how they’re settling, I’m so so satisfied with my decision to do this and very happy with Dr. Saltz and her work! I had a check-up appointment a few days ago and got before and after photos and.. wow! I didn’t realize how FLAT I was before?? I’m wearing a 32D-32DD depending on the bra, and I’ve found that my small sized lounge bras are starting to feel a bit tight now that my boobs have dropped and fluffed more. I’m no longer self conscious about them looking “too fake”, which is a really great feeling! There’s some lingering pain every once in a while, but I’d say I finally feel about 95% back to my normal self. Yay for the passing of time and the body healing! Updated on 29 Dec 2019: I feel great! I no longer get random zings of pain, can do pretty much whatever I want (except sleep on my stomach comfortably, RIP!) and they’re starting to settle and really feel like my own. It actually shocks me sometimes to see older pictures of myself with a flat chest lol! I’m happy with them. I could definitely nit pick, but for the most part, I got what I asked for. I love the size, projection and amount of side boob that I get. They’re pretty dang symmetrical now, which I was worried about a bit in the beginning. I think they look natural and are starting to feel that way too. My only hope is that they start coming just a tiny bit closer together.. fingers crossed! I’ve attached some progress pics as well as the rippling I have goin’ on when I bend forward. I was warned of this, as my skin is pretty thin and there’s nothing between that and my implant, and I’m fine with it. They’re not real and I’m not trying to fool anyone ;) Updated on 10 Jan 2020: Updated on 26 Mar 2020: Haven’t updated in a while! Everything’s been going well.. no issues or complaints! I feel like I may have said this in the last few updates, but they really do feel like my own now. I’m comfortable with them, and have almost completely been able to heal mentally and emotionally—that was the hardest part by far. My scars are still visible, but personally it takes MONTHS for even a small acne scar to go away on me, so, yeah. Other than that, it’s been smooth sailing lately :) My left side has always been slower to drop and fluff/heal in general, and you can see in the last photo how much I can maneuver my left vs. my right. It’s definitely not as squishy, but I’ve told myself it will catch up to the right in time. I’ve also stopped massaging them (as my doctor didn’t specifically advise me to anyway), but might start just on the left again. Will probably post again at the 1 year mark! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Updated on 26 Mar 2020: Updated on 24 Apr 2020: Tomorrow marks nine months! I’m so so happy with them now, and every time I say that they still continue to look/feel better. I can't even imagine how they'll look at one year! As usual, I posted some photos and a video to show the progression. I flexed a few times in one part just to show what it looks like and pointed out my original fold. Kinda cool! Also added some photos of my favorite bras! The black bra is by Wacoal, I wear a 32D. It’s wireless (although underwire doesn’t bother me at all) and SO comfortable! The floral bra is VS x For Love & Lemons, I believe in a size Medium since they don’t run in cup sizes. For lounging at home, the olive green bra is my go-to. It’s by Richer Poorer and is a size Small! It looks cute and is the best one I’ve tried for sleeping or just around the house. I was wearing another comfort bra by Hanes for a while, but I realized the band is way too big on me and ends up riding up and being uncomfortable.. My measurements are still the same from two weeks out: 35” bust and 28” underbust. I wear a Small in most lounge bras/sports bras, Small or Medium in bathing suit tops (the red one is a Medium) and a 30DD/32D in bras! In regular tops I’m still an X-Small, with the exception of some tight fitting tops. Thanks for all of the love, especially those who have followed me from the beginning! I try to check this once a week or so, and I love answering your questions! :) Updated on 24 Apr 2020: Re-uploading because I didn't crop my face out before -__- Video update to show how much softer and jiggly they've gotten! I also flexed a few times to show what that looks like haha. You can also see my original fold doing this too! Updated on 10 Aug 2020: My 1 year anniversary was on July 25th, so it’s been just over a year since my operation! I had a Zoom meeting for my post-op (which was weird) and was told everything looks great so no more appointments for me! I’ve gotten a few questions asking whether I’d change anything if I could do it again, and it would be two things: go slightly smaller in size with less projection and maybe put more consideration into going through the areola, as the scars bother me (I know these will continue to get better). That’s it. Everything else, I wouldn’t change. I’m very, very happy with them. Like I said, of course there are things that I would tweak, but they’re fake boobs! They’re never going to look 1000% natural and a real pair of breasts isn’t perfect either. So, with that being said, I love them and I’m beyond thankful that I was able to go through this process. I’m still wearing a 32D in bras, sometimes DD depending on the brand, and a small in most bra tops or sports bras. In bathing suits, I wear a large in triangle bikinis and either a small or medium in other styles. I definitely understand the struggle in buying suits that fits both underbust and cup size now! Regular t-shirts, tops, etc. are usually a small, depending, but I didn’t have to throw out much that I already owned. As usual, I’ve taken photos to document my results and a video just to show how much more they’ve settled and gotten squishier over time. Thank you for all the kind comments and support—this community has really helped me throughout this entire process and I’m so grateful! Updated on 23 Sep 2021: My implants are 2 years old as of July 27th, 2021! A little late, but here’s my update finally: Many of you have reached out to me in regard to my posts here on Real Self, and it’s been so nice to know that my review has helped others in some way! Please don’t hesitate to privately message me (comments don’t always come through in my notifications) and I’m happy to answer any questions you may have :) What to say.. for starters, there’s zero pain anymore. Don’t remember the last time anything felt painful. I’m wearing a 30DD now in bras. 32D also fits, but a 30DD is just more comfortable around the band as it doesn’t ride up as much. My incision scars are becoming more and more faint, and rest under my crease now so I never notice them. Something that I didn’t think about pre-surgery, was the fact that they wouldn’t feel or jiggle like natural breasts, even just walking around. Sometimes I get a little self-conscious on the beach in a bikini because even though they may look nice, they don’t bounce around like the real deal. Obviously not the worst thing, but just a thought I have. I think I’m of the few women who would have preferred to go SMALLER rather than larger, though I don’t think mine look too big at all. Personally, I don’t always love how far they stick out and how round they are but like.. they’re fake boobs! If I redo them in the future, I’ll probably try around 300-350cc (as opposed to 415cc) and maybe opt for a lower profile. All nitpicking aside, I’m still really happy with them. Wearing low cut dresses, tops and bathing suits is really fun now and I feel like my body better represents how feminine I am on the inside. Would I do it again? Yes, 1000%. Updated on 10 Dec 2022: It’s been 3.5 whole years! Not much has changed since my last update. I’m still wearing a 30DD bra, size small in most sports bras or bathing suits and can still fit into most XS tops (my pre-op size). They just feel like my own breasts now and I rarely mind them. If anything, they’ve just settled more and feel a tad more squishy to the touch. You can kind of tell in bras that they’re more easily manipulated. Still love them! Eventually want to get rid of the sternum tattoo as I feel it detracts from the look of them, but no one really sees it or cares except for me lol. TTC at the moment so I’m thinking after breast feeding they’ll be *chefs kiss*! Updated on 24 Aug 2023: Currently 27 weeks pregnant! CLEARLY my nipples and areolas have gotten much larger, but so has my chest overall. My bust is measuring 36” around (I was 35” post-op I believe) and because I have some natural tissue they actually jiggle and bounce!!! Even though they’re larger, I’m sooooo happy with how they look now simply because they hang more like natural breasts. If you’ve been following along, my hope was always that breastfeeding would soften my skin and allow my implants to hang more freely. No issues or pain, can obviously see the veins and I do have some colostrum beads starting to form so I do not anticipate issues with breastfeeding. Will post a video to show how they move in a separate post! Updated on 24 Aug 2023:
I had the best experience with my breast augmentation, thanks to the doctor and her knowledgeable staff. Right now I'm only three weeks post-op but I love how I look and how quickly I healed. The important thing is that I always felt comfortable and trusting of the medical staff.
I don't think I could have chosen a better doctor. Dr. Saltz really took the time to ease my fears and go over all my concerns during every appointment before and after surgery. She made sure I was fully prepared before my procedure and followed up with how I was doing afterwards. I felt really comfortable with her and would recommend her to anyone thinking about breast augmentation.
I was referred to Dr. Lori Saltz from my dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm at Art of Skin (who I highly trust). She was recommended for her ability of creating natural looking breast through her work in breast Augmentations. Meeting Dr. Saltz and Ruth was a fun experience, they listened to all concerns, answered my questions and worked together to recommend the best option for my needs. I'm now 3 months post OP and so happy with my decision moving forward with Dr. Saltz. My size, feel and shape, is everything I wanted and I feel 100% comfortable.
I’m super happy with my results of my breast augmentation. Dr. Saltz made me feel comfortable with the whole process and she kept her promise of making me look as natural as possible. She is a straight to the point type of gal and I love that. I didn’t have any questions left unanswered. Worth every single penny. I went from a D Cup to an A Cup after losing 85lbs, my breasts looked like used tea bags. Now they look like gorgeous melons! Thank you Dr. Saltz! Also can’t forget Ruth her nurse. Love that women too!
Had an extended tummy tuck as well as a breast revision and breast lift while replacing old implants. My tummy tuck is just 5 days post op and looks incredible, pain is manageable. Breast look natural and I have zero pain from the procedure. Dr. Saltz is a perfectionist and made me feel so comfortable on day of surgery. She is the best of the best. So happy I chose to go with my gut and choose a female plastic surgeon.
The first and most important thing you need to do is see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon about doing the tummy tuck. It is not something your OB-GYN is trained to do. The two surgeons will need to coordinate the two procedures. You will need to have a horizontal scar to pull the excess skin down. A good part of that vertical scar will be gone and you may have a shorter vertical scar low down on your abdomen. Ask your plastic surgeon. You appear to have an umbilical hernia that needs to be addressed, too.
I t looks as if you had very large breasts. It is very common that the excess extends around the chest wall in women with this condition. It is also present in overweight women. In your case, I do not think losing weight will be enough although it would help. I always use liposuction in these instances, however when there is a lot the incision under the breasts can be extended to excise the excess skin that will result. Not infrequently scars around the sides of the chest do not heal nicely and patients may opt to have just the liposuction and not the skin excision. The skin will contract some and you can always go back and excise the skin later, but few patients do that in my experience.
If you have saline implants I am not sure why you think your implants are making you sick. Even silicone implants have not been shown to cause illness. Whatever the reason, you ask a good question. My current position on capsulectomies at the time of explantation has evolved through experience. If you have capsular contractures then definitely have the capsules removed as they can continue to contract abnormally and distort the shape of your breast. I used to think that if the breasts were soft I didn't need to remove the capsule until I had a patient who developed a contracture on one side after I removed her implants. Now I remove just the front side of the capsule; enough that the capsular fibers can't contract in a circular fashion. This is more than just scoring the capsule, but it only takes a few minutes and gives me some peace of mind.
Every plastic surgeon wishes to make their patients happy, but sometimes what they want is not what their tissues will allow and still look normal. Your surgeon may have lowered your inframammary folds to accommodate the large implants you wanted. He/she should have warned you that this was a possibility. Had the implants been placed where your original folds were, your nipples may have been pointing downward because more of the volume was above them than below. You may have had short lower poles which are difficult to treat for this very reason. One option would have been to use an implant that fit your breasts, but it would have been much smaller. The lighting in the photo is not good so it is hard to see if the folds are even, but your left nipple looks higher. Without seeing the post-op photos, we can't say what might have been done, but now you have options. You could have the folds brought up and smaller implants put in. this is not an easy task and if simple sutures do not hold the fold you may need mesh for support. If you are married to the size of your breasts you could consider fat grafting to round out the lower part of your breasts and smooth over the lines. You will have to look for someone who has experience doing this. It is becoming more common with breast reconstruction but hasn't made big inroads into the cosmetic breast arena, yet.Don't despair. Until you find the right solution your breasts will look fine in a bra and clothing which is presumably what your are wearing most of the time. Look very carefully for the right solution and interview several surgeons who are board Certified Plastic Surgeons. Don't rule out a reconstructive surgeon with experience in fat grafting. Take your time and with careful attention your breast can be beautiful!
I have used Exparel on all of my abdominoplasties for several years and found that it works well. It does not cost $500 so I find that to be a bit high to charge a patient. Some studies have shown that using Marcaine in the same manner at the time of surgery works just as well and should not cost anything extra. Suppressing the pain response prior to surgery has made a big difference in the post-op pain patients have. I give 1200 mg of Gabapentin and 2 Celebrex two hours before surgery. My anesthesiologists find that they need to give less narcotics during the procedure. These drugs work on different pain pathways which seems to be more effective than giving a single medication that works on only one pathway. I used these medications before my own face, neck, brow lift and upper and lower blepharoplasties. I did not take a single pain pill after my surgery, but I would never promise you that. What I am saying is that pain suppression prior to surgery makes a big difference. Ask your surgeon about using Marcaine at the time of surgery instead of Exparel and using pre-surgery medications to suppress the pain pathways before the pain in elicited by surgery. No matter what you will be happy with the results and the pain will not be intolerable.
