My surgery date for breast augmentation is fast approaching. I go from feeling scared and uncertain to excited and giddy and back again. I've never had any kind of surgery before, although the surgery itself is not what scares me most. If I'm honest it's fear of the judgement of others. I've only told my best friend (and husband, a hard one to avoid!) about the procedure, both of whom are supportive and understanding. I am presently a very very small A. Try as I have, in my 31 years I've never been able to overcome the insecurity and frustration that has gone with having a flat chest. I know that I'm not doing it for anyone other than myself (no pressure from the husband!) which feels like the right attitude. I know that I can't let fear of other people's thoughts dictate my own actions/choices...so to hell with 'em! That being said, I don't think I'm gonna go fuller than a B cup. I would like there to be a decent proportion of my existing breast tissue (albeit not much!) with the implant. I'm not sure how many cc's that'll end up being. My pre-op visit is scheduled for 1/3 where I'll have a chance to try on sizers and get a better idea of what I'd like. I'm also nervous about the recovery period...I have a job that includes lifting of some heavy files which I was hoping to be able to resume a week after surgery, but from what I've read it sounds like no lifting whatsoever for at least 4 weeks post-op...I'll definitely do whatever is recommended! This whole thing just feels so surreal and crazy. Any advice is much appreciated!
Updated on 1 Jan 2019:
So I've been pouring over this site, checking out other women's procedures and implant specs, and I'm feeling more and more confused/uncertain. My surgeon was..not pushy, but not impartial on the subject of round silicone vs. teardrop/anatomical. I think I didn't make it clear enough that my goal isn't so much upper pole volume and cleavage, as it is a normal, natural looking/feeling breast. He was all about the round silicone. From what I've seen, teardrop implants give the most natural appearance, but is it true that they're substantially firmer to the touch? That would be a deal-breaker for me. Maybe I just need to get low-profile for the more natural look? I dunno, man! Any insights here are much appreciated. :)
Updated on 3 Jan 2019:
Went in today for my last appointment before surgery next week. I tried on sizers to help choose a size. Found out my surgeon only uses Mentor high profile smooth round silicone implants. I can’t decide between 250 cc and 275 cc. I want a more subtle/conservative look, and 275 just looks so huge with the sizers! What’s with that? Am I crazy?
Also another thing I need to decide is the incision site...inframammary or peri-areolar? (Under the breast in the fold or along the edge of the Areola). As freaky as the peri-areolar sounds...I must admit I’m tempted to go that way if it means I don’t have to worry as much about scarring (because it tends to blend with the Areola). But it still seems like a weird spot.
Updated on 7 Jan 2019:
After hours upon hours of combing realself for women with similar boob goals and stats as well as other PS opinions concerning my surgeon's high profile preference, I found myself needing to meet with him again to answer some questions that have been gnawing at me. I called his office and was told to just pop on in and he could meet with me between appointments, which he did. I was able to hear his rationale for why he primarily uses high profile implants...let's see if I can remember all of the reasons: He finds that mentor high profile implants give the nicest shape over time, that their designation as "high profile" is not significantly more pronounced than their moderate profile implants, and he likes their narrow base width (when working with a patient who has a correspondingly narrow breast width).
My main concern was that I was possibly missing out on an implant better suited to my more conservative/humble boob goals with a moderate profile implant. Hearing his reasons put my mind at ease. I feel like I've done my due diligence and can stop stressing out about everything and just BE INSANELY HAPPY AND EXCITED THAT IM FINALLY GETTING BOOBIES OHMUHGAWWWWD!!!!
Also...might have to succumb to the boob greed and go 275cc (instead of 250) :-D
Updated on 10 Jan 2019:
Went with the 275 mentor HP unders, inframammary incision. Surgery was a breeze. Everyone was super accommodating and sweet. It was so surreal going in there and finally having it done! I had to pinch myself. :)
When I woke up I didn’t feel any pain, that was a few hours ago. Now I’m starting to feel some tightness in my chest with a mild throbbing pain, but nothing too intense. And hooray no nausea! Just eating soup and binge watching GOT in my sweet electric recliner! Husband has been the sweetest tending to my every need. :)
Can’t wait till first post-op tomorrow where I can see these bad boys!
Updated on 10 Jan 2019:
Went in to get the bandages off and have my first look at my new boobs! Granted, they definitely need some time to relax/drop/fluff and what have you...but I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!! Now come the hard part of doing nothing for the next week!
Updated on 11 Jan 2019:
Today has been so much easier in terms of discomfort compared to the last who. I've only taken my meds once today. Ibuprofen seems to do just fine!
I'm pretty sure I'm liking the size, although I know I should reserve judgement for at least the first month or so. They're just so firm right now! I need some reassurance that they're gonna loosen up a bit :)
Updated on 12 Jan 2019:
Aside from their lack of squishiness, I'm loving the size and shape. I am especially stoked that I'm pretty sure no one will be able to notice a difference between my old padded bra chest and new boobs (at least without a bikini). Minimal discomfort, just a little tightness. I should probably be taking it easier than I have been with arm movements, but it's so hard! I have to say the thing that has been most helpful in recovering has been sleeping in a recliner that I can adjust to the right angle. Constipation has been a [RS bleep] though, thanks to pain meds...even though I've cut back on those quite a bit AND drink prune juice AND smooth move tea, still no dice :( However, that's a small price to pay for my dream boobs.
Updated on 13 Jan 2019:
Updated on 18 Jan 2019:
Just had my second post-op appt. PS says they're healing nicely and I should expect to see them drop and soften up quite a bit over the next 3 weeks or so. He advised against any extra effort on my part to get them to drop (massaging, wearing a band, etc.), as he said they will do this on their own. I can honestly say by this point I have very little discomfort at all so long as I avoid pushing/pulling with force, but I'm able to do most things that don't require a whole lot of strength. I asked him about getting some new bras as the ones they provide leave much to be desired aesthetically, he said to go for it so long as it provides some lateral and vertical support (no underwire.)
Overall this whole experience has way surpassed my expectations...I thought they'd look way weirder at this point, but I am loving them! SO happy I decided to do this. I feel like I have an entirely new body. Crazy happy. :D
Updated on 20 Jan 2019:
Had fun buying some new sports bras to take the place of the post-op bras provided by my PS. Not sure that I’ll even want an actual underwire bra...nah I will. :)
Updated on 25 Jan 2019:
Just over 2 weeks into recovery. Very little discomfort other than the tape itself pulling on my skin if I try to arch my back. I can lift my arms over my head comfortably and sleep on my side...though I'm a little paranoid to do so (thinking that the implants will just sink on down to the side in the night-probably silly, but still!). I do have some nipple/areola sensitivity, but from what I've read that's normal for the first 4-6 weeks. I'm not supposed to take the stupid tape off until I'm 4 weeks in...it's so hard! But my PS tells me this is to prevent a raised scar as well as keep the wound from reopening. It's weird to be getting used to having boobs! Really hoping they'll drop quite a bit more in the next couple weeks here...from what everyone on here says they will but it's hard not to be paranoid about these things. I'm sure people can relate to that. :) And man, I cannot wait to not wear a bra!! I'm supposed to wear one nonstop the first 4 weeks. Is that the same with everyone else?
Updated on 1 Feb 2019:
Softening and dropping! Loving my results. Less than 1 week till I can go no-bra...couldn't come sooner. I caved and took off my tape at 2 weeks and SO regret it. I had a small opening maybe a quarter of an inch wide along an incision and it freaked me out. Luckily it appears to be superficial and has been healing nicely with topical wound care...this hasn't stopped me from being nonstop paraniod about infection and crazy worst-case scenarios. This site does have some pretty horrific breast-augmentation-gone-wrong stories and photos! I would not recommend exploring those!
Also I've been wanting to mention that I do have mondors cords...also freaked me the hell out because I had no idea what they were at first..but apparently they're no big deal and should clear up on their own. Phew!! All in all it's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but I look forward to stabilizing healing-wise over the next few weeks.
Updated on 18 Feb 2019:
Just had my last post-op a few days ago. Doc said that everything looks good and I can FINALLY get back to normal physical activity...I won't lie...taking 5 weeks off exercise was a bummer.
He also said that I should expect them to really drop and fluff over the next couple weeks in particular, with the size/shape setting at around 4 months.
I'm super happy with the size. So glad I didn't get greedy (I was tempted!). After trying on some bra sizes I think I'm either a 34 B or 32 C...but sizes are so inconsistent it's hard to tell. Regardless, I definitely feel like I've got plenty of boob! They're so much softer than they were a couple weeks ago...So glad to be past feeling constantly paranoid that they were going to turn out weird or some other physical catastrophe was going to befall me. And so liberating to have full use of my body without worrying about the incisions opening or muscles tearing!
This site (though frustrating at times due to its technical difficulties) has been so helpful with hearing other women's experiences and watching progress. This journey would have been much more frightening without the community support.
Thanks everyone who's commented/been in touch!! Love at ya!!