Dr. Smith did a great job! He is very efficient, thorough, and explained the procedure, possible complications and expectation very well. I am a Dr. myself and understand the responsibilities that go along with any surgery.
I have been a return patient of Dr. Gary Smiths for over 20 yrs. He is highly knowledgable and experienced as he has I believe almost 40 yrs in the industry. Him and his staff are warm personable and made me feel like part of their family. Recently I had a breast augumentation and a lift and decided to go a little smaller as I am getting older..they are gorgeous and perfect and I am a woman with very high standards. It is a pleasure to write this review and if you are looking for a surgeon who is above and beyond look no further.
I had a small amount of LIpo done under my chin while getting upper and lower Eye Lid surgery for a minimal extra cost. My stitches were removed 3 days later and now, 12 days later, I have hardly any bruising or swelling left. I did have quite a bit of swelling and bruising around my eyes for the first week, and a fair amount of swelling and bruising on my neck under my chin. Dr. Smith gave me topical Arnica to put on the areas and I believe that helped. I wish I had gotten Arnica tablets and started taking them prior to surgery as I believe that would have helped with that initial bruising and swelling. My mom told me to use witch hazel, which I have done and I also did a couple sessions of mild hyperbaric treatments to this point and plan a few more. My incisions are no longer visible, although I still have some tenderness and swelling. I think Dr. Smith will be surprised, and pleased, when I see him for my 2 week follow-up on May 3rd at how much I've healed. :)
I am a 39 year old mother of two sons 16 and 12. They were both over 9 lbs and the second was an emergency c-section. This year I lost 50 pounds and decided if I get fifty pounds off I would get a mommy makeover. I am 5'3" and weigh 130. Carrying two heavy boys took a toll on my body and I have decided on a full tummy tuck, breast life (binelli) with silicone implants and lipo of my outer thighs. I had several consults and talked to many people about thier experiences. I decided on Dr. Gary Smith in Roseville because I felt the most comfortable with him and his office staff. Also, he includes in our contract a one year guarantee for revisions if I am unpleased. I like that peace of mind. A friend of mine has gone to him and she is very particular. She had two revisions afterwards for very minor nit-picky things and he was happy to oblige, without cost to her. I have been reading many peoples experiences on here and it has really helped me with my decision. I am taking four weeks off from work because I am a labor and delivery nurse and work 12 hour shifts, on my feet the entire day. I had my pre op appointment this week and paid in full! It is getting so close and I am getting a bit nervous. My doctor asked me to have a mammogram (my first) before since I was close to 40. I'm glad he did, they found two nodules, one was biopsied and it came back benign. I am getting the second one biopsied this week, but the radiologist is 99% sure it is the same fibrous tissue as the first. I have wanted a mommy makeover for about 10 years now and I am glad that I set my mind to getting it done. In order to pay for it, I have been working extra shifts for the last six months and saved every dime. It was not easy, but the hard work is about to pay off....Updated on 31 Aug 2012:Less than a week away! I am very nervous and excited. I should not have watched any surgical videos on youtube. I don't recommend it. I spent the day cleaning the house and packing the freezer with pre-made meals. I know I should be doing more to prepare for surgery, just not sure what. Any suggestions?Updated on 3 Sep 2012:Two days away! I am lucky and got called off of work today so I spent the day getting ready for surgery. I've cleaned the house, make 30 dinners-put them in the freezer (I LOVE pinterest.) I bought items on the checklist (thanks for the checklist realself!) put together bedside baskets for after surgery. I also organized closets, did all the laundry and hung clothes. I feel like I'm ready. Just need a mani-pedi and I'm all set! I also made chore lists for the kids, menu lists for the family. They shouldn't need anything from me for at least an hour! :) Luckily I have a very supportive husband and four children who are old enough to be helpful (somewhat.) Whew, I'm glad I will have some time off work, I need the rest from all the preparations. I am finding that it is very difficult to sleep at night. I can't figure out if it is nerves or excitement. I took before pics today which I will post today if I'm not too embarrassed. The doctor is planning to give me pain meds when I leave but I think I might need some anti-nausea medications. Also, I read from someone that taking valium helped the pain medications work better. (???) Does anyone have any thoughts about that? I am going to call the office tomorrow for a prescription for the anti-nausea medication. Can't wait. Can't seem to slow down, I'm so excited. Has anyone received a list of foods not to eat before surgery? A friend of mine had her MM a few months ago and said she received a list of foods not to eat, like strawberries that contain salicylates.Updated on 3 Sep 2012:I am really lucky to have such a supportive network of friends and family. My eighty year old mom is actually hauling her oxygen tank three hours up here to "take care of me." Which probably means sit on the couch with me and watch old movies, which I am happy for! My two closest friends are taking time off work to take me to the doctors and bring me home. Also my husband has taken time off work to be home and help me. I think he is worried there won't be space enough in the car for him. :) My twin brother and his wife are taking the kids to and from school and offered up help, as well as most of my siblings (I'm the youngest of eight.) I feel so loved. And actually a little guilty because this is an elective cosmetic surgery. I don't know why but I feel because I am having this elective surgery I kind of brought it on myself and don't deserve all the attention or help? Maybe I am being a little crazy. My catholic guilt rises again....Updated on 4 Sep 2012:Yay. It's the day before. I was supposed to work today but I was put on call, so I should be mopping floors or something but I'm sitting on the computer searching mommy makeover results. :) I can't believe that it is finally here. It seems surreal to me. I do feel pretty organized but I'm sure there is more that I can do. I should have gone to work to keep my mind off things but I know I wouldn't be able to concentrate fully.Updated on 4 Sep 2012:It's the night before and I can't believe how many well wishers have contacted me today. Definately feeling the love. I'm so nervous I can hardly think about it anymore. The antianxiety meds haven't kicked in yet I guess. I'll update after the surgery...Updated on 8 Sep 2012:So my surgery went well Wednesday. The first couple of times up to the restroom were terrible. I am lucky to have great friends who are nurses. And my husband is wonderful! He sets an alarm to wake up and give me pain medications. I was incredibly nauseous the second day but the anti nauseous medication helped. I only had my drain in for one day. I'm incredibly swollen. My ps gave me a front zip sports bra to wear but no stabilizer band. Should I buy one? The left breast sits slightly higher than the right.Updated on 9 Sep 2012:I was feeling so good today I decided to cook and clean for the family but I really over-did it a bit. Took a shower and it was the best. I would like to take pictures but I keep forgetting. I'll post pics as soon as I remember but I am very happy with the results.Updated on 12 Sep 2012:One week post op and I almost feel like my old self again. Almost. The new boobs don't feel like they are a part of my body at all. Feels like I am wearing a bulky push up bra all the time. I go in for another post op appointment tomorrow. I don't know what to expect. I wonder how long I am going to be so swollen. Does anyone know when the swelling should go away? I am a good 8 lbs heavier than before surgery and I hate it. The steristrips came off of my belly button in the shower and it looks pretty brutal right now. Wish I was could lay on my side instead of on my back but at least I am back in my own bed now. Starting to get anxious, a little cabin fever?Updated on 17 Sep 2012:Almost two weeks post op and I'm feeling great! I don't have to wear any compression garments anymore and I only take pain medications a couple of times a week. I am so happy with the results so far. This Thursday I get all of the steri strips off and can officially start scar therapy. Several friends are scheduling consult appointments with my doctor, he is so great.
I rambled on in my profile about all the thoughts, fears, frustrations etc that I am feeling in trying to make a decision to do something or keep avoiding it. The more I read the more fearful I got. All the "what if's", the cost, the magnitude of procedure, recovery, results. I guess I have a bit of shame about having done it in the first place in a way. Not something I want everyone to know. I want them to be real! But I was ashamed to have super small breasts before. I'm ashamed to have these big bulbous hard things sticking out of my clothes at 56. People seem to think they look nice over all, but it' just feels unnatural. My boyfriend of over 7 years has never even had a conversation with me about them one way or other. As far as I know he doesn't acknowledge they exist. I scheduled an appointment with my doctor of 23 years ago and I told him I was going to Sacramento for a doctors and he didn't even ask what for! (he's not a bad guy, just a little too laid back and disconnected). So I don't feel comfortable asking for his support really. POST CONSULTATION: So I was feeling pretty confused. Still am. But I had my consultation with my doctor yesterday. He made me feel a bit more at ease over all. His opinion is that things are much different from when I had them put in. The chance of capsular contracture is minimal now. So if I wanted to remove them and scar tissue and capsule and all, replace them with (if i did, I'd prefer smaller) new ones, the result would be good - most likely. If I want to just remove them I would be quite flat chested, but my skin elasticity is still good and maybe a little more natural breast than at 29. Maybe? I forgot to ask about scarring and all. I hated having my nipples cut into before and had to have one reopened to "unfold" implant that wasn't dropping on it's own. It never has been quite right all these years since and then it just got hard. Geeze! give a girl a break! He also assured me that I would be able to resume work in a reasonable time. Maybe 2 or even less weeks for my most physical job, and the other I could return sooner if I was careful. He is going to send me pricing for options. Said he would give me a discount for being a former patient. I am sure I will still have a hard time justifying spending money on any of the options! It seems crazy to pay to do this to my body and then pay to undo it and cause all this damage to myself. I look at people who get unattractive or massive tattooing, pierce body parts with gauges that disfigure themselves and I don't get it. This feels similar. He also assured me there is no real danger of illness from them being in if I want to just live with them as is. So a lot to think about. Updated on 4 Nov 2013: Thanks so much to all of you ladies for sharing and for this site! This site is such a godsend! You all look fantastic when you go back to yourselves. With each woman I watch go through this I am so amazed at what I learn. Especially that real boobs are so much more attractive! And that so many women share my experiences. This support is great. I thought I'd just go back into denial and not really consider it, but I'm getting more excited about the prospect each day! I never thought I'd spend so much time looking at boobs on the internet and at first it felt a little weird. But it is actually so fantastic to share this way. Thank you all so much! I'm involved with a woman's organization called "See Jane Do" and I've so wished there was something or someone like this out there to mentor and support all of us through this. I would like to share it with them to share with the world! But I'm chicken to admit it about myself! But I want women to feel great about who they are naturally. Maybe the woman who does "Misrepresentation" would want to take it on!? Until I found this site I felt very alone and ashamed. It seemed me and all the women I know with implants live in denial and complacency and ignorance, and some of us in fear. Don't have to any more! Thank you all again. Updated on 4 Nov 2013: those thing got to go! especially that right one, hard over sized unbalanced, unnatural. Representing some false sense of how a woman "should" look. And not even doing a very good job of that! Updated on 11 Nov 2013: I got a quote from my doctor to have implants removed and scar tissue (capsules) removed. $3400. Does that sound about right? I've seen everything on this site from one woman had removal for $650 and it seems others are around $6500. I would like of like to have it done this winter so it's easier to hide in sweaters etc. Also my doctor would remove through the aerola. It seems like the ladies who get it done under the breast have easier healing and less ugly scars? Any suggestions? Updated on 18 Nov 2013: I want to do it, get em out. I want to have good results like so many of you ladies have had. But I suspect I will end up with little tiny funny looking breasts, the comparable opposite of what I have now...big (for my body) funny looking breasts. But I am convinced I have to do it. For one thing they are all wrong: CC on the one side, they are two completely different sizes, they look phoney and silly, but most of all the one with the serious CC is so hard, and I think it might be the cause of my chronic shoulder pain. I am having a harder and harder time sleeping at night, it just aches. I thought it was from falling on my shoulder so many times when I started snowboarding 15 years ago, but I am thinking it is from this now. All my other snowboarding injuries don't feel like this. But maybe they will turn out just fine. Smallish, but bigger than they were 23 years ago with hormone changes, a little more weight etc, nice soft shape, just right! That's what I am hoping for. I want soft breasts that feel natural. And I want to look good in my clothes. That was why I did it in the first place, but I don't think I look good, just fake. So that's kind of the if and why-not. The how and when is actually harder. I just need it to be easy. I can't take a lot of time off work, like maybe 2 days is all. And my work can be pretty physical. I can get 2 weeks off of the most physical job which is a super intensive grill cook and waitress, which takes massive upper body workout. The other I need to get back to quickly. There is some lifting as am a product/department manager at a store (among many other things). I am so involved in the community that it's hard to hide out for a while and do this incognito. I feel I need to disconnect from parts of my life for awhile to do this. In many ways I would like to be able to do that. I'm just so involved in so many things, I am one of those "care taker" types. A mover and shaker. One of those "when you need something done, ask a busy person" types. It will be hard if I have to make multiple trips to doctors office for pre and post op too. It's an hour drive away. When I had them put in 23 years ago I worked as hard as I do now and went back to work very quick too. I am one of those people who wants to get things done quick and easy. I never stay in bed when I'm sick. I perpetually have on my list of things to do but never get around to: get massage, exercise, relax, take a vacation, take care of self But I think if I don't put it off for another year or two or more, I would like to get it done this winter. Easier to not feel so obvious. Things can slow down in winter. I won't want to miss much snowboarding though. Already got my season pass! Why did I do this in the first place!? Well, I know why, and in some ways am glad I did. It let me see life from a very confident, sexy woman's viewpoint. I don't think I would ever have known that otherwise. Sadly. But It has made it easier to see that I am ready to see life from a totally natural, confident, healthy real me viewpoint. Just how and when can I get there? I want it to be easy!!! I am not a woman of wealthy means. I always manage to have a little savings. I could muster the money. But it will take pretty much all I have in savings right now. And I have two grown kids who are struggling a little to get on their feet in life and a grand son that I help out a little now and then too. I support myself even though I live with my boyfriend of 7 years. We have never had "the talk", he has never acknowledged they exist. I haven't told him that I'd like to get them out. I told him the two times I went to have a consultation that I was going to see the doctor. He never even asked why. He's a good guy, just not very in tune with things that are intimate or emotional. And it's hard to justify the money and time and all. I will call them today to see if they take payments or maybe Care Credit. It helps to write these things. Updated on 18 Nov 2013: http://daypic.ru/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/201-900x640.jpg Someone posted this photo on facebook. It's an amazing photo gallery someone created. Puts things in perspective a little! Updated on 20 Nov 2013: So this is weird, but we still haven't talked about it. And we've lived together for over 6 years! So this morning I simply sent him an email that said "I need to have a minor surgery. I hope we can talk about it soon, love you". Not that is stepping out of denial a bit! Putting it in the realm of reality. Updated on 13 Dec 2013: I am trying to get the courage to schedule explant. One thing that really helps is knowing that it has to be done at some point. Looking at photos is another. It helps to see the good results of others. It helps to see the not so good results and know that even that is not the end of the world. And what really helps is looking at photos of women who have implants and do revisionary surgery, replacement etc. Almost in all cases there is no improvement in my opinion. Maybe a deflated implant is replaced and more symmetry is created, but they still look fake, often even more so. It's like makeup, sometimes we don't see that more is not better! But others do. I find the look of women that go back to natural breasts is more of what I want to achieve. Updated on 29 Jan 2014: I have scheduled a consultation with a different doctor for another perspective. I went to both this Dr and my original Dr about 6 years ago for consult, considering what to do back then. But chickened out. I know my original Dr will be more affordable, but this one is closer, has had great reviews from women who have had augmentation, not so much explantation though. He wasn't very encouraging last time. Encouraged me to get replacements, but the chances were high that contracture would happen again. So that wasn't encouraging. I'm less concerned about how I will feel to have much smaller breasts, but I saw one story of a woman who had a pretty bad result on one breast and worry about something like that. I just don't want to worry about all the "what if's". I am almost thrilled about the thought of getting them out and just being normal and free and comfortable in my own skin. And again when I look at my photo I wonder how I live with these! I'll let you know how the consult goes. Updated on 18 Feb 2014: So to update, I had a consultation with Dr Freed yesterday. Like him a lot and feel good about moving forward. I have to get these things out! The right one is as painful as it looks in my photo, and getting more so. Plus they look stupid. The quote is for $4050 and I can live with that. I can finance some of it through Care Credit for up to a year no interest, so that will help. I finally got my live-with boyfriend of 8 years involved. He has never commented or acknowledged them in any way shape or form. And after much struggle (he has great difficulty with communicating and expressing sensitivity) I have been able to, little by little share with him what is going on and he even drove me to the appointment. He was very sweet about it and said he is here for me. But I asked him not to come in with me though because I felt it would make me uncomfortable to have a doctor touching and talking about my breasts in front of him and might keep me from asking questions I needed to ask. I might have him be the one to drive me to and from surgery though. Not sure??? Maybe a girlfriend would be better??? Dr Freed said he could do it under the breast fold (as small as I will be again, I'm sure, there won't be much of a fold though haha!) which I think I prefer because I had them put in thorough periareolar incision and one had to be revised. The scars took forever to heal and from what I've seen on this site it seems having them out through areola is pretty traumatic for the poor little things! Any advise on that?? I'm hoping to get it done asap! But it's hard to figure out when I have time to be down for a couple weeks. And of course very nervous about results. But at this point looking forward to being free!!!!! Updated on 18 Feb 2014: silly looking things. The right you can see a lump at side of implant that is becoming quite painful. The thing about photos is it helps to see the reality of what I won't be missing! Hope it helps someone else. Your photos have really helped me! Updated on 20 Feb 2014: March 12th, but now I'm thinking of asking for sooner, I am having extreme pain in my right breast and big hard lumps. I have to sleep with ice packs and rarely have relief from the pain. Strange that it starts now! Also it seems the right one is getting bigger and harder. Can't wait to get them out! I hope the poor little things (my real boobs) aren't so permanently stretched out! I imagine this pressure is hard on em! Ugh! I feel we should warn young women wanting to have implants! But I wasn't going to listen to reason back then. The main thing is that I should have really planned for the fact that I would some day have to reckon with having implants and either keep having surgeries or take them out. I was in denial. And my doctor at the time said "they will last forever!" I never wanted my boobs to consume so much of my time, money and attention. But I always felt inadequate with out them. I hope that image changes for women more and more. My boyfriend is being very supportive now, should I have him take me for surgery or a friend? Any suggestions, I just wonder if it will be all too weird for him and if a girlfriend might be more supportive? Updated on 26 Feb 2014: And the changes to come. I am mostly looking forward to it. And a bit afraid of some things like being self conscious. Let's face it, for the last 23 years people have "noticed" my breasts. I just don't want them to be noticing my lack of them! I had my 2 week pre surgery consultation on monday. I ordered a zip front sports bra in small for $25 online. Picked up some bromelain and quercitin and arnica the doctor recommended for inflammation and bruising. I even bought a bikini in small, both top and bottom! And am imagining my boobs not oozing out! (I'm keeping the receipt of course ;) I am anxious to go through my closets and get rid of things I won't be wearing anymore and enjoying the things that I haven't been able to wear. I look as some photos of me and how stupid my boobs look in cute summer dresses! Although men seem to love it (except my boyfriend?) I'm anxious to feel and look lighter and free and feminine in a real way. I just hope there is something there when the implants are gone! And I hope they are perfect even if small. Thanks again for all of your stories and pictures to help me on my way! Updated on 26 Feb 2014: So I hardly have acknowledged that I have implants over the years. Although they are the "elephants in the living room" so to speak. And now I'm telling people, at work for example, that I have to have surgery for some lumps in my breast, scar tissue that needs to be removed. That I had an infection years ago that caused it (partially true) etc.... Geeze, implants are a lie and look at all the lies that follow. How to reconcile with this? I just want to get to a place where it doesn't matter and I'm am good with who I am and don't feel I have to prove or explain myself! Updated on 5 Mar 2014: So next wednesday is the date I go get em out! Is there anything anyone has to offer as "must have or must do" ? I am making a collection of all the things I think I need and want to prepare. Like arnica, sports bra, comfy clothes, pain med, anti inflammatory supplements (bromelain and quercitin), scar gel, laxative. Then books to read, movies to watch, fresh bedding, pillows, food and liquids. 2 1/2 weeks after I'm traveling from California to Georgia, so hoping all goes well and speedy recovery! Got lots of padded camisole bralettes at the ready too! Can't wait to be able to wear some of the little summer dresses and tops that I felt silly in before because my big bulbous boobs would protrude conspicuously from them. Hope I don't have the total opposite problem! Thanks again ladies for being here and sharing your stories and pictures that led me to this necessary decision. Updated on 9 Mar 2014: Yikes. I have not been nervous, but I notice all night I kept waking up thinking it was tomorrow! I think I'm getting a little anxious. There's no turning back now. Please let there be something (sweet and cute) there after they come out, manifesting a fantastic easy, fast recovery and to get this all behind me. Thanks again to all of you ladies. Keep the support going! Updated on 11 Mar 2014: My implants come out tomorrow morning! Looking forward I feel, not really nervous, I don't think, should I be? Maybe a little numb. Don't want to be over optimistic but looking forward to them being perfect, if small, feeling better in clothes again etc. I think I have everything in order. Sort of looking forward to a few days rest and maybe catch up on something, reading paper piles???? We will see! I'll post more after...... Updated on 13 Mar 2014: Well, I got them out yesterday at 9am. It took a little longer than anticipated, I think around noon he was done, because both were ruptured and I guess it was a mess in there! Dr said he couldn't get all the silicone out without taking significant (what little I have) natural breast tissue. Not sure if I should be worried about that? I have followup appointment on monday so will ask questions then. Thankfully I had general anesthesia. I had them taken out under breast fold rather than aerola again because that was a bit traumatic last time, took forever to heal, bad scar etc. It will be pretty obvious this radical change. but I just hope everything is ok and I wind up with nice healthy, proportioned breasts even if small. I don't think I would have appreciated that if I hadn't experienced implants maybe. I like the way my body looks more proper proportion for my small size. My belly is swollen and black and blue especially on the side that was the worst. I can blame some of the belly on swelling, but it will be time to get into shape once I'm healed! It almost looks like I have a little bit of breasts under the ace bandage, but I think it's mostly gauze haha! Yesterday was pretty uncomfortable, actually miserable, painful all day and night. The pain pills helped a lot to sleep though. Vicodin makes me throw up so they gave me Nucynta, seems to work pretty good with less nausea. My boyfriend was a great help. I still have ace wrap and can take it off after noon and have a shower. I'll wait till he gets home just to be safe in case I need help. I do wish it didn't bring a measure of shame to have done and to talk about honestly, but I really don't feel comfortable letting everyone know what the real story is, so I fudge with a lot of people. It's weird! I'll share photos when I unwrap Updated on 13 Mar 2014: I just took off my bandages and get to take a shower when my beau gets home. I was worried how they would look, They are tiny but I have to say I am quite pleased! Naked they look a little bigger because they squish down with tight bra. I can work around that :) I saved all my pads that I didn't need before from bras so I can pack them in! I know this sounds cliche' but I feel so much lighter and free! I can't thank you ladies and this website enough for giving me the courage! I should have done it a long time ago, and I wish women who are getting implants would really think about having to go through this. And just love their bodies! Updated on 14 Mar 2014: Now I'm going to have to find some bras that make me look bigger because it's such a radical change! That was one thing I loved when I first got my implants, I didn't need to wear a bra! But over the years I had to find things to cover them up because they looked so ridiculous! Updated on 16 Mar 2014: This is not to scare, this is to face reality...I really hope that young women stop and look at those of us who have been through this. We are not a rare few, we are all in the same boat to different degrees. At some point we all have to face removal, replacement, capsular contracture, rupture, and other issues of having plastic bags filled with either water or silicone to make us feel better about our bodies. Here are a couple sites for example, that I wish I had looked at before. I am so excited about dressing up my little boobs! I have for a long time envied women with sweet little breasts, like I used to have. Mine are going to be there again, but scarred, a bit battered and still carrying stray silicone that could not be removed. I'll take that over implants now in hindsight! Now I wish I had found sweet beautiful little bras, push ups, gel inserts whatever and left my body as perfect as it was. That's what I'm going to do now. Also the fact that most men are not particularly more excited (unless they are just big boobs anyway) about big fake boobs. I had more men that I was intimate with over the years comment "are those fake" rather than "wow, those are beautiful!" And once CC set in the "hot" didn't last as long as the repercussions did. I am thinking women are doing this to each other, creating an illusion that big boobs are the only way to be. We have the power to love our bodies and allow other women to also. Also I know sometimes doctors talk us into bigger than we really want. Or some women think big enough is never big enough. What is the "right" size? It's the size you are naturally! And when it's time to get them out doctors will encourage you to "replace" rather than just remove. Many of our bodies have a protective mechanism that creates scar tissue around foreign objects, it's called capsular contracture. Chances are if it's happened once it will happen again. Is it worth that chance to intentionally put foreign matter into our bodies unnecessarily? Look here for inspiration: http://www.chatelaine.com/style/how-to-find-a-bra-for-small-boobs/ http://www.lulalu.com/ http://www.evesappleslingerie.com/home http://www.realself.com/blog/top-10-breast-myths-debunked#.UyXik86K6Hs http://www.ittybittybra.com/ http://www.thelittlebracompany.com/ http://www.thelittlebracompany.com/testimonials/ I so wish I had really spent the time looking at the big picture then, rather than paying this price to get back to square one and a more compromised self at that. I could have taken the money I spent to have them put in and taken out and gone on a couple cruises! I wouldn't have missed out on any great men in my life (as long as I emanated confidence and self love and pride). I wouldn't have spent years feeling fake, at first you feel hot, then down the road you start to feel like a cow! I wouldn't have spent energy hiding the truth. I know younger women don't carry so much shame, they are proud to tell everyone! There is more of a "live for today" attitude. My daughter got implants when she was 18. Think about that, it broke my heart. I felt so bad for setting a bad example. She was perfect. Would you want your daughter to do that to herself? I'm not trying to be a doomsdayer, or just negative. I am hopefully sending a positive message. Spread the word...Love yourself. Love your body! Updated on 16 Mar 2014: I had surgery wed March 12th. Came home and just rested all day. Started to feel nausea and took pill from doctor for that. Slept and rested. Next day, Thursday, felt pretty funky all day, took a pain pill during the day, slept, read, sat in the sun for awhile, took a shower, ate a little and then felt generally yucky, nausea, achy, itchy, sick of laying on my back, headache. Took a pain pill, laid on heat pad and put ice pack on my chest and slept restlessly through the night. Weird dreams! Day 3, Friday...about the same, a little better. Day 4, Saturday, increasingly better. Went for a little walk with boyfriend to mail box, sat in sun, did a little more around the house, went out to dinner. Slept well with no pain pill all day or night! Sunday...moving slow but healing well I think. Will go to doctor tomorrow. I don't like that I have a hard lump under my right armpit still and am bruised all down that side. I am hoping that the swelling around my sides and back go away (hoping my boobs don't though! Fluff fluff please :) My belly is a bit unhappy. Been eating lightly and taking the sennalax but with little results yet :( That's weird for me! I'm as regular as the sunrise and basically wham, bam thank you mam is my style, rather than sit and meditate and wait for the gods to be pleased so I don't have much patience for this! Sorry, maybe TMI! Here is photo of bruises. Updated on 18 Mar 2014: I did an update yesterday, but I guess I didn't save it? Let me see if I can reconstruct: I had a followup with doctor yesterday. He explained that my implants were basically blown apart (I'm a snowboarder and have crashed every which way over the years, plus I vigorously tried to work out the CC with massage, on a foam roller etc. over the years and probably helped the rupturing along). So he had a difficult time really cleaning it all out. Plus he said they looked really weird color wise and sent them along with my tissue to pathology. The reports came back fine, no evidence of disease. This big lump under my right armpit is my pectoral muscle saturated with silicone. My doctor said if he removed that it would have been essentially a radical mastectomy! Also my ribs are coated with silicone but to scrape that off he risked puncturing my lungs so opted not to. Phew! But crap! I still have all that in me :( He said to worry about healing for now, possibly it will soften in time and with other therapy, like massage. He said there is no scientific evidence for link between silicone and illness, I see all the doctors say that. Maybe it's true? But then a lot of ladies testimonies are to the contrary. I guess I can only hope it doesn't cause me more problems. He was a little vague and seemed to want to kind of "keep an eye" on things for a while. I hope I am just done! And can move forward! I couldn't stand it so went bra shopping. Probably not a good idea for two reasons, it's a little hard on the body so soon and 2nd things are just weird! All the volume is in all the wrong places, like side, back oh boy! But I haven't really worn a regular bra in 20 something years, and man have they changed! Actually comfortable and lots of pretty options. Soft fabrics, even ones to cover "back fat". And the padded cups look and feel so much more natural even if you ain't got much to work with! The straps don't fall off my shoulders like they used to. So I can't wait to get back to shape so I can go through my wardrobe and start dressing these girls up a little :) I would love it if I had naturally firm, nicely shaped, slightly larger boobs, but it feels so good to have all this "off my chest"!!! I am still a bit sore, but I know I will feel so much more light, free and comfortable!!! I've introduced this site and my blog to my daughter and am starting to counsel her to get ready to do this one day down the road. Money is a huge issue. This could have paid for her college loans! I'm so sorry I wasted this money now. Living and learning! I'll add some photos as things change. Waiting for the fluff fairy! I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I so wish our blogs were required reading before anyone got implants! Thanks again so much to this site and all you ladies xo Updated on 25 Mar 2014: my breasts look like they have been through hell....because they have basically, but they are mine, and I'm much happier about that. They don't look any worse than they did with implants and capsular contracture and all, so I am very happy with my removal. I feel I actually look better in clothes again. I sure feel better. Still healing though. Updated on 11 Jun 2014: Well, it's been 12 weeks and I think what I've got is what is pretty much my final results, except I think the scars will get less and less noticeable. A couple weeks after surgery the swelling was completely gone, and so was most of my boobs! My left one I am just fine with. It's tiny but I love it anyway. My right one is even smaller because of the tissue the doctor took out with the silicone, plus my nipple was scared from having implants put in so it's a little worse for wear than the other with almost concave upper breast, plus a knot where I still have silicone attached to my peck muscle. With all that said, I am so glad to have them out! I feel free, healthy, feminine - like 10 lbs lighter! I love my breasts and wish I'd taken better care of them to begin with, by never putting implants in the first place. It is a bad thing to do to ourselves, period! It is much easier and better to enhance with nice padded bras or to be proud of who we are to begin with. I feel I look so much better in clothes even with out padded bras, because I look like me, not some blow up doll. And with a nice padded or push up bra I look properly proportioned. I so encourage women to stop doing this to ourselves. Best wishes Updated on 9 Jul 2014: Here is a great TED talk that touches on the subject. http://www.ted.com/talks/chris_jordan_pictures_some_shocking_stats#t-397036 Updated on 9 Jul 2014: Chris Jordan: Depicts 32,000 Barbies, equal to the number of elective breast augmentation surgeries performed monthly in the US in 2006. 60×80” Updated on 9 Jul 2014: sorry, I couldn't edit my misspelling :)
You definitely do not have symmastia. Your result looks good for soon after surgery & will continue to improve.
