I was contemplating a BA after working out and losing fat, resulting in a smaller chest. Was previously a full B/small C and now a full A. I missed the way my boobs looked while on bc pills but had to stop due to undesired side effects (bloating, mood swings, etc). My goal is to be a full C/small D.
Updated on 31 Dec 2018:
Don’t mind the timeline as I didn’t document every day (I have posting anxiety lol!) Reflecting on my experience now that I feel much better post-op. Leading up to the surgery, I religiously browsed the web and RealSelf to do extensive research and ensure I was making an informed decision. I’ve heard so many stories about boob greed or implant complications but wanted to put my mind at ease that I’ll be okay!
Added some before photos for reference.
PRE-OP STATS:
Height: 5’5”
Weight: 110 lbs
BWD: 12.7cm
Size: 34 A/B (smaller end of B)
*Exercise 3-4x/week, all weight lifting no cardio
SEARCH FOR DOCTOR:
I found my PS through recommendation from one of my gfs who had a BA done last year. I was under the impression that BA’s look too fake and was afraid of having bolt on boobs, however hers looked very natural. I tried to find reviews and photos of patients with similar stats on RealSelf for Dr. Pham but no luck. I decided to make a consultation anyway.
CONSULTATION: (9/13/2018)
I called to make an appointment with the office staff and was able to schedule a visit two weeks from the time I called. Once I arrived, I met with Dr. Pham and he quickly ran through information about the different breast implants and allowed me to try on sizers. I initially wanted 400cc after looking through pictures online, but 400cc looked WAY too big for my small frame. I also tried on 325/350/375cc and leaned toward 375cc. I was able to feel the difference between saline and silicone implants. Saline felt like a water bag and honestly made me afraid of potential sloshy feelings. Silicone felt much more similar to human breast tissue. The Dr mentioned they look the same, but feel different. He also answered all the questions I had and provided pamphlets for Mentor breast implants. Since my consultation was two months before my intended surgery date, the office staff had me wait until early Nov to reserve my surgery date and pay my deposit.
SET THE DATE: (11/1/2018)
So much anxiety leading up to this date! I was counting down the days until I could reserve my surgery date. I called the office and asked if Thurs 12/20 or Fri 12/21 was available. Dr. Pham mentioned his patients usually have a Thurs/Fri surgery and are able to go back to work by Mon/Tues. Since the following Mon/Tues were Christmas Eve & Christmas it would’ve worked out perfectly for recovery. Unfortunately the closest date available was Wed 12/19. Since I was located in SF, I drove down to the office to sign some forms and pay my deposit. Also scheduled my pre-op appt exactly 2 weeks from my surgery date and received a form for bloodwork which I had to complete before my pre-op. Was super stoked to start counting down the days but SUPER NERVOUS to get my blood drawn since I have a tendency to get anxious and pass out. But boobieland here I come!
BLOODWORK: (11/19/18)
Went to a third party to get my urine & blood tests. Ya girl didn’t faint this time! Next thing to overcome is the surgery...
CONTEMPLATING SIZING: (before pre-op)
Some of my biggest fears are having a large boob gap, ball in sock look from high profile implants, going too big, going too small. Initially liked the look of Moderate profile from other PS, but reviewers said the look was too natural with my PS. Also not in love with HP look with other PS since it looks too augmented imo. Only found one other review with HP from my PS but was still hesitant since the stats were diff from mine.
PRE-OP: (12/5/18)
Exactly 2 weeks before the big day! Was a rather quick appt. Tried on sizers again (375cc/350cc) and this time really liked the look of 350cc. Next we went over projection, based on the look I wanted, Dr. Pham recommended mod+ profile. Signed away for mod+ 350cc silicone gel round and received my prescription slip/signed consent forms. Also was given 1 week to make any changes to breast implant Order Form.
INDECISIVENESS:
Ended up wanting HP 350cc instead. I did want the no bra push up look. Signed a new form and emailed the office staff. Literally a few hours before my deadline, I decided I wanted to go a little bit bigger since my gfs mentioned the implant gets compressed going under the muscle so the look is smaller than what you see with sizers in office. I was also afraid of having a large boob gap; the projection was the same for both 350/375cc, but the width for 375cc was 12cm vs 350cc being 11.7cm (small diff but any little bit to close the gap might help!) I signed my final form for HP 375cc. Because I changed my mind so many times, Dr. Pham called me past his office hours to make sure this is my final decision. I was about 80% certain and once I said “yes” there was no turning back.
Throughout the week leading up to my surgery, I was afraid I might’ve made the choice to go too big. Although I didn’t take pics and upload, 350cc looked perfect but I was afraid of the boob gap. Was also too busy with work that I didn’t do any of the prepping most people suggest to do pre op (get sports bras, soup for recovery, laundry, vacuum, prep clothes). Out of sight out, out of mind for any thought related to making a regrettable decision. I still religiously searched through RealSelf for girls with similar stats getting 375HP to reassure myself it was the right decision.
Updated on 31 Dec 2018:
SURGERY DAY: (12/19/18)
Removed all my jewelry (earrings, cartilage, nose, belly- have a story about this in PO Days).
Left my car at my parents house in SJ, had my bf drive me to the surgery center. My appt was at 6:30a, surgery scheduled for 7:30a. Checked in and went to the prep area to meet with my pre-op nurse. Had another urine test to make sure I wasn’t pregnant (told her I had an IUD & didn’t remember when my last period but did the test just in case). Changed into the surgical gown and had an IV put in. TBH, I’m terrified of needles and get extremely anxious. My dr. was also running late and the anticipation made me feel the sting of the IV needle even more. The anesthesiologist and OR nurse came in one by one to introduce themselves. “Don’t worry, you’ll have the best 1.5 hr nap of you life” they joked around. The anesthesiologist also mentioned he’d give me something in my IV that will make me feel like I’ve had 5 shots of tequila which would take in effect after 15 sec. Dr. comes in and gives me post-op instructions since I’d be loopy from the anesthesia to remember anything. Was instructed to sleep on my back (sleeping sitting up was a myth and I comfy for most) to get proper sleep and ice my chest for the first 2-3 days. Was wheeled in around 8a, and moved onto the OR bed. They told me to count to 5 and by 2 seconds fell into the “best nap of my life”......
Woke up from surgery around 10a (was probably still out from the anesthesia for 30 min post-op) and felt a lot of pressure/pain. Nurse gave a Vicodin then I changed and got wheeled out to my bf’s car. Felt every single bump on the drive back to SF. Went straight to bed and took 1 Percocet before dozing off.
Was still in a lot of pain and tightness around 5p, had chicken noodle soup. Set my alarm to take a Percocet every 4 hours. At this point I didn’t even feel like the narcos were working. I was in so much pain and feeling like there were two rocks strapped on my chest with an extremely tight bandage. It almost felt at one point that these “rocks” were crushing my small ribcage and it was so difficult to talk without wheezing and having shortness of breath. I could feel every movement that involved my chest. My little t-Rex arms only had 45 degree range of motion. My bf had to help prop me up and even doing so hurt so bad. Idk if I was being a little dramatic but the recovery hurt like a b****. Started to think that 375cc was a mistake because it felt too heavy.
On the other side of things, I took a peek at my new cleavage in my surgical bra and it looked like there was some boob gap. No sign of frankenboob (thank goodness!), looking reaaaaally natural for it being high profile. More updates to come for PO Days 1-12
Updated on 31 Dec 2018:
BEAUTY RELATED:
Before going into surgery, you’re instructed to remove all jewelry and makeup. I don’t wear makeup usually since I have semi permanent brows and lash extensions. Pre-op my extensions were semi-full but I needed a touch up at least in the upcoming week and had one scheduled a few days post-op. To preface this, any oil based products will cause extensions to fall off faster.
Pretty much a sum of what happened...
Anesthesiologist (Dr. H): Do you have any makeup on?
Me: Nope
Dr. H: Are those eyelash extensions?
Me: Yes
Dr. H: We will need to cover your eyes and protect them during surgery. Those are expensive!
Me: No it’s okay honestly! Just rip them off if you need to do your job
Dr. H: I know they are expensive! We will make sure to protect them!
**wakes up after surgery and feels hard to open eyes**
Nurse: Don’t rub your eyes! We had to use a film to protect your lashes because Dr. H said these were very expensive.
Me: *looks in phone mirror*, I told him to take off my lashes and he did it anyway unintentionally (insert shrug emoji). So did you know oil based products take out extensions....?
MORAL OF THE STORY: Do not go into surgery with a full set of eyelash extensions (or any at all). They will come off and you will waste your precious $$$
Updated on 31 Dec 2018:
Pls forgive me I’m so far behind, trying to document as much as I remember but since every day has been a blur of pain and tightness. I’ll try my best!
PO Day 1:
Slept horizontally, woke up and experienced my first morning boob at 5a. Took a Percocet & cried in pain. Chest felt like it was on fire. Couldn’t use Br with help of bf pulling my pants down for me, it was even difficult to wipe (tmi, sry). Felt the need to take narcos more frequently than 4 hours. Still tons of pain/tightness in chest, limited range of motion. Boobs slowly starting to get bigger than immediate post op. Scared it’s too big but remembering that it’s swollen at this point.
PO Day 2:
Visited Dr. to get bandages removed. Moving really slow and hunched over like someone with a broken back. Made the mistake of going out to get milk tea, had so much pain walking. At this point sleeping sitting up because it’s more comfy and fear of painful boob swelling when laying down flat.
PO Day 3:
Family Xmas party. Was cleared to shower PO Day 2 but built up courage to push past the pain on Day 3 and shower. Hurts to stand up straight, back feels strained with the added weight from implants. Wore a big sweater and scarf to hide my new girls from the fam. Decided to go braless (HUGE MISTAKE idk why I did this) and found myself sitting down more to ease my back. However, I was so overwhelmed from babies running around everywhere and having to repeat myself since it was painful to talk that my bf drove me home early from the family party. Talking hurts my chest :( None of the family members know at this point, they just think I wasn’t feeling well from stomach flu since I was hunched over in pain lool. Went home and put on my surgical bra again and oh boy did I feel so much better. Back is still hurting when I sleep and now the pain is also moving to my right rib cage due to the fabric of the bra digging in when I sleep or sit up at an angle. Still worried that the size is too large, not as much upper pole fullness as I would expect for HP implant. Right side looks more prominent than left side, when initially my left boob was larger.
PO Day 4:
Went for my lash appt and was afraid of having to do a removal due to my expensive lesson learned in surgery day. There was no way I could lay down for 1.5 hrs without risking a long burn in my sternum and the feeling of two heavy rocks on my chest. Told my girl about my lash loss and she laughed. The first 15 min of laying down flat was comfortable but the discomfort and pain slowly kicked in. Was counting down the next 75 minutes and even asked my girl to get me an ice pack. The best thing she had was a frozen coffee bottle which I used to ice my chest. Still can’t drive, hold objects heavier than 5 lb, open/close car doors. Man you really do take a lot of things for granted when you’re not struggling with immobility!
Decided to buy an UnderArmour zip up sports bra on recommendation from my girl who also has the implant (375cc HP). Saw 34C (looks huge btw) and 34D (okay this is way too big looking), brought both into the fitting room. Couldn’t even zip up the 34C so I tried on the 34D..... holy s*** that fit perfectly. Idk how to feel at this point, like damn my boobs are huge this is kind of what I wanted but not that big!!! Wanted a full C/small D and I got that + some more. Still swollen though so maybe it’ll be smaller once healed?
PO Day 5-6:
Sacrificing pressure/pain on my chest to sleep horizontally and ease the back pain. A little bit easier to walk but still moving very slow. Taking Tylenol extra strength to relieve back and rib cage pain at this point. Also using salon pas for my back (good ol Asian remedy). Still a lot of tightness and pressure every time I get up from laying position or angled sitting.
PO Day 7-8:
Went back to work and opted to do Rideshare instead of taking public transit. Was afraid of the pressure and back pain from standing up on the metroline + risking people bumping into me since SF is super crowded. Still difficult to hold long conversations without shortness of breath and type while sitting in front of the computer. Everything is really uncomfortable still. Left work early due to back and rib pain. Implants look like they’re settling nicely, slowly but surely.
PO Day 9:
Got sutures removed, not as painful as I thought! Feels like someone is just pulling a hair out without a pinching feeling. Cleared for light cardio and starting breast massages. Pushing implants in 4 directions (in, out, down, up) 10 seconds each direction, 5 min a day. OK’d to wear underwire bras. Can go on flights (was cleared after the first 48 hours post op). Dr. says I’m healing up nicely and results look really natural! I’m honestly amazed how natural it looks and have received tons of compliments on my new girls. It feels much better to walk once the threads were out. Not really hurting from bumpy car rides as much. Finally starting to like the size I chose! It’s still swollen and I’m sure it will go down a bit. Once it’s healed, the size will be perfect. Can’t wait!
PO Day 10-11:
Feeling much better! Painless by Day 7 tbh, but still feeling tightness/pressure. Painless to sleep on my back although I do wake up with morning boob. However it’s gradually less painful as each day passes. Can talk at normal speed now and walk a bit faster. Tried on some old swimsuits and don’t fit anything anymore so had to create a stash to donate to my gfs. Wore the same bralette pre op and love how my chest is filled out!
Updated on 31 Dec 2018:
Comparison from sizers during consultation to actual projection with bralette, and front view. Saying bye to chicken cutlets and contour for the extra cleavage!
No boob greed for me! I took my girls advice and totally glad I decided to do 25cc more. Although the recovery is more painful than what it might be with 350cc, the 375cc looks more like the 350cc sizers I tried on (if not a smidge smaller). Very satisfied with the size. Will post more timely updates as the implants settle
Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
The swollen boob size was starting to grow on me and now that most of the swelling is gone, it feels so small! My 375cc HP is looking more like a smaller Moderate profile. The upper pole fullness seemed to have disappeared once the implants settled more. It doesn’t look like I had a BA done unless my shirt is off lol! It looks SUPER natural like I just gained some weight and it went straight to my chest. A part of me wishes I should’ve gone even bigger to have more obvious cleavage, but I’m sure any larger would look disproportionate to my body.
Ladies, how long did it take you to get out of this boob greed phase or does this last forever?! I feel like my thoughts have been clouded with slight doubts :/ My bf keeps telling me they look perfect but I am always going to be my own worst critic.
Side note..
Massaging every day for 5 minutes has eased the tightness and alleviate morning boob significantly. I can also walk at normal speed and bend over without feeling like my chest will explode. Still hesitant to sleep on my side so Jt sucks when the bf wants to cuddle :(
I also tried on some bras at VS and found that I fit either 32D, 34C or 34D depending on the bras. It’s nice to be able to wear bras without an underwire. I find the underwire bras not so comfortable now that I’m used to wearing unlined or sports bras!
Updated on 16 Jan 2019:
About 2.5 weeks in, I developed Mondor’s cord under my right breast. I’m attributing part of this due to my posture and bra during the first two weeks but I could be wrong. Around 3 weeks, I started noticing more oily skin on my chest, back, and face. I started seeing acne on my back and mini pimples on my cleavage area/sternum. No breakouts on my face my def oilier skin. Tried to find an answer on RealSelf but there are no detailed explanations. Did my research on Google and a part of the oily skin is due to trauma/stress to the body post op, which causes the body to release cortisol? I was hoping it’s not from the implant itself, but it’s definitely cleared up by week 4 (for now at least)
Updated on 25 Mar 2019:
Finally feels like a part of me, I almost forget that I have them done! I can sleep on my side now but just get paranoid of lateral displacement. In regards to working out, def need a good sports bra for support when jogging. I can also resume working out minus chest exercises. Also was able to try on some underwire & push up bras and man do they look bomb!
I still have a visible scar but it’s not too bothersome. I’ve been rubbing in bio oil daily before I sleep and it’s making a difference.
Looking back on the recovery period, the first 1.5 months were the worst or most uncomfortable then it gradually gets a lot better.
Now that my implants have settled, they look and feel very natural. Although I am considering a revision to go bigger in the future, they are perfect for my small frame for the moment and discreet enough to hide from anyone who has suspicions or dislike the look of implants.
Updated on 8 Sep 2019:
My breasts are really soft and squishy, I almost forget they’re fake! I’m back to lifting my old weights from pre-op without feeling my implants as much as PO months 6-7. Also have been more comfortable sleeping on my side, but paranoid it’s going to affect the skin stretching.
I feel like I’m lacking the upper pole fullness and look pretty flat chested from the front even with a low cut top. I’d probably want to exchange for mod+ implants in the future (prefer cleavage over projection)