Although I've always secretly hated my boobs (or lack thereof), I didn't start seriously considering getting a BA until later. I guess I started to entertain the idea around 26+ y/o. It wasn't until I was freed from an abusive relationship [and found myself] that I truly realized that this was (1) something I wanted to do and (2) wasn't ashamed to do it. As someone who suffers from anxiety & depression, I think society's view on plastic surgery controlled my thinking. Not to mention, when you live in a world surrounded by domestic violence -- continuous physical, mental and emotional abuse -- you have no value in yourself. At that point in my life, it wasn't just about hating my small breasts, I hated everything about myself. I was lost. I was broken.
Now, let's fast-forward...
I finally had the help I needed to leave. I left everything behind: my job, my friends, ALL of my belongings...MY LIFE. I came home and moved in with my amazing & supportive parents. I decided -that day- that I could be whoever I wanted to be. I could be the person I deserved to be.
I started working out. Mind you, this was not something I had ever done before. I lost 50 pounds. I stopped smoking and drinking, even socially. Then, I was introduced to *let's call him "James"*. It was through James, my parents, and this new life I built for myself that I found confidence within myself. With this new confidence, however, I realized that I had always been secretly wanting to enhance my breasts. I have an athletic-build. I now run regularly on top of my workouts. I have very broad shoulders. I usually have to buy a size up when sleeves are involved, which makes the garment just hang, causing me to look not only completely flat-chested, but also heavier (since it covers my small waist). I have a very traditional hourglass figure. I have wide hips and a butt. I like to say "I got my mom's looks and my dad's body!" Unfortunately, I also got my mom's [lack of] boobs. Thanks, mom! ;)
So, here we are.
I did it. I had my Breast Augmentation this morning. I've been saving for almost 3 years!!! I have pinched so many pennies along the way to make this become a reality. I'm so proud of this purchase. I'm proud of the person I am -- proud that I have the confidence and strength to say "you know what, other men and women may body shame me for 'having fake boobs', but that's their problem, not mine." I haven't worked this hard the past 5 years to let another person dictate what I will or won't do [to my body]. I have been to hell and back. And today, although I'm in sooooo much freaking pain, it is absolutely worth every second of it!!!!!!
So to all of those that body-shame us...
Stop trying to steal OUR confidence and go and get some for yourself, because clearly you're the ones that need it.
Be proud of your Breast Augmentation, or whatever else you want to do to our body.
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
promise I'll include pics later and give you the juicy details about the procedure when I'm not in as much pain! Just tired of the unnecessary sour-faced reactions from people. Much love. #endrant
Updated on 2 Jun 2017:
Well, I certainly underestimated how uncomfortable my body would be during the initial recovery process. I had invasive foot surgery this past December that kept me sedentary and out of work for an entire month -- THIS recovery process trumps that one [as far as the pain is concerned], ten-fold!
When I sit completely still, all I fell is the pressure; not pain. I feel extreme pain around my boobs (the upper part of my core, especially around the sides of my boobs and under at the incisions sites) whenever I move, even slightly. And forget using your arms for anything!!! I can't even twist off the tops of my water bottles or pill vials! I can barely go to the bathroom by myself. It hurts to pull my pants down. It hurts to wipe. It hurts even more to pull my pants back up. I need help to even get off of the couch or out of the recliner. The amount of pain I feel is too much; I'm talking severe pain. I'm just dying for this completely debilitating pain to go away!!!! It's for the birds!
Some things I've noticed...
Once I'm up and walking around, or even just sitting up (straight up! shoulders back) [and after taking pain medication], I feel loose and good. I've been taking laps around my back yard when I let my dog out and do my arm stretches as well. I find that I'm in the most pain after sleeping -or- when I've been sitting still for a long period of time. It's like every muscle just locks up. I feel like my body is like taffy right now. You have to be mindful of making sure you stay loose and limber. Keep those muscles stretched and those lungs pumping. Walking will do you wonders. You have to walk to avoid getting pneumonia post-surgery.
Oh! Also...I threw up my entire dinner this evening. Because I've been in SO-MUCH-PAIN, my body reacted negatively to my pain meds. I've been very diligent about not taking more than I'm supposed to, but even with the allotted maximum, it was too much and it made me nauseous. So, word to the wise, be careful with your own prescriptions. There's definitely a fine line. And make sure you EAT! I think my stomach wasn't coated enough when I took my meds and once I ate dinner, my insides weren't ready to handle it.
As far as the *girls* go, I love them!!! It makes all of this pain worth-while. I'm so happy with how they look. Yes, they're high right now, and yes, they're super swollen and hard as rocks, buuuuuut, they're beautiful. It feels AMAZING having these womanly curves. I'm really looking forward to when they start dropping and fluffing!!!!
PHOTOS: Here are the first photos of my new boobs post-surgery. I took these photos at about the 24-hour mark. There is slight bruising underneath as well as on the sides. Doc says not too worry. He and his team have been calling me regularly to check on me and answer end questions that may arise. They have been wonderful!
*Note: I will include the "BEFORE" photos in the next post following this one.
If anybody has experienced a lot of pain post-surgery, I would love to hear about it. How long did it last? Do you have any recommendations for getting through this part of the process? I'm all ears!!!
Updated on 2 Jun 2017:
I've included several "BEFORE" photos. Once I get the the braless originals from the doctors office, I'll post those too. Right now, I just found some photos of me in some items that show how small I was before --- I was a 34A. {{{so glad those days are behind me!!}}}
Updated on 5 Jun 2017:
Days 1-3
EXTREME PAIN!!! I needed my boyfriend to help me move for everything. I couldn't even change sitting position on the couch without him manipulating my body for me.
Sleep (recliner): 2-3 hours off & on throughout entire day & night
**Took shower on 3rd Day (and it was awesome!!)**
Day 4
Pain while moving, but can start to sit up on own. Core muscles are starting to come back. Overall pain has subsided greatly.
Sleep (couch): Stayed asleep for longer lengths of time, but still woke up in the middle of the night.
Day 5
Mild pain; mostly pressure. Went to work -- did not drive yet. No problems with working. Felt great to get out of the house; been stuck on the coach for what seems like forever!
Sleep (couch): Crashed when I got home -- fell asleep at 5pm and slept through the night. My body sure needed that!
Day 6
Most painful part of each day is waking up. Everything feels so tight and painful in the morning. Once I'm up and moving around, I don't feel any pain [for the most part].
*Post-op checkup* Everything looks great! The doc showed me how to massage my breasts. He said that I need to do this for 2 minutes 5x per day -- and to continue my stretches. I'll see him again in a week.
Sleep: Will continue to sleep on coach. It keeps me in the appropriate position: propped up and on my back. My breast are still quite tender. Sleeping in the bed feels uncomfortable do to the fact that I would lay completely flat and possibly end up rolling over to my side -- doesn't feel so good this point in time ((but oh how I miss it!)).
I really love how they're looking right now. The swelling has gone down significantly. I don't have any bruising. My breasts are still rather hard and high, but it's too early for D&F. I have been experiencing some "zaps" at my incision site. I'm fully aware that this is simply due to nerve regeneration. (Note: I had nerve surgery on my foot 6 months ago and still experience this type of pain.) The zaps are normal and will go away on their own time. Nothing to worry about.
Hope to get some better photos soon. Will post as more when I can. Much love.
Updated on 7 Jun 2017:
Top: Day 1
Bottom: 1 week
I know that the lighting is different which makes the comparison a little difficult view. However, you can see that the top is not as swollen. I'm still very swore around the bottom and outsides of my breasts. I very mild bruising. I've been doing my stretches and massaging regularly. Just today, they starts feeling like they're one with me. I'm really happy with the results. I still can't believe I'm now a D-cup. So surreal!!!!
Updated on 10 Jun 2017:
Don't worry, I know I'm only a week post-op here, buuuut I needed to buy some comfy sports bras so I had something to wear to work -- as I work in the fitness industry and live in sports bras. I deal with the public and being braless was getting old. I needed more options. So, certain store is having their "semi-annual sale" so I decided to find some sports bras that wouldn't bother my incisions. Granted I haven't tried in regular bras yet or anything sexy, but I had a blast! I was a surreal experience digging through the "large" and "D-cup" bins. Best day I've had in awhile!! Here's a snapshot of one bra I tried on -- and bought! ;)