Backstory:
After 10 years of non-stop breastfeeding and tandem breastfeeding, I got to my goal weight and my breasts lost a lot of volume. During that time, I was breastfeeding less which further diminished my breast size. They became small, sad, deflated mom boobs.
The day before Thanksgiving, I was lamenting to my husband about the condition of my breasts. I mentioned thinking about getting implants, and right away he told me to go for it. He hasn't really been keen or pro-cosmetic surgery when the topic has come up over the last 20 years that we've been together. I was caught off guard, and he said, "well, you've always talked about wanting boobs."
Even Further Backstory:
My pre-pregnancy bra size was a 34A/B...I've always been self-conscious about the shape and size of my breasts...there was one year in college that I sort of liked them and wore unlined bras...I went with that flat/small breasted look because I was thin and fit. I just didn't mind it...for that one year.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, I got up to a 38D/DD at the largest. I spent a lot of time at 36C/D though.
Current Backstory:
After my weight loss and slowed breastfeeding, I got to a deflated 34B. I was really getting self-conscious about them again...it was affecting our sex life and my confidence in my everyday, regular world. Nothing fit anymore...it was depressing.
I had been holding onto breastfeeding because my youngest daughter relied on it for comfort and bedtime....plus, breastfeeding boobs are wonderful....I wanted to keep my milkshake boobs for as long as possible.
Once my husband was on board, I immediately looked down and told my daughter that we weren't going to have "nehneh time" anymore. LOL I had been mentioning here and there over the last month that a time would be coming when I wouldn't have milk anymore.
So...Thanksgiving Eve, I got the got the support of my husband to get implants...(I was worried about the cost of breast augmentation...cuz we aren't rich and kids are expensive!!) I promptly told my daughter that this was the last time we would have "nehneh time." I told her that we would still be able to cuddle, so she was fine with it. I was pretty shocked with how well she handled it.
Present story: I had my first consult with Dr. Sloan on 12/12/19. I had been researching prior to the consult, and I decided that Ideal Implants was definitely the way I was going to go. I have various skin sensitivities and an unexplained anaphylactic reaction to an unknown substance about 14 years ago. In addition, I became allergic to tattoo ink after getting my 7th tattoo, 17 years ago. I had gotten that last one 7 years after getting my first tattoo (I started getting tattoos at 14 years old...I could talk my mom into anything. sigh..) ALL of my tattoos reacted once the allergic reaction started. I met with a dermatologist and was told there was nothing I could do. I was put on antihistamines twice a day for months. It was a really difficult time. They itched so badly that the thought of cutting that skin sounded like it would be relieving. I didn't do it, but that's how awfully itchy it was deep down into the tattoos.
Dr. Sloan was very attentive while I explained all of this, and he was supportive about my hesitance to consider silicone implants. He mentioned the trace heavy metals that are in silicone implants and readily provided a copy of the heavy metal analysis that Mentor reported to the FDA. He didn't have this info for the Ideal Implant, but he cautioned that they would have some trace heavy metals as well due to the silicone shell. He told me that he would contact Ideal and get that information to me.
We took measurements and went over the booby guide pictures I had on my phone. We decided that around the 450cc range would achieve the look I wanted. He said that I had enough tissue to go over the muscle, and he thinks it would give me that increased upper pole look that I want. He thinks under would as well, so it’s really up to me as both with achieve the look I want. I tried on sizers, and I liked the 440cc sizer.
I was quoted the price for my breast augmentation with Ideal implants. It was $5795. I wasn't ready to set a surgery date as I had a consult with another doctor a couple of weeks later.
Updated on 31 Jan 2020:
Here are my boobs to date....empty sacks with sunken in nipples. They are sad. Pics of me playing with sizers. The first consult I chose 450cc, the 2nd consult I chose 550cc, and my third consult I like in between the 500 and 550cc sizer. 90% sure I’ve chosen 545cc inspira soft touch extra full profile. Dr Sloan looked at my wish pics and told me to try on range 450-550cc....he thinks according to my wish pics that I should choose the 550cc.
Updated on 5 Feb 2020:
It's only 10 days until my pre-op appointment, and 23 days until my surgery date!! I'm getting excited and scared. I'm afraid I'll have a harder time that I can imagine. I am a homeschool mom of 4, 4yo-10yo, and I'm scared about how recovery will go. My surgery is on a Friday morning, and I plan for my kids to spend Thursday and Friday nights over at grandparents. I don't know if I'll have much more time than that with the kids away. My husband will take off on the Friday surgery day and hopefully Monday....that gives me 4 days at most where I will have help with my kids.
Can I make this work? Will it be miserable?? or impossible?
Updated on 11 Feb 2020:
I haven't started preparing the kids for my surgery, but I think they will understand that they need to be very gentle and helpful when they see my C-section scar revision wound. I haven't decided how I'll address the BA with them. I anticipate that my youngest will assume I have milk again, since I weaned in order to have my breasts done. Who knows that my older three will say and think?! My oldest baby is 10 years old. I’ve never been a mom that sends my kids away while I change clothes or covers up while breastfeeding. My 8yo daughter is who I’m most concerned about. I don’t want her to think there is a need to have big breasts or that breastfeeding ruins breasts...mg husband and I will figure out what to say when the time comes...we’ve talked about it before. The only thing we’ve decided is that we don’t really want them to know about me getting implants per se.
Updated on 15 Feb 2020:
I had my pre-op appointment yesterday, took before photos, settled on the CC’s, and paid my balance. Just 13 days to go!!
Updated on 27 Feb 2020:
I just took my night-before shower with Hibiclens. I can’t use any lotion because it stops the residual antibacterial property of Hibiclens. My skin feels so dry. I have to do it again tomorrow morning.
I just took the muscle relaxer and pain pill my instructions say to take the night before surgery...in order to relax and sleep. I hope I don’t oversleep. The surgery center is only 10 minutes away, but I have to take another Hibiclens shower in the morning. I’ve set FOUR alarms for tomorrow...seriously.
My alarm ringtones are My Milkshake and Milkshake T!tt!es. I had to buy those just for my alarms for tomorrow. I’m going to use them for my med reminders post-op.
Updated on 1 Mar 2020:
I’m too loopy from pain meds, so I’ll write about it later.
Updated on 1 Mar 2020:
I only have tightness and soreness, but occasionally I’ll get a sharp pain. I got back and forth on whether I went too big or too small. I know I just have to wait for the drop & fluff. My entire breast is swollen and the underside feels weird. It’s not exactly numb. It feels like it’s just too swollen.
Updated on 2 Mar 2020:
I was pretty nervous going in. The nurse had me change into a gown and hair cap. She also took a urine sample for a pregnancy test. She went over basic questions like, have I eaten anything since midnight, when was my last period, allergies, etc. The anesthesiologist came in to talk to me...while he was talking the nurse placed the I.V. That wasn't bad at all. She used a topical analgesic at the site before putting it in. The anesthesiologist asked questions about any past experiences with sedation and if I had any family with a history of reacting badly to sedation. He told me he he was going to give me some Versed "happy juice" in the iv, then I would get wheeled into the OR where I would be transferred onto the operating table, given more meds and oxygen mask. He said I would have a tube down my throat so I might have a sore throat afterwards. Then he said it would feel like a 10 second nap, and I'd be done.
I don't remember anything past him giving me the happy juice the first time. lol. nothing. It's seemed like a really good nap, then suddenly I was waking up in a different room with some other nurse. I asked for my husband, and she said he was getting the car ready to go and would be here to get me soon. I remember her getting my robe on and boots...I sort of remember walking to the car...it's a blur. I went home and ate a few saltine crackers to settle my stomach from the pain pill I took just before leaving the clinic.
I got home, and immediately put my piercings back in. Then I slept most of the day...and the next day. I got up some, but my pain meds made everything a blur. The first three days were hard because I couldn't get up out of the chair at all by myself. I slept in my electric recliner for 3 nights. I was doing my arm exercises, but not as often as I was supposed to. I quit the narcotic pain med at the end of day 3.
I feel much better now on day 4. I'm only taking the Celebrex, which is like ibuprofen, and a muscle relaxer. I can get up out of my recliner by myself now. I can take deep breaths, stretch my arms, and do the exercises without pain now.
My breasts don't feel like my own yet. The underside is a little numb, so that feels weird. I have sensation in my nipples, but they might be a little dulled. I hope those all go back to normal. I go back and forth on whether I went to big or too small...I can't wait for the swelling to go down so that I can see better what they will look like in the end.
Updated on 2 Mar 2020:
Updated on 3 Mar 2020:
I’m glad that I read about this weird phenomenon prior to experiencing it for myself. Sometimes wen you move your arms, trapped air in the breast implant pocket makes a fart sound...sometimes you hear it, sometimes you just feel it. It’s like armpit farts kids make with their hand in their armpit. I’m assuming eventually it will go away. It’s weird and creepy feeling. I don’t like it.
Anyway, here a little before and after in this VS twist front sports bra that is only $10.
Updated on 5 Mar 2020:
I went to my one week post-op appointment today. My tape was removed. Doc said everything looked good. The space between my breasts was the perfect spacing, basically one finger width. I can’t wear a push-up bra yet, because that would actually ruin that spacing. Not like I wold want to wear one right now. Things are still tight, I can move and squish my boobs a little bit now though. My boobs are still really high. He said they will come down and fluff out as my muscle relaxes and my skin stretches. Currently my implants are squashed flatter and wider than they will be once my muscle and skin stretch to accommodate the implants. I already love them...I mean, even if they stayed they way they are now...I’d be happy. I can’t wait until they are squishy though, but still....I love them already.
The incisions are looking good, I was given bacitracin ointment to apply to my incisions twice a day for three days. Then I will go back for a one month follow up.
My breast feel good, the incisions are a little tender....I can feel my pecs ache here and there during the day. Sometimes if I lift my arms away from my body and use my pecs ie close my heavy van door or reach out to pick up something that weighs a few pounds, I feel it. It’s not a sharp pain, I guess sort of dull but it reminds me then that I’m still healing and need to be aware and take it easy. That’s how good they generally feel throughout the day.
I do have nipple sensation, it’s a little dulled right now, but it’s there. I’m hoping that it will eventually be completely back and a good feeling...don’t want to go over and end up over sensitive in a negative way...I only want to be over sensitive in a feel good way. (I’ve had both of those scenarios during my breastfeeding days.)
Anyway, here are my incisions...
Updated on 5 Mar 2020:
I absolutely love my Brilliant Contours post op compression bra. It’s so smooth and soft. It’s line and no seams on the skin. The band is well below the incisions, the zipper stays up, and the straps are wide and adjustable. I am between an XS and an Small. I ordered both sizes. I have sensitive skin and have some sensory preferences, so I kept the smalls and exchanged the XS for smalls. Both for well, and it was a tough decision. I could’ve kept both, and the XS would be good later as a a HIIT level sports bra. I might order an XS later once I’m healed and actually needed a really high impact sports bra. The one pictured is a small.
Updated on 5 Mar 2020:
The black and the flag bras are in XS. The galaxy is small. What made up my mind to go with the small was the back boob that the XS created on me. I am really swollen right now, so that probably would’ve improved in a few days....but I liked the slightly looser chest band of the larger size.
These are wonderful and so cute!!
Updated on 9 Mar 2020:
10 days post op.
The boobie blues really hit me today. When I read about the “boobie blues,” I thought it meant being depressed about the ups and downs of the breasts healing...Frankenboob and waiting for drop & fluff. I didn’t think it was a cute monicker to also describe the downs and depression that generally comes with major surgeries in general. I mean I knew beforehand that a lot of people sort get depressed after surgery, but actually being in the middle of it sucks.
I’ve loved and been happy with my new boobs since day 3. I don’t hurt, but I do still feel discomfort and occasional muscle spasms. I’m almost good as new. I’m 10 days post op, and I’d say I’m at about 85%. I still have to take it sort of easy, like I can’t mop or vacuum my floors aggressively. I can do it, but I have to go slowly and be conscious of my technique. I get tired, and it’s all just hard with 4 kids 4-10 years old that I homeschool.
I guess that’s the major part of what’s making this so hard. I’m with them 24/7; they are so busy, and I’m ok with making this time as a spring break from school....they are just so full on hyperactive, energetic kids, and I just want to lay around and do nothing. They want to continue being kids and end up making messes everywhere. It’s just compounding the difficulty and amount of energy it takes to recover or maybe I should say compounding the post-op recovery blues.
It sucks to be down when I have these new amazeboobs!
Updated on 9 Mar 2020:
Just some pics from the 9th day post op
Updated on 11 Mar 2020:
I love them. My nips are slight oversensitive/sore
Updated on 11 Mar 2020:
Updated on 23 Mar 2020:
I’ve noticed they have dropped slightly, they seem to be dropping evenly so far. So that’s nice. They are a little softer, but they are far from squishy at this point. They feel like they are a part of me already, but I can’t wait until they are softer.
I was fresh out of the shower and had just got done putting on my lotion. That’s why they have that extra gleam...
Updated on 5 May 2020:
I still love my new curves. Sometimes I think that I could’ve gone bigger, or maybe I should have gone with a lower profile....but I really do think they are perfect. Depending on what I wear, they don’t look huge, fake, or too sexy. In other styles, they are but in a kind of way.
I have most nipple and breast feeling/sensation. It’s not 100% on the underside, but I’d say it’s about 90% sensation it similar to what my stomach felt like just below my csection scar. I actually have full feeling their now where the old scar was cut out and revised. My breasts are soft-ish. I can squeeze them together and move them up/down...it’s different than natural breasts, but that’s to be expected. I dont think about or feel the implants when I’m just going about my day. I forget about them u less I’m actively touching them. They are just a part of my body.
Updated on 19 May 2020:
I guessed at a size, this is a 34DDD, but I think I need a 32DDD/F. It it’s well enough to keep since it was just $18 on amazon.
Updated on 14 Jul 2020:
I had my 5 month post-op visit. Other than the one week post-op, we’ve only done post-op checks over the phone due to covid.
The doctor was really happy with how they turned out. He said when you go above 500cc, he worries about how the breast will stretch to accommodate them. Good thing mine were stretched with milk for 10 years, and I didn’t I’ve them a chance to acclimate to drying up and deflating. I had my surgery 3 months from my last breastfeeding session. I’m really happy with both procedures that I had done.
He showed me how to check for rupture when I do my monthly self-breast exams. I won’t need to see him again unless I have an issue. I can go have every 2-3 years for an ultrasound to check them if I want.
Updated on 1 Sep 2020:
I am now 6 months post-op, and I am extremely happy with my results.
Updated on 1 Sep 2020:
I love the cleavage in this bikini top. Dr Sloan says one finger width apart is his goal. My breasts are exactly that, so they look close together when I want and not so eye popping when I don’t.
Updated on 21 Sep 2020:
I love my boobs while I am upright. However, I don’t love the way they look while laying down. They spread so far apart and look like two balls sitting on my chest. I don’t think I’d be bothered by the ball look if they didn’t spread so far apart when lying down. There is one side that has slightly more lateral displacement than the other. I have scheduled an appointment so that I can talk about this with my surgeon. I don’t know if I should go under the knife again to tighten the lateral pocket or just live with it. I would hate to fix it only to end up with other surgery complications. Or do I just live with the lateral displacement that I bothers me only when on my back?
I am happy with my current size and projection, but I wonder if I should switch out for a lower profile in order to have a wider implant.
Updated on 11 Dec 2020:
Still in love with these
Updated on 15 Feb 2021:
They are soft and squishy-ish. They are still implants, so they are firmer than my post breastfeeding boobs. Similar to halfway engorged milk boobs.
Natrelle Soft Touch Squish video
1 year post-op
545cc Inspira Soft Touch Extra Full (UHP)
Under the muscle
BWD 12.5
pre-op deflated 32a/b
Post-op around 32DDD (32F/G depending on the bra)
Updated on 15 Feb 2021:
Oops, forgot to attach the video on the last post.
Natrelle Soft Touch Squish video
1 year post-op
545cc Inspira Soft Touch Extra Full (UHP)
Under the muscle
BWD 12.5
pre-op deflated 32a/b
Post-op around 32DDD (32F/G depending on the bra)
Updated on 15 Feb 2021:
Updated on 30 Sep 2021:
Here is a drop and fluff progression over the first year post-op.