I chose Dr. Ghere to perform my Panniculectomy in July 2020. Dr. Ghere and her staff exceeded my expectations and I am overjoyed with my surgical outcome. I am late on this review and back on real self to look at current photos and I will likely choose Dr. Ghere again.
I knew from a very young age that someday, somehow I would have breast surgery. Seeing girls my same age starting to develop, I held out hope that I was just a "late bloomer". My late-blooming never happened. For many, MANY years I felt utterly sad looking at myself in the mirror. I was so self conscious in almost anything and everything I wore. Summer time always made me so depressed, fearing having to wear a bathing suit. My poor husband ((sigh)) I couldn't stand for him to see me naked from the waist up. But....here I am NOW sharing my story and photos in hopes that I help someone with my same measurements and appearance. I have followed RealSelf for MANY years and have found a wealth of information here. Very thankful for the ladies that have shared their story and progress. A little more about my journey... after knowing I was done having children I set out my search looking for my perfect doctor. I visited a couple surgeons in my area and was never completely satisfied. UNTIL meeting Dr. Ghere. Oh my gosh! What a breath of fresh air! Calling her office to set up a consultation and being greeted by the most upbeat, sweetest receptionist; I felt like I was "at home". Once arriving to her beautiful office, I just felt like this experience was going to be different and better than any so far. Wow! Was I right!!!! Dr.Ghere took her time to explain everything to me. I never felt rushed, or as if I was a burden to her schedule. She took her time to listen to all my "wants", "don't wants", wishes. She took the time to look at all my wish pictures I brought. Truly LISTENED! Her nurse, Corey, was so personable! I absolutely without a doubt felt so at ease and knew this was where I was supposed to be. So....with out further ado here is my journey. Updated on 25 Apr 2023: My first post-op went great. Had my stitches removed! Whooohoo! Newest instructions are: apply bacitracin twice a day, and I can wear a soft supportive bra (aka sports bra) of course no wires. I'm soooo happy to be able to wear a different bra now. Although, I felt more comfortable/supported in the post surgical bra. I feel like sports bra leave me limited to certain clothing options. I have an event coming up that I'm wearing a dress for. The back is cut a little lower than normal, and well.... this sports bra and post surgical bra will be on MAJOR display. Boo! So I found this bra on American Eagle. I'm really excited to get this in!! Supportive, looks like mild compression, wireless, and (((raise hands))) REGULAR BRA STRAPS! Also, I can finally take baths/showers (as long as my incisions aren't "soaking"). Attaching picture/name of the bra. When they come in I'll post pictures and leave a review about it. I ordered a medium and a large. Not sure what size to get because the sizing is very weird on the website. So.... how are the "girls" feeling and my thoughts: I was kinda bummed at first that I got 265cc. I was really hoping to be in the 300cc range. But now that they are starting to settle some, I am soooooo sooooo SO happy that my doctor used her artist eye, and made the call she did. I truly believe anything bigger, I wouldn't be happy at all! Since I was able to take everything off last night, they seem much bigger to me, compared to being all bandaged up. Incisions are super red and itchy. I believe I was starting to have an allergic reaction to the suture tape... and a little reaction to the antibiotics; not sure which one. I am 2 days finished with the antibiotics, and no suture tape. The nurse recommended that I take zyrtec for a few days. I took one last night and it already feels and looks better. The girls are still numb feeling. Like I can feel pressure, but if I closed my eyes and tried to "feel" where I was touching, I have zero idea, only that there's pressure. Definitely can not feel anything in the nipple area....yet. Praying that in due time all those nerves will come back. Around the house things: I am able to resume most of my daily activities. I feel comfortable doing so as long as theyre not too heavy. 10lb is my restriction for about 6wks. Lifting my arms above my head is limited. I have to sorta contort my body to make up for the short muscle span. My kiddos stool has come in handy a lot lately. Hahaha.There's some things that require more chest muscle than others. Things I never really thought about until now. Some of the things I've notice are: using a knife to cut things. Wiping down counter tops. Scrubbing dishes. Reaching/squatting down for things. I know there's more, but those are the ones that stick out to me. I think that's all the updates I have so far. Feel free to leave any questions. Updated on 2 May 2023: 2 weeks post-op (5.2.23) Everything seems to be going pretty good. I am getting around and back to most normal activities. Cooking, cleaning, keeping little humans alive. Hahaha. Each day seems like I am able to reach just a tinyyyyyyy bit higher above my head. The girls are starting to feel a little bit softer. Think I might have felt a little jiggle last night when I was brushing my teeth? Idk...never had boobie jiggles before. I feel like about every 3 days or so I end up taking half a muscle relaxer. On the upper pole, it just feels like my muscle is contracting and trying to squeeze my implant out. Hahaha. My left breast is higher and has more projection than the right. My doctor/nurse aren't alarmed about the issue right now, and to give them time to drop and fluff. Starting out, I feel like I had an even amount of breast tissue, I know my left "fold" was a tad bit higher than my right "fold". So maybe after dropping and fluffing, it may be higher? I feel like I can see it so prominently. I'm trying to have patience, but when I look in the mirror I can see a BIG difference. I haven't been instructed to massage or anything. Bra-wise: I'm just wearing sports bras, and this super comfy bra I got from Aerie. Looking at a few from VS, but really unsure about my size. I measured according to their website, and looks like I should fit in a 32B? Which is kinda has me bummed out, I really, REALLY wanted to be a C. Gah! How I wish my skin would have accommodated more than 265cc. I know I need to give myself grace and patience! ((A lot of patience! Hahaha)) As of right now, this is theeeee most "boobies" I've ever had. Uploading photos...Anyone else feel like objects in pictures are bigger than real life? Hahaha Updated on 9 May 2023: So far things are still the same. My left breast is still much bigger than the right, by pretty much a cup size. I hope its just being stubborn! I know my boobies are "sisters", but right now they are looking like step-sisters! It's really starting to bum me out. I'm not sure if this is "zingers" or what? When I wear my bra, on the upper pole of my breast (mainly the left) where the bra touches my skin, it BURNS, tender to the touch. not just for a few minutes- then gone. This is all day until i take my bra off! And it hurts more on my left than the right. Anyone else experience this? They may be getting a tad bit softer? I've been cleared to wear bras, no wires. I think I feel a little bouce when I walk? I bought a couple Victoria's Secret bras in a 32B. They fit, but not sure I'm feeling comfy in them. I refuse to buy A sized bras...hahaha. I dreamed of being a C, but pretty sure I'm not going to get there. I started the silicone scar cream today. Excited to see how that smoothes out my scars! Also, bought a new swimsuit! Yeahy! Excited for the beach in a few weeks! :o) Updated on 16 May 2023: I don't feel like there's any new news right now. Hahaha. Although, the extreme burning pain has finally subsided! So thankful! It hurt sooo bad, like a constant steady Indian burn. Other than that being gone, not much else has changed. My left is still bigger than the right. :o( I keep hoping to wake up one morning and it's the same size as the right! Lol. Or vice-versa.... as long as they're the same size(ish). I am still sleeping on my back. Wearing a sports bra at night, and a regular bra during the day. I've pick VS Pink lightly lined wireless T-shirt bra. They're pretty comfy. Every now and then one of the bands will "sit" wrong on an incision and I have to adjust. Using silicone scar cream 2x day. Not much else to report. Just praying that these "step-sisters" start getting along! Updated on 31 May 2023: I feel like not much has changed over the past 2 weeks; except the girls are getting softer and little more bouncy. The left is still bigger, more projection. I feel like the frontality of these pictures don't really show the difference. Tomorrow I will go for my 6 week check up. I am wearing regular bras during the day & sport bras at night. I purchased a couple of Victoria Secret (Pink) Wear Everywhere Wireless Bra (34B) they were ok. Just never felt comfortable in them. Always pulling, twisting, turning, just ugh. Then, Soma was having a sale and I decided to try the Enbliss Wireless Bra! HOLY MOLY! This bra is SO SO SO Soooooooo comfy! I have never had a bra that felt this good! SO soft, amazing support, just cant say enough awesomeness about this bra! (Showed in pictures) I can NOT wait until they have another sale so I can get more colors! I ended up purchasing the 34B, but thinking I might need to try a 34C or 32C. Not sure, I kinda have a little bit of a "bubbly overflow" on the top of the bra! Whoop whoop- raise hands! Hahaha. Anywho, I ordered online and used the sizing guide and measurements from there. Hopefully soon I can get to the physical store and get properly sized. Also posting a little video (*hope I can get it to upload*), that's one thing I hardly see on here is the "animation" of implants. Updated on 27 Jun 2023: Heeeey! Just dropping in and posting a little update. Time seems to be flying by lately! I am now 2 months, 1 week post-op. Everything seems to be settling and healing very nicely! I feel like they get softer and more jiggly everyday. I rarely hurt anymore. Mornings still seem to be a tiny bit tough, not untolerable just tight feeling until I get to moving around. I've been cleared to go braless (at night, or when need to during the day). I can also sleep on my sides now. It feels weird and I feel more comfortable on my back. Which is very odd bc I've always been a stomach and side sleeper. Sensations: I don't have the excruciating tingling pain on the upper poles any more. I can feel everything north of the nipples. Nipples are still sensitive...as in so sensitive it hurts. Everything between the nipple and my scars are still numb. I can feel pressure, but that's about it. Hope that starts to heal or show some sort of improvement. Lol Update on bra/sizing: I still absolutely LOVE Soma wireless Enbliss bra. It is absolutely amazingly comfortable! However, last time I posted I said I was a 34B, it never quite felt perfect. I felt like I was being squished and popping over the cups. So I actually took the time to go into the store and get properly sized. In this particular bra I am measuring a 32D. Now..... this bra feels even better if that's even possible. Hahaha. Updated on 18 Jul 2023: Finally made it to the 3 month mark! Hahaha. Time feels like it's flying by now. I don't feel like there is anything new to report. Still have the same numbness from the nipple down to my scars. Nipples are still sensitive. A bra doesn't bother them, just when being fondled. I have some crazy tan lines going on. The triangle bathing suit top is the first I've purchased in that style. I have never been a big fan of them, I guess bc I was so flat before it look ridiculous on me. Now I feel like the girls are too far apart and it still looks weird on me...and maybe it's just too small? I don't know. Hahaha. Updated on 15 Sep 2023: Few things to update on. I'm sorta getting sensations back in my nipples. They are still sensitive, but a bit more manageable. I feel like the lack of sensation area under the breast it getting much smaller. Also, I've noticed my nipples aren't soooooo erect as much. They are finally contracting and relaxing like they used to. Thought I would add a progression photo. Any questions definitely feel free to ask! :o) Updated on 21 Jan 2024: Everything has been going well! Nothing new to report. The super sensitivity in my nipples is dissipating slowly. Getting feeling back in them without it hurting. Newest, sensation is my scars. Nothing bad or unbearable, they just get this tickly itch. Not sure how to describe it. It's not all day, just every now and then during the day, I find myself itching them. I've been using cold pressed organic castor oil in the morning and at night. Not sure if it's helping the scars or not, but in my mind it is. Hahaha. As always, feel free to ask anything! Updated on 26 Apr 2024: I'm several days behind on posting my 1 year boob-a-versary. But, overall everything is going great. They're super soft, and settled in perfectly. I do still have a few regrets that I wish I would have pushed with my doctor. I never told her "my goal" cc size. Which was at least 300. Not sure that, that number would have mattered much anyway, bc she squeeeeeezed in all that would then. So, (naturally) I do wish they were bigger. Another thing, and it would have been a little more invasive, but trying to close my gap some. It's my natural cleavage lines, but they are sooooooo far apart when I want to wear a triangle bikini top. One thing I didn't know I wanted until now is a little more upper pole fullness. But she did go with my wishes on that. I told her I didn't want the "line" up top. I still don't too much care for that look, it's just when I'm wear scoop or v-neck tops, there's no cleavage line, just flat, then boop... boobies. All-in-all, I do LOVE my new body. Love the womanly figure I have now. Love that I can go braless and not look like a man. Love that I actually have something to put in a bra now. Love that I feel so sexy and confident in lingerie. I would do this procedure over in a heartbeat! Including my before (32 AA) and after (32 D). And the weird fitting triangle bikini top. Lol Updated on 11 May 2024: Sorry, forgot all about posting the swim tops. They are both from Victoria's Secret. Both wired and "push up". These I feel the most confident in. The red one is the Icon Push-Up. Definitely my favorite fit. The padding in it is minimal. About a 1/4 inch thick, just placed strategically to enhance. I also bought it in black. The darker blue one is comfortable, but it has EXTRA padding. Reminds me of the push up bras I wore previously to my BA. They are removable, but I haven't tried taking them out and seeing how it fits that way. The last picture (of the sea blue) is a bra, not swim suit top. It's my newest favorite bra, extremely comfortable, wired, no push up. Juuuust enough thickness in the cup to tone down the nips. Mine tend to stay erect always! Then get even more prominent when cold/etc. so I prefer coverage. They are Bodify by Soma. This one is a 32D. They're pricey, but worth every single penny!