Dr. Pousti was my EXPLANT surgeon and he did an AMAZING job, leaving me with perfect ‘itty bittys’! My case was somewhat more difficult due to implants behind the chest muscle, thin capsules and symmastia but even with all of that, the surgery was a success and I am beyond thrilled with my new body. I was bedridden prior to surgery with no quality of life due to Breast Implant Illness but after having explant surgery (en bloc removal of silicone implants) I am slowly getting my life back. Symptoms are disappearing daily and I’m starting to feel younger and stronger than I have in YEARS! Picking the right surgeon is so important on this frightening and overwhelming journey and I am so glad I made the BEST decision by choosing Dr. Pousti. He and his entire staff genuinely care about each patient and fully support women with this illness. I highly recommend Pousti Plastic Surgery to anyone looking to have their implants removed SAFELY and to have complete understanding and support through the entire explant journey. Five stars, two thumbs up, highest rating possible for this amazing plastic surgery team!! Updated on 15 Jul 2019: In an effort to increase awareness about breast implant illness, I created a website dedicated to my journey to help women no feel so alone in the BII world: www.toxictatasnomore.com I have been doing video diary blogs of my struggles leading up to explant surgery, the many MIRACLES after explant, as well as sharing detox tips based on what I've learned from others and what has worked for me. The link BELOW is the blog I shared about my experience with Dr. Pousti and his team. I also include video of my explant surgery to show en bloc removal of breast implants. Dr. Pousti did an AMAZING job...I am thrilled with my new body and am so happy to have my life back! Please feel free to message me anytime with questions or to see before and after photos. Wishing everyone a safe and blessed healing journey :) https://www.toxictatasnomore.com/post/dr-pousti-explant-surgeon-extraordinaire-saved-my-life
I am from out of town, 6 hour drive to La Mesa, CA. I was searching for a board certified surgeon who does drainless tummy tuck procedure with good solid muscle repair and also hernia repair; in case I needed a hernia repair. My husband contacted Pousti Plastic Surgery office and a nice lady got Dr. Pousti on the phone to speak to my husband. I was very surprised, he took the time to speak to my husband about the drainless tummy tuck procedure that involves progressive tension sutures. He accommodated both my husband and I, knowing we have 2 special needs children. My results are fantastic! I got a phone call that same evening by Dr. Pousti following surgery. He also phoned my husband to ease his worries while I was recovering from the Alvarado Surgery Center (I don't want to forget...I want to thank Amber from Alvarado Surgery Center for being so kind, helpful, and patient with me after my recovery. THANKS AMBER!!!). Back to Dr. Pousti, he's a very good doctor, hard at work and understanding. The staff at his office are kind, polite, and helpful. During the first two weeks of my recovery I received a phone call from Daisy, Cindi, and Taylor. They made sure everything was good. They are all sweet. Everybody was kind, I felt welcomed. I also want to thank Helen and Margie. At my 3 week post op visit with Dr. Pousti, he mentioned I had no complications at that time. This really means a lot to me because my recovery is extremely important to me as I am the only caregiver to my 2 special needs children. This shows that Dr. Pousti did his job as a double board certified plastic surgeon. So far I am extremely happy with my results and like to give credit to Dr. Pousti and his entire staff. Thank you Dr. Pousti!!
Dr. Pousti is not just the best plastic surgeon in the world, he's an "artist". I have had 2 previous breast augmentations and Dr. Pousti finally got my breasts to finally look like they're supposed to and to look perfect! I'm 54 years old and have 3 kids so I had lipo at the same time in a few areas and I look like I did when I was 25, before 3 kids... when I used to model. No Joke! Dr. Pousti is a modern day Michaelangelo. You would be silly to look any further...Dr. Pousti is your man!
I had been doing my research since my first revision in 2010. I live in Las Vegas and people assume that because I am from here I should be able to find a great doctor. I thought I did, but what I found is that not every great doctor is great at revisions. My revision in 2010 was after already having my previous implants for 12 years. Since I knew I wasn't having any more children I decided to get them redone. I was more unsatisfied than I was with my old ones and it was obviously very upsetting. After doing my research I decided I would consult with 2 of the best revision doctors that kept popping up in my research. They both specialize in the internal bra that I knew I wanted. I flew to Florida for my first consult. He advised me on the internal bra as well as a lift. When I saw Dr. Pousti he said a lift wouldn't be necessary. He didn't want me to have the possible scarring from a lift if it wasn't necessary. Since I am Hispanic and have darker skin the chance of scarring is more prevalent. Dr. Pousti and his team spent well over an hour going over my needs and concerns. I never felt rushed, and really felt good about him from the minute I left. Vanessa, his amazing assistant contacted me the next day to see if I had any questions about my consult and I scheduled with her that day. Fast forward to surgery date. Dr. Pousti has the best bedside manner I have ever seen. He really wants you to feel comfortable and at ease. I didn't realize until the day of surgery that Dr. Pousti posts your goal pictures on the wall the day of surgery. 3 days after surgery I started feeling sick and had a fever. I was so nervous that maybe I had gotten an infection so I emailed Dr. Pousti and he responded immediately and even gave me his personal phone number if needed. It was a horrible time to get the flu, but I slept it off and before I knew it I was just dealing with breast healing. I can't say enough about Dr. Pousti and the rest of the Pousti Plastic Surgery staff. I was contacted daily for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I am 9m weeks post op and I have the breasts that I envisioned about!
countless internet searches led me to finally trust my instinct and make a consultation with Dr. Pousti, of Pousti Plastic Surgery in the San Diego area of California. I was motivated to make the call due to his expansive knowledge in Breast Augmentation, XL Breast Augmentation and countless Breast Augmentation Revisions. I liked the look of his work, how much obtainable information there was on the surgeon, and how informative his website was. I made the call to what I had a feeling was going to be my ONLY consultation. Dr. Pousti has an amazing staff and the Doctor himself is a man of miracles! I have my dream body and I couldn't have done it without entrusting myself to him! This man will give you the body of your dreams! I can't recommend him enough! Updated on 20 Jun 2015: currently three whole weeks post op and almost to that 1 month mark! Not having help during my husbands work schedule has proven to be a challenge with a 17 month old, but i've made due! Now current concerns are asymmetry, which was present prior to BA. I feel like it may be more noticeable now but I trust my surgeon and trust that he saw an outcome that I have yet to see! I've been trying on tops and swimsuits every now and then but still scared to keep my surgical bra off too long! I have intense muscle spasms and have been doing massage. I can tell that each breast is healing at different times and i'm learning to be patient. Also experiencing SLIGHT boob greed… 590cc is pretty large… however I may some day decide to go even bigger. You can bet your tater tots I will be back to Dr. Pousti! Him and his staff have continued to be wonderful regarding all of my questions and concerns and still feel I've gotten the best care! I love my body! Aside from some muscle spasms and little twinges here and there I'm feeling really good! Still take it easy whenever I can! I feel sexy and confident… even in a plain t shirt! Updated on 20 Jul 2015: I wish I was more consistent with updates, I just don't have time! Plus I worry about every thing. Every little pinch, pull, muscle spasm, I immediately assume my implants will rupture and I'll die. Extremes. My apologies for offensiveness. I just picture the worst thing happening. Turns out... so far it's all been relatively normal. Go figure haha! So as the title states I am nearly 8 whole weeks post op. I've noticed HUGE changes in my breasts since the first day, week, or even month being post op. I don't necessarily have boob greed, but in some tops I wish they were more pronounced. But then I find myself often wondering if I'm showing too much cleavage while toting a one year old around. My husbands response- "Absolutely not!". I'm just not used to having cleavage! Other times they feel big and perfect. I wanted BIG! I got BIG! I still have some swelling from time to time. I need to up the massage again I feel (again need more hours in the day). I still have some muscle spasms which can pull my implants towards my armpits. When that happens I usually massage and try to relax, and I'll wear my surgical bra with the compression band over the top to bring them in together. Even though I was cleared to "burn my bra" I still feel it comes in handy. I sleep in it still and sometimes after wearing a regular sports bra all day I feel pretty sore and the surgical bra relieves some of that. It could all just be in my head. Either way, I'm not ready to part ways with this hideous contraption just yet. I still have the steri strips covering my incisions. Talk about some great adhesive. I can't wait for another appointment to see what Dr. Pousti thinks about how my incisions are healing. I'm allergic to the adhesive on band aids and have some pretty bad rashes forming where the band aids are placed during showers. That has nothing to do with my implants themselves though! I've seen through a pin hole size opening what appears to still be scabs on my incision line so i'm in no hurry to rip them off. I want them to breathe but I also don't want to rush them if they are not ready! He will know best! other than that and getting used to some looks I get.. people are actually staring at my rack.. (It's ok to stare.. that's why I got a boob job!) I am doing amazing! I have noticed that as they reach final position they are looking larger than they did even with the swelling! I still have some slight assymetry but that was present prior to surgery and I'm now in a more accepting place than my worrisome self was in the earlier weeks. I expect to love and love them not as much off and on through the next few weeks. I've never disliked them or thought they weren't big enough. I also haven't thought they were too big. I'm still a thousand percent confident in my choice of surgeon! Loving my new found confidence and reason to shop! I was measured at Victoria's Secret to be a 32DDD or a 32F at other stores... we've come a long way from that A/B cup! Not many of my 100 swimsuit tops fit anymore and certainly no bras! Oh darn.. A reason to shop ;) I LOVE LOVE LOVE my big fake boobies! Picture overload... hashtag sorrynotsorry lol Updated on 28 Jul 2015: It's been nearly 9 weeks and I finally removed my steri strips. My incisions were through the areola and I've done a great job at keeping the strips dry and in place. In fact I could have left them longer but I was sort of worried about them needing some air. I got the okay from Dr. Pousti to soak them in the shower and let them come off on their own. I then washed with anti bacterial soap, followed up with a massage over my breasts and the scars themselves with organic coconut oil. I think I pulled something yesterday. I'm so bad. I should be healed by now but not having assistance set me back. I'm always worried I injured something or damaged my implants and messed up my results. My breast shape still changes daily. I still have some swelling here and there. I wear my surgical bra more often than not. I don't know if it's helpful at all but it keeps me from over worrying. I think my breast are in weird positions because I fully flexed my chest yesterday for the first time. It made my breast shape change completely and where the incisions were made my skin actually indents :( I have an appointment in 2 days and i'll be discussing that with the doctor. I know that it is no fault of his, but I hope it's not mine either.. and that there is a way to correct it. I'm almost positive it's scar tissue and since I wasn't massaging my incisions prior to removing the strips, it may have healed that way. Fingers crossed it isn't and will be a pain free non invasive fix. Other than that they're doing great! I'm mixed up emotionally just do to over worrying but my breast are beautiful! Seeing Dr. Pousti on Thursday will relieve my anxiety i'm sure! I think leaving my steri strips on for as long as possible did a lot of good! I just wanted to share the picture of my incisions and the positioning of my implants. They needed some good massaging yesterday! To be honest... I need to massage more but I am scared to move my implants down further. I got Ultra high profile and I wore the strap over the top and I don't think I needed to. See? I really have been worried about every little thing lately! It's driving my husband nuts! Updated on 30 Jul 2015: I had my 2 month check in with Dr. Pousti today! Everything looks great and I was told to not worry so much! They're just so beautiful I don't want to ruin them! Super happy and reassured after today! I think staying off google is best! lol Now if anyone has any suggestions on where to find cute/sexy 32 DDD or 32 F bras and bikinis please let me know! Victorias secret has a small selection. Updated on 21 Aug 2015: Just want to say that everything is going great! Still working on getting my left implant to drop but it's coming along! I have indents along my areola incisions when my chest is flexed due to scar tissue being attached to the muscle, I think is what my doctor said. It's not a HUGE concern considering everything else is perfect! He did say that with time and scar massage it may relax over time. I guess it's one of the side effects of having sub muscular implants. But like I said, only noticeable when I flex my chest and i'm topless. Still not enough to make me worry! I've been able to sleep on my sides in small doses so I'm really starting to feel like myself again! I've even gone to the beach and chased my toddler around on the beach in a bikini! It feels amazing to be confident in my own skin! Now i'm just waiting to be able to start lightly jogging again! another few weeks or so! Still searching for bras :) Updated on 12 Oct 2015: Almost 5 months post op! Wow! Time sure does fly! You know, everything has been great! In fact they still surprise me sometimes because it's like oh yeah! I have amazing new boobies! My mom just came to visit me and said "wow! They look amazing!" And it took me a minute to realize she meant my boobies! I've gotten a few random guys at the beach asking me random questions about them. And they still seem to pose the question of real or fake lol which is impressive! Dr. Pousti did incredible! I feel like they're in their final position and I've recently started seeing the effects of "drop and fluff". Questioning myself, are they getting BIGGER?! Woohoo! So bras, again are fitting differently. I've given up on bra shopping and been enjoying sports bras and bikinis at the beach. I've broke the strap on two bikinis and am finding brands like Roxy, Billabong, and RVCA aren't meant for my endowed chest so I've made a few bikini tops to hold them in! I live at the beach so being active in the water is a huge thing for me! I recently finally went boogie boarding and took it easy protecting my puppies as well as I could and had no pain after! I've finally been able to swim in the pool. So I'm getting full rotation of my arms back finally! I still have yet to go bra-less. They said 6 months would be a good time so that's what I'm waiting for! I have gone running! I wore two sports bras and thought I dislocated my boob from all the moving lol it's more work with a bigger chest, that's for sure! No injury just not used to the weight lol! Also my posture is suffering slightly! So I'm working on that! That hunching forward isn't helping showcase them at all!!! All in all I forget they're "fake" until I catch my reflection! I love my body! I've been considering going bigger but not for awhile! When I do I'll be going back to Dr. Pousti! Several women have asked who created such beauty and I make sure to give his card and info out! Oh and the indents from my scars are getting better over time too! Just remember everything takes time and patience! The time will fly by! Here's some pictures! Updated on 29 Jan 2016: Well This update is LONG over due! But let me just say my girls are great! I haven't been massaging nearly as much as I should I'm sure, and I'm still too chicken to go braless for long! When I feel like they're not that big I look at my before and after photo and realize there is a huge difference! I am still considering going larger as I want HUGE implants, but this was an amazing start and I couldn't have found a better surgeon! I feel like i'm either used to the size or my weight gain impacted the effect my boobs had on my frame. I feel like in clothes I am a B cup. BUT either way- I HAVE AMAZING BREASTS!!! Dr. Pousti is incredible!!! Updated on 17 May 2016: My goodness. I feel like I have neglected this site and an update. I thought I posted way more pictures but I was wrong! I guess my theory of people not really reporting news if there is only good news still holds tact. I am so so so happy with my results! I feel like I have gone a whole year of wearing a bra and am finally benefitting from some slight change by allowing my self a little more freedom and going braless time to time. I get super paranoid about doing something to ruin them. I also found that push up bras are still a girl's or THE girls' best friend! I was having an extremely difficult time find a bra that fit comfortably, I shunned push up bras because, well.. when you're a 32F with ultra high profile who needs that?! I've found, however, that the padding in the push up bras is more for comfort as opposed to actually being a push up. I mean.. sure.. it does do SOMETHING... but they just fit better than every non padded bra i've tried on. And I just like the look more! I haven't had ANY pain. I notice I can tend to get sore if I use my arms a lot but I still hike every weekend, I went skydiving on my 30th birthday, I run, I notice if I keep them in a bra ALL the time that I am usually pretty sore by the end of the day. OR if I go too long with too little support. but other than that everything is fantastic! My scars look great and really only have a small problem with scar tissue on the right side but if I were more consistent with massage I feel like it wouldn't be so bad. I still feel like I need to massage them into shape sometimes. I guess i'm just a pretty tense person. I don't do the whole relax thing. I have a lot of pictures to update! I'll be posting more on how my 1 year check up goes! I haven't seen Dr. Pousti in forever! I miss visiting everyone at the office! Updated on 22 Apr 2020: It has almost even 5 years since my surgery and I am still in love with my implants. I went from wishing they were bigger to wishing they were smaller, and loving right where they are at. Dr. Pousti did recommend a smaller CC initially due to my frame my I decided I didn’t want “boob greed” and to have wished I went bigger later on. Well after 5 years I will say, listen to your surgeon! You are going to them because you trust them! Although I went through spurts of size envy, ultimately your surgeon knows best. I am at a different place in life than I was 5 years ago. I am apply with the size of my implants and the projection, however I wish I had more middle cleavage As opposed to more side boob. They tend to interfere with daily activities. My posture is terrible because they’re heavy and honestly when I hold proper posture and stick my boobs out, I get a little self conscious. When I decide to go back in lol I love you for a smaller CC more natural projection, depending what the surgeon recommends. I do absolutely love my curves! I feel like it’s easy to dress to provocative tough. Even a plain t shirt can feel minimal. I do still get some pain which I’m unsure if it’s normal or not. I also can’t do push ups and working out and running are issues. Back pains, neck pains, finding a bra pains, it’s all true! Worth it, by absolutely consider those things when your surgeon brings them up. They know best! I’ll share some photos of what 5 years looks like, hint- still close to brand new! I’ve had very minimal “drop” so I have the perky “fake” look I was going for- also due to genetics what the surgeon said was easily obtainable with this implant placement and profile. Seriously Dr. Pousti and his staff are incredible and he is the best of the best!
My Personal Decision: I've contemplated having this surgery for years. Now in my mid 20’s and loving who I am becoming, I decided to treat myself well and have the courage to change the things I can! As I am able to invest more love and care in myself, I will be able to radiate and share even more love and care to others. Decision on the Physician: From all my research it was apparent, one physician kept coming up: Pousti Plastic Surgery. With Dr. Pousti's extensive and impressive portfolio with numerous positive reviews via Real Self, You Tube, and his website (and beyond with Pinterest, Twitter), the Pousti Team’s practice was portrayed to be caring, knowledgable, and professional. From what I found, many of Dr. Pousti’s team members have been working with him for many years, which suggests the strength of the team and it’s leader. Ultimately I knew, if I were to undergo any type of surgery or medical procedure, I would only choose a reputable and trusted physician, no matter the distance. Outcome (as of 5/23/2015): Completely satisfied with the care and service of the Pousti Team! Responsive, knowledgable, professional, and they truly care for their patients and team members! As for my results, everything has gone well! There have been times I have questioned if I chose the right size for me. Then I recall the main reason I chose Dr. Pousti and his team is because they are the experts and I trust them to have my best interests in mind. For my goal photos, his portfolio was filled with excellent outcomes and I was able to compile my preferred photos together in a pdf file to send to them. Either way, this experience was great! The Pousti Team have been very kind. Personally, this is a reminder to myself, I am capable of anything and I deserve the best! ...and so do you! Do your due diligence and research enough to satisfy your standards and choose the best physician for you! All the happiness to you!
To Doctor Pousti and his quality staff (with a special shout out to Vanessa), Thank you thank you thank you thank you. There simply aren't enough word combinations I could string together that would adequately describe how I feel about this whole experience. If I had to sum it up in one word though I suppose I would chose grateful. I am truly grateful to have met all of you. I never write reviews. Ever. But For Doctor Tom Pousti I would shout my opinion from the rooftop. This seemed like the next best thing :) I have wanted a breast augmentation for over 10 years. Now at 26, with once perky Cs deflated to -As thanks to 2 beautiful breastfed babies, it was finally time! After a year of extensive internet research I found 3 doctors I was willing to consult with. I have Leiden Factor V, a blood clotting condition that leaves me at a higher risk for clots so I wanted to make sure I was meeting with only the best. Doctor Pousti was my first (and last) consult. Upon arriving for my initial consult each and every staff member was friendly and welcoming. Vanessa was the first to bring me back and go over my situation. We jumped right into saline vs silicone, over the muscle vs sub muscular, incision site, her own experience with breast augmentation by Doctor P and anything and everything breast related that I can think of. By the time Doctor Pousti came in to meet me I was well informed and excited! Doctor Pousti did not fail to impress. He was kind, genuinely listened to what I wanted, spoke knowledgably and still managed to be relatable. He promised to consult with his peers and do further research into my blood condition and what that might mean for me pre and post surgery which was the biggest thing that put me at ease. Within 15 minutes of meeting I knew 100% that I could trust this person with my vision and my body. We decided to go 550-600cc max but I left the final decision up to the Doctor, creative license if you will. The office called me multiple times a week in the 4 weeks leading up to my surgery to check in and see if I had any more questions. I didn't but the fact that they left that door wide open was a huge comfort. A week or so before I even dropped by randomly to bring some more reference photos for my file and they slid me in for another quickie consult no problem. Talk about being flexible! By now I had complete peace of mind about the big day but when Doctor Pousti called me personally the night before my surgery to see if I had any last minute things on my mind, I knew I had completely made the right decision. Surgery day went smoother than I ever could have imagined. The staff at the surgery center were equally as friendly and accommodating as the staff at his office. I was led back into a room and dressed to the nines in an awesome purple frock. This thing even had a warm air tube connected to me to keep me comfortable. Nurses checked on me from the moment I entered the room, even nurses not assigned to me, way to make a gal feel special! I have never been treated so well at a hospital facility. I was hooked to an IV drip by a gentle handed nurse who proceeded to introduce me to my soft spoken anesthesiologist who would be in my OR. She walked me through the entire process of what would happen, how the anesthesia would feel like going up my arm (cold) and explained that I would be out in 10 seconds. She left and Dr Pousti came in and re addressed all the aspects of my procedure and marked me up. At this point my husband who was able to be with me this whole time was sent to the waiting room. A sweet nurse Lydia who would also be in the room walked me back to the OR where I was greeted by a smiling Dr Pousti, the anesthesiologist and two other nurses. Lydia and Doctor P held my hands and gave the word for the anesthesia, then it was nap time for me. I woke up to minimal pain and an AWESOME nurse Soli who did me a solid and got my pain meds going through the IV immediately. For the next 45 minutes I was taken just as good care of as I had been prior. My husband was sent back and the nurse reiterated Doctor P's after care instructions and I was sent home. I am now 8 days post op with 550cc breasts and I couldn't be happier. For aesthetic and safety purposes Doctor Pousti made the executive decision to go smaller than the 600cc max out we talked about. It blew me away that he cared enough about me to not overfill simply because he had my permission and COULD. This speaks volumes about his character as a person, not just a PS. Before this plastic surgery adventure I just assumed plastic surgeons were in the business for a quick pay day, Dr Pousti changed my mind. He treated me as a valued person and not just a "patient" or "client". Vanessa and Daisy have called me everyday since surgery to check on me and send well wishes. You really all are the best!! Even after all my post op appointments are said and done, I still plan on dropping in and saying hi to these lovely people. Bottom line: I would recommend anyone to Dr Pousti. This post ran much longer than intended but Pousti Plastic Surgery is worth it and I hope any of you on the fence feel a little closer to making the right decision!! Morgan Side note: Everybody's pain tolerance is different but as far as my pain management I am a firm believer in positive thought yields positive results. I have experienced very minor pain because of this. I also used a holistic healing technique called reiki before and after surgery. Hope this helps you on your journey :) Updated on 16 May 2015: Feeling AWESOME! Loviiiing the girls! I was given the go ahead to wear an supportive under armour sports bra to a graduation and my family, who initially didnt understand my decision, were incredibly shocked in a great way! Needless to say they are very supportive now seeing how happy and this has made me. Still so glad we went 550. I never thought Id want to be back in the granny bra but now I totally get it. After a couple of hours I was dying for the compression. So to any of you eager to get the damn thing off, relax, its really not worth it yet. Now that they are safely wrapped up again they wont be making another debut until I get the go ahead to ditch it permanently. Updated on 19 May 2015: Feeling great! Had a visit today and Dr. Pousti says all checks out :) I can now add more aggressive massage to my routine to help with settling. I was nervous about some slight asymmetry but was well assured that this is normal at this point. Sisters. Not twins. The more I remind myself of that the more I fall in love with them. Differences and all. Its still so early in Im trying to remind myself to be patient with my body and the healing process (Im an Aries so its hard lol). Overall I am thrilled with how things are going and my husband cant stop staring at them :D Cant wait to see how things progress over the next couple of weeks!! Thanks again Dr. Pousti!! Updated on 26 May 2015: So it's been 3 weeks today and I could not be happier! Every morning seriously feels like xmas, waking up to these girls makes me ecstatic beyond measure. The minor differences I saw in my breasts are completely working themselves out through continued use of the compression bra and diligent routine massage. This has been a valuable lesson in patience and I am so grateful for my results! If I am this thrilled now I can only imagine how amazing I will feel over the next 6 months. So happy with how this adventure is unfolding! Thanks again Dr. Pousti :) Updated on 28 May 2015: Never had cleavage before...Very excited about this :) going out this weekend to have a welcome to the world party for the new me. Updated on 30 May 2015: Getting ready to go shopping for a new dress. Excited to take the girls out tonight! Watch out SD... Updated on 1 Jun 2015: Today is the day I can finally fill out a bathing suit. Still no swimming for a while but it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Its a good day. Updated on 5 Jun 2015: Had my one month check up in with Dr. Pousti on Tuesday and finally get to let the girls out of the compression bra for good! Woohoo! Im in love with my zip front Under Armour sports bra, its super comfy but still supportive. The steri strips were removed and I was given the green light to start scar treatment. Even though the scar is pretty discreet to begin with (pleasantly surprised at this!), I ordered Scar Away 100% silicone gel for $35 from amazon since it is considerable lesser in price than bioCorneum and has the same star rating. Feeling amazing and gaining more and more confidence with each passing day! Hope you all you girls are doing great as well and as always thanks Dr. Pousti!! Updated on 17 Jun 2015: 6 weeks and still super happy. I am continuing to notice changes from week to week. Righty has been looking bigger than lefty and has been more stubborn about dropping but I have a feeling there are a lot of contributing factors. Not too worried since I am an obsessive internet researcher and have found many a story of one breast dropping later than the other.They are both super soft and I am still keeping up with my daily massages. This website has given me much peace of mind, thank you to all the veteran realself ba ladies that continue to share their progress and make newbies like me feel better about the day to day changes :) Will continue to update. Updated on 29 Jun 2015: I feel like these girls have been with me forever :) I just got back from being maid of honor in my sisters wedding in Ohio and I got so many compliments on the new additions. They looked great in the dress and it's pretty convenient having the option to go braless now that I dont have to false advertise with pushup bras lol. Right has finally caught up with left and I am so stoked with how theyve evened out. Yay for dropping and fluffing. Post op on the 2nd and cant wait to ask if I can finally get back to my hip hop abs workout. Have a great week ladies!
I am 26. I've never been happy with my boobs. I've considered getting them reduced. It's not that I don't like big boobs, I love big boobs. I've just always felt like they could be so much more. So I decided to enhance them. In March I scheduled my consultation and surgery for October and paid the fee to secure my place. Fast forward almost 6 months ... and I'm a little over 6 weeks away from flying to San Diego for surgery! I've joined RealSelf to help me organize my thoughts and plans. Updated on 2 Sep 2014: I've been getting quite obsessive with looking at other people's surgery and trying to figure how mine is going to look. Will I need a lift> Can I avoid having a lollipop lift? I don't want scars. But if I have to then, well, I have to. 40 days 'til surgery in San Diego by Dr. Pousti. I am so excited. Below are some wish pictures I've saved from various places around the internet. Updated on 16 Sep 2014: Last night I booked mine and my SO's flights to San Diego! We arrive on Wednesday, October 8th and stay til Thursday, October 23rd. Pre-op is on Monday, October 13th. Surgery is Wednesday, October 15th. Today I'm looking at accommodations. Initially I thought we were going to do a packaged flight+hotel deal but we found an amazing deal on flights so we booked them. Now I'm looking on Air BNB for places to stay. Ideally I'd love to stay on the beach (Ocean Beach) or downtown (Gaslamp Quarter). Comfy bed, parking, kitchen, and internet are my requirements. I've allowed for a decent size budget but I haven't found what I'm looking for. The plan is to check into our rental. Check out San Diego. Drive to LA. Stay in LA overnight, see things, buy stuff. Then come back for pre-op and surgery. Aieeee! It's less than a month away! Updated on 1 Oct 2014: Surgery is exactly two weeks away. I'm just biding time until we leave. We're in San Diego and LA for a week before. Then Ocean Beach while I'm recovering before heading back to Toronto. I'm planning to be off work for about a month. Maybe more, hopefully not. Flights AirBNB Surgery All done. -Car rental -front closure tops (x3-4) -Arnica Montana -lip balm, bottled water, tissue and baby wipes -gentle shea or cocoa-butter based lotion -fibre-high foods, for post surge back up (white grape juice, prune juice and/or canned peaches. avoid buying binding foods like bananas or rice) -micro wave heating pad and some other stuff too.... like clean place before leaving. Updated on 6 Oct 2014: Saw Dr Lista couple weeks ago for a consultation ( i had to wait over a month just for a consultation) even though I was fairly certain I was going to see Dr Pousti. Dr Lista pretty much told me exactly what I already knew which was that I needed a BL and he wasn't prepared to go bigger. He offered that I can get a Benelli lift and a max of 400cc. I tried on the sizers and it just wasn't enough. I knew it wouldn't be. My girlfriend got about 400cc with her B/C cups and they're big but not huge. Dr Pousti specializes in XL BA's. This is going to be great! I can't wait :) !! Tomorrow is one week 'til surgery. Updated on 7 Oct 2014: I fly out to San Diego tomorrow morning! Updated on 13 Oct 2014: Day 0 - Wednesday Day 1 - Thursday Day 2 - Friday Day 3 - Saturday Day 4 - Sunday Day 5 - Monday I've been planning this day for months. Dr Pousti was even more wonderful than I could imagine. I told him it was "like meeting a celebrity", a celebrity of the plastic boob world. He was warm, kind, and straight to the point. But first I met and chatted pre-op forms with Vanessa who was so lovely as well. She chatted my SO and me up and told us about her own experience in plastic world. She answered all my questions and was incredibly professional yet so personable, helpful, and pleasant (and so pretty too!) She told us about Dr Pousti's father being a renowned PS too. So cool. Next I met with Dr Pousti and Cindy. Dr Pousti checked me out and measured me. Cindy filled in for Vanessa and brought books of pics of their clients to look at so I could pick up out my favourite looks for her to copy. She was helpful and efficient and let me take my meticulous time going through the books, flipping btwn pages, back and forth and back and forth. There were some long waits. Possibly because of all the paperwork I had to fill out when I arrived exactly on time for my 830am appointment. Dr Pousti noticed I have a slight asymmetry on my left side of my rib cage. Never heard of this before but he's totally right, I see it now! I have a lot more to write about as this is just the beginning of this post but we were up so early this morning I'm exhausted and it's only just after 10pm here. My SO has been just absolutely stellar. He's the best. So supportive. I could not ask for a better partner in crime xo Updated on 13 Oct 2014: 34DD/32DDD-26-36 1987 5'1 125lbs Updated on 15 Oct 2014: When rested, I sleep between 4-6 hours at night. But I swear the San Diego sun just exhausts this poor sun-deprived Canadian and I end up in bed before midnight and awake at 3am two nights in a row now. I'm tired but can't sleep. Too excited. So many thoughts and wonders (and even a few worries) about my surgery that will be happening in about 7 hours here in San Diego by Dr Pousti. I picked up my Arnica Montana from local Ocean Beach homeopathic apothecary (I&E Organics Apothecary, 1853 Cable St b/t Newport Ave & Niagara Ave). I didn't take it pre-surgery as I was requested to suspend my herbal and homeopathic supplements and remedies. Normally I take 5-HTP, Niacin, B12, and Acidophilus everyday. I will start taking the Arnica right after surgery. I'm already on my no food, no water hiatus 'til surgery. My last meal was Indian food.... om nom nom. Normally I'd smoke a little bit of weed to go back to sleep but Dr Pousti and his staff requested I not do that pre-surgery or for a week or so post-surgery. Which is weird because I thought that would be a good remedy for nausea too. I haven't looked into if anyone else here on RealSelf used marijuana medicinally post-surgery. Just trying to write as much as I can think of right now... or until I fall back asleep. My SO and I prepped after my pre-op on Monday by filling my prescriptions. We're from Canada where our Ontario Health Insurance Plan helps pay for our medications. I didn't look into getting reimbursed when I get home but hopefully I can submit receipts. Still, the 3 'scripts (pain killers, nausea management, sleep-aid) only (only?) came up to just under $160. We also ventured to the local piercing shop, Apogee on Newport Ave, to have all my piercings taken out as there is a strict rule: no metal in the OR. I haven't seen my vagina without a piercing in it in almost 10 years, lol. We made up the second bedroom incase he doesn't fit in the bed with me all propped up. Taught him how to brush my hair as there is no raising arms for 1-2 weeks post-surge...omg my hair :( lol. This is going to be interesting. I just need a neck pillow and I'll be set. Updated on 17 Oct 2014: It might be the drugs, or that I've been in moderate pain for three days, but I'm wicked cranky. I can't sleep through the night. Everything aches. I don't even want to update right now because I feel so bad spewing such awfulness. REALLY THO, I'm so happy to have my new boobs. But the recovery has been anything but easy. I haven't had a BM yet either and my stomach is so hard. I tried an enema, suppositories, and an oral stool softner. Nothing yet. Picking up Senokot tomorrow. Maybe that will help, My SO is super sweet. He's been trying his best to wait on me. I wonder what a recovery house would've been like. As in every post I've read about Dr Posti, his staff is totally top notch. From my nurses: Susan and Kate (so funny and SO WONDERFUL). My anesthesiologist , can't remember her name right now. AND Dr. Pousti himself. I had a really hard time not fan-girling over him as he prepped me for surgery. I think I'm in love with my PS. I haven't been able to see any of the work as I'm strapped into this weird mix of surgery bra and bandages. I've been told we did a lift plus 720cc! AHHHHHH THAT SO AMAZING :D !!! The pain tho has been unbearable at time, It's slowly breaking me down. I cry a bit here and there because I'm just really worn down from constant pain. I'm looking forward to seeing Dr Pousti tomorrow for my first follow-up and hopefully getting some tips to help my back and chest and bum (from sitting on it for so long). I'll give a way better update later of the exact events that transpired on my Wonderful Wednesday of Surgery in a few days when I'm not feeling so blaaaaaaaaaaah. I made it :) and with 720cc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Updated on 18 Oct 2014: Since yesterday's post-op with Dr Pousti and we adjusted my medication dosages I've been out of pain and pretty delirious in a good way. I'm so happy to have the pain management under control. I'm able to sleep and rest instead of pacing around, uncomfortable, and suffering. I'm right inbtwn doses of pain meds so I can focus straight enough to type this entry. I figure in a few more days my pain levels will be in even more tolerable and I will require less pain medication and I will be able to do more... then I will update more too about the whole experience. As I mentioned before, I am so happy I chose Dr Pousti and his team and my SO to be a part of this life changing experience ^_^ Updated on 20 Oct 2014: I've been delusional from the meds, weird sleeping patterns, and highly emotional states and irrational thought patterns I've been experiencing during this recovery. I almost submitted an entire update about my BMs. @_@ ai yi yiiii I am a very high energy person who has a hard time sitting still and recovery has been brutal in terms of that. In terms of everything else, it's all going swell. Tomorrow is my second follow-up post-op with Dr Pousti and hopefully I get some of these bandages off. I'm already planning my next three surgeries :) Updated on 25 Oct 2014: Things have been non stop since surgery Wednesday, almost two weeks ago now! I was down and out for about 3 days solid. I went for a post-surge appointment on the Friday and was allowed to double my Percocet doses and take Valium q 6h (instead of q8h). This made me estatic as I was in a considerable amount of pain and discomfort post-surge. The first thing I remember coming out of surgery was blinding pain, 10/10, yelling to the nurses. Then I was out cold for another hour or so. My back aches but it is slowly getting more used to the weight. The whole first week I carried my boobs around my in my arms cradling them as if they might fall off if I didn't. Now I'm focusing on my posture and not moving around too much - which totally kills me because I love buzzing about doing little things. I also get a lot of little nerve pinches, more often in the first week, still daily this second week. Mornings are probably the hardest. Once the Perc has worn off and I've been sleeping sitting in an upright position all night I feel really stiff, huge, and heavy. The full day of travel really did it for me though. Even though I was really careful, I think I may have pulled a muscle in my right upper breast. It's pretty tender and hurts to move certain ways. I've been massaging daily. Just top muscle massages until this Wednesday when I take my steri strips off and get to see my boobs for the first time in two weeks. Everyone is excited. Esp my SO :) !! I do feel like I've gained a bit of a weight since surgery. I read online it might just be water weight while I'm healing. I've been eating mostly healthy (except dad bday brunch today and friends dinner gather tonight), lots of water, lots of protein, still feeling kinda big and bloated. When I was really delusional on meds I wrote an entire journal about my bowel movements and feels of awfulness. No appetite, uncomfortable fullness, super backed up. Just as Dr Pousti and his staff said, it took me 5 days to have an actual BM, and I'm still not totally regular. TGFlaxatives. I really love my new boobs ...well what I can see of them so far. 32DDD/34DD with 720cc added plus areola lift. They are so full and wonderful. I kinda already want to go back for more. Body modification is wonderfully addictive ^_^ hehehe more please. Next my lips, 2cc or more, and some botox. I was going to do botox at Dr Pousti's at my 2nd post-op appointment but I wasn't feeling well that day so we decided not to. Kinda wish I had now. Hope I can find a good place in Toronto. If not, I've seen a good lip doctor in Montreal. Ok, that's a pretty good update for now :) Pics to come. xo Updated on 30 Oct 2014: Pictures from 2 days ago, October 28, 2014. Updated on 30 Oct 2014: Two days ago I was doing so well. I was excited thinking I might be able to take my steri strips off and get back to moving around and running errands. I had a bad allergy attack (to some perfume) and sneezed like crazy for an hour. A lot of pressure on my upper body. Suddenly I was in discomfort and my incisions under the steri strips felt really tender. I called Dr Pousti's office worried I'd done something bad. Sent in pics and they reassured me they looked fine. I took a perc in the next morning and headed downtown for an afternoon of walking across the city shopping with a friend. A few hours later the perc wore off and I was in a lot of pain. I mean a lot of pain. I packed myself into a cab and went home and put myself to bed. This morning I woke up and decided to stay in and do some work around my place. Took a perc in the morning and got my day underway: unpacked clothes, rearranged closet, got to the bank. My sister came over and helped me go grocery shopping (she carried everything for me, such a sweetheart). When we got home I noticed the achy discomfort coming from the incisions again on my left breast. When I peaked in my bra (I'm still wearing gauze padding) there was small patched of bright red blood. I panicked and called Dr Pousti's office. Again, Vanessa was so much help reassuring me to apply pressure and TAKE IT EASY. The percs are def comforting but also misleading me to feel I can do more than I can or should be doing so soon after surgery. I'm really concerned about the incisions on my left breast. The tenderness comes and goes in sharp surges. I hope if I take it super easy for the next few days they will heal without any damage done from the past two days of too much too soon. Finally found XL Tegaderm so I can shower and keep my steri-stripped incisions covered and dry. YAY SHOWER! I can't wait. I'm so over sponge baths. I'm also feeling a little of this so called "boob greediness". I'm already planning my next surgery and I'm not even two weeks out of this one. I'm totally happy with what I have too. I just want more. Body modification is my lifestyle and I love it. I can't believe I waited this long to do this. Now I'm looking up lip procedures. I've had Juvederm and it was OK. Just ok. I didn't get what I wanted out of it and just like another doctor I saw in Toronto re: breast augmentation, I was talked out of getting what I wanted and settled for less. I really adore the look of Ariane St Amour's lips. Maybe I will make a trip to Montreal before it gets too cold. Updated on 31 Oct 2014: Tried on one of my old 34D front closure bras from La Senza. I didn't realize how much of a difference there was until this moment. Updated on 31 Oct 2014: I can not say enough good things about the team at Pousti Plastic Surgery. They have been so attentive calling everyday or every other day checking up on me. Always calling me to make sure I'm doing well and massaging daily. Always returning my calls when I have a concern about something (a pinching pain here, a splotch of blood there) and helping me through it. The more I read about Dr. Pousti and Pousti Plastic Surgery team, the more I want to rave about how happy I am with my experience. Now I'm impatient to get these steri-strip off and see my new areolas. In time though, in time ...siiiiighhhh. Don't want to rush anything. They look so good. My SO loves them too. Totally hands all over them. I love it ^_^! Also my family's reaction was really positive. My parents were both supportive (they haven't always supported my body modification lifestyle) and had lots of questions about it all. I was thrilled they wanted to talk about it. My sister knew from the day I booked my surgery way back in March and was encouraging throughout the whole process. She got to see them yesterday too and thought they had great shape... which makes me happy because we're only 2 weeks healed and not even totes set yet. Now I'm looking at Lip Lifts ^________^ Updated on 1 Nov 2014: Updated on 5 Nov 2014: I am a modified female. I am pierced, have large stretched earlobes, tattooed, and wear alternative style. Another point I'd like to make about Dr Pousti and Pousti Plastic Surgery are how non discriminating they are. Now that we are in the 21st century, I sometimes I forget there are still people who are intolerant or prejudice of alternative lifestyles. Yesterday I went bra shopping for my first time since surgery. I went to Hudson's Bay Company first because of their entire floor devoted to women's intimates. I wandered around for 15 minutes looking at bras and looking for help. When I finally found sales help she told me they didn't have front closure bras and I could look in that direction *points to corner* for sports bras "but it's hard to find them because they're all divided by brand." There were front closure bras and she was no help. I went to the the cash and asked another sales rep for help. She too wasn't much help, actually pretty rude. I asked her if she knew this section well "Well, I work here" (maybe her sense of dry humour?) and when I tried to explain the other sales rep didn't help me she cut me off and asked what she could help me with. She showed me three different bras. By then I was wondering why I even bothered with The Bay, thanked her for showing me some options, and left. Maybe it's because I'm alternative, maybe The Bay at Toronto Eaton Centre has poor sales reps on Tuesday mornings. Continue on my quest. Walked across to Victoria's Secret and had a wonderful sales rep take me in right away, hear my story about new boobs, don't know size, need sports bra, these requirements, and then she outfitted me with like 10 different styles, one of which I left with, so happy! I'm so over wearing my surge bra 24/7, still to bed, still out while walking, but those few hours in the eve when my SO is home I sport my new VSX Sports bra ^_^ and feel so much sexier. I feel as though Dr Pousti and his staff are so helpful and non discriminating to my alt lifestyle. I was never judged or made to feel out of place or different :) Next post is not so nice. BUT HERE! HAVE A LOVELY PIC OF ME IN MY VSX BRA ^________^ YAYAYAY! Updated on 5 Nov 2014: I like to move. I like to move around a lot. I fidget. I play. I haven't lifted heavy stuff but I've been moving and walking. I think I may have hindered my healing process. I'm so worried I'm actually planning on how to jump on a plane and go back to San Diego (from Toronto, Canada) for a week if anything is serious. I had a lift as well as augmentation. We went through the areola . I may have been excessively massaging my breasts, moving around too much, who knows what, but something is seemingly not healing right now. I sent pics via email and called as soon as their office opened. I believe I was talking to Vanessa, or another one the amazing staff at Pousti Plastic Surgery, again she was so much help talking to me about the healing process, stuff that can happen, and in ensuring me she'd have Dr Pousti take a look at the pictures as soon as he was in at specific time. I'm not even going to post pictures 'til I know what's up but just writing about it and posting about it makes me feel a bit better. Mantra: Stuff happens. Deal with it as it comes. Repeat. Updated on 7 Nov 2014: Things are still complicated. I was on the hunt for Xeroform which isn't sold in Canada. In fact, even just a petroleum-based dressing isn't sold OTC here. So I ended up at the hospital. They wanted to do an ultrasound for infection. I didn't want to proceed with anything without Dr Pousti. I called him inbetween seeing doctors and he said he didn't want me to do the ultrasound because hospitals are dirty and chances of infection increase. I totally agreed with him, and felt the same way. They dressed both sides (only my right breast has a large open wound, the left has a small which I am confident will close with some love and attention) with Jelonet (non-medicated petroleum-based mesh gauze) and some non-stick gauze and tape. I've been really clean about it all. I removed the Jelonet from the left side because I think it needs to form a scab and the Jelonet wasn't helping. My right breast really hurts today. I peaked between the non-stick gauze and the abdominal pads I am wearing to cushion my breasts, and there is a small spot of drainage that has soaked through the non-stick gauze and onto the abdominal pad. It hurts. Yesterday when it was exposed there was a bit of blood. I'm hoping this is a good sign of healing and healthy tissue forming....but I can't help but worry that the pain means something else. Please be healing, pleeeeeeeeeeease be healing. I keep looking at tickets to fly back to San Diego and they're a lot higher than they were when my SO and I went. This time I'd be flying by myself. Do airlines even still do last minute deals on empty seats? Also looked at AiBNB close to Dr Pousti's office to stay in. I'd just feel a lot better being close to him and his staff right now. The draft budget is: $1000 max on roundtrip flight (unless I find last minute deals or something changes) $100/night AirBNB/hotel x 5= $500, x7=$700 + surge repairs (if needed) + food + supplies + transportation I'm trying not to be stressed out. Not to move too much. To sleep 8hrs + a night. And live off the savings I have because I can't work like this. Not until I'm healed. Must buy zinc tomorrow. I've been consuming extra protein, lots of vitamin C, arnica, and taking it easy. Maybe tomorrow I'll just stay in bed. I hope when I look in a few more sleeps that it will look better and my body will be doing an awesome job at healing. Reiki from SO's mom Updated on 10 Nov 2014: I've been bandaged up since Friday at the hospital. They used Jelonet (petroleum-based mesh gauze) over the wound. One of my wonderful friends was in the US this weekend and was able to hunt down some Xeroform for me and is bringing it over tonight. Daisy called from Dr Pousti's office and I told her about the Xeroform so she said to wait to change it 'til I have the Xeroform and she will call me tomorrow morning. I haven't seen the wound in what feels like forever but the draining seems to have stopped. But not before there were 10 more small spots on the same right breast that seeped through the non-adhesive gauze but stopped at the abdominal pads. The small wound on my left breast seems to be doing better too. I've been taking vitamin C, 5-htp, Niacin, and B12 supplements. Along with making lots of green smoothies and protein smoothies (almonds, coconut, peanut butter, yum!) This evening I'm full of strange aches, pinches, and sharp pings through my right breast. Must be nerves. There is no specific movement that brings it on. Just seems to be there as I sit and breathe. I wish I'd gotten a second surgical bra. It's really hard to find no under wire- front closure- sports bras. I had a lot of anxiety over the weekend but I was able to to talk to my SO's parents over brunch with them about the wound and my concerns. They were super supportive. They even sent me flowers today. I have a big beautiful bouque of fresh pink roses reminding me to take it easy, rest, heal, and get well :) Focus healing energy into my body and be calm. Updated on 12 Nov 2014: Monday night I changed my bandages and it didn't look good. I popped more stitches. Sent picture to Daisy. She agreed. Wanted me to come in today. I looked at flights but couldn't pull it together fast enough without feeling impulsive or rushed. I missed out on direct flights under a thousand because I waited too long *face palm*. My SO wants to come too. When I talked to Dr. Pousti last night he mentioned there might be room to get me in Friday afternoon. I'm hoping for that. Looking at flights to fly out tomorrow from Toronto to San Diego for repairs. I wish I had the unlimited spending money I had the first trip. But of course, I went out and bought all my winter gear when I got back and was expecting to be healed by now. I allocated myself 6 weeks off at home. It'll be just about a month post-op when I see Dr Pousti. Yeah, I'm pretty stressed out right meow. I also feel relief in knowing I'm flying back to be close to my PS who is going to take care of me and fix me up. Please send positive thoughts, healing vibes, and valium. Updated on 14 Nov 2014: I'm so happy we came back to fix this. Even though my complications only started 10 days ago, it's been the longest ten days ever. The past two days including lots of pain and anxiety. Dr Pousti, Vanessa, and Daisy teamed together to put me back together again. That sounds melodramatic, 'cause really his whole team is lovely, and I just needed some patch work on my left breast, but this trio cared for me all 10 days over the phone and internet from afar, and then this afternoon in the clinic. They kept me so calm and made me feel so much better about the whole situation. My SO and I booked at the Holiday Inn SD La Mesa as per recommended by Daisy and is on the PoustiPlasticSurgery.com fly in patients. I called a day ahead of our arrival to request early check-in as we were flying in from out of town. They obliged. We boarded Delta Airlines at 6AMto Detroit, MI. Detroit's airport is one of the nicest airports I've ever been to. They have a skytrain inside the incredibly huge airport which is a huge hub for Delta Domestic and International (the really big planes!) I make note of this because at first I was really dissapointed our stop-over was in Detroit. I imagined a run down or abandon airport. Nope. It was grand - esp the Sanrio store! Girl working the Sanrio store:"The airport, it's beat" My SO: "Don't get caught up in it" Me: *in awe of pretty things* "Hmm, no, I think I will :D" Cabin pressure seemed to make my pain worse at times, and travelling in general seemed to really stress my wound out. We landed just before 11am. Checked into the hotel shortly there after. I couldn't walk around much because by this point I was in a fair amount of pain. Luckily, our appointment at Pousti Plastic Surgery was moved up from 2:30pm to 2pm, then again to 1:45pm. Vanessa greeted me so warmly just like I remembered her during my consultation just a month ago. Both her and Daisy are pretty and pleasant, caring and comforting, confident and chatty. I could go on. I really like the two of them. As they had informed me on the phone before I arrived, it was a crazy busy Friday afternoon. And my impromptu appointment definitely took a bit longer but wasn't rushed at all which was exactly what I wanted. This time I'm taking things a lot more seriously. Resting for two weeks straight. And then maybe some more. I am feeling so much better. So relieved. I'll post pictures eventually of the whole ordeal. I had a hard time finding information, posts, pics, and people to talk to about my BL+BA complication experience. I read about Jodie Marsh's experience, but other than that I didn't find much out there about incisions opening up and scars or how to help them or mend them. Follow-up appointment on Monday. Updated on 19 Nov 2014: Monday everything looked great at my follow-up. I was feeling hopeful even though there would be scarring. No big deal, no more wound, yay! Yesterday we travelled all day from San Diego back to Toronto. Today I removed bandages in shower to lightly rinse anything coming out of them and I'd split at the top of my wound where I started splitting in the very beginning of my complications. This time I've got stitches in place holding the rest of me together so I won't fall apart. But I just started bawling when I saw it. The tension is too much on the upper left quadrant on my right breast. It just won't heal. I'm so upset. And now I'm all the way home in Toronto again and I don't know what to do. Last time I waited a week and it only got worse. Do I buy a plane ticket right now and get back out there? I don't even want my SO to come either because this is getting really expensive. I had all the money saved up for my surgery and healing but nothing in case of complications. I'm in debt because of the complications. And if I don't heal I can't go back to work. And I'll be even more in debt. The hard times are getting really hard :( Updated on 20 Nov 2014: I really appreciate the comments, sympathy, and support from everyone. Thank you so much. Today I'm re-evaluating my diet. I eat super healthy, at least 70/30 ... but what I consider junk food (rice cake w peanut butter and jam) is still pretty ok. I am a vegetarian and have been for over half my life. I drink peanut butter, kale/spinach, almond milk, cinnamon, banana/mango smoothies everyday. I think my diet is enough to sustain me but I don't think it's enough to heal me. I've decided I'm reintroducing meat to my diet to try to better support my body in healing. Who knows if this attempt will work but I'm willing to try anything. Tomorrow I'm picking up vegan protein supplements: hemp seed based protein shake, spirulina, etc.. I'm limiting the movement of my right arm. Keeping it close to my body. I'm wearing two bras instead of one for extra support. I am remaining in a semi-reclined position throughout the day. Updated on 21 Nov 2014: I am so fortunate to have such an understanding GP. He renewed my meds. I'm so grateful I still have valium. It's pretty much the only reason I'm able to keep it together. I cry at least once a day. I removed the bandages today to check on the wound. It has grown slightly in size despite me eating meat and sleeping for days. I know these things take time. I just never imagined I'd be down and out for this long. I wonder if I can use RealSelf to find someone to stay with in San Diego if I have to return for more stitches. My other alternative is to visit a big hospital here in Toronto and see their on-call Plastic Surgeon. I hate to say it, but I feel disfigured. The worst feeling is feeling for my SO. Our quality and standard of life is suffering because I can't work and thus am generating no income. I am such an independent person and it's crippling to be so dependent. I thrive in a relationship where I can give as much as I get, if not more. This is a test. Or something. A life lesson. I need to find the good in this. Updated on 24 Nov 2014: Starting a new review about my complications. Updated on 25 Nov 2014: This is a continuation of my last review, same surgery, but focusing on the complications I've been experiencing post-surgery.Stats:5'1 - 120lbspre-op bra size: 32DDD/34DD15 Oct 2014: Breast Lift & Breast Augmentation, Peri-Areolar Incisions, UnderMentor Smooth Round Moderate Plus Profile Saline 600cc o/f to 720ccDr. Pousti, San Diego, California I started experiencing complications early in my third week. I noticed I'd had tenderness that would progress to pain on my right side throughout the day. My energy was becoming less and less. Then I noticed slight but definitely extra drainage coming from my left breast which was still steri-stripped up. Initially I'd been told I could take the steri-strips off at 2 weeks, but then was re-informed the longer they stay on the better.I was doing a lot of winter shopping and walking around at the end of my second week-beginning of third week, all while still limiting my range of motion. I distinctly remember a hug from an unknowing acquaintance being the catalyst for the pain.Mid-week of week 3 I peeled back the steri strips to find a small (in comparison to what it would become) open wound, it was about a half an inch long by a quarter of an inch wide. That's pretty much how it all started. Updated on 27 Nov 2014: I change my bandages every two or three days. So two days ago as of today. The top high tension point (upper L quad) is completely open. The sutures are just there. I was able to wipe one out while cleaning my wound. I'm unsure if they're doing anything at that point. Below my nipple there is still skin sutured together I am hoping is surviving. However, on the other side of those sutures the wound sutured together didn't hold and the skin died and peeled off leaving a small wound. I cried. I did notice at the top of the large wound in the high tension area some scar tissue beginning to form. It's dark pink and just an edge. I'm unsure if it was there before or if I'm just noticing it now looking for any improvement but I'm being optimistic that it formed recently. I've done two sessions of reiki and found it has really helped. I knew I needed therapy for some long standing issues and more recently some trauma, but I didn't imagine it'd come in the form of reiki. I feel so stressed out about moving and boredum that I just want to take valium and stay in bed everyday. That's not really working. I'm looking for low-impact work in the mean time as I can't work any of my regular jobs that are all physically demanding. And being financially stressed is my least favourite worry. I talked to Dr Pousti the other day and he says it's as bad as it's going to get. So I guess that's a good thing? Just have to wait for it to heal and soften up to do scar revision. Daisy calls me everyday or every other day which is really comforting. She said she saw a case similar to this and it took the girl two months to heal a wound the size of a quarter. My wound is bigger than a quarter. So no, I have no idea how long this is going to take to heal. Some days are better than others. I cried a lot yesterday. Today I'm doing kinda ok. Bandage change tomorrow morning. I should post pictures but they're very graphic... Updated on 28 Nov 2014: I changed my bandages today annnnnnd I'm pretty sure I'm starting to heal!! At least that was before I fell trying to climb up on a countertop (#shortgirlproblems) My wound has a nice solid edge of scar tissue around the wound. There was very little dead skin to clean and signigicantly less drainage than in the past. Daisy is so sweet. She called to check on me at the end of her day (Friday is a short day at Pousti Plastic Surfery) and of course I'd procrastinated changing my bandage due to how upset I was the last two times I changed it (both times the wound had spread and was very sore with drainage) and I'd forgot they close early on Friday. She offered that even though she won't be at work she will still have her phone with her and I can send her update pictures of my wound. I jumped into the bathroom with my SO (mostly there for moral support and occasional extra hand). We set up our mini- as sterile as it gets -wound dressing station and started the slow process of wetting and removing the non-stick dressing and Xeroform. To my delight, my wound actually looked a lot cleaner. Smaller. Better. It looks like it's healing at last!! Still big but healing, I've done reiki twice, I've been double dosing vitamin C, I started eating meat; organic, local, high quality Rowe Farm's chicken, and sleeping a lot. I'm trying to not get excited too soon but yeah, I'm pretty stoked. There will most definitely need to be scar revision done but I trust Dr Pousti and his staff to do me right. Pictures to post of boobs and wound when I'm healed. I super appreciate everyone's support . RealSelf is a really great community. Updated on 6 Dec 2014: My breast has significantly improved. I have a lot of scarring but the wound is finally closed. I'm no longer all bandaged up. I had my sutures removed. I made it out to an hour of dancing yesterday night. I haven't made it back to work yet and I'm pretty broke. The new scar tissue is still tender and has a top layer of flakeyness. It doesn't look good but it looks so much better than it did. Pictures soon. Updated on 11 Apr 2015: It's been just over 4 months since I last posted. I emailed Pousti's team a couple months ago to talk about next surgery and they said to wait 6-8 weeks for the skin to relax more. I just email them again today. I really really love my implants Updated on 11 Apr 2015: Goals for next surgery: remove scar tissue as best as possible around areola, smaller areolas, bigger implants: 1000cc? ^_^! Started doing my lips last month too. 1.5cc first round, 1.3cc second round. Appt for next month booked already! Love it!
Bottom line: Pousti Plastic Surgery in San Diego is your #1 choice for plastic surgery. I am pleased beyond my expectations. Background: I am a transgender/transsexual woman in the process of transitioning from man to woman. The decision to undergo surgical procedures to bring my body closer in line with my true gender was frightening to consider and difficult to make. Once my mind was made up, I knew the first surgical procedure I would undergo would be breast augmentation. Process: I chose 4 doctors with whom I would seek consultation. Dr. Pousti was my first stop. My wife and I attended the consultation together, and we were treated respectfully, kindly, and fairly (there was never a sideward glance as I've become accustomed to receiving). Every one of the several members of the Pousti team involved in the initial conultation was friendly, warm, inviting, and concerned. My wife was included in the entire process - it might even be fair to say that she received more attention than I received! The amount of care and logically-presented information we received surprised us both, but that was not my biggest surprise. At one point during our conversation, Dr. Pousti told me I had to correct 1 thing before he would operate. He told me it would be unethical for him to perform surgery if I was in the process of weight change because he couldn't be sure of the end results. When a Dr. working for private compensation tells me she/he will not operate because he/she is placing my health and his/her reputation ahead of my money, I am going to listen to and respect the Dr. much more than I would without that information. Some may call this decision naive, or even negligent, but by the end of the consultation I knew I had stumbled into the right office on my first consultation. Dr. Pousti (i.e. the Pousti team) impressed me so much with their professionalism and personable manner that I committed to the surgery before leaving the office. I had an assigned surgery date when I walked out of the office. The surgery went off without a hitch. The presurgery appointments, checkups, etc. were quick and easy, the check in for surgery was smooth, the surgery - well, I couldn't tell you about that part since I wasn't conscious, but I heard it went well - and postsurgery was easy. And here is my only complaint. This is not the fault of Dr Posti, this is placed squarely on the shoulders of the medical facility; the head nurse in the recovery unit was pushy and often stern with me while I was in recovery because the person driving me home could not arrive early. At some point, they ran out of beds for patients, so when I was sufficiently recovered (albeit still under the influence of medication) I was moved to a chair to wait for my ride home. Again not Dr. Pousti's issue, but a little off-putting. Postsurgery has been fantastic. I have received consistently professional, kind, and warm service at every one of the followup appointments. The results are amazing - far above my expectations. As I requested, Dr. Pousti has increased the size of my breasts from a natural "B" (in most labels) to a natural "DD" (in most labels). I asked Dr. Pousti to give me a natural look, not a look that immediately implies I have undergone augmentation. As of today, only 4-1/2 months after surgery, anyone looking at my braests would not be able to tell I've had breast augmentation surgery, with the exception of the scars that are still healing. Recommendation: The entire Pousti Plastic Surgery staff have been incredible throughout the process of presurgical consults, surgery, and postsurgery care. Without hesitation, I recommend you see Dr. Pousti for a consultation before you make a decision about having or not having surgery and about who will perform your surgery. Pousti Plastic Surgery, and the entire team receives an A+ in my opinion, as they do in the opinion of many others on this site and other sites.
I would only trust Dr. Pousti with my cosmetic surgeries. He is a physician who truly enjoys his profession; which is illustrated in his amazing work that he performs. Him and his staff are extremely professional and genuine. I met with Dr. Pousti seven years ago, and booked my BA procedure immediately. I continue to receive compliments with the shape and proportion of them. Many individuals are shocked when I tell them they are not real. Dr. Pousti definitely exceeded my expectations for my BA: A natural look with enhanced fullness. I recently had another procedure done last week by Dr. Pousti; and I am confident that I will be equally impressed with these results as well. Him and his staff members have called me everyday to check on my recovery, and if i have any concerns. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Pousti Plastic surgery. He will also be performing BA on my mother in a couple weeks. His competence and wonderful bed side manner urges me to refer him to anyone who is considering any type of cosmetic procedure.