190CC Low Profile Smooth Implants

I've dreamed of getting breast augmentation for as long as I can remember, but my desire grew even stronger after having my two kids. After pregnancy, I noticed a significant change in volume, which left me feeling a bit self-conscious. Standing at 5'3" and weighing 118 lbs, I have an athletic build, but I often felt like my ribcage was more prominent than my chest, especially in swimsuits.

Since this has been on my mind for quite a while, I've done a lot of research about the procedure. I took the potential risks of breast implants seriously and wanted to make sure I was fully informed. I’m really glad I waited until after having my children to consider this. It gave my body a chance to adjust to all the postpartum changes and my new mom bod.

One of the things I was really excited to take my time with was making sure I was financially ready for breast augmentation. I know it can be quite a pricey procedure, so I wanted to ensure we had the funds to cover it confidently, as well as any follow-up surgeries if rare complications arise.

I talked with my doctor and did some reading, watching to weigh the pros and cons of breast augmentation. Being an active person, I also spent time researching how my workouts might need to change since I’m opting for the under-the-muscle approach, mostly around upper body modifications that will keep my implants where they are supposed to be.

I spoke with some friends who had gone through augmentation, as well as others who knew people who had, and they all pointed me to an amazing doctor in Saratoga—Dr. Ridha. From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease with him and his team; they were just wonderful! I was hoping for a modest enhancement, and they even offered me a 3D preview to help visualize how different sizes and shapes would look on me. In the end, I chose 190cc low-profile implants. What I appreciated most was that there was no pressure at all regarding the procedure or the implant size. They were genuinely focused on helping me find what felt right for me!

Leading up to Surgery/Day of Surgery:
During the week of my surgery, I received a call from a nurse for my pre-op check-in. This call came a few weeks after I had already completed my primary care pre-op authorization and blood tests. In preparation, I stopped taking all my vitamins two weeks prior to the surgery and adhered closely to the prep instructions my doctor had given me. The day before the surgery, I was informed that I needed to arrive at 11:30 AM.

The nurses at the facility were absolutely wonderful, especially because I was really nervous about going under, and their nurturing nature—many being moms themselves—really put me at ease, knowing I was in good hands with them and my doctor. By the time I got there, I was battling a pretty strong caffeine withdrawal headache since I hadn’t eaten or drunk anything since the day before, as per the surgery requirements. The surgery itself was over quickly, and I was back home—about an hour away—by around 3:15 PM. The discomfort I feel is pretty manageable and reminds me of that feeling when my milk came in after having my first child.

I’m not planning to take off my bandages until my post-op follow-up appointment with the doctor on Monday. The most challenging part so far has been trying to get comfortable enough to sleep at night. I’ve been propping myself up with three pillows—one under my lower back and one by my legs. I did end up taking a Tylenol in the middle of the night to ease some of the stiffness.

If I could offer some advice to others, it would be to have a responsible person accompany you who can take notes and communicate with the nurses afterward. I found it hard to remember everything they said after general anesthesia, but my husband was a champ and wrote down all the instructions for the next few days. I feel lucky to have him stepping up as Mr. Mom for the week!

In terms of work, my job can be quite physically challenging. That's why I decided to schedule this procedure to align with my 9-week break. This way, I’ll have some time to regain my strength before heading back to the job!

First Day After Surgery (Saturday):
The day after surgery was probably my hardest day. I continued to take 500mg of Tylenol every 6 hours. The general anesthesia was still in my system, I was dizzy and my face flushed in the afternoon. It looked like I had a sunburn on my cheeks. I had my husband mix me up some electrolytes and that definitely helped. I went to bed early that night and had my best sleep so far that 2nd night after surgery.

Second Day After Surgery (Sunday):
I felt better the next morning. I continued to eat healthy including oatmeal, berries, salads, protein, smoothies, turmeric tea. I was still sore in the morning so continued 500mg of Tylenol when I woke up. I also did a few rounds of red light therapy with a device I forgot I had at home. I felt much better throughout the day and went without Tylenol until I went to sleep. I could have done without it, but I wanted to make sure I slept comfortably.

Third Day After Surgery:
I didn’t sleep as good as I did Saturday night, but I woke up with a lot less discomfort. I had my 3 day post op appointment with my doctor, so I took a Tylenol just as a preventative measure in the case of touching/massaging the implants. They are still numb too. Got to the office early and saw the new girls for the first time. They were super high and swollen, and much larger than I was expecting. I was reassured that once swelling goes down, that they will be exactly what I wanted. The doctor recommended that I either wear a super light bra or nothing, with a compression band at the top to help them settle down. Anything too tight would encourage them to stay high. On Friday, I will start massaging them as recommended by the doctor. The doctor also said that I could start walking slowly on a treadmill, but to wear a sports bra when I do that activity. Always consult with your surgeon, as every recovery is different. Had my first shower today post-op.