5'9" - 120lb - 39yo - Mother of 3 - 265cc

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.

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.

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