24 year old tired of sagging breasts

So I finally decided to post pictures of my journey. I would post more of my 'before' boobs. But I never allowed such photos to exist until that day.
I've posted all of the photos I have pretty much weekly for 2-3 months then I forgot to take pictures until February.
Update: I'm finally okay with my boobs. They're not perfect but I think if you are content with nothing less than perfect, you are setting yourself up for emotional failure.
I love how round my breasts are now. They sit where they are supposed to. I have a small dog ear on the right breast both on the inside cleavage and the outside tip of the scar. I am more okay with the outside one. The cleavage dog tag makes my breast look slightly square from certain angles but for the time being I am okay with it. Mid February 2017 I had liposuction revision on my inner dog tags (the pictures with the bruising). This process was much less painful than I had heard of it being. Maybe I take local anesthetic well, who knows?
I had to wear a bra for 2 months 24/7 again, that was a bummer. But it's all for the shape. In the end, my cleavage dog tag was much improved even if it still is there slightly.
I don't know how I feel about them at this current moment. I think I regret not getting small, SMALL implants. I am 5'5'' 120 lbs 32DD. My breasts look extremely natural now. Maybe I did not realize I like more of the 'fake' look because there are photos I included where I am wearing a shirt and they look, in my opinion, perfect. I think it's because I would like to wear a tank top and have that top breast shadow where you can tell I have a large chest, because I am such a small girl. It's not that I look flat-chested. I just would like more of the mass to be at the top, like round little mounds, rather than have the mass at the bottom. BUT BUT BUT BUT BUT My main thing is my breasts don't hang AT ALL. They float. I never feel the underflesh of my breast grace the tops of my ribs anymore, a sensation that made me feel disgusting my entire life. Maybe one day I will get those small implants. But, for now, I'm good.
I can wear strapless and backless things now. I can show off my back now. I can go braless. This surgery has changed my life. Yes, I could be nitpicky about the small things that bother me. But, to me, they are SMALL things. I am happy to be able to buy bathing suits and not have to worry about my sloppy cleavage or my breasts trying to sneak out of the sides or the bottom anymore. Yes, my nipples are much higher and sometimes if I am not careful with the cut of a bathing suit they can sneak out of the top. But I would rather have that problem.
Also, something nobody ever talked to me about. After your chest is rearranged, it is going to be a long time before you can fully have your shoulders back and in proper posture. I thought I had alright posture until I had a muscle issue in my neck extending to my upper shoulder blade. I had an airrosti (kind of chiropractor) help me with this and explained it wasn't too bad, it was just like having a cars tires misaligned to where it lead to a slow wear on my muscle until it couldn't handle it anymore. So be aware, talk to your doctor about exercises you can do for rehab. They gave me a lacrosse ball to massage under my clavicle and down the side of my spine, gave me resistance bands to work with, and taught me various stretches. Yay for that guy.
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I am trying to make my testimonial as honest as possible. I am not going to sugar coat anything. I still struggle with the change but I have been told that is normal. Other days I cannot stop looking at them and being thankful for this change. Sometimes I wonder if I have a bit of body image issues because I see my breasts as small but other people say nay.
It's been a journey. And if you decide to take your own, I wish you luck.

(As of January 12th, 2017) My recovery is going well overall. Currently mixed feelings, but I'm not done with healing and final touches.

If you don’t want to read my super long testimony, enjoy my top 5 notes.

What I think you need to know based on my experience (remember you and I are not the same):
1. It hurts. A LOT. For a long time. 2 weeks I started to have minimal pain with no more aching. It’s an invasive, traumatic surgery. Don’t be naïve. Be strong.
2. You NEED someone to be with you 24/7 to give you pills every few hours, feed you, water you, brush your teeth, shower you, and get you to the bathroom for at least 10 days. (Consider who will care for your pets and offspring as well, if you have them.)
3. You’re going to be really tired for a while; from the medicine, from the recovery, from the emotional drainage of not being 100%.
4. You’re going to go through body image changes. You’re changing something about yourself. The healing process is a long time, your feelings may change over time. Your scars may be bright for a while. You may be swollen for a while. You may be discouraged at times but remember, you’re healing.
5. If it is worth it to you, would help you be more comfortable in whatever way you are not currently, you can afford to do it, and you have someone(s) willing to dedicate their life to you for at least 10 days, then I believe you should do it.

Context:
I had my bilateral breast lift about 5 months ago, after being uncomfortable with my chest my entire life. I was between a 32DD and a 32DDD since middle school. They were never pretty. They were always sagging with my nipples facing downwards pretty much. Since I developed so quickly and my chest size changed sometimes, I had stretch marks all over the tops and sides. Because of their emptiness, I never wore strapless anything. Since they were so large I always had to get the full coverage bras and also never go bra-less. Whenever I worked out or played sports I wore 2 sports bras to keep them from flapping about. I felt so unattractive in that aspect for as long as I can remember. I avoided photos, instances where people may see my chest, and outfits that showed how long and low my breasts were. I can honestly say my breasts were my number 1 insecurity my whole life.

I've always known that I would augment my chest somehow. No matter how many times people said ‘oh, you’re fine. You’re beautiful. You don’t need to change anything’, I knew I wanted to do this. Don’t let anyone tell you your feelings are not valid. Let them be supportive and accept those compliments, but do what you want. I wanted to do it for myself. I wanted to feel comfortable with my chest. I wanted to be able to wear what I want and not worry about how to lift/tuck my boobs into a bra/bathing suit so no one could see how much they sagged. I was tired of feeling embarrassed and like I had to hold my breasts when they were unsupported, feeling the under-flesh touch the flesh of my upper ribs. I was 24 and they were already down there and I was done with it.

I knew getting implants would just make them freakishly large on my frame and it wouldn't help the vertical position of my breasts. I didn't want to get a reduction because I love having a large chest. I just wanted them to be high up, pointing upwards, round, perky. I didn’t want the vertical scars of the current lifts. So, I was pleased when I found Dr. Horndeski and his technique.

I wouldn’t say he’s the warmest person. If you’re looking for a doctor to hold your hand endlessly and talk to you like a friend, he may not meet your requirements. But I feel/felt confident placing my trust in him for the procedure and the aftercare. He is funny and straight-forward. He has a procedure that works and he has been doing it for many years. He is obviously dedicated to making sure you are happy with your results. There are no charges for office visits and he offers to redo the scar lines to alter your cleavage and nipples later if you are not happy with them. I like him.

Morning of the surgery:
I was really nervous but super excited. I don't mind hospitals. Getting undressed and feeling my breasts sagging onto my upper ribs; I wanted to remember that feeling and I never wanted to feel it again. So, I was getting emotional, excited mostly. Scared for the pain and recovery time, but determined. I just told myself over and over that I wouldn't remember the pain in the long run and I would only have to do it once.

Having the doctor and his assistant measure my breasts and draw the surgical markings on them was one of the best parts of the experience to me. Because where they drew my nipples would be placed were just out of my dreams. I never thought they would be that high.

The doctors talked to me about everything, making sure I hadn't eaten or drank anything in the proper time frame, how I was feeling, what they were going to do and what to expect when I woke up. That's when the thought popped up into my head: they're going to have to give me a catheter. So... expect that, haha. I did not have any complications with mine.

They gave me the anti-anxiety medicine, as per my request. And, honestly, I don't remember anything after that.

Waking up after the Surgery:
It was kind of just a moment where I woke up from blackness. I opened my eyes and saw my friend and my mom. I was groggy and itchy over my face and chest. I was wrapped in what felt like a cast with my big, swollen boobs up to my chin (exaggeration but that's what it felt like). They were reasonably swollen but you could see how much higher they were even in that moment. My friend came to my side and I told him to feel how firm the tops were. Possibly expect to embarrass yourself on anesthesia, haha. He politely declined, good man.

I remember the nurses trying to get me to eat a cracker but I was so tired. It was the last thing I had to do before I left the hospital. I would take a bite and fall asleep, repeat. My mom said it took 45 minutes. She still holds it against me.

I remember getting in the car, waking up at home, my mom and my friend putting me in the lazy-boy style chair they put in my room. I like to describe my consciousness as those blinking Christmas lights: I’d wake up, remember some things, darkness, repeat. All very distant because when you’re in pain and on that strong of painkillers, you’re in another world.

Recovery:
I always knew how invasive the surgery was. So, when I was told that some women went back 3 days after having surgery, I was skeptical. I don't know who these women are, but I am not one of them.

The first week after surgery was so painful. The original pain medicine that I was given did nothing. So, the next morning at my first follow up, the nurse had to remove my cast-like bandages. That was probably the second worst pain of the surgery. I was crying, begging her to stop trying to take it off. I told her it felt like she was ripping off my chest and that my stitches would burst. She assured me no and got it off as quickly as possible. Seeing my pain, they discussed my pain options. They decided to give me a pain medicine that I had always had nausea with, but give me nausea medicine too. HALLELUJAH! Because they kept me asleep and pretty much in a coma while I healed.

The first week after surgery, those drains were my worst enemy. I hated them. They felt constantly in the way. But I slept for most of that week because of my newly enhanced pain killers. That made it easier. The person who must care for you, or you if you are physically able to, has to empty your drains and keep detailed track of how much you are draining and when. Luckily my friend has a strong stomach and the gentle hands of a dove; he was the one who always got voted to do this. He would wash his hands, put on gloves, firmly grab the tube close to where it entered my armpit with one hand, and use the other hand to pull the tube WITHOUT MOVING THE BASE OF THE TUBE (it hurts like a ___), to create suction so the drainage will be pulled into the bulb that hangs down. He then would empty the bulbs into these measuring cups, write down the measurement, and clean up properly. After your drainage gets to be below a certain amount per day you can have them removed.

Really, you must have someone you can trust to be detailed and keep track of everything. It can get confusing.

The absolute worst pain was the removal of the drains at 6 days. But keep in mind, it takes less than 1 second per drain. The pain is temporary. They need to come out. Just go to a different place. I won't lie. It hurt. It felt like something was being removed that was attached to my insides in a sci-fi movie. BUT I can't imagine that pain anymore. I only remember how badly it hurt because I screamed an obscenity I'm sure Dr. Horndeski laughed about later. My friend in the waiting room heard and had a chuckle at my pain. Less than a minute after I was maybe in shock, but felt fine. Slightly traumatized, but fine.

In general, my activities included, sleeping in the chair, being woken up to take my pills every few hours, waking up in pain, looking to see if my friend was still there, awkwardly having him get me out of the chair, shuffle me down the hallway while I held my 10 ton boobs and the stupid drains, him taking my pants off to go to the bathroom. I was able to take my underwear off and use the bathroom by myself. I just couldn't bend down to pick my pants up.

It’s a strange feeling, being so dependent on someone. For about 2 weeks I was worthless, I couldn’t put on my seatbelt by myself, open a car door, open any door that I couldn’t use my foot to open, lift or extend my arms more than a few inches. So, when I say I ‘did’ anything, I mean I did it gingerly, slowly, and carefully while considering my limited capacity. I didn’t want to push myself too hard and hurt myself.

I can’t remember if it was a week or how long you aren’t supposed to shower. I know you aren’t supposed to submerge yourself for 4 weeks. I waited 6 and went swimming and it was unbelievable. I had my mother shower me at the appropriate time. I would put on a bathing suit and my mom would sponge-bathe me and wash my hair while I sat in a lawn chair in the shower.

I’d say ability-to-move-wise I was 90% at 2 months. I still used step stools to grab stuff to not extend my arms over my head with weight. I didn’t feel 100% for maybe 3 months. It took me a while to feel comfortable extending my arms in all directions. But, I worked hard at stretching and gently ‘exercising’ so I don’t know how long it would normally take or if everybody else would do the same. I was tired of feeling weak.

Now I am back to my strength I had before surgery. It took a while. I can rock-climb and workout again and I’m pleased.

In terms of my scars, I don’t mind the ones in the mammary fold. They’ve faded a lot and are barely visible from the side when I wear a tank top. I’m talking ½”. As my swelling went down, where my cleavage folds, I’m not happy with. But I’m going in next month to have Dr. Horndeski recut that area to pull the skin tighter. That’s just my personal preference. I think we are going to take fat out of my stomach and put it in the sides of the breasts as well to fill them out.

I want to be as honest as possible here. I’ve been on an emotional rollercoaster with how I feel about my nipples. It really depends on how warm I am. Sometimes I feel they’re too big, sometimes I love them. Sometimes I think they’re uneven, sometimes I think they’re fine. But I’ve been told by women who have had the surgery that it takes a while for them to calm down and that part of it is a mental adjustment to change.

#1 I love the shape of my breasts now. I love how round they are and how they don’t have a fold underneath. They feel like they’re floating. I can wear tiny, backless shirts now. I just bought my first beautiful lingerie and it feels nice. I love feeling comfortable enough to go bra-less and wear things I never had the confidence to before. I lived a dream and wore a strappy-backed shirt to a concert and I wish that feeling on everyone who gets this surgery. I know it may sound silly to others and that there are more important things in life. But to be able to feel free after 24 years, that’s why I did this. That’s why I went through the pain and cost. To just be able to do what I want and not think about it, not have those insecurities and worries.

In the end, I’m still healing, still adjusting to this new image of myself. But I am amazed at how comfortable this change has made me. I can walk around and not hold my boobs. I can wear strappy, out-there things that I’ve always wanted to wear but my downwards-facing boobs held me back from.