POSTED UNDER Breast Lift with Implants Reviews
Excited for Breast Lift, Augmentation, and mini Tummy Tuck
ORIGINAL POST
Getting Excited!
$12,000
Hey, everyone, this site has been a wealth of information as I have been researching these procedures for some time now. With that, I feel that paying it forward is important.
I have consulted with 3 doctors, and based on a variety of reasons, including several personal reccomendations, I have chose Dr. Castiglione. His staff is lovely, both on the phone and in office, visits are timely, both the staff and he take the time to answer all questions, and the offer is always there to call with any additional I may think of.
About me...and I feel like this should be formatted for every review to make sure no one misses anything!
Age: 45
Ht: 5'4"
Wt: 152 lbs
Non-smoker, now infrequent drinker (weight loss journey means less calories from alcohol), healthy eater, but not much sleep, desk job with long hours, and online degree program when work is done, so more desk time and not nearly as much activity as I would like.
Curvy, always had big boobs and hips and butt, and small waist. After nursing my own daughter for a year, and then 8 years ago carrying twins as a surrogate, and pumping for them and a premie milk bank for almost 2 years, my very full C bordering D (give or take just a small amount of weight gain), are a deflated and droopy C. Add in a 30 lb weight loss within the last 1.5 years and the loose skin on my breasts needs to be 'arranged' to fit neatly in my push up bra. Works fine, most of the time, but bathing suits??? Completely different story. There's a lot less forgiveness for hiding stuff like that.
So, I do have a lot of volume left in my breasts, and lifted they'd probably look fine, but after all the conversations and research, I determined that I may as well add an implant for more fullness. My doctor agreed that the implant will add asthetically.
Just did my sizing on Thursday and the nurse loved it, saying it was very proportionate on me because I've got the hips and butt to pull it off and make it look natural. Honestly, it's how I look in my push up bras, so it will work for me so well, I think.
The plan:
375 cc Saline Implants
Under Muscle
Anchor Lift, with as short of a crease scar as he can get away with
I had hoped to get away without a lift but my research made me feel it was needed, even though my nipples are in a good position my breasts hang low. The thought of the scars makes me cringe, but all 3 doctors agreed that without the lift and just doing implants I run the risk of what one doc referred to as 'Snoopy boob'...think of Snoopy's side profile, high forehead and steep downward slope to an upturned nose. Dear Lord, no one wants boobs that look like that! Keep it in mind, ladies, if you aren't sure whether to listen to that advice or not.
I see a breast specialist because of a variety of cysts and ducts being monitored and that have been biopsied. As I was doing my research, I spoke to her to find out if she had concerns about me doing this and because of my history she did not and thinks it will be lovely for me. With that said, between her and the docs I spoke to, here are some interesting things I learned about
over vs under muscle...
1. Under muscle is better for mammogram imaging, as they have a clear scan of breast tissue without going through an implant
2. Under muscle means less risk of losing nipple sensation because it allows for better blood flow directly to the breast tissue, esp in the case where a lift is performed and it needs all that blood flow for healing
3. Over muscle means a less intense healing process because the muscle isn't damaged
4. Over muscle also means less overall discomfort because that chest muscle wall isn't dealing with an implant shoved behind it
5. Regardless of over or under, the larger the implant, the more risk for losing nipple sensation because the nerves going to the nipples are stretched so far or damaged due to the size of the implant
Thought I'd share all that in case anyone is trying to make a decision. I'm sure there are other interesting facts but those are the ones that stood out to me.
Okay, so mini tummy tuck...yes, I carried twins. My own daughter was just over 8 lbs and the twins were right there! One was just over 8 and one was just under! So my belly has bee stretched. Lucky for me, it mostly snapped back. But that lower belly pooch/saggy skin, esp if I lay on my side or bend over, is yucky. So since he was going to haveme under anyway, I asked about it. After a lot of debate, I'm doing it. No moving belly button, no lipo, just removing the excess skin, but hip to hip to better blend it in. Again, hate the idea of the scars, but love the idea of not having that hang down when I bend over in a bathing suit.
Got my scripts filled, eating pineapple, taking some supplements from my chiropractic kinesiologist that will aid in recovery (have to stop all those in a few days), and have my cousin to stay with me for almost a week, so doing everything I can to be prepared. Looking at some bra and light compression style underwear options for after surgery, so suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for reading, and I'll do my best to post regularly as I go through this.
I have consulted with 3 doctors, and based on a variety of reasons, including several personal reccomendations, I have chose Dr. Castiglione. His staff is lovely, both on the phone and in office, visits are timely, both the staff and he take the time to answer all questions, and the offer is always there to call with any additional I may think of.
About me...and I feel like this should be formatted for every review to make sure no one misses anything!
Age: 45
Ht: 5'4"
Wt: 152 lbs
Non-smoker, now infrequent drinker (weight loss journey means less calories from alcohol), healthy eater, but not much sleep, desk job with long hours, and online degree program when work is done, so more desk time and not nearly as much activity as I would like.
Curvy, always had big boobs and hips and butt, and small waist. After nursing my own daughter for a year, and then 8 years ago carrying twins as a surrogate, and pumping for them and a premie milk bank for almost 2 years, my very full C bordering D (give or take just a small amount of weight gain), are a deflated and droopy C. Add in a 30 lb weight loss within the last 1.5 years and the loose skin on my breasts needs to be 'arranged' to fit neatly in my push up bra. Works fine, most of the time, but bathing suits??? Completely different story. There's a lot less forgiveness for hiding stuff like that.
So, I do have a lot of volume left in my breasts, and lifted they'd probably look fine, but after all the conversations and research, I determined that I may as well add an implant for more fullness. My doctor agreed that the implant will add asthetically.
Just did my sizing on Thursday and the nurse loved it, saying it was very proportionate on me because I've got the hips and butt to pull it off and make it look natural. Honestly, it's how I look in my push up bras, so it will work for me so well, I think.
The plan:
375 cc Saline Implants
Under Muscle
Anchor Lift, with as short of a crease scar as he can get away with
I had hoped to get away without a lift but my research made me feel it was needed, even though my nipples are in a good position my breasts hang low. The thought of the scars makes me cringe, but all 3 doctors agreed that without the lift and just doing implants I run the risk of what one doc referred to as 'Snoopy boob'...think of Snoopy's side profile, high forehead and steep downward slope to an upturned nose. Dear Lord, no one wants boobs that look like that! Keep it in mind, ladies, if you aren't sure whether to listen to that advice or not.
I see a breast specialist because of a variety of cysts and ducts being monitored and that have been biopsied. As I was doing my research, I spoke to her to find out if she had concerns about me doing this and because of my history she did not and thinks it will be lovely for me. With that said, between her and the docs I spoke to, here are some interesting things I learned about
over vs under muscle...
1. Under muscle is better for mammogram imaging, as they have a clear scan of breast tissue without going through an implant
2. Under muscle means less risk of losing nipple sensation because it allows for better blood flow directly to the breast tissue, esp in the case where a lift is performed and it needs all that blood flow for healing
3. Over muscle means a less intense healing process because the muscle isn't damaged
4. Over muscle also means less overall discomfort because that chest muscle wall isn't dealing with an implant shoved behind it
5. Regardless of over or under, the larger the implant, the more risk for losing nipple sensation because the nerves going to the nipples are stretched so far or damaged due to the size of the implant
Thought I'd share all that in case anyone is trying to make a decision. I'm sure there are other interesting facts but those are the ones that stood out to me.
Okay, so mini tummy tuck...yes, I carried twins. My own daughter was just over 8 lbs and the twins were right there! One was just over 8 and one was just under! So my belly has bee stretched. Lucky for me, it mostly snapped back. But that lower belly pooch/saggy skin, esp if I lay on my side or bend over, is yucky. So since he was going to haveme under anyway, I asked about it. After a lot of debate, I'm doing it. No moving belly button, no lipo, just removing the excess skin, but hip to hip to better blend it in. Again, hate the idea of the scars, but love the idea of not having that hang down when I bend over in a bathing suit.
Got my scripts filled, eating pineapple, taking some supplements from my chiropractic kinesiologist that will aid in recovery (have to stop all those in a few days), and have my cousin to stay with me for almost a week, so doing everything I can to be prepared. Looking at some bra and light compression style underwear options for after surgery, so suggestions are welcome.
Thanks for reading, and I'll do my best to post regularly as I go through this.
UPDATED FROM QueenV07
1 day post
Day 1 Post Op
Well, yesterday was the day. It was a later morning surgery, but ended up going in an hour early. The OR team introduced themselves, and before I knew it I was waking up in recovery. Recovery room time was rough. I was pretty nauseous. Nursing staff was amazing. When I was able to eat a few crackers and drink some ginger ale, and they could get a good BP reading, I finally got dressed and wheeled down to my amazing cousin. I am not going to lie...waking up to all the pain, and realizing it isn't ALL the pain because I still had plenty of pain meds floating around...was tough. Getting up and into a wheelchair to go pee was tough. The ride home...dear Lord, between potholes or swerving around potholes, it was hard to tell what was better/worse!
Once home and in bed, and so grateful for my 'old folks' adjustable bed, I slept off and on for a bit. Then I needed to eat and take meds. Still nauseous, so I was having trouble eating. My mouth was sooooo dry even though I was drinking a ton of water and electrolytes. But crackers were about all I could tolerate. Took meds and chatted with my hubby (he is working in California) for a while. My poor cat cried outside the door until he snuck in past my cousin. Then he was so good about only laying on my legs. It's like he knew.
I woke up every 2 hours to pee. What an ordeal. Getting in and out of bed with no hands and trying not to exert a lot of core strength because of the mini TT, it's a chore! Got up and walked around, being made fun of that I looked like a witch, hunched over and all, and trying not to laugh because it hurts. Keeping on top of my meds, making sure I move around, trying to remember I can't reach for things and have to ask for help, it's tough.
Pain today has not been too terrible, except my back, believe it or not. Between sleeping in a mostly upright position,and walking hunched over, my back is killing me! I'm using a still point inducer to put nice pressure on it when I can. Stretching as much as I can when I get up. My TT incision is sore because it is jostled more as I have to pee 100 times a day.
Tomorrow I go for my follow up and get to see them. I'm prepared for ugly, between stitches and bruises, and the implants being 'up to my throat', as my doc describes it. But excited to see them, anyway. I'll update at some point after that.
Will not let me upload pics. I'll try later.
Once home and in bed, and so grateful for my 'old folks' adjustable bed, I slept off and on for a bit. Then I needed to eat and take meds. Still nauseous, so I was having trouble eating. My mouth was sooooo dry even though I was drinking a ton of water and electrolytes. But crackers were about all I could tolerate. Took meds and chatted with my hubby (he is working in California) for a while. My poor cat cried outside the door until he snuck in past my cousin. Then he was so good about only laying on my legs. It's like he knew.
I woke up every 2 hours to pee. What an ordeal. Getting in and out of bed with no hands and trying not to exert a lot of core strength because of the mini TT, it's a chore! Got up and walked around, being made fun of that I looked like a witch, hunched over and all, and trying not to laugh because it hurts. Keeping on top of my meds, making sure I move around, trying to remember I can't reach for things and have to ask for help, it's tough.
Pain today has not been too terrible, except my back, believe it or not. Between sleeping in a mostly upright position,and walking hunched over, my back is killing me! I'm using a still point inducer to put nice pressure on it when I can. Stretching as much as I can when I get up. My TT incision is sore because it is jostled more as I have to pee 100 times a day.
Tomorrow I go for my follow up and get to see them. I'm prepared for ugly, between stitches and bruises, and the implants being 'up to my throat', as my doc describes it. But excited to see them, anyway. I'll update at some point after that.
Will not let me upload pics. I'll try later.
Replies (1)
UPDATED FROM QueenV07
4 days post
3 & 4 DayPost-Op Updates
Photos from after shower yesterday. The yellow dressing is not tape and dr. said it may fall off in shower, which it did, so just using sterile gauze over stitches now. It's so not pretty!!!!
Feeling: my back is killing me. Lumbar support is a must, but definitely need someone around to adjust pillows and such for that to happen. Boobies feel heavy....that 'my milk just let down and my boobs are so full' feeling, without all the nipple tingling. As for that....zero sensation in my nipples at the moment, and honestly, besides feeling heavy and full, not getting too much sensation at all at the moment. In some ways, this could be the blessing of not a lot of pain, but damn I want my sensitive nipples working before too long.
Meds: I barely took any pain meds on day 3, and it is 3:30pm, no pain meds yet. I am holding off to use them for bedtime to hopefully help me sleep. Not a lot of sleep the first few nights, trying to get comfortable.
Belly: very little pain unless I accidentally lean against something in just the right spot. My shower last night loosened it up so it isn't pulling as much. The seamless boy shorts I bought are great for not irritating it. Because it was a mini TT, no drains, no muscles were touched, just skin.
Overall, feeling very grateful for my body's response, and if my nipples could get onboard, I'd really be thrilled.
Feeling: my back is killing me. Lumbar support is a must, but definitely need someone around to adjust pillows and such for that to happen. Boobies feel heavy....that 'my milk just let down and my boobs are so full' feeling, without all the nipple tingling. As for that....zero sensation in my nipples at the moment, and honestly, besides feeling heavy and full, not getting too much sensation at all at the moment. In some ways, this could be the blessing of not a lot of pain, but damn I want my sensitive nipples working before too long.
Meds: I barely took any pain meds on day 3, and it is 3:30pm, no pain meds yet. I am holding off to use them for bedtime to hopefully help me sleep. Not a lot of sleep the first few nights, trying to get comfortable.
Belly: very little pain unless I accidentally lean against something in just the right spot. My shower last night loosened it up so it isn't pulling as much. The seamless boy shorts I bought are great for not irritating it. Because it was a mini TT, no drains, no muscles were touched, just skin.
Overall, feeling very grateful for my body's response, and if my nipples could get onboard, I'd really be thrilled.
Replies (1)