POSTED UNDER Breast Lift with Implants REVIEWS
BL/BA for Mama! Turning my Deflated 34Bs into Perky Ds :) Duluth, GA
ORIGINAL POST
Truth be told, I've been interested in getting a...
WORTH IT$6,900
Truth be told, I've been interested in getting a BA before I was married or had children. Now, I'm 33, happily married with two wonderful children (whom I breastfed btwn 9-12 months each), and my day has finally come! My darling boys left my breasts (that were a perky 34B-32C before kids) completely deflated. My husband has always been so wonderful with making me feel beautiful with what I had left after breastfeeding, however, I just wasn't happy. Now that I've made this decision, he's been completely supportive, and we're both very excited!
RealSelf has been an invaluable tool in my research for my procedure and doctor, and I've appreciated those who have been so candid with their experience. Now it's time for me to pay it forward. So here are my stats everyone needs for comparison! I'm 33, 5'4", 135 lbs. (my ideal weight is 125), with very deflated 34Bs. I have selected Dr. Davoudi to perform my surgery in less than two weeks (yay!) and he has suggested a lollypop lift with 450cc Mentor HP smooth round silicone gel implants.
So, how did I choose my surgeon? Everyone, I suggest you do your research with multiple consults before you decide on your doc. It will really help you make an educated decision and feel comfortable following your gut when you feel you've found "the one." After extensive research on the web (and this website in particular), I made consult appointments with 7 doctors! I ended up following through with 4 of them and cancelled the rest after further consideration. My final 4 were Dr. Larsen, Dr. Harkins, Dr. Fardo, and Dr. Davoudi.
Though he has a lot of great reviews and very nice looking before/afters, I did not have the best experience with Dr. Larsen. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go to him, he and I just didn't jive. He didn't spend much time with me personally and he wasn't incredibly forthcoming with information leaving me wanting to ask a lot of questions trying to pull more info out of him. I guess I offended him; I think he thought I was questioning his judgement about things when I really just wanted to fully educate myself. He quickly cut me off and complained of people who try to educate themselves on the internet when they should just trust the doctor who knows what's best. I actually agree that, as a trained surgeon, he does know better than I do (thus my questions!), but I felt so disrespected as a patient. I was so excited about this appointment, it was my very first. And afterward, I felt like the wind was taken from my sails. But I don't regret the experience, it really helped me understand further what I wanted in my surgeon.
That was my only negative experience. I really liked Dr. Harkins and Dr. Fardo. Dr. Harkins is young, seemingly somewhat new in his practice, and I had such a great consult with him. He spent the most time with me than any of the doctors I saw and had such a calm, comforting demeanor. The staff at Plastic Surgery Center of the South was so lovely as well. If I was only getting an augmentation, I think I would have selected him. But once I realized I would need a lift, I decided I wanted someone with more experience. This is a personal decision though. I really recommend you add him to your list of potentials!
I had another wonderfully comfortable experience with Dr. Fardo and his staff. The Swan Center facility is really impressive and beautiful. He also had a calm demeanor that I liked; I never felt rushed. I'm always one to listen carefully to my intuition though, and for some reason, I couldn't commit to him.
Which leads me to my selected surgeon, Dr. Davoudi. To start, Dr. Davoudi's staff has been incredibly friendly and accommodating with me. They have worked around my schedule fitting my consult and surgery in when I needed it, though the dates I desired were not as ideal for their schedule. I almost passed up on Dr. Davoudi because he's nearly an hour from my home. But I was still feeling so much uncertainty about other doctors and I felt his before/afters of BL/BAs on his website were really impressive and consistent compared to others. So I called them up 3 weeks before my desired surgery date and boy, they made it work even though he was already booked up. I just had my consult with him yesterday. He is high energy and talks fast! If you can bring someone with you to help you catch all of the info, I recommend it! At first I thought he was trying to rush my appointment, but he really did spend a good amount of time with me, fielding all of my questions and concerns as well as taking time to explain everything I needed to know. I think he's just a high-energy guy! He was very friendly and my consult felt personal, like he got to know me (best he could in a consult, anyway). I love all of the experience he has, I love how confident (though not cocky) he is, and he actually had the most competitive price of all the docs I met with to boot. When I left my appointment with him, I actually felt giddy. I had a huge smile on my face. I felt like this was my cue that this surgeon was right for me. After discussing everything with my family and sleeping on it, my family and I agreed, this would be my surgeon.
So there remains one question/concern for me. The other 3 docs I met with all felt confident that I needed moderate plus implants. They thought with my natural width, the mod. plus would fit me best and that HP would be too narrow. To my surprise, Dr. Davoudi insists that at 450cc, I need HP. I questioned him on this and had him reassure me over and over again that this was indeed what would be best for me. I'm sure I'll be having him reassure me yet again at my pre-op next week.
This whole process has just been exhausting. I started pursuing this goal over a month ago, and I'm so ready to skip to the healing stage! I don't want to obsess over doctors and sizes and methods anymore! My head has been spinning with all the information and possibilities (both good and bad). I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I want as close to perfection as possible from this surgery (don't we all?)! Please God, let me be happy with my decision after all of this. I am just trying to focus on the good and welcome any encouragement from the RS community (I'm sure my nerves could use it)!
I'm also nervous about the fact that I've decided to do this having a demanding, mommy-crazy 1.5 year old toddler that I am with full-time (along with his big brother). Sure, I could have waited, but I have been wanting this for so long and I know I won't be having anymore babies to further deflate me. (I also really want them to be settled in time for next summer and figure I can conceal my awkward healing stage with winter scarves and sweaters.) I'm already lining up all the help I can get for the first two weeks and pray I'll be able to deal with the crib and the car seat on my own after that. This is also a matter I'd love input on from the community.
Well, that's all I got for now! I must say, getting this all out has been cathartic to say the least.
RealSelf has been an invaluable tool in my research for my procedure and doctor, and I've appreciated those who have been so candid with their experience. Now it's time for me to pay it forward. So here are my stats everyone needs for comparison! I'm 33, 5'4", 135 lbs. (my ideal weight is 125), with very deflated 34Bs. I have selected Dr. Davoudi to perform my surgery in less than two weeks (yay!) and he has suggested a lollypop lift with 450cc Mentor HP smooth round silicone gel implants.
So, how did I choose my surgeon? Everyone, I suggest you do your research with multiple consults before you decide on your doc. It will really help you make an educated decision and feel comfortable following your gut when you feel you've found "the one." After extensive research on the web (and this website in particular), I made consult appointments with 7 doctors! I ended up following through with 4 of them and cancelled the rest after further consideration. My final 4 were Dr. Larsen, Dr. Harkins, Dr. Fardo, and Dr. Davoudi.
Though he has a lot of great reviews and very nice looking before/afters, I did not have the best experience with Dr. Larsen. I wouldn't tell anyone not to go to him, he and I just didn't jive. He didn't spend much time with me personally and he wasn't incredibly forthcoming with information leaving me wanting to ask a lot of questions trying to pull more info out of him. I guess I offended him; I think he thought I was questioning his judgement about things when I really just wanted to fully educate myself. He quickly cut me off and complained of people who try to educate themselves on the internet when they should just trust the doctor who knows what's best. I actually agree that, as a trained surgeon, he does know better than I do (thus my questions!), but I felt so disrespected as a patient. I was so excited about this appointment, it was my very first. And afterward, I felt like the wind was taken from my sails. But I don't regret the experience, it really helped me understand further what I wanted in my surgeon.
That was my only negative experience. I really liked Dr. Harkins and Dr. Fardo. Dr. Harkins is young, seemingly somewhat new in his practice, and I had such a great consult with him. He spent the most time with me than any of the doctors I saw and had such a calm, comforting demeanor. The staff at Plastic Surgery Center of the South was so lovely as well. If I was only getting an augmentation, I think I would have selected him. But once I realized I would need a lift, I decided I wanted someone with more experience. This is a personal decision though. I really recommend you add him to your list of potentials!
I had another wonderfully comfortable experience with Dr. Fardo and his staff. The Swan Center facility is really impressive and beautiful. He also had a calm demeanor that I liked; I never felt rushed. I'm always one to listen carefully to my intuition though, and for some reason, I couldn't commit to him.
Which leads me to my selected surgeon, Dr. Davoudi. To start, Dr. Davoudi's staff has been incredibly friendly and accommodating with me. They have worked around my schedule fitting my consult and surgery in when I needed it, though the dates I desired were not as ideal for their schedule. I almost passed up on Dr. Davoudi because he's nearly an hour from my home. But I was still feeling so much uncertainty about other doctors and I felt his before/afters of BL/BAs on his website were really impressive and consistent compared to others. So I called them up 3 weeks before my desired surgery date and boy, they made it work even though he was already booked up. I just had my consult with him yesterday. He is high energy and talks fast! If you can bring someone with you to help you catch all of the info, I recommend it! At first I thought he was trying to rush my appointment, but he really did spend a good amount of time with me, fielding all of my questions and concerns as well as taking time to explain everything I needed to know. I think he's just a high-energy guy! He was very friendly and my consult felt personal, like he got to know me (best he could in a consult, anyway). I love all of the experience he has, I love how confident (though not cocky) he is, and he actually had the most competitive price of all the docs I met with to boot. When I left my appointment with him, I actually felt giddy. I had a huge smile on my face. I felt like this was my cue that this surgeon was right for me. After discussing everything with my family and sleeping on it, my family and I agreed, this would be my surgeon.
So there remains one question/concern for me. The other 3 docs I met with all felt confident that I needed moderate plus implants. They thought with my natural width, the mod. plus would fit me best and that HP would be too narrow. To my surprise, Dr. Davoudi insists that at 450cc, I need HP. I questioned him on this and had him reassure me over and over again that this was indeed what would be best for me. I'm sure I'll be having him reassure me yet again at my pre-op next week.
This whole process has just been exhausting. I started pursuing this goal over a month ago, and I'm so ready to skip to the healing stage! I don't want to obsess over doctors and sizes and methods anymore! My head has been spinning with all the information and possibilities (both good and bad). I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and I want as close to perfection as possible from this surgery (don't we all?)! Please God, let me be happy with my decision after all of this. I am just trying to focus on the good and welcome any encouragement from the RS community (I'm sure my nerves could use it)!
I'm also nervous about the fact that I've decided to do this having a demanding, mommy-crazy 1.5 year old toddler that I am with full-time (along with his big brother). Sure, I could have waited, but I have been wanting this for so long and I know I won't be having anymore babies to further deflate me. (I also really want them to be settled in time for next summer and figure I can conceal my awkward healing stage with winter scarves and sweaters.) I'm already lining up all the help I can get for the first two weeks and pray I'll be able to deal with the crib and the car seat on my own after that. This is also a matter I'd love input on from the community.
Well, that's all I got for now! I must say, getting this all out has been cathartic to say the least.
kbunny10's provider
Replies (5)
November 21, 2015
Sounds a lot like my journey. My first consult was horrible and I too felt rushed and the Dr didn't measure me or anything. Just gave me two sizers to try on then suggested a a size that was huge for me and over muscle which I've been against from day one. I knew I would'nt be using her. Dr. Birbari in Gatineau.
I thankfully booked two other consults but luckily I found "the one". Dr Callahan in Ottawa lots of experience. I will also have two little ones like yourself but aged 5 and 3 but I'm worried about the healing process. My hubby will take a week off to help thankfully. I will be also be getting the lollipop lift with 400cc over muscle high profile implant. He has assured me that I will have no side boob. As long as I don't look too heavy I'll be happy. I'll be following your journey to see the outcome. Mine isn't schedule until Jan 12, 2016
Good luck!
I thankfully booked two other consults but luckily I found "the one". Dr Callahan in Ottawa lots of experience. I will also have two little ones like yourself but aged 5 and 3 but I'm worried about the healing process. My hubby will take a week off to help thankfully. I will be also be getting the lollipop lift with 400cc over muscle high profile implant. He has assured me that I will have no side boob. As long as I don't look too heavy I'll be happy. I'll be following your journey to see the outcome. Mine isn't schedule until Jan 12, 2016
Good luck!
November 21, 2015
Thank you. That's funny, that first surgeon I saw also preferred to place the implants over the muscle. I wasn't interetested in that idea either. He was the only doc I met with that did that regularly. That's great your husband can take that time off for you! I'll get mine for two days and he has to go back to work. I've brought on my past nanny for help for 3 days, 2 weeks in a row to help w my boys, and I'll certainly be calling on my family to help as well. It takes a village! I wish you a smooth recovery in Jan!
January 10, 2016
I just came across your account and I have also selected Dr. Davoudi to do this exact procedure, with slightly smaller implants. My first appointment was also with Dr. Larsen and its so funny because my experience was EXACTLY as you described it. It actually had me second guessing my decision to even want the surgery. I felt very rushed, and almost pressured to go way bigger than necessary for the look I want, and to schedule immediately…The lady I sat with first started out our conversation with Recovery as the first topic which I found strange considering it was my first appointment ever and I had no idea what to expect. Anyway, So happy I found a Dr. Davoudi (he was my 3rd and final consultation) I also felt the same way leaving his office, i just knew he was my Doctor because I felt the exact opposite than I had with Dr. Larsens office. Dr. Davoudi and his staff are all completely different- I felt so comfortable and confident. I am scheduled for next week! congrats on your surgery!! :)
UPDATED FROM kbunny10
9 days pre
Me and My Wish Pics
I haven't gotten the courage to upload my official "befores" (promise, that will come after my surgery!), but here is me in a bikini top. Just seeing these photos of myself confirms my decision to get this surgery and makes me so excited for my new girls!
I'm also including a shot of me wearing the sizers. On your left is 425cc and the right is 450cc which is what I'm going for. Taking into account the compression that occurs when they're placed under the muscle makes me wonder if I should increase my cc's a bit... feedback anyone?
I'm also uploading a couple wish pics I discovered on RealSelf (thanks!). Happy Friday, everyone!
I'm also including a shot of me wearing the sizers. On your left is 425cc and the right is 450cc which is what I'm going for. Taking into account the compression that occurs when they're placed under the muscle makes me wonder if I should increase my cc's a bit... feedback anyone?
I'm also uploading a couple wish pics I discovered on RealSelf (thanks!). Happy Friday, everyone!
Replies (4)
November 21, 2015
Good luck! Surgery is right around the corner!
November 22, 2015
Thank you! I see yours is coming soon, I wish you the best of luck as well!
UPDATED FROM kbunny10
5 days pre
Jitters are setting in
I had my pre-op appt. today and left with mixed emotions. I confirmed the 450cc size implant with my doctor after trying on sizers, however I'm now worried about how big these will really look on me. I can't stand the question that is lingering in my head, am I making the right decision?? It might be that this is all becoming even more real and thus the emotional roller coaster ride is really beginning. I do want nice full Ds, but I don't want them to be so big that they make life more difficult. I've never experienced big boobs, so I just don't know what to expect. Also, I'm a mom of two boys, I need to be able to be active! Is there a happy medium in there somewhere? I've definitely shed some tears tonight and had a nervous stomach stemming from all of this uncertainty.
It didn't help that my doctor barely spent any time with me today. I didn't expect that much time, I suppose. I just felt rushed. I was told to be prepared with my wish pics, and as he was walking out the door, I realized we didn't go over them. I brought it up as he was slipping out, but he didn't seem interested in talking about them and whether or not my goals would be realized with the 450cc implant. He just headed on out. Are wish pics pointless?? I've read and heard they are helpful for the surgeons, but none of the surgeons I met with were concerned with seeing mine. Are they only interested in them for reference during the actual surgery? I'm not sure how mine would help during surgery considering my surgeon is not one who tries on different sizes in surgery. He told me he doesn't want to make that decision for me, and I definitely respect that. So I feel like it would have been important to address these photos today, but we didn't. As you can see - my mind is spinning. I think I'm going to have to raise this concern with them first thing in the morning tomorrow, if for nothing else, a little piece a mind.
I took better shots of me wearing the sizers today. Please y'all, I need feedback!
It didn't help that my doctor barely spent any time with me today. I didn't expect that much time, I suppose. I just felt rushed. I was told to be prepared with my wish pics, and as he was walking out the door, I realized we didn't go over them. I brought it up as he was slipping out, but he didn't seem interested in talking about them and whether or not my goals would be realized with the 450cc implant. He just headed on out. Are wish pics pointless?? I've read and heard they are helpful for the surgeons, but none of the surgeons I met with were concerned with seeing mine. Are they only interested in them for reference during the actual surgery? I'm not sure how mine would help during surgery considering my surgeon is not one who tries on different sizes in surgery. He told me he doesn't want to make that decision for me, and I definitely respect that. So I feel like it would have been important to address these photos today, but we didn't. As you can see - my mind is spinning. I think I'm going to have to raise this concern with them first thing in the morning tomorrow, if for nothing else, a little piece a mind.
I took better shots of me wearing the sizers today. Please y'all, I need feedback!
Replies (20)
November 25, 2015
Definitely bring it up first thing in the morning because you don't want to feel sorry you didn't after sx.
November 25, 2015
I had a freak out right after my pre-op appt...I guess I thought that we would thoroughly go over every detail and make sure the sizing was what I wanted, and I left feeling uncertain especially about the size...I emailed my patient coordinator- who by the way is always super helpful and responds quickly and she offered to meet with me to re-take the 3D image and go over the sizes we had discussed...I was consistent wh the size that I picked originally which was 421/397cc and left there feeling super confident with my choice...however being 3 weeks post op now, I feel like I should have just stuck with my docs recommendation of 450/421 just one size difference but I like my bigger implant breast more than the smaller one...so just make sure that is what you are comfortable with, even if it takes going back to the docs office (my PS is over an hour away)...good luck!
November 25, 2015
That is very helpful input, thank you so much for sharing. I just saw your pics and you look great! Very beautiful results. I think the fear of commitment and change just really threw me for a loop last night. I'm feeling better today and want to stick with my decision. I do trust my doc, he knows what he's doing. Geez this process really puts your emotions through the ringer!
November 25, 2015
Thank you! And yes it is, every day is a new emotion but it is for the best ;)
November 25, 2015
Thanks for the comment. I didnt realize how nice it would feel to know you are helping other people while getting a chance to vent about your boob fears lol.
I think that size looks great. I've read a lot of reviews and I've never heard someone say I went too big so stick with what you have chosen. If you found it looked good in the mirror then you will be happy with your new results plus it will look more like the 425 under your skin anyway. Bug boobs do take some getting used to but they don't stop you from doing anything except maybe bra streaking. (Running with no bra full speed might be an issue.) So if your streaking says are over, I think you'll be safe x
I think that size looks great. I've read a lot of reviews and I've never heard someone say I went too big so stick with what you have chosen. If you found it looked good in the mirror then you will be happy with your new results plus it will look more like the 425 under your skin anyway. Bug boobs do take some getting used to but they don't stop you from doing anything except maybe bra streaking. (Running with no bra full speed might be an issue.) So if your streaking says are over, I think you'll be safe x
November 25, 2015
Ha-ha! Thanks, I needed that bit of humor! I think you're right. I do feel better about the size and think I'll enjoy that size. Just had a bit of a freak out last night!
November 25, 2015
"Bug boobs!" Still cracking me up :) I think humor is key to getting through this crazy process!
November 30, 2015
My dr never mentioned wish picks at all. She discussed what I was looking for as far as esthetics, and talked in a very fungshwei manner. As in the overall curvature of body in proportion. It was odd. My husband was was going out of his mind with trying to relay to the staff that he doesn't want Pam Anderson for a wife lol. I am scheduled for tomorrow 400cc silicone mentor mod profile over the muscle. Good luck!
December 1, 2015
How interesting! I'm sure they will turn out great and I pray you are feeling alright after surgery today. For me, the pain kicked in over night, so stay on top of those pain meds and ice ice, baby!
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. I can feel the excitement coming through your story, and I hope this community will provide you with everything you need to feel ready and prepared to take this step. Please let me know how we can help!