47 Years Old and Saline Breast Implants. Wish I Had Done This Sooner! - Glen Allen, VA

I'm an incredibly cautious person by nature. I will study something to death before I jump in. Health first; everything else will fall into place. And although raised to believe real beauty comes from within, I struggled with weight and overall body image since having my boys via C-section in 1979 and 1983, respectively. I think I must have researched breast augmentation for about 10 years before I got the nerve (and money) to actually get it scheduled and do it. I researched plastic surgeons specializing in breast augmentation in Virginia for about five years (told you I study something to death...), and the name of Thomas DeWire, Sr., M.D. of Advanced Art of Cosmetic Surgery kept coming up. Women from all over the Country were recommending him. So I made an appointment. Loved his office and his staff. And I found him to be very knowledgeable. A bit cocky as well. Sometimes he comes across as a bit brusque....especially if you mention vitamins, supplements or holistic medicine. He pretty much poo-poos whatever you have to say on the subject. But, whatever. He's an awesome doctor. He initially had me take off my top and he took pictures with a camera connected to a computer. He was able to show me exactly what he could do given my unique physiology. I tell you, you just don't realize how asymmetric your body is until you see it up on a screen with a doctor telling you all about it. In my case, my left breast is larger than my right. This is how it was naturally, before augmentation. I was under the mistaken assumption that a doctor could somehow "even it up" using the saline implants. Nope. They have to work within your unique structure. Not sure if this is the same with silicone. In any event, I decided on an axillary approach (through the armpit). You can't even see my scars, they are so tiny. I liked the fact that the implant is positioned behind the muscle, like you have an added "support bra" thing going on. It also makes mammograms easier. Following surgery, I felt like there was a truck on my chest. But, Dr. DeWire had prescribed adequate pain medication, so I was good. I had bruising for several weeks, and it takes some time (a couple of months) for your breasts to drop and settle into proper position. I had some initial numbness, but this went away. I was taught to massage them daily, and I followed Dr. DeWire's instructions to the letter on this. I did not want to end up with capsular contracture! Knock on wood, my implants are now 7 years old, and I have not had any adverse effects from them. I absolutely love them, still. Eventually, of course, they will need to be replaced. I like the safety aspect of saline....but I probably would prefer the more natural look that silicone implants would give me. Perhaps by that time, I will have studied (to death) the pros and cons of silicone, and the choice will be easy.