11 Days post op and just like new...almost

You may have figured out by my "nickname" PSEX that I was married to a plastic surgeon for 20 years and I ran his office for 12. The rest of the time I supported him through a 7-year surgical residency. The reason I mention this is because that experience has given me a unique perspective on all plastic surgical procedures. Although things have changed a lot since I was involved so closely with the specialty, I have a lot of basic knowledge which makes me less nervous about my surgeries that I am undergoing next week.

Shortly after we were married in 1975 I was about 105 pounds and 5'3". I wore a 32B and I really was in good proportion for my body size. At that time several of my friends were having augs (what we always call a BA in the field) and I thought it would be fun to have big boobs. But, since I was student teaching and my ex was in his general surgery residency, we were just about completely broke. He sent me to a supervising surgeon who was in private practice and he offered to do the surgery for me for the cost of the implants which were $250 at the time. Who could turn that down? I really just thought of it as a great opportunity; a novelty; something fun to do. I had saline implants and after the surgery I was a 34C.

I'm not sure I was as thrilled as I thought I would be. Suddenly, all my sweaters and blouses were too tight. I was never one to flaunt my body so it seemed like kind of a waste.

Fast forward to 37 years later. I remained petite, even after gaining 60 pounds during pregnancy. I was back in my size 4 in three months. After we decided to split (I waited too long as it was) I not only lost my job at the ps office, I lost my dream home and I lost my dream life. I was not handling things well so a friend suggested I see a psychiatrist for my depression. The medication he prescribed really helped but I began to gain weight immediately, gaining about 30 pounds in about 6 months. That added to my depression a great deal. Within a few years, without my control over the operation of the practice, my ex announced he was forced to file bankruptcy. No more support payments. My son and I were on our own.

It took three years to get divorced because ex didn't know anything and all the practice paperwork was missing. It took 7 years and $55,000 (that I didn't have) to settle the division of the pension plan assets. I moved back to Colorado with my son to live with my mother until I got my feet back on the ground. She died 4 months later.

Eventually, I got a new teaching job and things started looking up. I met a new man and remarried. Yea! A great guy too. I stopped teaching and the lack of exercise caused me to gain even more weight. So I finally joined Weight Watchers and I have recently lost 16 pounds, with 30 more to go. But, I decided to get a jump start on a new self-image. I'm scheduled for the MM next week. I'm having my old implants removed. The doctor told me I have enough breast tissue so I don't need to replace them. I figure, after 37 years, I've been lucky to not have had any problems with the thin-walled saline implants so far. I'm also having the TT to get rid of my muffin tops and my skin that had started to sag over my C-section and appendectomy scars. I'm not doing it to lose weight. I'm just tired of my boobs entering a room before I do and I'd like to tuck in a blouse or top.

My husband is freaked out about the cost but I withdrew my teaching pension in order to pay for it. I can't say I'm excited particularly but I think I'll feel better when I'm healed and back on my feet.

I've been reading a lot of your postings and I have to say I'm sad for so many of you who are torturing yourselves over the size of your implants and your fear of post-op pain. I've had 2 face lifts, two upper eyelid surgeries, one lower lid surgery and a chin implant and I didn't have any bad experiences with any of them. Those of you who have had children (most of you since this is called Mommy Makeover) have nothing to fear. I think being in labor for 18 hours was about the most pain I've ever experienced in my life. As far as the size of the implant, consider my story. Things don't always stay the same. We gain weight and our lives and priorities change over the years.

One cute story from my old plastic surgery office manager days: We once did a BA on an 86-year-old woman. She had found a new man and wanted to look her best. She was so cute with her gray hair pulled back in a bun. She was in great health and recovered quickly and she loved her result. It's never too late to get a new lease on life.

Best wishes to all of you who are so nervous and confused. It's never as bad as you imagine. Relax and be confident in your decision. Round up your support group and let them help you physically and emotionally. It's not uncommon to experience depression 3-7 days following any surgery, regardless of how positive your surgery is.

I'll post more later if I have anything that maybe could help others.

Plastic surgeon ex