Age 35, 3 children; 5'5", 118 Lbs. Before: 32AA. 450 cc Natrelle Inspira Silicone, under

Well ladies, I think I'm approaching the Worth It phase of this journey. Not that I've been thinking it wasn't, but I just hadn't made up my mind yet. I have to say, though, that being able to fill a bra, wear my V-neck shirts that I've had for years, and knowing that I can finally pull off the summer dresses I've been hiding in the closet....well, it's such a huge relief! No more stressing about empty space in the top, avoiding swimsuits or any activity involving one because there's nothing on top. I am wearing my regular clothes and feeling COMFORTABLE. Wow, what a feeling! The other day I wore a sweater and for the first time in my life, had the feeling that I was too big. I actually felt self-conscious about it and my husband laughed at me. "You look great!" he said, "quit worrying!" This is probably because most of my time is spent in scrubs for work, and you really can't tell I did anything when wearing scrubs. But, clearly I am continuing to adjust. :) The D&F seems to be slow but that's probably because I see these things everyday. I do think the left breast is getting softer more than the right. I do wonder how soft they will get, considering the gel in there! One more though, ladies, it really isn't about cup size. There is a member on this site that really stated this well. Breast augmentation is about getting the breasts that are proportionate and suitable for your body. I've noticed that many members on this site end up unhappy, thinking their ample breasts are too small, and continuously exchanging their implants for bigger sizes. Many times, I personally don't think the bigger sizes look very good on them, definitely not "natural" (maybe that's their intention). In those cases, I have to wonder if that particular woman has a deeper issue that she thinks breast size will resolve, when really it's something more upstairs. She's looking to fill a void that she thinks is superficial, but it's much deeper than that, and no amount of plastic surgery is going to make her like herself! Ah, but that's my limited training in psychology coming out. Enough about that! I truly could not care what cup size I am, as long as I feel comfortable in my skin and feel comfortable in the clothing that I want to wear. I was never looking to draw attention or have people ogle my breasts. Doing this augmentation was all for ME, and I have to say that so far I am very pleased.

So it's nearly been 5 weeks since surgery and I'm feeling great. I am still amazed at how little pain I had overall. The Mondor's Cords aren't as evident as they were, and I only feel some pain if that skin in that area is stretched downward (like in a massage).

I thought I would have trouble adjusting to having breasts, but it actually feels pretty normal! Almost as if they've always been there. The most significant change is that my breasts still feel like they're under my arms to some degree - shaving there is now a challenge! In bras, I think my breasts look pretty amazing, but without a bra, they do still look high and a little oblong shaped, and unnatural. It hasn't been long, so I only hope this all improves with time.

There are two sutures outside of the incision under my right breast. Not bothersome whatsoever, but not dissolving. I assume the PS will have to cut and remove these at my 6-week post-op visit in 10 days.

I recently bought a demi bra at Target - my first real bra - and got a 34D. It seemed to fit well at first, but of course once I removed the tags and wore it again, I realized the front between my breasts isn't flush with my chest, and the tops of the breasts are spilling over the cup! Clearly too small. So then I went to Victoria's Secret this week, just for fun, and to get sized (at 4 weeks 3 days post-op). Get this - I got sized at a 32DDD!!! Oh, Victoria's Secret, whoever did your market research is a genius. Inflate those bra sizes to make women feel good, ha! I just cannot fathom how I can be a DDD. However, this is in their Dream Angels brand. I did try on their sample lounge bra, and a DDD was too big, and the 32DD fit. But when I got home and tried it on for my husband, it was far too tight and no straps to adjust! I'm thinking their demo bras have been pretty stretched out from being tried on so many times. So I'm going to have to return the DD lounge bra. Anyway, I bought two of the Dream Angels lined demis, and will hold off anymore bras for a while until these girls have dropped more (they are still up pretty high). I am still pretty much bra-less at work and when I'm at home. If it weren't for my always perky nipples, I would just go bra-less everywhere, but those damn things make me look permanently cold (and as a result, also means no cute bralettes or anything unlined). I had that problem even pre-augmentation, so I always had (and still have to) wear at least a lightly lined bra in public so as to avoid poking anyone's eyes out with my "perfect breastfeeding nipples."

Recent pictures thus far - the picture really doesn't do this bra justice but it's beautiful. I don't care for a lot of frills, but this one has a lace band that also is across the front. It isn't noticeable even beneath a snug shirt.

That's all for now, will update again another time with more pictures!

Almost 3 weeks now and I've been doing really well! I went back to work at 6 days post-op, but I really feel like I could have returned on day 3. For the first week or so, my chest muscles just felt sore like as if I had been doing upper body exercises. Then about days 8-10, I developed Mondor's Cords under both breasts and the area UNDER my breasts, on the lower ribcage area, was extremely tender and sore to the touch. For those that don't know, Mondor's Cords are a normal occurrence after breast surgery. These are inflamed veins and you can see them raised above the skin under your breast. A couple of mine even are raised as far down as my abdomen! They were extremely tender to touch. I've been placing the heating pad on that area at night for a the past 5 days or so, and as of today, I have considerably less pain/tenderness in the ribcage area.

My incisions look great! The area on/above/below them is completely numb and hard to the touch, but I know this is normal. I've been applying Bio-oil on my breasts since post-op day 4 - I highly recommend doing this because the itchy skin from the stretching is really annoying!

At my 2 week post-op appointment, the remaining steri-strips were removed and I was instructed on massage. Also, the PS told me to take off the bra whenever I'm home, not to sleep in a bra, and allow gravity to do its thing. I'm doing one better and not even wearing a bra to work (I wear scrubs so you can't even tell).

So....here are recent pictures. I'm a little worried my PS may have used implants too big for my frame! The upper pole of these breasts is just massive! I know, I know...it's not even been quite 3 weeks. Someone please reassure me that they will indeed drop and I won't be so round?!?! Having a round upper pole is exactly the look I wanted to avoid. I have been doing massages as recommended by my PS. It seems there is quite the mixed opinion on the usefulness of massage out there, with some PS recommending it and others that say it doesn't make a difference. I'm doing them as directed by my PS, as it can't be any harm in doing so.

So at this juncture, I'm just praying...please drop please drop please drop and soften this upper pole!!!