Breast Implants

Iwent to MPS (Minneapolis Plastic Surgery) and I saw Dr. Richard Tholen who came highly recommended. Like I mentioned I knew 2 other girls that had went to him as well and had saw their results first hand.

I signed onto this site - RealSelf which is a plastic surgery referral type site. Tons of questions and pictures and actual plastic surgeons that answer the questions you post. I found Dr. Tholen on the site and followed him on there. I then found out that for following Dr. Tholen on that site, the consultation would be free and as long as you mention the site you also get 10% off the surgeon fee. I also found out this office grants another 3% discount if you pay in cash. This makes for a great savings.

After that I started some pretty intense research on the procedure to make sure I knew everything I could before going into my consultation. Once I signed up for the consultation they sent a bunch of information on the different types of implants/surgery's. I thought after viewing tons of pictures and reading random Dr. reviews that what I would want would be a high profile implant. I like cleavage and wanted some what of that look. However, after the research and reviewing Dr. Tholen's comments I found out that high profile implants do have more projection for given implant volume but they have the narrowest base diameter for that volume. That is usually recommended only on a vary narrow base women which I'm nowhere like. The wider moderate plus implants have a larger diameter that gives more implant volume & fullness below the collar bone. The implant position drops over 6-12 months after surgery. So with the high profile implants the upper pole fullness is lost when the narrower implant drops into final position. I brought all of this information up with Dr. Tholen during the consultation and he was thoroughly impressed on the research and agreed that what I was looking to achieve would come from a moderate plus profile.

I knew I wanted the Silicone Gel implants and I wanted the round not tear drop shape. I had also read the information on the saline implants that ripple and wanted nothing to do with that. Also with the silicone gel implants, if something were to happen they don't just leak inside you which seemed like a great point.

I didn't need a breast lift or anything else so the incision was under the boob. Like 1.5-2" thin slit. As I mentioned I had the Submusclar placement. Dr. Tholen recommended this. He describes this as being the most natural implant for my body. And above muscle would have been very baywatch style with boobs up at my chin which is not what I wanted. He also informed me that with implants you need to have regular mammograms done. With the submusclar implant, you can tell with the mammogram if there is anything concerning then with below muscle.

I read how it was hard to go in to the consultation stating the cc's you want or bra size. So I explained to him that I wore a VS Bombshell bra and liked my look in that and that was what I was hoping to achieve that look without a bra on. He agreed with me that that size would suit my body type and wouldn't be too over the top as some people like their implants. I wanted to see the difference myself but didn't want everyone else to think I went crazy huge. I wanted it more natural to what I was use to having shown with a 2cup lift bra.

It was a little hard to tell when you go to try the sizers on since you do that in a sports bra. Hard to really see the shape of what you are getting. I knew I was looking at a 1-2 cup upgrade so I tried a few on until I couldn't see the difference. I asked the lady sizing me for her opinion as well. The lady was very helpful and explained the difference when you get to a certain size they are just adding more diameter and I don't need huge side boob.

After that I sent in my check and scheduled my surgery. Dr. Tholen does not do a surgery bra or sports bra for healing. It's braless until he tells you. I went about 6 months. Some people are only 3. You do have to sleep with this band thing under them which sucks on your armpits. I wore a shirt under it cuz it was so annoying.

You can go back to work in 3 days if you have a desk job. So if you have surgery on Friday morning you could be back on Monday. Since I had the PTO time to use, I took the Friday off of my surgery and I took the following week just cause I could. You do need a driver for the day of surgery and when you go back the next morning for a follow up. Not suppose to drive for 3 days. Can't lift your arms above your head for 2 weeks so showering I would flip my hair upside down to wash, and bought a back brush so that was fine. I had tank tops that had padded cups without the shelf bra that I wore. Didn't want the shelf bra elastic rubbing on the incisions. I wore zip up hoodies for 2 weeks with tanks. Not sure how well that would work if it was super hot out when you had surgery done. Then once everything was good after the first week follow-up they remove the bandaids from your nipples.

One thing I had no clue about is how everyone heals differently. Day 2 after surgery it felt like sometimes someone would pinch my armpit. I called back to the office because it seemed so weird. The office is so nice though they answer all your questions, not matter how silly they may seem. Turned out that was just how I was reacting to a muscle spasm. Sucked though, happened on and off for about a month. Then just went away like nothing.

I wish I would've done my research and proceeded with this 10 years ago. All those damn strapless bras throughout the years... I now love to be able to not wear a bra like with all my strapless and backless dresses.