Today's the day! I'm getting my surgery today!

Today is finally here! I am admittedly very excited and a little nervous. I will be getting a breast implant upgrade, abdominoplasty, and flanks lipo, collectively referred to as a mommy makeover. About me: I am 37 years old, 5'7", 130ish pounds (fluctuates with keto diet), with 3 children.I first received a breast augmentation in July 2005. I had always been very self conscious about being nearly flat chested, and my size became even smaller when I entered my 20s and lost some weight. Thus, I rewarded both my college graduation a year prior and my emergence from a financially difficult period by purchasing breast implants for myself.Originally I went to Dr. Eisenberg in Northeast Philadelphia and had a great experience. I received 450cc saline-filled smooth round moderate profile implants, placed submuscular with inframammary incisions. This got me up to a full 34C/36C cup immediately after surgery; once implants settled into place, I was at a small 34D. I was somewhat limited on how big I could go the first time due to being so flat chested with no looseness of skin.I always knew that if I ever got reaugmented, I would want to go bigger, but had no real reason to get them redone anytime soon after that. Since then, a few changes affected my breasts: aging, weight fluctuations, and nursing 3 children. Although my breasts now sit lower than before I had kids and I've lost some volume (thought to be due to weaning my 3rd child and possible implant deflation, estimated at a rate of 1-2% per year over the last 15 years), my main concern is that they look smaller due to changed body proportions.Even after careful weight loss through the vegetarian keto diet, I am still 10-12 pounds heavier than I was when I first got implants 15 years ago. All of the weight has gone to undesirable areas such as my belly and legs, causing my breasts to no longer have the same proportions as before. Furthermore, my husband and I have both always loved the look of really big breasts. :)I thoroughly enjoyed how huge my breasts got during nursing (up to a 36D/small 34DD; full 3DD or bigger when fully engorged) and was sad to decrease 1-2 cup sizes after weaning. Thus, my goal is to go up 2 or more cup sizes from a current 34C to a full 34DD.Although I really enjoyed my previous implant experience, I admit in hindsight that there were a few things I would have liked to improve upon. These things are not really a big deal, especially at the time of the previous surgery, but since I am already getting them redone, it will be nice to have those things addressed. For starters, I would definitely like to go a lot bigger than previously.Part of this is because my breasts have reduced in size half a cup size to a full cup size from before, but also because I really like the look of very large breasts. In addition, I want a reduction of rippling. I have always had a ripple on the outer side of my left breast, and this has gotten worse over time. In addition, I've noticed some very minor rippling in a few other places too, which tends to be common with saline implants over time. In addition, I would prefer if my implants did not sit so high up, in relation to the bottom of each breast, and I would prefer a little more sensor cleavage.My breasts are always spaced relatively far apart, and the distance stayed for the most part after the first set of implants. I understand that I cannot expect ideal results, especially given what I have started with, but any possibility of improvements would be an added bonus. Overall, however, I am most interested in the size increase.I am switching to silicone implants for better feel, less rippling, and less chance of osmotic deflation over time. I will be getting 800cc ultra high profile, silicone implants, placed in the same submuscular position with the same inframammary incision. I am willing to have new inframammary incisions if necessary, although my doctor says that he should still be able to use the original incisions. I am expecting the incisions to increase in length, but that is okay. I found that the incisions in the crease of each breast aren't even that noticeable anyway.I am also addressing the problem area known as my belly. I have a long, conflicted history with that part of my body. Yours before I ever had any children, I always had a bit of a pot belly. It was embarrassing to have people ask me if I was pregnant, including elder people asking me this before I was even at a sexually active age LOL. I was always thin, which caused my belly to look even bigger in comparison. When I reached my mid-to-late twenties, my metabolism started to slow down and I started to gain weight, going from 120 pounds to 142 pounds.This caused my belly to become even bigger and more pronounced, and I always struggle to tone it, it was very very frequent, intense abdominal exercise. I suspect that I may have had slight diastasis recti even back then. The diastasis recti became much more pronounced after I had three full-term children, including the first being born by cesarean section. Although I have managed to lose weight and arrive at an overall trim figure around 130 lbs, I still has a belly that remains unless I suck it in.The biggest issue with my belly, however, is the scarring and loose skin that resulted from Cushing's syndrome. In my late twenties, I suffered from a kidney disorder known as nephrotic syndrome. It calls me to retain a drastic amount of edema in a very short period of time, with all of the weight being concentrated in the lower half of my body. I had to go on systemic corticosteroids in order to reduce most of the swelling. I literally lost over 40 lb of water weight in under three weeks.This condition, coupled with the major stress that results from being on corticosteroids for months, is why I have all of the unsightly deep scarring. I went on to birth three separate children after that. Admittedly the pregnancies I had after the nephrotic syndrome Went Away really did not contribute any extra scarring at all to my belly. I tried a myriad over-the-counter treatments, such as creams, oils, weight loss, dermarolling, and more. In 2012 I was referred to a dermatologic specialist to consult about laser removal, but he told me that I was not a good candidate for it because in my case, laser treatment would do little to no improvement at all.The good news is that the scarring did not get worse at all with later pregnancies, and in fact faded considerably since the time the scarring first emerged. However, it is still very apparent and the biggest issue is the texture. In addition to the potbelly susceptibility and the scarring, my one and only c-section probably contributed to some of the pouchy shape. The good news is that my external c-section scar is very faded and barely even noticeable. However, the skin seems to hang over it a little bit. Nothing too bad, but if I'm already getting surgery, then it is a nice perk to have that taken care of.I chose Dr. Bidic for a few significant reasons. First, I really admire his willingness to very large implants for me. When I had consulted with my previous surgeon, that surgeon had expressed concern about going to Big with the implants. He specializes in very natural work, and doesn't like to mess with the previously formed breast pockets.If I am going to go through all the expense and recovery of augmentation surgery, then I want it to be worth it sizewise, and I would also prefer to do my augmentation with the abdominoplasty at the same time to save time and money; my previous surgeon only does breasts. In addition, I really admire the work that Dr. Bidic does. He is not only board certified, but he is an artist too, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree after completing medical school.That is really unique! He is also very open-minded and open to trying new things in order to help a patient achieve the look that he or she is after. He is willing to do very large implants and to also try some techniques to possibly increase the center cleavage or to balance out the slight asymmetry that my breasts have always had. I have been impressed with him since the very beginning, as he is a very nice, easygoing, creative person. I really feel like I found a unicorn of the plastic surgery world lol. I am very enthusiastic and excited about getting this surgery done.Originally I was planning to do this around my 40th birthday, but given the current pandemic, it makes more sense to go ahead and get it done now. For one thing, I have come across more money this year due to my husband's new job and the recent round of stimulus checks. Also, I would rather take the time to recover from surgery during a summer when there isn't much going on, then it's summer when everything is open and I am Desiring to go to amusement parks and waterparks.By getting a surgery done this summer, I will be all set and ready to do lots of physical and recreational activities next summer. I also have a lot more recovery time right now because my job is currently homebound as a result of the pandemic. I am currently on summer break from my job, slated to start again at the end of August, but this year I will be working from home.So that way, if I need to take things easy physically for a little longer than expected, the work-at-home situation fits been well with that. So between the better financial situation, the work-from-home situation, and my enthusiasm about getting this done, I am getting this song earlier than I ever expected. I am really interested in the surgical procedures, and if I was able to stay awake during the surgery with local anesthetics the way I stayed awake during my c-section, I would gladly do it LOL.I am just that kind of science geek LOL. However, I realized that they only do full anesthesia, which I am okay with, especially since I experienced it before when I had my first augmentation. I am now leaving to head to the surgery, which has me more excited than ever!

My arrival time was 6:30am yesterday. I admit I was way more nervous with this surgery than I was 15 years ago for my first augmentation. The staff was very reassuring, hospitable, and funny. They cracked jokes with me and also with each other, which I liked. They wheeled me into the OR around 7:45am. I remember being there, then next thing I know I'm starting to wake up on the bed in the recovery room. First thought I had was, "I survived!" I was there for about an hour as they explained to my husband the postoperative care instructions on the phone.Then they wheelchaired me out to my husband and kids, who were waiting in the car. They said I was recovering great and that I'm the first patient to already use my phone in the recovery room to text family and friends lol! Usually they make the support person wait at the surgical center, but because of covid-19, they couldn't let him do that. That worked nicely to our advantage, because we have 3 little kids that came along in the car, so waiting for hours inside the surgical center would not have been feasible.Overall recovery is already better than my previous 2 surgeries (breast augmentation and c-section). I have only taken ibuprofen, no narcotics. I have discomfort and fear of ruining the surgical work more so than actual pain. The hardest part for me is getting into and out of bed. I can walk, but hunched over, which is apparently the position I should stay in for at least the first week. I've been alert, just tired a lot. I sleep for small spurts at a time. I'm glad to avoid the opiates that had me so sleepy after the last 2 surgeries. I do wish I could get good sleep though, so staying asleep is a challenge for me.This morning is more uncomfortable than yesterday. I'm still not taking narcotics though. Incision is slightly painful. My boobs don't feel that bad. I can walk on my own, with some assistance, and I can use the bathroom by myself. I have slight nausea sometimes but no need to vomit. Coughing and sneezing is a special kind of hell. I'm glad I got this procedure done in the summer, when I'm not prone to allergy season sneezing or winter colds. I'm looking forward to my Sunday night shower, when I can finally see the surgical results!

Yesterday was not nearly as fun as day 1. The discomfort grew increasingly worse, making it impossible for me to get any sleep. I couldn't find an appropriate "head up, bent at waist" position that I could fall asleep in. Today I started taking oxycodone for pain, which I had originally opted not to take, due to my tough anti-drug stance. It worked great, and I felt so much relief! I hope to get off this med within a few days.
Today I also took my first post-op shower. This was also the first time I got to see my new body. My husband was a patient saint, helping me every step of the way with getting into the bathtub, kneeling, and getting out. I still cannot stand up straight yet. I'm getting a little closer, but I'm not there yet; I refuse to overexert myself and possibly wreck the beautiful work I paid for. I also read that one should remain in a jack knife position for the first week to prevent suture tearing or other damages. Standing naked was torture for me because my heavy boobs kept dangling and pulling me downward while in the bent jack knife position, and my lower back was throbbing. Thus, I slowly lowered myself to kneeling in the shower. It worked! The key is to move very slowly and not to feel rushed.
Overall I'm very happy so far. No more deep Cushing's scarring on my belly, yay! I'm a little apprehensive about the slight swelling around my incision on the far left side. It only occurred on the left. Will this eventually go away? My boobs are nice and full (yay!) but currently they're swelling into my armpits, similar to what happened when my breastmilk came in after birthing each of my 3 babies. I'm curious to see what theyll look like when they drop and fluff.