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- barbara
Barbara
Diary of One year with Boobs
January 22, 2008 Consult ~ I first met with the patient coordinator and tried on sizes from 325 to 500. Then I met with Dr. Borsand, and we discussed everything: my desired look, concerns, risks, complications, approaches, advantages of this and disadvantages of that. He showed me different pictures and diagrams and I chose which one I wanted to look like. I initially told him I wanted to be a Full C/small D and natural looking. Then I met with the surgery coordinator. They had an opening on Friday, Feb 22, so I booked it, gave a deposit and left his office excited this was finally going to happen.
January 23 ~ I quit smoking today! Since I’m doing this to improve the outside of me it’s time to get the inside improved also.
February 8 ~ Had my pre op appointment today. First I read a 30 page book about all aspects of breast implants; preparing for surgery, surgery risks, post op care, specifics about implants, recovery instructions, etc. Then the nurse took my blood, did an EKG and we reviewed the book. I discussed sizes with her too and I was going to go with 475 cc’s filled to 495. I received a personalized copy of the book and it has been a great resource.
February 20 ~ I’m feeling a little nervous about all this. What am I about to do to myself? I must be crazy for spending all this money to enhance my body. What does God think? What if something goes wrong? Am I going to have to buy all new tops? The pre surgery jitters only lasted a short time. I have peace about it from God and I know He will be with me through the surgery and healing process. The nurse called this week to review pre surgery stuff and to let me know I was scheduled at 1 p.m. I picked up my meds today; pain pills (Darvocet), muscle relaxer (Flexeril) and antibiotic (Cephalexin).
February 22 ~ I’m tired, hungry, want some coffee, a little nervous and just want to get this over with. I can’t believe I’m doing this. We waited in their beautiful and relaxing MedSpa area till it was my turn. Finally a nurse came for me and off we went to the pre surgery area where I changed into my lovely gown. Dr. B came in and asked what we were doing. I said I want to go bigger! He was fine with that so he bumped me up to 500’s and changed from Mod+ to HP’s. He marked me up, Left filled to 515 and Right to 525, then I was off to the OR and out before they even had me all buckled in. My sx was 55 minutes and everything went well. Dr. B reviewed the post sx instructions with hubby, I got dressed and I was hungry! On the way home we went to In n Out Burger.
February 22 evening ~ I’m feeling pretty good; just tired and not in pain at all. Bed is in the recliner with lots of pillows. Dr. B called to see how I was doing. He said to take the ace bandage off and just wear the surgical bra. Our first look at them and wow! They are so high and hard and shiny! But they are big! I ended up with 500cc’s filled to 540 and 550! I’m pretty swelled up so I hope they don’t get much smaller when the swelling goes down. Hubby is coaching me each hour with my arm exercises and he’s even doing them with me. He has been a great support through all this.
February 23 ~ The nurse called to check on me. Told me to get in the shower, do my arm exercises in the warm water and I told her I was afraid to shower. She insisted, saying it would be refreshing. She was right.
February 24 ~ Ready to get out of the house! I was able to wash and dry my hair already. We went to lunch and shopping. I think the meds are starting to make me sick, dizzy and nauseated. I switched to Tylenol this afternoon and they are working fine. Sleeping is difficult; I’m not comfortable in the recliner and wake up several times a night. I feel like a freak since my boobs are so high and hard. I’m bloated and gained about 8 lbs. I’m worried I won’t have anything to wear to work.
February 25 ~ Had post op apt today. Dr. B said everything looked good and he put the strap on me really tight and said to wear it 24/7 for two weeks to help them drop. I was also instructed to do nipple massage; going under the nipple and pull the skin up. This aligns the nipple in the right place, but I don’t see that they are out of line. I also do a massage to push the implant up in the pocket a few times a day. My boobs are fluttering and it feels strange. I’ve even heard them burping.
February 27 ~ Went back to work today. Fortunately, I have a desk job and for any lifting the guys are more than willing to help. I haven’t had any pain, just discomfort, tired from not sleeping comfortably.
2 weeks ~ They are still high and hard and I’m frustrated. I called the office and asked how long this lasts and why no one shows you pictures of this look? I guess because I went under the muscle and got 550 cc’s (a lot) the pec muscle is trying to relax with the implant. I’m instructed to wear wireless bras now. It’s hard to find wireless bras that look decent. So I bought several sports bras for now. The steri strips covering my incisions finally came off and my incisions look really good. I’ve been sleeping in bed comfortably now for several days. I have some pain in the mornings which quickly goes away. I’ve lost the 8lbs that I had gained the first few days. The anesthesia and meds cause the weight gain and bloating.
4 weeks ~ Went to my massage therapist for my first post ba massage. It was wonderful! She cushioned my shoulders to relieve the weight when lying on my stomach. I went to Victoria’s Secret to search for non wired bras and the gal measured me as a 38D. I bought two bras because she said I would go through changes and they would end up fitting me. She ended up being wrong. I am a 34DD/36D.
6 weeks ~ Had a post op apt. Dr.B examined me; squishing and checking for Capsule Contracture which I am a Grade I and that is normal. He released me to wear under wires, so I’m off to the mall. Went to Dillard’s and was measured as a 34DD so I bought several. They are finally dropping and softening up and not high and hard any longer. They are starting to look like normal breasts. Dr. B recommended using CVS Silicone Scar sheets on my scars. He also told me I do not need to wear a bra all the time but to wear a sports bra to bed most nights for the support.
I have been taking pictures of my progression all along and so glad I did this. It helps to see the changes that you don’t see by looking in the mirror. I could not find too many before and after pics online of gals my size so I’m hoping to use my pics to help others in their journey.
May ~ I’m having a case of the “wish I’d gone bigger” blues. They look great naked, but in clothes, depending on what I wear, they look too small. I mentioned this to Dr. B and he said that I look great and didn’t need to go bigger since going bigger can cause more risks and complications and why mess with a good result. He said he would do it, but did I really want to. So I went back to my before pics and that’s all it took; seeing how much bigger I was from before. Sure glad I took those pictures! It’s been 3 months and all of a sudden I’m getting those shooting pains again. I emailed Dr. B and he said it’s all normal. I will have feelings/changes for up to a year. He said if the pains last longer than a few minutes I need to see him. It seems to happen the most after shopping, trying on clothes and bras.
June ~ They are growing! I put the lavender bra on that I bought at 6 weeks and it’s too small. I had hubby take pics and compared them. Sure enough, they are growing. I am not a 38D as the VS girl measured me, but a 34DD and 36D, depending on brand. I visited family and friends back east. Their reactions were all positive and said I looked so natural and they would have never known they were implants. Thanks, Dr. B! That’s what I wanted.
July ~ I stopped using the scar sheets and my scars are looking great! They are tiny and almost invisible. I no longer wish I’d gone bigger and have become very content with my size. I’m loving them!
October 8 ~ month post op apt ~ Dr. B examined me, again checking for Capsule Contracture and everything is great. He told me what to watch for in the way of nipple discharges; clear or milky was normal, dark or bloody was not. Everything was perfect and I don’t see him again until April. Dr. B had recommended at my consult to start using Palmers Cocoa butter lotion for stretch marks. I used it a month before sx and for about 4 month’s after. I have no stretch marks.
One Year ~ I have had an amazing and blessed experience. I have to say the only thing I don’t like about my new breasts is the muscle flexing, but I can live with that. It’s just weird. My scars are barely visible and tiny. I’ve had 2 dental cleanings since my ba and took no antibiotics and have had no problems. I have an hourglass figure now and love buying clothes more than ever. I have more bras now than I’ve ever had! Dr. B has a link on his web site of my progression pics and it is helping so many to see the changes.