Breast Implants and Breast Augmentation Stories from our Visitors
If you have already read Nicole's Story, you have a pretty good idea what this section of the website is all about. After several women emailed their breast augmentation stories to us, we thought it would be great to have women share their full-length recovery stories after their breast implant surgeries for everyone's benefit. Thankfully, many women have contributed, some in more detail than others.
Here are the stories of our visitors. Many names have been changed for privacy. Where appropriate, there is detail in parentheses so you can decide if you are interested. Click on a name to read.
If It Will Make You Happy Then Do It
My plastic surgeon was Dr. Elisa A. Burgess
I have been flat as a board all my life and actually took some pride in it (hey, I can run without a bra!) I have always been comfortable with my body so the thought of getting a breast augmentation never really crossed my mind. When I was in my late 30's I happened to stumble upon the Implantinfo website- Wow, was it great! Knowing of a few people at work that had gotten augmentations I guess curiosity got the best of me. I read and read and started thinking "Hey, I could do this"- mainly because I was tired of how clothes fit me.
I'd see these cute tops that I loved but when I would put them on they would just droop. My husband at the time at first said "If it is something you really want to do then I will support you" but months later he retracted that statement by saying "Oh well, maybe that's not a good idea...if anything were to happen to you during surgery you'd never forgive yourself since we have two children."
Well now I am 44, and hubby had an affair and left me earlier this year and married his co-worker- won't bother to get into that but it got me thinking. I am a successful business woman (make more that the ex đŸ™‚ and I was done sacrificing all my $$ to support his hobbies and career changes over the past 10 years. The breast augmentation idea entered my head again and I talked with one of my best friends about it. I told her I wanted to do it not as a "post divorce" antic but rather to just look better. I found Dr. Elisa Burgess' name on the Implantinfo website. When I told my friend her eyes lit up and she said "She is a wonderful Doctor!" Little did I know that my friend had had a breast reduction surgery done by Dr. Burgess and my friend's mother had a post mastectomy reconstruction done by her as well!
Armed with this great referral I set my consultation appointment in May. The appointment went great! I fit in well with her clientele... women in their 30's- 40's who just wanted to look better, nothing off the charts. She suggested that I go with 300's which were great. Anything larger for me would probably not look as good because I had virtually no breast tissue. I set my surgery date for June 30 and never looked back. I felt so optimistic and had no doubts that the procedure would go well. Dr Burgess and her staff were so reassuring and commented on what a good candidate I was since I was healthy and had no health problems (as they say Vanilla is good!").
The morning of the 30th came and my dear friend took me to the hospital
at 6:00 am. I was getting a little nervous during the drive but I knew I was going to be in good hands. I was familiar with the hospital since my daughter was born there so I knew my way around. I got prepped and saw Dr. Burgess and my anesthesiologist. We were all smiles and shared
some laughs. When I got my "happy juice" I was able to provide comic relief to all around. Next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room.
Okay, after reading all of the personal experiences I was prepared to have days of pain but I must admit the only time I was not a happy camper was the time between recovery room wake up and getting heeled
to my room. My "room" was a special wing in the hospital called the TLC- Temporary Living Center. What a WONDERFUL concept. Instead of getting in a car and driving home (or for many, driving to a motel) I was simply wheeled to another wing of the hospital, cared for by nurses who administered my pain meds and took care of me until check-out the next day at 11:00 am all for a little over $200! Better than most hotel stays I have had on business trips! Dr. Burgess popped in to see me that next morning while she was making rounds so it was very convenient.
Recovery at home went well. Like I said before I was expecting the WORST but it really was not that bad. Being healthy and having a POSITIVE attitude really helped (okay, the drugs helped too but I weaned myself off of them as soon as I could and went back to work in seven days). I was fortunate that a surgery date was available right before the 4th of July so it was easy to "sneak" the procedure in while everyone is off work.
So now it is November and I love the way I look. My friends and coworkers think it is great. It is fun to buy clothes and bras (just got ANOTHER one today đŸ™‚ my new obsession. I kind of wish I would have gone a little larger, say 350 (400??) but I trusted my Doc and I respect her opinion.
If I could give any advice it would be "You are never too old, and if it will make you happy then do it. It was not that big of a deal for me. I would take a ba, or childbirth over scary dental procedures ANY DAY!!" I wish you well in any future decisions you may make and just know that there are many of us out here to support you. Be Well!!
Age: 44
Race/Color: Caucasian
Children: 2.
2 breastfed
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Size: I went from an A cup to a C cup
Implant Manufacturer: Mentor
Implant Fill: Saline
Implant Size: 300 cc's
Implant Profile: Regular
Implant Shape: Round
Implant Surface: Smooth
Implant Placement: Under the muscle
Incision: Crease (inframammary)
Plastic Surgeon: Elisa Burgess, MD, of Lake Oswego, Oregon
- Deb