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.
Breast Augmentation, Liposuction and Facial Plastic Surgery at 51
I was prepared for serious breast pain but it never appeared. I took prescription painkillers for six days after surgery but actually needed them only for three. I was afraid to go off them. I didn’t even transition to aspirin. Maybe the fact that I nursed three of my four children and have been stretched out pretty large as a result explains the minimal pain. The first night I felt pain in my chest no matter what position I slept in; by the second night and ever since I have slept just fine. I don’t need small pillows for support and I never used ice.
I had an areola incision, which I didn’t want at all because I didn’t want my nipple areas cut into, but because I was having a mastopexy (breast lift) at the same time, which requires nipple area incision, it seemed the logical way to get the implant where it needed to be. The surgeon placed the implant under the muscle. I was terrified this would be a prime source of pain, but like I said, the pain was nothing. OH! But I should say, lifting anything over 5 pounds is painful. Even pushing open a heavy door is painful, so I do everything I can to avoid lifting.
Because of this site I was prepared with “good” and “bad” photographs for my surgeon, photos of women I thought were just the right size and photos of those I thought were too big. I wanted to make sure that my surgeon understood what was too big according to me. I used the searchable database to find women about my height and brought their before and after photos with me to my appointment. I determined, and my surgeon agreed, that I needed about 400 ccs to go from a large B cup to a D. My surgeon used McGhan brand 400 ccs on the right side but 420 ccs on the left, because he determined, rightly, that my left breast was slightly smaller than my right. I'm not yet sure if I'm a D or DD, but it doesn't matter because the new chest complements the rest of me.
My surgeon explained that because I was having a mastopexy I could get a silicone implant if I desired it. I thought about it a great deal. After reading so many positive online testimonies, I decided that silicone was safe enough. But ultimately I went with saline so that the only risk from a leak would be the cost to replace the implant. I tend to be a worrier, and I decided that only saline would make me totally worry free.
Let me tell you about size. When I take off my shirt and sports bra I nearly panic because I look so huge. But at 5’8” tall and 165 pounds, when I’m fully dressed the new, larger breasts look wonderfully symmetrical, well balanced with the rest of me. All my friends and family think I look fabulous, and some have commented that I look thinner, which of course is true because bigger breasts make your waist look smaller. I can’t tell you the psychological lift I got overnight by having these surgeries. I am 51 but when I get dressed in the morning for work and drive toward my office, I feel 25. Speaking of work, I returned my desk job just 5 days after surgery, and one of those days was the surgery day. I had no problem going back to work at all except that I notice that I’m more tired than usual after dinner, and go to bed between 8:30 and 9, too pooped to keep my head up any longer.
That’s on the outside. On the inside of my shirt are badly bruised, orange and purple, hard boobs with ugly stitches encircling the nipples—shocking to say the least. I refuse to let my husband see these hideous things until they’re healed. I don’t want him to associate such a vision with our times together.
From time to time I’ve heard the squeaking sound of the implants squishing around. I had expected this (because I read about it here) so I was not alarmed. I’m the only one who can hear it anyway. Maybe it will happen again at one of the next long, boring business meetings I frequently attend. That would be so much more entertaining that another pharmaceutical sales presentation.
About surgery. I was in surgery 4 hours and in recovery for 2 hours. I visited two surgeons before choosing the second one. The first one runs a major, brand-name, cosmetic surgery center in the state where I live—he advertises everywhere. He and his staff seemed competent but they were too slick for me. It’s hard to describe in words. I just didn’t feel any warmth coming from the surgeon and the receptionist was downright cold. The second physician has the most caring staff and all the competence and experience you could hope for. I felt comfortable immediately. The price was the same. It’s the human touch that means so much when you’re going to be knocked out and your body turned over to strangers to alter. If you must drive or fly to get the care you feel good about it, do it.
I’ll bet you’re thinking, “All that surgery. She must have forked over a lot of money.” I did. But I tell you, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. After 51 years of gravity and four kids, I looked in the mirror one day and said to myself that no amount of grace or will would ever cause me to accept the jowls and flat, sagging breasts. I was unhappy, and knowing that over time I would look worse made me unhappier still. After surgery I still look well over 30, but I’m a sexier, shapelier, more youthful 51 than I’ll ever be. I am supremely happy. I love my new face and shape. I feel exceedingly womanly and walk with more elegance and assurance than I have had in a long time. Can’t wait to heal so I can show my husband. 🙂
Age: 51
Race/Color: Caucasian
Children: 4, 3 breastfed
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 165 lbs.
Size: I went from a B cup to a DD cup
Implant Fill: Saline
Implant Size: 400 cc's
Implant Profile: Regular
Implant Shape: Round
Implant Surface: Smooth
Implant Placement: Under the muscle
Incision: Areola
- Marianne