Ms. Aussiegirl’s Story

Hi ladies,

I, like you probably, have been thinking for years to have a breast augmentation, but other things always came first. Before I had children I was a natural C cup, but breastfeeding took that away, and then some. The not knowing always stopped me from looking into it, and I thought, "oh one day." I spent decades raising my children. My eldest is now 20, and I could always think of better ways to spend $10,000. But finally I thought, "you know what, I deserve this!" I had been a 24 hour on call mother, doctor, teacher, nurse, taxi-driver, counsellor and on and on it goes for 20 years, always putting myself last. So this year at age 43 I decided now its my turn.

I started doing some research on BA's. I live in a small city with no plastic surgeon for 500 kilometres and knew it would be a strategic plan to first see him, then get home. I had chosen my PS after being somewhat dismayed at the inital one, and felt comfortable that he would do the best job, but most importantly offer great post-op care. I even rang their after hours phone number just to check if they answered at 1:00am, and sure enough they did. So I had booked the date after flying up for my first consult. I had worked 22 hour week-ends for 12 months to pay for it, as well as my 38 hour weekly job. I was in full swing with my final year of studying psychology as well so knew I had to prioritise and take a leave of absence for 2 months. Now how was I getting there and home?

I decided to confide in my sister who was fully supportive. My son went to my ex's for the week, and I took 3 weeks sick pay, as I had the day of surgery off and the next 3 days was not rostered on, so technically I was entitled to sick pay, as I was too unwell to come to work and had not taken a sickie to have the breast augmentation. So we drove up, initally I wanted to fly, but soon changed my mind when my PS advised me not to, due to the turbulence and bumping...So glad I didn't.

The day of the surgery I was the first booked in at 7:00am I had requested the early time not wanting to fast too long and the nerves would of got to me. As it was, I was up at 4:00am excited to finally get this over and done with. So I washed my hair, knowing I wouldnt be doing that independently for quite few days, and shaved my legs, underarms, and bikini line. It was winter here and I had always knew that I would have the surgery in winter where you can hide under layers of clothes, and its too cold to go out anyway. The days are short, and by summer I would be healed and looking great.

When I arrived at the hospital I was taken into the pre-op suite, weighed and fitted into my gown. Now the wait!! I was wheeled into the theatre by the wardsmen who reassured me telling me his wife had it done here. Next thing in walks the surgeon and I was marked up and the anaethetist came over and put in the canular and injected what he said was something to make me relax before getting knocked out. Yeah, I was out cold.

But before that I was spoken to by him about the pain meds he would be prescibing as he was the pain management specialist he took this over, which was great. I also advised him that I had a 5.5 hour drive home straight after and if he could numb me up for it. He agreed it would be best to fill me up in preparation for the long drive. Next thing I remember was waking up at 12;30pm. I did not feel any pain, as they had given me 40ml of Pethidene upon waking in the recovery room.

The meds were made up by my sister, and off home we went once I was fully awake and had eaten and produced urine. The ride home was easy. I took 2 U shaped pillows to put at my chest in between the seatbelt and my breasts, originall I was going to ride in the back, but the Anaethetist said No the front, just push the seat back and recline. Once home I set the alarm clock to go off every 4 hours for pain meds. I can honestly say it felt exactly the same as when your milk comes in the day before. Thats it! If you have had children you have already felt what it like to have a BA, truly!.

The first week I was tired a lot, but was making myself get up and walk around. After the first 3 days I could shower, but I chose a bath. This was the best bath I have ever had! The next few days, especially days 3-4, were the most exhausting and the worst. Not pain, just engorged and uncomfortable. I sleep on my side and tummy so sleeping on my back elevated was terrible. I'm now 8 weeks out and can honestly say I would do it again in a heart beat. I thought that the first few days out even. It really is no where near as bad as you imagine...TRULY.

At about 2.5 weeks I had this moving, waterbed feeling and was instantly thinking the worst. That resolved, but leftie was always slower and felt different to the perfectly behaved right.They feel so natural and soft now, and I forget during the day I even have them. I wore the band (stabiliser) for the first few weeks, then when the morning boob arrived, a tight baseball feeling in your chest when you wake up, I put the stabiliser back on to sleep in and it made a big difference for probably 4 nights. Also I found that putting rich moisturiser on helped the tightness, avoiding incisions though. And I purchased everything, used hardly none of it. So be practical. But I did buy Bio-Oil for the scars and its great, I use it every day and sorberline cream on my breasts...don't want stretch marks.

All in all its been great and believe me when I say If you have given birth, you have had the BA feeling of engorement. Only with a BA you can use heavy duty meds, so it really isn't even that bad, and I'm a sook with pain. Hope this helps someone who really wants it done, but fear is stoping you.
- Ms. Aussiegirl