Cathlene's Breast Augmentation Story

 

Why I wanted breast augmentation surgery...

I wanted to feel better about myself and not be so self-conscious of having very small breasts. It was difficult finding cute clothes and darn those padded bras! I am short and I have large hips with a bubble butt. And having hardly any breasts, I did not feel womanly.

Why I finally decided to have surgery...

Honestly? I was having a tough time in my marriage and was feeling really bad about the way I looked, and said, "That's it, I'm going to do this for myself, so I will stop feeling this way (inadequate)!"

My consultation...

Once I decided to do this, approximately one week later I had my surgery. My husband went with me to the consult, and also asked a few questions. Every decision was made at my consult because I only had one pre-op visit. I had taken in pictures to show my plastic surgeon. From those photos, he determined how many cc's I would need. I saw that he wrote down C/D. Well, he determined the cc's perfectly cause that is what I got: Full C/ baby D. I was set on the areola incision because I had seen a few scars in person and was very impressed with the outcome. However, my PS did give me choices. We went over the different types of implants. I choose round because I wanted my breast to be near my armpit and also wanted cleavage. He also went down a list discussing each item with me, i.e. complications/inherent risks, methods of anesthesia/sedation and discussion of surgeon's preference, pre and post-op care, limitations, constraints of individual anatomy, and economics (cost and responsibilities for possible later revisions or complications.) He examined me and gave me an idea what to expect due to my anatomy. He answered a list of questions I had brought with me. He then took before pictures and gave me Valium to rest the night before and 20 minutes prior to surgery and my prescription for pain medication. I was told an antibiotic would be administered in the I.V during surgery and that surgery should last approx. 1 1/2 hrs. All in all I was very excited but relaxed at the consult. When it was all over with, I was even more excited, and feeling very, very happy that I was doing this for MYSELF!! It was a pleasant experience for me.

 

My pre-operative diary...

Well since everything happened so quickly, time flew by for me trying to get things in order. I was so excited. I told all my sisters and a bunch of my girlfriends. I was not ashamed nor embarrassed of what I was doing so I did not hesitate to tell. I arranged to take a weeks vacation from work. I got pillows, the frozen peas, the meds, got all my padded bras together to get rid of, etc. I got my post-op clothing, including lots of button down shirts because I knew I wouldn't be able to pull a shirt over my head for awhile. I arranged to have my daughter-in-law spend a few days with me after my hubby went back to work. He did the grocery shopping next door from the surgery center while I was in surgery to keep him occupied. What a wonderful man he was and so supportive with all of this!

 

My recovery...

The morning of surgery my husband went with me. I brought pillows for the car, made sure I wore clothing that would be easy to put on afterwards, and even wore slip on shoes. I took the valium and was feeling pretty relaxed. Upon arriving, I undressed leaving my panties and stretch pants on and put on one of those hospital gowns and this warm, soft, pink house robe. The nurse walked me to the operating room and I remember seeing my plastic surgeon all dressed up with his scrub suit on, helping me to take off the pink robe. I thought "oh, how sweet of him". He then made the markings on my breasts for the surgery. I laid down and the last thing I remember was them putting in the I.V.

Upon awaking from my twilight anesthesia, I was laying in a recliner all dressed (surgical bra, ace wrap, button up shirt and the pink robe), with two heated electric blankets on top of me. It felt so warm and cozy; I didn't want to move it felt so good. When the nursed realized I was awake she placed ice bags on my breasts. I asked how I got here; they said I walked, (wow). I asked how many cc's I got (my hubby said I kept asking, but I don't remember that). I shivered off and on. I dozed off and on for a little while then I went home with my post-op care sheet. The ride home was a little jarring, but not painful. I was really expecting the worst as far as the pain was concerned, but I was very lucky and didn't have any that was unbearable enough to take pain meds. But, I did take them at night to help me sleep. (I am used to sleeping on my stomach.) I slept on the coach propped up with pillows. I was told to keep shoulders and head elevated on 3-4 pillows for 5 days. The first day I just dozed on and off. It was difficult to get up, and I didn't realize till then how much we use our pectoral muscles. I kept everything that I would need next to me such as water, meds, remote, etc. I had little range of motion in my arms due to the pain and tight feeling. If you have breastfed before, it is similar to the feeling of engorgement. Also, you get these little pin prick sensations. That is the nerves repairing themselves. My breasts were very swollen and shiny, high, and very square. The muscles need time to stretch and relax. They looked huge to me, but then I had nothing before. Each day got easier and easier for me. I regained my range of motion and, by day four, I was driving and washing my hair. I felt physically almost back to normal. My breasts, well, that is a different story. They didn't change much in the first week or two. I did keep the frozen peas on them continuously for the first 5 days. I also had to wear the bra for one week and the ace wrap across the top of the breasts around to the back for two weeks. Most of the time, the breasts do not drop at the same rate. This can take months or even weeks. The stretching of the skin made me itch, so the peas helped with that also. My tummy was so full looking and I was told that was normal. It did finally go down about a week later. I was able to shower when I wanted to but was told to leave the surgical tape on my incisions. At one week I had my stitches removed, and I didn't get to see the incision because he reapplied the tape and told me to keep it there until it rolled itself off. That took almost four weeks more before the tape finally came off. My plastic surgeon said that the tape would help the scar from being stretched and pulled at. Well, I think he was right, my scar is barely visible. Once my time limit was up with the surgical bra, I was told I could wear any type or no bra at all. Yippee!! I kept a journal of my recovery and how things changed. I measured each breast from armpit, across fullest part to sternum, to keep progress of their size, along with other things like dropping, numbness, etc. That gets better also. I also had an oversensitive nipple, but that is gone now also. My left nip was slightly numb also, but as of this writing almost 4 months post-op, both nipples are completely back to normal. They are extremely soft now. I can even sleep once again on my tummy. I also took before and after pictures. I suggest taking them weekly for the first two months then monthly thereafter. You can use these pictures to see the changes you might miss on seeing them daily. I also use the before photos when I am feeling like "I wish I was bigger", lol. I went back to work one week after surgery and it is a physical job. I wasn't in any pain. It was just odd because I could feel the muscle slide over the implant when I used my arms. But you know, now that the muscle is stretching, I hardly ever feel that sensation anymore. I can say this I can move my pectoral muscles like a guy can, which causes the implant to move up and slightly out, too funny.... Well I could go on and on so I'll end this part here. Hope I covered most of the general stuff.

 

My first thought's about my surgery....

I thought they were huge and wondered if I had gone to big, but now that everything is settling, I am one of the girls who wished I had gone a tad bigger. I couldn't believe how easy my recovery was, that still amazes me today.

 

The reactions I received from others...

My family and all of my friends were very happy for me and said I looked great, and natural. They said that I had a glow about me. Everyone did want to see them, of course, and had lot of questions. Some are now thinking about having surgery themselves. I am the only female on a crew of 12. I wore very loose large shirts in the first few weeks, but when I finally stopped worrying, and wore normal work clothes, only one person approached me and asked if I had surgery. We ended up having a long discussion. As it turns out, his sister and girlfriend had implants, and he said that I looked great. Now the hubby, he hasn't paid to much attention to them, so I guess he really wasn't a boob man. I haven't received a negative reaction toward me personally and I hope I don't because I am not sure how I will react.

 

Making changes...

I haven't had to make any changes, but IF and when anything MIGHT happen, I may go a tad larger.

 

My final thoughts...

I am so very pleased with the outcome. I feel beautiful and more like a woman then I have ever felt in my life. I have cried many times, being so thankful that my hubby agreed to put this on the credit card. Otherwise I doubt I could have ever saved the money for this. I can't tell or explain adequately how wonderful I feel. They now feel like a natural part of me and my body. It is so much fun and satisfying buying bras and clothing and filling them out. I feel BEAUTIFUL and SEXY. Let me tell you three special moments for me. 1. While washing my surgical bra I was topless for about 45 minutes. I have never done that in my life (walk around topless even when I was alone, I felt ashamed even to myself). Now instead of rushing past the mirror, I always stop and take a look. I have named each my breast "oh" and "my", because each time I look in the mirror I think " OH MY!!" 2. I was eating a cookie and a piece fell into my bra, it actually stayed and didn't fall all the way through onto my tummy, I was cracking up. My hubby said he hadn't seen me laugh that hard in a long time. 3. One day at work my pager went off and I had it hooked on my belt, well behold I couldn't see over my boob to read it! What a smile that must have bought to my face!

Can you believe for the first time in my life I can make "Butt Crack Cleavage"! What can I say? It has been the best thing I have ever done for myself in my life!!

 

A thought for prospective patients...

Please do this for yourself! Research a lot! And go a tad bigger! Remember, if you want this, you deserve this.

 

I'm not sure which area to add this, so I am adding it here:

I know prior to my surgery that I use to look at women with implants with a negative manner. I know today that it was out of jealousy and envy, and maybe even feeling threatened by their looks.

But I tell you now, my mind has grown from this experience. It has made me a better person. I no longer have those thoughts and feeling and it has caused me to look at others in a whole different manner, a positive manner, no matter what another person chooses to do to them.

I'm ashamed that I felt that way and will admit it now. But I am proud to tell you how it has changed me now.

And it may even change you.......

Cathlene
 

 

 

©Just Breast Implants -  Your Complete Guide to Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants - 2001 - Present
All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service/Usage Agreement