Kelly's Breast Augmentation Story

 

I had contemplated getting a breast augmentation for a long time. It was a difficult decision, but a few months ago I decided to go through with it. My reasons for having this surgery was because my breasts were odd shaped, small and slightly asymmetrical. I was very self-conscious and insecure of my breasts and decided it was time to do something about it. 

After meeting with the plastic surgeon, I was told I had tuberous breasts, which meant my breast were cone, triangular shaped instead of round. This made me want a breast augmentation even more! I now knew it was a deformity and not just my imagination. 

The day before surgery I got prepared by setting up the couch, preparing foods that I would eat, etc. Additionally, my plastic surgeon had me start an antibiotic in hopes of warding off an infection. Unfortunately it was unsuccessful. 

I had my breast augmentation on June 13, 2001. My plastic surgeon decided to go with a crease incision and he placed the implants over the muscle with 420cc in my right breast and 450cc in my left breast. He put different amounts of saline in my breasts to compensate for my slight asymmetry. After surgery, I had a compression bra on and drains (tubes coming out of my incision to help drain the fluid so it doesn't accumulate around the implant). 

Recovery was fairly easy. I went into surgery at 8am, and came home from the hospital at around 3pm. The most difficult and uncomfortable part was getting up from a laying position. Sometime during my first night, I dislodged my right drain. I went into my plastic surgeon's office the next day and had my drains removed. My plastic surgeon put a staple in to close the openings from which the drains came out. A few days later I had the staples and stitches removed. 

After my staples were removed, my right breast incision wouldn't heal. It was slightly open where the drain had been. My plastic surgeon didn't seem concerned about it; He instructed me to just keep it clean and dry. 

Approximately one and a half weeks after surgery, my incision on my right breast began to drain. At first, it was just a bit of orange colored fluid. A few days later, it started draining A LOT and non-stop. My plastic surgeon was out of town, but I saw another plastic surgeon in the office twice that week. He gave me some cream to put on it and said the draining was ok since he didn't see any signs of infection. 

On July 3, 2001 in the morning, I saw my plastic surgeon for a follow up visit. The draining had stopped approximately the day before. He said all look good and I went home. 

Later on that day, I started to not feel well. I felt feverish, very tired, and nauseous. I took my temp and it was around 99.9 degrees. I took some Tylenol and rested. 

A few hours later I was still not feeling well. At this time my right breast started to hurt, swell and get red. My fever was now over 101 degrees. My plastic surgeon's office was closed, but I tried calling so I could get the answering service. There was no answer so I called my general doctor's office. They said all there appointments were filled and I should proceed to the emergency room. 

I went to the emergency room. When I checked in, my fever was around 103 degrees. My right breast was so swollen and so painful at this point. My left one continued to stay normal. The ER doctor gave me an IV antibiotic and pain medication. The ER nurse tried to get a hold of my plastic surgeon's office, but there was still no answer. They sent me home with a prescription for an antibiotic. 

The next day was the 4th of July. I still couldn't reach my plastic surgeon's answering service, so I just continued to rest and take pain medication. The skin on my right breast was now so thin; I thought the implant was going to pop through! 

The next morning (July 5th) I saw my plastic surgeon. He said the implant needed to come out right then because of the massive infection I had. They prepared the room and I had it removed. Since my implant was over the muscle, my plastic surgeon just gave me some shots numbing medication and slipped the implant out. It was NOT a pleasant experience! I also found out that they did have an answering service, but it had not been working. My plastic surgeon's office was not at fault and they apologized repeatedly. 

My plastic surgeon said I could be re-implanted after 6 months. I set the surgery for October 5th, 2001. 

A few days before my surgery, I came down with a respiratory infection and had to reschedule for October 15, 2001. 

Surgery went well. I was in a lot more discomfort post op than I had anticipated. Again, I had a drain. For some reason after the first night, the drain stopped working. I started bleeding a lot onto my compression bra, so I called my plastic surgeon's office. I went in to the office and had my drain removed. My plastic surgeon said it wasn't dislodged, but for some reason it just wasn't working. He put in 3 staples and said to come in the following week to get the staples and stitches removed. 

This is the point I am at right now. I have very little discomfort, but I still have to wear my compression bra and have stitches & staples in. Hopefully there will be no more infections! 

UPDATE : Kelly is over 2 years post-op now, and is doing wonderfully!

 

 

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