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BettyBoop08
Advanced Member

2803 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 08:31:34

Of late I have been seeing a lot of stress posts about sizing, implant style, implant shape; so I thought I would add to the list of questions that you ladies already have to ask yourselves. I am not doing this out of some desire to be cruel, stress you out, nor do I think I am evil – but I do want you to make the right decision the first time; an implant that will suit you and your lifestyle, as opposed to having to alter your lifestyle to suit your implants

If anyone wants to add to this, please mail me or just post here.

Research

That’s right, you read it, do your homework. Research the potential complications. Many women have successful augmentations without any form of complications, but it is better to arm yourself with knowledge and try to accept the fact that you may not be one of these women. It is emotionally very difficult to deal with complications, not to mention financially straining if you need additional surgeries. This threat is very real. Don’t brush it off. Do a search on Google or on this forum for “bottoming out”, “double bubble”, “symmastia” and the like. It never hurts to be prepared and aware.

Braless – to be or not to be?

A lot of women are under the impression that after having a breast augmentation they can run around braless, breasts free from those nightmarish contraptions that constrain their breasts daily. This, in most cases, is untrue. I am sorry to burst any bubbles, but it is best you find out now rather than later. Yes, you will see some women who are able to go braless, but it is not typical. Think about it logically, though; you have just spent thousands of dollars on an augmentation and you want to protect your investment. Real tissue, saline or silicone filled – gravity will have her way. In order to keep your breasts perkier and help to avoid potential complications such as bottoming out, you may end up in one bra or another close to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bear in mind this is subjective and not all women want or need to do this, but it is something to consider.

But what size?

Release your inner male and browse the internet, BA galleries, or even playboy magazine to get pictures of breasts that you like with the look you want. Preferably these pictures would depict bodies similar to your own, if possible and nude is best if you intend to present them to your surgeon as “goal breasts” as padded bras skew how breasts look (but you don’t need me telling you that).

Once you have a few pictures you can start playing with rice sizers. Rice sizers are not 100% accurate as they cannot give you the exact dimensions of the implant (projection, width) and often they get mashed around and aren’t quite the right shape. But they will give you a rough idea of where you will end up. This way you can test anything from 50cc to 1000cc (or more, the sky is the limit really) in the privacy of your own home.

Try your sizers on with various outfits to make sure that your favourite must-have tops and dresses still fit. Alternatively, if you plan on going for some new pieces for your wardrobe, make sure that if you go shopping you won’t end up having to go up so many top or dress sizes to accommodate the new busty you that you end up looking or feeling frumpy. Frumpy is not sexy, nor is someone who is clearly uncomfortable in what they are wearing. If you like tailoring or you don’t mind paying a tailor, this is a non-issue as you can just simply adjust waistlines to your measurements. But if you want to buy something straight off the rack, this is another titbit to consider.

Bra shopping, I admit, is a lot more fun now that I can fill things out. However, you need to think carefully about the size you are going for or you may end up disappointed with your selection of bras. Frankly, anything above a D cup in some stores can be tough to find; check out the places you buy your bras and just see what is available. It is by far not impossible to find large cup bras (both in small and large bands) as there are quite a few brands out there for well-endowed gals. But if you are one of the women who wants to walk into Victoria’s Secret and pick up a bra, think carefully about the cup size; VS does not carry many DD cups. A lot of women compensate for this by buying online, but this can get pricy – if the bra doesn’t fit you need to ship it back and exchange it.

Consider your every-day activity level. Do you run? Do you speed walk? Do you bench press? Try doing some of these activities with rice sizers in place and see how much it impacts those activities. It isn’t going to feel the same as actual implants, but as I said with regards also to shape/size, it’ll give you a rough idea. You can at least figure out whether or not they limit your range of motion, bounce too much, or get in your way. If they do, you need to decide whether or not this is something you want to live with, as once your surgery is done it is going to cost thousands of dollars to get it re-done to a different size and each additional surgery increases the risk for complications (like capsular contracture!).

Recovery Preparation

Get someone to help you. Not all women have an easy recovery, better safe and prepared than sorry. Ask a supportive friend that you trust, a family member, or your significant other. Odds are you will need their assistance from things like reaching items on shelves (no lifting your arms, you’ll regret it!) to opening your pill bottles or walking your big dog. There are so many day-to-day activities that we take for granted and yet, after surgery, it becomes very clear just how many of them require the use of pec muscles. As an example, in my case, getting out of bed was real tough for the first few days. My husband laid down next to me and placed his arm beneath my body – hand on the back of my neck, arm aligned with my spine – and just sat up, very slowly, with me.

For moms – if you have children, especially small children, it may be best to have them stay with relatives. If this isn’t an option then try to get someone to help you with them – you won’t be able to pick them up while you are recovering. A few weeks before your surgery try to get them accustomed to the idea that while mommy isn’t picking them up she can still cuddle with them on the floor, couch, or bed. The few weeks of doing this should gradually work them into it, that way they won’t have something entirely foreign to get cope with.

Your helper may not be much on cooking, so if you feel like eating something that isn’t take out or a sandwich, just prepare some meals before your surgery, freeze them, and have your helper re-heat them for you when mealtime rolls around. Some women experience a good deal of nausea due to the pain medication, in which case sticking to ginger ale and saltine crackers with fruit here and there might be more to your liking.

Recovery Process

All surgeons have different instructions for their patients. You could be told to not touch them, or to compress, to wear a bra, to not wear a bra, you may even get stuck with a strap and no exercise for 6 weeks – but whatever your surgeon tells you to do, do it. They know what they are doing and it’s better to follow their instructions to a T – you don’t want complications and ignoring your surgeon’s instructions and doing your own thing is a good way to increase your risk.

Stay on top of your medication. If you are one of the women who is in a lot of pain after the surgery you really don't want to miss a beat or you'll regret it. Some surgeons offer their patients a pain pump. Be sure to discuss pain management with your surgeon before your surgery, that way you know what to expect.

This is a surgery and, like any other surgery, your top priority is rest and relaxation. Don’t push yourself. Give your body time to heal. If you strain yourself you could end up lengthening your recovery time or damaging your new additions.

Frankenboobie

If you are thinking that you will go into surgery and that same day have the perfect pair of breasts, you may be in for a real shock. I have read it more times on this forum than I can count, “you like them at 6 weeks; you love them at 6 months”. This is attributed to the many, many changes that your breasts will undergo during their post op life.

The initial stages of a freshly post-op pair of breasts may cause a lot of stress for some women. You could be high, tight, squarish, nipples pointing in different directions, tissue sagging off the implant, skin looking like rubber, bruised...the list goes on and on. DON’T PANNIC! Over the next days, weeks, and months little changes will start happening slowly and when it all adds up at the one year post op mark the change is almost like an entirely new set of breasts. In most cases, barring complications, they look much more natural. If you are going to judge them right off the bat, and not have any patience, you may want to consider just sticking to padded bras.

But how do they feel? This can vary from woman to woman. Some women have soft results right away, others have tight, rubbery feeling skin with soft-ish implants, and some women have the feeling of two half-cantaloupes stuck on their chest. Trust me, this changes with time and, in most cases barring complication, your breasts will end up very soft. Some softer than others, depending on the fill of the implant (saline or silicone) and the overfill in the case of saline. Also how much natural tissue you had beforehand plays a big part in this.

Morning boob

I can only speak from personal experience here, but having a 740cc implant crammed into a freshly dissected muscle is a painful, painful experience. Muscle relaxants and painkillers galore, and I still felt it. Morning boob is very real. When you wake up in the morning you have been sleeping (if you were lucky enough to fall asleep) in the same position for many hours (probably propped up at an angle); when you sit up, blood rushes to your freshly traumatized chest. This is not a good feeling. Some women say that a hot shower can make them feel better. This usually passes within the first couple of weeks and by the time you are 6 months post op, you don’t remember the last time you felt morning boob.

Boobie Blues

Post-op blues, e.g. asking “What have I done to myself?!” fast mood swings – all normal. It is like PMS on overdrive and your emotions are on the rollercoaster ride of a lifetime. This is normal. It’s easier said than done, but try not to freak out too much. If you need to vent and let it out, come here, this forum has a lot of women who are here to support each other during this time. Don’t unload on the person helping you, as they may not understand that this is normal, and it could freak them out.

Boobie Greed

Boobie greed is very real. For some women it doesn’t come into play, for others it’s there just for an instant, for some it’s an on/off thing where some days it hits and others it misses, and for some its always there and they want larger breasts. When you feel like you are experiencing boobie greed, turn off the signatures on this forum, and wear something form-fitting that shows off the girls. You may just be one of the women who have boobie greed temporarily every couple of weeks or so.

If you have actually made it to the end of this rambling post, I commend you for it, and I hope that it helps you in some small way. You may feel overwhelmed, but the truth is, this is a big decision and you need to consider everything you can think of before you make your decision. No regret is the best possible result of your breast augmentation.

Best wishes and good luck, my future breast friends

BA date: March 26, 2008
Pre BA: B cup at best
740cc anatomical gummies, partial under
Size postBA: DDD/E

Edited by - BettyBoop08 on 04/07/2010 14:20:13

janegreen
Advanced Member

12459 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 08:54:23

YOU. ARE. AMAZING.

Wish I'd read this before my BA :) hehe

26 y/o
5'2 118 lbs
no kids, 2 cats
Pre ba- 36 big A/34 small B
Post ba- 34D
340 Left/370 Right (325cc Mentor Mod Saline Unders, TUBA incision.)
April 2007

REDO on October 2nd, 2009
Mentor Silicone Mod+ 500 & 525 cc
Periareolar incision
Dr. David E Kim, CA
www.beverlyhillsplasticsurgery.com

http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=36804

british1
Matron

USA
500 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 09:50:49

Good post well done

33yrs old, married 3 kid's,1st B.A march 31st 2008 325 mods filled to 357cc, redo to bigger may 18th 2009 500 mod+ filled to 620cc's size 34dd
http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=92481

lizzy12
Matron

439 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 09:55:05

This was the best post I have read in all the months I have been on here

Thank you! Ok so how do we make this thing sticky

5'5" 107 lbs
Pre Op 32tinyA
Post Op 32D
27.5" ribcage
BWD: 11.0/11.4 cm
Allergan 304cc Sili Unders
Dr. Louis Bucky

BA 7/10/2009

http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=101861

sailing217
Matron

USA
218 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 10:10:11

This post is very helpful. I wish I read it about 12 weeks ago.

BA Date: 3/17/09
Size: Pre-32A, Post-32C+?
Silicone Under 400/375cc mini lift

Boo99
Advanced Member

3610 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 10:46:52

So very true. Thanks for putting it out there. Hopefully that will bring about more questions for all the "new" ladies to become totally prepared.

42 years old
3 great sons - 17, 15, 12 (all breast fed)
Married to the love of my life for 20 years!
5'4 1/2", 127lbs, RC 30"
PreBA: 36A not filled
PostBA: Now 34DD
Mentor Mods 325cc ft 380,
saline unders
BA 10/30/07 & MTT

http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=64131

Artemis
Advanced Member

4940 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 10:58:20

Great, great post, BettyBoop! You rock.

I'll chime with a few things as well:
1. If you're not willing to do what you need to do to ensure the most healthy, problem-free recovery - which means following your PS's instructions to the letter (even when it sucks) - you shouldn't get a BA. This surgery and recovery is not for sissies, and if you're a whiner or lazy or just can't be bothered to do as you're told even when it's for your own good - then save yourself the hassle and stick with risk-free padded bras and chicken cutlets.

2. Be really honest with yourself about what YOU want - and then do everything in your power to ensure you get it (assuming it's physically possible, given the realities of your own body's starting point). It's your body, and you're the one who has to live with it, so be completely honest with yourself and your PS about what your ideal end state is.

3. Patience, patience, patience. Time and healing solve 99% of early boob weirdness, so just keep doing what you're supposed to be doing and don't freak yourself out. That said, never hesitate to call your PS if you're worried about something - that's what s/he is there for, and better safe than sorry.

4. READ every post here on the forum that you possibly can, going back months and months. Every question that you can possibly imagine has been asked and answered many times over, and the more you read and learn, the better patient you'll be - and the happier you're likely to be with your end result.

5. New boobs aren't a cure-all. If you're unhappy with your life or your body overall or your relationship or your job or whatever - new boobs won't change that. Your life will pretty much be the same post-BA as it was pre-BA...just with better boobs. Breasts are great, but they can only do so much!

6. Remember that whatever rough patches you go through, "This too shall pass."

Good luck to all the folks early in the journey!

41 years old
5'9" - 135 lbs.
Pre: AAA ~ Post: 32C/D
BA 4/1/08 - Mentor silicone mods, 350 cc's, unders

Edited by - Artemis on 06/04/2009 11:16:04

kat1212
Matron

USA
48 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 11:07:01

You are sooooo right! Emotionally, regardless or age or all the research we have done, you don't know the roller coaster of emotions that you experience until you do it. You were right on about the bras. I envisioned walking into VS and going crazy with the plastic card! However, a very rude awakening from my expectations. 32DD may look like a full C but you still need to buy 32DD which except at specialty stores or online are almost impossible to find.

I also thought I could bounce and prance around with big jiggly boobs and not wear an "iron maiden" 24/7. WRONG!!! I, like you even sleep in a bra. Now, my fear is not wearing one and they end up, because of the weight on this scrawny chest, at my navel. Great post!

350 HP silicone under with crease incision.
34AA-now 32DD
5' 8"
130lbs
2 couch potato dogs
http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=103596

prple
Matron

USA
63 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 11:46:12

Thanks for the great post! As a newbie, no BA yet, it reminds me to research and cover all my bases so that I am well informed and prepared for the outcome as to how it will affect my life and emotions. Thanks so much!!

ArmyGrrl
Advanced Member

4527 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 14:39:19

Nothing to add, between Betty and Artemis a lot has been said.....

I think this is the shortest post I've posted on the BA side.

P_gurl! where are you? another link that needs to be added to your FAQ's

Oh yea! Read p_gurl's FAQs. There is a boat load of info she has posted in that thread.

44
divorced;1 DD (BF 8 months)
5'4"; 145 lbs; RC: 32"
Pre-BA: 36 A
Post-BA: FULL 36D! (took 6+ months, 2 years later I'm "almost a DD")
BA - July 9, 2007
Mentor Moderate + profile; 375cc's; sub-pectoral placement - partially under muscle
Dr. Michael F. Chiaramonte MD/Washington DC Area http://bellacosmeticsurgery.com/
http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=52574
BA at 3 weeks...BA at 6 weeks...BA at 13 weeks...5 months ..SweetHearts!...Look Ma! No bra! It's been one year! With the right bra - luv my big fakies!

The Mrs
Advanced Member

5192 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 16:15:18

p_gurl, add this too the archives!

n/a
deleted

143 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 16:28:42

I added this thread to the FAQ's as soon as I read it.

Very good BettyBoop!

Sassy Spirit
Matron

USA
31 Posts

Posted - 06/04/2009 : 20:10:08

Wow!!! I am two weeks out and I have questioned/wondered/experienced pretty much every point you make here!

Thank you for giving me perspective on this process. It is a wonderful journey and I am so glad that I get to share it with you ladies!

Age: 42
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 130-135 (depending on the day!)
BA: May 19, 2009 (DONE...WOO HOO!!)
Mentor Round
Saline, High Profile
Filled to 420cc (420-500cc implant)
Under Muscle
Transax Incision

Goal: A cup to full C cup..cannot wait for D&F to see final results!

BettyBoop08
Advanced Member

2803 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2009 : 06:20:29

Most of what I wrote I are questions and concerns I have seen on the forum, they are just spread out, and sometimes the search functionality doesn't work perfectly. I just wanted to bunch it all together. You gals are real sweet and I thank you for it

BA date: March 26, 2008
Pre BA: B cup at best
740cc anatomical gummies, partial under
Size postBA: DDD/E

BettyBoop08
Advanced Member

2803 Posts

Posted - 07/18/2009 : 15:10:51

Bumping, seems we lost our FAQ?

BA date: March 26, 2008
Pre BA: B cup at best
740cc anatomical gummies, partial under
Size postBA: DDD/E

molecularblonde
Matron

77 Posts

Posted - 07/18/2009 : 23:05:14

Bettyboob-
As a newbie, I want to thank you so much for constructing such an informative and eye-opening post. For those of us who are on the fence about a BA, you've opened our eyes to the very REAL changes and challenges associated with augmetnation.

BRAVO!
-MB

expatgirl26
Senior Member

1208 Posts

Posted - 07/19/2009 : 02:19:42

Wow.Lots of very necessary info for all the girls going through the stress that is the pre ba! Just wanted to say that I am sure in most cases it may be necessary to wear a bra all the time,but I have relatively small implants and my PS said (after the initial 3 or 4 months) that it was ok to sleep braless and to go about braless,just not all the time.Trust your PS.Like the girls said,do exactly as he says.Good luck!

49,5'4"
Pre BA 36a,Post BA 36c
May,2006
290 hp sili,anatomical

Scootie123
Advanced Member

6079 Posts

Posted - 07/19/2009 : 05:59:15

Nice job Betty.

Pre BA / small 34B
Post BA / 32DD/34D
RC 28"
BA 2/5/07
Mentor Smooth / Round / Mod + / Saline
unders / crease / 400cc ft 480cc

samisamgirl
Senior Member

1600 Posts

Posted - 07/19/2009 : 13:08:46

>>>New boobs aren't a cure-all. If you're unhappy with your life or your body overall or your relationship or your job or whatever - new boobs won't change that. Your life will pretty much be the same post-BA as it was pre-BA...just with better boobs. Breasts are great, but they can only do so much!<<<

Ahmen to that. So many think they are a 'cure all'.

Great post.

5'5" 125 lbs.
Married; 3 kids
32" ribcage
preba 36 sm.B
post-ba 36C
475cc
BA date 2/8/05

amber58
Advanced Member

7557 Posts

Posted - 07/19/2009 : 22:56:30

Very true points, and hopefully you have a PS consult and tell you all this also.

5"0' 155# 50yr. 33" rbcge PRE BA C/B
1st BA 7/27/93 T/R/U/C Saline MODs 420s 1 DeFlated
REDO 9/30/05 S/R/U/C VeryHP Eurosilicone 450L-500R

http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=2&g2_itemId=8007

maestra
Matron

66 Posts

Posted - 07/19/2009 : 23:35:22

Thanks so much for the information. I am one year out and I only wear a bra when I go to work and things are drooping! I was sort of told by my PS that I could go braless but with D cups (sometimes DD) I wish he had been more honest. With a very small B all my life (and I'm 55), I NEVER had to wear a bra and it's been very hard to get used to. Your post was very informative.

alynneh
Advanced Member

USA
4883 Posts

Posted - 07/20/2009 : 14:45:21

Good post

JennMO
Matron

USA
153 Posts

Posted - 07/20/2009 : 16:03:13

Great post BettyBoop! Thanks for taking the time to post it!

I totally agree with how to deal with the "Boobie Greed" suggestion. I love to look at boobs as much as the rest of the ladies on this forum. I have noticed that once one of the ladies gets a redo to go bigger, the boobie greed really sky rockets! As women--this is just second nature. And I think that we just get use to the size that we have become so quickly.

I am a firm believer in "go big" the first time. Otherwise, you may just be wasting your time and money and will be scheduling another surgery to go bigger. My one piece of advice for a newbie would be to not be afraid to try on the larger implant sizers in the PS's office. Don't worry about the number...try them on until you get the look YOU want! YOU know how you want to look in your clothing. Besides, unless you tell them, no one needs to know how many cc's your implant

35 yrs old
Happily married Mom of 2 DD-both breastfed
5'7 135#
Rib cage 29.5
Pre-BA 32-34A
BA-3/25/09
Post BA-32F (thus far)
627cc Silis-Textured Round Overs

TuckerDog
Matron

97 Posts

Posted - 07/29/2009 : 16:13:03

Very, very helpful for a noobie.

39 years old
5'6" - 120 lbs.
Pre-BA: 32a
BA on 11/19/09
339cc Natrelle Mid-Profile Unders
http://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=103849

elliemay
Advanced Member

3176 Posts

Posted - 07/29/2009 : 16:31:13

Great post!!!

elliemay
57 yrs old
5'5'' 110

Newlywed!!!!!!

2 grown kids
redo #5 for CC 375 silicone both sides used old implants undershttp://www.bagalleries.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=23&g2_itemId=63409
Redo #6 May 12th right side for cc used old implant.
Redo #7 July 16th 2009
350 sil overs new implants new PS.

Bella1700
Advanced Member

3879 Posts

Posted - 07/29/2009 : 16:36:16

Awesome post, Betty:)

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