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Alison’s Breast Augmentation Journey

Stats:
5’4”
118lbs (sometimes I go up to 123…I fluctuate a lot!)
My rib cage is 29.5
Post BA – Large A/Very small B/ Asymmetrical
Post BA – Right now a large 34D but I can see that 34DD may be in my future as I drop and fluff (I am 7 weeks out right now)
My PS is Dr. Joanne Lopes of Virginia Beach, VA

Why I wanted breast augmentation:
I have longed to be like other well developed girls since I was about 18 and realized that I wasn’t going to be growing much anymore. It really just seemed like something that rich movie stars did. I guess it was just more of a dream than a goal. When I was in my early 20’s I became an exotic dancer. I worked with so many girls with big breasts and all those old feelings of looking more like a little girl than a woman came back again. Having breasts was such a sign of womanhood to me. A rich customer offered to pay for my surgery, but a close girlfriend of mine in the business begged me not to. Now I am glad that I didn’t do it then. I knew NOTHING about it and can only imagine what the final result would’ve been like had I just gone in for a “quick job” as was the plan. Whew! Well, in September 1998 I came to know Jesus Christ as my Savior and quit dancing. Once again a BA was just a dream….no longer a goal. A year later I joined the Navy and met my now husband, Brent. He loved me the way I was and felt my breasts were beautiful. I just felt unwomanly and small. He was never against me having the surgery….but it wasn’t really an issue until this past summer. We went on a 4 month naval cruise (separate ships) and my ship visited Croatia. While on the beach, surrounded by people I live and work with on my ship, I felt terribly embarrassed. I had found my perfect VS bra that made me look “normal” and now, in my bikini, I felt like my secret was out. I was flat chested and that was all I could think about. To top it off I was there with one of my best girl friends – Jen. Jen has the most beautiful, natural breasts. She is perfectly proportional and I felt like a little girl sitting next to her. That next day was the 4th of July. I emailed Brent and told him that I was now seriously considering having the surgery. He told me he supported me and to plan it out – so I did!

How I went about researching the procedure and finding my surgeon:
There was a guy onboard my ship whose wife had recently had the surgery done. I had worked with him quite a few years so I felt pretty comfortable asking him about what his wife (we’ll call her E :) went thru. He gave me all info he could and then asked her if it was okay for me to contact her. She said yes! I felt so blessed as this sweet girl had being research for a couple of years while awaiting her husband’s approval. Since I am in the Navy and have to ask for leave (vacation) it would’ve been difficult for me to do all the research and plan time for the surgery around the ship’s at-sea schedule. Anyway, she told me that it is best if I know so much about the procedure and what to expect that I could teach a class. Then she sent me the “Breastimplants4you” site and I started reading every journal I could. By the time I got home in September 2004 I could teach a class on it. ON top of all the research she led me to, she also set up my appointments so that after I returned to the states I didn’t have to waste any time – it had already been 10 years since this dream began…I didn’t want to wait another second! She felt Dr. Lopes was the best she had found in a 200-300mile radius. I had found my PS!!! Surgery date was set for November 9th, 2004 and it couldn’t come quick enough.

How my consultations went:
Honestly, I felt disappointed originally. The Dr. was just in such a hurry that I left feeling a little confused and overwhelmed. However, E had nothing but great things to say and I know that some day’s people just have a hard day. So I didn’t give up on Dr. L. I am so glad I didn’t because everything after that point went great! Plus, as an added bonus, the patient nurse Peggy is one of the loveliest people I have ever met and she really went out of her way to make me feel sure and comfortable. Also, Peggy had gone thru a BA with Dr. L as her PS. She was so happy with the result and the entire experience that she quit working at her old PS’ office and come to work with Dr. L. How’s that for credentials?! I got to try on the sizers the very first consult with Peggy’s assistance. Originally I wanted a full C and had decided on 350cc’s. However, after about a month of deliberation and discussions Brent I decided to go up to 375cc’s. This was late October. During the next 2 weeks I asked several questions to the girls on the BA discussions site pertaining to size. I still just wasn’t sure. I wanted to be as big as possible while still fitting my body. I had heard all about “Boobie Greed” and didn’t want to experience it down the line. However, I didn’t want to be too big for my body either…..such a delicate line. I sent my pics to a few girls and they definitely thought my body could handle bigger than 375cc – I was just so scared! The next time I tried sizers on I used 400cc’s. They just seemed so big. I had brought a few different shirts to see what the outcome would be…especially my navy uniform. In clothes the 400’s looked really perfect. So, I changed it (again) to 375cc o/f to 400cc. Oh and the reason I originally decided on the 375cc implant was because it would give me more cleavage due to its diameter compared to the 350. A few days later I called Peggy (still agonizing over size) and she said that you lose a percentage of the size by going under the muscle (about 25cc’s) and that they would be going 375 o/f to 425cc with me. Sounded great! Plus, by now I was feeling good about going just a bit bigger after reading all the boobie greed stories.

Preparing for my surgery:
I started using Bath & Body Works Butter/Body Butter on my little breasts 3x a day for 3 weeks before surgery. I wanted to stay clear of stretch marks and I must say – this did the trick! I also starting purchasing all the stuff I found I would need from the lists on this site and Nicole’s site. It was so very helpful! Oh and the first day of the surgery I ended up having to be spoon fed and having a drinks brought to my mouth with the help of a straw. My upper body muscles just weren’t working!

Surgery day:
My husband ended up having to go to sea the week of my surgery so I am very blessed to have such great girlfriends! Jenn took me to the surgi-center and stayed the first night with me and Jen stayed the rest of the week with me. The morning of the surgery I arrived about 7am and everything got going. I was given the surgical gown and told to keep my undies and socks on. After being drawn on I talked with Dr. L and showed her a pic of my favorite breasts. Then the anesthesiologist, Paul came in and started giving me my IV. I don’t like needles so I was glad the area was numbed first. Also, I was a little high since they had given my Xanax to take the edge off. Paul had me sit in a big, comfy leather chair and talked to me as he administered the drugs. All of the sudden I felt really nauseous due to nerves. I told him and he said it would be okay just give it a minute. He walked out of the room for a minute and the last thing I remember was looking around the room trying to concentrate. Next thing I knew I woke up feeling confused. All these people were standing around me…Peggy, Dr. L and another female nurse. They asked me if I wanted Jenn to come in and see my boobies (hee hee). Of course I said yes. Oh happy day – I have breasts!!! I don’t really remember feeling the “elephant on the chest” feeling. I did feel heavy, slow and tired. I also felt a little uncomfortable and fearful of the car ride home. That was fine, though, too. I slept on and off the rest of the day.

Recovery:
The first couple of days I couldn’t do much of anything. It really was like being a 90 year old woman! My girlfriends had to pull my pants up and down ( I did manage to wipe myself), help me in & out of bed, up & down the stairs and even help me shower. I used Cathy B’s “Pillow Fort” idea and watched a lot of TV. I also made sure to take all my meds and vitamins on time. I didn’t have a lot of bruising and most of my swelling and discomfort was just under my armpits where the edges of the implants were sitting. I didn’t go back to work until 12 days later. For the next few weeks (about 3-4) I experienced “Morning Boobs”. This is where you get a lot of tightness and discomfort in the morning. I also experiences loss of nipple sensation, followed by excessive nipple sensitivity. I am 7 weeks out and this has just about gone away. I really didn’t have much trouble at all and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am so incredibly pleased with the results. They are perfect – not too big and not too small. Plus, as an added bonus, they look just like the picture I had shown my PS.

Any advice for pre-ops, tips, etc.:
Thing I found that really helped out in recovery….

A good fitting sports bra that zippers in the front (Thanks E!). You will live in this thing for a while.

The big size Ace bandage freezer packs with gel inside (Thanks Pat!)

Straws

Movies to watch to keep you busy

The BA Discussion site here on this web site. The most kind, helpful bunch of ladies you will meet. Any question or concern you have can be answered there!

Shirts and Hoodies that zipper in the front

Xanax for the night before surgery (ask you PS for it)

Someone who loves you and will take good care of you – especially the first 3-5 days after surgery.

Good Luck to you. It will be an awesome experience you will never forget. This has been one of the very best things I have ever done for myself.

Alison