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Cherish's Breast Augmentation Journal

The Decision:
Hi, my name is Cherish. I live in California, & I'm 29 years old. I have been considering this surgery for about 9 years. I am 5'7 and have a medium/large bone structure, but only developed to a small 36B late in High School. Over the past 10-12 years I have filled out and now am a full 36B, but still not happy with them. I'd love to go shopping and put on a cute little dress and actually FILL IT OUT! Or go to the beach without worrying about "what if I get into the water and my pads get wet"? Oh- the horror!

I haven't had any children, and although my breasts are firm and look very good, I have always wanted them to be bigger, and felt inadequate about them my whole life. I made the decision to finally get this surgery about 6 months ago when I started working out and lost even more on top. Don't ya just love that!?

The Consultation:
When I went to my consultation, my plastic surgeon & I decided to go with round textured saline implants at 390 cc's, under the muscle, areola incision. He was very thorough with me and explained everything to me and answered all my questions. I am happy with my surgeon and am very confident that he'll do a wonderful job. My surgery date is August 1st.

My family, friends, and boyfriend support my decision with my surgery, and that has been very helpful as I am both nervous and excited, and I believe having support from people closest to you, is very important.

My pre-op appointment is July 23rd and I can't wait! I am seriously considering going one size bigger (420's) because everyone says you should, and that "you'll wish you did if you don't" so I definitely think I will!! We'll see, and I'll be back with more updates soon!

2 week Pre-Jitters/Obsession:
I have 12 more days till my surgery and I am going NUTS! I have been on www.implantinfo.com & www.breastimplants4you.com everyday obsessing about everything from: what it's like to go nuts like me before surgery, what you have to buy before your surgery, the surgery date, after you wake up, ETC...!!!

And I think I have been driving my boyfriend, and mother crazy talking about it too! I even had dreams about it! It's getting to the point that I try to pass the day as quickly as possible so I'll have one less day before I get my BA. And I felt rather stupid being this excited/nervous, BUT I have read that virtually every woman that gets this goes through the same thing! I'll be back with more soon!

1 week pre-jitters!!!
I have one more week to go from today! Yep it's next Friday!! I went to my pre-op appt. Wednesday and decided to go with 420 cc's - the appt went great! And now I am just waiting for my test results. Today they should be coming in and I asked that they please call me to let me know as soon as they get them in - I'll post more when I know!

July 26th, 2003
OK after the agonizing wait, I got my test results back on Friday. and I'm good to go, clean as a whistle!! Yes! I'm on my way to boobieland! WOO-HOOOOOOOO~ So I went out today to Wal-Mart and bought some supplies. I got a U-shaped pillow, zip-up shirts and matching pants (oh so comfy!) slippers, new movies, a sports bra (I am assuming will fit), scrunchies, baby wipes, Biore face wipes (love em!) and other little stuff - I am so excited, I can't wait till it's the next day every day just so I will be closer to my date! I am so happy!

July 29th, 2003 - 3 more days!
I'm feeling a little less nervous about my surgery right now. My anesthesiologist called me yesterday, she's really nice, and went over everything with me. I was frightened at first because she told me that this is an extremely penetrating surgery, meaning: it is gonna hurt like a *itch for about 3 days. But after talking to some girls on the "breast implants 4 you" boards, I feel much better and am just ready to go. Those women are really wonderful people!

One of my best friends, Stacey, is taking me to my surgery. She has had a BA before, and is also been a terrific friend to me for a long time. I know she'll help me in any way she can to get through the day. And besides all the pain I am probably going to feel, and the nervousness that will most likely creep back up again on Friday, I am looking forward to the whole experience...good days, and bad.

I went out today and bought tons of food that is easy to make, and house supplies to last me for a few weeks, so I think I'm pretty much ready now, and so all I have left to do, is wait...

7/31/03 - the night before
My nurse called me and informed me that my surgery had moved up from 4pm to 12:30pm. So then I started panicking. I paced back and fourth across my house not accomplishing anything and freaking out. The I sat down, and tried to relax and started getting things ready. I made my "camp" on my couch which consisted of TONS of pillows made to act like a "throne" supporting my back and arms. Then got a box and placed it next to the couch and inside of it I put: Kleenex, a towel (in case I threw up), crackers, water, a good book, my meds, a compact, contact solution and case, glasses, etc... then placed the top on the box and put a phone on top of it with the ringer turned off. Then I made sure I had everything else in order in my house, took a long hot shower, watched a movie and fell asleep.

Surgery Day: 8/1/03
I woke up on and off all night and finally just got up at 6am. I packed a bag to bring to my surgery with crackers, water, a hand towel, & baby wipes just in case I needed them. Then I immediately got on the YTF message board and started talking to all the ladies! (I LOVE that site!) Finally my friend showed up. We left about 9:15 and joked around the whole way there. I didn't feel nervous which surprised me! My friend that took me to my surgery also has a BA and wore a skimpy little top that day and was my inspiration! When we got to the surgery center I was a little nervous, but they were really nice and had me sign a few forms and took me back after about 5 minutes. I went into a room where I changed into a gown, booties and a lovely hat - LOL! And I placed my clothes into a bag for safe keeping. The nurse came in and took my temp, blood pressure, and gave me a valium and some anti-nausea medicine. Then she let my girlfriend come in to sit with me. My Surgeon came in and drew on me with a marker and asked if I was ready. Just then little butterflies appeared in my tummy! He left the room and the nurse started my IV. I told her the Valium wasn't working and asked if I could have something in my IV. So she gave me some really cool stuff! I felt terrific! All warm and fuzzy and completely out of it, and was ready to go! My girlfriend said goodbye and they wheeled me off. I don't remember much about the OR but the nurse told me I was gonna feel sleepy and I was OUT! When I woke up I was groggy and in a little pain, but nothing really bad, mostly just pressure, and I also didn't feel nauseas at all. They gave me some Demerol for the pain, and was feeling good! I stayed for about an hour, then they gave me 4 Vicodin to take home until I had filled my prescription, and wheeled me out to the car and off we went! The ride home was fine, I think because I was still on the anesthesia though. When I got home, I laid down and took some more Vicodin. My boyfriend went to get my prescriptions and got to my house about 20 minutes after I arrived. After that we talked for a while and watched TV till about 10pm and I passed out. I slept very well in my semi sitting position. He woke me up every 3 hours to give me meds, and I fell back asleep every time.

The first 5 days after
I woke up hurting pretty bad the first few days. I felt uncomfortable, sore, tight, and my back hurt! I laid on the couch all day and took Vicodin. I slept pretty well. But mornings are worse. I think because you can't really stretch anything when you wake up so you sort of stay stiff. I cried a couple of times, but mostly it was uncomfortable. The Vicodin took the edge off but didn't kill the paid. I handled it. The second day my boyfriend gave me a shower and it felt SO GOOD! It was sheer heaven! I got a look at them without the ace bandage around the top of my chest and they look so pretty already! I am very pleased with his work! I'm not shiny or really odd shaped. And their BIG! Yippee!! The pain wasn't anything I couldn't handle, but it wasn't fun!

1st Post Op appointment
I went in Wednesday the 6th to my first post op and sitting in the car was horrific! Really uncomfortable! My PS said that I looked good, but still needed to drop. So I have to wear this strap longer! I get my stitches out next Wed. I am still sore and can't do TOO much, but definitely getting better every day!

7 days post op
Today was a real turning point for me. I feel a little more like myself today. I am still tight and heavy but not as much and I don't have constant pain anymore which is great! I am off Vicodin now and just taking Tylenol during the day and Tylenol PM at night. I am getting weird twinges and shooting pains though. I think it's my nerves regenerating and my muscles stretching and getting use to the implants being under them. I am taking pics and can tell a difference after only a day. I am very happy with the size and shape so far. I know they're suppose to look strange for a while and can't wait to see the final result! I only had a tiny bit of bruising around the incision area. My doctor ended up giving me 420 implants overfilled to 450 cc's. I will write more as I recover! GO BOOBS!!

Hugs,
Cherish

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