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Christine from Indiana’s BA Experience

Here are my stats: 

26 yrs old, 1 Child (did not breastfeed)
5’6" 130 lbs. 29" ribcage
pre-op 34A/B
post-op 34D/36C
smooth, round, under, McGhan
330cc’s left, 400cc’s right
Dr Frank Merrillville/Munster, Indiana - Chicago area Plastic Surgeon

Why I wanted a breast augmentation??
Lots of reasons…..I never had the size breasts that I always wanted, after the birth of my beautiful daughter I lost what I gained during pregnancy, and most of all, my breasts were uneven. I hated looking at myself in the mirror. I hated the thought of always looking like this. Why couldn’t I have nice breasts like so many other ladies out there? But I could !!!! And so my journey had begun.

When did I start my quest for breasts?
It started way back in 1997. Me and my family (husband and daughter) moved from Germany to Maryland. I started wanting to have a BA then. So I got on the internet and looked up all I could on the procedure. Hubby even helped out. But we were not able to afford it at that time of our lives. So I forgot about it……until 1 year later….lol I really wanted boobs. So I started my research again…..And for 4 years I talked about it with hubby and I even had 2 consults set up but I chickened out…..Yeah, that is what I thought…."all that research and ya back out Christine. What is up with you?"

Where did I go for info?
The good ole Internet. Where else?? I found two great sites for info on BA. And I also found plenty of support from other ladies that had the same procedure done. I was in heaven…..really. I felt as if this IS possible. There are sooooo many ladies out there with breast implants, why can’t I?

How did I find my surgeon?
I found my surgeon from one of the websites I checked out for info. I am soooo glad I did find him. He is an awesome man. I checked out his website first and absolutely loved his before and after pictures. They all looked so natural. As I was doing research on my PS, I found other gals who either had used him or are going to use him. So I kept in touch with these gals and we compared info and kind of encouraged each other that we did find the best surgeon around.

How did my consult go?
Wow, great !!!! My husband went with me, I wanted him to be part of this process. I wanted his opinions on everything, including the doctor I was going to be putting my trust in. My first consult was on October 21, 2002. So anyways, we drove almost 3 hours and got there with time to spare. We had a 2 o’clock appointment. I was amazed at how well-mannered this man was. He was funny, smart and knowledgeable. I had tons of print-outs from the websites that I got all my info from. So I interviewed him….that was fun. Oh , did I mention that I have this 3-ring notebook that I like to call my BOOB BIBLE? Yeah, I have all my info in that. Doc thought that was very funny….but also knew that I was serious about this. And that I DID my homework. So as the consult went along, I had this feeling in me that we found our man for the job, boob job that is. lol I looked at hubby when the doc left the room and he just smiled and said "Yeah, I like him. He knows his stuff." Boy was I relieved that hubby thought that way too. Made me feel good about the decision that I was about to make. So we went to a different room so my PS (should I give out his name? Sure….Dr Frank) could take a look at my ta-tas….lol The one thing that I wanted to know was if I had enough breast tissue for implants. And he answer was "Yes" I wish I had a tape recording of my talk with him. I can’t remember all that was said, but I know it was all positive. Dr Frank also mentioned that he offers pain pumps. I wasn’t sure what they were at first. So I listened to him as he was explaining them. After he was done, I knew that I would want to use them. After that, I was given my price quote. Gosh, I was so thrilled to have finally gone to my first consult. And I was thrilled knowing that hubby thought the same way I did. We drove home and talked about Dr Frank all the way. I called back to set up my sizing appointment.

My sizing appointment was a blast !!! I tried on all kinds of sizes. From 200cc’s to 600cc’s. I was pre-op an uneven 34a/b. We decided on 330cc’s left and 400cc’s right. I decided to go under the muscle, smooth, round, McGhans. The incision we chose was the crease incision. I was hoping to be a full C, small D….

After all is decided, we put a down payment on my boobs. Wow, now I was thinking, "It is REALLY gonna happen." OMG !!!!! I was starting to freak out.

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Days leading up to surgery……
Getting nervous….real anxious to have it over with. I spoke with a gal that had her boobs done by same doc just two weeks prior to my date. Oh my boob-date was December 12, 2002.

My friend had told me that she is very happy with her results and that I am in good hands with Dr Frank. She also said to not be nervous….yeah easy for her to say, she already has it behind her….

Hubby had school that evening so I was alone….but I was fine then. When hubby got home, we laid in bed and joked about how there would no longer be small boobies….

Day of surgery…..
OMG, it is finally here…the day I have been dreaming of forever !!! We had a three hour drive to the surgical center. I was getting nervous the closer we got. By the time we drove into the parking lot my stomach was a mess !!! I check in and wait….and wait…and wait….We got there too early. lol

I am then taken back for pre-op. I am given an IV and all that good stuff. I am shaking but trying to hide it. Hubby is then allowed back to see me. After a while, Dr Frank comes by and says his hello and all. Then he marks me. OK, getting way nervous now….But doc assures me to not be nervous…OK so I try not to be….Nope, doesn’t work. So then I am taken to the OR. I said Bye to hubby and gave him a kiss…."I am strong" is what I am thinking so I don’t start crying. Hmm, that didn’t work either. As we turned the corner I started to sob….The nurse was so nice to me. She also reassured me that all would be fine and that they will take good care of me. I am laid on the table and the anesthesiologist is there waiting for me. She was a sweetheart. I joked around with her to take good care of me and she says "No, I wont." LMAO…she was kidding, ladies…. I had forgotten to ask Dr Frank a question (probably because I was so nervous) so I was able to ask him in the OR. He came in a little later and I asked to speak to him before they put me under…..He comes over to see me and I wanted to make sure we had the right implants and all…Just checking….He even shows me the boxes….He is probably thinking "Put her under already !!!!"

I don’t even remember falling asleep. When I woke, I was all out of it. But I did remember what had just happened. I have boobs….but I was too tired to try to peek. I guess I was crying as I went under and I was crying when I woke….I don’t remember this, I was just told by hubby. I felt fine after a while. I am not sure how long I was in the recovery room. I drank some water and ate some crackers….wasn’t really hungry but I had to eat something. Then after that I was released. I was helped to the car and in I went. Holding my pain pump fannypack, we drove to the hotel we would be staying at that night. Hubby had to drag all our belongings up to the second floor…I felt bad that I couldn’t help him, No I didn’t…lol

Hubby helped me get settled in the recliner and then the boredom on his part started. My friend that had her boobs done two weeks prior stopped by to visit me a the hotel. I felt fine. I was talking and feeling real good. We watched Survivor and after that she left. While my friend visited me, hubby was able to leave for a while and do some shopping. He had to get out of the hotel room. That night Dr Frank also called to check up on me….I wasn’t expecting that but I was very happy he did call…..shows that he cares about me and how I was doing. That out a big smile on my face….too bad he couldn’t see it.

Next morning was my first post-op visit. We saw Dr Frank at 7:30 am . Everything was looking great !! Happy to hear that. And I got my first look at them….."wow……wow…..wow…..wow"…..that was all I was thinking.

Then we were on our way home….I think I was awake for most of the drive.

Recovery at home….
My daughter knows nothing about my surgery. I had her grandma take care of her the evening of my surgery. She didn’t even notice something was different. She is 5.

I felt fine at home too. I think it was all because of the pain pumps. The only thing I felt was tightness from the skin stretching and my back hurt like you know what !!!!

I took all my meds like I was instructed to. I had an antibiotic , muscle relaxer, and pain meds. I was on the pain meds for maybe a week. I was scared that if I stopped them earlier that the pain would catch up with me. But it didn’t.

The first week I felt great, surprisingly….The swelling wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And I didn’t bruise much at all. I must be one of the lucky ones, is what I thought.

Week two was even better. I am able to sleep on my side and on the couch now. Yahoo, no more recliner….Back was killing me though. I am starting to drop. Ok not me but the implants….they are still hard but I expected that.

I had my two week post-op visit and Dr Frank said everything was looking great. I don’t see him again until almost three months post. That will be weird. Not seeing Dr Frank that long, it will feel like something is missing.

Oh my, what else…….

OK lets get to the present now…..I am almost 2 months post-op.

I am now a 34D/36C. I am very happy with the shape and feel of the breasts. I didn’t think they were gonna look this damn good. OK maybe I did….I have a great surgeon.

I want to thank all my online boobiebuddies….You know who you are. I am so thankful for the support and all the help I got from you all.

Was it worth it? Oh yes……I would do it again in a heartbeat !!!

To all the pre-op ladies considering this, please make sure you do your homework. It is your job to research the procedure and doctors…..That is the biggest step to having a BA.

Thank you for reading my journal…

I wish all the gals wanting a breast aug the best of luck…..

~Christine from Indiana