Brooke's Breast Augmentation

I have always thought about getting a breast augmentation ever since I realized I was not going to get any bigger. It made things worse when my younger sister (7 years younger) started wearing a larger bra size than I did. While shopping with my mom and sister, I had to try on Victoria's Secret Miracle Bras, while they got to try on the bras with no padding. Everyone always said, "You're so cute and little, of course, you're not going to have a large chest." It would be nice to look more womanly though, than cute.
Before my last semester in graduate school, I started thinking about getting a BA. I don't know what made me start considering it seriously. All I know is once I decide I want something, I follow through with it. I had a month off from school between semesters and the restaurant I worked at was going to be closed for a week. My other job is very flexible.

I began with calls to two well known plastic surgeons in my area. Within just few days I received information through the mail and follow up phone calls from the two offices to answer any questions. I was a little more impressed with the creditionals of one surgeon. I decided I would schedule a consultation with him. I had tried to do some research on the internet so I would be informed prior to the appointment. However, when I met with the Dr., he was so thorough that he covered every possible question I had before I had to ask it. He was very clear about possible complications and told me how many patients come back with CC or due to a rupture. I believe it was in 10 years this happened in approximately 5 out of 1000 patients. I already was sure before the appointment that I was going to do it, but then I became sure that he would be my doctor. The week before Christmas, which was only a few weeks after the consultation, I scheduled my surgery. I chose twilight anesthesia, simply because I had had it before in prior surgeries with no problems.

I very excited during the weeks before surgery. It was all I could talk about. Everyone I worked with at my waitressing job knew and were supportive. I live in a very laid back college town, so no one said anything bad about my decision. I work with a lot of guys, so I definitely wanted to get their opinion. It was weird; they were the ones who were telling me I didn't need to do it and looked good without large breasts. When they knew I was doing it, regardless, they were all very sweet about it. All the girls were very happy for me, but some were concerned and wanted to call me afterward to check up on me. I also told two of the guys in my graduate program. They had the same comments, telling me I looked good already and had a nice body. They were a bit more apprehensive, but supportive with my choice, nonetheless.

My boyfriend and I went to buy a C bra to do the rice test. I was told to start with 10 ounces and add or subtract from there. I ended up almost in tears, thinking my boyfriend wanted me to look like a sideshow act. Finally, we agreed 11 would be best, especially since it would look smaller under the muscle. When I went to pre-op, I told the doctor my dilemma. I wanted to be a full C, but not a D. I asked if there was really a difference between a large C and small D and he said there was. I also wanted to know what cc other girls my size usually had to get to a C. We settled on 12 ounces, (330 cc, overfilled to 360 cc).

I was very excited the morning of the surgery. Surprisingly, I slept very well the night before. I didn't realize that was the last night I would sleep well for a few weeks. I remember feeling weird, mainly because I left the house with no make up on, no bra, my glasses, and without taking my daily medication (if I am a few hours late in taking it, I start feeling weird). When we got there, I went to the back and changed into a gown. I lied down and from that point on the nurse was poking me with things (IV, I assume, but I'm blind as a bat without my glasses on). The next thing I know I'm asleep and then waking up. I hear the doctor ask if I'm awake yet. The nurse asks me if I am ready to walk to the bathroom to get dressed. I think I just closed my eyes again, thinking she must be crazy if she thinks I'm going to jump up and get dressed when I can't even move. She came back later and went over some aftercare instructions, which I wish she would have had my mom come back and gone over with her since I didn't feel very with it. I remember having to sign my name saying she reviewed the instructions with me. I could barely sign the paper. I somehow walked to the restroom (she made me go to the bathroom, to make sure I could) and got dressed myself. The nurse walked me out to the lobby where my mom was. My mom was surprised the surgery was already over because it was just after 10. It had all taken under three hours--prepping me, the surgery, and the recovery period!! She drove me to my house and "baby-sat" me while my boyfriend was at work, where he teaches guitar lessons. I slept for a little bit on my bed. It was very uncomfortable. I then realized I was extremely hungry, since I didn't have breakfast. I ate a bowl of cereal and snacked on crackers all day. When I took my first Tylenol 3 that evening, I threw up, but that was the only time. My mom was so amazed I was walking back and forth, room to room, every few hours complaining I was bored. I was bored because I couldn't even do simple things like get comfortable to watch TV, to type on the computer, to read a book. I was miserable. My mom left that evening when my boyfriend got off of work. I must say, he was so good that week and the following in taking care of me and putting up with my complaining. I kept telling him I would never feel better and never be able to work/sleep/move again. I remember thinking that was the worst pain I had ever felt in my life and definitely had not planned on hurting so bad. I took a shower on the third day and had my boyfriend wash my hair. My boobs hurt so bad not being in the bra-vest.

Amazingly, after the fifth or sixth day, when my boyfriend made me go to the store with him and try to drive, I started feeling better. I went to work at my office job on the sixth day and was uncomfortable, but OK. At my one week post op, I was told I could stop wearing the bra-vest, but to sleep in it for another week. Not wearing that made me feel 100% better. It was just so tight and caused throbbing pain. I started wearing my moms old sports bras (Cs!) and had to sleep in them instead of the vest because I determined it was the reason for my pain (probably not, but oh well). Oh, I also told the doctor about my inability to sleep more than one hour at a time and he prescribed me Ativan, which was a godsend! I actually slept on the seventh day! I soon began sleeping in bed! Who knew a bed felt so good?

Right now, I'm three weeks and feel normal. I worry every now and then about my left nipple being higher, but my boyfriend always says to look at the before pictures like the doctor said. The left nipple has ALWAYS been higher, so I'm just paranoid. I worry that there is too much fullness below the nipple on that side, but the doctor said not to worry about shape for a while because of all the changes. I also have a slight "dent" on that side. I don't know why, but it seems to be smoothing out. I go back next week for my one month post op. Hopefully, he will tell me everything is normal and looks good.

Brooke Jasmine