I had my first cosmetic surgery procedure, a breast lift and augmentation, almost 10 years ago. After two pregnancies in 13 and a half months and lots of weight gained and lost, my boobs were not looking so fab. As I once joked, they looked like “two (small) tennis balls in tube socks.” I didn’t like them in a bathing suit, I didn’t like them in a bra and I didn’t like them naked. I did not like them here, I did not like them there, I did not like them anywhere. 

The kids were two and three at the time and I’d lost all my baby weight. I was working out regularly and feeling good about my post-pregnancy body, except for my chest. It was the one thing that I simply couldn’t change through diet and exercise. In fact, the more weight I lost, the worse they got! 

Enough was enough. I decided I wanted to get a breast lift and augmentation. 

Let me say now that this had nothing to do with Rob. He couldn’t have cared less. He’s more of a butt guy (and baby got back – thanks mom!) but he knew it really bothered me and made me feel self-conscious. That was reason enough for him to support me. 

Now, let me share how I did my research.

The Search for My First Cosmetic Surgeon

So I started researching plastic surgeons near me and went to a few consultations and found my surgeon, Dr. Adam Basner, in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Why him? Simple. I liked the pictures of his work. A breast lift and augmentation is more complicated than breast implant surgery alone, so I made sure to look at lots of his pictures of that specific procedure. During my consultation he immediately made me feel at ease. He was thorough, explained everything and answered my questions with patience. In terms of choosing where to have a cosmetic surgery, I think It’s important to “click” with your surgeon. 

Key things to look for when selecting a cosmetic surgeon:

• They should be Board Certified in Plastic Surgery – this is a non-negotiable.
• Most plastic surgeons have a “specialty” which is something they’re highly trained in and have the latest skills and technology to do well. Many plastic surgeons are known for their “great butts” or for being “the breast doctor.” (Get it?) So find a surgeon that specializes in the procedure you want to have done.
• When selecting a breast augmentation/lift surgeon, choose an MD that performs the aesthetic you’re looking for. Some doctors are more conservative and really specialize in “natural” looking implants, while others specialize in a more visibly augmented look
• Make sure you feel comfortable and at ease with your surgeon. You want to feel comfortable asking any and all questions during initial consultations. That way you won’t feel like a bother calling with your concerns and questions post-op.
• They must take accurate measurements of you. Every woman’s body is different and requires a different profile implant and CC (I’ll get into these later) to accomplish the look they want. Measurements done very well are imperative. You don’t want to end up looking like you’ve got two baseballs with a large gap between your breasts when you should have gotten softballs because of your chest measurements.

My surgery with Dr. Basner was very successful. I had a lift done and 350cc, moderate profile, saline implants. A lift and augmentation (meaning breast implants) will always require more downtime than a straightforward augmentation because there are more stitches, and there’s more surgical work involved. 

It was painful. There’s no getting around pain when it comes to plastic surgery. I was given pain meds though, and the key to those is take them regularly to stay on top of the pain. I just took them every 4-6 hours and within about a week I was feeling more like myself. Around 4 weeks after surgery, I was feeling near “normal” again.

• 

• 

The Importance of Implant Profile

Breast implants come in many different profiles. For explanation purposes, I’m going to use the names that the brand Natrelle uses in its “gummy bear” implant line, since that is the brand I just used for my most recent surgery a few weeks ago. They have 5 profiles that they offer: low, low plus, moderate, full and extra full. 

Imagine all 4 implants sitting flat on a table. They all have about the same diameter (distance around the base of the implant) but each one stands up taller as you work your way up from a low to an extra full profile. Profile is essentially how much the implant projects, with “low” being the least and “extra full” being the most. I hope the illustration below from Natrelle makes it visually clearer for you.

Now imagine those same implants held up against a wall, and imagine the wall as your chest wall. They will all project differently from your body.

Why Did I Choose Gummy Bear Implants and What the Heck Are They?

There are 3 types of “liquid” that breast implants can be filled with; saline (water), silicone and “gummy bear,” which is still silicone, but thicker. From Natralle’s site, “Gummy describes the consistency of the silicone gel in Natrelle INSPIRA® Breast Implants. This gummy-like gel sticks together and has the tendency to hold its shape. Each implant in our collection has a different level of cohesivity, or what surgeons may refer to as gumminess.”

I decided to go with “gummy bear” breast implants. I was looking for an implant that would hold its shape best (for ME) after being placed. This IGTV from Dr. Deal explains exactly why I chose this implant. 

What are CCs?

CCs refer to the volume inside the implant. It’s how much saline or silicone they’re filled with. Every 50cc equals 3.38 tablespoons. Most doctors agree the most common size implant is somewhere between 375 and 400cc. Let’s use 400cc to illustrate volume. That’s a little over 1.5 cups of liquid. (Definitely not to be confused with bra cup size.) 

The Million Dollar Question: What Breast Implant is Right for Me?

The truth is, I have no idea. You and your surgeon are really the only ones who can decide that. There are too many factors for me to give you an answer, or even give you an opinion about it. 

I will tell you that the sizers you try on with a surgical bra pre-surgery will give you a good general idea of what the “new” you will look like. Some feedback from your surgeon can be helpful too. But I strongly urge you to go with the profile, type and CC that you want. A good surgeon will help you in the process but not talk you into something or tell you what to get. It’s best to move on from any surgeon that goes beyond help and recommendations. 

“Why Can’t You Just Be Happy With the Way You Look?” – Karen

Some people are against plastic surgery and that’s ok. What’s good for one person may not be good for another. There’s no “right” or “wrong” decision when it comes to elective, plastic surgery. Self-esteem, your core values and accepting who you are is not defined by how you look. It’s defined by the kind of person you are. Are you kind? Do you treat people the way you want to be treated? Are you confident about your inside and outside appearance but just want to improve on your outside a bit?

Wanting bigger, perkier boobs, or less skin on your belly after babies, or a fuller rear end has nothing to do with who you are as a person. 

In 2019, Statista discovered that 98% of patients polled were happy with their breast augmentation surgery and 97% were happy with their tummy tuck surgery. Some women wait years painstakingly overthinking and worrying about what people will think of their surgery. I say, nonsense. With “happy” statistics that high, do what you want for your body. 

As women, we really need to stop prejudging each other based on outside appearances. Being “body positive” towards other women isn’t just about supporting women that are outside what society deems an “ideal” weight.  I can’t tell you the amount of times people have judged me, and then after getting to know me they disclosed that they thought I was something I wasn’t. Just because of the way I looked! Some have even apologized. 

It would benefit all women if we could change this habit of prejudgement in all areas. In the ways we raise our children, the ways we dress, the ways we look and what cars we drive. I always assume the best about the other women I meet. Start applying this to your own life. You’ll be happier and you’ll meet – and even become friends with – other really cool women you might not have otherwise. 

Next post

This is a lot of information to digest. I hope you have a better understanding of the overall process of breast augmentation and why if it’s important to you, that’s all that really matters. Next post I’ll cover my most recent cosmetic surgery and all the details about post-op!