I survived the consultation. Whew, it's done. I was fine for the most part but the closer it got the more worked up and anxious I became. I was extremely nervous, breaking out in a slight rash on my chest and perspiring while the pinching, tugging and pressing was going on. The pretty black robe didn't help much by not being a breathable fabric. But it wasn't as taxing as my TT consultation. So, that's a definite plus!
In regards to the process of recovery and preparing for recovery, a lot of things will be the same including a medical exam prior stating I'm healthy to do surgery (due to my age) from my family physician. A pre-op day would be scheduled, that's when all the after care instructions will be discussed and post op meds would be prescribed and filled prior to the surgery.
I was informed that I didn't need a breast lift which was a huge thing to hear. In reading and researching about BA, I was concerned that due to my age and the effects of several pregnancies that a lift may be part of the BA procedure. I think that hearing that a lift would be necessary may have been a deal breaker in regards to the procedure. More so, for me, because of the scarring that would follow. I am dark complected and therefore my scars are darker. Often with a lift, the areolas are lifted (which means a scar all the way around) and there is also a scar going from the areola down to the fold of the breast. I would be concerned about loss of sensation, temporary and more importantly permanently, second to the scarring. Fortunately, my PS stated I don't need one because even though I've lost some of the fullness of the breast toward the top, my nipples still point out and not down. Woooofrknhoo!
The incision for the implant would be in the breast fold and it would be approximately 4 cm in length on each breast.
My PS asked if I wanted to be a D or a double D which totally caught me off guard. In my mind, I'm thinking that I would still be the cup size I am with a more full cup. I never even considered going or being larger. It makes sense though. I'm a C cup now so why did I not entertain the idea of being a D?
I was somewhat apprehensive about the saline vs. silicone implant debate
prior to my consultation. I've heard the dreaded silicone leaking
implant stories with the hardening and making people ill and also picked
up along the way that saline is the "safe" way to go. However, in
speaking with the PS he filled me on on some history regarding the
implants and safety which put me at ease for the most part regarding the
type of implant to be used. For me, it was suggested I go with a
silicone implant. Which before the discussion and setting aside my
apprehension about the types of implants had me a little concerned to
say the least.
My PS handed me two implants, saline and silicone, so I could feel them and the silicone, in my opinion, did feel more natural. My PS placed a silicone implant on one breast and then a slightly larger implant on the other breast and pressed. The slightly larger one was a little too large for me. My goal is natural looking, natural feeling, increase the fullness (but not in an obnoxious way) and be as close to the real thing as possible without compromising the size too much.
I also had heard, read or somehow came to hear prior to the consultation that the implants should be replaced after a 10 year period. During the consultation, I learned that the implants are warrantied for 10 years but can last a lifetime. He even posted a video of the resilience of the silicone breast implant today in this experiment my PS videoed, below:
Modern and Safe - A Closer Look at Today's Silicone Implants
In discussing returning to work following the procedure, I was told since I have a desk job that I could return after a few days as long as no heavy lifting was involved. Since having a TT and being told that I could return to work in a couple weeks (which I did) and probably should have taken an extra week off, I will most likely take at least a week off to recoup. Maybe two.
I asked about the chances of rippling. My PS went on to show me the saline and silicone implants and held them in a manner to show the rippling that can occur in the implant, more specifically the saline implant. My PS went on to explain that rippling is due to the implant but also the thickness of the skin is factored in as well which better determines placement (under the muscle or above the muscle) of the implant and better prevention of rippling occurring. For me, the chances of rippling should be slight if at all 1) due to the suggestion of silicone implants and 2) my skin is thicker and would hold/hide the implant better.
Speaking of placement of the implant (above or below the muscle), I was told that the implant would work well above the muscle. I have thicker skin but also my PS said that due to having larger pectoral muscles that if it were placed under the muscle, it would cause the area there to be more full and I'm wanting the fullness to be a little lower and appear more natural. Plus, I think the discomfort level is slightly higher when recovering due to the under muscle placement of the implant.
I inquired about future mammograms and learned that the technician would need to be aware so they could take some extra shots due to the implants for better screening.
Although a lot of my questions were answered, there were a few that I did forget to ask. But that's okay, I'll make note of them and call back later and inquire to receive the answers.
I am gonna sit on this for a little bit, maybe a few days, maybe a few months, maybe a year. I'll digest the information a little more and then decide if I am positively going to move forward with this cosmetic procedure. Which, as of now, is most likely a yes.
Oh, and I received a cost of the surgery, too.
