Fair warning. This post is long and has a lot of backstory with thoughts dating back a couple of years. You Might want a cup of coffee or tea or a glass of wine before you get Started….

September 2018

I’ve talked about wanting a breast augmentation surgery (boob job) for many years but never thought much about all the details. At this point I’m in full Research mode, learning about the different shapes, profiles within shapes and and brands available for implants. Who I knew there could be be so many and why the heck what I want a gummy bear?

I know with absolute certainty my surgeon will be a BOARD CERTIFIED plastic surgeon.

I’ve reached out to a few friends and I’m researching their doctors as well as reading reviews on many others. There are a lot of plastic surgeons in the Austin area. Oh. My. Goodness. 

The Austin Texas area has no shortage of surgeons specializing in breast implants, so I’m narrowing my search to North Austin and Round Rock.

I’m really nervous about reaching out for consults. It’s such a scary, REAL STEP.

I’d like to have Charlie along but he can’t take off so I think I’m just going to wait a few more months and do more research. Hmmm.

I have way too many breast pictures saved for a straight woman! Ha.

February 2020

Well alrighty then. I guess life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.

Thinking about wanting a breast augmentation went on pause for quite a while. We were so busy with work and kids and it just really wasn’t a priority, but I was in Victoria’s Secret recently trying on bras and I heard this woman whispering to the sales associate that she had a breast augmentation in October and was now ready to buy a new bra.

It all came crashing back. I couldn’t believe I put something I wanted so badly on the back burner. Now, to to be fair we’ve had another death and i has pneumonia, so it’s not like we’ve just been ignoring my very first world desires.

when we left the store, we talked about making it my 40th birthday gift, next January. That would give me plenty of time to heal and be ready for summer.

Then we planned a cruise and decided it would be fun if I could have them ready in time for the cruise.

Surgeon one

I visited two surgeons.

The first one basically wanted to charge me $22,000. She wanted to do a lift and everything in the hospital because she’s afraid of my NF1 & me being paraplegic and wants to be overly cautious.

I kind of get that, but $22,000? I pretty much left crying on the inside.

She wants to use full anesthesia.. so I have to pay for the operating room and the anesthesiologist. Normally she does this in her private surgery center and it would only cost around $12,000 for implants & a lift.

Sadly that’s way outside of my budget and I think a little ridiculous. Oh and I have no desire to have a lift. I’m only borderline needing it and I just don’t want the extra scars and the risks.

Needless to say, I left her office feeling crushed. Would my 20+ year dream be over that quickly?

Surgeon Two

I saw one more surgeon and he was amazing and not at all afraid of my spinal cord injury.

He actually did a friend’s surgery and works for the same practice where another friend had hers done.

However, he highly recommends over the muscle because I use my chest so much… he’s afraid of having the same effect that a bodybuilder may have and my muscles pushing the implant out, if we chose to go Under the muscle.

 He said I will be back on my wheels much faster and won’t have to depend on others to help me as long, as I would if we Chose under. 

As it is I never have help and have 3 busy kids, so that’s ideal. Sure my husband can help with the kids but I don’t want him helping me any longer than he has to.  

Sooo…. here’s my before picture. I look almost exactly like I did when I was 18. I breast-fed for seven-ish years but my breast were deflated even before that journey.

Considering my medical history and my ease of recovery from past surgery, he’s fine doing it in his surgical facility. Not to mention he’s less than five minutes from a  hospital.  

His office doesn’t use Full anesthesia so it’s included at a much more reasonable price. He’s under 7K and said if I am overall happy enough with my nipple location, over the muscle will still give me somewhat the affect I want. I want cleavage y’all. I’ve never had it. Ever.

My biggest goal is going larger anyway.
Soo… Charlie and I need to go back to look at sizes together but I’m currently looking at 425 CC high profile on the left and 450 cc on the right. As with most women I don’t have even breasts.

This might change. My husband has been saying he wants me to stay smallish but I want him to see implant sizers and offer his input.

Here’s kind of what they look like with the surgical bra and the testers.

For reference I’m 5’4”-5’5” and 125 lbs.

This the smallest I can go and get high profile to look right. I’d rather protrude out front then to the side.

I definitely don’t want side boob. Implants come in low profile, medium profile, high profile, & ultra high profile. My doctor uses mentor implants.

I know there’s so much information I am I’m leaving out, but everyone really needs to do their own research.

This is such a personal journey.

20 years of pushing & my body has broadened my shoulder significantly. 

I am in a wedding on March 7 and I leave for the cruise on May 31, so I am hoping to call on Monday or Tuesday and book things for Friday March the 13th. 

Part 3 – March 1, 2020

I booked my surgery! The big day is March 18th. I have my pre-op on March 12th.

Charlie will go with me that day and we will finalize my size. I’m still thinking 425/450 high profile.

Telling Our kids

Now… to tell the boys. Here’s the plan.

I have wanted this since I was 16. Daddy has tried talking me out of it for years, but he finally agreed that I’m not going to shut up about it so I may as well do it. This is completely my decision and something I am doing for me. Cosmetic surgery is not something you should ever expect from a partner, not judge them for doing. It’s so incredibly personal. And doesn’t make them less or better. You should be supportive if they when they do it to make the recovery process go more smoothly for them.

This actually went REALLY well.

Pre-op

The world definitely took a dramatic turn since my first visit with my surgeon and since my booking.

We had to cancel our cruise, because we just know things are going to get worse.

We debated postponing the surgery but unless my surgeon cancels I we are going to trust his judgement & go through with it. Some people will judge but my surgeon took extra precautions and screenings and they’re only allowing essential people into the office to limit exposure. 

Pre-op went well. We decided to stick with the size I chose originally.

Afterall, this is for me, so Charlie really wants me to have 100% say in everything.

The day before

I woke up really nervous the day before. Of course given the current climate, my nerves could be completely unrelated. I’ve been very calm leading up to this so I’m sure I will be fine. I read a few women who called her doctor for Xanax days before. I think I’m fine. The nurse called said we were still on schedule and they would give me a Valium tomorrow, before they even start. No need to be nervous.

To be continued….Check back next week for part 2!