LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, AN OPERATION CAN TOO.
It’s been just a little over a year since getting my boob job. I went back and forth about sharing my experience via social media - I feared judgement for being so open about it or even just getting the surgery done. I talked to Trav about it and we both agreed that I should not feel embarrassed or ashamed of talking about. Plus, there was going to be an obvious difference post-surgery.
I had been looking into getting my boobs done for almost 10 years. After having Izzy and going through years of weight inflection from bodybuilding, the only word I have to describe how I felt was self-conscious as fuck. I took pride in my body and strutting with confidence, but as soon as it came to low cut shirts or the bedroom, cover.me.up. I had absolutely no confidence being naked by myself, let alone in front of someone.
Before we get into details of my experience, I want to state that this is purely my journey, and everyone’s journey looks different. I had been wanting to get my boobs done for almost 10 years and the decision was for me and me only. I am extremely grateful for a husband that was just as supportive for wanting to help me feel like my best self. I choose to be so open about it because I knew people were going to notice anyways, but I also wanted to help fight the stigma of the “hush, hush” of getting work done. If you want to get your boobs done for you to feel more confident, fucking do it girlfriend. If you want to get Botox done because it makes you feel better, get the fucking Botox. Whether you want to share about it, it’s entirely up to you but, the days of shaming for wanting to enhance our looks are long gone.
Before I go over my process, that this was again I want to readdress this is my own personal journey. Others may look different and have different post-op processes!
Boob Job Q&A
“Who did you go to?”
I went to Dr. Alan Muskett here in Billings, MT. He is one of the 3 surgeons at Billings Plastic Surgery.
“How much did it cost?”
Again, this will be different depending on where you go. My whole procedure was $6,100. You do need to have it paid in full before your surgery.
“Girl, help a momma out. I am wanting a breast augmentation and have no where to start”
My first piece of advice is start doing your research on doctors. This can be online or even asking gals that you personally know who they went to. I liked finding out what made them choose the doctor they did and what they enjoyed about their experience. Was there anything they didn’t like? Once you find a doctor, or two, call and set up a consultation! The only way you are going to get all your questions answered is by going in and seeing the doctor yourself. If you live in an area that you have multiple doctors, I personally suggest seeing 1-2 doctors. In my consultation we went over:
What I wanted to change, which was getting my shape back and for them to not look like little flapjacks. Yup, I said it LOL I wasn’t looking to be in World Guiness Records of being able to smash a watermelon with my boobs, just to feel like a sexy, confident women again.
What size I wanted. First, they actually took my measurements (shoulder width and torso length) and had a book that gave size suggestions based on my measurements. After we had a size range in mind, I got to take the implants and put them in a bra and try on different sizes to see which I liked best.
“What size did you get?”
Again, this is different for EVERYONE. My measurements suggested 365 cc’s but I went one size up with 385 cc’s. My bra size before ranged from a B to C cup. I am officially now a 36DD.
“Did you get a lift + an augmentation?
Nope! I just got a breast augmentation (implants).
“Are you worried about Breast Implant Illness?”
I want to start by saying I truly do believe this is a real and it is something to be very aware of. I know multiple people that have gotten their implants taken out from having severe signs of BII and I am grateful to know their stories so I to can be aware of those symptoms. I personally did not want to hold myself back from getting them because I also know a lot of people that have them and do not have a problem with them. To educate yourself on signs of BII, here is a post from the FDA.
“What was the day of like?”
The day of was actually the easiest! I showed up at 7AM, went in for surgery around 8:30AM, woke up and hung out for about an hour and a half and was home by 11AM! I just slept the rest of the day. I had to go back for a 24 hour check-up and then a month check up!
“How was the recovery?”
Again, this is SO different for EVERYONE. I went under the muscle, so I had a bit more recovery. I never described it as painful, just uncomfortable. For those that have had kiddos, I explain it as when your milk is coming in when you’re pregnant but like x2 LOL If you haven’t had a kiddo, basically your boobs are hard as rocks. Real glamourous over here folks! The first couple of days I had very limited strength, for example I had to scoot out of bed because I couldn’t lift myself up. My "limitations” were for 8 weeks total. I was not allowed to lift more than 5 pounds the first two weeks and could move up to 10 pounds weeks 3-4. After the first month I was able to gradually add weight, but they did not want me lifting 10+ pounds past my shoulders or running. He had to reexplain to me that they cut through my muscle and it is still healing back together and pushing those limits could affect my breast pocket. Say no more doc, say no more.
“Do you have any regrets?”
I am extremely happy with getting the surgery. I love feeling confident in swimsuits, V-neck shirts and naked #ayo If I am being completely honest, I would say the only thing I would change is just getting a size smaller. Now, I was the one who wanted to get the 385 ccs and Dr.Muskett agreed it looked more proportional, but sometimes I feel myself a little bashful wearing low cut shirts or swimsuits. I think it comes subconsciously from being the girl that never had boobs.
I had multiple girls suggest going one size bigger because they wished they had a couple months after things had settled. Some insight, your boobs are freaking swollen the first few weeks and look much bigger than they will be. My advice, get the size YOU want and the size YOU feel comfortable with when you’re getting to play around with the implants and rice bags. Yes, they give you homework with measurements you can make your own DIY implants to wear at home.
I hope this post helped you with any questions you may have had regarding a breast augmentation. My biggest piece of advice, make sure you want to do it for yourself and not for anyone else. If this or any other cosmetic procedures will help make you feel more confident and like your best self, go for it. Your life is not yours if you always care what others think.