A lot has happened and I really feel like I have done a lousy job at updating my profile.  I am sorry about that but updating takes time and I just have had very little time to work on stuff like this.  When I do have the time, I haven't had the energy to update.  But I feel that an update at this time is important.  

So far I have lost 122 lbs, gained back 10 and lost 2 of that.  So I am at 114 lb weight loss.  Surgery weight - 272, current weight - 158.  I want to lose about 13 more lbs and then give myself a 5 lb cushion.  

Just a quick note on gaining weight - YES it is possible to do.  I was going through a very stressful time, problems between my husband and I and double the work load at work.  The new house, Senior year for my daughter, a stressful freshman year for my younger daughter (new school, new neighborhood) so the stress kept coming on and I turned to snacking on carbs to get me through the day.  Crackers, cookies, mini-chocolates, 100 calorie snack packs, candy.  All not good stuff but my go-to foods to destress.  I really need to get things back on track and am working hard to do so.  I am back to getting on the scale every day and counting calories.  I have kept up with the gym but am increasing my cardio for fat burn/loss.  I believe the gym saved me from even more weight gain!  So please, please exercise regularly.  It will be so worth it!

So, on the day of surgery I went to Kimbrough and all went well.   Surgery was about 4 hours and we began around 8 or 8:30.   Can't remember the time cuz as soon as they gave me the happy juice I was gone!   :)   I was quite sore afterwards - felt like someone had just beat and battered my chest but it wasn't terrible.   (I think my pain tolerance is pretty high so I seem to do well).   I asked Dr. Martin if we got my D's and he said yes - depending on the type of bra I wear.   I wasn't sure what that meant and of course was too groggy to ask.   He told my husband that they will settle down soon so not to worry.  

I had a difficult time urinating and had to stay in the recovery area drinking lots of water until I could urinate on my own and go home.   So we left the clinic around 6:30.   I also had lipo on my thighs and was wearing my garment.   I wouldn't take it off to go potty since there is a hole there but for some reason after I took the garment down I was able to go.   Relief!!  

Finally on Saturday I took off the halter they had me in to take a look at my new breasts.   I am going to be totally honest here and tell you I was quite disappointed.   I was expecting my breasts to be really high, like practically sitting under my chin.   I also was expecting to have that really close cleavage line.   I had absolutely no cleavage and while the breasts were lifted and clearly larger I felt they were more out to the sides than the front.   I couldn't see the incisions because of the bandages.   Dr. M asked me not to take the bandages off until my follow-up with him on Friday (one week after surgery).   I was able to shower since he had good bandaging and the glue stuff as well.   So all week I just kept looking at my breasts (still wearing the halter) and thinking "I paid $4800 for this!!!"   I mean they look good but if they "settle down" anymore they will be back in my belly.   I had lots of questions for Dr. M!   However, I had to wait until Monday (3/31) since he was not in the office the Friday before.  

I did talk to a friend who had implants done last June.   I had some serious concerns and was down right worried about things.   She helped me greatly by putting my mind at ease over a couple of things.   She explained that she went from an A to a D and had no natural cleavage either.   She said her doc said that some women do not have that type of cleavage no matter what you do.   She also said her breasts felt more out to the sides than the front in the beginning.   She said she still feels that way sometimes but is very happy with her breasts now.   She told me to talk to he doctor but to also give it time.  

On Monday I saw Dr. Martin.   He is a wonderful man.   He is caring, patient, funny and really wants to do a good job on his patients and give them what they want - if it is possible.   He is also very honest.   So when he walked in and asked how I was doing I told him I had serious concerns.   He said "let's hear them, lay it out there".   He did not at all try to make excuses or push aside my concerns as paranoia or unnecessary or unimportant.   I truly appreciate that.   I told him I was quite disappointed with the fact that while my breasts are lifted they don't seem to be lifted enough.   I wonder if in 6 months I will have full saggy boobs again.   I also asked about the cleavage and about why my breasts seemed more side full than front full.   He explained that the cleavage comes from the muscles located in between the breasts across the sternum.   He said that some women are naturally closer or tighter through that area than others and that is where the cleavage comes from.   He said given my body type I will not have that close line but should with the right bra's have nice cleavage.   He then said that the implant for me is placed under the muscle which allows for less stress on the skin and less chance for sagging later on.   If he had placed the implant on top of the muscle (which may have given me a "higher" appearance) that we would be asking a lot of my already stretched out skin.   The muscle helps to make sure the implant stays in place and doesn't sag as easily.   As for the lift part - he said that if after healing I am not happy with the lift he will go back and lift some more.   He also said if the size isn't quite what I want after healing then he can go about 50cc's more on each side but will not go higher because that would be a lot of stress on my skin.   He also explained that after the swelling goes down we will have a better idea of the size and placement of the breast and can determine if I am happy then.   But he is more than willing to make some adjustments if needed.   He recommended I get some really good soft supportive bras.  

I have chosen to get some good sports bras with cups for now.   They have really made a huge difference over the halter that I was wearing.   I still feel they can be lifted another 1/2 to 1 inch but after I am healed I'll decide it if is really worth the money and time to re-tuck things.   I think the size will be perfect.   I'll have to wear bras that bring them together for a nice cleavage - which is looking pretty good already.   It has been two weeks since my surgery and I still am very sore (sometimes quite intense) but I came back to work on the 31st just 10 days after surgery.   I also started cardio at the gym again yesterday.   I am just going to do the bike and/or treadmill to reduce the "bounce" affect for now.   But if felt good to workout again.   I can not do any upperbody weight lifting or exercises for 4 weeks.  

Oh - the incision!   I have nice round (smaller) nipples and a verticle line from the nipple to the bottom of each breast.   There is no other incision which is nice.   That way I will have virtually no scar to hide at all.   While my breasts aren't perfect - they are much improved.   Each day I am happier and happier with them.   I will have stitches around the nipples removed on Monday the 7th and will talk more with Dr. Martin about any need for revision.   It will take a few months for me to be fully healed so I won't make any final decisions right away.  

I know this has been a very long post.   I just feel it is important to share these experiences with others because I had completely different expectations in my mind.   No two of us are alike so we will all have different stories to tell although some parts of our stories will be very similar.   Please do not be afraid to use Dr. Martin for your plastics.   I am not bad mouthing him at all.   Just the opposite.   I adore him and completely trust in his skills and knowledge.   I did not ask him specifics before surgery as to exactly what I should expect.   I told him I wanted size D cup, lifted and round.   that is what I have.   The type of implant is silicone gel and can be replaced with one that is contoured a little differently for more frontal fullness but I really do not want to pay for more implants.   My silicone's were $1600.   Dr. Martin has been wonderful and really wants what is best for me and my body.   He is honest in explaining that some things just aren't going to be fixed to perfection.   My breasts will not ever look like a 20 year old.   But they are 100% better than they were.   Dr. M also said that he wants to make sure that my breasts won't slap around when I am running.   (His words exactly - which made me laugh.)   He wants to make sure that I will be quite happy with the results and will do whatever it takes to get me there.  

For example, he wants to do a revision of my LBL and remove more skin from my outer thighs since he has taken as much fat out as is safe to do so.   Besides the thighplasty (with that terrible scar from the groin to the knee), that is the next best way for my body to be rid of these bulky thighs.   They won't ever be slim & firm but I am determined to somehow get a couple more inches off of their size!   And Dr. Martin is willing to help me accomplish that goal.   Of course this all takes money so no of it will be happening really soon!  

All in all I am very pleased with my new boobs!   They are still somewhat swollen but I have noticed that has gone done quite a bit.   I just had different expectations and once all of my concerns were addressed I am feeling much better about things.  

If any of you have any questions please feel free to ask.   I have not problem being open with you all because someday you may want plastics and hopefully I can help you along your journey.   One last quick note - the cost of the surgery at Kimbrough was $3105 initially.   There may be additional fees for which they will bill me but I don't expect to have any more expenses other than the meds I was prescribed.   Yes, even though I had them filled at Kimbrough I have to pay for them because this is an elective procedure not covered by TriCare and therefore I pay all expenses.   But it's been worth it!!