Breast Augmentation Journey
It’s been exactly 4 full weeks since my surgery. Yup, I still can’t believe I did it.
I shared on my social media when it was surgery day and debated on whether to share it because I didn’t want any judgement… but then I decided I’m not going to be ashamed or embarrassed about it. As moms, our bodies go through some pretty amazing things to bring our babies into the world and feed them. My body has physically changed after having 4 beautiful kids. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time and finally did it. This decision was mine and was a decision for only me. Plus, another reason why I’m being open about it is because people are probably going to notice anyway so now they don’t have to wonder “did she get a boob job?” 😉
I’ve been getting questions about this so I’m just going to spill the tea.
Here are details of my breast augmentation journey (please note that this is my story & journey and it may be different for others):
March 26th – I called to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lekkas. The soonest they could get me in was mid May. How I found him was I went to a Facebook group and someone had asked about breast augmentation surgeons and there were a lot of people that recommended him.
May 19th – *I’m not sure how it is with all surgeons but it’s pretty common to have to pay for a consultation. Mine was around $100 which will go towards your surgery if you decide to go with him. On this day, I had my consultation appointment with Dr. Lekkas. I told him what I wanted: perky and a little bigger. He checked out my boobs and said I wouldn’t need a lift. Recovery with a lift is a bit longer and will be an added cost so I was glad to hear I didn’t need it. I ended up trying out 3 different silicone sizes with my bra on. I originally chose one and he said, “I just want you to know that if you get those you’ll end up with size D’s.” I’m glad he told me that because my preference was a size C.
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After the consultation, they mailed me paperwork to fill out, need to know documents before the surgery, as well as how much the surgery will cost. They break it all down such as how much to pay the surgery center, anesthesiologist, and surgeon. To schedule a surgery date, the surgeon fee had to be paid. I filled out the paperwork and mailed it in. A few days later, Blaine called to pay for the surgeon fee.
June 1st – They called me to set up my appointment. They had an opening mid July but it wasn’t going to work with my schedule so the next availability was Monday, August 9th.
We had to pay for the anesthesiologist fee at least 2 weeks before the surgery. We could pay for the surgery center fee anytime before the surgery or the day of surgery.
August 5th – received pre-operative instructions
August 6th – received arrival time for the surgery
Day of surgery (August 9th): I showered. I was not allowed to wear makeup, lotion, contacts, and jewelry. I wasn’t allowed to eat or drink after midnight before my surgery. I could drink water until 2 hours before my surgery arrival time.
We got there at 1:30pm. The receptionist gave Blaine a color code card. With that, he would know what stage of surgery and recovery I was in by looking at the tv in the lobby.
I couldn’t see anything because I didn’t have contacts on and of course I couldn’t find my glasses. The nurse took us back to a room. I changed into a gown, took a urine sample, and then I was hooked up to fluids. The nurse asked me if I was nervous because I was so quiet. I told her I was most nervous about the recovery.
Dr. Lekkas then came in and asked me questions to make sure we were still both on the same page as far as size. After that the anesthesiologist came to talk to me and was going to take me to the surgery room. I said bye to Blaine, and then he headed to the lobby.
I remember as the anesthesiologist and I walked to the surgery room, I had this thought in my head like “WTF….I’m actually doing this!” Surgery started at 2:30pm and was going to last about 1.5 hours. 3-4 nurses I think were in the surgery room… I can’t remember (I didn’t have my contacts on, remember?) One of the nurses asked what surgery I was getting done and who my surgeon was. I’m glad she made sure I was in the right room…lol. 😉
I laid on the table. I asked the anesthesiologist if I could close my eyes since it was so bright in there. That was the last thing I remember in that room.
When I opened my eyes next, I was in recovery. I was wearing a compression bra they provided and my chest was wrapped in bandages. I was pretty tired, and I kept closing my eyes. The nurse asked if I could try to stay awake. She asked if I wanted crackers and something to drink. Blaine then came in the room. It was so nice to have him by my side again. Almost immediately after he walked in, he started feeding me crackers. So romantic. 😉 I got some medication in me and the nurse told us about the meds we were picking up at the pharmacy. I’m so glad Blaine was there. I was barely listening and still felt out of it. I just remember wanting to put my contacts on..haha. I hate not being able to see clearly.
We left and Blaine drove to Hy-vee to get prescription meds and Starbucks for me. Then we went to Pancheros for a burrito bowl for me since I hadn’t eaten anything all day and was legit starving.
Once we got home, I rested in bed. I watched my fave show, Chopped on the Food Network, on my laptop while I ate.
Pain level after surgery was a 5 or 6 (10 being the worst). When meds kicked in, pain level was a 3. I was surprised that I wasn’t really that much in pain. I thought it was going to be a lot worse! Also, I felt more comfortable sitting up vs. laying down.
As far as meds, I had to take antibiotics until it was all gone. They prescribed me a muscle relaxer (valium) as well as oxycodone and can take those if needed. I was on top of the pain meds and took them on the dot! I also took a stool softener (sorry, TMI). A few hours after being home, I talked to Niña on the phone. She was so surprised I was talking normal and my bubbly self. (It’s like when I finally got epidural during labor… I felt normal when that kicked in!)
Day 2 (August 10th): I changed my clothes. It was a bit of a struggle but thankfully, Blaine was there to help.
As far as how I felt, it was pretty much the same as Day 1. I did feel tightness in my chest like when I have heartburn.
It was hard to see Blaine doing it all. He took the day off for my surgery but on this day, he made me breakfast, went on an appointment for work and brought home sushi and bubble tea for me to enjoy in bed for lunch, made sure I was taking my meds, made sure the kids had breakfast/lunch/dinner since they were still home during summer break, did laundry, and had to take kids to their activities. Geez, I feel bad just listing all of that out! The thing is, he doesn’t complain one bit. He is such a serving human being. I was also very thankful Niña helped with Mariah as far as taking her to dance practice which is about 25 min. away.
The kids are great helpers. Mariah brushed my hair, and Hendrix scratched my back.
With pain meds working so well, sometimes I would forget that I shouldn’t be doing certain things. Blaine had to keep reminding me that he’s there to help me and to stop trying to do this on my own. He said, “Let me know if you need anything, and I’ll do it.” He is such a great caretaker!
I went in the living room while Blaine went to bed. He goes to bed early and is a light sleeper so I didn’t want to bother his sleep while I watched shows on my laptop since he is the type that needs his 9 hours of sleep. I fell asleep on the couch and woke up in pain. I’m supposed to take meds every 4-6 hours but it had been 9 hours. Yikes! Neither of us set an alarm.
Day 3 (August 11th): I had my follow up appointment with Dr. Lekkas. He took off my bandages and looked at them. I got to see them and they were huge…but of course they were still swollen! (They looked exactly like when my milk came in after having a baby…engorged!) He mentioned the glue on my scar will dissolve. He wants me to keep wearing either the compression bra they gave me or a sports bra to support them. I can’t be lifting anything heavy. He also said to not do anything for a week except rest.
I ended up buying a bra from TARGET and WALMART. Both are front zip and worked great!
I didn’t realize how much I used my arms for the simple things… until I can’t really use them. For example, getting up from bed, propping myself up more on the couch, reaching for things, etc.
Mariah was in the Iowa State Fair Parade with her dance team that afternoon, but I couldn’t go so I watched them on IPTV on my laptop. Kills me I couldn’t be there!
Day 4 (August 12th): Mariah performed her solo at the Iowa State Fair. Blaine took a video and Mariah nailed her routine! Every year, we’d watch her and then the kids and I would go walk around checking everything out, eat the fair food, and go on rides. I was bummed I couldn’t do that with the kids this year. Blaine took Mariah and the boys there but headed home with the kids afterwards because he had to go on appointments for work.
Day 5 (August 13th): I did not take any pain meds. Pain hasn’t been that bad so it was nice to not be relying on it.
Day 6 (August 14th): I felt pretty good so I asked Blaine if we could walk outside in our neighborhood just so I could get out of the house. We walked past maybe 2-3 houses, and then I was DONE.
Ever since my surgery even though I felt “fine”, I would start getting light headed depending on what I was doing. It would sometimes happen if I’m doing “too much” like walking from room to room or up and down the stairs. That was when I was like ok, I need to really take it easy. I’m still in recovery!
Day 7 (August 15th): I had a meltdown. I hate not being able to do anything even though I feel “fine” as in not in pain. I also was feeling guilty getting this procedure done 2 weeks before school started. Now it’s the last week of the kids’ summer break, and I can’t make the best of it with them! I also hadn’t been out of the house since Day 3, and that was just to go see the doctor. I felt like it was 2020 quarantine life again. I started crying to Blaine. He said, why don’t you go get a pedi and mani with Mariah and get some Starbucks. I did just that since I wasn’t taking Valium and Oxycodone anymore, I was able to drive. Hallelujah! Getting out of the house felt so good! As much as I hate driving, I couldn’t wait to get in the vehicle and drive!
I have started feeling some shooting “pain” that will come randomly. It’s not like it hurts but more annoying really than anything.
Day 9 (August 17th): I took the kids to the movie theatre to watch Space Jam. I’m not sure if it was the recliner or what but once we got in the vehicle, my back was in so much pain! We stopped for ice cream but afterwards I had to have Dylan drive home because it hurt so bad. I got home and laid in bed ASAP! I took some Aleve to relieve the pain.
Day 11 (August 19th): My kids and I met up with my older sister and niece at the Science Center. We were there for 2 hours and went out to lunch afterwards and I felt completely fine! No backache either! It’s been nice to get out of the house, but then it’s back to resting at home after I do anything.
Day 12 (August 20th): I had another follow up appointment. Dr. Lekkas was really happy with how it looked. He said they are still a little high but will settle a little more which I’ll notice even in a couple weeks. He suggested to start putting an ointment on the scars under by breasts a couple times a day. (I have been using Mederma.) He said I can go on walks but no upper body workouts (pushups, benchpress, etc) until a couple months after surgery. No mowing the lawn or vacuuming just yet. 😉 I asked him about using a Peloton bike, and he said I can do that a month after surgery but to be careful since my body is still healing.
Week 3 (August 23rd-29th):
Out of the first 3 weeks so far, I was telling my husband that this week was the “worst.” My breasts were so sore and tender. I was having more discomfort during this week than the week of surgery! I’m not sure if it’s because my breasts weren’t numb anymore and I could feel everything now? The last time I took Aleve was when I had a backache on Day 9. I was taking Aleve 3 days in a row during week 3. Even driving was a struggle. My sister lives on a gravel road and some areas are bumpy. OUCH! Let’s just say, I had to hold my boobs down to avoid any sudden movement even though I was wearing a sports bra.
Week 4 (August 30th-September 5th): I see the light at the end of the tunnel!! Plus, I haven’t noticed any shooting pain. My breasts weren’t sore anymore middle of week 4. I am starting to feel more like myself and it feels so so good!
Here I am yesterday.. First time wearing a bathing suit since surgery! This is 4 full weeks after surgery. I know it can take a few months after surgery for them to settle in place but definitely happy with how they look!
I wanted to answer some FAQ’s that I’ve been getting messages on a lot and some questions you asked in the question box I posted in my Instagram stories a few weeks ago.
Where did you go? Who was your surgeon? Dr. Lekkas at the Iowa Clinic
How many CC’s? 325cc. (I was a B before surgery and am now am a full C… or a D depending on the bra.)
Estimated cost? About $7,000. (I had a breast augmentation surgery and did not get a lift)
Is it painful? I personally didn’t think it was really that painful and I’m kinda of a baby. Like mentioned above, I only took the Oxycodone and Valium for 4 days. Pain level if my pain meds wore off was at the worst a 5 or 6 (10 being the worst). I then took Aleve on week 2 for my back and for 3 days in a row during week 3 since my breasts were really tender and sore.
Did you tell your kids? I did tell them that I was having surgery just so they knew that I wouldn’t be able to do much for a few days after surgery except rest. I did not tell them specifics except it was surgery for my chest.
What made you decide to do this? I’ve been wanting to do this for years after having our 4 kids. I finally decided…mama is getting her boobies back (and maybe I’ll also get them a lil bigger). 😉
How do they look? Awesome! Obviously a few days after surgery, I was like WOWZA they’re huge! Now that the swelling has gone down, it looks exactly how I wanted them to look. Plus, they feel natural. They’re not hard and they move around…haha! Plus, my breasts naturally cover my scars so you can’t see them.
My final thoughts: Overall, I’m happy I did it. I’m very happy with how they look and the recovery really wasn’t that bad. The worst part about it is that you just have to be patient..like really patient. Well, I’m not very patient. Like most people, you just want to get back to normal ASAP. Well, that’s not reality after having surgery like this. Like I had mentioned, it was close to about 4 full weeks after surgery is when I started to feel more “normal.” 4 weeks can feel like a long time. That’s why I think it’s really important to be mentally prepared and have support through this entire process. It was hard to not be able to squeeze my kids tight when I gave them a hug or miss out on some activities because I needed to just be home and rest. It was hard to rest (you’re talking to someone who can be pretty lazy and can be a total introvert) but I just wanted to go do something and see people! It was hard not to help out or go do something when I felt “fine.” I don’t even work out (yup that’s me) and I bought a Peloton bike during week 3 because I want to start working out! (Tomorrow will be my first day being able to use the bike! I’m so excited…lol!) Plus, I even told my husband, I can’t wait to start painting! I think he thought I lost my mind after saying I can’t wait to start working out and paint…lol! You definitely realize what you took for granted doing with your upper body before surgery. My kids are pretty independent but I couldn’t imagine not being able to hold my kids if they were little. With my job, I took some time off posting daily. I wasn’t on stories much because I didn’t feel like myself. I knew I had to make sure I was getting rest physically and mentally. I can really see how some could get in a depressed state of mind during recovery so please be aware of that part of the breast augmentation recovery that people don’t talk about.
For someone who will be going through this type of surgery: make sure you listen to what your doctor says, don’t push yourself or rush into doing things right away, let your body heal, and be patient with the recovery.
I hope this post helped those who were curious about it! xx
