Tag cosmetic surgery

The Nose Knows

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I have never had rhinoplasty or any other form of facial surgery, yet I am asked frequently if I had anything surgically “done” to my face. Apparently if someone is born with a nice nose or other nice facial features, no one wants to believe that Mother Nature was responsible. A couple of people have actually called me a liar when I informed them that a scalpel never touched my face. On a more positive note, I have had a number of patients tell me that they intend to show their rhinoplasty surgeons a photo of me so that they can get a nose like mine via surgery. I find that incredibly flattering.

For those of you who don’t believe that my nose is free of any surgical intervention, look at photos of my face from the time I was very little. Don’t be thrown off by the ample facial fullness I once had, because we lose that over time. I hope this clears up any doubts.

Age 2-1/2

Age 2-1/2

me at 17

me at 17

25 years old here

25 years old here

Age 45

Age 45

Bigger Breasts Are Not Better

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Very-Large-Breasts cropped
There is such a thing as TOO BIG when it comes to breasts that are surgically augmented. In my humble opinion the limit has been reached when each of a woman’s breasts is larger than her face. Some women don’t have a choice and have to deal with what Mother Nature bestowed upon them, but other women actually choose to go under the knife to have excessively large implants surgically installed. I have even heard women say pre-surgery that they were hoping to achieve a cartoonish Jessica Rabbit look with extremely large, round implants. In other words, they wanted their breasts to look fake.

When breasts look like distorted balloons, the natural curved architecture is lost. Another problem with extremely large implants is that men (and women) tend to regard women who have them as cheap, slutty, and lacking in intelligence. I realize that these are gross generalizations, but they are so common that any woman who tries to deny this is a fool. It’s important to be aware of how people may potentially regard you once you have a surgical augmentation, and if you have a problem with society’s impression of very large breasts, you might want to reconsider the size you are getting (if you don’t care, then more power to you!). Every once in a while I will see a beautiful woman with a delicate face and petite body who went overboard with the implants and as a result looks top heavy. For women who compete in the bodybuilding world, large implants can be very distracting, and not in a positive way.

Some augmented breasts may look alluring or eye catching when clothed, but horrifying when uncovered as a result of surgical revisions, scarring, ripples, unevenness, improper nipple position or capsular contracture. Almost every single woman I have talked to who has had extremely large implants (i.e., implants which have created a DDD or larger cup size) has had to have surgical revision. Some women who have had breast augmentation surgery also lose sensation in the nipples and in the breasts, obliterating that area of the body as an erogenous zone. It is also important to consider the anterior load on the chest which results from large implants and how it impacts posture. And forget about finding clothes off the rack that fit an extremely large bust.

The breast area is quite prone to body dysmorphia, which in large part explains why gargantuan breast implants are sometimes requested. Since the breast’s primary function is to provide nutrients to a baby, women and men will often equate a fuller or larger breast with greater fertility and femininity. While it is fine for a woman to desire larger breasts, selecting an extremely large implant size may only reinforce any insecurities about a woman’s sense of self and sexuality.

Thinking of Having Breast Augmentation Surgery? – Part 2

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breast augmentation part 2I am devoting this blogpost to what to expect post-surgery at least through my own experience with breast augmentation surgery.  Though recovery from breast augmentation surgery is relatively tolerable, you should know what to expect.

First of all, when the procedure is completed, you will be wheeled over to a recovery unit where you will come out of anesthesia.  Some women may become very emotional or confused when coming out of anesthesia. What was strange about my experience coming out of anesthesia, other than the fact that it took me an unusually long time to come out of anesthesia, was that I was very chipper and even joked around with the nurses that it was time to party (what a goofball I was!).  My friend Mara picked me up from the hospital and drove me home.  Let me tell you, that car ride was the most painful one I have ever experienced as my very swollen and scalpel-assaulted chest bore the brunt of every single dip and bump in the road.  I sat in the passenger’s seat wearing a support bra.  Once home, I got in the habit of applying a sandwich of ice packs, one above my breasts and one below them, and began taking Vicodin three times a day to take the edge off the pain.  Some women may experience full pain relief from their prescription pain meds, while others (like me) might only receive some relief.

Do not make the mistake of assuming that you are tough enough to take care of yourself immediately post-surgery.  I am tough and I work out regularly, but I was not prepared for the need for complete assistance in sitting up in bed from a supine position.  This went on for four days.  I was very sore and had to stay home for three days before I felt strong enough to return to work.  I also had to apply the ice pack sandwich constantly for those first three days and was constantly alarmed by the fact that my new breasts sat so high on my chest that they abutted my clavicles.  It was truly bizarre.  As the days and weeks passed, my newly augmented chest began to relax and settle and the feeling that my skin and muscles were stretched to the hilt began to subside.

In addition to the constant pain which I experienced over the first two weeks following surgery, I experienced “zingers”.  Women may not be aware of zingers but they should be if they are preparing to go under the knife.  Zingers feel like sudden electric jolts which are felt at the nipple and which I imagine are akin to getting electrocuted.  They are strange but a direct result of local nerve damage which occurs as a result of the surgery.  This will also subside over time so don’t be alarmed!

After two weeks I was allowed to return to lower body weight training and after four weeks I was allowed to hit my upper body workouts.  To this day, however (and it has been almost ten years since I had my surgery), I cannot do heavy chest workouts and experience lateral movement of the implants when I work my chest.  This movement makes my boyfriend laugh and I can honestly say that I don’t blame him for laughing!

I have never had a single regret about having had the surgery and would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thinking of Having Breast Augmentation Surgery? – Part 1

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breast augmentation part 1Breast augmentation surgery has steadily increased in popularity over the last decade and has become the most common cosmetic surgery procedure performed in the United States, with over 300,000 women undergoing the procedure annually.  However, despite its popularity, breast augmentation surgery does carry some risks and maintenance issues which must be taken into consideration when trying to decide on whether to go under the knife.  In order to ensure that you make an informed decision, here are the factors you should consider.

COST: Though costs vary depending on what region you reside in, which surgeon you select and what type of implant you choose, you can expect to spend anywhere from $4,5o0 to $10,000.  Saline implant surgeries are less costly due to the fact that the incision site is smaller, the surgery is somewhat less involved, and the implant material uses less silicone.  Just as a side note, ALL implants have silicone since the capsule in which the implant material sits is composed of silicone.

IMPLANT TYPE:  Two different substances are used to fill an implant shell: saline and silicone.  Some women opt for saline because they fear rupture and leakage of silicone.  Others will turn to silicone because it has a more natural look and feel.  There is a newer cohesive gel silicone implant that if ruptured will not leak, thus providing an additional option for women.  There are also different shapes of implants such as round, round high profile, and teardrop.  Discuss options with your surgeon to determine the best type for you.

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Surgery for breast augmentation takes between one to two hours and is performed under general anesthesia.  The vast majority of women go home a few hours after the procedure with prescription pain medication and aftercare instructions.  Incisions can be made around your nipples, at the fold of the breasts, in the underarms or at your navel.  The implant is inserted into a soft tissue pocket either above or beneath your chest muscle, then the area is closed up with sutures.

After the surgery you may have drainage tubes, an elastic bandage and/or a bra to wear for several days.  You should also expect to take it easy for several weeks following surgery so that you can heal optimally.  Swelling and tenderness are to be expected for up to two weeks following surgery.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:  As with any surgery, breast augmentation surgery is not without risks.  Some of those risks include:  pain, changes in nipple sensation, bleeding, infection, scarring, capsular contracture, asymmetry.  Over time, implants may also leak or rupture.

MAINTENANCE:  Breast implants tend to have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years and should be replaced as the risk of leakage increases over time.

WHAT SIZE TO CHOOSE?: When choosing a size of implant, make sure you choose one that will look proportionate to your frame.  In most cases the surgeon will be able to determine what size is most appropriate for you.  Whatever you do, please do not give into peer pressure or get a size that your significant other wants you to get when you do not feel comfortable with that size.  Remember that you are the one who has to live with your decision 24 hours a day, so you should be happy with the end result.

FIGURE OUT WHY YOU WANT THEM:  I have heard women say that they want to get their breasts done because they believe the procedure will somehow change their lives.  I have heard other women say they want to please their men more and have been pressured by their men to have the procedure done.  If you are considering breast augmentation surgery, make sure you are doing it because YOU WANT IT.  Don’t do it to please your man or to “fit in” more with societal pressures.

When I decided to have breast augmentation surgery in 2003, I truly did it for myself.  I was going through a divorce and felt it was a great time to do something I had always wanted to do.  I chose the date of my surgery, the size I wanted, and the incision site.  I was tired of not being able to wear certain styles of clothing and figured that having the surgery would give me the fashion accessories I had always wanted.  I had a very positive attitude about the whole thing and never had any doubt or fear about the procedure.  In other words, I had a very healthy attitude about having breast augmentation surgery.

It is VERY important for a woman to have a healthy mental attitude about having cosmetic surgery of ANY kind, whether it be breast augmentation, a neck lift, lid lift, nose job, tummy tuck, etc.  Make sure to gather information, make informed decisions, and undergo procedures only if you understand that while they may boost your self-confidence, you must already be secure within yourself.