BosoMe.

Done it. Breast augmentation that is. As of 21 Aug 07, approximately 1030h, I have been the proud owner of a new pair of breasts.

Took me some time to make the decision to blog about my experience. I've kept myself fairly anonymous so far (and in the Grand Scheme of Things I am only a statistic) so I've decided that I won't be getting too worried about having everyone know that I've done it. Hopefully this will help anyone else making a decision on whether or not to get breast augmentation surgery. There's a lot of info about it on the web, what I offer you is a very personal (and non-professional) view.

Why did I do it?

I've always felt that the two gifts every human being is born with are the Mind and the Body. Barring extreme circumstances, we have complete control over what we can do with either. Personally, I think it's a complete waste not to maximise the potential of either. I may not have complete control over the direction of my life or circumstances external to my being, but at least I can get my Mind and Body in shape for whatever Life might throw at me.

I try to spend at least 3 hours a week at the gym and another 3 hours at yoga, and I try to eat as healthily as possible. I don't beat myself up about failing to do either (which happens quite often). I am very mindful of how my body looks and what it can physically achieve. I do probably think about it more than an average person, but I am definitely not obsessed with it.

Pre-operation, my measurements were something like 31 - 25 - 35 (my goal is 33 - 25 - 35). I also have a larger than average head. I spend quite a bit of my gym time working on my shoulders, to get a V-shape that is proportionate to the size of my head and my hips. I believe my body has achieved a desirable proportion portrait-wise, but I cannot say the same for how it looks profile-wise. Unfortunately breasts consist predominantly of fat - my efforts to build lean muscle mass on the rest of my body has made my breasts even smaller, and my pectoral muscles larger.

What's to be done then? I was rather happy with my pre-op body (humility aside, I believe it was well above the average), but the fact that my breasts were the only feature of my body I was still dissatisfied with constantly nagged at me. More importantly, I knew that it would continue to nag at me until I did something about it. It was, in fact, nagging me to the point where I would analyse other women's breasts, their proportion with the rest of their bodies, and compare them with my own.

This was clearly not a sustainable situation.

(Some of you would also be aware that I had momentarily made the decision to cancel the surgery, after a particularly incensed end to a particularly screwed-up "relationship". I had thought that the decision was partly made to make myself more attractive to That Person. Thankfully it only took me overnight to realise that the decision had always been only to satisfy me.)

I just want to make this clear: I did not get this done to be more attractive to men. I got it done because it allows me to achieve my objective of a perfect body. I got it done because I can.

Technical Specifications

I chose to have my surgery done at a leading hospital in S________. While it does not offer the "Nip/Tuck"-like frills that a "boutique" cosmetic surgery provides, it is approximately 30% cheaper and offers the same consultative and surgical expertise, and comfortable overnight conditions. (A "boutique" cosmetic surgery would also typically do more breast augmentation surgeries than a hospital, however, I felt that my surgeon himself was experienced enough to the job.)

In consultation with the cosmetic surgeon, I chose the following specifications for my implants:

• Incision type: Below the breast in the infra-mammary fold.
• Type of implants: Silicone gel. (While silicone gel implants have a lower incidence of leakage, it is more difficult to clean up the mess if it does. When a saline-filled implant leaks, the saline solution is simply reabsorbed by the body. When a silicone gel-filled implant leaks, the silicone gel leaks into the "space" between the implant and the "pocket" created by scar tissue that has developed around the implant. The surgeon also showed me a ruptured implant - it was obvious that the silicone gel used is very, very viscous and does not easily flow out of a breach in the implant shell. The implant shell itself is a very hardy thing, with the ability to withstand a lot of pressure [the exact figure is somewhere on the web]. I've also read that if one receives trauma in an accident powerful enough to rupture an implant, then the ruptured implant really is the last thing to worry about.)
• Implant pocket placement: Submuscular. This allows for maximum coverage of the implant with the body's own tissue. This is also the most uncomfortable placement, with the longest recovery time.
• Implant texture: Smooth. Research has shown that textured implants may reduce the visibility of capsular contracture when the implant is placed in a subglandular pocket (over the muscle). Results indicate that there is no significant difference to the visibility of capsular contracture in the use of smooth or textured implants when the placement is submuscular. I chose the smooth texture as it is also easier to remove when the implant needs to be replaced.
• Size: 260cc. This is slightly larger than the average cup of tea. I had asked the surgeon to bump me up from an "A" to a "full B", although the results I see now look more like a "full C". The larger size may be due to swelling. The actual results can take up to 4-6 months to be seen though. At this point in time, my measurements are approximately 34 - 25 - 35.

To note (if you decide to get implants too)

Aside from the personal and technical considerations mentioned above, there's a list of other practical matters that you'd need to look into if you decide to get breast implants:

Pre-Operation

• Be completely comfortable with the decision to get implants. Do as much research as you can, and do ask for other people's opinions. Most hospitals and cosmetic surgery clinics allow payment just prior to the operation, so you have loads of time to change your mind if necessary.
• Prepare your room for your convalescence. Put new sheets on your bed, put everything you would need (e.g. your laptop) within easy reach of the bed. Get in lots and lots of pillows cos you'll need to prop yourself up when you're asleep and sit upright for the rest of the day.
• Iron all your button front work clothes. You won't be able to carry anything remotely heavy - this includes irons - in the couple of weeks after the surgery. You also won't be able wear any clothes that require you to stretch your arms over your head, simply because you won't be able to.
• If you own a cat (as I do), do stock up on cat food and kitty litter (which I didn't) as these are very, very heavy items (as I have come to realise - the hard way).
• Make sure you have lots of things to do (that only require you to sit upright) for the convalescence period. Bring your office laptop home if necessary - it will at least ensure you have a manageable workload when you get back in the office.
• Get rid of any emotional baggage you might have. You don't need to have to cope with that and the recovery process at the same time.
• Stay healthy.

Post-operation (hospital)

• Make sure you have at least one visitor, preferably 8 hours after the operation (you won't be in the condition to speak to anyone too soon after the op). Make sure this visitor is supportive, willing to clear your used barf bags for you (a side effect of being under general anesthesia is nausea), and buys you nice stuff like Pringles Sour Cream n Onion crisps and lots of chocolate. (Thanks T!)
• Warm pyjamas and fluffy bedroom slippers are far more comfortable than hospital garments and bare feet on cold floors.
• Be nice to your nurses.

Post-operation (home)

• As you will be wearing bandages for up to a week after the surgery, I strongly recommend keeping the air-conditioning on. (Alternatively, get the surgery done during the colder months.)
• As you can't get the bandages wet, you won't be able to shower. You're likely to end up using loads of wet towels to keep your body clean (alright, you can shower from waist-down). You can choose to bend over to wash your hair, or opt to just go to the hairdresser's instead.
• You'll be really uncomfortable and possibly in lots of pain. Your breasts will look sore and stretched, and probably nothing like how you expected them to look. This is a time when you are most likely to feel regret for the decision you have made. Make sure you do lots of things to keep your mind busy. (I am a strong believer that a negative attitude will delay the healing process.)
• Bandages are no fun. Be prepared to itch!

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I can't wait for the next six months to be over and done with, so I can see the final results!