Yesterday I put my big girl pants on and scheduled my breast augmentation.
I decided to go with Dr. DeChiara, and I chose March 30th, a Friday, as my surgery day. The scheduling coordinator was really cool, and told me that I would be sent a packet about four weeks before to go over everything that I needed to do and have ready before the big day. I also scheduled another consult for two weeks before the surgery to make sure I finalized everything.
I am pretty sure I am going to have the Dr. put a 400 cc implant on my right side and a 375 cc implant on my left. I also decided to chose silicone for my implant type. It's were my heart and my gut were leading me and I'm sure I'll be happy with my decision. There were just too many more positives to them that outweighed the extra cost. I'm also not concerned with the safety issues like I once was. Call me crazy, but it's how I feel.
Now I'm going to concentrate on saving money and continuing to get in shape. With Weight Watchers I've already lost almost 7 lbs in six weeks and by the time I go under the knife I'm hoping to be back to where I'm more comfortable with my weight. (And buttoning the top button of my pants again!)
There's little things to work out still, such as transportation and whatnot, but I'm really glad it's finally in the books. My timeline is going pretty well so far, so my fingers are crossed that it continues to be that way!
Here's to hoping!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Stats on Dr. DeChiara
Here is the breakdown of what would happen if I go with Dr. DeChiara:
I have a choice of saline or silicon, she doesn't have a preference. Her own were saline, but that we before the silicone was legal, and she's very happy with hers. The brand she uses is Mentor and they have a limited warranty for life that will replace them for free, and there is an additional insurance I could purchase (For roughly $100 the nurse said). She said getting future MRI's to check for breakage is not popular anymore. Any revisions during the first year may require another surgeons' fee. She didn't mention anything about cost for complications.
She has been doing breast and other cosmetic surgery for over 10 years now. She does them in the attached hospital in one of four cosmetic surgery only suites. There would be an FEMALE anesthesiologist, the Dr. herself, her nurse (my friend!) and a surgical tech in the room.
The surgery is done with general anesthesia. While in, they give an IV of antibiotics and then prescribe them afterwards along with heavy pain medication (Percocet). She told me she could get me something stronger if that was necessary because I told her I have a low sensitivity to pain meds. Because I am young and healthy she told me it wasn't necessary to go off my medications, though she did say that I needed to be careful on the actual antibiotics because some aren't effective while talking them. The incision can be however I chose, and she said that the idea of infection under the arm wasn't anything to be worried about. She places them under the muscle. They use dissolvable stitches and two small strips of surgical tape around the incision.
The procedure takes two hours total prep and surgery time, and afterwards I'm required to stay a few hours for monitoring. They'll make sure my pain meds are working and that I'm safe to leave. I have to be there 1 1/2 hours early. She only does BA's on Tuesdays and Fridays.
We didn't discuss aftercare. (I figured that I know enough now that I'll decide after I book). The after-care and post op visits are included in his fee, and they see you right after the surgery, 2-3 days later and then in 3 months, 6 months, and once a year. Sleeping was recommended to do sitting up for the first couple of days to keep from straining muscles used to maneuver.
The Dr. suggested that I give myself at least four days to do absolutely nothing so that I recover well. She said that it is extremely painful (contrary to other's) and I'll want to be comfortable. I will be able to shower the next day.
A deposit of $500 is suggested for booking my surgery, but she said not required.
Exact fee breakdown:
Saline:
Dr. Fee: $3900
Implants: $750
Facility/Anesthesia: $2625
TOTAL: $7275
*not including FAF discount
Silicone:
Dr. Fee: $3900
Implants: $1600
Facility/Anesthesia: $2625
TOTAL: $8125
*not including FAF discount
I have a choice of saline or silicon, she doesn't have a preference. Her own were saline, but that we before the silicone was legal, and she's very happy with hers. The brand she uses is Mentor and they have a limited warranty for life that will replace them for free, and there is an additional insurance I could purchase (For roughly $100 the nurse said). She said getting future MRI's to check for breakage is not popular anymore. Any revisions during the first year may require another surgeons' fee. She didn't mention anything about cost for complications.
She has been doing breast and other cosmetic surgery for over 10 years now. She does them in the attached hospital in one of four cosmetic surgery only suites. There would be an FEMALE anesthesiologist, the Dr. herself, her nurse (my friend!) and a surgical tech in the room.
The surgery is done with general anesthesia. While in, they give an IV of antibiotics and then prescribe them afterwards along with heavy pain medication (Percocet). She told me she could get me something stronger if that was necessary because I told her I have a low sensitivity to pain meds. Because I am young and healthy she told me it wasn't necessary to go off my medications, though she did say that I needed to be careful on the actual antibiotics because some aren't effective while talking them. The incision can be however I chose, and she said that the idea of infection under the arm wasn't anything to be worried about. She places them under the muscle. They use dissolvable stitches and two small strips of surgical tape around the incision.
The procedure takes two hours total prep and surgery time, and afterwards I'm required to stay a few hours for monitoring. They'll make sure my pain meds are working and that I'm safe to leave. I have to be there 1 1/2 hours early. She only does BA's on Tuesdays and Fridays.
We didn't discuss aftercare. (I figured that I know enough now that I'll decide after I book). The after-care and post op visits are included in his fee, and they see you right after the surgery, 2-3 days later and then in 3 months, 6 months, and once a year. Sleeping was recommended to do sitting up for the first couple of days to keep from straining muscles used to maneuver.
The Dr. suggested that I give myself at least four days to do absolutely nothing so that I recover well. She said that it is extremely painful (contrary to other's) and I'll want to be comfortable. I will be able to shower the next day.
A deposit of $500 is suggested for booking my surgery, but she said not required.
Exact fee breakdown:
Saline:
Dr. Fee: $3900
Implants: $750
Facility/Anesthesia: $2625
TOTAL: $7275
*not including FAF discount
Silicone:
Dr. Fee: $3900
Implants: $1600
Facility/Anesthesia: $2625
TOTAL: $8125
*not including FAF discount
Last consultation!
I went to my last consult last week, and I have to say it turned out really well. The office was down in Mt. Kisco, which is about an hour south from me. I was hesitant to actually go, because of the long drive and the fact that I was really into the last doctor. Plus, the consult was going to cost me money and I want to save every penny for the actual surgery.
But, I made myself go. Mostly because I realized that I get taken for a ride when there are bright lights and fancy words and I didn't want to let Dr. Fiorillo's office do that to me. I really liked him, but I wanted the last and final opinion. Plus my friend was going to be waiting for me there and I didn't want to be a jerk.
I got a little lost, so when I arrived I was late. But the lady at the desk was friendly and I filled out my paperwork and waited until the doctor was ready. Her name is Dr. Sharon DeChiara, and I love the fact that she's female. (I have a thing against male doctors that I have no idea where it came from but is there nonetheless).
First I talked to the nurse, who was actually a little off-putting. She wasn't very friendly or warm and I wasn't really comfortable with her, especially when I had to get naked. She asked me a few questions and then gave me implants to try on. This time I was asked to use my own bra, which was a little strange to me considering I don't want to be the same size that I am now and I also wear bra's with a lot of padding so it wouldn't be realistic. She also had me put my shirt on over them, and once again I was in love with how I looked. I know for certain I'm going to be super happy once this is done. While with her, my friend came in to say hi, all scrubbed up. It was nice to see a friendly face. I love the fact that she'd be in the room during my surgery, as that makes me more comfortable.
After that the doctor came in. She was incredibly sweet and sat really close, talking right into my eyes. She didn't have too many strong opinions as far as incision or implant type, but did recommend that I do what's called "high profile" implants as opposed to the other type that tends to have more volume in the sides. That was the first time a doctor has even mentioned that to me. She also took measurements of my chest area and remarked that I have one nipple that is lower than the other. GREAT. Since I'm not having the incision there, that's not something that is going to change and she wanted me to be aware. Funny, I've stared at my chest a million times and never noticed before. Now I'll never forget!
I told her I was having a hard time deciding between saline and silicone. She wasn't much help because she told me that in her opinion they are both very safe and it's personal preference. Because I want them to be more tear-dropped and natural feeling she thought I'd probably prefer silicone. Also, she said they never leak even if ruptured because they are made as a "gummy bear" substance now and so they just stay in place. But the actual shell is thicker than saline so it's harder to pop, and also the makeup in general keeps it from having a rippling effect under the skin. She said I have enough tissue to make them both feel natural enough (WHERE?), and since she insists on going under the muscle (which I want anyway), she wasn't too worried about feel. Over all she said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery.
She had me try on the implant "sizers" again so that she could personally see them. The nurse had given me 200 and 300 cc to try, and I wouldn't even touch the 200. The 300 looked nice, but I wasn't sure because once again I was using my own bra and it felt deceiving. Dr. DeChiara brought in a zero padding almost-bandaid-looking bra that was a little to big but had a pocket for the implants so that I could have them right up against me without the added bra effect. She told me she thought the idea of 350-375 would be best for me and we all liked the look. In surgery she puts in what she called sizers that aren't actually implants first to see what looks best before actual insertion. I like that, also noting that she sits the patient up to get a "gravity look" before she finishes. After the fact I'm beginning to lean towards silicone and as far as size I'm definitely doing 375 and may just go to 400 for the heck of it. Especially since the difference is only three tablespoons of the liquid anyway.
After the doctor, I talked to the nurse to get my final questions asked and also a woman who does the billing. I was approved for a friends and family discount which was awesome news and all the answers where satisfactory.
Now I'll I have to do is finalize my date, type and do a little research on the anesthesiologist. My gut is leaning towards her though...and I need to schedule soon. Hope I make the best choice!!!
But, I made myself go. Mostly because I realized that I get taken for a ride when there are bright lights and fancy words and I didn't want to let Dr. Fiorillo's office do that to me. I really liked him, but I wanted the last and final opinion. Plus my friend was going to be waiting for me there and I didn't want to be a jerk.
I got a little lost, so when I arrived I was late. But the lady at the desk was friendly and I filled out my paperwork and waited until the doctor was ready. Her name is Dr. Sharon DeChiara, and I love the fact that she's female. (I have a thing against male doctors that I have no idea where it came from but is there nonetheless).
First I talked to the nurse, who was actually a little off-putting. She wasn't very friendly or warm and I wasn't really comfortable with her, especially when I had to get naked. She asked me a few questions and then gave me implants to try on. This time I was asked to use my own bra, which was a little strange to me considering I don't want to be the same size that I am now and I also wear bra's with a lot of padding so it wouldn't be realistic. She also had me put my shirt on over them, and once again I was in love with how I looked. I know for certain I'm going to be super happy once this is done. While with her, my friend came in to say hi, all scrubbed up. It was nice to see a friendly face. I love the fact that she'd be in the room during my surgery, as that makes me more comfortable.
After that the doctor came in. She was incredibly sweet and sat really close, talking right into my eyes. She didn't have too many strong opinions as far as incision or implant type, but did recommend that I do what's called "high profile" implants as opposed to the other type that tends to have more volume in the sides. That was the first time a doctor has even mentioned that to me. She also took measurements of my chest area and remarked that I have one nipple that is lower than the other. GREAT. Since I'm not having the incision there, that's not something that is going to change and she wanted me to be aware. Funny, I've stared at my chest a million times and never noticed before. Now I'll never forget!
I told her I was having a hard time deciding between saline and silicone. She wasn't much help because she told me that in her opinion they are both very safe and it's personal preference. Because I want them to be more tear-dropped and natural feeling she thought I'd probably prefer silicone. Also, she said they never leak even if ruptured because they are made as a "gummy bear" substance now and so they just stay in place. But the actual shell is thicker than saline so it's harder to pop, and also the makeup in general keeps it from having a rippling effect under the skin. She said I have enough tissue to make them both feel natural enough (WHERE?), and since she insists on going under the muscle (which I want anyway), she wasn't too worried about feel. Over all she said I was a perfect candidate for the surgery.
She had me try on the implant "sizers" again so that she could personally see them. The nurse had given me 200 and 300 cc to try, and I wouldn't even touch the 200. The 300 looked nice, but I wasn't sure because once again I was using my own bra and it felt deceiving. Dr. DeChiara brought in a zero padding almost-bandaid-looking bra that was a little to big but had a pocket for the implants so that I could have them right up against me without the added bra effect. She told me she thought the idea of 350-375 would be best for me and we all liked the look. In surgery she puts in what she called sizers that aren't actually implants first to see what looks best before actual insertion. I like that, also noting that she sits the patient up to get a "gravity look" before she finishes. After the fact I'm beginning to lean towards silicone and as far as size I'm definitely doing 375 and may just go to 400 for the heck of it. Especially since the difference is only three tablespoons of the liquid anyway.
I know I wanted saline because of being able to even out both sides, but I'd rather have them look more natural than even...
After the doctor, I talked to the nurse to get my final questions asked and also a woman who does the billing. I was approved for a friends and family discount which was awesome news and all the answers where satisfactory.
Now I'll I have to do is finalize my date, type and do a little research on the anesthesiologist. My gut is leaning towards her though...and I need to schedule soon. Hope I make the best choice!!!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Third time the charm?
I had my third and (thankfully) final consult today. Had a late night yesterday so I'm too exhausted to write about it tonight, but it was a really good appointment. I think I've finally made up my mind!
Stay tuned!
Stay tuned!
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