What a difference!

I had my second consultation today. Let me tell you, it was like night and day! I'd like to say I got some major clarity, but alas, I'm still unsure as ever.

Every doctor, person, website, etc. tells a different story. It's so hard to decide what's right for you when you have so many varying opinions. Maybe someone can glean some insight from this blog one day that I can't seem to find at this moment.

I walked into Dr. Fiorillo's office and the first thing I thought was, wow, this place is nice. It felt like I was walking into a spa. The female at the desk was all dressed stylish, and you could tell she had definitely been a patient of the doctor at some point. She was super sweet and wasn't upset at all that I was late. (It's kinda a downfall of mine..) After I filled out some paperwork I was lead into a patient room and told to only undress my shirt and put on the "robe". Once again, I laughed to myself because I knew it was coming off just as fast. She left me some reading material about the Dr. and told me to hang out.

Guess what? This doctor actually appeared to want to work with me! He was super nice (and actually quite attractive as well, not gonna lie). He sat down, introduced himself and went right into asking and answering questions. What I appreciated was that he told me his preferences for surgery, instead of just telling me how it's going to be done. He only had me stand there naked for a few minutes so he could check out my structure and assess anything out of the ordinary. There was no standing naked for 20 minutes as we talked, thank God.

After I had asked as many questions as I could, he told me that if I chose to book he would have me come back two weeks before surgery for a "size appointment".  He would take pictures, and measure me so that he could help me find the best size possible for my size and body shape. It was nice to know he took pains to make sure I chose the right size, rather than leaving me in a room with a nurse, a sports bra, and my best guess. (Um, last I checked I have no experience in this...pretty sure my guess is no better than an stranger picking out a size with his eyes closed!)

Once he was gone, I got dressed and Phyllis his assistant took me to a comfortable sitting room. She made me tea and told me all about her experience. (She had a BA from Dr. Fiorillo as well) She was super sweet, but not overly so, even though she was selling of course. She spent over an hour with me, talking and answering all my questions. I didn't feel rushed and was very comfortable.

Both the Dr. and Phyllis told me that silicone are a better idea. Before today I was under the impression that they are dangerous, because you'll never know if or when they pop. I am worried about them leaking into other organs. However, according to them the old silicone implants were, in fact, dangerous. However, they way they make them now means that if they were to get a hole, the substance would stay in place. He has never (so he says) had a silicone breast leak, pop, or get a hole. The only time he saw one was when he was operating on a girl who wanted to go bigger and one of the implants that she had from another doctor had a hole. She had no idea until he was operating on her. The biggest drawback to silicone is that they are more expensive. However, they don't have to be replaced every ten years like saline. Also, they lay more like real breasts and have a softer, more real feel.

Ugh! I don't know what to do now, I was all set on saline and now I am leaning towards silicone.

Regardless, I felt really comfortable the whole time. I was really impressed that a famous doctor like him and his staff would take that much time to really consult with me. Maybe they had nothing else to do, who knows. But my gut (and I always go with my gut) tells me that this is the winner over the two so far. Not to say I might not like any other doctor, but he's got a lot of points to beat at this point.

One step closer...

Next!

I've made another consultation appointment for next week, with a Dr. Thomas Hagerty. He's in an office about 30 minutes from me, so it's close enough. Plus his consultation is gratis, so that makes it easy. I want to get as many opinions as possible. Especially since I still have time before I make up my mind.

My friend gave me the name of her doctor in CO, and he suggested another doctor down in the City. He looks good, but also pricey. I'm sure that you get what you pay for, but I'm not going to be able to pay anything more than my last quote. I'm considering seeing him for a consult as well, but his costs $150. I'm already shelling out for my consult next month, I'm not sure I want to do it twice.

I may have to though. As much as it hurts, it's only money. And this is important enough to get right the first time, even if it costs!

My first consultation

I woke up this morning excited and a little nervous. That "little" turned into a LOT by the time I was pulling up to the doctor's office. The stress of it all was making my head pound and the pain is still there a few hours later. I realize this is a big decision but my body is making it a bigger deal internally that I thought it would. However, I promised a overview of the experience so here I am.

The ladies at the front desk were super sweet, which is good because if they were bitches I would have turned and ran away. I'm in sales, so I know how important first impressions are and they can make or break it when it comes to the close.

I didn't sit long (I was late as usual) and was lead into an office where a nurse(?) or assistant or something like that had me sit and we went over my health and stats and whatnot. She was very sweet, but I knew that once again this was the part that helps with the "sale" so I didn't read too much into it.

Once that was over, she lead me into the doctor's office and had me sit to wait for him. He was in to see me about 2 minutes after, and because of this I right away felt rushed. He didn't offer to shake my hand, which is not a big deal, but then he sat down and started talking right away. It was as if he thought I'd heard it all before and was just recalling the important details so I didn't forget. Basically I got what would happen in a nutshell, no questions from me, just this is what I do, take it or leave it. I was on board with everything he said but it still felt odd. Then he told me to go next door, take of my shirt and put on a pink paper gown/top.

I honestly have no idea why they do that. I mean, I'm about to be completely naked in front of both of you, is being covered 2 more minutes really necessary? Sure enough, as soon as they were in the room it was off.

I went to stand in front of a big black sheet with a camera and flash staring at me from across the room. I could see the image being projected on a computer screen nearby. Honestly the embarrassment I suddenly felt wasn't from being naked in front of two strangers, it was from seeing myself on a computer screen. To lighten the mood I told them that this was unusual because "I'm naked on a computer screen and I'm not even getting paid". They both laughed, so it had it's desired effect. I, however, was still very much embarrassed.

Once Dr. Loomis played around with my "area" and they both took a million pictures this way and that, they had me put on a sports bra that clasped in front and the "nurse" lady began taking silicone implants and "filling me up". It was the weirdest sensation, having them on me. They felt like breasts when I put my hands to my chest and for the first time I could imagine the after effects.

I want them now!

I understand that the process is going to take time, but it felt so normal wearing that bra. I felt like it looked perfectly natural and there I realized that I want bigger than I had guessed. The implant size that I finally (and I say finally because I took my sweet time trying to decide!) landed on was 420cc. It came to a full C, perhaps a small D if I wore a VS bra. (Nurse-lady says they run small. I wouldn't know since at the present moment they don't have my damn size!) Weird, but I was actually thinking maybe to go bigger than that, even though it was bigger than I was already planning. One side will need to be filled a little less because I'm slightly uneven, but over all it looked really good. I jokingly told her that now my boobs will finally match my ass and she laughed and told me that people pay a lot of money to have my ass. All I know is that it's what keeps my boys coming back, because it definitely isn't my boobs!!

Once I decided, long after the doctor excused himself, I met her back in the office to discuss the payment. I had a list of questions, and she answered them all to my satisfaction. Basically, if she were the one doing my surgery I'd have signed up in a heartbeat, she was fabulous. But she's not, so I'm left feeling a little want as far as he's concerned.

All in all, it went well. I'm going to be scheduling at least one more consultation, most likely two, to get a rounded (no pun intended!) experience. I'm glad the first one is over though, as I have an idea of what to ask and where to go from here much more than before today. On to the next one!!! (And off now to take some pain killers, OUCH!)