Ladybug reached her goal of $6500 in about 10 months.

1. When was your surgery?
   Surgery was June 26, 2009.
2. How did you bring up MFI with your doctor?
   I told the finance gal in the office that I had a 3rd party payment. When they asked who and I mentioned MFI they told me they’d already done several girls’ surgeries with MFI payment so they knew it wouldn’t be a problem.
3. How did your doctor feel about MFI?
   He didn’t express any like or dislike but his staff thinks that it’s great and they had all kinds of questions for me.
4. Did you doctor have you do anything pre-surgery to help make things easier?
   Nothing to do with my body. He did recommend not watching or listening to stories about augmentation surgeries, and to make arrangements for lots of help.
5. Did you do anything pre-surgery that was recommended on the internet or by other women?
   I made sure to have several button front shirts to wear and I made sure everything I’d need was downstairs with me. I also made sure the pantry was stocked with things the kids could make themselves and quick and easy things dad could handle.
6. How big are your implants and what kind are they (saline, silicon, profile, etc)?
   I have 400 & 425cc silicone, High profile, Natrelle implants.
7. How were they implanted (over muscle, under, incision type etc)? Why did you choose that method?
   They are under the muscle with a fold incision. I chose this for the sake of scarring, sensitivity and appearance.
8. How did you decide how big to go and what type of implants to get?
   At first I didn’t think I could possibly go any bigger than 350 but my doctor and his staff kept telling me I should. I did the rice test at a family gathering to see the reactions and it was all good. Also, I really didn’t want to have “headlights” so I didn’t want high profile but, again, the doctor and his staff kept encouraging me to try them. When I did I LOVED the way they look and the confidence I felt so I said that’s what I wanted and didn’t change my mind. I knew I wanted silicone for several reasons: I didn’t want visible rippling on the sides and I’d heard that you could “feel the cold against your chest in the cold”. Since I live in the Northwest, I couldn’t imagine that feeling. Haha. Also, when I held the two in the office, I felt like the silicone just felt more natural in my hand.
9. How long after surgery were you in pain?
   I was in extremely uncomfortable pain for about 4 days. I remember my mom coming to help me take a bath on day 3 because she was so worried about me trying to do it for myself and I was so glad she did. I went back to work after 10 days and driving was so difficult. Trying to sweep after 2 weeks hurt! Around the 6 week mark I think I finally stopped wincing and just started taking things in stride.
10. Did you need someone to help you with normal tasks after surgery? If so, what did they do?
    I already mentioned my mom helping me. I also had my phone set with alarms for which pills to take and when because I’d never have remembered. I canceled all plans. I also made sure the air mattress was ready for me and all my pillows were downstairs.
11. Did your doctor have any post-surgery advice that really seemed to help with your recovery and/or scar reduction?
    Actually he told me not to obsess about creams and things and let the incisions heal naturally. Also, he advised me about the emotional roller coaster that would probably take place to make me aware.
12. Did you do anything else post-surgery that really helped with your recovery?
    Nope. Just focused on healing and taking advantage of the help that was offered to me. My family was VERY understanding.
13. How long before you could resume normal activity?
    About 6 weeks.
14. What was your biggest surprise post-surgery?
    The feeling like there was hot water sloshing around in my chest! No kidding that was weird. Oh and the numbness.
15. How closely did you follow your doctor’s advice?
    Well his advice was simple and it made sense so I followed it perfectly. Including being on the pain killers around the clock for 24 hours even though I thought I could handle it without them.
16. What did you do to get your home ready for your recovery?
    Stocked up on groceries (stuff the kids could make for themselves), washed all the laundry and made sure the family knew I’d be out of commission. Oh, I also brought the air mattress downstairs along with my pillows and I bought bags of frozen peas for ice packs. All things my doctor recommended.
17. Anything you wish you’d done differently?
    Go bigger. No, I’m totally kidding. I love the size I am!! I have no regrets about how anything went. Just wish I’d have taken more before pics. Silly right? hahaha.
18. Were there any activities that were surprisingly difficult or painful?
    Sweeping was surprisingly painful. Driving after 10 days was terrible. Getting up after lying down hurt like heck. The burning in the pocket was horrible!
19. Was there anything you did that turned out to be surprisingly helpful?
    I set the alarms on my cell phone to go off when I needed to take my pain pills and I followed the doctor’s advice about taking them even if I didn’t think I needed to. My recovery was what I expected it to be.
20. How did your first “public appearance” with your new boobs go? Any advice for others?
    It was the family 4th of July bbq and they were anticipating it. I was 8 days post-op so still in some pain but things went great. Make sure to wear the belts and bras the doctor tells you to, and for as long as they tell you, even though they’re ugly and can look bulky under clothing.
21. Did you find any sites with really good advice on any part of the implant process?
    The most helpful site about what to expect was JBI. The other one was the site from my implant makers. I flip flopped between the choices so many times before deciding, and I’m very happy I researched thoroughly so I could feel great about my choice.
22. Have you had any complications?
    No major complications. Regular things like one boob dropping first and stitches coming out of the incision scar 4 months later. Those are common and not complications at all.
23. Anything else you’d like to mention?
    Of course there is anxiety before getting the surgery because it is major surgery, but the procedure itself is quick and easy. I am coming up on 6 months post-op now and I’m still so thrilled with the decision I made. Best of all…people at work tell me they didn’t even know I’d had it done.

This, of course, is an after.

This is not medical advice. This is advice from a woman who has had implant surgery. You should also ask your doctor as every person is different and you can’t be sure that your situation is the same as anyone else’s. If you’ve had surgery and would like to answer these questions, drop me a line, I’d love to include you.

Read more: Community Interviews.