Kym's Story

I'm 23 years old and I've wanted a breast augmentation for as long as I can remember. When I was in the 10th grade I over heard a senior talking about getting a breast augmentation for graduation. After I heard that I drove my parents crazy asking them to buy me one. They didn't understand why I wanted it. I had my daughter when I was 17 (almost 18) and the breasts I had went away with the baby fat

I knew that I couldn't afford a breast augmentation and I'm not the best at saving money so I just dreamed about it for the next 5 years. Last year I finally decided I would at least go in for consultation. There are sooooo many doctors out there so I did an Internet search for Alabama plastic surgeons. It turned up what seemed like hundreds of results so I didn't know where to start. I sent out several emails requesting information and turned up nothing more than what I already knew until I came across www.heddenplasticsurgery.com. From there I was able to send a direct email asking all of my questions.

Within a couple of days I had received an email from Dr. Hedden himself apologizing that it had taken him so long to respond. That was nice because I was actually surprised that he answered me as soon as he did. In the email I had asked him general questions about the procedure including the cost. To my surprise he answered all my questions, even the dumb ones, including the price of the surgery. Most surgeons are hesitant on giving you a price until you've already taken the time to come to their office and do a consultation. I was so happy with the price and the doctor's cooperation that I immediately scheduled my consultation.

When I got to the doctors office, January '05, I felt very comfortable with the atmosphere. I brought my daughter with me so she could see what her mama was doing. She had a fit when I got my hair cut off last September for the locks of love so I vowed to never make another big change without her being aware of it.

The girl at the front desk had a big smile on her face and she took my insurance card and license and had me to fill out some paperwork. Shortly after giving her my papers I was called to the back. The nurse was in the room waiting for us when got back there. She asked me what I was thinking about having done and I told her I wanted a breast augmentation. She made me feel very comfortable with my decision to have the procedure. She asked me if I knew what kind of incision I wanted and I told her I had no clue. She insured me that I had plenty of time to decide and she would be there to explain my options. She briefly went over the different types of incisions and I decided I wanted the crease incision (Inframammory Fold). She then went into more detail about my choice. She told me the pros and cons and answered all my questions. We then talked about the anesthesia and my allergies. I told her I was allergic to Iodine and she highlighted it on my records and wrote it real big on my folder. She then asked me if I had any questions and I told her no. She made my daughter feel very comfortable and even talked to her about her own kids.

After she was certain all my questions were answered she took me to a little room so I could try on sample implants to see what size I wanted. She had me to take off my shirt and put on a robe. I left my bra on so I could put the implants in it to see about what size they would make me. They had every size available from really small to really big. I tried on several and decided on a size. I was going to get 400cc. After I found a size, Dr. Hedden and his assistant came in and talked to me about what the nurse had written down on my chart. He confirmed that I wanted a breast augmentation with a crease incision. He talked to me about the difference in having the implants place over and under the muscle. He told me thought under the muscle was the best option for me. He acknowledged my allergy and promised me he wouldn't let anyone use Iodine on me. (I've had problems in the past with people forgetting) He then had me to take off my robe so he could examine my breasts. He told me I was a small B and noted that my creases were not even. He assured me that he could fix it. I showed him the size I was looking at and told him I wanted to be a full C and he said that the size I had picked would work out great. He asked me if I had any questions and I said no. He shook my hand and told me I could put my shirt back on his assistant would be back in shortly.

She returned with my paperwork and gave me a price that was actually a little cheaper than the price I was quoted on the email. She explained that I could schedule the surgery as soon as I paid 10%. I was so excited that I could hardly sleep. I couldn't wait to get the money. My next payday I went to his office and paid about $300. The receptionist asked if I wanted to schedule the date and I said no because I didn't know when I would have the full amount. A few weeks later I got my income tax check and was able to pay the rest. I went the same day and paid my money and scheduled the surgery for March 1, 2005. I also scheduled a 2-week pre-op appointment. I was so excited but so nervous. I had a little over a month to wait and in that time I believe I told a thousand people about the surgery. I called Dr. Hedden's office at least 50 times asking dumb questions. They never got mad and they always assured me that I could call them anytime and as many times as I needed.

Finally, it was time for my 2-week check up. I got there about 45 minutes early because I was so excited. Everyone greeted me with a smile and treated me like I was the only patient they had. As soon as I went back I was asked to slip into a robe and climb up on the table. The nurse came in and took my blood pressure and asked me several questions. Dr. Hedden came in and confirmed all my information and asked if there were any changes. I told him I now wanted to go to a D instead of a C. He said that would be no problem. He got the nurse to draw some blood so he could make sure I was well enough to go through the surgery. I was given a booklet to read and my prescriptions. He gave me antibiotics, pain meds, muscle relaxer and suppositories for nausea. He said I should get the filled before the surgery date so I wouldn't have to worry about it the day of surgery. I went home and read over my booklet about 20 times. It had everything I needed to know in it including what to do to prepare my house and family for the surgery.

The following 2 weeks were the slowest days of my life. I was so excited I couldn't sit still. I went out and bought my sports bra for the surgery and made plans for my friend who lives about 2-miles from the doctors office to take care of me for a few days.

Finally, the day before the surgery is here and I've got everything together. I spent the night at my friend's house so he could take me. It was after midnight before I finally got to sleep. I was wide-awake and ready to go at 6:30am and my surgery wasn't until 11am. I get to the doctor's office and realize I forgot my bra. I sent my friend to get it while I anxiously waited.

They called me back right on time and took me back to a room where I took off my clothes and put on a robe. They asked me if anything had changed and I told them yes, I wanted to go bigger. She brought in some sample implants so I could decide for last time which size I wanted. After I decided she took the before pictures and had me to get on the bed. She gave me an IV and made sure it worked properly. Dr. Hedden came in and drew on my chest and wrote really big IODINE ALLERGY. He asked me again if I had any questions and I said that I wanted to change the size again. He told me he already had me down as 450cc and I said that was fine. He left the room and said he'd see me soon and then the anesthesiologist came in and talked to me about the meds I would be receiving. He assured me that he would be fully devoted to my comfort while I was in surgery. He put some meds into my IV and walked out of the room and a few seconds later I felt very sleepy and very relaxed. He came back in and told me we were going to the operating room now.

I remember walking across the hall into the operating room. I was trying to act like I was fine but the doctor was basically holding me up as I walked. I climbed on the table and they strapped me down and put some really cold monitors on my legs. The anesthesiologist put a mask over my face and told me to breathe. That's all I remember from the operating room.

Next thing I know I'm in the recovery room and I feel like my back is on fire. I didn't realize it but I was screaming that I was in pain. My breasts didn't hurt at all but my back was killing me. I remember the nurse putting my clothes on me and asking me if I wanted to see my new breasts. I looked down and they didn't seem any bigger. I guess I was still woozy from the anesthesia. I was hurting so bad and all I wanted was to go home. I think I gave them a hard time. I'm not easy to deal with when I'm in pain.

Next thing I know I'm getting in the car and spilling coke all over myself. Luckily we didn't have too far to go. I got home and got in bed and I could hardly breathe from the pain. I took my pain medicine and a muscle relaxer and went to sleep after yelling at my friend for about a half an hour. I woke up about every 3-4 hours hurting and needing more medicine. After the first 8 hours I started feeling better and better each time I would wake up.

I got up the next morning and went back to Dr. Hedden's office for my check-up. I felt so much better. He brought me straight back and said I looked great. I told him I was no longer having to take the pain meds but I was still taking half of the dose of muscle relaxer. He said that was great and scheduled me to come back in 2 weeks. He told me I could shower but to keep my bra on at all other times.

I went home and within the next few days I was driving and moving around on my own. My surgery was on a Tuesday and the following Monday I went back to work. I was doing and feeling great. When I left work that day I got into a car accident. The seatbelt hurt my breast and it scared me to death. I called Dr. Hedden and his nurse told me to go to the Emergency Room and get an X-ray. I went and they wrapped me up and told me to see Dr. Hedden the next morning. I called him the next day and he was very busy but he made time for me. I went and got a rental car and was heading to his office when I got into another car wreck. At this point I was hysterical. I got my brother to call 911 and I immediately called Dr. Hedden's office. They did everything they could to calm me down. I made it to their office and they gave me a short massage to calm me down. Dr. Hedden came in and assured me that I was ok. I was so thankful to him for kindness. He really went out of his way to take care of me. He told me to follow up at my next appointment and I did. Everything was going fine.

A few days after my follow-up appointment I noticed some pain and a strange uncomfortable feeling in my left breast. I called Dr. Hedden's office about 10 times worried about it. They assured me that it was ok and a few weeks later it went away and I had beautiful breasts. I went and got measured and I was a 36 D. Everyday they look better and better and I couldn't be more satisfied. I go in a couple of weeks for my 3 months check-up.

I love my new breasts and I would recommend Dr. Hedden to anyone who wants to get a breast augmentation.