Melanie's Story

My name is Melanie, and I am a 27 year old stay at home mom. I have a great husband, and two wonderful children.

I have always wanted larger breasts. I realized mine were abnormally small in junior high school, I guess around age 12. I was an A cup I high school, but after having and nursing two babies, my breasts had shrunk to a tiny 32AA. Even though I was 5'5" and 115 pounds, I looked like a 12 year old. I could not buy bras anywhere. I had to order from Victoria's Secret. I thought it was pretty ironic that the smallest bra in the world was $36, when you can buy DDD's at Wal-Mart for $10. I hated my breasts, or lack thereof. I hated swimsuits. I got so sick and tired of padded bras I knew I had to go ahead. I finally had my breast augmentation almost a year ago, in August 2004.

I researched the procedure and everything pertaining to it for 4 years before going ahead. I went to online support groups, looked at hundreds of pictures, talked to several people I knew personally that had the procedure, and looked at several different doctors. I decided to use Dr. Hedden after looking at pictures on his website and a consultation. After trying on sizers, we decided on 330cc round saline implants filled to 360cc. My goal was a C cup. My husband was very supportive along the way. He drove me to Birmingham for the surgery. I had made hotel reservations online so we could stay in town for the night. My mother-in-law kept the kids at home for us. I was extremely nervous when we arrived, as well as irritated from being so hungry. That was mentally the worst part - I love to eat and I hated not being able to eat after midnight. We sat in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. I felt like I looked crazy sitting there in my pajamas with no make-up. Finally we were called back and they started an IV. Then we were told the doctor was running a bit late. I started to cry. I just wanted to get it done!

Dr. Hedden came in after a while, and he put me at ease. He explained things one more time, to my husband as well, then I was off to the OR. I remember drifting off to sleep. When I woke up, I felt like there was an elephant on my chest. I felt a little woozy, too. My husband got me to the hotel, and I told him I wanted pizza, which was a big mistake. I threw it right up. Then I settled for ginger ale and crackers. The next moring we went back in to see Dr. Hedden. He said everything looked ok, and we came home.

My recovery at home was pretty uneventful. My husband stayed at home with me for a week. He gave me my pain pills every 4 to 6 hours and I slept most of the time. I had printed out every post-op instruction list I could find online, so I was well prepared. I had lots of pillows to prop up on, many snacks, ginger ale, and sodas to help with nausea, and did little things to pamper myself. It was hard to not pick up my children, and my daughter started school when I was 8 days post-op, but I had plenty of help. About 6 weeks post, I noticed I was doing so much better. I was able to move and do what I needed to do. One thing I did notice is that it feels a little funny when turning the steering wheel of a car, but that's it.

Now, at 9 months post-op, I couldn't be more pleased. I can buy a 34C bra at Wal-Mart for $10. Finally!!! I can go but all kinds of bikinis and strappy tank tops. I look proportional! The only problem I have encountered is some rippling when I bend over. But I figure I don't walk around in public topless and bent over, so it is fine with me.

I am so glad I decided to go ahead with a breast augmentation. Dr. Hedden and his staff were so nice to me. They made me feel very comfortable with my decision.