Patient Perspectives: Gina’s Blog
July 17th, 2009
Hello. My name is Gina.
I am a personal trainer and instructor in Minneapolis. I am coming up on my 40th birthday in October. I have been struggling with a fibrocystic breast for the past 7 years. The fibroids are painful when I work out (which is 2-3hrs/day) and they have caused my left breast to become noticeably larger than my right one. As a trainer, symmetry is very important to me, so I set out on a quest to remedy this problem.
I consulted several doctors about a solution and the most common answers were #1-Quit all stimulants, such as caffeine, chocolate, wine, etc. for 6 months and #2-Be happy with my body just the way it is. I am willing to try anything as long as I get my desired end result, so I quit stimulants and gave up my dark chocolate and my white wine for the 6 months. Let’s just say that my husband did not find me pleasurable to around for the first month of this experiment! It was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but I thought it would be worth it. Well, it wasn’t. Nothing changed. The fibroids didn’t dissipate, which means I still had one large, painful breast. Needless to say, I am once again enjoying my caffeine!
With the first suggestion checked off of the list, I was left with #2. For the most part, I’m pretty happy with my body and how it looks and also, how it performs on an athletic level. All in all, I’m pretty satisfied. Although, I’m also of the mindset that if you can change something and better yourself physically and mentally, than why not!? Accept what you can’t change and change what you can. So three years ago, I saw Dr. Bashioum for liposuction on my left breast, in hopes that if we took the size down with that procedure, it wouldn’t be so heavy and, therefore, not as painful. Not to mention, the size would maybe match better! It was one of the possible treatments and that approach worked for some time. However, over the past few years, the fibroids have gotten bigger and are pretty much making up almost all of my breast tissue on the affected side. At this point, I am considering additional surgery to correct my asymmetry. I’ll tell you more after my consultation with Dr. Bashioum about my decision whether or not to have a reduction on my left breast.
Post Pregnancy Cosmetic Surgery
July 14th, 2009
Yesterday’s post reveals a great deal. Women who are comfortable with their physical appearance before pregnancy are frequently bothered by the changes they see after delivery. Most of the women we see are concerned that their breasts have decreased in size when compared to their pre-pregnancy state. In addition, some of these women notice considerable sagging. Finally, others are concerned that their breasts are way too big following pregnancy. Their breasts have actually increased in size and stayed that way. On rare occasion, women who have had breast enlargement surgery before children, come in afterwards asking to have their implants removed.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict what is going to happen to a patient’s body after pregnancy. Changes which bother one person, often do not bother the next. The notion of a perfect breast size and shape is a very personal aesthetic. Fortunately, there are many options available to restore breast fullness, correct sagging or reduce volume. A patient should seek out the necessary information, so that they will be fully aware of what choices they have regarding surgical correction.
Women who choose to have post-pregnancy surgery or “mommy make-overs” are most often happy with the decision to correct breasts and sometimes tummies, that have changed and no longer appear the way they feel their best. Often times times women report a boost in their self-esteem and general sense of well being. Many also echo the sentiment, “Why didn’t I do it sooner?”
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