When I had mine first breast augmentation I never imagined it would be something I would share with thousands of people. It was a personal decision I made for myself alone.
12 years later, I felt it was important to share my experience even if it was only helps a girl who is considering surgery for ANY reason.
Since starting LSF, I’ve made it a point to always be 100% transparent with all of you so when it came time to do it again I knew I wanted to share it so here it is…
What happened…
When I had my first operation 12 years ago it was very cut and dry.
I met the surgeon, we made an appointment, I showed up, got breasts and that was it.
There was no discussion about my health, lifestyle, diet, or anything else that could (and did) affect how my surgery went.
But to be fair, I wasn’t that concerned about those things then either. I wish I knew how important they were!
I ended up overdoing it with my workouts very soon after the surgery and long story short I had to have a second surgery a year later. It’s not fun, but it helped and I’ve been (fairly) happy with the results since.
That being said, it is recommended that you change your implants every 10-15 years and after having a baby I felt it was about time. My breasts were even bigger and uncomfortable and I thought it was best to be proactive and take care of it.
Finding the right doctor…
This time I knew better, I knew I wanted to find a surgeon who cared about more than just my bum. I wanted to find someone who prioritized my overall health and really understood what I was looking for.
I had followed Dr. Barrett on Instagram for years and I knew his approach was completely different so when it came time to find a new doctor he was my first choice.
After my first consultation, I honestly felt that he was more than just a surgeon. He was going to be a partner in my journey.
Dr. Barrett and his team took a very holistic approach. They emphasized the importance of comprehensive conditioning + recovery plans, including everything from nutrition, supplementation, and exercise.
Even though I was still a little nervous, he gave me complete confidence that it was going to be an amazing experience – and it was!
My preparation before + after surgery
1. Nourishing my body
Understanding the pivotal role nutrition plays in recovery made all the difference. I upped my protein intake, loaded up on veggies and things like bone broth, and stick to his supplement recommendations every day. I also did not drink any alcohol for 2 weeks before or after the surgery.
The guidance of Dr. Barrett reinforced the idea that what we put in our bodies significantly affects the outcome and indeed it did.
My Supplement Line-Up
- Arnica+: to reduce draft
- Before: The all-in-one formula is the ultimate tool to prepare your body for surgery
- After: Theoptimize your postoperative healing
- The Biome Breakthrough: repair the lining of the gut
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Wing Woman: strengthening the immune system
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Vegetable protein: support of muscle recovery + reduction of muscle atrophy
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Natural beauty: heals and repairs the skin, rebuilds collagen + supports recovery
*USE CODE: KATIE20 with a 20% discount. here
2. Fish oil to reduce inflammation
A MAJOR supplement I added after surgery was fish oil to reduce inflammation and support my recovery.
Its anti-inflammatory properties omega-3 fatty acids, explaining how they could help minimize swelling and discomfort after surgery. This simple addition to my recovery plan proved invaluable in promoting a smoother healing process.
3. Red light therapy
Discovering the benefits of red light therapy was a game changer.
Dr. Barrett recommended this non-invasive approach to speed healing, reduce inflammation and minimize scarring.
I got it LightStim for Pain to do at home for 20 minutes daily and it helped a lot! (code: KATIE20 for 20% OFF)
4. Mindful Movement: Exercise for flexibility and comfort
You know I don’t like to sit still! Taking months out of my regular MOVE routine after having a baby was tough. I knew it would be about 6 weeks before I really started easing into things, but after my first experience I was 100% ready to take it slow!
With the ok of Dr. Barrett, I began light, low-impact lower-body exercises that encouraged blood circulation and prevented stiffness in the chest muscles.
I am now 7 weeks post op, back to my regular workouts and feeling great!
I vlogged the whole experience, if you want more of the day by day, check out how it went! look at it here.
Dr. Barrett and his team ensured that every aspect of my well-being was considered, making me feel supported and cared for throughout the process.
So long story short, if you are considering ANY type of surgery, do your research and have a solid plan! And obviously go to Dr Barrett if you can because he is AMAZING!