Then & Now

5 Myths About Breast Implants Debunked

There are so many women out there who already have implants or who are considering getting them. So many questions, fears, and worries come to mind revolving around the surgery and the implants themselves.

I made the decision to go under the knife in 2011 and shared my personal story of the whole process. Before my surgery, I heard millions of things that honestly almost scared me from even going through with it. However, I am glad that I did and love my look!  I can tell you that most things that you hear are either outdated or big fat myths!

Here are the top 5 myths about breast implants and the truth behind the myth:

1. MYTH: You cannot breastfeed with implants.  This is not true for many women. I breastfeed with my implants and it is absolutely fine! I chose to go the submuscular route so that my mammary glands would not be effected or cut into. However, on the flip side, some women are not able to breastfeed with implants because they went the subglandular route or somehow the surgery damaged their nerves, breast milk ducts, or milk glands. Where and how the implant is inserted has everything to do with the likelihood the woman will be able to breastfeed in the future. If you avoid a nipple incision and instead put the implants under the breast crease – a procedure called an inframammary incision – or if you put the implants under the muscle of the chest wall, the majority of patients do not have a problem breast feeding.

2. MYTH: Breast implants are dangerous. Contrary to popular belief, breast implants are no longer as "dangerous" as they used to be. They have actually come a long way from when they were first introduced. However, they do carry some risks-just as with any other surgical procedure out there. The FDA mentions the following risks associated with breast implants:

• Additional surgeries, with or without removal of the device
• Capsular contracture, scar tissue that forms around the implant and squeezes the implant
• Breast pain
• Changes in nipple and breast sensation
• Rupture with deflation of saline-filled implants
• Rupture with or without symptoms (silent rupture) of silicone gel-filled implants
• 
  

3. MYTH: Implants must be replaced every ten years. Most surgeons recommend that implants be replaced by the 10th year or so. However, this is just a basic guideline because the FDA intends for the implants to not be "lifetime devices"  since with time, implants can be more susceptible to tearing-but that is not a guarantee. Most women actually can live off one or two surgical procedures since implants only need to be replaced if there is a problem with them-though most women choose to redo their breasts after pregnancy, breastfeeding, and with age as gravity tends to take its toll.

4. MYTH: Implants feel "unnatural" or "fake." Not at all-especially if you choose the silicone gel route. They are actually very natural feeling and looking; moreso than saline implants. There are other factors that come into play that can make implants feel absolutely natural such as the amount of normal breast tissue you already had, the implant's covering, the position of the implant, how the implant was inserted, and of course your doctor! Always do your research and if you want them to look completely natural, speak up! You should never go too big for your frame.

5. MYTH: You will look awesome right away. This is usually NEVER the case! Immediately after surgery, you are swollen, bruised, and your implants look as it they were stuffed in your neck. It takes time for swelling to go down and for the implants to "drop" into their places. You usually do not come out looking your best-more like Frankenstein's bride. However, the look of your implants will get better!

Do you have implants? What has been your experience?

Skinny Frozen Yogurt Strawberry Bites

Skinny Frozen Yogurt Strawberry Bites

Ingredients:

1 Container of Strawberries
1 large container of Greek vanilla yogurt

Directions:
Rinse and dry the strawberries.
Cut the berries in half or even quarters depending on what size you desire.
Put the yogurt(s) in a bowl to use for dipping.
Get out a sheet pan and line with parchment or wax paper.
Use a toothpick or spoon to dip the strawberries in the yogurt.
After dipping the berry place on the sheet pan.
Once you’re finished dipping all the berries, make room in the freezer and place the pan in.
You can leave them in the freezer for a few hours (2-3) or even overnight.
Pop them in a tupperware and leave in the freezer to snack on anytime of the day!

8 Things That Divorce Taught Me

I have been divorced before.

I was way too young and pretty dumb about it. Also, I did it for all of the wrong reasons. I barely knew him. I wanted to get out from underneath my parents to have my own life and feel grown up- and I wanted to feel love and happiness. I though that by being married, it would bring me love and happiness. You know, like in fairy tales and Disney movies.

Boy, was I so wrong.

When I look back on all of the red flags throughout the 3 years we were married, I want to punch myself! How could I have been so stupid, naive, and ignorant?

Until one day, I got some balls and I decided to get out.

Divorces suck. No matter the circumstances. However, my divorce taught me 8 important things that I would've never known if it had not happened to me:

1. Don't change for anyone. The one who truly loves you will not care if you like blasting Taylor Swift behind closed doors and that you secretly enjoy playing bingo with the old folks on Thursday nights. If you feel yourself having to change to make somebody like you, then that is a HUGE red flag. My current husband is the first man I never had to change for. And boy was that nice! He loved me for all of my quirks- good or bad.
2. You've got to love yourself. This was one of my biggest  issues. I did not respect myself enough to leave until I had lost every part of who I was. I should have left when it no longer felt right, but I stayed for the other person and because things were just "comfortable". Don't make this mistake-life is way too short. Love yourself and most of all listen to yourself! It does not mean you are selfish. It just means you know when you have had enough of a bad situation.
3. There are no regrets or mistakes, just lessons learned. Take your divorce and use it as a learning experience. Use it to make yourself wiser and to learn what to do or what not to do for the next time around. Now, you know exactly what you do and don't want in a mate. Make a list and save it for future reference.My ex-husband was:
   • He was selfish, arrogant, immature, conceited, heartless, and moody.
   • He loved himself mostly.
   • His priorities were screwed up and jaded.
   • He was terrible with money and loved spending and gambling.
   • He was never content with the life he had. He always wanted more and more.
   • Most of all: he was not happy and probably never would be.
4. You can improve yourself. We are not perfect, we are human! But if there were any parts of you that contributed to the divorce that you wish you would have changed-change them now. But, do it for yourself-not someone else. Marriage can teach us very important details about ourselves-some positive and some negative. Use this revelation to learn and grow within yourself.
5. Life goes on. After your divorce, you may feel feel like you do not know what to do with yourself. It is okay. Why? Because life isn't just going to stop. If anything, you now have the freedom to LIVE your life the way YOU want it to be. Start a new hobby or take a new class.
6. You will experience a rollercoaster of emotions. Even though you could or couldn't stand the person whom you are divorcing, you can guarantee you will feel at least some of the following emotions: anxiety, confusion, "what ifs", hopelessness, sadness, happiness, thankfulness, regret, anger, bitterness, the list goes on. Redirect the negative feelings into something more positive. Such as a hobby or making new friends. I freaking love Pinterest-it is my favorite way to past the time or take my mind off of things (besides chasing my son around all day long) because you can find crafts to make, new workouts to try, new recipes to cook-options are freaking endless!
7. Life has a bigger plan for you in store. If I would have known that I would've met my husband today, I would have skipped through all those sleazy boyfriends and ex-husband and just went straight for him. But, hey, that wouldn't be very fun, would it? It's like skipping to the very end of the book without reading all of the chapters. Today, my husband and I have been happily married for the last two years and have the most beautiful little boy we could ever imagine! I never knew life could be so awesome! 
   
8. Shit could always be worse. Like, for instance: The Big Bang Theory coming to an end or Starbucks shutting down. No, but really though.

Medicine Ball Push Ups