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Orange County |
Real Housewife, Real Story
Tamra, one of the "Real Housewives of Orange County," gets a star-quality breast augmentation revision with Dr. Ambe
Bravo TV fans who watched last season's episodes of the Real Housewives of Orange County—and many people who didn't—already know something about Tamra Barney's breast augmentation revision in Newport Beach. Tamra wanted to share more of her story than the television show could cover in hopes of helping others who face the same issues she did.
Making the Commitment
How many of us have waited a long time to make a change for the better, wondering if the result would live up to our expectations?
It wasn't long after getting breast augmentation in Orange County (with another surgeon) that Tamra started thinking about having a revision. She realized her implants were too big for her body: "They came out on the sides and touched in the middle," she says. With her petite frame, the size 34DD breasts made it difficult for her to find clothes to fit. "Bathing suits and bras didn't fit, and my breasts made every button-up shirt too small."
Tamra thought often about breast augmentation revision, but some Orange County friends had experienced what Tamra considered to be surgical disasters. Their results caused her to hesitate for years. When she finally arranged consultations with plastic surgeons, she had another reason to hesitate. "Every doctor had a different idea about what I should do," she explains. Tamra felt more confused than ever.
Finding a Surgeon She Could Trust
After hearing several glowing recommendations for Dr. Milind Ambe, Tamra made an appointment to meet him in his Newport Beach office. During that conversation she began to discover she had found a plastic surgeon she could trust.
The first thing that appealed to Tamra about Dr. Ambe was his background. He's certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons, and Tamra knew how important board certification is. She liked the fact that he has many years of experience and that breast augmentation revision is one of his specialties. She found him to be very professional, "from his credentials to his bedside manner."
It made a special impression on Tamra that Dr. Ambe has an artistic side to his personality. Noting that he's an accomplished pianist, Tamra felt he must be talented with his hands. She even observed that he is, in her words, "an impeccable dresser." The way Dr. Ambe pays attention to every detail of his practice and his personal life was a very good sign, she felt.
Hearing the Advice She Needed, and No More
In choosing Dr. Ambe to be her plastic surgeon, the most important factor was the time he spent with Tamra and the input he gave her. "He explained everything in great detail," she says. He took time to tell her exactly why he recommended downsizing her implants, and he reviewed why some of the other options she had heard about would not give her the results she was seeking. Not only that, Tamra says he didn't try to "up sell" her on another procedure. In her view, "There's nothing more disgusting than to go in for a breast augmentation consult and have the doctor suggest you do something about your nose. Unfortunately some plastic surgeons in Orange County do that."
One more factor stood out about Dr. Ambe: his surgical center. Not only did Tamra like the fact that he owns his own surgical center, she also liked its location: nearby his office but separate. "Maybe it's just me, but there's something kind of odd about getting operated on in a suite of offices," she feels. A separate facility close by is the ideal situation, according to Tamra. It's more private too.
Enjoying the Results
After surgery, Tamra says she was "expecting to be down and out for a week," but she felt pretty good even during the first few days. She remembers taking it easy and using medication for about two days, but she says she did not suffer any major pain. In two weeks she was back on the set of the Real Housewives for regular 16 hour days. "Everyone was shocked," she says. "They kept telling me to rest but I just didn't need to."
Tamra says her breasts continued to go through changes—good ones—for about a month following surgery. They got smaller as the slight swelling subsided, and they became softer as well. Though she was worried about numbness or loss of feeling in her nipples after surgery, she continues to have complete sensation. As the stitches came out her scars started to change color and lighten, lessening her worry about severe scarring. Today, Tamra says her scars are almost "completely gone."
Now, six months after surgery, Tamra is a 34C and "100% happy." She says, "My clothes fit better, and I feel like I look better. It seems like I look the way I did when I was 18." Tamra is happy not to be so top-heavy any longer. "People think I have lost weight—and I haven't."
Speaking Out to Help Others
More than many people, Tamra understands why women may hesitate to have a second breast procedure. If the outcome of the first surgery is breasts that don't fit your frame, it's natural to worry that a second procedure won't give you the results you want either. But Tamra believes if you do your research and find a top plastic surgeon like Dr. Ambe, you may very well feel as she does: "100% happy." Her only regret now is that she didn't have the revision sooner.
In fact, she specifically advises other women to, "Go to Dr. Ambe. He's the best." If that's not possible, she says, "Do your homework, investigate everything. Ask your friends and neighbors for recommendations. Do research on the Internet. Make sure your plastic surgeon is board certified and find out about their specialties." No detail is too small to consider, according to the television star. "You'd be surprised how much everything really does play a part in your results."
Tamra recalls making her first decisions about plastic surgery when she was younger, when she, like many people, tended to accept what she heard easily. She tells others to be assertive. "Don't be afraid to take a hard look at the practice and ask many questions. People can be reluctant to question professionals, but you shouldn't be."
As Tamra turns 40, does she long for those younger days now behind her? Just read through her blog from last season. At her age, with her new figure, she's "still the hottest housewife in Orange County."