Part One: BR - Life changing! Going from 40GG-H to 20C!!!!- Australia
Where to begin. Well, first of all I gotta say I...
Where to begin. Well, first of all I gotta say I know it is a US site but there is no similar support site in Oz therefore I hope you ladies don't mind a foreigner coming along to the site. I have been checking up on the site for a fortnight now and every time I read a review, a blog post I was jelous! CONGRATS to ALL THE LADIES who have gone through these - you are amazing and great role models. Thank you! I remember when I first thought about getting a BR -about 12years ago there was ZERO INFORMATION available online and when my GP told me "You haven't even used them breast for their purpose! When they have served their purpose then come back and we will see" I merely accepted it. Needless to say I should not have had. 12years on my boobs still have not "served their purpose" (e.g I sitill haven't had a child) but the tables are turned. I am rejecting having a baby until I get my boobs fixed! I told my new GP that I am simply not willing to get pregnant and breastfeed in my current situation - and for the sake of the baby. My breast are almost down to my belly button -no joke I am afraid- poor child would suffocate if I were to try and breastfeed - its face would get stuck under my breasts! I cannot lift neither of my breast by one hand - I have to use 2.How on earth they anticipate me to breast feed like this? Thank God my new GP is a star and he immediately understand my point of view and has recommended that I undertake a BR. Hallelujah, exactly my thoughts.
So I started researching...and this how I ended up here.
About myself?
I am 32 (yep,gotta think of that baby soon) and currently live in SYD, Australia. Currently because I move about every couple of years. Move about means from one continent to another, but for the time being let's say I am ozzie :) So I am 32, and I am currently a size of 40G (UK sizing for my only wearable T-shirt bras), 20F (AUS sizing) and 18E (for my sports bra) -it makes no sense I know but these are my actual and honest sizes...CRAAZZZZYYYYYY. My sports bra fits me just about - I actually fall out of it on the sides so I wear it with a sports top and Tshirt - I will post photos later on the week. However, I have no choice,the largest size of sports bra is 18E. And I looooooovveeeee doing sports! Sports have always been a part of my life and even thought I always had big breasts I never gave up doing sports. I can no longer sprint, run but I still jog (1x year I take part in a 14km jog-walk uphill, downhill and do a reasonable time) I used to do waterpolo (was in team until ...well until my breast started to hold me back) I used to compete in rowing (yep...ballett was never for me) and kayak. I was part of a swimming team and used to be able to swim 5kms non stop - now I can only manage 1 as my breasts are sllloooooooooowing me down. My freestyle is still good but my breaststroke is quite a sight - the wrong way. I still swim but I am a looooot moooore self-consnious and try to cover myself the best I can getting into the water. I have no reservations in the water. I even did my scuba driver qualification last year (yep with 40G) and my instructor was amazed at my amazing bouyancy. Yeah right- I look like a whale, I swim like a whale, I feel like a whale - I must have been a whale....But I want to go back being a dolphin..
I want small breasts. I dont just want smaller breasts - I want small breast. So small they do not draw any attention. None. I want breast smallest closest to being flat chested. I know I will not be able to breastfeed and I understand that when I have a baby (want 1-2years after BR) my breast will sag and will never look the same - but then I will get them done -again.
I want D or C. I know I would cry my heart out with a DD or an E as I would keep thinking all this money (I have to pay all this out of pocket!) and pain (not too bothered, I usually have a high pain tolerance) for an E? But I am being optimistic.
I know the despite me going to the gym AT LEAST 4 TIMES A WEEK (1x pilates, 2x cardio classes +1 turbo cardio combined with core strength - that is my basic weekly routine) my breasts will not shrink. In fact they have leaving excess skin behind :(
So this is my start line, now my life beings...
OK....well had my first consult with a surgeon...
He certainly came across very experienced and very confident -overly confident in my eyes to be frank. I am not judging his expertise and skills but I am not 100% sure he is the surgeon for me. He talked over me - several times, not letting me finish my sentence or line of thought - obviously he must have heard stories like mine before yet I think it just comes with the job that he would have to be a good listener. Little things like, when the photograpghed me he did not explain where he intends to use those photographs (I know he needs it for the file etc yet he should have said a few words) and when I asked him to give me an estimate of what my anticipated outcome would be, he simply answered "I don't guarantee cup sizes as there is no uniform sizing and it is misleading" I probed him just for an estimate and he came across defensive already talking about "I cannot guarantee" but kept on explaining he can do this, he has done that, he does soooo much of these etc. He talked about other patients as well (!) of course not disclosing a name but told me a story about a 15year old girl he did breast reduction on as per the request of the mother, he talked about a lady having had his procedure and then losing 35kgs etc etc..Yes he went through his checklist and talked 15mins about the procedure in general - stuff I can read up on but did not mention anything about preparation. Did not mention anything about what to use for scarring. Did not mention anything along the lines of "well maybe purchasing an extra support pillow might be a good idea" However, questions I have asked were answered -all very positive "nothing to worry about this is going to be all fine and is going to change my life I will be soooooo happy"..I walked out feeling I have just attended a sales show for a new vacuum cleaner..
Cost? Even with Medicare (the government funded medical service) assistance I was qouted a surgery cost of about 12000AUD. 5400AUD for surgeon fee, 2500AUD for hospital accommodation, 4000 for theathre fees plus 125 for pathology and 75 for an after op bra which the doctor did not recommend but leaves up to me to figure out what and what size I buy....INTERESTING...
However, I have to add the price range is about right. I do anticipate the procedure to cost as much as a small car ...
However,his practice seems to be busy - the earliest date when he could do my surgery is mid July..
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Overall:I think he can do the job and do it well, however I am going to visit 2 more surgeons before I commit to a surgery so that I can make a choice based on where would I feel safer, better...
Replies (3)
Se1f 1ove I will write a bit longer about how the australian system works in relation to financing BR - soon
MaizeiLou - :) So happy for your success, I cant wait being post op myself :) Yep I want small small small - however I am not willing to sacrifice safety..so I am asking for the "smallest achievable with the minimum chances of side effects therefore maximum safety"
Photos... Looking as it is now - AWFUL AWFUL...
Looking as it is now - AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL despite all the exercising I am doing!
Replies (2)