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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

3 1/2 months Photo update: Running and still going strong

ORIGINAL POST

I'm 5'3" with a bra size of 36E and...

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runrosieMarch 8, 2012
WORTH IT

I'm 5'3" with a bra size of 36E and like most of you I have had large breast for most of my life. I did't mind them when I was younger but after breast feeding 2 children and here we are 15 years later and ... well... they GREW even bigger and DROPPED !?! So now they just get in the way of me wearing what I want, bra shopping is a big hassle and not to mention when running I need to double up on bras to get the support I need. I have been thinking about getting a BR for about 5 years but always thought it would be out of the question because of the costs associated with it. Now for about 3 years I have been experiencing off & on again shoulder, neck and back pain but never had thought that this could be because of my large breasts. I went to a therapist for about a year with some relief but never feeling a 100%.My story now goes back to Dec/2011 when I had a mammo/ultrasound done for a routine physical, where they found a mass. I was then refered to a surgeon for further follow up where it was then discovered that it was a Fibroadenoma (benign mass) to my relief. She then proceeded to ask me if I ever consider having a breast reduction because of my breast size being much larger then my frame. She also asked if I experience any shoulder, back pain (to both I answered YES) I then asked if our provinical health insurance would cover it and she said yes in most cases. So on Jan 31 /2012, I had my consult with my PS. I was told I would probably be a D but that is only an estimate. I was told to set up an date for the operation that day because I would have no problem getting covered by our government health insurance - OHIP. They had a cancelation for Feb 16/2012 if I wanted that date I could have it. And I was thinking to myself but wait a minute that's in about 2 weeks, I need some time to process this! I wasn't expecting it to go this quickly (I was thinking about 2-3 mons plenty of time to mull it over). I asked if there was another time available and she said April 5, so I quickly said I'll take it! So now my date is set for April 5/2012 this will give me time to get ready and to get use to the idea. Or it may give me to much time to go back and further with should I or shouldn't I. I just have to keep telling myself "Worth It"

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Replies (2)

Iowa71
March 9, 2012
Hi Rosie! Welcome to RealSelf. My opinion...it is TOTALLY WORTH IT! I'm not even as small as I wanted to be and it has made an incredible difference. I hadn't run since I was a child, but now I'm on the treadmill every day and believe it or not, I'm actually enjoying it! And I have had several doctors tell me that women who have had a reduction have a much lower chance of getting a breast cancer. And besides all of that...I feel good about how my breasts look now! Anytime you start having doubts, just remember how you feel when your back and neck are arching. It is amazing that I wasn't sure how it felt not to have a stiff neck until after the surgery! Good luck!
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runrosie
March 9, 2012
Hello Iowa71, Thanks for your encouraging words. I'm glad to hear how happy you are and to hear you have no regrets, will keep your advice in mind when I start having doubts.
UPDATED FROM runrosie

I have been shopping over the past week or so for...

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runrosieMarch 11, 2012
I have been shopping over the past week or so for sports bras, body pillow , pillow with arms to sit up in bed/support, button up PJ's, hoodies . I'm contemplating on buying silicone scar sheets...what do you think?... do they work? ..they are expensive. I'm so glad we have a place like this that we can talk to women who know exactly what we are feeling and going through. You have given me alot of encouragement and advise.

I have a supportive husband and luckily my procedure is scheduled on the Thursday and being Good Friday the next that will give us a long weekend so I'll have help for a longer period. I also have 2 daughters oldest 15 and the youngest 14 thankfully they are old enough that they are self efficient and can also help around the house.

Replies (17)

Iowa71
March 12, 2012
I'm glad you are going to have help. It is so much easier when you don't have to worry about things getting done! I'm sure with only a few weeks to go you are getting more and more excited. Hope this time passes quickly for you!
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Marla2012
March 12, 2012
I read a lot about the scar tape and finally landed on this one.
http://www.metromedicalonline.com/298400ea.html
I always have a reaction to band-aids and even paper tape. I read this type is used for burn scars so I am hoping my skin can take it better than steri strips. The price is good on this site too.
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runrosie
March 12, 2012
Hello Marla, Thanks for the info, I'll take a look at the site.
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runrosie
March 12, 2012
Hello Marla, thanks for your help. I'll take a look at that site.
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Vivalv66
March 18, 2012
Hi Rosie, I am pretty happy with my results right now. Time will really tell. Your breasts resemble what mine looked like. Really full and hanging low. I did not need tubes or the incision underneath. I had the lollipop incision and a little lipo on the sides. I still feel big but small also. You will be amazed how high they sit. I had a lil reaction to tape but I never knew about the silicone sheets so I just got my tapes off a week early. Take Care and let us know how it all goes.
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runrosie
March 20, 2012
I'm so sorry I didn't respond to you sooner I haven't checked my email lately. Thanks in responding to me to let me know that you also had the same lollipop incision with no Lipo. In Ontario that is considered cosmetic surgery which would not be covered by insurance. I don't hear many of having this method done. So I was being to wonder if I was the only one on this site . You look great and I'm glad to hear that you are doing so well.
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runrosie
March 20, 2012
So sorry, Vivalv66 that there are some errors in my response. What I meant to saw is I'm not getting Lipo done like you did because insurance will not cover it here in Ontario. Also I'm correcting myself in saying, I'm beginning to wonder if I was the only one on this site having this method done. I must remember to proof read before I hit SUBMIT.
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Vivalv66
March 20, 2012
I don't really know why the lipo was covered. Insurance is goofy! My PS said I didn't need the extra incision underneath so lollipop would work. I'm glad because I think it would take even longer to heal. It has something to do with extra folds of skin underneath if I remember right. You must not have that extra skin either. I will be anxious to see the difference between having lipo and not. I also hit submit before proof reading lol!
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runrosie
March 21, 2012
Hi Viva, I know it's crazy. She said that she doesn't use lipo in any of her reductions? Didn't explain Why. I don't really like her bed side mannner. I'm not looking for her to be my best friend but it would be nice if she wouldn't be so abrupt and take some time when explaining things with me. I like the work she does, so I guess that is my main concern that she does a good job. I am also anious to see the difference. Keep me posted on any new developments and I will do the same.
MelW33
March 20, 2012
Hi Rosi, so looking forward to your update, I'm also in Canada, Kingston, ON and your breasts and body type are similar to mine. (hmmmm kinda weird to say :o) Can't wait to see and hear about your results
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runrosie
March 20, 2012
Hello MeIW33, I can't find you on the reviews. Have you already had your BR done? I'm relatively new to this site. It's nice to hear from someone close to home. Yeah, it sounds a little strange that all our conversations on this site are about breasts. Please let me know where I can find your review so I can read up on you.
UPDATED FROM runrosie

Today is day 10, I'm starting to get excited the...

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runrosieMarch 26, 2012
Today is day 10, I'm starting to get excited the closer I am getting to the date. Now and then the nerves set in but now they are fewer then before and I'm thinking this is a go sign being that I don't have much time anymore to feel anything differently. I sometimes go through my mental check list of things I still need to do but unfortunately it's all last minute things like stocking the house up with food, cleaning, making sure the bills are paid, making sure I'm up-to-date at the office, so it's just a waiting game for now.

Replies (13)

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runrosie
March 26, 2012
Hello Jessie, Those thoughts do come to my mind now and then but they are less frequently these days. I'm not sure why they are I didn't make a conscious decision to do so but somehow it happened. Maybe it's because I started to think about all the positive things that this could bring us. If you feel in your heart that this is what you really want then you should make peace with yourself that you are making the right decision and only allow positive thoughts in. I feel that it's good to release fear/stress when you feel it (by a good cry) but then you stop and move on with a more positive out look on things. If you need to talk please don't hesitate to write me.
Take care of yourself. :) Think happy thoughts.
Jessie with the DDD's
March 27, 2012
ROSIE! thank you SO much, you are absolutely right, I decided today that I'm only thinking positive going forward:) I feel a lot better.
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runrosie
March 27, 2012
You don't know how much I'm glad to hear this! Only positive thoughts from now on or at least when you get the bad thoughts quickly switch them over to the good thoughts. Our time is coming quickly! How exciting ! Take care and I'll keep in touch with :)
Iowa71
March 27, 2012
Glad you are feeling so good about your decision, Rosie. It's nice when you can go into it full of confidence and excitement!
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runrosie
March 27, 2012
Hello Iowa, thanks for your support and your encouragement. I'm so glad that I'm at this place now. I feel that fear can only get in the way of things. Keeping only positive thoughts close by for all of us. How are you doing? I hope all is well? :)
Iowa71
March 27, 2012
I'm not doing too badly. Kind of feel like someone has roughed me up a bit though :-) Kuddos to all of the women who have lipo over their entire trunk because I don't know if I would be able to do it. I can see a difference along my sides. There is more definition between my breasts and under my arms so am hopeful that will make a difference.
Thanks for checking in on me :-)
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runrosie
March 27, 2012
Hello Iowa,
I'm glad to hear your doing well. I don't know if those
woman that get lipo on their trucks are not the only ones that are brave. I feel your pretty brave for going
in again a second time. I'm not sure if I could say that about myself. I'm a little chicken. So do you think that you are going to be happy with your size now? Keep in touch with how you are doing. Take care
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runrosie
March 28, 2012
So sorry I meant to spell trunks ( mid section) not trucks. I must remember to proof read my writing before I hit submit. :)
Iowa71
March 28, 2012
LOL! I read it as "trunks"!
It is hard to tell what I'm going to think. I'm still pretty sore and swollen. I will be anxious for another week to pass to see where I'm at and try on some of my other bras.
I don't know if I will do it again if I'm not. I think in a way this is more painful than the breast reduction, but maybe that is just because I'm not just sitting on my fanny :-)
How are you doing? Hope all is going well for you!
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runrosie
March 29, 2012
Hello Iowa, I don't know much about lipo but it's hard to image why it's more painfull then the BR operation itself? I hope you will be satisfied with your results so you don't have to go through that again. Well I have a week left and that's about all I can think about. I'm pretty excited! Did you hear that because it wasn't to long ago I was scared to death about the whole idea. Take care of yourself :-)
Iowa71
March 29, 2012
I heard that, Rosie! I got back on the treadmill today. I only ran a mile but it was good to do it again. It was a little tender, but not terribly painful. And I can tell a difference in the fact that I even had the compression pads on under my regular sports bra and I could feel them bounce a little, so that means that they must be smaller if they are moving in my sports bra!!
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