Breast Reduction: Stories

Hi-
I am a 37 year old DDD going to be a small C. This is my third time attempting to get a breast reduction. The first time I was 21. I made the initial appointment, was approved by insurance and freaked out about the drainage tubes so never went through with it. The second time was when I was about 30. Same situation. Was approved, but that time I decided I wanted to lose 10lbs before doing it...never did it. So here I am at #3. I'm ready. My cousin has had a breast reduction, several friends have, and even my 70 year old grandma has!!! It's time for me. I've already been approved by the insurance. Next step is my physical and counselling. This will take place on October 2nd.

So why now? In 2003 I decided to run the NYC Marathon. I have always hated running and I never ever did it for exercise. But seeing all of the people run the marathon inspired me. 2005 I did it. With a whole lot of pain!!! Finding a sports bra that not only fit but was supportive was next to impossible. Eventually, I found the Enell. It did the job. However, it squeezed me so hard that it was super hard to breathe. Also, it rubbed against my body and would always leave me with cuts. OUCH!!!! Anyway, after I ran the marathon I never ran again. Move forward to a few months ago. I decided I wanted to challenge myself again. This time doing an obstacle course called the Tough Mudder. There is no way I will be able to do the course with these big girls. So in addition to losing the back pain, the neck pain, the big shirts, the big bras, etc.... I'll be losing the one obstacle that has always prevented me from challenging myself physically.

I am super excited about this. I realize there will be ups and downs - physically & emotionally but the rewards in the end will be worth it. I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you.

So I had my pre-screening/physical today. It was very easy and only lasted 45 minutes. When I got to the office, they gave me a tablet and had me answer about 50 questions regarding my health and family health history. After that I saw a nurse who weighed me, took my blood pressure and temperature. Then I saw the doctor (not the doctor that's going to do the surgery) She pretty much asked the same questions that I had already answered regarding my health history. Then she listened to me breathe, listened to my heart and asked if I had any questions. After that she said I'm considered low risk and that I'm all set for surgery. She gave me about 3 pages of items that I can not do 3 weeks prior to the surgery. I'm not on any meds but i do take a multivitamin everyday and because of the vitamin E I need to stop taking it until after surgery. Finally, I met with a guy who went over my insurance info. And that was it. I do have a question and maybe someone here can help me.

What is the average price for surgery? My insurance will be covering 80%. This means I am responsible for 20% of the cost. I have spoken with several financial counsellors at the hospital and none of them can give me an answer. They all say that it varies and I will not know how much I owe until after the surgery. I just want to make sure I have the funds to cover my part and that it doesn't put me in to debt....

So I have 4 more days!!! I'm really worried. I have been fighting a cold for 2.5 weeks now and it does not seem to be getting better.
I've decided that if I am not better by Wednesday I will reschedule the surgery. I have a feeling that I really won't have a choice because they are not going to put me under anesthesia if I'm unable to breath through my nose. I just want to get it done already. It feels like I've been waiting forever!!!

Well It's been a while!! I had to reschedule my surgery from Nov 2 to Nov 13 because I had a sinus infection. That was a bummer but It could've been worse. Anyway, On the 13th I went in at 6:30 AM!!! I was the first surgery of the day. Basically, I got undressed and sat in a bed while several nurses came over to me and asked the same questions...my name, birthday, why i was there, any health problems, etc.... My surgeon finally came over, marked me up and I was off to the operating room. The anestisiologist told me to lay down, put a mask on my face and the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room. The surgery took about 2.5 hrs. I remember looking under my gown but couldn't see anything because I was wrapped up in an ace bandage. The pain wasn't bad at all. I was extremely nausious which could have been from the pain meds or the anestisia. After a while they took me to my room. I was pretty nausious the whole night and I did not sleep well because I needed to be on my back and elevated at a 30 degree angle.
In the morning, the doctor came, took off my ace bandage and said I looked good. The nausea was gone and my boobs looked great. Even swollen and bruised!!! I was given a sports bra that buttoned in front and was discharged by noon. I didn't fill my pain med presription because the nausea I got from them was worse than the pain so I've been taking Tylenol and it's been working just fine. Honestly, I don't think i even need that.
I had drain tubes hanging from me which were uncomfortable and annoying. Forunately, I wasn't draining much and on day 3 post op, I went back to the doctor to have them removed. It took all of 10 minutes. Last night was the first night I had a decent sleep.
As of now, I'm pretty much done with everything. I don't have to go back for any follow ups because my stiches will go away themselves.
This is the best decision I ever made (regarding my body) and I am so happy right now. If anyone is reading this and is questioning whether or not to have the surgery, I say go for it. You will not be disappointed. And if you get queezy thinking about tubes or bruising, etc. Don't. I put off this surgery for years because the tubes freaked me out. They aren't that bad at all.
I'll be posting pictures soon.