I'm Ready! - Denver, CO

I have been thinking of a breast reduction for a couple of years but started researching and decided that I did not want to put myself through such an aggressive procedure. Yikes, the photos/info. on some of the medical based sites are frightening! As my neck and back pain worsened and my self-esteem continued to drop, I began researching again. Thank goodness I found this site! The stories that I have read encouraged me to actually make an appointment with a plastic surgeon back in April, 2012. I had to take a "class" with a nurse before even getting an appointment with the doctor. When I met with the doctor, he talked with me first, then, once I disrobed for the exam, he pretty quickly determined that I met the qualifications. He and the nurse told me that, when they saw me in the waiting room, they were thinking, "there's no way she is large enough to qualify". Just like many of you here on this website, I have my ways of "hiding" them with my style of clothes. I am just under 5 foot tall, 110 pounds and am a size 34DD. (Well, that is what I squeeze them into...) I would be perfectly happy if they can get me down to a 34B or 34C. I would just love to fit into a swimsuit or workout clothes! I am scared that they will try to change the surgery date, which will cause me to wait until next summer. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will go as planned on 8/6 and I will successfully return to work (I am a teacher) on 8/14. Currently, I am more nervous about the recovery period than the actual surgery...I am sure my feelings will change the closer it gets...my pre-op appointments are scheduled for July 25th.

I have my pre-op appointments later today. Still worried that something will happen to change the surgery date. If they were to change it, I would have to wait until next summer to do this!!

I have a pile of tops in my closet that would typically be going to Goodwill because they are too tight...I'm making a bold move and plan to keep them to see if they fit in the future. :)

Went to pre-op appointments today. My doctor is a pretty matter-of-fact guy and when I told him that I had to go back to work on day 8 after surgery, he just said, "good luck". Eeek! I told him that his nurse had told me that it should be fine when they scheduled me. After questioning him some more, he just noted that as long as I don't have complications, the concern will be tiredness. Now, I think I am more nervous than I was before my pre-op appointment!!! Sigh...

It's late Friday afternoon and just received a call from the surgery center confirming my surgery time on Monday morning. I have to be there by 6:15am. On Sunday night, no eating anything solid after midnight. (Sips of water OK up until 4 hours prior to surgery.) She did note that they will need urine sample when I get there to check for pregnancy. Now, I just have to get through the weekend! Eek! I go from anxious to excited to nervous...

Arrived for surgery early on Monday morning. Everything as expected. Pee in cup, IV in arm, meet with anesthiologist, marked up by doctor and walked into surgery room (with slight fear that IV would get caught on something...it didn't but these are things I think about!). Woke up from surgery and it seems like it took a lot of time to wake up. I am generally a morning person and lke to jump out of bed in the morning so laying around all groggy was hard. Slight pain but not bad. After awhile, pain was getting a bit worse and they wanted to get it controlled before sending me home so they gave me a vicodin. Ate a few crackers and had some ginger ale. Arrived home feeling pretty good around 12:30. Relaxed . Took vicodin to stay ahead of pain. Around 4pm, I got groggy and nauseous. Here is what my family reported: I said I was sleepy, turned my head to the side and passed out. They said my eyes rolled back and I was uncommunicative. Mom patted my face and I finally came to. Then I threw up. Let me tell you, it freaked them out because it looked like a seizure. (I have no history of seizures). This led to a call to the doctor and a trip to the emergency room. (oh, joy). More throwing up before trip to emergency room. And, yet another round at the hospital. After many tests and IV, They determined it was just my bodies reaction to antheseia and possibly Vicodin. So, my surgery day was a bit challenging but i know it is going to get better! I have follow-up appointment this morning to get dressings changed. I only took ibuprofen last night and am fine on pain. I don't think Vicodin is my friend...

So, surgery was Monday morning, I am writing about Tuesday. No problems with nausea, pain minimal. Took two long naps. Hardest thing is getting up from lying on my back. That caused some fireworks type feelings in my incisions. Went in for follow-up appointment. I was scared to see them but I don't have tons of bruising and, to me, they look like doll boobies right now. everything looked good and nipples have feeling (whew!). Next appointment is two weeks.

Surgery was Monday, this is a summary of Wednesday: Lots of resting. Took one nap during the day. Getting some sleep at night but still not a fan of sleeping on my back so I wake up often. Minimal pain when I get up or down from recliner or reach a bit too far. Still have a bit of spotting on my surgical bra (only on incisions under breasts) Can't get the darned gauze In the right place to catch it. (i did not have drains or removeable stitches.) Luckily, I was sent home with second surgical vest and just wash one each day. They are super comfortable! Getting tired of sitting around but don't want to "overdo it". Played a game with the family at kitchen table in the evening. Laughing is good but a little painful.

Well, it's not Saturday morning and I had my surgery on Monday. Continue to feel better each day. Some bruising starting to yellow but still have quite a bit of dark red bruising underneath and to the sides of each breast. Pain is still not an issue. No itching yet...
Neck is SO stiff due to inactivity/sleeping position, though. Got more sleep after taking one Tylenol PM last night. I'm bummed because I am ready to be more active and hate taking meds for the neck pain! Put on a t-shirt today because I was tired of the same two short-sleeved zip-up hoodies that I have been wearing/washing all week long. I love it! This is a t-shirt that was too tight before surgery and I would have had to get rid of it. Thank goodness I kept it because it fits great!

Well, last week at this time, I was in surgery. I am still wearing the surgery vests (per doctor's orders). They are Jobst brand and are actually very comfortable. The thing I don't like is that they come up really high on my chest and show under anything that has a scoop neck or (of course) vneck. I did not have drains or removable stitches so I still have the white tape over the incisions. I think that they are almost all closed except where they meet just under my breasts. I still put a little gauze there to catch just a small bit of fluid. The bruising has been interesting. I am still finding light bruising on one side of my torso. One spot is just above my hipbone. This is a good reminder that my body is still healing and even though I am feeling better and better, I need to continue to respect that fact that I was in surgery one week ago today. Looked at bras the other day when I got out for a brief shopping trip with my mom. Not ready to try on but fun to look. I was amazed at the options for "wire-free" bras!!

Back to work for me today. (day 8). First time to drive post-surgery. Tight turns pull a little and held the seatbelt off of me as much as possible. Was tired at work but some of that is from my neck pain. I'm hoping to get a handle on the pinched nerve soon. Overall, it was successful. So, returning to work 8 days post-op was possible for me. Gonna collapse on the couch for a bit now! ;)