Breast Reduction: Stories

Hi!

I have become so reliant on this website and it has defined my decision to undertake the reduction surgery.

I am 19 years old and live in Australia. My 34H breasts have defined my life. They have controlled not only my confidence but my mental wellbeing. My year 12 formal, all I wanted to was to feel like a movie star or a princess. Instead, it took me until 2 days before the event to find a dress that would fit (and still didn't really) and I felt like a jelly blob walking around the entire night. I hated my own high school formal and that upsets me so much.
I have also recently begun eating healthier and trying to exercise. Unfortunately due to the pain, I'm only really capable of walking as jogging has now become too painful. I am 171cm and have lost 9kg so far to weigh 87kg. I have a long way to go but am feeling better.
Even worse, NONE of the weight I have lost has changed the size of my breasts at all.

After many years and through the financial support of my amazing parents, my surgery is booked for the 30th of August this year (2012). Exactly 30 days from today.
I go through very mixed emotions when I think about it. Beyond all, I'm so excited. The longterm goals of being able to wear clothes that fit properly and to be able to jog without holding myself in and being in pain is so exciting.
I'm also really nervous. I think about the surgery A LOT, especially now it's getting closer. Ive never had any type of surgery so not knowing what to expect is terrifying. I"m trying to think positively.

I've got a pretty great surgeon - Doctor Kane. He made me feel pretty comfortable during my first pre-op app. and went through the risks and examples. To be honest, the way I see it is that if you are worried about scarring a lot, you aren't ready for the surgery. I couldn't care less about scarring because the positives weigh it out completely for me.

I'm going to see him again on the 20th of August, 10 days before my surgery to finalise the details.
I would love any support, comments, advice and recommendations if anybody has anything to offer.

I am so excited to begin living my life.
I feel like I've been hiding for too many years and this will change me in so many ways.

I plan on blogging every step right here. Thank you in advance for your support :-)

28 days until surgery.
My back is so sore today. To be honest I've never recognised any back or neck pain being due to my breasts. When my back gets sore its a band across my middle back, probably just below the bra strap. It's a constant ache. Does anyone else have similar pain to this?

I'm excited. I keep thinking about the surgery a lot though, probably too much. I've never had any kind of surgery, so I'm a little anxious. Or maybe a lot anxious… I've even had dreams about surgery. Last night I got a face lift in my dreams… haha.

Found out today that I need my wisdom teeth removed.
Wow, annoying! Have had pain in my mouth for about a week now and they want me to have all 4 taken out… my BR surgery is in 22 days so I think Im going to just wait until that is over and I am recovered before doing the teeth removal!
BR is much more important to me.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while.
To be honest, i think I've been trying not to think about it too much because I have a tendency to over think and over analyse and it results in my freaking out.

My surgery is tomorrow.

I had my last pre-op appointment 9 days ago and am really happy with my surgeon, Dr Kane in Spring Hill. He has a particular confidence about him which definitely makes me feel a lot more at ease.
Not feeling so nervous about the recovery, but more the actual hospital experience as I've never had any kind of surgery and only visited hospitals a few times to see friends or family.
I have absolute trust that he will take care of me though.

Oh gosh.
I am leaving in half an hour to go to hospital.

Today's the day!

I am on a completely different time zone to most of you but here in Australia it is the 30/08 and I have to check in at 11.30am.
I'm a big bag of mixed emotions. But I have not one second thought at all.

Do you know what I'm actually most nervous about? Being in the hospital robe and not being allowed to wear a bra.
Braless I feel completely vulnerable and embarrassed.
I know that next time I wake it'll be a completely different view, but the confidence that is ripped off me by simply not being allowed to bra is what I keep thinking about.
Strange, huh.

Anyway, better go make sure I have everything.
I'll be sure to update again as soon as I can.
I hope everyone is well and a big good luck to Fay who goes in soon as well! Thank you all for your support. xx

Hello!
It's currently 8pm here in Brisbane on the 31/08.
I went into hospital yesterday at 11.30am for the operation, checked in and had to sit in a waiting room with about 15 other patients for 6 hours!
Not a fun day.

Surgery went great though. They made me feel extremely comfortable and seeing as I had never had surgery or anaesthetic before, they put a drip in my arm but waited until I was asleep to do anything more which was so great.

It was all pretty easy for me.
I woke up in recovery, no nausea or anything and they took me to my room. I don't remember too much.

I won't lie, there is definitely pain. They checked on me every hour last night and gave me Endone (a morphine based pill) to deal with the pain, and panadol.
I slept a lot today as well, but my surgeon visited me in the morning and took the bandages off and they look GREAT.

Disregarding the discomfort and pain, i am SO HAPPY.
And it's only DAY ONE. I can't imagine in a week or a month or a year from now. Wow.

I had minimal fluid in my drains which was a good sign, taking them out was awful though. Not a fun experience. Glad that they are gone though.
So I am at home now, making sure I'm keeping up the pain killers because I can definitely feel it as soon as they wear off even in the slightest.
Moving my arms a lot is painful but overall I'm feeling not too bad.
I hope everyone is doing well!
Feeling very blessed today and very very grateful to have this forum.
19 years old and I now have my whole life ahead of me.

Oh and also, he said they took out 1.6kg! Wow! Free weightless included apparently! haha