Totally Excited...and Scared to Death! - Fort Worth, TX

I am so glad to have found this site. I'm turning 30 in October, have one child that I breastfed for a year and a half (she's 9 in September), 5'5ish, 130lbs. I'm currently a 36B (on a good day) and feel saggy and depleted. I've been thinking about an aug off and on for years but never followed through with it because of my fear of anethesia and the cost. I have always felt insecure about my breasts (except when I was breastfeeding and also that time I weighed 40 lbs more and had big boobs) even though my ex-husband and other boyfriends have always said they were fine. I just miss fullness...and being able to wear sundresses and shirts without a bra.
I've been to 3 consultations. Danielle LeBlanc is absolutely amazing and has a great personality and attitude. She gives you a range that she will consider and shows you how different sizes will change the shape of your breast. She was so informative that I left knowing how to decide exactly what I want. She is so busy that they wouldn't be able to fit me in until November 30. I was going to wait until then (she would totally be worth it) but I had scheduled with Richard Ethridge for the next day and didn't want to cancel without 24 hours notice. I met with him the next day and am so glad I did. He actually went to high school with LeBlanc and even does occasional surgeries with her now. He highly recommended her to me. I spoke with him at length about the same things I went over with her and found they were almost the exact same about everything BUT he has more surgery days and could fit me in sooner. Not to mention he reminds me of Dr McSteamy from Grey's Anatomy...and has eyes like my boyfriend. No, I did not pick him because he's attractive (like my mom thinks) but because he was just as calming and assuring as LeBlanc was. Neither of them will do sizes outside of a range (mine is 275-450) and they both use sizers during surgery. I am wanting natural looking breasts and am not particularly set on a size. I'm much more concerned about the final shape and both surgeons completely understood what I was trying to describe. LeBlanc showed me exactly what to look for in before/after pictures and explained over vs under in just the right way that I finally was able to make decide what I want. My mom isn't happy but I'm going with silicone unders...I'm not picking a size, I'll leave that to the Dr. I know that he said I'm looking at the 350-400 range. My boyfriend said to tell him to err on the side of too big. Typical man ;) but I do understand the most common complaint is "Wish they were bigger" so I'm pretty sure he's right.
So now I wait. My surgery is in 12 days, 11 hours, 47 min...but who's counting? ;) I'm super excited but so nervous about all the complications and healing time. My boyfriend and I are planning a trip to Cancun in November and I'm afraid that I will have alien boobs still. I'm worried about the pain and being able to return to work. I am a home care nurse and specialize in wound care. The dr is going to give me extra abx to help prevent infection and my boss said I can do office work for a little while...but I really need to get back to work ASAP. I'm more excited than scared right now but I know that's going to change a lot in the next 2 weeks!
Any advice on things I should buy prior to surgery would be awesome. I've gotten the things that he told me to have (tylenol, ice packs, etc.) but it's the little things that I overlook...like books or magazines to read while I'm stuck at home recovering. This site and everyone's stories have helped me so much in making this decision. Thanks guys!

Paid for the new boobs today! I talked to the office manager for a long time about my fears of choosing the wrong size, complications, healing times, return to work, etc. She was absolutely wonderful and completely relieved all my fears. My parents are totally against all of this and I have spent hours looking at all the "not worth it" reviews and have been freaking out about whether or not to go through with this. My boyfriend has been wonderful and always reassures me that he'll love me (and my body) no matter what I decide to do even if it results in a horrible case of symmastia or bottoming out! How I love that boy ;)

I think my biggest concern right now is size. I have pictures to take to pre-op and I know that Dr Ethridge said I'm probably looking at the 350-400 range...my boyfriend said I should go up 50 more than I think I want. I am so afraid of going too big. But equally afraid of going too small. I know that ultimately I'm going to show the surgeon the pictures and leave it to his judgement. I just wish I could see the end result already! I am so impatient.

7 days 12 hours 35 min until surgery...getting sooo excited!

So I watched a documentary with my boyfriend last night about [RS bleep] stars after they leave the industry. I saw all the huge fake boobs and totally freaked out again. I've gained 3-5lbs in the last month so my boobs are feeling pretty full right now and I am so afraid of going too big and having that [RS bleep] star look. I talked to him about it this morning and he (once again) reassured me that I'm not going to look like a [RS bleep] star and that everything will be fine. He also told me to stop over thinking this, stop looking at all the complications and recoveries and just think about something else. He's such a smart boy. So no more staring at pictures of symmastia and capsular contracture and bottoming out. No more looking at recovery photos (because I get so freaked out by how high they look!) and no more before and afters. I've got 10 pictures to narrow to 3 for the surgeon tonight and then I'm going to lay it all down until pre-op on Tuesday. I already feel a huge relief.

Honestly though, I think the biggest part of my freak out today is knowing that I'm not going to see him for 12 days. He's a pilot and will be working day of surgery. He'll be back to see me Sunday after and will spend 3 days with me then. I like it better this way because I don't want him to see me all conked out or in pain the first few days but at the same time, nobody makes me feel better the way he does. My mom and sister are going to be taking care of me which is nice considering my mom isn't really approving but also uncomfortable because she isn't approving. At least she's a nurse :)

About to go in for my pre-surgery mammogram (not required but covered by my insurance so I might as well, right?) and not looking forward to that.

Any ideas on how to talk to my daughter about this? My feeling is to not say anything until she notices (she's 9 and still oblivious to most things) because I don't want her to tell her dad and start a war. My friends say I need to talk to her about it though. Not sure which way to go. She will be with my parents for the weekend following surgery so she won't see the worst days of it.