I Did It!!! - Jefferson City, MO

My story is similar to lots of others. I developed way younger than my peers- my large breasts caused me embarrassment from the beginning. I did anything I could to hide them with clothing and posture (it's probably going to take years of physical therapy to fix that). Got older, had a bunch of kids, they grew up. Finally decided I was going to do something for myself. There are very few things in life I want (besides the usual health and happiness), but I do want to wear a cute little sundress once in my life- right off the rack, not from a specialty big girls catalog for twice the price.

Anyway I had never gone to the doctor or anything about my back or neck pain or my posture, I just sort of figured it was my lot in life. Still, BCBS approved me right away- perhaps because of the amount I needed removed? I have no idea but the who process was extremely quick.

I had the first surgery of the day Thursday May 9th. Honestly I was terrified that I wouldn't wake up from the procedure, going so far as to write letters to my husband, children and grandchildren expressing my love, in case I wouldn't be around to express it myself. Thankfully, it went well. I got marked up the morning of the surgery, then only a few minutes later went back to the operating room. The only thing I remember was how small the table was, and how they made me stretch my right arm out onto another small table or something. I said, "the table is too small", to which they responded, "no it's not." That is the last thing I remember before waking up in my room. My husband was there, and he told me I had been on the operating table for almost six hours. I couldn't believe it was afternoon already. I then asked if I was in the room I was going to stay in, and they said "yes." That was it for a while. My next 24 hours were basically waking up, getting morphine and going back to sleep. I did have a catheter in which was removed the following day- I was so thankful for that. Honestly I couldn't have imagined getting up that first day. I was out of my mind with the drugs.

I did feel sick to my stomach and was nauseous every time I was given painkillers. I didn't actually throw up though, but did have dry heaves once.

The next morning the surgeon checked on me when she did her rounds, changed my dressings and told me I could go home whenever I was ready, that there was no actual check out time. She also told me she had removed around 1500 grams from each side- almost double what she had anticipated at consultation. A nurse removed my catheter and told me I could leave as soon as I was able to use the bathroom on my own.

Up until that point I had been given morphine by IV and I was asked if I wanted it that way again, or if I'd rather take my oral meds. I opted for the oral meds (Percocet) since that is what I would be taking at home, and the morphine really knocked me out. By noon I had peed and was ready to go home.

Honestly I don't remember much of Friday. I got home, sat in a recliner and slept off and on all day and night. I took the Percocet as scheduled but it made me sick to my stomach, as well as Valium to help with sleep.

Saturday, day 2, I was pretty alert and not feeling much pain at all, it was more of a tightness, burning, discomfort kind of feeling. My husband helped me change my dressings, which were mostly dry, except under my arms where my side boobs (soobs) had been removed. That was a bit weepy. By Saturday night I decided I wasn't going to take the Percocet any longer- I hated that groggy sick dizzy feeling it gave me. I had been prescribed Ibuprofen as well and started taking that exclusively. I still took a Valium at night for sleep.

Sunday, day 3 I finally worked up the courage to shower, and honestly it felt great. My husband did help me wash my back (lots of dried blood) and he stayed in the bathroom in case I needed help. There was tons of dried blood in my hair, which was pretty gross but I didn't have any problems or pain lifting my arms to wash. That was a relief.

Which brings me to today, Day 4. I actually feel great. I haven't taken Ibuprofen since yesterday and I am not in pain. Once in a while I feel an itch or pull from the dressings rubbing (I'm using maxi pads!) but it's quite tolerable. The biggest challenge is finding a comfortable place to sleep (I'm a side sleeper). I've gone from the recliner to the couch to the bed loaded up with pillows.

I am so incredibly excited about the way they look. I have no idea what size I was before (DDD? more?) because I was never fitted properly, and honestly I don't care what size I am now (and I wouldn't even venture a guess at this point). They are so beautiful to me, even cone shaped and bruised and taped up. I feel like a normal person. Someone who could walk down the street and no one would notice me...unlike before when everyone, men and women alike would stare at my boobs.

So anyway, I don't know what else to say, but I'm happy to answer any question anyone might have. And thanks, thanks, thanks for this website- I lurked for ages when I was trying to decided if I should take the plunge or not.

Thanks everyone for the nice comments about my new boobs! Honestly I can't stop looking at them- I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Before the surgery my PS went over things like, you know they might not be completely even, and they won't look perfect and so on- I didn't care I just wanted the weight lifted from my neck and back and shoulders. The fact that they turned out nice is totally a bonus.

So today, post-op day 6 I went back to my PS for a check in. She was pleased with the way they looked and removed tape from all of the lower incisions (the others she told me will come off on their own). I do have some yellow discharge on both sides under both arms which she said is normal. I was also given permission to get rid of this horrible straight jacket of a surgical bra, and just wear a sports bra or tank with a shelf bra in it. So relieved about that, but nervous because when I have taken the surgical bra off to wash it, and the ladies are just hanging free, it feels like they could bust open at any minute.

That's about it. I still feel great but I do get tired so easily. I'm thankful I have several weeks off from work to just chill and heal.

Thanks again for all the support, you ladies are amazing.

One more tiny update. Guess what I'm wearing? A sports bra! Guess how much it cost me? Just over three dollars! If I didn't feel like I'd bust some stitches I'd be doing a happy dance right now. So THIS is how the other half lives! I'm diggin' it!!!