A Butterfly Has Emerged!

I developed my breasts between 8th and 9th grade, from bee stings to a C cup! I received a lot of unwanted attention from boys, and girls alike. I was always "the girl with the big boobs". I have never, ever been comfortable in my own skin. I tried to get insurance to cover it when I was 19, but they wouldn't. So I was forced to deal with what I have. It's so crazy, because I've carried around 15-20 extra lbs, forever. I'd go through periods where I'd lose it, and be really toned and look really great, but then my boobs would look even more ENORMOUS! Which made me really, really uncomfortable. So gradually the weight crept back up, and I'd start wearing baggier clothes again to hide. I've recently realized that this may be something that I do sub-consciously! Because I hate doing anything that will draw attention to them. I've heard so many comments about "putting the girls away" if I've tried to dress a little "sexier", eventually I just stopped.
I turned 35 this year. I started taking classes in an attempt to get a nursing degree. I'm a mother of two gorgeous children, and we are a very busy family. I am sick and tired of feeling uncomfortable in my own skin. Of this extra burden I carry on my chest. I no longer want to feel ashamed about myself. I want to be able to chase after my kids, and play with my dog!
I have decided that next year, after my classes are done for the summer, I am having my BR surgery! I will try to have my insurance cover it, I have a bit of time to try and get needed PT, and chiropractor paperwork). And even if they won't, I'm doing it! I have waited 21 years!! I have read so many wonderful stories, and all the great feedback from other users is really encouraging!
My husband is nervous, (as am I), that I won't be pleased with the results. He is worried that my expectations will be so high that I will be disappointed. I have assured him that ANYTHING, (pretty much), is better than what I have been dealing with for all these years. The PS that I am consulting with comes very highly recommended, so I am pretty confident. (I would be very confident, but it's a very scary surgery!!! But I want it done more than anything!)
I welcome any feedback, I'm already chomping at the bait, I don't know how I'll wait almost a year to do it! I'll keep you posted as to how I'm holding up ;) I look forward to the warm support that I've seen amongst all the users here!

I will try to talk to some of the medical professionals that I talked to a few years ago about BR, but honestly, I probably won't be able to wait until next spring! I think I will take the winter semester off from school to get this done! I thought about it, and I really don't think I want to have to forgo going swimming, and miss out on summer activities due to recovering! Also, in winter the kids will be in school, and I will be able to rest all day while they are in school. Whereas if I wait until late-May, the kids will be getting out a few weeks later, and I may not be able to rest like I should. So... I think I'll be talking to my PS very soon :)

My consultation is Weds! I will talk with my PS, and find out if he thinks my case could qualify for insurance coverage. I am so very excited to talk to him. I have been in a lot of pain for a long time, in addition to the emotional toll I have been through. Now, after suffering from a back injury that I can't seem to bounce back from, I really need this! The extra weight from my breasts is prohibiting my recovery! Ugh! Thanks for listening...

I forgot to ask, do any of you suffer from shortness of breath? I developed "asthma" when I was 18, which coincidentally was also the time when I went up to a D cup. I always struggle to take in a deep breath, having to lift my breasts in order to actually expand my lungs. Anyone else have this problem? I'm thinking I never actually had asthma, and was incorrectly treated for years :(

Today's the day of my consult! I am walking out the door right after I finish this post! I am so excited to finally be talking to someone again about this procedure! I would say "you have no idea how long I've wanted this", but I know you all do!!!!! Thanks for all the encouragement! I'll let you know how it goes :) Have a stupendous day!

Ok. So, I had my consult. The PS was great. He really seemed to know his stuff. He told me things before I even had to ask, which was great! He did agree that I should get a BR as opposed to a BL, which I was leaning toward anyways. He said I was a good candidate for the "lollipop" or "short scar" reduction, which I was happy about, due to smaller incisions= less healing time :)

He is planning on doing the procedure so that I will have some fullness on top, whereas right now I am "bottomed out" he said. Because the dense tissue has dropped down, I am very wide/full on the bottom of my breasts. And lifting them as well :) I was so excited to hear all this wonderful stuff, and then...

Now the sad part... Unfortunately I do not have enough tissue to remove to qualify for insurance coverage :( The insurance company wants 600g taken from each breast in order to cover, my PS told me if he took that much I would have an A cup. He won't remove that much tissue. My husband wouldn't allow it either! So I will have to pay out of pocket. This was quite disheartening to hear, especially knowing that my husband isn't keen on the prospect of me getting it, and I wasn't sure how he would react to this news...

He was wonderful. I give him so much credit, he was a little taken aback, but knows how much it means to me, so he really took it in stride. I will talk to him further, but I am really thinking that I will do my surgery either mid December, or early January!!! They have appointments available for both time periods. It's a matter of me finding out about school and when semester ends/finals are and stuff.

Holy smokes! I'm actually planning this all out, for real, in my head! Whoa! I can't get too far ahead of myself, lol. Hubby and I still have to hash out all of the details, and see about getting the time off approved! That's the other thing. If I can't get the time approved from work, it's a no-go :( Yikes, didn't think of that until right now...

Well, one can dream, right? I'll hold on to this hope for right now, and keep you abreast (ahem, lol) of the situation :-D

I have scheduled my surgery for Monday December 30th!!!! I am so EXCITED!!!!!!! Wow! I can't believe this is actually going to happen!!!!!! Now, officially, THE WAIT WILL BE EXCRUCIATING!!!!! Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!!! I don't even know what to do with myself now!!! LOL!!!!!!!! OhmyGOSH! OhMYGOSH! OHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!! Hahaha... Sorry, ladies! Can you tell I'm a little excited???

When I brought the idea of BR up to my hubby, he initially said "Well, go to the gym, you usually feel better when you're doing that. Then we can talk about it." I was a little disappointed that he didn't jump right on board with me and say OK! Lets do it! lol. However, as I thought about it, I don't blame him. He has zero idea what it's like. I told him that.
I have lost weight in the past by working out and eating right, but never lose my boobs! I started going back to the gym the day I decided I was definitely having the surgery. (This was before the consult and everything. The day I decided that it was THAT important to me.)
So I've made a new goal for myself. Our friend Moondiemoo suggested training, to help with the waiting process first, and in turn, the healing process later. I am now seriously working out. I've been going to PT, but now I'm actually using weights to help strengthen muscles that were damaged due to the car accident I was in. I've also started eating better. A few years ago I lost weight and was 126 lbs. On my 5'4" frame, that should have been a good weight for me, but with my boobs, everything else looked smaller and I looked too thin! (From what other people said.) I thought my body looked good, but my boobs were ginormous :( So I am trying to lose that weight again, and get back down to 125-130 lbs, so when I go for my consult in December, he won't have a problem with making them smaller, because at that size, they will be more proportionate! That makes sense, right? Ok, off to the gym I go :) Thank you again for all the lovely comments, and support!

Nothing to update about my BR, but I updated my date of surgery yesterday, and I've just gotten on my profile since then, and I am so excited to see my count-down has started!!! LOL! "5 months pre" WOW!!! I love seeing that! Haha. :)
So I missed going to the gym these last 2 days... I've got some stuff going on here. That's ok though. I'm not beating myself up about it. I've come to realize that I set myself up for failure because I set unrealistic goals. Now, my specific goal is to get as healthy as possible, that's not unrealistic, right? I have been eating better, which is good. Previously, if I missed the gym I'd think that I've already screwed up, so might as well eat bad too. Not going to do that though, if I can help it! I've been making these fantastic smoothies, with fruit and veggies, that are super healthy and really delicious. I think my body is actually craving them rather than the sweets that I usually eat.
I don't know about many of you, but I've struggled with my weight since I developed breasts. I stopped playing sports b/c I was self-consious of them. I didn't do many "active" activities. So while I'm (not so) patiently waiting, I can use my updates to help keep me accountable. Maybe there are some others out there doing the same thing, and we can help each other! Thanks for listening :)

Well, since the other day I have been going non-stop! We've had a weekend full of birthday parties, and running here and there and every where for gifts and food and preparations! Add work to the mix and I'm officially done! I've been cleaning the house all day today, getting ready to have people over and trying to make some adjustments to my school schedule for the up coming semester. Whew!!! My weekend schedule for the next month is all work and birthday parties. I'm not kidding... Every single weekend we have at least 2 parties, some weekends there's more than that! I'll be broke by the time summer's over!
I haven't been to the gym since Weds. But it's ok. I ate pretty decently considering the circumstances. I've been able to curb my snacking during my work shift. I would usually stop and get a sweet snack (like a muffin, or donut, or ice cream) to eat during my shift at work. I've been really good about not doing that since I've been back. At home I'm also not snacking as much. I'm drinking lots of water, and still not craving sweets :) I was even good while making cupcakes this weekend! No spoonfuls of frosting, or "testing" the cake batter!!! (If you knew me, that's HUGE!!!! LOL) I was even able to try just a tiny piece of key-lime pie and ONE mini cream puff at the party! Woo-hoo!!!! Go me!!!
I hope everyone's doing well, and things are going smoothly for our friends in the healing stages :)

Hello friends! I just want to let you all know that due to the creepy people that have been lurking around here I have opted to take down a couple of pics. I will continue to update, and will possibly do a before pic again closer to my surgery date. I was confused as to the privacy on the site and thought that only those who log on with a username and password are allowed to see the photos. My mistake!
Hope everyone is doing well!

Ok. A big Thank You! to the administrators for helping out with that "issue" yesterday.

Today is a new day, and I'm back to being positive :)) There are so many new beginnings coming my way, and I am so excited about all of them! I am getting ready to start my next semester of school, (on my way to a new career), I am starting a new position at work, (which I am very much looking forward to), I am President of the PTO at my children's school this year, (very nervous about this!), and my Christmas present will be a BR!!!! What an unbelievable next few months I have going on!!!

And, I lost 5 lbs since my big "Training" update! Unfortunately I haven't been to the gym in a week, but I've been eating very good and drinking lots of water! I've even gotten myself down to drinking coffee only every other day (about), I'm not too worried if that doesn't stick. But I haven't gotten headaches like I usually do from skipping it :) I'm scheduled to go on a little vacation in a couple weeks, and if I can just lose another 5 lbs by then I may be able to fit into my shorts!!! Fingers crossed!

Thank you again, all my friends who posted their encouragement, and who are so understanding towards my feelings with what happened yesterday. I really appreciate it. I don't want to ruin anything for anyone else, really I don't, but I am embarrassed about the way I look. I don't like my breasts, and don't even like my husband to see them...

Hope everyone is having a good day and healing is going swiftly and smoothly :)

Hello everyone! Just a quick update. I'm still eating pretty good. We had birthday parties all weekend, so I did eat pizza two days in a row, but I was good and didn't scarf down 4 slices like I would normally have done! I think I had 2 sm slices at each party. I didn't gain any weight, so that's good! Unfortunately I still haven't made it to the gym again. Way too much stuff going on! But I'm headed in the right direction!

I started my new position at work. That went well. The other staff seem very nice, and I was busy the whole shift. It was hard to make the hour drive home in the morning, though. I was VERY tired! (I work third shift, on the weekends). Also, something to be noted, I can go pretty much the whole shift (8.75 hrs), without going on crazy snack binges! That's HUGE for me! I would usually bring "lunch" or "dinner" with me, and then have snacks on top of that, usually not healthy ones, either. So I really am in a good mind set right now :))

I was at Target the other day, and they have some sports bras on clearance right now, and I was so tempted to buy a couple, just because they were so cheap! But I restrained myself. I'll get some when It gets closer ;) It was really hard to not get them, though, they were so pretty! Bright colors, and thin straps, a racer back type! I can't wait to get some for me to actually wear :)

Ok, hope all you ladies who are healing are doing well, those of you who are having surgery Best of Luck to you!!!!

I just wanted to take a quick minute to say that I will be on vacation starting tomorrow. Hopefully the good eating habits I've been practicing will get me through vaca without too much of a gain. My hubby and I are "foodies" and our vacations usually revolve around where we're going to eat, lol. I just need to steer clear of desserts... I can use any willpower you ladies can send ;)

Other than that, the new job is going well, and I am all set for my next semester of school. I have been going nuts to try and figure out how to hurry up and take what I need to take in order to get into the program I want to get into, and every way I add it up leads me to believe that either I'm going to take more classes at once, or it's going to take me another year to be able to apply. I was only planning on taking 2 classes at a time, so I can focus fully on those classes in order to maintain my good grades. I don't know if adding a class will be detrimental to my GPA :-/ I'm definitely only taking 2 this fall. I guess I'll have to see how these classes go before I can figure it out.

Oh!!! I was telling my cousin about my surgery, and of course she was kind of supportive, her comment was, "Wow! Well I'm sure you have your reasons. Congratulations". Which was fine, she knows how big I am and she was surprised by my size. I told you guys I hide it very well, right? I have to tell you one of my strategies, (for anyone who has to wait before they get their BR and really likes to hide their boobs.) I wear maternity shirts! NOT the ones with the empire waist and the tie back. I go to Target and shop the Liz Lange section. They have t-shirts and "fitted" looking shirts, but they're designed for a pregnant belly, so instead of conforming to your stomach, they fit to your breasts, but then kind of go straight down, which gives the illusion of smaller boobs! I've been doing that since I had my daughter. I just kept wearing the tank tops that I had, and then realized that they really do hide my boobs...

Well, take care everyone! I don't know what I'll do without checking up on all you lovely ladies every day!!! I hope all of you who are healing are taking care and behaving themselves ;) and to all our girls who are due to have surgery this week a big God Bless!!!!

I kind of expected it... I think I put on 10lbs, lol. However, it was a lovely getaway ???? The hubby & I spent a few days on our own to celebrate our upcoming 10 year anniversary! :)) it was absolutely wonderful, and I got pretty presents too! Yay! Well, tomorrow's another day to get back on track!
I can't wait to be able to check everyone's updates! I hope all you lovely ladies are healing well and/or waiting patiently for your surgery dates to come!!!!!

I meant to say, "However, it was a lovely getaway!!!!!!!" (NOT ????? LOL) I was very tired when I posted that update!!!
Have a great day beautiful people :)

I bought a couple of two-pack little stretchy bras on clearance at Kohls last night!!! Lol. I've said I won't do that, but one was $3.00, and the on the 2 were $12.00 each! I got 6 for less than $30!!! Haha. I probably won't be able to wear them for a while, I don't think they're super supportive, but they're really cute :)) I bought Med, it says fits 34C-36 B/C. And if they end up not working out? I spent less than $30!!! Who cares?!? Lol. But I think they'll be good, once everything's healed & stuff :))

I started to see a Chiropractic Kinesiologist. It's... Interesting. I am still up in the air about all this "energy" stuff, and being able to tell that something is off in one part of my body by pushing down on my arm... But he's very knowledgable, and hasn't broken me yet ;-) I'm on supplements now and everything! I will definitely ask him what he thinks about supplements for post surgery healing/swelling. I'm sure they have all that kind of stuff there. I'm getting healthy!!!! 8-D
I am going to my PCP in 2 weeks, for a follow up from my car accident. I am still in considerable pain, and I want him to have another look at my back to rule out anything other than the weight of my breasts. Both the physical therapist and the chiropractor believe that this is a factor, but I want to be absolutely sure. I will definitely get the surgery, I am just nervous that the back pain won't go away like I've heard so many women say it has for them. I go on the 27th for my appointment. I will tell him my plans for the BR, who knows, maybe he can even offer some guidance, as far as insurance goes.
The weather here in the northeast has been amazing the last few days! It's been mid-high 70's sunny, and absolutely perfect. The mornings & nights have been in the upper 50's-lower 60's and it's been nothing short of sublime! I love love love the fall. I know it's August, but this is definitely early fall weather, and I am in HEAVEN!!! :-))
Ok, well, I hope all our friends who have had surgery are healing well, and quickly. All our friends who are waiting, doing so patiently and productively ;) and those of you who are trying to decide if/if not, I hope you are find what you are looking for! There are so many wonderful, supportive, insightful, informative, courageous, and caring women on this forum. I am so happy I found this little community

Yikes! I've NOT been eating healthy anymore, since vacation... :-/ well, I guess I have to start over. It's ok though. Rome wasn't built in a day, right? :) Hope all you ladies are healing up we'll, and wishing everyone who has surgeries coming up the best of luck!!!!

I went to my PCP this week, still because I have back pain. I wanted to make sure that there was no damage that we were missing. I had an X-ray on Tuesday, which came back normal, and he followed that with an MRI, which I had done today, and that came back normal as well! That is such a relief! So my PCP says that he will help in any way he can to try and get my procedure covered under insurance! I've still got a ways to go before surgery so this could be really great :) I'll try not to get my hopes up, though. My chiropractor also says that he will write something up for me.

Ok, well, that's it for my news. Other than I'm still very much off my diet :( I really need to get back on track!!!

Hope all you lovely ladies who are healing are doing well, and all of you who are waiting, are feeling great!

Today officially marks the end of summer. I start my classes today, yay! I'm so nervous/excited. I know everything will be good, it's just so overwhelming.

I absolutely need to get my eating back on track. It's ridiculous. I did so well, and one dessert (not even joking), was my undoing. I swear I have some sort of eating disorder. When I'm good, I do really good & I feel so much better when I'm eating healthy. So why would I not want to eat good? Because I love sugar :( grr... So pretty much, my lifestyle change cannot include desserts. Once I take them out of my diet I should be ok, and have them in the house without eating them. I wish it weren't this difficult. It's not hard to gain the weight, how could it be so hard to get rid of it!!! I want to scream!!!! Ok. I'm done. :)

I hope all our friends who are healing are doing so without complications.

All who have surgeries set the today, or this week, BEST OF LUCK!!!!!

Everyone else, have a beautiful day :)

Well, I've not lost weight, I've gained!!! I'm so upset about this. I'm going to my GYN to try and get straightened out with hormone therapy, which I should have been on since having my hysterectomy a few years ago. I'm just having a really bad week. Feeling down today. Ok. That's all I'm going to write. Still on track for Dec 30th. Still working on ins. Hope everyone's doing well. Healing and resting and waiting patiently :)

Cannot wait for this day to finally come!
Got myself a workout partner a couple days! Hopefully that will get me in line :)
Now on hormones from my GYN. Hopefully this helps with the moods!!!
Hope all you ladies are healing nicely, and those waiting (like myself), are doing so patiently :))

I'm feeling quite cranky lately. I have been exercising but not very motivated to. My workouts are sub-par, at best. I'm so busy with school, and getting ready for show time for Miracle on 34th Street, the play my little girl and I are in together :) Plus the PTO responsibilities at the kids school... I am so stressed.
I went today to finally get my blood work drawn to check my hormone levels and my counts and stuff to see if there's a reason I'm such a basket case, lol.
Well, I'm only a month away from my pre-op appt! It's Dec 4th! I can't believe it's getting so close now!! :))
Ok, I hope everyone is doing well, that healing is going smoothly, and everyone is staying positive!!!!! I really appreciate this little community

Hello all!
Can I just tell you how READY I am for Dec 30th to get here :(( I am so impatiently waiting. Nothing is helping to take the edge off. School is going fine. I'm super busy with stuff at the kids' school. I just want everything to hurry and pass by. So sad b/c Christmas is right around the corner & I know I won't enjoy it fully b/c I'll be anticipating surgery.
I have not lost weight, in fact I have gained!!!! :'-( it's so frustrating!!! These hormones are really throwing me for a loop. Hopefully it gets better quick.
Ok, I'm done complaining! High point: time is flying. I can't believe I have just a month and a half before my big day!!!
Thank you, wonderful ladies, for posting all your good, and bad, (and even scary sometimes) reviews. The knowledge I've gained on here is immeasurable :))

Hi all! Thank you to AVA 07- I needed a prompt for a really quick update.
I am so very excited!!! Just got my reminder call for my pre-op on Weds!!! What?!? Lol.
I also got my paperwork for work, to hand in for my time off. Crazy. Hopefully all that goes without incident. I didn't tell my supervisor exactly what kind of surgery I was having, for, while it IS necessary, it's NOT something that if I don't get it I won't be able to live, and I don't want her giving me grief for it... Hopefully my MD's can write how necessary it really is...
To be quite honest, I really don't care. The only issue, is that I don't have any sick, or leave time. So I won't get paid :-/ it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make!
Ok, Ladies! Hopefully y'all are doing well!!!! Xoxoxo

Hey ladies :) tomorrow I go for my pre-op!!! Wow! How time has flown! Just as I had suspected, being immersed in school, (both the kids and mine (; ), and the theater, has really made the waiting more bearable :)) I can't wait for tomorrow! Yay! Ok. I'll let you guys know how tomorrow goes!
Hope all of you are healing up quickly and non eventfully, and waiting patiently and productively :))

Weds I went for my pre-op appt!!! I paid my surgeon fees and got my instructions and my hibiclens :)) I am so excited! I expressed my nervousness to him and he was "realistically optimistic" (for lack of a better term). He said that while there is always the possibility of complications, he does not fear I have anything to worry about. Given the fact that I don't smoke or really drink, and am in the normal (albeit upper level) BMI range, he thinks that I will be fine. I will definitely remain in this state of cautious/realistic optimism. I am not expecting perfect breasts like I have gotten implants. I am expecting scars, I know what I am doing. I expressed to him that I was worried about symmetry (asymmetry, to be exact) and asked him how he insures a symmetrical result. He doesn't perform the surgery with the patient in the sitting position, but after both breasts are cut and the tissue manipulated, be sits the patient up to see how they sit. I was happy to hear that :) I was also very interested to find out that my surgeon actually worked with Dr. Hall-Finley, the plastic surgeon who developed the so-named procedure, of cutting the breast without the anchor incision across the bottom of the breast, also called the "lollipop" incision (which is the method he is using on me) :)) very cool stuff!!! He also told me about Arnica for swelling and bruising. So, I am nervous, but more excited about my upcoming BR!!!! Woo-hoo!!!
Hope everyone is doing really well!!!!

Got a call from PS office to schedule my first and second post op appts! Also, they asked if I can come in at 6:15 am instead of 11:30 on my surgery day :)) Which really works out great. I was dreading having the whole morning to WAIT some more!!!! ;) haha... I can't believe how soon my day will finally be here! This is so surreal... It's finally hit me that this is really going to happen. And SOON!!! ohmygosh!!!!!!!
I hope everyone is healing up well, waiting patiently, resting, and being positive :)))

Exactly 2 weeks to go!!!! Wow. One final down, one to go. The play is over. Christmas shopping is well underway. My house is in "show mode" which means it's cleaner than necessary and we've put all our clutter away. I think I'm ready for this surgery! I really cannot believe how the time has flown by! Thank goodness for keeping busy :) I really hope everyone is doing well. Healing great, and waiting patiently :))

Can you believe how fast the week has gone by!? I can't believe that next weekend will be my last weekend working until after my surgery!!! Since my last post, I have finished my finals at school, and done a lot of Christmas shopping :) My house is a little bit of a mess, but I ROCKED my final exam!!!!
I also got word from my job that my FMLA was approved! Which means that even though I will be taking unpaid leave, I will not get in trouble for it, and I will still have a job waiting for me when I return :) Thank God, He is surely looking out for me :))
I am getting a little nervous, but I am really more excited than anything! I can't wait until I can be free from the back and neck-aches and just be comfortable in my own skin :))
I hope everyone's doing well, healing happily and resting. Who ever is waiting for their turn, (like me!!!), is waiting patiently. Your time will be here before you know it! Just take it from me and keep busy, lol!!! :)

Well actually 6, b/c I'm getting it done in the morning!!! Haha. It's coming quick! So, how am I feeling today? Crappy :(( apparently I am allergic to great news... Friday, after finding out about my awesome final exam grade, my daughter woke up sick in the middle if the night. Today I found out my grade for my other class is around an A, (woo-hoo!!! Lol), and I feel lousy now :(( I feel kinda stomach bug-ish :( so, on that note, I'm going to bed!
Happy healing friends, and Merry Christmas, if I don't get on here again before then :))

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Christmas today!!!

Well. I never thought this day would come! I am so beyond excited!!!! I have to be there at 6:15am. It is 10:45 pm now. I should be sleeping already, but I'm too wound up!!! Lol.
Ending 2013 on a high note, and beginning 2014 with this surgery. I am truly blessed, to be able to do this, and I pray for a wonderful, positive, experience. Night, all!!!

Hello Ladies! Thank you so much for all your well wishes, they definitely helped! I am feeling really good, all things considered! I am taking Tylenol with Codiene, and ibuprofen :) and that's it! I have to keep on the pain, but the worse I've felt is probably a 5 on the pain scale! My doctor alled a little while ago and was very pleased with his results :) He did let me know that my L side was significantly bigger than the right, so my swelling will be worse on that side.
I got up this am at 5:30 & did my hibiclens, and we walked out the door at 5:50am. When I got there I made my payments and signed numerous documents. Then went in back and was given gown and scrubs to wear, and a patch behind my ear for nausea. After that I went to my little pre-op room and my IV was started with antibiotics. Then the anestesiologist came in, followed by my MD who marked me up. Then I went to the bathroom one more time and was walked into the OR. They had me lay on the table and then they adjusted me and put oxygen on me, which I think had something in it, lol. Because I asked if they started the meds yet, and the next thing I remember I was trying to wake up from anesthesia! It took a while to come out of it, because they tried initially & I was very uncomfortable and nauseaus. When I finally came to, about 3 hours later, the nurse said "hi! You're up! And you're smiling!!!" I must have felt pretty great at that point :)) I got to go home at around 2:30, I think. I couldn't wait! Lol.
I got home and have been relaxing on the recliner, my hubby's been awesome :) I did eat some stuff and have been keeping up on pain meds. I think that's so important, I don't think I'd be able to tolerate the pain without it.
Also, I'm all bandages up & can't take them off until weds! I can't see my boobies :(( I Amos excited to see them! Ok. I'm falling asleep while writing, I'll keep you guys posted!

Well, I'm feeling good! Still can't wait to take a peek at the new girls! I'm definitely sore, but it's tolerable :)) I am going to be able to take the bandage off tomorrow to shower! So crazy! It's so surreal to me, that I've actually had the surgery!
My Surgeon called last night to check in, and he said how happy he is with the results. He did also tell me that I'll "probably" be a C-cup, "possibly" a D. I really hope it's a C! He said that having broader shoulders smaller breasts may not be flattering on my frame. I totally understand where he's coming from, but I REALLY hope it's a C. Fingers crossed!!!! I already feel lighter! It's unbelievable, really! So, I cannot wait for the big reveal!!!
Thank you, everyone, for all the positive energy, thoughts and prayers being sent my way! Honestly, I'm so, so, soooooo happy!!!

Hi all!
Just wanted to let you lovely ladies know that I'm feeling pretty darn great! We even had people over last night and I was able to sit at the kitchen table with everyone for several hours! Although no one would let me do anything, lol. But just the fact that I had enough energy to hang out was great!
Then I took my meds and passed out! Oh! And thank you all for the advice about taking something to help you "go." I did last night, thank goodness! Now I'm going to take a rest!
I haven't seen my new girls yet. I feel very safe with this wrap around my chest, and I don't want to take it off! I'm definitely nervous about that, but excited at the same time :))
Thank you all for your well wishes, I appreciate every one of the comments that have been written to me :)
Good luck to any girls going in this week, and happy healing to those of us who are on the other side!

I took a shower!!! Yay! I also got to see my girls! They look a little weird, I'm sure only because of being bound so tightly. But I now have my Hanes sports bra w/the front close on and I feel like this will definitely round out the shape :))
Otherwise, I'm taped up and have some gauze in the bra in case I have any bleeding/oozing. I noticed some bright red blood on my tape after I showered, so hopefully that's nothing :( I still feel really good! A bit tired, but not too shabby!
Oh! And my right nipple has feeling! Not left yet, but I'm hoping it will come back soon :))
My hubby helped me take dressing off and I was so nervous for him to see them, but he was a real champ! He even said he thought the size & shape looked good :))
Yay!!!

Office called an moved my PO appt from Friday to Sat. That's ok. I'm sure everything will be fine :)) I am still feeling really good, a bit tired, but not overly so. I am definitely doing a lot of laying around, so as I not over-do it :) snow day has put a bit of a wrench in my plans of peace and quiet, lol. The kids are home today, and it's looking like tomorrow as well...
But we will be fine, I'm sure. They will learn to be more self sufficient in the next few days, haha.
So I am still very optimistic about my new boobies! In the bra they are very padded with gauze, and they look a bit big, but they are also swollen, so I think I'm going to love them! I have that really nice rounded shape on the upper part of my breasts, which I hope stays that way, because it looks so nice in the bra! I keep forgetting that I don't have all that weight to hold up any more so I'm constantly reminding myself to drop my shoulders. It's a hard thing to do. Ok. I'm going to rest now. Here's a couple pics of my cleavage ;) haha. This is the best angle I can get!
Hope everyone's healing nicely, and uneventfully. And good luck to our friends out there with upcoming surgery dates!!!

Ok. The heavy taping is giving them a really weird shape, lol. But I've seen this is some others pics too and with time they settle into a nice shape :)

When did folks start sleeping in bed again? I've woken up with a headache the last 2 days now :((
On a side note, I didn't take pain meds last night before bed, and I still feel pretty decent! A little soreness, but nothing unbearable :)) Thank The Lord! I just feel so fortunate!!!!!
Thank all if you for your support and well wishes! I hope that my story helps at least one person in their decision to have this life changing surgery!
Happy healing to the post op peeps, at whatever stage you're in! Good luck to any of our girls going in today!!!!

Hey Ladies!!!
The last 2 nights I spent in my bed. The first night I slept pretty well. Other than smooshing my left boob while trying to reach back to fix a pillow :( ouch! That hurt!
Last night was terrible. I took a Percocet with a zofran, b/c I was in a lot of discomfort from doing too much yesterday. I slept like garbage. Or should I say, I didn't really sleep at all :(( I don't know if the meds kept me awake, or being out of the house, or what, but I was NOT sleeping.
So, I will be relocating back to the recliner tonight. Hopefully that helps. I'm so tired!!!
Now, for the real stuff. I had my 1st Post Op visit yesterday. It went really well! My PS is very pleased with my new breasts. He talked about one area of (slight) concern with me, which is a little pocket of fat under the L breast. He said that was the breast he took more tissue from & if he took any more from that area, b/c of the type of tissue there it would end up looking hollowed out. I am fine with that. I know that natural breasts are not symmetrical, and I was not expecting perfectly symmetric results.
As of this moment, I am extremely pleased, and I feel wonderful about my results :)) and, I'm sure that when the swelling goes down I will be even happier!
I'm posting a pic of something I was Soooooooooo happy about. Last night we went to a friends house & it was the first time since my surgery putting "real" clothes on. I looked in my closet, and started to reach for the old standby sweater, (cozy & covered up), but instead I grabbed the size M button up from old navy. I was a little nervous, but wasn't completely expecting it to be able to button. Well... It did!!!!! I've not been able to button a (normal sized) shirt in... I don't even know how long!!!! Check it!!!
Happy healing, and good luck to all!!!!! From One Happy Chick!!!!

Hi friends! OH, I feel so much better, right now. My hubby washed my hair for me! I hadn't been able to wash it, because I couldn't hold my arms up over my head for the amount of time needed to do it, so it was DIRTY!!! haha... I just leaned over the utility sink so he could use the sprayer, and it worked out pretty well. I did have to stand up periodically b/c I don't like the way they feel when I lean forward yet :-/
It was back to the recliner for me last night, and I've come to the conclusion that I don't think I'll be sleeping a lot. At least not until I get my daytime routine back again... I think that because I've been lounging around for the last week, I'm just not sleepy enough to go to sleep at a normal time at night. Plus, I had to take a laxative the last two days because I hadn't gone since New Years Eve. But then all of a sudden, it worked TOO good :( So half my night was in the bathroom, sadly, and that's just not fun, getting up and down. (sorry for the TMI, lol)
OK, done complaining :))
I have to say, I can't get enough of my new boobs! (that's figuratively, not literally, literally, there seems to be JUST enough ;) Like our 16 year old friend Amy Snow says, "I can't stop looking at them and touching them!" haha.
What an amazing feeling! I'm not adjusting my straps, or band, I'm just cupping them, and poking at them, and generally just in AWE of how cute and pert they are!!!!
So, currently, I am wearing the Hanes front close sports bra. The 38 is a little loose, but fits the cups perfectly. The 36 fits around the band, but I have to leave the top 2 hooks opened in order to not have the girls being squeezed on the top. But they don't spill out the sides or anything! How awesome is that!???!! I still think I need to get a couple more size 38's, but I couldn't be more excited to be wearing a soft, cotton, Walmart, cheapie bra, and being totally supported!!!!! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world :)))
Hope everyone's doing so well, wether healing, waiting, going in today, or on day 100 of new boobies! Happy, positive, vibes to all!!!!!! xo

Ugh. This relaxing thing? I thought it was going to be easier! Lol. I can't sleep still. Moved to the bed in the middle of the night, last night. Still didn't sleep well. Thinking I'm gonna try a PM ibuprofen tonight.
Boobies are feeling good. I can't wait for my next PO on the 15th to see how I'm healing. I'm very curious to see how they will look when the tape comes off!!! Waiting, waiting, and more waiting!!! Lol.
No new, exciting news for today, really. :)
Hope all are doing really great & everyone has quick and easy recovery and surgeries :))

Noticing how much bigger my L is than my R. Fingers crossed, the left is just still considerably more swollen, as it had more work done to it :)

I'm not putting them up again, I'm already dressed, lol. Sorry! I'll try again next time!

Hey ladies! I can't believe I'm 2 weeks today!!!!! How unbelievable!!! For someone who never thought this day would come, this is truly amazing...

I count my blessings every day that I was able to have this life changing surgery!!!

I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still doing well :) I'm taking my recovery day by day, and still feeling good! I've been out and about, and eating pretty good and generally keeping positive. I am sore, sometimes more than others. If I do a lot during the day I'm definitely feeling it more. But my energy is pretty much normal, which is good and bad, lol. With my energy so high it's hard to take it easy! ;)

I have my 2 week appointment on Weds. I will hopefully get this tape off, it's really starting to irritate me! I've been cutting the edges when it starts to peel off, but I want clean tape!!! I also want to see how my incisions are doing. I feel like they have to be doing well. I just can't wait to see what they look like with nothing on them!!!!! I'm nervous and excited, and just really anxious to look at them. Also, I can't wait to properly clean them! I hate seeing the dried blood under the tape, it's so gross!!!

Anyhoo.... That's all I have for now :)

I hope everyone is doing really well. Healing good and waiting patiently for their procedure :) xoxoxo

Ok. So, the tape came off, and...

I'm not unhappy, but it wasn't quite what I expected to see under there? That's the best way I can describe it. I know my PS is experienced and very well regarded in our community. I was a little surprised at first. All I saw at first was really bumpy incisions and a spot that wasn't closed yet. I know that sounds terrible. However the doctor told me that the incisions and the skin surrounding them will smooth out. The left side is bigger, and there is more swelling on the underside. He told me that, also, should straighten itself out, in time. I do have a "dog ear", I think. A bit of skin that's been sutured kind of in a little ball, right under the R breast.

Let me reiterate. I am NOT unhappy.

After getting home, I looked at them again. They are smoother than they were at the office. What I was seeing was much due to the tape! Duh. OH! And they stayed up! It wasn't just the tape holding them there, like I feared, lol. As far as the asymmetry goes, only time will tell. :)

I was having a bit of a "downer" day today. I think it was nerves. I was nervous about the tape coming off. I was thinking about life. I was just in a mood. Then while driving, people were driving like fools. Everything just annoyed me. But I'm better now :))

I know I've heard "it takes more energy to be positive/ it's easier to be negative" that type of thing. I know people actually get upset with people for being too positive. Someone actually said that recently! They wish she'd just go off one day. You know, even my cousin said to me a couple years ago that it was hard to talk to me b/c my life was so good. B/c I didn't complain enough. That's kind of sad, because, what's the point of complaining? I would rather focus on the good, and forget about the stupid, petty, things that may or may not be bugging me... I'd rather enjoy my time talking to friends/family about the good stuff, rather than feel bad & bring others down. Is that so bad?

Ok. That was me venting ;) thanks for listening, my RF girls.
I hope everyone's doing really well! I send positive vibes to all of you :))

And here's some pics!

Just wanted to let you all know. My husband is a gem... He has been totally AMAZING with everything. This evening when he came home I showed him. I had already talked to him, and expressed a little of my concerns that I posted above. He had NO problems with anything he saw! He said they looked really good, and he said he doesn't really notice the size difference. He even asked if he could touch them! I let him, and he put his hands over them and said "perfect" lol. He's very happy with the size and shape. I couldn't be happier right now, just having that... His reaction was just... awesome...
That is all :))

Oh ladies, I think having the tape on was offering extra support to the girls, b/c since it was removed, I've been so sore! Man! I had to start taking ibuprofen again! Hey, anyone else experience rib tenderness, right below the breasts? I think I remember someone saying they had it, but I can't remember who or why. I didn't have any lipo. It's not debilitating, just feels bruised, almost. Oh well, this too shall pass :)
On a brighter note, I did a little retail therapy today. Haha. I got a little something for the whole family. Plus a few new T's, and a tank for me :)) I'm pretty thrifty. Most of my shopping is done from the clearance racks, but today as I walked through the store, a shirt caught my eye. It was a blue and green plaid flannel shirt. I looked at it longingly, then started to walk away because I can't wear button up shirts. But then remembered! I turned back. I picked out a size M, and I bought it! It was the only item I paid full price for, lol. (What can I say? I'm a 90's grunge chick, haha) when I was in HS, I used to wear my dad's flannel shirts, and mostly to hide myself. But this is a slim fit, and I can't wait to rock it :D woo hoo! Oh happy day!
Ok. I hope everyone's feeling great, recovering nicely, patiently waiting, and thinking positively! Sending good vibes out to you all!

Hello! Today I went out with my hubby, and dressed in fitted clothes!!! I wore a v-neck, tunic length shirt, over fitted jeans and riding boots. I wore the shirt once before, and felt really self conscious. Constantly making sure my boobs were where they should be and my bra wasn't showing. Today, I felt like a supermodel in it! I wasn't constantly pulling straps and adjusting myself, or looking at myself to make sure I was decent.

I dropped the kids to my M-I-L and she said I looked great and THINNER! (and I have definitely NOT lost weight!) She said she thinks my PS was right to not make me too small, b/c she thinks the size looks just right :)
We then met my S-I-L and her boyfriend. It was the first time I've seen her since surgery also. She was floored when she saw me! Her jaw actually dropped! It was quite funny, actually. She couldn't take her eyes off of me and she said they were "perfect" :)) I was so happy! Everyone has been so supportive and it is so wonderful to have that... Ah, I am so, very, blessed :))) and you know what? I didn't take any pictures!!! Lol. Go figure! I'll put the outfit on again tomorrow and take a pic ;)

Hope everyone is doing as good as I am! (Yes, I'm still sore, but nothing's gonna bring me down!!!) I'm on top of the world!
Love and positive thoughts being sent to all of you!!! Xoxoxo

Hi ladies! I have a few questions.

1) Is there something I can do to get swelling to go down? I still feel really puffy and I've been drinking water and taking the Arnica sublingual tablets (I have to admit, I don't take them regularly, though). I feel like my left nipple is puffy today, for some reason. It's been quite cold here and I've been feeling my nipples react to that, which is good, but my PS said no nipple stimulation for 6 weeks. Hmmm. Also, I just don't feel like my bras are supportive enough. I actually doubled up yesterday, but that made me feel more squished in than held up. The size 38 sports bras are too big around the band, but they cover my boobs. The 36's are good around the band but they don't fit the girls... Grrrr.

Question 2) my skin is peeling all over my boobs. It feels irritated, not red or hot. Just feels almost like a reaction if get from tape. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Thanks ladies! I appreciate any input!
Hope everyone is feeling great!!!

To all the lovely ladies who responded to my inquiry :) I really appreciate the advice and information.

Now, I am on the hunt for a soft cup bra. The nurse at my PS office said that if I feel like I need more support I can go ahead and get an adjustable regular bra, as long as it's wire-free :) Anyone know where they sell Warners bra's? I found a couple at Marshall's and they were super soft, and really comfortable, but they didn't have a D cup, which with swelling, I think I need. The C was okay, but I felt squished. I'll be heading to Kohls to see if they have anything.

I really am so happy I happened across this forum :)) What an incredible feeling, knowing that I'm not alone in my journey. Not that I don't have support from my family and friends, but they don't FULLY understand.

Whoa! As I am writing this, I think I have experienced REAL zingers! Holy crow! I thought I had been getting something that zinged, but MOMMA!!! I think that was a real one... That was fairly intense...

Okay then. Best wishes and much love to all going in, coming out, healing, revealing, and enjoying their new lives :)) xoxoxo

Ok Ladies! I just tried on about 30 different bras! I found one that I really like! I'll upload the pics. Kohls had the Warner bras, yay! And they were bogo 50%! Woo-hoo!

So, a few hours, 4 bras, 3 dresses, 2 accessories, and 1 shirt later, I'm glad to be home!!! Lol. I went a little nuts! I had a 30% off coupon though!!! And everything except 2 of the bras and the gloves were on clearance :) (and even still, they were on sale) lol. Look at me justifying my shopping addiction...

Anyhoo... The bras run in sizes S, M, L, XL, but they have the adjustable close back. I got the L, it feels so comfortable! You guys should really try them!!! I'm so excited :)))

So today started some pretty intense pain! I'm thinking they're "zingers", they're so intense that I actually get goose bumps! I also noticed some stitches poking through near my R nipple, where I seem to be getting a lot of the pain. I am also having pretty constant pain on my side boobs. Mostly the right side. I'm starting to worry a bit, as I do have one little spot that isn't fully closed yet. But there isn't any redness that I can see, or doesn't seem to be hot to the touch. I don't know. Maybe I'll call my PS office to just be sure.
Ok. Goodnight ladies!

Wow. It's hard to believe that 4 weeks ago I was suffering from almost debilitating back pain and extremely poor body image.

I already feel more comfortable in my own skin. I know thy may sound crazy, but I really do. I still forget that I can wear things that I used to not be able to. I can't wait to be completely healed so I can wear all the fun summer tops and dresses I've never been able to wear before!!!

I am so happy I made the decision to finally do this, I know that the back pain was the final deciding factor, but I wish I did it years ago!!! I think my quality of life will be 100% more amazing :)))

Anyone on the fence, DO IT!!!! completely worth it!!!!!

All my Real friends, I hope everyone's healing well, feeling well, waiting, anticipating, and above all, staying positive! Xoxoxo

Hello beautiful Realfriends!

Yesterday was 4 weeks since my BR. I continue to be in amazement of how wonderful I feel! I'm going to describe how I feel the best I can.

I now feel like the person I should have felt like my whole life. I have never, ever, not once in my life, felt confident with my breasts. Even at my thinnest, I felt like my boobs were too saggy, and still too big for my smaller frame. Now I know my "new" breasts are by no means tiny, but I love them! Even with their faults, if they're a little asymmetrical, a little bruised, and scarred, I feel like they're more "me" than the old ones.

I've read a lot I reviews where women are unhappy with their results, and/or picking out every imperfection they can find. Many women go through an "emotional" period shortly after their surgery.

I have felt NOTHING like that. Not once have I had a moment of doubt about wether I did the right thing, chose the right surgeon, or thought I "lost" something or some part of myself when I woke up with smaller breasts. I expected scars, and I didn't expect perfection. Humans are imperfect. And I am definitely human ;)

From the moment I woke up after my surgery, all I have felt was complete peace with myself. Like I was a caterpillar waking up, and emerging from my cocoon a beautiful butterfly. Knowing, that this is exactly where I am supposed to be in the evolution of ME. I was so ready for this...

I think that sums it up :))

I hope that anyone reading this, who has been having a hard time, or having doubts about wether or not they made the right decision, will try to see the positive aspects of their surgery. I cannot stress enough how much a positive attitude can help in the way you look at yourself...

You are all beautiful people. It doesn't matter what's on the outside, if you don't feel good on the inside, all you will see are the imperfections.

I choose to see past the imperfections, and embrace the new me, the butterfly who' ready to spread her wings and show the world her true colors!!!

Anyone doing research about BR & trying to decide if they want it or not, I've realized that it's such a personal decision and you have to be ready for it. If you are truly ready to make the decision, DO IT! It will be one of the best things you will have ever done for yourself!

Best of luck and positive thoughts going out to everyone, in all stages of their BR's, from waiting to recovering, to out living their lives after surgery!! Xoxoxo

I've decided to change the name of my review, from here, on out :))

Hi ALL!!!!

I had my 4 week PO appt today, and my PS and I chatted for a little bit. I told him how much better I feel about myself and how he did a really fantastic job on my new boobies :))

However, I have some confusion today...

While my positivity is for real, I am so much happier than I was before... I still think he left me a little larger than I was hoping. But I would absolutely deal with this, if there was no easy fix. My issue is that I don't think he explained ALL my options ahead of time, and made a decision based purely on aesthetics. If I knew he couldn't take out as much tissue doing the lollipop incision, I would definitely have said to use the anchor incision. I was expecting the anchor incision scars, so this wouldn't have bothered me.
He agrees that I am still big. He says to give it a few months, and see where I'm at when things are more "settled". If I still feel like I am too full, then he said he can do a procedure right in the office which will reduce some of the fullness without the need for excessive down-time. Either lipo some extra tissue out, or cut out a little extra skin under the breast and stitch it back up, which would be superficial, just skin, no tissue removed. The latter would basically just make them "tighter".

Now, the reason behind this confusion.

Last night I did the stupid thing of trying on some of my old bra's, and found, like some of you shortly after surgery, that some still fit... Now, I was VERY surprised, because I feel so much smaller!

But, of course, it got me thinking, and then I was agitated, and annoyed. Here's the crazy part: when I measured myself before the surgery, my bust measured 47 or 49 inches around, 33 inches around the band. I now measure 38 inches around the bust!!!! That is either 9 or11 INCHES SMALLER!!!

My band is now 32 inches (but I wear a 34 comfortably), so that is a difference of 4 inches. If I remember correctly, each inch is a cup size, right? Which will leave me with a 34D. But measurement-wise, (if I go by the actual 32"), I am actually a 32DDD? What the what?

I repeat: I am very happy to be lifted and I FEEL smaller, so that is definitely positive. I am just surprised by how I actually measure up. Which I think may be a lesson to us all: I don't think the measurements mean ANYTHING!!! I think they are a jumping-off point. Like ok, based on these measurements you should wear this size bra, however, you can also wear this size, or that size, depending on your body type. I forget who wrote the review recently, but someone just said something close to this. I know that I shouldn't have tried on my old bra's. Now I'm wondering how the heck I fit into them before!!!! So crazy! AND I didn't want to have to pay an arm and a leg for bras anymore. If I'm a 34D or DD, I think I'll still be stuck paying more, and having a hard time finding those sizes in regular stores.

Ugh. OK, I'm happy to get that off my chest ;) hahaha...pun intended.

Please don't think I am being negative. Just after the bra debacle, I feel more like I got just a lift, rather than a reduction. If that IS the case, I think I overpaid ;) My PS was VERY understanding, and he said he would take care of it if I am not content with the results... Another reason he's so wonderful :))

See, I'm still being positive, and I still feel like a beautiful butterfly. I guess my point in telling you this is to make sure you talk to your PS. If you guys are on the same page, you'll be better off. I didn't make myself as clear to him as I should have. He did a beautiful job, just a bit bigger than I wanted :)

Love to you all xoxoxo

Hello Ladies :)

I first want to thank all of my beautiful BR sisters for understanding where I was coming from the other day :) I really appreciate the support! I literally said the day before that, that I hadn't experienced any "emotional roller coasters" since my BR. Well, I guess that's why it's named a roller coaster. You don't know exactly what you'll experience or how you'll experience the darn emotions!

I am feeling much better, after many thoughtful and considerate comments and replies from you all, and from family members, I definitely should wait and see how I feel after a few more months :) I have gone through such a change, (a metamorphosis, if you will), that I really need time to heal and get to know this new butterfly that I have become. I still LOVE my new boobies :))

Ok, so, in the pics they look tremendously smaller ;)

Wow. It's hard to believe 5weeks has passed so quickly and very uneventfully!! I feel pretty amazing :) I'd really like to thank you all for the lovely comments :))

I went to a birthday party for one of my good friends, and my GIRLS got an awful lot of attention! (I didn't actually show anyone, but they were examining them pretty thoroughly through my shirt, haha) my friends all think they look awesome :))

My hubby is still really happy with the way they look. I tried on some lingerie I got for my bridal shower 11 years ago, (while I've put it on once or twice since then, I was never comfortable in it), well, it fit better than it ever has, with the girls staying in the correct place! Yay!!! That was awesome, especially considering Valentines Day is coming up ;-O lol

So I've noticed changes in the last week. My breasts are not puckered anymore on the bottom! The scars and the skin under them is really smooth now!!! I still have a little puckering around the nipples, but that's from the stitches. When they dissolve that should go away :)) There is still some lumpiness in there, near where the incisions were made, but they don't LOOK lumpy. That will more than likely go away with time :)
I will post pis tomorrow :))

I hope everyone is feeling great and healing well and happy :)

Ok, here's 5 weeks :) I put a couple closer shots so you can see the scars and skin. There's some skin flaking off of the scars, but that's it. One spot where there's a scab from PS removing a stitch. He said he'll fix the dog ear. You can definitely see the size difference, Left is much fuller on the bottom.
But the shape is great & the scars look really good :))
Aside from still being a little bigger than I hoped, I'm really thrilled with everything and I would do this a million times over!!!!! :))

Hello Beautiful ladies :))

I had a thought last night. I have a couple bras that I bought a few years ago that I knew didn't fit, but I was looking for a specific style to wear with a specific dress. You know how it is, we can never find the right bra to go with those low-cut dresses... Well I have a 36D push-up bra sitting in my closet for years now, and last night I put it on. Whoa!!! It looked great!!!! The left side had a bit of "popping out" on the side and cleavage, but it wasn't too bad! That was a Kohls bra that I probably paid like $15.00 for on clearance, AND it was a push up, so it had the extra padding in there! I've been saying that I'm not happy being "big" still, but I have to say, I think I looked pretty good in that bra ;)

So I came to the conclusion that I don't think righty needs to be altered any. I think if I can get lefty to match, I (and my husband), would be very happy :)) He really likes them! I am so surprised! It looks to me like he completely see's past the scars and just notices how much better they look (and how much more confident I am with them)!!!! I am one happy girl :)))

You know, one of the reasons I was so unhappy last week when I wrote that post? I have a dress that I bought years ago, it's been sitting in my closet for that long, but I couldn't wear it. I had been holding on to it, because I love it, and it's so my style, and I couldn't bear to part with it. Last summer I let a friend borrow it, and said that I wanted it back, because I hoped to wear it after surgery... Well, I also tried that dress on when I tried the bras on, obviously it didn't fit still :( But I have decided that I'm ok with that. So I'll let it go. Maybe I'll give it to the friend who borrowed it. She's flat chested, (the lucky b#&@*, lol), so it looked really good on her, and she really liked it. And I'm ok. I took it out of the closet the other night and folded it up, but then hung it back in there, before I decided that I'm ok with my new size. So I will take it out again, this time for good... Well, I guess that means I'll just have to buy another one!!!!! hahahahaha!!!!! Oh man... I think I need a support group!!!!! lmao!

Thanks for listening, ladies, I know most of you understand what I'm going through, and I appreciate being able to just say things on here :))

I hope all the ladies healing are doing so swiftly and uneventfully. I wish everyone going in today, tomorrow or sometime soon, the best of luck!

Remember, above all, be POSITIVE! Positivity will, without a doubt, be your best asset through any stage of you BR journey. If you can remain positive, even through the ups and downs that you will inevitably experience, you will find healing and waiting will be that much easier. Xoxoxoxo :))

I am having some pain, sharp pain, on my right nipple today!!! It started late last night. It feels like any time my bra rubs on it it's sending a painful sensation. It's not pleasant at all. I'm a little worried, as my hubby was horsing around the other day and picked me up off the couch, and kind of smooshed my boob :( I may call the PS office just to see if I should be worried or anything... That's the nipple that I've had sensation in from the get-go. I'd really hate for anything to happen to it!!! lol. On a brighter note, it feels like lefty may be getting a tiny bit of sensation back :) That's all today. Not much difference from yesterday ;))

Well, I called the PS office yesterday, and they said they think the pain is normal, just sensation coming back and all that. I'm scheduled to see him weds, b/c I really don't feel like I can do my job yet. He'll prob keep me out another 2 weeks, just to be absolutely sure everything is healed. I'll have him look at the spot I'm concerned about.
I think I may have popped a few internal stitches that hadn't yet dissolved :( I have a little bump, at the outside of my Right areola (sp?). Looks and feels like it's something under my skin. So that's my guess. Hopefully it'll be ok. Like the shape won't change if the stitch did pop. I'm going to try not to pay attention to it too much, but the sensation I'm getting will make it difficult. It's a really odd, uncomfortable pain.
Ah, well, I guess we'll see.
Hope everyone else is going great! Enjoy your weekend!!! :))

Good evening, my realself friends!

Well, today marks 6 weeks post op for me!!! I cannot even believe how fast the time has flown by!!! I had a very busy weekend, with something going on all three days! Even this morning before I had to go to class we had something going on, along with a sick boy at home :( I'm exhausted, I tell ya!!! :)

So, how do I feel 6 weeks after my BR? Aside from the recent injury, (I'll call it that, lol), I feel pretty amazing! I don't feel completely confident in my skin yet, but I'm getting closer every day!

In honor of being the big S-I-X (week), I wore an underwire bra today!!!! My PS said I could start again at 6 weeks. I wore a VS full coverage, (I think), cotton, underwire bra, no padding just lined. It's one of the bras that I bought before a vacation a few years ago and wore for that week and pretty much put weight on right after that and wasn't able to fit back into them after the summer! Today I put it on at about 10 am, and I'm STILL wearing it, and I have not had to adjust anything on it ALL DAY!!!!! Never once. It feels awesome, and liberating, and totally freeing, to not have to find a corner to adjust yourself or be pulling at your straps or band or sticking your hand into your shirt to put your girls back into the holster! I could cry tears of joy right now!!! Which truly goes to show you, I think Becup said, that we wear bras that we don't really fit into. We squish and squeeze ourselves into these sizes. Really, I KNOW I'm smaller than I was before. I have to get past that "number" and realize that it shouldn't matter, as long as I'm not in pain anymore, and am happy with the actual results. I think they look great, and with a little tweaking they really will be better than I ever dreamed they'd be :))

Last night I went to a small event at Victorias Secret at the mall. They had a DJ and raffle prizes and stuff, pretty good event sales going on too :) Unfortunately I didn't win a prize, but I got measured, and, sure enough, I'm definitely a 34DD right now. Righty (smaller one) fits perfectly in that size, while lefty has a bit of overflow, it's not anything horrible, though. While I was a bit disappointed, I was a bit happy too. I have a bunch of bras that I bought a few years ago, (including the above mentioned one, when I was super fit) that are 34DD! Thank goodness I didn't give them away like I intended!!! They're practically brand new!!! I did end up buying a cute lacy one. But they have a sports bra that's AMAZING!!!! I'll post pics. When I got into that thing, I felt more secure than I don't even know! lmao... It's awesome! I can't wait to wear it to the gym!!! ;)

OH!!! I also forgot to mention! After my post the other day about the dress that I have to give away, I ended up going to Kohls. I found the CUTEST baby-doll dress/top! It's a grey, lace v-neck I think it's too short to wear as a dress, but I was thinking leggings and boots for Valentines day! It's a babydoll! I could NEVER wear one of those before!!!! Come on, you all know you've tried it too! Empire waisted gowns, and baby-doll dresses or tops, that come halfway up your boobs! I've always loved that look, but was never able to pull it off. Until now ;) I'll have to do a little fashion show for you guys, in honor of the upcoming NY Fashion Week, lol.

I highly recommend having this surgery to anyone who's thinking about it! I know that I'm just scratching the surface of the life-changing benefits that come along with it. I feel taller, I feel lighter on my feet, I feel like I can be looked at as a person, not a walking sex-toy ;) haha... Come on, you know you feel that way too ;-P

Thank you, to everyone who's posted amazing, supportive, and extremely caring comments to me throughout my journey. I appreciate every word that has been written.

I hope everyone out there is doing really well, and I wish for speedy recoveries and beautiful results, and positive attitudes!!!! That is all :)))))) Goodnight!!!!

No fashion show yet, but here's the bra I wore all day. I remembered being at VS and seeing this really cute bra, and in one of my fav colors! I loved it then, and I love it even more now!!! :) Wore it from 10am to about 10pm. Still can't get over the lack of pain in back or shoulders, they used to have such deep grooves from the straps all the time!!!! :)) Oh happy day!!!! Haha

One thing I didn't mention above? I can sleep on my side now! It's more comfortable to sleep on my left side than the right. I can lay for a few minutes on the right. That's really exciting stuff for me!! haha... I also laid on my stomach for a minute the other night, just to try. I don't think I could do it all night, but it didn't hurt. :))

Hey ladies :) just a couple pics before I start my day :) I felt amazing in this outfit :))

Hello to all my beautiful Realfriends! I have been out of the loop for a few weeks! Our nasty weather took a toll on my computer time, what with the kids being home from school for an extended President's Day Weekend!

Week 6 came and went with nothing really new to report. I have been sleeping on my side more and more with no issues, but I had started doing that already :) Now, as we got into the 7 week mark I was feeling like a champ! I am so ready to start working out and getting my upper body strength back up. This is super important as part of my job includes lifting and transferring people. I am hoping beyond hope, that we have no more snow days this year! I was really hoping to have gone back to the gym this past week, but with all the crazy extra days off I had to concentrate on my household duties :-/

So... Intimate issues... My PS said no nipple stim for 6 weeks. So we gave it an extra week, just to be sure, tried at the beginning of week 7 and it was a little weird. I wasn't sure I liked the way things felt. But I think I was also a bit nervous. Well, at the end of the week 7 we tried again, and WHOA!!!! Let me tell you... It worked out MUCH better ;) The left side gets little "jolts" of feeling. Like, one minute I don't feel much, then I'll get a little feeling, or a moderate feeling. The right one DEFINITELY has feeling! And it still works quite well ;)) I asked my husband afterwords what he thought. I was very curious as to how he was going to feel about being intimate with them. He said that he liked it, but he liked my old ones too. He also said that the Right one is more healed than the Left. I was a bit confused, but he explained that it doesn't feel the same. I thought that was so interesting that he could actually feel that difference! He said that one difference between old and new was that he didn't have to "look" for them, they were right where they should be, no scooping them up from the sides of me when I lay on my back!!! hahahaha... he was very polite and didn't say anything negative about my old ones at all, he's such a great guy, lol.

That's about it, really. I'm almost into week 8, and I can't reiterate enough how unbelievably happy I am that I was able to get this surgery. I feel so amazing, like I am the luckiest girl in the world :))) I'll post my 7 week photos from my phone :)

God bless all of you, and I hope everyone is doing really well, and healing and waiting patiently :)) Thank you for taking the time to comment on my review and for always being so supportive. I still continue to be so thankful for all or you lovely ladies!!!! :))

Well Ladies, 8 weeks...

I already said how happy I am, and how much more confident I feel. Have I mentioned how much more I am smiling? How people notice that I sit straighter? I'm not hunched over and "hiding" myself any more? Have I said that I am actually happy to show my husband pictures of myself in a bathing suit or a bra, or that I can walk around my room getting dressed without a bra or shirt on and feel completely at ease with him in the room?

This surgery has changed my life, and has already, completely, opened me up to the kind of person I have always thought myself to be. I am not afraid anymore. I didn't think it would hit me this hard, this fast. I thought there was going to be a period of still feeling like my boobs are the starring attraction of ME, but nothing. I just feel HAPPY.

Something really fantastic happened this weekend, and I'm so happy I want to yell it from the tops of buildings! I tried on bikini tops from Victoria's Secret PINK, and they fit!!! I had to buy a Large, but gosh-darn-it, they FIT!!!!!! I bought two, the same top, but different colors, and they were only $20.00 each! ($40.00 for the whole suit!) I've NEVER bought a $40.00 bathing suit!!! EVER!!!!! If I can tell you how ridiculously happy I was, it wouldn't correctly convey my actual feelings that night. I felt AWESOME! And that's not even the really fantastic thing that happened!!! (They didn't actually have my size in both, but I bought the one that fit, and another in the smaller size and exchanged it at another store, so I could get it at the sale price)

I was at an after-hours event that the store was having. They had a DJ and some scratch off tickets that you could win a prize if you got a winning ticket. (I didn't win with my ticket) They also had the bathing suit on special, and some special dollar-off deals, too (like $25 off $100 purchase, $50 off $200 purchase, etc.)

Well, with my new-found confidence, I asked the sales associate if I could get another scratch off ticket, as she had a whole stack in her hand, and there weren't still people lining up outside the store. (what's the worst that can happen? she'd say no?) She fanned them out in front of her and joked, "sure, I'll just tell them you grabbed it out of my hand" and laughed. I was so surprised that she said yes, and asked if she was sure, then proceeded to choose a ticket. (As I scratched it off, I was talking to her, telling her how I was in need of some cute new clothes, as I had gotten the reduction, and was so excited about the bathing suit, and I was a little bummed that they didn't have anymore in my size.) I looked down at the ticket that I was scratching, and I'm sure you can guess what happened next....

I WON!!!!! I GOT A WINNING TICKET!!!!

Ladies, I was awarded with about $225.00 worth of free stuff from the PINK store!!!! I got to choose 5 panties, a bralette, yoga pants, sweatpants, a tank top, and perfume!!!

When I say that being positive has changed my life, I truly believe, from the bottom of my heart, that God and the universe are watching, and when you are positive and do good things, you will be awarded!!! I am putting myself out there, and feeling amazing doing it!

I hope you all get on the positivity train, and I hope that you also experience the amazing benefits that it can have on your soul...

Much love to you all, and I hope everyone's doing as amazing as me :))

Ok, just so you know, I'm aware that I need to lose a few lbs before I can actually wear the bikinis in public ;)) haha.

Hello everyone!

Just a quick update. I'm doing great. I've started going to the gym and doing some upper body exercising to help me get my strength back. I went a few days last week and I'm hoping to do more each week :) Unfortunately I'm a fighting a scratchy throat right now, so I've been home resting today drinking a lot of hot lemon water. Hopefully after a good nights sleep I'll be feeling much better tomorrow :)

As far as my lovely lady lumps ;) I'm really doing well! No changes from last week, so I'm not posting any pics this week. I did start using Mederma for scars last week, but I don't do it every single day, so I'm not sure how it's going to work. We'll see... Oh, I also have a couple of stitches coming through, which is just weird. They don't hurt, I just find them annoying. I'll just trim them down.

Anyways, that's all for now... I hope everyone is doing well. Healing swiftly and painlessly, and keeping a positive attitude :))

Thanks for listening!

Hello!!! I've been so busy!!! Trying to sell our house and having school and homework and tests, ahhhhhh!!!!! Lol. Aaaaaaand, my little sister in law got engaged so I've been spending time wit her while she's planning stuff, soooooo, literally no time for much of anything else!!!
I feel so bad that I have no idea how any one else is doing with recovery or anything!!! :(
As for me, I'm doing well! I'm pretty sure I have an appt with my PS this week, I have to call & make sure, lol. I will be going back I work this weekend!!!! Yikes!!! I've enjoyed my time off so very much, it makes me sad, buuuuuut, I really need a pay check!!! Lol!
At this next appt, my PS and I will schedule the revision of the L-side (larger) breast, and removing the dog ear on the R-side under the breast. He says it'll be a quick, in office, procedure, and will require very little down-time. So hopefully that's the case, b/c I'm out of time!!!
Anyways, that's it for me! I'll post some new pics. Maybe you guys can tell me if there's any changes. To me they look very much the same these last few weeks.
I hope all of you wonderful ladies are doing well!!!! :)) xoxoxo

Hello!!!! :))

11 weeks already! (And 2 days, to be exact :-P)

Well, well, well... Let's see... Hee-hee. Ok. I am feeling great! I started work again this past weekend! Man, I can honestly say that I LOVE being a stay at home mom... Lol. But work went great. My co-workers are wonderful, I really am lucky :)) by the end of my shift my feet, legs, and back were killing me from standing for probably about 7 1/2 hours. Ugh. Not used to that yet! However, after I slept, I felt much better and night 2 wasn't as bad :) now I'm done for the week, and on spring break from school, too! Yay!

Today I went to my PS for my 3 month check up. We discussed the revision for my L breast and for the dog ear under the R breast. I may have a little bit lipo'd from each side, as well. He said we should wait a couple more months before scheduling anything because we can see that the difference has changed some since last month. I am also in the process of losing weight, so he said that we should wait until I'm done before he does any revisions b/c there may be some extra skin to remove if I lose any weight from my breasts . However, he said that the skin should retract, so, I guess we'll see :))
He did think that I am fine, without removing any extra tissue, but I said that I would be fine if I could fit into my 34DD bras without any spillage over the top/sides (which I currently have). I think that's fair. I paid for my results and I think that if insurance had covered it, I'd be perfectly fine with the incredible results I have. I don't have anymore pain in my back, neck, or shoulders, and I feel so much better about myself. However, since I paid out of pocket, I think I should have the results I was hoping for. (And I am even compromising on that, I wanted to be a C cup, not a DD...) That's what I want. I may lose that spillage as I lose more weight, too, if that's the case, then he will just need to fix the difference and the dog ear, and even that's gotten smaller. So all in all, I think I'm in great shape, for the time being!

Oh! And... I have my "before" pics!!! I've uploaded them on here, the difference is ASTOUNDING to me!!! Wow. I couldn't believe that's what I used to deal with!!!!

I've been so crazy busy, and out of the loop! We're trying to sell out house right now, so we always have to be "show ready". It's a pain in the butt! Lol. I also have homework and school projects which all take time away from hanging out on Realself :-( I hope everyone's doing well!!!!

Good luck, and God Bless all of you!!!! :))

Wow. So unbelievable that it's been 3 MONTHS already!!!! I am feeling good. Back to work for a few weeks now. I still get a back ache while working, but am usually better after I sleep :) I am still in a 34DD, seems that the L, bigger breast, has been slowly shrinking down. To be quite honest, I have been too busy to really check them out too much! Haha. I'm still obsessed with buying new clothes to fit my new boobs, though! I need to stop, for real... Lol.
I'm still working on the weight loss. It's slow going, but I'm not gaining! I'm planning on fitting into my new bikinis before summer!!! ;)

I guess that's about it. Super busy, we find out this week if we'll be moving at the end of the month!!! So crazy!!!! So if you don't hear from me for a while, it's b/c in packing & moving!!! :))

Thanks for listening! Stay positive!

Hi Ladies!

Today is 2 days past the 13 week mark. I am feeling about 98.5% "normal". I put this in quotations b/c, firstly, I have never actually been normal, lol, and secondly, I am better than normal! I am finally happy with myself most of the time. Like many others on here, I am getting less and less obsessed with my breasts. Don't get me wrong, I love looking at myself in clothes now, and also still notice that wearing bras is so much better now! ;)

I tried on some more of my clothes today :)) I have noticed that as the weeks progress, I am increasingly pleased with the results. It appears that with a loss of 10lbs over the last month or so, I've lost a little more volume in both breasts. I had been about 39 inches around the bust, and I'm 38 1/2" now. (that may not seem like a big jump, but it really does make a difference!) I am still a 34DD, but they are fitting much better :)

I absolutely cannot wait for nice weather, with all of the exciting clothing options I have! I've been stocking up, as I've written in the past ;) Oh, just to wear 1 tank top at a time (instead of layering 2,3, or 4!) and not feel like I'm busting out of it or my bra, will be so amazing!!!
I didn't take pic of the girls this week, but I got a few shots in a dress that I bought on clearance in January, I think! I CANNOT WAIT to wear this dress in public! :))

As you can tell, I'm still on my positivity train ;) I hope, beyond hope, that everyone can have the same feelings that I've had throughout this whole journey. It has been a completely life-changing experience. I would 1,000,000% do this again.

Thanks for listening and stay positive!!!!! :))

Hi all!

It's been quite a while! Just a quick update. I'm going next week for my (almost) 5 month check-up! I can't believe it's been that long! We'll discuss my revision. I am definitely interested in getting a little volume removed. I'm still popping out of my 34DD's. Not as much as before, but I'm still not comfortable... I just didn't want to be "down" for any part of my summer. I'm still deciding if I will do it next month or if I'll wait until the winter... Decisions, decisions...

We are moving next week!!!!! It is both a relief and a burden! I'm so excited to start this new chapter of our lives, but it's soooooo much work!!!!

I have finals this week and next week for my spring semester at school. I cannot tell you how excited to see this school year end!!!

And this last bit of news isn't as good as the rest... My son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last week! I am still in disbelief over this. He's doing better now, but he was in really rough shape for a few weeks! So my new job is getting all the information I can about this condition, and schooling myself and my family about it all. It's going to be a while until he feels "normal" again, but we're working on it!

Thanks for listening, RealSelf friends!
xoxoxo