43 SO HAPPY- and NO Neck/ SHoulder Pain Richmond, CA

I have been tired of always being noticed for my big boobs, that are always in the way. .. tried working out with a personal trainer for years to keep my chest wall strong and back and shoulders strong to support the weight. Years of jumping jacks and jump squats to stay fit all while trying to support the rack with 3 sports bras and still having to hook and arm over or under to offer a little more support... still came home with little bruises and new red stretch lines. Plus it hurt, but hey it was supposed to help keep gravity from making me tuck them in. Aww what a lie... no kids and have tortured myself for years wearing unattractive utilitarian wide strapped bras to keep the girls in place. To find out that gravity has still dropped them lower and even when at 22% body fat they never went away.

A shoulder injury that would not heal - and the diagnosis of Arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis in my shoulders was the final catalyst to just get the weight off my shoulders. Suffering for YEARS with neck, shoulder and the headaches that followed I had thought about reduction, but was really too afraid, didn't think I would qualify as I see women with bigger boobs then mine. With a little encouragement from the PT I was seeing at Kaiser for my shoulder I really started looking into it. Stumbled upon this website and all the stories and photos- has been so helpful.

Nervously I approached my doctor- he gave me the referral to the plastic surgery dept of Kaiser and after an evaluation of reasons, measurements - I was approved! Now just 23 days away from a surgery that I hope will lighten the burden my shoulders are so tired of carrying around.

Real size 34H or 32J according to all the bra ladies at everyday stores just buy a 38/40 DDD and your good. I laugh as then the underwire is at my back poking out and my boobs end up under my arm pits... the band would be creeping up the back of my neck as it was way to big-- which then offers no support for the weight. A proper fitting bra actually takes some weight off as the straps are not meant to hold them up. But finding those bras you have to shop online and they cost $85-115 each.
Not too mention swim suits- why do they want DD and up to tie your boobs around your neck!
I am looking forward to less weight and not being in pain. At this point it sounds like I will still be a D though as I have a curvy build and am 5'9

19 days to surgery -- decided to go shopping for the front close bra with wide straps that was listed on the to do from Kaiser- of course no one told me what size so I bought a few Walmart had a big selection. I giggled and laughed as I attempted to try on the bra size that I am will be after surgery- a 34D- well fitting H/J boobs into a D or even DD bra without a form to even hold a breast in a pocket was more than hilarious... so now I am still not sure what size I was supposed to but- they don't sell my current size... Any suggestions for what worked for other ladies. I was told to bring it to surgery as I guess they will put the new gals in it... so what if I bought too small?

I am the first surgery of the day-- hooray looking forward to being at the hospital at 6AM. Did all the consult calls and confirmed what others reported -- that the Dr. will send you home in a surgery bra they like and that you will pretty much be in in for 3 weeks. My Dr. said that after I come home I can purchase another bra that meets the specifications of front close and wide straps. I already picked a few up from Wal-Mart, so I will see if one of those will work -- As she said to not spend too much money until I have a better idea of size. I have attached pictures of the ones I found.
Nervous still about the overall idea of being put under, but SO looking forward to smaller less in the way breast.