Breast Reduction - Part 1 - Includes photos up to and including Week 2 post-op

Hi folks! I've been lurking here for several weeks and finally built up the nerve to post. It's not that I'm shy, I just don't have anything new to say. I'm 55, have 2 teenage daughters and big, saggy boobs that I've been sick to death of for about 25 years. I'm a 36 G in European bras....can't even guess what I'd be in a U.S. size. You know, the underwires that cost $150.00 each, but keep these water balloons somewhere north of my belly button. Exactly 10 years ago, I was scheduled for a reduction, but cancelled it 4 mos. beforehand because my father died during elective surgery (he was 87 and had an undiagnosed bleeding stomach ulcer which blew, so no relation to the actual surgery), and I totally lost my nerve. Convinced myself that big, saggy and healthy was a hell of a lot better than pert and dead. I now am again seriously considering a reduction.

I have my first consultation booked for early July with a Toronto PS who, apparently, has a great reputation and some wonderful reviews. I am also building my nerve up again to book a second consultation with another PS who seems to have the same credentials and reputation. I'm wondering if we're allowed to mention names of PSs here...to ask if others have any experince with specific surgeons? Obviously, I'm particularly interested in "speaking" with any Toronto women who have either had or are booked for reductions. I'm not at all concerned about pain or recovery - well, no more than is probably realistic and/or normal - but I am scared absoluetly sh****** about the general anaesthetic. Control freak that I am, I cannot IMAGINE just being put under and trusting I'll wake up again. I know there are always risks, but somehow, this concern has gotten totally out of hand in my twisted thinking. On the EXTREMELY positive side, I really and truly cannot imagine being able to slip in to a shirt without having had to sew the button placket closed, or finding a tailored jacket that I can comfortably button. I cannot imagine not having wire digging into my ribcage or bra straps slipping and straying. I certainly don't remember life before constant redness and irritation on the underside of these puppies. It's almost surreal to imagine having boobs I don't have to list to see my waist.

I'm 5'8" and weigh 160 lbs. Believe it or not, that's a good weight for me. I'm a runner and rower so do have some muscle mixed in there :) I am a size 12 on the bottom and a 16 or 16W on top and cannot imagine running and not being selfconcious. I am one of those lunatics who clocks her 10K runs at 5:30 a.m. or after dark because, while extremely confident and happy about MOST of my appearance, these jugs really do have a life of their own and I feel as though all eyes are on them when I'm running. It's almost indescribable the extent to which I cannot IMAGINE having pert(ish??), proportionate, higher boobs. It almost makes me teary...it literally feels more like a dream than a real possibility. So, you see...nothing original...another frustrated, uncomfortable woman with boobs from hell. I don't want, in any way, to cross any lines or break any rules on this forum, but I'm wondering if it would be appropriate or permitted to offer my e-mail address here for any Toronto women who might be willing to talk PSs? I understand completely if it's not and will continue to check in here every so often. This is a TREMENDOUS resource and incredibly comforting to know so many others share my fears, trepidation and frustration. So many happy stories...how I would LOVE to be one of them!

If anyone here has any experience with either of the two following PS, I'd love to hear about it. At this point, the only two with whom I have scheduled consults are: Dr. Mitchell Brown and Dr. Sean Rice. Good, bad or in-between, if you're willing to share your experience, I'd really appreciate the input. (sorry this is so long....I'll try to do me a lot more concise in the future!)