Jean M Shimanek

Hi everyone! I am a graduate student, ready to graduate in May. I am married, with no kids. After I graduate my mom is taking me on a trip and my husband and I are finally taking our honeymoon, so I better be able to rock a bikini by then! I have always wanted a breast reduction since sometime in high school. I think we all know the reasons; unwanted attention, chronic pain... it can especially get uncomfortable in my profession (social work). I am currently a 36DDDD I think, 5'5 and 137lbs. I decided to take the leap after realizing that this is the perfect time to do it. I have my mom and husband to take care of me, and amazing professors, supervisor and employer who will let me take as much time recovering as I need. Right now my surgery is scheduled for either February 9th or February 11th (my birthday!). I'm super excited, but soooooo scared for the surgery/pain. I have been to the hospital twice in my live, and both for minor reasons - fracture and a few stitches. I try to really healthy so I hope the pain and recovery won't be too tough. I'm excited to join this community of amazing, strong women and hopefully be a help to future ladies!

Updated on 5 Feb 2015:
I'm getting excited and nervous. I've never had this drastic of a change happen to my body! I keep looking in the mirror and wondering how different it will be. I think I'm most excited for the pain to go away and to not have pendulant breasts! I think that's the thing I'm most self conscious about. This is weird, but I am nervous to have a needle in my arm for the IV! I got my blood drawn for the surgery, which wasnt bad, but the longer the needle was in my arm the more freaked out I got. Hopefully that won't happen with the IV too. Maybe I'll have to warn the anesthesiologist? Is that totally weird or is anyone else scared of that too?

Updated on 10 Feb 2015:
Well, tomorrow is the big day! I am getting excited and nervous. I woke up this morning extra excited, but I am nervous about the recovery. To ease my anxiousness I thought I would write a list of all the reasons I'm excited to get this procedure done. Maybe it will help some of you too!
1. A lot less back pain!
2. Better posture
3. My shoulders wont constantly be tense
4. My boobs wont be so pendulant (blech!!!!)
5. I can wear matching undies and bras
6. String Bikinis!
7. Be able to wear a dress that doesn't have to cover a big bra that creeps up by back and peeks through the dress
8. Do more sportsy things, like golf, tennis and best of all... running
9. feel more confident naked
10. Feel more confident overall!

I cant wait. If any of you gorgeous ladies have any last minute advise for me, let me know! I would love to hear it :)

Updated on 15 Feb 2015:
Everything went swell! The IV wasnt as bad as i was expecting, but I also had a phenomenal nursing team. Really- the team at the hospital was so awesome and made up for the fact that I only saw my surgeon for like five minutes. Everything went well though. I lost more blood than they expected but they said thats normal for younger people. So far everything looks good, my boobs just need to settle because right now they are sitting very high up. The hardest part for me has been sleeping on my back - getting really sore from it. Other than that I have hardly had any pain which is what I was really nervous about. All is good on this front! Woo Hoo!