I finally decided that enough is enough, I desperately need to do something about my large breasts. I have suffered from back, neck and shoulder pain for years. Its gotten worse in the last couple of years. I went for a consultation a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised that my insurance approved my reduction surgery. I am also having lips on my upper and lower abdomen area. Of course the insurance will not pay for the lipo so that will be my only out of pocket money. It went from 12,000 to 4,800, I'll take that any day!
I'm not really feeling scared yet but I am very nervous. I just don't know what to expect. I'm so glad for this site. I have so many questions about what I need before surgery so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
What type of supplies will I need? I mean besides the norm. I went shopping for a bra today for after surgery which I haven't done at a regular store in years. The only store that carried my size was Soma. It took me hours to pick one out. Lol
I also picked up a pajama set to wear home from the hospital the next day. My PS wants me staying at the hospital overnight.
It may not be necessary but I also plan on renting an electric hospital bed. I have read lots of reviews where sleeping seems to be an issue. I just figured since I will be having lipo also I will be very sore and will need extra help getting in and out of bed.
My pre op appointment is scheduled for Monday afternoon and Tuesday I have an appointment to register at the hospital.
I look forward to receiving some input on what else I need to get.
Thank you in advance ????
Updated on 3 Dec 2017:
I decided to take some pictures today because I never want to forget why I made this decision to finally go through with this surgery.
Looking at so many after pictures on this site has given me the encouragement to go forward. I pray that I have as much sucess as many of you have. It's crazy but even some of you that had it a little harder due to obstacles after the surgery still say that you have no regrets. That's amazing to me.
My pre op appointment is tomorrow, I'm feeling a little nervous. I wrote down some questions to ask him, I just hope I cover everything.
For those of you that have already gone through the surgery, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Especially stuff like things you wish you would have known prior to surgery. Lol
Updated on 15 Dec 2017:
The time is near! I can't believe one week from today I will be recovering from surgery. I have been getting so nervous here lately. Just the thought of something going wrong scares me so much. Yesterday was the worst day ever! I got a call from my surgeon regarding an EKG test I took last week. I sent him a message asking him to explain the verbige on the test because the only part I understood was abnormal EKG. I was feeling really positive prior to his call, I even went for a 3 mile walk after work to relax. The first thing he said was more than likely its nothing to worry about. He said that at least 50% of his patients receive an abnormal EKG reading and its nothing critical. I was okay with that until he explained that what the test indicated is that I may have suffered a silent heart attack but they didn't know how long ago. I almost died! I think that was the last thing I heard. Needless to say I was up all night having an anxeity attack thinking I was going to die. I even sent a message to my PCP asking what I should do. Thankfully she answered and said that I could go into the office today and get retested. To make a long story short, I went had another EKG done and although it was still an abnormal reading, she said there was no sign of heart issues of any kind. She immediately showed a cardiologist the results and he said the EKG looked completely normal and that I was okay for surgery! OMG I was so relieved to hear that. It scared me so much because I have had many family members die of heart disease and I just knew I was going to be next. Lol
Has anyone ever experienced this?
My surgery is scheduled from 7:15am to 2:30pm. Its 7 hours long so I wanted to be sure everything will be ok.
I wish I could calm my mind down and focus on the outcome but I'm having a harder time doing that than I thought I would. I know its normal to feel fear prior to surgery but wow, its been overwhelming. My blood pressure has even been though the roof lately. UGH
Luckily I have already purchased everything I think I need. The only thing I am having a hard time finding is button up PJ tops. It's funny because I do not own one single button up top due to my breast size and didn't realize how hard it is to find a top that doesn't have a matching bottom. My issue is I think I will need at least an Extra Large top however I need a medium bottom and I can only find the set, not individual pieces. So as of right now, I have at least 7 bottoms for after surgery and no tops. This is my last weekend to shop so hopefully I find something.
Well, wish me luck ladies and if you don't mind, please say a prayer for me. :)
Updated on 17 Dec 2017:
3 days and counting down! This was my last weekend to get all my stuff together so needless to say I have been a busy bee. lol
Thank God for my husband, he has helped me so much already. Cleaning, washing clothes, buying groceries, taking a week off from work...
I know it's normal to be nervous, but I just keep praying to God to keep me as calm as possible.
My check in time is 5:30 am so I know I won't be getting any sleep Tuesday night! I guess that's better so I can be super tired and hopefully rest once its over! I will be staying one night in the hospital so I will be coming home on Thursday.
Well, wish me luck ladies. I will post when I'm all done!
Updated on 20 Dec 2017:
Here I am sitting at my vanity looking at my big breast for the last time. My neck and back are killing me. That's what I keep thinking about every time I feel like backing out of this. I just took my shower with the surgical soap. I feel squeaky clean. Lol
I blow dried my hair and even straighten it. I can't sop cleaning. Lol
My hospital bed was delivered today which made everything seem so real now! No turning back! Yikes
I just took my Arnica pill and am fixing to place the nausea patch behind my ear. It's a little after 11pm so I'm going to drink my last gulp of water before midnight.
My check in time is 5:30am and surgery is scheduled from 7:15-2:30! I will spend one night in the hospital and come home on Thursday.
Thank you all for the encouragement! I hope to talk to you all soon. :)
Updated on 21 Dec 2017:
Today is day one of my recovery, I stayed one night in the hospital. We got home today around 4pm.
I'm in a little pain, mostly on my lest breast. I can't believe how much smaller I am. When I took a picture with a bra they still look big. When I take the bra off, they look small go figure. Pain pills don't seem o be working yet. Overall I would say that the lipo part is the most painful part. Ouch
When I try and lift myself up I am reminded that my stomach and back both received trauma.
Oh also, my breast feel hard. Is this normal? Just kinda freaky I guess.
Updated on 27 Dec 2017:
Well here I am! Seven days Post Op! I can't believe how fast the time flew by. I've been doing really well, just relaxing. I'm bored out of my mind but I know I need to stay patient and let nature take its course. I have taken a few showers since my procedure and on Monday night all of the tape around my incisions completely came off so I seen the real mc coy for the first time. Lol
I'm scared to lift them to get a good look at the bottom side but I don't feel any pain so I guess it must be good. My next appointment is this Friday, I can't wait because these drains are driving me INSANE!!!
I absolutely hate the drains. they collected less than 30cc from day one and for the last two days they have stayed empty! They're just a nucense and I want them out of me. I'm sure once they are removed I will feel even better. They hurt when I move and rub against some of the bras I wear. UGH
I have read in some posts that it will hurt when they come out so I'm a little worried about that but at this point it would be worth the pain. LOL
I'm a little confused now they there is nothing on my breast if I should put Neosporin or something on them? Do I just leave them dry? They aren't leaking or anything cause my bras are clean when I remove them but I don't want them to get infection. The office is closed until Friday and I have sent texts and emails to the doctor but haven't received any replies :(
Oh well, hopefully everything will be ok.
We shall see.
Updated on 1 Jan 2018:
Well today actually makes 13 days for my procedure. I'm feeling really good, able to do a lot more now but still taking it very easy.
Funny story- the same day I complained about my drains I received a call on my cell phone that said Dr. Barlow. Mind you it was 9:30pm. This is exactly how the conversation went.
Me-Hello
Dr- Hi Marylou, this is Dr. Barlow
Me- Hi Dr. Barlow.
crickets.....................
I looked down at my phone because I thought maybe we lost connection.
Me- Hello??
Dr- chuckles- well I really don't know how to tell you this but Eileen (his wife) just read your message about your drains and said to me if I do not take them drains out of you immediately I am not allowed on her bed!
Me- I laughed so loud
Dr- So if you would be willing to have someone drive you to the office right now I would be more than happy to take them out for you.
Me- OMG no, that's ok I can definitely wait until the morning. I heard his wife saying something in the background but I couldn't understand her.
Dr- Marylou I would be so happy if you could get over here tonight and let me do this for you.
Me- Okay, if you insist. LOL
My husband drove me up there which is 30 minutes from my house. I was so happy to get them out and the best part was I didn't feel a single thing! I was back home at 11pm.
I would like to go on record saying I love Dr. Barlow's wife Eileen! LOL
On another note, after my shower tonight I noticed some redness on my right nipple. It kinda looks like it's peeling, not sure if I should be worried. When I removed the dressings prior to my shower, only the ones on my nipples had discharge. It was brownish red, didn't smell or anything. All the others below my breast were dry. I'm sure the draining is normal but that redness has me a little worried. My husband said it just looks like it's peeling. Should it be peeling? Anyway, I decided to take a few pics so maybe if this has happened to one of you.
My stomach area is really swollen and sore still. I changed the compression because it was so tight it was cutting my skin a little. I have one that is a lot looser. I know that may not be what I should have but hey, I need to breathe. Lol
My stomach area looks a lot bigger now than before lipo. lol
Hope everyone is healing nicely and is happy with your results!
Happy New Year :)
Updated on 5 Jan 2018:
I went to my Post OP Appointment on Wednesday! Dr. Barlow was very happy with my results and with the healing. Whew
I was so nervous about the redness on my right nipple but just like you ladies said, it is normal. YAY
He said that the skin on my nipples may peel but new skin will grow back and should be my normal color.
After that was out of the way I asked how much tissue he ended up taking out and he said all together was about 5 pounds!!!
As for the Lipo, he said he took out a total of 3 liters of FAT! Which equals to about 6 to 6 1/2 pounds! Wow, I just couldn't believe it. I'm so glad I did both at the same time, because I definitely don't see myself wanting to go under the knife again. LOL
This was also the first day I wore something besides PJ's and I felt that my breast still looked pretty full.
Made me kinda wish they were a little smaller but hey, they're 5 pounds smaller then they were before!
I'm still extremely happy with them but I believe I may be a D cup. Hmmmmm
How long should I wait to get measured? I have no knowledge what so ever on buying a bra from a regular store. LOL
I have been wearing SOMA bras for years so I don't know how long I should wait or where I should even go. I'm really courious to know my final size.
Just thought I'd mention, I go back to work on Monday- UGH!!!
I am a Customer Service Manager and although I have an office job, it is very fast paced and extremely busy everyday. I wish I had at least one more week off! But I know theres no chance, they have been calling me everyday this week to check on me and also make sure I am still coming back on Monday.
On another note, I really appericate everyone of you! Your encouraging words are life savers!
Happy Healing- lil next time :)