My surgery is booked for 24 October, which is ... so soon, so I figured it'd be a good opportunity to start documenting my experience. Hopefully it'll be of some use.
I developed breasts when I was 9 years old, and I've been considering a breast reduction off and on since 2010 when I was fifteen. Various reasons stopped me from getting the reduction at a younger age, including finishing my studies, poor mental health (up to and including thinking that my breasts were my only trait of value !!!!!!! so whack), travel, work, etc. A combination of finishing uni, working graveyard shifts and saving the entire time, therapy, and an overall increase in happiness have lead me to finally determine that my desired gender expression is entirely androgynous, and while I don't completely despise my breasts per se (I've spent more time with them than without them - I've gotten used to them), I won't be able to express and look after myself properly while they're still this large. I'd also love to be able to go jogging and exercise without them in the way, and be able to sit upright, and buy clothes that'll actually fit me, and overall I think I'll greatly benefit from getting this surgery, with pros vastly outweighing the cons.
I've booked myself in with Dr. Quoc Lam at Cranford House in Adelaide to hopefully go from a 10G (a sister size - I'm usually an 8FF) down to a small B cup. From our pre-op consults, he seems very professional and goal-orientated, which is exactly what I need. He also has helped me with my questions about potentially getting top surgery (double mastectomy) down the track, which has helped immensely.
I'm so, so so [RS bleep] excited for this. It's been such a long time coming, and now it's just around the corner. Very excited to keep everyone posted !
Updated on 24 Oct 2018:
I'm currently staying overnight in the hospital so the nurses can observe me and take the drains out when needed - I'm so bored, I figure I'll update !!
My surgery was booked in for 2pm so I got to the hospital at midday with my mum, who is my carer for the recovery process. I redid the health questionnaire, and there was a lot of routine questions and things which was simple and straightforward. Because I'm a dependent on my hospital cover, I didn't have to pay any excess, which was fab !
During my mark up, I began to feel a bit woozy (small, hot room w/ no airflow, and I hadn't eaten anything since the night before) so I mentioned this. Cue : lie down !! Get a cold wet towel for their brow !! We'll wheel you into the theatre !! Which was a bit embarrassing for something I perceived as being so minor but I did enjoy having a dramatic 'being wheeled through a hospital corridor' moment. Fun !
I got to the surgery room and everyone was chatty and lovely - the surgical assistant introduced himself, and my anaesthetist Dr. Beinssen sailed in and got me all settled in. (I was expecting a gas mask to administer the anaesthesia for some reason ? Movies. Whatever.) I got my drip, I got drugs to make me feel good, I took three deep breaths, breathed normally, and then I was gone.
Woke up in the recovery room where I was given a lot more drugs. Yay ! I didn't feel nauseous at all which was great, and most of the pain is a dull ache and nothing too bad considering my breasts were cut open.
As for the results so far ...... just look at them. Dr. Quoc Lam is a wizard.
Excited to keep everyone posted !
Updated on 26 Nov 2018:
I went out with friends on the official one month anniversary since my operation, so this is a bit delayed, but the thought still counts.
I'm giving my boobs a rest today from the Hypafix and I gave them a quick coat of BioOil so if they're looking especially glossy and covered in leftover adhesive tape it's because ... they are !
I had 457g taken out of my right breast and 430g taken out of my left. My mobility in my arms has mostly come back, although I'm waiting for the all-clear from my surgeon to go back to work, because hospitality requires a lot of heavy lifting and stretching (carrying plates, kegs, etc.). I'm super excited to get back into regular life again - I spent two and a half weeks at my parents' house just relaxing, and I nearly went out of my mind. Who knew doing nothing would be so boring !!
I've had a relatively smooth recovery process, which I'm extremely grateful for. The first four days after surgery were the worst, when the drains were in and the wounds were still fresh - I only needed painkillers for the first night after going home, and after that I've been feeling just fine for recovery. I stayed in hospital from Wednesday through to Saturday morning (3 nights), which although my hospital was a nice one ... it was still a hospital. I didn't poop the entire time I was there. It was awful. That first poop getting home from hospital was just ... [italian chef kissing fingers]
I'm so thrilled with my results. Dr Lam did a fabulous job and my recovery has been extremely straightforward. Everyone comments on how proportional I look now, which is exactly what I was going for. My boobs finally match my frame and I'm so happy to have taken this step towards self-actualising and being the person I want to be / look like.
Word of advice : invest in a large V-shape pillow for sleeping, and bring a pillow in the car for when you go home. Seatbelts hurt !
Updated on 11 Oct 2019:
Will post a proper update when I'm out of the woods.