Nervous and Excited - 12 weeks!!!!!!

I haven't posted in awhile but thought I'd post since today marks three years to the day since having the surgery. I have to say, I do love having a smaller chest, and have benefitted a lot from the reduced size. Self confidence has increased overall. I will warn women wanting this procedure, you WILL notice your belly A LOT more than you used to. The chest will now be more appropriate for your body, but the belly will seem a lot bigger than it should. All.The.Time. I am really considering a tummy tuck. I have a lot of stretch marks and want them gone. My scars look dark in the pics, but are pretty light most the time. Not really enough to bother me, but I will admit, I do notice them often. It is still an adjustment to have a lot of scars on my breasts.
I did gain about 15 pounds after the surgery, and got up to close to 165 pounds. I was approaching my birthday in February 2015, and thought, I didn't want to be large anymore, so I went on a very clean diet and started running about 3-4 days a week.
#1 I COULD RUN!!! This was awesome! I had never had that option before without being in a lot of pain/discomfort
#2 I lost about 25 pounds in 6 months, got down to 130, and am now back up to ~140.

I really love running, very much. I am working back up to running 3 or so days a week, but with my schedule, it can be hard to squeeze in. In 2015, I ran A LOT of races, including multiple 5K, 10K and half marathons, and a 12 mile trail run. I have run a few races in 2016 and am working back up to half marathon for September. I would say, that has been the number one benefit for the reduction. The other big bonus is the amount of tension headaches have decreased substantially. I rarely get those anymore, whereas before, I was getting headaches quite often from the weight of the bra constantly pulling on my shoulders. I will get them now, though, if I carry something heavy like a book bag. Feels the same as before I had the reduction.

As for other comments, the breast itself feels 100% normal. I'm not crazy about the scar placement, but not going to worry about that at this point. Obviously, there is new jewelry I got after the reduction. I did that for a variety of reasons. I wanted to. I could actually see the piercings because my nipples are in the correct place. I had turned 30. A bunch of reasons I guess, but thankfully, something that is removable if I choose.

Overall, I would say YES, get the surgery.
Be aware though, that the scars may be noticeable to you when you least expect it.
Your abdomen will seem bigger to you because your chest is smaller.
You will discover new things about yourself you didn't consider, such as a newfound love for something like running.

Wishing you all the best, and I am really happy with my decision.
Cheers!

pics

Thank you to Tamjoy for asking how I am doing. I am now at 12 weeks (yesterday). It is hard to believe I am already at this point. I am happy with my results, but am wanting to tweak a few things if I can. My right breast is larger than the left and I would like to get a little work done to even it out a bit. I do fit in a B cup but it is snug on the right breast, so I do need to see if I can even it out. My hubby does make me laugh about the breasts being a little different in size from one another. He says it gives him variety. If he wants a bit bigger, he can have that or if he likes smaller, there is one there also. Men.....Other than that, I am happy with how the results are coming along. I would definitely say healing will take a year. My breasts do get sore still after a long day. My left is a lot more sore and tender than the right. I am still keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue to shrink on its own. I had more tissue removed and have more healing to do on that side. Both breasts are red from the nipple to the long scar, which my PS days is normal for some women. He said it was from a bit of compromised blood flow and after a few months it resolves. It is not infection or anything like that (yay), just my tissues needing a bit more blood flow than they currently have. They are not as red as they were a month ago, so they are healing. I am pretty much back to normal and able to lift and pull whatever weight I need to. I am still a little tight if I lift my arms completely above my head, as though I was going to do a pull up. I am not quite there yet. Anyhow, I don't really have anything new to share. I think once the scabs and weepy spots heal on your breasts, the journey seems to even out a bit and not be so dramatic and day-to-day. I am very thankful for the really good healing and am so blessed to have not had any issues.
I haven't really accomplished much in the weight loss department :/ but am gaining a lot of strength and walking more than I was. I need to drop a few to get rid of the upper breast / armpit fat I have. I think that would really help to have the breasts look a lot more even...working on that...
I did want to update on how the scars are doing. Around the nipples are faint and a little hypertrophic, but not really noticeable. The medial scars at the cleavage are light and thin. They feel a lot better and the color is getting much better. I have some wrinkling on the left breast at the medial, cleavage area and am hoping that it is still a bit swollen and will resolve over time. I have noticed that it is a lot softer but still a little wrinkly. I know some of the internal suturing takes 6 months to heal so those sutures are probably the ones used at this area of the breast. The scars on the sides, toward the armpit, are still really red and do appear hypertrophic. They are thick and tough feeling. I may talk to my doc if after the 1 year mark I still have ropy scars. If I do, I may opt for cortisone or steroid injection into the scar itself. I have heard this helps to shrink the scars.
On another note, I have read a few posts of women who have had issues post-op and am praying for all of you who may be having post op issues. I am thankful I have not had to endure those struggles and hope all that do are feeling relief knowing the time will pass and they will heal. I am looking forward to getting further along with healing and having days where the breasts are not sore (really the left breast is sore).
Anyhow, happy healing to you all and thank you for checking in!!! :) xoxo