POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
46 Years, No Kids, 80G (36DDD), Frankfurt, Germany - What Took Me So Long?
ORIGINAL POST
First of all, let me introduce myself to all you...
kagacaDecember 9, 2015
WORTH IT$4,900
First of all, let me introduce myself to all you wonderful and helpful BR-Sisters. For three more days I am 46 years old and I live with a wonderful husband and two cats in Frankfurt, Germany. We don’t have kids. I am 1,78m (converted 5’10“) and weigh about 80kg (converted 176lbs). My bra size was 80G (converted 36DDD).
I had my reduction on december 3rd, so I am currently 6 days post OP. But let me start from the beginning:
Brief history ;-):
I was suffering from the size of my breasts for a long time, but never seriously considered a reduction. About 5 years ago, for the first time I thought about it more seriously and went to my gynecologist, asking him about my options. He was basically triying to talk me out of it but also referred me to a surgeon with very good reputation. I lost courage and backed down.
3 ½ years ago I met this wonderful man (we are married since this summer) and the closer we came, the more he noticed, me being unsatisfied with the weight of my breasts. He encouraged me to give it another thought. I was still hesitating, I always though if I would be tempting fate to cut off two healthy breasts, that are „nothing“ more than ab „bit“ large and heavy (watch out for ironie ;-) ... and end up with lots of pain, scars and no nipple sensation, and of course the surgery part was more than scary.
Last year I had an incident, I was bitten by an animal and it got infected really bad, I had to undergo surgery 4 times to save my leg, ending up with a huge skin transplant and lots of very ugly scars.
Seriously ... this experience put me back on track. I though, If I can handle 4 surgerys in a year, I will be able to go through this.
July 2015:
I went to another gynecologist for an annual checkup and talked to her about it and she was veeeeeery supportive, she said she has full understanding for my decision. She referred me to that same doctor I was referred to 5 years ago.
August 2015:
Had my consultation with the surgeon. He is not a Plasctic Surgeon, and his practice i part of a regular hospital here in germany. So no fancy practice but very nice and clean and inviting. When I first met him, I instantly new that I am in the right place.
When he looked at my chest he instantly said, that he is 95% sure that insurance will cover it. I couldn’t be more surprised ... what, insurance? I never even thought, that I won’t have to pay it all by myself. I couldn’t belive it. But he said, because of the discinct assymetrie of my breasts, it is very likely they will take over the costs. Wow.
September 2015:
Insurance denied!!! Ok, I told you so. I wanted to give up, but hubby imaginary played the rocky theme in his head ... no, not with us. So we high fived and went into the battle ;-) I called my doctor and he sent in another request, to have me examined by the medical service of the insurance.
October 2015:
I was invited for an appointment with the medical service (Medizinischer Dienst, in case some german ladies are reading this) on October 27th. I had to fill out endless forms about what I am expecting from this, about pain, depressions and many more things. I filled everything out as truthfully as possible. Yes I do have neck, back and shoulder pain, and lots of headaches, but I can not tell if this is caused by my breasts or by any other thing, such as computer work and the like. Anyway, I went in and the doctor (she) was very nice and very supportive. She noticed the dents in my shoulders from my bra, the assymetrie, the size and my bad posture. All that together she said, she will definetely recommend the surgery. I was happy, but I had to wait for the last word of the insurance. Just one week later I was approved!!! Can you imagine my happyness. Of course you can ?
November 2015:
I was scheduled for december 3rd and had my pre OP appointment in the middle of november. I was informed about all the risks, had to sign a couple of papers, talked to the anesthetist and was given further instructions about eating and drinking prior surgery. I was told I would be the first OP in the morning and that I would have to stay in hospital for about 4 or 5 days.
Last week prior surgery:
I was scared and so extremely nervous but never ever had one doubt about my decision. The closer it came, the more nervous I became.
Surgery day, December 3rd:
We came in at around 7am, I was marked up with a black „edding 3000“ (thought it was so funny that they use a text marker fort his ;-) We went to the hospital ward and they showed my my room and all the fancy clothes to wear (don’t you all have to think of Jack Nicholson when you have to wear these half open gowns? ;-) Anyway ... I heard that I won’t be the first OP that day, and since I had to wait and got more and more nervous I agreed to take one of these fancy fluffy pills that provide you with that „Don’t give a s***“ attitude. I was taken into OR at around 9.15am, kissed hubby goodbye and before I could even think to much I found myself waking up again at around 1pm in the wake up room. I felt incredible happyness when I realized that I’ve made it to the other side. I don’t remember too much pain but I was still under the influence of all the drugs.
I was taken back into my room at around 2pm where hubby was awaing me with a smile. I can’t tell you anything about that, because I forgot everything what I must have said. According to my husband I must have announced my incredible happyness to everybody, but I was so out and slept all afternoon.
Around 5 o’clock the nurse came in and wanted me to get up and walk a bit. I remember sitting upright in bed and I almost lost conscience, I got very nauseous and almost threw up, but it was only for five minutes and it was gone. I didn’t have to get up again ;-)
Other than that, I wasn’t nauseous at all. I remember being asked for my pain level from 1 to 10 and answered 7. I was given some meds IV and no pain after that.
I am still very impressed, how low the pain level is in general.
OK, so far I wrote a lot, I will provide more details about my recovery soon and also I will post before and after pictures (have loads of them).
Just one thing for now:
I could’t be any happier about my decision. I love my new boobs even though they are bruised and swollen and uneven ... but they seem tiny, compared to what I had ...
I am so pleased to meet you ... stay tuned for more ;-)
I had my reduction on december 3rd, so I am currently 6 days post OP. But let me start from the beginning:
Brief history ;-):
I was suffering from the size of my breasts for a long time, but never seriously considered a reduction. About 5 years ago, for the first time I thought about it more seriously and went to my gynecologist, asking him about my options. He was basically triying to talk me out of it but also referred me to a surgeon with very good reputation. I lost courage and backed down.
3 ½ years ago I met this wonderful man (we are married since this summer) and the closer we came, the more he noticed, me being unsatisfied with the weight of my breasts. He encouraged me to give it another thought. I was still hesitating, I always though if I would be tempting fate to cut off two healthy breasts, that are „nothing“ more than ab „bit“ large and heavy (watch out for ironie ;-) ... and end up with lots of pain, scars and no nipple sensation, and of course the surgery part was more than scary.
Last year I had an incident, I was bitten by an animal and it got infected really bad, I had to undergo surgery 4 times to save my leg, ending up with a huge skin transplant and lots of very ugly scars.
Seriously ... this experience put me back on track. I though, If I can handle 4 surgerys in a year, I will be able to go through this.
July 2015:
I went to another gynecologist for an annual checkup and talked to her about it and she was veeeeeery supportive, she said she has full understanding for my decision. She referred me to that same doctor I was referred to 5 years ago.
August 2015:
Had my consultation with the surgeon. He is not a Plasctic Surgeon, and his practice i part of a regular hospital here in germany. So no fancy practice but very nice and clean and inviting. When I first met him, I instantly new that I am in the right place.
When he looked at my chest he instantly said, that he is 95% sure that insurance will cover it. I couldn’t be more surprised ... what, insurance? I never even thought, that I won’t have to pay it all by myself. I couldn’t belive it. But he said, because of the discinct assymetrie of my breasts, it is very likely they will take over the costs. Wow.
September 2015:
Insurance denied!!! Ok, I told you so. I wanted to give up, but hubby imaginary played the rocky theme in his head ... no, not with us. So we high fived and went into the battle ;-) I called my doctor and he sent in another request, to have me examined by the medical service of the insurance.
October 2015:
I was invited for an appointment with the medical service (Medizinischer Dienst, in case some german ladies are reading this) on October 27th. I had to fill out endless forms about what I am expecting from this, about pain, depressions and many more things. I filled everything out as truthfully as possible. Yes I do have neck, back and shoulder pain, and lots of headaches, but I can not tell if this is caused by my breasts or by any other thing, such as computer work and the like. Anyway, I went in and the doctor (she) was very nice and very supportive. She noticed the dents in my shoulders from my bra, the assymetrie, the size and my bad posture. All that together she said, she will definetely recommend the surgery. I was happy, but I had to wait for the last word of the insurance. Just one week later I was approved!!! Can you imagine my happyness. Of course you can ?
November 2015:
I was scheduled for december 3rd and had my pre OP appointment in the middle of november. I was informed about all the risks, had to sign a couple of papers, talked to the anesthetist and was given further instructions about eating and drinking prior surgery. I was told I would be the first OP in the morning and that I would have to stay in hospital for about 4 or 5 days.
Last week prior surgery:
I was scared and so extremely nervous but never ever had one doubt about my decision. The closer it came, the more nervous I became.
Surgery day, December 3rd:
We came in at around 7am, I was marked up with a black „edding 3000“ (thought it was so funny that they use a text marker fort his ;-) We went to the hospital ward and they showed my my room and all the fancy clothes to wear (don’t you all have to think of Jack Nicholson when you have to wear these half open gowns? ;-) Anyway ... I heard that I won’t be the first OP that day, and since I had to wait and got more and more nervous I agreed to take one of these fancy fluffy pills that provide you with that „Don’t give a s***“ attitude. I was taken into OR at around 9.15am, kissed hubby goodbye and before I could even think to much I found myself waking up again at around 1pm in the wake up room. I felt incredible happyness when I realized that I’ve made it to the other side. I don’t remember too much pain but I was still under the influence of all the drugs.
I was taken back into my room at around 2pm where hubby was awaing me with a smile. I can’t tell you anything about that, because I forgot everything what I must have said. According to my husband I must have announced my incredible happyness to everybody, but I was so out and slept all afternoon.
Around 5 o’clock the nurse came in and wanted me to get up and walk a bit. I remember sitting upright in bed and I almost lost conscience, I got very nauseous and almost threw up, but it was only for five minutes and it was gone. I didn’t have to get up again ;-)
Other than that, I wasn’t nauseous at all. I remember being asked for my pain level from 1 to 10 and answered 7. I was given some meds IV and no pain after that.
I am still very impressed, how low the pain level is in general.
OK, so far I wrote a lot, I will provide more details about my recovery soon and also I will post before and after pictures (have loads of them).
Just one thing for now:
I could’t be any happier about my decision. I love my new boobs even though they are bruised and swollen and uneven ... but they seem tiny, compared to what I had ...
I am so pleased to meet you ... stay tuned for more ;-)
UPDATED FROM kagaca
6 days post
Before Pictures
kagacaDecember 9, 2015
To be honest, for the longest time I wasn't comfortable at all about posting pictures here, but after reading so many reviews over the past month and looking at so many pictures I felt, I wanted to contribute something. So here we go ... starting with a couple of pictures taken two nights before surgery ... I was actually really amazed about the strong asymmetry of my breasts, it has never been that obvious for me ... but the pictures don't lie
UPDATED FROM kagaca
6 days post
Day 1 - Day 5 Post OP
kagacaDecember 9, 2015
Ok, I will keep writing a little bit, since I am in the right mood for it tonight and I still remember a lot of details ... ok, where were we:
Recovery, Day 1
I forgot to mention, that I had two drains sticking out on the side of my breasts, I felt very comfortable with it, as I was told it will support healing and prevent swelling and infections (hopefully, because that’s my biggest fear ... but we will see)
The night ... I am not lying, was quite unpleasant, I woke up a million times because of so many different factors ... night nurse came in to check on my vital signs almost every hour, the bed was quite uncomfortable, unusual situation, another person in the room (getting implants ... how funny is that, we kept making fun of how she could have some of mine ;-) ... and last but not least ... sleeping on my back, argh ... I am, as so many of you a side or stomach sleeper, I usually NEVER sleep on my back!
Anyway ... a doctor came the next morning and I was told how much they’ve been taken away from me ;-) Drumroll ... 532 grams from the left side (about 1,2 lbs) and 874 grams from the right side (about 1,9 lbs) – so that’s 1,4 kilo or 3,1 lbs!!! I couldn’t believe it, so much weight. She removed the dressing and I was able to take a look at my new chest for the first time ... I cried. Need I say more?
It was very busy in our hospital room, lots of visitors for both of us ... a good friend of mine came, my parents and last but not least my husband ... I was able to eat and drink and for the first time, I got up and went to the bathroom all by myself ... heaven.
Recovery, Day 2
Night was a lot better, not perfect ... but not at all like the first night. I had minimal pain, felt really good about myself and couldn’t staring at the new me in front of the bathroom mirror. I am so incredibly happy with my new size. I had no problems with constipation ... not at all, only thing, I was bloated all day ... ugh!
Recovery, Day 3
I read somewhere here on RealSelf about a semi-sided sleeping position. I though about my sidesleeper pillow and had my husband bring it to me into the hospital. And it was a true wonder; I can totally recommend this to everybody with sleeping-on-their-back-trouble. I have the pillow on my side and lean with my shoulder on it, so that I am not completely on my side, but somewhat in-between back and side ... does that make sense? But this is sooooo comfortable ... ever since up until now I have no problems sleeping. It is truly amazing.
I went outside of the hospital for a walk around the large building as the weather was really nice that day, lots of sun ... and it felt so so great. Oh and also in the morning, one of the drains (left side) has been removed. It felt wonderful.
Recovery, Day 4
Early morning the doctor came in and was able to take the second drain out ... yippie ... I was discharged the same morning. Also my roommate could go home and so we celebrated the waiting time until we were picked up by our loved ones with a large cappuccino in the hospital cafeteria. We exchanged numbers and addresses as we really got along very well and we definitely want to stay in touch.
When I got home I went to bed right away, and slept like a baby, in my own bed. Nothing better than that.
Pain? No, not really, a little bit maybe, but I did not take any medication that day. So far, I am so deeply surprised and thankful how this all works out.
Recovery, Day 5
First night at home, it was wonderful, I woke up only once and enjoyed being surrounded by so many pillows. Cats had to stay out of the bedroom ... no breast climbing for the following weeks ;-)
I felt so good, that I agreed to join my husband for Christmas tree shopping. We also went to IKEA for lunch and on our way back walked through the whole lower floor of the Swedish store. Shouldn’t have done that ... I was punished with a very uncomfortable feeling and pain ... not a good idea. Stupid me. Listen to your body ... that is what everybody tells you. Well, I listened to it in the morning and he said, hey I am doing fine, wanna take me out ... must have overheard him later ;-) I took Ibuprofen 600mg, spend the rest of the day in bed or on the couch and felt fine again.
So, that was my story so far ... we are on day 6 now and I will post about this separately.
Happy healing everybody ?
Recovery, Day 1
I forgot to mention, that I had two drains sticking out on the side of my breasts, I felt very comfortable with it, as I was told it will support healing and prevent swelling and infections (hopefully, because that’s my biggest fear ... but we will see)
The night ... I am not lying, was quite unpleasant, I woke up a million times because of so many different factors ... night nurse came in to check on my vital signs almost every hour, the bed was quite uncomfortable, unusual situation, another person in the room (getting implants ... how funny is that, we kept making fun of how she could have some of mine ;-) ... and last but not least ... sleeping on my back, argh ... I am, as so many of you a side or stomach sleeper, I usually NEVER sleep on my back!
Anyway ... a doctor came the next morning and I was told how much they’ve been taken away from me ;-) Drumroll ... 532 grams from the left side (about 1,2 lbs) and 874 grams from the right side (about 1,9 lbs) – so that’s 1,4 kilo or 3,1 lbs!!! I couldn’t believe it, so much weight. She removed the dressing and I was able to take a look at my new chest for the first time ... I cried. Need I say more?
It was very busy in our hospital room, lots of visitors for both of us ... a good friend of mine came, my parents and last but not least my husband ... I was able to eat and drink and for the first time, I got up and went to the bathroom all by myself ... heaven.
Recovery, Day 2
Night was a lot better, not perfect ... but not at all like the first night. I had minimal pain, felt really good about myself and couldn’t staring at the new me in front of the bathroom mirror. I am so incredibly happy with my new size. I had no problems with constipation ... not at all, only thing, I was bloated all day ... ugh!
Recovery, Day 3
I read somewhere here on RealSelf about a semi-sided sleeping position. I though about my sidesleeper pillow and had my husband bring it to me into the hospital. And it was a true wonder; I can totally recommend this to everybody with sleeping-on-their-back-trouble. I have the pillow on my side and lean with my shoulder on it, so that I am not completely on my side, but somewhat in-between back and side ... does that make sense? But this is sooooo comfortable ... ever since up until now I have no problems sleeping. It is truly amazing.
I went outside of the hospital for a walk around the large building as the weather was really nice that day, lots of sun ... and it felt so so great. Oh and also in the morning, one of the drains (left side) has been removed. It felt wonderful.
Recovery, Day 4
Early morning the doctor came in and was able to take the second drain out ... yippie ... I was discharged the same morning. Also my roommate could go home and so we celebrated the waiting time until we were picked up by our loved ones with a large cappuccino in the hospital cafeteria. We exchanged numbers and addresses as we really got along very well and we definitely want to stay in touch.
When I got home I went to bed right away, and slept like a baby, in my own bed. Nothing better than that.
Pain? No, not really, a little bit maybe, but I did not take any medication that day. So far, I am so deeply surprised and thankful how this all works out.
Recovery, Day 5
First night at home, it was wonderful, I woke up only once and enjoyed being surrounded by so many pillows. Cats had to stay out of the bedroom ... no breast climbing for the following weeks ;-)
I felt so good, that I agreed to join my husband for Christmas tree shopping. We also went to IKEA for lunch and on our way back walked through the whole lower floor of the Swedish store. Shouldn’t have done that ... I was punished with a very uncomfortable feeling and pain ... not a good idea. Stupid me. Listen to your body ... that is what everybody tells you. Well, I listened to it in the morning and he said, hey I am doing fine, wanna take me out ... must have overheard him later ;-) I took Ibuprofen 600mg, spend the rest of the day in bed or on the couch and felt fine again.
So, that was my story so far ... we are on day 6 now and I will post about this separately.
Happy healing everybody ?
Replies (5)
December 9, 2015
Sounds phenomenoninal! Are you using any homeopathic remedies?
December 10, 2015
Not really … well, I took a couple of extra vitamins prior surgery because I was a little nervous about catching a cold and then have to postpone it. Right now I am taking some Echanicea … because indeed I feel a bit of a cold coming along … other than that … I am just eating normal and drinking lots of water (and coffee … maybe I should drink less, but doctor said it's ok)
December 18, 2015
What does the side sleeper pillow look like? Could you post a photo laying on it? I'm sorry weird request but I'm a side sleeper too
December 18, 2015
No, not weird at all, it is just a rectangular long pillow, about 5 foot long I guess. I am supporting one shoulder and so I am about 45 degree on my side ... does it make sense? It totally works for me. I will see if I can ask hubby to take a pic later ;-)
December 18, 2015
I'm trying to understand but I don't I'm sorry. Thank you so much though for taking a photo for me
Replies (7)