A Lifetime of Big Boobs...nearly Over! - Bellingham, WA
I could have written so many of the statements on...
I could have written so many of the statements on this great site. Pain coward that I am, waited until the pain overcame all other emotions because surgery pain spooked me so much. Until I found this site, never allowed myself to think of how things "might" have been had I not been blessed with "being stacked" "having a great rack" "big 'uns"... any other crack that passed as a compliment. Didn't help matters I chose a very non-traditional, all male profession of heavy civil construction engineering. back when girls became teachers or nurses. The only bikini that ever fit me had been "re-arranged" by a previous shopper, and I didn't realize until weeks later it was a 16 top and an 8 bottom. Wore it until it was tattered. (Was always grateful I didn't have the other shape tho...) In any event, that's all in the rear view mirror and my BR is June 6, 2 days after my 62nd birthday. I'm pretty fit, eat healthy and actually had a new doctor say I look about 10 years younger than my actual age, so I'm hoping that bends recovery in my favor. A previous brain surgery taught me you have ONE chance to do your recovery right, so I'm focused on avoiding setbacks.
I'm now a 38DD, still 5'2" tall. A dear friend recently sent me this photo taken of all of us when we were 18, summer of '68. What I was wearing pretty much tells the whole story. Probably 95 degrees, in the high dessert, and my shirt was high necked, and baggy. I was the same size as my girlfriend on the bottom....it was the top I hid. By that age I had already had more than enough unwanted attention from older guys. It's a candid shot, and my expression truly tells the story. I was shocked at how sad I looked in repose, because I always put on a happy face when I thought anyone was looking. Like so many others, I was the first to bring up The Girls and joke about them, just to clear the air. As I advanced in my career and became a project manager, part of my pre-construction meeting introduction was them. I would point to my chest and say "They're mine, they're real, and they don't do the thinking. Talk to the face." Inevitably some guy would jump...when that happened, I'd finish with "And...I read minds, too." :-) I know many times guys on my team took on others who made off-color remarks about "their" project manager! Once they sort of understood not all women want implants, many were very supportive (no pun intended).
My hope is more young women will consider having this surgery before pain is the driving criteria. These days I have no nerves or doubts about the surgery, but do admit to being consumed with "What if"s. "What if I'd done this 35 years ago?" How much different would things have been? Happily, not the type to dwell on the bad stuff for very long... but there are so few people who actually KNOW the horrible costs of big boobs. Haven't been able to get a decent pic of my Front Porch...perhaps my surgeon will e-mail her pics, as I'd love to have a record. Kind of like the pics of my sweet little car after she was broadsided two weeks ago. Want to have a record of the wreck!
PNW38DD's provider
Well, surgery was yesterday, and the only bad...
Surgery was scheduled at 12:30, with an 11:30 am check in. Was put little cubicle in a gown and robe, and then wrapped in an inflatable warm blanket which was pretty cool. Nurse insertved the IV, which turned out to be the most pain I've experienced. Yes, you read that right.
Surgery was yesterday, June 6.
Doctor James came in to visit and draw her lines a few minutes later, and about 5 minutes after that I was walked (not chaired) down the hall to surgery. Got up on the bed, and bam...sleep. He didn't even do the count backwards deal most of them do. I woke up some 3 hours later feeling great. Zero pain. No drains, just a couple teensy (but thickish) pieces of gauze. Rested a bit, they gave me a pain pill, and I headed for home. Friend cooked a Thai soup we love, and that was the end of it. Slept in the recliner (Rocket Boy) with two pillows. No problem. Friend slept on the couch (her choice...said bedrooms were too far away) and did have to battle with a dog and cat for space.
This morning I feel absolutely normal. Better than normal, actually, as my shoulders are having "memory" pain, but nothing compared to the real stuff. I actually put my arms through one of hubby's old XXL fleece pullovers to sleep in. Everything that buttons up the front is layers for over t-shirts and not comfortable. It's easy to see how I could overdue it, because Vicodan masks pain, and the relief and happiness have finally doing this are amazing. Sooooooo....I'm going to take a pill and go back to sleep before I decide I'm "just fine" and wreck myself! Didn't have any major surgery until I was 45, but when I did have one, I broke every rule in the book and paid a huge price. Older and smarter rules this time!
Woke up this morning, clear headed and no pain. I feel no discomfort at all, but I'm moving slow so as not to cause any! Next appointment is 10:45 Friday. I'm not to do anything before. Happily, we are in a cold snap (low 60's and light rain) which is perfect for healing. Not too hot, not too cold. Not tempted to go outside with the rain.
To all those who were so free and open with their advice, thanks so much. I had such wrong wrong wrong ideas about pain and recovery. To those who have surgeries coming up....it is WORTH IT to at least the 100x.
cheers, s
Replies (4)
Glad you are feeling so wonderfully! But that you are smart enough to know that you shouldn't be over-exerting yourself right now. Rest all you can at this point and before you know it you will be back to your old routine, but with a little bounce in your step...but not as much bounce in your boobs :-D
Forgot to say she removed 703 grams (1.55 lbs)...
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Hope you are continuing to take it easy and have a totally boring (and fast)) recovery.
Still at about a 2 if I was expecting 10, but I am being the slug my doctor told me to be. Great doctor, and the results are apparent. No pain, no bleeding, and already excited about the mobility I can't remember having. Big Boobs governed for a long time. So hope more young people will do this.
I was held back by pain, and once I was old enough to know most of my prior pain had been self inflicted by being "stoic", this has been a piece of kick. And for over the top wonderful long term resuls!
Hope everyone else is doing great!
Sounds like you are doing great! And doing just what you are suppose to be doing :-) So happy for you!
I am 43 (Eastern Washington resident) and have many of the thoughts you had prior to your decision. I haven't consulted with anyone yet and want to. I haven't even thought about the costs because, well, frankly, I don't have the cash in savings.
What is the cost for a surgery like this? The pain in my shoulders, neck and upper back are constant, have been for years. Would Insurance cover something like this?
I can only imagine how it would feel to go from a G to a C. Makes me cry just thinking about it. It is so difficult to maneuver with these things. I want them gone, not completely of course.
Any recommendations for someone like me?
The pain relief was immediate and significant. Certainly overcame ALL surgery discomfort. I'd start with a consult with your family doctor. Mine is very supportive of all my health decisions, so he referred me to a surgeon he recommended, and wonder of wonders, we hit it off perfectly. So, that really shaved a lot of time off things. From my appointment wit my doc on March 26, had my surgeon consult April 23, health insurance coverage was approved May 21, and surgery was June 6.
I'm also an E.WA girl, so have a good idea what you endure both with heat and red necked comments! This surgery has already made such a difference in my overall mental attitude (no PAIN!!!) I would urge you to start saving quarters or something equally benign. A few years ago my New Year's resolution was to put all my quarters in a big jar for a year. In under a year I had enough or a ticket to Thailand, twenty-five cents at a time. I'd do this again in a heartbeat, and at the expense of a lot of other things I might have once considered essential. The mobility is amazing! Know exactly what you mean about maneuvering with the darn things..Give it some serious thought. Sure wish I'd done it earlier! Good luck!
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How are you feeling today? Hope everything went well. I will be thinking of you and anxious to hear your story!