33, Mom of 2, Reduction 34DDD to a 34C

I'm past the 6 month threshold so I wanted to do one more update. My surgeon advised it would be 12-18 months before everything "settled" so I'll be interested to see any changes from here on.
Overall, I am still 100% happy with my decision to do this. The results have been a major boost to my fitness, energy levels, confidence, i could go on and on. I am including 2 pics, one main pic and another close up of my scars as they are today.
THE LOOK:
The symmetry is great. They look and feel exactly the same. It took several weeks for that to happen so i can definitely say that the swelling may not match on both sides at first but give it time. As you'll see in my initial post op pics, my stitches were bunched in places. I have been shocked at how well this has smoothed out over the 6 months. It's almost completely undetectable although I feel like I can still note a few spots if I'm really focusing on that. I have definitely seen other women's review pics where the incisions were perfectly straight and no bunching but I've read that this can vary person to person based on tissue and is not always the surgeon. If this concerns you, ask to see photos of your surgeon's work. For me, I'm not worried about it whatsoever.
THE FEEL:
Okay, let's cut to the chase. I did write anything about sensation in my first review but it was certainly a factor when I was deciding to do this. What I read and was told by the doc is that this is not anything they can predict and there is no guarantees that you will have any sensation after this surgery. Ultimately, you aren't going to know until you know. I got to a point where that was something I was willing to accept. So, let me be real with you... Pre-op, attention to this area when being intimate went a long way for me if you know what I mean. Potentially giving that up wasn't something I took lightly. Post-Op, it isn't the same but it's not entirely lost. I'd say I lost about 30% of the sensitivity and because I had such a big reduction, it's a little distracting because (I don't know how else to explain it) the nipples don't feel like they're quite where supposed to be. Have you ever scratched an itch on your leg and then realized it was a few inches over? It's like that. So, I'm happy I retained feeling and I'm hopeful that over time it will all feel more familiar and not be so distracting.

That's it for my update. I will try to field questions if you leave them in the comments. My best advice is to read as many reviews as you can.

Let me start by saying that like many, I have wanted to do this since I was about 16 years old. I am a petite 5'2" and while I've had my heavier and lighter phases of life (and 2 kids), I tend to hover in the 130-140 range with a couple of brief exceptions. I have never liked being the girl with the huge boobs for more reasons than I can list but primarily physical discomfort, inability to be more than moderately active, bad posture, pain in my back/shoulders/neck and of course ALL of the more self-confidence and vain reasons. This isn't even counting the stereotypes that come along with it all.
So for about 15 years I have thought (dreamed) of doing this. After each baby, they got ridiculously larger and then afterwards they lost a little volume each time.

INITIATION - By the time I walked into my doc's office at 33, I had decided that any risks were worth it and had no more doubt in my mind. I told my PCP I needed a referral for breast reduction. I explained that I'd had enough of all the aches and pains. She gladly referred me to the surgeon for consultation.

CONSULTATION - At my consultation, we talked through my concerns and symptoms. I was prepared to prove it. I had records of many chiropractor visits and personal training to demonstrate that I have been looking for ways to improve my condition for quite some time. He didn't want any of that. The surgeon was highly confident that insurance would work in my favor. He explained that I had to qualify based on my BMI, which I easily did. We talked about size and he schooled me on the fact that bra sizes are wildly unreliable. He told me that with it being a medicinal need, there would be a minimum for what had to be removed. The maximum would be determined by my own nerves and tissue which he wouldn't 100% know until the actual surgery. He simply asked me "would you rather wake up too big or too small?" As a person who is a detail oriented plan-a-holic, this level of uncertainty would normally kill me. That just goes to show how ready I was to do this. I said "too small" because the idea of feeling like I went this extreme and still wound up with the same challenges was no good. He put me on the schedule about 6 weeks out, leaving time for insurance processes to occur. I got a call a few weeks later that insurance gave the green light and just like that, it was going to happen.

PREPARING - I ordered some front close after surgery bras from Amazon. It was hard to buy them because I couldn't imagine fitting in them and they didn't have underwires per the instructions. They turned out to be perfect though. I also hit the reviews online (RealSelf was the best source) and started researching. I poured over photos and reviews and suggest you do the same. It helped prepare me. I even looked at reviews from women who had unpleasant outcomes. Don't freak yourself out but I personally think it's important to know it's a risk and wrap your head around the concept that it may not turn out to be perfect. I reluctantly snapped a few before pics and soon the day arrived.

SURGERY DAY - The surgery day for me was a breeze. I went in, waited a bit, got put under, woke up, recovered for about an hour and then went home with my husband. Easy.

RECOVERY - The pain was uncomfortable but manageable. The best part was how light and weightless I felt. Incredible. I did utilize the pain meds for about a week to get me through it. I took 3 days off work, worked from home for 2 and then had a long weekend. I attended a baby shower for a friend on Sunday. Monday I was back to work like normal. During all of that time I was still able to be a mom. My husband pulled most of the weight for sure but I pitched in way more than I had expected, by choice. I felt pretty great.

OUTCOMES - As for the outcomes, keeping the bandages on was torture. I peeked but only for a sec. Frankenstein boobs. Not pretty. My incisions were bunched up in places, I was bruised all over, one was very obviously larger than the other and there were all of these unnatural angles and lumps. Peek if you must but you have GOT to assure yourself that this is NOT the final look. I didn't panic because I'd read enough reviews to know that it would take much more than a couple of days to see what they were really going to look like.
Within a week, things were moving right along. I could see the progression and was growing more confident that it was all going to be fine. At 2 weeks i had my post op appointment. My incisions were closed with only one or two small spots still healing. I expressed my concerns even though I had already seen a ton of progress and wasn't that worried any more. He assured that everything would smooth out. Even by week 3 I feel like more than half of what was bothering me has gone.

BRAS/SIZE - I went and purchased some bras today. It was a big day for me. I am down FOUR cup sizes. I tried on multiple sizes but ultimately bought a 34C.i tried on a 36B which also fit me. I think I'm right on the cusp between B and C. If I'm actually still swollen, I'll probably be a B cup in the end. If he had let me pick a cup size this is exactly what I would have said. Full B/ Small C. Perfect.
Since my surgery I've had several very surreal moments that have brought me pure joy. Going back to the gym and realizing I have all if this new incredible mobility. Trying on a "deep V" swimsuit and feeling confident (not looking like a prostitute) and even little things like shaving or putting my baby in the baby front pack carrier. All easier, all more comfortable. I don't even think I realized how much discomfort and pain I was in before.
This was a great decision for me. I am beyond happy that I did this. My only regret is that I didn't do it 15 years ago. My husband is happy too! Going smaller wasn't his favorite idea in the beginning, but I think that the finished product has him highly satisfied. I am anxious for the healing to continue and for the scars to minimize but I fully trust that they will.