32 yo, 2 kids, LONG overdue

I have struggled with large breasts since I was in high school. They continued to grow and grow and grow through college (although they remained perky and cute at least)! Once I got married and had children, they started really growing and sagging (no, I did not breastfeed). Over about the past 5 years, my cup size started getting alarming. I went from D, DD, to F, G, and most recently and finally a J. I struggled with all of the normal physical ailments: pain in my neck, shoulders, and back. Deep grooves in my shoulders. Rashes underneath my breasts, especially during the warmer summer months. It seemed like one day I looked in the mirror, and they were hanging down to my bellybutton! I had gained about 80 lbs since getting married and having children, so I made an effort to lose 40 lbs to see if that would shrink them. Nope. Turns out, I do NOT have fatty boobs, and no amount of weight loss would or could help. My band size decreased, but my cup size stayed the same. I knew it was time to finally have a reduction after considering it for close to 10 years!
I booked and had the consultation, and before I knew it, I had a surgery date scheduled, and it was really happening! All of it happened so, so quickly, and I was surprised that my insurance (Tricare Standard) was so quick to approve. I had my surgery on 2/8/2018, and I am so glad I had it done. My surgeon was amazing, and things have gone relatively easy as far as recovery goes. I have had some minor issues (spitting stitches, small wound separations), but nothing that a little at-home care hasn’t been able to handle. I see my surgeon on Friday for my month post-op check, and I’m eager to know what to expect from here. I’m ready to be active again, especially with my children since I’m a SAHM. It’s been hard not to be able to hold them, play with them, and bathe them (it still hurts to extend my arms). However, I was so lucky that my husband was able to take off two weeks of work, my parents were able to keep our children for two weekends, and I had a wonderful, supportive church family that provided lots of meals for those first two weeks and beyond.
I will say that while my healing has been relatively normal, I have been absolutely exhausted, and I have not bounced back as quickly to “real life” as I’d hoped. I was not fully prepared for the emotional effects of the anesthesia and pain medications. I felt like an emotional basket case weeks 2 and 3 post-op, which also happened to be when I had a few complications pop up with my incisions. My surgeon told me that sometimes it takes patients up to a month to really get those narcotics out of their system, and that can result in unusual moods, weepiness, anxiety, etc. I stopped taking all pain meds at one week post-op, so I feel like I am only just now (almost 3 weeks later) getting back to normal emotionally.
I am SO glad I did this, no matter the rough moments. My back, neck, shoulder, and hip pain vanished IMMEDIATELY after my reduction. It’s been the craziest thing! It really validated that I needed this operation for my quality of life going forward. I look forward to updating my story as I progress through my recovery! xoxo
My photos include before, right after, and a couple of the minor healing issues I’ve had. Feel free to ask any questions!

Added photos from before and during initial recovery

Almost one month post-op. Feeling great!