30F Breast Reduction

I’ve been busty since high-school and wasn’t really too bothered by it until a few years ago. Physically, I’ve dealt with headaches, neck and shoulder pain, bra strap indentations, difficulty with high-impact exercise, holding my breasts down with my arms while running up or down the stairs, the usual complaints. Personally, I’ve found the emotional difficulties far more painful than the physical effects, especially in the last few years. Not being able to buy cheap, cute bras, passing up button-downs, halter tops, anything backless, anything with a drop waist, overalls, men’s shirts, skimpy bathing suit tops— chances are, if it’s fashionable, it’s out. I’ve put up with comments about my breasts from friends and strangers alike, unwanted stares, touching, the works. I don’t look forward to coming home and taking my bra off like most women. Taking my bra off means losing my support and for me, there’s nothing relaxing about flopping about in a pajama shirt. People make all kinds of comments about not realizing how big I am... well, duh! They only see me in a fabric fortress of $50 minimizer bras— sometime two at a time! Anything to feel compact and supported, nevermind my fingers going numb or the base of my neck aching all night at work while I carry trays full of drinks. Those are the same drinks I take to tables of people who might be boozed up enough that they feel comfortable making gross comments about my body to my fave. (It’s rare but it happens and even once is one too many times.) I am so done with the demoralization, the feeling that I’m trapped in someone’s else’s body. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to undergo this procedure. My heart goes out to every one of you that is struggling to afford a reduction, sick of the pain, sick of the comments— it truly does. I had my pre-op appointment yesterday with Dr. Pousti (my initial consultation was back in June or July) and I am two weeks out from my procedure. I am so confident in his ability and so comfortable with his team. They have been professional but familiar, realistic but encouraging. I feel like I am in the best hands possible and am so grateful to my family and friends for supporting my decision and promising to take care of me and my doggie post-op. Here we go!

I had my surgery yesterday at 7:00am— bilateral breast reduction with
no implant. I didn’t have time to be nervous in the days leading up to
it because I was too busy with work and preparing my house for recovery
but the morning of, the anxiety hit me hard!
My best friend drove me to the surgery center at 5:45 and I was
getting prepped by 6:15. I met with Doctor Pousti and he started
measuring and drawing and reassuring me that I was going to be just fine
and have great results... going into the OR was overwhelming. Once I
laid down on the table I started crying but the nurses and
anesthesiologist were so sweet and encouraging, squeezing my hands while
I went under.
Next thing I knew, I was awake in
recovery. I felt pretty lucid fairly quickly and was comfortable on the
ride home with a pillow strapped between me and the seatbelt. Last night
was easy, I was still kinda doped up, only took one nausea pill and was
hungry for a late lunch and for dinner too.
This
morning I woke up really sore but still so happy. My drains are filling
very slowly so I’m hopeful that they’ll come out on my post-op
appointment this Friday. My sister was helping me change my top this
morning and she was so excited for me— she said that I’m going to love
them, they’re so small but proportionate. From what I can see of them, I
agree! My shoulders and neck are a little sore from sitting around all
day but the relief from lugging around my giant boobs was immediately
noticeable. So far, so good!

I had my first post-op appointment yesterday with Dr. Pousti and it was a good one! My drains were “stripped”, where the MA sort of pulled on them (it didn’t hurt) to clean the lines and make sure they were doing their job and giving constant suction.

I was hoping to have them removed but Dr. Pousti chose for me to leave them in until Monday just to be safe. They really aren’t that bothersome but now that I’m moving around more, I’m a little self-conscious of them in public.

Other than that (and I really don’t mind the drains that much anyway), I’m feeling awesome. I’m spacing my pain meds out by about seven hours now, relying on them mainly for restful sleep. I hope/plan to be off them completely by the end of the weekend. The opiates certainly make it hard to poop (Not TMI if you’re seriously considering this procedure) but I’ve been staying super hydrated, drinking lots fruit juice, eating loads of veggies and a natural laxative to keep everything going.

Lots of reviews say that patients get to shower right after and all I can say is, “lucky!” I’ve been bird-bathing it in the bathroom sink and washed my hair in the kitchen last night under strict instructions from my surgeon to not get ANY of my dressings or breast area wet. It’s not as miserable as I’d predicted.

In fact, for someone like me who was terrified of the whole Franken-boob, incisions and wound healing aspect, my aftercare instructions are perfect... no peeking, no touching, they’ll take care of everything at my post-op appointments. Of course I’m excited to see the results but I’m so confident in the work, I don’t mind being patient.

On that note, I kinda already saw the results on the computer! One of my favorite girls at the office, Dee, showed me some really gory photos taken mid-procedure, I’m talkin’ one done, one not, stapled up before stitches, incisions laid open, the works. I was amazed and grossed out and THRILLED. I have SMALL breasts. Small, perky boobs with the cutest lil’ nips, some natural-looking cleavage, a nice rounded top on each side. Seriously, I’m just in awe.

Every time I have a twinge of pain or get itchy or bored or antsy, I just think about those pictures or glance down at what I can see behind the gauze and the surgical bra and the drains and I’m like “Hell. Yes.” Then I daydream about shopping for tiny, lacy bras and triangle swim tops and just throwing on a cozy sweater with no bra, lil’ boobies just swingin’ in the wind and it’s all worth it!