POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
43 Years Old, No Kids, and I Have my Life Back! - Calgary, AB
ORIGINAL POST
I was always a skinny kid, especially after I...
djroffelApril 4, 2018
WORTH IT
I was always a skinny kid, especially after I started dancing (jazz and tap) at the age of 7. I started developing at the age of 10, when I began spotting and feeling horrible pain in my chest as my breasts developed. By the time I was 11, I had to quit dancing because I gone from flat to C size so quickly. (We were not allowed to wear bras under our bodysuits.) As my mother says, I went from “0 to C practically overnight”.
I’ve had stretchmarks since I was 11 and I’ve never had children! I was a spare for the Hurdling team in Grade 7 and I was also a 100M sprinter. I loved to run and was even looking into joining my brother’s track team. By the time I was 12, I was being made fun of at school because everyone thought I was stuffing my bra. I was growing so fast, my mum couldn’t buy bras fast enough; so most didn’t fit and I took to wearing two bras just to keep the pain away.
By this time, my neck, back and chest were always sore. Running made it worse, so I had to stop running as well. My desire to be on my brother’s track team was gone. Just like my dancing.
Back to the kids at school, I got called “Double-Stuff” (pretty clever, actually) because they thought I was stuffing my bra. Man, do I wish I was just stuffing my bra! I wouldn’t be in pain and I could still do track and field, and dancing!
When I was 14, I started getting horrible headaches. Doctors thought it had something to do with my brain. After EEGs and CAT scans, they found nothing out of the ordinary – nothing that would cause headaches. It was concluded that my large breasts were the problem because I was also having neck and chest pain. The pain in my chest was awful. When I ran, it felt like my breasts were ripping from my ribcage. (I saw a doctor about it when I was 18 and he sent me for an ECG, etc. It turned out, it was my breasts pulling at the muscle around my ribcage. No heart problems!)
Fast forward to age 43:
- Breast size: 40 M
- Walking proves to be too much as my knees and lower back are also hurting as well as my neck and shoulders. In September of 2015, I was out for a walk when my back went out. I ended up having to crawl home. Now, if I’m walking any distance, I have to use a cane. Embarrassing!
- Exercise is difficult, though I do what I can. I can’t do jumping jacks, running or anything else because my neck and back will be out in no time. Bodyweight exercises and running on the spot holding my breasts to my chest are about the best I can do right now.
- I want my life back. I want to be able to run and dance again. Right now, I’d even take being able to walk long distances without a cane. Not having to live with daily pain would also be great!
It took me years to get in to see a surgeon because they would not even look at someone whose BMI was over 31. Mine was 34. I actually staved myself and drank only liquids for a few weeks just to get down to a 31 BMI. My doctor quickly did up a referral and I got in to see Dr. Mark Haugrud.
When I told Dr. Haugrud my size, he just about fell off of his chair. He said he'd never seen anyone with that big a size before! He explained the procedure and told me to wait for a call about the date. In February of this year (2018), I got my surgery date: March 27.
This was my first ever surgery and the staff at the hospital were all very kind and supportive. Upon waking up, I could notice the difference immediately: no pain. Anywhere. Within 5 hours, I was eating, walking around and very happy with my perky, small new breasts!!
I didn't need painkillers during my overnight stay, and I had no complications during surgery. I went home the next day feeling tired and a bit tender, but no worse for wear.
I'm now one week post-op and I couldn't be happier. I can walk long distances without a cane, nor pain.
I can wear bras from any type of shop. (Prior to this, I had to order $200.00 bras, plus shipping, from a company in the UK. I'm in Canada.) I can wear almost any type of top or jacket, so my fashion options have opened wide up!
My only complaint? I should have done this a long time ago!
After almost 30 years, I have my life, my confidence, and my body back! I feel like a teenager again!
I’ve had stretchmarks since I was 11 and I’ve never had children! I was a spare for the Hurdling team in Grade 7 and I was also a 100M sprinter. I loved to run and was even looking into joining my brother’s track team. By the time I was 12, I was being made fun of at school because everyone thought I was stuffing my bra. I was growing so fast, my mum couldn’t buy bras fast enough; so most didn’t fit and I took to wearing two bras just to keep the pain away.
By this time, my neck, back and chest were always sore. Running made it worse, so I had to stop running as well. My desire to be on my brother’s track team was gone. Just like my dancing.
Back to the kids at school, I got called “Double-Stuff” (pretty clever, actually) because they thought I was stuffing my bra. Man, do I wish I was just stuffing my bra! I wouldn’t be in pain and I could still do track and field, and dancing!
When I was 14, I started getting horrible headaches. Doctors thought it had something to do with my brain. After EEGs and CAT scans, they found nothing out of the ordinary – nothing that would cause headaches. It was concluded that my large breasts were the problem because I was also having neck and chest pain. The pain in my chest was awful. When I ran, it felt like my breasts were ripping from my ribcage. (I saw a doctor about it when I was 18 and he sent me for an ECG, etc. It turned out, it was my breasts pulling at the muscle around my ribcage. No heart problems!)
Fast forward to age 43:
- Breast size: 40 M
- Walking proves to be too much as my knees and lower back are also hurting as well as my neck and shoulders. In September of 2015, I was out for a walk when my back went out. I ended up having to crawl home. Now, if I’m walking any distance, I have to use a cane. Embarrassing!
- Exercise is difficult, though I do what I can. I can’t do jumping jacks, running or anything else because my neck and back will be out in no time. Bodyweight exercises and running on the spot holding my breasts to my chest are about the best I can do right now.
- I want my life back. I want to be able to run and dance again. Right now, I’d even take being able to walk long distances without a cane. Not having to live with daily pain would also be great!
It took me years to get in to see a surgeon because they would not even look at someone whose BMI was over 31. Mine was 34. I actually staved myself and drank only liquids for a few weeks just to get down to a 31 BMI. My doctor quickly did up a referral and I got in to see Dr. Mark Haugrud.
When I told Dr. Haugrud my size, he just about fell off of his chair. He said he'd never seen anyone with that big a size before! He explained the procedure and told me to wait for a call about the date. In February of this year (2018), I got my surgery date: March 27.
This was my first ever surgery and the staff at the hospital were all very kind and supportive. Upon waking up, I could notice the difference immediately: no pain. Anywhere. Within 5 hours, I was eating, walking around and very happy with my perky, small new breasts!!
I didn't need painkillers during my overnight stay, and I had no complications during surgery. I went home the next day feeling tired and a bit tender, but no worse for wear.
I'm now one week post-op and I couldn't be happier. I can walk long distances without a cane, nor pain.
I can wear bras from any type of shop. (Prior to this, I had to order $200.00 bras, plus shipping, from a company in the UK. I'm in Canada.) I can wear almost any type of top or jacket, so my fashion options have opened wide up!
My only complaint? I should have done this a long time ago!
After almost 30 years, I have my life, my confidence, and my body back! I feel like a teenager again!
djroffel's provider
Replies (7)
April 14, 2018
Just a quick question. I am scheduled for my BR and Panniculectomy (sorry cant spell it) on May 8th. We have never discussed cup size tho do we discuss that the day of surgery? I am a 38 DDD wanting to go down to a B cup. I am 52 years old and 5 3" I am so done with these heavey sagging painful weights that hang from my chest every single moment of existance just want to feel lighter and NOT having to arrange them everytime we go golfing. (making sure they are tucked under my arms so I can swing the club). ugh.
April 15, 2018
I was asked about that when I first saw the surgeon in August and then on the day of surgery. Because I was 40 M, I said "As small as you can get them" and that worked for me. You should be able to talk to your surgeon about the cup size you're aiming for.
April 15, 2018
Dr. Haugrud is my surgeon :) I just cant remember discussing cup size :( so much was covered since I am also having a Panni done I cant remember what we talked about I might have mentioned a C cup but actually want a B I just wanted to know if on the day of surgery we go over it again to make sure we are on the same page or do I need to call Cindi and have her make a note? ugh I hate being an over thinker
April 15, 2018
Oh my God im sorry!!! Thank you for responding you have quite the story and I am so happy you can finally feel normal. I know my mom made me stop wearing bikinis when I was 11 beacause of my development I was so angry because I could not understand what she was talking about when it came to her reasons for why I wasnt allowed to wear a certain kind of swim suit. I was 11!!! it was 1977!!! nobody thought anything of it...or so I thought anyway.
April 16, 2018
Dr. Haugrud is awesome. I don't think he really discusses sizes that much, but he'll talk to you about on surgery day when he's marking you up.
April 16, 2018
I am so excited and I have heard nothing but excellent things about him which is why he is the only surgeon I met with. I didnt bother consulting with anyone else. Thank you for your replys it really helped :)
I wish you all the very best and hope that your healing continues well. Take care