27, 42L, Fibromyalgia, Can't Wait for Relief - Cleveland, OH

I was finally able to schedule my BR this past week! About a year ago I started considering having a breast reduction done, but was in the middle of moving and it just wasn't a good time to pursue it. Last November I finally had my first consult.

Basically, a nurse saw me, an hour and a half past my appointment time! She said that I had jumped through every hoop insurances have (6 months physical therapy, 3 months chiropractic work, medication therapy, 12 months documented pain, etc) however, because my bmi was 40, I needed to get out under 35 before I could have the surgery done because otherwise my insurance wouldn't cover it. I left, feeling really upset, since besides the fact that that's a lot of weight for anyone to lose and I was in a lot of pain from my breasts, I also have fibromyalgia, which makes it difficult for me to exercise much, as well as hypothyroidism and polycystic ovary syndrome, both of which makes loading weight much harder. But I did what I could and improved my diet a lot. In January I had an insurance change, so I set up a follow up to see if the new insurance would approve the surgery sooner. But, instead, I got an unpleasant phone call from that doctors office nurse telling me this time that I was wrong, and that the surgeon wouldn't operate on anyone above a 35 bmi, no matter what insurance said. I was upset, because I was blamed, and occupation because I had got my hopes up for nothing.

Somewhere in that time, I joined a Facebook support group for BR, so I knew people around my size were having breast reductions done, so with their encouragement, I sought a second opinion at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. This time, I met with the surgeon's nurse briefly, then I actually got to see the surgeon! He took measurements, and said he thought there would be no issue getting insurance to cover the surgery, and even said he's worked on people smaller AND larger than me! Next, the nurse took photos for insurance purposes, and I met with the surgeon for any final questions.

I was surprised that he lets his patients return to underwire bras in only one month. I know I asked other questions, but that appointment was back in January, so I don't remember it all too well. I do know that at that time I was around a 42H, and I told him I wanted to be about a C or B cup. I have heard they tend to go larger than woman want... Especially if it's a male surgeon, plus is rather be too small, than too large, so I gave my goal size on the small side of what I want. He told me, of course, he can't guarantee a size, but probably wouldn't take me that small, and would do what fits my frame. Well, weighing 235 pounds, I want to make sure he fits my frame, not my belly!!! I plan to help accomplish this by emphasizing that fact until I'm under anesthesia, and I also bought a size 42D bra to take with me on the day of surgery. In been told that sometimes surgeon's get in the rut of one size fits all, so I figured an actual visual should help. I plan to take it to him on the day of surgery and tell him, unless medically necessary, I don't want to be left any bigger than the size of that bra, preferably a bit smaller. I figure that should help! And hopefully I will get to wear that bra someday... Even if I'm smaller than it, I should be able to wear it while I'm still swollen, as there's no underwire.

So during this time I've been working on loading weight to get as healthy as I can for surgery. I have gone from 245 down to 235, BUT I have gone UP 4 bra sizes! So, since my worst fear is having them grow back after surgery, and because my surgeon wants that to not happen as well, I have been working with my gyno that manages the polycystic ovary syndrome to figure something out. We stopped my birth control pills, some in not, and don't plan to become sexually active, and now I just take provera,
a progesterone supplement 10 days a month to help regulate my periods instead. I take my first round of it in a few days... Wish me luck! Right now I'm laid up with very swollen get, ankles, and lower legs, and I'm not sure why, and I'm hoping it's not pm.

The surgeon also had me get clearance from the Cleveland Clinic breast health center. They did an exam, mammogram, etc, and everything, thankfully was normally. They reviewed my medications, and thought my gyno has it under control, so they cleared me for surgery... That was 10 days ago. Also, the Dr I saw asked me how I got so lucky to have Dr. Bernard as my surgeon, as she thought he was excellent. So that made me feel better as well.

So, that leads me to this past week. I was FINALLY able to schedule surgery! However, since I have Medicare, and you cannot get pre-approved for any surgery, I had to sign the waiver that stays that if they decide is not medically necessary I understand I must pay out of pocket for the procedure. However, the hospital did tell me they will appeal of I am denied at first, which helped make me feel better about having to sign that form.

So far, I have the front close sports bras from Walmart in about 8 sizes for after surgery, so that as the swelling changes, I will be comfortable (that's the kind of bra my surgeon said to use). Since I know I will probably feel like crap for awhile after surgery, especially from the fibromyalgia, I have also been buying some new, smaller tops and lounge wear, so that I can feel good about how I look/have some comfortable, pretty clothes to make me feel better!

I'm planning on coming home after the operation and the 23 hour hospital stay. That's so they can keep you without admitting you, and it costs less, FYI. I live alone, with my cat. My surgeon said that's fine as long as I have people stopping in everyday. I have quite a bit of family in the area and I will have help from my church as well, so I decided I'll be more comfortable at home than trying to stay with someone for a week.

Phew! I think that about brings this up to date. I've been waiting to start this until I knew for sure I would be able to have the reduction... And then it just snow balled so fast! Lol

Yesterday I was at the grocery store, and they were setting up a display to advertise catering for July 4th (my reduction is the 1st). I can't believe it... It seems so far away still, so I have been trying to put it all out of mind, but seeing that display really started me thinking. When I scheduled the surgery it was 8 weeks out, and it feels like that was just yesterday. But now I'm almost down to just 6 weeks. I have to say I'm starting to mentally prepare for how I will care for myself after surgery.

I had major surgery 1.5 years ago to reconstruct my right outer ear. I was born without one, and they harvested rib cartilage to carve me one. That's when my fibromyalgia really started getting worse. Hence why having the BR scares me some. But, I also have bipolar and some other mental health issues, so it's important for me to be mentally prepared to be laid up after surgery as well. I traveled across the country for the ear surgery, so I keep telling myself this should be easier some this time people can visit me and help me out... Plus my stomach muscles won't be cut apart! But still, I want to mentally prepare for what I can do to make sure I don't get lonely or discouraged while initially laid up.

That said, seeing that display at the grocery store has made me realize how close I am to having the girls reduced, and I am SO excited. I cannot wait! Even typing this, my hand keeps going numb, which I think it's related to them. So I guess both my nerves and excitement are starting to increase... I can't wait!

So I'm now down to just 10 days before my reduction! I'm ready to put it behind me at this point. I'm more worried about recovery complications than anything, so I'm ready to get there and see how it goes. This past week I've been getting some nerves, but am trying to keep busy and focus on the result following healing to stay excited versus nervous.

I'm also working very hard at making sure I'm prepared for the worst, while going for the best. I have bought everything I can think of that I will need: I have 2 no rinse shower caps, a pack of body wash wipes, gauze pads, tape, the blue tape, gloves, alcohol wipes, a reading pillow for the bed, stool softener, 4 ice packs, 3 button down night shirts, and I've already got smaller tops to wear in case I'm not up for shipping for awhile but want to feel good by putting on nicer shirts that fit. Since my belly is big, I didn't have to worry about buying the shirts so small my new girls would be to large for them. Since I live alone, I'm trying to make sure I have everything in place ahead of time. I will have someone stopping in one a day and someone calling once or more a day for the first 10 days or so after surgery, and then hopefully by then I will be able to drive... Hopefully sooner! My post op appointment is 10 days after surgery. I also have arranged for someone to take me grocery shopping once during the first 10 days ago that I won't have to carry anything heavy but can still get more food. In planning on eating healthy frozen meals some coming will be hard, and I can't eat a lot of foods, so it's hard to have people make me things.

Hopefully I've got it all covered... This waiting is killing me... I just want to get going already. I know this last week will go fast, but it seems like it's going to be forever! I will try to check in one more before surgery. Wish me luck!