Breast Reduction a Must, Decision Whether to Add Tummy Tuck is Major Dilemma. What to Do?? Dallas, TX

So folks...two and a half months later. Sorry I haven't posted in so long. I have read many of your reviews for ideas and strength...thanks to all of you! Here's what has happened over the last 10 weeks or so: I met with a fourth and fifth surgeon (ee gads! Control freak?) Surely I can pick out of five, I thought. As I reviewed my notes and considered all of the consultations, I realized that no. 3 made me feel the most comfortable. One was great but a little green, one overly confident (felt like a number), one great but over-the-top pricey, another just didn't seem to understand how to approach the insurance side of the breast reduction and also had zero plan for pain. The last as they say was "just right." Dr. Smart makes me feel very safe and confident. We sent in pics to the insurance along with letters and... Hallelujah, they agreed to cover it! That took a month or so and when they called, I scheduled a date right away. One benefit to having more consultations than should be necessary was all of the surgeons' advice regarding procedures. I am going for it! Mommy Makeover: Breast Reduction, Tummy Tuck, and Flank Lipo. As might be expected and as many other women have written, this week has been a bit emotional. I'm nervous and on edge. I have nested like crazy, rented a raised potty seat, (didn't need the hospital bed as I own an electric reclining bed, nor electric recliner as I have one of those too.) Filled my prescriptions, signed all the waivers, paid up, set up the bedroom with clean sheets and absorbent pads I won't mind throwing away if they get a little fluid on them. Plenty of colace. My Mom flew in and is staying for three weeks. The doc had me come in today to mark my body, so tomorrow morning will be smoother. I have to be there at 6AM. Tonight I'm going to drink lots of water to hydrate and then stop everything before bed. Wish I could take some melatonin to sleep, but it's on the "no no" drug list, so I'll just have to hope to distract myself into sleep. I'm really hoping that the build up, fear and anticipation will be worse than the actual day tomorrow, but time will tell. I just have to show up and be brave until the anesthesiologist brings me that cocktail! I think it's better not to think about it than to sit here staring at these markings wondering how I will survive with half of my stomach skin....ee gads! Didn't realize that much was going to go. Please send me positive energy for a smooth surgery day, ladies. I mostly feel confident like "it will all be over soon." But one little piece is screaming, "What the hell am I thinking????" Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right PS sisters? Until tomorrow!!

I've for sure hit obsessive status. I've been reading up and researching until Im sick and at this point I don't think there will be that much more to learn by continuing to read and look at pictures. I've seen three surgeons in the Dallas area, all competent, but just haven't had that "click" yet. I have another appointment in two weeks, but waiting that much longer prolongs the time until I can start the insurance process. Hubby and friend think I'm being obsessive and should just pick my favorite of the three Ive met. But the insurance might take 2 weeks to two months anyway, throwing me into August, so what's another two weeks? Opinions? The longer I drag the more strain this puts on my courage, if you know what I mean ;(

I have 34H breasts and I'm 99% sure at this point that I'd be very happy with a breast reduction.....for the pain relief in neck and shoulders, for the fit of clothing, and mostly for the confidence and self esteem. I'm 41, 5'10", 135 pounds...a relatively healthy person and my breasts have always been out of proportion with the rest of me. I was a double D as a teenager and got larger with each pregnancy and breast feed each for a year. The result is sagging and ptosis of the breasts that are now an H. There is no wearing a t-shirt without a bra even in front of extended family. I have been wanting to do this for 20 long years, and I think now is the time. I recently lost my job and am home, and have a little down time before the new job search needs to be urgent. My kids are now older (6 and 8) and not as dependent on me, I recently found out that my insurance will most likely cover the procedure. It just feels like the time is NOW. Slam dunk.

So on to the big dilemma...should I add a tummy tuck?? I honestly never would have looked into a tummy tuck had it not been for the breast surgery research, but in doing so, I am realizing that my tummy after kids has gotten out of whack, and I am unhappy with the protrusion. I guess I hadn't focused on it because my breasts bother me so much more, and I never really knew there was a procedure that could potentially help. I always thought "tummy tuck' was all about loose skin and not tightening of muscles. Now I'm afraid that if I do the breast reduction alone, that i will love those but start noticing my protruding belly! Here are the angel and devil gremline in my head, and I need help figuring out which is which.

One school of thought: I'm just getting caught up. Tummy tucks are very very serious, painful, elective surgeries that should be the last resort for women and men with severe amounts of excess skin or stretch marks. I'd be taking an unnecessary risk adding a complicated surgery lengthening my breast reduction into a 6 hour Mommy Makeover. The recovery is months and I may get depressed waiting for the final results. I might end up as one of the 4% of women on here that severely regret their choice. It's selfish to take additional risks when I have two kids that depend on me to be safe and energetic. Is the long huge scar really any better than the pooch? Do I care more what my husband thinks of my naked body or what the world thinks of my clothes body? You're not that fat and you're being vain. Love who you are and embrace the war wounds of Motherhood. I have a close friend who thinks I am crazy to do this (of course she's super skinny, and also I also think she is jealous at the thought, which makes no sense). I am being selfish spending 7K of about 20K savings on myself when we haven't even decorated the house we moved into 2 years ago. P.S. Pain, pain, and more pain, and someone cutting me up and walking bent over for weeks and holy [RS bleep] what am I crazy???

Other school of thought: Thank goodness I thought of this before doing the breast reduction so I can have a comprehensive new exciting figure! Many of the before and after pictures are exciting and it's realistic for me to expect the same. Im going in there anyway, what the hell! When's the last time I did something for myself that felt this exciting? Tummy tucks aren't just for excessive issues, in fact it's better to be relatively healthy and close to a final weight. This way I can expect the best results. Mommy Makeovers are common safe procedures for a healthy person like me and the risk is minimal. The pain of a few months and down time are worth years of feeling happy in my new body. My kids will be happier if Im happier, and they're old enough to handle me being less than perfect for a few months. I will have help from my Mom for 3 weeks. I understand that this will be a roller coaster of emotions and ups/downs and that realisitic approach will make the recovery easier. We are all vain to a certain extent, its not a crime. And its really a matter of risk vs. benefit and whether its worth it to me. So I blow 7K on myself for a change! Would I really rather use that for decorating a house vs. making my own body aesthetically pleasing? Even My Mom and best friend admit that the pooch is quite noticeable and think I should go for it. It's gonna suck, and I might even regret it in certain moments the way one does childbirth, but no pain no gain, and down the road I'll be so glad I did.

So check out the pics and weigh in with kindness if you don't mind....