39 Years Old, in UK, No Kids - United Kingdom, GB

I can't believe it has been nearly two months since I last posted! There was a time just after my op when I had to sometimes restrain myself from posting 2 or even 2 times in one day!

Well everything is going just fine, and as I had hoped my boobs are less important now in my life than they have been. It was getting a bit boring thinking about it, and hearing myself talk to my oh about it - he is so sick of the bra talk now i can tell!

Right now it appears that usually I am in a 34D bra, of course depending on brand. I have given up going to those silly expensive bra shops with silly ladies trying to sell me stuff by being pushy. If you are less than 4 months PO, although it is tempting, I don't recommend bra shopping to be honest - at least, don't get too hung up on it, things do change.

Although I haven't had time to do pics, I can say that I am 100% percent happy with my boob shape and size now. I don't analyse every little part of them, or put extra meaning into any comments from people that isn't there!

I have underwired bras now too - although a couple have become too big (I have lost 8 lbs since the operation though, so don't take this as confirmation that boobs will shrink this late on). Not keen on under wiring particularly, and I seek out more comfy bras if possible. Free people do a nice range, but the sizing is not great (a lot are S, M, L). Worth a look though.

Healing is just fine, nothing to report. The scars are still very ready, but don't hurt much even braless. I am putting a chemical free rose based oil on them - allegedly 2-3 times a day, but in real life more life once a day if that.

That's all really, all is well, and I am doing everything as before - even lifting weights, running (occasionally) and other training.

i should say, when she mentioned my right breast is bigger, I told her that the left is bigger, but she INSISTED - she is wrong ;)

Now I think I must be a glutton for punishment... I tried the last remaining couple of bra fitters in the area, in the non department store shops, just to see what fancy bra types are available etc. [Note, rant coming....]

The first one, was ok, although really quite pushy and I couldn't get a straight answer as to what she has in my size currently - she was more interested in showing me what she likes in a bra (at least she was enthusiastic about her stock I supposed). She also seemed quite keen on moulded bras... I will leave it at that. This, by the way, is my best one so far and the only shop I am prepared to go back to... I didnt have a fitting as no time, but at the lady is quite nice (if a bit over zealous).

I went in one today and was flabbergasted... Firstly, she managed to have me in a changing room with my bra off before I knew what I was doing. She manhandled me into a couple of bras (one a vile tshirt bra - non moulded, but hideous and I didnt like the shape in clothes) and one moulded - not as bad as I thought.

What I want to talk about here is her ATTITUDE (sorry for the shouting, I said it would be a rant ;)). First, she told me that my left breast was 'lower', not a nice way really. I said it is a bit bigger, but she said, no just low. Then she kept trying to make me 'lift' them with my hands so she could measure underneath. Now my old breast, yes, they need lifting to get a measurement, but I felt she made too much of this as I kept saying I wouldnt lift them any more as it was painful. Also, she kept 'telling' me I didnt have much swelling, then saying I did have swelling, and pressing on where she had decided this swelling was. She did keep manhandling me into the first bra, telling me how I was supposed to put myself in it apparently. So for the second one I said I would do it myself. Oh, and she also touched the incisions a few times for some reason I don't recall (and now feel annoyed about)....

Bearing in mind I was topless (and no bra) and facing her, she looked at my breasts directly and asked what I had had done, so I told her. She proceeded to tell me over and over how she had seen this many times before, knew all about the kind of bra i needed to 'drain the fluid' (the hideous one costing £50 of course). If she had seen it all before, would it not be obvious I had had a reduction.... ? Anyway, that doesn't matter I suppose, I just realised it afterwards.

In THTSB (the hideous tshirt bra - in lovely beige), she put me in a 36 E... the back was too wide, and was riding up - she didn't notice even when I was pulling it down. The cups were both wrinkled at the front, and we all know what that means, they are too big. The right one wrinkled more, as righty is currently smaller. She thought this one was perfect. I didnt.

The second one, was nicer and i kind of thought I might buy it later, and to her credit she did advise it better to stick with a softer, looser one than this, i.e. THTSB (the hideous tshirt bra). She went on a bit about how she would love to sell me lots of expensive bras, but it wouldn't be right to buy this one now. While I was in this bra, she told me my right breast is bigger, then pressed on the top a bit for good measure. She said that should be in an F cup really. Honestly I thought the bra I had on had too big cups - i think it was an F cup, 34 maybe (by this time, i stopped checking the size as she was clearly a lunatic with no idea about sizing).

Now, you ladies are going to LOVE this bit... she got in the (very small, damp) changing room with me, very close and asked what size i was before. I said about 32H in Prima Donna. Then she said, wait for it..... IF YOU HAD COME TO ME FIRST YOU WOULDNT HAVE NEEDED A BREAST REDUCTION.

Is it me? Am I really paranoid about this, or is that really insensitive? I was so taken aback I could hardly respond - I just said, believe me, I did need the op, I know that.

I then took both bras back to the till, and said thank you, I may come back in a few weeks for one when I can wear underwires. She said, with a shocked tone 'are you not even buying the tshirt bra?!' i said, no thank you. She then pulled a disapproving, tut tut face and shook her head a bit!

My hubby was outside waiting in the hot sun (he is getting used to, if bored, by this process now!) I didnt tell him about what she said until we got to the car, and I was a bit upset to be honest. He was fuming. He said he would have given her what for. I kinda wish I had done that, but it is a bit like having your hair done I think; you are in a kind of vulnerable position, and I never really want to do that when I am feeling like that. I am a very (maybe too!) assertive person most of the time, and noone would get away with talking to me like that, but in this situation it is very different... I feel a bit annoyed with myself though.

Excuse my Francais, but why are lingerie sales women such a pack of Bxxxxes!!

The funny thing is really, I would be prepared to pay higher prices for my bras, and if I found a good shop, with nice genuinely helpful people, I would go back there time after time. No pressure is needed to sell to me if I get what I need, but obviously I won't be going back to this one.

So it is back to Debenhams with me. I would have liked a choice of the more fancy lingerie too, but I am certainly not prepared to put up with that. The nice Debenhams ladies will sell me something a fraction of the price, with a smile and genuine helpfulness!

Anyone have any recommendations for lovely lingerie shops with good customer service, in the Midlands (UK)? I can't face 'testing' any more without knowing they will be at least a bit nice.

Also I have thought about sending her an email to the shop (it was clear she was the owner). Even if I am not offensive, just pragmatic in giving her this feedback though I fear she will take offense and send me something back that would upset me...Or I could send a letter without address........ Although, I could just not bother. What is the point? She was clearly stuck in her ways and wouldn't take the criticism as constructive. What do you all think?

[Rant finished now]

On the bright side, I bought two bikinis and one swimming costume online which are all nice and all I need to do is decide if I need all three!!!

I have attached a picture of a baby donkey - though it might cheer up this update a bit, as it is a bit depressing, sorry!