Yahoo! Got my insurance approval today! My story...
Yahoo! Got my insurance approval today! My story begins like so many I've read, big boobs since before I care to remember. They just keep getting bigger too. I'm currently wearing a 34G/H on a 135lbs 5'4" frame, and will post pictures later on in the process. Just not ready to face the nude pics yet. I like to live in denial about how big the girls are but the numbers don't lie.
I really didn't believe my insurance would approve me but now that they have I'm feeling very nervous. Now it's REAL! I need to settle down as I still have 2 months until surgery. I'm a very private person and will most likely tell only a few family members and VERY close friends about the surgery. Everybody else will just have to figure it out. Should be fun watching their faces try to figure out what I did. Because I'm so private this forum is ideal and gives me a group of ladies that know what I'm going through. My husband tries but has no idea (not his fault). Thanks for listening to the first part of my story. I look forward to the process of change. I'll post an update when my surgery date is set in stone. Maybe then I'll be brave and post a before picture.
Thanksgiving/Christmas
So many friends on FB post things they're thankful for in the month of November so I'll share with my new friends on Real Self. Today I'm thankful for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why? Because they are the busiest holidays and will keep my mind off my surgery on January 3rd. I can drive myself nuts thinking about my boobs! Can anybody relate? I know the next 2 months will fly by but right now January 3rd seems like lightyears away. Can't Wait!!
Pictures!
I finally got brave enough to take a few pictures. The girls sure look big! I could topple over with these hanging from my chest. No wonder my shoulders hurt so bad.
Come on January!
I really don't want to wish the holidays away but hurry up Santa!! Momma needs new boobs!! At this point I'm trying not to talk about surgery to the hubs too much. Only He and my daughter (and his boss :() know about the BR, oh I almost forgot my sister. I just don't want to wear anybody out. My business is picking up again and I'm making plans for January so I'll have to let my boss and partner in on the secret soon.
I had my mammogram last week and will see the GYN in 2 weeks, just trying to get all appointments in prior to surgery. So far I haven't heard if a visit to my GP is going to be required.
I've been reading all the updates and appreciate everyone. There is always good information that makes me more comfortable with my decision. Keep the updates coming! I especially love before and after photos wearing the same clothes. Makes me anxious to get this done and see what I will look like!
Happy Thanksgiving!
A few more days! Yikes!
My pre-op was this morning and all went well. My ps went over all the good parts and the possible bad parts of the surgery. I'm going with all good parts and thoughts! I had a list of questions and felt good about the answers so going forward feeling well taken care of.
I have opted for going as small as possible. That will mean removing between 600 and 700 grams. Hope the hubby is okay with that but not too concerned, After all I'm the one wearing these heavy things! I got my Rxs filled and bought a couple of front close bras. The ps uses drains so I'm concerned about leakage and ruining a bra then not having a spare. Also he does not recommend the use of ice. Boo! Says it slows the healing process by restricting blood flow. Anybody else heard this?
I'm so excited! Come on Friday!
Doubts
Ok y'all. I'm starting to freak out a little bit, maybe alot. My thoughts are running wild with what could happen. If the surgery center or doc called to cancel I would be relieved.
What if my boobs are horribly disfigured? How will I deal with that?
I've never had a surgery before and certainly not something considered "elective" by several standards. I have the classic symptoms of back and neck pain but have lived with it for many years so I could probably go on living with it.
What if I end up with boobs that are waaayy too small and I look freakishly out of proportion? I have to admit my hubs and I had a long conversation about size and now I'm doubting my "smaller is better" idea. He is a boob man but came around to my way of thinking after I explained how tired I am of everybody talking to my chest instead of my face. He had no idea! But still...what if they're too small?
Oh my! I'm really freaking out! Help me! I don't know anyone who has gone through this personally and feel quite alone. I could really use some encouragement about now.
On a lighter note...Happy New Year!
One more photo.
I guess I need confirmation that my boobs are really really big. In my head they a bigger than anyone else's...at least most people I know. The ps told the insurance company he would take between 600 and 700 grams or about half of what I currently have. Where do you think this will leave me cup size wise?
Still freaking out but not as much as this morning.
Quick update
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3 Jan 2014
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Day of treatment
I'm feeling okay, very odd and light headed. Ps took off way more than he thought. I'll post the grams later when I'm more lucid. Staying on pain meds hoping for a good night in the recliner.
Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers today.
Day 2 Post Op
Hello all! I'm feeling a little better today. Yesterday wasn't so great but I survived.
It all started at 5:20 Friday morning when the alarm went off. I had slept which surprised me because I was consumed with doubts and anxiety. We arrived at the surgery center at 6:30 and was called back by 7am. Was prepped and had a last visit with the ps about size. He assured me I would be pleased with about half the bulk gone. My husband gave me a quick kiss then I walked to the surgical suite. They had a lovely heated blanket on the gurney which I appreciated very much. The ps came in, locked the doors and spent the next 30 minutes marking me up. I only got to enjoy one of the leg massages before my lights were out.
I came to around 12:00 feeling nauseous and hurting pretty badly in the bra band area. The nurse loosened the bra and gave me pain meds and ice chips. No throwing up took place! They kinda through me out 30 minutes later and I was on my way home.
My husband was given all the instructions for pain management, drain clean out and measurement. He has been a champ ever since! Except he won't let me take this bra off! It's the worst on the face of the planet!!!! It's itchy!!! The orders say keep it on until I see the doc which won't be until Tuesday. Boohoo.
I have swollen hands and feet. Anyone else experience this? Been drinking tons of water and peeing plenty but the swelling doesn't go down. Now I have a head cold that's makes my ears ring but ill deal with that.
So far I haven't had any pain meds today except Advil for my head. I'm really just uncomfortable but not in pain. Still sleeping off and on in the recliner and don't see an end to that too soon. The nurse suggested I walk around often so I've been making laps around my house trying not to over do it but I'm looking forward to my bath and hair washing later when my hubs gets back from church.
I'm still a bit concerned about the size. The ps took over 700 grams from the left and 680 from the right. This is considerably more than we discussed, guess my breast tissue is more dence than we knew. I'll post a pic tomorrow.
Th good the bad and the ugly
Saw the ps for my first post-op appointment this morning. Everything is good, he took the drains out which was a breeze. My main problem is the sleeping. Sitting up or close to it and on my back seems to be giving me a headache. Not sure why this is happening but ill deal with it using Tylenol. I've been a bit constipated and have tried a gentle laxative with little help so now ill move on to something stronger. Just didn't want to take it earlier today because I would have to be away from the house for awhile. My son had to drive me to the ps and he would have been devastated if I'd had bathroom problems too.
The sad part is the ps took too much. I'm soooo small!!!! Ill get used to it but it may take some time. The loss feeling of the big girls has taken me by surprise. Anyone else have feelings of loss?
I've included some pictures from today. Warning! One side is pretty gross.
Bruises!
Yikes! Holy bruises Batman! The girls look pretty bad. I believe the hubs should not look for a few more days.
I've discovered a few things for those of you about to embark on this journey.
Buy 4 or 5 cheap front close sports bras. No matter what you do they get yucky. And where there's yuck there's smell. Trust me this will make you feel better.
Move around a lot! This may be uncomfortable but will make things easier for at least 2 reasons. You won't be as stiff and sore and exercise helps the BMs.
I will post more of my "ah ha" moments as they come to me.
The ps told me I could shower today! It was so nice. I almost got all the shampoo and conditioner rinsed and almost got my arm pits and legs shaved. Ill take "almost" over sitting in an inch of water any day. Drying off was a little more challenging but I'm clean and smelling good. I even put on real clothes today, my family will be happy to see this feat.
Sleeping didn't go well last night. I tried to sleep in the bed but got back in the recliner early this morning. For some strange reason sleeping up right makes my head hurt. I am NOT a back sleeper at all! Ill be giving this a great deal of thought today....Right after a nap.
The good news is I haven't had Rx pain meds since Sunday night. They don't seem to help with the headache anyway. The boobs are uncomfortable but don't really hurt.
Until later.
A week out!
This time last week I was in surgery. Today I'm feeling pretty good just no energy. I've been showering everyday and have gotten out the last 2 days but I'm staying in today.
Sleep still isn't good but I've figured out how to slightly turn on my side propped up with pillows in the recliner. This prevents the terrible headaches but isn't good on the back. I have been taking 1 pain pill every night mainly to help with sleep but should probably stop that soon.
My boobs still don't really hurt but I'm hyper aware of them. Actually they feel like stones, sunburned stones. Very sensitive and tingly. I suppose this means I have feeling in both which is good. I can't stand anything rubbing against them so wearing a tight bra is a must. Anyone else feel like this?
The bruising is getting better and the swelling is going down. I think I'm going to survive but my house is in disarray. Ill pick up a bit when I return from a walk to the mail box.
Until later...
Ugh
So I'm dying to vacuum the floors and sleep in the bed. Two very different things, i know. When did everybody start taking care of household chores again? I lightly swept and mopped on Friday but think the vacuum may be to heavy for me still. Sleeping is still not good. When did everybody start sleeping in the bed again? I think I'm over the swelling so that's not a consideration but sleeping on my side still won't work.
I took a short walk and got some sun today so maybe that will help my mood.
Boobs look good and continue to heal.
Until later....
Pink shirt
Here is a picture of the pink shirt from before surgery. WOW, what a difference!!!
I've slept in bed for the last two nights but not completely comfortable. I have tried to sleep on my side propped up and surrounded by pillows. This works a little bit but I'm so afraid of pulling out my stitches and bleeding all over the place. The incisions feel really tight and actually feel like an underwire digging into my skin. I'm not sure if my incisions meet each other in the center but that's where it bothers me the most. Good thing is I get the sutures removed tomorrow.
I had a serious need for a Sonic burger today and decided to drive my self. The burger was great but the drive...not so much. Way to much pulling along the incisions, it was scary. Guess I'm just a wimp.
Until later...
Healing with mixed emotions.
I saw the ps again on Wednesday. He clipped the sutures and removed the tape and boy do I feel better. The tape was too restricting. He recommended using A & D ointment and scar guard. The ointment feels amazing so I haven't used the scar guard yet. I've had a little oozing since he clipped the sutures which I didn't have before. I'm still uncomfortable but nothing I can't handle. Ps says my activity is still restricted for the next 2 weeks. Still no vacuuming for me.
I'm not happy with the way they look naked but love them under my shirt. My nipples aren't even and I have this odd pucker in the middle. The left is bigger than the right which is the way they were before so I won't complain too much about that tho. I think the pucker will smooth out over time but ill talk to ps about that next month. I keep reminding myself the reason I had this done was to relieve back and shoulder pain, which is better now.
I'm almost ready to show the girls to the hubs. Yep he hasn't seen them yet. Call me crazy but I want him to see them looking better and not have the "frankin boob" image burned into his mind. He'll be out of town for the next week so maybe I'll have an unveiling when he gets home.
Ill include some pictures taken today.
Until later...
Ouchie!
Sure hope I haven't done any damage to the new girls. Today I was driving down my street when some young degenerate shot my car with a nurf dart. You know what's coming next...I slammed on my brakes and the seat belt caught me. I let that child and his mother have it!!! This time a nurf dart, next time he could be throwing rocks or worse. Anyway I got back into my car, shaking and realized my chest didn't feel so good. That was a few hours ago and my boobs still hurt. I took my clothes off to inspect the damage and didn't see anything wrong but wonder if there will be bruises tomorrow. Do you think I should call the ps?
Over due update
I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since surgery. Where has the time gone? I'm feeling pretty good, still hyper aware of my new boobs. I don't have many zingers ( not sure that's a good thing) but definitely have feeling in the nipples. They aren't even but I don't care how they look anymore. Excited I don't have pain in my shoulders. They itch a lot so I've been using a cream the doc recommended. Last night I took my bra off to begin the twice daily maintenance routine and discovered two small spots along the incision under my right boob. They were a little bloody so I applied antibiotic ointment and a bandage. I won't lie, I'm a bit concerned. Healing had been going so well, thought I was home free. Maybe I scratched to hard?
Anyway...I received a bill from the mammogram and decided to check my insurance website to see if it was filed. Sure enough it wasn't but I was FLOORED to discover the surgical center charged my insurance $72,046.00. Yep, you read that right 72 thousand dollars!! I was there about 6 hours total. Surly something is very wrong. I called the insurance company to make sure I read that right. The lady started laughing and said it was correct. She couldn't see the details as the claim was in process but said it looked like the surgical center doubled billed. WOW!!! Even if they doubled billed that's outrageous! My insurance is covering the ps and surgical center at 100% but they were not expecting this huge amount. The ps only charged $7,500. The ins. rep told me not to worry, they will investigate and have been known to knock the payment down by $70,000. Has anybody else seen ridiculous charges like this?
I'm including a picture from last week.
Until later...
6 weeks update
Hello All - I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my surgery. Time just marches on! I'm doing great and getting better every day. I will see the PS on Wednesday for my 6 week follow up. It will probably take me longer to get undressed than it will for the doc to look at my girls. HAHA I had two little holes that healed up nicely and haven't seen any more but keeping a close watch. The PS recommended Scarguard twice daily but I used that up and switched to Mederma. The Scarguard is like a nail polish and dries quickly but I didn't like having to peel it off. The girls are so dry that I continue to use A & D ointment at night.
My scars are flat and soft but still red. No worries there. I've included a pic of the cleavage area, it still doesn't look great. I have no idea if swelling is still an issue. The way they look naked isn't really a great concern of mine as long as the pain in my shoulders and back are gone.
I did a little bra shopping last week and bought 2 soft cup no wire bras. Not sure I'll ever wear an underwire again. I need a little padding to keep the world from seeing my "head lights". The smaller breast size fits my body type so much better than before which makes me so happy.
Overall, I'm go glad I did this surgery. Anybody on the fence should just go for it!
Until later...
