53 Yrs Old, 5'4" 170, 34G to D with Lipo

First let me say how much I appreciate everyone who's taken the time to write their story. It's so helpful! The details and the pictures are great for knowing what to expect during healing, where otherwise there'd be endless opportunities to freak out...:-P.
About me - I've been thinking about this since I had my son almost 13 years ago. I was a reasonable DD, and quite fit, but it all went to hell with a pregnancy at 40, lolol! Totally worth it, but now I want my body back, or as much of it as surgery can give me. As I lie here typing this, I have to physically lift my boobs out of the way to get my t-rex arms close enough to my body to type. My boobs just ooze right into my armpits and snuggle there. The upside of the sag factor is that the weight isn't all on my chest, but they do affect my breathing. I'm active and athletic, and I'm really hopeful that they'll be less of an obstruction when they're done. I tried playing golf once; that was comedy gold. I play competitive tennis, and I'm sure smaller, higher boobs are going to positively affect my stance, center of gravity, and stroke.
As I get older, the aesthetics matter less to me than the long-term health/joint benefits, but vanity definitely plays a part. I remember going to see one PS for a reduction, and he told me I'd be able to wear a backless dress. I literally cried in his office. I'm sure some of you can relate. The fit of the clothes, the ease of buying normal sizes, the perky bralessness (I haven't EVER had that, as my girls were saggy from go), all these things are like a dream! I'm really looking forward to being able to see my waist! That earlier doctor told me a reduction would give the impression that I'd lost 10-20 pounds, just because I'd have a more visible waistline! Alas, I was not ready, and chickened out of the surgery date.
Part of my problem is that my husband is vehemently opposed to this. He's afraid the scarring will turn him off to the point that he's no longer attracted to me. He's visual, I get it, but it's made it so much harder for me to make this decision in my own favor. I saw two other doctors over the years, and chickened out each time for fear I'd lose my husband. This time, though, I'm determined. My shoulders always hurt, as does my back, the strap grooves are ridiculous, and I think I have permanent channels dug into my shoulders. I have constant irritation and rashes under my breasts, and the underwire leaves regular bruises. so painful at the end of the day. Or the middle of the day. All the time, really.
Anyway, this time last year I started looking for a Plastic surgeon again. I asked around and finally ended up finding one on the internet. This is not a good thing to tell people who worry about you, lol. Anyway, his reviews and those of his staff were amazing. I went to meet with him, and though I was initially awkward, scared and a little defensive, he was great. SO kind, clear, and patient. So I did what anyone would do - I let him perform surgery on my face to make sure he was good enough to do my boobs, lololol! Seriously, though, I had drooping eyelids to such an extent that I couldn't really see when I smiled. Just pillows surrounding my eyeballs. He did the surgery last June, and I'm really happy with the results. He's even going to do a minor touch up or two while he's got me on the table. Like many of you, my surgery is covered by insurance, so there's a waiting list. A few days before my eyelid surgery, I got a call from the hospital to book my reduction for the next day! I freaked out, nearly threw up, and then said no thank you, lol. That happened a couple of times. Every time I said no, I thought they'd push me back another year on the list (it's generally a 1-2 year wait) but I just hadn't got my head around it. In September they called me in to do a pre-op visit and various tests, but no date. I got a call for a January date but again said no - too soon!!! They said they'd be calling me in February, but I hadn't heard anything by the end of March, so I called to make sure they hadn't kicked me off the list. The coordinator gave me a date right then and there, and it was perfect! Enough time to prepare, and the date falls in a perfect time frame for me to be able to heal. Good sign! I look forward to hearing from you all, and to reading you!

So this is a fairly comprehensive “before” collection. I’ll be having lipo on my trunk, my chin, and around the reduction site. I really trust my PS, so I think I’ll give him free rein with the lipo. I’m not sure it’ll be a one shot deal.

My surgery date is still over 3 weeks out, and I’m already nervous. I tried on a bra today and thought “they don’t look so big, and they look GOOD in a bra”. Then I thought about scarring and it made me a little sad. I think this is probably normal, so I’m trying to focus on the positives.
1. I can currently wear one bra cup as a hat. And so can my husband. That is far too much boob.
2. No muscle will be touched, so it’s a less painful and serious recovery that some surgeries.
3. Everybody looks so perky in their after shots - it’s so encouraging!
4. 97% “worth it” rating.
5. Covered by insurance, woot woot!
6. My nipples dangle somewhere near my navel at the moment. They can only go p from here.
7. No more 2-Sports-bra workouts!
8. No more bruising of ribs from the massive underwire.
9. No more rashes or deep grooves in shoulders/chest.
10. At least reduced head, neck, back and shoulder pain.
11. More freedom and ease in physical activity, and less obstruction for sports like tennis. Also, better center of gravity and better posture?
12. Backless dresses!!!! Cami tops!!! No more bra muffin top!!! No more side boob!!! Right now I look like I have 6 boobs, lol (actual boos, side boob, top boob).
Let me know your thought; I could use some encouragement today. Not looking forward to the pain, but not freaked out be it either. Hope you’re having a lovely day!