36 Year-old, Mom of One, New York, NY

Thank you, my first buddy :-) yay!

Yay! And a UK one too...

Yeah - I think so! I'm in more pain than I expected - had a friend who had her BR a couple of years back, and she said she had hardly any pain, then the pre op nurse told me it was relatively good on the pain side compared to other ops (as no muscle cut or anything) - but I have found it uncomfortable. I guess I'm only less than 2 weeks post though, it's major surgery, it's bound to be a bit sore! Think I overdid things yesterday and am paying the price now :) But do feel really light and def look slimmer! It's pretty extreme as far as weight loss programmes go... :)

Also - be prepared to be quite horrified at how you look at first! Because you have to get cleaning the wound site quite soon, you really get to see it all up close - and it ain't pretty! It freaked me out to start with - someone has literally taken your nipples off and then stitched them back on again - it's weird.

Ok so you're freaking me out, I hope I have a good stomach to look at the new nipples :-). I hope you start feeling much better. Well I've only had two surgeries in my life a cesarian (sp) and a lap procedure so I'm a little familiar with the pain, albeit it's been eight to ten years. How long were you out of work? I'm thinking I'd take a week off, at least my doctor's secretary said a week would be good.

Sorry!! Don't mean to freak you out - keep in mind that I'm at probably the worst point now :) So, I had to go back to the hospital this am and have an infection, so got started on the antibiotics, so that was the reason for the continuing pain. I guess in terms of your work - it depends how physical your job is? I'm nearly 2 weeks and nowhere near being able to drive, also tiring quite quickly - but everyone is different. I've been working from home which has been great - think I would have gone stir crazy otherwise! X

Hi Ms Zoe. Thank you for the best wishes! It really is a painful feeling when the twins fall to the wayside lol. I want them where they need to be without the pain though. I Actually wanted to do this about 12 years ago and my then fiancé said you don't need to, they're great. I thought to myself well you're a man so you enjoy them any size lol. I am ready for a new me! Pain free and happy. I wish you the best of luck with your journey.

Thanks!

MsZoe, I am with you in our new journey of life. I'm concerned why your Dr. would recommend losing 40 lbs prior to scheduling surgery. I went yesterday for my Breast consult which will be covered by Insurance and also asked an Abdomimalplasty (Lipo/Tuck). I've been through 4 Spinal surgeries, 3 in the past 9 months, have been on Permanent SS Disability and can only exercise with Aquatic Physical Therapy. Though I would love to lose 50 lbs, due to my short 5ft 5in statute....even with a nutritionist it's almost inconceivable for me. Though my point is, my PS said I had no risk due to my weight. I wish you best of luck

This profile pic is my favorite, of course it was taken 5 years ago.... but it gives me inspiration of what may come back to me some day in regards to my body! Besides, my son was so cute and still is though he's going off to college next year, I will miss him deeply

Hi Abreault1, I think they want me to lose the weight maybe because I am pre-diabetic and have asthma. It is weird though because when I was 220, my pcp wanted me to lose weight before she would refer me. I have no intentions of going below 190. I have been that weight before and I like being a little thicker. 190 puts me in a size 12/14 and I think that is okay. It is hard for me to exercise as well due to back and neck pain, but something will work out. I have an appointment to see a surgeon in my area who comes highly recommended for an evaluation, we will see what he says.

MsZoe, thanks for replying to me. I know I need to lose weight, I'm only 5ft 5in and need to lose 60 lbs to not be in the obese BMI range. Unfortunately I gained 70 lbs in the past 2 years, due to my physical disabilities. I've tried every diet pill, because I'm also pre-diabetic only .10% rate to be at the Diabetic level. I also have Atelectasis which means there are small lower pockets of Alveoli collapsed in my right lung, unfortunately this is due to an Auto Immune Disease known as Sjogren's Syndrome SSB. It's a battle with me trying to plan which surgery first: Spinal Neurostimulator Removal, Endoscopic Salivary Glands plugged and my most anticipated...the Breast Reduction / Lift. I view all the woman on here and am so inspired by their stories and successful outcomes, along with those whom unfortunately have failures. Thanks again and we'll continue down this journey together. ☺

WOW....U WILL B FINE...TAKE CARE

I'm so sorry you have all of this going on, but admire you for remaining positive. That is one thing I have a problem with doing. I haven't tried any diet pills because I am afraid, I have known of people to die from diet pills and I do not want to be one of them. I am going to talk to my pcp and see if there is anything on the market that is safe with all my other meds. You will be fine and everything will work out, just keep the faith.

I know the feeling of the concern in taking any other pills. I've discussed my request for Rx diet meds with my PCP, but all are contraindicated based on 4 of my current Perscriptions...do to my Fibromyalgia and Depression. Though....this is why I try my best to be positive, regardless of the fact that when I walk by a full length mirror I have to look away. I've gone from a medium to an XL in 2 years. But I have many other blessings in my life, like I'm going to be a Grammie again to two new babies in Feb& March. I'm 44 and will be the Grandmother of 7, yes my Husband is 8 years older than me. The unfortunate thing is we're in NY and their in Cali. I wish you the best in your next PCP appointment and journey through life as well. Inspiration and Faith are always by my side!

Ab- thank you for the well wishes. Now onto you, you've really been through a lot. I'm sending you prayers for this difficult time period. I think as long as your primary doctor says it's ok, I'd say hi for it! You don't need extra heavy breast while battling other ailments. I wish you luck in your upcoming surgery and other issues. Glad to have you join, I've found the few I've met are very supportive and encouraging.

Thanks Knewme2014, for your words of encouragement. I went today for my consultation and the Doctor was 99% sure that my Insurance would cover the procedure. I should know within a month if it goes through, then hopefully the surgery can be scheduled before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I can't have the surgery in their Ambulatory Center due to my Cervical Surgery in my neck which could cause I tubation complications. Glad to have joined☺

I just had my reduction and lift done yesterday. Yes, I did go through my Insurance and it was approved, due to the fact that since January 2013, I have had 5 Spinal Surgeries from my neck. (1 plate/ 6screws) down the thoracic (2 laminectomies) and finally Lumbar Fusion of L4-5 & S1 (6 pedical screws/ 2 titanium rods)
This last surgery was diagnosed 7 months Post-op as Post Laminectomy Failed Lumbar Fusion, by body rejected the bone graft....since then I now have 4 Auto Immune Diseases and 11 other Severe Medical Conditions. I'm 45 and on SS Disability. I used to be a successful Executive for Calvin Klein at a size 2/4 and now I'm at a 14/16 because I can't exercise unless it's aquatic PT. I gained 70 lbs, though now since I had my procedure I plan to start core strengthening by using exercise balls.
I was in shock when I woke up in the Hospital recovery room... I was a 42 DDD and went to a full C. Though when you are bound up so tight with cloth bandages it looks like I'm much smaller. I love my Surgeon, she was very thorough with explaining the procedure and all the post op recovery. I see her next Wednesday and will be able to see the size and she will fit me with a surgical sports bra first.
I'm so happy, next is my tummy. Though this may not be covered by Insurance, my Surgeon said that most Ins Companies wont cover a tummy tuck with lipo unless the fatty disgusting pouch covers your "vagajay". LOL
I wish you the best of luck, I had my Surgeon submit to the Ins Company every Medical Record from all my surgeries, bloodwork, Physical therapy, Dr visits from my 5 Specialists and the more data you can obtain is better for an Approval.
I'm already on Pain Mgmt due to my Spine, Fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia and Poly Radiculopathy.
So it's 9:30 and I think it's time to eat something.
Best wishes to everyone.
In a few days I'll send a few pics

I am going to do it as soon as I am cleared. I want to be healthy so complications can be minimized. Whatever I have to do, it is going down. My aunt had reconstructive surgery and she lives in New York, her plastic surgeon was awesome! She lost both breasts to cancer. She was on medicaid. I am going to try and find out his name and will update you.

THANKS..I WILL B LOOKING FORWARD

Thanks MsZoe, I live on Long Island, NY. I have selected a PS and just waiting now for the Insurance approval.

Okay, great! Im glad you found one.