28, No Kids, 36G and Hoping for 36C. SO Ready - San Diego, CA

Like most of you, I grew up with large breasts. They started at the ripe age of 11 and by 15, I was in D cup bras. I was professionally measured right when I decided to go on a weight-loss plan about 1.5 years ago and was shocked to find out I was a 36G (I'd been wearing 36DD bras). Wearing bras that were actually my size definitely helped after this, but the horrible back/shoulder/neck pain + tension headaches did not stop. I was hopeful that my plan to lose weight would decrease their size.

Six months and minus 20 pounds later, I got re-measured. No change. I was crushed. Not only was I still in pain, but finding clothes/bras/swimsuits that fit were an expensive, patience-testing nightmare. I went shopping to find a new dress for my company's holiday party last year -- it took me four stores and three hours to finally find one I loved that fit me. Not only that, but I haven't been able to run comfortably for years, something I used to love doing. I do pole fitness for exercise almost exclusively, but I do really want to be able to run again!

After a ton of research and thought, I decided that this was the year I make a reduction happen. I had an initial consultation in June, and my insurance, to my immense surprise and delight, approved full coverage. My pre-op appointment is actually tomorrow (9/7) and my surgery is scheduled for Monday, 9/19. I'm excited, nervous, hopeful, and anxious all at once. Mostly, I want the pain to go away, but I'm apprehensive about how my breasts will look and how I'll feel about them afterward. It's been part of my identity for almost 20 years (albeit unwillingly); getting used to smaller breasts will be a huge paradigm shift. But by and large, I am very excited for this. I'm hoping to document everything here so that others might find this helpful, as I've found others' reviews here helpful, too!

My pre-op was a couple days ago, and it went very well. I got tons of questions answered, received a booklet with pre-/post-op instructions, and my surgeon addressed all of my anxieties with me. This is all feeling a lot more real now. I'm still feeling more nervous than excited at this point, but I think that's pretty normal. There's definitely a lot to look forward to -- just have to get over the mountain of surgery and recovery to get there first!

I'm getting more and more excited and nervous each day! Everyone has been so supportive and encouraging, and I'm sure I'll be happy with the results. I bought some button-up shirts and PJ tops for afterward, and I'll be getting my groceries and prescriptions on Friday. My boyfriend and I are taking a weekend trip up to OC to play around on Muscle Beach, have Jimmy John's and Lucille's, and just have a ton of fun before Monday. I'm really looking forward to that. :)

Deep breaths...hoosa.