41 Year Old, 36G (No Children) - Looking for Relief - San Diego, CA

First off, I'm 41 and I stand at 5’5”. I have no children, and currently weigh 155 pounds. I've seen something similar to my story repeated on here by so many women. This is a bit long, but it's partly for me to just get it down, like a journal of sorts. I got my breasts as a young lady, and they came in fast. When I was 11 I was starting a new school, and I was shopping for “back-to-school” clothes with my mom. There was this tank top I wanted badly. It wasn't something I normally wore. She splurged and got me two! It gave me a little confidence going in, which I needed because I had social anxiety. As the year passed I made new friends, and as the year passed my boobs started to grow. By the end of that school term those tank tops became half shirts that barely covered the bottom of my matronly bra I was now forced to wear every day. The next year was another new school where I quickly became “that girl with the big boobs”, and was receiving unwanted attention from the boys and the girls. I started wearing larger shirts to try to hide my still growing bosoms, but they were always apparent.

Time passed and my breasts continued to garner attention, only sometimes I was flattered and able to use them to my advantage. C’mon, we've all done this at some point. During that time I often wore the wrong bra size, because going that size up meant nothing at all stylish was available. And forget going into VS with my friends to try something on. That was a lesson in embarrassment. Nope, I'll just wait here with my soft pretzel and people watch. As I got older I began to work in finance, and was suddenly required, as I climbed the ladder, to step up my professional clothing game. Okay, nothing with buttons would work, so certain blouses and jackets were out. The tops I could wear had to be big enough to cover my breasts fully, which meant the clothing was too large for my size 10-12 frame.

Jumping to years later, every time I go in for my annual physical my physician asks “is this going to be the year you decide to have the reduction?”. I always say “no” and consider it for, like, a second and then drop it from my mind. However, I turned 41 last year. The previous 2 years some depression had caused a 20 pound weight gain, and although I was trying hard to eat clean and work it off, I was having trouble because working out too much was painful. My back and neck were always sore, I was getting those underside rashes, and my migraines were getting worse. This year at my physical when my doctor asked me that same question again I said “sign me up!”. He gave me the name of a plastic surgeon he had heard good things about (A. Gupta) and I called the next day to make an appointment. Once I met him I felt very comfortable, and didn't seek a second consultation with another surgeon. He told me I was a 36 G (holy crapoli I had never bought a G bra before), and I was an excellent candidate for the surgery. Just had to get a mammogram, and in the meantime he would contact my insurance in order to get the approval we needed to move ahead.

Mammogram was fine, but I knew the insurance was going to be a battle. Aetna refuses everything initially, and you then have to fight to get it overturned. His office staff knew this and were on to the next step before I even got my denial letter in the mail. Awesome job ladies! My insurance finally said they would approve the surgery, but only if the doctor removes at least 745 grams from each breast. That was considerably more than my doctor had proposed. They use a standard calculation based on your height and weight (remember I had gained a few pounds and at that time was at 168) to make the determination. What's funny is on the Anthem BC website the same calculation would have required the doctor to take at least 500 grams. Told you Aetna was the worst! Finally discussed it with him and said I just want this pain to stop, so let's do the surgery. I'm shooting for a decent sized C cup, but I'm getting whatever satisfies the insurance and he deems to be symmetrical, while staying closest to my goal. He's also doing liposuction under each arm to make sure they are “streamlined”. (I laughed at that). That way the incision won't ever be visible if I have a top or bra on, and there won't be any flap of skin hanging out when I wear a tank top or sleeveless dress. I've seen some of the photos on here where the surgeon tried to cut back farther than the actual breast and remove tissue. They do not look, cosmetically, like what I want to have. So I'm getting an anchor incision, and underneath it will be completely hidden in the crease. Since I'm already paying for the underarm lipo, I am having him do my stomach and flanks as well. A) the machinery will already be out, and B) I am eating clean and have been working out diligently until a couple of weeks ago without seeing a huge improvement in my belly. I know there are some sort of abs under there.

So, my pre-op appointment is 05/25/17, and my scheduled surgery date is 06/02/17. I thought I might as well start posting my story now because journaling, and making lists and/or spreadsheets, soothes my anxiety. My goal is to be prepared because I don't want to worry as the day gets closer. I'm excited (that might sound weird), and I feel like going into something knowledgeable and with a positive attitude can make a huge difference in your recovery.

I'm now compiling a list of questions to ask at the pre-op appointment. So far I have about 40ish. Really. Lol. RealSelfers are there any questions you wish you had asked your doctor prior to your surgery but didn't?

Just over a week away from my pre-op appointment and I'm anxious. I have been getting supplies I will need together so everything is ready for surgery day. Want to make sure my mom has what I think she'll need to take care of me, and want to ensure I have whatever is going to make me comfortable after the surgery. I've probably gone overboard with the planning at this point, but that's just who I am. Haha. Herein lies the anxiety...while I am really excited about my upcoming procedures, it's hitting me how much things are costing that I hadn't really thought about. On top of what I have to buy pre-surgery, then there will be the expense of new bras (regular wireless, then underwire and exercise) and new tops that aren't XL (basically my whole closet), and possibly new skirts/shorts/jeans if the lipo changes the size in my bottom half. It's adding up to more and more each day. I don't know why the thought hadn't occurred to me sooner, but now it has me worrying.

Today is my pre-op appointment and I couldn't be more excited. I've got my long list of questions to have the doctor answer today. I'm so ready for this surgery!

I've stopped taking my multivitamin and fish oil supplements. I'm now only on Vitamins C & A, Zinc, Iron, and a probiotic (to counteract the effects of the antibiotic I anticipate he'll prescribe). I'm making sure I eat adequate amounts of protein and fiber as well. I plan to start my Arnica two days pre-op, and will begin the Bromelain supplement after I get home from the procedure. The day or two prior to my surgery I'm going to start replacing some meals with nutrient dense semi-liquid, or even liquid, foods to help combat the constipation from the anesthesia and pain meds. I can't imagine having the pain from the liposuction and being constipated. Yuck!

So skipping off to the pre-op I go!