Breast Reduction - 48 Yrs, 40 J, Vancouver BC

I found this site a couple of days ago, as I was preparing myself for my upcoming surgery. I know I need to have this done (having big boobs makes you look older than you are & I'm starting to have issues with shoulder blade pain). But I will admit I am starting to freak out a bit, it comes in waves, I will probably break down on Monday - day of surgery. Getting house in order, cleaning, gardening (when will I have time afterwards) and thinking what do I need for me before surgery. Apparently ice packs, so I will get those, people say a Hanes Comfort Fit Bra (I will check them out, if they fit comfortably around my body, then I guess the size will be ok), special soap to wash my body the night before & they day of, water jug, drink cups with straws, books, mags and TV, extra bedding & pillows (too late to get a recliner now), munchies of chips or chocolate (who knows what I may want or if I will want them, better to be prepared). So busy weekend to keep my mind occupied so I don't panic - ha ha ha.

Today is surgery day... and I am surprisingly calm, so far. I had all my liquids up until 9 this morning, had my coffee no cream, wish I would have had a green tea instead, feel a little jumpy and I was fine before, oh well. Have to be at the hospital to check in by 11- surgery at 1. I have my drink cup and straw, a sandwich made for when I get picked up (ate at midnight last night - big bowl of mini wheats - will be starving by surgery time, hahaha) and a pillow to wear in front so I have some protection from the seat belt (found that on pinterest of all places, but thankful because I didn't know how I was going to have a seatbelt across my chest). Just got off the phone with pre admission and toenail polish is ok, yeah saved the pedicure I had last week on vacation :) And also asked about feeling anxious and they said that they have Ativan prescribed just in case, common procedure. Took all my before pictures yesterday - naked (wow do they look different when you look at them in that form - they're big), with bra, in clothes. Will post pics later to compare to same pictures. Feeling excited - Im getting new boobs - have to keep myself upbeat about this and not think of the pain ahead of me. Off to do some yoga stretches to calm myself, have my final scrub down shower and then we are off to the surgical day center. Big breath here - all is good, I'm doing the right thing, all will be ok :)

I'm doing really good & I was panicking that I would be in a lot of pain and not doing so well - but know that you will be ok. They're sore, swollen and aching but I'm taking meds every 6 hours and I am really good - thankfully. So, I will explain my day yesterday, which went well. A difficult part for me was the IV, I have little veins well hidden and they always have difficulty - I got very emotional & teary, she suggested the Ativan, I explained that it really was the IV process which I am fine with once in. Then I felt nauseous but I think that was the no food or water and the cocktail of meds I had to take (2 advil, 2 tylenol and 1 oxy) with about an ounce of water - that should upset anyones stomach. The Dr came in and did his artwork (took a pic because it was interesting to see). Then the Anesthesiologist came and commented that my take home meds wouldn't be heavy duty as it was a superficial wound (?!) My breasts are being cut up & thats superficial, anyways.. I have a very low pain tolerance & that was one of my greatest fears. Everyone was so nice and cheerful - which made for an easier experience. My recovery was longer than expected as my blood pressure was low & my oxygen level low. They gave me oxy when I woke up & again before I left. I was prescribed Tramadol & Antibiotics for home. My husband & kids came to get me, they agreed that they were "little". But my daughter commented that I looked so skinny (and I'm overweight) so that was nice. I do look slimmer and feel so much better, but still hope that its just me and that they aren't that little. I ate the sandwich that I made early in the day - thankfully as they gave nothing but ice water in recovery. REMEMBER THE PILLOW for the ride home. I didn't feel the seatblet at all - it was fantastic. I didn't have drain's, yeah, and I have internal stitches so I can shower in 4 days. We came home & I rested, we have a leather swivel chair recliner that was comfortable to be in, they said I had to be upright for the next few days when sitting or sleeping. I slept on our chaise lounge last night & it was ok - too upright, may have to bring up the recliner tonight. I woke up at 5 this morning, but not because I was in pain, which was a good sign considering my fear of pain. I let my husband sleep until his alarm went, then I took my meds and crawled into bed with pillows - will need more pillows if sleeping in our bed, the recliner really is so much better. I had a lot of seepage through bandage and bandeau top & had hard swelling on one breast which they said to watch for. Made an appointment with family Dr, he put on new dressing and we used tensor bandage wrap until I could wash the bandeau which I feel better wearing. I briefly saw them in a side mirror in examining room, they look way too small & I cried on the way home. Hopefully they aren't and I'm just in shock from how much is gone, who knows. Feeling more tightness, tenderness and bruising as the day has gone & definitely needing the meds every 6 hours, not bad just not wanting it to get any worse. Feeling tired but I'm not one who can nap during the day, & it doesn't help that I got calls today & people visiting, all very appreciative but maybe more than I could actually handle. Again, the pain is not what I was expecting - which I am so thankful for, it is tolerable :)