4 Weeks Post Op and doing good (touch wood) new pics too! - England UK

I'm 34 years old, 5'3", 123lbs , and a bra size 30GG (uk size). I'm married with 2 children aged 10 & 5. I'm scheduled for a Breast reduction on the 3rd of September this year. My breasts have been a few different sizes over the years at the ages 15-19 I was a B/C, then after taking the contraceptive pill at 20 my breast size was a D, i had my first child at the age of 23 size E/F then I had my 2nd child at 28 size GG/H. my breasts are now GG cup size which I put down to pregnancy and breast feeding. In the last couple of years they have really begun to affect my health. I have asthma and carrying this weight around on my chest really doesn't help along with the insane heat they produce underneath aswell. I get really sweaty underneath in the summer which in turn means horrid rashes. I'd say I've been unhappy with my breasts for the last 10 years, but more so the last 5.

Don't get me started on clothes shopping it's just a trauma. I have a small body frame with what I call 'comedy boobs' lol. You either get something big to disguise them and look like your wearing a tent or you get something fitted and sometimes your bursting/spilling out and people just oggle you. swimwear arrrggghh!! My husband has been very supportive and is happy for me to get this done, though he says he loves the breasts I have he's seen the struggles I've had over the years.

I have gone the private route (nuffield health) to have my reduction as I really didn't want to have to argue my case through the NHS and have other people decide whether they thought I needed a reduction or not, it's my decision! Although I do appreciate I'm lucky that I can make that choice not everyone can.

I'm really loving this site and don't feel alone in this process anymore. I have a 2nd appointment with my consultant surgeon on the 15th August I'll keep you posted!

Ok so on the 15th I had my 2nd consultation with my surgeon, it couldn't have come sooner as I was starting to flap about things and making mountains out of molehills.. Basically over thinking ( which is what I do best!!) He answered questions I had regarding nipple size and position, what size sports bra to get after, he suggested 32c which is a size up on my band size to account for any swelling. He asked how my asthma was I said its under control at the moment. I felt calmer after this appointment . I also signed all paperwork so that I don't have to do it ( think about it) on the surgery day.

Today I had my pre op appointment it was very quick (20 mins).Filled in form about medication and allergies, next of kin etc. She took my blood pressure, oxygen levels, temperature all were fine. Peak flow fine for me. She took 3 swabs testing for MRSA (taken from nose, armpit and groin area :/) . If I don't here anything by Monday they are clear ( so no news is good news I guess !) . I had 3 tubes of bloods taken . She reminded me about the no eating after midnight, I was to check in for 7am and my theatre time was 8am... Which I am so pleased about because I won't have time to think about it!!

I have been and got all my bits and bobs,sports bra, pj's etc, just need to pack my bag over the weekend...

... 5 MORE sleeps !!

Well it's all done!! And I'm doing really well :) I was emotionally drained yesterday so couldn't do update, couldn't think straight!

So I was admitted at 7am, shown too my room by the ward clerk and given a gown, attractive paper pants (lol) and dressing gown to put on. A lovely kind nurse then took my blood pressure, temp and oxygen levels and we went over my allergies and was given wrist bands accordingly.

At about 730 the anaesthetist arrived we went through medical history, asked about any previous operations etc. he said as I was slim and had asthma he was not going to put tube down my throat for breathing as he didn't see it as beneficial and was likely to cause more issues afterwards. he told me he wouldn't be using the gas mask either because of my asthma just aneasthetic straight into iv.

Straight after my surgeon arrived to do my markings, surprisingly I was very nervous about this as I've seen so many different variations I didn't know how I was going to react if I hadn't seen his type of markings before. Once he left I had a look and i was very pleased with the symmetry of them and you could clearly see the amount that was going to be removed. it only took him about 15mins, oh and before he drew on me he took 3 photos for my medical file. He said I should be called to theatre between 900 and 930 but it was 945 before the nurse collected me from my room. It felt like the longest wait ever!! My husband walked to the theatre doors with me we had kiss and cuddle, don't know how but I kept it together.

I was passed onto theatre nurse male but really kind!! I was taken into small narrow room and asked to get onto bed, some pads were put on my back, then I lied down. The aneatheatist put IV in my right hand he did a good job hardly felt it, he told me that he'd put some painkiller in IV, then he said he was putting the sleep medicine in and some people find it stings but I can honestly say i didn't feel it. I got a little teary at this point he said the medicine will feel nice when it got to my head , I looked at clock it was 10am this is the last thing I remember

I woke in recovery fighting my way out apparently lol, which disturbed one of my dressings I bleed a bit so it was changed with no further bleeding I don't remember this happening. I do remember saying I was in pain they said they'd put some pain meds in IV pain settled quite quickly. That is the highest pain i had been the whole time. My husband said I was wheeled back into my room about 1.15pm. So actual surgery was 2 1/2 hours not bad!

Pain has been very manageable I would even say its more of a stingy discomfort. Pain relief has been co-codamol and paracetamol every 4 hours. I had an ok night, I slept on and off.

Surgeon came to visit me this morning said everything went well he took 520g ish from each breast over a kilo all in all.

Drains were removed this morning. Not very pleasant but over quickly.

I'm at home now which is lovely. Go to outpatients next Tuesday to have dressings removed and see my new boobies for the 1st time!! I'll keep you posted :)