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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

Anxiously Waiting for Smaller Boobs! Let the Journey Begin....

ORIGINAL POST

Actually, my journey began about 6 months ago,...

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VanGal
WORTH IT$10,000
Actually, my journey began about 6 months ago, when after 10 years of debating whether I should get a BR, I finally mustered up the courage to ask my family doctor for a referral to a PS. You see, I have a hubby who strongly believes going under the knife should be ONLY for matters of life or death. I guess he sort of subtly influenced me over the years, until the pain in my neck and shoulders got so unbearable that 2 different spine specialists suggested I should look into getting a BR.
Since I live in Canada, the cost of surgery for someone with my proportions is covered under the provincial health plan. No out of pocket :-)...yey! That also means long wait time to see a doctor and even longer wait for the actual surgery.

ABOUT ME: I just turned 53 years old, have always had breasts that were bigger than my frame, but still in a good shape. I have a petite frame; 5'-4" and until well into my 40's used to weigh around 120 lbs. and wore a size 32C bra. I didn't feel disproportionate, just kind of "Apple Shaped" which a lot of people thought as sexy.
I had early menopause at age 46 (yikes!) and noticed that my breasts immediately grew 2 cup sizes. It's been an uphill battle since then. I kept gaining weight, dieting and losing it, only to gain it back and then some. Every time I gained, my breasts grew larger, but didn't retract when I lost the weight. I currently weigh 140 lbs. and wear a 34F bra. To me, this seems counter-intuitive, as every woman I know complains that she's lost breast volume with menopause. I'm going the other direction!
Even at my current "inflated state" my lower body is still a size-4. On my upper body, size 6 tops fit everywhere except the chest. The shirt that I am wearing in the picture is a size 6. To button it up, I need to get a size 10 which will still be pulling at the chest, but hanging loose & ugly everywhere else.

ABOUT MY PS CONSULT: Can only describe it as "scaaaaary!" I waited 6 months for the initial consultation which I went to yesterday. The PS I was referred to specializes in BR and does the highest number of medically necessary BR surgeries in the Province. He comes very highly rated in terms of his certifications, knowledge and experience. Unfortunately, his bedside manner lags far behind. I went in ready with my list of questions to ask about the procedure, risks, techniques, scar patterns, etc. etc. He briefly examined me and said: "yeap... you're covered, my secretary will be in touch to book surgery date". He did not give me a chance to ask questions. I felt so rushed. He was so dismissive of all my concerns, did not show me any before/after photos, did not want to commit to, or wouldn't even discuss with me what shape or cup size he'd think I'll be after the surgery. So much for consultation :-(
Maybe he does so many of these that to him, it is clear cut, nondescript case and he expected me to know all of that. To me, it's MY body, MY breasts, and I'm not a doctor, I need some assurance of what outcome to expect.
WHAT'S NEXT: I'm told the average surgery wait time is 6-12 months. I understand that it'd be best to be at your ideal weight before surgery. I'm about 15 lbs away now. I am somewhat physically active (power walks, yoga, etc.), will be increasing workout to 5-6 times a week, have already started my diet with the goal of losing 15 lbs before surgery. I am posting my "Before" pictures here to give myself motivation to stick to my weight loss plan.

VanGal's provider

Dr. Paul Oxley

VanGal

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I waited for 2 months after my surgery to write this review, because I didn't want to rate the doctor based on my initial gut feeling, but to allow ample time to evaluate his performance. I don't want to sound like a bitter bitch but honestly, no matter how hard I try, I can't find one positive thing to say about this doctor. He is severely arrogant and full of himself, dismissive of all patient's concerns, does not take the time to ask what you want and seriously impatient if you try to tell him what you want. Add to that the fact that he didn't make himself or any of his staff available for after-care. My surgery was on a Friday. He left the hospital before I woke up. A one-page generic instruction sheet was the only thing he left for me. There was no emergency phone numbers left. I read on this site that a lot of doctors or at least their staff nurse call the patient the day after to check up on her. All I got was "instruction" to go to ER in case of an emergency! At my post-op, I raised a concern about asymmetry of my breasts and a dog-ear under the left one. All he had to say was "that's not important". Obviously, it is to me, but he totally dismissed it and even refused to talk about a solution. A word of advice to my BR sisters in Vancouver: If you get a referral to this guy, please ask for another one and good luck!

Replies (9)

April 24, 2014
Hope you don't have to wait too long.. PS may be good but a good bedside manner is just as important . Call his office if you have any questions sometimes doctors forget you don't know everything about your procedure
April 25, 2014
I too have a wait for my surgery and hope the time goes quickly, this is probably the only time at my age that I want to go fast (Im coming up 50) Also the same as you my surgeon hasnt got much of a bedside manner, but in my experience as a nurse that is not unusual, a lot of surgeons have inflated egos, I just hope it shows in their surgery, good luck and I look forward to hearing about your journey :)
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April 25, 2014
Thank you so much for your support. Wish you the best in yours :)
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April 25, 2014
6 months for the consult is actually great - here in Nova Scotia I had to wait close to 3 years to see the surgeon. But once I saw him I had the surgery within 4 weeks. Now that I have had it, I wish I had done it years and years ago! Hope you don't have to wait too long for your date :)
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April 25, 2014
Thank you kah88, I just went on your post and checked your pictures. OMG you look AWESOME!!!
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April 28, 2014
Thanks!! I feel awesome!! I know some people on here were worried about being too small, but I wanted to be as small as possible and I am so pleased. I hope you will love your results as much as I do, and that your surgeon's bedside manner improves! It is a big deal and you have a right to know what to expect, and to express what kind of outlook you are hoping for! Can't wait to hear more about your journey :)
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April 28, 2014
Thanks for your support. I'm really excited. Although I don't have a surgery date yet, I already started my diet and weight loss is on track. Gotta get ready for it ;-)
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April 28, 2014
Thanks for the comment on my review. I hope you don't have to wait too long. I now have to work on losing weight, too. I haven't gone through menopause yet, but I definitely have experienced middle aged spread, which is largely due to my own poor habits :(
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March 16, 2015
looking great i had BR and Revision done April 2014 so almost a year have consult for TT tommorrow I turn 53 in may
UPDATED FROM VanGal
2 months pre

Weight loss progress before the BR

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VanGal
Hello my BR sisters. Just wanted to write a quick update on how my journey is proceeding. I had about 15 pounds to lose prior to my surgery (for which, I still don't have a date, yikes!)
Happy to report that about 3 weeks, I am a whole 10 pounds lighter, 5 more to go. Yay!
I am dieting seriously, have increased my activities and workout and it's showing. I am really excited. The size 6 shirt that I tried to wear in my initial picture is now buttoning up, though pulling profusely around the chest!
Meanwhile, I called my surgeon's office and requested a 2nd consult. I made sure to mention that the first one was seriously rushed and I did not even get to ask my questions. They usually don't like to do that, but that changed when I said the magic word: that I am also thinking of possibly adding abdominal lipo while doing BR. Long story short, I am scheduled for another consult, hopefully more thorough than the first one, on May 28.
More on that later.

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UPDATED FROM VanGal
21 days pre

Got my surgery date!!!!!!

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VanGal
Finally! I couldn't be happier, got the call this morning, to my surprise I didn't have to wait too long. I'm scheduled for July 4th! For those of you ladies in the U.S. who'd be celebrating the Independence Day, think of me as you're enjoying your BBQ!
I've lost 10 lbs, but stalled after that. Ideally will need to lose another 5 lbs. I'll keep you posted on my wait loss progress.

Replies (12)

June 12, 2014
YAY!! good luck and cant wait to see your happiness!! i will think of you as i am wearing my spaghetti tank top(something i use to couldnt do lol) while im popping fireworks!!!! everything will be fine!! :)
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June 12, 2014
Thanks Mallorie that's wonderful. I've been dreaming about strapless tanks for a long time. Too bad I'll have to go through this summer wearing a compression bra, but a small price to pay for what I can wear the rest of my life.
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June 12, 2014
Booby independence day! Good luck
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June 12, 2014
Thanks peedie, now I'm counting the days.
June 12, 2014
So excited for you! I too have been trying to lose about 5 - 7 more lbs before my surgery. its tough but hopefull worth it. What did you decide about the abo lipo? I am adding that to my BR too.
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June 12, 2014
I'm going to do the lipo as well. Figured if I ever want to do it, now would be the time. As I get smaller boobs, I don't want my rounded tummy sticking out!
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June 13, 2014
Congrats on the surgery date!!! So excited for you!!
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June 16, 2014
Congratulations Happy 4th of july!!!
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June 16, 2014
Thank you darling. I can't wait ;)