I'm Hoping It Was Worth It! - Utah

I had a reduction on Feb 5th 2013. I finally got the surgery I've wanted for years-and just in time for my 30th birthday on Feb 17th. I've always been large busted and people have been telling me since I was 16 that I would feel so much better after a reduction surgery. My aunts and cousins were ready to line up for a breast transplant- take some from me and share with them- and I had plenty to go around! I went from a 38HH to roughly a 38C. While everyone was telling me how great I'd feel post-reduction, they all forgot to tell me how crappy I'd feel till I had healed. I was absolutely not prepared to be in so much pain or feel so exhausted and depressed post surgery. My plastic surgeon must have assumed that I understood the extent of the physical toll because he didn't give me a lot of information or resources for the healing process. I had a list of do's and don'ts for medication and the week after surgery but it was pretty generic and could be applied to any surgery. Since then, I've done a lot of research and have learned that this post-surgery depression is fairly common and caused by a variety of factors. I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who feels like this. I've also learned a lot more about what is "normal" for recovery and what I should be concerned about (thanks, in large part, to information on this site). I really wish I had this information and these resources before and/or immediately after the surgery. I spent far too much time feeling confused and regretting my surgery- wasted time that I feel could have been avoided if I had just had some information and support from people who had similar experiences. I'm now several weeks post-surgery and have been working closely with a local wound clinic to heal a large wound on the inverted T area of my incisions. After weeks of pain and no progress and my PS saying it was fine, my friend (a nurse) urged me to get a second opinion at the wound clinic where they cut out a large area of eschar, or dead tissue. I now have an open wound that is starting to heal but is painful and looks nasty. I'm really REALLY hoping that in a month or two I can look back and say that it was worth it and that I'll be glad I went through with the surgery. People ask if my back feels so much better or if I feel like a weight has been lifted and I really can't say that it has. I just feel a lot of pain and am still tired a lot. Spending 4 hours alone in a hospital on my birthday was not the way I wanted to start out my 30's :) Again, I hope to soon be in the category of people who are glad they had a reduction and feel it was worth the time and money! Can't wait to buy bras at a regular store and not spend tons of money ordering special bras on-line. I'm ready to exercise without giving myself a black eye when my boobs bounce too high :) My left side is healed and looks fantastic. The wound care doctor says my right side will heal soon and look just as good. I hope this day come sooner than later!