After 25 Years, Taking the Plunge - Washington, DC

You're going to love it. Don't worry about them being pretty - they will be. Our 'before' breasts are very similar in shape and size (I had my surgery 2 weeks ago) and I couldn't be happier with my new little boobies. It will turn out great. Don't worry!

Don't be scared, it was my first major surgery as well. It went great and you will be so relieved! My breasts are still swollen since I'm only 6 days out but feel sure they will look great! You will be fine as long as you have a good doctor. As for the digestive tract, I would recommend that yogurt that's on tv. I didn't take pain meds but for a couple of days because they made me itch but have been fine without them. I was scared of the pain but the pain is not nearly what I thought it would be, although I know everyone is different. I feel great and am so glad I did it. You will be too! Saying a prayer for you!

Welcome, Se1f 1ove! I have a tricky digestive system as well. I have found that docusate sodium really helps as well as eating a banana every day. I would start taking the docusate as soon as you get home from the hospital because if you take any narcotics you more than likely will have trouble and I would continue to take it daily until after you are going to the bathroom regularly. The pain really isn't horrible and after a couple of days Tylenol was plenty. I'm sure you will love the results! Keep us posted on your progress!

Labs will probably include some blood work to check your hemoglobin level to make sure you aren't anemic, maybe your white blood cell count to show any hidden infection going on, probably a pregnancy test(just to make sure before they give you general anesthesia) some doctors also request an EKG and chest x-ray. Sounds like you've got a great friend that you can really rely on! That is wonderful! Wishing you all of the best of luck! I'm hoping this next couple of weeks will fly by for you!

i know everyone heals differently and everyone has different thresholds for pain- but i was also scared for the pain and there was virtually none. i mean, a month out, i have soreness and every once in a while a pain here and there but on a scale of 1 to 10? probs a 1! they say that since they don't cut through any muscle, this surgery, compared to others, isn't so bad for pain. what was more difficult for me was the fatigue- the downtime- and the movement restrictions. because there is so little pain, it was hard to be good.... june will be here before you know it! so exciting and the results are so totally worth it.

Hi Se1f 1ove, I am scheduled for surgery on the 25th of May, anxious as you are as well. My breasts look almost identical to yours, however I am a little chubbier than you..lol. I too am concerned about the pain but more so the restrictions, I mean, a month without putting your arms above your head, and no stomach sleeping, I am very busy with small kids and a not-so-helpful husband, but I know this is the right thing for me now. I worry about not being sexy and getting the second look from men I have enjoyed for so many years however, the pain in my shoulder, neck, and back and my inability to wear clothing I love is driving me to what I hope to be a great decision. Good luck to you...deep breaths.

I had trouble with bloating and constipation for years; I finally went gluten free and no more troubles. I don't buy a lot of gluten free products other than pasta; I just read labels and avoid breads. Just a thought, doesn't hurt to try! Good luck, surgery day will be here soon!

Hi Se1f! I'm 55 and a 36G. Haven't even had my first consult yet (coming in July), but I wanted weigh in here. First of all, not silly AT ALL to be wondering how a new man might feel about the scars. Hell, some of us who have been married for approximately forever are concerned about scarring. But when it really comes down to it, what are the chances of you being attracted to the sort of guy who's going to care about a couple of feint white lines on your boobs? I'm sure, like all of us, you've scoured the photos and seen how the scars really continue fading for a long time post surgery. And I also wanted to tell you that I too, am scared s*******, but the need to reduce my load and feel good about my boobs for the first time in MANY years finally outweighed my fear. When that fear takes hold, just remember what brought you to this point and how short a time you're investing for a lifetime of freedom. Just IMAGINE that first cami with NO BRA! I know....doesn't seem as though it could ever be possible....but it will be!

Finally, I am the self-styled queen of a slow metabolism. I love food and my body doesn't give it up easily - lol! I can tell you first hand that Dulcolax, as someone else mentioned, is the BOSS. Having said that, immediately after I had both my kids, I started eating a couple of (biggish) bowls of bran buds every day I literally took a box to the hospital and was eating a bowlful about an hour after giving birth (THAT's how worried I was about having my first...**ahem** afterwards) and keeping up with the water (and really ensuring I got down 8 -10 glasses a day) and it turned out that things couldn't have gone more smoothly (gross pun intended). I fully intend to engage that strategy again with my BR.

And, finally, when I start with my regular freak-outs, I remind myself that breast reduction has the highest satisfaction rate amongst patients who have had plastic surgery...I think it's like 94% or something. Even those FEW who have had complications say that they would do it again in a heartbeat. I cling to that like whatshername in "Titanic" clung to whatever it was she was clung to! It's all good. You'd be unusual if you WEREN'T scared. Just keep your eye on the endgame!

SO exciting. I wore pullover shirts a week out that were stretchy enough that I could kind of keep my elbows at my sides while pulling them on.
Unless you can get someone to do all the packing and moving for you, I can guarantee you that you will NOT have the energy and will not want to risk your recovery...i would wait 3 months- that is, unless you have someone who can help in a serious way.
do i miss my girls? NO! not for a second :) i still have my girls- they just don't weigh me down (on many levels!)

I worried if I was going to miss my big girls too. I was afraid that if I wasn't the chick with the huge breasts who would I be. But guess what I discovered? I'm the same person I was, but I can move more easily, I have less pain, and it is easier to do all of the things I love to do and I can now do many things I had never been able to do before.

I was able to do a bit of shopping a week after surgery...and I was ready to get out of the house for awhile too. I certainly didn't have the stamina for an all day mall adventure and I ran out of steam pretty early on but if you have someone who wants to go with you and hang out in the lengerie department for about an hour you may find that is a nice diversion.

As far as your PS, are you comfortable in your decision with her? Do you feel that you can trust her and her skills? I think it is a personal decision with the PS. I did take pictures with me to my consult but not because I thought I was suppose to (actually I figured I would irritate my PS by doing it) but because I am a control freak and wanted to feel as if I had some say in this whole thing. I think you have to trust your gut.

But you will not be ready to move! Unless you have someone who will do all of the packing and moving and unpacking for you, it would be a couple of months before you are even close to ready and even then you may find you tire pretty easily.

Good luck! Keep thinking those positive thoughts! And just imagine how great summer will be when you are strutting your stuff in tank tops and sundresses!