Day 3

Today I had to go back to the surgeon's office for my first post op visit. Three days out they remove my drains that I had and change my dressings.  I've read other people's stories and heard other people say that it hurts really bad when they take the drains out so I was really dreading this appointment. The nurses tried to make it as painless as possible and pulled both drains out at the same time with one nurse on either side of me. They counted 1-2-3 and pulled them right out.. It really wasn't that bad. It hurt like the pain from having a shot for a second and then it was over. Nothing I couldn't handle or anything that made me cringe, etc. So that was a relief. They had me laying back on the exam table when they did this, so I didn't get up to look at my breasts just yet. I could tell from just the tops of what I can see that they are a lot smaller but really swollen and tight at the same time.They had me put on my old bra with the under wires removed an two extenders to make the band bigger around since I'm swollen. This is the bra I will wear until I go back at two weeks to be checked again, then I can start to try out different bras they said. The cups are really loose on this bra that I wore daily before surgery, so that was great to see! I have to change the dressings three times a day now so I'll get to see my breasts this afternoon. Dustin said they looked a lot better than he expected them to right after surgery. He said they were bruised but not as bad or as bloody as he figured they would be. Also good news- the nurse wiped my incisions down with alcohol (which sounds painful but it didn't hurt) and I could feel her rubbing the alcohol pad on my nipples! So yay for still having sensation!! I'm really happy with what I can tell so far about my size. I was afraid I would wake up and feel like I no breasts at all left..but they are still very much there..just a lot better looking and they really do look like they fit my body much better. I can't wait to see them settle into their final shape/size so I can see the real results of the surgery. I'm still very excited and so glad I had this reduction done! Wish I had done it years ago!!

Days 1 & 2

Surgery Day

After all the waiting, surgery day has finally came and gone! On the morning of surgery, I had to be there at 8am, and I was the first surgery of the day. My fiance drove me to the plastic surgeon's office, and we came in a side entrance to the surgery center. One thing I really like about my surgeon is that he has two surgical suites in his actual office so I wasn't in the hospital at all during my surgery.I love that because I was never in the hospital operating room with all the extra germs and risk of infection that can come with that. Since he uses his own operating rooms, my surgeon has never had anyone with a breast infection since he's been doing surgeries, which was a great statistic to have! I was excited, and nervous the morning of, but the nurses assured me that there was nothing to be worried about and they would be taking great care of me. Right at 8am, the nurse came and got my fiance and I from the waiting room. We went back to a patient room where I was asked again for safety about any allergies, etc. After all the questions, they ask you to get fully undressed and change into a gown, hair cap, and some nice itchy warm socks with grippers on the bottom. They had me get fully undressed because since the surgery was over three hours they used a catheter inserted after I was under anesthesia to make sure you don't have any accidents in the OR..which I appreciated! :) They also insert a breathing tube which they also did after I was asleep. After I was dressed in my gown, they sent my fiance off to the waiting room, and I went right to the OR to be marked for surgery. My doctor came in after the anesthesiologist had my IV in my hand, and just drew on my breasts with a green sharpie marker. The whole process was so fast, and after I was marked he asked if I had any final questions before they got started. I didn't, so the anesthesiologist and nurse got me situated on the operating table, and I saw the anesthesiologist inject something into my IV that he said would make me feel a little wacky. That was the last thing I remember anyone saying, and the last thing I remember was staring at the handle on the lights that hang on the ceiling above the operating table. Next thing I knew I was waking up laying in a bed in recovery! I wasn't in any pain, just uncomfortable, and I felt like I needed to hold my breasts. They weren't hurting, just sore. I remember stretching and pulling on the little thing they stick on your finger to keep track of your pulse. I realized I was doing this in my semi-conscious state and kept apologizing to the nurse haha. My parents came back to see me, and I remember seeing both of them, and the nurse telling them that I did great and they got everything proportionate, etc. and giving them care instructions for the drains they put in for swelling. My fiance, then grandmother, and other grandmother took turns coming back to see me. As I woke up even more, I asked if I could get up and go to the bathroom. I really felt like I'd be just fine to get up and go, and I was. I was nervous about peeing after the catheter, but it didn't hurt any worse than peeing with a UTI, and it only hurt a little that very first time, so that wasn't bad at all. I put my normal clothes back on with the nurse's help after I used the bathroom, and she got me into a wheelchair. It seemed like just a few minutes later they were wheeling me out to the car to head home about 2:50 that afternoon. I don't remember much at all of the car ride home, I was still pretty loopy from the anesthesia at that point. I slept some when I first got home, and took a pain pill so that I wouldn't be in any pain once the anesthesia wore off. I was really worried about being nauseous after surgery from the anesthesia too, but the anesthesiologist assured me that he was going to give me three different types of anti nausea medication, so I was never once sick and I am so thankful for that!! I was awake and talking at home, visiting with my family, and was really hungry. The first day my instructions were to just have clear liquids, and maybe some soup, etc. if I felt up to it.. Well, I started out with a pudding cup, then had a grilled cheese quesadilla, then had another a little while later, then ate two hot dogs for dinner! I really couldn't get over how normal I felt! I was up and walking around, not really sore at all since I was taking my pain medicines. My finance works third shift, so my mom spent the night to take care of me, and my dad came over after he got off from his second shift job. I didn't need really much help even though I was so glad she was able to stay with me. My mom, dad, and I watched a few movies and just hung out really, I was feeling good! I mean I seriously remember being more drowsy/ feeling worse after having a filling at the dentist than after this major surgery! I was going to the bathroom and getting up/ down out of the recliner by myself except when I had been sleeping and was really scooted back into the recliner, I needed their help then.

Day 2
Day two I could tell I was beginning to swell and have a lot more soreness than the first day. Still not in any pain, It just felt like it does when you work out really hard and your muscles are sore. My actual breasts weren't really sore either, just my sides where they did liposuction to remove additional breast tissue. I was up and walking around, even stepped out into the yard to get some fresh air and see my animals. I went from taking a pain pill every four hours to taking one every 8 hours because I just didn't feel like I really needed it that often. I slept off an on, and had a sub from subway for lunch. My dad and brother came to visit, as well as my future MIL. It stormed really bad in the afternoon, so I used that time to nap and watch some TV. That evening, my grandma brought over a pizza, and we had that for dinner. My sides were starting to show some bruising, and I'm really nervous about having my drains taken out and seeing myself without bandages for the first time. I bruise fairly easily, so I'm sure that's going to be a scary sight!

I love my other blog (Jolly Farm Journal) and the freedom it gives me to write as much as I want about my animals and life on the farm, and the fact that it allows me to look back and see where we've come from as I document each new event. I am starting this blog to accomplish the same thing-so I can get out my feelings and document my journey through my first ever surgery (breast reduction) that I know will change my life for the best. I wish I would have started this blog as soon as I started this process, but I tried to not get my hopes up in case for whatever reason I wouldn't be able to have the surgery. 

So my surgery is TOMORROW! I really cannot believe it's going to happen. I have wanted this surgery for at least 9 years now, and the fact that it is TOMORROW is something I really almost can't believe!! I am having a breast reduction, and there is tons I can talk about on the topic, but I guess I'll just answer the most common questions I get when I first tell people I am having the surgery for now.


1.WHY? 
Well..there are many reasons why someone would have a breast reduction. My reasons are personal and are as follows:

A. I HURT. My neck, shoulders, back, arms, etc. The weight from my breast causes so much added strain on my body. I can literally lift my breasts up with my hands and immediately I can breathe better and easier and can feel the stress come off of my back. I am so excited that the surgery will permanently do this for me! I also have tingling/numbness in my arms and fingers from time to time because of the pressure from my bra straps that are supporting my breasts digging into my shoulders (where I have indentions as well). After a long day at work (especially during the times when I have held down two or more jobs that make for super long days) my back bothers me especially bad. 

 B. My breasts hold me back from participating in things I really want to do. Since I know certain activities will cause me and my back to be in so much pain (jogging, hiking, etc.) I choose not to do them even though I know I am missing out on fun things. It's just not worth the pain. 

C. I want to have the freedom to buy normal bras and swimsuits!! I really have never been able to. Have you ever looked for a size 36H-36J cup bra (size depends on the manufacturer) or cup sized swimwear when you were out shopping for yours? If not, I encourage you to try and find some next time you are shopping. Stores just don't carry them. I am so excited to never again make another trip to Breakout Bras in Greenville, or have to special order items online just so they'll fit my chest. In addition, I don't think I have ever paid less than $60 for one of my bras since the larger sizes are so expensive. I'm excited to not have to take out a loan to buy bras anymore!! (lol)

D. I want to feel better about myself. Not even trying on dresses or cute tops because you know without a doubt that they won't fit your breasts is not a good feeling. Trying on something I absolutely love only to have my breasts squish out the sides and/or top, making it something I cannot wear has left my discouraged and in tears in more than one occasion in a dressing room. I'm so ready to not have that to hold me back anymore, and being able to shop freely without shopping for things to fit my chest will be a great confidence/ self esteem boost!

E. I want to sleep comfortably. I have to sleep on my side most nights because my breasts are so large and in the way. I can't sleep on my belly comfortably because they are under me, and when I lay on my back they make it difficult to breathe and are in my face/ under my neck. (lol..it's okay to laugh..it really is ridiculous! haha)

F. I was teased a lot because of my chest when I was in middle/ high school. Because I developed so soon and my breasts were so large, boys especially would make comments about my breasts, and it was a lot of attention that I didn't want, and I became really self conscious because of those comments. Since then I have become a master at disguising just how large they are. I did a lot of research to make sure I have selected great bras that support my breasts, I wear compression undershirts to make them less noticeable under clothes, and I try to select and wear clothing that is not very revealing. I am an intelligent woman who is much more than a set of large breasts, and I don't want them to be peoples' focus when they see me! 

In this picture I was probably 11-12 yrs old. You can see I started early in the breast dept.!! I was already a  D/DD at this point in 6th or 7th grade.

2. Why don't you just lose weight? Won't that make them smaller?
The short answer is NO..and I tried that. I lost almost 40lbs in 2010, and my breasts remained the exact same size they were and still are. In meeting with my plastic surgeon, I learned that  in young women, breast tissue is mostly fibrous and/or glandular-not fat.  So, for a young woman like me, losing weight will not make much of a difference because there is not much in there that weight loss will remove. (That explained a lot) My large breasts are a developmental issue..I grew breasts way too large at a very young age, and they can only be made smaller with the reduction surgery.


3. How much does surgery cost?
I am very blessed to have insurance paying for my surgery 100%! It was approved through my insurance company in just two days! The only costs I am responsible for are my $1000 deductible and any prescriptions I need. My surgery was approved because I had notes from several doctors saying that the surgery would benefit me, along with photos and support documents from my plastic surgeon; so it was obvious to the insurance company that this surgery was medically necessary for me. 


4. What does your family/ fiance think about it?
I could not ask for a more supportive family/ fiance!! They have all been a great source of support for me, and know how much having this surgery will benefit me, and they are excited for me too! They have seen me struggle for years with this issue and are glad I will not have to worry with it anymore. 


This surgery and recovery I am about to start will be a long process. I have so many emotions leading up to tomorrow morning, but mainly I am excited and hopeful for a future with smaller breasts!