Breast Reduction - Part 11 *1 month Check up*

Yesterday was my 4 week check up (although not technically 4wks until the 9th) and it went well =) The doctor says I'm healing great, except for one area under the left side that is taking a little longer. I have been given the "go ahead" to start using ScarGuard and tape for my scars now. (Heads up to any who will have this done, ScarGuard is a tad expensive lol) - Click here for more info on ScarGuard -

I FINALLY remembered to ask my doctor exactly what size I was (I know I was a little bigger than DDD) and exactly how much he had taken off each breast. So, my size was actually an "F" and he took just under 3lbs from each breast. That is about 6lbs total!! Holy Moly!!

Now, as far as how I've been feeling... I'm still swollen, but it has come down a lot and I'm still a little bit sore. Not unbearable and nothing like it was 2wks ago. There is no bleeding or oozing (except a tiny bit under the left side where it is taking longer to heal).

Looks? Well, the right side is still bruised and is more swollen than the left side. It seems that overall the surgery was more traumatic for the right side. The shape is still a bit "footballish" because of the swelling, but my doctor tells me that this will change as they continue heal. They will fall into their normal shape as the swelling continues to go down and the scars continue to heal.

I have some days where I feel great when it comes to my energy levels and then there are days where I do the dishes and feel exhausted. I have to keep reminding myself it hasn't been that long and I still need time to recoop lol... plus I think my thyroid meds are whacky...AGAIN.. ugh...

Oh! I can also go without a bra now!! What a relief too...wearing one for almost 4wks straight (except for cleaning the area and bandaging it back up again) was hell. I like being "free" lol

My next appt is in 6wks... so let's break down the timeline...

June 2011 - I had my doctor put in the referral request for the plastic surgeon.. it took about 2wks for Tricare to approve it but I had to wait until August to set up my first appointment because I was going to be gone in July.

August 3, 2011 - My very first appointment with the surgeon, my consultation appointment. He said I was a great candidate and he put in my referral for the actual surgery itself. It took 2wk for Tricare to approve the surgery.

August 31, 2011 - My pre-op appointment! I signed some papers and got my meds and after care instructions.

September 9, 2011 - The day I had my surgery.

September 14, 2011 - My first post-op appointment

September 21, 2011 - My second post-op appointment

October 5, 2011 - My third post-op appointment, the one month mark


So, it took me about 3months to actually get my surgery done once the first referral was submitted to Tricare. It may have been shorter because they could have gotten me in the surgeons office for my first appointment in July, but I wasn't gonna be home lol.... Not a bad timeline though. =)

Breast Reduction - Part 9 *2nd Post-op*

I'm almost at 2 weeks since I've had my surgery and I can say that I thought it would be so much worse!! Well, today wasn't fun at all... I had my 2nd post-op appointment and even though I wasn't in there long, I wasn't thrilled. I know my doctor didn't mean to hurt me, and it wasn't bad, but it was bothersome...

He took out my stitches today and was feeling around. I am mostly numb but I can feel it and it was uncomfy. I bled a little bit and now, hours later, I'm really sore. Good news is that the doctor says I'm healing nicely!

The only thing I liked about the doctors visit today was when the doctor came in after I had put my robe on. I opened my robe and he said, "look at this perky lady!"...lol... my boobs haven't been perky for years! hahaaa.. so yeah, I loved the perky comment.

All in all, I'm so happy I did this! Next appointment in 2 weeks =) /update lol

Breast Reduction - Part 7 *Healing*

It's been 3 days since my surgery and I'm not in too much pain. Mainly discomfort and soreness. I've been blessed with friends and family who care and help. On Saturday, my friend Dee took the kids so I could get uninterrupted rest and Darrell waited on me hand and foot...he has cleaned the house and on Sunday he cooked a nice roast dinner. He helps me with my bandages when I need him to and he does it all with no complaints or ugly faces... I'm surprised he doesn't run and scream, they look horrible lol... but I know that is only temporary.

Here is me recovering =) - Can't really see the "tata's" but we have time for that lol

Today, my friend Mistie called and said she wanted to stop over because she had something for me...awww... the thought alone was sweet enough! Then I saw what she got me! For one, I'm a coffee drinker... she got me a mug so that was perfect... then, I just love the design on it! The saying on the mug just topped it off...

"Friends are like a good bra, they give you all the support you need."

How fitting... lol

That's all for my update =)

Previous post --> Breast Reduction - Part 6 *The actual Surgery*

Breast Reduction - Part 6 *The actual Surgery*

The big day, September 9th 2011, has come and gone. The entire day before my surgery I was anxious and felt sick to my stomach. Every little thing annoyed the hell out of me and I just wanted to be left alone. Well, left alone to a certain extent. I wanted people around but I wanted quiet... wasn't happening lol.

The night before my surgery my daughter was very upset and I laid with her to help her go to sleep. She was crying. I didn't think this would have an impact on her but apparently it did. She has heard me talk of going to the doctor and getting surgery and I was gonna have stitches and need to rest and heal. She knew I wasn't going to my regular doctor like I do every 3 months (for my thyroid). She confided in me that she was scared and didn't want me to be hurt. She wouldn't let me leave her until she fell asleep. While we were cuddling I explained to her why I was willing to go through a little bit of pain to have less pain in the long run. I think I explained it the best I could to a six year old lol...

My daughter finally fell asleep and I took my valium and went to bed...got nookie, since it will be a while before I do that again!! lol... and I passed out. I slept restlessly and despite thinking I was gonna have nightmares, I didn't. We got up and I got the kids up for school. Darrell and I left to get to my appointment on time and Staci got the kids off to school for me... love that woman..

I showed up to my surgery appointment in button down jammies, my cowboys blanket (don't be a hater lol), my daughters ariel pillow she made me take and my Scentsy Buddy Roarbert the Lion. Yes, I cuddle with a smell good stuffed animal. Now you know my secrets.... I also had to have all my medications with me that I had gotten at my previous appointment, the pre-op.

We went in and waited in the "fish room", which is the waiting room for the surgery patients but they call it the "fish room" because of the big fish tank. Darrell sat with me on the couch and cuddled me a little because I was scared... boy was I scared... like, really, really scared..lol

My nurse came and got me and she took me to get ready. I had to put on these stockings to help with the circulation in my legs and this paper type top that opened in the front. I also had to pee in a cup for ANOTHER pregnancy test just to make sure, which I knew I wasn't pregnant, but they have to cover their butts! Then we went into my prep room and I met my other nurse too. We got to talking about the stuff I brought with me and it turns out they both love Scentsy and one of them took the one catalog I had on me and I'm taking more back when I go next week...always working! LOL... anyways...

I was weighed and my temp was taken and my blood pressure too. They gave me my anti-nausea medicine and put my IV in. Then the doctor came in and made the markings on my boobs with a green marker and a measuring thing... I felt a bit awkward at that time because he was drawing on me and lifting me and my nipple were getting hard. I knew it wasn't sexual and I knew he had seen it a hundred times and it was like nothing to him, but it made me feel funny lol... I pushed it to the back of my head though and kept telling myself it had to be done...lol

After he finished with the markings my nurse went and got Darrell to come in with me for a few minutes before they took me back. The anestesiologist came in too and asked me routine questions and gave me a muscle relaxer to get me ready... then it was time for me to go... I said bye to Darrell and wished with all my heart he could have went in with me, but I knew I had to brave it on my own.

I really don't remember much. I remember going into the surgery room and laying on the bed and putting my arms in the arm rests and that is it. I woke up with Darrell by my side. Apparently when I came to I kept telling the nurse "I want Darrell, I just want my Darrell." Awwww lol.. I wasn't in recovery very long... I think about an hour. They helped me to the bathroom and then wheeled me out to the car. I remember bits and pieces of the day. Darrell was making fun of me about how I was eating my fries on the way home...he had stopped and got me McDonalds since I was starving..

I remember my daughter coming home from school and cuddling up with me for a minute, she really worried I wasn't gonna be there when she came home. I was home by like 2pm.. My surgery was at 9am... I didn't have any drains put in and I felt okay yesterday. Of course I was still high from the anestisia lol... I was a little sore, not too bad... my hubs went and bought a new bed and I couldn't even sleep in it! Can't wait until I can though lol..

Today, my second day of recovery, was worse. The pain is worse, but my drugs take care of it pretty well. My friend Dee offered to take the kids so I could relax and it has been nice. Darrell and I went to dinner and then went to get me more gauze pads, tape and an ace bandage to keep me tight while he washed my surgical bra. I must say that my husband would make a great house wife! Haaahaaa... seriously though, he has really been a blessing to me right now.

When I changed my bandages today I cried. I don't really know what I was expecting.... I mean, I know it wasn't going to be all beautiful and looking silky smooth, but I wasn't prepared for what I saw. I know it will take time to heal and they will look better, but it was just a shocker for me... and now on to the questions from my post on *AWDIWH*...

"Felicia Blank - How sore are you? Hope this doesnt come off the wrong way but what was your reason was there a medical concern?" I'm feeling sore like I've been in a car accident... the worst part is doing my bandages... that is more sensitive as it should be expected to be lol... every so often I feel a bit of a burning sensation around my nipple area... not too bad though, just like a paper cut kinda burn and it only lasts for a few seconds...I have been thinking for a few years of getting a reduction. I was a C cup in my teens and into my 20s... I went up a size with each kid and didn't go back down. Then last year I thought that maybe they would get smaller when I lost weight...well, I lost 50lbs and my chest didn't get any smaller... I have had back pain, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, and I started getting indents in my shoulders from my bras. When I would work out or be out in the heat too long I would get rashes underneath... I just couldn't stand the pain and discomfort anymore.

"Annie Colson - Can I have what they took out? President of the itty bitty titty committee." If I could have given them to anyone, I would have recycled them in my ass... LOL... my ass is non-existent! haahaa ..and now I'm in the itty bitty titty committee with you, so move over and make room! lol

"Christina Souza - What size would you need to be to be considered for a breast reduction?" I don't know that there is a specific size... I'm sure each size is different depending on the person and the build of their body.. from what I understand they go by your overall health and problems caused by them... I was told I was a good candidate for the surgery because I had the back pain, rashes, neck pain, shoulder pain, indents in my shoulders and migraines... the best thing you can do is talk to your doctor. Tell him you want a referral to see a plastic surgeon about a consultation for a breast reduction.

"Sarah Craig - how bad does it hurt. im considering it myself" Well, I'm only on day two so I don't know how bad it will be tomorrow or the next day, but I didn't wake up in any pain... just a little discomfort. They really do well with the pain control. Well, where I went anyway. The thing that hurt the worst for me was the needle they gave me for my IV lol On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd say my pain is about a 3... I keep up on my meds... I don't wait until I'm hurting real bad, I take them every 4 hours.

"Randi Rodriguez - If I may ask what size are, or I guess were you? I have considered it but haven't done anything because I don't have pain ... Yet. how old were you when you started having pain? I am 27 and a DD. Maybe I just lucked out with no pain?" I was a DDD or a tad bigger...I'm 31 now and I noticed more pain with my weight gain. My weight has been fluctuating because of my thyroid and the big breast just make it all worse. So I went from a DDD to a C. I can tell a difference already. Even though I'm sore and swollen, I can feel the lightness and it is great!

"Bethanie Delerson - did u have to go under for that? Im freakin scared of the anasitia(sp) its preventing me from going now.. any words of wisdom since you been thru going under?" Yes you get put under for it. I really wasn't too scared of that b/c I've been under before for some things, but to make it an overall more pleasant thing for me, I brought some things from home to have with me that comforted me... like my husbands cowboys blanket, my daughters ariel pillow and my Scentsy Buddy with one of my favorite scents it that calms me... the little things help.

"Jessica Whitney Crowe - Was it covered by tricare at all? Just had my second baby and im really not into these double ds...." Yes, Tricare covered it all. Since you just had a baby, I would see if they go down some. I know mine didn't go down after I had kids, they just kept getting bigger lol... But I don't think I would get it done if you're not done having kids. Only because they might get bigger again. The only things I've had to buy for this was my button down jammies, my gauze pads, my antibiotic ointment and I'll be buying "scar guard" at my next appointment. The surgery itself and all your pain meds are covered.

"Samantha Slifer - What are your restrictions?" Nothing strenuous for 2 weeks and I can't lift my arms up high. My doctor told me to just take it easy and rest the first 2 weeks and then do things as I feel able to... He wants me to get up and walk 4 to 5 times a day, not like outside or anything... just move around the house some...get the circulation going and all..

Here are my previous posts about my Reduction...I've written about it from the beginning when I decided to have to have done =)

Breast Reduction - Part 1
Breast Reduction - Part 2
Breast Reduction - Part 3
Breast Reduction - Part 4
Breast Reduction - Part 5

Breast Reduction - Part 5

*Small Update*

I got my call this morning from the nurse to confirm my appointment for tomorrow. I have to be there at 8:15am and my surgery is scheduled for 9am... TALK ABOUT NERVOUS!! I'm so ready for it though.

Sweet moment - my husband tries to be all "hard" and whatnot... well he has expressed his nervousness for me as well... I won't say exactly what he has said to me, but it makes me feel good that he is open with me about his feelings on this... he has gotten over it and is supporting me 100%. He gets 5 points for putting on his big boy underroos =) hahaaa

Rundown from now until tomorrow morning -
I can't eat after midnight - (makes me think of Gremlins - don't feed him after midnight lol)
Tonight when I go to bed I will take my valium and my zantac - (I think I needed the valium a few days ago when my nerves really started getting bad!)
Today I will go pick up my extras I need for when I come home - (bacitracin, an antibiotic, some pads, exlax lol, frozen peas and my scar guard)

Right now I should be drinking clear liquids... one pepsi won't kill me, right?

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Breast Reduction - Part 4

My first post about my breast reduction was on August 3rd. That was my first appointment with my surgeon. Just a little over a month later I'm counting down just days until my surgery.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. It's a pretty big surgery for me and while I'm excited about the results, I'm scared of what it takes to get there lol... I keep having this dream that I come out of surgery and Darrell gets me in the car. The traffic is crazy and people are swerving in and out (like they love to do in Savannah) and we end up getting hit by a truck. The car is totaled and I'm on a stretcher with my chest full of blood from the surgery and impact ripping me back open! I wake up sweating to death! LOL So, yeah, my mind is messing with me... but it will not stop me! =)

One good thing is that I have Staci and her family here to distract me from thinking about it too much, but the bad thing is that they leave the day after my surgery! I'm gonna be in physical discomfort from my surgery and I'll be in other pain from one of my besties leaving... (Side note: thanks Aimee for getting us together!!)

Just one more thing I'd like to mention... On Thursday night, I am gonna burn my bra. LOL - yup! Burn that big bitch to ashes!! Hahahaa... In no way is it related to feminism, which I hear that wasn't true anyways, but it about my freedom... freedom from the physical pain and discomfort...freedom from the oogling eyes of men (which sometimes, I'll admit, I don't mind) - freedom from something I feel has been holding me back... for my readers, I'll be sure to take a pic of it for laughs =)

Breast Reduction Part 1
Breast Reduction - Part 2
Breast Reduction - Part 3

Breast Reduction - Part 3

Yesterday I had my "pre-op" appointment. When I went in the nurse showed me to the area where I will be getting prepped for my surgery. We talked about the procedure and went over my packet of instructions. I was showed where I would recover too. The doctor came in and we finalized my size I'm going to and he talked to me about my medications. The surgery will only take about 2hrs and I won't have any drains in. I will get one surgical bra and can buy more if I like. The bras are only $18.70!! Much cheaper than the boulder holders I have to buy now! LOL

Here is a list of my medications:

Valium (Diazepam) - used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures (I take this the night before my surgery when I go to bed to help with anxiety/nervousness)

Zofran (Ondansetron) - used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. Ondansetron is in a class of medications called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. It works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting. (I will one of these the night before my surgery and the morning of my surgery to help with nausea)

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone) - used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It also may be used to decrease coughing. (For severe pain after my surgery as needed)

Lorcet - narcotic pain reliever used in patients who experience moderate to moderately severe pain. (For after my surgery)

Zantac (Ranitidine) - used to prevent and treat symptoms of heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. (For after surgery)

Robaxin (Methocarbamol) - used with rest, physical therapy, and other measures to relax muscles and relieve pain and discomfort caused by strains, sprains, and other muscle injuries. Methocarbamol is in a class of medications called muscle relaxants. It works by slowing activity in the nervous system to allow the body to relax (For after surgery)

Phenergan (Promethazine) - used to prevent and control nausea and vomiting that may occur after surgery, and with other medications to help relieve pain after surgery. (For after surgery)

Man! That's a lot! I'm kind of relieved that my pain will be controlled though lol! I now have one week until my surgery and I'm getting more nervous. Not nervous about the results or having doubts, just nervous about the whole procedure itself, but the nurse tells me it's normal =)

Here is me signing away my "ta-ta's":

Here was my list of prescriptions when I was at the pharmacy getting it filled: (btw, I hate the pharmacy and their slow asses)

Here are the links to my other Breast Reduction Posts -
Breast Reduction - Part 1
Breast Reduction - Part 2

Breast Reduction - Part 1

I've decided to "document" my little "journey" to getting a breast reduction. It isn't something that I decided on a whim, I've been thinking about it for years now. It really became clear to me that I wanted one last year when I lost almost 50lbs and my breast didn't get any smaller...not one bit...Then this year I gained half that back from my thyroid medication being off! In order for me to lose weight, I need to exercise extra hard, but with DDD's, it is painful. So here we go...

I went to my regular doctor and told him my problems and requested that he give me a referral for a breast reduction. It took about a week to go through with Tricare. I'm seeing a plastic surgeon in Savannah and I'm glad I'm doing it there because they have a great team!

Today was my first appointment, my "consultation". At this appointment, I met the doctor and his assistant. We talked about why I wanted a breast reduction, the size I wished to be and they took measurements and pictures. If you're modest, let it go. You will be fondled...in a professional manner of course, lol.

Did you know that 98% of your symptoms/problems from large breasts will disappear with a reduction? Another small fact - our breasts are not the same size! One may be slightly bigger than the other! I didn't know that before today lol.

My surgeon told me that it is an out-patient surgery. Meaning, I will go in in the morning and leave later that day. He said that it takes about 2hrs and I will be in recovery for about 2hrs. I will get pain medication and have to take it very easy for about a week. At the end of my second week I will be able to start slowly easing back into my regular activities.

After meeting with him I met with the secretary who handles getting the actual surgery approved by Tricare. She said I'm a perfect candidate but it should take about 2 to 3 weeks to get approved. I have heard that it takes less. Maybe they say that just in case. After I'm approved, they will give me 2 appointments. One will be my surgery and one will be for a week before my surgery to get me my prescriptions for my medications afterwards and for last minute instructions.

I'm so excited to be getting this done! Don't get me wrong, I'm nervous because of the pain and it is a major surgery, but I'm excited that I'll be on my way to feeling so much better physically and begin getting my health back on track.

Some pretty pictures!!

Here are some certificates on the wall (yes I know, I was bored lol)

Here I am after putting on my robe for the doc to "examine me" and take pics:

And here is the black area I stood against and did my amatuer playboy shoot (haha, I joke...):

Stay tuned =)