Scared but Excited...My Breast Reduction Surgery Story Part 1
The other day I mentioned on my FB page that there are a lot of things going on in my life that scary the poop out of me but I'm doing them anyway. I also wondered if I should share with my readers and asked what others had done that scared them. I got an amazing response with an overwhelming request that I SHARE. So here it goes. One of the things I am doing that is super scary is that I will be having breast reduction surgery on June 6th.
The decision to have breast reduction surgery has been a long road and is not one that I made lightly.
Ever since I was a teenager, I had BIG boobs (yes I call them boobs. Sue me.). While some might say "Embrace them and flaunt your stuff!", that just wasn't me. Instead, I spent years trying to find clothes that made them LESS apparant. Unfortunately, that just doesn't really work. Clothes either draped more to make my boobs look less in your face but made my entire body look much bigger or were tight and made me look like I was trying to make my boobs the star of the show. Losing weight does help but not enough. Even when I drop lots of weight, I don't drop into a bra size that is readily available anywhere but a high end bra store.
Many have asked "Is it really that big of an issue?" Well, here are just a few of the things I have dealt with.
- I can not buy a bra at any normal store. And before you ask...no...I really can't. Not at the Bay, or at La Senza or Victoria's Secret or Joe Fresh or WalMart. None of them. I will go in, and they will say "Oh SURE we can find one even though I say they can't. In the end, I am right and they have NOTHING. Oh and yes, you can buy bigger cup sizes at plus size stores but I am not plus sized so I still can't wear them. The ONE store that I can sometimes find bras at is Nordstrom but even there I have a hard time. On my last visit I bought two that were actually the incorrect size but worked in a pinch.
- Once when I went to a large department store and asked for help with sizing, the woman working there looked over her glasses and said "We don't have bras to fit people like you." Now what did she mean? I have no idea but her tone screamed "you are obviously a stripper" to me. Maybe I am just being a bit too sensitive but who says that?
- I have consistent upper back and shoulder pain.
- I have permanent divits in each sholder where my bra straps sit.
- I haven't spent less than $80 on a bra since high school....and not because they are fancy. I only buy plain bras because I can only afford to have a few. Forget pretty ones!
- Same goes for swimsuits. No buying those at Walmart either.
- Oh and sports bras....can't buy those either. Not even at stores like Sport Chek Women or Old Navy.
- I get to figure out how to change physical activities because my body doesn't fit into how other people do things. Think golf swings, rowing motions, shoulder stretches, etc.
So last year, I said "ENOUGH" and went to talk to my doctor. I wasn't sure I would be eligible for the surgery to be covered by Alberta healthcare but I wanted to find out. My doctor asked me a few questions about why I wanted it done, my bra size, and she measured my height and weight. She let me know that currently the wait for a consult was running about 6 months. The wait wasn't an issue for me because it gave me even longer to make sure that surgery was what I really wanted.
In October, I went to a consultation with my assigned plastic surgeon. It was a quick and simple meeting. He showed me how we will determine the breast size he will be aiming for after surgery. He also assessed my breasts for symetry (if they aren't symetrical, they need to make sure to take more from one than the other to give you symetry after). He made sure to let me know that I can't just order a cup size. It doesn't really work that way. After I left, I was excited and sure in my decision. Unfortunately, surgeries were booking out 9 months.
Fast forward and I got the call two weeks ago to let me know that my surgery would be on June 6th. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel a twinge of fear and "Should I do this?" Will something happen? Will I be happy with the result? Will I take away my hourglass figure and just look fat?
Thankfully, I got past those thoughts pretty darn quickly and now I am looking forward to buying shirts that I can wear without a bra or with a *gasp* strapless bra (those do NOT work currently). Spaghetti straps here I come! And maybe I'll get to be one of those girls I see on TV who have a whole drawer of bras in different colors and styles. That would be amazing.
Only a few more weeks and I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.
So what have you done that has scared you but you are doing it anyway?
I took this jump in June of 2008 for ALL of the same reasons you talk about above.
I remember shopping with my (then boyfriend) husband for the first time when he declared "let's buy you a new bra at Victoria's Secret"... this was pre reduction. I explained that I couldn't and he was sure I wasn't serious. We went in and I remember the absolute horror and pitty on the sales girls face when she sputtered and explained they didn't make bras to fit people like me. People like me who had a small frame and huge boobs that having babies made more huge. After I had my daughter and was nursing, I didn't even know bras came in letter sizes that big!
Fast forward to post surgery and 9 years later. Not a decision I have ever once regretted! Ever! Good for you!
Yay! And I didn't even get into the crazy of breast feeding. They were bigger than my son's head!!!!
1996 for me, one of the best decisions I have ever made. I'm here if you want to ask me anything
Thank you! It's so cool learning about all these people I know who've had it.
Haven't had a reduction, but I am posting in solidarity. I'm currently a 38I. I buy 40H because they are easier to find.
I am a 34 G so I get it!
I had the opposite problem, but I definitely understand making the decision that's right for your body! Wishing you all the best and a speedy recovery! <3
Thank you!
I know that this was something you have thought about for a long time, and I'm so happy for you and your journey! xo
Thanks lady!
I sometimes find my breasts annoying but mine are not anywhere near as big as yours sound. I think reduction surgery is just the right thing for you and it sounds like you thought it out well.
Honestly, I can understand why you'd do this. I also had "big boobs" (until having kids) and was frustrated at times in trying to find clothes and bras that fit. I've deal with even bigger boobs postpartum, when my milk comes in and causes ENORMOUS back pain until everything settles down. I can't imagine living with that back pain all the time. Nursing has altered my boobs... they are now more flabby and last time I got new bras, I was surprised to find that I was a radically different size. So I hope your surgery goes well, and kudos to you for taking steps to take care of yourself, even if it's controversial in today's world. 🙂
I am looking forward to future updates! My surgery is scheduled for June 30. My insurance denied me and 40H. I could have probably fought it but I wasn't willing to wait ant longer so am going the private pay route, which isn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Thanks for putting it all out there!
I'm booked in for mine in a month.
Same struggles. As a runner I can't wait to be able to put on one sports bra, run and then NOT have a massive tension headache after!!!
My 11 year old daughter is already 32/c and I want her to know that she will also have options later.
And goodriddance creepy cleavage stalkers?
You will LOVE it. It is hard going through it but I can already tell it is going to be amazing once I am healed.
Im having it done next week. I cannot wait! Im a 38G and hope to get down to a C. Thank you for sharing...it takes away a little of my nerves as well!
You will do great!
Just found your Story 1, and the comments – wow, they all resonate so strongly with me.
Your journey is the same I have: no bra that fits my figure. Small in body, but big on boobs. The clothes, the sports that I loved to play – all that weighs in and "hurts" every day.
I used to run, but now it hurts to run, no matter what sports bra I wear. I figured my own way of making this process less painful, but it is frustrating to the max.
Thank you for sharing your story, Merry.
You are welcome! So many people don't get why large breasts would be an issue....unless they have them!
I would love post op feedback! You sound exactly like me!! I have surgery scheduled in 1 month but I am SO NERVOUS! Everyday I question if I'm making the right choice and all the what ifs take over my brain! Thank you for sharing!
This is my final post. All the other posts are linked from here - https://merryabouttown.com/like-new-breast-reduction-part-4/ I am SO glad I did it.
i’m sad cos i desperately need this
and it’s just ignored in my country
and .. yeah i feel like i’m doomed or something and i see you and it gives me hope