Know Your Breasts!

In honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I changed my profile picture on Facebook pink.  As someone who has had breast issues in the past, I know how scary it can be when something is wrong with your body.  Recently, I have been reading reports that say self breast exams are no longer encouraged because they haven't been shown to make a difference.  I completely disagree with that.  I think every woman should know her breasts, that way she can tell if there is something wrong.  And make sure you get your mammograms.  As much as I feared having one done, it really wasn't that bad.  If you are really afraid, take a friend with you.  Just make sure you get it done.  We all know that the best chance at beating Breast cancer is finding it early.

Know Your Surgeon

I never thought that I would be one of those women who had plastic surgery. Even though mine was medically necessary, they still considered it plastic surgery. I don't regret my decision to have it done at all, but I hope to never have to go through that again. I don't know if it just me, or the type of surgery I had, but it was a tough recovery. I had a couple hundred stitches, and it was a long time before I could lay in my bed. Then when I could get into my bed, it hurt so bad to have to get out. Luckily, these things eventually passed, and I feel great now.

I know there are women out there, and men too, who have plastic surgery done all the time. My sister's friend had rhinoplasty, and she looks great now. Her decision to have it done was completely cosmetic.

My advice to anyone considering breast augmentation like I had, or plastic surgery of any kind, is to research what you are having done. Know as much as you can, and find the best surgeon for what you want done. There are Los Angeles plastic surgeons who are great at what they do, and I am sure you can find a local surgeon just as well qualified. Ask to see pictures, so you can judge their work. I was lucky enough to have found a wonderful surgeon, and I could not be happier with my results.

Rudeness

I just got back from the grocery store, and I am just beside myself. I don't know if you would remember this, but right after I had my surgery, we went into this store and the manager told me I looked funny with my new boobs. I never did complain about her, though, and now I wish I had.

This manager was bagging my groceries, and Junior had walked down a few aisles trying to find boo a candy bar she wanted. This woman looks at me and asks if I was still happy with my decision to have the reduction.

I said yes, it was the best decision I had ever made.

Now, had she stopped talking there, I would have been okay. The cashier is a young girl we know well, because we are in the store almost every day.

Then the manager says to me...

I bet your husband doesn't think so.

What the crap? I was so embarrassed. She said this in front of other customers and the cashier. By the time Junior had come back, she was bagging at another register. I told him what she said, and he told me to wait by the door, and off he went. He came back with the store manager, and I had to tell him what she said. I think he was more embarrassed than I was. I told him I didn't mind discussing my surgery, but her reference to Junior crossed the line. He agreed, and said he wasn't comfortable handling it himself, so he was going to let his boss talk to her.

I hope they make her realize that some things just aren't okay to say.

Cosmetic Surgery

I have spoken before about my breast reduction. You all know that it is one of the best things I have ever done. Before my surgery, I was nervous. I wanted the best surgeon, and I wanted to know what to expect. I found a lot of Cosmetic Surgery Information online, and read most of it. It seemed like every person who wrote about having a breast reduction said the same thing that I say now; that it is the best thing they've ever done. I don't think most people realize the daily pain and embarrassment of being large breasted. I mean physical pain, as well as emotional pain. The back aches and shoulder pain were unbearable some days, and I can't tell you how many times people would talk to my chest instead of me. I walked hunched over, trying to hide how big I was.

I realize now that that didn't work. That just contributed to my back pain. But now, I walk with my head held high. My shoulders have not bothered me one bit since my surgery. They say that it takes a year to know exactly what your breasts will look like, and I am almost there. It has been eight months since my surgery, and I am happy with the results. I would highly recommend this surgery to any woman out there who is contemplating it. Just make sure you do your research, and pick a surgeon you are comfortable with, even if it's far from where you live. I would much rather have a great surgeon than a convenient one.

Valentine's Day Is Coming

As most of you know, I am a big girl. I haven't always been this way, and there was a time when I enjoyed wearing sexy clothes and sheer lingerie. I haven't worn any in years, but ever since my breast surgery, Junior has been after me to buy some. I wish I had the body to be able to pull it off, but I would feel silly wearing it. I can, however, use this as motivation to lose more weight. I wish I looked like this:



Heck, Junior probably wishes I looked like that, too. I still haven't bought any new bras yet. The doctor suggested I wait a few months, until my breasts "settle" to their new size before I tried any on. I have been wearing the sports bras I bought, so I do have some support. I am looking forward to being able to wear the sheer, lacy bras that don't come in my old, huge size. I want to buy a black bra. I know this is going to sound funny, but it has been about twenty years since I have worn a sexy, black bra. I want a red one, too. That might be a nice Valentine's present for myself.

My Surgery

I am not sure if I have discussed this here on this blog, but those of you who read my other two blogs know that in July, I had breast reduction surgery. It was the best decision I have made in my entire life.

It started in Junior High School, when all my friends were developing, and I was already wearing a size "D" cup. I am very shy, so the attention from boys was not something I welcomed. I learned early on that if I wore baggy clothes, or kept my jacket on all day, they would leave me alone. Of course, it didn't help that I was a little heavy as well. The rest of my school days were pretty much the same as Junior High.

After graduation, I got married and had three kids. With every pregnancy, my breasts got bigger. People told me they would go back to normal size, but they never did. At the beginning of this year, I was squeezing myself into a "DDD", and was never comfortable. I had dents in my shoulders where for so many years my bras were cutting into the skin. I had back pain all the time, and looking back, I think I let myself get so heavy to try and hide the fact that my breasts were huge. I can see now that that was not a smart thing to do, and that as I gained weight, they got even bigger. Now I am left with small breasts, and a tummy that looks like I am about to give birth.

The MYA breast reduction surgery itself was pretty simple. I was scared to death because I had never been put under before, but I was never concerned about the actual procedure. They simple removed my nipples, and after taking off the excess tissue, reattached them in a new position. In my case, I had so much breast tissue, they ended up cutting me from under one arm on one side, to the same place on my other side. He removed fifteen pounds of breast. I asked how many stitches I had, and the doctor said I had too many to count, but somewhere in the hundreds. I had a rough couple of weeks afterwards, because it was difficult to lay down because of the pain in my sides. I had to sleep in our recliner. But six weeks after my surgery I was good as new, and in love with my new breasts. There is no more back pain, or shoulder dips, and for the first time in my life I can go somewhere without a bra. I Have never left the house bra less before, and it is an awesome, freeing feeling!

If you are considering this type of surgery, do not hesitate. I did for years, and regret that decision. While it may not be the solution for everyone, at least look into it. I know firsthand how it can change your life. Let the MYA breast reduction specialists help you make an informed decision.