Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Are you ready to learn why I was in the hospital?

I've been waiting to make sure I had no complications, because it would be quite embarrassing to tell people what a walk-in-the-park this particular surgery was, and then have something go wrong.
I never thought I'd be using a plastic surgeon. And my insurance paid for it all.
I had a bi-lateral mammoplasty; in other words, a breast reduction.
Now when I told people about this, most everybody said, "I didn't think you were that big."
Gee, thanks. I was into a size "G" bra. I'm a big gal, so being generously endowed didn't look out of place on me. The size alone was no problem, but aging had taken everything south. I could not get comfortable. If I wore a good, supportive bra, those plastic inserts cut into my ribs and hurt. The straps hurt my shoulders.
We won't even talk about the discomforts of going braless.
So I did some Internet research and found out that usually, insurance will pay for this. I had a few email conversations with a friend of my daughter who had this procedure done when she was in her thirties; she says it's the best thing she ever did.
The surgery took four hours. Not only was I not nervous, I was anxious to have it done. When the anesthesia guy said he'd get me some Versed (whatever that is) before surgery, I turned him down, although someone else later insisted I have it.
Cliff, on the other hand, was a wreck, bless his heart. I know he hated to see "the girls" trimming down, but he understood.
This is a pretty personal subject, and ordinarily I wouldn't be telling the world about it. But there might be another lady who just can't get comfortable, someone who doesn't know insurance will pay for this.
So there you have it.
I spent one night in the hospital. They sent me home with antibiotics. Oh, and hydrocodone, which I'll save for those days when my knees are really bothering me. I took one dose the second day after surgery for the sore throat I got from having that breathing device in place while they operated. Otherwise, I really haven't needed anything for pain. I'm not supposed to lift more than ten pounds for a couple of weeks: of course I've forgotten a dozen times and picked up things I shouldn't have... my thirty-pound dog, for instance.
If you're not squeamish, you can search on Youtube and see a video of the operation like the one I had. I'm glad I didn't watch until after my surgery; I might have chickened out.
Questions?
Oh, I have to tell you about this: When I opened Cliff's lunch box this morning, there was a sympathy card a couple of co-workers had given him. The verse on the front reads as follows:
The ones that we've lost
still go with us in spirit
we will remember them.
In the faces of family,
their presence still lingers...
we will remember them.
Hello, people? They're not gone, they're just smaller!

33 comments:

  1. Good for you, Donna! I'm so glad that you are healing well and super glad that your insurance paid for it!!! Now, put the dog down. :)

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  2. Oh, good thing you didn't watch the surgery video first and chicken out! I remember my OB/gyn having me watch the caesarean video a week before mine was scheduled and it scared the life outta me! Of course, there wasn't any changing my mind about THAT kind of surgery!

    Hope you're healing fast!

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  3. Yikes! I'm glad you're feeling lighter and more "uplifted" and feeling better!

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  4. now you'll be able to go back to your modeling career!

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  5. The sympathy card....hilarious!

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  6. Thanks for sharing with us. And you were so right to have the girls go on a diet. I hope you will be more comfortable. And that was a great sympathy card.

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  7. Oh yeah, my modeling career! I forgot all about that!

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  8. Glad you're okay and on a lighter note....

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  9. i'd love to have that done (i'm a sz 'triple double j' cup, yep they make bras that big, but they're hard to find lol) i'd like to be a double d again. speaking of them going south, age has taken mine there, plus since i'm losing weight...well, just say i will need it!!! but i have medicare & medicaid, not sure they will pay for it, they refuse to pay many things that private insur will.
    glad you got yours taken care of & having an easy recoop.
    huggies...

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  10. Glad you had it done and feeling well. Thank goodness for plastic surgeons when we need them.

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  11. Lindie10:37 AM

    I still have pain meds from my last 2 surgeries and like you, I use them when my knees are bothering me. Glad your surgery went well.

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  12. I'm glad you were able to have this done and that you are sharing. It think it is very important for women to know that this option is available. So glad to know that you sailed through the surgery and are recovering quickly.

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  13. I know women who've had the surgery and they all are very pleased.
    Wishing you well.
    Give us an update sometimes...I have a friend who is considering it but is still hesitant.

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  14. I missed on that one but not all the way. I was thinking something to help you with weight gain, I suppose that kind of surgery would keep the weight down alright. Glad that everything has been smooth going for you and hope you will be much more comfortable. Quit picking Sadie up! Helen

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  15. Cliff should be thrilled! The girls will be wavin' 'Howdy!' once again! Hee...

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  16. That surgery never entered my mind for sure. Glad all is well anyway and hope you feel better.

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  17. Glad that all went well and you are happy with the surgery. Funny thing is that I commented on your daughters blog that you were 'having a Boob job', but I meant for bigger (or at least perkier) rather than smaller. ;)

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  18. I'm glad that everything worked out for you donna, I know two women that have had it done and both have been forever glad that they did it...
    loopymama

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  19. Glad every thing went well. Co-workers, they can be so hilarious...huh...ha. Take care, Sheila

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  20. Happy to hear all went well. I've had friends who had this surgery and they are also happy with the result. Glad for you! (and that note was cute - c'mon ya have to admit.. haha). -Tammy

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  21. Anonymous4:10 PM

    Dee from Tennessee

    Glad your insurance paid for it! 3 coworkers have had it done...two of them young girls. They don't regret it for a second.

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  22. Gotta be careful talking about breasts. Your entry could turn up in somebody's search for porn.

    I've always wished we could remove the "girls" at the end of the day. Toss 'em on a chair like a bra. Maybe have a dress up pair for "date nights" when he [or we] are in the mood. Perhaps a nice small set for sports [so they don't get in the way].

    Of course, at 66, I'd settle for attachments that let me use them to paint my toenails.

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  23. What great comments! I have been enjoying reading them. You had me fooled. I thought sure it was a bladder lift! My DIL, her sister and her Mom have all had it done and they say it's the best thing they ever did for themselves and insurance paid for it. I told them I wish they had saved me some scraps!!! Now stop lifting the dog!!!

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  24. I'm glad you are mending well. For what it's worth, if you're switching from melons to onions, Cliff is gonna need a new recipe.

    :)

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  25. Anonymous6:53 PM

    You list that dog or anything else you are not supposed to...I will have someone at your door!!!! LOL...and this took me by surprise...but know a couple ladies that have had it done...and they say the same thing...it is a good thing to do...I have never had that problem...but things are heading south anyway...little by little (pardon the pun LOL)...God Bless...hugs...Ora

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  26. lol love the note :) So glad your procedure went well and that you're pleased. I had a friend who decided to have that done and she experienced much less back and neck strain and was really happy about it.

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  27. wow good for you Donna!!! often wished I could "lift" mine too! They certainly aren't my best friend just "hanging around"!! sheesh.

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  28. If men had to lug them around maybe they'd understand a little bit better. Then again...being men...maybe not. Glad to hear you're coming along fine, Donna. Like I said to you before, my neighbor's daughter said it was the best thing she ever did for herself, too.

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  29. Good for you! I'm glad everything went well.

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  30. Anonymous7:38 PM

    wow didn't expect it to be something so major...Donna you are a trooper!
    oh yeah and Nick nack paddywhack is me sorry for the confusion
    Natalie (uk)

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  31. I used to be pretty small (B-C cup) then gained a bunch of weight in my 30s and the girls ballooned! I'm in the middle of losing weight (again) and hope they'll disappear too but it doesn't seem to be so. They didn't the last time I lost weight either but I figured I hadn't lost enough is why. I've often thought of this procedure but didn't realize insurance covered it. So, I'm very glad you posted. Just one question, is a little lift part of the procedure cause the older you get the more help they need, yah know. ;-p

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  32. Yes Robbie, a lift comes with the package. Be sure and read my later posts, though, to see what's required for insurance to pay. Google, google, google. That's what led up to my doing this.

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  33. Thanks for the follow up Donna. I definitely will. It's not something I'd get done too soon anyhow.

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