Hi there, I hope you’re having a good weekend. Ours has been busy, but in a good way. It was beautiful here yesterday, so I went for a 3-mile walk/run to test out my new Hoka One One sneakers. Spoiler Alert: I’m a fan.
Then I puttered around the house for a bit while Paul worked outside cutting back some trees and underbrush in our backyard. After that, we went to see our daughter compete in the semi-finals with the indoor drumline, and then we grabbed a casual dinner before returning home to watch the end of the Villanova game with our son.
I also went out with friends on Friday night, so all in all, it’s been a fun weekend, but I really need to stop eating out so much. It’s not good for my waistline!
In other news, it never occurred to me when I decided to announce my upcoming breast reduction surgery in Friday’s Try-On Haul that anyone would think I was trying to make an April Fool’s joke. Sorry about that! (I received a couple of private emails in addition to the one comment.) I would have chosen a different day to break the news if I thought it would cause confusion.
I was writing about whether to keep or return certain items from the haul, and I’ve been holding onto things I would otherwise return in case they fit better after my surgery, so it seemed like a good time to mention it. I was a little nervous about sharing this information, so I’d been waiting for the right time. I guess I botched that, haha!
This is obviously a very personal subject, and I wouldn’t be sharing it with the world if it didn’t directly impact what I do here on the blog. Having this surgery will affect how my clothes fit, and since I share so much information about fit and proportion, I don’t see any way to have this surgery and not be open about it.
Plus, it’s an opportunity to be a resource for other women who may be thinking about it, so I’m happy to answer questions and share my experience.
When I tell people I’m having this surgery, I get some interesting responses, but the most common is, WHY?
Most people don’t realize I’m large enough to warrant this surgery, but I was a 34DDD by my senior year of high school, and I’ve spent my entire life dressing to downplay my large chest. I started talking about having breast reduction surgery when I was in college, so this has been a long time in coming.
I looked into this surgery a few times over the years and always chickened out. Usually I would lose a bit of weight and a bra cup size, and I’d feel better, but that is working for me anymore. Not only is it getting harder to dress the girls, but I’m growing increasingly uncomfortable as I get older.
The final nail in the coffin, so to speak, was a few months ago when a friend with a similar bra size and body type told me she was having this surgery. Her experience went very well, and she’s thrilled with the results. That was all I needed to see.
I started researching plastic surgeons right away, and within a few weeks, I had a surgery date. I haven’t wavered once since making the decision to go ahead with this. In fact, I get more excited the closer it gets.
I realize that some of you follow me because you have a similar body type and rely on me for help dressing your shape, and you may be disappointed by this news. I get that, but I’ll do my best to continue providing insight into dressing a larger chest as I style clothes for the blog.
As far as my plans for work and recovery, I will definitely need to take some time off. I have some easy posts planned for that week that can be prepared ahead of time, but I probably won’t feel much like working much for a few days, so I’ll play it by ear as far as my posting schedule goes.
Even though I’ll probably able to get back to working at the computer after a few days, I’m sure it will be several weeks before I feel like modeling clothes. Plus, there will probably be a bit of a learning curve involved with dressing my new shape. It’s going to be interesting, but May and June are always my slowest months, so this seems like a good time to have this done.
I plan to stock up on light reading and Netflix shows to binge watch while I’m tricked out on meds and taking it easy. Suggestions are welcome!
So, back to blog-related topics… I didn’t do a Top Ten in March post this month, so I thought I’d share the top selling products from last month here in this post.
I usually share the top selling products for each week in my Sunday newsletter, so if you like that sort of thing and don’t already subscribe to my emails, you can do that here.
Top Selling Products from March
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OH and I forgot to mention, I have two pairs of Hokas sitting in a box on my stairs from Zappos to try on. Everyone seems to love them. YAY!
My daughter had a reduction 4 years ago when she was 22 years old. I never knew how she was suffering in silence about the size and shape of her breasts until she finally told me how it made her feel. As a mother I felt sad for her not knowing how much this had been bothering her. My daughter is very petite at 5 ft.and was a 36DD. She had both a reduction and lift and it was the best decision she ever made. Her surgeon was one of the BEST in the Bucks County area. Good luck to you and thank you for sharing.
I am thrilled for you! I missed this news when you posted it on Friday. I am also very large breasted and self-conscious about it. I looked into surgery about 10 years ago but got discouraged when my insurance refused to pay for any of it despite letters from my doctor saying that I needed it and was having pain, etc. We just did not have the money at the time to cover it out of pocket. I am honestly jealous and will be looking forward to your honest report of how everything went and your satisfaction with the results. Thank you for sharing and congrats on making this big decision and going for it!
Yes, it’s a chunk of change, for sure. I was told insurance would cover it if I had something like 400 grams taken out of each side? I can’t remember the exact number. It’s based on BMI. He showed me what 400 grams looks like, and I was like, NOPE! Way too much. I’ve been saving up for it b/c I figured that would be the case. I’ve heard it’s hard to get it covered unless you are extremely large for your frame.
Do you think your body shape will change? When I was taking AYW, Kelly mentioned surgery can change your shape and it puzzled me. I am assuming it will be a pretty small percentage of change. Praying for a successful surgery and easy recovery.
Yes I expect it will, which is one reason I held off on doing this for so long. On paper, I’m balanced. In fact, my chest measurement is actually 1 1/2” smaller than my hip measurement so I’m barely a curvy body type, by Kelly’s measurements. I think this surgery will make me a pear, but maybe not. Maybe with the lift and a different bra, I’ll still be a curvy? Will be interesting to see.
Thank you for sharing and I am sure you will be happy with the results. Definitely take the break you need. I am also very interested as I understand exactly where you are- I was a 32/34 C until I turned 35. My daughter however is a 32G and I offered to pay for her surgery years ago. The ladies are now a 34F or 36DD and I can’t even find a good sports bra. Losing weight didn’t do anything but reduce the band size. I am now strongly considering surgery for that and an eye lift. I’ve always chickened out so I’m very interested in your journey.
I am so jealous! I’m sure you’re excited. I am MUCH larger than you are and have thought about it my whole life, but chickened out… and it’s expensive. SO happy for you! Although you look great I know what a hassle it can be, so GOOD FOR YOU! 🙂 Tell us about your journey for sure.
Hi Jo-Lynne,
Thank you for sharing your decision to pursue a breast reduction. I have been considering it myself for years and already know that trying to lose weight is not the answer. I wish you all the best and am looking forward to hearing more about it. Praying that all goes well!
Hi Jo-lynne. Thank for being so forthcoming in sharing about your breast reduction surgery. I too struggle with this, and have also chickened out my whole life. I would love it if you could share your experience with the surgery once you are recovered. It may be the exact thing I need to finally make it happen. Best of luck, you are gonna look even more fabulous! (If that’s even possible.) 😊👍💕
I am backwards reading as I get caught up on my blog reading. I wish you the best for your surgery and recovery. I had a friend who had reduction surgery and it was life changing for her. I say if it helps physically or emotionally – go for it. Do take all the time you need for recovery. I look forward to hearing about your journey.
So glad you are on this side of your surgery and recovering well! I’m interested in your results for my daughter’s sake. She has much the same story as you and now my sixteen year old granddaughter too. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
Can you do a follow-up post on this since it’s been almost a year since your surgery? Are you happy with the results? Do you wish you’d gone smaller?
Hey Cary! I am very happy with the results, and I feel like I’m the perfect size. 🙂 It definitely takes 6-12 mos to see the full results.