There’s been a lot going on in my life this past week. Not only have I had the funeral of my wonderful sister-in-law who died recently of Ovarian Cancer (which kills one woman every 10 hours and researchers desperately need more funds, you can donate buy purchasing a dress from Verilyusing my affiliate links). I also got a call from my plastic surgeon to tell me that my number has come up (and has jumped the queue) and my breast reduction surgery is scheduled for this Thursday.
To ready myself for surgery, I’ve had to have a mammogram and I’m also having a breast ultrasound so they can make sure there is nothing untoward going on in my breasts before they start cutting into them. I’ve always been scared at the thought of having a mammogram, fortunately it wasn’t nearly as painful as I’d been expecting.
I’ve also been working through my lingerie drawer and wearing each of my bras, that will shortly be way too large (I’m currently a 34G and will be reduced to around a 34D). I’m planning on donating my bras to Uplift bras (a charity that gives bras to women who have no access to bras). As I discovered, when a friend picked up one of my bras and put the cup on her head (and there was room to spare), I’ve got boobs as big as your head.
It’s a major operation, takes around 3 or so hours to perform and requires a few days in hospital in recovery. I’m also expecting to take a couple of weeks off work to recover enough to go back to work (recovery period is said to be 6 weeks on average). Having spoken to a number of women I’ve met over the years who have had breast reduction surgery, they all tell me it’s the best thing they ever did, and wished they’d done it sooner.
It’s something I’ve been thinking about since I was a teenager and my breasts grew (and they’ve just kept growing and growing). They are the reason I became an image consultant (I’ve really mastered the art of disguising them most of the time, people have no idea just how large they are). I’d always said that once I’d finished having my kids and breastfeeding, that I’d have a reduction. That time has now come.
I will keep you posted on my progress, but would love to hear any tips from any of my readers who have undergone this procedure.
Good luck Imogen and speedy recovery
Your fans will be with you all the way in thought and prayer. Don’t rush back to work, it can wait.
Take care and God bless and keep you safe.
A faithful fan,
Pat
I had my reduction 20 years ago (my nickname when I was 9 was Dolly Parton). One of the best decisions I ever made.
Just found your blog the other day and just love it- why did I not ever know about contrast? Lots of excellent information.
All the best for a speedy and perky recovery.
Di
Best of luck, Imogen. I love how you keep making your life better for yourself. You are a big inspiration not only for one’s personal style, but also for one’s personal growth.
How exciting Imogen! Thank you for sharing your journey and best of luck with your op and recovery.
You are the perfect person to do this final aspect of your makeover: wow, what a year it has been for you so far. Great journey and looking forward to hearing how it goes. All the best.
I wish you a speedy recovery Imogen, good luck with everything! It must be great to be doing something you have wanted for so long!
Good luck Imogen, hope it goes well x
Best of luck Imogen and speedy recovery after!
You’re in my thoughts for a successful surgery and an easy recovery. Best of luck!
Sending healing energy you way~
Best wishes, Imogen!
Good luck Imogen, hope everything is going ok.
I had this surgery 12+ years ago and it was such a positive change for me. No more wearing 2 sports bras to work out! Ability to shop in the normal lingerie department and buy pretty bras! Ability to wear most dresses because your bust and hips will be more proportional! Plus you’ll look like you lost a bunch of weight, just because you will look more balanced. (At least these were the immediate benefits I saw). Best wishes for a speedy recovery, once the drains come out you will feel 1000x better
Good for you! I also have the boob to head ratio but want to see how it changes after I lose weight,if not I’m probably going to follow in your footsteps. Safe recovery! x
My daughter, at 21, had this procedure done. Once home from hospital, I drove her to a local hair salon so she could have a shampoo and blow dry – you will not be lifting your arms over your head – so this bit of pampering did wonders for her well-being during the first few uncomfortable days after surgery. Then rest. Rest.Rest.Rest Life and work will still be there for you in six weeks time.
Good for you! I wish you the best surgery and recovery!
As someone who always had smallish breasts, I often pined for larger. Well, now at middle age I’ve gained 40 lbs and some of that went to my chest. I do not like it nearly as much as I thought I would! I’m trying to lose the weight and hoping no go down at least a cup size in the process.
One word of advice about surgery as I have had many… Whenever they ask you if you’re in pain say yes!!! Always say at least a 7 on a scale of 1-10, because two min after the nurses leave, it seems the pain always increases and then they won’t get back to you for an hour… Anyhow, that’s my best advice, Imogen. Your country might work better at these things than mine. xx
Hi Imogen. As a 32JJ myself I can understand why you are choosing to have breast reduction surgery and everything in your post above is my truth too. I feel conflicted though because I have enjoyed your blog and started following you because I liked seeing someone like me in clothes. I guess you have helped me feel better about being so large breasted myself over the past year or so. But we are all on our own journey and I do wish you the best. Am I jealous, perhaps?! With much love and I look forward to seeing how you dress with your new shape. Emma xx
Hi Emma,
I can understand why you’re feeling like I’m deserting the big boobed end of the world, but I can tell you that I really understand how to dress them now so will continue sharing my tips – and do ask me if you have any questions on dressing them. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for many years. The reality is, I’m never going to be small, so will still be dressing my boobs with care!
Best of luck with your surgery. Everyone I know that has had the reduction is so happy and I’m sure you will be too.
Imogen, thank you so much for your tip about the Uplift Project. I was wondering what to do with all my maternity and nursing bras. They are in too good a condition to just throw out. Now I have the perfect solution – to donate them to another woman who needs them.
I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery as well.
Best of luck to you Imogen, both with the operation and the recovery. I look forward to reading about your experience. I know others who had that operation and they were so happy with taking the plunge and the final results. Uplift Bras is a great idea, I used to live in the UK and my local department store had drop off bins in the lingerie change rooms. I am happy to have found drop off points in Australia.
I wish you all the best luck with this operation Imogen. Someone I work with is also scheduled to have this surgery next month. What a year for re-invention this has been for you!
Imogen,
You are going to be SO happy with the results! I did it ten yrs. ago. Wish I’d done it years earlier than that.
Best wishes to you,
Suzanne
I had to do a double take when I saw the subject while scrolling through Bloglovin. Well, I hope you have a successful surgery… and just to think I have had implants for about 20yrs now and currently a 32E.
Good luck Imogen, I hope you make a speedy recovery and wish you all the best. I had two ops that changed my life 7 years ago – not my boobs, but my eyes. They had always been a problem, very short sight and thick heavy glasses (one of the reasons I started to look at style guides etc was a wish to try and look better with them). Over the years the degree of short sight started to cause internal eye problems to the structure, my sight was getting worse and blindness threatened. I did not relish being under the surgeons knife (for a lens replacement and re-structure) where the eyes were concerned, but had no choice but to go with it. Fortunately it was pain and fuss free, if not quite for a couple of months afterwards – but the result is now 20/20 sight without glasses, much better than the average person, and I won’t need reading glasses as I get older either! Some operations are truely life changing and I’m sure yours will be too. I hope you feel like a new woman in no time.
I’m sure the eye surgery made an enormous difference Trisha!
Imogen, I was also a 34G and am now a 34D thanks to reduction surgery in 2011. It was absolutely the very best thing I’ve ever done for myself! Mine were large from 5th grade on, unequal sizes and droopy because of the weight of them. They are now beautifully symmetrical and perky. I never once in my life thought I’d have perky boobs! It was so fun buying new pretty bras and having my clothes just fit better. Do take at least 4-6 weeks off to recover. I didn’t have any drains but I know others that did so it just depends on what your doctor thinks necessary. My piece of advice is frozen popcorn kernels, like the bags you buy at the grocery for $1.50. I use them as ice packs and they work much better than bags of frozen peas which tend to get mushy and smelly. Not so for popcorn kernels! You can freeze and refreeze with no problems. I like to use them because they mold very nicely around curves like breasts, knees, ankles, whatever. Before my breast surgery I used them on my neck or head when I had a migraine. I wish you a very speedy recovery from your surgery. I have no doubt that you will love, love, love your result!!!
Thanks for the tip Kim – never heard of freezing popcorn but I’ll definitely give it a go!
Good luck, Imogen! I think you are very courageous, especially in sharing your story with others. I don’t have this problem (anything but!), but I can appreciate your reasons for having the operation. Looking forward to your return – but do remember to take it easy.
A friend of mine had her reduced at the young age of 18 & has never looked back, & that was 25 years or so ago!! And on Ovarian cancer, I’m going to try to do a fundraiser as I’m opening a cupcake cafe & a good cake friend of mine in the USA (ex Aussie Kerry Vincent….very well known cake decorator & she was on 60 mins awhile ago) is an ambassador over there & her posts have encouraged me to do something, so hopefully I can do something to help. Such a shocking statistic!! She does alot for Ovarian Cancer. BTW I’ve come to you from the mamamia post….ignore any negative comments on there as there are some nasties sadly, or trolls I call them as they go onto her post solely to be nasty, so IGNORE them & best wishes. Off to look at the rest of you blog 🙂
Thanks Kylie. Have to admit I’m avoiding the comments on Mamamia as I know they can be pretty nasty. Thanks for coming by and I hope you’ll be back. Good luck with your cupcake cafe!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!
wishing you all the best in the process Imogen, a big hug
Francesca
Hugs & kisses, prayers & wishes for everything to go well.
I had a breast reduction about 20 years ago when I was around 30. Best thing ever. At a petite 5’1″, my 40D breasts were too much. Plus I couldn’t stand them pulling on my back with bras making huge indents in my shoulders. The recovery wasn’t nearly as painful or long as I was told, and scarring was minimal after it all healed. Do what the doctor says and rest! Best wishes on a successful operation and speedy recovery. I’m sure you’ll love the results.
I hope that I have the same experience as you Kris!
Having my breasts reduced was the best thing I ever did, Imogen. I had mine done 27 years ago, now and I spent a week in hospital. I went down from spilling out of my bra to a 32D. They’re a bit larger now as I’m older – my waist has thickened. But I still feel great that they’re normal. Normal was what I was after.
Good luck, Imogen! Hope all goes well and you have a quick recovery. Take care of yourself!
Good luck Imogen – hope everything goes well, you have a very quick recovery and the outcomes are all that you hope for with your spinal issues. Take care.
Best of luck. I know several women who have had this surgery and they were all glad they did it. Sending warm thoughts for an uneventful recovery.
I had this done two years ago. It was the best decision I’ve ever made. If you’ve already had it done, then you know what I mean. If it is still in the future – what a treat you have in store!!! In all seriousness Imogen, it takes a little getting used to since I, like you, have had them since I was young. No one stares at your chest any longer! No distress over fitted tops! No crossing your arms in front because you are afraid that critical button will come flying off! I can’t explain it perfectly, but your whole outlook will change. And, shopping will be such fun. I’m so happy for you. Take care and enjoy your new look!
how long did it take for you to find the side effects disappeared?