Breast reduction procedure
June 11th, 2013
My surgery was booked for 10:30am the morning of June 11th. I live almost two hours from where the surgery was going to take place, so I had to wake up extra early in order to get everything together and get myself ready to leave. But that didn't happen. I was up fairly late the night before due to the fact I hadn't eaten since earlier that night or drank any water. I was also really nervous and scared about the whole entire thing. Sleeping was the last thing on my mind, and the last thing I thought was important.
I woke up a little late, about half an hour before we had to leave so I rushed to get dressed and get the clothes together that I was going to change into after surgery (I had to wear a loose button up shirt and comfortable pants). After throwing everything into a tote bag I had laying around my room, I hopped into the truck and away went my Mother, my Father and myself.
The whole drive there I felt sick to my stomach, I didn't want to think about anything, I just wanted to try and forget where I was headed. I started talking a lot to my parents about everything and anything, pointed out the most obvious things outside i.e. trees, cows, other cars, people, buildings etc. I began to think they were getting annoyed, so instead we turned on the radio and I let my mind wander.
Before long I started to convince myself the procedure wasn't going to be too bad and there was nothing to worry about -- it's only going to take a couple hours and then you'll be home safe and sound, in your bed, sleeping -- but just as soon as I began to believe it, other thoughts surrounded those ones and murdered the living shit out of them! Needless to say, I terrified myself with thoughts of dying, or a malfunction during surgery.
Before arriving at the hospital I noticed I had forgot my envelope with all the paperwork I needed to fill out...oops! I got worried that they'd turn me away for the surgery and tell me I couldn't get it done because I didn't bring in what needed to be in.
We pulled up in the parking lot and because my Father is too cheap to pay for parking he just dropped my Mother and myself off at the entrance and went to find parking that was free, or a lot cheaper than hospital parking.
Entering the hospital made my heart sink. I got extra scared knowing there was absolutely no turning back. I walked into the room where I had to sign in before heading upstairs, it was completely packed, so many people were apparently getting day surgery!
After signing in, we headed down a hallway towards a subway and tim hortons which made me awfully hungry, to an elevator that took us to the second floor where I would have to sign in again and register for surgery.
The lady at the front desk was extremely nice. She made me feel comfortable and less worried which was such a great feeling. I registered and she told me I didn't have to worry about not having my paper work, but before hand told me I'd need to sit in time out due to my lack of responsibility aha , at least I got a little laugh!
I waited for about an hour until another lady called me into a room just off the waiting room I was in. She talked to me about the procedure, what would happen, how long it would take, etc. She then took my blood pressure (which was sky high due to me being really nervous and scared) so she asked me to relax and take a few deep breaths -- I did -- and the second blood pressure test was a success!
After waiting 2 hours, I was called into yet another room. This time I had to change into hospital gowns and little slippers. I was then told to put my clothing items and other items into a bag, tie it up and put it on a rack that said " going home today ". I then walked into another waiting room with a bunch of other people with hospital gowns on to sit and wait for further instruction. My Mother was the only one with me at this point, my Father had went for a walk but would be back with us shortly.
About 20 minutes to half an hour later a nurse came out and scooped me up to go get an I.V put in. The last time I had one was when I was a wee little girl, i was very sick and didn't remember it hurting at all because I do believe they drugged me before it happened. This time... completely different. The nurse couldn't find my veins, at all.They were hiding and being stubborn, so she wrapped both arms up in warm blankets in hopes of them coming to the surface. A bit later she checked again and there it was! A vein that she could actually sink that horrible needle into, and boy oh boy, did it hurt.
I waited another hour before being ushered into the surgery room. Which at that point, I started crying because my parents had to leave me. It was the worst feeling knowing I was walking to a room where I would be put to sleep, cut open and sewn back up.
Getting into the room and talking to the surgeons was a whole different story. I stopped crying, I womaned the fuck up and I was calm as I could be.
The anesthesiologist pumped me with some medication that made me feel 150% too drunk. I was dizzy and couldn't even keep my eyes open, my stomach felt queezy and I hated every-absolute-moment. After that, they gave me my sleepy-time meds and away they went, hacking at my chest until their deed was done.
Waking up was horrible, I felt sick to my stomach, I felt really dizzy and high. I didn't know exactly where I was, who was around or what was going on. I kept dozing in and out of sleep, but it wasn't a deep sleep, it was the kind of sleep where you can still hear the people around you but you feel rested and comfortable.
After a short amount of time being awake, a room was available where I was being shipped to next, where my parents would be able to see me, and away I went!
I don't remember much about that room, or about being wheeled into it. I remember seeing my parents walking towards my bed with a nurse, smiling and then dozing off.
My surgeon eventually came in to see me and explained that my operation went very well and I am looking good. She told me I would feel dizzy and a bit sick for a short while but everything will go back to normal. She also gave me a few sheets that explained what I should and shouldn't do when I get home, as well as a sheet that had a check-up date to get my bandages off.
My parents and I both wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. I didn't enjoy being around a hospital. They smell weird and there are too many people around. Although I wanted to stay until I was no longer dizzy, I knew my parents really didn't want to wait around much longer since it's all they had been doing since getting to hospital.
I got up out of bed, sat my ass in a wheelchair and allowed my mother to wheel me downstairs and out the front door.
The drive home is a blur. I don't remember much of it because I slept majority of the time. I couldn't contain my dizziness, so it basically took over and I passed out multiple times. During certain moments I had felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach, but thankfully I never was. After getting my Father to buy me some water, and having little cat naps I began feeling 100% better. Couldn't wait to get home!
I slept for 3 days almost. Didn't move myself off the couch for the first night and the other nights that followed I just slept, napped and slept some more.
A week later I went to see my surgeon so she could take bandages off and make sure everything was healing properly.
It was the first time I had been able to look at my breasts, and holy moly, I was in such shock.
Now I am just waiting for my next appointed (July 4th) so I can make sure everything's still healing well. Hoping she will then give me the thumbs up to wear regular bras! Just have to keep my fingers crossed.
In the mean time, I am working and keeping myself busy. Trying to take it as easy as possible and relaxing with family.
My surgery was booked for 10:30am the morning of June 11th. I live almost two hours from where the surgery was going to take place, so I had to wake up extra early in order to get everything together and get myself ready to leave. But that didn't happen. I was up fairly late the night before due to the fact I hadn't eaten since earlier that night or drank any water. I was also really nervous and scared about the whole entire thing. Sleeping was the last thing on my mind, and the last thing I thought was important.
I woke up a little late, about half an hour before we had to leave so I rushed to get dressed and get the clothes together that I was going to change into after surgery (I had to wear a loose button up shirt and comfortable pants). After throwing everything into a tote bag I had laying around my room, I hopped into the truck and away went my Mother, my Father and myself.
The whole drive there I felt sick to my stomach, I didn't want to think about anything, I just wanted to try and forget where I was headed. I started talking a lot to my parents about everything and anything, pointed out the most obvious things outside i.e. trees, cows, other cars, people, buildings etc. I began to think they were getting annoyed, so instead we turned on the radio and I let my mind wander.
Before long I started to convince myself the procedure wasn't going to be too bad and there was nothing to worry about -- it's only going to take a couple hours and then you'll be home safe and sound, in your bed, sleeping -- but just as soon as I began to believe it, other thoughts surrounded those ones and murdered the living shit out of them! Needless to say, I terrified myself with thoughts of dying, or a malfunction during surgery.
Before arriving at the hospital I noticed I had forgot my envelope with all the paperwork I needed to fill out...oops! I got worried that they'd turn me away for the surgery and tell me I couldn't get it done because I didn't bring in what needed to be in.
We pulled up in the parking lot and because my Father is too cheap to pay for parking he just dropped my Mother and myself off at the entrance and went to find parking that was free, or a lot cheaper than hospital parking.
Entering the hospital made my heart sink. I got extra scared knowing there was absolutely no turning back. I walked into the room where I had to sign in before heading upstairs, it was completely packed, so many people were apparently getting day surgery!
After signing in, we headed down a hallway towards a subway and tim hortons which made me awfully hungry, to an elevator that took us to the second floor where I would have to sign in again and register for surgery.
The lady at the front desk was extremely nice. She made me feel comfortable and less worried which was such a great feeling. I registered and she told me I didn't have to worry about not having my paper work, but before hand told me I'd need to sit in time out due to my lack of responsibility aha , at least I got a little laugh!
I waited for about an hour until another lady called me into a room just off the waiting room I was in. She talked to me about the procedure, what would happen, how long it would take, etc. She then took my blood pressure (which was sky high due to me being really nervous and scared) so she asked me to relax and take a few deep breaths -- I did -- and the second blood pressure test was a success!
After waiting 2 hours, I was called into yet another room. This time I had to change into hospital gowns and little slippers. I was then told to put my clothing items and other items into a bag, tie it up and put it on a rack that said " going home today ". I then walked into another waiting room with a bunch of other people with hospital gowns on to sit and wait for further instruction. My Mother was the only one with me at this point, my Father had went for a walk but would be back with us shortly.
About 20 minutes to half an hour later a nurse came out and scooped me up to go get an I.V put in. The last time I had one was when I was a wee little girl, i was very sick and didn't remember it hurting at all because I do believe they drugged me before it happened. This time... completely different. The nurse couldn't find my veins, at all.They were hiding and being stubborn, so she wrapped both arms up in warm blankets in hopes of them coming to the surface. A bit later she checked again and there it was! A vein that she could actually sink that horrible needle into, and boy oh boy, did it hurt.
I waited another hour before being ushered into the surgery room. Which at that point, I started crying because my parents had to leave me. It was the worst feeling knowing I was walking to a room where I would be put to sleep, cut open and sewn back up.
Getting into the room and talking to the surgeons was a whole different story. I stopped crying, I womaned the fuck up and I was calm as I could be.
The anesthesiologist pumped me with some medication that made me feel 150% too drunk. I was dizzy and couldn't even keep my eyes open, my stomach felt queezy and I hated every-absolute-moment. After that, they gave me my sleepy-time meds and away they went, hacking at my chest until their deed was done.
Waking up was horrible, I felt sick to my stomach, I felt really dizzy and high. I didn't know exactly where I was, who was around or what was going on. I kept dozing in and out of sleep, but it wasn't a deep sleep, it was the kind of sleep where you can still hear the people around you but you feel rested and comfortable.
After a short amount of time being awake, a room was available where I was being shipped to next, where my parents would be able to see me, and away I went!
I don't remember much about that room, or about being wheeled into it. I remember seeing my parents walking towards my bed with a nurse, smiling and then dozing off.
My surgeon eventually came in to see me and explained that my operation went very well and I am looking good. She told me I would feel dizzy and a bit sick for a short while but everything will go back to normal. She also gave me a few sheets that explained what I should and shouldn't do when I get home, as well as a sheet that had a check-up date to get my bandages off.
My parents and I both wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. I didn't enjoy being around a hospital. They smell weird and there are too many people around. Although I wanted to stay until I was no longer dizzy, I knew my parents really didn't want to wait around much longer since it's all they had been doing since getting to hospital.
I got up out of bed, sat my ass in a wheelchair and allowed my mother to wheel me downstairs and out the front door.
The drive home is a blur. I don't remember much of it because I slept majority of the time. I couldn't contain my dizziness, so it basically took over and I passed out multiple times. During certain moments I had felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach, but thankfully I never was. After getting my Father to buy me some water, and having little cat naps I began feeling 100% better. Couldn't wait to get home!
I slept for 3 days almost. Didn't move myself off the couch for the first night and the other nights that followed I just slept, napped and slept some more.
A week later I went to see my surgeon so she could take bandages off and make sure everything was healing properly.
It was the first time I had been able to look at my breasts, and holy moly, I was in such shock.
Now I am just waiting for my next appointed (July 4th) so I can make sure everything's still healing well. Hoping she will then give me the thumbs up to wear regular bras! Just have to keep my fingers crossed.
In the mean time, I am working and keeping myself busy. Trying to take it as easy as possible and relaxing with family.
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