Welp – I did a thing. And this is your fair warning – right here – that I’m going to be giving TMI (too much information). You can just keep swiping if you need to.
My story starts back when I hit puberty. (Ok – yeah – that should get rid of half of you.)
I grew boobs. (Nope wait, several of you are turning back to read on, welcome back!)
I’ve had pretty large boobs since, well, forever. At my heaviest weight, I wore a size J cup bra. For the uninformed; bras literally go through the alphabet up in size, so A, B, C, D, DD(E), DDD(F), G, H, I, J, etc.
Those are not bras you can just buy down at the Walmart. Those were $65 or more on-line. Each. Those were underwired, super heavy duty, 4 hook backed, steel reinforced, bulletproof mama-jamas (only slightly exaggerating). Some people may have viewed my boobs as normal, fine, or even sexy – I did not. I’d always dreamed about getting a breast reduction.
My dear mother had Breast Cancer at the very, very, young age of 42. She had a mastectomy (just one side) and went through chemo. Luckily, she kicked cancer’s ass and has been cancer-free ever since.
Since mom had BC so young, that put me in the high-risk category and I started getting checked every year. Side note: mammograms suck. They are very uncomfortable-to-painful.
Every time I got checked, I thought ‘is this the year I get it?’, ‘is this the year I get it?’ So I’ve been anxious about it for many years.
Two years ago, I had some unexplained nipple leakage (TMI – I know, sorry), so I went in for a mammogram AND an ultrasound where they found a suspicious little spot. I had a biopsy – not very fun either, by the way – but was found to be benign. I’ve had several additional scans after that.
Since the first biopsy, I started really researching my options and ultimately ended up deciding on the prophylactic double mastectomy with reconstruction.
Last month I had my first of two surgeries. A breast surgeon removed all of my inner breast tissue (which was sent off for pathology) as well as a good amount of skin including the (TMI!!!) nipples and a plastic surgeon closed me up with an expander on each side. I was fitted with four drains and had some effective meds administered.
If you’ve never had surgical drains, that’s a whole world of pain in the assery. The drains are sutured in place inside your body, then work via gravity and suction. But you still have to ‘strip’ or ‘milk’ the tubes thrice daily. Empty the drains (eww) and measure and log the amount you’re emptying each time. And the drains are at your sides – so reaching across your body to hold the tube in place with one hand while you squeeze downward with the other, and be careful not to slip, lest you have to start all over (ugh!), and with limited range of motion due to the surgery – man that hurts!
The expanders have tabs that are sutured in place to keep the fill port in position so more saline can be inserted (up to 50 cc each week, as desired). But, while you’re instructed to keep working on your range of motion with your arms – sometimes if you reach too far, or just right (wrong) you pull those sutured tabs and get a zap of pain. Ouch!
So what I’m saying is – yes – I’m a big baby. I’m not good with pain, I knew this going into it. I knew there would be pain, I just didn’t know what kind of pain. NOW I know! (Still no regrets.)
Currently, I’m drain free. Also, nipple free, in case you didn’t catch that earlier. I’m also cancer-free! I had a small list of items on the pathology report that were ‘precursors’ to cancer, but I don’t have to have any chemo, radiation, or cancer meds. YAY!! I’m also back to work (boo! haha)
I still have the expanders in. During the surgery they filled the expanders with 250cc, and I’ve had 2 fills of 50cc each per the doc’s recommendation. I have a long scar going across horizontally and a small vertical scar on each breast (hence, the title of this post). I go for the second surgery to trade out the expanders for actual gel implants in April. I figure I’ll be around a C Cup – which is so much better to me. Then three months after that I intend to get 3D tattooed nipples. TMI?!
Yeah, Probably.
Love, krisgo
jesus, lady. glad you are okay in the long run, I hope?
Ah, the lovely anchor scars. I’m sorry you had to go through it, but I feel your pain – literally. I was a DDD/F when I had my reduction at 22. I went to a C-ish as well, but because I was 22, I continued growing (sidenote: women continue to “develop” untill they are around 25, and my surgeon did warn me about it), and am still an H — though after the recent weight loss they are more deflated and I just kinda roll them up in the boulder-holder – and I weigh less now than I did when I had my reduction.
But I’m very glad you got everything taken care of before it turned into anything and that your pain is hopefully temporary.
You will move ahead and be grateful for missing those sacks of fat! I had cancer at 39, but I have a genetic mutation. I had bilateral mastectomies with tissue expanders and subsequent implants. 20 years out in 2024! The work-up and minor pain will be gone and you will have new boobs. I found the tattoos a little painful on one side when she hit the scar but the rest were easy. Tattoos really make a huge difference. You should still look into genetic testing to see if there is a BRCA 1 or BRCA2 mutation as your mum had premenopausal breast cancer.
Krisgo, I am very thankful you are cancer-free.
I had a friend who started having back issues because of her breast size. She had reduction surgery and the pain went away. And frankly, looks better.
My gall bladder was collateral damage to my heart bypass surgery (worst vacation ever!) so I had to let it drain before they removed it. So I do know what it is like to have drainage–but I did not have to “milk” it but just empty the bag and note how much I emptied (sorry–to much information? Too late).
Thanks for writing this. Even though I’m a guy, I’ve had two friends go through this and they’re doing great now. I’ve also had two male friends get BC; one survived and the other didn’t. Everyone needs to be aware of breast cancer.
My long-time auto mechanic friend (male) had breast cancer and had a mastectomy several years ago at around his mid-60s. His stories were wild…he was always the only guy in the doctor’s office waiting room, most of the paperwork was pink, the literature only featured women. It must have been SO strange to be in that situation, and he’s still doing well these years later.
Stats show that 99%+ of breast cancer occurs in women, less than 1% in men.
Best of luck Krisgo! Sounds like you’ve been thru the mill, but keep coming out on top with a smile! Your dad would be proud of you! Godspeed recovery!
Jody in Apollo Beach Fl
I am so glad you are ok! Everything you went through was worth it and will soon be forgotten.
I know exactly what you are experiencing. My wife went through this. Lumpectomy, radiation, chemo, partial mastectomy, double mastectomy, reconstruction, Oophorectomy, follow-up visits every six month to a year every year to the oncologist, surgeon(s), …the whole enchilada. That all started 30 years ago, but hopefully we’ve seen our last drain line. Stay positive. Fight it.
None of that sounds fun. You seem to be handling it like a boss.
Frankly, I hope your description penetrates the minds of people who think “bigger is better” because those who are bigger know it ain’t all that!
Glad your cancer free.
Sister went through the whole 9 yards…double mastectomy, chemo, radiation and reconstruction.
She has a t-shirt that says “Yes they are fake. My real ones were trying to kill me.”
Also, instead of tattooed nipples, she went with smiley faces.
Kris,
All i want to know, or need to know, is you are okay and are going to be okay.
What you wear in the inside of your shirt does not concern me.
I’m sorry that BC is such a bitch, and I’ve had friends who have surived it. And reconstructed, and one that just did not. Still doesn’t matter as long as they are alive.
Good for you Krisgo being proactive and going ahead with life-changing (and life-improving) surgery. Two of my friends made the same decision, one in her 20s and one in her early 40s, and it seems to have been smooth sailing for each of them ever since. I’m sorry you’re having to go through all the painful bits though. Hope your doctors and medical team are being good to you!
Thanks everybody for all the kind words and encouragement. It’s been rough, but do-able. It would’ve been easier probably if I’d taken the narcotics for a few days afterwards – but they said it could cause constipation, and I said – nope – that just aint for me then!!! I’m going to be super happy with the new set. Honestly, I can’t wait to go and buy some cheap bras LOL!! or walk around WITHOUT a bra – aaahhh, I can’t wait!
Proud of you Kris. You’re a trooper! Best wishes on your continued recovery!
Good. Thank you for telling the story. Just the right amount of information. Not too much at all.
I had a friend who I met after her breast reduction. I didn’t know about it until she brought it up. She said, and I quote: “I useta be built like a brick shit-house.” I’d never heard the term before. I said, “Is that good?” She said, “No.”
Courageous decision, Krisgo. In time you will be past the discomfort and drains and happy with your new bras. I saw someone post advising getting genetic testing for the brca1 or brca2.
I agree. Talk to me, Jan or Jill about that. Take care.
Thanks Cousin Judy <3
I’m glad to hear everything is going well. I’m on the larger side as well. More so now that I’m older and heavier I have been in a H cup for a few years. No history of BC in my family or signs of it for myself thankfully. I have looked into a reduction, however it’s not covered by the insurance I had since it was coded the same as an enlargement, even with back problems.
I hope you keep us updated about the recovery and how things are going. I don’t feel it was TMI. People need to be aware. As a couple of previous posters mentioned, men and women are both at risk.
I know it will be a great adventure to be able to purchase a “normal” bra. I feel you there. Also to wear a button up shirt without gaps. Rock on, Lady!!