I’ve wanted this for a long time—7 to 10 years, at least. But it wasn’t until my son got married two years ago that everything changed. I saw the photos from the wedding, and they were painful. They spoke a thousand words I didn’t want to hear, but needed to.
Like many of you, I’d gotten used to the comments. From bosses. Coworkers. Even friends. You laugh it off and pretend it doesn’t sting—but it does. Over time, it wears you down.
After a hysterectomy and hitting menopause, my breasts got even bigger. That’s when the physical pain really took over—shoulders, neck, back. I had an MRI that showed arthritis. I’m only 45. I tried everything: physical therapy, pain meds, exercise. I was told to keep moving or the pain would get worse. But how do you “just move” when your body is fighting you every step of the way?
Working out became a nightmare. Shopping for clothes? Even worse. I was one size on the bottom and a completely different size on top. It’s exhausting and emotionally draining.
After moving back to California, I finally reached out to Tri Valley Plastic Surgery and met with Dr. Wasicek. He looked at me and said, “You’re a perfect candidate—and insurance should absolutely cover this.” That one sentence was a turning point.
Still, the road wasn’t smooth. Three insurance denials. But I didn’t give up. On July 7, I got the call: Approved. And not just that—there was an opening on July 14. One week. I jumped in. No hesitation.
Now I’m 11 days post-op, and I’ll be honest: recovery is tough. The pain has mostly subsided, but the swelling has been brutal. I can barely move my arms. My husband jokes and calls me a “T-Rex” (and honestly, he’s not wrong). I’ve been dealing with bloating, back pain, and general discomfort. It’s not glamorous. It’s hard.
Day 12 Update
On Day 12, I went back to see Dr. Wasicek because the swelling and pressure were intense—honestly, overwhelming. I needed reassurance. Thankfully, he confirmed there was no infection. Just a lot of swelling and fluid retention. He told me, “Your body’s just not very happy with you right now.” And that’s exactly how it feels.
It’s frustrating when your mind is ready to move forward but your body holds you back. But hearing it’s all part of the healing process helped me breathe a little easier. No complications—just healing in progress. Even if it’s slow and uncomfortable, it’s still progress.