Let's Help Dannon Reach Their Goal

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I am sure everyone has noticed all the pink everywhere.  The stores around her go crazy with it, selling everything from clothes to kitchen gadgets; all pink.  Brandi has been in heaven, because pink is her favorite color.

I am also sure that all of us have a personal connection to breast cancer.  For me, it was my Grandmother and my favorite Aunt.  They both beat the disease and are living full, happy lives.  I also had my own breast cancer scare a couple of years ago, and when I say scare, let me just say that I have never been so scared in my life.  But, thanks to a free mammogram and lots of good doctors, I was told that it wasn't cancer.  I did end up having a breast reduction at that time, which was a huge blessing.

Did you know that 290,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year?  That is a staggering number.  I am sure a percentage of those women are like me, without health insurance, so short on options.  Free mammograms can help so many women who wouldn't otherwise have access to this test.  Dannon is going to help some of these women, and we can help Dannon do just that.

I am sure by now we have all seen the pink topped yogurts.  Under those pink lids is a code.  Simply go to Cups Of Hope and enter the code to help Dannon reach their pledge of donating $500,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. ®.  All the money donated will go towards providing free mammograms and supporting breast cancer research.  They are hoping to raise and donate even more money ($1.5 million) this year than they have pledged. 

You can enter the codes until the end of November, so don't think that just because October is coming to a close that we should no longer think about breast cancer.  I think about it all the time, and worry about my daughters.  Don't you?

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by  Mom Central on behalf of Dannon. In addition, I received a gift certificate and products to thank me for taking the time to participate."

My Story

If you had asked me years ago if I ever thought I would have Plastic Surgery, I would have said "no way". Little did I know that the decision to have it would change my life for the better.

I had always had big breasts, and with each pregnancy, they got bigger. I remember people telling me to enjoy it, because once you stop breast feeding, they get smaller.

That never happened with me.

Then two years ago, (I can't believe it's been that long!), I developed an infection on my left breast. It got so bad I ended up in the emergency room, and they were considering making me stay so they could be me on IV antibiotics. Eventually they let me go, after I promised to come back the next morning so they could see if the two different high dose antibiotics they gave me had started to work. When I went back, there was some, not a lot, of improvement, so they let me leave. They recommended that I go to the clinic to have it monitored, so I did.

To make a long story a little shorter, I ended up at the surgical oncologist, because they were thinking I had inflammatory breast cancer. Thankfully, that wasn't the case. I just had an infection that wouldn't go away, so he referred me to a plastic surgeon, who recommended I have a breast reduction. To give you an idea of how big I was, they removed fifteen pounds of breast tissue.

I promise you, the day after my surgery, I knew I had made the right decision. I was in a lot of pain, but my back felt better, and I could see my feet again. It was a long, and painful, recovery, so I would recommend thinking long and hard before making the decision to have plastic surgery, but I would do it over again in a second. In fact, I keep asking myself why I waited so long to have it done.

My Surgery

July 7, 2008. This date is forever etched in my memory, for good reason. It's the day I had my breast reduction surgery, also know as the best decision I have ever made. I went back and read the posts from that week, and got pretty emotional. I can not believe it has been almost a year. The surgeon told me right after the surgery that I would see the final results after a year, once my breasts had time to heal and settle. I can honestly say that I am still extremely happy with the results. Looking back, I can't even remember what it was like before the surgery. Weird, right? I had humongous breasts for thirty six years, and I can't remember how life was then. I remember the back aches and shoulder pain, and always having to wear a bra. These days I only wear a bra when I have to, and that is such a great feeling.

One of the most important decisions you can make if you are considering this procedure is to chose a surgeon you trust, and who has a reputation of doing a good job. Look at before and after pictures of his former patients. I think that was the part I hated the most, having to pose topless for the before and after shots. I am a very modest person, and I was so embarrassed.

I don't regret my decision at all. Like I said, it was the best decision I have ever made for myself. The surgery gave me a renewed self confidence, and I am no longer embarrassed by the size of my breasts. Now if I could just lose some of this extra weight I carry around.

The Best Decision I Have Ever Made

July 7, 2008. This was the day I had my breast reduction.

July 8, 2008. This was the day my pain free life began.

I no longer have back pain or shoulder pain. I no longer have to but my bras at expensive department stores. I no longer have low self confidence.

If you are considering Breast Augmentation in LA, let me share my experience with you. I had very large breasts for most of my adult life. I lived daily with the pain associated with large breasts. I had indentations in my shoulders where my bra dug into my skin. I had awful posture, because I was always hunched over, trying to make my breasts appear smaller. I know now that that did not work, and it just contributed to my pain. I had always thought about having a reduction done, but I was always too scared to do it. I had never been put under, although I had three c-sections, and I was nervous about that.

Then about eighteen months ago, I had a spot appear on my left breast. I was originally diagnosed with cellulitis, and even though antibiotics helped, the spot just continued to get better. I was eventually sent to a surgical oncologist, who sent me for all kinds of tests. Although I had no lumps, I heard the term "inflammatory breast cancer" often. Luckily, that was ruled out, and I was sent to a plastic surgeon for a reduction. I was told that would be the only way they could get rid of the spot.

I was terrified for weeks before my surgery, and looking back now, I can see that I was worried for nothing. The surgery was the best thing I have ever done for myself. The recovery was hard, but that was mainly because they removed so much breast tissue (15 pounds) and I had hundreds of stitches. Now, almost a year later, I am doing wonderful. I would recommend this surgery to anyone who is living with large breasts. The end result is more self confidence, and beautiful breasts.

Plastic Surgery

If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that last year I had a breast reduction. You also know that I consider that surgery the best thing I have ever decided to do for myself. I can not stress enough how much better I feel, how much more self confidence I have, and how great it feels to be able to buy a bra at WalMart.

If you are considering a breast reduction, or any plastic surgery, do your research. Look into all the different Female Plastic Surgeon in Los Angeles, or wherever you live. Find the best of the best, because you are putting your body in their hands. I loved my surgeon, and am so happy with my results. It will be a year on July 7 since I had my surgery, and I am still thrilled with my results.

Breast Reduction

If you are a loyal reader, you know that last July I had a breast reduction. I had though about breast augmentation for years, but it was only after an inflammatory breast cancer scare that I finally decided, along with my surgical oncologist, that a reduction was the best thing for me. I was always big up top, but it got to the point where it was interfering with my life. Let's just say that the surgeon removed fifteen pounds of breast tissue. Yes, I was that big. I didn't like being around people, and I was embarrassed by the way I looked. Forget about buying clothes. It was impossible to find tops that fit right. They were either too tight, or they looked like a tent.

After my surgery, it was like I was a different person. I had never had a lot of self confidence before, but with my new, smaller breasts I was confident about the way I looked. I still have a lot of weight to lose before I am totally where I want to be, but I am headed in the right direction. I am no longer embarrassed by the way I look, and I have accepted the fact that I will never be perfect. Nobody is. But, if you are thinking about breast surgery, think seriously. I can not believe I waited until I was 36 to do something about my breasts. Sure, I had valid fears, but the outcome was worth overcoming them. It may be for you, too. Just keep in mind that doctors are not perfect, either.

If you live in the Charlotte area, and are looking for Charlotte Breast Augmentation, check out this site. Remember, they have pictures of before and after surgery, so don't look with kids around. If you have any questions that you want to ask me, feel free. I am happy to share my experience.