Breast Extreme or in other words . . A Lesson in Reduction ©
By: Zaina Hart
(Part of this Article was originally published in Jareeda Magazine June 2001)
I have been asked repeatedly over the last few years to re-run, re-write or add to my web site the article about “Breast Reduction Surgery” that I had written in 2001 (this article appeared in the June 2001 issue of Jareeda Magazine). Dancers/friends have wanted to know about my own surgery and experience, the benefits both directly after the surgery as well as now, 6 years later. Rather than re-run the original issue, it seemed more appropriate to do a six year post op update, including the original article, mainly because I continue to get the same question, “Are you still happy with the results”? I never hesitate with my answer which sometimes can be a bit more flowery than a simple “yes” or “absolutely”. But, the bottom line is that I have not regretted Breast Reduction Surgery for even one minute.
So as the original article and information went:
I would like to share with you the events of my adventure last year in April 2000. This was an event I had waited years to undertake and went through a great deal of emotional turmoil to come to the final decision to actually pack my bags and head to my destination-the Hospital. What for you wonder? Breast Reduction Surgery would be the answer.
In a day and age when so many women are dissatisfied with the shape of their bodies and opt for cosmetic surgery to change this, botox that, lift the other, nip and tuck, and “enhance/enlarge” their breast size, I was instead headed down the path to “decrease” mine. Oh there were the comments; “give me some Zaina,” or “what in the world would you want to be smaller for - that is crazy?” But those people did not have to live with the ever present threat of my dislocating and tweaking rib, aching shoulders, creaking neck, occasional rashes or the looks and downright stares. Not only did I experience the “gawk” from people I didn't know, but those that did know me and were just, as they say, in awe. I had experienced conversations with men where they never looked up into my face, but stared endlessly at my breasts as though speaking to them was going to gain a wink or nod. I usually handled this by placing my forefinger under their chin and re-directing their line of site “up” and saying, “I’m up here”. Now, as you see, I have quite a “unique” sense of humor and have approached much of this with that humor, but there were moments that just went beyond my tolerance level.
And, I finally realized, the bottom line, the girls just did NOT fit my 35 inch rib cage and luckily medical technology was available with a “fix”.
Pre Op – the Months, Weeks and Days Before
So, as I said, it actually took several years of thought, soul searching, internet research, asking questions, etc. to work up to that first appointment with the surgeon. I was very grateful to have found a wonderful surgeon and he answered every question I had. We did not get off on a good foot though. It is quite a humbling experience to have pictures taken, notes made about the size, dip, drape, and droop of your breasts, and quizzed about what you think the ideal size is. I didn’t think I would ever be able to go back after that first appointment. But almost better than the surgeon was his medical staff who talked me through those first few weeks with compassion and concern, one even had a sense of humor as odd as mine - I was able to relate to that.
In those few weeks after the initial appointment, I pushed beyond the fears that I would not be noticed “without them”. I also was beginning to realize the back and neck aches and dislocating rib was not just a part of old age (good heavens, I was only 45). I even questioned whether anyone would want to watch Zaina dance - -“was she a dancer without them”? The oddest things ran through my head - - all based on fear and insecurity. So, I had to get beyond all that. More research, more questions, with the end result “in sight” so to speak.
After all, wasn’t I tired of the blatant stares from both men and women? Hadn’t it gotten old to have men talk to my “bosoms” like they were just going to start answering back? Had I not even accidentally closed (or pinched) one of my sacred girls in the door? Wasn’t I disgusted with what gravity had done (I used to say it was a good thing that they didn’t have eyes because all I would ever have seen was my feet)? And then there was that “2” I had gotten in the costume section of a score sheet at a Belly Dance competition, with the judge being concerned “they were going to fly right out of that costume commenting “I was scared the entire time” (oh hogwash). Well the answer to all “yes” I was sick of it and I was tired of the pain and discomfort.
The Offending Competition Costume
So I made pros and cons lists (over and over again I made the lists) and the pros always outweighed the cons (no pun intended).
Side Note: The dancer side; as a woman who was a bit self conscious, somewhere in the back of my mind (okay, okay in the middle) was the thought that perhaps people watched my performances because of “the girls.” That maybe I was not going to be quite so talented without them (now that is just ripe isn't it – like the girls are talented?) They were part of the Zaina identity and would anyone ask me to dance, teach, etc. if they were no longer the big part of the Z-package? After hearing people describe Zaina as the girl with the big “guns” one time, I thought that was mostly what everyone was seeing. So, would they see anything else if the girls were gone?
But, I went back to see the Doc. This time the appointment was less intimidating. The nurse had already contacted my insurance carrier to determine coverage - - and we discovered I had great medical coverage for this surgery. No requirement to “loose weight” nor tons of other silly “body specific” requirements to be carried out first (some insurance companies will make a half hearted request that a woman loose “X” amount of pounds first to see if it reduces the size of their breasts. And sometimes that does occur, but it is usually only ounces that are lost--my breasts were the last part of my body ever affected by weight loss. And that is a ridiculous approach and one that has now been proven to be archaic in thought. A good surgeon with good staff can quickly overcome this silly obstacle).
Side Note: Insurance is normally the most difficult part of the process and perhaps the most frustrating. Many Insurance companies simply do not see the need for reduction and often refuse to acknowledge the medical necessity (so tell that to my ribs, neck and back). Especially if you have men at the helm making the decision, which can be the case in an insurance “trust” scenario (sorry guys, but that is a cold hard fact). I have actually stood in a medical board room, for someone else who was trying to have this surgery and had one of the all male panel say “I just don’t get it - why would any woman even consider a smaller size”. I didn’t miss a step and simply responded with, “I don’t know sir, why don’t you ask your wife why she considered it”. They denied my friend, not based on my comment but his prejudice. But alas, in that I had some ammunition - - “his personal preference” was obvious and we were able to use that against him and the trust. Her Doctor made a few calls and her surgery was approved, setting a precedent at that particular trust.
So, I had mustered to everything else in my life, what was the hold up? (Again, no pun intended).
And here is how it went:
So, I was approved it was time to set a date. A date, mind you, that would fit into my dance and work schedule. So, early April it was. All that remained was a pre-op exam by my surgeon. That was when we hit a serious snag. During that exam, my plastic surgeon discovered a large growth on the front of my thyroid. Everything was on hold. We were ten days away from surgery and after all the frustration, fear and then fight to get here, we were on hold. I had to quickly find another surgeon specializing in thyroid issues, get an ultrasound and find out what in the world was growing in there. So, fear again.
I got lucky – with a referral from a friend, I did find a surgeon, did get the ultra sound and a needle biopsy which showed no cancer cells but they still wanted to go in and take the darned thing out. But the all clear was given that it could wait, and I could go forward with the reduction surgery as planned and schedule the thyroid surgery a few months down the road.
So, back on track and after blood work and an EKG, I was totally ready.
DDD Day:
I got to the hospital the morning of, checked in and went to the surgery floor. With the family handholding, and me cracking jokes the usual hook ups were done (IV's, name bands, etc) “see you laters” were said and I was off to surgery where I met my doctor. Now, those of you that know me and my claustrophobic nature can imagine how I reacted when they strapped down my arms and legs. But, thank goodness for everyone, the anesthesiologist was quick. He said, “anything you'd like to say before you go to sleep?” Of course, I said, “Just make sure they match and don't make them tooooooo ssmaaaaaalllllll”! Now that is just funny.
The next thing I remember was my Doctor telling me he would see me first thing in the morning and that everything went very well. Okay, so your thought is, “Did it hurt”? Absolutely! But not as bad as I anticipated. And the relief to my back was almost immediate. I was trying to get up early the next morning, everyone having a hard time keeping me down until the Doc could give the all clear to get up.
Side Note: Now I would not be doing anyone who is reading this and considering this surgery justice if I didn’t just come right and say this; one of my biggest concerns with this surgery from the very beginning was the possible loss of sensitivity. Because the surgery is so extensive, removal of tissue, internal stitching, re-shaping, and skin graphing the areola and nipple back in place, I was terrified I would not have feeling in one of the most sensitive areas of my body. Sometimes this can happen, it is a risk we take with the surgery – a risk that was at the top of my cons list. But I was very lucky to have passed that little test. When the Doc came in the next morning, checked for “feeling” I remember him saying, “are you going to start breathing now or do I need to hook you up to some darned oxygen?”
Five days later I joined Mezdulene at Saqra's showcase (as a sit in -- meaning I sat my fanny in a chair for an hour) and 2-1/2 weeks later I was back to teaching my classes. Of course, I shied away from shoulder shimmies, chest locks and the like, but I was up and moving and my back felt better then ever.
I had thyroid surgery six weeks later and all cysts and growths from both surgeries proved to be benign. My rib stopped dislocating, my neck does not hurt nearly as it did and the divots in the soft tissue of my shoulders are not so pronounced anymore. It amounted to a bit over three pounds removed total, and they are down to somewhere between a C and D cup and feel like the weight of two small worlds have been lifted off my shoulders (I just crack myself up!).
Circa 2001:
Bottom line I am thankful this surgery is available and wish I had done it sooner. The little bit of pain and discomfort after surgery is nothing compared to what it has given me-a new sense of confidence. And my posture is amazing. I am a posture “freak” and when I see anyone in a slouch I quickly work to get them upright, but it is so much easier to do now. The upside (no pun intended) is I feel healthier than I have in years, I breathe better and easier, which is so important. My costumes fit better (actually have to pad a few), I have a certain perkiness to my step (that pun was definitely intended) and people are always asking me. “Zaina, have you lost weight?” My reply is simple, “Oh, just a couple pounds”.
Circa 2007:
So the question many have now, six years later, is “are you still happy with your surgery”? Absolutely! I feel blessed that at that time the surgeon was able to get a good, clear look of the breast tissue that was there, determine what would remain, remove lumps of what looks like “gristle”, and check every one of those lumps/clumps for any problems. Having had a breast biopsy in 1990 in which the results were benign (gristle– just clumped up tissue), it is good to know that everything in 2001 was a-okay. A base to go from.
Zaina Before Surgery
Zaina After Surgery
I continue to have yearly mammograms and checkups, with the first after surgery the most fun of all. The technician walked in with the big films and said, “oops, guess I better go get the smaller films”. That was wonderfully funny.
Since my surgery, I have worked with countless friends, dancers and even people I didn’t know via seminars for a medical group, as they worked through the process of breast reduction surgery. It gives back a part of a woman’s life that was lost for years and years. I often now don’t wear a bra, just don’t need to, but at the same time I actually enjoy looking for bras because I can actually find bras that fit. I wore my first strapless dress since high school just a few months after the surgery - - I was stoked beyond words.
Truly this was the best money I ever spent.
Note: I am happy to share my experience and answer any questions regarding my specific surgery experience with you. I am certainly no expert and there can be drawbacks and issues with any kind of surgery which is why I implore you to seek expert advice (a good surgeon - - ask your OB/GYN, MD, etc. who they would recommend) if you are considering this surgery. I have included a couple of informational web site links below for you to check out on this subject. And I say again, if I had to make the decision over again, it would be the same.
Feel free to e-mail me at: zaina@zainahart.com with any questions.
Sites with Breast Reduction Information:
http://www.newbody.com/Procedures/Breast_Reduction.html
http://www.plasticsurgery.org/ (Type in Breast Reduction in the search engine)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/breast-reduction/WO00021
Breast Cancer Awareness - Sites and Information:
http://cms.komen.org/komen/index.htm
http://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/
http://www.breastcancerawareness.com/
A lot of guys think the larger a woman's breasts are, the less intelligent she is. I don't think it works like that. I think it's the opposite. I think the larger a woman's breasts are, the less intelligent men become.
-- Anita Wise
