This one’s for me, not for my Mourners. I include it in this month’s posts because I want to tell you about it!
I’ve grown used to the back and shoulder pain of my large breasts. After each relieving massage I get from a massage therapist I proudly proclaim that everything is right in the world! Then my teen will give my shoulder a squeeze and I’m reminded that the knots are still there, and that they wouldn’t be, should my breasts be smaller.
I was put on a consultation list three years ago. And the wait time to see the surgeon is three years! Last month I got my consultation where the surgeon talked me through the procedure and what to expect next: a mammogram to capture a before photo of my breasts, a few months’ wait for a surgery date, advice on purposeful targeted weight loss, and what recovery would look like.
I don’t think I can lose weight from the areas my surgeon wants less fat on. But what I *do* think is within my powers is increasing my back and shoulder strength and flexibility. That’s what my focus will be on in the months leading up to the surgery. You’ll find me smelling like chlorine as I swim 3-4 times weekly to supplement the weight lifting I do in my gym class. The physiotherapist has given me an elastic band and videos to target the muscles/joints/tendons that are unhappy with their (my?) use.
Recovering from surgery will require me to not do heavy exercise- that means I have to get my reps in while I can! Also, I believe a strong body recovers from surgery more rapidly than a soft body. I’m stacking the odds in my favour.