A little while ago I wrote a post about doing something just for me.  Specifically, I announced to the world that I am seriously considering a breast reduction (and much to my surprise I also announced to the world my bra size.  Which by the way, I still cannot believe I did).

Since that post, my family doctor has referred me to three local plastic surgeons/cosmetic surgeons.  And, I’ve learned a whole heck of a lot of information about breast reductions in my part of the world.

1. The cost to me for a private breast reduction is about $12,000 in Canadian dollars (about $9200 USD with the current exchange rate).  Initial consult is $100 CAD ($75 USD).
2. The cost to me for a public system breast reduction is essentially free (if you don’t count the taxes we pay).
3. The surgery can be done through the public health system or private health system.  Meaning, I can pay a private doctor or I can have the government pay as long as the doctor says that I qualify (which shouldn’t be a problem for me).  Doctors are not allowed to perform the same procedure within the public and private systems, so they must choose one or the other.  What this really means is that I cannot just choose the doctor I deem to be the best and have the government system pay for it.
4. The wait times are very similar.  About 4 months for the initial consult and then 6-12 months until surgery.  Surprisingly, the private doctor appears to actually have the longest wait times.   Which is nothing like my experience in the USA with the private recurrent pregnancy loss specialist we saw within a few months.
5. The big thing my family doctor stressed is that they all have to meet the same criteria and pass the same exams to be a plastic surgeon in Canada, therefore they are all fully qualified for the procedures they perform.
6. The private doctor has better online reviews then the 2 public doctors.

So, here’s my plan.

1. Mr. MPB will be involved in all the doctor appointments and the final decision.  First, I want a second opinion on each of the appointments.  Second, I kind of want to make sure he will like the final product. I am not saying it’s his choice what I do to my body, but I do think basic sexual attraction is kind of important to a marriage so I want his opinion.
2. Mr. MPB & I will meet all the doctors.  The initial consult with the public system doctors is free, and the cost of the private doctor is $100.  We will talk with each one and ask a tonne of questions.  I will do my homework.
3. We will listen to our gut reactions when we meet each doctor.
4. Money is rather tight right now (thanks to our adoption bills).  But if we feel the private doctor is the best, then I’ll wait a few more years until I can afford to have the best surgeon.  This surgery (like all surgeries I suspect) isn’t a surgery that I want to have go wrong.
5. I am going to proceed with all the consults and if an adoption happens before surgery then I will simply put off surgery until I feel the timing is right considering our child’s age.  By this I mean that I have no interest in having an elective surgery with a 2 month old baby at home, so I’ll wait until our child is a bit older.  I don’t want to put life on hold as we wait, but I also want to be practical about the logistics of having surgery with a child at home.
6. I will lose the couple extra pounds that I’m still carrying around from the hell my body went through with 5 pregnancies and medically required lack of exercise for nearly 18 months of my life.  As much of my time has been dedicated to starting my business lately I haven’t been as active as I should be.  So, I want to make fitness a higher priority again.  I work out to feel good, not to know the number on the scale.   Like many, I could probably afford to lose a few pounds but nothing drastic nor concerning.  I generally eat a very healthy diet and I’m a generally active person hiking mountains, running and cycling regularly.  This all said, if I’m looking at having a surgery that will forever alter my appearance, I think it’s best that I get into a bit better shape because I am 100% positive that I don’t want to have the surgery, lose a few pounds and up with much tinier breasts then I ever wanted.

And so, I am still at least a few month away from my first initial consult, so I probably wont have much to say on the topic for a while, but I thought I’d share what I’ve learned in the last month and what my plan is going forward.

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