It feels like a sisterhood for me too. Y'all have been through the whole process with me, supporting me, giving me gentle nudges along the way.
It has been a tremendous help to have all the support from good women. Makes me very happy.
Medeira, I can completely emphathize with the concern about the scars. I was soo worried about that too.
When I went in for one of my many consultations (it took me a couple tries before going through with it!) I brought this up. The doc. started naming off all the *possible* outcomes. It scared the crap out of me!
The reality for myself is that my incisions are healing very well, and quickly. They are still a bit tender, and I admit it was a tad unerving at first. Right now my scars look quite a bit like unhappy stretch marks. They are thin, and I seem them getting better every week.
I was starting to get stretch marks around my breasts before the surgery. They just wouldn't stop growing, and well, gravity was starting to do its thing. Since the surgery, those marks look so much better and less visible. My breasts are perkier. I think it was a good trade-off.
I know we aren't (supposed) to worry too much about whether our feminine parts are pretty to us or not, especially when it comes to a situation where our health is being comprimised. But we do. We want to look pretty and scars on that very feminine part can be intimidating. I want my body to look good. And I can honestly say it DOES look good. A few little scars did not affect my beauty.
The lady who had it done at 71 must be some kind of woman alright. It's encouraging to hear that even at that age the scars were minimal for her, she had a sucessful surgery and healing process. It's just cool!
Sending out a hug your way. I know it's a tough decision.