Inspired by the Tummy Tuck Thread: Anyone ever had a "reduction?"

[mookie]

I am currently pregnant with our 2nd, and probably last child. I have always been pretty big chested for my frame (it runs in my family, actually) and have started having more severe back problems, even before I got pregnant. I had heard somewhere that ins companies will sometimes consider paying for a reduction a year after your last child is born if they deem it medically necessary. I think with my history of back problems, and given my frame, they might consider it.

Has anyone ever had this done? I heard that it's quite painful. How did you like the results? Did you feel better, physically?

I know I'm probably out of the norm. Most women are looking to boost their size...where I want to get ride of some of mine!!!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

No, but I'm getting a mini-tuck done April 21st!

 

[wvjovifan]

I can never understand all these girls getting these giant ones....D's and
DD's are sooooo uncomfortable!! I'm with you...my 2 kids are 20 & 22 and I am sick of mine too!!! I am doing some research on this proceedure in my area... I just want them small and perky. A plastic surgeon I spoke to says they do what they can to have it go thru insurance, but can't guarantee it. Some companies want you at your "ideal" weight and have specific medical problems that are the result of your large chest.....Obviously men are making these decisions!!! I am currently working on getting to my ideal weight (I'm getting close!) because I don't want to have it done then get all saggy from losing more. I would love to hear from anyone who has had it done!!!!

 

[gradtchr]

I have a good friend who had them done and is thrilled with life now. I will have it done as soon as I can after having kids. I hate them and when I hear people talking about wanting more I never understand. I have been having issues already with my back so at least I have the start of a paper trail on why it is medically necessary.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I had a BR done. It was the BEST thing I have ever done!!

I am over the rainbow, as they say in BR communities, for 2.1 years. I was very large chested my whole life and was getting bigger and bigger after each child.

Mine was covered by our medical insurance (85/15). I had to start complaining about my back pains, etc prior to going to the PS. I had had so many pains aches, etc all my life I never really complained about them b/c I figured it wouldn't help any..nothing could be done about it. they had me do physical therapy to see if that aliviated the pain.. yeah right But I jumped through all the hoops and they approved me! It took about 6 months from the first complaint to approval. Then I had to wait to get an appointment with my PS, so it was almost a year from start to finish. FYI.. I WAS NOT at my ideal weight, not even close to it, but was approved anyway.

I went from a VERY, VERY large size, one where I had to get my bras made from a speciality place. They cost $75 each and took 6 weeks to receive. Now I am a 38D and it is so wonderful. I can actually buy bras off the shelf, pretty ones too

Pain wise... yes it hurt, but nothing horrible... after all I had already had 4 kids, 3 being C-sections.

Let me know any other ?? you have.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I have a good friend who had them done and is thrilled with life now. I will have it done as soon as I can after having kids. I hate them and when I hear people talking about wanting more I never understand. I have been having issues already with my back so at least I have the start of a paper trail on why it is medically necessary.

you will find this is one of the most important things to have when you are looking for your ins to cover a BR

 

[Sleepy]

I had a reduction March 1993. Went from a 40DD to a 34B. (5ft and 115lbs). Best thing I could have ever done. I am very pleased with the results. Don't regret it a bit. Still look great after all these years. Yes, it was painful coming out of surgery, but recovery was amazingly quick. I had mine done when they used stitches for everything. Even then, stitches started being removed at the 1 or 2 week mark. I think now they mostly use tape and don't cut quite as far under the arm and between the breasts???? I do have scars, but they are hardly noticeable unless I wear something low cut and obviously a bikini top is out of the question for the scar area. It will take about a year for the scars to turn a silvery white color. They will be a purple color for a while. Again, the end result looks and feels 10 times better than the before.

 

[Sleepy]

I can actually buy bras off the shelf, pretty ones too

Yeah, the ones that have less than 4 hooks A mess when your spouse almost needs a manual on how to remove a bra. For me the best thing was being able to sleep at night without a bra.

 

[anewvance]

My orthopedic doctor already told me he'd back my breast reduction surgery with my insurance and said he's fairly certain they would cover it because of all the back problems I have.

But won't do the reduction until I lose my last 50lbs and will be getting a tummy tuck too.

 

[DVC-Don]

My DW is OTR (Over the Rainbow, she is a BR board member) as of March 1st. She had lot of pain the first 5 or so days after but is doing much better now. She said it is worth it and would do it again. Her shoulder pain is gone.

 

[carole88]

I also had it done in November of 2003. My insurance paid for the whole thing. I didn't have to do any physical therapy. I only needed a letter from an orthopedist saying that it was medically necessary. My approval came about 1 month after seeing ortho. The surgery is somewhat painful but nothing you can't get through. My biggest suggestion is to make sure you get a mammo after you are all healed from the pocedure. I only had one done beforehand and now I have a couple of lumps along the scar lines. The doctors are pretty sure that it is probably just scar tissue or something called a granuloma from the stitches, but now I have to go for an MRI to make sure. My new doctors said I should have had a mammo done after surgery for comparison.

 

[SplshMtn99]

I would LOVE to get this done. 44D.

At age 13, I had an 11" stainless steel rod put in my back due to scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I've had a life filled with back pain & physical restrictions -- mostly hip & neck problems. I'm 41 & have been going to a chiropractor as needed since I was 20.

I've never mentioned wanting a BR to any doctor though. Wonder if it would be covered in my case?

Have never looked into it. But from what you gals are saying, my weight may be an issue. I'm 5'5" & 216 lbs. sigh

 

[sweetlovin']

I had it done this past Aug and I feel so much better. I went from and H cup to a D-DD (depends on the bra) and let me tell you I feel so much better. More because people actaully now look at my face when they are talking to me!!!

Edited to add:

It took me about a week and a half to recover, make sure you have plenty of none underwire bras (you can't wear underwire for about 2moths) and no lifting. I had a 4yo, 2yo, and 7mo at the time, so my mom took them for two weeks for me. I wasn't suppose to lift them I think for a month or so, but at least I had a good two weeks of no lifting.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

If only we could donate!!!

My best friend did this, but got turned down by her insurance company the first time. Why? No history of medical problems before she asked for the breast reduction.

She wrote a long letter explaining that it would be kinda dumb to go to the doctor just to say, "Gee, I really hate my big ****s." She also explained that it made exercise difficult, because you can't run or do aerobics, and it is hard to find swimsuits they don't pop out of, etc. She also explained the toll they were taking on her back. Her letter, and some stuff from her doctor - and they covered it.

I understand they are even less willing to cover it if the patient is overweight. If you are able to make them smaller on your own, you're supposed to try that first.

I watched an augmentation once, but never saw a reduction. The doctor said the reduction is harder to do, but I don't know about recovery.

Every time I bring it up, DH is is kinda, "uhhhhh..." So, for better or worse, I think I'm stuck with the girls.

 

[dennis99ss]

Oh the horror!!!!!!!

I know, just thoughts of a male pig.

 

[mookie]

Oh the horror!!!!!!!

I know, just thoughts of a male pig.

Have you been talking to my husband? He's learned. Since seeing how BIG they can actually get the 2nd pregnancy around (I can only imagine subsequent pregnancies!!) he is starting to soften. I promised I wouldn't take it ALL away...we just needed a happy medium...

Males always think they are the greatest things to have. Walk one day in our shoes and I'm sure you'll think otherwise.

Voluptious ones are one thing. VOLCANIC ones are another!

 

[krcit]

I had a BR 10 years ago after the birth of my oldest dd. It was the best thing I ever did(well, besides having my kids, lol) I was a DDD and I went to a C. I was 144 lbs and 5'4" and my insurance paid 100%. I never needed anything other than regular Tylenol for the pain and that was only for about 2 days. the worst part was the anesthesia-I was so sick from it. I have pretty major scars but no plans to go topless so no worries I went on to have 2 more children after the surgery so they did get a little bigger but nowhere near the horrors they were I have heard that BR patients are the most satisfied of all plastic surgery patients. I believe it- I wish I had done it years before I did-when I had the body to wear a bikini but was too embarrassed b/c of my b***s. Anyway, I encourage anyone who's thinking of it...GO FOR IT, you won't regret it.