Reductions--ladies only ( sorry guys )

[bigsis1970]

Hi - I just got approved for a Breast Reduction with my insurance company and its all scheduled for Aug 6 .. Going from a DD to hopefully a B !!! all in time for my Oct/Nov Trip .. Yea me .. I am just wondering if you had this done how long was your recovery time .. Wondering about going to the lake during recovery ? When can you drive again ? how is the scaring ? do you regret it ( can't imagine anyone does but who knows ) .. Thanks Michelle

Now that is my motovation (sp) to lose some weight and firm up my midsection ( I will be able to see it when the surgery is done and I am sure if I don't lose some of it it will be a horrible sight!! )

 

[jeleebeene]

I just had one done on March 17th - and it was the best thing I ever did.

My mother's side is all large chested, and I happened to inherit it, even though I am smaller framed. Started having awful back problems, couldn't exercise - so got approved through insurance and had it done.

My recovery time was 4 weeks, plus one week where I only worked half days. Everyone heals differently, though. I couldn't drive for almost 3 weeks afterwards - again, some people bounce right back, but I did not.

I had no problems riding in cars, as long as I had control of the seatbelt.

My scaring isn't TOO bad - I have been using Mederma, but I am having a harder time recovering - I am still sore and almost 3 months out from the surgery.

My best advise is this - if you can't stomach the pain meds they give you, Tylenol PM is awesome (for sleeping as that was the hardest thing for me). I was never in awful pain, just very sore - got through lots of movies and books while I was off! Also, use a warm compress every 15 minutes or so at night - my Dr. told me it will help with some of the swelling - or you can take a nice long bath (when permitted) to help.

If you have any more questions, feel free to PM me, and I will answer as best I can! Good luck!

 

[onecoolmama]

No but I am really interested in finding out how you got insurance to pay for it!


I am the 9th letter of the alphabet and once I stop having kids..I want one too!

 

[onecoolmama]

jeleebeene are you glad you did it?

 

[bigsis1970]

onecoolmama- I went to my dr. ( who i have had since high school ) with neck pain, upper back pain and headaches and just asked if that could be the reason and he said yes would you like me to recommed you to a specialist and I said sure .. went to the specialist and they said I looked like a great canidate when I told them of the pains and not being able to excersize or run around with my kids without having the air pounded out of my lungs in a second flat and they took photos sent the forms to my ins co and about 5 weeks later the specialst office called and set up an surgery date..

jeleebeene- thanks, I am sure it will result in a great thing . I have had 2 C-sections think its something like that far as pain/uncomfortableness ?? I really can't wait to see the look on my kids faces when i do get to run around with them - right now I tell them Mom's don't run!!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Well I had one in the summer of 1992 going into my senior year of high school. My dad brought up the surgery because I was a DD and couldnt even take gym with out hitting myself in the face. I had teh surgery my dads health insurnace at the MBTA blue cross blue shield covered it all. I had a plastic surgeon she was great and they did it I was in teh hopsital for awhile and then went home it was hard at first VERY SORE and my bandages had to be changed alot. My family took care of me and I healed up good after 6 weeks. I spend the summer taking it easy and when I went back to schhol people were loike wow how much weight did you lose? Even though i ahd lost some I had really only lost my chest . I went from a 40dd to a 36b sometimes a C depending on the bra. I have NEVER refretting doing it and thank the lord for my dad recognizing that I needed it to be done and helping it happen. I was a miserable self consious girl and coudlnt wear any clothes had to buy everything big andhave it taken in and stuff like that. I am ahappier healthier person for it and am glad I had it done !!

Good Luck!!!

 

[shelbyjosh]

I had mine done Jan 03. Best thing I ever did. Of course, DH really didn't want to loose his big ones, though. Too bad...my body. BC paid for every penny except my $8 Darvocet copay. My surgery was almost 5 hours long. I have a "lollipop" scar vs. the "anchor" scar most PS do. My recovery was great. Virtually no pain at all. Only needed Motrin, no Darvocets. I went from a FF to a DD. Just be careful when saying you want to go from DD to B. That is drastic. I wish I would've been smaller, but PS wanted to keep everything in proportion. I am not kidding you...I can now go without a bra and it looks perfectly normal. No more shoulder grooves, either. I buy my bras from Victorias Secret now rather than the "large bra shop". I could not even get one to fit me from Penneys or Kohl's. I am totally for PS. I have no fear about going under the knife if it is something that will make you feel better both physically and mentally. Oh, I had 4 pounds taken off. What is your PS saying you will get taken off?? Any other questions, PM me!

 

[onecoolmama]

Alicnwondrln - did you have any pain before you went into surgery or was it just annoying!

See, I dont have any pain yet, but I dont want it to get to that point before I do get coverage from my Insurance!

Maybe I shoudl just go on the swan!LOL!

 

[shelbyjosh]

YOu don't need to be totally in pain. If you have occasional back or shoulder pain that is enough. I got the headaches and bra grooves in my shoulder, too. Blue Cross requires a minimum of one pound per breast to be covered. Make sure to get a pre-approval before going in!

 

[jeleebeene]

Onecoolmomma - I am so glad I did it. I have a much more positive attitude about how I look and feel. No more pains in my back or shoulders, and I can exercise comfortably for the 1st time in my life!

To get insurance to pay for it - every insurance company is different, but this is what I had to do. I first went to my family Dr (although an OB/GYN could also write a recommendation) and he recommended a plastic surgeon to me. I was a perfect candidate, so he put the paperwork through, and I was denied the first time (which does happen on many occassions). I went through physical therapy, which didn't help, and then resubmitted my paperwork, along with a letter explaining why I need this (both I and my Dr. did this). I was approved the 2nd time around. Took almost 8 months to get it arranged, but it was so worth it!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

sorry about my really bad spelling
I should have checked it first but didnt !!

 

[onecoolmama]

WOW thanks sooo much! Like I said, it might be another 4-5 years as I want a few more kids, but I defiantely want to have this done!

I am glad that none of you regret it!

Dh doesnt want me to either..but it is frustrating and expensive to buy bras!

 

[missypie]

I'm tiny at the top, but even what I added during pregnancy made me glad I wasn't bigger. I bet you ladies think that women who get huge implants are nuts!

 

[Serena]

I don't need one, but from what I've heard, women are pretty happy once it's done.

I know men complain about it, but just imagine how happy they will be when you are happy with yourself and show it.

 

[bigsis1970]

My Ex said good thing we were still not together -- he is a **** man -- and if we were I would have said Tough carry around 2 Cantalopes or Honeydew mellons in my bra for 24 hours and let me know how your neck/back feels ..

I glad you all have had good experiences.. My PS Dr did say when i asked for a B he would like to keep it in proportion with the rest of me so we will see i guess what i end up with .

I do think they are NUTS to get really large ones but if they have none I don't feel that way to get a B or even a C

 

[sha_lyn]

This is too funny. I was planning on asking the same question today. I've been thinking about it for a while. Went clothes shopping this week (thank to going from a 2X to an L on Atkins) and realized I won't be able to buy dresses or 2 piece outfits that fit right without the surgery. I also have cronic shoulder pain in my left shoulder from an old injury, but I'm sure that the weight of my chest is part of why it continues to hurt like it does. With the weight lose I've gone from a 46DD to a 40DD. I would love to be a 36 B or C eventually. I thought I eeded to lose the rest of the weight first but I've talk to a couple of women who didn't have to lose weight first.

What inspirred me to post today was realizing in the shower that my shoulder pain was relieved whent I raised my left breast up to wash under it.

 

[onecoolmama]

Have you all ever heard of another way to lose the weight there besides a reduction?

I can lost weight, but that never goes down. So, I can be a size 6 or a size 12 and preganant but I stay the same cup size.

Is there another way?

 

[alexandmaddie]

I had my BR in Oct of 2000. I had it on a Friday, DH took that day off and was home over the weekend. He went back to work on Mon. and I was on my own, with a 7 month old! My recovery was a breeze and I even ended up with an infection.

The PS took off 8 pounds. I am soooo happy I had it done. I thought I was done having kids when I had my BR, but I did end up having one more baby. I was thankful I didn't get big again. I did not have any milk at all come in with that baby.

Getting it approved by my insurance was a breeze. The total cost to me was a $10 copay!

My mom and cousin also had it done and both are thrilled with the results.

My scars are pretty minimal. They have faded quite nicely. My worst scar is underneath where I had my infection.

I went from an "F" to a "B/C". I am so glad I went fairly small. My cousin went to a C/D and she wishes she would have gone smaller.

I didn't have to lose weight before my surgery, nor did my cousin or mom. None of us is extremely overweight, but all 3 of us are size 14-16.

Good luck! I would do it over again in a heartbeat!!

Krista

 

[bigsis1970]

an older lady I work with has gained some weight after having hers done about 5 yrs ago and said her cup has never changed ( but went from a 38 to 40 )

I am a single mom at the moment but that doesn't mean I will always be so its good to hear that you can have kids and not raise sizes again..

 

[Auggietina]

Hi, I just wanted to add my comments because I am a "it could happen" story. I had surgery done in Dec 95. I went from a 38 DD to a 38 C. I had the complications of my skin falling off. I have a huge patch of scar tissue. It has no feeling there and has created a huge dent in the side of my breast. Also I got pg in the spring of 96. Guess what?? I grew to a 38 DD and there I have stayed. Do I recommend the surgery? You bet! I am thinking about having it done again, since I'm not having any more children. I just wanted to let you know that when your dr says "it could happen". I'm proof that it does!