Your experience with breast reduction surgery

[Mermaid02]

I have an appt to talk with my physician Monday morning. I already talked it over with my gyno at my yearly and she encouraged me to go for it. I've had back/neck pain ever since "the girls" came to live with me- I have grooves in my shoulders and exercising is torture, even with a regular bra and a sports bra. I'm overweight so I anticipate having to lose weight- I'm a DDD right now and thinking a C-D would be nice, but I'm not sure.

All input appreciated!

 

[krcit]

Best thing I ever did I had it done 14 years ago and wished I had done it even earlier. I was a big DDD and I went down to a C, although after 2 more kids and a few extra lbs, I'm now D. Honestly, it was pretty easy surgery and recovery. I didn't need anything more than Tylenol for pain after the first day. I was a 23 hour hospital stay butb was actually in until about 10 am the morning after. The worst part was a reaction to the anesthesia..I threw up for 24 hours but then was ok. Of course, it was a long time ago so my memory is a bit shot, lol. I know I couldn't lift my dd(she was 10 months old) for a few weeks and needed help with a bath the first couple of days. I have terrible scars and lost most sensation in one of them but even with those things I would do it again in a heartbeat. In fact, I wouldn't mind going in for a tune-up

 

[lorli]

I too was a big woman, luckily I did not have to lose weight first. about three yeas ago I had my reduction and it truly was a great thing for me. I was ddd-dddd and I hurt and groves and ....Now I'm a large b to small c, I think I might be on the small side now but still have no regrets. I have almost no scarring and amazingly I think I have some how become more sensitive, which I wasn't at all before, so good has come of it. About a year ago I had gastric by pass and i'm a little more proportioned.

 

[pajamommy]

Another one who says best thing I ever did!!! I had my surgery in 2001, went from a DD to C. If I could give one piece of advice, I would tell you to check out the website breasthealthonline.com. Wonderful site! Lots of info about what to expect with the surgery, but also lots of info about what happens after the surgery with recovering, etc. Good luck!

 

[maslex]

I, too have been thinking of getting this done. It seems they don't stop growing. LOL I am also a big girl and have always had a large chest. As of today I am a size J. Biggest thing is....my ins doesn't cover it.

 

[antmaril]

My best friend had it done several years ago. She will tell you that it is the best thing she ever did for herself.

 

[princessdi81]

Best decision I've EVER made in my life! I had it done when I was 21, and don't regret it at all. I went from a DDD to a C. However....I gained weight and they grew back. I went to the plastic surgeon a year ago for another consult, she said she'd do it again if I REALLY wanted it done, BUT would prefer if I lost about 40 pounds first! That being said, I decided to try to lose weight - and I lost 75 pounds! With the 75 pounds, went some of the size - I'm still a D, but I'm much happier! Word of warning, however...many surgeons won't do it if you aren't near your ideal weight, for fear of looking disproportionate. My mother had it done too and she is disproportional. I was small to begin with, but lost another 15 pounds after I had it done...

I would just think this through, and see what the doctors say - you may want to get 2 opinions, too. Whatever you decide, make sure you follow the restrictions the doctor gives you, or you risk MAJOR scarring. Another thing you may want to think about is whether you have somebody who you will let take care of you, because there are a lot of things that you will need help with - it's hard to clean yourself after using the bathroom, etc.

Not trying to scare you out of it, because I would do it again in a heartbeat. If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[denise5374]

I agree witht ehother posters...Best decidion I ever made! I had mine done in 2006 went from a DDD to a C...I would have liked to go smaller but by Dr recommnded against it. I also had some liposuction under my arms to remove the fat there....and thet hurt more than the reduction.

I was out of work for a week, couldn't drive for a weekscared1 but the recovery was pretty uneventful.

4 years later, you can sort of see the scars but not too bad.

Defintely get recommendations for a good plastic surgeon in your area.

 

[cybrkitn]

Add me to the list of "Best thing I've ever done." I had it done when I was 24(1995) and went from a FF (yep, you read that right) down to a comfortable C. However, even though I have gained weight and had a child since then, I haven't gone up a size as others have had. I'm still a C. But I can tell you that it feels real good to be able to fit into regular tops now instead of getting oversized shirts!

I am so glad I had done it back then. DH and I were not married yet, but engaged. My surgeon told me that it was a good thing I wasn't pregnant yet due to how big the "girls" were. After I had DS in 2002, I finally found out what she meant by that ! When DH came home from feeding our DS in NICU* (my 1st full day home), his reaction upon seeing me was . He couldn't believe how full "they" were.

*ETA: DS7 was not a premie he was full term.

 

[MnParrothead]

I had BR surgery three months ago and I have no regrets.
The surgeon did an excellent job. I was a DDD, and now I am a large B/small C and I love it! After much contemplation before the surgery I asked the surgeon to make me as small as he could without having me look too much like a pear (I am overweight). Before the surgery, I Googled pre and post-surgery photos and liked the results of patients with smaller cups, and I have no regrets being on the smaller side.

It's so liberating. Buying a bra now is a non-issue in my life. I am able to find one at the local department store.

 

[DVC-Don]

My wife had it 4 years ago. Gone is the back and shoulder pain. She's just a little thing and this was the best thing for her.

 

[bigtinklover]

BEST thing I ever did for myself!! I went from a 48 H ....yes, I was HUGE!!!

Had some minor complications with the incision, but nothing bad. Scars are there, but I will take those over the 3 lbs off each they took!!!!

 

[Anne MN]

Biggest thing is....my ins doesn't cover it.

Some insurance companies WILL pay for BR. a friend in college had it done and was paid for by insurance... her Dr. did all the paperwork- she was about 5"2' and a 48F she had back/neck issues- pretty severe- it fell under the catagory of medically necissary- this was a looong time ago also, and her Dr. was willing to do all the PITA paperwork.

I would check your insurance plan, might be worth it to read all the fine print most insurance companies will refuse a request the first, second and maybe a third time- but if you have a Dr. who says this is bad for your health and this is what it is causing- could be more cost effective to approve a BR then have to pay for back/shoulder/neck surgery later on because of it

 

[Denine]

Another happy customer here. Went from a ?? to a C. They took off 4 lbs total.

I did it 10 years ago. I have gained weight since then, but not there. I am trying to lose again. But, I never lost or gained weight in the "girls".

Insurance did pay for mine.

 

[MizTink]

my daughter will probably be having this done in a few years. she's only 14 and a DD. she has a very small frame, so her ****s seem even bigger than if they were on someone else!
wonder when she will be able to have it done?

 

[Lorix2]

So glad I happened upon this thread.

My DD is going back to the surgeon for another consult. We had the first consult, insurance approved it (though I never did ask if it was at 100% or what would be our portion) because she got scared about it and we cancelled the surgery.

That was 8 months ago and now she has been reading again about BR surgery online and even watched the procedure online. She is 18 now and has really had enough of paying $70.00 for bras her size, itchy nasty rashes "in between" and the permanent grooves in her shoulders, back and neck pain and not being able to shop for clothes that don't look like maternity, because she has to buy tops big enough to cover herself appropriately, but it balloons out in the middle.

We have had many shopping trips that have ended in tears of frustration and embarassment for her. It rips my heart apart for her. She is a DDD that came out of nowhere at 15. She's endured relentless teasing thru her high school years - the girls were the worst!

Has anyone had it done this young?

 

[sPaRkLeSpAz]

I'm 22 and I'm thinking about having it done. I wear a DDD and I hate my back hurting. Maybe I'll find a doctor and seeee what happens [:

 

[Mermaid02]

I saw my pcp this morning- he thinks it's a great idea and is doing up the referrals and documentation!

 

[Denine]

Good luck everyone!

Lorix2: I have had shopping trips end up in tears many times! I wanted it done for so many years before I actually had it done. I was acuused of "stuffing" in the 6th grade. I have been grabbed so many times in school. Obviously these things pained me since I remember them at 42!

Being a nurse, I didn't want medically unnecessary surgery, but it became just that. I couldn't do my job anymore because my back hurt so bad. I also had back surgery when I was 17. Since my surgery, I went back to work and my self esteem has gon up because of the clothes I can now wear.

I wish all of you the best of luck!

 

[joviroxx]

For all of you that have gotten it done.... DId you go through insurance? If so, how complicated/easy/frustrating was the approval process?