Breast Reduction Surgery

Nickie431

Anyone had this procedure?  I'm a 34F and am wondering whether some regular soreness in my upper back and increasingly poor posture is due to the size of my bustline.  Some questions:

1.  Is there a cup size that's generally the starting point for doctors to consider performing a reduction?  Or is it based purely on symptoms of potential strain?

2.  How did you go about finding a doctor to have an assessment.  I'm a little embarrassed to ask my internist for a recommendation, and I'm definitely leery of just calling up a plastic surgeon for one of those "free consultations".  Maybe for work on my car, but not for work on my body!

3.  How difficult was it to get insurance to cover the procedure, if you were having back/neck/shoulder strain?

4.  How long was the recovery process?

5.  Were you told to lose weight first if that was a factor for you?  I've recently become overweight due to a stubborn hormonal problem and have been told that my losing weight would be next-to-impossible right now due to how my body processes insulin.

6.  I've steadily increased in size over the last 4 or so years (before I started gaining weight), perhaps due to the hormonal problem.  If we can get the medical problems corrected, is it possible for cup size to decrease once I've increased (not due to pregnancy/breastfeeding, of course)?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

apugglesmom

Yes, I have had breast reduction surgery. These are all good questions that I recommend you ask your internist. If asking the question is embarrassing to you, then the actual breast reduction process will be mortifying. You will be topless in front of many, many people.

I can answer some of the questions based on my experience.

1. The size I went down to was based on my request. I went from a DDD to a C. My surgeon agreed that it was a good size. A friend of mine wanted to go from a DDD to a B and the surgeon actually decided that a C would be better without telling her because in his experience most women didn't want to go that small. She ultimately had another surgery (free of charge) because she did indeed want to be a B cup. Again, that is something you would want to discuss with a surgeon.

2. My friend recommended her surgeon. She got his name from a neighbor who had used him. I would ask your internist, research doctors, look at reviews, etc.

3. It wasn't an issue with my insurance. My surgeon submitted the paperwork to my insurance company. He asked me the certain questions that apparently assisted in the surgery being covered by insurance. I did have back and neck problems and horrible headaches as a result. I also had deep indents in my shoulders from the bra straps.

4. I had the surgery on a Thursday and was back to work by Tuesday. There was still some discomfort and I had to wear a sports bra for about two weeks. It was definitely not a long period and it was relatively painless. The worst issue I had was an allergic reaction to the pain meds. Just an FYI, I did not have drains. I don't know if they still use them or not. My understanding is there is additional things/recovery that goes along with having drains.

5. Nope. I was not overweight when I had the surgery, but I was at least 20 pounds from my "ideal" weight. No one suggested I lose weight. However, since the surgery, I did gain and then lose 75 pounds. My breast size did increase with the weight gain and did decrease back down with the weight loss, but I think I'm bigger than I was pre-weight gain. Before I was a perfect C, now it's more between a C and a D.

6. I can't answer this question.

It was one of the best things I've ever done. I highly recommend it. Good luck.

saisongbird

I also had the surgery - you definitely need to become more comfortable with the idea of being topless.  Pictures will be taken, etc.  But as your questions go...

1)  I went from a 38G to a 38 C/D.  When I'm heavier, like now, I'm a D.  When I was lighter and had the surgery, I was a C, albeit a large one.  My doctor told me that when insurance looks at this surgery, they're looking to take off about 500cc of tissue.  Granted, this was nearly 9 years ago, and things may have changed, but it is one of the factors they look at.  I had other issues - my boobs were facing the floor, and aside from neck and back pain, I was starting to get grooves in my shoulders and chafing on the underside of my boobs.  And I was only 21.

2) I asked my GP for a recommendation.  If you have one, ask them.  They should know your body fairly well by now.  You can also ask your GYN.

3) I had the world's worst insurance at the time, and the doctor didn't think they would cover it.  They responded with a resounding yes within 2 weeks.  Your doctors have to make the case as to why you medically need it.

4) I was wrapped up for about a week.  Once they took the wrappings off, I could do "normal" activities other than exercising.  I wasn't allowed to wear underwire bras for about 2 months, though.

5) I chose to lose some weight to see if my cup size changed with my weight. I lost about 20 lbs., and nothing changed, so I decided to go ahead and do it.

6) I don't know, but the question you need to answer is how much of your boob is breast tissue and how much is fat.  Once you figure that out, you'll be able to answer more of your questions.

 

It's not a decision to be taken lightly, but I'm glad I did it.  Best of luck!