Seeking Insight on Breast Reduction Surgery/liposuction

I went from a G to a D. It was one of the best things I have ever done. Yes, there are scars, but they are better then the back and neck pain that seemed to go away over night once the breasts were gone. I would wait until you are done having children since we all know how pregnancy can affect the girls, plus many can not breast feed after a reduction. You will have to take a few days off work, but for me the pain was minimal. You will have drain tubs in for a couple of days and will need to take it easy for the first week. If you try to skip the recovery period you can easily split a stitch and that will lead to major scars. This happened to a girl I know and unlike my thin white lines, she has scars almost 1/2 inch think due to trying to exercise to early and tearing open her insicion.

I had breast reduction surgery back in 1999 - and IT WAS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER DONE!

My doctor told me to find a set of breasts that I liked, and he would try and make them look like that. Well, my husband was thrilled, how many husbands get to help pick out their wifes breasts!

We ended up brining in Playboy centerfold September 1984 (newer boobs were all fake - ick).

The surgery did hurt a little, but the scarring is so limited - and *never* visible outside a bra, or even skimpy bikini (if you are so brave).

I'm now 35, and my breasts are not sagging as much as my friends, and *definately* not as much as they would have been when I was a DDD (and only 5'0").

The three weeks before lifting goes quickly, and the pain is gone quickly. Make sure you go to all of the follow up appointments, and change the dressing often. Also, Mederma scar reducer is a great product to reduce the tiny scars even more.

Go for it! You will never regret it - It's been 9 years, and I love being able to sleep on my stomach, and fit into regular sized clothes, and my husband loves them :-)

Take care,

S.

Hi. I would go for it. I did it when I had two girls, 2 and 3 years old. It was the best thing I ever did. I was so large (an "I" cup), and was able to have my nipples stay attached - meaning they measure you and sometimes they have to detach the nerves from your nibbles. The do detach your nipples and reattach them during the surgery, but some aren't so lucky to still have the nerve sensation.

I spent 2 nights in the hospital and ended up about a "C" cup. I probably missed a week of work. It just depends on you, but it's major surgery and between the anesthesia, the discomfort, etc., you don't walk in one day and walk back to work the next day. I think I had mine on a Wednesday, went home Friday, had the weekend to recover, and went back to work the following Thursday, and was ready to rest again over the next weekend.

With a 2 year old, and if you have a husband or friend who can be around, you can get around it. You just explain to the child that "Mommy can't pick you up." It was easier than I thought. You also can't lift your arms above your shoulders for a little bit, and will wear a bra that hooks in the front after surgery (you'll be bound in gauze for about a week).

I have to say the one thing - and maybe it's changed, but when you have breast reduction you will end up being "wider" in the breast. It's not noticeable, and since you are smaller you'll have more choices of bras. My sister had it done also and we have found Playtex Secrets, Victoria's Secret, and Lane Bryant are good fits. I found the lower the front underwire was in front, the better the fit for me.

It's the best thing I ever did. To wear a shirt that buttoned in front, to lay on my stomach, to not have people take a double look at my chest when they'd realize how big I was, etc.

I didn't have an issue with the belly at that time. Since then, I've had five abdominal surgeries for endometriosis and I tried to talk to them about liposuction due to fat, scar tissue and trying to build up the muscles down there, but no luck!

You will also notice a great relief on your back and other things you can do that you didn't realize you may have been limited in before. Go for it!!

I had a reduction in Feb of this year. I went from a G to a D. I can't even see the scar around my nipple and the scar from my nipple down is still visible but fading quickly. My surgeon didn't do the incision that some do that cuts under the breast - those kind do leave more scarring and can be painful because that is where the bra sits. I am very happy with my results, I am perky, way more proportioned and I don't have to special order bras!

My surgery was an out patient procedure and I was off work for 1 week. The older rules about not lifting aren't as strict as they used to be, my surgeon told me to listen to my body and not overdue it. I did have someone stay with me to help with my son but if my son needed a cuddle, I would just sit on the couch or floor and snuggle him that way. I had minimal pain - the worst being the site where the drains were but they got removed about 5 days after surgery then I felt no more pain.

My advice if you do this - don't expect perfect looking breasts on day one. It takes 3-4 months for the swelling to go down and for them to settle into place, it takes 6+ months for any loose skin to tighten back up and may take up to a year before the scarring is minimally visible.

L.,

breast reduction is an outpatient surgery. I had it done December 1999...I followed all directions for recovery and had a great experience. However, it is a long recovery. No lifting your arms above your head for a week or two. No driving or lifting for about a month.

On top of that, I had to have my mom take care of me: I was sent home with drain tubes that had to be monitored, drained, and recorded for several days. I was on medication that kept me incoherent for 2-3 days. After, it was quick to wean to heavy Ibuprofen.

I have not regretted the time off work (6 weeks), the time spent not showering (1 week for sure), and the time at the mercy of my Mom who was an awesome nurse. My scars are almost non-existent now!! I do not have the pain I had before.
The surgery did alter my ability to breast feed my children (I did not have them yet).

The decision is a hard one; if you decide to go ahead with surgery, I would recommend following ALL directions by the doctor completely. Planning in advance will allow you to take the time you need, and get the care you require.

Good luck,
T.

My sister just had a breast reduction last month on July 9th. She had her breast reduced from a DDD to a C cup. She was in quite a bit of pain after the surgery and is still very sore. What concerns me is the fact that you have a 2.5 year old and that you would probably need someone around constantly to babysit him in the first couple of weeks. I had to help bathe my sister, help her get dressed, and drain the drains that she had. She was very out of it for at least two weeks. She just now went back to work and even the slightest lifting has caused her to bleed from her nipples again. I just want you to know that there is the possibility of being in a lot of pain that would make you unable to care for your child. My suggestion would be to wait a couple of years when your child maybe enters kindergarten and is a tad bit more independent from you before I would consider doing the surgery. Either way good luck.

Hi L., I have never had breast reductin surgery but would like to. My sister did have it done though, and she loves her new chest now. There is very l ittle scarring and it is under the breast so not many people see it. Her back, neck and shoulder pain is gone now. She is very happy that she did and wished that she had had it done much earlier.

I haven't had surgery, but I went from a D to an A over the course of 4 breastfed children (my mom says, our breasts get "more efficient"), and I totally LOVE being able to move around without the weight and bother in front.

However, I'm still coming to terms with not having a chest that screams 'squeeze me!' I didn't really like having a chest that screamed that (and never encouraged anyone except my husband to actually try them out ;) ), and the change was gradual, but it is still a pretty big mental adjustment to have to face the world without that (distracting: protective?) factor. A good thing ... but I now have to be aware that if men look at me, they actually often see _me_, whereas before, unless I purposely drew attention to (more of) me, I was mentally quick-filed as "an attractive pair of breasts--oh, and nice hips, too." Now no part of me sticks out (in their minds, I mean ;) ).

Dunno if that helps, but I thought it might be something non-medical to consider.

hey L.,

I had a breast reduction at the age of 19. All my life I was well endowed. The fact that I always had to wear XL shirts to fit was frustrating!! I am SO glad I did have that surgery. Since then I have gained some weight and if I had not done the surgery I would be enormous!! All of my back pain went away. And I still felt attractive, and was relieved that men looked me in the eyes instead of my "girls".

Sorry this isn't personal experience advice but here goes. One of the problems with large breasts(as you know) is that they sag over time. I work with a surgeon that used a special technique for larger breasts. It is the way that she makes the cuts and the way she puts the breasts back together that provides internal breast support and should prevent sagging. She also does lipo. Anyway, there is more than one way to do a breast reduction. There are several different techniques. Please be fully informed before you have a procedure done. Good luck.

I was approved for this surgery also, but decided to wait until I am finished having children. It will interfere with breastfeeding. Most women are able to nurse at some amount, but not usually 100%. Something to think about. When I am done nursing I will be having the surgery!

I had this done, I hated it, maybe they can change the scar line for you, but mine is right where the bra sits, I am ok till about 5 and by then it hurts so bad sometimes I cry (this was 3 years ago) and no I don't wear to tight of bra's, I have been fitted and the ladies are great about finding me bra's that don't ride up or are to tight..
I guess I'd just ask a lot of questions, also he said I would go from a DDD to a D keep my volume & such, but I now wear a small C.... hate it.

I want this surgery too. I have G/H cup though.I have had big breast all my life. No matter what weight I am they stay the same! I knew I had to wait till I was all done breastfeeding my kids, so it will be at least 2 years. My Aunt had it done a couple of years ago. She loved it told me not to wait. SHe was in her 50's and said she should of done it in her 30's. She had a great doctor (in Kansas though) They removed all her fibris cysts which I have too. She was recovering 6 weeks but, had a desk job she returned to in 2. Everyone heals differently though.My aunts advice was find the best doctor you can it will make all the difference! I think that is the key. Good luck!

Maybe this is bad advice, but of course surgery can be scary and there will always be scars. In researching the South Beach diet a bit, I've read that it takes weight especially off the stomach and the chest. It might be worth looking into just for that reason. Surgery is a big deal, and it's worth exploring other options. Good luck!

Hi L.--
I had a breast reduction done when I was 20--the scarring is minimal, the shape was pretty much the same as before, but in my experience, it sucked that my boobs were never made as small as I wanted them...when I was in the hospital and I was upset that they looked too big, my doctor laughed and said "they are so swollen, they will be half the size in a year!" Well, that was the smallest they ever were--I wanted to be a B cup, and I have never been under a D, even after surgery, so if you do it, please make sure that you and the doctor are on the same page with size--i also read a posting of someone with an opposite experience of having them made too small--it can be a painful surgery, so make sure you get out of it what you want! It has been 12 years since i had it done, so i dont recall exactly, but i really dont remember a ton of debilitating pain, just a lot of itching from the healing process! Though i didnt have a 2.5 year old, which sounds like it could be a challenge...also, i would wait if you are still planning on having more children and breastfeeding...I was very fortunate to be able to breastfeed almost exclusively for several months, but not without issues and complications and had to stop compeletely way before i had intended on it. I made the decision to have the surgery years before having children was on my radar, and at the time it was more important to not be uncomfortable and not be self-conscious. Though i do have to say that my boobs are the smallest they have ever been thanks to the breastfeeding! I never thought it would happen to me, but it did! (i am still a D, but a smaller one now!) I think a lot of it is who your surgeon is and how he/she does the incisions, so ask questions, and as i said before, be very clear with the size you want to be! Good luck with your decision, and even more so, with the outcome! : )

I had a beast reduction a few years ago and I can say honestly that it was one of the best things I ever did for myself. Your time off work would just depend on what you do. You cant lift your arms above your head for I think 6 weeks so it would make it hard with work and a child. I had nice breasts before but they were just too big for my body. I went from a DD+ to a C cup. I think they look much better and have improved my overall figure. Good luck with your decision. You can email me personally if you have any other questions =)

L.,
I had a breast reduction in Feb. of this year. I went from a size F to a small c. My back pain is GONE! I'm running again!
I am so happy and glad I did it.
There are some downsides though...granted they FAR outweighed the upsides FOR ME! You may be different. They aren't pretty.
They don't look natural. I kind of feel like i have FRANKENBOOBS. :) However, the scars are underneath the breast and as they are settling down you can't see them as much. My husband, "a breast man" is very supportive but wishes I was bigger still. He loved them huge, but a lot of men love big boobs. I HATE big boobs but I like pretty boobs if you know what I mean.
I had a free nipple graft and I'd suggest you don't do that if you don't absolutely have to.

You are DDD? Have you tried to lose weight? You should do that first to see if they change at all. Believe me you will be much happier if they can stay natural and if you lose weight you can always just go get a breast lift. I lost 30 lbs before my procedure and my breasts didn't change AT ALL. I've lost about 15 lbs since the procedure was done and I'm working on losing more. I can lose weight easier now because I can MOVE!
If you have any more questions feel free to email me.
Good luck!

I see that you got a lot of great advice... I also understand your plight (I went from a DD to a G after having my darling daughter). Wouldn't it be nice not to get dirty looks from women all of the time, or for men to look you in the eyes? Darn, that will be nice!
You might want to make sure you are done having children before having this surgery, because you never know if they will get larger with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Wouldn't that be a stinker?