I have been contemplating a breast reduction for several years but never had the nerve to really do anything about it. I finally went to a Plastic Surgeon, went through the process of getting it approved thru the insurance company and just found out yesterday I was approved. I have a lot of back problems, but never realized they most likely were coming from being top heavy. Can anyone respond making me feel more at ease? Can you tell me about your recovery, etc...would I be able to go back to work after a week if I sit at a desk?
I am very scared to get this done, but deep down I want too. I am tired of all of the excess weight in that area..
I'm interested in this also. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon on Friday. What size are you? My chiro is going to write a letter for my insurance supporting the fact that it would help with my back pain. I also want to know how long until I can go back to normal activities.
I am about a 36DD.. Hopefully we get a few additional respones to my question..
How large are yours? Mine took about 2 months to get approved. Do you have lower back pain?
I'm a 36DD also. The plastic surgeons office said it would take a couple of weeks. I'm not in a hurry through. The end of July or mid August is the best timeframe for me. I have neck, mid back and sometimes lower back pain. I get really bad pain in my right shoulder blade. Sort of underneath it. Mine are lopsided and the right one is bigger. My chiro said that is probably why I only get the shoulder pain in my right side. Did you need documentation by a doctor other than the surgeon?
When I went to see my plastic surgeon, they took several pics of me and I had such dents in my shoulders from my bra straps, also around my back that I have a feeling
with the ongoing back problems I have had and these deep indentations, that is all I needed. I know you need a current mamogram, so if you do not have a current one, you could be ahead of the game by getting one. That was the last piece of info. my insurance company wanted before they made the decision. I am very scared though because this is something I can live with, but I do not want too because it is so uncomfortable.. What are your feelings on this?
I don't have dents in my shoulder because I can only wear sports bras. It is too uncomfortable and painful to wear a regular bra. Jiggle hurts. I wear the compression sports bras to keep movement to a minimum. I was having breast pain so I recently had a mamogram.
My husband is more freaked than I am. He likes them the way they are. I told him when he has to carry them around then he can make the decision. We compromised on the size. I really want to get it done so I'm not that scared. I'm in my mid 30's and I want to have plenty of years to enjoy them.
Your husband sounds exactly like my financee. He says the same thing, leave them be. Like you said, he does not have to carry them around, when it is hot out it is even worse. The girl at work that had them done and she is only approx. 30 told me that most men would never understand doing this. She said her Dad was totally unaccepting of getting this done, but she did not care. She says it was the best thing she ever did..
I had my consult today. The dr thinks I'm a good canidate and that there is a good chance the insurance will agree to cover it. And they said my insurance is pretty quick to come back with a response. They said I should have an answer in 2 weeks. Fingers crossed.
That is wonderful, I am so happy to hear. It is very exciting. I am not sure when I am going to get mine done. I need to figure everything out with work etc.. I am thinking I will take a week off. I work in an office environment so I think I will be able to go back after a week since I do not have any physical type of job. The girl at work that had it done said immediately when she woke up after her surgery, she felt so much lighter, plus her back and neck etc... are better. Another thing, she is able to wear really cute shirts now also, before nothing buttoned and I know for me, I am not a large person, but would have to buy a size Large in every top almost, and the shirt is big except around the chest and I did not like that so it will be delightful to buy clothes and have fit the right way. I am kinda of scared, but excited at the same time.
I'm going to tell you that you will not be able to drive for a full 2 weeks. You don't realize how much you use your pectoral muscles when you drive, but believe me, you will feel the pulling and pain.
I had a bi-lateral br in 2005, I was a 36DDD and am now a nice 34C (sometimes, I wish I went smaller, though).
It is by far the absolute BEST thing I have ever done. Good luck!!!
My mother-in-law had a reduction many years ago and never regretted it. Went on to be a marathon runner in her 60's. In fact, every woman I know has said it was the best thing they ever did. Insurance covered their surgery.
Hello, thank you for your response! My doctor wants to take me down to a C, but I am thinking if he can I want to be a B-to a low C. My GYN told me from his experiences and speaking to women who had breast reductions, they wished they would have went a little smaller in size. I have read so much on reductions, and I have never heard one women say this was not the best thing to do. I am very scared to do this because it is a fairly long procedure, but I know it will change my life. I am in my early 50's and I have had back problems, neck, etc... a good part of my life never realizing this could
all be coming from my breasts.. I am also thinking from 2005 until now 2011 they may have changed things up a bit because most people say in a week they are able to get around ok. Not sure though, this is all new to me.
Last edited by Ashley9045; 04-23-2011 at 02:12 AM.
I have had several breast surgeries. Unlike you all, I had little boobs so I had B cup implants put in. They were a perfect size. I am 5'7. I just wanted to be able to go in a store and buy a bathing suit. That surgery recovery took a few weeks to heal. 7 years later I had to have them removed because one ruptured and I had been sick for several years prior.
That surgery also involved removing tissue, pulling tissue up from my rib area to replace the silicone infested tissue and have a lift. ( maxioplasty)
I also had drains for 3 days. I assume, but ask your surgeon if you will have those. Both surgeries I was bound pretty tight with ace bandages. I had stitches for about 10 days. While I didn't feel too uncomfortable, I had restrictions on lifting for 6 weeks. The anethesia takes awhile to get out of the system and just the fact I had surgery I was pretty tired for a week or so. I also was very sensitive and didn't like wearing a bra. So I would agree with other posters two weeks is not unreasonable at all.
I'm a 36DD also. The plastic surgeons office said it would take a couple of weeks. I'm not in a hurry through. The end of July or mid August is the best timeframe for me. I have neck, mid back and sometimes lower back pain. I get really bad pain in my right shoulder blade. Sort of underneath it. Mine are lopsided and the right one is bigger. My chiro said that is probably why I only get the shoulder pain in my right side. Did you need documentation by a doctor other than the surgeon?
Has anyone had breast reduction after radiation treatment?
I wouldn't drive for the first week. Until you can comfortably move your arms. If you were to get into an accident your reaction time would be slowed because of your incisions.
