I had a breast reduction AMA

[Bigtitsbetty]

I had a breast reduction two weeks ago. I’ve gone from a 34GG/H to a 34D.

Crack on with any questions!

[1990s]

Can I ask how much it cost? I’d love one.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@1990s

Can I ask how much it cost? I’d love one.

It cost £7400. That includes two pre op appointments with the consultant, a pre op nurse assessment and follow up appointments 2 & 6 weeks after surgery, as well as the surgery and hospital stay.

I saw 5 different surgeons and got quotes up to £12000. This was the cheapest but that didn’t sway my choice, he was the only one where I had a personal recommendation.

[Itsybitsytitsy]

Hi

Are you pleasd with the results?
How long did you have to stay in hospital?
What size are you now?
Any pain?

Thanks

[Nippynopnop]

Are you otherwise slim? I am currently carrying about a stone too much (some on my boobs) and they are your "starting size". Would love to get down to a 34d.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Itsybitsytitsy

Hi

Are you pleasd with the results?
How long did you have to stay in hospital?
What size are you now?
Any pain?

Thanks

I’m only two weeks post surgery but I’m pleased so far. I’m still a bit swollen as it takes 6 weeks to get down to proper size.

I stayed in hospital overnight. I’m in a 34D sports bra at the moment.

It is a bit uncomfortable but not painful. Immediately after surgery I had paracetamol and ibuprofen for 48 hours but I’ve only had paracetamol once since then. The most discomfort comes from sleeping upright afterwards.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Nippynopnop

Are you otherwise slim? I am currently carrying about a stone too much (some on my boobs) and they are your "starting size". Would love to get down to a 34d.

I’m 5ft 4 and weigh 11 and half stone. So a bit over weight but not massively. My surgeon (and most the others) won’t operate if BMI is over 30.

I had 525gm removed from each breast. Chances are my breasts will reduce a bit more. Over the next 18 months they will drop a little bit. When the reduction is done they also lift the nipple so they’re nice and pert now!

[1990s]

Thanks for the info OP, appreciate it.

[Madagascary]

How long did you have off work and what was the deal with showering etc

[Madagascary]

would you advise going smaller than you might want?

[oneuptwodown]

Why did you do it?
How old are you?
Have you had whatever children you want to have?
Have you ever breastfed?
Do you feel like a different person now ie did your breast used to define you to any extent either through how you felt about them or how other people made you feel about them?
Do you wish you’d done it sooner?

So many questions, thanks for putting yourself forward for them!

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

How long did you have off work and what was the deal with showering etc

I had four weeks off work but probably could have gone back sooner if I’d had lighter duties.
You can’t lift anything heavy for six weeks and I only felt ready to drive after about three weeks.

You can fully shower after two weeks. Prior to that I had to avoid getting my chest wet because of the tape dressing so I just wrapped in cling film around my chest. The hardest thing is washing your hair because you can’t lift your arms.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

would you advise going smaller than you might want?

I asked to go as small as possible. A decent surgeon will never promise a specific size. Mine said he would aim for a C/D. I’ve ended up a D. I’m definitely happy with this. I still have a nice cleavage and boobs but I can buy nice underwear from anywhere and can buy clothing appropriate to my whole frame. I’m in proportion.

it does depend on your natural breast shape. I have naturally very wide and full
breasts so it is harder to remove lots of tissue to make them smaller and a natural shape. Longer breasts are easier to make smaller apparently.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@oneuptwodown

Why did you do it?
How old are you?
Have you had whatever children you want to have?
Have you ever breastfed?
Do you feel like a different person now ie did your breast used to define you to any extent either through how you felt about them or how other people made you feel about them?
Do you wish you’d done it sooner?

So many questions, thanks for putting yourself forward for them!

I had surgery when I was 48 and post menopausal following a hysterectomy a few years before.

My children are grown up so breastfeeding was not an issue for the future.

I only had it done when I could afford it. Postcode lottery would not let me have it done on NHS. I would have had it done years before.
My main trigger was being invited to a special occasion earlier this year and I couldn’t find anything suitable to wear that fitted me everywhere. It was either to small
on the bust or too big everywhere else. This is a normal big boobs problem but for some reason this time it just sent me into a meltdown. I wore an outfit for the event but in the photos I just see boobs and it’s awful. I do think that’s how other people see me, if the had to describe me I’d be the one with the boobs. It’s harder to dress professionally or smartly. Clothes that look normal on other women look provocative on me. It’s really misogynistic but how I felt I was treated. I definitely feel better now about how I look and how I’m defined by others.

[Madagascary]

I’m booked in for next year. Also think I’ll ask for as small as possible. I’ll also need lipo on axillary tissue

[AsAnyFuleKno]

Hi OP. I would love a breast reduction, like you I would want to go as small as possible. Do you know what limits that - you mention a D cup was as small as they could go with you?

Also, with the time off work - how did you manage this, did you save annual leave to use?

[Madagascary]

@AsAnyFuleKno

Hi OP. I would love a breast reduction, like you I would want to go as small as possible. Do you know what limits that - you mention a D cup was as small as they could go with you?

Also, with the time off work - how did you manage this, did you save annual leave to use?

My guy offered me B-D but agaij couldn’t promise. I can’t remember what these sizes are!!

[Madagascary]

Also my surgeon told me not to tell work the nature of the op.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

I’m booked in for next year. Also think I’ll ask for as small as possible. I’ll also need lipo on axillary tissue

One surgeon offered me lipo but none of the others did. It was £4k more so I did not have it.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@AsAnyFuleKno

Hi OP. I would love a breast reduction, like you I would want to go as small as possible. Do you know what limits that - you mention a D cup was as small as they could go with you?

Also, with the time off work - how did you manage this, did you save annual leave to use?

I think the limit is dependent on the natural shape the surgeon has to work with. I was very wide and full, not much sag so had lots of high up breast tissue which is more complicated to shape into a smaller breast. Lower hanging breasts are easier to make smaller apparently.

I used annual leave to self isolate prior to surgery and then I had sick leave. I was allowed the time off sick if I said the surgery was psychological/mental health issues or for physical pain. Not for ‘vanity plastic surgery’. Sorry can’t think of a better phrase.

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

My guy offered me B-D but agaij couldn’t promise. I can’t remember what these sizes are!!

My surgeon told me to buy a D cup sports bra to wear after surgery (they gave me
one bra but 24/7 in bras means you need more than one).

I bought it before surgery and thought it was ridiculously tiny. I’m amazed I fitted in to it afterwards

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

Also my surgeon told me not to tell work the nature of the op.

Why did they do that? Was it in case they wouldn’t let you have the time off?

[AsAnyFuleKno]

Thank you OP and @Madagascary . Mine are both wide and pendulous! My reasons for wanting them reduced are a mix of physical, psychological and cosmetic. Sick of back ache, sore shoulders, rashes in summer. Sick of feeling self-conscious. Sick of yet another dress being like a tent round my waist and hips while I can't get it done up over my boobs.

[Madagascary]

@AsAnyFuleKno

Thank you OP and @Madagascary . Mine are both wide and pendulous! My reasons for wanting them reduced are a mix of physical, psychological and cosmetic. Sick of back ache, sore shoulders, rashes in summer. Sick of feeling self-conscious. Sick of yet another dress being like a tent round my waist and hips while I can't get it done up over my boobs.

I am beyond excited about mine. I put my summer clothes away thinking that I’m gonna be totally different when it’s done. Think the recovery scares me a bit but it’ll pass. Any top tips OP?

[Madagascary]

@Bigtitsbetty

Why did they do that? Was it in case they wouldn’t let you have the time off?

But I was trying to factor it around holiday and so on and he said to me that I don’t need to tell what the nature of a medical procedure

[Bigtitsbetty]

@Madagascary

But I was trying to factor it around holiday and so on and he said to me that I don’t need to tell what the nature of a medical procedure

I told my boss but I didn’t really care. I’ve told anyone who’d listen.