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!

Top tips of things to buy:
To help with sleeping sitting up get a v shaped pillow and a travel pillow. You will look ridiculous but it’ll be more comfortable. For travelling get a padded seat belt cover.

I found it useful to have a shoebox size box to keep things nearby in immediate post op period. I kept my chargers, kindle, painkillers etc in it so I could ask my husband to carry them about for me. It’s things like that are the most frustrating about recovery. Not what I couldn’t do but what I wasn’t allowed to do!
Clothes-wise I just wore baggy or stretchy tshirts and jumpers afterwards. I’d recommended getting a macom post surgical bra. I got a second hand one from eBay.

I would like to be like this but I’m worried they’ll see it as elective. Therefore not covered

How are you two weeks in? When will you go back?

At two weeks I still felt restricted. I think that the stitches were feeling tight as the hadn’t quite dissolved.

i think the turning point was at about 17/18 days and I felt so much better. I started driving short distances on day 20. Day 24 today and I feel like I could do anything but obviously need to stick to rules.

What do they say (if anything) about mammograms post reduction with scar tissue etc. still easy enough to spot cancer?

I was strongly advised to have a mammogram prior to surgery as a precautionary measure. This was the only thing not included in the price as it is not available at the hospital I had surgery at. I decided it was only sensible and it cost £220 at a private provider.

It is more difficult to feel for lumps when self checking after a reduction due to the scar tissue feeling lumpy so I will have to be more aware of that. I have just been advised to have the regular 3 yearly check ups as I am (almost) in that age bracket. I don’t know what the situation would be if it was a younger person.

My surgeon asked about familial history of breast cancer at my pre-op appointments. There is no history in my direct family but I don’t know if there was a history if things would change.

Oh yes thank you for reminding me, mine mentioned that. Blimey £200

I had one in 2016 on the NHS for crippling crippling back pains. Went from a34K to a 34 Dd

Honestly the best thing l did. Lost 5lbs in weight. Back pain disappeared.

This is so interesting to hear - I’ve just booked in to have mine done (slightly different as I have asymmetrical breasts that I’m getting sorted via a reduction). So actual reduction will just be in one breast…

I’ve only got about 1 working week off work, my op is on the Friday so I’ve got Mon-Fri off the following week, then back to work (WFH) the week after. Is that achievable? Or do you think I’ll need more time?

what drugs do they give you afterwards and at home?

Do they actually cut away skin or is it all done through liposuction? Sorry for asking what might seem like a stupid question but have been thinking about getting it done but am scared of scarring.

From what I know, and the OP can help us more, scarring is inevitable. They take your nipples off!!
I can’t wait and I’ve got to really think about how small I want to go. From what I read anyone who had regrets was only that they didn’t go smaller.

I’m having liposuction under my left armpit because there’s some breast tissue there.

my guy has said two weeks off.

They do cut your nipples off a reattach.

l would have liked to go smaller, but they can go from ginormous to tiny. They have to settle at reasonable. I would have liked a C but a DD is fine. They are ultra perky.

Tits of a 20 year old really

What did you ask for

I didn’t ask. They explained that they can’t guarantee a size, but that they will be smaller and more ‘manageable’😄

It wasn’t that painful. I only had a couple of doses of paracetamol when I got home. BUT it is so tiring. I had to sleep upright for two weeks and would not have been fit for work on that basis. Honestly I would have another week.
Good luck for your surgery.

I had an anchor incision. Google it because it’s easier than me describing!

They don’t take your nipples off really, the breast tissue is removed (cut away not lipo) from below and then the skin is cut in the anchor incision and shaped around the nipple.

So the incision is around my nipple then down in a vertical line to the bottom of my breast. And then across the bottom of each breast. You wouldn’t see it in a bra or bikini.

Yep, I’m ultra perky too.

Lol. I’m interested in washing. Tell us about that.

I have 32G and want a reduction in the future after I've breastfed my baby.

I'm concerned about residual pain. Are you expecting pains in the years to come?

I had support tape over my sutures so I couldn’t get that wet for two weeks. I had a shallow bath each day, cling film to keep my breasts dry, batiste in my hair and flannel to my arm pits.

it was gross but necessary.

My beeast are huge! 34GG same like you. I’m considering breast reduction aswell because of my backpain.

may i jnow why you want breast reduction?

are you experience backpain and if so is the reduction helps with backpain?

i think that there is always a risk of residual pain from scar tissue but I am not so concerned with that. There is a risk of loss of sensation to the nipple but mine seems to be ok.

I didn’t have back pain but I realised almost immediately after surgery that I held a lot of tension in my back and that has now gone.

physically my biggest problem before surgery was my breasts getting in the way of arm movements. I used to have move them out of the way. I’m sure when I get back the gym and running I will notice a big difference in my range of movement.

I wanted it done because they got in the way, made exercising and buying clothes impossible and they basically made me unhappy.

Oh lord re washing. Did it /does it (you’re ? 3 weeks now?) feel strange getting the scars wet now

i am desperate to have this done. I’m a 34F and have always hated my breasts. I gain absolutely no pleasure from them at all (hate having them touched) have always ‘leant over’ so as not to have them poking out’ too much (not that this actually makes any difference- they are still there for all to see) and I’m so bloody sick of looking matronly. Does not help that I am apple shaped. Bloody hate them!! The only thing preventing me from getting them done is the cost. £12k is very prohibitive and I can’t see my Vitality health care covering the cost. How long did you save up for?