We’ve had breast reductions. Ask us anything.

[Bigtitsbetty]

Following on from our epic first thread I had a breast reduction

We are a group of ladies who have breast reductions for a number of reasons and are all at different stages of recovery.

@Madagascary well I'm back, and could certainly do with support! I feel like all I do is whinge on here.
Fluid hasn't come back, pain gone, infection gone, scars healing well. Size is exactly as predicted. Brilliant.
But. They've dropped dramatically. One side the nipple is flat and "smooshed" which I thought ok, maybe that'll improve. Now the whole central part is kinda caving in. When I lay down there's a big dip. Worse, it's starting to be noticeable standing up now.
. And yesterday I noticed the other side, with the better nipple, is starting to do the same thing, just not as dramatically.
I'm horrified as I can't see how it will improve. There's nothing behind the sinking area to settle.
Also the outline which was great is now setting into a straight, quite square line along the bottom.
Is this all going to improve? Has anyone else had similar??
I just feel like everything's going wrong. I was absolutely euphoric initially and this was my big Do Something For Myself moment.
I'm seeing the surgeon for a general six week check on Thursday so I need to be clear on what I'm going to ask as he's turned out to be pretty dismissive once the surgery was done. Shit after care.
Does anyone have advice, please?. If you managed to get through that essay!

Hey @Weatherwax13 ... such a roller coaster .. totally hear you. So it sounds like there's been much improvement, but some new areas that have you worried.

You need to tell your surgeon exactly what you've said above and explain your concerns. I can't remember if you went private or NHS but either way they have a responsibility to listen, and address your areas of concern.

For what it's worth I was in and out of 'fretting' mode for at least the first 8-10 weeks. I had none of the initial euphoria just an ongoing panic about size/ shape etc ...mine looked pointy/ boxy/ very projecting/ a bit flat at the bottom and all sorts of other weirdness that has now (at 4 months) pretty much gone, but .... they are still settling.

So 6 weeks is still very early and it will be much longer ... I was told 6 and up to 12 months before you see your final shape. So they are still going to change.

What you want to know from your surgeon is ... based on you/ your shape/ how you are healing etc ... how he expects yours to change in the coming months so you have some idea of what to expect. Let us know how you go.

Thankyou so much @Singletrackmind That all makes a lot of sense and thank you for sharing your experience. Really helpful:)

Oh @Weatherwax13 im sorry this is so tough

do be assertive with your surgeon but as @Singletrackmind said , be aware of it all changing

@Madagascary thankyou. Really appreciate the support.
I know its very early. It's just not how the surgeon told me it would look when i had my six week appointment. He even did a sketch of what to expect at 1, 2, 6 and 12 weeks.
I did a lot of research (as we all did!) before doing this.
Knew all about possible asymmetry, loss of sensation, taking months to see the final shape etc
I've just been shocked by them dropping so much in six weeks and by the squareness. One of the reasons I chose this surgeon was because he explained his technique for avoiding what he called a "square, straight bust with no natural looking contour". And as for these deepening dips. One side honestly looks very bad with the skin pulling up around the concave area.
I'd be far, far less nervous if he hadn't turned out to be blasé and unapproachable post surgery. I'm having to really gird my loins in anticipation of a dismissive attitude on Thursday.

@Weatherwax13 can you take someone with you for support? I’m seeing mine on Monday and taking DP so that he can remind me I’m not 100% happy and back me up. Remember they are settling still, so try not to worry.

@Martinisarebetterdirty I remember now that you're having issues too. How are you feeling?
What do you plan to say?
I'm usually pretty bloody assertive but this is making me feel really vulnerable actually so maybe taking DH is a good idea.
He knows how I feel and he's been very diplomatic but after I got really upset yesterday and said the hollow dip's getting worse, he said "yes, I noticed it through your top". He's unhappy on my behalf.
I'll keep you posted, please do the same.

To be honest with massage the difference isn’t quite as bad. I’m going to hear what he says first as he noticed last time and if he fobs me off then I’m going to say there is no way I can get a bra to fit both sides and whilst I am happy with some differences over a cup size isn’t appropriate. I’m in next week so will let you know after that. Definitely take DH, I know exactly what you mean about feeling vulnerable with them.

@Weatherwax13 @Martinisarebetterdirty absolutely feeling vulnerable is very real, I empathise entirely. There’s so much trust involved in this process & I know I felt quite ‘meek’ with my surgeon when that is very unlike me. Sending you both lots of encouragement & good wishes for your meets.

@Singletrackmind meek! Yes, that's a really good word. I could hear my placatory, almost apologetic tone at my last appointment and afterwards thought "What the hell's got into you!?" There were at least two questions I didn't even ask, as I let him make me feel like I was BU.
Must pull myself together.

This is fascinating. My exercise has totally changed
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001sdv9?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Hi. Been reading with interest. Had a consultation last week. I'm not that big, 38E, but they have grown after 2 children and don't fit my frame. I hate feeling blousey or matronly ,- having to dress round them and I have backache. Surgeon agreed that they are dense and heavy and reckoned 500g removal each side would make a big difference to me. Am I mad for thinking about this as not that big to begin with..? I oscillate from do it to don't mess.....but I have been contemplating this procedure for well over 5 years - I'm 53 in feb..any advice?

Hi
I agree with matronly. Mine never told me of weight removal before but did afterwards and it (with a bit of lip) was 2.5 kg! Was a 34 G

whats putting you off

'unnecessary' surgery and risks,
will it make a big enough difference?
Being disappointed after surgery - I just assumed I'd feel great but reading some of these posts has me wondering ... Does anyone regret it?
My posture is so bad now that my stomach sticks out so will less boobage just accentuate that..?
I'm 5'4 and a size 12 in lower half but a 16 sometimes 18 to accommodate and I'm just fed up with them .... Just wish I was 100% definite...

@Lesserspottedbex welcome. I would suggest from your height and size 12 bottom that you’re actually needing a different size bra. I would say you’re a much smaller back size and bigger cup size.

I don’t regret my surgery at all. I do look like I have a bigger belly (when I’m naked) but my clothes fit better generally now so I look thinnner.

Measured the other day -def 38E…
Im so out of proportion, surgeon said I’d benefit ( but guess that is his livelihood)

also very dense breast tissue so v heavy
Reasonable shape but nipple placement is low and the amount of breast below the crease is q a lot…
I know I’m not that big in relation to others but feel like I’m all bust and not in a good way! I have been researching and contemplating for around 5 years finally but the bullet and got a consult the other day but still need to make a final decision - I’d say I’m around 80% there … 🤦‍♀️

Ps: thank you for the welcome …

@Lesserspottedbex welcome!

Size ..... as @Bigtitsbetty said are you really sure that's your current size? If you are a size 12 in everything/ the rest of your shape apart from your boobs then it's highly unlikely you are a size 38 band. You are probably using the + 4" on band size when measuring that women of our age all did cause we got measured in M&S.

I spent years in 36/38 DD/E bras wondering why the back rode up so high. Actually I was a 30/32 FF/G cup. Duh!!!! Being in the right bra size does make a difference. Check out the Irish Bra Lady on instagram or the 'A bra that fits' website measuring tool.

Will having 1KG removed off the front of your body make a difference ... hell yeah!!! I'm the same age/height/ dress size as you. My boobs were horribly saggy and not so dense. I had about 600gms in total removed. My boobs before literally hung off my body, I had to fish them out of my armpits when lying down. Now they are very much 'on' my body and I'm no longer conscious that I'm carrying two saggy sacks around in scaffolding bras.

Like you, my main fear was that I was going to have elective surgery for something that 'wasn't that bad'. But ... I hated, hated, hated them and had spent years wanting to be rid of them. In the end that was what tipped it for me. I just needed it done.

Yes it's a big op, recovery is different for everyone and things can go wrong. I certainly didn't have the initial euphoria that a lot of people have and it has taken me a while to feel comfortable with the new me. But, there's a reason this surgery has a 97% satisfaction rate. Do I regret it, no, not for a minute.

If you have more questions, then ask .. this thread and the original one has been brilliant and I've been so grateful for the support and advice here.

@Madagascary ... thanks for the link ... had a listen ... honestly I'm still in my post surgery compressions bras for the gym, I just can't be arsed finding something else yet!!!

There is a measurement from nipple to nape is it? I can’t remember and it’s supposed to be 21 cm I think and mine was 28 but honestly just the loss of the weight is so amazing, yes you definitely need to work in some exercising post operation because your stomach will look bigger.

with a few exceptions, I think everybody on these threads has been delighted.

@Singletrackmind I thought the sports scientist was so interesting about the amount of movement of boobs when you run, and the thought of being in the lab working out with no bra on was too horrendous to contemplate!

I am loving the next sports bras that somebody recommended on the first thread for post operation. I size down so I’m now a C cup in those. They have a zip up the front and they’re about 16 quid maybe and I can run in those with no problem at All

If I needed to run for the bus (unlikely), I could do a sprightly jog in a crop top now. A normal sports bra would do for a workout.
I’m still overweight and yeah my tummy needs work but I wear what I like now and my life has improved. Unnecessary surgery, longish recovery. Worth it? For me, yes. No doubt at all.

My friend also doubted I was a 38 which is why I got measured - Was measured at M&S - that no good?
my measurement from nape to nipple at consult was 29 nearly 30 so they sit much lower than should…
pretty sure when the surgeon measured me he agreed I was 38E 🤔I’ve got q a wide back - but maybe I ought to check again… will check out your recommendations..
I exercise q a bit - I really think my posture has a lot to do with the way my tum sticks out - dr said was due to the weight on my chest and centre of gravity… (and trying to hide the damned things!!! ) thanks for all the advice … I’m sure I’ll have more questions so I apologise in advance !

My surgeon didn’t measure me I don’t think
not until the op?
I dunno. It’s funny what you forget

@Madagascary Yeah the movement 'figure of 8' thing I knew about .. I pretty much stopped running as exercise in my teens ... But the impact of washing stuff ... jeezzz I'd wear my sports bras for years before throwing away ...!!!

@Lesserspottedbex at its simplest .. put on a bra that hoicks you up the best. Get a tape measure and measure yourself round your torso at the underband. That measurement is your band size. M&S are the 'add 4inches' brigade which was based entirely on a dated system where things stretched. Then measure around the fullest part of your boobs. The difference between the 2 measurements is your cup size. 1 inch =A/ 2=B etc. So for e.g. if your underhand is 30 and your full bust is 34 then you'd be a 30D.

The bra that fits also uses 'hanging bust' ... that one's a joy pre-op!!!

Like you my 'notch' to nipple was around 28/29 it's now about 7 cm higher I think .... nipples are above the inframammary fold for the first time ever.

Yes, you will notice the other bits of your body ... but hey ... it's all relative and if you exercise lots then you notice the weight off immediately.

... ps my surgeon didn't measure me either .. they pretty much do it by 'eye'/ proportions I think.