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.

I have a question. DD’s operation is on March 5th. Can she wear a seatbelt after the op, or do I have to take a pillow to put in between her and the seatbelt? Seems like a daft question, but it’s something I have thought about.

Take a pillow - much more comfy.

@Madagascary Thanks for the welcome and your reply! I'm very happy to be joining the small 🍈🍈 club. Understood re: taking it easy... I don't get an overnight stay (but I did get a choice of sandwich 😂) although looking forward to being looked after by my mum!

I'm also getting side lipo so I'll be extra tender I imagine

I took a pillow, and it was a waste of time, seatbelt was no problem

Lipo hurts for ages. Like a dull bruise

Hello @countrytweed 😀soon for you.. well done for reading this far! Go easy post op, you do need to recover. I was doing walks by day 4 but defo nothing that means you might get pulled!
@veiledsentiments I had a pillow in the car home … prob didn’t need it but it is nice to have soft things around you the first few weeks
@Madagascary on how you see yourself now I think for me it’s what @Bigtitsbetty said- I defo don’t have tiny tits but I’m in proportion & they don’t dominate my days by being in my way, or me constantly feeling self conscious/ trying to hide them.
@Weatherwax13 … how you doing hun?

… & yeah the lipo does hurt for ages… kinda like a dull ache

@countrytweed I was wondering about dog walks too. My dog is terrible for pulling on the lead despite many attempts to train her not to. I would miss the walks though.

It weird what you guys were saying about still thinking you have big boobs post op. I lost a stone and a half about four years ago and my boobs just stayed the same and I always think of myself as fat because of this.

I've been seriously considering a reduction and I've decided to got for it. This thread has been helpful and very motivating, thank you!

I have a few questions and forgive me if they've been answered. I live on my own and would rather not have anyone to stay over to help- is that realistic for the first couple of nights? What's the average time off work? I'm a community midwife with no heavy lifting but drive a lot and carry bags and scales. And lastly, for now, I'm 51 but not menopausal yet- is it worth waiting? I hadn't considered it but noted a few comments about possible advantages of being post menopausal. I have some weight to lose and then maintain so might be a year or two anyway at my current rate of loss, sadly.

Hey @DaffsTime welcome! Assuming all goes well then I think you could cope on your own, but you would just need to be prepared.

So all your bed/ 'sitting soft' areas set up.

Food pre-cooked/ freezer stocked so you don't have to head out for supplies for the first week.
Having things close to hand/ down from high shelves so you don't have to reach for anything.
House cleaned etc .. if that sort of stuff bothers you.
And having someone you can call on, who could be around to pop in/ help if you needed them would probably be nice.

I was off for just under 2 weeks, and was driving as soon as I went back. But as I've said before, ideally I'd have had another week as it was pretty exhausting doing full days and I did feel a bit vulnerable driving. Plus you should check what your surgeon says as mine did say 6 weeks for driving so technically I was taking a risk with insurance etc ... You won't want to, and really shouldn't, carry anything heavy/ awkward for a good few weeks.

I was 53 when I has mine done last year, and I've no idea exactly where I was [am] in the peri/ meno journey due to having a hysterectomy a few years back (ovaries still in!). Honestly, at [our] age I wouldn't be waiting. If think you have some weight to lose then defo make strides to do that though as it will help you overall/ with recovery etc.

HTHs😃

@CatrinVennastin it's hard to shift the 'I'm a big boobed woman' mindset having carried it for so long ... and yeah no matter how slim I've been my boobs always made me feel fat....

Agree. Anything over subsistence will be hard. Washing etc

Re: the perimenopause point... I'm 42 and I know it's a risk they might grow (back), but I honestly don't want to wait another 10 or so years with these ludicrous bowling balls down my top. If needs be I'd save for a second op if they did come back with a vengeance.

I am slightly concerned my tummy is now going to be the star of the show... but hopefully the fact I won't have to hold them when I jig about will help the exercise motivation 🤞🏼

@countrytweed my tummy is the star of the show now but I still look loads thinner than before.
@Weatherwax13 hope you are ok.

Thank you Singletrackmind, very helpful. I have friends who can be on stand by and I would have the house spotless before going in (I'm one of those types who have to have it tidy before holidays, just in case...). It is a good motivation to lose the extra weight but realistically looking at 1-2 years away.

Very interested to see this thread.

Qs for those who have had. What's the scarring and loss of nipple sensitivity like for you?

Yes, you will definitely notice your stomach, but I have embraced exercise with a great deal of verve!

The other thing that I’ve noticed is because you haven’t got so much breast tissue you can wear necklaces without feeling they’re just on kind of like a fatty chest if you know what I mean. I’m not fat at all- a size 12, but definitely had breast tissue Above my tits if you know what I mean h

I’ve decided recently that they’re definitely has been a loss of sensitivity, but you know what I don’t care because I can happily walk round with small boobs and nice bras on and that’s far better than the odd moment of sex. Yes scarring is there but it gets better

@DaffsTime no worries & maybe think about what @Madagascary said. It’s easier to exercise without the boobs so maybe don’t wait so long if it’s something you really want.

@LoveRules Scars, yes, you will have them. The wounds are quite full on early doors … I felt a bit freaked out by them. But the body does heal. The ones underneath are totally tucked into the fold & hidden standing/ quite pale now. There’s a natural colour change around the nipple so it’s really only the verticals ones that ‘show’. I’m at 6 months & they are pretty good already. Honestly I couldn’t care less about the scars but some people may be really bothered.

I have sensation in both nipples, but it’s definitely not what it was… I did actually quite like my nipples before ☺️ but was happy to take the risk & am totally ok with it.

I hated my nipples before. Way too big

agree the vertical lines still there but I just don’t care

My nipples were great fun before and whilst they still know how to behave when it’s cold I don’t have much sensation. It’s a shame as it was honestly my best bit about sex before but I’d still rather the smaller boobs. Scars, hidden by underwear / swimwear. Have faded loads already (interestingly I had top up surgery mid Jan and those scars are as good as the ones from last summer). I wish I’d done it years ago, I’m early 40s, post menopause (surgical one) and I have the boobs I had early teens - love them.

Hiya - just trying to get my ducks in a row for next Monday (I have serious butterflies now 🙈), and making a list for what I'll need during recovery. Anything I need to add, or that isn't necessary?

• wedge pillow
• v shaped pillow
• painkillers - I think hospital will provide
• arnica tablets
• front zip sports bra
• ice packs (?)
• wet wipes /dry hair shampoo

Thanks ladies ☺️

Regarding your chat below, I'd be very sad if nipples lost sensation but tbh I think feeling comfortable in everyday life is more important to me.

@countrytweed i bought a fancy travel pillow (memory foam not inflatable) to support my head when sleeping upright. If you get one make sure you use it properly with the opening at the back.

Check with your surgeon about ice packs. I don’t think UK surgeon recommended them it tends to be more US based ones. The cold reduces the blood flow and you want the blood there to promote healing.

@LoveRules I've lost some sensitivity but it’s worth it. I don’t really care about scars but they have faded so much in 17 months.

I did have an issue with wearing a wet swimming costume, the weight of the water pulled it down a bit and my nips were now a lot higher than before so I have been more aware of them poking out. I bought high neck costumes since.