We’ve all had breast reductions - happy to help

[Madagascary]

Setting up as thread 2 is now full here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4876452-weve-had-breast-reductions-ask-us-anything?reply=134967968

props to @bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword And all who contribute.

@countrytweed. I’m 18 months past and my scars started getting paler after a year
they’ll never go totally but I don’t care !

@redwineisfine. Over here !!

@Madagascary 👍🏼👍🏼 and thank you for setting up new thread!

Cheers @Madagascary it's all gone a bit wrong over here but I don't want to put anyone off so will spare the gory details.

Oh no!! Hope they’ve readmitted you

@RedWineIsFine I think it’s important to share the good and bad. I found other people’s experiences very useful when I myself had issues.

I was a bit worried that they let you out the same day.

I had a bit of oozing and stuff over overnight and they just changed the sheet which had a tiny stain on it and gave me some morphine I think

Hi there, I’ve just had a reduction, thank the lord, and am six days post op. Just wondering, the thing that is getting to me the most is the feeling of intense pressure in the mid point between my breasts (which look AMAZING). It’s like someone has their thumb on my breast bone and it’s driving me mad. I keep pulling at the support bra but it’s not touching that area at all. Anyone else suffered this? Even when undo the bar and there is literally nothing touching that area at all, the pressure on it is insane.

That will probably just be bruising from something in the operation? Or are you standing differently, maybe?

The weirdest thing I’ve got between my breasts is that when I have a drink even just a couple of sips, I get really itchy there and my friend can tell when it happens because I start scratching my cleavage!!

There’s no scar tissue there and I can’t work out at all. Definitely only start happening after the.op

Oh no @RedWineIsFine - hope nothing too bad. Keep us posted if you can.
@soupdragon321 that is unfamiliar to me but maybe someone has had it. What I will say is I had a very very wide variety of different sensations over my first few weeks.
Waving to everyone on our new sparkly thread!

I bloody love this thread. Referred somebody else, friend of a friend in real life to my surgeon and he messaged me to say he’s very impressed with my referral technique!

Hi, there is a bruise there so perhaps something happened during the operation and with time it will fade and be less irritating. I am just so happy now that it’s done. I didn’t sleep much after the surgery (was in hospital overnight ) but I just remember grinning to myself all night long. The relief! The sleeping upright is a pain, as are the raging hot flushes that have returned as I had to stop HRT (back on it after next week) but will be worth it. How long before I can sleep on my side do you think? Totally understand the not knowing who I am style wise. All my clothes were to hide my chest! Will need time to figure out what my new ‘look’ will be I think. Plus need to work on the tummy now. But at 52, and have wanted this for at least 20 years, I’m chuffed to bits.

All that sounds so familiar, yes I hated sleeping upright. I never really got any clear information for how long I was supposed to do it.
I wasn’t told to stop taking my HRT so that’s interesting as well. Have you tried crossing your arms yet and yes to the horror of one’s stomach.

@Madagascary nice one for the new thread
@RedWineIsFine let us know how you are, so early for you, your only job is to rest. Hope you are being looked after.

There are so many weird things to contend with in the early days … I was in a mild state of panic for at least the first 4 weeks until things started to settle. My scars are really fading now. Ones underneath … can’t see them unless I lift my arms, they are perfectly in the (very small) fold. Ones around the nipples going white, vertical ones less pink now & better every day.

I had mine at 52 too

I had mine in 2017.
l became more aware of my protruding belly, which is common.
After a while I noticed one breast was bigger than the other. I did have an infection in the smaller one which took a long time to heal, so that might have had something to do with it. I told the surgeon, but he really didn’t want to correct it surgically, probably because of the infection. The difference isn’t so obvious now, or perhaps I have just got used to it. In the last couple of years I noticed they had increased in size a bit, though not to the original size, thankfully. It’s not uncommon for them to grow back apparently.

Oh this is the thread I didn't realise I was looking for!

Breast cancer early 2022 with a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. Cancer boob is smaller, higher and tighter than other boob. At least a 3 cup size difference.

Had consultation last week ruling out implants etc (personal choice) so have opted for a reduction and lift on the 'healthy' boob. Been given a date in July.

So very excited - nervous about the scars - I am very fair and scar easily so will be a thing this thread closely.

Good luck to you all with your recent or impending procedures

I think I was around the same time as Singletrack- my scars are looking great at 9 months. I’m very excited about my first summer without scaffolding.
Mid fifties also - one surgeon said it’s a common age to do it. Women just get to the point where they can’t stand it any longer!
Good luck to everyone about to take the leap and those healing 😀 it’s been overwhelmingly positive for me.

Welcome one and all. Xx

Waves to everyone and thanks @Madagascary for the thread.
@catin8oots - I was the same but much longer between cancer surgery and reduction - it has been the best thing I have done.
I was signed off by my surgeon today, he was delighted with the results - I’d forgotten how grim it is to see the original photos though!
I had the pressure thing - I think it was tight stitches and it went.
I hope all is ok @RedWineIsFine - I had a lot of oozing after my top up surgery which was grim but hope it’s only something like that for you.

53 for mine … it’s just time isn’t it… so glad I did it every bloody day 😀… just had swimwear arrive to try … I’ve not owned any for at least 25 years!!!

I've been given my surgery date as 26th of July and told I will have to wear a Surgical bra day and night for 6 weeks 😭😭😭 I hate wearing bras at the best of times - let alone a tight compression one. I just know this summer will be a scorcher too

I tell you what else is driving me mad, the bottom of the compression bra continuously rolling up! Argh! I’ve tried diff brands and I think it’s just that I have a short waist so not much I can do. Luckily not so far up that it’s touching any stitches or anything but it’s really uncomfortable and annoying. Am REALLY looking forward to being able to wear soft little bralets and not feel so constricted. I was thinking today, that the tightness is not do dissimilar to when I was breastfeeding and boobs were engorged!

Catin8oots, it’s so weird. I undid the bra this morning and because everything is fresh and tight, feels like I’m still wearing it, so no relief to be found. Good I sound so moany (blame lack of sleep and HRT!) but really, this is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself ☺️☺️☺️

I’m so jealous of all you ladies who have managed to get your reductions. Unfortunately my GP wont refer me and i have tried for years. Im saving up currently to get it done as it has been the bane of my life for the last 25 years!