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.

@catin8oots; I had a lumpectomy with a bilateral mammoplasty at the same time, as the surgeon didn't want me to be 'lop-sided'. I'm sorry your operation didn't go ahead, and trust you'll get a date soon. I feel very fortunate that I was done and dusted at the same time, and have wondered whether having a female surgeon played any part in that.

@Knittedfairies2 I had a lumpectomy with a female surgeon, admittedly now 15 years ago but she didn’t give an hoot about me being lopsided and expected me to just get on with it. My amazing oncologist also asked me to wait to the 10 year mark as the additional surgery makes mris and mammograms more interesting to read due to scarring. It’s lovely that your surgeon looked at you as a whole person, mine saw me as a cancer patient with no regard at all for how I would feel about the aesthetics in the following years (although I am very grateful she did get all the cancer and so far nothing back). Good luck @catin8oots for when you get there.

Firstly I would like to thank all of you wonderful courageous women for all of these boob threads.

I have read them all recently and, as a direct result of that, had a private consultation last night.

However it turns out that whilst I am not quite broken (or thin) enough for the NHS, I am currently too broken to go private.

I need counselling. Cos I hate my boobs. I mean yeah, that’s why I was there!

I am not against counselling, and will get it, just wondering if anyone else has had the same experience?

P.S. Sorry, way longer message than I meant (and that’s the edited version!)

@Blimmingboobs Receiving counselling for a year is on the NHS criteria for a reduction in my area. I didn’t have it because no matter how much CBT I have, clothes would never fit, my ability to exercise would still be limited, my boobs would still be in the way etc.

Some of the private consultants I saw. Said I would need one session of counselling beforehand to make sure I am fit for plastic surgery (easy £250 for them). Some didn’t. The surgeon I chose didn’t want it for me but said he requires it of some women.

Thank you for your reply.

Well I am glad it’s not just me then.

He won’t do it unless she signs me off but he makes no money from it.

To be fair he’s not wrong, I am psychologically scarred.

Hello lovely ladies. Happy boobiversary to you both @Singletrackmind and @Martinisarebetterdirty 🥳 It was mine in June and I’m SO happy a year on.

Has anyone noticed any lumps of scar tissue or anything post-op? I’m on the 2 week wait for a breast lump atm. It’s quite central and feels like it’s on the breast plate rather than in the breast tissue itself. Just looking for any reason not to worry 👀

@Blimmingboobs I had got to the point where I hated my boobs with a passion. No amount of therapy was going to change or ‘fix’ that. …. & what@Bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword said The consults I had did to some extent ‘evaluate’ my reasoning but there was never any question that it was a hurdle to cross. NHS reductions are a proper lottery and arguably sit lower on the hierarchy of needs. If I hadn’t had the money I would have financed it.

@user80 hello 😀 great to hear you are happy, time flies! Lumps…not had any, but have read that can be fat necrosis ….which sounds horrid, but very common & regular massage helps. But if in doubt straight to the surgeon for advice methinks - sounds like you have already.

Have followed this without commenting through my DDs surgery. Been really useful to us both.

We now have 2 lipoelastic size M bkack compression bras if anyone wants them?

Or any suggestions of where to donate them?

Great ... that's really good to hear.😀

Yes, bras .. I also have 1 size M black Lipoelastic & 1 size M white Lipoelastic in the soft cotton + a Veronique D designs black M one that has front & rear fastening + adjustable straps that is unworn as the Lipo ones were so comfortable I never used it.

Very happy to post to anyone who'd like them .... otherwise I was going to send to the 'Against Breast Cancer' recycling scheme as there doesn't seem to be a BraBank near me.

So lovely of you to want to donate @PiggyPlumPie @Singletrackmind

Off to Google fat necrosis… 😵

@PiggyPlumPie @Singletrackmind if you still have them could I have one of the black lipoelastic one and the cotton one if possible? I’m still wearing my compression at night and some days depending on what I’m wearing on the advice of my surgeon due to scarring issues.

I’d happily pay postage and recycle afterwards.

@PiggyPlumPie I could deffo make use of the bras if still on offer? As PP said I'm happy to pay postage

@catin8oots @Mezzaninemel

Arghh! 1 each????

PM me!

Will do. But @Mezzaninemel did ask first so don't worry if already gone! X

Just reading again, if @Singletrackmind gives hers to @Mezzaninemel then @catin8oots can have both of mine.

@PiggyPlumPie all good @Mezzaninemel just PM me an address & mobile no if you’d like tracking & I’ll send 😀

@Singletrackmind thank you very much! I’ll send you my details now

Perfect! @catin8oots ping me an address and I'll post them off!

@PiggyPlumPie don't want you to think I'm being rude but I'm struggling to log in in the laptop so I can use PMs. I always used the phone app. Have just emailed HQ to see if they can get me back in

Hi all - first time posting on mumsnet! I wanted to mine your experiences to ask how you recovered from surgery while avoiding lifting, straining etc - particularly with young children?

For context, I desperately want a breast reduction and have done so for the past 20 years. I am 35, have a 4 yr old and 2 yr old. I am hoping to pay privately to get the surgery this winter. The surgeon has recommended no driving/lifting/pushing the pram etc. for a minimum of six weeks, preferably more like 10. That seems reasonable and I would want to follow their recommendations but it also feels like such a long time to be unable to fulfil daily chores like driving or helping my children physically.

If there are any amazing insights or tips to help with life during recovery that you can pass on I would be very grateful. As I say, desperately want the surgery but I want to ensure that I am able to get myself and my young family in the best set-up beforehand.

I suppose it depends on how extensive your surgery is, I’m sure most of us were back driving within 2 weeks, if you read through the earlier threads @Madagascary definitely mentions when she was driving again. My DDs are older but I’m sure it was only the first couple of weeks I was careful and then back to work carrying a laptop bag.

Yes a week but not a long way or regularly

It is a strain

Driving after about two weeks (he said ok after one but I didn’t feel ready).
I was careful lifting for a good six weeks and I didn’t lift anything heavy as such for about 3 months. It’s a low pain op but you do need time to recover.

Hello , I finally have the courage to post here after lurking for some time. Thank you for sharing your experiences, I don’t think I would actually be planning to do this without your insights. I’m mid-50s and so ready to get a reduction. J cup and severe shoulder grooves. Does anyone have a recommendation for a surgeon in East Lothian/Edinburgh?