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.

You should be having mammograms anyway, so no sympathy there!

even with trad surgery your boobs are high and hard for a while.
You don't sound convinced by this woman IMO

@ForeverYoung40 I would get yourself on Mounjaro for real effects

@ForeverYoung40 i would be really wary of any medical professionals recommending a plant based diet. What’s the reasoning?

I wasn’t looking for sympathy, was just saying how I felt. Routine breast screening isn’t offered if under 50 so I don’t think I should be having them anyway but would always go and see a GP if I was concerned. I’ve set about booking my mammogram so it is happening and that’s a good thing regardless of the surgery.
Re your comment about mounjaro, I prefer to deal with weight differently. I want to manage it by eating healthily for the long term and am not looking to lose weight quickly. I have months to lose around 14-18 pounds, which is doable. I’ve already lost 12lbs over the last few weeks, plus I don’t think BMIs tell the whole story. But if mounjaro works for others then that’s great - I’m not here to judge.
I do have doubts about the surgery, but not the consultant as such. She was very thorough and honest and has a very holistic approach. She treats the whole person and will only operate if she feels that the connection between her and her patient is right. I don’t want a surgeon to tell me all the things I want to hear - I need to know the cons and the risks, but hearing that and how I need to look after my body has taken a bit of time to process. Her results look fantastic and the follow-up is amazing, so that’s more important to me than a surgeon’s bedside manner. But we’re all different and it’s useful to get others perspectives on their surgery.
Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Because I said I wanted to lose weight before surgery and be as fit and healthy as I can be to speed up recovery time. She said I didn’t necessarily need to lose weight to have the surgery but it’s my choice to wait. She asked what I was doing to lose weight and I told her I was doing intermittent fasting and reducing carbs - so she also recommended a plant-based diet to help with weight loss, amongst other things, and to cut out any processed food (which I am doing anyway) also because I need to watch my cholesterol. Also this:
Research shows that plant-based diets are cost-effective, low-risk interventions that may lower body mass index, blood pressure, HbA1C, and cholesterol levels. They may also reduce the number of medications needed to treat chronic diseases and lower ischemic heart disease mortality rates.

I won’t give up meat but am trying to eat more plant-based foods - and as my immediate family has such high rates of cancer, eating more plant-based foods is shown to reduce the risk so I don’t see it as a bad thing.

I used to have Simply Health though work but not now that I’ve moved jobs. Had looked into again for the dental plan but didn’t think about mammograms so will def look into it again 😀

@ForeverYoung40 is it the lollipop method? Looks good as less scarring. Not an option for me as my breasts were too large.

Yes that’s the one. I’m aiming to go from a GG to a D/DD. I think that would keep me in proportion and still means that I can go underwire free. Whoo Whoo!
Consultant said she thinks I’d have about 1kg removed in total - so not masses but enough to make a huge difference to my neck and shoulders. The lollipop procedure also pulls in the side boob so there was no mention of lipo being needed.

@ForeverYoung40 Sounds good!
I went from around an f to a b.
I had 1.6/7kg taken off! Am 2 weeks post op today. I’m very pleased with result. Finding recovery hard though - bored doing nothing. I have large wound to my left breast nearly up to my armpit-this breast was nearly a 1kg off, was larger than other. I had really large side boob so had to be done. My left breast just went really weird after I breastfed my last baby- didn’t really ever use tight. Anyhow look great now 🤩Would be much nicer to have a smaller incision I think .

Wow that is a lot. Congrats on your surgery. Questions: Do you mind me asking how old you are? Any regrets so far? Apart from being bored, are you coping OK? Much pain? Sleeping OK?
I sleep on my stomach so sleeping upright on my back is going to be a challenge. I am sure I’ll manage the pain, but like you I’m going to get bored and restless and will be itching to get out and walk the dog. I’m aiming for my op to happen early November. I’ve got too many things in the diary over next few months and also trying to lose some more weight so although I would love to get it done sooner, I’ve got a few months to go. Consultant recommended some counselling before and after - wondering if you, or anyone else on here had any counselling?

I had one session of counselling (mandated) which I did feel I needed and was useful.

I don’t really understand the counselling part. What it is for? Is it to rule out body dysmorphia?

My only regret is not doing it sooner😊

I don’t think it’s necessarily to do with body dysmorphia - though if that’s the case then I would say counselling is a must. I think it’s more to do with why you’re doing it (which I guess could be about body dysmorphia), the change that’s going to happen and understanding that after the op your boobs might not look perfect or what you’d imagined, or that life won’t magically be amazing and that recovery might have a mental impact on a person.
i guess some woman go through it and are pretty resilient, whereas others might take longer to accept the impact of such major surgery.
For me, having a breast reduction is not just about the physical aspect but the emotional one too, as I have always struggled to love my boobs and accept them. But I also have some sense of guilt for wanting to change my body and not just accept it and love it for what it is. I’m confident in myself in general - I don’t mind a mum tum, stretch marks, curvy hips and thighs etc, but am not confident about the size of my breasts, the attention they get and how they interfere with me being more physically active - so I’ve sort of resented them. Having counselling would probably be good for me to explore all of that so that I can feel positive about the op and look forward to life after it. But I’m an over-thinker and a procrastinator so that’s just me. I envy the ladies on here who made a decision and got on with it and haven’t looked back since. I hope that’ll be be in a few months time 😊

I think I knew and understood that I had hated mine for so long that I wasn’t going to turn much of an emotional corner straight after surgery.

However the physical improvement was pretty instant.

I guess that hey need to be sure that everyone has thoroughly thought it through and come to this conclusion for the right reason(s)

Agree. Even though I’ve thought about this for around 30 years, it’s only now that I don’t want to wait any longer - mainly because the physical issues are getting worse the older I get. I can’t wait to feel that sense of lightness. Makes me think about when I’m swimming - I love that my boobs feel weightless in the water but as soon as I get out, I feel like I’m being dragged back down by two boulders. Hate that feeling.

@ForeverYoung40 I’m also a swimmer and it’s played a big part of my decision to have this surgery. When I was measured for a wetsuit (because I knew an off the peg one would never fit because I’m 4’ 11” and have big boobs) the guy asked me, in a very matter of fact way, if having a big chest was a problem when swimming and running. I know I should have been appalled by such an inappropriate question and called it out, but I just answered that yes, it was a problem.

I always buy high neck swimsuits and when I run I buy specialist bras that are enormous but incredibly secure. For not having to do both of these any more, I’m very excited - but at 64 still nervous and feeling a little foolish that I’m going ahead with this at this point in my life. That probably tells me I should have done it sooner - but there’s nothing I can do about that.

So 8th May it is, I’m not much of a worrier and figure it’ll be here soon enough; and then I’ll worry!

I don’t actually think it was an inappropriate question to ask. Excessively large boobs need to be seen as a barrier to exercise and the disadvantages spoken about and acknowledged.

When I get the bulk of my inheritance (waiting for late parent’s house to be sold) I shall be joining you all.
58 years old, currently 36JJ. Sick of trying to get comfortable, back/neck pain, rashes under boobs….
When anyone takes a pic of me I always ask them to try and not get my tits in the photo…anyone else do this? I’m so self conscious how I look in clothes. I’m very aware of when I speak to males, their eyes automatically travel down. I’m really off men now, so this pisses me off no end. Also fed up of spending a fortune on swimwear and bras, and trying to find a top that doesn’t look ridiculous. It doesn’t help that I’m only 5’4.
I’m doing this for me. I know it will transform my life and outlook immeasurably. I was hoping to have it done this summer, but again, depends on how quickly funds are available.
A poster upthread mentioned a clinic in Lithuania, so I’m looking into that.
Have been following this thread for a while with keen interest. I really salute you ladies! ♥️

You are roughly the same age, height and bust size I was.

I was in a big group photo at the weekend and I couldn’t find myself! I realised I was looking for the booby one! Didn’t even know I did that.

What size are you now?
How has it changed your life? ♥️

I went down to a C cup and I literally woke up feeling a weight lifted off of me.

I do still have a dodgy shoulder but that’s from years of damage.

Not been swimming yet but excited to as and when my shoulder improves.

Has changed my life; zero regrets.

And the main reason I hadn’t done it sooner was fear of other people’s reaction. I cannot believe that literally nobody has noticed! It’s great!

tell me about it! Mine are so heavy

I'm the same as you! Waiting for my parents ' flat to sell. I'm tired of the back ache and breathlessness as I walk down the street.

We’re in this together! ♥️