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.

I was only thinking about htis thread yedterday. Well done @3smallpups
I lost that amount too - you will realise how much neck ache you thought was just you hunching

Dont be in a rush to buy new bras - leave it a month or prob two

i think your experience is unusual 3, just to reassure anyone else on the thread.

@3smallpups that is fantastic to hear! I’m at 2 1/2 years post op & am still overjoyed I did this. It is transformational. Will always be grateful for the support & encouragement from @Madagascary & the OG OP @Bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword

I’m 2 years post op and I’m thankful I did it (and for the words of support and reassurance on this thread) every single day. The sheer joy of going bra-free!! And not having to think about them constantly or be self-conscious anymore 🙏🏼

I am also very thankful for this thread and was sad to see there was no activity.
I have my consultation booked for 2nd March 🙂

Didn’t know this thread existed, hello all!
I had a bilateral reduction two weeks ago on the nhs due to a 5cm cancer in one breast. I was an H cup and am now in an M&S DD flexifit bra. I am supposed to wear a bra day and night for some time.

I haven’t seen scars yet as I still have dressings on. Pain has been minimal though, more tightness and annoying industrial strength tit tape dressings that are pushing them up and out to heal the under boob scar. Very pleased with what I see. Symmetrical and suits my frame. It’s a very strange feeling to have had a much longed for surgery because of cancer. Happy to answer any questions.

Oh I'm sorry but well done @cancerycaramelbear
might as well eek some good news out of your diagnosis

as I've said thousands of times on these threats yes the reduction is brilliant but the lift especially for those them as in our 50s is an amazing thing too

Yes I’m in my early 50s and feel like I have 20yr old boobs all of a sudden!

The lift the lift …😀. @cancerycaramelbear … that’s a journey for sure so no surprise about the mixed emotions. Hope you heal up & recover well. Bodies are remarkable & slow and steady is the way.

I’m pleased to see this thread is still going. I’m still on my journey and keep wobbling. I go from super excited to super scared. I am definitely an over-thinker but am trying to remember all the reasons I want this done.
I didn’t have the best experience with the first consultant I saw; I made the mistake of thinking that her being a woman would mean she would be more empathetic, but I was wrong. She definitely had a superiority complex and left me feeling a bit shit about myself. However, that didn’t stop me and I’ve since seen a different surgeon, one that works for the NHS as a top breast surgeon (reconstruction) and also has his private practice. He was so gentle and unassuming - I instantly felt better. Have got a provisional op date for end of April so am doing my best to lose up to a stone (I think that’s doable) and get little fitter so that I feel healthier.
One question I have is about losing weight after the op. I do exercise regularly but I am sure once I have the op it will be much easier and I will want to exercise more. Did anyone lose more weight after their op and did it affect your breast size/shape? I’m hoping that my new boobs will be perkier and so I don’t want to ruin that by losing too much weight after. I’ve not for a huge amount to lose - 1.5 stone max to remain a little curvy but slim.
I guess re boob size and losing weight, it depends on the ratio of fat/breast tissue, and everyone is different.
Any advice re the rollercoaster of emotions and weight loss before and after surgery? TIA

@ForeverYoung40 Yay …well done you for finding someone you like. Excited for you! And I can hopefully help a bit with the weight thing. I wasn’t overweight when I had the op. For ref I’m 5’4’’ and was 62kg / 53 when I had the op. I’m quite sporty so my focus pre-op was health/ strength.

But having the weight off my chest literally - really galvanised me & so I made a big effort to improve the body to match the boobs. I started in April 2024 8 months after the op & dropped over the year to 52kg, which was a bit scrawny to be fair, so I levelled out around 54.5kg which is where I am now.

The boobs take a year to really settle, and so whilst they were already much smaller they defo shrunk a bit more as I shifted the weight off. This will depend on the composition of your breast tissue. At my lightest they did lose a bit of fullness & I think they look better/ pretty good now with a couple of kg back on.

I didn’t ask my surgeon at all about this but it would be a good question to ask not least as unless you know whether you have dense tissue, or more fat/ skin for e.g (my boobs were horribly saggy) then it’s hard to know how they will change with weight loss.

HTHs a bit!

I’ve lost 2.5 stone since my reduction (12.5 down to 10, I’m 5 ft 4 ish). My boobs are less pert than post surgery but they’re still great. They haven’t shrunk much with the weight loss but I still look in proportion.

Thank you, both, that’s really helpful. I’m also about 5’4”. I’m currently 72kg after Xmas (ate like a mad woman) and would like to be 65kg by the time I have the op and then maybe get down to 62kg after (about 9.5 stone) - that’s a good weight for me as I like to have a bit of muscle and maintain some curves 😊 So I wouldn’t be losing a huge amount after the op, maybe about 3kg, so half a stone ish. I feel from what’ve both said that a small weight loss shouldn’t have too much of an impact. However I have another consultation in a couple of weeks so will certainly ask about this.

Weight loss after won't affect your boobs

Hi everyone, I'm going to try and read this thread from the start as I am really hoping to get a reduction asap. I'm a 32hh and really struggle with the practicalities of them, self image, shoulder discomfort and deep groves from straps. After seeing the GP, I was then referred to physio. After the physio appointments, GP then said I fit all the criteria for a reduction and has referred me to plastics. Is there a high chance it can still be declined after referral to plastics? For those that went private, were there finance options. I have no savings unfortunately but a reduction would be so lifechanging.

Yes. Most places do finance.

I was declined by NHS about four years ago due to BMI (overweight). I was told I needed to have a normal bmi for a year to be considered. I don’t recommend the route I eventually took… breast cancer. However, I am very pleased with the result, which is literally and figuratively a weight off my shoulders.

Yes I did finance - 2yrs no interest. Last payment next month… it made it manageable as wouldn’t have been able to do lump sum.

Thank you. And do you always have to pay for the initial consultation appointments? I imagine that could get expensive if wanting to get a feel of a few different potential places!

I only went to one surgeon.

Hi Cancery. I’m in a similar situation to you although I have DCIS with microinvasion, so not ‘full blown’ cancer (although still to have the op). I’m a older (60s) and surgeon has told me I’m high risk for wound breakdown due to how thin my skin is, I have absolutely ginormous boobs and they’ve obviously stretched the skin - rather like blowing up a balloon I guess. I’m having my op in a couple of weeks and am stuck to what type and size bras I should be getting. I asked my surgeon, who is lovely, but also tall and slender with not a lot of boob, who suggested just buying them a couple of sizes smaller. How did you decide what bras to go for? Did you just guess or wait until after surgery? Or did you trot along to M&S afterwards and try a few on?

Sorry if I’m hijacking this happy lovely thread. I always wanted a boob reduction, but was too much of a coward. Since I’m going under the knife anyway and it was offered free, I decided to go for it! Two surgeons - one on each boob. Apparently it’s better for the radiotherapy too - bigger boobs = more side effects. I will loose my nipples as she’d have to detach and reattach and there’s more chance of nipple failure, which together with the thin skin was is a risk more than I want to take, and as my DD said, “If it’s good enough for Barbie ..!” I can also have nipples tattooed on later - in 3D!

Your surgeon should have recommended you some ? Compression bras to wear for the first few weeks. Mine had some kind of discount code with a manufacturer and then I sold mine on Vinted - can't remember the brand name

then I wore stretchy crop tops fror ages https://www.marksandspencer.com/cotton-rich-non-wired-post-surgery-bra-a-e/p/clp60729425?color=PALEBLUE#intid=pid_pg1pip2g4r1c1%7Cprodflag_VAT%20off

You aren't rushing back into putting anything on those under cup scars, that is fo sho

MACOM - that is the brand. They put you in one after surgery so unsure why your surgeon has been so clueless
Hope it goes well

Hi there, happy to help!
I was told not to buy any bras until after the surgery. They fitted me with one in surgical recovery and then I rang the nurse and asked how the size of that would compare to M&S bras. She recommended nhs flexifit. I bought a few sizes and got express delivery then had a wash one wear one system for ages! I now have a few more, as got sick of the constant bra washing. I was 38H and now 38DD, so you could get some 3-4 cup sizes smaller if you want to be prepared. Please do ask anything else. I’m still on the cancer treatment journey but the only good bit has been the wonderful new boobs!

Thanks, that’s very helpful. I have to confess that when I left the hospital, I was thinking more about the ‘Yippee, free boob job!’ than I was about the rest of it! That was before I got the details and sobered up a bit