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.

Also inheritance. Almost a year. Not one tiny teeny smidge of regret.
I have a LOT of summer clothes this year. And going to Primark for a strappy little bra never loses its shine.

Oh and I was terrified of the GA as I’d only had one as a child. Shaking with fear. Nice sleep. Woke up with small boobs. No issues.

Thanks everyone ~ you’ve convinced me there’s nothing to fear! It will improve my life and self esteem immeasurably ♥️♥️

@RosaMoline great! Honestly the GA is a delightful snooze, you literally know 'nothing about it'. I had no concerns whatsoever about this aspect of the surgery, it's such a precise thing these days. The benefits of this op are so worthwhile. Spent a lovely few hours this afternoon trying on clothes I would have looked horrible in before and procured a lovely skinny vest top. Still amazed nearly 12 months later at the difference it makes!

How did the recovery go? And what size did you go to? Thank you! ♥️

@RosaMoline my recovery was good, I had no major issues. But it is a HUGE emotional journey … at least I think it is… and it’s major surgery so you need to be prepared. There’s too much to repeat so if you’ve got the stamina read back on this thread & the original ones by @Bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword where you’ll get lots of views & advice.

Size ….. it’s the thing everyone focuses on! But it’s so specific to you/ your band size/ the shape of your existing boobs/ how dense your breast tissue is etc etc…. Plus most women are wearing the wrong bra size (I did for years!) so don’t actually have good reference points.

So everyone says that they want to be a ‘C’ cup without really knowing what that might look like on them. Take a look at the Irish Bra Lady on Instagram + the ‘boob or bust’ measuring method so you have a good idea if you need to.

I had horrible saggy boobs that were squashed up into 32F/G cup bras. I don’t wear ‘sized’ bras anymore just stretchy crop top bras… but my most recent underband/ over boob measurements would have me in a 32 C/D cup size. But….. they have changed massively over the last 11 months & I spent the first 4 months panicking about my ‘Barbie’ boobs😂My surgeon said 12 months to really see your final result & dammit she was spot on!

HTHs

Thank you v v much! ♥️

Saggy 32 F / G cups is EXACTLY me! It’s so frustrating and annoying. No bras ever properly fit and they’re all uncomfortable. I have back pain in them because of the bra, and back pain out of them because of the weight of my boobs.

I want to do this surgery! My friends think I’m nuts because I don’t have gigantic boobs, but they’re uncomfortable on my shape. I’m only 5’2 with a short torso, so my boobs are like my entire body.

Anyway, thank you for this - it’s good to hear someone else my size getting the surgery!

Recovery is my biggest concern as I would actually have to quit my job for a while (I work outdoors).

If I did the surgery in January, would I be able to get my life back by Easter?!

Also tempted by a tummy tuck at the same time after having stretched out skin from pregnancy (huge baby). But don’t know if that’s all a bit much!

I ended up with a sore shoulder yesterday from carrying a bag and the strap digging. It reminded me I used to live with that pain on each side every day! I found my recovery was slower than others, I went back to the gym at 8 weeks and gradually built back up.
id ask the surgeon you see about the tummy tuck, get their opinion and indications on recovery time.
Easter is quite late next year so yes I think you’d have made a good recovery by then.

@RosaMoline As someone who DID have a reaction to the GA, I can tell you it was still fine. For some reason I just vomited and vomited after the GA. The only real problem was that I couldn't really eat or drink until the next day as a result but it didn't have any other longer term issues. Still don't know why that happened - I've had a lot of GAs since with no problem whatsoever. Possibly because I still smoked in those days?

Re physical work - you'd have to ask your surgeon. I was back at work within 2 weeks, but I had an office job. I honestly can't remember how long it was until I was properly out and about and physically active. I don't think it was crazy though. Maybe 6 weeks?

@Reducti … yeah I wasn’t massive, people have MUCH bigger reductions but I hated them & as @Madagascary will attest 😉 the lift is incredible!

I’m pretty physically active. I was walking every day from day 4 ish post op & built up gradually. I was back at back to work at 2 weeks and it was tough! I would take longer if you can. I didn’t head back to the gym until around 5- 6 weeks … legs only … upper body (very gently) around week 10 ish.

I didn’t resume my regular sports until at least 3 months & then very carefully.

I was an afternoon surgery as the woman ahead of me was having boobs + tummy tuck. I would imagine that’s a much more involved recovery … but can see why people would do both at the same time. If you get on those Facebook groups I’ve recommended loads before you’ll find people who have had both done.

ps… some people do get sick from GAs .. as has been said but they do have drugs to counter if you know you react 👍

Yup. It’s the lift. I can go to the shop with no bra. Would t choose to go out out like that but could use tit tape

I’m not self conscious about my boobs in a t shirt or swimsuit any more. Plus the WEIGHT

It's op day for me on Friday and I'm heading out this afternoon to buy post surgery bras. Any recommendations?

I didn’t buy any post surgery bras. My daughter had to wear the compression bras for the first 6 weeks. They provided one black one, and one white one, which we just washed and rotated. Also didn’t seem much point on spending money until she had her 6 week check up and we had more of an idea of what size we would need. She hasn’t actually bought any bras yet. Crazy as it might seem to you at the minute, she is happy to go without. She wears a bralette thing if needs be.

@catin8oots I bought a zip front Next sports bra and a macom bra from eBay. The surgeon put me in another macom bra. So I had three bras to rotate so could get them washed.

Once I was allowed to get my boobs wet (most of us have had difference advice on when this is allowed) I wore my bra in the shower and washed over my bra. I only took it off to dry myself and then put a clean one on. I am strange but I didn’t like having no bra on for ages.

Wear the black one post surgery (as in give it to the nurse who will put it on you whilst you are still under - and take both to hospital in case you bleed through

Surgeons’ recommendations seem to vary but mine was very much that you must be in the compression bra for the first four weeks min. I had the lipoelastic ones (3 so I could rotate) & wore them religiously & for much longer than 4 weeks. Total security blanket for me, I really wanted to be held in!

Agree

It’s a long time to be under a GA, and a long recovery. I suppose it depends on age, general fitness and if you have some helping you at home for a good while.M y surgeon advised against it.

How did it go @catin8oots?

Hiya.

Remember I was only having reduction for asymmetry after cancer? Well It was cancelled at the last minute! I was literally in my gown and stockings waiting to go down. As I’ve lost some weight since my last consult, the surgeon wasn’t happy with reducing Big Tit to match Little Tit 😀 He now wants going to put a small implant in ST to improve volume and get rid of the loose skin, then he will match BT up accordingly, with a reduction and lift using mesh. It’s a longer and more complex operation and he has to order the stuff in so couldn’t do it then. I’m actually really pleased he wants them done perfectly and didn’t want to do an operation where he said neither he or I would be happy with the outcome

So just waiting to find out my new date today

Happy Boobiversary to me & @martinisarebetterdirty - hope you are well! What a difference a year can make 😀 So much happier in this new version of me - for people on the fence, or worrying about all the ‘what ifs’ don’t be. It is life changing.

Happy boobiversary back at you! All good here and hope it is with you! Agree best thing ever!

Has anyone had an augmentation, then put weight on and gone for a reduction? I've had mine in for probably 20+ years but weight gain has put me up to an H cup.

No, you just need to lose some weight