Considering breast reduction

[missabby]

I’m a long term poster on here but name changed as a bit outing. First time posting on AIBU so a little nervous about that.
I’m currently a 30JJ and thinking about breast reduction surgery. I’ve been looking at possible providers and surgeons regarding this, just not sure if I’ve considered everything and if it’s actually worth it. I don’t mind my boobs for the most part but they are quite heavy for my size 8/10 frame and I’m quite small everywhere else. I do have back pain and shoulder pain and yes buying clothing can be difficult and limited due to my boobs. I have to wear a well fitted bra every day to keep them up and forwards which I don’t necessarily mind but it does mean I always have thick straps and a fairly thick back band (usually wear Panache Envy bras which do fit perfectly).
My uncertainties are recovery, whether it would suit me having smaller boobs, whether I’d regret it and miss my boobs, whether it’s a silly idea, whether it’ll look daft/unnatural, whether it’s a sensible investment as it’s not cheap. My partner is on board as says my comfort and happiness comes first and he’ll support me whatever I decide. I just don’t know. Some days I am on the brink of booking it, other days I just don’t know. Help, I don’t have many real life people to talk this over with who would understand so any input would be amazing. TIA.

YABU- you don’t need it, walk away
YANBU- do it, book the surgery

Have you considered that reduction could well reduce sensation in your boobs? It doesn't always, but it can.

YANBU I’ve had two friends do it and they said the best thing they’ve ever done, wish they’d done it earlier

great Facebook group to answer any questions you have Nordesthetics clinic official group (women only)

Depends on lots of factors, including your age, ie are you planning to have children/breastfeed? If so, I would wait untl later in life, as pregnancy can drastically change your breasts - better to have them done after you've had your family. I am a G cup, and would LOVE to have a reduction, but can't really afford/justify it.

I had a breast reduction and lift in my late forties; my nipples were a bit lower than my waist. My bra size (measured at Bravissimo - they know what they're about) was 34FF. Reduction took me to a C cup. I was warned that I might lose sensation in my nipples - and lo, it came to pass. It was worth it, not to have those heavy lengthy appendages. What I wasn't expecting - they grew back. Twenty-odd years later I'm a 32GG. I'm vexxed about it, but can't bear to think what/where my breasts would be now if I hadn't had that reduction. I don't regret it, and would do it again if I could.

Interesting comment above, I was talking to a friend about getting mine possibly reduced as I knew she had hers done a few years ago.
She said hers had grown back to pretty much what they were originally, maybe a cup size smaller still. She hadn’t put weight on anywhere else but I didn’t realise this was possible.
Interesting to know if it happened to others.

Thank you for all the responses. I’m late 40s and my children are all grown up. I do wonder about the lack of sensation and yes the possibility of them growing back. It’s a very good point @The13thFairymakes though that they could have been even bigger if she hadn’t had the reduction first. As a JJ though I would be delighted with a FF or even GG cup! I too am always measured at Bravissimo as agree they know their stuff there. FF to C is 5 cups sizes so that’s really helpful in giving me an idea of what kind of results could be possible. 5 cup sizes would take me to a 30GG which would be much more manageable to carry about and get bras for than the current boobs I have. Thanks again this has all been really helpful!

Two friends had it done and neither regretted it. One was very petite and her body seemed all boob and she was having terrible back pain. She looks in proportion now and has enjoyed 10 years of not having constant male attention. Both friends it very liberating. It can however, be quite a painful recovery, with fluid drainage etc.

What I wasn't expecting - they grew back.

This happened to a friend of mine as well.

Mine are so heavy that they tear my chest muscles. I’ve been advised by a breast surgeon to have them reduced or wear post surgical bras (which are hideous). I’d love to be able to have the surgery, but having undergone major surgery already this year, I can’t face it right now. Maybe next year.

Had a reduction from a 36KK which hung terribly and were so very heavy down to a D cup. Best thing I ever did. Ive have lost some sensation but not at all. 11 years and another 2 babies later I’m now a 34F. I wish I’d done it sooner as had struggled for years and it massively affected my mental health and daily wellbeing. It’s so nice feeling confident and comfortable and not wearing a bra when it’s hot!

I went from a JJ to an E. The psychological impact was the most unexpected- I went from someone who’d completely internalised complete body shame (the teasing when I was a kid 😳) to now just loving my body and getting a real interest in clothes for the first time in my life. On a practical basis, I’m a year in - I’ve had a great recovery with almost no scarring left and v perky boobs. I’m in my mid fifties so hopefully past any more hormonal fluctuations causing any size changes.

Why not talk to a consultant and then see? You’ll probably have to pay for the consult (usually about £200) but good way to take forward the discussion without commitment.

Best thing I ever did. Was in my late 30's and a size 10-12 at the time, now in my 50's and never once regretted it. Went from very heavy and very droopy 34FF with nipples pointing to the ground to about a D and looking outwards! I wanted smaller but surgeon was clear he couldn't promise a particular size e.g C cup until he saw what he was dealing with. It can take up to a year for swelling to subside and settle to size. I'm back up to 36F now but I have put on weight all over, and gone to a size 14 post menopause. They are still pretty perky for my age and size. I have 2 other friends who've done it, neither regret it either.

You'll need an uplift (mastoplexy) as well as reduction at that size. Recovery was fine, no post surgery pain (thought one of my froends threw up as it turns out she can't tolerate morphine. Boobs were a bit firm and tender for a while and slightly itchy as the stitches dissolved. No long term loss of sensation, though one of the nipples was a bit numb on one side for first year. Obviously all anethesia and surgery has risks so that has to be taken into account before you go ahead.

The relief from shoulder and back pain, being able to wear nice bras and buy tops that aren't a size or more up and generally not constantly notice and feel the discomfort of large breasts, were all worth it. Surgeon told me it's the one surgery he did that never had disappointed clients!

I wish I could have done it years ago - before I ended up with degenerative back problems.

Size 8 leggings are baggy and I am a size 16 on top so I think I look ridiculous - dieting just means I go to a size 6 in leggings!

Loss of sensation would IMO be a small price to pay for no back pain.

Why not book a few appointments with different surgeons and see what you think.
With petite frame they must be very heavy and hard on your back

Just seen the other replies on this. Thanku to everyone who’s commented! I’m feeling more positive about it and looking at my finances to see how feasible it is and how soon it can happen. Thanks again for everyone’s input and the positive examples too. I’m reassured that everyone’s said they haven’t regretted it!

I'm saving for mine! Currently pregnant and boobs have gone up to a 34K (not that they’ve been smaller than a J cup for the past 15 years). As soon as I’m done feeding they’re going. Loss of sensation is something I can live with to be able to wear normal clothes and not be hunched over. So fed up of not being able to just relax in my own skin!

This is something i am seriously considering myself and wondered if the ladies who have kindly shared their experience of having it done could indicate how long the recovery process was?

@SareBear87I went up to a 34K/KK in pregnancy too. I totally understand.
@ThatBluntHikerI’ve seen people online say it’s around 2 weeks off work then up to a year to fully settle.

Just be aware that some women after a breast reduction, experience breast tissue growing back and it’s not always evenly.

A woman I used to work with was delighted with her breast reduction as they were practically on her waist and she now had a modest sized chest and clothing looked much better on her.

Then the breasts started growing, but unevenly and she was left with a tubular breast on one side. Underwear became very difficult to buy and her mental health suffered badly for a few years as her surgeon was reluctant to operate again.

I lost touch so I don’t know the final outcome.

I had mine reduced from about a 34H to a 34D 20 + years ago - small amount of numbness under one arm, but they haven’t grown again (I’m pretty much the same weight) and are still just as pert - definitely no regrets!

Sorry to add another question but it just popped into my head. After a reduction do you need to wear a bra/bralette at night every night for the rest of your days? I’m not sure how I’d feel about wearing one overnight. Fine for the initial recovery of course but after that can I go back to normal wearing just pjs/nightie or will I need to always include a bra?

Just my perspective, but it’s kind of disturbing to me that women would prioritise how they look to others over their own sexual sensation, if that’s what you’re at risk of losing re nipples. That seems like a big thing to me. But I know there can be other factors like back pain etc.

It isn't about looks in most cases, but comfort. I have the opposite problem, being quite modest in that department, but a lot of extremely well endowed women have back problems because of the weight.

@missabby you will need the compression bra on 24/7 for a few weeks after that you can change to a less structured bra but still a front fastening non under wired one for night times for a few more weeks also you will not be able to side sleep for a long time which could be a struggle
edit…this is my experience anyway