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

Thank you that’s really helpful. I do wonder about not being able to sleep on my side as currently I can’t sleep on my back. Having said that I can’t sleep on my back because of the weight of my boobs so that might not be much of an issue after!

@missabby i find it awful and I wake up all the time as I can’t sleep on my back at all but I have to try and sleep as I can feel it ‘pulling’ when I try to side sleep. I used to love laying on my side watching my iPad on the night stand I can’t do that anymore. Others may have a different experience. I can recommend the Gemm brand of bras from
https://undercover.co.uk/

They are called post surgery bras. they are fully cotton apart from the under band and very comfortable. The cups naturally adjust you just need to get the right band size. You won’t be able to wear underwires anyway you won’t need to !

I don’t think anyone on here has said anything about prioritising their looks for anyone else’s benefit. I’ve had large breasts since my teens and have spent decades just accepting I can’t go anywhere bra-less, spending a fortune on correctly fitting underwear which doesn’t come cheap in a 30 back with JJ cups. Dealing with having a constant dip on each of my shoulders as I need tight straps due to being quite short or the straps fall down (I’m aware it’s the back band that gives most of the support). As I’m short and a size 8/10 my boobs take up basically all of my upper body and with no bra on they cover my stomach entirely. It’s uncomfortable and has taken a major toll on my shoulders and neck as well as my back over the years and that pain is getting more noticeable as I get older. I couldn’t care less how they look to anyone else, if anything I get told by those around me that they look great and I’m lucky. For me it’s nothing to do with the look, it’s the level of pain and discomfort. I think for most that is also the case.

I worked as a long time bra fitter and clients we're glad they did it. If you have back pain I think it's worth it.

@CalzoneOnLegsthanks for the link I’ll take a look. Do you mind me asking how long ago you had your reduction? I do the same thing with my iPad on the nightstand so can understand why that would be annoying.

@missabby early May so it is early days

@missabby i have loads of pillows and prop the iPad up on my stomach now with my knees up - not so great when I fall asleep !

@CalzoneOnLegsthank you. I hope as they settle you are able to get back to your side sleeping again.

I had my breast reduction 14 years ago, I don’t regret it for a moment, I have put weight on so they are a little bigger than they were, and I have lost a bit of sensation in my nipples, but that’s a bonus in the cold weather as I don’t feel the cold in them like i used too.

@missabby it is in my mind perhaps but I can’t stop thinking about how I just want to go on my side it’s so frustrating and it takes over I am really struggling with it more than anything

It’s often nothing to with looks… my boobs are uncomfortable and very difficult to dress! Underwear and swimwear is only available at specialist shops, which offers limited options and is expensive.

I have been half thinking about a reduction but didn’t realise they could grow back!

OP there's a really helpful thread here on MN in AMA. Take a look https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/5066841-weve-all-had-breast-reductions-happy-to-help?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Thank you for post.
I think I would be refused the surgery as I recently had an ovarian tumour removed. I'm 59 and 38j. I'd wish I had this done in my thirties. Fwiw I was six stone heavier and I've only gone down one cup size.
I've seen friends post surgery. All good. One put on weight so got bigger.

I had no idea about that thread, thank you I’ll take a look. That’s really helpful.

I hope you’re recovering. I’ve lost a similar amount of weight and yes only lost one cup size. Definitely lost some volume but not much actual size other than going down several back bands.

The cups for smaller back bands are inherently smaller I think. A 34G is a bigger cup size in terms of volume than a 30G. So if you’ve mainly gone down in back size it doesn’t mean that your boobs aren’t smaller, I think it’s more just about the ratio in proportion to your back size.

@LouisaJG good point yes. I meant more that it doesn’t change the range of bras available to me as still above a J cup if you see what I mean. So yes technically down several cups but due to the shift in back size it hasn’t made any difference to the issue of needing expensive bras and the impact on shoulders, back etc. I used to fit bras too for bigger bust specialist so I really do get your point.

@LouisaJG @missabby thank you for your feedback.
I went from a 42j to 38h/j

Size 24-16

I would love to have them reduced but I took four months to heal after my tumour removal. I'm a rheumatoid arthritis suffer so doctors hate operating on me due to the chemo treatments.
Im retiring next year and want to travel with the DH. Mainly hot locations so the thought of huge bras is always on my mind.

I had a reduction and uplift. I went from a GG to an F cup. They feel much more ‘manageable’ although I do still feel out of proportion sometimes as I’m only a size 10/12 ish but my top half makes me look overweight with skinny legs depending on what I’m wearing.
Recovery was fine and I didn’t need any painkillers after the first day or so.

I'm seriously considering it too and have booked an appointment with gp to discuss it. Im worried about the pain and recovery time but it's reassuring to read the experiences above. I'm 32hh and they are my biggest insecurity. This summer I've just felt in despair with them. I couldnt find a top to fit when i went shopping and I was so hot during the warmer weather. I wanted to wear a vest top but would have had thick straps on show. I get deep grooves in my shoulders and I'm uncomfortable both in a bra and without one- where they then feel heavy and unsupported! Have you considered trying for an NHS reduction op?

Had it done 9years ago. Best thing ever. They did grow back to some extent but because they’d been uplifted too, it had been very manageable.
Highly recommend doing it and if you’re in the North West, I’ve recommended my surgeon several times and others have been happy too.
recovery isn’t too bad and all worth it