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Original poster

Breast reduction - anyone get it? Did it improve back pain?

33 replies

Decreasemybust · 03/10/2021 09:05

I am a bra size 32G and I have constant upper back pain (behind my neck). I have noticed that I’m starting to look really slouchy and slumped and have been working on my posture. But even at bed at night I struggle to find a position where my upper back isn’t hurting!

I am sure it’s because of the weight of my boobs.

I also have constant marks on my shoulders because of straps, can’t find a properly comfortable bra.

So I am considering a reduction. I am a little scared Confused and I would like to go down as small as a B! Is that a bit drastic?

I would love to hear other people’s experiences!

Did the surgery improve back pain or posture if you had those issues?

How was scarring? And recovery? How long did it take before you could exercise properly again?

OP posts:
ilovecherries · 03/10/2021 09:17

I had one three years ago. My finishing point is 32G (top tip - never believe your surgeon understands cup sizes - insist on knowing the differential they are aiming for between your back size and your boob size. My consultant still to this day insists I’m a C ‘maybe’ a D. Which I would be if I was wearing a 40 back!) I started at a K so I did still have a lot removed and there is no doubt that having them lifted into the right position makes a big difference. I have overall a very poor cosmetic result and even if you see a thousand photos of their work, you need to realise it could be you that doesn’t have a good outcome. I was about to have corrections last Feb which were of course cancelled, and still waiting now. Having said that, the op itself was straight forward, and I recovered quickly. Scars themselves are excellent and I am definitely more comfortable that before. So I would say it’s worth it, but be realistic.

DameMaureen · 03/10/2021 10:03

I had one 25 years ago and it is one of the best things I have ever done - they are still great and perky . He told me that he could not say a cup size as such but would aim for symmetry which involved lots of marker pen on various parts like collar bones etc . I was saggy and awful after children - think a J cup but it was the hanging down that was awful . I probably ended up a 34 D - currently a 36D due to being fatter now. Recovery was not bad at all - just take your meds . Scars really fade over the years . Link to my surgeon finder.bupa.co.uk/Consultant/view/22197/mr_nicholas_parkhouse

XingMing · 03/10/2021 14:38

I've just had one, though not as drastic as you're planning, and for a completely different reason. Bilateral symmetrization, uplift, and I've gone down from an F cup to about a D (but I can't wear anything other than soft crop top bras yet). I am in love with them, even though I am still healing. Once the scarring fades, and I've had the rest of my treatment (for breast cancer) I'm expecting great things.

Rockonteur · 03/10/2021 14:41

Hi. I had a breast reduction in 2018. Best thing I’ve ever done. Upper back pain gone. Went from 32GG to 32E - they are just right on my 8-10 frame. No pain, just discomfort. Healed really well and scars faded nicely. I am still grateful every single day that I got on and did it for myself.

EvilRingahBitch · 03/10/2021 15:49

This is a boring MN cliche thing to say, but what steps have you taken to find a suitable bra? 32G is big but not an extreme size and it would be a shame to have surgery if there's a possibility that a couple of hundred quid's worth of underwear could achieve the same effect.

Have you been to Bravissimo/Rigby & Peller rather than M&S who are notorious for putting women into unsupportive bras?

Obvs if you have been to Bravissimo feel free to ignore this.

Original poster
Decreasemybust · 03/10/2021 16:46

@EvilRingahBitch

This is a boring MN cliche thing to say, but what steps have you taken to find a suitable bra? 32G is big but not an extreme size and it would be a shame to have surgery if there's a possibility that a couple of hundred quid's worth of underwear could achieve the same effect.

Have you been to Bravissimo/Rigby & Peller rather than M&S who are notorious for putting women into unsupportive bras?

Obvs if you have been to Bravissimo feel free to ignore this.

I have been to Bravisimo - and I have spent so much money on bras!

The trouble is, my frame is quite small (5’1, 8.5 stone-ish) and I have had children so my breasts are very saggy - they don’t carry any of their own weight anymore! Grin

I have tried Pilates for strengthening (and still do it and love it, but it hasn’t made any difference to back pain, although I love how I feel after it) but wonder about anything else?

I’m not feeling great at the idea of surgery, I think I might scar badly if my c-section scar is anything to go by, and the recovery part worries me a bit. But I am so tired of the aching upper back / shoulders that I constantly have. And the digging in bras, double bras for exercise, etc etc!

I am also worried that - when I get old - I’ll be a hunched little old lady with heavy boobs!

OP posts:
EvilRingahBitch · 03/10/2021 16:50

That's a pity OP. I suspected that might be the case, but I thought it was worth checking because there are definitely women out there who think they've got back pain because their breasts are too big when actually they've got crap bras.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/10/2021 16:51

How can you be two back sizes bigger than me when your 4” shorter than me? Have you measured your underbust at home? You might be a 28 frame size.

Fluffycloudland77 · 03/10/2021 16:52

Do your bra straps fall down over your shoulder during the day?

NotMyCat · 03/10/2021 17:26

Second @Fluffycloudland77 - I wear a 32 back when I'm a size 14 and a 34 at size 16 so I wonder if dropping down a back size and going up a cup size might give you more support

lindyloo57 · 03/10/2021 17:40

When will people realise some women have a wide rib cage even if they are slim, look at sharon in eastenders , she looks like a size 10 on her bottom half but looks a size or two bigger up top. Inverted triangle shapes like me, 10 hips 12 top, 34 d or dd bra, tried so many 32s with a bigger cup but they are to tight under the bust.

XingMing · 03/10/2021 18:02

@Decreasemybust, I think you would love the change to a more proportionate bustline. The surgery is expensive, and it takes time to recover, but as I said above, I am only six weeks post op and I feel great. However, mine was done by the NHS because of cancer, and I understand it would cost around £10K to have it done privately. I have known a much younger woman who had mammoplasty on the NHS, but it was a very long time ago.

lollipopsandrainbows · 03/10/2021 18:05

Not personally, but my aunt did on the NHS and they grew back Confused. They recommend she diet, but she loses weight everywhere but her boobs!

XingMing · 03/10/2021 18:08

Yep... that was me too. Any weight gained went straight to the bustline. There must be a specific body type for it!

PippaOwl · 03/10/2021 18:11

I've had two! First one was 19 years ago and I didn't plan on another pregnancy but it happened. And that sort of negated the effects. Anyway that one took me from a 36GG to a small C. But this was in the days when a C cup was a C cup - now, according to Boob or Bust, you're something crazy like an F - so measuring has changed!

I'm currently 4 weeks post op from my second one. My boobs weren't as big as before, nor as saggy but they were certainly bottom heavy and I'd say I was about a G cup.

I'm recovering ok ... got some wound breakdown which is very normal but frustrating none the less. I'm currently using silver and inadine to get on top of it. So do prepare for bumps in the road!

I'm not bothered about what size I am now as I don't intend to ever wear a bra again! I've ordered a job lot of Sloggi All Around bralettes and they're super comfy. Just chose size M and that'll do me

Can't answer the question about back pain etc as I never suffered with anything like that but I believe it helps enormously

PippaOwl · 03/10/2021 18:14

Oh and I wouldn't talk sizes with your surgeon. A C cup for example is different things to different people

A good idea is to take in photos of the size you're after. That way the surgeon can visualise what you want and you're both on the same page

PippaOwl · 03/10/2021 18:16

And whilst I'm on a posting roll - sometimes it's not possible to go 'as small as possible.' It depends on the length of the pedicle and the risk of you needing a free nipple graft

PaulGallico · 03/10/2021 18:16

I had this done 12yrs ago and went from a 32JJ to a 32D. I am very pleased and they are still in very good shape (I am 60). I know it is a postcode lottery but you are very unlikely to get this on the NHS (especially as you are only G cup). I had to go privately- money well spent.

Original poster
Decreasemybust · 03/10/2021 20:16

@EvilRingahBitch

That's a pity OP. I suspected that might be the case, but I thought it was worth checking because there are definitely women out there who think they've got back pain because their breasts are too big when actually they've got crap bras.
I want that to be me! And intermittently go on big bra spending sprees to see if I can fix it!
OP posts:
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 03/10/2021 20:18

Best thing ever. Ended 25 years of crippling back pain.

34K to 36D. Band size went up as l no longer had to support boulders. Much more comfy slightly loser.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 03/10/2021 20:18

I also got mine in NHS. 2016.

Original poster
Decreasemybust · 03/10/2021 20:19

@Fluffycloudland77

Do your bra straps fall down over your shoulder during the day?
Never, if anything they’re pretty tight. The back doesn’t ride up so it looks like it fits. I do have a bit of arm-pit boob, though, making me wonder if I’m actually a GG.

The only “comfortable” bra I have at the moment is a Wacoal I had fitted.

I really, really want to find the perfect bra!

Although I have been a 28 back size before when I’ve been measured, but that was pre-children and I wonder if my upper back just got bigger?

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 03/10/2021 20:22

Pg can expand your rib cage but you need to measure to find out.

PaleGreenGhost · 03/10/2021 20:33

I know you said you had tried better bras OP and I totally understand why people end do up with surgery. However I'm going to make another bra suggestion simply because your description of your back pain is exactly the same as the pain I had, affecting sleep and all, and I'm a similar boob size.

I had the pain for over a year and tried so many things. I randomly bought a racer back style bra from bravissimo (extra clasp up at the neck) just because it was reduced & looked nice and I had worked out my size properly. The pain was gone in two days. I now have all their racer back styles and am pain free, unless I revert to a different style for more than a few hours.

Original poster
Decreasemybust · 03/10/2021 20:40

@PaleGreenGhost

I know you said you had tried better bras OP and I totally understand why people end do up with surgery. However I'm going to make another bra suggestion simply because your description of your back pain is exactly the same as the pain I had, affecting sleep and all, and I'm a similar boob size.

I had the pain for over a year and tried so many things. I randomly bought a racer back style bra from bravissimo (extra clasp up at the neck) just because it was reduced & looked nice and I had worked out my size properly. The pain was gone in two days. I now have all their racer back styles and am pain free, unless I revert to a different style for more than a few hours.

I am going to try this! Thank you! If I do end up needing the surgery it’ll be a few years anyway - saving up, finding the right person - so I will try anything first!
OP posts: