Breast Reduction Surgery - Have you had it done?

Holly_Roman_Empire

With 25 pounds to go you might want to wait until you've been in maintenance for 6 months. They will get smaller and things adjust physiologically even while maintaining. You will then be able to make an informed decision.

This.

This! This! This! It might be the last place you lose weight, and even then some body recomp stuff could help you out. You may or may not change your mind, but at least you won't wonder after the fact if you actually needed it!

Brokencrown

I have had it done and I all can say is be cautious, make sure you have a good surgeon-get references, and really make sure this is the best decision for you. I have a few friends who have had it done with no complications and are very very happy with the results. I on the other hand had a terrible experience. When the surgery was done my right aerola was totally black-like carbon paper. There was no blood flow getting through. My surgeon kept saying it was normal and will start to get the blood flow. He sent me home. He was wrong. My breast started leaking, and not to be gross but it really smelled bad. My surgeon said this was liquid fat and a common side effect. He took the stitches out of my left breast but kept them in my right one. Long story short I went to my regular primary care physician who has always been wonderful because I was scared. He saved my life. My breast was so infected gangrene started in. If it wasn't for him my surgeon would have never done anything. My PCP put me on antiobiotics and sent me back to my surgeon to finally get the stiches out of my right breast. I layed on the table and closed my eyes. I could not feel a thing because all of the tissue was dead. I opened my eyes when he was done and there was a hole about the size of a silver dollar and as deep as a Q-tip. He never even told me what he was doing. I thought I lost my nipple because it had like sunken into the hole. I had to pack the whole with gauze and it had to heal from the inside out. At first I couldn't feel anything but as it started healing it was so painful. The gauze would stick and every time I had to change it it hurt and bled. My PCP said this was good because it meant I was healing. After a long, long, recovery it finally started healing but I still have a big dent there, my nipple was still there but I lost most of my aerola. I recently had a mammogram and the doctor said she had never seen so much trauma to a breast in her career. It looked like it was filled with rocks which was all the scar tissue. I had this surgery done in 2001 and I still have complications. It is very sensitive, it hurts, some parts are numb and I have not let my husband see them since it was done. It looks terrible and I cant believe I did it to myself. They are also poorly shaped, very slanted and flat at the top and rounded at the bottom. I have a hard time finding bras that work and goodbye cleavage!! I don't mean to scare you, I know many people who have had beautiful results. Just make sure you really do your research and be sure this is what you want to do. Because with any surgery there is the possibility of complications and you have to be prepared for that as well. I wish you the best in whatever your decision is!!

spittsdykstra

Dear Jilly- I had an eval with a plastic surgeon-breast specialist last October. Under my insurance, she had to be able to remove 500 grams of fat for it to be covered by insurance (and the max amount they can take is based on medical issues such as not compromising sensation). I had that much fat plus the grooving in my shoulders from the weight (which I think is another criterion for insurance coverage. I decided to wait because she showed me in sideview pictures that my stomach was protruding as much as my breast (sideways view) and that she did not think I would be happy with the aesthetic result. I have decided to wait until I have lost all my weight and then reevaluate. Especially when she told me that only 5% of people who have their breasts done before their weight loss actually lose the weight. Likely there will not be enough fat at that point to have it covered by insurance.
I hope this is helpful to you. Congrats on your good weight :happy:

hdefehr

I had it done a year ago. Went from 32h (prob was even bigger). Hard to find clothes, swimsuits very tough, expensive bras... I had upper back/neck pain, had been trying acupuncture and PT, to no avail. Insurance paid it, although I had to pay out of pocket for the side lipo, which was well worth it. The lipo pain was by far the worst pain of anything. He did a lift at the same time, but I am 42 and have breastfed 3 children, so my breasts are not lifted like those of a 20 year old but to me they look great! Yes there are scars but they are fading with time. I am able to wear a 2 piece, just have to make sure it is a bit fuller coverage on the sides. I am currently a 30 or 32 c-d. It is little! A wonderful decision. I can exercise, buy clothes that fit my shoulders, walk around in a bathing suit, i no longer feel like I am all breast. I look much thinner and the back/neck pain is completely gone. And because I waited till after kids, I got a lift when my breasts needed it most! Please go ahead and have it done. It really is almost life changing in many ways. But lose as much weight as u can first so your surgeon can make you just the right size for your forever body. Good luck!

theoncomingstorm2

Noooo..don't do it.

Slippyslope

I had a reduction. Best thing I ever did! The scars are not an issue for me. Though I do not wear a bikini, if I did you wouldn't see the scars at all.

I did lots do research and eat a very healthy diet to heal well.

The surgeon is the very best in my area. I would make sure you pick a well recognized surgeon.