Experience with breast reduction?

I don’t have anything to add, other than I would love to get one.

(But I’m waiting to see what this turns into. 😬)

My back and shoulder pain has vanished.

Whatever you do, don’t go to Florida for it! 😝

It likely will!

Best decision I ever made.

When I came out of anesthesia, I felt a difference in my neck and shoulders that same day.

Our insurance covered all but $450. Mine was not cosmetic. Your plastic surgeon will submit (the most unflattering photos you’ll ever have!!!) to the insurance as evidence that it is a health/well being issue vs cosmetic.

I put off having one for many years, worried, scared, paranoid and afraid of the recovery. (I was mostly afraid of having stitches taken out!!)

My breast size was larger than yours (but I’m really tall) and they did what they call an “anchor” because I was so large and 13 lbs were coming off—where my nips were detached, a straight incision from bottom of nip to chest wall and incision left to right ( anchor shaped) and my nips were reattached.

I signed paperwork stating that if they needed to use drains with tubes I consented which was another reason I put it off, but the doctor did not have to—thank goodness.

I took a nurse friend with me when I had my stitches taken out and she distracted me while it was being done and I survived!!! It didn’t hurt but felt weird. You will have nerve tickles and itches around your incisions, they go away after time.

It was not nearly as bad as I imagined.

Recovery—-follow every instruction, take the pain meds, and you might feel like you’re a lot smaller than you wanted, but give it some time and they’ll “round out”!

I now have absolutely perfect breasts!!! Lol couldn’t be happier (I’m now a DD) I don’t have to wear a bra.

You likely won’t want any bra for a while, I had my surgery during autumn, so I was able to wear a tight tank as my “bra” under shirts and sweaters. You won’t want an underwire for a long time.

I’d highly recommend!!!

DD(24) had one 2 years ago. She asked me to help her through the process so I went to her consultations and was there through the preop process and post op appointments.

Her surgery was approved through our insurance because of the breast size for her stature. She was getting the surgery anyway, but it was nice to have most of it covered.

The most uncomfortable part for her was drains that were in place for a week after the surgery. Once they were out she was off and running. She only used pain medication for the first couple nights.

The funniest part was trying to convince DD she wouldn't be able to wear her usual tank tops after surgery and might want to pick up a few button front shirts. She ended up wearing her dad's Hawaiian shirts until the drains were removed.

It has been seriously life changing for my DD.

ETA The improvement in her posture was immediate!

I haven’t had one, but I just wanted to empathize, that sounds awful - and I hope you get an (insurance-covered) resolution. My husbands cousin had one because of back issues like you, and says it was the best thing she ever did. It really did give her major back pain relief.

I had one almost 11 years ago and it was the bus thing I ever did for myself. He removed 10 pounds yup that’s right 10 pounds. I felt immediate relief with my neck and shoulders upon coming out of anesthesia. My only advice is to follow whatever rules they give you. No stretching, no reaching, and be careful with picking anything up for about six weeks. My insurance covered it no questions asked, I didn’t have to lose weight or anything like that and I had an appointment to have it done three months after my first consultation.


Ask around for names of a plastic surgeon. My niece and my cousin both had the same doctor I had so I knew I was in good hands.

I could have written the OP word for word.

I am scheduled for November for my reduction, and, I can hardly wait! I am so hopeful it will help my back/neck pain, which really limits me in my life. I am going all out and doing the tummy tuck, too. I carried my second son sideways because of complete placenta previa, and I am pretty sure my abs are wrecked. I am hoping it will help stabilize my core. *fingers crossed*

OP-I have tried to avoid the surgery. I exercise regularly, and I am chunky, but, not super overweight. I IF 16 hours per day. But, at this point, I feel I have to just go for it. I am flying down to AZ and going to my BFF’s surgeon, and she is going to take care of me post surgery. She has really pushed me to do it, and I am not sure I could have been brave enough on my own.

I hope the best for you! I am doing mine for the exact same reasons. My surgeon will not take insurance, but, I am going to try and work with the insurance company directly and see if I can get at least some covered.

Keep us posted.

I am a nurse who used to assist the plastic surgeon with "mapping" prior to surgery. My advice would be to make sure you use a board certified plastic surgeon who will mark you prior to surgery so that your boobs turn out even.

Best of luck to you.

[/quote]I had mine done in 2000. BEST thing I have EVER done for myself!  My surgeon reduced me to a B. Breast tissue can, in my case it did, regrow some. I am now a C. So I advise going a bit smaller than you think you want to be.[/quote]


It can regenerate? Really? Holy cow. Thanks for this tip.

ETA-ugh. Why can’t I figure out how to quote part of a post?! Maybe it’s because I only pea on my phone..

My daughter had this surgery at 18. Her spine was already showing wear at that age and she had a lot of pain in her breasts just running or riding a horse. She wanted the surgery very much, and understood the recovery would be painful, that she might not be able to breastfeed,scarring, etc. She strongly wanted the surgery and 20 years later will still say it’s the best thing she ever did. And she was
able to breastfeed.

I had mine done exactly 10 years ago. I’ve been grateful ever since that I did. I was a 38 J. I agree with the poster who said many women are farther along on the alphabet than they think.

I was hard for me to sleep on my back. Thankfully for me, my dr was still giving me Ambien. I followed the directions very carefully. I also became a member of www.breasthealthonline.com , which was super helpful and answered so many of my questions. There’s a healing diet recommended to help post surgery healing. And there were pictures of post surgery incisions, and that helped me so much know I was doing ok.

I read that around and after menopause, women will continue to add to the waist, back and arms, and breasts. This is why we tend to get that “ matronly look”. I’m much more slender than I was decades ago, but it sure looks different. Either way, it’s just wonderful to enjoy life and dress myself without giant boobs weighing me down.

My college roommate had reduction surgery probably 3 decades ago. She still swears it is the best thing she ever did. Her back pain was gone immediately, and eventually the bra strap indents on her shoulders fill out.