Breast Reduction Surgery Next Week

I'm also excited for you. I had surgery in January of this year. I had waited several years also because I did not want it to effect my ability to breastfeed, but when my milk production couldn't keep up with my sons needs among other things I decided to go for it. I went from a K to a C, and it was the best decision I have ever made.

I week off of work should be sufficient. About 2-3 weeks after surgery I was cleared for all physical activity. As a result of the surgery I have been able to exercise more and have dropped 30 more lbs.

You can't actually tell them an actual size that you want to be, because they don't know how much they are going to take out until they get started. My doctor thought he was going to take 8 lbs out, but once the surgery started and I had told him that I wanted to be "proportion to my body" he ended up taking 10 lbs out. I haven't noticed any symmetry problems and the scars are almost invisible. I have to look really close to find some of them.

I have really enjoyed being able to buy a normal bathing suit, bra, and even button up shirts. I definitely feel that it has given me a better quality of life that I wouldn't have had otherwise. I do not regret my decision at all.

2 moms found this helpful

My sister had volley balls for breasts. She had the surgery when she was 20 because of back problems (super model frame.) She was scared as well but loves what it did for her. You have been carrying around a toddler on your chest. Be free!!!! A size D or large C is awesome. It is the perfect size for Victoria's Secret bras!!!! My sister's scars are hardly noticable. They have faded nicely and hers are perfectly symmetrical (even though most of us are not.) I would definitely cover anything you have questions about with the doctor. Write them down. I will say a prayer for your safe and quick recovery. Freedom from boobs! Yeah! You can run, wear low cut or tight shirts, men may actually look at your eyes (don't count on it) and clap without hinderance. CB

Hello J.,

Just got in from a Saturday Teacher training at my school. I am comtemplating on having a breast reduction as well. I am so freaked by the thoughts of this. I am currently the same size as you and I am dieting to see if my breast would go down in size. I lost weight many years ago and my breast went to.

However, I would like to get reduced and fit in cute clothing and bathing suits as well. Especially those MAXI dresses that are absolutely beautiful. Please let me know how your procedure go as I am shopping for that perfect Doc to reduce my girls......

I don't have first hand experiences with breast reduction surgery. However, you mention that you've never had to exercise because your breasts help cover up any weight. And you are also concerned about the size of your breasts afterward... Granted, I was never abundantly endowed, but I was a D-cup... And even then, I had constant back and shoulder aches from having to carry around that much breast weight on my frame. So I do sympathize and don't mean to talk you out of your surgery.

So, I thought it might be worthwhile to mention that your weight greatly influences your breast size. If you are thinking about exercising after surgery, one aspect to consider is that, if you reduce to a D/C cup and then start to exercise, tone-up and lose weight... You will lose additional breast size as you lose weight. That is definitely something you want to ask your doctor about... Because if you end up losing 10-20 pounds after your reduction, what cup size will you actually end up with? If a D/C cup is your goal and you are carrying additional weight, I would think that you need to factor that into your post surgery cup size... maybe you want to be a bit bigger than a D/C? (For me, I lost 15 pounds and went from a D cup to a C cup... and am more a B/C now factoring in motherhood body changes).

Good luck!

I don't want to scare you at all, that is not my intention. I had A breast reduction done in Oktober of 2005 & ended up losing my whole breast, plus some of my chest cavity. The problem was that the surgeon did not connect all the blood vessels, & necrosis set in. I was living in Germany at the time, & was with A very highly regarded doctor in Munich. They did not explain to me the complications of the surgery when you are A large cup size. PLEASE make sure you have gone over all of this with your doctor. You can NEVER be to informed when it comes to your body & all the complications that are possible. I wish you the best.

J.,

Relax. I have a friend who had it done by a Dr. Tit in San Antonio and she was very pleased. She had back trouble and a hard time finding clothes she could wear. She went from a EEE to a C/D. She was so firm that she didn't have to wear a bra. She loved it. No more back trouble and she could wear whatever she wanted. The scaring is minimal and under the breast where it really doesn't show. You will love it.

B

A size D or C is a good size. I think it's big without being too big or too small. As far as the scars, surgery today shouldn't leave you with too big scars. I haven't ever done this, but I have had surgery for other things. After the surgery, the scars show but over time they get smaller. I'm not sure when you could go back to work. Maybe you should ask your cosmetic surgeon, but I would say after a week or two. You probably won't be able to wear a bra for a couple of weeks. You can usually exercise about 3-4 weeks after having surgery, or that was the case in my situation. Hope this helps some.

I went from a 30 C to 42 DDD/ F after I delivered my first child (I was on bedrest and gained a whole lot of weight, went from 10/12 to a 20/22.) I thought a C was great....an F not so much.

But I do second the concern that if you loose weight your breasts will reduce in size as well. You definitely need to talk to your dr about how much you may loose in your breast size if you loose weight.

S., mom to 4 Earth angels and 5 Heavenly treasures!

My reduction surgery November of 2007 was a pretty good success. I remember getting my (very first!) mammogram and mentioning the upcoming surgery to the technician. When she said that the doctor "did good work" because she had seen other women who already had reduction surgery done by this same doctor.

You need to re-examine what you think you heard. When your doctor said she can "get you down to a small D, large C", she's not giving you a choice. She won't know until she gets the surgery started. She is letting you know that is about the size you should end up with. But, in my opinion, a lot of women are a size D. Personally, I wouldn't recoil if you asked me, woman-to-woman, what cup size I have on. Don't hesitate to ask "Do you mind if I ask what cup size you are wearing right now?" of a stranger. You might get a huff or "no way", but I bet any one of us would be honest, though curious about why you ask. You can say that you are considering (the stranger doesn't need to know that you already have it scheduled) having breast-reduction surgery and that you're just curious what "cup size D" looks like. :)

I needed more than one week before I was ready to return to work. I think one week is the usual case. In my situation, I had an extra excess amount of drainage. Do ask your 7-yr-old twins to hold off on hugs for a couple of weeks! Wearing a shirt over your bandages won't give them a clue to remind them that you have an "ouw-ie"!

I do have scars but they are not visible even wearing a bathing suit. I don't have a string bikini, but I think that gives you the idea. Use lots of vitamin E cream! There really isn't "too much" vitamin E cream that you can apply. The vitamin E cream helps the scar(s) not remain stiff. It helps that cosmetic surgeons have come a long way to doing such small stitches that there is hardly a visible scar. My more visible scar is one on my finger where there was not a clean slice but a nasty tear (struck the faucet handle when I fell in the shower!).

I hope the best for you. Don't worry so about worrying! It keeps you on your toes about caring for yourself!

Hello, I have not had the surgery, and I don't know anyone who has had reduction, only those who have had implants. I commend you on having the courage to fix something about your body that is making life a challenge for you. I was a C cup forever, and then due to weight gain, I am now a D cup. I had to throw out all my favorite bras! and buy new D cups. I would actually rather be a C cup. so your large C/ small D will be plenty for you. You will be happy not only that you can buy bras in a regular store, but also less weight to lug around , and easier to move, and lay down etc. Even a D cup gets in my way! I am starting to lose weight now, and look forward to a slightly smaller bust line! Best of luck to you. BTW, there are always going to be some horror stories for every type of situation, but they are not the norm, they are the once in a whiles! You will be fine. Do what the doctor says, and keep a positive outlook!

I've been debating the surgery issue myself. I have had 4 friends who have had it done. Three in town one, out of town. All but one healed in a week, 3 went to a large C and one to a D cup. The symmetry is good and nothing noticable sticks out. All were pleased witht he final result.

I had a breast reduction surgery about 5 yrs. ago and my only regret was not doing it sooner. I was a 36DD/E and my Dr. wanted to take me to a B. I was unsure but took his advice because he knows what he's doing. I am glad I listed, it is better to go smaller than larger! I am currently a large B/C and am so happy. I am a teacher and was off for the summer so I really can't tell you how long it really took me to fully recooperate as I had 2 months. Do take is easy though because muscles I had no idea were attached are and lifting anything (even your arms) took a lot of effort and was quite painful. As for your tummy, yup I discovered mine was bigger than I had though, but with all that new found confidence and zest I fixed that with a gym membership and watching what I ate. I was totally happy with my body in 6 months! So Good luck and relax, you will love the results. Oh yeah, the scars heal great and do disappear. You can still see mine if you look for them, but by the time gravity fixes the initial tightness of he surgery and time goes by you can barely see the scars.

I will keep you in my prayers.
My cousin had this done and the Dr. if he is a good one will "shrink you down" to a proportionate size.
My cousins Dr. was great he Said he would get her as small as he could with out making her look "off set".
He was pleased with her new size and when my aunt asked what size she was so she can go bra shopping. He said she was size..."perky-C" ...(not in a demented sense, but humorous).
She had no complications and didn't even need Tylenol or ibuprofen afterward. Best of Luck....

Breathe in, slowly. Let it go, SLOWLY.

I went from a 38DD/E to 38D - and I actually **FIT** in a D cup now!! (we were shooting for a "C" cup, but I'm glad I'm not that small.) No regrets at all!

My surgery was on Dec 12 and I "ran" (... actually, more of a "wog") in a 5K on Jan 1. I was glad that I scheduled my surgery before the holiday - that way I was only missing from work for a week, but had the additional time if needed. It was several years ago ('03), but I do remember having the surgery on a Friday and going to church on Sunday. I still had the drains in, but no one noticed anything different. God knows I felt better.

GOOD LUCK!!! Soon you'll be "over the rainbow" and glad you are!

I don't know anything about the surgery itself, but here is my opinion on what size to tellthe Dr. . . . I would go with the small D/Large C - especially if you are planning to lose weight. for most women, weight comes off the chest first, and as you said you don't want to go from big to nothing. .

my opinion (DD opinon) is to ask for a C bordering on a D . . .

Good luck and although it sounds weird to say in - congrats!

I had a breast reduction in 2002. I have mixed feelings about it. I would have liked to have gone smaller. My doctor was pretty conservative about what he removed. I was MUCH perkier. My scars healed well-though they are visible, they are pretty fine and not a big deal.

I did have the surgery before I became a mom, and I was NOT able to breastfeed. I did not have my nipple removed during the surgery and my milk supply was still drastically reduced. I hear this is the norm, although I was told that I would most likely be able to breastfeed before I had it done. I don't think doctors understand that just because you have some milk it doesn't mean that you will be able to nurse successfully. I wish that I had been more properly warned of the dangers. I was very sad when my son wasn't able to breastfeed at all. If I had it to do over again, I would have waited. Check out the website for bfar.org, it's about breastfeeding after a reduction.

I wasn't really overweight so I can't speak to that aspect. But do you realistically think that you will lose the weight, and have you thought about waiting until you do?

I am a 32FF NOW, even after my surgery. But this is also years later and after a baby. One thing is that I had definitely not been fitted correctly for a bra. I would strongly suggest that you get a proper bra fitting at a nice lingerie store (not Victoria's Secret, something more upscale). Most women wear the wrong bra size and wear a bra that is too large around the band and too small in the cup. Supposedly the band provides most of the support, not the shoulder straps. The right bra has really worked wonders for my back pain and discomfort. You can wait until after you've healed from the surgery to be fitted.

I have the opposite problem (barely an A after 3 kids) but have had friends who have had the surgery. They feel so much better afterwards! They all wished they had done it earlier! Their backs and hips fell better, they have more energy, they feel great about themselves!

I believe that a "c" cup is 3 inches different between the circumference of the bust at the widest part and the circumference at the rib cage right below the breasts. A "D" cup is 4" difference, I think.
I think that's what I've heard from bra fitting experts at dept. stores.

(When you have nearly nothing like me, bra shopping is an uneventful experience. LOL)

look on facebook for groups. i have a friend who had it done with some minor complications and is so happy she had it done. iwant it too but am scared to death of it. worrking on losing weight and going through the process with my doc in order to get insurance to cover it.

J. I'm so excited for you that you've made the decision and your surgery is scheduled! I had my reduction last summer, and I'm so glad I did. I would have done it much sooner, but I had heard that having that kind of surgery can cause problems with breast feeding, so I patiently waited through three babies, nursing 6-9 months each over 4 years, and then finally... yay!

I can so relate to your frustrations with swimsuit shopping! You will be so happy when you go shop for your first new swimsuit post-surgery! As for bras... ugh! I was a 34G (size I-J in nursing bras!) and could never go to a regular store to buy a bra. I went to a specialty lingerie store to be fitted, and then after I had my one brand and style that worked for me and I went online to find it whenever I needed a new one.

Having breast reduction surgery is one of the best things I have ever done. I'm a 34D now and thrilled with it. My scarring is bad though, in my opinion: somewhat raised and lumpy following the curve underneath, then an irregular-shaped vertical pink line in the middle up to the nipple, and you can see tiny white marks where the stitches were, going all the way around my nipples since they were moved. This is after a year with gradual improvement, and I don't know if it will get any better. I'm not going to be posing for Playboy anytime soon, LOL! Be sure to ask your doctor lots of questions about what you can do to minimize the scarring and how long the stitches are supposed to stay in. I didn't and I regret that. Even still, I am so happy with my new size and glad that I did it.

Recovery for me was about a week that I stayed in bed as much as possible (my mom came up to help with the kids), and then several weeks after that of being careful. The magic number my doctor uses with his patients is 72 days. I had some pain for the first week, but there are prescriptions for that so no worries.

My favorite benefit of my new boobies is that I can actually run and exercise now without such discomfort and self-consiousness. I even joined a women's kickball team! I would never have considered doing anything like that before I had my surgery.

hi,

Both my cousin and a friend of mine have had this surgery and they are very happy with it. i'm not sure what size they were before but they both went down to a c-cup and are very happy with that. They love their new size.

i also read an oline article a few motnhs ago about a lady who went from an I cup down to a c-cup and she was also very happy.

just thought i would send you this info hope it helps.