<p>I’ve recently begun thinking about having breast reduction surgery and wondered if any CCers have experience with this procedure. Won’t have it done if insurance doesn’t pay and haven’t started the process to find out. Haven’t discussed it with my primary care physician or seen a plastic surgeon. No doubt the primary care doc’s referral is key. Anybody with experience? I suffer from chronic back pain, have had spinal stenosis surgery and have arthritis in my lower back. Not sure if any of these conditions would impact BR surgery. Bra size (not sure how else to say it–sorry): 38G. I’m 5’8" and 8-10 lbs overweight, depending on which chart is used.</p>
<p>My sister had this surgery done a few years ago. She had chronic back pain and I believe arthritis in her back and her knees along with being overweight. She remains overweight and still has some problems, but she did experience significant relief.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure much of it was covered by insurance because it was “medically-necessary.”</p>
<p>I had it done about 7 years ago. One of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. Insurance did pay for it. I suffered from chronic shoulder and back pain but never sought medical advice for it. I went straight to the plastic surgeon. They will take photos, measurements, etc and send it to your insurance co. Be aware that some insurance companies will ask for documentation of back pain, etc and might ask you to lose some weight if you are overweight. My insurance company approved mine right away but I was within normal weight range. This is not considered cosmetic surgery but rather reconstructive surgery. It has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any procedure done by a plastic surgery. Feel free to pm me.</p>
<p>I had it done about 12 years ago. I was surprised at the little amount the ins required to be taken off for it to count as medically necessary. ( 800 gms perhaps?)
I wasn’t really having medical problems, but I am prone to asthma and weight around your lungs can make that worse.</p>
<p>I was probably a 34-E or so ( I don’t know cause my bras didn’t fit). I still am a 34D ( my dr didn’t listen when I told her I didn’t want to wear a bra again ever!), but so much easier to find clothes that fit & I think I look younger.</p>
<p>Recovery was kinda hard, cause I am a redhead & we don’t do well with anesthesia, but healing went well.</p>
<p>My mother had it done about 15 years ago. It was covered by insurance because there was evidence of nerve damage due to the bra straps cutting into her shoulders. She should have done it years earlier.</p>
<p>SIL had it done 6-8 years ago. All the above mentioned issues, back pain, etc and it was covered by insurance. She also had a condition that her breasts were getting larger (she had consulted with a surgeon a few years before). Frankly, it’s hard to tell she had it done, as she’s still quite busty, so I would recommend going a bit smaller than you think is optimal, possibly a C, no more than a D. She said the recovery was quite painful.</p>
<p>I was a EE (at least, the surgeon said much bigger, like a G) and went to a C. I was told it wasn’t possible to go lower. The difference between the way I look and the way clothes fit before and after is significant. Had quite a few people unknowingly ask me if I had lost weight after I had the surgery. I’m 5’3’ so being so big was very unflattering to my figure. Even 7 years later, I’m still very ‘perky’. :o</p>
<p>YMMV but I didn’t think it was a hard recovery at all (other than anesthesia tends to wipe me out for days). Compared to having fibroids removed laparascopically the summer before, it was a piece of cake and not very painful. Mine was OP surgery. I was home within a few hours.</p>
<p>I occasionally fill in as a nurse in a plastic surgery OR. We do these a lot, and it’s the one procedure we do in this particular OR which insurance pays for. </p>
<p>I have only the perspective of the actual surgery and not the recovery. Just make sure to get a board certified surgeon who has done a lot of them.</p>
<p>Mine was also done as an out patient surgery but you will need someone to take you home.
My recovery issue was because I had too much anesthesia- so I was ill afterwards.
Changing the bandages wasn’t difficult and it healed quickly with little scarring & even 12 yrs later I can still pass the pencil test. ;)</p>
<p>I had my done when I was 22; almost 35 years ago! Two of my nieces also had it done in their 20’s. Best thing we all did, although I was not able to breast feed as the procedure was different 35 years ago. I am assuming that is not a concern of your ;)</p>
<p>One of my nieces is/was a bit overweight, so while her surgery was not as noticeable to others, so feels the difference. For me, I am short and at the time very thin; people assumed I lost weight as they couldn’t figure out what was different. </p>
<p>I went with what the surgeon called a full B cup; I not wear a C, but I think that is due to some weight gain and age. Unlike EK, I can not pass the pencil test, unless I put a couple of first grade pencils under there. ;)</p>
<p>incentive to quit smoking.
[Smoking</a> can make your nipples fall off - CNN.com Blogs](<a href=“http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/05/smoking-can-make-your-nipples-fall-off/]Smoking”>http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/12/05/smoking-can-make-your-nipples-fall-off/)</p>
<p>I hate being around smoke (#11) and I hate my big chest. Someday I am going to have the surgery and I’ll wish I had done it sooner. I have had several relatives have the surgery and they are thrilled. That echoes above posters. Does anyone know someone who had it done and wishes they had not?</p>
<p>I am 5’2", 120 lb and 36 saggy DD. It doesn’t matter how thin I get, I look dumpy in clothes because I look like an upside down triangle (bird legs and no hips to accompany the top). A short, upside down triangle. Pencil test? I can hold up metal fence posts :(</p>
<p>I have never read or heard of anyone who regretted having a reduction done by a COMPETENT plastic surgeon. Fascinating blog, EK4!</p>
<p>Sister of D’s friend had it done 2 years ago during Christmas break at age 18. She’s 5’3" and was all chest. I think the plastic surgeon took 2 lbs out of each breast. She was SO happy and looks so cute! She had it done before college so her new friends have no idea. She feels better, stands straighter, and has more self-confidence. She says it’s so nice to have people, especially boys, look at her face and not her breasts. She was terribly disproportionate…now a 32C.</p>
<p>A high school classmate had it done twice. Once after we graduated (35+ years ago) and then again 10 years later. Very happy with 2nd result-----said she didn’t have enough taken off the first time.</p>
<p>I remember my sister’s college friend having the surgery as a graduation present (30 years ago). Life changing. Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>I didn’t have reduction surgery but did have a DIEP bilateral reconstruction with a FACS plastic surgeon. Despite having a surgeon who was considered expert in this technique and I was NOT being a smoker or drinker, I had venous congestion as described in the Post 11 link and yes, had many many leeches over the course of a week to save the reconstructed breasts. Since the nerves had been cut, the leeches didn’t hurt but they were definitely nasty to gaze at on my chest. I had to have 21 transfusions to replace the blood that the 150+ leeches had consumed.</p>
<p>Retired anesthesiologist here. Covered by health insurance. I was the opposite size and would never recommmend implants. Definitely worth it for the women at any age- no reason to keep carrying so much weight on your shoulders with all of the associated problems. Not a cosmetic, but a health improving procedure. Worth the small risks inherent in any surgerry/anesthetic and the women I took care of ended up with larger breasts after the surgery than I had/have. They will also “even out” the breast sizes and let you choose your cup size (no one seemed to pick an “A”).</p>
<p>Bumping this thread because my friend is considering this procedure. She lives alone and is wondering how long she will need somebody to stay with her/take care of her following the surgery. She has decided on a highly recommended/respected plastic surgeon and has an upcoming consultation appointment. She is preparing a list of questions/talking points. For those of you who are familiar with the procedure: What should she ask the doc at her consultation? Perhaps she can benefit from the experience of others. </p>
<p>Background–She’s in her mid-50’s, has an athletic build, is 5’8" tall and wears a 38G bra. She might be a bit overweight but isn’t really heavy. She won’t have the procedure if it won’t be covered by insurance but her family physician has indicated that it will most-likely be covered. She seems to think body frame is important when predicting/planning for the end result of smaller breasts. I think she is resolved to still having fairly large breasts even after surgery, although she’d like to be able to pass the pencil test as mentioned in a previous post! </p>
<p>She is widowed. Breastfeeding is decades behind her. She has recurring neck and back pain, wants relief from the pain as well as less bounce when she exercises. She is also tired of a lifetime of ill-fitting clothing but the pain is her biggest concern.</p>
<p>She also wonders about a timeline for returning to work and the gym. Thanks!</p>
<p>[Welcome</a> to BreastHealthOnline - Bringing women better breast care through knowledge and support](<a href=“http://www.breasthealthonline.org%5DWelcome”>http://www.breasthealthonline.org)</p>
<p>Very good resource and many knowledgeable posters.</p>
<p>I had the surgery as an out patient and I stayed alone in my mothers condo for several days without anyone to help.
I had general anesthesia & had a bad reaction.( but still I managed by myself)
I would suggest a local if your dr approves, not so long to recover.</p>