Anyone had a breast reduction?

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I am getting desperate and I just want some info...

Did you go on the waiting list or go private?
How long were you on public waiting list (and how long ago was that?)
Do you have any regrets?
Anything you might have done differently?

I am really struggling emotionally and this is something largely contributing to it. I am also 40 kgs overweight and exercise is nigh on impossible when sports bras don't come in your size and normal bras give you zero support even for light intensity exercise...

[myson]

hi cookie. sorry i cant help with answers but i could have written that post myself. so i will be watching and waiting for answers with you. i have seriously considered this myself. maybe we can be b00by buddies.

[Visitor7]

My Aunty and Grandmother have had this done as they had extremely large breasts. They both had theirs done privately, and got some back as it was classed as medical reasons. The both have absolutely no regrets doing it, and it has helped them both lose weight. I'm not sure how much it cost, or how much they were out of pocket, but I can find out for you if you like.

[krisp]

Is swimming an option for you? Exercising in the water might be a good way to make a start and then when you can get a sports bra you could do other exercise?
Just a thought...

[Ozstar]

My younger sister had it done 3 years ago, she went private and got some of the costs covered due to medical reasons. The medical reasons were simply that she had back and neck pain from being so top heavy. I think it cost her around $5k out of pocket. She recovered really well and loves the results but hates the scars. She is 33 weeks pregnant with her first and has increased in size with no guarantee that she will go back to her post surgery size. It is also highly unlikely she will be able to breastfeed, although apparently she could partially breatsfeed and top up with formula, it is really one of those wait and see things.

I plan on having the surgery once I have finished having babies. If you want any more info let me know and I will ask my sister to log on.

[paradise lost]

I seriously considered it before i had DD. I was a 36G for years, had back and neck pain, and as you say, finding a sports bra was almost impossible (ALMOST! There's a shop for bigger breasted girls called Bravissimo in the UK, if you want to PM me your size i could check them out for you - i'd be happy to send one out if you wanted).

I had DD and went up to a 36J when i was BFing but i was glad to be ABLE to BF, if that makes sense. I think i liked my boobs a lot more for their functionality. After DD i finally lost the 20 or so excess kg i was carrying. My boobs are now a (saggy but mine) 34E just from the BF and weightloss and i'm really glad i never had the surgery.

For weightloss without a sports-bra you could try weight-lifting. I know, sounds barmy, but women don't bulk up like men, they just tone up, it burns millions of calories and it speeds up your metabolic rate so the longer and more you do it the more weight you will lose and KEEP off. I stopped running a while back due to injury and gained 2kg, had to stop lifting for a few months over Christmas and gained 4 (hence the 6 i am wanting to lose!), it makes THAT much difference to me. I have an underactive thyroid and without resistance training i would be much heavier.

I do know someone who had it done just on one breast because they were very lopsided (2 full cup sizes difference) but her outcome was the worst (infection, burst stitches, slow healing) and she now has a 4cm-wide scar running from her nipple to her ribcage. Needless to say she wishes she hadn't, but her case is rather an extreme one!

Bx

[The[cookie]Doctor]

My Aunty and Grandmother have had this done as they had extremely large breasts. They both had theirs done privately, and got some back as it was classed as medical reasons. The both have absolutely no regrets doing it, and it has helped them both lose weight. I'm not sure how much it cost, or how much they were out of pocket, but I can find out for you if you like.

Thanks so much for your reply Jodi, don't worry about the extra info, it's just great to hear some success stories.

Is swimming an option for you? Exercising in the water might be a good way to make a start and then when you can get a sports bra you could do other exercise?
Just a thought...

I wish!
Trust me hun, if it as one or to cup sizes to get into a supportive bra then yes, it would be an option, but we're talking 6-7 cup sizes. I almost drown from being so top heavy underwater I am also incredibly unfit and I can't swim unless I am somehat fit, it's a great maintenance exercise for when I am healthy though.

My younger sister had it done 3 years ago, she went private and got some of the costs covered due to medical reasons. The medical reasons were simply that she had back and neck pain from being so top heavy. I think it cost her around $5k out of pocket. She recovered really well and loves the results but hates the scars. She is 33 weeks pregnant with her first and has increased in size with no guarantee that she will go back to her post surgery size. It is also highly unlikely she will be able to breastfeed, although apparently she could partially breatsfeed and top up with formula, it is really one of those wait and see things.

I plan on having the surgery once I have finished having babies. If you want any more info let me know and I will ask my sister to log on.

Those figures sound similar to what I have heard. We just can't afford out of pocket right now so I wondered if it as worth at least getting on the public waiting list for now. I have considered the possibility of change again due to pregnancy, and honestly I am okay ith that because I would spend it three times over to not be suffering the way I am now. As for the breastfeeding, well it is selfish but I am miserable and I am certainly not going to wait 20 years before my child bearing days are over! Thanks for the info!

I had DD and went up to a 36J when i was BFing but i was glad to be ABLE to BF, if that makes sense. I think i liked my boobs a lot more for their functionality. After DD i finally lost the 20 or so excess kg i was carrying. My boobs are now a (saggy but mine) 34E just from the BF and weightloss and i'm really glad i never had the surgery.

For weightloss without a sports-bra you could try weight-lifting. I know, sounds barmy, but women don't bulk up like men, they just tone up, it burns millions of calories and it speeds up your metabolic rate so the longer and more you do it the more weight you will lose and KEEP off. I stopped running a while back due to injury and gained 2kg, had to stop lifting for a few months over Christmas and gained 4 (hence the 6 i am wanting to lose!), it makes THAT much difference to me. I have an underactive thyroid and without resistance training i would be much heavier.

Bx

Thanks B - I frequent the site a fair bit but have never been keen to buy straight from overseas because at least here in Aus back and forth postage to exchange for another size isn't sooo bad, but I am largely reconsidering at this point.
Thanks for the tip re weight lifting. I will have to see what kind of facilities are available to me once I move.
I am roughly a 40J at the moment and it's killing me. As much as I would like to avoid surgery even when I was a 34E I still wanted a reduction (i think my conversions are correct 18J and 12 DD here) however I don't think I would complain about those boobs anymore


Myson, I hope you find some peace with your 'blest' chest soon too darl It is awful isn't it?
FWIW I got on the ASPS website (aust. soc plastic surgeons) & checked out their 'suitability list' to take with me to my doctor on Friday. You could do the same? They can probably still refer you to a surgeon to get you on a waiting list while you are pregnant.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

[mrsmac]

My friend's younger sister was a K and she had hers done and has never been happier. My hairdresser had it too and still BF her kids she was really happy too.
Not sure if private or public though.

[myson]

can i do a minor hijack cookie????

for those who've had it done... my main concern is the possibility of reduced sensitivity, would love to hear from others if this has affected them.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

LOL myson of course.
You know what, I thought about that too, but I can feel sweet F/A now so I'm not worried anymore.

[Ozstar]

Do you mean nipple sensitivity? Since the op my sister has extremely sensitive nipples, I think it normally works the opposite though. From what my sis has said is there are diff types of reductions depending on how much needs to be removed etc. She had a lot of tissue removed, which meant her nipples had to be taken off and repositioned. The amount of tissue removed is also the reason she will more then likely be unable to breastfeed. I will get her to log in and give you both some first hand info.

CM I think you should go and see you GP and get a referral to the hospital. Have a chat to them and get all the info before deciding weather or not you want to jump on the waiting list now. I am pretty sure that after my sister seen her GP she also had to be assessed by a physio, I am not sure if that is standard practise though.

[~breeze~]

I had a breast reduction in 2003. I was a full size 12F (prob more like a G or bigger but I refused to admit it to myself or anyone else) & I asked to go down to a 12C on the smaller side of a C. The surgeon said my breasts were the biggest he'd ever come across... very embarrassing.
He ended up reducing me to a FULL 12D (could probably call it 12DD) which I have since had alot of stress from. They admitted they didnt give me the size I paid for ... its a long story & I wont bore you with all that now.

It cost me $3000, I went private & I didn't realise I could ask for some back due to medical reasons so I got none of it back.

Even though I was much bigger than what I was meant to get, it was still much smaller than I was & the confidence I had afterwards rose my self esteem alot. It was definately worth it to me even though I was so dissapointed with the size outcome.

My back pain also vanished which was such a huge relief!!!

I was unable to BF my DD (I prob could have but because nothing happened in the first few days after having her, the midwives told me I wouldn't be able to BF due to my breast reduction so I didnt persevere) With DS I thought it would be the same outcome but it turned out that the milk came in.... & came out!!! So I could have fed my DS had I found out sooner (he refused my breast after being on the bottle since birth )

So it is very much possible to BF after having a breast reduction.

I think its worth every dollar (especially since you can get some back!) even though I had a bad experience. I also plan to have another one.... going down to a 12B this time! (currently a 14E & losing weight but usually cant lose any off my pain in the butt boobs)

Good Luck

I hope I was at least a bit of help to you....

ETA: nipple sensitivity is exactly the same.... very sensitive! I had the nipple removed aswell. The scars look really good, I would guess if anyone saw my boobs they wouldn't be able to see the scars unless they saw the underneath scars which on my fair skin you can see but around the nipple it isn't obvious )

[echidna]

I saw a documentary on SBS called "My big breasts and me". Its a BBC doco, I could google for the link if you like. Am I allowed to post it in here? I could PM the link if you like. The doco is 3 stories of women with breast size 32K, 34J and 36G I think. Different ages and all decided different things. Its about 50 minutes long and streams, so I'll PM the link for you to watch later on. I hope that you find your answer soon.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

I know this thread is OOOLLLDDDD but...

Can anyone who may have experience tell me how long it was from the time they had inital consultation until the time they had the operation if they went through as a private patient?

I have realised I am counting down the days to my appointment but now realise it may still be painful months away... Not that it wont be better as i will have a date to look forward too, but just curious.

[Kazbah]

Depends on the surgeon's bookings. And which hospital you want to use. To get the surgeon you want at the hospital you want may take a little time.

Make sure you get a letter that your breasts are causing back pain - that way the surgeon can use the correct code so you get $$$ from medicare.


FWIW, mine were done 2 months after the initial consult.

[AliBaby]

I dont think it would take too long. My grandmother had it done (she loves it and has lost weight and her back doesnt hurt now). I will try and ask her. She went through private as well.

Are you going to get a breast lift as well as the reduction? Thats what I want to get done after I am done having children.

[The[cookie]Doctor]

Thanks Kaz... I have a referral from my doctor saying backpain... not including the rest of the long list.

Shoulder indents
Sleeping Issues
Breathing Issues
Bad posture (including shrinking in height)
Rash under breast
Acne under breast
Inability to exercise due to excessive pain from breasts
Also difficulty playing with my young child (bending, running, lifting)
Depression, depression, depression
Damaging in relationship
subject to sexual harassment, public humiliation, embarrasment
Can?t buy clothes
Have to buy bras from overseas

2 months isn't too bad. I am a bit concerned about the lack of info about the DR i am going to see, there is nothing on him on google except that he works at the hospital where the appointment is...


Alibaby to my knowledge they only dont do a lift if you have the liposculpture type reduction done... but the info i have found is all very confusing. i would be asking for the lift as well... mine is going to end up has a reduction/reconstruction, so far as i can tell. with a t-incision scar and the nipple/areola being moved... only frfom what i have read, could be wrong.

im saddened by the idea of not being able to breastfeed future children but i cant live the way i am any longer and im not ready for more kids yet so i had to make a choice.