I had my first reduction at 17 - I was wearing a G cup bra and that was too small. The surgeon suggested that a B cup would suit my frame but I opted for a C cup as I figured I was used to having large breasts (I started wearing a bra at 11) and I figured that a B would feel too small. I had 800 grams removed from one breast and 1kg from the other (one breast is usually denser than the other). I was warned by the surgeon that I would probably have difficulty BF, although he also stated that women with excessively large breasts also often have difficulty (don't know if this is true?). The surgery itself took almost 7 hours and the recovery was painful. I was in hospital for 3 days... I will NEVER forget the removal of the drainage tubes. Having the dressings removed a week or so after surgery was so painful I fainted. I had pain for approx 6 weeks and felt I couldn't raise my arms properly (above shoulder height) for a couple of months.

My GP referred us to the surgeon. The GP admitted to being unsure who to refer us to and he consulted with the other doctors in the practice. We had a consultation with two surgeons, one was a cosmetic surgeon and one was a plastic surgeon. Someone advised us that a plastic surgeon is more qualified than a cosmetic surgeon (as Mayaness has stated) and so we went with the plastic surgeon. We asked around and he was well respected, had swish offices on Collins St in Melbourne and showed us photographs of his work. What we didn't know was that this surgeon specialised in reconstructive surgery. I ended up with C cup breasts... which had been butchered! My nipples/areolas were asymetrical in size and position (oooh.... VERY uneven), the sutures were large and the result was wide scarring. He had put me back together, but with very little consideration for appearance. I was very unhappy with the result, but I also thought that this must have been the best result that could be achieved with my breasts. My parents lived overseas and so my mother really had little idea of the healed results for quite a long time, by which stage it seemed too late to complain. What's more, I didn't want this surgeon touching me again with a scalpel. When I was 23 I saw a different surgeon who performed revision surgery at no cost. He reduced my breasts again by a cup size or so (they grew a little after the first surgery) and cut out all the old scarring and resutured. He also repositioned my areola and attempted to trim them to matching size (only so much tissue to work with!). The end result, whilst not perfect, is certainly more aesthetically pleasing than originally. Interestingly, the second surgeon stated that most of my ducts appeared intact and he supposed I would have a reasonable chance of breast feeding. I guess this is not surprising given that a reconstructive surgeon is concerned with function more than appearance. Recovery from the second surgery was much easier and less painful... but it still hurt!!

My nipple sensation is OK. I do think I have lost some sensation, but I can certainly feel them being touched and can derive pleasure from them. I do have some numb areas on the area of my breasts nearest my armpits, it feels like your foot does when you've been sitting on it and it goes to sleep - I know it's being touched, I just don't really feel it. It is not a pleasant sensation and I don't like this area of my breast being touched. My scars have faded well, although the initial surgeon incised to far up my breast from underneath and so if I show cleavage the scar at either end of the incision is visible. Initially this scar was 'dog-eared' or raised at where the sutures were tied off, but this was repaired in my second surgery. I'm now told that no one would notice the scar in my cleavage and quite frankly, I don't care if they do! I dress to please myself and I've certainly never had anyone comment on the scarring.

I didn't really attempt to feed my first child as I was advised by numerous MW's 'not to bother'. I did feed my second child until he was 3 months old and I comp FF fed him from about 2 weeks when my supply could not keep up. I am pregnant again and will try again to BF, with the aim of supplying as much breast milk as I am able to. Interestingly, this pg is the first in which I have experienced any 'boob symptoms' - hopefully this bodes well for a better supply, as many women post surgery do find that they have more success and a better supply for each subsequent baby... but that's a whole other thread!!

Now, having had children, I have asked myself whether I would advise my 17 year old self to have a breast reduction or to wait. I'm now 33 and still having babies. Would I like to be able to BF without comping? Absolutely! But I don't honestly believe that I could have carried those huge breasts around for another 16 plus years without repercussions, particularly for my back and neck. What would my self esteem be like if I had spent the last 16 years being desperately unhappy with my body? Mayaness, you say that it is a reflection on our society that young girls are desperate for this surgery and don't place a great deal of emphasis on the effect it will have on their ability to BF. I can assure you that the decision to go ahead and have this surgery was never taken lightly, and I would be very surprised if anyone underwent a surgery such as a breast reduction without a great deal of consideration. I did consider the implication of surgery and the possibility that it might mean that I couldn't BF my future children. My mother and I discussed it at length. Did I care at 17? Well, yes, I did. But I had to make the decision that was best for me at the time, not based on some possible future scenario. And ultimately, I did make the best decision I could make at the time. To have regrets would be pointless. To state that young girls would take 'more care in their decisions' is belittling and condescending, and to be honest, I am offended - I assure you that my 17 year old self (and my mother) took plenty of care in our decisions.

My advice to my 17 year old self? Research your surgeon... check, check and check again!!!

I know my story is not all sunshine and light, but I want to provide honest information to anyone considering breast reduction surgery! I'm happy to answer any or all questions that I can... :-)