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.