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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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
Thanks so much for your reply Jodi, don't worry about the extra info, it's just great to hear some success stories.:
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 :rofl: 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.
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! :lol: Thanks for the info!:
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 :wall:
Myson, I hope you find some peace with your 'blest' chest soon too darl :hug: 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.
:bump:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 :) )
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Cookiemonster, just wondering - Do you have to have private health insurance to get a breast reduction privately? (is that a dumb question?)
Do you know how much it costs and how much is covered by Medicare?
I couldn't BF my kids at all, I didn't get ANY milk with all 3 of them. I've always thought that was due to the size of my breasts. I'd love a reduction.
Yes, private health cover will help with the costs. Tinks - i think it was around $5g but I was out of pocket $3g. You don't *have* to have private health to go private - you just don't get any rebate so it costs heaps more.
Ash - who's your doc? I saw Simon Ceber (cedar?) and he was very good.
The cut type is dependent on your breast shape, but its in your info pack.
He called it a "w" cut with the aereola at the top of the middle point ... and then the middle lines of the "w" are joined to make a \|/ scar.
I also had lipo under my arms and around my back - that was the most painful part to recover!
Urgh sorry my internet keeps crashing I write a post and lose it.
No, I do not have PHI. We weighed up the pros and cons, of a) going publically - most places have 3-5+ year waits, or so the grapevine tells me, or b) waiting out the 12 months on PHI. My major issue is my depression and it is all taking away from my quality of life, so for us the option is to pay as a private patient, if that is what it takes.
I know Medicare will cover 75% of the 'schedule' fee for a medically necessary procedure... So basically the backpain covers that. BUT they only cover surgeon and anaesthetist etc. So you still pay in full for theatre fees and hospital accomodation.
A PHI fund wll cover the further 25% and then they will also generally cover partial theatre/accom fees, and any pain meds etc.
Ideally i would like to avoid the accomodation fees but with an active and cuddly lovable toddler at home i think I will need the 2-3 nights in hospital!!
If you do some googling there are some websites that give you pretty basic info on what medicare will cover. I think it 'almost' halves the entire cost, but I could be way off here because as I said above, cost is not an issue for us now.
Well, no, it is an issue... just not IYKWIM ;)
ETA: Kaz I have been referred to a Dr. Alan Ferguson at National Capital Private.
Hi all!
I am in the process of thinking about a breast reduction. However after reading a few posts about it all I'm not sure if I could wait for 3-5 years! Thats a damn long time!
I've always had "big" boobs but since having the girls I've got up to a 22DD. Lately I've noticed quite a lot of upper back and neck pain. I've also been to a chiro where they have taken xrays of my spine. It showed deterioration of my spine in the area of my breasts. Now he didn't say that my breast size had contributed to it but he did say that he was shocked to see such deterioration in someone of my age. I think its ironic that the deteoriation is in the area where my breasts are.
I'm also a bit up in the air about getting it done when I haven't "finished" having babies. I definately want to breastfeed next time and am worried I won't be able to. I'm also worried that if I get a reduction now I'll sag back down once I have more baby's. Whats everyone's thoughts on this?
It suprises me how many women go through life with this problem!
Sara it's not definite that you won't be able to breastfeed, depends on how large the reduction is and if they need to reposition the nipple etc. My knowledge is that repositioning the nipple is basically a no-no but there are women who have success.
Loss of breastfeeding is the only reservation I have but I cannot live like this, so choice I had to make basically!
I'd be really interested in getting my spine x-rayed to see just how bad the damage is. And I here ya on the age thing, being young with spinal deterioration (including shrinking!) sucks!
I'm really nervous about my appointment tomorrow. I have no idea what to expect and worry that I am going to go in there and just burst into tears.
I'm sure you'll be fine hun! :hug::
Don't worry if you burst into tears. This is obviously making you very unhappy and for them to see that will show how much its affecting your life.
Good luck hun! Let us know how it goes!
Ash dont worry if you burst into tears hun, its obviously something that makes you very emotional.
is dp going with you??
Yes I told him I was not going alone, he has to come hold my hand!
Thanks for the support.
Oh, I have considered this. I hate mine. Its impossible to get bras in my size seeing how there is actually an entire cup size difference in the two. One is a C and the other is a D. I Felt the better option for me was to get the D reduced to a C. I have never actually looked into it - longed for it but always figured it was a cost I couldn't justify. Seeing how the sizes don't cause me any pain and its just personal problems with them I figure I am pretty much out of luck on medical reasons too.
I hope everything turns out just how you want it cookie! Maybe one day I can get mine to match, but for now I'll be happy to hear that it is worth the wait.
Thing is, the reduction may or may not have impacted on my ability to b/f. I was able to squirt a few times, much to my delight, but I never actually had the sensation of my milk "coming in". Interestingly, my mum didn't b/f me either and from what she's alluded, it wasn't from want of trying. Some people are able to b/f after, some aren't. Some people are able to b/f without a br, some aren't. I think the most important thing is to go into the whole b/f journey with a "i'll try and if I can't, I haven't failed" approach.
FWIW, my boobs haven't sagged after Pip.
Kaz all I know is that I am scared of getting pregnant again ever as I grew two cup sizes before I was even 5 1/2 weeks. Then I had colostrum at 16 weeks... which I guess wont be as evident this time... I dont know that I even want to breastfeed knowing how much they grew this time around. I am at a war within me and soooooo thankful I have at least a couple of years to deal with it!
And yes totally with you on looking skinny everywhere else. I don't care about my belly, I can wear my chubba bubba belly with pride, but the boobs just make me look RIDICULOUS!!!
Well I guess things went as expected, great candidate blah blah.
Told me if I want to go ahead to make another appointment with his suite receptionist and come back with questions.
But i don't have questions. I just don't have questions :doh:
He also gave me a number for a doctor that works through the same hospital but in the public side and told me to give him a call.
I was happy to pay out of pocket no PHI but now DF is freaking out if something goes wrong and i have to stay in hospital that is what we can't afford. The private accomodation fees.
Now I just don't know what to do. I literally have no quality of life like this. It's a struggle just to sit down on the floor and play with DS but I have no idea what else i can do.
I either get PHI and wait it out 12 months or i go public... neither is what i wanted :(
and questions... ergh, what questions? other than ok so what are the stats like really for people dying, but i have no questions. i just want it over :cry:
I am also trying to find info on breast reduction. Has anyone in Adelaide had it done and went the public system? How long did u wait? Im trying to work it out if its worth getting private health insurance or not.
I found this old thread on a search in google for breast reductions but I thought I would share my story with you anyway as you might still be only thinking about it...
I am currently a size 14H, my Daughter is 2 now and when I was pregnant I went from a 14G to a 16L in 3 months!!! It was a NIGHTMARE!!! The only place that sold maternity bras was the australian breastfeeding association and the bras were $90 each. I was told if they got any bigger I would have to get my bras custom made which would've cost a fortune.
I couldn't breastfeed my Daughter as my breasts were far too big to manage it and I had to express milk every 3-4 hours for 4 months before I gave up and put her on formula. It was not a nice experience those first few months after the birth.
I was a little overweight before I got pregnant (I have PCOS which makes it difficult to maintain my weight) but I lost some before I went through fertility treatment to get pregnant.
I put on lots of weight during the pregnancy - partly because I stopped all exercise as I was very protective of the pregnancy, and partly because I had high blood pressure so I had a lot of fluid retention.
Anyway, I managed to lose around 30kg's in the 12 months after the birth and decided it was a good time to really look in to a breast reduction. I had been to the doctor MANY times in regards to back pain, hip pain & neck pain. I had suffered with this since I was 15. Even up until I turned 19 I was only a size 10-12 but my breasts never went below a size DD-E.
I got a referral to a plastic surgeon straight away as the doctor knows I have ridiculously large breasts that have caused me many problems.
I had to pay for the consultation at the surgeons, I think it was around $120 but he agreed my case was more urgent than most and that my life would be greatly improved by having the reduction - he put me on the public waiting list and I was told I won't have to pay a cent!!! The surgeon was very understanding and even said that he would write a letter to the wait list office explaining my PCOS and that I would be able to lose weight & be much healthier with a reduction.
He also gave me a quote to have it done privately which would be $11,000.
I am classed as a category 2 on the wait list (1 being an emergency such as cancer etc, 2 being very urgent, and 3 being not urgent)
I've been calling the wait list office regularly to keep reminding them how much I need this done - sometimes I was told 'oh you could be waiting years', other times I was told 'you will be operated on within 12 months' so I found that frustrating and considered signing up to private health insurance which has a 12 month waiting period.
Just before I signed up I contacted the wait list office again and was told I can be done within 6-12 months. I think the fact that I had told them I have lost a further 11kg's has helped my case (I signed up to Weight Watchers in July last year)...I was told I could be bumped up the wait list as my BMI was now below 30 which is what it had to be to be accepted for surgery (I wish they had told me this earlier, I would've joined Weight Watchers months earlier!!!)
I have called every few weeks since then and yesterday I got the awesome news that I have been booked in for surgery for May 25th. I am so excited and a little nervous but I know this is going to change my life. I hate my saggy, large breasts and to be honest, even if I have another child and I can't breasfeed, it doesn't matter to me. Yes, breastfeeding is the most healthy and natural way to feed your baby but I am not willing to make myself miserable for the next few years before we have that next baby. I couldn't go through another uncomfortable pregnancy with big breasts anyway.
I cannot wait to be able to go in to a normal shop and buy a nice bra and not have to fork out up to $100 everytime I need a new bra. I cannot wait to be able to do more exercise than walking and sit ups. I cannot wait to be able to wear halterneck and strapless tops and to actually fit in to bathers again!
I can only get down to a DD-E cup as my breasts are too large to be able to make them any smaller than that but that will still make me happy. When I was 18 (I'm 25 now) I was a size 10 with size DD breasts and despite having some back trouble, I generally felt very sexy at that size!
I have only 8kg left to lose until I get to my ideal weight so that should be relatively easy once I can actually wear a sports bra and exercise more!!!
I think this is going to be the best thing ever, if you are still considering a breast reduction I would advise you to go for it! I have heard from so many people that it has really improves their lives and the scars don't even bother them!
The main advice I would offer you is:
1) Try your very best to lose some weight, I know it is hard without a sports bra but walking can work wonders, and anybody can walk! Weight Watchers is a fantastic program with a lot of support and has a very sensible approach to losing weight. If you are very overweight there is a slim chance you will be operated on through Public Elective Surgery as I found out you have to be below a certain BMI to be operated on. PLUS significant weight loss OR gain post surgery can make your breasts large and saggy again. Your other alternative is to join Private Health Insurance or fork out all the money yourself, but why would you if you can do some hard work and lose some weight and then not pay ANYTHING for it?
2) If you do get put on the Public Waiting List, contact the Wait List Office regularly - this is what I have done and I think it really helped. You could wait forever by not contacting them but if you show them how much you want it, and prove how much you can annoy them (LOL) they will put you further up the list faster.
Good luck and I would love to know if you are still considering it, or if you are going ahead with it!:dance:
Hi, thanks for your detailed post, very nice of you.
I was on a waiting lis tbut despite my size I was a CAT-3, because I had never afforded the assistance of other treatment (chiropractic or physio analysis) - and then was knocked off the waiting list in ACT because they have too many CAT-1 surgeries therefore I am essentially 'wasting' their time and despite the surgeon agreeing it was medically necessary the hospital have the right to call it an elective procedure.
I am now in Melb and will be looking into it further once things have settled for us financially. I will be enlisting in the work of a chiropractor to help manage pain so I can not be taking painkillers just to live and to a point where I will be able to walk comfortably again in order to eventually lose weight, and also for regular analysis on my spinal damage.
I have been told differently but I guess it depends where you go - they will advise you it may be unpreferable as blood circulation is worse (therefore chance of death is higher) in heavier patients.:
If you are very overweight there is a slim chance you will be operated on through Public Elective Surgery as I found out you have to be below a certain BMI to be operated on.
as for expensive bras, i get mine for roughly $60 (inc post) from the UK for when they RRP here for $100.
I am also in Melbourne - have you been to see a surgeon down here yet? If not I could give you the details of mine.
I was also told by the surgeon that my weight wouldn't be an issue but when I spoke directly to the people at the Wait List Office I was told by all of them that hospitals won't do Public Elective Surgery on anyone with a BMI above 30.
Don't know how true it is or if it is all hospitals or only some but it really gave me the incentive to lose the extra kg's!
If you ever need a chat or a walking buddy when you are more comfortable to exercise, let me know!
I found the exercise thing really hard but once I lost just a few kilo's I started feeling better about it and already have less back pain even though i haven't had the surgery yet.
Sorry had to cut my post short before - screaming toddler.
Whereabouts in Melbourne are you? I would love the details of your surgeon - thanks so much.
I am feeling in a much better place psychologically now that we are back here so i need to get into a mindset to get healthy again. It is not motivation i am lacking it is commitment and then when i lost commitment i lose motivation. If that makes sense. I find it really hard to push through pain barriers (whether than be back/breast pain or indeadequate fitness pain) and then it gets too much. Or for instance, hubby and i had been eating well and getting into good routines and now i have been sick for a month since starting my new job (back to childcare work) and will take time for my immunity to build. Sensible me knows sweating it out is great to kick the bugs but sick me is like - uh... yeah right.
Anyway sorry for that long winded chatter-blab :lol: Point is, i am keen to make changes to myself to make it a better 'opportunity' i jsut have a lot to work on. Life has been a bit stalled with how incapcitated i feel by my breasts (clothing is the worst thing) but i leapt a hurdle and got married instead of putting off the big day for when everything would be perfect - know what i mean?
Anyway - you should hang around BellyBelly - its a great community!!
introduce yourself here - https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ome-say-hello/
you said your DD (dear daughter) is 2 - you can find your baby 'buddy' group here - Baby & Toddler General Discussion - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly
and id say you migth find this forum useful - General Health, Fitness & Well Being - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly
thanks again :)
I can't seem to find his phone number online (I would have to find the original letter I got from him last year)
But his name is David Hunter Smith and he works out of Coastal Plastic Surgery Centre in Mornington. I live in the Bayside area, whereabouts are you?
I know what you mean about all the interruptions to getting on with weight loss etc, even after I have lost so much weight I still have bad weeks but that is why I love weight watchers so much. You never feel judged and it just feels so easy to ask for advice and get back on track again. I have probably 'fallen off the wagon' at least 4 or 5 times in the 8 months I have been going but have still managed to almost get to my goal weight cause i didn't want to ruin my hard work and the whole time I had this surgery in my head, thinking how good I would feel when I have a smaller body as well as smaller boobs :D
Thanks for the links to the other forums, I'll check them out!
yes I think I have shrunk and have very bad posture, Im five foot 1, size 18E boobs. Im sure I was taller before standing next to hubby..??? I def have most of those symptoms too. I was on a waiting list in qld, but have moved to melb. I dont know if im able to still be on a QLD waiting list if Im not living there? I have been on the list since 2004 I think..: