Women only please! - Breast reduction even after weight loss

I would like to hear from anyone who has thoughts on this topic. I am considering a breast reduction in the future and have some questions.  I already spoke with one person from here that did this. I would like to speak with a few more. We don't have to do it forum style.  I tried looking into some forums specifically for this, but feel more comfortable here right now.

Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from women with a story to share.

Sunshine--I would look at the Dr situation.  I would look at all the dr's you insurance excepts.   Call each and ask them if they have a portfolio of work you can look at.  Ask them how long they have been in practice doing breast reduction.  Ask them questions you already know the answers too. Like for instance is it important to quit smoking.  Even if you personally don't smoke just check out the kind of responses you get.  Also the scars don'tlast that long I had my surgery 5 years ago and they are almost invisible.  My mate loved the way my breast looked after.  If you gain weight the size will increase but I have noticed as i have been loosing they have went back down.  And I was able to breast feed after my surgery.  And yes you do get to choose your size but that is another thing the dr is good at helping you decide what size would look best with your proportions.  hope this helps and good luck!

Hi,
I had a breast reduction about 5 years ago at age 25.  It was the BEST decision I have ever made, besides recently losing 30 pounds of course!!!
My best friend at the time had one a year prior and raved about her plastic surgeon, so I chose him and he was great.
I used to be a 38DD to a DDD and after the surgery I was originally a 36B, once they started healing after a few months I became a 36C and now after losing the weight I am a 34C.
We chose the size based on my frame, Keep in mind you dont want to go too small and then look disproportioned.
I anticipated a very long recovery and a painful one, but surprisingly, it was not bad at all.  The first 2 weeks I was very sore, but after that things got much better.  You will need to wear one of those tight sport bras for quite a while while you are healing.  I also had stitches which were fine.
As for the scarring, I mean they are there and obvious but I would so much rather be the size I am now with scars as opposed to being the size I was with no scars.  My fiance' doesnt mind them at all and is happy that I am happy with the way I am now rather than the way I was before. 
I also now have way more sensation than I did when I was bigger, which is strange but true.
Hope all this helps and good luck.  Anybody I have talked to who has had a breast reduction is always happy with their choice, I have never met anybody with any regrets about it!!

You guys sure were fortunate on your choices for your surgery. I was told I couldn't choose my size. "HE" being the Dr., told me he would reduce to where it would look the best for my body. He told me not to go out and by a smaller bra because chances were my old ones would fit. And like some stories I read here, one breast is larger than the other... not the "naturally one is larger than the other larger" but almost a cup larger.  Really, listening to all you guys... I wish I'd done more homework.

Everybody I know that has had them reduced says it is the best thing they ever done.  I personally am greatful for what I got which is certainly not excessive.

Thanks again for all the info/comments. So how do I shop for a plastic surgeon? I have a list of different surgeons that accept my insurance, from there I can find a PCP that can refer me to the surgeon. (I just have to change PCPs) I guess I have never really 'shopped' for a doctor before so I don't really know where to begin.

• Ask for a portfolio
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Hi Sunshinealwz... I had my breast reduction last year and I would do it all again if I had  to because it is so worth it. To find a surgeon is pretty easy... I personally went to the head of cosmetic surgery in my city... Dr. Labow.  Just make sure you find a doctor who has years of experience and knows what you want as well.

I actually gained weight after my surgery because I couldn't excersice for 3 months... which is ok I guess because at first your breast are very small and then within a year you grow into them I guess.

But I'm happy with the surgery... I feel so much sexier even though I gained 20 pounds! Just find a good surgeon and I think you will feel the same way.

Good Luck

Morning, Sunshine! 

My sister had the reduction a few years ago.  They took four pounds off of each breast, then reshaped.  She had gastric bypass surgery a year and a half ago, and has presently lost about 160 pounds.  Her breasts did become smaller, but maintained their shape.  With the massive loss in weight so quickly, they did sag a bit.  She wants to get implants now (isn't that ironic??!!), but you have to understand, my sister is an extremist.  Always has been, always will be.

I'm strongly considering the reduction as well.  Funny enough, reducing the size is second for me....reshaping is the priority for me.  Also pain.  I had a severe case of whiplash a few years ago, and serious back injury that resulted in back surgery.  I have no doubt that a certain level of my pain is caused by my "frontal appendages".  LOL.  Lucky for me as well, I live in Canada.  My sister (she's also a degree RN) said that if you measure from your shoulder to your nipple and it is 11" or more, the surgery is considered medical not cosmetic, and is 100% covered.  (I love Canadian healthcare!).

Check it out with your doctor as well....I'm sure there is some criteria for it being considered a medical requirement.

Good luck!!

Laurielane~thanks for the info. I don't have that much weight to lose, but it is good to know. I mean what's the point of getting it done only to have them sag? I am working hard to lose the weight first ;)

Next Wednesday is my first consultation with a plastic surgeon. I am excited, but very nervous...

let us know how it goes

Had my first consultation with the doctor. I like him, he is very qualified. Now we are just waiting on approval from my insurance company. I need to get it done before ins. runs out due to being laid off.

I'll keep you posted :)

I am currently at 38 I and I am getting a reduction done in January.  My Dr. told me that if I wanted to lose weight to do it before because he will be making me proportional (sp?) to the size I am when I have it done.  I'm working on it, but I know I won't lose it all.  He basically told me that if I have a drastic weight loss after the surgery my breasts will either go down with it and I could be down to nothing, or they won't change at all and will be too big again.  At this point, I don't really care...I'm only 5 feet tall...I can't take it anymore.  So I am doing my best to lose as much weight as I can before hand and I'll deal with the left overs when I'm done!!  Nothing can be as bad as it is now :)

let me see... i was approved for the surgery, bu chickened out because of the scarring.  i had big breasts when i was approved (almost DDD) and I have DD now, however I wanted the surgery more for the fact that my boobs were sreally aggy, and I was only 19.  I just want a lift now, but i think ill have another child.  But I'm only 22 and my boobs are already down at my belly.  Sad, but true.  That's what you get gaining and losing weight all the time.

faux.....don't be afraid of the scarring....if you get a good dr with good history you should be fine i had my surgery 5 years ago and hardly have any scars at all....good luck all!

I have been wanting to do a reduction for years. I'm 5'8" and a 34DD and weigh 149 (can't seem to get the last 9 lbs gone). Even when I do loose weight I never loose my boobs.   I would love to be a C cup, my boobs just sag a lot and it is from my weight fluctuations over the years.  I read this entire site thanks to all of you for posting your experiences both good and bad.  My biggest fear is that it will be worse than what I have now.  But I can't stand lugging them around anymore.

Has anyone had a lift instead of a reduction? I'm wondering if that would accomplish my goals of a C cup instead of doing the reduction? 

I had my reduction on December 16. I am so happy with everything that I could spit. Barely any pain involved. I was lucky and don't have a vertical scar because my PS did a 'no vertical incision' procedure. The twins are each 2lbs lighter and perky as the day is long. Of course, they are still swollen...

If you have ever had thoughts of this procedure, I tell you now that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. A lift is almost the same as a reduction. If you have a lot of skin, you will probably have to have a reduction. It all depends. Insurance paid for my reduction.

Here is a post I made on breasthealthonline:

I will be 4 weeks OTR on Saturday and I feel great. All incisions are healing really well. I had one small open spot under right side, but it is almost all better. I don't really have much pain. Just uncomfortable sometimes. I really look forward to wearing no bra!

I sleep on my side with a pillow and even on my tummy for short periods with my arm as a support. I can't wait to sleep sound all night long. That is something that still doesn't happen, but it is getting better. I haven't done much lifting, but I am going back to bowling next week. Doc says it's okay, but he's cleared me for just about everything, except a regular bra. I think he knows that our bodies tell us when we are ready to do things and when we are not.

Shamrock and I have the same PS. I think he is very, very good. I read her post and she sounds like she is doing great! He told me scar creams don't really work since everyone heals different. He said use cocoa butter or.... um, I forget. *scratching head*

After 3 weeks of DH doing the housework (or not doing as the case may be), I couldn't wait to dig in and get rid of some clutter and dirt. So today I did, all morning. I feel okay right now, the truth will be known at bed time. *sigh* I still get tired from doing things, but then I just take a little nap.

So for all considering that haven't made it to this point, I hope my post helps. I would do all over again if I had to.

--
12/16/06 OTR... 40DDD to 38C, yippee!!

Hi

I am sceduled for a breast reduction and I have lost 20 lbs and 60 more to go and my doctor said to go ahead and have the procedure done...  I am trying to find some one who has had one and then continued to lose weight did they stay ..OK or did you lose what you achieved by having the operation. 

I feel like my doctor just wants me to have it for the $.  Every artical I have read says your weight should be stable. 

Ive had it done, about 4 years ago, any questions message me!

Edited to add I had my reduction before losing any weight. I have lost 44 pounds and They still look great. My reduction took me down to a large C I got back up to a D with weight gain and now I am 44 pounds lighter and a C again. My doctors would not let me go any smaller because of my body size at time of surgery. So now I am very small with large breasts but hey I dont care they are better than the F I started out with!!!

Interesting, I just contacted a doctor's office today to get some information. I'm a 38D and and concerned that I may not be a condidate. Also, today I was told that it would cost me $10,000 -- not cheap. Are there any 38D that have had it done and what size did they go to. I was interested in just droping to a C.

I dont know if it is a good idea to go through that kind of major surgery just to drop a cup size. If you are still trying to lose weight that could do it for you.

I have decided to approach my doctor about getting mine reduced on the NHS (UK healthcare service).  I have the back/shoulder pain, psychologicla problems (ie hate being oggled and can't find clothes to fit).  I think the waiting list is 2 years so that will give me time to lose all the weight I want and tone up to make sure that my boobs don't shrink by then!  I am currently a 36H and hate having to wear bras smaller than my size just 'cos i can't find/afford the right sized ones.  Thanks to Sunshine for posting this as I have really appreciated reading otehr peoples experiences and it has made me really determined to convince my doctor!!!!