Breast Reduction: Stories

9/25/12
A few things about myself, I am 23 years young. I'm 5'7 and around 145. I am currently a 40F, wearing Layne Bryant bras. Bra makers are all over the board in my opinion so maybe that will help someone reading my story. My husband and I had our first child almost 9 months ago and I breast fed for 6. I had originally planned for a year but became so self conscious and depressed about my breast I decided to stop early and see what I could do about getting a breast reduction. My insurance is Tricare Prime and I asked my primary care doctor for a referral to see a PS. I had my consultation on 9/17/12 just 4 days after on 9/21/12 I recieved approval that my surgery would be 100% covered! The consult was great, Dr. Cochran and his stuff were very kind and made me feel very comfortable. I did so much research before I went to the consult I had a list of 41 questions. He answered every single one of them without hesitation. My surgery is scheduled for 11/13/12. Trying to work around my husbands schedule has pushed it back a few more months than I wanted but I am beyond excited to have the surgery.

For those wondering why I chose reduction surgery, I have always had large breast, I was a DD/DDD before baby and was basically tortured my entire middle school and high school life by kids teasing me saying I "stuffed" my bras. And I wore water bras. If those little brats only knew the truth.. It wasn't until after I had my daughter that I really started letting the size bother me. I want to be a role model for my daughter, and even the most conservative clothes, my boobs are all over the place. I don't want to be "that mom" that always has her boobs in people's faces, although I can't help that they are big, I can at least do something to make them smaller again. I will have my preop appointments scheduled in the next week or so and will update when those will be! I have to say, everyone story here has been the calm to my storm. I have googled and researched and then googled some more. Anything and everything about the surgery I wanted to know. This page eventually became my 1stop shop, and I thank each and everyone of you for sharing your stories. I will upload my before photos as soon as possible and would love to hear everyone's thoughts.

10/15/12
Finally got a chance to upload some before photos. Not much has been going on, just waiting for next month to come around. I had to go to the dr last week (another story in itself) and I ended up having to have a steri strip placed on my arm. Within 12 hours my skin was Melting and the strip came off.. I don't know if I'm allergic to the strip or the benzoin she put on the ends to make it stick. I uploaded a picture. When I called she said it sounded like the steri strip adhesive I was allergic to. But it's only on the ends where my skin melted away rather than the entire strip. I am not allergic to bandaids. Any advice on what to Do before my reduction surgery? I want to make sure I know 100% what caused this so it doesn't happen after my breast reduction.

I am now less than a month away from my surgery! I honestly think the waiting will be the worst part when it's all said and done. My husband and I were out today shopping and I came across one of those "genie bras" ... I thought about getting one to have for awhile after surgery, until I can wear a regular bra again. Has anyone here used one? If not, what do you recommend. I also got a multivitamin to start taking and looking for the arnica, no luck at gnc. I'm going to try another shop tomorrow. My husband is going to be with me the first week after surgery and then my wonderful mother will be here the second week. After 2 weeks, how do you all think ill be feeling? Like death still? Will I be able to get back into a routine with my daughter? She will be 10.5 months at the time of my surgery. EASY BABY though.

11/1/12
12 days until surgery. I have my preop appointment next Thursday. Really getting anxious. I keep wanting to buy new winter clothes, but then I stop myself and realize what I buy now won't look the same in a few months. I start cosmetology school in jan and had to get fitted for my uniform the other day, I just know I'm going to have to have it altered, which in this case is fine by me. Seriously nesting around the house. It's on another level. I have rearranged furniture. Rearranged cabinets. Bought new things, got rid of old things. I even went as far as alphabetizing my spice rack.. It's worse than my pregnancy nesting. Lol. But at least I know everything will be in its place when I have surgery. I have been spending a lot of time with my daughter and I'm getting all the snuggle time I can now. It's going to be hard to let someone else take the lead with her for a few weeks until I heal. I know her every move, cry, schedule. Everything. I can tell within 30 seconds of her crying what she needs. My husband and my mom do not. So I have to remind myself that I can't jump up and do what I usually do, I need to let them help me while I have the help. She will be 10 months on November 5th. Sorry if I'm rambling, just wanted to share my pre surgery jitters. Update again next week after my preop! Anything I need to do to prepare for that??

11/6/12
Today marks 1 week until surgery. I had lunch with some of my close girl friends since I probably won't be feeling up for anything for a few weeks. It was nice to see them all and hear them being so supportive. They are even planning on bringing some meals by next week, even though my husband will be home, just to lighten the load. My preop is Thursday. My daughter has an appointment tomorrow. Friday is my relax day and then Saturday and Sunday we have a birthday party to attend and church. I'm sure by Monday ill be a wreck and will run myself to death cleaning and packing a bag and making sure my daughter has everything she needs. My husband is an amazing dad but I'm sure all you moms know exactly what I mean when I say, no one can take care of our babies like momma can.

11/13/12
Hey guys. I had surgery today. In recovery now, finally feeling awake. No drains. Spending the night. Will be discharged tomorrow. Today was good, had to be here at 10am. They got things going with all of the questions and papers. Changed into my gown and they have a heater that hooks to them and blows warm air into the gown, that was my favorite part! About 11:15 they took me back to the "prep room" and I said my goodbyes to my husband. They hooked me up to an IV. Gave me a patch for my nausea and also a shot in my IV. Saw my surgeon and he made his marks then they took me to the operating room, hooked my leg compresses up and the gave me my "night night" Meds. We were talking about what I was going to dream about while I was under and one of my nurses mentioned the beach in a bikini.. I said, "with smaller boobs!" And that's the last thing I remember. When I woke up in recovery my husband was by my side and that helped me to not be so scared. I was really out of it. Not in pain though. That was about 330. Around 5-6 I tried eating but was to sleepy to do so. It's 9 pm now and I just finished a full meal. I don't feel sick to my stomach at all. They had me walk around after I ate and just gave me morphine so it's about that time to get off of her and go to sleep. Thanks for all the support. I should get a peek tomorrow at the girls before I leave. My surgeon will be here to change my dressings and all that jazz! Hope any of you ladies that also had surgery today are feeling well. You are all in my thoughts!!

11/14/12
Home from the hospital. Have been hurting more today than I thought I would. As long as I'm laying still it's manageable, but the second I try to get up to use the restroom I feel it all hit me. They look super tiny in the ace bandage. I should be able to see them tomorrow, I have a post op appointment to change the dressings at 2. Ill update again after I see my plastic surgeon.

Change in some plans. Post op will be Tuesday. 11/20. Surgeon called to check on me and said I could change my dressings and take a shower if I felt up to it. Added some photos. I'm really happy so far with the results. Husband seems to like them as well.

Today marks day 2 after my reduction. I am feeling a lot better than I thought I would. Yesterday I took a sponge bath and did fine. Today I tried to take a shower and kept getting really dizzy, so I think I'll stick to the tub for now. The pain isn't too bad at all. The pain pills give me horrible headaches and knock me out so I'm limiting myself with them. I can't wait for my post op on Tuesday to hear my surgeons opinion on how I'm healing. Tomorrow I'm going to a salon to get my hair washed and styled so hopefully it will hold me off until I can do it on my own. If not, I'll just go again. I can't stand having crazy hair. I have been sleepin ok. Doesn't bother me to sleep sitting propped up, but ill be happy when i can sleep on my side. I never was a tummy sleeper because it hurt my boobs too much.

I was taking a closer look at the new girls tonight and this one spot on my right breast bothers me. It does physically bother me, but looking at it makes me a little worried. It's like the spot isn't closed all the way like it should be. I'm worried it will cause a thicker scar. I posted a picture so Let me know what you guys think. I'm going to call my ps in the morning to be on the safe side. Also, there is a little piece of stitching sticking out on the last end of the same breast. Is that normal? I can't tell if its the same on the other breast because there is tape on the very end.

Stopped by my PS office this morning. He added some more steri strips to my incisions where I was concerned. He also sent some home with me just in case I lose some over the weekend or see a spot I want to tape more. He is so awesome! I love his staff as well! They didn't hesitate squeezing me in just to ease my mind. They didn't try talking to me about it over the phone, they just listened to my concerns and said come on in! I love that!! Everything looks like it is healing perfectly!

11/20/12
Well, 1 week post op today! I can't believe how great I feel! Last week I had a spot that bothered me where stitching stuck out on the very end of my right breast. When I stopped by my surgeons office for some extra steri strips his nurse told me the stitch was left out on purpose so he could pull stitches out. I guess she was confused because today when I went in I was expecting to get them out and when I asked my plastic surgeon about it, he said they were all dissolvable! So I told him about my angry stitch on my right breast and he snipped it for me and checked some other spots, said it looked like everything else had dissovled!! I have to go back in 3 weeks. He said I was healing nicely! A little bit of swelling remains. Told me not to worry about buying bras until 6 weeks post op. Also said if my steri strips don't come off on their own in the next week I could take them off. Once all the tape is off I'm free to start using any lotions, oils, creams, to help with the scars.

FIRST LET ME SAY: i am so sorry my pictures post all crazy on here!! My phone post them that way and i dont have a clue how to fix it!

SECOND: I know this is probably a bad idea. But Black Friday is, well, FRIDAY! And I'm itching so bad to go out and get deals on bras!!! I know my boobs haven't even begun to take their final shape. But I'm dying to go get bras! At least the wireless ones. Would I be wasting my money buying anything right now? When could I even consider wearing a bra as long as its wireless? Plus I think part of me is a tad addicted to the bags they give out at Victoria Secrets!! I have one from the last 3 Black Friday deals and I use them for everything. I am just ready to have something else in the drawer to look at other than sports bras. Something to look forward to.

11/24/12
Decided to wait on the bras. As bad as I wanted to buy some, I'm pretty comfortable in the sports bras. Still have one small spot on my right breast that is draining, a lot more bruising on that side as well. Most of my steri strips have come off. I replaced two going down the T incision. Still feeling great. I have been sleeping on my side very comfortably. I'm anxious to start scar treatment, but I'm waiting until everything is 100% closed up and all of the scabs are gone. You ladies have been my rock through this all, just so y'all know!! Reading everyone's updates, new stories, encouragement, it really has been delightful!

11/4/12
Today marks 3 weeks post op. I feel amazing. Back to doing normal things with no pain or discomfort at all. Have an appointment December 11th just to check up on things. Right breast (left in photo) has some swelling still but everything is closed and healed. 1 or 2 scabs is all that remains. Can't wait to get into a real bra and see the final size.

5 weeks since my surgery. My scars are already looking great. Had a check up Dec 11th, swelling is gone and they have healed perfectly. Went to Victoria Secrets last week and grabbed some bras, went to try them on, here is what went on in my head. The B, WAY TOO SMALL, the C, WHAT THE HELL THIS IS LITTLE. The D, OK THAT'S IT!!! MA'AM CAN I GET SOME HELP.... Had the girl measure me and I'm measuring a 36 DD. she brought me a few and they fit perfectly. No spoilage. No thick straps. I wanted to be a full C, Small D. But I have some baby weight to lose still so maybe once I get these extra 10 pounds go I will be the D I want. Either way, I love them!!! I love the way they feel, look, where they sit, everything. And a plus, my husband likes them just as much as I do. He never expressed any concern with the surgery and just wanted me to be happy. Once everything settled, he told me he is so glad they turned out perfect because he was a little worried. Ha, silly man.