Breast Reduction: Stories
Write a ReviewWell worth it - Gainesville, VA
- Was 2big2long now just right
- posted 11 months ago
- updated 8 months ago
- Worth It
- Cost: $7,000
- Dr. David Allison (Gainesville, VA)
I'm 57, 5'2", 190 lbs. I've lost 50 lbs so far,...
- 21 Jul 2012
I'm 57, 5'2", 190 lbs. I've lost 50 lbs so far, but I quit losing weight because I can't fit into a smaller shirt. I don't know what size I am, but the cups of my 42DDD are too small.
My hubby of 38 years is encouraging me to do this. In fact, I'm using money he saved for us a first cruise for us!
My surgery date is August 1. It's rapidly...
- 23 Jul 2012
My surgery date is August 1. It's rapidly approaching! Thank you to everyone who's posted stories, fears, hints, and recovery. I found out today my PS places drains. I wouldn't have been prepared for that without you gals!
I told my son and his fiancée about my surgery...
- 24 Jul 2012
I told my son and his fiancée about my surgery tonight. she told me that she's already thinking about having a BR after they have kids and she's done breast feeding. She also offered to come here from her house about 4 hours away to nurse me. What a sweetheart!
My stress is taking itself out on my stomach. I haven't had this kind of digestive upset for years. It's not a stomach bug, either. Just stress.
I see my PS tomorrow for a final pre-op appointment.
A week from tomorrow this will be done! Can't wait, can't wait....
My stress is taking itself out on my stomach. I haven't had this kind of digestive upset for years. It's not a stomach bug, either. Just stress.
I see my PS tomorrow for a final pre-op appointment.
A week from tomorrow this will be done! Can't wait, can't wait....
I hate insurance! My surgery date is tomorrow....
- 31 Jul 2012
I hate insurance!
My surgery date is tomorrow. My insurance hasn't decided if it's covered yet. The hospital called and said their charge would be $35k if the insurance denied it, and I needed to put down $8k!!
When I talked to my PS about rescheduling in case insurance demanded it, They told me that if I had it declared cosmetic, I could have it done tomorrow at the same hospital, same time, same surgery services for a flat rate of $1386. That's less than my insurance copay would have been.
Needless to say, now I'm a cosmetic patient. I don't care. I can still have my surgery tomorrow.
My surgery date is tomorrow. My insurance hasn't decided if it's covered yet. The hospital called and said their charge would be $35k if the insurance denied it, and I needed to put down $8k!!
When I talked to my PS about rescheduling in case insurance demanded it, They told me that if I had it declared cosmetic, I could have it done tomorrow at the same hospital, same time, same surgery services for a flat rate of $1386. That's less than my insurance copay would have been.
Needless to say, now I'm a cosmetic patient. I don't care. I can still have my surgery tomorrow.
I'm now 3 days post-op. I've taken a couple of...
- 5 Aug 2012
I'm now 3 days post-op. I've taken a couple of showers and have started to expect to see little boobies. My measurements now indicate I'm a 38D. Since I'm still in my surgical bra, I don't know for sure.
I tried on a couple of shirts - what a difference!! I'm definely motivated to go back to the gym and start losing belly weight again.
This board has been a life saver. I wouldn't have ready without it. THANK YOU all for sharing here.
I tried on a couple of shirts - what a difference!! I'm definely motivated to go back to the gym and start losing belly weight again.
This board has been a life saver. I wouldn't have ready without it. THANK YOU all for sharing here.
My two week post-op appointment was today! Dr says...
- 15 Aug 2012
My two week post-op appointment was today! Dr says I'm healing well and I can wear any bra that's comfortable. Whew!
He told me he took 704 from the right side and 779 from the left.
The amazing thing is that I stopped at Kohl's on the way home to buy a couple of bras. I used to cram myself into a 42DDD (should have been a 42H). I tried on a 42D today and the cup wrinkled! I started laughing in the dressing room.
V
I'll post pictures tonight after my hubby gets home to take them.
What a day! I'm SOOO glad to be out of that compression bra.
He told me he took 704 from the right side and 779 from the left.
The amazing thing is that I stopped at Kohl's on the way home to buy a couple of bras. I used to cram myself into a 42DDD (should have been a 42H). I tried on a 42D today and the cup wrinkled! I started laughing in the dressing room.
V
I'll post pictures tonight after my hubby gets home to take them.
What a day! I'm SOOO glad to be out of that compression bra.
The system won't let me add my PS' name without...
- 15 Aug 2012
The system won't let me add my PS' name without rating him, but it also won't let me rate him.
He's Dr. David Allison in Gainesville, Virginia. I would give him 5 stars for everything if I could.
He's Dr. David Allison in Gainesville, Virginia. I would give him 5 stars for everything if I could.
Did I mention that I hate insurance? As you may...
- 20 Aug 2012
Did I mention that I hate insurance?
As you may recall in this saga, my insurance company turned me down, and I prepaid a very small fee that was all-inclusive at the hospital.
Today I get notice from the insurance company that they paid almost the full amount!!!!!
I'm not calling anyone about getting a refund until at lest a month goes by. I want it to get through audit and review first.
Argh.
But my boobies are cute. :)
2b2l
As you may recall in this saga, my insurance company turned me down, and I prepaid a very small fee that was all-inclusive at the hospital.
Today I get notice from the insurance company that they paid almost the full amount!!!!!
I'm not calling anyone about getting a refund until at lest a month goes by. I want it to get through audit and review first.
Argh.
But my boobies are cute. :)
2b2l
Today I had my hair cut and colored for my return...
- 25 Aug 2012
Today I had my hair cut and colored for my return to work on Monday. My hair was golden brown with lighter golden brown highlights and was several inches below my shoulders. Now it's golden brown with dark blonde and red highlights.
All I have to do is get up early enough Monday to curl it, and my distracting change will be complete. :)
All I have to do is get up early enough Monday to curl it, and my distracting change will be complete. :)
I went back to work two days ago. I was able to...
- 29 Aug 2012
I went back to work two days ago. I was able to work Monday and Tuesday, but was too exhausted to go into the office today.
Nobody has commented on my change. I've seen a couple of wondering glances, but the new makeup and hair seem to have worked as a distraction. People said I looked rested, and one said my complexion looked good. Of course, I was wearing a new color foundation, powder, and blush - none of which I normally wear. :)
Nobody has commented on my change. I've seen a couple of wondering glances, but the new makeup and hair seem to have worked as a distraction. People said I looked rested, and one said my complexion looked good. Of course, I was wearing a new color foundation, powder, and blush - none of which I normally wear. :)
At almost 5 weeks, my shape has definitely...
- 3 Sep 2012
At almost 5 weeks, my shape has definitely changed! My breasts are more rounded and feel far more feminine. My areolas are fading back to a color closer to the pre-op color, and my scars are starting to fade.
I feel terrific about this decision. Hubby likes the new look, and is patiently awaiting my permission. :)
I feel terrific about this decision. Hubby likes the new look, and is patiently awaiting my permission. :)
Nine weeks post op!!! All areas of my incisions...
- 3 Oct 2012
Nine weeks post op!!!
All areas of my incisions have healed, even where my stitches were spit out. Scar lines are softening and fading. My boobs are nicely shaped and work quite well. :) I seem to have settled at a 40c.
I'm starting to forget what it was like to be huge. I went for a five mile hike last weekend, wearing a backpack. At the end of it, my back felt great, and only my legs were tired. Yay!!
I traveled last week and saw someone I've seen off and on for over a year. She ran over to me, and said, "you cut it off!" I was shocked, so she clarified that I had cut my hair. LOL. She never mentioned the rest of me.
So hang in there, everyone. It is soooooo worth it.
I feel so much more confident that I look good.
All areas of my incisions have healed, even where my stitches were spit out. Scar lines are softening and fading. My boobs are nicely shaped and work quite well. :) I seem to have settled at a 40c.
I'm starting to forget what it was like to be huge. I went for a five mile hike last weekend, wearing a backpack. At the end of it, my back felt great, and only my legs were tired. Yay!!
I traveled last week and saw someone I've seen off and on for over a year. She ran over to me, and said, "you cut it off!" I was shocked, so she clarified that I had cut my hair. LOL. She never mentioned the rest of me.
So hang in there, everyone. It is soooooo worth it.
I feel so much more confident that I look good.
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He was recommended by my family doctor. He's also one of the Washington DC area top doctors. He was terrific. Very matter of fact and informative.
Comments (34)
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1) what works to stop itching?
2) what is the importance of surgical bra/sports bra? Besides the no wiring part. I mean, my ps said I could wear any sport bra but what's the main purpose.
My ps said the bras provide compression and support to help the internal healing. My ps gave me 2 surgical bras so I used them for the first two weeks instead of buying anything new. Others use sports bras.
Congrats! Laughed at your comment about your husband :-)
Your new picture looks great! You must be thrilled?! Glad you were able to take a day off and get some rest.
Good luck back at work on Monday! Hope you don't have too hard of a day and can take frequent rests. You are going to amaze your co-workers with the transformation you have been through!
Cute boobs and a refund? You have got to be the luckiest girl around!
I'm doing fairly well, all in all. I'm still taking a couple of Vicodin each day. Also my surgical bras are pretty stiff, so I'm having to remind myself that they won't be my wardrobe forever. :)
Healing seems to be going okay. My hubby is being very patient, but says he likes the new look. That's good. Not that it would have mattered, but it's a plus.
This decision still gets a thumbs up.
So glad to hear that you are happy with it! I think a couple of Vicodin a day isn't bad at all. This is a huge surgery and you have to expect for it to take awhile to heal.
It is such a relief when your husband likes the outcome. This is such a crapshoot (though I don't know why we feel that way since the procedure has a 95% success rate!) and while it affects us physically, it also affects us emotionally, as well as our husbands. So when we are all happy, and dare I say, impressed!, it is such a wonderful thing!
Give yourself another week and you will be amazed at how good you feel!
How are you doing that you are a week+ post-op?
I'm on Vicodin. At first it was two every four hours. Now it's just one three times a day. My PS let me shower after 24 hours, and a warmish shower helped all the other muscle pain (back, neck).
What are you taking?