Breast Reduction: Stories

Hello, my name is Kaitlin, I'm 17 years old, and am new to this. If my review is boring, I apologize. Ever since 5th grade, I have always had rather larger breasts, for my age. I hated wearing bras until 6th grade, I finally grew to wear one. I was first measured at a 36D, may I remind you I was 11. I will admit I am a little on the bigger side...not fat, but as my grandma would say, perfectly plump! Ever since I've had these puppies, I have been too big to fit into junior shirts, too small for the plus size shirts, but perfect for the pants! The shirts I would find, absolutely plain...black, grey, & red were the colors I usually wore.

I have always been very active. I have played basketball, volleyball, soccer, and have done track and field since 5th grade, and when out of school, gone to the YMCA for summer programs. I never gained weight really, but yet my boobs still grew. I went from a D to DD to DDD to F, to an H and finally, to an HH. Since 8th grade, I've gained a little weight. Ever since 6th grade I have gone to the chiropractor 2x a week just about every week. In gym class or recess, I would always be made fun of for my chest going up and down when I run...and that was with a regular bra w/ under-wire, and a sports bra over it.

It made me feel very self conscious of appearance, never really showed cleavage. In my eyes, I look like an upside down pear! Sexy right? I don't think so.

In early September, my grandma came up to visit me. I was talking to her about the pain in my back all the time. Not sure really how, but she must have talked to my mom about it, because one night my mom randomly said, "Kate, i scheduled an appointment with a plastic surgeon for Thursday...if you don't want one, I'll cancel it." Which I of course did not cancel. At the appointment the receptionist asked my bra size, once I told her my size (38HH) her eyes widened. Pretty funny. After we watched a video about breast reduction and got the surgeon's opinion on it, we said yes. So he took pictures of them for the insurance company to see, and sent them in. After 3 weeks of waiting...we got a letter saying they would cover it. THANK GOD! Since then, we planned the surgery for Friday, December 7th. I just had my pre-operation appointment on Tuesday. I am planning on going to an average C. The surgeon said he wants to put me in proportion, and that's all that matters. Hopefully everything works out for the good...I'm dreading the drainage stuff though! If anything, I'm more nervous about the needle with anesthesia than the post-operation. Wish me luck! Its just in time for Christmas!

I have been counting down the days, I remember when it was 42 days until surgery! As of today...it's only 3. I'm basically thinking the worst possible scenario just so I'm ready if it is happening. I'm thinking I should probably go and buy a few bras in case, and a few button up shirts also. My friends mom is making me a boob cake, a big one and a little one. It's supposed to resemble the old me to the new me. I'm pretty excited, but so nervous!

So surgery is tomorrow...by this time tomorrow I should be out. The only thin I'm scared for is anesthesia and eating afterward. I puked the whole day after from anesthesia when I had brain surgery. That was 12 years ago, but still could have the chance of puking. Hopefully Te after math isn't horrible! I'm so anxious & nervous!

I will tell you one thing, it hurts. The best advice I can give you is if you have a recliner, it is the best place to lay on. I am so sore.

The last thing I remember before surgery was going to the bathroom, the nurse taking me to the bed, and the doctor telling me he put the cocktail in, I couldn't stop laughing! Then I woke up being put in a recliner. Weird huh? Haha. Once I woke up, I puked 3x from the anesthesia. After that, I went home. Best advice, cough The anesthesia out with a pillow squeezed next to your chest, and eat cold food such as; Popsicles, applesauce, ice cream bars, pudding ect. I had homemade chicken noodle soup...when my mom was emptying my drains, luckily I had a bag or she would've had puke all over her.

Another thing is to constantly drink water. Be hydrated!!!! It is very uncomfortable to sleep with the ace bandage and drains. Nearly impossible. Another uncomfortable thing to wear is the compression socks. Thank god we don't have to wear them to bed. Also keep yourself away from hot rooms or you will feel nauseated...and most likely puke.

2 more nights with these drains! They called me a prescription of Vicodin for pain killers. I've taken 2. I'm scared it will make me puke if I take more. It hurts to get up, walk, and sit down, but I'm supposed to walk as much as I can.

Can't wait to get the drains and ace bandage off on Monday!

Yesterday, I got my drains out and my bandage off! Best feeling ever! I finally got to see my new breasts. It was the weirdest feeling ever. Not something you can picture years ahead of time, I guess you could say. The nurse unwrapped the bandage and snipped a few stitches around the nipples. Worst part? Once she cut the sutures...she just yanked the drainage tubes out! THAT HURT BADLY!!!! It made me cry.

Once that was over, I was pretty much all done. I did have a chunk of excess skin that my mother thought should be cut off. So they cut it off. After that, it was done! Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of a surgical bra. They aren't too expensive, they cost $20 each.

Now all I have to do is heal. Most of the stitches I have are dissolvable. The only thing I still have to do is sleep on my back until they are healed up (hopefully quickly, I'm a stomach sleeper) for the majority.

It has been a LONG time since I have been on here. So I thought I would update everyone.
Exactly today, it has been 3 months since my breast reduction. I had 600g taken out from my left breast and 900g taken from my right breast. I only lost 3.3lb from it. Not much at all. Overall, I am very happy with the decision I made. It was a very painful surgery. I was very nauseous from the anesthesia and ended up puking 5 times after surgery...assuming the massive amount of water I drank right after was part of the reason also. The hardest thing to do is find a comfortable way to sleep. My best advice for sleeping? THREE BODY PILLOWS, and a few regular pillows for your head or whatever is comfortable. It hurt so much to sleep on my back the first couple nights. I basically slept sitting up. It was so uncomfortable.
Another thing that made me nauseous, was hot food! The smell of food or the heat of the hot food. I couldn't eat hot food until a few days after. I ate mostly applesauce, pudding, and drank a lot of the thick Naked juice. I returned to school on December 10th, which was 3 days after surgery. Yes I was sore, but I could deal with it. The doctor's instructions were that I could only wear the surgical bra for 3-4 weeks. I cannot stand sports bra's...or any type of bra without underwire. After the 3 weeks was up...I tried to wear an underwire bra, it was not comfortable AT ALL! I could not stand it. It was so annoying and irritating...it made my incision scars itch like a bitch! HORRIBLE! Then trying to sleep without the pillows a month later...so uncomfortable. Just last month I was able to start sleeping normal comfortably again.
Some more advice about post surgery...ALWAYS KEEP YOUR NIPPLES WARM and COVERED! When the cold hits them...and they pop out...it BURNS and feels like the stitching is being pulled out. Also, stay away from bumps on the road while driving...I learned it hard.
Besides the pain, the only thing I really have to complain about, is I wanted to go down to a C. I know that my body would've been awkward looking if I went that small...but I still wish he would've put me at a C. I was measured at a D/DD depending on the bra. I am finally starting to feel like my body is back to normal. They don't hurt anymore and my shirts fit so much better now!