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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews

Is 64 Too Old for this Surgery? - Manitoba, Canada

UPDATED FROM joivy
8 days post

Well I'm now 8 days post op and had my 1 week...

WORTH IT
Well I'm now 8 days post op and had my 1 week appointment with PS yesterday. All is well - swelling starting to subside, stitches healing great, very little pain. this healing process hasn't been anything like I imagined it to be! I have definitely taken it easy and let hubby do everything for me so I think that helps with the healing. I am getting bored and restless though and would like to do more but my body sure tells me when I have overdone it!

I am a little concerned that my breasts don't have a pretty shape right now - boxy, wide across my chest - but my PS insists they will soften and reshape and all will be well in a few weeks. Could be my age - who knows? I just know that I'm thrilled to have the procedure done and behind me and look forward to when I am healed and can wear a proper bra and sleep normally again! It's actually been a very good and positive experience and I'm SO happy that I've had it done.

Replies (9)

Joivy, sounds like you are doing well. If you look around the website, you'll see lots of women have that "boxy" result early on. If the PS didn't shape your breasts that way, when they softened and settled, they would be very elongated and your nipples would be too high! So have faith and just keep taking such good care of yourself. My experience is that all the real "work" is in the recovery - after all, I slept through the surgery :-) - so know that you are doing yourself and your breasts a huge favor by taking it easy.
well aren't you just the BEST encourager!!! Thanks for filling me in on the reason why my PS shaped my breasts this way - didn't realize that! I keep telling myself that even if this ends up the shape I have, it's 1000% better than having those heavy, dragging breasts. I'll keep positive going forward and look forward to my new shape!
Joivy, the first few days, I could actually feel an 'edge" of my boxy new booblets! Definitely hard and boxy. I know a bit of Thai massage, so I used two fingers and kind of "butterfly" massaged the sharp edges whilst sitting and frying my brain with television. Made me feel like I was doing "something"! At 10 weeks, they are the cutest, roundest, perkiest little things you can imagine. Your biggest enemy is boredom. THAT can get you in serious trouble, not to mention pain!
thanks for the idea - I tried it after my shower today and probably didn't do as much as I could have - was afraid of getting too close to the stitches, etc. I will keep it up though as you suggest and hope that at 10 weeks mine are as cute as yours!

Joivy, I promise they will change shape over the next several weeks. That boxiness goes away as the swelling leaves and the breast tissue softens up. They will settle a bit, and mostly at the bottom, where the breasts will teak on a teardrop shape and everything will be positioned perfectly. Just you wait...these are going to be better than you could have ever imagined!
Iowa71 you are amazing! I have been doing nothing much these days other than reading posts and so many of the comments to others have been from you. I actually have been keeping a little notebook where I write down ideas and comments that I find encouraging and helpful, and guess what? a lot of these comments come from you!! I have to thank you for the time you spend sharing your comments with the rest of us ladies here.

I will try to be patient about my breasts changing to their final shape - right now they're still swollen and wide across my chest. Thanks again for all your info!
Hi Joivy
I was just thinking of you and decided to send you a cyber hug. Gentle of course! Hope you are doing better every day!
UPDATED FROM joivy
7 days pre

Hi Ladies, Haven't been in touch for a while...

Hi Ladies,

Haven't been in touch for a while since my original surgery date was set for December/12. Had a phone call a few days ago from my PS asking if I would take a cancellation spot for AUGUST 16th!!! I said yes and then the instant panic set in! I thought I had 5 more months to prepare myself mentally but actually I think this timing is for the better as I don't have as long to stress myself out. I'm already driving my family crazy and I still have 7 days left before surgery to work myself up into a frenzy - have pity on them!

This time next week I will be 42 minutes into my surgery - have my pre-op with my family doctor this afternoon so will get all the paperwork out of the way. I have been on this site reading everything I can since my appointment was changed, and my mind is in overload! I went to WalMart yesterday and bought a couple of sports bras - was told by my PS's office to fit the bra to my current band size but I went up a size so that it would be comfy for sleeping.

I've read different things here that say "I have my bag packed and everything I'll need for the first few days". My information package says not to bring anything with me to the clinic except my bra for going home. If I don't take one with me they will wrap me in a tensor bandage - I'm kind of thinking I would prefer that as it would probably give me better support than the bra - any ideas on that? I go into the office the next day to have the dressings removed - probably the drains removed as well although they didn't mention them.

So, what should I be stocking up on for my first few days at home? I'm guessing they will give me a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics. When I get panicky, my brain tends to shut down and I can't remember now all the things I've read about what I'll need so any help/tips/advice you ladies might have for me for my first week post-op sure would be great! One thing I know for sure that i have to do is take some 'before' pictures of the girls! Will try to do that today or tomorrow and will (yikes) post them - if all of you can show the world, then so can I!

Replies (31)

joivy how exciting!!! i am the 30th!! check out the August boards! we have had several ladies that have already dine theirs and they are keeping us updated as we wait our turn! great support!! i know you are happy to get it done earlier!!! come over the girls would love to tell you what they think you need and so on!!! will be watching for ya!!
How do I check out the August boards? Should I be posting in a different spot than on my original post? I need LOTS of help:) Love your enthusiasm - I'll just have to borrow some for myself!
no still update here!! the board is just the August group! hole on i am checking to see how to tell you to find us!!
ok girl go to the top of this screen and in black it says BREAST REDUCTION click on that.it will take you to a list of profiles that you can check out. scroll down to the last person and under there in blue there is a list and one is August reductions check in here!! click on there and it will bring us up! just go to bottom and comment!! the ladies are so nice and we are all excited for everyone!! we talk about it all the fears joy excitement the unknown!! its nice!! i still update my profile the august board is like a big old conversation!!:-)
What great news there was a cancellation. You can avoid all the "build-up" of waiting 4 more months! Weather shouldn't be too hot, and you'll avoid the stress of worrying about slipping on the ice! (That thought occurred to me a couple days ago when I was hosing off the deck...being grateful I wasn't tensed up worrying about a fall on my new booblets. :-)

I'm sure you've got everything well under control. Most important thing is to not over-do. That bit about nothing over 5 pounds? It's the REAL DEAL. Make sure you have quarts of milk and juice, not gallons, etc. Lots of books, and a chair you enjoy are also big helps in being still. Not sure if you read it, but I encountered a tiny kitten a few weeks ago, and he has kept me sitting quietly far better than anything else, so if you can borrow a kitten.... :-) Seriously, you will be so thrilled you did this. Even with the little setbacks I inflicted, my overwhelming wish is I'd done it long ago.
Joivy, congratulations! That's great news. I would do some reading on www.breasthealthonline.com about the healing diet. Piggles turned me on to that and I think it really helped. Spending the next week laying in good food to eat while you're recovering (and eating it now to get ready) is a good way to be busy. I also really recommend getting some kind of guided meditation/visualization and doing that before bed. I found it really helped me to relax and sleep well, and I think it helped my recovery a lot.
ORIGINAL POST

I finally put aside my fears and had my...

I finally put aside my fears and had my consultation yesterday. I feel I am too old at 64 for breast reduction surgery, but my PS assured me I'm not. Are any of you ladies out there in my age bracket? I worry about the pain involved and the healing time. I'm not concerned about how I will look afterwards as I won't be showing off to anyone but my hubby. I am currently wearing 34H or 34I bras and my PS said he could get me down to a DD or a D. To me that is still too large. I would like to be a 34C again as I was in my early 50s before menopause kicked in. Am I being unrealistic? I am 5' 3 1/2" tall and weigh about 145 - I am going to try and drop some weight and get to 135 by my surgery date. My PS is going to use the 'anchor' technique and has suggested liposuction at the sides of my breasts. I have to pay for that portion ($1500) as it is considered cosmetic surgery. I have not found much information on the internet about the combination of surgery/lipo so am not sure whether or not I need to have both. Any suggestions/comments/ideas/experiences. From all the posts that I've read here, I can see I am nowhere near time yet for my surgery as most of you are but I want to be as informed going into it as I can be. I am really nervous about this whole thing, but very determined to have it done. Appreciate any comments you 'older' ladies might have for me. Thanks!

Replies (18)


Welcome Joivy! Thanks for your review. I was 40 when I had my surgery, so while I may not be in your age bracket I was in your size bracket. I too was a 34H. My greatest hope had been to be a C-cup and when I first woke up from surgery my bound up breasts looked so small, but after that initial look I realized they weren't as small as I was hoping. I am 9 months post-op now and am still a DD. I have talked to my PS about it and he said that he took as much tissue as he felt he could without compromising the integrity of my tissue and the blood supply which would have affected the sensitivity, healing, and scarring. I have had a model recovery with no problems, no real pain, and my sensation and scars are better than anyone could hope for, so from that aspect I will say that he did the right thing...but I still want to be smaller. He has said he will do a revision in his office, but I have decided to put that on hold and give myself time to adjust to the new me. I just have to remember that I am smaller than I was and I feel so much better than I ever did with those enormous breasts on me. I wish you the very best of luck and will be anxious to hear about your journey! This is a great place to get information and support! Don't hesitate to post on other reviews or ask questions. That is the perfect way to meet people and get connected!
Thanks so much for your welcome and your comments about my post. I have never gone on a forum before so wondered if I should, but I am so impressed with other ladies' posts and comments and how everyone cares for each other, that I just had to sign up. I figure that the more informed I am before my surgery, the better it will go for me.

You say you went down to a DD. For myself, I feel that is still too large but it's what my PS has told me I will be. I find it hard to visualize how I will look at that size, but as you have said, you have to adjust to the new you. I have to admit that since I decided on this surgery, I have paid more attention to large breasted women and see so many with breasts MUCH larger than mine. I don't know how some of them manage to even walk upright! Then of course, the nagging doubts set in and I wonder if I'm just making too much of my size and should just give up on the surgery. I know in the end I will feel as you do and be so much more happy about my appearance/back pain, etc. Thanks again for your comments. I will be taking some pictures and posting hopefully this week-end and will continue to read other posts and ask questions.
You're as young as you feel! I'm 51 and overweight, which has contributed to bigger breasts. I remember my grandma with a huge bust well into her 80's and couldn't imagine what it must have been like for her. You will feel so young after-with not as much weighing you down-literally and figuratively (pardon the pun!) I can breathe easier, and no neck/shoulder/back pain I'll be happy to start really moving around. I'm just 6 days post-op. Went from a 38G to an I'm not sure yet (Cish?). Best wishes moving forward.
Hi MaizieLou! You're only 6 days post-op and you're kind enough to reply to my post - thanks so much!! My mother, my sister and I all have large pendulous heavy breasts - mine are probably the largest of the 3 of us. My PS showed me sort of the size I'll be after surgery, but as I was looking down at my breast with his hand covering half of it, it was a little hard to imagine my finished size. My biggest fear is that once it's over I'll still feel that I'm too big. I think I just have to change my attitude, keep looking at the before and after pictures on this site and trust my PS to create the best size and shape for my body. Nice that you went from a G to a C - you must be very happy. Good luck with your continued healing. I'll be sure to read your comments both past and future to see where your journey has led you.
Joivy, the mother of a good friend of mine had BR some years ago - she was in her 60's and was thrilled with the result. As I read over the reviews on this site, there does seem to be a general pattern where younger people recover more quickly, but there are certainly exceptions, and even those of us who are well past our twenties feel pleased with the result. I guess the question for you might be, how much time can you set aside for recovery? Can you take 3 or 4 weeks off if you need to?

It might also be useful to ask your PS about his/her experience with doing this surgery on women in their 60's.
Thanks Se1f1ove for your comments. I will try not to focus on my age and rather focus on dropping some weight and getting more physically fit. I can pass for mid-50's looks-wise and have good skin tone so I'm sure that will help. Currently I have 9 weeks of accumulated sick leave from work so taking time off shouldn't be a problem. As for asking my PS about his surgical experience with older women, he said he does BRs on women up into their 80s. That's too old for me! Appreciate you taking the time to reach out to me.
Joivy, I'll let you know if 62 is too old after June 6th! My birthday is June 4 so the BR is a gift to myself. Should have gone for this decades ago, but was too much of a coward. Better late than never, because the pain in my back, shoulders, and hands isn't going away until the boobs do and everyone says it's almost instantaneous. Looks like you have lots of time to get fit before your surgery. Try to walk at least a mile/day. Even with my huge breasts, I walked every day for 6 months before my brain surgery and had never felt fitter than when I was rolled into surgery. Doctor was very "surprised" at how quickly I recovered for someone "my age". :-) Age is just a number, the real measurement is fitness! Btw, the surgeon I selected is 71, and she's fantastic! I've had 2 fairly serious surgeries (brain and cancer) that didn't phase her, and her only remark was when she saw my scars. "You're a good healer!" Be pro-active about your own health and go for it!!!
Congratulations on your surgery and Happy Birthday!! What a terrific idea to gift yourself with a aBR! I've been reading your post-surgery posts here and it sounds as though you're well on your way to recovery. What a positive attitude you have - hope I can remember that when I'm experiencing what you just did. Thanks for your idea of walking each day - last year I had a 5 mile circuit I did every morning at 6 a.m. but over the past few months have gotten away from that. I will start again this week and gradually work up to the 5 miles again. Keep on with your healing and thanks again for reaching out to me!
Still very glad I did it. Any pain I've experienced has been fully self-imposed. Sadly, not a sitter by nature, so if I'm not drugged to the eyeballs, that's a problem.

Bust reduction over 60 has so many different aspects! First, adios to the pain, but then come the other realizations. One gal said I looked as if I'd lost 50 pounds (backhanded compliments, anyone? :-), but I think closer to 30. My size 12 bottom isn't covered by flowing top layers designed to "minimize" the boobs at the expense of the false illusion of an equally big butt. But what's hitting me more and more is how much younger I feel. I'm an engineer, not a shrink, but the emotional boost of moving easier has done tremendous things for my outlook. Things I had given up...riding colts (you need FULL range of motion in your arms and upper body and boobs are in the way), playing tennis, even jogging...are possible again. I had honestly started to look at the future in terms of "being old and feeble" (no arm or hand strength...already improving) and am now happily making plans to join a gym to work on upper body strength. I couldn't screw in a ceiling fixture before surgery because my shoulders so bad. For far too long, being self conscious over the size of my boobs kept me from both activities I love and activities to stay fit, which combined with not being able to do simple projects had created a depression I didn't realize or acknowledge until now...that it's gone. I wasn't ready to go quietly into old age sitting on the couch because doing anything else hurt too much.

So...there are a couple more gifts to ponder. :-) November will be here before you know it! A Thanksgiving present for you!
@pnw38dd very encouraging story i will also work out like you said thanks for the input.... and how did you surgery go....
Surgery was far easier than I feared. No real pain. A couple of times when I had a "burning" sensation, but no real honest to goodness pain. The trick with all surgeries is to let yourself heal and not start back full steam for much longer than you think is really necessary! The pain relief is so wonderful, who would want to trigger any? :-)
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