Breast Reduction: Stories

Hi Everyone!
I have been reading this site religiously for about four months, it has really helped me make my decision. I have been considering a breast reduction for about a year but I guess it was not something I ever really thought I could do. People ask me all the time if I have thought about it, and honestly it usually offends me...like they think I am some sort of a freak. I guess it has only been the last year that I realized just how big they are. I saw a picture of myself and I noticed that in it my breast were clearly bigger than my head! I am about 5'8 and 170 and a 38F, I have a very slim build, I am not hippy at all. My personal trainer once described me as a stick with giant knockers. It has always been the first thing people notice. I have been chesty since I was 9 years old. I remember getting my first bra and being so excited only to find that it did. not fit. I couldn't even start out in a training lost 50 pounds and they are still huge. I would like to lose about 20 pounds more but I doubt that it will make a difference.

I don't hate the way they look, sometimes I have enjoyed the attention...sometimes I have hated it. I have had upper and lower back issues for several years. I think I was in denial about the cause, I thought it was due to an injury, but that's been corrected. Then weight but losing weight hasn't helped. I get numbness in my chest below the collar bone and I have TMJ (lock jaw) which is aggravated by neck tension. I do get rashes as well, and although I do not have grooves I do get broken blood vessels and bruising.
I went last week to get a referral, I couldn't stand it anymore, my back is driving me crazy particularly during finals....studying at a desk 8 hours a day was just awful! So I made an appointment with my new GP...I was so nervous I wouldn't get referred...when I got there I was told my dr. decided to go on vacation and cancelled all his appointments. Nice that they called me! (especially since he charges for cancelled/missed appointments!!!) I was really upset...they said he wouldn't be back until the end of January! I was so disappointed. It takes a year to two years to have surgery here (if its deemed medically necessary). Such a long wait it was so frustrating to have to add another 7 weeks...and not even be guaranteed approval.

I called my old GP and she was unavailable until January 21st :-( She suggested I see her partner but cautioned me that it was unlikely she would do the referral because I was her patient. I didn't get my hopes up but I thought it would be good to at least get more information. I went in and she asked why I was there. I said I was interested in getting a breast reduction. She said "well you need it...who would you like to see?". That's it!!! I got my referral. I asked for her opinion on doctors and she gave me the name of her favourite. I have been researching him and I have found about 35 reviews. All pretty consistent, and very good. There are a few bad reviews but they all seem to be from women who did not like his blunt attitude about their weight. He prefers to have his patients be fairly close to their goal weight before the surgery which is just fine by me. I am pretty close anyway and since it takes about 4-6 months for the consult and his waitlist is 12 months that gives lots of time to prepare myself and get rid of this last 20/30 pds. I am starting weight watchers next week to help me create better habits I do not want to mess up my new boobs with extra weight!

I haven't received the date yet for my consult. I have been waiting since the 21st so I thought that I would check in. Apparently she forgot to send it or make notes on our appointment. The receptionist is going to call me back and hopefully it will be sorted. Doctor's can be so frustrating! I hope I don't have to go back again. There is something to be said for doing it on your own. It's tough waiting.

I did go through the health board's wait times for plastic surgeries ( for fun! lol) and it won't be as long as I thought (hopefully) after 13 to 18 months 98% of patients will have had their surgery. There are about 386 patients waiting in this province right now. Still a fair amount of time but not too bad.

I was wondering if anyone out there had had their reduction while they where in school? I am taking a very intense university course and I am concerned that I may not have any say over the date when it comes up. How long before I could go back to school? I will be in school for at least 3-6 years depending on how things work out so I really don't want to put this off that long.

I already know that I would be off work for at least a month as it is a pretty rough, physical and frankly dirty job. Would I qualify for E.I.? Since this is a medically necessary surgery and I do not have benefits at work.

I should have my consult date by Wednesday:-) The nice receptionist got everything sorted out for me today.

I spoke to my PS offixe yesterday to confirm my referral. Thankfully this time it made it:-) Receptionist was super nice and organized which I appreciate. She said my appointment date would arrive in the mail shortly...and it would be in about a month waaay earlier than I thought. I am a bit nervous...I was hoping to be a bit lighter before I go partially so he wont tell me to lose weight (cause no one likes to hear even if they know it!) and so I can get a better idea of what size would be
realistic for me at a healthy weight as opposed to a chubby version of me. She also said that my surgery could be in six months! At the most a year! So much better than I was expecting!
I have been taking to everyone I know who has had breast surgery or augmentation to get as much info as possible....my friends mom had a second BR by my doctor and lost her nipple....this freaks me out!!! I know realistically that she was very high risk (age,
fng, smoker, 2 br) but its still scary....i guess its possible with a good doctor as well right???? He did not do the reconstruction but refered her to his partner. She said he waa very calm about it ( this happens and we can fix it type of thing...not as warm ans fuzzy as she would have liked)My friend recommended his partner as her sister got her br by him too. so i researched him and found some terrible reviews...and some excellent..so confusing! Whereas Dr. L has excellent reviews! I have come across a few other patients (of dr. Ls) that were super happy as well...and my best friend who works in the medixal field said he has a great reputation. So I am a bit nervous about making this choice. I guess I will go with my gut when I met him in a month. Anyone have any recommendations for choosing a doctor? You only get one consult....then surgery...so I need to have all my questions reading for my consult. Any pre op vitamins or supplements I should ask about??? Meds? etc. Any suggestions would be great!!

Not too much new to report. Hopefully this will help other people in my area down the line. I will qualify for E.I...and school can either move exams forward or back to accommodate me so that is great. My little sister also just decided to reduce as well. Her bust makes mine look tiny! So I am super excited for her, and to do this together. Her referral appt. is on the 5th. And she joined weight watchers as well...being in this together makes it a bit less scary.

I had my consult / pre-op appointment today. I really liked Dr. Ledding, I wasn't sure what to expect but he was very nice, approachable and answered all my questions. He did his exam, took notes and drew some pictures of my breasts. He noted that there where some minor asymmetries which I knew already and that he would try to correct them. I will be getting a modified lollipop incision, he said I would be a C at the smallest. Which is perfect! I asked him about a bit of hip lipo and he said it was possible so long as I let him know before the government books my surgery. I need to lose about 30 lbs he said if I was intending to lose a bit of weight to do that first and we can go from there. I had heard that he " hates fat people" and while I am chubby not substantially overweight I was nervous but he never brought it up, I asked him if I was in good enough condition for the surgery and he said I was just fine--he was very polite and never made me feel like he was judging me in anyway. I am feeling very good. I will not see him until the surgery (unless I opt for lipo) so I got my prescriptions and mammogram appointment today. So I am all set. It will be awhile still but at least I can put it from my mind now that everything is in motion. So exciting!!

For any ladies interested I have seen that some of you had to stop hormonal birth control...I have a hormonal IUD and I do NOT have to remove it.

Pre surgery:
1) Chest x-ray 10 days prior
2) Mammogram (Monday :-S)
3) For three days prior I have to shower special anti bacterial prescription soap
4) He suggested a multivitamin, and a good diet...nothing else. He said to avoid homeopathic or alternative treatments prior to surgery and for 6 weeks after. He said many of them can thin the blood.

-Scar treatment will start at 6 weeks, and its something silicon based. I will also use Webber's vitamin Oil...its AMAZING for healing and scars, and witch hazel for bruising. And to tape the incision for 6 weeks to help flatten it and add support

- I am having a Lejour Vertical Reduction with liposuction inside the breast and in the armpit (and maybe my abdomen)....I really like the looks of this procedure! The complication rate seems lower and he said it is an easier recovery because the bulk of the breast stays intact and the bottom is not held together by skin alone so it is significantly less tension on the incision. Its also supposed to be better for breast feeding (if I ever decide on kids) and sensation. He said there is a 1% chance of nipple necrosis or fat necrosis etc.

- He also said to make sure I mention my tummy problems (heinus hernia/acid reflux) to the nurses so that they can give me additional meds to make the anesthetic easier on me.
- He also said no work for 6 weeks ( I work with large ( and small) animals)

- I will have drains for 4 days....yuck but I guess its good but I am so afraid it will get ripped out when I sleep or by one of my dogs trying to cuddle. The idea of having it sewn in to my skin just creeps me right out....its funny I can watch the surgery no problem but this drain...ick!!

-Oh and I am down 3 lbs since last week...27 ish to go!

Mammogram all clear!