Breast Reduction: Stories

I had prior breast reduction in 1978. I lost significant weight after illness and was nearly flat chested. I've regained notraml weight, however my breasts are now 42DD. Insurance has already approved me for repeat reduction. I've had 3 consultations.with plstic surgeons although two of them are wary to do repeat reduction due to increased risk of cutting blood supply to nipples. The first surgeon is confident that she can remove more than 500g from each breast by following same pattern as first reduction. After having met with other two docs I'm feeling confused and frustrated..

If any of you ever have an appointment with a PS "TOP DOC" .... DO NOT miss it - no matter what. Even if you have spent the night running to the bathroom every few minutes and you are groggy from lack of sleep....even if you don't have the presence of mind to drive safely, your PS would rather you risk it than miss your appt.......so DRIVE anyway. Do not miss your appt.!

If you do miss an appt. regardless of the reason, you will be punished for wasting the doctor's time. You will either be charged for the missed visit or you will be required to pay a large deposit ($120.00 or more) just to reschedule your appt and even then you will have to wait at least 2-3 months to get new appt

I learned this lesson the hard way. I really was looking forward to visiting this particular doctor. I wish I would have driven myself to my appt.despite the risk to myself and others..

I had my 4th consult today with the PS I mentioned in my Sept 24 update. I'm so glad that office was willing to rescedule me despite prior missed appt.. I am amazed by the differences between each consult and how every doctor has their own perspective. Up until this point I've felt stressed and uneasy aboutich surgeon to choose. Finally, after 4th consult I feel peace and am totally confident now about moving forward with second reduction. I am anticipating sugery within next few weeks. I am comfroted in knowing that the doctor I've chosen has great expertise in breast reconstruction as well as revisions and reductions. This is most crucial to me as I assured that she will address surgical challenges so as to reduce complications that are more frequently associated with repeat reductions. I'm so excited! .

I'm so thankful for this site and for all of you who have shared your stories. It's important to have a connection to others who understand.

Newest Update: Everything is in on track. I've had all my lab work and PCP physical and approval, and my insurance has approved.surgery. I'm feeling a bit more anxious now that there's a possiblity that my surgery date is tentatively moved up to Nov 8th or 9th. One of the pther patients might have to postpone her procedure for a bit so I'll get her place. If not, my surgery will be end of November.. At this point I've been instructed to get everything in order for the 1st week in Nov. I've already stopped taking certain meds. QUESTION: Do any of you who've already had your B/R have any suggestions for vitamins, minerals or supplements that would help with healing?.

My surgeon is planning to remove at least 500 g per breast so I'll be pretty small. I'm trying to wrap my head around that concept. I haven't been that small since post surgical complications after cervical fusion in 2000. I dropped down to 97 lbs.. After the pain was controlled I began eating normally again and when I gained back to my normal weight, much of my breast tissue "bottom out". Since I'm unable to wear a bra that puts pressure on ribcage, I made a lycra camasole that fastens with velcro in the back - hope it will work.. I am eager to talk with my surgeon about her plan to close w/ staples. Maybe she's using the new surgical body stapler that uses disolving staples. I guess I find out soon enough. She is highly skilled and very on top of all the newest technologies so I can't imagine that she would leave me with ugly "railroad track" scars.

I am anxious, excited, concerned, though optimistic, I'll confirm date as soon as I know for sure.

See prior post. I might have submitted it twice.

I'm feeling so stressed lately. After having jumped through so many hoops over past several months just to get everything in order for repeat BR - including pre-op paperwork, ie: copy of recent Mammogram, new ECG and a "pre-op" physical with my PCP's with his okay for surgery and I was getting excited because for awhile it looked like my surgical date might be moved up to 11/9 ...instead of 11/29, but NO such luck.
The waiting is definately increasing my stress - especially since Christmas is less than 4 week after my sugery and we will have a houseful of guests during the holidays. I'm concerned that I won't be physically able to get all preparations done due to post surgical limitations . I'm also a bit concerned that I might have a few healing complications since this is a repeat reduction . I just hoped to have surgery complete well before holidays so I could take time to rest and heal.
I am excited about having the reduction but admit that waiting week after week is hard, especially as we prepare for holidays.
Having to clean and prepare for guests so soon after surgery is probably going to be even harder. I'm thinking that I'd better schedule lots of time to rest during and after festivities. I kind of hope that the next 4 weeks will fly by and I'll be through surgery sooner than it seems. Wondering if anyone else has this kind of pre-surgical stress. I'm open to suggestions.

Only 17 more days now until 2nd B/R surgery. Thanks to my incredibly well organized and highly skilled surgeon, I feel calm and very confident. Mostly I'm just feeling anxious to get it over with so healing is sufficient prior to influx of dear family during holidays.
It's going to be weird to change nearly all my clothing. No more XXLg size just to fit bust area.Yeah! :-)

REPEAT BREAST REDUCTION SUCCESSFUL. I am already 10 days post op. Overall, I am VERY pleased. I have had a few problems but am optimistic that they will work themselves out. I'll also include more specific details along with post surgical pictures - hopefully on 12/10. Wow. I didn't expect to be so happy.

I asked Dr Hathaway to take as much off as she could yet still maintain feminine look. The male surgeons I spoke with said that if they removed as much as I wanted, it would look freakishly out of balance - but the opposite is true. I'm actually quite petite overall with virtually no hips or rear. Now that the big ole DDs are gone, I have longer leaner figure - friends and husband describe as very youthful and cute -at age 58. I can't wait to get my new pics posted and explain more about ups and downs during this process.

these are post op picts at 12th day - concerned about bruising and hematoma on left.

My left breast is not healing properly. Last week surgeon removed additional 80 ccs of blood from breast. There is new bruising,, lots of pain and swelling. Also have pain in left groin since day after surgery. Has anyone had this happen?