After my initial consultation, my information (measurement and pictures) were submitted to my insurance company. I received my approval for surgery fairly quickly. I am 5' 5" and weight about 185 lbs - medium to large build. I have had large breast all of my life but never this big. I was always around a D cup except for pregnancies. After the last pregnancy, they just didn't go down much. I have been pretty stable with my weight since having my last child almost 6 years ago so I figured that I will probably remain around this weight forever (maybe I will lost a little more). I am pretty active, doing around an hour of cardio everyday. I walk a lot but running has been very painful so I am hoping to start up again after I heal from surgery and who knows, maybe I will lose some weight. I am hoping to be in the range of a 36 C after my surgery and swelling go down so if I do lose weight, I will still be at least a B cup. I have major indentations in my shoulders and my wearing a bra drives me crazy because of the weight. I have tried numerous styles of bras and just no luck finding something I can be comfortable in all day. My surgery is scheduled for next week so I am super excited but very nervous at the same time. I will post pictures soon. Updated on 12 Oct 2015: Here are my day before pics Updated on 13 Oct 2015: I had the surgery performed at the hospital and the staff was absolutely awesome from nurses to the surgeon. My sister stayed with me until I went to the OR and she was slightly cold so they gave her a warm blanket and sat her next to my gown heater tube and turned it on so the air would warm her. I wasn't cold and wasn't using it otherwise she would have been SOL haha. I teased her and asked if she were the patient. Pre-op was great. Operation was smooth, I suppose since it didn't take the full amount of time. Pain is very manageable at the point and I am starting to have the druggy-like sensation from being out finally wear off. I will post my review of the day after tomorrow. Really dreading it as it seems to be the worst day of all. Updated on 14 Oct 2015: So it is the next day. I slept like crap, up about every hour but not due to pain just restlessness and sleeping on my back. I have been taking percocet every 4 hours. I have very little pain but can start to feel some swelling today. Very itching last night and today. I am starting to feel a little burning sensation where the incisions are but still not painful. Very little drainage so far. My 11 year old said I am very small and that is with padding, compress and clothing on so that made me feel good. I am a little worried that I am smaller than I wanted but as long as I am not an A cup I will be happy. Hard to tell with the compression bra on. The size is a large though so I may just think they are small because ghey were so big before. I can definitely tell the difference in weight. I feel so light. I have a little back pain from positioning but again not bad. So mych better than I expected. As you can see by the photo, I am not bleeding through. I am hoping to get drain out tomorrow since I don't have a lot of drainage. Updated on 15 Oct 2015: Well it is now 2 days post-op and my boobs are very swollen and hard. They are pretty tender but still not much pain. I have an appointment to get my tubes out today and can hopefully see my new small breasts. Something tells me that they look amazing but not sure. I have been good trying not to peak but had to adjust the compression bra yesterday because of the swelling, it was just too uncomfortable. I still haven't had much drainage and not blood has soaked through the bra so my bleeding is minimal. I am so blessed to have lots of help at home and not having much pain. I get some stinging sensations that last a split second but that is it. Updated on 15 Oct 2015: Well I had my drains taken out today and saw my new boobies for the first time. Doc told me that he took the minimum out of my left achording to insurance which was 490 cc and to match the right, he took 670 (right about a cup size larger than left). This left me with a B cup he said but hard to tell since I am swollen. I have a little bleding from both aerolas so not to bad. They look good to me. I hope my healing goes well and I don't run into any complications. Updated on 16 Oct 2015: So day 3 and I have very little pain still. Only bothersome areas are where the bra is close to the incisions. I can feel little sensations going through my nipple. Doesn't hurt but feels a little strange, almost like a faint tingle. Updated on 17 Oct 2015: So I know it is way to early to know what size I will be but today I am still measuring the same as before surgery but you can clearly tell I am much smaller. I feel my boobs are really warm inside but not to the touch, I guess it must be the healing sensation. I went out today for a small shopping trip to get some comfy sleeping bras. Felt a little queezy. The left boob is a bit more uncomfortable around and it still has some drainage. My back is starting to hurt from sleeping inclined. Updated on 20 Oct 2015: So today marks my one week post op. I am still very swollen but no pain. I still have some discomfort on the left boob at the bottom incision. I feel like the bra rubs too close. I still have the medical tape on so I haven't posted any new pictures as I don't really see a change except it is a big cleaner. I have showered pretty much everyday since I had my drains removed on day 3. I have some leaking yellow fluid still on the bottom scars but nothing from the nipples. I see my doctor in 2 days so I will make my next update then. Updated on 23 Oct 2015: I had my surgical tape removed yesterday but stitches are still in until next week. Still some drainage in the left boob but all in all, still feeling good. Swelling is the worst part of the whole healing process. Updated on 3 Nov 2015: Well I am 3 weeks post op. Healing well. I wake up feeling pretty good now but by the end of the day, I am sore and tired. The last 2 nights I have slept a little on my side propped up by a pillow. It has helped me sleep a little. Got the go ahead last Friday to do light exercise, pretty much anything lower body. I can't wait to feel like myself again. Updated on 20 Nov 2015: So I am 5 weeks this past Tuesday. I had a follow-up with my Surgeon on Monday. He cleared me for pretty much everything and told me if anybstitches pop through, I can just pull them. They are the parts that did not dissolve. I have felt so much better this week all around. Still some tenderness and now the nipple area is a little more bothersome than they previously were. Just all part of the healing process. I have increase my cardio slightly and plan to start weight training next week (6 weeks PO). i want to lose 15 lbs so I can get my TT in March. My boobs are starting to settle and take on a little shape. Updated on 10 Dec 2015: I am 7 weeks this weeks. I started back at the gym last week. Right boob was in extreme after my first workout - come to find out 2 days later, it was a stitch knot. My husband pulled it and it was intant relief. I started C25K this week so I have been incorporating some jogging and I feel pretty good. I am not going as hard as I can as I still want to play it safe and work up slowly. I think my scars are looking pretty good. I use Maderma twice a day and made my own lotion potion (cocoa butter lotion, vitamin E oil, almond oil, and castrol oil). It helps the itching and is suppose to help the scar and tome the skin - we will see. Updated on 10 Jan 2016: Well I am almost 3 months post op. I am feeling pretty normal for the most part. Still some sensitivety now and again and I haven't yet been able to sleep on my stomach (more mental I think rather than physical though). I healed nicely and am starting to get normal shape back to my breasts. I am very happy I did this and would do it all over again. I didn't find it all that painful just very uncomfortable. I have just completed week 4 of C25K and will tell you that running with smaller breast is AWESOME I am going to have a tummy tuck in a couple of months and will hopefully be able to have a nice siloutte again. I will be posting my journey with that as well if anyone is interested in following. Updated on 10 Jan 2016:
I am still in shock that this is really going to happen in a matter of days!! It all happened so quickly, its crazy. I had perfect C cups from the start of my booby days until the last 8 years ir so. Granted I got bigger, but my girls really have run rampant :( lol!! My mother has large boobies & always has so its no real shock that I currently place my boobies in F cups! The fact that I haven't worn a bikini in 5 years just really pisses me off. Or the idea of having to leave a backless dress behind because a bra can't be worn with the dress, has made me shed a tear or two on many a occassion. Then there is the fact my Victoria Secrets credit card hasn't had any attention in years is just plain rude!!!! So this week is the start to ending those nagging pleasures I have had to do without. I truly am nervous, (did I mention I have a needle phobia) yet I know I have to make this happen. I have no children, by choice but one certainly being the fact that I couldn't handle my boobies getting an oz larger. Now I need these "babies" to be a C cup and not an oz larger. A D cup won't be good enough, so I really have to enforce this with my PS. -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Updated on 4 Mar 2013: Crazy in 72 hours I will be getting in the bed for the last time with "the girls" . Still mind blowing. I picked up some new tank tops today, with a little elastic shelf bra & picked up my Arnica & Bromelain. I also rented a recliner from Rent A Center. Can't say I have ever stepped foot in that store & kinda wish I hadn't!! Not sure what I was expecting, lol! Oh well I rented it and I will sanitize the heck outta that thing. Just looked nasty. I didn't think you literally get was is in the store :( Yuck, but the chair has a button which lifts the leg thingy-ma-bob. I heard from my friend that the lever was difficult for her to pull after BR, so this is great. Only thing that has me concerned today is that MD is expecting a Snow Storm starting tomorrow evening. Ranging from 8-14"! What the heck??? Seriously, why now? Praying its all cleaned up by 8am Friday morning. Updated on 5 Mar 2013: Today is yet another day closer to March 8th :) Still crazy how in a weeks time my "girls" will be no longer!! LOVE IT!! HAHAHA Updated on 5 Mar 2013: -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Updated on 6 Mar 2013: Is it crazy that I have had my alarm set for Friday morning for 3 days already? Can't be late I've got a very important date! Updated on 7 Mar 2013: This is so surreal, this time tomorrow I will be heavily medicated but with small boobies!!! WOW, so cool! The recliner I rented just arrrived and was placed upstairs in my room so I better get up there and sanitize that sucker :) -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Updated on 9 Mar 2013: Greetings SBC's & BBC's, its official I am a in the SBCC (small boobie chick club). Surgery was a breeze, hell I only remember getting my gas (knocked me out pre-needles) & then recovery room where I was as loney as a bed bug. I asked my Dr to make sure I was a C and not a big C. I also told him to make me look like Halle Berry, not sure which one I am more looking forward to seeing the results of ;) As for my first night at home checkout my blog today. I will say out of 10 being the worst my first night post op was a 7 with a few moments of 8. I added a fee pics. Really bleed through and although Dr said not to change dressing I just have to. Drains are a little odd, like they get clogged and seems like its not moving much. Also I think I can feel were the drains are inserted, that hurts pretty bad 8 for sure on the right boob. Overall I feel great considering I just had major surgery. I am proud of myself, I did it ;) Updated on 10 Mar 2013: Feeling extremely sleepy today. My boobies feel so tight they could bust!! So not cool, hopefully losing the drains will give some relief. I am about a 7 again today due to this tight feeling and the neck, back pain! Back to sleep I go. Updated on 11 Mar 2013: -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Updated on 12 Mar 2013: Hi Ladies Had my 1st PostOp appt today. He took the drains out and all I can say is OMG OUCH!!! Not to mention I caught a glimpse of the drain he pulled out, disgusting! Kinda made we want to puke. Today I have really still been battling the after effects of being constipation if ya know what I mean ;( no real appetite & still quite sleepy. I haven't taken any pain meds today which is a good thing. Thinking I will only do tylenol tonight. Boobies looked nice today will take pics tomorrow. Oh did I tell ya I got to shower, amen to that!! Updated on 13 Mar 2013: Feeling great today! Sleep last night sucked, but I think its because I only had 1.5 doses of pain meds yesterday. Today I am only doing tylenol. Overall as of last night & this am I am painfree. Well mine was more discomfort, so discomfort free! 1-10 easiely a 1. Heading out today, lets see how this goes! Updated on 14 Mar 2013: -:- Message from RealSelf staff -:- This comment does not follow our Community Guidelines and/or Terms of Service. We reserve the right to remove any post for any reason. Updated on 15 Mar 2013: Well I made it through the 1st week. All in all I give it a 4 on pain & a 6 on plain ol discomfort. The back pain, constipation and crappy sleep were the worst of it. The swollen boobies hurt like hell, but really much better than I thought. Starting to see some bruising today & really don't like the ripples on the skin. Hoping that goes away when they soften & fall. Either way being in the SBCC ROCKS!!! Updated on 19 Mar 2013: Sort of cool news the comfy bras I bought from Nordstroms the Amoena-Francis is far to loose now. Annoyed a bit cuz $80 down the drain under 2 weeks, but happy still. Going to try & sleep in the Hannah tonight. It is tighter for sure, so we shall see. Stomach is at about a 30% still not quite right. Missed my appt today to have tape removed due to lack of sleep & freaking stomach drama. I also really don't want my tape off. I feel like keeping it makes so much more sense fir the healing process. Going to get the silicone sheets for sure, seems worth the expense. Crazy but almost at 2 weeks PO!! SBC ROCK for sure! Updated on 29 Mar 2013: Just want to let anybody reading my review know as you must wonder why I have all these crazy notices on here. I have a blog that I begin before I found RealSelf. I just wanted to document my journey from pre BR and beyond. I thought it would be a cool way to help other women. At any rate shortly after I started I found this site, literally hours later. I fell in ? here. So many great women willimg to share. I begin to share my blog website to the ladies here. Garnering great feedback each day I posted I would let you ladies here know a new post was up. Well a week or so in I received an email from RealSelf advisors that we are NOT allowed to post websites on this site to other sites, its in there rules. So although I found that to be a wierd rule whenwe want to share tidbits with each other I stopped posting my website in the various forums. A week or so later the ladies & I in the March forum decided we wanted to start a Weight Loss group, but wanted to be able to freely post links to other helpful sites. So I said I would look into it. So once I secured us a new forum to share info on I Private Messaged it to some of the interested ladies. Once again I was repremanded. You are not even allowed to PM a link to somebody else. That is obnoxious to me, but they say its the rules. Now you will see a link or two from other ladies, but I think I was "flagged" because I had done it more than 5-7x's. Soooooo long story short this is why on a few of my posts you will see my comments removed. I just didn't want any new people thinking I had done or said something rude or disrespectful to others. Many still ask to see my blog idk if this is allowed, but it is not a link so I don't think I am doing anything wrong. Quite a few of our ladies here are guest bloggers sharing their journey & tips to help the next ladies along in the BR Journey. Some abbreviation tips for newbies SBC- Small Boobie Chicks SBCC- Small Boobie Chick Club, you im officially once you have your BR SB's- Small Boobies BBC- Big Boobie Chick pre BR BR- Breast Reduction PS-Plastic Surgery FNG- free nipple graff Best of luck to all of you on this crazy journey. It has ups & downs but it is so worth it!!! 3 weeks post op today and feeling good!!
Heyyyyy! I can't believe i'm writing my first review on this account... I recently got my breast reduction surgery approved by my insurance (BCBS) and it's the most surreal feeling i've ever experienced. I can't imagine what it'll be like when its done!! I've had a large chest ever since I can remember. Ive always felt like i'd tip over from being so top heavy. However, i have been overweight so until recently i didn't realize just how unproportionate i am. I got called names and harassed for it all throughout high school. It's kept me from playing sports, wearing anything remotely fitting, and most of all being and feeling like who I truly am. I realized I wanted this surgery when i was about 15. I've constantly compared my body and stared at other girls who were even just one size smaller than me, dying to know what it was like to not have to deal with this. I was already making my way past the D mark FAST. But being that young, there's not much you can do. I figured unless i lost the extra weight I was already carrying, i'd just be stuck like this and unhappy for the rest of my life. I naturally have a small frame (32 band size), and after losing a bit of weight it became more clear to me that these girls i'm carrying every day were the culprit of my impending doom. I do have shoulder grooving, rash scars, bra scars, and crazy back and neck pain. I realized no matter how small i got, my boobs would ALWAYS be with me, and holding me back from so much!! So in april i researched breast reduction surgeries on youtube and real self. Googling doctors, insurance info, and all the requirements i needed to meet. I was nervous but after seeing my Primary Care doctor I was assured that i wasn't making all of this up. I then got a consultation with Dr. Adam Mecinski of Mid Atlantic Surgery Center. He had no objections to me having the surgery, and assured me that a G is definitely too big for my frame. I told him to make me as SMALL AS POSSIBLE and that a B would be AMAZING!!!!! It seemed like it was in reach however his only fear was that insurance might try to avoid paying for it, so after that it was the waiting game. About a week or two later i called back to see if there were any updates, and because of the way it was submitted at the time the surgery would have to be approved (or not) by insurance AFTER it was done... So i would either get lucky, or have to pay it all myself. She suggested i try to get more documentation, so i went to a chiropractor for 6 weeks. That must have done the trick because we submitted the info, updated my file and sent it on through. In 10 days it was approved and i've never felt more relieved in my whole life. I have a pre-op appointment next Tuesday, and my surgery is loosely scheduled for September 8th. I CANT BELIEVE I AM SAYING THIS !?!?! I just can't believe all the oversized clothes i'm going to be able to trade in for cute little bralettes and crop tops. I tried a couple 32 B bras on today and THAT was hilarious!!! But in less than a month i'll be able to fit them and i can't wait. Talk soon!!:) Updated on 30 Aug 2017: i'm getting so excited but this has been the longest 3 weeks of my life. I can't believe it's really happening. I went to Forever 21 looking for a cheap stretchy comfy bra to wear. Partly for post op but mainly just because i'm getting antsy!! It's a S/M and i plan to bring it to the hospital to show him what my definite goal is. I'll include a photo of it now for comparisons sake later. I JUST CANT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENKGN!!! I've wanted to model for quite a while now & this is going to give me the confidence boost that i needed. I'm really overwhelmed with the amount of support from my loved ones and i can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mom is gonna record me all doped up and i plan to post it somewhere so anyone who wants to experience secondhand embarrassment has to look no further. I had my preop appointment last week & everything went fine as far as i know!!! AHHHHHHHH Updated on 30 Aug 2017: Forgot to add a side view!
I can pretty much relate to everything you all have said. My size, well I am in denial as to my true size, but I can say that a 36DD is over flowing, I have always been to embarrassed to go and get measured the right way. If I had to guess....36DDD or even a 38 DD. My upper back is always bothering, shoulders, and even creases in my shoulders from too much weight. I have never seemed to "stand up straight" because the girls are so heavy and I feel when I do "they" walk in the room before me ! My surgery in July 30th and I am nervous as all get out. Reading these reviews does help and I enjoy the support from everyone. The only people that know about my BR are my kids, husband and sister in law, I have not told any of my family members, I just don't think they will understand. I would like some advise if anyone can advise : I do NOT tolerate any type of narcotics, has anyone else had this issue and what were you given for pain? I plan to add photos soon and will update my review as I get closer to the "BIG DAY". Updated on 13 Jul 2015: I just had my apt w/ my GP who has cleared me for surgery, Wed is my pre-op w/ my PS. I really need guidance on this next question. What size do I want to be? O my gosh, I don't know this is all I have ever know, how do I decide? Can someone please advise what I should tell my PS. I know for insurance reasons he has to take a certain amt however I want to make sure it's right. I am getting VERY nervous and cannot stop thinkn' of this, I have 17 days to wait. How bad is the pain? How long does it last? What else can I expect? Thanks in advance. Updated on 20 Jul 2015: I am on vacation and cannot get the surgery out of my mind. I am on the beach with my cover up on knowing I either don't fit in my bathing suit or it's so flippn big I look ridiculous. I have so much to do when I get home to prepare for Thursday. Updated on 26 Jul 2015: I am off the charts nervous, I have 4 days and I can't sleep although I am SO tired. I now have a cold sore on my lip and I know it's due to stress ! I am second guessing myself and I don't know why, did anyone else have this? Gosh, if anyone can ease my mind I sure would appreciate that. Thanks in advance. Updated on 29 Jul 2015: Well it's here, I am going tomorrow at 7:00, be there by 6am. I have tried to do everything I can remember. I just hope I can sleep. I will try and up date tomorrow even if it's a line or two. Please keep me in your prayers. Updated on 3 Aug 2015: still have not had to take anything strong for pain, so that's good news. I did talk to the surgery ctr and told them that under my arm pits it seems swollen, they asked if I had a fever/chills and I said NO, so no infection looming in my body. I am using an ice machine and that helps. I see my PS tomorrow to hopefully get this packing off and the drains out and also stiches. I am a little nervous about the drains as a bunch of ladies said how painful it is. Other than being tired I feel pretty good. Hope everyone else is doing good too. I am excited to see "the girls"....LOL Updated on 4 Aug 2015: Had my post op visit and it went great. Got the drains out, no issues (whew). PS wants to see me in a week to remove just two stiches, the rest will all dissolve. So, I got home to take a long awaited shower.........AHHHHHHH, felt great and got to see my new boobies. They are small and perky and just what I wanted ! PS is pleased w/ my progress but had to remind me not to over do it. The swelling will take a while and I just need to be patient. Hope everyone else is doing as well. Updated on 11 Aug 2015: So, my question is should I be wearing a "tight/snug" bra during the day and a "loose/not as snug" bra at night? I had a tighter one on yesterday and man it was really bothering me, I have a looser one on now and it's more comfortable however I am not sure if it should be kinda snug. Thanks girls.
