Daniel B. Westawski, MD

I have wanted a breast reduction for several years now. In high school, I got a lot of unwanted attention due to the size of my breasts. Attending catholic school, the uniforms were already modest, and therefore there was not really much I could do in order to hide them. After my boyfriend's sister had gotten a breast reduction, I began researching the procedure myself. At the age of 18, I didn't have much support from my parents, as they thought at the time I was still too young for major surgery, especially one of which is often viewed as being cosmetic. Finally, years later, at the age of 21 I am now preparing for a breast reduction!

I am very petite, and therefore, my breasts are large on my frame but may be proportional on someone else. I wear at 32G bra, and it's a perfect fit. Don't freak out. It blows my mind that my breasts fit into this size because I don't see them as being THAT large, but hey if the shoe fits... Anyway, as I said. I am petite. I am about 5 feet tall, and weigh 115 pounds. I have an athletic type build, and hide my large chest fairly well except during swimsuit season.

After having recurrent back, neck and shoulder pain, as well as migraines, my physician referred me to both a physical therapist and a plastic surgeon. Of course it took several months to get in to see the surgeon, so during that time I was undergoing 8 weeks of physical therapy. The exercises certainly were building my strength, but the pain was not being relieved. The therapist agreed that the surgery would assist in the relief of my muscular pain, so I knew I wasn't crazy!


I'm a bit far into the process now, and I had luck on my side because of the quick timeline. For most women, this is not a quick procedure to get approved, scheduled and planned. I was prepared to fight with insurance. However, I got approved fairly quickly. I went to see the surgeon for a consultation. The nurse worked with me mostly. She went over usual information, such as medical history. She explained a bit about the procedure, a lot of which I already knew from about a year of compiled research. She took a lot of notes on information that the doctor would later use to create a letter to my insurance company to assist with medical coverage. She also took pictures of my breasts to send to the insurance company along with the letters of medical necessity. We decided to leave out my physical therapy analysis unless asked for. When the doctor came in, he explained the surgery in more detail. Then we discussed how much, in grams, the insurance company would require to be removed. My insurance takes into consideration the body surface area of the patient, and thus it is required that I have about 250 grams removed per breast. The doctor then put me in front of a mirror and covered with his hand the equivalence of 250 grams in breast tissue. He told me to look down, as well as directly into the mirror and asked if I could see myself with that much less. The visual really helped me choose how much to remove, and in conclusion I had decided that closer to 350 grams would be optimal. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE: I am petite. The surgeon determined that this is about half the size of my breast. Frequently women have larger reductions than this. However, as a highly active and young person, my breasts are firm and sit on a lot of muscle. Due to my body type, I am not the common case for breast reduction. Part of why I am choosing to document my experience is to help other women who have a similar stature.


It was estimated that a response from the insurance company would be estimated at 2 to 6 weeks. As I said, I was prepared for a fight. My doctor chose to leave out the physical therapy records in order to use them "incase we need to take out the big guns." I was shocked when I received a letter in the mail from insurance, promptly 2 weeks after my consultation, notifying me of my approval of coverage. I couldn't believe they had no questions or hesitations to approve my case. I had read so many stories of women, whose breasts appears much larger than mine, having a difficult time getting insurance coverage. I am still in disbelief. I have just gone to my pre-op appointment today, and they went over details about how to prepare for the surgery, what prescriptions I would need, and other supplies that would be necessary. My surgery is scheduled for May 18. I am nervous and excited. I can't believe this is really happening! I am excited to share my story.

Updated on 11 May 2017:
My surgery is a week from today! I am so nervous. I'm nervous, but excited. I've been shopping around for some surgery bras and post-surgery swimsuits! Is it just me or do normal sized things just look not big enough for after surgery? It's so weird to look at a size medium bikini top from Target. It seems like it would never cover anything! I guess I will just wait and see, maybe it is just in my head that my current size is average. Here are some before pictures that have been taken over the years, as well as some that I have just taken for the purpose of this blog.

Updated on 13 May 2017:
So in my previous post, I mentioned that I was shopping around for post surgery bras. How the heck am I supposed to know what size to get? I got two different types of front closure bras: one with a zipper, and one that is a hook and eye closure. My doctor recommended different styles and different brands so that while healing my breasts experience a variety in order to prevent settling in an uneven place. I'm so nervous that the bras I bought will be either way to small due to swelling, or way too big! I bought an under armour bra, which has more compression, and then a fruit of the loom bra, which is a bit softer and more comfortable. Anyone reading this who has already had surgery, I would love to hear your opinions on which bras you bought. Were some more comfortable than others, or did some work better?

Updated on 17 May 2017:
It's the night before my surgery, and I am so nervous! Today I went to see my surgeon for a pre-op visit and he drew his blueprints on my breasts. I'm honestly still in shock that this is actually happening. Him and my nurse said I had the fasted insurance turn around out of all of their patients and that they were equally as stunned of my coverage as I was. I'm still waiting for something to go wrong, for some mistake to come along and be addressed but here we are and there are just 12 more hours to go! I've been doing some chores around the house that I won't be getting to for the next week or two. I changed my sheets, cleaned my room, and stocked up on yogurt and proteins. I'm determined to recover quickly and well and a high protein diet will help with that! I have to shower with a special soap tonight and tomorrow morning, just to make sure I'm extra clean. It gets rid of GOOD and BAD bacteria which is weird to me. Why the good bacteria? I have to be at the hospital at 6am, and I'm fortunate that it is only 5 minutes from my house. I'm sure I won't be getting much sleep tonight because of anxiety. I will be spending the night in the hospital after my surgery, so I most likely won't be posting anything until at least Friday afternoon. Wish me luck!

Updated on 19 May 2017:
So I woke up yesterday and felt horrible. I was transported from the recovery unit to a room because my doctor wanted to me spend the night for observation. My pain was minimal, and most of my discomfort is caused by the bruising from liposuction. In total, the surgeon took approximately 400 grams per side. Originally he didn't think I needed liposuction, but based on the shape of my breasts and how full they are towards the sides, he used it to just clean uptake shape little. He also went through my belly button and all the way up to my sternum to give me a more defined abdominal muscles. I literally laughed at this because I really am thin and did not think I needed that. They kept me over night, and monitored my drains and gave me IV fluids with an antibiotic. I'm glad they finally let me go home around 1pm, because I barely slept at all last night. I haven't really taken a good look at the girls just yet, but I'm going to shower tomorrow afternoon so I will be changing the bandages then and will snap some pictures. For now uploaded some inmates of my drains while in the hospital, and then some of my bandages and bruises after I got home. I'm pleasantly surprised that a 600mg ibuprofen is enough pain management for me. I didn't really want to take the hard pain killers. Hopefully everything continues to go well!

Updated on 21 May 2017:
Yesterday I managed to shower, but I didn't get the chance to upload pictures onto here. I'm still feeling very well. I'm very sore along the sides of my trunk and my upper abdomen but overall I am very pleased. before my shower I was able to sneak a good look at my chest and my goodness they are so small and lovely. My incisions actually look pretty clean compared to some that I've seen. What I didn't realize until now is that my surgeon used the short scar technique. So instead of the full anchor incision, its just the lollipop incision. This makes my incision half the size of what I thought it was going to be, so I am thrilled. Hopefully this leads to a bit of a quicker healing. I'm still planning on taking things easy for the next few weeks though. Even though I'm feeling very well, I don't want to over do it. I have my first post-op appointment on Friday. I'm just so happy with how they look, and I know they're only going to start looking better as they heal. To give you guys a cup size estimate, I held up that coral color bra I had posted a picture of before my surgery. I didn't want to actually put it on because it does have an underwire, but holding it up to my breasts it seemed to be just about a perfect fit. So right now, with a decent amount of swelling I am a 32 D. Hopefully as they settle in over the next few months I will go down to a small C cup. But hey honestly even if they don't I'd be happy with the size they are now. They're just so lifted that it has already taken such a weight off.

Updated on 23 May 2017:
I'm surprised at how well I am feeling. It hasn't even been a week yet since my surgery and I've been able to get around just fine. Since I'm not on narcotics, I was able to do drive and run some errands. Still no heavy lifting obviously and I do have some discomfort when reaching into cabinets for a glass or a dish. Pain is almost gone now. My incisions are feeling a tiny bit sore, but are mostly starting to feel a little itchy at this point. Along my sides and axillary areas it is sore to the touch, or when I cough or sneeze but that is because I'm still slightly bruised. My breasts don't look a whole lot different than my last picture. My right nipple is sort of inverted, and this was looking a little better today. I think it is due to the stitching and placement of surgical tape. The areola is starting to become more... fluffy? ... I don't know how to describe that exactly. Less pulled taught I guess. Shape wise my breasts are rounding out a bit, but still very swollen and tender. I've been icing about 4 times a day. The bruising along my torso is also looking better. The other night I was a bit concerned because I was having numbness sort of in my axillary area, but it kind of went around to my back just before my shoulder blades. It wasn't really completely numb, I could feel that I was touching it, but yet it didn't feel quite right. It's hard to describe. Well my PS is having me wear a sports bra and an ace wrap, because I had bruising along my sides as well. So thinking the bandage was too tight I loosened it with no improvements. I also tried removing the bandage completely. I discovered that the bra I was wearing was what caused the discomfort and numbness. I went to Walmart and bought a few new bras. They aren't front closure but the material is SO unbelievably soft. I was originally wearing the mint green bra I previously uploaded a picture of. It is fruit of the loom, all cotton and unpadded. I thought that would be so comfy but I guess not. I ended up purchasing a hanes bra, and its sort of the buttery soft material of spanx. It's definitely not as restricting, but my PS said most of my support and compression is to come from the ace bandage anyway so comfort is more important. I've uploaded some more pictures, and also a picture of the newer bras I've purchased.

Updated on 31 May 2017:
Hey friends! So quite a bit has happened since my last post. First, I had my post-op appointment on this past Friday. The Doc said everything is looking great. I've had no complications, and hardly any pain still. He did say that this week might be more painful because the nerves are reconnecting, and waking up realizing someone was poking around. But so far so good! Still taking Ibuprofen every six hours for swelling though. Along my sides where he did the lipo is still pretty swollen. He told me I could lose the Ace wrap whenever I felt comfortable, and that afternoon I went to lunch with a friend without it on. I came home and the swelling was nearly doubled and I did feel a great deal of discomfort. So the Ace wrap has become my safety blanket and I have developed an appreciation for it's work. Not quite ready to lose it just yet. Also when I'm out and about I do begin to feel some discomfort. I definitely won't be going back to work this weekend as originally anticipated. I work with animals, so my work days are pretty active. Therefore, I'm taking another week off. I have been trying to stay a little active by running errands, walking my dogs, cleaning around the house and doing laundry. I definitely can't do too much in one day, or else my body feels completely exhausted. That's my only complaint really, is that my body feels tired and sore by the end of the day if I'm not just laying around all day. But hey, some ladies have it MUCH worse that I do. Other than that, everything is looking good. The girls are looking great still. The inverted appearance of my right nipple is in fact due to the way they placed the surgical tape along my incisions. My right breast does appear to be just a tiny bit fuller, and along that side the swelling is a little worse than the left so after the swelling goes down I'm pretty sure they will be as close to symmetric as possible.

Updated on 11 Jun 2017:
Holy crap, I fit into the 32D bra. I'm uploading a picture so you can see how I fill it out. The girls are settling in well. They're looking more like sisters than twins right now, as my right breast is still sitting a bit higher with more volume on the top. My left breast is dropping and filling out underneath. My tape is starting to curl up around the edges, so I'm trimming them just a bit. Things are looking good under it. All the dried up blood comes off as I peel away the tape. My surgeon recommended keeping the tape on as long as I could because it helps thin out the scars. I believe we are taking all the tape off at my appointment on Friday, which will be about 4 weeks post-op I believe. I'm still feeling swollen along my sides and beneath my breasts. I was able to begin working again, and had little to no discomfort. I couldn't carry heavy objects or handle dogs that were too wild on leashes. Didn't want to push it too hard. Reaching up to high shelves was really only went I felt some soreness. So it's mostly when I stretch. Still no pain in my breasts, just the surrounding areas. Every so often though I do get a split of pain, but it's just the nerves firing and waking up still. I have feeling all around my breasts, and both nipples. Just below my left nipple I don't have feeling, but the numbness only covers a very small area and its basically limited to the T-zone of my incision. This area also has the most tension on the incision, so the feeling may come back after the incision heals completely. So far so good though! I can't really complain much. I'm fitting into this 32D bra and I'm so happy! I'm still wearing wire-free though. I bought several regular cup shaped bras without wires to wear around when a sports bra just won't cut it. For those ones, I got them at Victoria's Secret because their having their huge sale and I wanted comfort and quality but not high prices. Here I fit in a 34C (which is my sister size) just because the 32 band felt a bit snug and uncomfortable on the lower part of my incisions. I'm crossing my fingers that they get a size or so smaller while they settle in over the next few months! They say that you normally won't have your final size until about 6 months to a year, so I've got some time. Even if they don't shrink any more, I'd still be happy! Working today I had ZERO back pain at the end of the day, and during they day I realized how much my breasts got in the way previous to my reduction. Simple tasks just felt easier all of a sudden, and I guess I just got used working around them. I can't wait to see even more improvements over time!

Updated on 18 Jun 2017:
At my one month post-op, the doc said everything is looking good! The tape was removed, and my chest was cleaned up a little bit. Some adhesive is still stuck on and may take several showers to come off completely. Things are looking pretty good. My scars are looking clean now without the tape. Most of the scabs are gone, except in the T-zone. My stitches are poking through, and you can see where they are coming up from under the skin because they create little bump like pimple things. I called the nurse last week, concerned about this, because I was originally told that my stitches would dissolve internally. While that happens in most cases, there are some cases where the tissue doesn't need the lattice structure of sutures to grown, and instead pushes the stitches to the surface and out. So it's no problem. My right breast is still a bit fuller on top, but they still will even out over time hopefully. I'm able to wear swimsuits and go swimming, but still staying away from underwires. I'm mostly wearing sports bras, but wire free bras when I need to wear nicer clothing. I get some of those spiking pains every so often, still the nerves waking up. I have almost all of my feeling back. The areas along my incisions are not totally awake yet, but it seems like its just the skin thats numb, and underneath I can feel pressure on the deeper tissues. Overall, I'm still doing great! Getting back into my full exercise routine finally, but slowly, as my side muscles still aren't fully up to par. Definitely lifting less that I used to until the swelling goes down completely. I'm starting scar treatment already, massaging moisturizer along my incisions. The massaging helps to break down scar tissue, so I'm also doing that along my sides and sternum where there was some liposuction performed. I'm thinking I will stay around the same size, even though the doctor says I might still shrink a bit more. I'm in a size 32D now (still opting for the 34C sister size for the looser band against my incisions and scar tissue). Not entirely too upset that it is larger than my goal size, a 32C. They look great, and I have little to no back pain, neck pain, or shoulder pain. I've gone down a size in my sports bras, and shirts and dresses that I've previously felt uncomfortable in fit me perfectly now. My chest is a much more modest size now, and I am so happy.

Updated on 10 Aug 2017:

I went to see Dr. Westawski for a routine skin check. I had a small bump on my left cheek that was growing and flaking for about six months. I didn't think too much about it until I saw Dr. Westawski and he informed me that it had to go. I'm very grateful that he noticed it because it came back positive for basal cell carcinoma. My whole experience at his office was superb and my scar looks great thanks to the care he gave me. I will be back for my yearly check up and if anything else pops up along the way.

I had bariatric surgery almost 3 years ago and to date have lost over 260 pounds. I had massive amounts of sagging skin hanging from my tummy that was causing me medical issues. I needed it taken care of before it did any further damage to my body.

The very first question Dr. Westawski asked me was what don't I like about my body and what do *I* want to see happen. The fact that he asked me that as a starting point (instead of telling me this is what needed to be done) meant a lot to me. After I told him then he explained in depth what he could do for me. He addressed all my concerns, fears and many questions. I instantly felt at ease with him.

So, I have naturally thin lips. They basically disappear when I smile. I have always wanted fuller, more attractive lips.

Also, one of my biggest problems with myself were my laugh lines! I am freshly 33 years old, exercise, don't smoke, etc... and I have horrible wrinkles. It's weird. Maybe it's just another "blessing" that comes with being fair-skinned. Ugh. Honestly, I had the laugh lines of a 45-50 year old. Especially noticeable after losing a bunch of weight (too much).

Anyway - I'd gotten botox for the abnormally DEEP forehead wrinkles I had, which made me look 15 years older than I am.. They gave me 60 units! BUT - they said the laugh lines can only be treated by dermal fillers - as paralyzing the muscles by the mouth would be dangerous. Yikes! But, they warned - the dermal fillers are much more expensive and painful... so I put it off for a while.

Eventually I got up the courage and I made an appointment with a plastic surgeon - I didn't want to go to a "spa" for this and I definitely wanted Lidocaine injections to numb me before the procedure.

The doctor came in to evaluate me and I mentioned how I would also like fuller lips, he said he could use the syringe of juvederm to do both! I was excited :) Until he told me the price: $750 per syringe!!! My lord... everyone else on here seems to have paid not much more than $500 - ANYWHERE. But, I was there, and I had my CareCredit card and my lack of financial responsibility, so I went for it. Guess what! He ended up "having to use 2 syringes" so it was $1500!! I almost cried...

Anyway - He gave me multiple injections of lidocaine in rather uncomfortable area inside the mouth - upward and downward. Fun! Then after I was numb, he began to inject. At the corners of my mouth I felt the sting and pain - he said this was because that area requires the numbing of different nerves. Whatever.. I basically just felt poking, prodding, a slight tugging... haha - gross, but I was numb (for the most part). They kept telling me how GREAT I looked as they were doing it... and he kept on wiping more and more blood away as he worked. Hmm.. I was a little freaked.

So, he ended up filling the areas where I have the laugh lines. Which is awesome, really. They are GONE. entirely!! Unfortunately, the left-hand side one was really deep, and my face is so thin that you can see a bit of a lump - but, I actually don't worry about it because it's only noticeable in vertical lighting which casts strong shadows (like that in Victoria's Secret dressing rooms!! SO unflattering). It did bruise too, at the bottom.

He also filled my lips which INSTANTLY became scary puffy - like it was some sort of joke! It looked like I'd had some terrible allergic reaction to something, or had gotten punched directly in the lips. They assured me they would go down within 2-3 days and there would be "very minimal bruising." He ended up using TWO syringes at $750 pp, so... um.. expensive.

Also, something which we didn't discuss beforehand, which I had never even considered - he filled those little raised areas that come down from your nose to your lips (I don't know what they're called). I was curious as to WHY - but, it ended up working out and helping make the lips themselves not look so trout-pouty.

So, I initially had only gone for Botox!! And I had already paid for 40 units ahead of time. For some reason, he tried like hell to talk me out of getting the Botox!! I don't get it... I'd already paid - I was doing it. So, while he was doing the Juvederm injections he gave me the Botox injections, he said, but they seemed to be placed so haphazardly and he was not being the least bit gentle (and I have a pretty high pain tolerance... I've had botox before, PLENTY of shots here and there and several tattoos!) but, he was really just JAMMING them in there. Yikes. It wasn't fun and I STILL have bruising on my forehead.

So, finally, after some fine-tuning, and him literally reaching inside my mouth with his fingers to MOLD them like clay, they finished. They both told me I looked FABULOUS, with smiles, and to QUOTE the doctor "and the best part is, this stuff lasts YEARS!" I questioned him.. I said excitedly, "REALLY??!" and he AND his NP both said "Yes, it will last years!!" Which I have found to be wayyyy inaccurate.

They also had me tiled back for the Botox injections... my other doctor said they must do it while you sit up and they ask me to not lie down for at least 4 hours. THIS doctor said that was a "myth." Hmm...

So, I was embarrassed to go out to the receptionist to pay!! I thought people were going to be like what in the world happened to her? Haha. I mean, it was really bad... and my lips were bloody!

Anyway - so, I paid my $1,500 *reluctantly* and left - with ZERO advice on aftercare even though I asked!! I put ice on them for the first day. It helped a lot! The bruising started to appear almost instantly!

OH - and I just called the practice where I had gotten the Botox done before and they said they could 'fix them' and they charge $475/syringe. I got SO ripped off.

I will tell you now, tylenol and ice are the key. They were tender once the feeling came back, but nothing intolerable. The ice really helped the swelling go down. As the day wore on the bruising increasingly got worse... until day 3 when it began to improve.

I've attached a bunch of photos to share with you all. I really hope someone can help me out with what the hell could have happened here! I did so much research on this Dr. before going to him - he had nothing but rave reviews! I am so baffled as to how my lips could be put through such hell, at such an inordinate cost - only to return to EXACTLY the way they were BEFORE I got the procedure done. (so sorry this is so long, I just wanted to be sure I shared my full experience for those who are looking into getting this done PLUS hoping someone can help explain to me why it lasted less than 2 weeks and if there's anything I can do about it??) THANK YOU!! :)



Updated on 8 Feb 2015:
So, that first experience was awful. I was overcharged, ended up with so much bruising and swelling that it looked like I'd been in a boxing match, The upper lip was left somewhat thin while the lower was a bit too puffy, it didn't last (I still don't know why or how). The doctor was really pushy about getting procedures done and even pulled out a briefcase of breast implants to show me - I'm a natural 32DD...

Anyway, I've been going to the same doctor for the last two years. The one I mentioned in my first post who said they could "fix" what the first doctor had done for a significantly lower cost. I'd already gotten botox there and had a great experience with them. I found that their price is very similar to others in the area. The $750/syringe doctor was insane!! Never again.

So, I have been getting these injections regularly for the last two years to keep them full and voluptuous. I began by constantly getting the "dental block" - Novocaine injections. Then, I decided to be brave and just go for the numbing gel they just rub on the skin... and now I just go for it without any numbing agents whatsoever.

Is it painful? Absolutely. Is it worth it? Definitely. It's bearable. You just have to prepare yourself for an unpleasant (but quick) experience and you'll be fine. The Novocaine injections made my mouth sore and I think they honestly added to the swelling and bruising - plus I felt each stabby stab anyway!!

I no longer bruise even remotely close to what you see in those pics. In fact, there have been two occasions where there was no bruising at all!

I love my lips now! Although they're currently deflated so, I am in need of another round of stabby-stabs - I get the Juvederm Ultra.

I plan on calling the office tomorrow to schedule my next appointment! :)

I am scheduled for a full tummy tuck and hysterectomy, hysterectomy scheduled with my Gyn ... Dr Westawski has a very gentle way about him he was also great reviewing my different options and outcome with me . I am very happy with the staff working around my crazy work schedule. Can't wait to complete my review once my surgery is completed.

Updated on 27 Nov 2014:
12 Days until D day (Pre-Op)

Updated on 2 Dec 2014:
I'm a little nervous, 7 days out so I stopped at the pharmacy and I was able to pick up my meds and a couple of key items that I may need while I'm off my feet. I'm a little pissed at my Gyn office , I've been to thE office 4 times since I decided to have a hysterctomy and somehow when I went to the hospital for pre-op testing they picked up that my consent form was never signed. Just another item that I don't want to deal with.
The only silver lining is that I will be pain free and I can say goodbye to my endometrois... Oh yeah and a FLAT TUMMY. ... I will keep you posted