I was in desperate need of a breast reduction due to sever back and neck pain. I first begin discussing this with my primary doctor 3 years ago. In that 3 years in researched all about the procedure and seen that the pros outweighed the cons and it needed to be done. I made sure to get an excellent dr who was board certified with awesome reviews and now even tho i am in week 2 of post op and still healing, i do feel I should have done this a long time ago. At this time i still have swelling and occasional pain which my doctor has paid close attention too and is normal. If you are thinking about this surgery i would say yes do it. But of course it is an important and personal decision so do whats best for you.
I'm a 32 year old mother of 2 (ages 5 and 8) who has spent the last 8 years catering to everyone except myself. That's changing. I deserve to be happy and healthy so I'm embarking on a weight loss and body reconstruction journey. Today I had a breast reduction consultation with a plastic surgeon referred to me by my PCP. My hope is that health insurance will cover the surgery. I'm currently around a 44DDD...probably a little larger but I haven't been measured in a while. The consultation left me hopeful although at first I was slightly apprehensive about the PS (he's 73 and there was no website available so I could view his work). He was thorough in answering my questions and saw the discoloration under my breasts as well as the groove marks on my shoulders. My weight/BMI *may* be an issue but it's something I'm working on anyway. I'm 5'5" and 225lbs. He agreed to try to get my surgery approved. So after my examination, he measured me, had the nurse take pictures and then I was able to review some of his work in photo albums. The nurse told me that he'll need to complete dictations before submitting to my insurance company and then after that, we'd have to wait for a response. She suggested getting a letter from another medical practitioner to strengthen my case and to also write a personal letter to go along with it, which I thought was an awesome idea. I actually have an upcoming appointment with my gyn in 3 weeks. She's been suggesting a breast reduction for the past 6 years so I don't think she'll have any problem giving me a recommendation. So that's it! I need to review my insurance policy to see how much deductible and coinsurance I'd be responsible for. In the meantime, I'll continue to work on my weight. My goal is to be 200lbs by September 2014. Wish me luck. Photos to come soon! Updated on 24 Jun 2014: So this morning, the secretary from the doctor's office called to tell me that BCBS has approved me for surgery!!!!!!!!!! Whoop! I was like "nuh uh! You're lying to me!!" LOL Of course after the initial shock, I thanked God. I was so expecting a fight with insurance and multiple denials and appeals. I didn't even submit my personal statement or a recommendation letter from my GYN, so it was approved based on the plastic surgeon's recommendations from my consultation. The best part is actually my insurance coverage. The secretary informed me that I would only owe a $200 deductible plus 10% coinsurance and that my pre authorization is good until mid September. The only thing I have to do know is look over my calendar and pick a few dates that might work. Dr. Holderness (the plastic surgeon) performs surgeries on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have to check to see the surgery center will have availability on one of the days I prefer. I'm beyond excited and hope to schedule sometime at the end of August to accommodate my work schedule. Beyond excited!! :) Updated on 29 Jun 2014: So I've finally built up the courage to post some pictures. You may not be able to tell but I have shoulder grooves & suffer from neck & back pain which is worse during high impact exercise. I also have started experiencing a weird sharp pain sensation in my breasts occasionally. The last bra I bought was 46DDD although I'm probably bigger... I've just been refusing to buy up any higher. Updated on 2 Jul 2014: I got a call from the receptionist today. My first choice for surgery date was available and August 14th it is at 10am with my preop date on July 28th at 9:00am. Yay! My 10% coinsurance due on my preop date to Dr. Holderness is $300. I mean, God is good! I still have to pay 10% to surgery center and anesthesiology but I'm sure my out of pocket total will be under $600. So now what I need to do is start collecting some recovery supplies, continue exercising and built up my hgb, htc and Fe. I've always been borderline anemic so I've got some work to do because it would hurt my heart so much if my surgery was postponed due to low blood and iron. Updated on 7 Jul 2014: So you know how on RS, there's a high percentage of people who've had a breast reduction and rate it "worth it?" Well, I started to wonder about the small percentage of people who rate the surgery "not worth it." I was really trippin off that 4% and why, oh why, did I click on those reviews?? A million questions started going through my mind. Does my surgeon really knows what he's doing? Will my boobs look "boxy" after surgery? If so, will they loose that "boxiness?" What about if one nipple is way higher than the other one? What if I get a weird skin infection or my wounds don't heal as expected? My surgeon has already told me he doesn't use drains. How will that affect my healing process? After having a mini meltdown, I researched and saw that my PS is both board-certified in plastic surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and has been so since 1975. He's older and experienced. I've seen before and after photos in his office. I've googled his name and haven't found anything crazy. I feel good about this surgery. Whew. Updated on 28 Jul 2014: Well, my pre op was this morning at 9:00am. It was a fairly short visit. My coinsurance responsibility was $300 (10%) for the Dr's fee which I paid immediately upon checking in. I'll have to pay for the anesthesia and surgery center (also 10%) on the day of surgery. After paying, I was taken back to an examination room by the nurse and she went over pre surgery instructions with me. My surgery will take place on August 14th at 10:30am but I have to be at the surgery center at 9:00am. No food or drink after midnight the evening before, of course. She gave me two packets of hibiclens to wash my surgical area with the evening before and again on the morning of surgery. She gave me a paper of medications to avoid starting now which mainly included aspirin, aleve, etc. NSAIDS type pain relievers that would slow clotting down and cause excessive bruising. I initialed and signed a form that indicated the doctor had explained the risks to me, blah, blah, blah. Then I was instructed to undress from the waist up and put on a gown that opens in the front. The doctor came in and he was really warm and friendly like last time. I didn't feel rushed at all. He explained that I had a broad breast base and he was looking to remove nearly half the tissue which would put me at a C/D. He asked for my input about which size I'd like to be and I said a C cup would be ideal if possible. I will be spending the night at the surgery center after the procedure and he'll examine me before letting me go the morning after surgery. I'll then see him again the following Monday so he can change my dressings. He suggested a sports type bra for after the ace style bandage comes off or some other type of bra that will constrict the breasts. I'll have to shop at WalMart in the coming weeks so see what's available. He also prescribed a newer pain medication called Xartemis which is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen and is supposed to be taken once every 12 hours instead of 4-6 like percocets or vicodin. I also asked if it was okay to leave my nuvaring in and he said that was fine. So that was it! I can't believe it's only a couple of weeks away. I mean, I've been wanting this surgery for YEARS and I have to pinch myself because I can't believe it's happening so quickly and everything is just falling into place. After I left the office, I drove to the surgery center just so there wouldn't be any confusion the day of surgery. It was only a block and half from the PS's office. I also went ahead and got my prescription filled. I figured since it was a fairly new drug, the pharmacy might need a day or so to have it filled. Thankfully, not only did they have it in stock, but I didn't have to pay a copay! Dr. Holderness's nurse gave me a card for Xartemis that covered my copay up to $100. My wonderful mommy will be off work and will be with me the day of surgery along with my husband. Super excited!!!! Updated on 13 Aug 2014: I can't believe that in 12 hours, I'll be going under the knife. Aaahh!! I feel unprepared. I've been more focused on getting my kids ready for back to school, cleaning the house & doing laundry rather than picking up things for my recovery. I don't have any gauze or steri strips or sports bras or ointment. Nothing. I just figure I'll pick up what I need as I need it. So earlier today, I got a call from the surgery center so they could inform me of my patient responsibility. Yes. The day before. My heart dropped when I was told the facility fee was $460 & the anesthesia fee was $186. First of all, you don't just tell someone this the day before its due. Secondly, the plastic surgeon fee was only $300 out of my own pocket. How do they get off charging over twice as much for a bed for 12 hours & meds to knock me out? So I called my insurance company just to make sure the facility was in network. The representative insisted that I not let the facility bully me into paying up front & that they'd just have to settle for a payment agreement. After all, who knows how much insurance will really pay? They may pay more that expected, them I'll have to wait for a reimbursement check from the facility. So that's exactly what I did. The place still wants $154 tomorrow. I'll happily write them a check that will probably bounce. Ha! But I'll deal with that later. They should have called me well in advance so I'd be more prepared. So anyway, I've taken the small diamond studs out of my 2nd holes & washed my breasts with hibeclense tonight. I have to do it again in the morning. What sucks is that my cycle started a couple of days ago. I haven't had a period in months because I use the continuous nuvaring method & my period decides to come during surgery. So say a prayer for me! Updates to come... Updated on 15 Aug 2014: Except I didn't get any hits in & all his punches went right to my chest. Or at least that's what it feels like. So I made it to the other side. I remember everything up until I was being wheeled down the hall. I was out pretty much before I made it into the OR. I was so mad too because I had determined in my mind to stay up as long as I could to joke with the folks in the room with me. The next thing I knew, I woke up with 2 nurses on either side of me & my boobs hurt sooo bad. Then I got nauseas and vomited a little in a convenience bag despite the little anti-nausea patch behind my ear. My throat was sore due the nurse anesthesist accessing my airway with a tube while I was out. The surgery too about 3 hours. I remember feeling every bump we ran over as I was being wheeled into my overnight room. But then the day nurse have me a muscle relaxer, 2 Norcos & an ice pad and I was all good. My family was in the room with me. I remember my mom telling me that the doctor said I did fine & he was able to get me down to what we had previously talked about (C-small D). Everyone cleared the room by 4 & left me to rest. I had a pretty good night & my nurses stayed on top of my pain meds. I had no trouble being ambulatory alone although the nurses insisted I call them before getting up. At 8:30 this morning, Dr Holderness came in and changed my gauze & ace wrap bandage. He instructed me to not get it wet, get rest, don't lift more than 10 lbs & stay on top of pain meds when I need them. I looked down as my dressing was being changed & holy cow I'm small!! But realselfers, my fear came true....when the boobs go down, the stomach pooch appears larger. This just means I have to get my life & work on the rest of my body. I went in at 219 so I was down 6 pounds. So my post op appointment is Monday. So I'm looking forward to really getting a good look but my back already feels better. And I'm getting sleepy so I'm going to bed early. Until next time.... Updated on 17 Aug 2014: I can't believe how tired I've been. I guess it's the anesthesia still making its way out of my body & my body healing. The 1st day home, I rested for several hours then my husband & I went to get some essentials from WalMart. Yesterday, day 2 post op, I didn't go out at all except for a walk around the block. Today, my pain hasn't been so bad. Really it only hurts when I move so I've been keeping still. I plan on going for a very slow walk around the neighborhood like I did yesterday because I'm terrified of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) or pulmonary embolisms. But even in bed or in my recliner, I've been working my legs & calves by flexing & extending my feet. My throat feels much much better today. Although I've been eating, I haven't had that much of an appetite. I've had soup the last couple of days. I've started cutting my pain pills in half & I feel fine. For the soreness in my neck & upper chest, I've been using bengay. That along with the ice packs have been amazing. But....I haven't really pooped yet. Sorry if its tmi. I had a small bm 1st day post op but I was straining. I'm on stool softeners & drink prune juice & plenty of water but all I've had so far is gas. This afternoon, I'll be mixing miralax with my drink so hopefully that'll work. I can't wait to get this bandage off. There are actually 2 on and one keeps bunching down so I have to adjust it. Plus it's itchy under the bandage. I wanted to take them off and re-wrap my chest but my husband doesn't want me to mess with it until Dr Holderness tells me I can. I'm rolling my eyes because I am a nurse by profession. I can wrap myself & bloody gauze/body fluids doesn't scare me. But for his peace of mind, I'll wait. My husband did run lotion on my back under the ace bandage & it felt much better. So that's it for now real selfers! Will update with pics soon. Updated on 18 Aug 2014: Post op appt went well but took less than 10 min. My PS said everything looks good. My bandages were changed & I was given the ok to shower but try not to get incisions wet. I haven't taken any pain medicine today. I'm switching to Tylenol. After my appointment, I went to Walmart & found a sports bra that has closures in front...$10.58 for a pack of 2. The doctor told me it was normal to feel tired all the time. He says it's because of loss of blood volume during surgery that needs to be built back up. So that's it for now. I'm fine other than an occasional pain. Here's some pics: Updated on 4 Sep 2014: So since my last update, I've been doing very well. By my 5th or 6th day post op, I was feeling much better. My energy was improving, most of the pain had subsided and stuff needed to be done around the house. My husband was back to work. Clothes needed to be washed and the fridge was empty so I figured I'd do laundry and go shopping. Ya know...since I was feeling so great. Boy, my body checked me very quickly. LOL I hadn't got it through my head that I had only had surgery less than a week ago and here I was driving around town, pushing a grocery buggy, and picking up things I wasn't supposed to (like a 32 pack of bottled water). By noon, I was shaky, sweaty, tired and faint. I truly felt I was going to pass out. I was actually sitting in my car in the parking lot of the grocery store trying to figure out if I should call someone to get me because I knew I was in no condition to drive. I pulled myself together, made it home, took some tylenol, threw off my clothes and climbed right into bed. Best sleep ever. Lesson learned. After that point, I took it easy and only did as much as my body would allow doing a little at a time. I've continued walking every other day or so around my neighborhood adding 1 pound hand weights to my routine. My mother gave me 2 genie bras because the ace bandage was starting to drive me crazy. Those bras are sooooo comfortable & soft and I can step into them to put them on. I would never have been able to wear them with my old breasts. On August 25th, I had my 2nd post op appointment. During that appointment, the tape around my incisions were removed and every thing was healing very well. My doctor was very pleased. He advised that it's normal to see a small open area that might drain fluid since he didn't use drains but to just use neosporin on any area like that. He said the genie bras or sports bras with front closures were fine to wear. He also informed me that my breasts were very vascular and I had quite a bit of bleeding during surgery so if I was feeling tired, it was my body working hard to build blood volume back up. I told him I was continuing to take iron (because I had a feeling that's why I was so tired anyway). He said there were no restrictions for me but to take things easy and I can start scar therapy. So that's what I've been doing. I purchased 2 more genie bras and bio oil for my scars. The incisions look very good. My first day back in the gym was September 2nd. I only did the elliptical for 30 minutes...very low impact. The following day, I did a 30 minute circuit modifying some things since I wasn't able to use all the machines. Overall, I feel great. I still feel all the bumps and lumps when I'm in the car (driving or riding) and I find myself holding the seat belt strap away from me. My breasts are sore but it's bearable. The soreness is similar to how I felt when I was breast feeding but without a baby or a breast pump for relief. My current weight is 209 lbs. That's a 19 lb difference from where I started my journey (3 months pre op). September 25th will mark 6 weeks post op and my plan is to begin training with a personal trainer along with a modified eating plan to lose 34 pounds and get to my first goal weight of 175 lbs. At that point, I will seriously look into getting a tummy tuck and/or brazilian butt lift. Until next time! Updated on 4 Sep 2014:
I was treated with IPL for postinflammatory hyperpigmentation from an acne lesion which caused me to have a darkened scar in the shape of a Cheerio. (Never, never, never get IPL or laser treatments for PIH). It was really difficult to cover with makeup-- and I hated it. In addition I had some other areas of pigmentation from IPL. I used Obagi Nu-Derm for 3 months with lightening and good results. My skin looked so much healthier. Then I had the Obagi Blue Peel- two layers at 20%. It burned a lot. I had a Vicodin prior-- but I could barely handle the second layer. I had 1-week of downtime. Literally stuck in the house-- b/c you would never want to go in public. But-- it took away my scar and all the unwanted pigment. I have some depressed acne scars which showed some improvement as well. My skin looks great-- and I'm excited not to have to wear makeup. I went to a plastic surgeon who was very knowledgeable of Obagi and the Blue Peel.
I had a great experience w Dr.Holderness.He kept suggesting going over the muscle and I insisted going under.I had researched this and there are so many complications with going over the muscle.It surprised me that he would want to do over.It is much easier for the doctor to do over and I believe that's why he wanted to do it.I had a great outcome.I had 550cc and 3yrs after surgery I'm a 34D.I will tell you recovery is much harder with going under but well worth it!I was only in a lot of pain for 3 days and after that took no pain meds.I took 12 days off work.Im a hairdresser and use my arms all day.If you have a job where you don't move a lot you may not need that much time.I found this Dr through a mutual friend.She had done over the muscle and had several problems later on.I also suggested this Dr to a friend who had the procedure done (under)she ended up having an infection and eventually had to get them removed.So while I had a great experience I would not recommend this Dr.He is also 73yr old .So keep that in mind as well.
Well I am new to this whole blog thing. But I think it would be nice to have other women to talk to that have had it done and to share things with. I had have 2 kids and my skin is just stretched out and I have tried to loose weight and then looks worse. So going to do a tummy tuck! All excited and nervous at the same time!I have had my breast done, and plan to go to the same PS that did them. But going to have them taken out and replace with some a little bigger. Because the are not as full as they once were. Prob from breast feeding my daughter. She is 2 1/2 and I worry how she will do with me having a tummy tuck done? She is a mommy's girl all the way! My son is 10 so I know he will be ok, and understand that there will be things I cant do for awhile. My husband is very understanding, and is willing to take off some to help. As well as some family members of ours! So Blessed that I will have help.Thank for any input or just encouragement! Updated on 29 Mar 2014: We'll I have about a month to go, would love to know what I really need after surgery? From some of the women that have had a Tummy Tuck.
