My story is similar to a lot of other ladies on here. I developed on the later side, but still had big boobies and was wearing a D cup by high school and as I was only about 5 ft and 105 lbs at the time, they were way too big for my frame. I have 3 children and breast fed all 3 of them. The oldest burster for 7 months, the middle for 17, and the youngest for 25. So, altogether, for about 49 months. My boobs grew with each baby, but never went back down in size, they just deflated and got longer. After I weaned my youngest and my milk dried up, I was still wearing a 34DDD. As is obvious in my before picture, one side was significantly larger and was actually maybe a F or G cup. I would just buys a size 34DDD and stretch the other cup enough that I could stuff the big one in there. I'm about 5' 2" and weigh 132 currently, but generally fluctuate between 115-135 lbs. Due to the size of my huge boobies hanging off my small frame, I've had problems with pretty severe neck, back, and shoulder pain for the last decade or so, as well as all the other negatives that go along with having boobies mismatched to your body size (ill fitting clothes, etc) I waited so long to have this surgery. I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my children and did not want to risk that or regrowing big boobs when I had children. So as soon as I weaned my youngest and my milk dried up, I jumped on getting the ball rolling on a reduction. I have Aetna BCBSTX and thought I would probably qualify for a medically necessary reduction. I spoke to my insurance company, they gave me a list of 14 in network plastic surgeons in my area and after researching them, I chose one and made my consultation appt. The consult was straightforward and to the point. We discussed goals, desired size (my goal size is a small C or full B), etc, and the nurses took before pictures. Dr Rivela's office sent a packet with the pictures and some records and a letter from my primary doc to my insurance company, and I was approved less than a week later. I had my reduction at an outpatient surgery center on 8.7.2019 and went home that same day. I didn't have any drains and the post op pain was manageable with the pain medicine they prescribed me. I was 2 weeks post op yesterday and am starting to get back to my normal routine. I did need a lot of help for the 1st 2 weeks and had have had some issues with anxiety since the surgery. I'm prone to anxiety and knew the Frankenstein post op appearance and change in my body would be a mind@#*&. I researched, read about the healing process, and looked at about a billion post op pictures. But I was still really anxious after surgery about how they look, especially that 1st week, and what the end result will be. They looked really bizarre at first and not normal breast shaped and that was worrisome but as the swelling has gone down, they've begun to look a bit less bizarre. I'm still wearing the surgical bra and some supportive front zip sports bras and have to for about 4 more weeks (6 wks total), so I have no idea yet what size I will be. Overall, despite not knowing the final results, I still feel like the reduction was worth it for the pain relief and physical comfort alone. My daily neck, back, and shoulder pain is already so much better. Anyone who is considering a reduction, especially for pain discomfort reason, I highly recommend it. I know this is long, but reading other women's stories and experiences really helped me when I was researching and preparing for surgery. So I hope reading my experience is helpful to someone else. Updated on 28 Aug 2019: Everything's going fine and my incisions are healing well. The scars don't look like they're going to be too bad, although I'm more worried about the final result, size and shape wise, than the scarring. my incisions have been itchy, but that may be from the medipore tape, I'm not sure. I have my 3 week post op appt with my plastic surgeon, so we'll see what they say.
I had a breast reduction in November 2017. Dr. Rivela and his staff were very kind, caring, and professional. They helped me understand my insurance and payment options. They have always been able to accommodate appointments, even if they are last minute. The level of health care I received was top notch. The procedure was exactly as explained and I got the results I was hoping for.
Dr Rivela has done a couple of procedures for us. he is the most caring and honest. He is up front and tells you exactly how it is and what all possibilities good and bad there are his office help and each one special and caring also I would recommend anyone needing a little bit of extra go and check his office procedures out you will not be disappointed
From the time I scheduled my first appointment, to surgery to the post op visits, my overall experience with Dr. Rivela and his staff were EXCELLENT. I studied, researched and read reviews about numerous plastic surgeons in Houston, prior to scheduling an appointment for breast augmentation and found that Dr. Rivela was the best choice personally for me. His credentials alone are outstanding and his reviews were all excellent. Dr. Rivela is, in my opinion, the BEST plastic surgeon in Houston, The Woodlands and surrounding areas. I felt comfortable, confident and trusting in both Dr. Rivela and his staff from the moment I first walked into his office. He is extremely honest and explains EVERYTHING in detail, which for me, was very important. Since I have never had breast implants, I asked sooooo many questions and he very patiently answered each one. He did not "rush" me through the appointment but instead took his time to ensure I understood everything. Since he is the expert in breast augmentation, I asked him his opinion as to the cup size better suited for me. He helped me pick out the best size and type of implant. I was initially a B cup and now a PROUD D cup.
“ I absolutely love my results. Dr. Rivela did fabulous work on me :) He listened to what I wanted. He was straight forward with me and informed me of what was to come. I had a tummy tuck and lipo. I love my new belly button and tiny waste line. Once I saw my before and after pictures I was blown away. Dr. Rivela and his staff were wonderful to me. Very professional, kind, understanding. I have referred him to several friends. Thank you Dr. Rivela for the new me! ”
I was always a d/dd cup until losing 33 lbs. I ended up being a deflated c cup. I also breastfed all 3 of my kids. I wanted to go back to a d/dd. I went with natrelle 450cc silicone gel implants. All of my girlfriends who currently have implants said to go big because I will regret it if I don't. My ps agreed that 450cc would be great, and that would be my max. I am 35 yo, I weigh 134 lbs.
Ok so I actually had my reduction done about 8am this morning. I had read so many times that the pain wasn't that bad at all. Boy was I in for a rude awakening. I woke up from my surgery crying because of the pain I was in. Not only was it pain but burning also. They fnally got it under control. I find it hard and painful to use the bathroom and to get up by myself. Also having a hard time feeling nauseous, which stinks because before I can take my pain meds I have to eat something so I don't get sick. Well I'm hanging in there for the moment. Hoping to get some rest tonight, I have a post op appt tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for letting me vent a bit and please let me know if you have any tips:
I just had my 3 week post surgery apt yesterday and I SOOOO happy with my results. I had a mini-mommy-makeover, with breast redux and lipo. All I can say is that I am TWENTY again up top!! The lipo looks great so far (painful but worth it) and I've lost another 8-10 lbs since surgery. I have another month or so before I get the full effect but so far am down a size and "old shopping"!! Wearing clothes I haven't worn in years. :) I chose Rivela because the office was so calming and professional. The nurses are all so nice and helpful. Doc is a perfectionist and it shows. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Thank you Dr. Rivela!!
Tomorrow I am having removal of 400cc breast implants and a breast lift (11 years ago). Tummy tuck scar revision from bad healing (11 years ago), and liposuction to my waist to give me more shape. I'm very boxy at the moment. I want a waist again! Will post again after procedure. Here are photos taken today (before procedure) Updated on 2 Jun 2015: Lots of bruising. Boobs look a funny shape. Dr Rivela told me to expect all this yesterday, so I was not too surprised today at his office. Drains will stay in until next Monday Updated on 2 Jun 2015: Updated on 3 Jun 2015: 48 hour update. Updated on 8 Jun 2015: So today I saw the RN at my surgeons office. Super nice girl. She removed all 3 drains. Trimmed/removed my stitches. I had 2 seromas either side of my tummy. She drained them both with a large needle and syringe. Didn't really feel it. My boobs look a bit pleated in places, where I have some stretch marks and swelling. I have total faith that in 6 months they will be looking good and "normal". I don't expect perfection, I never had that to start with!! Here's a photo of my boobs today. 1 week post op. Updated on 9 Jun 2015: So I am 8 days post op today. My boobs are ok (still look a little strange). My tummy tuck revision scar seems to be doing well.....but my lipo suctioned abdomen is huge! So swollen! I've been doing massage 3 times a day since yesterday. I don't know if that's helping or making it worse? It is also very painful, however I know that's usual. My weight has gone up by about 8lbs!!! I look pregnant. Argh...how long is this going to last? Anyone know please? Updated on 21 Jun 2015: Boobs 3 weeks post op. Not too bad? Seem to be healing well! Updated on 3 Aug 2015: 9 weeks post op today. Thoughts please? Updated on 8 Feb 2020:
Ok so I had saggy Breast but not saggy enough for a breast lift (thank god) lol and now I'm post op 3 months ish and this is what they look like ... I love them all tough I wish they was more close together and not so far apart .. I was happier at 1-2 month post op before they dropped soo much .. Me preferably I like the round look .. Now mine look more natural which is still good doh ... The pain wasn't bad after the surgery only the first 2 days out of surgery I took hydrocodone (Vicodin) for pain then I stopped as I hate pain meds .. What helped was a muscle relaxer cause the breast start to contract about 4/5 days after surgery .. But a week later I was perfect ... I would do it again in a heart beat ... Having children was far worst .. Having a breast aug was a walk in the park .. And my dr he's amazing ... Keep in mind your Breast shape will not change .. Like the length between your cleavage line etc will remain the same .. But you'll be filled in and not soft and saggy and have a lot more side boob lol hope this helps here before and after pics Updated on 25 Jul 2016: OK so it'd been over a year and a half .. and honestly I wish I would have gotten smaller implants .. I got 375 and 400 cc high profile ... I'm not crazy about them ... they are very prominent and stick out too far away from my body very unnatural .. but I didn't want natural lol I just wanted the "round shape" at first I had it and it looked great .. then my skin stretch out and now there kind of pointy again and also they dropped so the top fullness is gone ... I think I would have been happier with low or moderate profile implants and a lot less CC .. I think 275 or 300 would have been more then enough .. even doh I'm 5'6 and 140 .. I think smaller fuller supple breast look so much nicer ... I honestly regret doing this .. since now my skin has stretched from the implant I fear downsizing would cause them to be saggy again .. even with the implant I still sag .. not like before but it's still a little saggy I expected them to stay up nice and firm (not hard) but there still soft just bigger they look so natural and there too big I think so anyway .. my clothes don't look nice anymore everything I wear looks more slutty now trashy to be honest .. I only wear lace and unpaded bras .. even when I try on padded bras it makes my breast looked ugly and deformed .. the implant under my breast or muscle what ever .. BTW they was placed under the muscle ... stays one way and my breast skin go's another way .. so it's not like putting a Ballon inside a Ballon and they become one .. it's more like putting a Balloon behind another Balloon you can move the front balloon closer together for cleavage but the Balloon in the back will barely move .. hope that gives you a good idea of what I mean .. I told my doctor I didn't want really big breast and I showed him picture after picture of what my ideal or has close to it as possible was .. but in surgery he made a decision to use the biggest ones for my body type even doh I told him several times I was 20 lbs over weight at the time so not to match my body but just get my breast perky round and Fuller ... so now when I bend over my cleavage line is super long it looks like a ass to me I find this unattractive.. I like short cleavage line it's looks girly and pretty .. I don't like the long line that starts from your neck down like much much older women with big natural breast have .. so all that being said I miss my smaller breast .. I only wanted what I had filled in not bigger and definitely did not want my skin to stretch ... I'm wanting a breast reduction with implants but if I will need a breast lift now since the stretching then I won't do it .. I'll just deal with what I have ... if you have nice breast don't get implants wait till your like in your 40's or 50's lol doing it so young is not a good idea unless you have really saggy breast .. but mine was just deflated with very little sag I wish I did not rush into this I honestly regret it .. at least before I could wear anything I wanted and look gorgeous classy elegant .. now I have to search for clothes that look good on my breast to not look like a walking pornhub star ... no offense to anyone .. but pornstar was not my goal lol
Temporary numbness is a normal part of any surgical procedure and can be expected for several weeks or months after surgery, as the nerves are affected by surgery and may be compressed by swelling. Sensation in the breast and nipple can increase or decrease after breast surgery – ranging from a total loss of feeling through to tingling or sharp twinges. Most loss of feeling for the breast will resolve within 3 months, however, the nipples can take up to 2 years to resolve. Please know the last place to regain the sensation is directly adjacent to the incision, as the nerves make their way from the periphery to the scarline.
With my breast augmentation patients, I usually recommend a post surgical supportive bra for the first week, and then beyond they can choose to wear a regular bra.
