The very important factor that led me to get a breast reduction surgery was the constant pain on my neck, back, and shoulders. Pre-pregnancy and pre-nursing stages, my breasts were just the right size. However, after nursing each of my two children for a year, my breasts didn't return to their original size. I would easily get tired because of the breasts' weight on my shoulders. At night, I found it hard to breathe because my breasts were covering half of my chest. I felt significant amount of pain in the last five years. Little did I also know that my frequent headaches were part of it. I discussed this with my husband and we were willing to spend some of our life's savings to get the procedure done. I had an appointment with my primary care provider who made a referral to a plastic surgeon. During my initial consultation with the plastic surgeon, I told her about what I've been going through in the last 5 years. She took my pictures in different angles and she told me that she would submit the request to my insurance company, and that there would be no guarantee that the procedure would be covered by insurance. I asked her how much would it cost without insurance and she said a whopping 8 thousand dollars. A week later, I got an email from my company notifying me of the approved authorization. I was so excited and thankful that we didn't have to make any co-payment. Fast forward to today's date. It's my 1st post-op appointment with my plastic surgeon with Scott and White (Round Rock, TX) and surgeon took out my drains and cut some sutures. She said that I'm healing well. My breasts are a little bit swollen but they are expected. It will take 3 months for me to be fully recovered. The pain that I've been through related to surgery absolutely outweighs the benefits of having breasts that are in proportion to my height and weight. Also, this surgery is not even 20% of the pain that I experienced in my 2 c-sections and hemorrhoidectomy in case you may want to compare the pain level of different surgeries. If you had a c-section in the past, then you can well tolerate the pain related to BR surgery.
About pain medications, I had hydrocodone on the first night right after surgery, but because of nausea and vomiting, I asked my surgeon to give non-narcotic meds. I was taking Tylenol and Tramadol alternately depending on the pain levels. Each day was different for me. Some days hurt more than other days.
About the final cup size, it's too early to say but there's one thing I'm sure of- I am a lot smaller now. I look forward to running with my husband and 2 boys without having to put my hand on my chest. Also, I know I will have a better quality of life because I will be able to do a lot of things which large breasts kept me from doing so half of my life.
If you're in Central Texas area, I recommend Dr. Susan Pike, director of Plastic Surgery, Scott and White. You'll be in good hands.
Updated on 26 Dec 2014:
Updated on 26 Dec 2014:
Updated on 1 Jan 2015:
I'm on the beginning of my 3rd week. My breasts are still sore but not the needles and pins-kind-of pain. I went to see my surgeon(an unscheduled one) because of the pink spots under my breasts and also, the increasing pain. She told me that the pink spots were due to allergies caused by the surgical bra material and so she gave me a second surgical bra made of cotton, size 34. I felt better with the soft cloth. Next, the increasing pain was caused by me, ( as I look at it closely) under medicating myself. I've been taking Tylenol and I've been more mobile this week compared to last week. If I should move more, then I should take a stronger pain med, which makes a lot of sense. I was just trying to wean myself from Tramadol which knocks me out usually. Now, I'm back to this medicine and it does help me with the pain. I took pictures of myself. I also tried my clothes which I only wore with dark jackets to cover my heavy boobs. Now, I can wear those without the camouflage. I am so grateful!!!
Updated on 1 Jan 2015:
I'm only adding pictures because the captions were messed up when I uploaded them the first time.
Updated on 8 Jan 2015:
It's my 23rd day post-op and I had my follow-up appointment with my doctor today. She gave me the go-signal to shop for bras, those that can provide my breasts full support. I also asked her how much tissue was taken because I have always forgot to ask her post surgery. Three hundred sixty grams of tissue was taken from my left breast and 300 grams from right.
I also asked her about physical activities that I may start doing again, and she advised to take it slowly and to listen to my body.
So, last week, I have arranged for my friends to drive me to work this week because I was thinking that I would still need pain meds. I didn't want to take days off from work, although I had sick days available. I just didn't want to give my boss a headache during the first week of the year. So, last Sunday, I stepped down on my meds from stronger one to Tylenol. I took Tylenol on Monday, and I drove myself to work, although my friends were super kind in insisting I shouldn't drive. So, 20 days post op was my first day at work. I was so tired and my breasts were sore, so I took a stronger pain med that night and I had a great night sleep. The following day, I woke up feeling great. I didn't need any med and I haven't taken anything since then.
As I start my 3rd week post op, I am having more pins and needles sensation. It's not really actual pain, but it is a discomfort. I asked my doctor about it, and she said that tissues are regenerating. She also tested my nipples and she found out that I am showing signs that my nipple sensation will be coming back. It will only take time and that makes me really happy. I took a picture of me today.
Updated on 10 Jan 2015:
Twenty-six days after my surgery, I feel that the pins and needles sensation in my breasts are getting more intense. This is making me weak and I don't feel like moving around. Today, my breasts are sore so, I decided to go back to Tramadol. Once it started kicking in, soreness is gone but I started feeling drowsy and weak. I'm so glad that my husband and two boys are very supportive of me. They are like my personal assistants handing out to me everything I need, and giving me little massages here and there. This whole surgery is a journey that wouldn't have been possible without my family. So, it's really important that there's somebody who's there with you during your recovery days and weeks. All the best to every precious individual reading my review who's contemplating of going through the surgery. It's all worth the pain.
Updated on 10 Jan 2015:
Today, I went to Victoria Secret and had myself measured. I tried 36 B and C; 36 B fits me perfectly while 36C is too big. It is really true that bra sizes differ depending on the manufacturer. My surgeon gave me a second surgical bra and it measures a 34, but no cup size was printed on the tag.
Updated on 25 Jan 2015:
I stopped taking Ibuprofen exactly 1 month after my surgery. Yey! I haven't felt any pain at all. However, the day before that, I was still in intermittent pain that I even called my PS to give me a second prescription for the pain meds. She wanted me to step down on my meds so she advised me to take Ibuprofen instead. Anyway, I took Ibuprofen only once because I haven't experienced pain at all. It has been over a week that I'm pain-free. I have posted questions online which were answered by plastic surgeons all over US and I also asked my PS about how long would it take for the pins and needles sensation to go away. I was told that it varies from individual to individual and so I was just hoping and praying that pain would go away sooner. About my scar, I am using bioCorneum SPF30 that I got from my surgeon. My incisions are healing well and the surgery site looks very neat. I can't be happier. The pain on my back, shoulders, and neck are now gone. I have occasional pain on my shoulders but it's because of how I sleep.
I have mentioned earlier that I am now pain-free. I can feel activity around my areola, it's like liquid flowing to my nipple on my right breast. On my left breast, I haven't felt any activity at all for now. I am praying that it will start flowing.
I am very satisfied about the result of my surgery. It is all worth the pain after all.
Updated on 31 Jan 2015:
A few weeks ago, I wrote about bra fitting which had me at 36B. But, as the days go by, I notice that the swelling is getting less. I went to the store and bought 3 bras(36 B of course), but they were a bit big for me. I ended up returning them. I tried another size and it's perfect for my size and, drum roll..... I'm at 34C now!!!!!
Updated on 14 Feb 2015:
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