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CLAIM YOUR PROFILEHi Canuck, thanks for the question. I am also an Alberta surgeon who has to have this conversation with patients daily. We used to have the ability to base our surgical decisions on clinical findings and subjective patient complaints (neck/back/shoulder pain, shoulder grooving, intertrigo etc.) but that is not longer the case. There are a lot of complicated techniques to try and determine pre-operative volume but I try to keep it simple in my practice. The way that I explain it to my patients is that 300g of tissue is approximately the volume of a can of pop. With a reduction I typically try to remove around 50% of the breast tissue so as to not leave you too small but still give you a good functional result. So if half of your breast makes up the volume of a can of pop then you may be considered for covered breast reduction surgery. Based on your pictures you have a significant volume asymmetry, which is very common, and it is very unlikely that your right (smaller) breast has the weight required by Alberta Health to qualify you for a covered reduction. Your left side may be large enough, thus potentially leaving you with a partially covered procedure where you would be responsible for covering the cost of the balancing mastopexy on the smaller breast. Obviously pictures are no match for a complete physical exam so you will have to trust the surgeons up in Edmonton (you have a lot of great surgeons up there!)
Certified Plastic Surgeon
You have a really nice result, but once the rest of that swelling comes out I’m sure things will look even better. In regards to the “smudge” there are a few things that it could be... a bruise is still possible, although I do agree that at this point in your healing it should be resolved, you could also have some post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The most common thing that show up in this region after breast reduction is your old areola. If your areola was really large before surgery sometimes the reduction will not be able to get it all, and it will show up along the vertical limb of the scar. Depending on what it is (which would be best assessed with an in office exam by your plastic surgeon), it may be temporary or permanent. If it is permanent you can look into a scar revision or laser treatment down the road if it is really bothersome to you, but I wouldn’t recommend doing anything for at least the first year. Continue to follow your surgeon’s post operative instructions for optimal wound healing.
Good luck!
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Follow the recommendations from your chosen surgeon. In my practice this procedure comes with 2 weeks of a 10lb weight restriction on lifting. For young moms I suggest sitting on a couch and having someone lift you babies onto your lap so you can still get your cuddles, but always follow your post operative recommendations from your surgeon!
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Hello,
An in person examination would be needed to make sure that there is no active infection, but based upon the pictures you look like you are healing very normally. A lot of surgeons won't admit it but this area breaks down pretty frequently (I see it in about 3-5% of my patients). It is called a T-junction dehiscence, and I counsel all of my potential lift and reduction patients at our pre-operative consult that they might go through this, but that it almost always heals fine with proper wound care. If your PS has assessed you and feels that there is no infection then the treatment they have suggested is very appropriate. It should take an additional 2-4 weeks of dressing changes to completely heal you back up (but could take longer based upon your bodies healing abilities). You can also help your body heal by making sure you are not a smoker, eating a healthy diet with fruits, vegetables and lots of lean proteins as well as making sure to stay hydrated.
Best of luck
Certified Plastic Surgeon
It is quite common to have different sensations after any breast surgery. There is typical shooting electric pains, that are due to swelling resolving around the nerves. This can also trigger the hypersensitivity to the nipples. In my practice, when patients have hypersensitive nipples, I often suggest that they wear nipple pads, which can be purchased at most running stores. This will keep the sensitivity to a minimum. These sensation changes almost always improve over the subsequent weeks but may take a few months to resolve in some cases.
Also make sure to touch base with your chosen surgeon and follow their standard post reduction protocol.
Regards,
Dr. T Brooks
P.S. Your results are looking great so far!
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified Plastic Surgeon
Certified Plastic Surgeon
I am one week out of Surgery for breast implants and looking forward to the final results. Pain is very minimal, only needed prescription painkillers for 2 days. Had my follow up and everything is healing on schedule. Dr. Brooks has been nothing but amazing since my first consult.
Dr Brooks is amazing! He makes you feel very comfortable and confident in having your procedure. On surgery day he ensured you were aware of what laid ahead. Which included lots of laughs before the anesthetic kicked in. The size he chose for my reduction suits my body type to a "T" . A million thank you's to and your crew
I suffered for many years probably 25 pre-menstrual bloating two weeks of each month. My breasts were so swollen and sore .....that it hurt to take my bra off. Then started menopause and they stopped swelling but were so stretched out of shape and one was a size larger than the other. I thought I was too old. However I had to talked with other ladies my age. They say the only regret is not having it done sooner. They were so right , to have a nice pair of beautiful breasts that are perky, something I haven't had since I was 14, I am ecstatic. The things I can wear , that I had longed to wear for so many years is a dream come true. I can honestly say I was not in pain, just uncomfortable wearing a hospital bra for two weeks , which helps to keep their shape and hold the swelling down. You will be given a prescription for pain killers just in case. I am 9 days post-op and the girls are gorgeous. So Ladies if you are on the fence, take it from me , if you can do it, this will be one of the greatest gifts you could give yourself. i will follow up with a photo. Updated on 26 Nov 2016: Feeling great and loving my new boobs. Feel so good .....can wear things that I never could wear even when I was very young. Cannot express how happy I am. No pain just itching for a few weeks. This is part of the healing process. Life is grand.
I have read so many reviews and experience and today I booked my surgery. I’m so nervous but so excited to finally get my boobs smaller. I’m over the back pain and struggles and ready to be comfortable in my own body. I had small boobs until I was 14 then I went from a size B to DD in two short months. The count down is on to surgery Updated on 22 Mar 2018: Have any of you been nervous that you think your boobs are going to turn out really small. I have had big boobs for all I remember. I feel like I’m gonna miss them Updated on 1 May 2018: I got my pre op phone call today. Everything is becoming so real and I’m so excited to finally get this surgery. I just got a job in the health care field and can’t wait till all my back pain is gone or at least not so bad.
I am right side affected with Poland Syndrome, which means I am missing my major pec muscle. My initial procedures were done in my home province of Nova Scotia, Canada - hence the location. I now reside in Alberta, Canada and will be getting all future surgeries here. Almost 11 years ago this year, I went through the process of getting a breast reduction on my unaffected side, then 6 months later an implant to match up with the other side. I went from a DD to a C cup on my unaffected side, and a small A to a C on affected side. This was all fine and dandy, but now... I have started the process to possibly get a breast EXPLANT and a reduction on both breasts. After several life changes (weight gain/loss, pregnancy) over the past 11 years, I am back to a DD, possibly a DDD cup. I have possible capsular contracture, and several issues that I have had as far back as I can remember. I don't know if this is related, but I DO know that I want all foreign objects out of my body. I didn't choose this life. I was only 17/18 when I had the surgeries, and I made this choice with my parents so I could have a more "normal" adult life. What I am doing is not for everyone, but I feel like right now this my BEST option for my health and for my sanity. I am scared as hell and I have no idea what the rest of 2018 is going to bring me. Going through surgery again and recovery is terrifying. But I DO know that I am going to DO THIS SH*T and plan to embrace the heck out of whatever happens. My worth is not in my breasts, no matter how big or how small. Updated on 3 Apr 2018: Since I have started the process of actually trying to get something done about my boob problem... I am really noticing how much they get in my way. If I could have this surgery tomorrow I freaking would. My sports bra digs into my shoulders and cardio workouts are not fun at all when you are constantly readjusting straps and fixing your boobs so the sweat doesn't pool in the middle and they kind-of-sort-of-not-really stay in place. EVEN with a 'high impact' sports bra. Just for once I would love to do a workout with weights where I can do upper body work without my side boob getting in the way. Ugh. Just ugh. Updated on 3 Apr 2018: I cannot lay on my stomach, touch my chest on the side with the implant, or hug people too hard without this sucker getting hard as a rock. I have a lot of extra skin / tissue from weight gain and loss, and pregnancy over the past 11 years. So I honestly don't know what size I REALLY am. I wear a 38DD but I have never been fitted for a bra. After my initial surgery I was a C cup... now could be a DDD or even an F. My breasts are not so much tissue as they are skin. My dream size is a B-ish. I am not sure how that would look on my frame, but honestly right now... I am not about looking proportionate! I am sure there are plenty of tall girls that have small chests and bigger hips / midsections, right?! I am 5'10 and currently 230ish - currently werkin on my fitness (another reason I want my large chest downsized) - so I need to find myself some Tall Girl IBTC inspiration. Updated on 21 Apr 2018: So I got a phone call from a private number, but it was family time so I let it go to voicemail. I didn't listen to it until the next morning (yesterday) because I was afraid to listen to it. I don't know why, because this is something I want! Dr. Brooks' office got the referral from my family doctor, and their message let me know when their earliest appointment was available. My name was written down for May 15th. Which is in 3 weeks and a little bit! I am freaking out!!! I put this off for so long and now I am FINALLY moving forward. I am so ready to have this implant out and live life on the lighter side. Updated on 21 Apr 2018: Updated on 17 Jan 2024: So I am now 34, and have yet to move forward with this. The difference between now and back then is that I feel like now I am finally in a good place in my life to be able to take the steps needed. Just mentally and emotionally BETTER than who I used to be. A lot has changed, and I am so much closer to being able to go through with this than I was before. Fingers crossed!
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