POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews REVIEWS
27 Years Old, Breast Reduction from 34G
ORIGINAL POST
27 Years Old, Breast Reduction from 34G
waffles54321June 29, 2021
WORTH IT
I've been self-conscious about my boobs pretty much since the day I got them. I was late to the whole puberty thing and didn't get boobs until I was 16, so they kept growing into my early 20s. They've always been large, but they got even bigger and heavier over the last 3-4 years even though my weight stayed mostly the same. Heavier breasts of course caused more pain & made it harder to workout, but it also made me so uncomfortable in my own skin. I always looked much heavier than I actually was because I'd do everything I could to cover them up. I was so embarrassed by them and they'd cause me weeks of anxiety leading up to any event that I had to wear a swimsuit for. I just never felt like they fit my body.
I've been thinking about getting a breast reduction for a few years, but I seriously started looking into it March 2021. I was switching careers & changing health insurance in August, so I wanted to see if my current insurance (Kaiser) would cover the cost of the procedure. I feel very grateful because it was way easier than I expected based on the horror stories I've heard from other insurance companies. I set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon & she told me that Kaiser covers the procedure based on the grams of breast tissue that need to be removed (I can't remember what the number was), so mine would be covered.
It was total luck that I ended up with the surgeon I did, but I absolutely loved her. She was so knowledgeable, but also had great bedside manner. I never felt rushed and always had time to ask my questions. She was open with me from the start about size. She said that she was more conservative than some plastic surgeons because her priority was ensuring the vitality of the nipples and that taking too much breast tissue out can increase the risk for issues. In the end, she was able to remove 410 grams from one breast & 475 grams from the other. I'm only 2 weeks post op so obviously they are not fully healed & are still swollen, but I am currently about a 34D.
As for healing, I have been totally shocked by how easy it has been so far considering that it's a major surgery (knock on wood it stays that way). I had quite a bit of pain 2 days post surgery, but once I tried a different pain medication, I was fine. The first couple days were weird because as nerves were regenerating, it felt like little lighting strikes of pain or tingling randomly in my breasts. I then went through a phase where they were really sensitive and everything tickled including clothes. But overall nothing too bad after the 2nd post op day & I think I was off the pain medication after 5 days. My surgeon used surgical glue over the sutures which is what the purple tint over the incisions is in the pictures.
I'm only 2 weeks post op, so I've still got some healing to do, but I am SO grateful my insurance covered my reduction and that I was able to get it done. I already feel so much more comfortable & confident in my own skin. Truly, life changing.
This reviews on this website have been incredibly helpful to me as I was making my decision, trying to figure out what to expect, and also reassuring myself that I was on the right track with my healing. I'm happy to answer whatever questions I can!
I've been thinking about getting a breast reduction for a few years, but I seriously started looking into it March 2021. I was switching careers & changing health insurance in August, so I wanted to see if my current insurance (Kaiser) would cover the cost of the procedure. I feel very grateful because it was way easier than I expected based on the horror stories I've heard from other insurance companies. I set up a consultation with a plastic surgeon & she told me that Kaiser covers the procedure based on the grams of breast tissue that need to be removed (I can't remember what the number was), so mine would be covered.
It was total luck that I ended up with the surgeon I did, but I absolutely loved her. She was so knowledgeable, but also had great bedside manner. I never felt rushed and always had time to ask my questions. She was open with me from the start about size. She said that she was more conservative than some plastic surgeons because her priority was ensuring the vitality of the nipples and that taking too much breast tissue out can increase the risk for issues. In the end, she was able to remove 410 grams from one breast & 475 grams from the other. I'm only 2 weeks post op so obviously they are not fully healed & are still swollen, but I am currently about a 34D.
As for healing, I have been totally shocked by how easy it has been so far considering that it's a major surgery (knock on wood it stays that way). I had quite a bit of pain 2 days post surgery, but once I tried a different pain medication, I was fine. The first couple days were weird because as nerves were regenerating, it felt like little lighting strikes of pain or tingling randomly in my breasts. I then went through a phase where they were really sensitive and everything tickled including clothes. But overall nothing too bad after the 2nd post op day & I think I was off the pain medication after 5 days. My surgeon used surgical glue over the sutures which is what the purple tint over the incisions is in the pictures.
I'm only 2 weeks post op, so I've still got some healing to do, but I am SO grateful my insurance covered my reduction and that I was able to get it done. I already feel so much more comfortable & confident in my own skin. Truly, life changing.
This reviews on this website have been incredibly helpful to me as I was making my decision, trying to figure out what to expect, and also reassuring myself that I was on the right track with my healing. I'm happy to answer whatever questions I can!
UPDATED FROM waffles54321
4 months post
4.5 months post op
waffles54321October 25, 2021
I still love my new boobs! I'll be honest, I went through stages in my recovery where I'd look in the mirror and think "I still wish they were smaller" BUT then I look at my before pictures and I was reminded of just how big they used to be. Now 4.5 months post op, I am totally happy with the size they are - they fit my body and are a million times more comfortable to live with. I can wear "normal" bras and workout without pain. Overall I'm thrilled I got the procedure done and would choose to do it again a hundred times over. It's easy to obsess over the surgery, as well as the healing process, but my best advice is to try not to think about it too much. They will change shape/size slightly as they continue to fully heal but as long as you go to a board certified plastic surgeon & follow their recovery recommendations, you likely won't have any major issues that won't heal with time.
I think I'm a 34D now for reference.
I think I'm a 34D now for reference.
Replies (10)
December 2, 2021
December 2, 2021
Is there a way to ask questions here? I want a breast reduction but not sure if it will be covered by insurance. I can’t find bras or clothing to fit in the USA. I ordered from Bravissimo in the UK but it takes forever to get the stuff or ship it back if it doesn’t fit. Are you happy with your new bra and clothing choices?
December 2, 2021
Hi! My reduction was covered by my Kaiser insurance & I only paid a $500 co-pay. Kaiser requires a certain # of grams to be removed in order for them to cover it (I can't remember the exact amount, but I think it was about 400 g per breast, but I could be wrong).
I also struggled with finding bras that fit & when I did they were always very expensive. Honestly, my insecurities with clothing and finding things that fit were a major reason I chose to get a reduction.
I would 100% recommend a breast reduction. I am super happy I did it! Sometimes I still wish my boobs were smaller (post-reduction I am at about a 34D), but it is SO much easier to find normal bras that fit. Now I can buy 6 bras for what I used to pay for one! I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. :)
I also struggled with finding bras that fit & when I did they were always very expensive. Honestly, my insecurities with clothing and finding things that fit were a major reason I chose to get a reduction.
I would 100% recommend a breast reduction. I am super happy I did it! Sometimes I still wish my boobs were smaller (post-reduction I am at about a 34D), but it is SO much easier to find normal bras that fit. Now I can buy 6 bras for what I used to pay for one! I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. :)
December 2, 2021
Thank you so much. That is what I wanted to know. I feel out of proportion to my size though I am not as large as some women who have this done. I am 127 pounds and a 30- UK is a G and US is an F or an I or K, depends on brand. I buy three or four; maybe; if I am lucky, I can wear one of them for more than five hours. I am so uncomfortable that I rip that sh*t off by 4 pm. I take a stretchy sleep bra to change into at work. I sleep in a bra also. Then I sag and bounce and don't want to go out.
I was told I had to do PT for six months to get insurance to pay for it. How would PT help me with boob pain/shoulder strap pain and pain under my breasts where it gets all red-the band holds my boobs up so I get tight ones. It literally peels off from under when I take it off. I have had chronic back pain for years and years--too many to count but didn't clock the hours of PT then at most recent PT, she said my back pain wasn't from my breast size and I would have more back pain in upper back if that was the case. I have lower back pain and the discs are moving out of alignment. I disagree with the PT. I have slouched for years and years and cannot stand up straight normally-nor do I want to because I can't see my feet or the floor and my floor clutter. Slouching and wearing big sweatshirts started to hide my boobs because they got too much attention and the buttons open up etc. You know the routine. I also drop food on them a lot when eating so I slouch when I eat. All in all, I may fund this reduction with my own savings and figure I"ll get the money back in what I save on several $80 bras purchased and discarded over and over throughout every year. Those expensive bra companies must set the guidelines for the size needed to get insurance to cover surgery; they stand to make a lot of money on us by keeping us huge. Good luck with your remaining time healing!
I was told I had to do PT for six months to get insurance to pay for it. How would PT help me with boob pain/shoulder strap pain and pain under my breasts where it gets all red-the band holds my boobs up so I get tight ones. It literally peels off from under when I take it off. I have had chronic back pain for years and years--too many to count but didn't clock the hours of PT then at most recent PT, she said my back pain wasn't from my breast size and I would have more back pain in upper back if that was the case. I have lower back pain and the discs are moving out of alignment. I disagree with the PT. I have slouched for years and years and cannot stand up straight normally-nor do I want to because I can't see my feet or the floor and my floor clutter. Slouching and wearing big sweatshirts started to hide my boobs because they got too much attention and the buttons open up etc. You know the routine. I also drop food on them a lot when eating so I slouch when I eat. All in all, I may fund this reduction with my own savings and figure I"ll get the money back in what I save on several $80 bras purchased and discarded over and over throughout every year. Those expensive bra companies must set the guidelines for the size needed to get insurance to cover surgery; they stand to make a lot of money on us by keeping us huge. Good luck with your remaining time healing!
Replies (4)