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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

Happy So Far! - Originally a 36H - 34 Years Old

ORIGINAL POST

Happy So Far! - Originally a 36H - 34 Years Old

tburns85
WORTH IT
Hi everyone. I will try and give as much information as I can seeing as how the website helped me SO much.
I am one day post-op. I have not taken my surgery bra off yet (I know how I'd react if I did :) surgery is not pretty). I'm so happy with how they look. I do not know the size of my breasts and I'm still pretty swollen but I was able to fit in a medium-sized shirt and I haven't been able to do that since Jr. High.
Since there is a pandemic going on I had to get a negative Covid test before my surgery on July 21st. I had the test the Thursday before. I had to quarantine after my test, which was hard because I barricaded myself in my room and wore a mask if I walked around the house. My family members wore a mask if I was out of my room or they came to see me.
The day of the surgery went pretty smooth. I checked and had to pay little bit because I had not reached my deductible...ugh. My mom was not allowed to accompany me in the surgery center but the staff made it real easy to be by myself. My PS usually takes around 5 hours to do the surgery so I was wearing compression socks and had something wrapped around each leg, that would be plugged into a machine during surgery, to prevent blood clots. It was not uncomfortable at all. After getting some warm blankets and an IV, I talked to the PS and anesthesiologist and we were ready to get started. Ask lots of questions, it will put you at ease. I walked down to the surgery room and my surgeon had on 60's music. I LOVED it, it made me feel more comfortable seeing how relaxed she was.
I was given anesthesia and I don't remember anything but waking up in recovery. I was given a catheter but it was done after I went to sleep and before I woke up. The surgeon said I might feel some soreness from it but I did not feel a thing. I was a little horse and my throat was a tiny bit sore from the tube but throat lozenges helped a lot.
I had a 45 to an hour drive home. It was good. There were a few bumps along the way that hurt but that's it. Bring a pillow to put between you and the seat belt. It really helped. I did not feel nauseous at all. I was given plenty nausea medication that I took the day before and the day of surgery. I usually hate taking pain pills, but it has been great not getting behind on the pain. It will creep up on you but it's not super terrible and I'm such a wimp :) I was told to get up and walk to the kitchen every hour or so to keep the blood in legs circulating. I did receive drains and my mom helps me with those. I couldn't imagine doing it on my own. We have to document how much is drained. I see my PS on Friday, July 24th, and I think they will be coming out.
Make sure you buy zip or button up shirts so you won't be trying to lift your arms. I have not bought any more bras (surgical or not) since I will be swollen for awhile and not know my actual size. The surgical center put one on me and sent me home with an extra one. Ice packs on for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off have been wonderful. My PS also have me a small shopping list of things for after the surgery. Not expensive at all and I was able to use my medical flex card to get them. I was also told to start taking vitamins 2 weeks before the surgery to help the healing process. No Vitamin E (can lead to bleeding) or fish oil (can have a blood thinning effect). I was advised to start taking Zinc and Vitamin C. I propped tons of pillows on my bed to helpe sit up. Sleeping on my back has been a booger bear, but I'm making it work. So far, my experience has been great, I can already tell a difference. From what my mom told me, the surgeon removed 1,000-1,500 grams (I think that's the measurement) from each breast. Equivalent to about 6lbs total. Yikes! I did not do a free nipple great. My PS used the anchor method. I was so happy about that. She got me at small as could without doing a free nipple graft.
I will continue to post pics. Sorry it's such a long post. I hope those considering getting a BR can and will. It's a total game changer.

tburns85's provider

Lisa Taylor, MD

Lisa Taylor, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 18 Reviews
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tburns85 rating for Dr. Taylor:

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Replies (32)

August 31, 2020
Wow, can’t believe they took off 12 lbs!!
October 9, 2020
It feels so amazing! I high fived my scale!
September 2, 2020
Who is your insurance company if I may ask. And was it hard to get approval? How did your recovery go and are you pleased with results? I didn’t see anymore pictures of results. Sorry for all the questions and tia
October 9, 2020
I have BCBS of North Dakota. It was not hard to get approved at all. I was thinking about a breast reduction a few years ago and was told (by a plastic surgeon) I needed to have six weeks of PT and a year's worth of documentation from my primary care doctor. That seriously deterred me. This time, I decided to talk to a different PS and she just sent her letter to the insurance company and the surgery was approved within 2 weeks!

My recovery was hard at times. One thing, I did not do so well was letting others care for me. REST, REST, REST! :) Everything was healing fine but I did have a couple of areas I had to do extended wound care on, it wasn't serious but a little annoying. Dead skin was around a couple of areas that were trying to heal. The spots are healed up now but I do have a little bit of a bigger scar (which does not bother me).

I absolutely LOVE my BR. Seriously one of the best things I have ever done. Even with some of my complications, I would do it all again if I had to. More options with bras, back pain is GONE, I can wear a sports bra and exercise, my clothes fit so much better, and I just have so much more confidence. I'm actually buying smaller sizes in shirts because they now look like tents on me.

I will post some picutres soon!
October 9, 2020
I also meant to say I had my surgery at a surgery center. I had not met my insurance deductible and my part for just the surgery was $350. I still have my lab, anesthesiologist, and PS bills but they are less than $1,000 combined.
October 9, 2020
I have BCBS of North Dakota. It was not hard to get approved at all. I was thinking about a breast reduction a few years ago and was told (by a plastic surgeon) I needed to have six weeks of PT and a year's worth of documentation from my primary care doctor. That seriously deterred me. This time, I decided to talk to a different PS and she just sent her letter to the insurance company and the surgery was approved within 2 weeks!

My recovery was hard at times. One thing, I did not do so well was letting others care for me. REST, REST, REST! :) Everything was healing fine but I did have a couple of areas I had to do extended wound care on, it wasn't serious but a little annoying. Dead skin was around a couple of areas that were trying to heal. The spots are healed up now but I do have a little bit of a bigger scar (which does not bother me).

I absolutely LOVE my BR. Seriously one of the best things I have ever done. Even with some of my complications, I would do it all again if I had to. More options with bras, back pain is GONE, I can wear a sports bra and exercise, my clothes fit so much better, and I just have so much more confidence. I'm actually buying smaller sizes in shirts because they now look like tents on me.

I will post some picutres soon!
October 9, 2020
Thanks for the response. I was also told several years ago I needed pt and a year of treatment with primary Dr but ins is Aetna. I got a denial from them. I wonder based on your experience if it isn’t Kall I. The write up by the doctor and perhaps a different doctor would get an approval. Maybe I should try before giving up and pay out of pocket.
October 9, 2020
Yes, I would definitely shop around. I even expanded my search. My PS was about 45 minutes from where I live.
October 9, 2020
It's now been 2 1/2 months since your surgery. How are the scars now, and how do your breasts feel? Have you bought new bras yet? What size are you at the moment?

Thanks!
October 9, 2020
The scars are minimizing day by day. As I stated earlier, I had a few complications which made some bigger scars and prolonging the healing but the look of the scars do not bother me at all. I will try and post some picutres.

My breasts feel normal but weird. If that makes sense, lol. I keep trying to do things I had to do with large breasts. Like holding on to them when I bent down, lifting them up in the shower, moving them when I was in bed. Haha. They are soft and perky (as much as they can be - gravity)! Every now and then, I have a shooting pain it's very rare now. I did not lose any nipple sensation.

I have bought SO many bras recently (and returned them). My PS told me not to spend too much money on news bras since my breasts will continue to change over the next few months. The one I feel the most comfortable in is a 38D but I also have another one in 40C - different brands and styles. It feels great to not have to only buy underwire bras.
October 9, 2020
The scars are minimizing day by day. As I stated earlier, I had a few complications which made some bigger scars and prolonging the healing but the look of the scars do not bother me at all. I will try and post some picutres.

My breasts feel normal but weird. If that makes sense, lol. I keep trying to do things I had to do with large breasts. Like holding on to them when I bent down, lifting them up in the shower, moving them when I was in bed. Haha. They are soft and perky (as much as they can be - gravity)! Every now and then, I have a shooting pain it's very rare now. I did not lose any nipple sensation.

I have bought SO many bras recently (and returned them). My PS told me not to spend too much money on news bras since my breasts will continue to change over the next few months. The one I feel the most comfortable in is a 38D but I also have another one in 40C - different brands and styles. It feels great to not have to only buy underwire bras.
UPDATED FROM tburns85
3 months post

2 1/2 months post op

tburns85
I ha e been so busy, I forgot to post updates. Just adding a couple pictures. I had a little harder time healing so I have some bigger scars in some areas but I love them anyway! :)

Please excuse my fatness. Lol

Replies (7)

October 9, 2020
Notice the scarring from my healing problem. Didn't want it to scare anyone. I use vitamin E oil every day.
October 10, 2020
Lots of people had some problems. I think you look great!
November 14, 2020
So happy for ya I want to go from double DD to smallB or C
November 14, 2020
Thank you! Go for it, you will love it!
November 24, 2020
I used pure Vitamin E oil the minute my doctor it was okay to massage. No scars
November 25, 2020
I've been using it too. I will just have a little more scarring from my complications.
October 8, 2021
With your complications, what was eventually used to heal your incisions?