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31/5'4"/230/36J to 42DD! My incredible (to me) journey!

UPDATED FROM bosredux
3 months post

Coming up on 3 months, and doing a lot of thinking

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bosredux
WORTH IT
Oh my goodness, another 6 weeks has passed. The good news is that nothing has really changed since the last update. My scars are softening and The bad news is that I'm having a lot of thoughts now about my breast size. I've lost some weight since surgery (~10-15 lbs), and I'm not noticing that I'm losing any weight in my breasts. That's fine, I knew this could happen... but I need to know what my options are.
But I am still a bit irked with my surgeon that I haven't gotten a straight answer on my nipple alignment and breast size. I feel like she went about the surgery to her own discretion, which I respect, but her decision didn't fix the problem.
When I first went into my surgery, I had no idea what kind of incision technique Dr. Hein was going to use. She ended up using a lollipop incision instead of an anchor, with the incision going down from my nipples, and out toward my armpits. I really haven't seen too many done like that, as the anchor incision seems most popular (according to this site, at least). But she assured me that this was the better option for me, and I saw a lot of indicators that not having a T-zone was a great benefit to my healing.
Also, my right breast pre-op was a good cup and a half larger than my left. Dr. Hein made several remarks that we'd need to see how things went with the right breast, as it would set the stage for the left one.
Well, that turned out to not be the case. The right breast turned out much better than the left. When I asked Dr. Hein why this was the case, she just said that she measures and marks from the sternum to nipple on both sides before making any incisions, and they were even. I mean, I can look at these and see that they're not even, so that's [RS bleep].
Immediately after I unwrapped for the first time, I felt like my left nipple was lower than my left. And today, at nearly 3 months post-op, I'm still having both shoulder/back pain AND rashes under my breasts. Furthermore, my left nipple has little to no sensation, where my right is just fine.
If she had used the anchor incision to make me smaller, I understand that we would have encountered more risks. But my insurance covered me to fix this problem, and the problem wasn't fixed by this plastic surgeon.
Dr. Hein has been a bit defensive, but I hope she'll be reasonable when I ask about my options at my post-op on Friday. I'll ask her to measure now and see how off we are, and she'll probably tell me that they've settled... but I'm not giving up. I still KNOW that my left nipple was placed far (~1") below where the other was. I'm not going to be gaslighted into believing I'm delusional about my own body. I look downward and can barely see my left nipple.
Has anyone pushed back at their PS after surgery because they weren't happy with the results?
If your insurance covered it, what did they do?
Would you recommend going to a different PS for a revision surgery? (I assume so)
And how long is nipple sensitivity supposed to take to come back? Is my left nip in an eternal coma?

bosredux's provider

Katherine Hein, MD

Katherine Hein, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

bosredux

bosredux rating for Dr. Hein:

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Replies (3)

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February 15, 2017
Congrats on your weight loss. I did the opposite and gained 5 lbs, that I'm now trying to lose (forever paranoid my breasts will grow!). I can't answer your revision questions, because I don't have any experience with that. But I think I would bring up your concerns with your doctor. And then if you don't like what you hear I would get a 2nd opinion. As for nipple sensation, I have read it can take up to a year. So just be patient with that one. The nerves take time to heal. If they respond to touch and cold that is a good sign. Good luck at your follow up appointment!
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February 15, 2017
I am sorry that you are not completely satisfied. You should stress your concern when you see her next time. I had BR done with vertical incision or lollipop totally happy with
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February 22, 2017
I hope that you get this fixed. But if your PS does not want to fix it, you should definitely go somewhere else.
March 12, 2018
Hello, I know its been quite some time since you posted but Im hoping you still see this. Could you please share with me the new surgeon you went to see after Dr Hein? I also was a patient of hers and feel very disappointed in my results and would like a different surgeon to take a look and see what my options are
UPDATED FROM bosredux
1 month post

6 weeks in, and feeling great!

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bosredux
It's been a while since I updated. I've crossed the 6 week threshold, and have been really impressed at how fast my body is healing. Any necrosis I had is cleared up, and I only occasionally get deep-breast zaps.

Righty is one gorgeous boob! The surgeon really got everything right with the nipple positioning, and the scar is disappearing fast. Lefty is still a bit saggier compared to Righty (possibly because of the hematoma, which seems to be getting smaller), but is looking better with every passing week. Showering is totally normal, and I'm back to the gym working out. Energy levels are still a little low, but working out is helping. Next week, I'll be getting back into the pool. SO excited to be in a bathing suit again!

I've been sleeping braless lately, since it's more comfortable than wearing a bra, but I try to wear a bra most of the time. I've also woken up occasionally on my stomach with no pain or discomfort, but I try to avoid that with a pillow to my side. I use cocoa butter after showers and every night to keep my skin moisturized and prevent dry skin.

Otherwise, I thinking/hoping that I'm out of the woods with my breast reduction surgery! I'll post occasional updates. I feel so sexy now, and can't believe how much my body has changed since just 6 weeks ago.

So glad that I opted to have my breast reduction done, even if I didn't go down quite as small as I would have liked. I'm already losing weight, and everyone that's seen my breasts says they fit my body perfectly -- super-perky wouldn't quite look right.

Enjoy some 6-week post-op photos!

Replies (3)

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December 30, 2016
Thanks for sharing. I'm two and a half weeks out and am happy to hear there is hope to feel better soon.
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December 31, 2016
Best of luck! :)
December 30, 2016
Im six weeks out from my reduction/ lift. I have the same problem one areola is higher than the other:::: have you asked the sr if she will fix as part of the procedure? My dr said he will Not since it was covered by insurance. I really would like to know if you have asked ..
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December 31, 2016
I haven't asked yet, but I would assume that they wouldn't since it was an insurance procedure. There's no part of the insurance that covers cosmetics, unfortunately. :(
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December 31, 2016
You look fantastic! Good for you!
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January 4, 2017
Thank you! I'm psyched that I didn't have any major complications. I'm pretty sure I'm past the point of risking infection *knock on wood* but you never know, I guess. I did go swimming for the first time today and was perfectly comfortable!
UPDATED FROM bosredux
22 days post

Day 22: Healing nicely!

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bosredux
It's been about two weeks since I last updated, and not a lot has changed, besides that I'm healing as expected. Which I consider to be a good thing! :)

Last week, my PS decided to keep my stitches in for an extra week, because the skin on troublesome Lefty's vertical incision had blistered before healing. The skin has since peeled, and is now closed up -- woohoo! I never thought I'd get excited about stuff like this haha. She'll be removing the stitches in just a matter of hours, tomorrow.

I'm showering without plastic wound covers, which is amazing. I can bend and reach comfortably, but still taking it easy. Sleeping on my side with a pillow prop is very comfortable, as well.

The only negative thing going on... I think I might have a minor hematoma in my left breast, deep in. It could also just be hormonal since it's that time of the month, but it feels like a hard mass, different from my milk ducts.

I will also be writing a review with pictures this weekend about this incredible surgical bra I purchased online. I had an opportunity to speak to the owner, who designed the bra herself. I think anyone who just came out of surgery should be wearing these things. The support is incredible, the price point was very reasonable, and it's made of really high quality materials.

Week 3 photos attached!

Replies (1)

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December 15, 2016
Glad to hear you're doing well!
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December 17, 2016
Thanks boo! It's been a wild ride but I think I'm out of the woods, apart from a minor hematoma in my left breast. It's just stagnated blood and swelling I think.