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Since I was young, I have been large-chested. At...
In the past year, I've experienced chronic back, neck and shoulder pain. Other parts of my body suffer as well. I have felt fatigued, not wanted to exercise, and generally cranky. Anyone who hasn't experienced chronic pain is very, very fortunate... and for those that have, I am so sorry for what you go through daily. ??
Back in 2007-8, I tried to initiate the breast reduction insurance approval process. Actually, I saw the exact same surgeon then! With Aetna as my insurance provider, I was advised that I probably wouldn't be approved the first time around, and would need to appeal.
I was denied, and appealed, and was denied again. I moved to Oregon about a year later, and didn't pursue a reduction while I was there.
Back in MA at 31, I'm ready to get on with my life. I can't remember life without giant breasts. Being very wide-set with low nipples, I'm often irritated or over-sensitized when I go braless. Bras from Elomi, Curvy Kate and others that serve the J cup market charge $60+, and never go on sale.
Approved for my surgery on November 16!
The pre-op has been scheduled for November 7, with the pre-op phone screen on the 13th. Surgery happens on the 16th, AKA the first day of my new life!!
I've been reading a LOT of articles and reviews on RealSelf, and I am admittedly concerned about things like infections and other complications.
Recently, I had a ganglion cyst removed from my wrist under local anesthetic, and the scar is barely visible now, thanks to a vigorous regimen of tea tree oil and cannabis coconut oil (medical cannabis is legal in MA, and I am a cardholder!). My ortho surgeon was floored at how great the scar looked, and I even find myself occasionally admiring it! So if that's any indication, I think that I will heal successfully, and need to stay positive about that end. If complications happen, so be it. I have good support and help. Things will be okay. :)
T-minus 18 days! :D So excited!!!
I put together some idea "after" photos
Provider Review
I had to go back and edit my initial review, because I don't feel that the judgement shown by Dr. Hein in her approach to my surgery was sound. I saw Dr. Hein in September for a consult, and was scheduled for a November 16th breast reduction surgery. I initially perceived that she was kind and understanding, as I didn't receive any pushback on performing the surgery because of my weight. I'm a size 14-16, ~225 lbs at the time, but have lost more than 30 lbs since surgery due to increased activity. Prior to surgery, I had shown her pictures of my ideal breast size and shape. Quite frankly, I don't even know why she asked for them, because what she delivered was nothing close to what I had requested. I was a J cup, and my right breast was a good cup size larger than my left. When I asked about her approach and plan, she said that the right breast would determine her approach. While this didn't particularly answer my question, I generally trusted her judgement because she seemed knowledgeable. For god knows what reason, come surgery day, she decided to use a lollipop technique on my breasts. The incision goes down from my nipple, and curves outward toward each armpit. My final size was a DD, which is still, quite frankly, too large for my frame. Even though I'm a plus size woman, the real issue is back pain and rashes, which persist to this day. The bunchy incisions she used to pull up still-strained skin resulted in painful, deep keloid scarring in areas. Scar massage and treatment hasn't done much to improve them. What really did me in for believing she had my best interests at heart, though, was when in response to bringing her attention to the incision scarring, she insisted that was not her doing. The marks were right there on my breast, spread out half an inch from the nipple itself, CLEARLY showing her bunchy, strained, and stretched incision—but she still fought it. When I asked her for a reason—ANY valid medical reason—why she chose to use the lollipop technique, she simply responded that it had a shorter recovery time. But if I have to have a revision surgery to actually relieve my symptoms, obviously that isn't the case! At the end of the day, Dr. Hein told me that she didn't feel she could bring me the results I desired (which are actually the results she told my insurance provider she would deliver, not just "my preference"), and that I should see another doctor. Which I am now doing, with a doctor who both knows and has worked with Dr. Hein, and was appalled to hear that she used the lollipop technique on my breasts. She is the 5th doctor, having seen my breasts, to tell me that the doctor who performed my surgery exercised poor judgement in mass reduction, liposuction balance, nipple placement, and incision technique. I can't, in good conscience, recommend Dr. Hein for anyone with extremely large breasts like mine. Her response to my concerns has been disheartening at best, and I'm very frustrated that she