POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
Life-changing.
UPDATED FROM RSMember4131
2 years post
Life-changing
RSMember4131October 30, 2014
WORTH IT$5,300
I can't believe it's been two years since my breast reduction. I have to say- the surgery was difficult for me, and the recovery was harder than I expected. But there's not a day that goes by that I'm not incredibly thankful that I took the leap. I still can't go to Target without browsing the lingerie section- where I can now purchase a bra... right off the rack! I am thrilled by spaghetti straps, or no straps at all. Every once in a while I don a push-up bra, just to relish in the fact that I'm not suffocating in my own cleavage.
The best thing, though, is the incredible boost in confidence. I recently got divorced and have been dating again after 13 years with one man. At first, I was nervous about my scars, which, on my fair skin, are still very visible. I have been surprised, though, at what a complete non-issue they are. One man told me that mine are the most beautiful breasts he's ever seen... even with the scars. I took my first beach vacation last December and proudly wore a string bikini, and I LOVE shopping again. Everything fits!
I want to say a HUGE "thank you" to all the wonderful ladies who took the time to answer my questions and to provide support and encouragement. Surgery is a difficult and scary thing... I couldn't have done it without this amazing community.
The best thing, though, is the incredible boost in confidence. I recently got divorced and have been dating again after 13 years with one man. At first, I was nervous about my scars, which, on my fair skin, are still very visible. I have been surprised, though, at what a complete non-issue they are. One man told me that mine are the most beautiful breasts he's ever seen... even with the scars. I took my first beach vacation last December and proudly wore a string bikini, and I LOVE shopping again. Everything fits!
I want to say a HUGE "thank you" to all the wonderful ladies who took the time to answer my questions and to provide support and encouragement. Surgery is a difficult and scary thing... I couldn't have done it without this amazing community.
RSMember4131's provider
UPDATED FROM RSMember4131
22 days post
Hey ladies! Question for you all: My healing has...
RSMember4131November 21, 2012
Hey ladies! Question for you all: My healing has been going really well, and then the other day I started having yellow discharge from my right breast below the nipple and at the T-scar, which still isn't closed. I know some of this is normal, but I'm wondering, if any of you had this, how long did it last? I'm going on four days and I'm not terribly worried, it's just gross and I want it to go away...
On that icky note, happy Thanksgiving! ;) Hope you all enjoy your turkey day.
On that icky note, happy Thanksgiving! ;) Hope you all enjoy your turkey day.
Replies (5)
November 21, 2012
glad ur healing so well. u look great!!! they girls are going to look even more amazing in a few more months. I had yellow discharge too. but it wasnt very much. mostly after i took a shower when all the scabs were wet. it should be ok as long as its not excessive and no odor or infection. if ur concerned ease ur mind and have ur doc take a look. im sure they will say everything is fine. ur body has fluid that has to go somewhere and an open wound is the easiest place for it to go. happy healing hon!!!
November 21, 2012
I had "serous" fluid drain week three it's fairly common. Looks like pink or yellow tinged fluid but not opaque like pus. Thins to look out for are fever (greater than 100) redness that is increasing in the breast tissue, hot skin. there are some photos here that illustrate what an infection looks like (I think under Q&A.)
Tah
November 21, 2012
My left breast has drained like that from the beginning my rt side swells but no drainage. I am 2 weeks post op today and my doc said it was ok. I've ruined a few bras although I am still wearing gauze on all of my incisions. Happy thanksgiving to u too
November 21, 2012
My PS said that one-third of healthy people experience slow healing at the T-scar (and 100% of smokers/diabetics) . One-third is quite a high proportion so it sounds as though your healing is on just the right path, and that everything you're experiencing is part of the normal healing process. You could always give your PS a call just to put your mind at ease. Keep up the good work and try not to do too much!
November 22, 2012
Yes, I was healing pretty good, and then bam - got one open at my t - then one at the bottom of my nipple, then a 3rd one on the left side of my nipple. 2 of the 3 are now healed. 2 of them also had a stitch pop out, once that was gone it was much better healing. I took pics and sent them to my dr. he said not to worry, would just be slow healing (I'm a diabetic and figure thats hes out). I just kept putting on neosporin or polysporin and covering with non-stick pads (gauze seemed to stick and pull off the healing).
UPDATED FROM RSMember4131
20 days post
I could not be happier with my experience with Dr....
RSMember4131November 19, 2012
I could not be happier with my experience with Dr. Kelley. From the first consult I knew she was different than other surgeons (I consulted with three before her). First, her staff was wonderful and made me very comfortable. No one seemed rushed or impatient. When Dr. Kelley came into the room she was the same way- kind, patient and attentive. She answered all my questions and the appointment didn't end until I felt completely comfortable. When the surgery came around, she was really good about keeping my husband informed, too. I had a complication with my surgery, which I don't believe is a reflection on Dr. Kelley's skill (her record is fantastic); complications can occur with any surgery- but I am SO pleased with how she handled it. She addressed the issue right away and went above and beyond in my post-op care to make sure the rest of my healing went smoothly. My results are WAY above my highest hopes or expectations. Dr. Kelley really listened to me pre-op and gave me exactly the size I hoped for. And she is more than a surgeon- she is an artist. I've looked at a lot of before-and-after shots of breast reductions and results like Dr. Kelley's are rare- the symmetry, the shape and the scarring are incredible. I have seen her several times since my surgery and I thank her every time and have to hold back tears- I'm just SO happy with my results. If you are considering breast surgery in the Indianapolis area, please consider Dr. Kelley. I didn't find very much information about her before my surgery- she doesn't market herself very much- but I'm so happy I went with my gut and chose her. She is kind, compassionate and so talented and dedicated to what she does. Five stars!
Replies (5)
November 19, 2012
you look really good! great results! did you have alot of drainage?? and how long did it take for them to settle into place??/ thanks!
November 19, 2012
Hi Kreative! Thanks so much! My drainage wasn't bad. I only went home with a drain on the right side because of the hematoma and it didn't have much output at all. I am still wearing gauze under my bra at this point, but it's mostly just for comfort, though I guess I did over-extend myself a little in the past couple days because I've had a little bit of yellow spotting on the right side. As for the settling, they were very firm for about a week and gradually started getting softer. They'll probably settle even more, but for now I'm enjoying having the boobs of a teenager again!
November 19, 2012
You are looking GREAT and so glad your healing is going well...ENJOY
November 19, 2012
Thanks so much, Mia! You are, too! I giggled a little at all you outfit photos because I completely understand. I can't stop trying things one! I'm more thrilled with the results than I ever hoped or imagined. Every time I see my PS I thank her and get a little teary... I can't help it. No wonder this surgery has a 95% satisfaction rate.. it is absolutely life-changing.
November 20, 2012
You really do look phenomenal. So glad that it's gone well and that you're happy with everything - that's a glowing testimonial for your surgeon! Did she ever discuss with you the amount in grams she was going to remove, or did you just show her photos of what you wanted and leave her to decide how much that meant?
November 20, 2012
Thank you so much! You are so sweet- and, yes, in my initial consult we did speak in terms of grams. She did a breast scan and physical exam to determine how much I had to start with and then, based on the cup size I told her I wanted to be, she told me how much she would remove, which was about half of my starting volume. I think those numbers are very useful for insurance companies, but they didn't help me picture my end size very well. In my initial consult I told her I thought I was interested in something between a B and a C and she was actually able to tuck and fold my skin in front of a mirror to show me what that size might look like. That, along with showing her photos, was more helpful than speaking in volumes, because I knew we both had the same mental picture going into surgery. I think showing photos was also useful for talking about shape and nipple size/placement, too, since surgeons can have different perspectives on that, too. Good luck with your surgery- I see you're scheduled for January! Congrats! I OBSESSED about my size pre-surgery and talked to my PS about it a lot- but now I think I probably would have been happy with something a little larger OR a little smaller- just having the weight off my shoulders is great! Your frame is so great- you could do a pretty broad range of sizes, too... so do your due diligence- show your PS photos and have those conversations but, in the end, don't worry. I think you're going to be very happy with the results. Good luck, and keep us updated!
November 20, 2012
Thanks so much for that. I had a second consult last week and took along my photos of "this is too big", "this is too small", "this is ideal". He showed me some of his photos and he hit on one that is spot on what I'm hoping for, which is a B cup, so I'm happy that we have the same thing in mind.He thinks that is 70-80% likely to come about so I'm hopeful. My insurance doesn't cover any type of cosmetic surgery no matter what the reason, so I'm footing the bill myself. As such we haven't really discussed quantities to be removed. So many people on this site talk about grams that I've been concerned I was missing out on something! Like your PS, he manipulated my boobs to show me the sort of amount of tissue that would be left. It's so hard to gauge, in the end I suppose you just have to trust your surgeon. I'm not worried about being too small but I am worried about being too big! I so desperately want to be a B cup but I'm trying ever so hard not to get too set in my mind about it (it's not going very well though!). I'm sure that once the end of January comes around I'll just be overjoyed to have perky boobs that aren't hanging down my chest!
November 20, 2012
Oh, you are in a wonderful place!! I think a lot of people on this site talk about grams because that's what the insurance companies want, but if you're paying for it yourself (I did, too) you get to talk about exactly what size you WANT - not some dumb requirement. I was worried about being too big, too. In fact, the last thing I said to my PS before I was wheeled into surgery was, "I will CRY if I have to buy a D-cup after this." ha! I think she took it to heart because I'm a little smaller than I expected- but it's awesome. I'm so excited for you! I think you've done everything right. Now just sit back, (try to) relax, and wait for your date!
November 20, 2012
Ha! Yes, I've already daydreamed the same scenario! Wise words though, thank you and I will try to take them on board. Watch this space. You know you're going to have to change your name... I'm thinking hotperkietittie!!! Keep healing well.
November 20, 2012
Thanks so much for the feedback and comments. This site has been a godsend in support to me. My surgery is scheduled for January 9th and I'm still in the obsessive sizing dilema. I'm 5'6 and about a size 10 mostly due to my giant boobs! I've cut off buying all tops, bras, jackets, and when I walk thru stores actually get giddy that I will be able to fit into a world of different clothes! I am a 36DDD and sometimes an E! I looked at 36B and C bras and the B's look super duper small to me - The C on the other hand looks more realistic however my concern is that if I put on any weight over the years I could end up in a D eventually which would be tragic! Do you notice any weight gain in the boobs post surgery around your cycle? Any and all advice is welcome! :)
November 20, 2012
Thanks so much for the feedback and comments. This site has been a godsend in support to me. My surgery is scheduled for January 9th and I'm still in the obsessive sizing dilema. I'm 5'6 and about a size 10 mostly due to my giant boobs! I've cut off buying all tops, bras, jackets, and when I walk thru stores actually get giddy that I will be able to fit into a world of different clothes! I am a 36DDD and sometimes an E! I looked at 36B and C bras and the B's look super duper small to me - The C on the other hand looks more realistic however my concern is that if I put on any weight over the years I could end up in a D eventually which would be tragic! Do you notice any weight gain in the boobs post surgery around your cycle? Any and all advice is welcome! :)
Replies (3)