Second Time Around Breast Reduction--SUCCESS STORY. Philadelphia, PA

I had a BR done in 1981 by Dr. Marcia Fitzpatrick at 25, when I went from 34DD to 34B. My boobs held up for 25+ years, even with a 40-pound weight gain in pregnancy, but menopause did them in. Back to 32DDD at age 59. Sigh. I often thought about repeat surgery and checked out loads of online photos from local PS, looking in vain for someone who'd give as good an aesthetic result in an older woman as was possible in a younger woman. Two things happened that made me finally do it: a couple of really unflattering "[RS bleep] Magee" photos taken at a family wedding AND meeting someone who'd just had reconstructive surgery and looked terrific. Turns out she used to work for the PS, Ryan Hoffman, and she gave such a great recommendation, I had to look at his work online. I was impressed. So I scheduled my BR in early October. Outpatient surgery went well (even though repeat BR can be tricky) and Dr. Hoffman took about 3/4 pound from each breast with a little lipo (plus removed a revolting lipoma from my neck, ick). And then I did every thing wrong. My husband got critically ill so I was driving the day after surgery, spending an awful night in two ERs with him instead of resting up...and STILL I healed beautifully with only a few annoying undissolved sutures. I had a little pain from the lipo but nothing severe, as Dr. Hoffman predicted. Just had my three-month visit with photos. And here's the wonderful thing: I DO NOT EVER THINK ABOUT MY BOOBS. I just get dressed like a normal person and don't think about throwing on a scarf or sweater as boob camouflage. I walk down steps at home without holding my boobs. Hell, I just bought a SWEATER DRESS. I was big (34DD), then I was small (34B), then big again (32DDD), and now small again (34C)...and let me tell you, it is even sweeter the second time around!

Loving how small my boobs are in this chest xray!

Ten months ago I had my second BR and I was a little bummed that my PS took me to a C, not a B. (First time, when I was 25, I went from a 34DD to a B.) But now I'm 60 and I realize that a B would have looked weird on me. Back in the day, I weighed 110 pounds...now I'm 130, still a good weight for 5'5". I hated summer with big boobs, I hated how heavy and hot they were and I hated not being comfortable in even a tank top. So what about now, 10 months later?

MY BOOBS ARE FABULOUS!

I finally got around to shopping for underwire bras. The softies my PS recommended were fine but they didn't do a lot for my profile in clothes. The fitter at Nordstrom's put me in this marvelous Wacoal demi (no cutlets or pads) and my God, I had my figure back! My old Talbot's fit and flare dresses hang beautifully from my (partially restored) shelf. AND I CAN TAKE OFF THE BOOBS WHEN I'M DONE WITH THEM! When I'm dressing down, I wear the soft bras, but when I need a boost I can always go to the underwire. I bought a bunch of swing dresses and cropped cardigans for summer, not choices for me pre-surgery.

The new boobs are so lightweight! That's the best thing of all. My shoulders don't hurt. No more heat rash underneath the overhang.

Last night I tried going without the AC in the house and it was still a bit close...but I went braless in a t-shirt and whoa, it got better! Presurgery, braless was uncomfortable. Now, it is delicious!

Scars are faded (and I didn't tape, just used one bottle of the pricey silicone gel) and sensation is restored, just like the first time.

SIDE NOTE: The young woman who fitted me at Nordstrom's was a little thing with like a triple J cup, if such a thing exists. She had had a BR consult but was worried about pain and scarring. And there I was to show her how well I healed and give an honest account of my recovery. I hope I did as much for her with my story as she did fitting me with that fabulous bra.

When I was 17 and shopping for a swimsuit back in the Stone Age, when there 3 granny suits to choose from that would accommodate my big rack, a woman came up to me and put the idea of BR in my head. That stranger changed my life. Hope I did the same for the young woman at Nordstrom's, and for anyone reading this.