POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
61 Years Old, Finally Have Done It! - Miami, FL
ORIGINAL POST
Hello everyone. I feel it is my responsibly to...
GalochkaAugust 17, 2015
WORTH IT
Hello everyone. I feel it is my responsibly to write this review, and help others to make such important decision, even after 55, to go thru an elective surgery, just for mare reason, as to look better. If it was not for this site I don't think I would have done it! So, this is my small contribution :-).
It all started years ago. Even though never had big chest, it always pointed down. Well, with bra on, it was ok.. Got married, moved to Florida, around 34 years old, went to see PS about my boobs, just for a Lift. Little guy, doctor, walked into the office, told me, let me see your breast;, then he looked at my boobs, then my face again and again, he said, nothing wrong with your boobs, but the face, the face, I could really work on! OMG, this was hilarious ! It has become the joke thru my whole life! Particularly since I thought my face looked just fine, lol! Many years went by since then, my boobs grown from C to DDD, I think due to menopause , here I was 5'8", 165lbs,DDD , 60 years old... My old girlfriend visited me fr Atlanta sow my boobs and said, are you crazy! Why have not you done them yet! With these words she pulled her blouse up and said, you must fix yourself! Stop looking like a cow (she is a New Yorker , doesnot hold back much :-) ) Ok, she got the ball rolling! I joined this website. Read many many reviews. Made my final decision on the doctor, Dr. Ary Krau, in Miami. Set a date, and got it done! Every time I look at my boobs, makes me want to smile! Cannot believe I did it!
The reason I have selected dr. Krau: Well, it is always about the shape before and after, kind of thing ...he makes beautiful breast shape and areola perfectly round... Not that I am planning to parade my boobs, but still it is important. He is a pleasant fellow, nice office, but most importantly, his work on breasts is fantastic.
One of my most concerns was anesthesia, I just did not want to have general., but in the end the anesthesiologist said it is the way to go, while I was already in the chair, well, did not give me much time to agonize over it, so it was gen. Anesthesia.
I was in surgery 3 hours. 2 hours in recovery. I did not get sick after. Got some meds from nosea (sp?). Had saltines and gingeral for next two days, and never got sick after much feared anesthesia..
Meds: I took 2 Percocet pills first day, every four hours, 4 total, then just stayed with Tylenol . 2 every four hours. Pain was manageable. Took Mirolax for constipation, it worked! Highly recommend.
Sleeping: put several pillows behind my back, one under each arm. I would advise to sleep on a lower bed , my bed is very high, even for me, with my long legs, was hard to get in and out.. Also, I put a small tray right next to me in bed, so I could reach pills or water and my phone as needed. Don't waste your money on special pillows..
Shower: doc said I can take shower third day.. Well, I did not.. Right it wrong, I waited for one week to get into shower. Felt good. Went to see doctor to remove stitches and replace tape. It was not painful. My doc did not use drains. I liked that!
Days 10, 11,12 --- well, there is some importance about these days, other women described it too. My pain was most severe these days. Pretty bad.. Continue taking Tylenol, did not hep much, but I would not want to go back to Percocet... I just decided to tough it out! This morning, day 13 after surgery, what a difference! No pain! How can it be?,! Is it psychological ? Who knows, but the pain had subsided so significantly that I am not sure if I took Tylenol yet today!
So, here you go girls, if anybody out there, contemplating to have this procedure or not, I would say do it! You will love it! Recovery is not peace of cake, but manageable . I am so happy I did it! I am also happy that I did it after menopause, because I probably would get huge again.
Now is the difficult part, I need to post before and after pictures! I will post some more pictures when the tape is removed..
It all started years ago. Even though never had big chest, it always pointed down. Well, with bra on, it was ok.. Got married, moved to Florida, around 34 years old, went to see PS about my boobs, just for a Lift. Little guy, doctor, walked into the office, told me, let me see your breast;, then he looked at my boobs, then my face again and again, he said, nothing wrong with your boobs, but the face, the face, I could really work on! OMG, this was hilarious ! It has become the joke thru my whole life! Particularly since I thought my face looked just fine, lol! Many years went by since then, my boobs grown from C to DDD, I think due to menopause , here I was 5'8", 165lbs,DDD , 60 years old... My old girlfriend visited me fr Atlanta sow my boobs and said, are you crazy! Why have not you done them yet! With these words she pulled her blouse up and said, you must fix yourself! Stop looking like a cow (she is a New Yorker , doesnot hold back much :-) ) Ok, she got the ball rolling! I joined this website. Read many many reviews. Made my final decision on the doctor, Dr. Ary Krau, in Miami. Set a date, and got it done! Every time I look at my boobs, makes me want to smile! Cannot believe I did it!
The reason I have selected dr. Krau: Well, it is always about the shape before and after, kind of thing ...he makes beautiful breast shape and areola perfectly round... Not that I am planning to parade my boobs, but still it is important. He is a pleasant fellow, nice office, but most importantly, his work on breasts is fantastic.
One of my most concerns was anesthesia, I just did not want to have general., but in the end the anesthesiologist said it is the way to go, while I was already in the chair, well, did not give me much time to agonize over it, so it was gen. Anesthesia.
I was in surgery 3 hours. 2 hours in recovery. I did not get sick after. Got some meds from nosea (sp?). Had saltines and gingeral for next two days, and never got sick after much feared anesthesia..
Meds: I took 2 Percocet pills first day, every four hours, 4 total, then just stayed with Tylenol . 2 every four hours. Pain was manageable. Took Mirolax for constipation, it worked! Highly recommend.
Sleeping: put several pillows behind my back, one under each arm. I would advise to sleep on a lower bed , my bed is very high, even for me, with my long legs, was hard to get in and out.. Also, I put a small tray right next to me in bed, so I could reach pills or water and my phone as needed. Don't waste your money on special pillows..
Shower: doc said I can take shower third day.. Well, I did not.. Right it wrong, I waited for one week to get into shower. Felt good. Went to see doctor to remove stitches and replace tape. It was not painful. My doc did not use drains. I liked that!
Days 10, 11,12 --- well, there is some importance about these days, other women described it too. My pain was most severe these days. Pretty bad.. Continue taking Tylenol, did not hep much, but I would not want to go back to Percocet... I just decided to tough it out! This morning, day 13 after surgery, what a difference! No pain! How can it be?,! Is it psychological ? Who knows, but the pain had subsided so significantly that I am not sure if I took Tylenol yet today!
So, here you go girls, if anybody out there, contemplating to have this procedure or not, I would say do it! You will love it! Recovery is not peace of cake, but manageable . I am so happy I did it! I am also happy that I did it after menopause, because I probably would get huge again.
Now is the difficult part, I need to post before and after pictures! I will post some more pictures when the tape is removed..
UPDATED FROM Galochka
15 days post
15 days after breast reduction with lift
GalochkaAugust 20, 2015
Hi girls, here I am celebrating my 15 days post surgery by going to Panera with my BFF, drinking my 3cups of coffee with bagel and chatting for three hours straight. First time took my beloved Advil, two pills, drove around, and felt pretty good. When I got home took 2 Advil pills again, and... Then, I started getting shooting pain in my right breast.. The only thing I can compare the pain is with shooting ear pain... That was intense... Took off the bra... Aired my boobs out a bit.. Felt better.. Three hours later took three Tylenol pills..pain has calm down. So, ok one hour is different than the next one.. So women go back to work on day 10. For me, it will be 4 weeks. I think it is more reasonable and realistic. This is not an insignificant procedure, the time to heal must be allowed. So, this is what I am doing, allowing time to heal. I think I am doing ok. My boobs look fantastic! Every time it hurts, I just look in the mirror, makes me smile and happy I did it every time! Happy healing everyone! P.S. Did not post new pictures since there is not much difference yet .
Replies (21)
August 20, 2015
Shooting pain could be nerves re-attaching.
August 20, 2015
Yes, something is re-attaching alright! :-) next Thursday going to see the doctor , Friday driving back to Carolina ... Must get better! Did you read the blog from a lady that went back to work on day 8? I feel like such a sissy.. :-)
August 20, 2015
I can not even imagine trying to do 8 on day 8! I am fine with being a sissy!!!

August 28, 2015
Don't you're not a sissy, we all heal differently. I'm 7 weeks today and if I worked I would not have considered going back before 6 wks only started walking several kilometres last Sunday. Still tender. But I think all that rest has paid off.

August 20, 2015
Did you have issues with itching? Taken benadryl just not cutting it, any advice?
August 21, 2015
Sorry sweetie , I don't have any particular advise on itching... I do have itching accompanied with pain, so I just slightly touch the area and it helps, maybe... Benadryl makes me very tired, I never took it. I think, it just needs to heal over time, I am trying to be very patient with all the sensation in the area. Happy healing :-)

August 22, 2015
Thank you I ended up being highly allergic to the surgical tape and like glue stuff they used to close insicions, he's not really sure why a week later it happened?? But thank you for your help and comment back;)
August 28, 2015
I too, had severe itching, around 2 to 2 and half weeks postop, and was told I was probably allergic to the tape. I removed the tape, and gradually it resolved itself. I had immediate relief after removing it, and then over about a week or so the itching became less severe, until it was finally gone. Antihistamines and creams did not help. All the best.
August 21, 2015
Enjoy your time off work..Catch up for coffee, read a book or just pamper yourself..You deserve it, you've waited so long for this operation now just relax and let it heal..I think that pain might be what they call zingers on here..I got them at times but not bad enough to take meds..Isn't it great that now when we look in the mirror we can smile instead of being sad about what we see..That's gotta be worth the money...Stay safe...
August 22, 2015
They look great! i am also 60 and just recently had my reduction and lift. Still healing having some of the same occasional zinger feeling specially in my nipple area. Had the surgery August 6; taking 4 weeks off work. Happy healing!
August 24, 2015
Galochka
Have you closed enough to put silicone strips on the incision lines? I have found that they help with burning or pain feelings. I think they stop the scars from being pulled as we move about. They are washable, and if you use a gentle soap (like baby shampoo or I use Dr-Bronners) they can last for a few weeks. I swear, they help! (or at least they help me loads)
Let me know if you want more information.
Have you closed enough to put silicone strips on the incision lines? I have found that they help with burning or pain feelings. I think they stop the scars from being pulled as we move about. They are washable, and if you use a gentle soap (like baby shampoo or I use Dr-Bronners) they can last for a few weeks. I swear, they help! (or at least they help me loads)
Let me know if you want more information.

August 28, 2015
I put silicone strips on two days ago and found they stopped the slight stinging I still have after 6 weeks, I took off today and noticed some redness around the incision so might alternatnate every other day. But it is amazing how much more comfortable the silicon strips were. I read as much as possible about them and knowing that if irratation starts stop or give it a few days, also I left them on for about 36 hours. Youre supposed to start slow 4 hrs the 8 etc.
September 6, 2015
Avl, could you tell me what brand for the strips you use? I would like to try using them, maybe will help with burning. Thank you in advance! Hope you are feeling great! Galina
September 6, 2015
:)
Posted the answer above
Bio-Dermis for the nipple, Scar away for the straight incisions.
Feeling better every day. Got a rock boob, but that's better than a huge boob, so all good!
Posted the answer above
Bio-Dermis for the nipple, Scar away for the straight incisions.
Feeling better every day. Got a rock boob, but that's better than a huge boob, so all good!
UPDATED FROM Galochka
25 days post
25 days after BR with Lift
GalochkaAugust 29, 2015
Hello Laydies, here I am 25 days, I would say pretty painful days, after the procedure I dreamed of for last 30 years. On day 23, I travelled to Miami, saw doctor, he removed the tape (no pain), looked at my healing boobs, said all looks great, that was it... There is no openings, skin is very dry, but healing well, I would say.. Purchased Scardguard MD, was instructed to apply twice a day. This is a waterproof seal, loaded with staf that really burns in the first couple of minutes following application. Was advised to wear bra 24/7 for next month. All this information is just factual data, now abou how I feel. Well, thee weeks and 4days, I will tell you, a lot of discomfort. Very painful around insions. Different day, different pain, but I think it is normal. It is pretty major surgery, and I think that the more removed the more hurts.. I am happy with my results, the only thing is that I never had boobs under my arms, you know, some women have that shape, but not me, I was all right in front, but now, unless it is swelling, I have this rolles on each side. Asked doctor, he said it the shape of my breast.., well, never was before .. We will see, maybe it is swelling, maybe he is confusing me with someone else.., not sure. I am posting a picture, the gue around the scaring is this silicon medication. Also, I noticed that my pain increases later in the day. This morning feeling pretty good. No Tylenol yet.. I am going back to work this Monday , it will be interesting how I will do..still very week. My breasts look very dry, so I will start with some moisturizer . Happy healing to all! :-)
Replies (24)
August 29, 2015
Congrats,
I would suggest not to worry about "side boob" for a few months, while you heal. There is no way that the doc would have moved tissue INTO your sides and not remembered. There will be swelling, and the sides are where the lymphnodes are, and they have a LOT of work to do right now, taking away all chemicals, toxins, dead cells, etc etc. They are going to be very busy, and that may be some of the swelling.
I hope you are enjoying your lighter self! (I know I am still enjoying being able to stand up strait!)
:)
I would suggest not to worry about "side boob" for a few months, while you heal. There is no way that the doc would have moved tissue INTO your sides and not remembered. There will be swelling, and the sides are where the lymphnodes are, and they have a LOT of work to do right now, taking away all chemicals, toxins, dead cells, etc etc. They are going to be very busy, and that may be some of the swelling.
I hope you are enjoying your lighter self! (I know I am still enjoying being able to stand up strait!)
:)
August 29, 2015
Always so nice to read your comments! Side-boob, I like it, exactly what I meant! You are so right! Swelling will hang around for a while, I am sure! And really, I don't care, my breast is a lot smaller than used to be, my neck and shoulders, omg, I cannot even imagine, there is no pain in there! To wear a small neckles was a struggl! So, I will be patient with the boob pain, it will subside, one day... I did not wet scars, except for couple of times in 25 days... Coming from an old country still think that keeping it dry is the best treatment for scar healing. But now will wash it twice a day before applying that med, ($80) should be great fir the money :-) big hug and thank you for your helpful input! Galina
August 29, 2015
Galochka
You give me a chuckle! Talking about you.. Silly, this is YOUR review; it is supposed to be about you. If you want to see me whine, you can go to MY review. I [RS bleep], kvetch, moan, complain, whine, whinge, and act an all around prat through nearly 2/3's of it... 2/3rds of every long-winded word of it!
:)
And any way, I come to your review to see how YOU are doing!
Now, as for me.. Doing pretty well. Swelling is stable, it doesn't seem to be going down at any speedy rate.. Right boob is the "bad boob" and left boob is the "good boob". (right has the hard mass and greater swelling)
Sometimes are more uncomfortable than not, but I find that I can finally go back to the gym. I am not at FULL fitness yet, I still get winded easier and I lost some muscle in my 2 months of no gym.. But I feel better for the exercise.
I LOVE going for long walks right now, and not having to holster the girls in multiple bras!
I LOVE THAT ABSENCE of bouncing, moving and swinging! LOVE IT!
So.. I expect it will be a slow many month process of watching the right boob reduce in the swelling. But, like you, I really am enjoying the new lighter self.
And I know what you mean about the neck and shoulders! That I can stand straight with out great effort! Headaches gone, back pain gone, shoulder pain gone, neck pain gone!!
AWESOME!
You give me a chuckle! Talking about you.. Silly, this is YOUR review; it is supposed to be about you. If you want to see me whine, you can go to MY review. I [RS bleep], kvetch, moan, complain, whine, whinge, and act an all around prat through nearly 2/3's of it... 2/3rds of every long-winded word of it!
:)
And any way, I come to your review to see how YOU are doing!
Now, as for me.. Doing pretty well. Swelling is stable, it doesn't seem to be going down at any speedy rate.. Right boob is the "bad boob" and left boob is the "good boob". (right has the hard mass and greater swelling)
Sometimes are more uncomfortable than not, but I find that I can finally go back to the gym. I am not at FULL fitness yet, I still get winded easier and I lost some muscle in my 2 months of no gym.. But I feel better for the exercise.
I LOVE going for long walks right now, and not having to holster the girls in multiple bras!
I LOVE THAT ABSENCE of bouncing, moving and swinging! LOVE IT!
So.. I expect it will be a slow many month process of watching the right boob reduce in the swelling. But, like you, I really am enjoying the new lighter self.
And I know what you mean about the neck and shoulders! That I can stand straight with out great effort! Headaches gone, back pain gone, shoulder pain gone, neck pain gone!!
AWESOME!
September 2, 2015
Hi girlfriend.. You are still in discomfort, and so am I ! How long will it last? My breasts, while oh so pretty (cannot stop admiring the work of my PS :-) ) still hurt, hard to describe the sensations, maybe burning, chills, shouting pain, cramping... And yet, for some women it is a breeze. I must admit though, my energy level is getting better, no question about it! I think swelling will subside by new year, I hope :-) finally started taking 3 Advil every 6 hours, so much better than Tylenol ! I am not a gym person, used to be, never liked it, but did it anyway.. Well, I need to start walking, at least that ... Happy healing!
September 3, 2015
Galochka
For me, the woozy and dizzy lasted about 2 months. At about the one month mark the bruised, burning, itching, feelings started. I am now at the 3 month mark, and the pain is receding. The bruised feeling is only on one side, (with the mass, that my lymph specialist believes is a hemotoma, and she thinks that we got that moving today!!! YAY)
However, I also realize that my breasts had ALWAYS hurt. It hurt to lie on my stomach, it hurt if they moved or bounced, it hurt without a huge bra, that then spread the load and spread the pain to include my neck, shoulders, head, back, etc.
So now, I walk around with a single bruised feeling breast at month three, and the other .. some times it give a bit of a bruised or burning feeling, but less each day, and not every day. It sort of "stopped complaining" about last week.
So.. Even with one breast feeling like I hit it with a baseball bat, or perhaps parked a car on it, or something... I realize that it still hurts less than it did BEFORE surgery when I think of all the other pain that those breasts were causing me.
That makes the discomfort seem soo much easier to deal with!
That.. and as you said
PRETTY BOOBS!!!
They are soo darnd cute! I love that!
I too, enjoy admiring my doctors work when I get out of the shower.
I hadn't heard of Scar guard, I may look into some of that. I have been using the silicone sheeting, not the paint on. I am glad it is working for you! (I kinda like the sheeting because it reduces any pulling that my moving about may cause to the new tissue)
For me, the woozy and dizzy lasted about 2 months. At about the one month mark the bruised, burning, itching, feelings started. I am now at the 3 month mark, and the pain is receding. The bruised feeling is only on one side, (with the mass, that my lymph specialist believes is a hemotoma, and she thinks that we got that moving today!!! YAY)
However, I also realize that my breasts had ALWAYS hurt. It hurt to lie on my stomach, it hurt if they moved or bounced, it hurt without a huge bra, that then spread the load and spread the pain to include my neck, shoulders, head, back, etc.
So now, I walk around with a single bruised feeling breast at month three, and the other .. some times it give a bit of a bruised or burning feeling, but less each day, and not every day. It sort of "stopped complaining" about last week.
So.. Even with one breast feeling like I hit it with a baseball bat, or perhaps parked a car on it, or something... I realize that it still hurts less than it did BEFORE surgery when I think of all the other pain that those breasts were causing me.
That makes the discomfort seem soo much easier to deal with!
That.. and as you said
PRETTY BOOBS!!!
They are soo darnd cute! I love that!
I too, enjoy admiring my doctors work when I get out of the shower.
I hadn't heard of Scar guard, I may look into some of that. I have been using the silicone sheeting, not the paint on. I am glad it is working for you! (I kinda like the sheeting because it reduces any pulling that my moving about may cause to the new tissue)
September 4, 2015
receding? Receding! At three months mark ? OMG!!!!! I am just laughing! What do I have complain about at 30 days mark!!! Oh, AVL, that much longer? Ohhhh... Ok, I need to gird my loins, I think that is the expression!! Patience, I just need to hang in there, and come to think about it, my breasts alway hurt me. In fact, I went to see a breast specialist about a year ago.. You are right! Thank you so much for putting things in to prospective. As you noted at one month mark, the painful itching, some weird sensations, I'll tell you it's tough, but totally worth it! Thank you sweetie! And yes, I think I am the biggest kvetch yet :-)
August 31, 2015
You are really scaring a prospective BR patient !! what would you rate your pain now on a scale of 1-10? I think that and possibility of infection is what frightens me most. Best of luck to you and you do look wonderful!!
September 1, 2015
You know, my girlfriend said it was nothing to get the BR, very easy and no pain. But not for me. The pain level is between 4-6, I would say. But pain is just pain, it will take time to go away. It is not a big deal.i would never discourage someone to go for it. It is totally worth it! Also, I did not get any infection either. I don't know why some people do.. I think maybe do too much.. I also keep my incisions very dry. Nooooo! Don't be scared! Very worth it! And, the neck and shoulders pain is gone! Good luck!
September 1, 2015
Thank you so much I really need to have it done for medical reasons. I've had numerous surgeries (other) during my life so I guess I can handle this, I'm 5'8" size 34 H
September 2, 2015
No problem! I am 61, 5'7" and had 36ddd, believe me, I know the load on the shoulders and the constant neck pain! Even lightest neckless gave me pain! Once incisions will heal it will be fantastic! If your health is good and you can afford it, font even second guess yourself ! This is the best thing I have done for myself! Good luck! P.S. If I could stay home two more weeks, it would make a world of difference! But had to go back to work ...
September 4, 2015
Thanks so much for your encouragement. I have family pushing me so that keeps me motivated on days I think I'll forget it. Beside the impact on my neck shoulders etc I can't imagine how it wod be yo got in a bathing suit I actually like! Thank you I wish you continued good health and hope you are better day by day.
August 31, 2015
So
How was work, you doing ok???
How was work, you doing ok???
September 1, 2015
Survived 7.5 hours. Got very tired! Work is crazy, the usual! I just discovered that my high blood pressure is back, now I know why! I stayed home for 4 weeks and not once I had pressure above 110/70! Yep, it is my lovely work! But it's ok, need to pay my bills and keep up my extravagant taste ;-) thank you for thinking of me! Hope you are doing great! As for me, the pain persists...

September 1, 2015
The girls look fabulous! My dream boobs! I am 63, and my breast are very much like yours, pre-surgery. Have my first consultation in about 3 weeks.
Replies (50)
Awesome and Wonderful! I hope you continue to heal well, your attitude is great! (and that counts for a whole heck of a lot!)
How are you feeling, now that you are back at work! (BTW, your before and after are great shots!)
I am very Happy for you!
From one Engr to another, it is wonderful to reduce the load!