POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
Breast Reduction in SF - San Francisco, CA
UPDATED FROM NorthCoastGal
2 years post
2 years out -- "Good things take time". ;-)
NorthCoastGalFebruary 27, 2014
WORTH IT$10,500
Hard to believe it's been that long. I'm very happy with how I look now -- my breasts have a nice natural-looking "drape" -- not a sag or a droop -- and are a good size for my frame. I no longer feel like they are preceding me into a room. Sensation is still way down from their original baseline. It's the one thing I'm disappointed with.
So to all of you who are disappointed or disturbed with what you see days after surgery, I'm here to say, what you're seeing at that point is only one phase of a long healing process. Our expectations are skewed by all the makeover shows on TV -- "a new body in 45 minutes". This is real life, and our bodies have magnificent healing powers, on their own timetables.
So to all of you who are disappointed or disturbed with what you see days after surgery, I'm here to say, what you're seeing at that point is only one phase of a long healing process. Our expectations are skewed by all the makeover shows on TV -- "a new body in 45 minutes". This is real life, and our bodies have magnificent healing powers, on their own timetables.
NorthCoastGal's provider
UPDATED FROM NorthCoastGal
3 months post
3 months out, I'm finally all healed up. The left...
NorthCoastGalMay 25, 2012
3 months out, I'm finally all healed up. The left breast was slow to heal around the nipple (I think I came close to losing the nipple/areola on that side, tho the doc would never say that. It looked to me like blood just wasn't getting there.) While I'm relieved not to have anymore open wounds, and I'm happy with how I look when clothed, I am coming to terms with lack of sensation, and that is hard. I don't think this aspect should be minimized as much as it is beforehand -- I will have to learn a whole new way to make love in the future (i'm currently unpartnered) as my breasts can no longer play the starring role that they used to, in terms of arrousal. So I feel some grief about that.
My breasts are starting to settle a bit and feel a bit more natural in that there's more motion, although there are still areas within that are thick or hard, likely from the 3 layers of stitches. I'm hoping that they all soften over time.
My breasts are starting to settle a bit and feel a bit more natural in that there's more motion, although there are still areas within that are thick or hard, likely from the 3 layers of stitches. I'm hoping that they all soften over time.
Replies (3)
May 26, 2012
I'm so sorry to hear of the difficulties that you have had. Has anything been said about the lack of sensation and the chances of it returning. I only ask because I personally know a woman who had a reduction, who is actually an RN, and she said she was sure she was losing her nipple during the entire first year. She said there were even parts that were black, but then suddenly it was like the blood supply returned and she not only kept the nipple, but was actually able to breast feed a baby three years later. I don't know if that was just a fluke, or if that is something that isn't all that uncommon, but I would encourage you to speak to your doctor about it and find out if there is anything that could be done to stimulate sensation. Good luck!
May 26, 2012
Thanks for your comment, Iowa.... I'm seeing my doc in July, so will find out more then. I think it's a matter of spin, like " you're gonaa look so good you won't care how you (don't) feel.". And docs need to minimize the negatives for their own peace of mind, I would think....
August 31, 2012
Hi,
This was very helpful to read. I too am sorry about the nipple issues. I just had a reduction on 7/27 and now, a month out, I'm stressed out about the assymetry of my nipples. I had the lollipop style surgery. No drains, not antibiotics. Healing has been smooth. But assymetry is concerning me a lot. I agree with you that the doctor's spin it for their own peace of mind and to assuage us. Mine told me I was "focusing on the wrong thing" when I asked him about the loss of sensation (especially erotic) in the nipples and said I was not happy with it. Anyway- plusses are the size, looking good in clothes etc. My back and neck no longer hurt at all. No questions that the weight being off is a blessing. But I resent the minimization by doctors of the loss of feeling and other concerns. As you put it earlier, there is some grief in realizing that things are permanently different in the love making department. Anyway...onward...
This was very helpful to read. I too am sorry about the nipple issues. I just had a reduction on 7/27 and now, a month out, I'm stressed out about the assymetry of my nipples. I had the lollipop style surgery. No drains, not antibiotics. Healing has been smooth. But assymetry is concerning me a lot. I agree with you that the doctor's spin it for their own peace of mind and to assuage us. Mine told me I was "focusing on the wrong thing" when I asked him about the loss of sensation (especially erotic) in the nipples and said I was not happy with it. Anyway- plusses are the size, looking good in clothes etc. My back and neck no longer hurt at all. No questions that the weight being off is a blessing. But I resent the minimization by doctors of the loss of feeling and other concerns. As you put it earlier, there is some grief in realizing that things are permanently different in the love making department. Anyway...onward...
UPDATED FROM NorthCoastGal
1 month post
March 21 was my latest post-op visit. Left breast...
NorthCoastGalMarch 31, 2012
March 21 was my latest post-op visit. Left breast slower to heal still. She prescribed more antibiotics, orally and topically. Took staples out of the "T junction" where the vertical incision met the areola one. Next appointment is April 12.
March 31 -- there is still a crescent-moon of un-healed, scabbed area around my left areola. Still putting the antibiotic ointment on 3x a day. Lately what has been bugging me more tho, are two clumps of flesh, one at each of the under-arm ends of the incisions. All the bras I have (seven at last count!) rub or pinch in that area. I'm REALLY hoping that those areas will settle down, perhaps when the ends of the stitches come out.
I'm also feeling ambivalent about the shape of the left breast and what looks like a thick white scar along the sternum edge of the breast, but is actually a wrinkle or a length of empty skin, I'm assuming from fat die-off. :-(
But I'm still very happy when I can sit up in bed comfortably or when I catch sight of myself in a shop window. Then I think, "Much better!"
March 31 -- there is still a crescent-moon of un-healed, scabbed area around my left areola. Still putting the antibiotic ointment on 3x a day. Lately what has been bugging me more tho, are two clumps of flesh, one at each of the under-arm ends of the incisions. All the bras I have (seven at last count!) rub or pinch in that area. I'm REALLY hoping that those areas will settle down, perhaps when the ends of the stitches come out.
I'm also feeling ambivalent about the shape of the left breast and what looks like a thick white scar along the sternum edge of the breast, but is actually a wrinkle or a length of empty skin, I'm assuming from fat die-off. :-(
But I'm still very happy when I can sit up in bed comfortably or when I catch sight of myself in a shop window. Then I think, "Much better!"
Replies (2)
I would urge anyone with dense breasts who’s had a reduction to get breast MRIs for screening purposes.
I would not change having the reduction — I had 10 years of looking and feeling really good — but I do wish I’d had better diagnostics. Now it’s on to chemo and radiation…