POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
Took the leap, didn't quite fly.... San Leandro, CA
UPDATED FROM Elmfo
11 months post
Checking in 10+ months post-op now - worth reading
$5,000
Hi all, it's been a while since I have been on the website - you know life and all. So here's an update on things for those who are wondering how life is almost a year out of surgery and what it's like. I have held off on writing until I was closer to a year out about my frustrations mentioned earlier, because everyone I spoke to in the medical world reminded me I needed to wait until that 12 month mark. In that time some things have improved (such as swelling) but others remain as you'll read below.
Let's talk positives first: my intercostals along the left side never really spasm anymore which means when I wear a compression sports bra I can go jogging and play sports without severe discomfort/pain. My headaches as they relate to upper trap/fascial compression from the bras i would wear and the weight they had to hold are down by easily 90%. I still get headaches occasionally, but they are usually triggered by other factors now. My TOS/radiculopathy symptoms as a whole have been reduced by 50-60%. I am able to play volleyball again, go jogging, hike with heavier packs and be comfortable in my upper back/neck/shoulders. Not to say symptoms are 100% resolved, but overall, things are significantly improved.
Neutral: Size. I sit around a 34DD/DDD (from a 34G/F) depending on bra size. I am okay enough with the DD, as it fits my body type/shape for the most part. The disappointing part is that my breast do not pass the "pencil test" as there was moderate sagging that still occurred.
Now for the negative: Due in part, I believe, to an overly strong pain medication which made me drowsy/lethargic and immobile, I developed a DVT within a few days post-op. My surgeon was skeptical despite my insistence and only provided me a referral for an ultrasound because of my request. The DVT means I had to change my birth control from Ocella (estrogen based pill) to the IUD, which has been less than ideal in terms of my body's response to it.
Scarring - this is one of the most negative experiences for me. I actually showed my friend (who herself had a reduction about a decade or 2 ago) and she used the words "butchered" and "what did he do?". You can imagine then how whenever I consider intimacy with someone, this is in the back of my mind. The scars are uneven/jagged lines, keloided/raised, reddened, and along both vertical incisions I have abnormal coloring. The right areola is irregular. Pre-surgery I was happy with my breasts for how they looked naked, just hated how heavy and restrictive they felt and the pain their weight contributed to my daily existence. I was actually more confident when the clothes came off when than when they were on. Now, my personal confidence is significantly altered when I have to explain to a potential partner about my scars. (In case you are wondering - to address scarring I tried: silicone strips, vitamin E, gentle scar tissue massage in order to minimize sag)
Pain: this is the one that I wasn't fully expecting. The severe pain in my incisions that persists, even now almost a year out. Some days it's non-existent, some days it's a stabbing, searing pain as limiting as my pain I had from the weight of them in the past. What's worse is that it makes wearing underwire bras, which I still prefer for their support, quite irritating at times as the thickness of the scars almost guarantees that it will hit right along those scars. So still at this point, finding bras that fit comfortable can prove to be challenging. In addition, being intimate with partner can, and often is painful in the breasts. Sometimes it's painful during, depending on activities, but often it's the next day that I feel like they were run over by a truck. It has slowly improved over the months, but it's still not "normal" or minimally affecting. It's something I have to be mentally prepared for.
I am writing about these things because it wasn't something that I fully registered or recognized would happen. Sure there are "horror" stories of completely botched surgeries, and these nuances may appear more subtle, but the culmination of the negatives has become such an infringement on my confidence and my ability to be comfortable once again in my own skin. Not to mention, the ultimate cost of this surgery was much higher than I had been prepared for when combining additional costs for dealing with the DVT, changing birth control, MD visits to follow up on, ER visits for scares that the DVT had returned, money spent on everything I could think of to minimize poor scarring in addition to the emotional and personal "costs" if i you will.
So bottom line then, would I still do it again? Yes. But I would not do it again with the same surgeon. I would not let insurance be such a limiting force for me. The amount I ended up paying because of secondary complications combined with my surgeon fees (oh and add'l fees because my surgeon used labs/etc that were not contracted with my insurance without consulting me first) was ultimately equivalent what I would have paid out of pocket for some more reputable/respected surgeons in the area.
I am going to be struggling with the emotional/self-confidence damage that has occurred in addition to my new pain factors for likely months if not years to come. Thankfully I have little things, like minimal to pain free volleyball and jogging back in my life to keep things in perspective. It's not easy though. I do genuinely look at my scars and feel like the person working on me just didn't care to put in quality work. It's a difficulty feeling to process, but I am working on it. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Let's talk positives first: my intercostals along the left side never really spasm anymore which means when I wear a compression sports bra I can go jogging and play sports without severe discomfort/pain. My headaches as they relate to upper trap/fascial compression from the bras i would wear and the weight they had to hold are down by easily 90%. I still get headaches occasionally, but they are usually triggered by other factors now. My TOS/radiculopathy symptoms as a whole have been reduced by 50-60%. I am able to play volleyball again, go jogging, hike with heavier packs and be comfortable in my upper back/neck/shoulders. Not to say symptoms are 100% resolved, but overall, things are significantly improved.
Neutral: Size. I sit around a 34DD/DDD (from a 34G/F) depending on bra size. I am okay enough with the DD, as it fits my body type/shape for the most part. The disappointing part is that my breast do not pass the "pencil test" as there was moderate sagging that still occurred.
Now for the negative: Due in part, I believe, to an overly strong pain medication which made me drowsy/lethargic and immobile, I developed a DVT within a few days post-op. My surgeon was skeptical despite my insistence and only provided me a referral for an ultrasound because of my request. The DVT means I had to change my birth control from Ocella (estrogen based pill) to the IUD, which has been less than ideal in terms of my body's response to it.
Scarring - this is one of the most negative experiences for me. I actually showed my friend (who herself had a reduction about a decade or 2 ago) and she used the words "butchered" and "what did he do?". You can imagine then how whenever I consider intimacy with someone, this is in the back of my mind. The scars are uneven/jagged lines, keloided/raised, reddened, and along both vertical incisions I have abnormal coloring. The right areola is irregular. Pre-surgery I was happy with my breasts for how they looked naked, just hated how heavy and restrictive they felt and the pain their weight contributed to my daily existence. I was actually more confident when the clothes came off when than when they were on. Now, my personal confidence is significantly altered when I have to explain to a potential partner about my scars. (In case you are wondering - to address scarring I tried: silicone strips, vitamin E, gentle scar tissue massage in order to minimize sag)
Pain: this is the one that I wasn't fully expecting. The severe pain in my incisions that persists, even now almost a year out. Some days it's non-existent, some days it's a stabbing, searing pain as limiting as my pain I had from the weight of them in the past. What's worse is that it makes wearing underwire bras, which I still prefer for their support, quite irritating at times as the thickness of the scars almost guarantees that it will hit right along those scars. So still at this point, finding bras that fit comfortable can prove to be challenging. In addition, being intimate with partner can, and often is painful in the breasts. Sometimes it's painful during, depending on activities, but often it's the next day that I feel like they were run over by a truck. It has slowly improved over the months, but it's still not "normal" or minimally affecting. It's something I have to be mentally prepared for.
I am writing about these things because it wasn't something that I fully registered or recognized would happen. Sure there are "horror" stories of completely botched surgeries, and these nuances may appear more subtle, but the culmination of the negatives has become such an infringement on my confidence and my ability to be comfortable once again in my own skin. Not to mention, the ultimate cost of this surgery was much higher than I had been prepared for when combining additional costs for dealing with the DVT, changing birth control, MD visits to follow up on, ER visits for scares that the DVT had returned, money spent on everything I could think of to minimize poor scarring in addition to the emotional and personal "costs" if i you will.
So bottom line then, would I still do it again? Yes. But I would not do it again with the same surgeon. I would not let insurance be such a limiting force for me. The amount I ended up paying because of secondary complications combined with my surgeon fees (oh and add'l fees because my surgeon used labs/etc that were not contracted with my insurance without consulting me first) was ultimately equivalent what I would have paid out of pocket for some more reputable/respected surgeons in the area.
I am going to be struggling with the emotional/self-confidence damage that has occurred in addition to my new pain factors for likely months if not years to come. Thankfully I have little things, like minimal to pain free volleyball and jogging back in my life to keep things in perspective. It's not easy though. I do genuinely look at my scars and feel like the person working on me just didn't care to put in quality work. It's a difficulty feeling to process, but I am working on it. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.
Elmfo's provider
UPDATED FROM Elmfo
3 months post
Got fitted today.....
She measured me at a 34DD....then handed me bra sizes that ranged from 34DD to F. So my breasts are pretty much the same. Just perkier I guess. On the plus side I got a bra for only $44 instead of $60 plus. Trying to stay positive. Also, this bra is pretty amazing - no wire, narrow straps, and the straps are super convertible!
Replies (4)
SandraLadd
December 31, 2015
Curious how you are doing. Do you really think you experienced no reduction? Are you feeling back to normal now - how many weeks post-op?
Elmfo
January 1, 2016
I am 3 months post-op now. My breasts hurt all the time, especially along the incisions, and feel swollen and achey. After wearing my new bra a few times I realized that it's still not supportive enough as my breasts "fall" out when I lean forward. So pretty much I feel like I got a very very minor reduction and primarily a lift. If anything I have more pain/discomfort now than prior to the surgery. At this point, my recommendation to anyone who's considering a reduction to really really really be comfortable with the surgeon and if you have a moment of doubt, trust it. I don't regret it because I know it's not health to, but I would have done things very very differently if I was given a second chance. I'm having trouble even working out now because they swell and ache so much after.
January 2, 2016
Hi and thanks for adding your experience here. I feel like my experience is very similar to yours (size - wise and disappointment wise). The whole point of going thru this was to be rid of big heavy breasts and that definitely didn't happen for me. I am at 11 weeks now so trying to be patient / optimistic but pretty sure I have seen the most of the significant change. I see this is your 12 weeks post. At 11 weeks I am also still swollen and uncomfortable. Good for you for working out ! I have only been doing treadmill/hiking and elliptical. Scared to jog or do even yoga get bc of the stretching and twisting.
Anyway I would be really interested to hear what the feedback from your PS is re: size and what you find out about revision surgery. I was also thinking lipo for further reduction (at least another cup size ?!). Don't think I can go thru the normal surgery again. Was NOT easy !
I can also wear all my old bras... And wonder if I was just cramming them in to the wrong size before ? Still depressing (I wanted to be a B and am still in a D. My PS said he took about 1 lb from each side too and I am like... HOW ?
Anyway I would be really interested to hear what the feedback from your PS is re: size and what you find out about revision surgery. I was also thinking lipo for further reduction (at least another cup size ?!). Don't think I can go thru the normal surgery again. Was NOT easy !
I can also wear all my old bras... And wonder if I was just cramming them in to the wrong size before ? Still depressing (I wanted to be a B and am still in a D. My PS said he took about 1 lb from each side too and I am like... HOW ?
January 13, 2016
I feel the same way! My PS essentially thinks he did a great job and the best he could. So guess his best and my ideal weren't on the same page. I'm still swollen, still hurting when I work out but I need to, I can't just sit around, ya know? Hope you're doing somewhat better!
I haven't looked into revision options yet, but it's still on my "to do" list in the next few months. I'm just so crammed with other activities at the moment it's hard. Have you been able to do more lately?
I haven't looked into revision options yet, but it's still on my "to do" list in the next few months. I'm just so crammed with other activities at the moment it's hard. Have you been able to do more lately?
January 13, 2016
Nah, still sore mostly. Not constantly but they don't feel 100% "mine" yet. So, very light jogging, hiking (which has been great0 - or just incline on treadmill) & gentle yoga. I definitely cannot contemplate upper body weights yet. Monday was the 3-month mark, too ! Am very impatient about the recovery time at this point.
Re: my PS -- yes. I really regret not going through more photos, and confirming his "buy in" even though I kept saying B, B, B, B and even took my "goal bras" in on the day of surgery as what I wanted to be wearing at this point in time. I am just disappointed that he keeps defending his work (btw his surgical work is great and I have had zero complications) rather than acknowledging that we could have gone smaller or that there is room for improvement in the future.
Re: my PS -- yes. I really regret not going through more photos, and confirming his "buy in" even though I kept saying B, B, B, B and even took my "goal bras" in on the day of surgery as what I wanted to be wearing at this point in time. I am just disappointed that he keeps defending his work (btw his surgical work is great and I have had zero complications) rather than acknowledging that we could have gone smaller or that there is room for improvement in the future.
January 18, 2016
I agree about not feeing "mine"! I've started upper body weights and cardio a fair amount - pretty much just workout through the pain like I did before the surgery. Pain is just in a new place now. I'm coming up to my 4month mark at the end of Jan. Feels like so long, yet things still aren't quite healed. Though it may be to my deficit, I have to keep working out, I gained so much in those first 2 months post-op. Need to start feeling human again!
February 9, 2016
So sorry to hear about your BR not being what you wanted. I know how hard it is to go through the whole process only to be disappointed in the result. My surgery was in November 2015 and I ended up smaller than I wanted to be. Plus, my left breast has a weird shape and will probably need a revision at some point. I chose a PS in San Francisco who is very nice but kind of brushed off my concerns during post op visits. I'm practicing patience but it's very hard when I see so many good BR outcomes on this site.
September 28, 2017
Something's up with the surgeons. Maybe they're all influenced by our crazy culture where women are supposed to have huge breasts or else they're not seen as real women. Only, doctors should keep their opinions and ideals to themselves, and just do the work. If I hired a contractor to do some home renovations, he wouldn't dare to tell me what my freaking kitchen should look like. It's unbelievable to me how much doctors ignore their patients' requests. Sorry for your experience of being unheard.
January 17, 2016
I'm kinda at this point as well, I know I was reduced but not to the C cup I wanted. I am now at a 34 F, which is smaller than the 34I I was, but I'm still in the same boat of having to buy expensive bras in specialty shops. Are you planning on having a revision? At least you could go to a B and have a great outcome, and they could definitely fix the T junction issue to lie in the breast crease. Good luck to you!
January 18, 2016
Thank you! And I'm sorry to hear that you've been through similar disappointment. I plan on scheduling a 2nd opinion in the next few months, but I honestly don't have the time or $$ to do a revision right now. I'm also concerned about the persistent breast pain that I still have and chest pain. I'm worried that, if he did "scrap out all he could" as he claims, he might have injured the muscles underneath, but I just don't know. I've never heard of that, but who knows at this point. Also, I'm really just hoping the keloiding subsides. Sigh. It's a process. Just have to keep reminding ourselves of that!
January 18, 2016
Yep, it is a process. I am at 13 weeks today and am still sore quite a bit. Saw my PS today and he thinks everything is healing great so grateful for that. I will go for a 2nd opinion at the 6 month mark and see what they can do with liposuction only for more size reduction. I cannot go through this surgery again (well only if they get much larger going through menopause !) Keep us updated on your information gathering and healing and decision making !
UPDATED FROM Elmfo
3 months post
Checking back in finally! - 10.5weeks postop
It's been a while since I have checked in...but here we go! I'm a little over 10 weeks post-op now and have been back to work for 7 weeks. Overall I'm still quite swollen, sore, mid back pain persists, and constantly reminded of the fact that I had surgery on my breasts. It's a very strange experience.
Post-op complications: After learning of my blood clot shortly after my surgery and doing followups that lead to an ultrasound of my right breast (diagnosed with a seroma) and some minor wound healing my post-op wound healing complications are slowing down. Well, at least the kind that make you grimace and say "ooo that's not good". Yet I still have a lot of swelling, tenderness, and occasional sharp pains. I spoke with my PS at 9 weeks post-op and he said my pain was somewhat abnormal but that "you look great!" and just offered me a prescription for pain meds to address my breast pain. Which I'd rather not take as I'm still using more tylenol now than I was prior to my surgery. I'm less than thrilled with my PS's handling of things, but it is what it is.
My incisions are still red and firm - used silicone strips for about 3 weeks but they were such as hassle. I've been using Mederma for the past month which has also only been mediocre. I'm scared to get professionally sized because I don't want to know the result.
I started working out finally earlier this week - did some jogging, a cardio hip hop class, and some weight lifting. I'm currently wearing the same sports bras. Yup. Same ones. And I hurt more with workouts (more in the breast than shoulders though, which is a plus I guess...?) The process is continuing to be emotionally draining. Down the road I plan on getting a few second opinions on revisions, but for the time being I'm just trying to deal with the day to day and get back to feeling more like myself. Not sure when that will be, but I'm on my way!
I've included some updated photos. You can see that the sagging is happening. Yes yes I know, they at least appear proportional, though truthfully I've gained about 5-8# since surgery plus my swelling (due to being so inactive and frankly eating out of emotion) that now I have to get my ass working and in shape again. Plus I feel swollen around my rib cage all the time. Sigh. It's a process. That's what I'll keep telling myself.
Was it worth it? Jury is still out. I want to say yes, just can't quite say it yet.
Post-op complications: After learning of my blood clot shortly after my surgery and doing followups that lead to an ultrasound of my right breast (diagnosed with a seroma) and some minor wound healing my post-op wound healing complications are slowing down. Well, at least the kind that make you grimace and say "ooo that's not good". Yet I still have a lot of swelling, tenderness, and occasional sharp pains. I spoke with my PS at 9 weeks post-op and he said my pain was somewhat abnormal but that "you look great!" and just offered me a prescription for pain meds to address my breast pain. Which I'd rather not take as I'm still using more tylenol now than I was prior to my surgery. I'm less than thrilled with my PS's handling of things, but it is what it is.
My incisions are still red and firm - used silicone strips for about 3 weeks but they were such as hassle. I've been using Mederma for the past month which has also only been mediocre. I'm scared to get professionally sized because I don't want to know the result.
I started working out finally earlier this week - did some jogging, a cardio hip hop class, and some weight lifting. I'm currently wearing the same sports bras. Yup. Same ones. And I hurt more with workouts (more in the breast than shoulders though, which is a plus I guess...?) The process is continuing to be emotionally draining. Down the road I plan on getting a few second opinions on revisions, but for the time being I'm just trying to deal with the day to day and get back to feeling more like myself. Not sure when that will be, but I'm on my way!
I've included some updated photos. You can see that the sagging is happening. Yes yes I know, they at least appear proportional, though truthfully I've gained about 5-8# since surgery plus my swelling (due to being so inactive and frankly eating out of emotion) that now I have to get my ass working and in shape again. Plus I feel swollen around my rib cage all the time. Sigh. It's a process. That's what I'll keep telling myself.
Was it worth it? Jury is still out. I want to say yes, just can't quite say it yet.
Replies (2)
December 14, 2015
Sorry to hear about your results, though it definitely looks like they were reduced from your pics! They usually want you to wait a year before a revision, and with a different plastic surgeon, I hope you you get the results you deserve! These are our breasts, something we see everyday, and a little care and attention in the operating room is all were asking for. Stay positive and try to not dwell on them, I know it's hard, but you'll only drive yourself crazy finding everything wrong with them. Hoping everything goes better!
February 8, 2016
My friend had a great breast reduction from Dr Josh Krogen in Mountainview. He really listened and did what she wanted. Lots of eye contact, sincere listening skills and authenticity.
Replies (0)