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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

My Breast Reduction Journey: One Year Later - Scottsdale, AZ

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Hi ladies, I decided to make a review and share my...

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SouthWestLady
WORTH IT
Hi ladies, I decided to make a review and share my story, since reading all of yours has been so helpful. I am 27 years old, 4'11" and currently 125 pounds. I am a 34H, which looks ridiculous on me. I have a small frame and have always been a very petite girl with huge boobs. Over the last few years I have put on a bit of weight, getting up to 140 pounds from being inactive and eating poorly. Over the last two months, I have lost 15 pounds by eating healthy and exercising. I still want to lose another 15 pounds or so to get to what I think is the most healthy weight for my height and body type. Since "taking charge" of my body and getting myself back on track, I decided that I would finally set up an appointment and see what I needed to do to have a breast reduction. I have wanted a reduction since high school, but always thought it would be difficult to get insurance to approve it and just never really tried.

Anyway, like so many of you, I have always had large breasts that are not proportionate to my body. I developed early, when I was in about 4th grade. It seems like I went straight from a training bra to needing a B/C cup right away. Of course this made me extremely self-conscious since I was the only one of all of my friends that had boobs already, much less such large ones. I developed poor posture and always wore clothes to try to hide my chest. By the time I entered high school, I was a little more comfortable with my body and less self conscious about it, but my large breasts continued to bother me. I didn't really have pain issues back then, it was more the fact that clothes didn't fit me and all of the comments that I received. It seemed my breasts were always the subject of jokes or comments, usually from people that weren't intentionally trying to hurt my feelings, but of course it did. I was active in high school and only weighed probably 100 pounds, but was still a D/DD. I thought I was huge then!

After high school, I continuously grew to my current size of 34H. I now have neck and shoulder pain, as well as almost daily headaches. My back hurts when I wake up in the mornings, likely because I am a stomach sleeper, and with my huge boobs underneath me, my back is arched all night. I can't find clothes that fit me. Either shirts are super tight across my boobs and back, or I wear a larger shirt and look pregnant from my boobs holding the material out. The worst experience was shopping for a wedding dress. The shop didn't have a long-line bra big enough for me, which was embarrassing and it made it difficult to see how the dresses would actually look on me. (I did find a dress though and can't wait to wear it on my wedding day in March! I know I will be much happier in my dress with smaller boobies!)

So, this brings me to where I am at now. After a particularly frustrating experience of shopping for a dress to wear to a friend's wedding, I finally decided to set up a consultation to find out what I needed to do to get the process started. I researched plastic surgeons in my area and decided on one based on his years of experience and his before/after pictures. I called the office on a Monday morning and went in for my consultation that Thursday, 9/26/13. The doctor and staff were extremely nice and knowledgeable. They assured me that I would have no problem getting approved by insurance. They sent everything in and I had my approval letter about a week later! Super easy! I called right away and scheduled the surgery. I have my pre-op appointment on 11/4/13 and surgery is scheduled for 11/11/13. I can't wait! I am so excited to get this done!

SouthWestLady's provider

Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

SouthWestLady

SouthWestLady rating for Dr. Turkeltaub:

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Replies (19)

October 21, 2013
You are so lucky they approved you right away. i was denied within 24 hours :-/ they said i wasn't an extreme case and it would just be cosmetic. I'm so happy for you. You will not regret this. Good luck!!
October 22, 2013
pretttyleaf..i am anxiously awaiting my insurance response. Can I ask what your measurements were..i mean, you have no recourse? will you self pay? i am so nervous. Where I live reductions are 8,000. Its alot to spend on me. I feel guilty!
October 22, 2013
You should go and see my surgeon. Mine costs 6618.00 and she was great (In Chicago) I know i was a 36DD. I have United Health Care.
October 22, 2013
Well, I am kinda sold on this surgeon, because I know two ladies in my town who she has done breast reductions on and they were thrilled. I am so excited (and jealous!) for you! I am a 36DDD/almost more...and normal to tiny boned. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have BCBS and the office said its very crazy..they can never predict who gets covered, although she said my case was very strong based on my size ratios. No one really gets it until they have to walk around everyday with that weight hanging off the front of them!
October 23, 2013
Make sure your surgeon does the lollipop procedure so u don't have the anchor scar- good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you!
October 22, 2013
congratulations...You are going to feel great....you are so small, you DESERVE smaller breasts...
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October 22, 2013
Thanks! I can't believe it is actually happening and I will feel Normal!
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October 22, 2013
Thanks ladies. I know I am super lucky that I was approved so quickly. I honestly didn't expect it to be this easy. I just chalk it up to really great insurance and a PS office that has a lot of experience sending claims to insurance.
October 22, 2013
I cannot believe you were approve so fast. My office explained it is almost entirely dependent on the type of plan you carry!
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October 22, 2013
I do have a pretty good plan through United Healthcare and my doctor said he would be removing about 400 grams, when my plan only requires 284 grams for my size.
October 22, 2013
Best of luck! What size are you leaning toward?
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October 22, 2013
I'm hoping to go down to a C. At my consultation, I told my doctor I wanted to go down to a full B or small C and he said that he could safely take me to a C or D. I'm really hoping I end up a C. I'm going to stress this to him again at the pre-op. I don't want to go through all of this and still be a D!
October 23, 2013
I don't know for sure, but I think that even if you ended up a D, it would be different--tighter, right? I don't know. Either way, best of luck!! Can't wait for your updates!!
October 23, 2013
Hello there....I was a 38F, and I also wanted to go to a C....my doctor said he could probably get me down to a D....I actually ended up being a 36C...I could even say I am a B if I was looking at the size of the cup, but because of the width and underarm tissue, I need to use a C bra.....depends on the brand too.....so you may be OK and get what you want.
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October 23, 2013
Natalian, a D would definitely be smaller. I actually have a few D bras that I never got rid of and I was looking at them last night. They are a LOT smaller, so it probably would be okay. I just still think a D would look large on my frame. Either way though, I know I will be happier will so much less weight on my chest. Isaacs, that is encouraging. I guess I should look at it like jeans: it doesn't really matter what size they say on the label, as long as they look good on me!
October 24, 2013
Exactly!!! you will do great!
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October 22, 2013
Wow, prettyleaf, that sucks that you were denied. Can you appeal the decision? I have United Healthcare too.
UPDATED FROM SouthWestLady
19 days pre

Just Some Thoughts

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SouthWestLady
I don't know if it's just knowing that I won't have to deal with this pain anymore or what, but my back and neck have been killing me the last few days. I am so looking forward to this surgery! I haven't gotten nervous yet, just still really excited. The only thing that I am worried about is that I will go through all of this and still won't be small enough. I really want to end up a C cup. At my consultation, I told my doctor I wanted to be a full B or small C. He asked what that meant to me, and I told him that I just want to be proportionate to my body. He said he would take me to a C/D. He explained that he can only safely remove so much tissue to ensure the blood supply is still good. I trust that he will take as much as safely possible, I just really hope that leaves me at a C.

Replies (8)

October 23, 2013
I think it is so important to honestly and openly tell your ps just what size you want to be. This is life changing surgery and it is for your self esteem and your comfort.
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October 24, 2013
I agree. I'm definitely going to talk to him about it at my pre-op.
October 23, 2013
I am scheduled for Nov 5th. Also a 34H. Strange - like you since I scheduled this my back has been hurting more than ever. At about 5 pm after sitting at my desk almost all day I have to go and lie down to get some relief. Pre-op tomorrow. Good luck to us both!!
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October 24, 2013
Yeah, it's so weird. I think I've had it so long that the pain just feels normal. Maybe we're just more aware of it now? Good luck to you!
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October 26, 2013
My surgery is the day after yours in San Francisco! I am also 4'11". Aren't you just so excited? I'm looking to going down to a C cup too if my insurance will allow it. My pre-op is on Nov. 1. So I guess I'll be finding out then! I love coming on here and seeing that I'm not alone in all of this. Best wishes to you on your surgery day :)
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October 29, 2013
Congrats to you! I'm super excited. It's really all I can thing about, lol. Your pre-op is before mine. Do you have a list of questions you are going to ask? I'm trying to be as prepared as possible for this, so I want to make sure I don't forget to ask anything.
October 29, 2013
SouthwestLady I will be watching all your posts! I am so thrilled for you. I have a similiar build to you but i am 45 and have three kids 12 and under. My surgery is going to be in Jan whether I am approved or not. I wanted to have it at your age, but as they say life got in the way! The hardest part is the waiting. A lady here in my town I know just had it and was feeling great four days after, youth will be on your side and the fact you are so fit. You will never regret this. Trust this coming from a woman who has carried that same weight on her chest for 15 more years than you with the corresponding effect on my posture, skin, neck, and self confidence. Please keep us updated!!!!
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November 1, 2013
Good luck with your surgery process! I have wanted it for many years too, but I am so glad I am able to get it done while still relatively young. My only worry now is having it done before having kids. I am hoping that my age and health have a positive impact on my healing process though!
UPDATED FROM SouthWestLady
13 days pre

2 Weeks to Go!

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SouthWestLady
Exactly two weeks from now I will have smaller boobies! I seriously can't wait. Today starts the countdown! No more alcohol for a while. :( I'm really going to miss my wine, lol. I'm taking a multi-vitamin and 1000 mg of Vitamin C daily. I still need to go shopping for the things I'll need after surgery. I have my pre-op next Monday Nov. 4th and am working on my list of questions. I'm trying to get things sorted out at work so that I don't stress about it when I am out. I've got a lot going on right now, so I'm a little nervous about this. I'm a social worker and have to visit with each of my families every month. I'll be out for two weeks and then the week I go back is Thanksgiving week, which leaves me only about a week and a half to get all of my visits done for the month. I'm really not sure how I'm going to do it. I still haven't really gotten nervous about the surgery itself. I'm just anxious.

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