POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
Unhappy After Breast Reduction
UPDATED FROM bheiv
1 year post
What I wish someone would have told me before getting my breast reduction
I meant to post this review as a question looking for help. I'm not able to change it at all, so adding an update as my actual review...
I got this reduction to eliminate back and neck pain, headaches, and muscles spasms. It has dramatically helped with all that, but not enough to make everything I've gone through to get it worth while. If anyone had told me all the mental and physical effects, I would not have chosen to do it. I'm upset because I do feel these are all things that should have been told to me BEFORE I went through a painful surgery and difficult recovery, permanently changing my body. I understand it may be an every day event for the Dr's and nurses, but it's a massive irreversible life change that I feel I should have been given far more information about before making the choice to do it. I was given every opportunity to ask questions, but why would I ever think to ask all these things I found out after are very common.
A list of the things I'm finding are common but no one told me:
· I am left with breasts that are loose and kind of deflated. It's obvious there's a big pocket that used to hold a big thing and now holds a small thing (and mine also have major flaws along the scar line, which isn't that unusual). I thought my skin would be pulled tight.
· I'm scarred all across my chest to the side of my body lining up with the middle of my armpit, around nipples, and the vertical from nipple down. They are massive and have faded very well, but they are obvious and will be there forever. I had no idea the scar would reach out to the side of my body.
· My body is not the shape I expect it to be when I look in the mirror. It messes with your head when you expect to look a certain way when you see yourself, and now you look completely different than what your brain expects.
· I'm not overweight, but have a large rib cage so my stomach now sticks out further than my breasts, which makes me look like I have a big belly.
· It's more difficult to find bras that fit due to the fat and tissue left on the sides of the breasts. That area is also painful, as underwire goes right over it (I've read here you can get liposuction during the surgery to correct this, but my Dr never mentioned anything about it)
· It hurts to workout, ride in a car, carry things, hug people, or lie flat or on your side for a LONG time! I was told I'd be back to work (I clean houses) in two weeks. I needed 4 months. I also slept elevated on my back for about 3 months before being comfortable lying flat or on my side. And it was 16 months before working out was comfortable, so I got to be very very out of shape with no exercise in that time.
· Since I'm still so loose and they bounce easily, sports bras are impossible to find with the right support. I would basically have to ace bandage wrap these flat in order for them not to hurt when I jump or run. Currently I wear two sports bras which is very uncomfortable, and I can only tolerate for about an hour. It was easier and more comfortable to workout at the bigger size.
I'm sharing in an effort to help others thinking of this procedure. If you are on the fence, you really need to think all this through. The surgery has a very high rate of satisfaction, but there's a whole lot more to it than you realize. I encourage you to do all kinds of online research, and take your findings to your doctor to see how common the negatives are.
I got this reduction to eliminate back and neck pain, headaches, and muscles spasms. It has dramatically helped with all that, but not enough to make everything I've gone through to get it worth while. If anyone had told me all the mental and physical effects, I would not have chosen to do it. I'm upset because I do feel these are all things that should have been told to me BEFORE I went through a painful surgery and difficult recovery, permanently changing my body. I understand it may be an every day event for the Dr's and nurses, but it's a massive irreversible life change that I feel I should have been given far more information about before making the choice to do it. I was given every opportunity to ask questions, but why would I ever think to ask all these things I found out after are very common.
A list of the things I'm finding are common but no one told me:
· I am left with breasts that are loose and kind of deflated. It's obvious there's a big pocket that used to hold a big thing and now holds a small thing (and mine also have major flaws along the scar line, which isn't that unusual). I thought my skin would be pulled tight.
· I'm scarred all across my chest to the side of my body lining up with the middle of my armpit, around nipples, and the vertical from nipple down. They are massive and have faded very well, but they are obvious and will be there forever. I had no idea the scar would reach out to the side of my body.
· My body is not the shape I expect it to be when I look in the mirror. It messes with your head when you expect to look a certain way when you see yourself, and now you look completely different than what your brain expects.
· I'm not overweight, but have a large rib cage so my stomach now sticks out further than my breasts, which makes me look like I have a big belly.
· It's more difficult to find bras that fit due to the fat and tissue left on the sides of the breasts. That area is also painful, as underwire goes right over it (I've read here you can get liposuction during the surgery to correct this, but my Dr never mentioned anything about it)
· It hurts to workout, ride in a car, carry things, hug people, or lie flat or on your side for a LONG time! I was told I'd be back to work (I clean houses) in two weeks. I needed 4 months. I also slept elevated on my back for about 3 months before being comfortable lying flat or on my side. And it was 16 months before working out was comfortable, so I got to be very very out of shape with no exercise in that time.
· Since I'm still so loose and they bounce easily, sports bras are impossible to find with the right support. I would basically have to ace bandage wrap these flat in order for them not to hurt when I jump or run. Currently I wear two sports bras which is very uncomfortable, and I can only tolerate for about an hour. It was easier and more comfortable to workout at the bigger size.
I'm sharing in an effort to help others thinking of this procedure. If you are on the fence, you really need to think all this through. The surgery has a very high rate of satisfaction, but there's a whole lot more to it than you realize. I encourage you to do all kinds of online research, and take your findings to your doctor to see how common the negatives are.
Replies (4)
Hi
I just want to encourage you. i too was dissapointed because I had the surgery not to necessarily smaller but really aiming for a lift. The last thing the dr asked me if I wanted a modest or big reduction, I said modest reduction but still came out smaller than I expected. i am so sorry for your scars and the way you are feeling. I remember that feeling to. i am not going to say you get over it, but you learn to cope, but there arent too many days that I don't think of my Dr and not in a positive light. He just didn't listen and sounds like yours didn't either. Anyway women have an amazing intuition, and to all the ladies, trust your first gut instinct. It's there for a reason ....to protect you. Stay strong, you will survive it. Buy pretty padded bras it's no substitute for feeling like your full boobies but it might just help. i'll keep u in my thoughts and prayers
I just want to encourage you. i too was dissapointed because I had the surgery not to necessarily smaller but really aiming for a lift. The last thing the dr asked me if I wanted a modest or big reduction, I said modest reduction but still came out smaller than I expected. i am so sorry for your scars and the way you are feeling. I remember that feeling to. i am not going to say you get over it, but you learn to cope, but there arent too many days that I don't think of my Dr and not in a positive light. He just didn't listen and sounds like yours didn't either. Anyway women have an amazing intuition, and to all the ladies, trust your first gut instinct. It's there for a reason ....to protect you. Stay strong, you will survive it. Buy pretty padded bras it's no substitute for feeling like your full boobies but it might just help. i'll keep u in my thoughts and prayers
Thank you! I hate that others have had the same thing happen, but it is comforting to know there are people out there who understand. :)
I had a reduction 10 years ago and I have some of the same issues you complain about (excess tissue on the sides). I'm really happy with mine though. Your scars have healed beautifully, and I guarantee, no one would notice them unless you pointed them out. Sometimes we are our own worst critics.
Your entry, as well as the additional responses, is exceptionally helpful! I actually search this site for months looking for this type of feedback before I had my procedure. (And I searched online specifically looking for reviews that stated “what I wish I had known before getting a reduction.”) I was not able to find very much. And nothing as succinct as what you wrote.
I went down from a 38H too … well, I’m not even sure what I am yet. I’m eight weeks post op and, if you do the ‘add 4 inches to your rib cage measurement’, I’m a 38B. If you take the straight measurements I’d be a 34D.
I’m dealing with many of the same things you mentioned. Longer recovery, wound dehiscence at the inverted T juncture, and some webbing in the cleavage line. I am totally blown away by the bouncing and challenging sports bra situation. I was so looking forward to improved movement with the smaller size, after having such a nightmare situation with it before the surgery.
It is taking awhile to adjust. But you are really right about the mental journey going from being big breasted to not. And even though I saw a ton of articles asking about “why does my belly look bigger after surgery”, it never gave a straight answer. Repeatedly, it would say it was from the lack of exercise during recovery. That is not accurate at all. Something definitely shifts in that process. Although maybe it was that I just couldn’t see the belly because it was covered by my breasts. Learning to dress for a new shape is quite a journey. I trust I will get there. I’m still glad I did the reduction. Sexually, I’m not quite there yet. I hope that changes over time. Now there is utter grief. I think helpful info sheets sent home with you “before” the surgery would be wise to offset all these issues later.
I went down from a 38H too … well, I’m not even sure what I am yet. I’m eight weeks post op and, if you do the ‘add 4 inches to your rib cage measurement’, I’m a 38B. If you take the straight measurements I’d be a 34D.
I’m dealing with many of the same things you mentioned. Longer recovery, wound dehiscence at the inverted T juncture, and some webbing in the cleavage line. I am totally blown away by the bouncing and challenging sports bra situation. I was so looking forward to improved movement with the smaller size, after having such a nightmare situation with it before the surgery.
It is taking awhile to adjust. But you are really right about the mental journey going from being big breasted to not. And even though I saw a ton of articles asking about “why does my belly look bigger after surgery”, it never gave a straight answer. Repeatedly, it would say it was from the lack of exercise during recovery. That is not accurate at all. Something definitely shifts in that process. Although maybe it was that I just couldn’t see the belly because it was covered by my breasts. Learning to dress for a new shape is quite a journey. I trust I will get there. I’m still glad I did the reduction. Sexually, I’m not quite there yet. I hope that changes over time. Now there is utter grief. I think helpful info sheets sent home with you “before” the surgery would be wise to offset all these issues later.
ORIGINAL POST
I had a breast reduction at the end of 2016. I was...
I had a breast reduction at the end of 2016. I was wearing a 34DDD, and am now a 36B. Insurance covered the procedure, which at the time I thought was such a gift, but now realizing the lack of choice of surgeons and research on my part (due to no options) was a huge misstep. I was not comfortable with the communication from my surgeon before the surgery, but was just so happy to finally be getting relief I did it.
I should have listened to my gut. I knew I'd be smaller than I wanted for the sake of having the procedure covered by insurance, but had made peace with that as the trade off for the pain relief. I am smaller than I'd like now, but I knew what I was getting there so I don't have an issue with the size. The issue is that there is a flaw in my cleavage on both sides, so much fat and tissue left on the sides it's hard to find a bra to fit that encases all that, and my breasts are basically deflated. They don't have a shape really, they just slosh to whatever side I'm leaning to, or gather at the bottom if I'm standing. When I lie on my side I have about a 3-4" flat gap between breasts with an indent of lack of tissue, and the breast closest to the side touching the ground is just flat. It's like the large pocket for the larger breasts is still there with just a smaller amount of tissue flopping around inside.
I do not want implants or anything foreign inside my body. I'm very glad that my pain is gone, but I am just so disappointed in the outcome I can't be happy about it and move on with my new life. I'm single and I can't imagine ever feeling confident in this skin with anyone in the future. I have an appointment to discuss the gathers in my cleavage in a few weeks, but that won't fix the volume or underarm tissue issue. Do I have any options?
I should have listened to my gut. I knew I'd be smaller than I wanted for the sake of having the procedure covered by insurance, but had made peace with that as the trade off for the pain relief. I am smaller than I'd like now, but I knew what I was getting there so I don't have an issue with the size. The issue is that there is a flaw in my cleavage on both sides, so much fat and tissue left on the sides it's hard to find a bra to fit that encases all that, and my breasts are basically deflated. They don't have a shape really, they just slosh to whatever side I'm leaning to, or gather at the bottom if I'm standing. When I lie on my side I have about a 3-4" flat gap between breasts with an indent of lack of tissue, and the breast closest to the side touching the ground is just flat. It's like the large pocket for the larger breasts is still there with just a smaller amount of tissue flopping around inside.
I do not want implants or anything foreign inside my body. I'm very glad that my pain is gone, but I am just so disappointed in the outcome I can't be happy about it and move on with my new life. I'm single and I can't imagine ever feeling confident in this skin with anyone in the future. I have an appointment to discuss the gathers in my cleavage in a few weeks, but that won't fix the volume or underarm tissue issue. Do I have any options?
Replies (3)
You mightbe able to get a "lift" of sorts. Maybe lipo with another reduction so theyre rounder and perkier. Althoughto be honest, i think youre overthinking. To me your boobs are a great size and shape, look natural and healthy. You could complain about how they look on the side but there are always gonna be positions that diminish the look of boobs. Mine look like that when im on my side and ive never had anything but compliments for my boobs. Tip: try not looking at your boobs for a week, then look in the mirror. Itll give you a fresh look at your body.
This was a case of taking out too much Breast tissue. I had a BR in 2013 went from 38DDD to 38D sometimes 38C depending on brand of Bra. If a PS tell you they can get you at a B coming from a DDD that’s a red flag, now they have compromised the integrity of the Breast. I hope you can get a revision. It’s a Shame to take out to much when you had it. You can’t get that Breast tissue back.
I get it, if I had only known then what I now know I would have chosen a different Dr.
I had my BR at the beginning of 2017--- so around the same time that you did. I was miserable in the healing process. It took way longer than I expected and I felt like I was missing my whole life go by. I didn't feel I could resume normal activity for 6 months. Even driving my car was awful. Every little bump was felt. I also expected to have a new "shape" to adjust to--- but I never expected just how traumatic it would be, mentally. I was thrilled to get rid of my GGs but NO ONE tells you that you'll feel a little like you are cutting off part of your identity. Also, I can't tell you how many times I have stood in department stores on the verge of tears, not sure where to look because I just don't KNOW this new shape the way I knew my old one. I'm with you on all of this.
Have i mentioned the scars under my arms are hideous and swell and hurt? Certain times of the month I am SO uncomfortable. The shape... meh. They are boxy and right under my arms. Not exactly the perky little breasts I'd been dreaming of.
But I have worked to get through this and into a better space, and I am glad that I made the choice to have the surgery--- and forgive myself. I realized I couldn't blame anyone for my decision to get a reduction, and given the choice to do it all over again--- I think I would still do it. I would just take with me the idea that everything would be different and I would need to adapt, and be patient with myself. The pain in my neck and shoulders didn't go away initially, and I was so upset (it also might have had to do with my inability to sleep on my side for so long causing more strain) but I did eventually figure out that the pain was retroactive--- meaning, I had chronic inflammation and the pain would always be there from the years having large breasts had caused, unless I dealt with the root of the problem--- inflammation. I discovered Tumeric which has helped tremendously and now my pain is so much more manageable. It's actually made the breast reduction a little more worth it.
As for my shape-- well, I didn't expect that i would gain 30lbs after my surgery, but I did. And that is WITH diet and exercise. No idea why my body is reacting this way... because I do not deserve this...I am an expert dieter but the weight will NOT COME OFF. so I am frustrated. Maybe the surgery threw me into early menopause and weight gain is inevitable? I have the biggest most annoying round belly of my life. It's GIGANTIC. and before it was just a little pudgy. It's like my body needed some place to store all that it lost, so it found my belly as it's new home. There are days when I swear I am as big as when I was 9 months pregnant. I cry over it sometimes because I feel so victimized by this belly that I never had before.
But--- I do try and find the joy in this new body as much as I can... and ... I am starting to find it. this is what I've come up with---
My chest is smaller and I can get away with gaining the 30- very-unfair-pounds because it's all in the lower part of my body. My belly is hard to hide... but I look better in pictures. I used to feel like I was all boob and no one could even see my face as my boobs just took over. I don't feel that way anymore. I feel like people actually listen to me when I talk because they aren't distracted by my breasts. I mean--- it was hard to look away from those boys. I am 30lbs heavier than I was--- and I don't FEEL it like I would have before. It's all in my tummy and in my ass. Not that I love it, but it's way easier to ignore than where it was before. I also don't have to wear a bra anymore--- in fact, I prefer NOT to on most days. Before my reduction I would sleep in a bra, and sleep was very uncomfortable. I sleep better. I wear tank tops and bathing suits. I am slowly learning how to dress this shape, and I find there is actually more designed for this shape than the old one.
I guess what I am saying is that there are good things about the reduction, I just had to make a decision to look for them. I chose to do the surgery, and I am going to do everything I can to make peace with where I am right now and continue to heal from the experience. My breasts aren't perfect, but they aren't hideous either. They are actually just LESS of my experience now with my body. I hope that helps. You aren't alone. Truly--- I relate so much. I hope you can start to feel better soon.
And really, why does no one tell you you are going to feel like you're in a different body with no idea how to dress yourself?!? Or that the pain doesn't just go away? I had to do pt for a few months to get my shoulders where they should be. Or that scars are going to cover your entire chest? I have about 12" more scaring than I expected. This was also something my new surgeon commented should not have been done for me...my scars should have remained totally under my breast at my size rather than all the way up my cleavage and up under my armpit. Can't do anything now but try to fix it.