POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
51, 5'4" 143 Lbs 36DD - 3 Kids and Ready for This. I Think! Too Late to Second Guess!
ORIGINAL POST
I have been lurking on this site for many months...
finishedlurkingJanuary 26, 2016
WORTH IT$6,400
I have been lurking on this site for many months now. I felt I should write something as the many woman that have written made this journey way easier to understand what to expect. I hope this will help someone too. My journey has only just begun and I will try and update as it goes along.
I have always had large breasts and kind of liked them. However, after 3 kids and menopause they just got bigger, heavier, uncomfortable and I couldn't' find any cute clothes that fit both my boobs and my body. I went to visit a recommended doctor and asked about a Breast lift. Thinking they would be smaller too. He indicated from what I told him, I would do better with a reduction.
Because he didn't do reductions, he recommended another doctor, who I went to. I'm not mentioning names here because he came with very good reviews. I just didn't feel comfortable with him. So I went to see Dr. Nancy Van Laeken who was recommended by a friend and it made all the difference.
She was very easy too talk too and explained everything. I didn't feel like any question was to silly to ask. She does not do MSP reductions, but because I was going to pay in the first place for the lift, I was willing to pay for the comfort she gave me.
I have always had large breasts and kind of liked them. However, after 3 kids and menopause they just got bigger, heavier, uncomfortable and I couldn't' find any cute clothes that fit both my boobs and my body. I went to visit a recommended doctor and asked about a Breast lift. Thinking they would be smaller too. He indicated from what I told him, I would do better with a reduction.
Because he didn't do reductions, he recommended another doctor, who I went to. I'm not mentioning names here because he came with very good reviews. I just didn't feel comfortable with him. So I went to see Dr. Nancy Van Laeken who was recommended by a friend and it made all the difference.
She was very easy too talk too and explained everything. I didn't feel like any question was to silly to ask. She does not do MSP reductions, but because I was going to pay in the first place for the lift, I was willing to pay for the comfort she gave me.
finishedlurking's provider
UPDATED FROM finishedlurking
1 day post
No turning back!
finishedlurkingJanuary 27, 2016
I checked into to the clinic at about 7:15am a basket of nerves. I have thought about this for a while and was sure it's what I wanted. But... when it came down to it I was so scared.
Everyone in the clinic was extremely kind. I was in the OR and out by about 8:15am. When I came too, it was about 9:45am. I couldn't believe how quick it was. I was picked up and home by 12:30pm. There wasn't too much pain. When I woke the nurse asked my pain level and gave me fentanyl. Then gave me more about 20 minutes later.
I kept up with my pain killers through out the day and was really never too uncomfortable. I was really worried about sleeping, but had made a little nest of pillows in my bed and was very comfortable, but couldn't sleep for long periods of time.
I won't see the results until next week at my post op appointment as I am completely bandaged.
Everyone in the clinic was extremely kind. I was in the OR and out by about 8:15am. When I came too, it was about 9:45am. I couldn't believe how quick it was. I was picked up and home by 12:30pm. There wasn't too much pain. When I woke the nurse asked my pain level and gave me fentanyl. Then gave me more about 20 minutes later.
I kept up with my pain killers through out the day and was really never too uncomfortable. I was really worried about sleeping, but had made a little nest of pillows in my bed and was very comfortable, but couldn't sleep for long periods of time.
I won't see the results until next week at my post op appointment as I am completely bandaged.
Replies (3)
February 17, 2016
Can I ask what insurance you used I'm gonna have to change to one that will approve in Georgia.
February 17, 2016
I actually didn't use insurance. The doctor I went to that was covered by insurance just made me too uncomfortable. So I decided I would rather pay and use the doctor I felt comfortable. I guess I'm lucky I could afford to do that. Good Luck!
UPDATED FROM finishedlurking
4 days post
Getting restless!
finishedlurkingJanuary 29, 2016
So far my journey has been pretty uneventful. However, I haven't even seen the girls yet. I'm really looking forward to my first post op appt in a few days. My PS will remove the bandages and I finally get a look see. She has told me to bring a sports bra to wear 24/7. For how long I'm not sure yet.
I was a little unsure about what size to bring so I brought her a couple on my surgery date to look at. I have a "tata tamer" from lulu lemon. (I already had it, they are very expensive) Yes, it's called that. lol She thought that was a good one. So I will bring that and another one a friend lent me.
I haven't had a lot of pain. Kept up with the pain meds for the first couple of days, but since then I have only been taking one in the evening. I used ice pacs for the first two days. I have kept really quiet since the surgery, but today I am really restless and ready to start moving. I will be careful not to go overboard. My PS also gave me a product called SinEcch to reduce bruising. I have been taking it since day 1 and finished the dose yesterday. It has arnica in it and it's supposed to reduce bruising. I won't know if it's worked until Monday.
When I look at the bandages I can't help but think they look so small. I'm really hoping I'm wrong. Did anyone else think they looked small and in the end were happy with the size? I know I asked for a reduction, but I also said I didn't want to be too small. Maybe a full C, small D. I guess I don't even really know what that looks like. I just keep reminding myself that the majority of ladies on this site are very happy they did this.
Will update with photos next week!
I was a little unsure about what size to bring so I brought her a couple on my surgery date to look at. I have a "tata tamer" from lulu lemon. (I already had it, they are very expensive) Yes, it's called that. lol She thought that was a good one. So I will bring that and another one a friend lent me.
I haven't had a lot of pain. Kept up with the pain meds for the first couple of days, but since then I have only been taking one in the evening. I used ice pacs for the first two days. I have kept really quiet since the surgery, but today I am really restless and ready to start moving. I will be careful not to go overboard. My PS also gave me a product called SinEcch to reduce bruising. I have been taking it since day 1 and finished the dose yesterday. It has arnica in it and it's supposed to reduce bruising. I won't know if it's worked until Monday.
When I look at the bandages I can't help but think they look so small. I'm really hoping I'm wrong. Did anyone else think they looked small and in the end were happy with the size? I know I asked for a reduction, but I also said I didn't want to be too small. Maybe a full C, small D. I guess I don't even really know what that looks like. I just keep reminding myself that the majority of ladies on this site are very happy they did this.
Will update with photos next week!
Replies (11)
January 29, 2016
You seem to have the same protocol as I have. My surgery was on Jan 20th and I was sent home with the same bandages, no drains. My bandage wasn't closed on the top so i was able to sort of peak in although you couldn't see much. I had a first meltdown when i did that - i ASKED for "as small as possible" and i freaked out that they're too small :) My pre-op size was 36DD (at least that's the bra size i wore after i got sized in a specialty store in Toronto). My PS said that i was larger. Comparing to your pics, I might have been a bit fuller, but not much, not sure (i'm 49y old). Anyway, on Wednesday, one week after the surgery, they removed bandages and a few staples, stitches are coming out next Wed (2 weeks after the surgery). They're small but exactly as I wanted them to be. When i went for a consult my PS told me that he didn't think he could be able to go smaller than C but he has to see once he starts the surgery. On Wed he told me he thinks i'm now B. They look beautiful but we'll see how it ends up.
Everyone says don't judge the size until the whole process is over with. Try not to think about it for now although i know it's hard not to. I don't have any bruising on the breasts, only underneath my arms where lipo was done. I didn't get SINECCH. So, i don't know how swollen my breasts are at the point and if they'll get any smaller but if they do, i was joking at the clinic that i'll have to look into implants (NOT!). :)
They change from day to day and i think that i mostly freaked out due to some getting used to issues...grievance if you will. It's a huge change so I felt as if i lost an arm...very weird feeling. I mean, this whole experience has been very strange with many facets I have never experienced.
Hang in there!
Everyone says don't judge the size until the whole process is over with. Try not to think about it for now although i know it's hard not to. I don't have any bruising on the breasts, only underneath my arms where lipo was done. I didn't get SINECCH. So, i don't know how swollen my breasts are at the point and if they'll get any smaller but if they do, i was joking at the clinic that i'll have to look into implants (NOT!). :)
They change from day to day and i think that i mostly freaked out due to some getting used to issues...grievance if you will. It's a huge change so I felt as if i lost an arm...very weird feeling. I mean, this whole experience has been very strange with many facets I have never experienced.
Hang in there!
January 30, 2016
Thanks for your post. "Grievance", "feeling like you lost an arm" I can totally relate. I think that's how I'm feeling. Like a part of me is missing. My girlfriend also joked that if they were too small I could get implants. Right! NOT! lol As you will always be a few days ahead of me, I look forward to hearing how things go.
February 16, 2016
When my badages came off I spent the next day crying!!..I thought I looked like a boy compared to what I was before. I wore a 36 F. I'm not sure of the size I am yet, I am I'm 19 days po. I feel they are starting to round out and settle a Lil bit (my surgeon assures me all will be fine)..I had lipo under my arm pits because I had so much side boob also and that was the worst part of it. It's still swollen and sore! I'm so ready for that to heal. You look great and hope you like your end results!!
February 16, 2016
Thanks for your comment. It's funny you mention feeling like you looked like a boy. That's exactly how I felt when the bandages were removed. Only I said to my girlfriend " I feel like a 12 year old." But I am now finally feeling pretty good about it. I was 3 weeks yesterday. I'm changing the tape today so will see what the scars look like. I haven't even seen them yet. I wish you happy healing!
February 16, 2016
When you say that you had lipo under your armpits, WHERE exactly are you referring to? As in the place where you apply deodorant? Or just below that?
February 16, 2016
Where your boobs run around your side..so probably a few inches under the pits!..sorry should've been more clear!;)
February 17, 2016
yes mine are to small....now i need implants. ugh..PS i went to was supposed to be great...nope he's not...I seriously need to apply to the show botched. guess I'm in the 4% that regrets it.
February 17, 2016
to add to my surgery disaster my nipples are messed up..one sticks out and one does not. what little self esteem i had is gone...mine look horrible ...i went to Rick Smith in East Lansing MI...what a huge mistake!!
February 17, 2016
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. I hope you can find a PS to help you fix this and get your confidence back.
February 17, 2016
me too....tomorrow I'm moving to florida. I'm praying there is a PS there that can help me. i'll be in the sarasota area so perhaps tampa will have skilled PS there that can help me get my confidence back. thanks
Replies (0)