POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
39 Yrs Old, 38H to 36C - One Year Updated (Surgery 4/21/16)
ORIGINAL POST
Just scheduled my surgery today. Will be April...
WORTH IT$5,700
Just scheduled my surgery today. Will be April 21st. I am 39 yrs old, 165lb, 5'3", approx. a 36/38H according to an online bra calculator, but wear a 38DDD, squishing them in for modesty reasons (I'm extremely self-conscious about them). Excruciating back pain for years now, and it has become unbearable. My chiro has said that it is time to get it done.
It has been an upsetting ride thus far, fighting with insurance, and I have decided to give up on that fight. I have decided to self-pay. I have a $5000 deductible anyway, and the quote I received for the entire procedure is just under $6000 so it'll work out fine. Sure, it would be nice to have my deductible met for the year in case I need it for anything else, but it is what it is. Very excited to have a date set! Now time to start prepping.
What I know: since this is self-pay, it will be done in a surgical suite (not hospital); I will be off work for about 2 weeks (I have a very light duty job); my husband will be off with me for a week and a half to take care of me; I will have drains that will be in for 7-10 days (eek!!) that will come out at the same time they remove the stitches. And they said no (real) shower until then (double eek!!). I'm a little nervous about the surgery itself, and the final outcome, but I need this done.
It has been an upsetting ride thus far, fighting with insurance, and I have decided to give up on that fight. I have decided to self-pay. I have a $5000 deductible anyway, and the quote I received for the entire procedure is just under $6000 so it'll work out fine. Sure, it would be nice to have my deductible met for the year in case I need it for anything else, but it is what it is. Very excited to have a date set! Now time to start prepping.
What I know: since this is self-pay, it will be done in a surgical suite (not hospital); I will be off work for about 2 weeks (I have a very light duty job); my husband will be off with me for a week and a half to take care of me; I will have drains that will be in for 7-10 days (eek!!) that will come out at the same time they remove the stitches. And they said no (real) shower until then (double eek!!). I'm a little nervous about the surgery itself, and the final outcome, but I need this done.
true2u4's provider
Replies (19)
March 19, 2016
Hi! That does stink about the high deductible, but i'm with ya....if my insurance wasn't going to approve it, I was gonna do the surgery anyway and just pay. Mine isn't going to be done in the hospital either, but rather an outpatient center. That's nice your husb will be off for a week to help!!! Oh, my drains will be in for 8 days too , with no shower until they're out (with ya on the double eek!!!)
April 7, 2016
I am 4 weeks post op. I paid out of pocket also for my reduction. I got 3 different opinions on ways to reduce my breasts. I am 49 years old and was wearing a 34 GG!! I wanted to be a C cup. I had the traditional anchor procedure in a surgical center. I came home that night and looked down at my self and said Oh Crap! I went too small! It looked like I had two hockey pucks inside the surgical bra. Don't be scared... they take on a nice shape over the next 4 weeks. The first week I don't remember much... Just keep taking the painkillers and empting those drains. The right side drain came out on Monday after surgery on a Thursday, but the left side was still putting out bright red blood, even though it has slowed down, the Dr. wanted to leave it in. I think it is supposed to turn clearer and the output should slow down to almost nothing. Once the drains both came out it is liberating! (and yes it does hurt taking the drains out). Don't be discouraged when you see your boobies in a regular shirt. (I wore zip up sweat jackets for the 8 days the drain was in) They may not have a great shape and the surgical bra does nothing for them, but you wont want to put on an underwire bra... My incisions are still very tender at 4 weeks! Do yourself a favor and get a large box of 4 X 4 gauze pads to put between the incision underneath and the surgical bra, it really helps! They are expensive but you will no regret it! I was only allowed to put original Neosporin on the incisions for the first week and then my Dr. told me not to put anything on the incisions. My Dr. said the recovery would be about 2 weeks and I thought that sounded like a party!! I thought Halleluiah, I am finally going to get a vacation on the couch! I had great support from my husband and daughter. The first week was great, I didn't feel like doing anything... the second week I was bored and wanted to do things like clean out my closet!!! But trying things, taking them on and off was painful and my boobs didn't look great in anything. Partly because they are still not formed and the surgical bra makes them look flat. I did try to do too much the one day and the incisions got angry and started burning and hurting, so the next day I stayed on the couch and continued to watch fixer upper on HGTV!!! It's 4 weeks post op and I asked my Dr. if I could wear a expensive, supportive, molded cup, underwire t-shirt bra if I bought it in my size (hopefully a 34 C) and he said "NO"!!! He is recommending that I continue to wear the surgical bra for 8 weeks (if not more) day and night! (you may want to order another surgical bra once you know what size the Dr. wants you to wear) Since I waited forever to finally get the surgery and I do not want to do anything to screw this up, I am listening! as much as I want to slap on a bra that will push the girls forward and give them a nice shape under my t-shirts, I am not going to do it. Was it all worth it? ABSOLUTELY!!!!!! One thing I will warn you about though is I never realized how big my stomach was... I have not really seen my stomach this much and now that my boobs are smaller, my stomach looks a lot bigger than it did. Wondering if a tummy tuck combined with a breast reduction would have been the way to go... Since I cant afford to go back and have a tummy tuck, I will be doing it the old fashioned way. My Dr. just cleared me to start walking at 4 weeks post op. He said to wear a sports bra over my surgical bra!! I ended up ordering 2 more surgical bras. one in nude for when the drains are out and the incisions are not leaking. Summer is coming and a black surgical bra under some lighter colored clothing is not that attractive. LOL Congratulations, you are finally going to be free! Start dreaming about the spaghetti strap and strapless dress you will finally be able to wear! You are going to love it!
April 7, 2016
Thank you so much for all the details. Very helpful information. I'll be in a front close sports bra from the beginning. I'm torn between the fear of waking up too small or still being too big.
Sounds like you're doing very well! Congratulations to you!
Sounds like you're doing very well! Congratulations to you!
April 9, 2016
I'm torn between the fear of waking up too small or still being too big. --- that's exactly where I'm at!!! Then I remind myself - anything smaller & less saggy than now is an improvement!
April 9, 2016
hola, I also go back and forth between the "what if I'm too small" and "what if I'm still too big" thoughts. I have expressed my wishes to my surgeon to be a SMALL C, or large B, but don't want to be anywhere near a D. I will be taking lots of wish pics with me on the day of my surgery so they are fresh in his mind.
April 9, 2016
I've asked for C-D. I think B would make me look bottom WOULD be a shock!!). I figure I could grow some more with menopause & I could lose some with weight loss that's getting there gradually. But whatever - it's gonna be a massively better than now
April 8, 2016
Hi!!! I live in Chicago! I'm 40yrs old and I'm currently 38HH
April 9, 2016
Yes!! I'm scheduled for April 20th.
....I don't know why my entire message wasn't sent initially. That's strange.
...maybe I typed to much
....I don't know why my entire message wasn't sent initially. That's strange.
...maybe I typed to much
April 9, 2016
Oh no! I'd love to hear more about your journey, especially since our surgery dates are so close! Have you started a review? If not, you should, it's a great way to document your journey and you can update it along the way.
April 22, 2016
Wow ou look amazing!!!!!!
April 22, 2016
I just pulled down my ace bandage just enough to see my bright purple nipples. Sweet gracious those girls are high and perky ! I have a follow up with ps at 1:30 yomorrow and will see them then!!! Excited. Going to try and sleep now ;)
April 22, 2016
I can tell that sleep is going to be sporadic for me. It's 3am and I'm wide awake. I'm still amazed that the surgery is over. I feel like it was a dream! I'm afraid to sneak a look just yet, so I'll be patient!
April 22, 2016
Yeah me too. I'm just thankful I can sleep at all. Normally a stomach sleeper so it's going to be rough but sooooo worth it!
I can't believe it's done either. Was literally over in a blink after all that waiting.
I can't believe it's done either. Was literally over in a blink after all that waiting.
UPDATED FROM true2u4
27 days pre
Less than a month away!
I am in the "less than a month" category now. I have been prepping like mad. I have bought a shower chair to help with showering post surgery, several bras for recovery, a neck pillow for sleeping in recliner, checked out the comfort level of the recliner that I will move upstairs into our living room for sleeping, and ordered Arnica Montana tabs. I have been reading reviews/posts on here like crazy as well to absorb as much information as I can.
This weekend I will do some shopping to see if I can find some comfy button up shirts and pjs. My husband is so supportive and I'm sure I'm driving him nuts because all I seem to talk about is the surgery. Last night I showed him my "goal" pictures of what size I want to be, and we watched a video of a BR surgery. Showed him some "after" pics as well. Talked about him helping me with things like showering and emptying my drains (showed him pics of what those look like too). Nothing grosses him out (he's a firefighter and has seen it all), and he knows they will not be pretty in the beginning. He's not worried about any of it. He truly loves my current breasts, but knows the severe pain they cause me. So he's taken the stance that soon he will have "new boobs" to play with :) And a much happier wife that doesn't complain as much, lol!
Next milestone is meeting with my PS on 4/5 to discuss lipo for under my arms for the "side boob" thing. I will find out if what I want done will be included or if there is an extra cost. Either way I want it done. I already have spillage over the sides and I believe it will be more prominent after the reduction.
I want the next month to go by quickly in some ways, even though I know recovery is tough, but I want to get on with it so it's over sooner, and I can enjoy my summer. (Note, we just got 12" of snow overnight, after having no snow on the ground at all for several weeks. YUCK!)
Is anyone having surgery the same day as me? I'd love a surgery-sister!
Keep posting your stories, I love reading them all, along with your updates!
This weekend I will do some shopping to see if I can find some comfy button up shirts and pjs. My husband is so supportive and I'm sure I'm driving him nuts because all I seem to talk about is the surgery. Last night I showed him my "goal" pictures of what size I want to be, and we watched a video of a BR surgery. Showed him some "after" pics as well. Talked about him helping me with things like showering and emptying my drains (showed him pics of what those look like too). Nothing grosses him out (he's a firefighter and has seen it all), and he knows they will not be pretty in the beginning. He's not worried about any of it. He truly loves my current breasts, but knows the severe pain they cause me. So he's taken the stance that soon he will have "new boobs" to play with :) And a much happier wife that doesn't complain as much, lol!
Next milestone is meeting with my PS on 4/5 to discuss lipo for under my arms for the "side boob" thing. I will find out if what I want done will be included or if there is an extra cost. Either way I want it done. I already have spillage over the sides and I believe it will be more prominent after the reduction.
I want the next month to go by quickly in some ways, even though I know recovery is tough, but I want to get on with it so it's over sooner, and I can enjoy my summer. (Note, we just got 12" of snow overnight, after having no snow on the ground at all for several weeks. YUCK!)
Is anyone having surgery the same day as me? I'd love a surgery-sister!
Keep posting your stories, I love reading them all, along with your updates!
Replies (12)
March 25, 2016
This month will fly by!! So exciting and even more wonderful your husband sat with you and watched and listened through it all! My surgeon did Lipo, and we had never discussed it prior, and there was definitely no charge for it. I think they just want the best, ultimate outcome and do it if they feel necessary - so good luck with that! My sides have been the most tender and the most bruised and have taken longer to heal than the breasts themselves! I got a post of all the things I wish I'd known before surgery, I plan on getting it together over the next few days it's crazy the things you don't even think of - like the hand soap pump and pumping out the soap. Anyway, keep an eye out for it! I did find that being in bed and getting out of it was much easier than the recliner, but at least in the recliner I didn't have to worry about getting accidentally bumped in the middle of the night!! :)
March 25, 2016
Oooh, can't wait to read that update! My PS didn't mention lipo at our original consultation, and he might include it but I don't want to take a chance, lol. As long as I'm out, get it done. Not looking forward to the extra pain, but I'll tough it out. I deal with daily pain, sometimes a 5 out of 10 for my back pain anyway. So I'm trading one pain for another.....
Don't get me wrong, my hubby is great, but he did have a pouty moment when he realized he was going to have to give up doing something he had planned that now falls 2 days after my surgery :) We have a 14 yr old son, so he will be able to help with a lot of the physical stuff around the house (although I'm sure he'll have more attitude about it!) I did tell him about the surgery, and explained what recovery will be like. He guessed right away that the surgery had something to do with my back pain, he knows how bad it's been getting.
It's going to drive me crazy not being in bed for a while, but with the drains, I know I move around a LOT at night, as does my hubby. I'm so scared my drains will get pulled. He always rolls over in the night and puts an arm around me without realizing it, so it's a real danger of something getting pulled or bumped. We sleep in a full-size bed (not queen or king) so it's close quarters ;) Hubby is very sad to not be able to sleep next to me during that time.
Don't get me wrong, my hubby is great, but he did have a pouty moment when he realized he was going to have to give up doing something he had planned that now falls 2 days after my surgery :) We have a 14 yr old son, so he will be able to help with a lot of the physical stuff around the house (although I'm sure he'll have more attitude about it!) I did tell him about the surgery, and explained what recovery will be like. He guessed right away that the surgery had something to do with my back pain, he knows how bad it's been getting.
It's going to drive me crazy not being in bed for a while, but with the drains, I know I move around a LOT at night, as does my hubby. I'm so scared my drains will get pulled. He always rolls over in the night and puts an arm around me without realizing it, so it's a real danger of something getting pulled or bumped. We sleep in a full-size bed (not queen or king) so it's close quarters ;) Hubby is very sad to not be able to sleep next to me during that time.
March 25, 2016
I just posted that update! It took forever to compose, but totally worth it as I think it will be useful for many!
Drains really aren't that bad, and I have to say, that was the most annoying part. You're suppose to be in "T-Rex" mode (arms at sides) for the first week, and for the better part of that time, those damn drains are there & you can't comfortable even have your arms close to your side. Just remember, it's only temporary! Be glad you're getting them though! I have girlfriends who didn't and they had massive swelling & leaking.....gross.
My husband about had a tantrum when a week and a half after my surgery he had plans that weekend to run a marathon, but I made arrangements for one of my kids to be away, so he went anyhow. They can be such babies sometimes, I swear....lol
I have a 14 year old son, too. He thinks I'm a slave driver by now...hahaha I'm sure he wants his momma feeling better & will be happy to help out.
You'll want to have your arms propped up while you sleep, or even sitting in bed, for that matter, so have a pillow divide the both of you. I know you have a cramped space together, but a pillow divider (maybe even a body pillow) will come in handy!
Drains really aren't that bad, and I have to say, that was the most annoying part. You're suppose to be in "T-Rex" mode (arms at sides) for the first week, and for the better part of that time, those damn drains are there & you can't comfortable even have your arms close to your side. Just remember, it's only temporary! Be glad you're getting them though! I have girlfriends who didn't and they had massive swelling & leaking.....gross.
My husband about had a tantrum when a week and a half after my surgery he had plans that weekend to run a marathon, but I made arrangements for one of my kids to be away, so he went anyhow. They can be such babies sometimes, I swear....lol
I have a 14 year old son, too. He thinks I'm a slave driver by now...hahaha I'm sure he wants his momma feeling better & will be happy to help out.
You'll want to have your arms propped up while you sleep, or even sitting in bed, for that matter, so have a pillow divide the both of you. I know you have a cramped space together, but a pillow divider (maybe even a body pillow) will come in handy!
March 25, 2016
I just read your update, so helpful! So many things that get missed as far as advice, and now you have it all in one place. I received my pre-surgery info packet in the mail today from my PS. I have to pay the balance due by 4/7, and then they will issue my prescriptions.
One thing I have to check on, is it says I just need my physician to fax over notes from my last physical. But they don't say how recent it needs to be. Last time I was in in was Oct 2015. So I may have to sneak in a quick dr's visit before surgery, no biggie. It says that I do not need any pre-op blood tests or EKG or anything so a quick visit should be all that is needed. Or maybe the last visit will be ok with them..... I have sent an email to my PS's assistant so we shall see. Just don't want to pay for another office visit if I don't need to.
One thing I have to check on, is it says I just need my physician to fax over notes from my last physical. But they don't say how recent it needs to be. Last time I was in in was Oct 2015. So I may have to sneak in a quick dr's visit before surgery, no biggie. It says that I do not need any pre-op blood tests or EKG or anything so a quick visit should be all that is needed. Or maybe the last visit will be ok with them..... I have sent an email to my PS's assistant so we shall see. Just don't want to pay for another office visit if I don't need to.
March 26, 2016
I'm not having surgery the same day but I am having mine on April 4th! Your shoulder grooves look so painful! Good luck with your surgery!
April 3, 2016
I'm one week before you on - BR on 14 April. We're similar age/size (that shoulder photo looks very familiiar LOL). All the best - keep in touch xx
April 3, 2016
Glad to hear from you! We're getting so close. I see my PS on Tuesday to discuss a few things. Just want the date to get here so I can start the healing process. Best of luck to you!
April 3, 2016
It's all I can think about most of the time.... same as you - be glad to get to the other side of the op. I've got appointment with the surgeon on Thursday, got all the paperwork through a couple of days ago. It's feeling really real now!
April 20, 2016
Hey! I did it yesterday! It's amazing to have small boobs!!!
Good luck to you. Everything will be great!
Good luck to you. Everything will be great!
UPDATED FROM true2u4
26 days pre
A pic of my shoulder grooves
I forgot to add a pic of my deep shoulder grooves in my original post. I really hope these lessen, if not eventually go away completely one day after surgery. I hate them. The pic does not do them justice, they are bad. I had a good friend of mine ask me what that was one time because he noticed it through my clothing. Ugh!
Replies (10)
March 25, 2016
Damn, girl! That's hardcore! Ouch!! Just think....summer is coming and you can wear cute, flowy strapless dresses with NO bra!! Yahoo!
March 26, 2016
I am soooo glad to get this over before summer. Hoping to be feeling good before the weather gets really nice here in WI - which won't really happen until June or so.
March 26, 2016
That's true!! I'm in Texas (obviously by my screen name) - we didn't even get a winter this year!
March 27, 2016
Mine look exactly the same
March 29, 2016
my surgeon told me that they likely will not 'go away', but they will definitly not get any worse. I was like, hmm, that wasn't the answer i was hoping for, but we can always see what happens :)
March 29, 2016
Oh and btw, you can start massaging that area where the indentions are. That along with time will help that area to smooth back out. One thing I was told when I got fitted in Atlanta along time ago was to remember that the support should come from the underneath not the shoulders. I think that is something that helped me not to have such bad grooves. I mean there is only so much under support you can get when we have such large ta tas right lol
March 29, 2016
Oh exactly lol. I've tried lots of different band sizes trying to find the magic formula, in the end they are just dense and heavy! I'm trying to have faith that the indentations will improve. Thanks for the suggestion about massaging those areas.
Thank you for joining us. Â You are about to feel a whole lot better once this is done. Â The date will be here before you know it so get your recovery area all set up.