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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

63 , and Wondering if I Did the Right Thing. - Wichita, KS

ORIGINAL POST

Having had large breasts since 6th grade , putting...

1bentley
$5,000
Having had large breasts since 6th grade , putting up with numerous sexual remarks, comments, inuendos, you name it I heard it. Back & shoulder pain, numbness in my arms, the heaviness of the breasts finally got to me. I finally made the decision to get a breast reduction at the age of 63. This was done very thoughtfully for many years so it was not done lightly. So made an appointment, went in for first meet , exam & pictures. Called insurance, it was approved!! So made the appointment for Jan 20th. Surgery was great it went well, no problems, no drains!! Yay! First week not fun allergic to first pain meds, had to get different one. Slept in lift chair we have. Mostly slept that first week which is good because time goes faster. Ist week check up they took off sterile strips, ouch!! Healing going good but in lots of pain on right side where all the nerves are located. 2nd week check up all going good doc says no more pain meds just tylenol and I'm thinking WHAT!!???? So next 2 weeks are hell because I'm still in a lot of pain. (Forgot to mention he took 2 #s off each breast , which is amazing to me)! I mostly needed them at night to dull the pain so I could get to sleep. Had a lot of insomnia those two weeks. Go back for 4 week check up, all is good in healing but breast still swollen and very sore. Still having a lot of pain on right side. I beg him to give me another script for something for at night, I mean begged!! He finally agreed reluctantly, thank goodness. I understand covering your butt with all the abuse with pain meds but I had major surgery!! I felt he was lumping me in a nice little package with the young girls as far as healing time and did not take my pain seriously. But at least he gave me some. 6 week check up he says I'm healing well and he's releasing me. I'm still very tender & swollen but he says it's all good. Finally at work at 8 weeks but only part time until I feel better. Still swollen and now the scars especially under the breast are tight and uncomfortable . Been trying to treat that, I do lots of searching on Internet for best product for this. Now at 10 weeks I'm still sore and swollen, so tired of not being up to par!! I am over it!! I am experiencing muscle spasms under my breasts, which is not fun. Most of the time they have been sporadic but the other day they lasted all day. I read how everyone feels great a lot earlier than me, which makes me green with envy. I know it's my age mostly but it gets discouraging. I know some day I will be happy I did it but right now I'm asking myself did I do the right thing! The best thing I can write right now is the girls look really good, He's a great surgeon but a lousy pain manager. I will update in 2 weeks.

1bentley's provider

Stacy Peterson, MD (retired)

Stacy Peterson, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (6)

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March 31, 2016
I'm so very sorry you're going through this. I decided to get this done (at 46) since I know that the recovery will only be more difficult as I age. I'm having surgery on April 19th. I had major knee surgery at 22 and bounced back reasonably well - even was skiing within a year. Had the same surgery at 32 and was a completely different ball game. I have been reading the reduction surgery recovery of a girl at 23 and at week 3 she's doing cardio!!!!! She was back at work by week 2!!! Crazy! But this is how it is. I'm sorry about your doctor and I pray I don't have the same issue. I even think I've become a bit tolerant to pain meds since I was on them a bit with those knee surgeries. It sounds like you have scar tissue adhesions. Maybe your doctor can refer you to someone or just see your general practitioner who may be able to. I know some physical therapists specialize in wound and scar tissue care. You shouldn't have to live with pain that much and I know it makes you depressed and difficult to live day to day.

Take care! On your side! Please feel free to "[RS bleep]" here at least if only to feel heard.
March 31, 2016
Thanks for taking the time & for caring enough to post a comment. I wish you all the luck in the world with your surgery! Since I personally don't know anyone who has had it done I am so glad to have found this site!! Please let me know how it goes.
March 31, 2016
Sorry to here you are still in pain. As a nurse I know surgeons in general are not food at long term pain management. Your family Dr should be better able to discern the type of pain u are having...nerve ....muscle ...inflammation etc and get you on the right track. Good luck. I'm 59 just had mine done day 16 and still very swollen and taking Tylenol
April 24, 2016
UPDATE: Just past the 3 month period from my br and can honestly say I am feeling much much better!! Yay!!! Still have some firmness & soreness in the breasts but other than that I feel almost normal! Thank God! It's been a long haul! ! My next goal is to loose the extra weight I put on in those 3 months, but now that I feel better I can try more aggressive exexcise to help that!! Now I can really enjoy the small breasts I haven't enjoyed thus far!! Thank you to everyone who listened & gave some good advise!! Woohoo!!
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April 24, 2016
Congrats. Glad it has all worked out and that life is returning to normal.
April 24, 2016
I am 65 and had my breast reduction on 6th april.I am still in a great deal of pain when travelling in the car and so far have not had the confidence to drive myself.Has anybody else experience this and perhaps tell me how long the problem persists.
UPDATED FROM 1bentley
1 year post

After Effects of Breast Reduction

1bentley

Has anyone experienced continuous tenderness to low pain under arms/side boobie? A year and a half later and I have this very tender to low key pain in my scar area there. My plastic surgeon is done with me he wasn't sympathetic at all. Just wondering if anyone out there has suffered with this problem. I'm going to try accupuncture, I like my breasts a lot! Just tired if the chronic tenderness, if I do too much in one day, I pay for it that night and the next day. Please let me know your solutuons.

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