Breast Reduction ???? To or not to ????

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 12, 2004

Hahahahahahahahahaha!
You must be kidding??? You haven't heard women comment on other's clothes, make-up, nails, blah, blah, blah. Then you must be livin' under a rock.
Come on out!

No i don't hear these things, i tune them out, because when i'm at work, i'm at work, and have other stuff to do besides comment and/or discuss hair, make-up, nails, etc.

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 12, 2004

i don't hear these things...

Good for you!

But obviously you know it exists. :)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Aug 12, 2004

Good for you!
But obviously you know it exists. :)

Never said that it didn't.

Work just isn't the place for it, IMO.

Chibi Baka · Aug 12, 2004

My mother ( a tiny 5'1 thin person so that lead to a lot of back and neck pain) recently got her breasts reduced. She couldn't be happier... or "perkier" :uhoh21:

Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

... Work just isn't the place for it, IMO.

Completely agree, in theory. But life happens... people talk at work about lots of different things.

Know you know that. :)

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

I had a reduction about 10 years ago - from DD to a B/C. The only reason I wish I'd have waited is that nowadays they have a new technique that leads to much less scarring. I had the traditional "keyhole" incision and an "anchor" scar afterwards - see plastic surgery websites if that's confusing - but now they can sometimes just cut around the nipple, remove skin and tissue, and then do a purse-string kind of a thing and reattach the skin to the nipple. So then the only scar left blends in with the nipple edges. Check it out!!! (But honestly, even with the scars, usually the breasts look so much better that most women would still choose the surgery.)

As far as "medical proof" all you really need, usually, is the plastic surgeon to take pictures and submit them to insurance. They can see the shoulder grooves from bra straps, the bad posture, etc. I've never heard of weighing the breasts but I suppose it's different with different insurance companies. Everyone I know who had a reduction had no problem getting it covered by insurance.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

Mmkay, I know exactly how odd this question is going to sound. But I gotta ask it. Supposing that, along with your large breasts, you have areolas about 2 inches in diameter? Isn't it gonna look..... very odd if your breasts are smaller? Areolas don't shrink. Yes, I will find any excuse (for now) not to consider the possibility of reduction.

They also reduce the size of the nipples.

EvelynRN-BSN · Aug 19, 2004

Sounds like you would benefit from a breast reduction. I work for a cosmetic surgery center in the state of Maryland. We do breast reductions all the time and I rarely see any complications. All of our patients were glad they went through with the surgery. They could find bras to fit, there back pain was relieved, and others have told me that it helps them breath better. One young girl had a breast reduction who said she was able to sleep on her back after the surgery, she could not do this before. I think it is a great operation for those well endowed.

There are risk, just like any surgery. You will have a scar, what we call an anchor scar, but the result of the scar depends on how your body scars. If you have a tendency to keloid, then most likely you will keloid. You can check out some of our patients before and afters on our website at www.cosmeticsurgeryunlimited.com or if you would like me to mail you information on the procedure just email me at my work email address at [email protected]. I would gladly send you a brochure. You need to do what is best for you and what would be benefit you the most. And with a breast reduction you can try to get your insurance to pay for it. That is what most of our patients do. Good luck in you inquiry on breast reduction.

Take Care,

Evelyn:)

nursegirl_se · Aug 19, 2004

:nurse: I had the procedure 6-29-04. I had 38-DD, and always had "saggy boobs" that I hated. Not the size so much as the shape, well and the fact that I had to wear a XL or L in tops. I had back surgery last year (from a work injury) and while self-donating blood the RN who stuck me was talking about some surgery she had. When I asked her what kind of surgery she had, she replied breast reduction. She told me the requirements, and since I seemed to qualify, I made an appointment with my PCP. He was excited about the prospects, and I then made an appointment with the Plastic Surgeon. I had a $100 copay, and everything else was 100% covered. I am thrilled with the results. My breasts are small--only a B to small C cup, but I do not even need to wear a bra, in fact my surgeon says I don't need to. I wore a sports bra for a little while to support the incision, I didn't have any drain. I did have some postsurgical incision pain, which I took Lortab 1 or 2 times per day. I can say that my posture is improved 100% and I have no back pain from either my breasts or my fusion. I have wanted to do it since I knew the procedure existed, I just had always figured it would cost me $5000 or more, so I hadn't checked on it. I would've done it years ago if I had known. I am 40. I don't mind one bit not having "big ones" anymore.

nursegirl_se :nurse:

AMYoung · Aug 19, 2004

Hello ... it seems like you've gotten plenty of responses about breast reduction, but here's my story:

By the time I was 16 (I'm 42 now), my breasts were very large and I absolutely hated wearing fitted tops, button-down blouses and t-shirts. Boys and men would stare at my chest. I was terribly embarrassed, and had constant back and shoulder pain, not to mention terrible posture. My mom began the process of finding one of the top surgeons in the country and by the time I was 19, we found one who was very well-respected and known for this type of surgery.

Since I was going to be losing "a part of me," the surgeon required me to undergo psychological counseling and I appreciated that because it appeared that he was genuinely concerned about the patient's mental and physical well-being.

So, in July 1981 (yes, it was that long ago), I was admitted to the hospital for a week-long stay and the surgery went wonderfully well. I was amazed at the results. I had selected a 34B -- I was a 34E. At that time, my waist was 20" so being a 34B made me proportional.

Anyway ... the healing took the rest of the summer and I was bound very, very tightly to reduce the scarring. Over time, the scars have practically disappeared and subsequent doctors who have examined me comment on the "remarkable job" that my surgeon performed. My scars were underneath my breasts, of course, in a moon shape and a vertical scar from the middle on my nipple down to the moon shape line, as well as around my nipples. My nipples were completely removed and then re-attached. I did NOT lose any sensation in my nipples.

Of course, I understand the procedure has changed a lot in the last 23 years, but having a breast reduction was, by far, one of the BEST decisions I ever made! It changed the way I felt/feel about my body, and I will be forever grateful to my parents for supporting this decision. Having a "normal" size bustline made me more confident, less self-conscious and boosted my self-esteem tremendously.

I really hope this helps you in your own decision. Best wishes ...

I know some of you may think "hey what's her problem" sorry, but anyway I have large breasts DDD cup and get alot of spasms in my neck and upper back. I have been evaluated for a breast reduction and definately qualify. I really want to have it done. I'm so tired of always having to buy bigger sizes on the top and yada yada, anyone out there have a breast reduction and any comments on whether to or not to? Thanks!

riverwink · Aug 19, 2004

I know some of you may think "hey what's her problem" sorry, but anyway I have large breasts DDD cup and get alot of spasms in my neck and upper back. I have been evaluated for a breast reduction and definately qualify. I really want to have it done. I'm so tired of always having to buy bigger sizes on the top and yada yada, anyone out there have a breast reduction and any comments on whether to or not to? Thanks!

I had breast reduction surgery in 1996. It was the best thing I ever did for myself! No more back spasms/aches or dents in my shoulders. I went from a H cup to a large B. The doc removed 6.5 pounds from each breast - so my surgery was rather radical but I have never regretted it.

I have gained a bit of weight since the surgery and my cup size is now a large C, which I am actually happier with since I am significantly overweight. You have to figure out what size you would be happiest with.

BYW - It is great to be able to buy a dress that fits for the first time in my life!:roll

kristinenger · Aug 19, 2004

I had a breat reduction in July of 01! It was the BEST thing I could have ever done. I was a 38 DD and now am a 36C. I love being able to wear a button up shirt that doesn't pull open in the middle. I have some scarring but I don't care because it is worth it. My doc told me that there is a 10% chance that I could loose sensation in my nipples, of course I would have to be in that 10%. I regained sensation in my left one but no in my right. Even with that complication I wouldn't change my decision. I love being able to go and buy any bra that I want and buy it because it is cute not because it will hold me up. Also you can buy clothes that fit you not your boobs. It's a wonderful thing.

Let us know what you decide to do and if you are happy with your decision, I would be interested to hear.

I took a week off from work and that seemed to be enough, however I currently am still a student and sit at a desk all day so it is hard to say if I would have needed more time if I had been doing physical work.

Wishing you well!