How 'bout breast reduction

orrnlori, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I've not had it done, don't need to, but my sister in law had it done about 5 years ago. She has been so happy she did, she's like a new person.

I am involved with probably one breast reduction surgery every week. I never knew breasts could be so huge until I started scrubbing plastics every week. One woman we did a few months ago was so big that when she layed down her breasts nearly smothered her, came clean up to her jaws. Anyway, the most common side effects are the scarring and the loss of sensation. I DO think you need to see the surgery done (tape or whatever) to really appreciate the fact that it is a large and bloody surgery. It's not uncommon to go through 30+ lap sponges with these cases, although I've never seen blood given during surgery or anything like that. This is just so you understand the concept of what you are doing. I recommend this because you are a nurse and you should see it for yourself, or for those who are thinking about it for their daughters. I have no doubt that I would do it myself if I needed it and had back and shoulder pain. I DO NOT recommend it for those who are just curvy and embarrassed by it. It's too big of a surgery for that IMHO. The only problems I have directly seen with my own eyes are poor healing results and some minor infections. Women of color sometimes have keloid scarring that is difficult for them.

I would definately recommend a board certified plastic surgeon. Believe me, there are ENT docs out there doing this surgery, that's not what you want.

Be sure to see the doctor's before and after pictures. I good plastic surgeon will be delighted to show you his results in living color.

Best wishes to anyone considering it.

roadie · Feb 25, 2004

I had it in 94. I was a HH. I had to have them special made. $65 a each. They took off 10 lbs and I am still a D cup. I lost 110 lbs a couple a year ago and they are still a D. I am VERY satisfied with my surgery. I have more sensation than I had before. It is great!

prmenrs, RN · Feb 25, 2004

All I have to say is where can I sign up?

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Feb 25, 2004

I had it in 94. I was a HH. I had to have them special made. $65 a each. They took off 10 lbs and I am still a D cup. I lost 110 lbs a couple a year ago and they are still a D. I am VERY satisfied with my surgery. I have more sensation than I had before. It is great!

Roadie you probably answered one of my biggest questions - if I have it done and THEN lose weight will they stay the same size - that would freak me out if I went down to something smaller then lost weight and wound up with nothing there after having watermelons (or wait - I think one day my husband said they were cantaloupes - we were kidding around - dont worry) on my chest....

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Feb 25, 2004

Hey everyone - update real fast - went to the doctor today for my *ahem* well woman exam (yay me) and he actually brought up the subject of breast reduction before I could :)

So he gave me a referral to see a surgeon (of the plastic type) and I have an appt. now for a consultation - I am so excited and nervous - even though it is a month away....

Jrnalist2RNinOR · Feb 25, 2004

Breast Feeding After Reduction web site

http://www.bfar.org/

RedSox33RN · Feb 25, 2004

Thank you for the PM, Jrnalist2RN. They are very helpful!

Thank you also for your info, Lori. Macey (my daughter) hasn't asked about anything yet, and luckily doesn't seem too embarrassed (only mentioned something once or twice, she actually "hides" pretty well with the sports bras and baggy tops), but I know they hurt her now, especially after basketball, so I can't even imagine if she keeps going at this pace that she'll even be able to play in HS without tremendous pain.

I worry too, does all the bouncing, even with a good bra, really tear muscle and underlying tissue? I mean, her back does hurt from the weight of them, but I think her chest hurts more after basketball, and wondered if this was why. I don't know if that is a myth or actually true.

orrnlori, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I'm not a doc (only feel like one around 1st year residents) but I would say that actual muscle, tissue, or ligament tearing is not likely at all. Muscle strain from the weight bearing is. While the sensation of pain might be felt in her chest, it's likely related to the upper muscles in her back. I would recommend that if she is truly feeling "pain" in her chest after a game of basketball, she should be checked out by a physician.

Some of the patients I have worked on have actual gouge lines 2-3 inches wide in their shoulders where their bras have worn a groove in the muscles covering the anterior aspects of the shoulders. Looks very painful.

An otherwise slender healthy athletic girl could probably carry breast weight without serious problems using a good support bra, at least for a while. If there is overall body fat over what a typical younger teenager has, that just adds to the overall pull on the back during running.

You should have your daughter checked out, IMHO.

Nuru99 · Feb 25, 2004

I'm so glad to hear about all you guys talking about breast reduction (I sometimes feel like I'm the only one). I was a DD when I was 14 and absolutely hated it. I've been thinking about breast reduction since I was 15.

I was worried about the breast feeding thing but also I guess I thought I was having it for vanities sake rather than for any medical reason and somehow that was wrong. I love running though and my biggest dream would be to be able to run without having to strap myself with a Geri (geriatric) bra as well as bandaid. I did try to lose weight (lost 20lbs) but all that did was change me from a 36 E cup to a 32 E cup. You won't believe how hard it is to get a bra my size.

How much is the reduction anyways? I'm 33 now and I'm still thinking of having it done.

orrnlori, RN · Feb 25, 2004

Insurance pays for breast reduction if you have a clinical reason, ie. back pain. A good surgeon will get the surgery covered by insurance for health reasons. Otherwise I would think you'd be looking at 6,000-8,000 plus other costs, probably more in high cost areas like California and New York.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Feb 25, 2004

I had a reduction when I was 19 - I was busting out of a DD and am under 5 feet tall. I had horrible back pain and was developing the shoulder grooves. All it took for insurance to cover it was going to a plastic surgeon and having him send pictures and a report in with his advice to do the surgery. I was still under my parents' insurance, as I was still in school, but I believe it was a whopping $20,000! Back then you stayed overnight, plus I was in surgery for 6 hours which is longer than usual. Their final bill after insurance was about $1000, which was basically the 10% of the actual doctor bills.

Best thing I ever did in my life! Would you believe the ONLY pain I had through the entire process was the stitches holding in the jackson-pratt drains I had for two days? Once those were pulled, I felt 100% normal again! I had some numbness for about 6 months, and still have a little of it years later, but who cares? It was so worth it!

Theoretically, breastfeeding shouldn't be a problem because they almost always leave the nipple connected to the nerves and milk ducts, but there is a possibility that scar tissue might cause problems later on with feeding. To me, it's worth the risk.

As far as losing weight afterwards, you'll still have breasts, don't worry. They only take out a certain amount of breast tissue and fat, so that even if you lose a lot of weight, you still have breast tissue that won't go away. If you gain weight, of course they'll get bigger, but in the end the amount of tissue left is the same no matter what.

One suggestion - you've probably seen the anchor-shaped scars that reduction leaves. I'd recommend buying those silicone scar-reducing things that are especially shaped for reductions, or using Mederma. When I had mine done, that stuff wasn't widely used, so all I had was vitamin E oil. One thing I saw on TV is that some docs are actually only cutting around the nipple, taking the tissue out, and then sewing it back on so that the only scar is the one around the nipple! I almost died when I saw that, I was so jealous!!!

orrnlori, RN · Feb 25, 2004

The areolar only incision surgery cannot be done for massive excisions of breast tissue and fat at this time. Most people will in fact have the "anchor" type incisions. You can only get so much tissue out of a small hole. It is neat surgery to watch though, very amazing.