Personal question: had anyone here had.....

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a breast reduction? I was told today by my doc that if I don't have one soon my shoulder spasms will get worse. While the idea of being smaller is atractive to me, I'm a little nervous about the surgery. Has anyone here had it done? Would you be willing to share your experience with me, via PM if you prefer?

Thanks, LJH. Nursing will not be an issue since my 2-year-old is my last. I'd be happy with a C cup! I remember being SO depressed when I realized I was in a DD. I know what you mean about the cute bras....I'm so jealous of my 16-yr-old because she gets to wear all sorts of colors and styles. The only style choice I have is white or beige, plain or with lace panels.

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Specializes in Tele, CCU, MICU, PACU.

I hear ya! when is surgery? When I had it done I was still on my parents plan. They covered everything except for a few hundred dollars which I paid to my parents. My scars have also faded to the point where you have to know where to look to see them. I really got to go to bed now- yikes! My baby will be up bright and early at 6!

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Specializes in Assisted Living.

I had my breast reduction in Aug 2004 and it bears repeating: it was the BEST decision I ever made:yeah:

My surgery took a total of 7-8 hours because I also had abdominal liposcution at the same time. My insurance company paid for the reduction, hospital fees, etc. and I paid the surgeons fee for the lipo so it was a great deal for me;)

I had JP drains for about 4 days. There was no "pain" just soreness/discomfort, but as soon as the drains were removed and I was able to shower I was fine and returned to my desk job the next day (so I was only out of a work a total of 5 days).

I was prescribed Vicodin for the pain, but I stopped taking it around day 3 b/c the headaches it gave me was worse than the discomfort from the surgery.

I still don't have 100% sensation in my breast, but it seems to return more as time goes on. It's worth the trade off everytime I buy a C or D sized bra from Victoria's Secret and shirts that actually fit.

BTW- I had liposuction again in March 2005 on my thighs and flanks and I promise you the lipo recovery was much worse for me than the breast reduction. Imagine that...

Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck!!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

My niece is an L & D nurse and had her reduction last year. She said she took 10 days off, but could have taken less. It was just worrying about the weight of lifting during labor that made her a little cautious. She went from a 42 DD to a 38 B. She said it was the best decision she ever made.

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I hear ya! when is surgery? When I had it done I was still on my parents plan. They covered everything except for a few hundred dollars which I paid to my parents. My scars have also faded to the point where you have to know where to look to see them. I really got to go to bed now- yikes! My baby will be up bright and early at 6!

Probably not until next spring. I also have a bad tennis elbow and need a tendon release done. I can't take the time off for both in one year and my elbow is more incapacitating.

I hear ya about Baby.....mine had me up at 6 this morning!!!

So return to work isn't 608 weeks like other surgeries? Sounds like I'll be out longer for my elbow!

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Just FYI for those who may need to know...the Big Girls Bra website has all kinds of sizes and styles, and some of them are the prettier patterns, too.

That info just til you guys get your surgery! lol

I've contemplated it..I'm 5'2" and wear a 40 DDD, but I'm also overweight with it. Do the surgeons want you ideal body wt before they do it? Because realisitically that may never happen. I've been struggling too many years and realize I'm not going to be at my 18 year old weight again without severe starvation.

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Specializes in Oncology, Cardiology, ER, L/D.

I had mine done July of 1994 when I was in the Navy, best thing I have ever done for myself and it only cost me the grand total of $4.75! I had excruciating back pain all the time so it was a big relief to have done. We had a plastic surgeon from California doing his reserve time and he did an awesome job. I was very grateful, let me tell ya and afterwards I about bought Victoria's Secret out!:lol2:

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I've contemplated it..I'm 5'2" and wear a 40 DDD, but I'm also overweight with it. Do the surgeons want you ideal body wt before they do it? Because realisitically that may never happen. I've been struggling too many years and realize I'm not going to be at my 18 year old weight again without severe starvation.

I am overweight also, but I don't think they would use that as criteria unless the bust is proportionate with the rest of you. I'm bigger than I should be even with my excess weight. And I'm not looking for cute and perky, just smaller.

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If you have a breast reduction, does that automatically lift them up? Or do you then need to have another procedure done for that?

Also, would a breast size of 36C be big enough to qualify for a breast reduction to be covered by insurance?

Thanks!

36C?? Most likely not....sorry.

The breasts automatically get the lift with the reduction....

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I am overweight also, but I don't think they would use that as criteria unless the bust is proportionate with the rest of you. I'm bigger than I should be even with my excess weight. And I'm not looking for cute and perky, just smaller.

weight has not much to do with the breast reduction ....as long as there is 500 grams per breast...most insurance companies cover it....it also helps having documentation from other medical docs supporting the need for breast reduction.

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500 grams will NOT be an issue with me!! I didn't realize size alone made it medical versus cosmetic. I thought there had to be a problem with the breast size being the underlying reason.

I think repositioning comes with reduction, otherwise the anatomy would be off, right?

How is the amount of reduction decided?

INSURANCE COMPANIES RULE....they are incontrol of everything.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I had a breast reduction 12 years ago. I really needed it but the timing wasn't great. Also, I don't think I had enough pain management because I was in a lot of pain. I wasn't able to move my arms at all the first day and it really hurt to move them after that for a few days. I definitely needed the two weeks off that I got from work in a child care center. I still feel badly when I look back and recall it becuase it just wasn't right for me. I wanted the smaller look and got it and was happy with it but I was in the middle of a big life crisis so if I had just put it off I"m sure it would have been better.

I guess am one of those women however who continue to get larger because that is what happened to me and I am now about one size smaller than I was before the reduction. When I get my physical done I'm going to ask my doctor about the possibility of getting another one. My posture is really bad now.

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