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

TazziRN, RN · Apr 1, 2006

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'm sorry it didn't work for you. I understand what you mean about it being the right time. I wanted it years ago but I don't think the time was right then, and it probably would not have been as successful as desired. Back then it was a self-esteem problem, courtesy of my ex. Now it's a medical problem. My current DH is a prince and said he would support whatever decision I made about it.

Butterfly3001 · Apr 8, 2006

Im so happy I did a search first this has been a question of mine for almost 3 years. I had my son 3 years ago and went from a "C" cup to a 36 dd/e cup. I was wondering if that would qualify for reduction surgery. I want to go down a "C" cup again.And also If I wanted to have a baby later on is there a way they could possibly save my milk duct(not sure if im using the correct medical term).

TazziRN, RN · Apr 8, 2006

Im so happy I did a search first this has been a question of mine for almost 3 years. I had my son 3 years ago and went from a "C" cup to a 36 dd/e cup. I was wondering if that would qualify for reduction surgery. I want to go down a "C" cup again.And also If I wanted to have a baby later on is there a way they could possibly save my milk duct(not sure if im using the correct medical term).

I went to a DD also and have had increased shoulder and neck problems because of it. People kept telling me I would get smaller once I stopped nursing, but it didn't happen. I've always been large, but when I went to the double letters my heart just sank.

Good question about the milk ducts. Best person to ask would be your plastics guy.

kukukajoo, LPN · Jun 24, 2006

I am going to talk to my doc about this in 2 weeks. Hopefully we can get insurance to cover it! thank you to all who contributed as it helped me cement my decision to try and get this covered! I can't wait to be able to buy a bra off the rack and have shirts actually fit me right! (BTW I am an F cup)

I like the idea of the lipo at the same time!!!

Also, for the poster above getting it done again, make sure the doc knows what procedure was used the first time as there was just a case when a woman got a second one and a diff procedure was done and she lost her breasts because of lack of blood flow. Could have been prevented by the doc knowing and not assuming what technique was used.

fergus51 · Jun 24, 2006

One of my friends had it done and had little to no pain afterwords. She only took tylenol for the first 2 days and hosted a barbeque the day after that.

I've considered it and plan on doing it one day, but now isn't a good time. BTW, anyone looking for pretty bras in a lot of sizes should go to Nordstroms. I have a small band but big cups which can be really hard to find, but they have it all! I recently discovered this and have gone a little crazy bra shopping. I also brought 3 of my friends there to get fitted. No one was in the right bra size before that. It really helps! No one would get I'm in the double letters thanks to the awesome bras I have.

Princess74 · Jun 24, 2006

When I can find a bra to fit, which is VERY rare. I wear a 42G or 40H depending on the bra. It's horrible. I would love to have a reduction and a lift with implants but I can't afford health insurance right now. Plus I'm afraid that my breast will look even worse with all of the scars. I don't know what to do.

My friend had a reduction from a DDD to a C but shes gained some weight and now they are back up to a DDD, so be aware that they will grow along with the rest of you if you put on any weight.

By the way, I'd like to go down to a B or C cup.

RNOTODAY, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

Question........

My understanding was that your large breasts had to be making your back hurt, get rashes, shoulders hurt, and you had to try to lose weight first... not just the 500 gram on each side rule... has this changed, or does it really vary from insurance co to ins co? Because I am way too large, but I am also overweight. But,I did lose alot of weight a while ago, and I was still too big. I have to wear way too big shirts, that are tight around the bust, but too big everywhere else!!!! I feel like a linebacker.

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

I had a reduction done when I was in college. Absolutely one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. I am only 4'10" and was busting out of a DD cup at 19 years old. My back hurt every night - I'd have spasms in my lower back as soon as I laid down to sleep. This was before I even started nursing school clinicals, and I knew it would only get worse. Plus, my breasts were already so pendulous that (TMI, I know) my nipples faced downwards. I figured I couldn't look much worse and I'd rather have perky breasts even if they came with scars.

Nowadays I think they do it outpatient, but when I had it done 10 years ago you got to spend the night in the hospital. If you get this option, I'd take it! My surgery was six hours long, and when I woke up from anesthesia I was sick as a dog. I couldn't hold anything down until the next day, but luckily since I was still in the hospital they were able to keep me on full IV fluids overnight and my goodness did that help me feel better. I had almost no pain at all - in fact my breasts were completely numb for almost six months afterwards. The only pain I had was from the two Jackson-Pratt drains I had - they were sutured loosely under each breast and every time I moved, it pinched so bad! They were pulled two or three days later and as soon as they came out, I felt 100% better.

My only regret is that I had the old anchor-shaped incision, and I get keloid scars. So I have a ring of scar tissue around each nipple and some more thick scarring under each breast. Recently they've started doing an alternate incision where you only have a scar around the nipple and I really wish that had been an option when I had mine done!!!! If you decide to do it, ask your doctor if this is a possibility.

Good luck.

kukukajoo, LPN · Jun 25, 2006

I am unsure of each insurance factors to have it covered but from what I understand it us a combination of all those things you mentioned. I have the bad posture, shoulder grooves, headaches, backaches and even chest pain. The 500 grams will not be a problem, I just wish they could put it in my butt as that is so darned flat I cant wear hip huggers and keep them up!

I did a search and the double incision around the nipple and they do it at the hospital I will be going to!

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

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?

Yes, they do a breast-lift type procedure as part of the reduction. You should be able to find lots of pictures on the internet that show before and after photos. It's amazing - you look downright perky afterwards.

You and the doc talk about size and come to a decision about how much can be removed. My doc said he could only take me down 3 cup sizes (DD to B) because otherwise it'd be too much tissue removed. He said a B cup is the smallest he does on anybody because if you've had large breasts, you have lots of stretched out nerves and glands in there and you need some breast tissue left inside to support that since they try not to cut any of that stuff in order to leave you with functioningn breasts. Make sense? He said the only cases where he has to sever nerves and/or glands is when the woman has an actual hormone problem where her breasts grew abnormally large from a very early age. Most of the time, though, he says he makes his patients a B or C cup.

As for your 2 year old - definitely will need some help at home. Not because of the pain, but because you won't be able to lift that much weight for awhile. You need to be kind to your breasts after surgery. Barring complications, you could probably go back to work within a month, but you wouldn't be able to do much in the way of lifting or transferring patients for a while.

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jun 25, 2006

This is interesting because I had saw a second plastic surgeon on Friday for an initial consult. I called my insurance company and they said they DO NOT cover reductions unless it is due to cancer or an accident. Umm...I can't think of any "accident" that would cause my boobs to get bigger ~ can anyone else??

The insurance route is not always guaranteed. For those who have gone through insurance, any suggestions?

Gompers, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2006

This is interesting because I had saw a second plastic surgeon on Friday for an initial consult. I called my insurance company and they said they DO NOT cover reductions unless it is due to cancer or an accident. Umm...I can't think of any "accident" that would cause my boobs to get bigger ~ can anyone else??
The insurance route is not always guaranteed. For those who have gone through insurance, any suggestions?

That's a little extreme of them...

Many insurance companies will not pay for a reduction unless there is documented medical proof that the breasts are causing other problems. My doc had to take photos of my posture, my huge shoulder dents from bra straps, etc. He also had to get info from my regular doctor that said I had chronic back pain. Insurance wouldn't cover it just to make me smaller - they needed proof it would make me healthier.