r/Reduction

hello all. just have a question regarding consultations: would you all proceed with a surgeon if they were unable to show you before & after pictures of previous procedures they have done?

Let me explain: the doctor I currently have surgery scheduled with is having trouble gathering photos. I believe a big part is due to where they work (a medical college) and the regulations of showing others intimate photos. I am a little nervous to proceed if he won’t be able to show me. so, i’d like to know what you guys would do in my situation?

Omg the fact of being able to just walk into Walmart and buying a $7 bralette!!! No wires, no poking, just a simple thin strap bralettes 🥹. And there are so many colors, shapes and styles I can wear now. My old 30k self could never.

The first few weeks, I was showering everyday because clean/soap= good I thought but my wet scabs just wouldn’t heal because everytime they got wet, they would get all gross again. Around 4 1/2 weeks, I started doing a full shower every other day and then just using wipes (not on my boobs) the days I didn’t shower and it’s been amazing! Everything is fully closed now.

Every day on this subreddit I see at least 3 people who have had surgery less than a week ago and are freaking out about the way their boobs look. “They’re so swollen, they look so boxy, they’re too tight and not round.” Girl. Take a breath. Your body JUST went through MAJOR surgery. It’s gonna take you 6 weeks to even be able to do everything you could before. It won’t be 6 months until you get a good idea what the end results may be like. Maybe the blame is on the medical team for not educating people on what the recovery is going to look like, and I know it’s a really nerve-wracking and emotional thing to see your franken-boobs, but take a breath, sit down, read a book, your boobs are not going to heal faster by you looking at them all the time. Trust the process and give it timmeeee. everything will be ok🩷

Hey everyone, I'm looking for some advice for post-surgery bras. My post-op instructions say to keep a surgical garment/compression bra on for 6 weeks. I have a few that have been working for me but with it being summer, I have been wishing I had a strapless option so I could wear spaghetti straps or strapless tops without showing my bra straps. Has anyone had any luck finding a strapless bra that works as a post-surgery bra?

TIA!

Can anyone share their experience getting a reduction with an unsupportive partner? I’m struggling with my husband. I’ve been with him for 20 years. I’ve been busty since age 12 and I’ve wanted a reduction for YEARS. Lots of trauma around being busty, being called slutty for wearing regular clothes, not fitting into any regular dresses or bathing suits etc etc. Fast forward- Lots of therapy and body work later, I’m finally ready for surgery. Insurance approved! My husband is very concerned about size. He actually said “I’m worried I won’t be physically attracted to you anymore” and that “you don’t care what I think, which is so disrespectful and hurtful.” (I told him I care about his opinion but it’s not an equal voice in my decision- it’s not 50/50). I was triggered (someone encroaching on my bodily autonomy?!?! Oh hell nah!!!) and had to spend a couple days bringing my nervous system back down. Multiple medical professionals have validated my feelings (that it’s my body, my choice) and I know I will move forward with the surgery. What is meant to happen will happen and I am beyond capable of handling whatever that may be. I was just hoping for hearing others’ stories so I feel less alone. I will also add, this is not the first time he has verbalized he doesn’t like my appearance and that I’m disrespecting him with my choices- when I cut my hair a certain way/wear an outfit he doesn’t like/don’t wear makeup. He has a pattern of controlling behavior and if a friend was telling me this about her boyfriend, I’d point out the BIG red flag and urge her to leave him. I’m not there yet with my husband, but I recognize that is a future possibility. I’m asserting myself more and taking care of myself, which has made things harder at home. TIA 💞

Hi there,

I've been on this sub for a while and I've always wanted a reduction. I have not had children yet and I'm not sure when my husband and I will make that decision but I've always heard mixed things about getting a reduction before having kids - that if you do it can change the results, etc.

I guess I'm asking if anyone has had experience with getting a reduction before having kids and how that may have turned out for you? I'm sure I would need to speak with a provider as well to get the full risks/benefits but I haven't even started that process yet. I'm just ready to have this weight taken off of me (literally) and would like to seriously start exploring and looking into this.

hi guys I’m 4wpo, i have been instructed to keep my compression bra on day and night apart from showering, however i’m really curious and I can’t help myself from taking it off for 5-10 min a couple of times a day to look. Is this going to make a massive difference? I’m quite anxious about it!

I'm making this post because I know a lot of you might be mid recovery and it might give you something to look forwards to.

I'm 4MPO and just came back from a jog...I wish I had this surgery sooner! Running, jumping and dancing no longer causes me back pain. My boobs are not hitting my chin when I move around and i no longer get sweat rashes. It feels AMAZING. I am wondering what have been your experiences exercising post-reduction?

Hi all! Celebrating insurance finally approving my breast reduction!!! 🥳

My next steps are to book a date for the surgery. I’m super excited but also nervous. I’m currently a 34G and hope to be about a full C. My surgeon said he could remove about 300g from each breast to get me to a full B/small C. I know folks on here suggested bringing in pictures pre-op. Where do I find pics like that? If anyone has had similar before/after results and posted their before/after, I’d love to know how you’re liking your results!!

I had my surgery! Anesthesia was great. The surgeon was so sweet. I have burning under my incisions but it’s very bearable. I went for my day 1 post-op appointment and my surgeon took the gauze off to replace it and OMG THEY’RE SO SMALL! I’m so happy! I’ve been doing some light walking. I walked to the mailbox down the street by my house and back. I do still get a bit tired from the meds but I can do pretty normal things. No reaching or lifting of course, but I’m very self-sufficient. Anyone thinking about having the surgery, DO IT!

Hoping to give back to this community that made me feel like I belong, validated my feelings, and gave me so much insight pre- and post-op!

I saw someone on here offering to give some of her items to other members, and I was inspired to do the same.

If any of you want to save some money, I’d love to give these away if you can cover the shipping cost. I’m located in Canada, but since these items can fit into an envelope, I don’t think shipping will be more than ~$20.

Please note: while these were all carefully washed and well taken care of, there is a cat in my household.

For sizing reference: I went from a 36H to potentially a B–C cup, and these all fit me well during recovery.

6 front-closure compression tops + 2 bamboo liners.
(Some of these were part of my essential list found )

• 1 Small (Black)

• 2 Medium (Black)

• 1 Medium (Black)

• 2 Medium (Black / Black Spacedye)

• 2 Small (Light Gray / Gray)

Get in touch!

:)

So I'm several years out from my reduction now and would do it again in an instant, my new life of being braless or bralette is the best! but today I was driving and kept having to adjust my seatbelt because it always slides up and annoys my neck, and I was thinking about how I didn't remember always having this problem and it suddenly occurred to me. My huge boobs in their underwire bra would hold the seatbelt in place between them! so no slipping! (also why don't they make seatbelts more adjustable so this isn't so much of an issue?)

Omg. I had my first mammogram today after reduction surgery in January. Wow. Before, they had to do like six images each breast before and today it was two images each breast and done. It was so much more comfortable and easier. Today was the equivalent of a non-scale victory but whatever you’d call it for boobs - non-bra size victory? Idk but it was such a difference and I was so happy!

🙌🏻 we made it y’all. They’re now (probably) fully attached.

I am 1M4DPO.

Has anyone dealt with hard lumps/fat necrosis? I just started massaging my boobs more. I’ve been using vitamin E oil and a jade roller (something my doctor recommended).

I am experiencing it more in my left outer boob, but also have a little bit of it in my right lower inner boob. It just feels uncomfortable, but when I use the jade roller and massage them myself, it hurts. Other than that, nothing is different. No bruising or anything. Just regular boob skin.

My follow-up appointment is in July.

Has anyone dealt with anything similar?

Hello! Just stopping in to see if I’m the only one having trouble feeling normal after taking gabapentin for 18 days. Started taking it (300mg) 2x a day 48 hours before my surgery which was may 23 and stopped taking it 18 days later. I went cold turkey and I am having a ton of anxiety and insomnia. Mind you, I don’t use any type of substances nor do I drink. Just curious how people are going about this medication. Thanks and hope all is well with everyone’s recovery!!!

Edit: my doctor did recommend I stop taking the morning dose for some time and then eventually cut the nighttime dose out… which I did do.

hi all so i'm getting my surgery on July 17! I am currently a 34F, I want them to be small enough to feel significant relief on my back, but I don't want to have nothing. I am a little afraid to ask for a B cup because idk if it would look weird on me, but then if I ask for a C I'm worried my surgeon won't take enough out. That seems to be a big complaint on here is that people feel like their surgeon didn't make them as small as they wanted. Eventually I am planning to have kids so my boobs will likely grow a little whenever that happens. SO maybe a B cup then? IDK I just really don't want them to feel the same, but then don't want to be stuck flat.

I have seen a ridiculous number of “should I call my surgeon’s office about this medical issue?” posts the last few days.

The answer is ALWAYS YES. We cannot give medical advice. This is Reddit. Do not use it for medical advice. If you’re having a new issue or a complication or a side effect of medicine CALL YOUR SURGEON.

Please y’all use some common sense here. If you want to know if something is normal, ask a doctor first.

An example of something okay: my nipple shape is wonky, is it likely to even out?

An example of something not okay: my nipple is turning black, is this normal?

First sorry if I picked the wrong flare- I have autism and a lot of sensory issues with feeling overwhelmed with just clothes and being so hot all the time and being aware of clothes touching me.

I’m currently busting out of my N cups and am wondering if anyone else has sensory issues and if the reduction helped with that feeling of being overwhelmed just in your own skin.

tl;dr do folks have experience being asked to provide a medical letter of support along with a therapeutic letter of support? & if so, what was the conversation like between you and the medical provider?

the story: i recently got my therapeutic letter of support to qualify my reduction under my insurance’s coverage of gender affirming care (GAC). i am now in the process of contacting surgeons in my area for consultations.

the first place i called was very confused because i was calling to scheduled a consultation for a reduction (as opposed to full top surgery) to be covered by GAC….because apparently the only kind of GAC folks expect is full top surgery?? it surprised me that they were confused because i seriously couldn’t be one of the first persons to call for this reason. they then asked if I had a medical letter of support & i said no I have a therapeutic letter of support. and they said i needed to get a medical letter as well & have it faxed before i could book a consultation.

literally no where in my extensive research have i seen anything about needing a medical letter of support for this surgery. not from my insurance details, not from any of the resources i’ve used, nothing.

i have never been assessed for “medical necessity” (1) because this is primarily a psychological necessity and (2) i don’t exhibit typical symptoms of macromastia (back pain that i can specifically attribute to breast size, rashes, shoulder grooves, etc).

i feel very anxious about looping my primary care provider into this process in this way. i have no problem including her in my pre- & post- surgery care, but having to explain myself to her in this way was not something i was expecting and the fear of invalidation puts a knot in my stomach. I’m already quite sensitive to invalidation/rejection due to people not understanding that a reduction is just as legitimate as a form of GAC and top surgery or anything else.

help!!

Hi everyone,

I’m helping my mom look into getting a breast reduction surgery. She lives in Northern Ontario (Sudbury area), and unfortunately, there don’t seem to be any surgeons nearby with consistently good reviews or outcomes.

We’re willing to travel to the GTA if needed, but we’re hoping to get some insight from people who’ve gone through this process, especially those who had it fully covered by OHIP. My mom doesn’t want any additional procedures like liposuction, and we’re not looking to pay anything out of pocket.

If you’ve had an OHIP-covered breast reduction: • Can you share your experience? • Which surgeon did you go with, and would you recommend them? • How many appointments were involved (consult, pre-op, surgery, post-op follow-ups)? • Was travel manageable for you, especially for follow-up care?

We’d really appreciate any guidance, especially on finding a reputable surgeon who’s comfortable working with OHIP patients. Thanks so much in advance!

Just did it! I'm 7 hours post-op and it is LIFE CHANGING. I'll be posting before and after soon! This is a real dream come true!
Do it, you won't regret it!

The only time I enjoy being a 32J is when I’m having sex. Throughout my life my boobs have always been disproportionately large for my frame and I suppose it’s always been an ego boost for me when guy’s reactions are like ‘wow I’ve never seen boobs so big in real life’ / ‘on someone your size’. However they’re such a hindrance in every other aspect of life that I’ve decided to go forward with a reduction. Was anyone else worried that they would lose something re: sex after their reduction? And how has it worked out? I’m sure once I reap the benefits of how much better things will be when they’re smaller I’ll care less - but grateful for any thoughts.

hi! i’ve been lurking on this sub for almost a year, and in 10 days i will finally be getting my reduction! i could not be more excited! i’m currently at a 32 DDD (?) and hoping to get to around a B or small C (although i know cup sizes don’t really work in terms of this surgery). i have had several consultations and generally know what to expect, but i am nervous about the healing process!

what do you wish you knew before you got your surgery? how often/long did you use a chest compression for, and what kind? i’m really nervous about my mobility after the surgery, as i have pretty terrible anxiety and am convinced im going to split myself open, even after several weeks haha.

advice or tips of any kind would be greatly appreciated! i am pretty young and do not know anyone who has had this surgery before, so im going to be figuring it out on my own. thank you all in advance!!

Hello, I am having surgery next week! I am currently sized at 30 F and i was thinning about going down to a B cup, however, I am very scared about going too small or not small enough... if anyone has any experience or recommendations to share, I would be very grateful thank you!

I just came across a TikTok video that made me start wondering some things. I’m one week post op and aside from some little occasional discomfort and itching, I feel normal. I’m still trying to not lift anything and not do too much to avoid hurting myself. I honestly think my breast hurt more on my pms than right now. I was so good post anesthesia too that I had no side effects, not even feeling disoriented. I also been taking afternoon slow walks around my neighborhood with my daughter. Can this change in the upcoming weeks ? Does pain get bad or anything I should be prepared for ?

I'm 5.5 wpo and am curious how long it took you all to see your preop weight on the scale again? I understand the changes and fluctuations my body has went through. In fact, the scale increased 11 pounds within a few days post op, but I knew it was fluid, not fat. I'm wondering how long it took you all to get back to your baseline, and even, see the scale reflect the weight the surgeon removed!

I got the letter today and I’m approved!! After years of struggling with my weight and hormones and feeling like I’m being suffocated underneath my skin, I’m finally there! Surgery has been scheduled for September 29th (it’s pretty far out but my surgeon is amazing and worth the wait) and I won’t have to fight my insurance in the appeals process! I was super anxious about that because I am just… so ready to get these things off of me haha~ I’ve wanted this since I was 16 and already had G cups. I’m a J now even after losing 70lbs and I am just… exhausted and ready to not have giant boobs. 3 more months and the girls will finally be gone 💕

Basically what the title says. I have been at least a 32DD since 12 and am now a 34I at 26. My chest is so heavy it genuinely feels like my boobs are ruining my life. From my research I check the boxes for a reduction covered by insurance, severe back and neck pain, deep shoulder grooves and poor posture from being so top/front heavy. My issue is that I’ve met with 2 primary care doctors and my gynecologist over the past 2-3 years and none of them document these issues and tell me my chest simply could not be the problem. I feel at such a loss I have never run into an issue like this where no doctor is even willing to document my pain. There is zero way I could afford a reduction out of pocket so insurance is my only option. I am at a point where I don’t even want to leave the house because the only tops that comfortably fit me either make me look like a paper bag or fully accentuate my large chest. I’ve tried yoga a few times a week to help with flexibility and stretching my muscles but any bending leaves me suffocated by my own chest.

If anyone can offer a starting point or advice I would be so grateful!!

This is my first time posting to the sub lmk if I’m using the wrong flair.

So I finally went for a consult (age 50s) - something I have wanted to do for years. But the surgeon said she wouldn't be able to do the surgery because in my twenties I had three separate surgeries to remove benign tumors. All three surgeries involved going into the breast through the areola - and this was her rationale. Apparently, that is the only way she'd be able to do the reduction and she told me the nipple would basically be dead and the blood supply would be compromised...part of me doesn't care if I lost the nipple but she wasn't comfortable with that.

Other than that - i am the perfect candidate. I have extremely dense breasts. So uncomfortable and much too big for my frame. I am miserable and don't do sports anymore and can barely find clothes to fit. They effect my every day life in many ways.

The only saving grace is that they are pretty pert. So because of that the doctor offered liposuction. However, that in no way is going to help much and even the surgeon said it wouldn't be a major difference.

Has anyone else had a similar situation? Is compromising the nipple her preference? I am wondering if another surgeon would be worth the trip?

Thank you

Hello all! I've just had a consult with the surgeon my friend had advised me to see, and he said I was a perfect fit for a horizontal (no vertical scar) reduction (the Lalonde technique). I am a 34DD and I want to go down to a full B cup because I don't think that going down a size is worth a surgery and because I have breast-related stomach pains, posture issues, troubles when looking for clothes etc. The surgeon also told me my breasts are narrow-set and are wide at the part where they start growing, hence a horizontal reduction would me a better option. However, no matter how much I browse, there is very little information on it on the net? If anyone has has a horizontal/Lalonde reduction, could you please share your experience? I’d love to know what to expect and why this method could be better for me (apart from the lack of the vertical scar). P.S. My friend who had her reduction done by the same surgeon had an anchor reduction, and this is why I was surprised that he suggested a different method. However, she used to be a F/G cup and she didn’t want to go down that many cups and she’s a C/D now, so this could be the reason?

One of the things that keeps blowing my mind about the before and after photos here are the waists that come out of hiding! I'm pretty excited to find out if I have one too.

Hey all. This one is for my 6wpo+ ladies! How soon did you transition over to a regular bra? What type was it? Was underwire comfortable for you? Do you notice any difference in support with underwire and no wire?

I will be 6wpo next week, and I’ve worn my compression bra religiously per PS direction. It’s a love-hate relationship. Anyway, I have been slowly trying on sports bras to see how those feel for me - but PS says that I should be opting for underwire bras, preferably for the first year. My incisions have healed beautifully 🙏 but they’re obviously still a little tender and I am 100% about comfort as I move over to the non compression bras. I’ve tried on a couple of my old bras just to see how the underwire feels and I’m not a fan.

I had an explant and reduction/lift, I went from a 38DD to about a 38C is what it’s looking like as of right now.

oh my goodness. This morning I had my reduction and I haven’t been able to stop smiling since. I had about 2 pounds removed from each side. what a weight off my chest (literally and figuratively lol). this is something I have wanted since I got my first wired bra at 12 years old. Now at 26, and a 32JJ, I am finally free. I cant wait to see them at my post op on Thursday :)

I also wanted to give a huge shoutout to this subreddit. Every night I would go through the advice, before & afters, the good and the bad, everything. Thank you to everyone who is active and willing to share their experiences. I can’t wait to post my own before & afters :))

Hi, sorry for the long post, there is a TL;DR at the end. My name is Serein, I go by they/them pronouns, I have Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attentive Hyperactivity Disorder, and my breasts have been an issue since puberty. They have made my life a living hell (and I’m only 20 years old).

I’ve tried different bras, sports bras, binding, shapewear, shapermint ™️ bras (which have been the closest thing to provide me any sort of relief), chiropractic appointments and painkillers for the back and neck pain—bras dig into my shoulders and having 33F breasts (a bra that fits calculator) has been nothing but awful. I’ve gone through assault and harassment growing up due to them, but I’ve healed and am healing (I’m huge on self improvement).

I have a supportive partner who has been amazing, and I live with my partner and partner’s family going back and forth—but the problem is—I want this surgery before I start university here in the UK which is in a couple months.

The problem is, insurance won’t cover my reduction and I’ve gone through so much already, so much mental exertion, I’m just burnt out. I want them gone, already. I’ve had a Gofundme out for a while and one person has replied in months of it being active, I just don’t know what to do. I am nervous because it’s a huge surgery, but I have no doubts it’s what I need to stop my brain from telling me to cut them off myself!

I constantly have to deal with the boob sweat, the chafing, the bra straps, the skin touching skin. I’m sick of it. I can’t do this for another year. I just know, before then, I’m going to snap. I’m already in therapy, and on meds—but it’s summer and everything is exacerbated with the heat, I keep sweating through my shirts and I just want to go braless and not have to worry about the skin-touching-skin feeling and tucking my shirts under and how that looks.

TL;DR - Mental health = not so great due to trying to start the process of reduction/reduce (lol) discomfort now and knowing reduction is the only way I will ever be able to function normally.

For those based in the UK and had your surgery done through the NHS; what did your hospital/GP put on your sick note for work? I have a friend in HR who has basically said make sure it doesn’t state that it’s an elective surgery because work won’t pay me sick pay for the days I’m off. Obviously being through the NHS they agree that the surgery is necessary and beneficial for my health (otherwise they wouldn’t have approved funding) but this has worried me now!

Hey everyone just looking for some insight/advice. A little background on me to give a full picture. I am active duty U.S. military currently stationed overseas. I come back state side next year and am looking to get a radical reduction January 2026 and maintaining nipple sensation is at the TOP of my list!!

I’ve been doing a lot of research and I found Dr. Peled works with GCC for this very purpose. My question is if anyone has had a radical reduction that was completely flat? I got approval from my Primary Care Physician and from my insurance because it’s for back and neck pain. I however don’t want any breast tissue left. Just trying to navigate insurance but also want to only do this once and make it clear on what results I’m looking for. TIA for any insight/help!!

Best thing I’ve ever done! No more back and neck pain. Surgery seems like a distant memory. Thanks to everyone on this thread who helped along the way. You got this girls! 🥰

Is anyone taking this after surgery? I went for a little check of the scars today and she reminded me again to consume lots of protein. I was thinking getting this one.

Just turned 45 and I am finally at a place in life that I’m ready for the surgery. I’ve been a 32GG for as long as I can remember and I’m just done. I want to wear cute tops and not feel self conscious.

How do I go about starting this process? Talk to my primary? OB? Seek out a surgeon? Help a girl out! TYSM 🩷

This is a reminder that after surgery, your body needs extra calories so they can go to your healing rather than your body simply functioning as usual.

My healing felt like it was happening very slowly until I realized about 2 weeks post-op that I had been eating only about my base level calories per day. I started tracking my food and upped my calories to about 300 over my total daily needed calories. Since then (about 10 days ago), my healing has progressed SO rapidly. I am seeing big changes day to day!

Also, if you are worried about getting adequate nutrition, there are products like Juven (powdered supplement for wound healing) and Healfast post-op supplements. You still need to be eating adequate calories (and water and protein! super important for wound healing), but if you don't want to fret so much about the nutritional properties themselves, supplements can be really useful!

Maybe it's the post-op pain meds lowering my inhibitions, but I wanted to share some post-op thoughts.

For context, the procedure was a bilateral reduction. [EDIT: Writing this 4DPO]

Surgery Day:

• The surgery was much less stressful than I had been expecting - and this is coming from someone with a horrific fear of needles who has never even had stitches before.

• The hospital was very organized with very little wait time. I assume this is because we were in day surgery where everything had been scheduled and planned for ahead of time instead of an emergency room which, like a lot of people I'm sure, is the only other hospital experience I've really had.

• All of the staff was very polite and friendly. The nurse who did my IV was very patient and let me have a moment to look away before she did it. That was honestly my biggest fear of the whole day so once that was finished, it felt like smooth sailing.

• The surgeon came to check on me and do some markings and then we were off to the OR within 90 minutes of arriving at the hospital.

• I found getting ready to be put under a bit uncomfortable because there were so many people around me giving me instructions at the same time but everyone was very understanding, efficient, and seemed extremely competent.

• Waking up in recovery was very disorienting. I kept going in and out of consciousness suddenly and repeatedly trying to suddenly sit upright in bed (but my bf tells me that's how I wake up on a normal day lol). The recovery nurses were all great.

• When the anesthetic had worn off and I was a bit more aware of myself I immediately felt so much lighter.

• Went home maybe 7 hours after I first arrived at the hospital that morning.

Post Op:

• Much easier than I had expected. I've never had surgery before so I had no idea what I was going into.

• Pain easily managed with what I was given by the doctor and now 4DPO I have been able to go right down to the lowest end of the doses they recommended.

• The hardest part of post-op was the first shower.

  • I was excited to shower because I felt generally pretty gross after going without one for a few days and not being able to "wash off" the hospital but I was really nervous about seeing my breasts for the first time.

  • I felt very tender removing the outer dressings and I was scared to see my incisions in the mirror.

  • Being out of compression felt very uncomfortable. Pre-surgery, I basically lived in compression bras just to get through the day and I would compare the feeling of taking off my bandages to taking off a tight compression bra, except the sensation didn't fade away and it was a bit more intense.

  • If you have someone who can help you with the first shower, I recommend asking them. I had my bf help me with removing the bandages because I couldn't see which tape was holding the outer dressings and which was the tape over the incisions that needed to stay on. I also had his help washing my hair because I didn't feel comfortable reaching that far without the support of compression.

    • This was the only shower I've needed help for. After my first day in just a compression bra, I am much more comfortable in my range of motion and with being out of compression for showers.

Obviously this is just my own experience and everyone's will be different. I hope this was helpful to somebody. I know that before my procedure I spent a ton of time on this subreddit looking for people's experiences to make me feel a bit less nervous about the unknown.

I’ve been reading this page a lot recently and I have a decent understanding of what most people are able to do within each time frame but I’m kind of worried specifically about school.

I know most people that get a reduction are not in high school so I understand if I won’t find many people with this experience, but if you do have some I would love to feel a little less nervous about this.

My surgery is scheduled for July 21 and I start my senior year of high school on August 4(?).

Some things I’m imagining the worst scenarios about at the moment:

• carrying a backpack. I feel like that would be the last thing that I should be doing right after surgery plus we have individual laptops we need to carry around everywhere so it won’t exactly be light with everything else in there

• drains/tubes. I know those normally come out within the first week but I’m just scared constantly moving around and the stitches in general rubbing against my clothes

• bloating, swelling, pains, taking meds (not having a clear mind), and just generally not being in a good mental place right after the surgery. I’m sure everyone had worried about these despite age but idk I just wish I could have had it at the beginning of summer so I wouldn’t have to worry about all this. I’m always anxious at the beginning of school years but this has just made me overthink everything. I know realistically I’m exaggerating what could go wrong, but it wouldn’t hurt to let me know if anyone has any advice.

I have been on M for 6 months and lost a substantial amount of weight - none of it from my breasts. So today I had a breast reduction

At my FIRST consultation with the surgeon I told him about the med. I then told the nurses in pre-op consult 3 weeks ago AND I called the surgery AFTER that to confirm I didn’t need to stop. EVERYONE SAID NO. I also asked a friend who is a plastic surgeon and they said no.

My anaesthetist comes in pre-op today and when I told him he immediately said ‘you should have told people about that we recommend you stop 2 weeks before because it increases the risk of acid reflux during surgery’. I was very clear with him that I had told him and asked him to go pull my pre-op notes. When I went up to surgery one of the nurses brought it up and was like I can’t believe the pre-op teams don’t know about this.

The anaesthetist was amazing and told me it was fine, he could manage the risk, and that the whole use of GLP-1 for weight loss was so relatively new it was impossible that everyone knew but jfc. I could not have been clearer with multiple doctors and nurses about this and I even fasted for 24 hours prior because I wasn’t convinced the nurses understood the delay in metabolising food.

It’s the anaesthesia this directly impacts during surgery so please make sure you get the right advice way before your op.

I (20sF) contacted my surgeon to let them know I’ve been experiencing a bout insomnia and a low mood. I’m a little over a week post op. They say they’ve never had any patient tell them that in over a decade of practice and I should get off all meds and see my primary. I’m not looking for medical advice. Just hoping maybe someone relates and has advice. I feel so alone and like a shell of myself. To be clear, I love my results aesthetically speaking and do not think that’s part of why I feel this way. Thanks for listening. I don’t know who else to talk to.

I was a 34E and now I feel like I am too small. My surgeon removed 1.5kg. I haven’t seen my surgeon yet to remove the bandages but I feel like I might have made a mistake . I can’t stop crying. Please a kind word or a reassuring message would really help right now .

Hey ladies, It’s been almost 18 months now since my reduction and Im seriously considering a slight augmentation. I still believe the reduction was the best decision of my life but Ive lost so much weight and now I dont really like my shape (they sit mostly on the side of my arm pits) and my size is significantly smaller now and Id love to slightly enhance it.

Asking if anyone has done this before and can share negative/positive experiences?

4DPO about to take first shower.

I only have sutures, glue, and steristrips; no bandages.

I know that you are only supposed to let water run over your chest, but I didn’t get any post-shower instructions. Am I supposed to dry the incisions? How? How long before I put the bra back on? etc.

I’m healing well so far and so nervous that I’m going to somehow mess it up with this shower.

I used to get really frustrated with boobs getting in the way of certain arm movement and told my surgeon I wanted boobs that matched my arms. She had no idea what that meant lol but now at 5months post op I can safely say she delivered! Another funny story is that I used to eat dinner in a sitting position with my knees bent near my chest so I was able to use my boobs as a table. The first time I tried this probably about 6weeks post op I no longer had enough boob to use as a table but for some reason my first thought was “something weird is going on with my plate” it took longer than I care to admit for me to realize it was my smaller chest and not the plates that were the problem…. I moved my entire meal to a different plate, then another when it still wouldn’t balance.

Posted a couple of days ago. My first doctor is holding firm on 400 grams. I’m going to get a second opinion - I hope. I truly feel like with my size (short and a little stocky 5’1” 118lbs) BMI 23. That 400 grams would make me smaller than I am comfortable with. Current Under bust 32” over bust 37”. I don’t want to get hung up on cup sizes since reading a ton here but the doctor said “around” a B. And I think I should be a C. When I wear a sports bra that compresses my chest and measure it feels right to me - when measured it’s 35”. Has anyone been able to get Kaiser Sacramento to approve less than 400g? It’s so hard not knowing for sure.

I’ve posted on here a few times but basically I got a reduction at 14 and I’m now 17 and I deeply regret it. My surgeon lied about the consequences and I’m still coping with the fact that I’ll never be able to breastfeed or even feel my nipples (both things my surgeon assured me I’d still be able to do after the surgery even though he did a FNG) and that I’ll likely have scars for life or at the very least a misshapen nipple (left breast got infected and healed badly)

I just don’t know what to do. I don’t have easy access to a therapist and it feels like I have nobody to talk to about the is. I feel awful speaking to my parents about it because I know they feel extremely guilty about letting my go through with the surgery. Are there resources or something? I don’t even know what to do anymore.

Hi All - I am starting the process of seeing a surgeon at UCSF and hopefully that will lead to a reduction date. I literally have back pain every single day and my boobs are super heavy.

For those who have gone through the surgery, were you scared to do it? How did you psych yourself up? Thank you so much!!!

How are we protecting the scars from the sun?

Are you guys wearing sun screen underneath your clothes? Is clothes enough? Should I get an UV shirt? I feel like I’m overthinking it.

Hi! I’m a little over 2 weeks post op and I was a 32DD and I requested a B. I placed a 32D bra over my boobs and it fit perfectly. I’m feeling really discouraged about this. When I had my 1WPO apt the surgeon said they wouldn’t get much smaller than what they are now. Again, I’m feeling so upset that they aren’t smaller than I was anticipating. Is this feeling normal? Is there a chance they will get smaller even though the doctor said otherwise?

I know these posts have been made before but I had a reduction 2 years ago at age 22. Went from a K to a D. I’m now back at an H. I gained 5kg of weight (60kg now) so healthy weight especially because I’m tall.

I’m not asking for advice, just support. I cried in the changing room when I realised. My boyfriend reminded me that I don’t have the pain I used to have and while that’s true, I felt for just a little while what it was like to wear anything I like. It’s a struggle to find fashion I like and honestly while far away, I was so excited to wear any wedding dress I wanted someday, not just one that fits the girls.

It’s difficult for people to understand why I am so upset. Maybe someone here can understand.

This is just some context to my thoughts: I would be open to another reduction since I’m pretty sure I will need one but I was hoping to do so after having children. Since that is still years away and my boobs are growing at such a rapid speed, I fear that I will have to get multiple reductions in the future.

Hello!

I'm currently 7wpo, and I thought I’d share a little walkthrough of my surgery day in case it helps anyone preparing for their own procedure.

I know every surgeon, clinic, and process is different, but sometimes hearing about the little details can make a big difference. So here’s my experience!

For context

My surgery was scheduled at a clinic that happened to be closer to a friend’s place than to my own, so I decided to stay with her for two nights: the evening before surgery, and the night after. I came in with my little suitcase and pillows in tow.

She dropped me off the morning of surgery and came back later that day to pick me up. She even cooked dinner for me both nights!

Having that support honestly relieved a lot of pre-op anxiety. Knowing I had a female friend nearby if anything went wrong gave me an extra sense of comfort and safety too.

At the Clinic

As soon as I got to the clinic, I was welcomed by the staff. One funny moment: I actually spotted a few other busty girls in the waiting area. It made me smile, like a quiet little reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. :)

I came in with no makeup, no fragrance, and no deodorant as instructed, and wore loose-fitting pants (not tight leggings that I’d have to force to pull up) and an oversized zip up track jacket and slip on shoes.

• I was asked to remove all my jewelry and clothing, including underwear, and change into a surgical robe. They gave me a bag for my personal belongings, which they placed in a locker under my name. They let me keep my phone with me, and gave me a warm blanket to put over the robe.

• Period note: I had my period the day before surgery. I usually wear period underwear, but I had a gut feeling I’d need to be fully naked so I packed tampons. Thank god I did. This detail is rarely mentioned and could be helpful for someone.

As I was walking to the pre-op room (with other patients) it looked like we were all going to the spa. :)

Pre-Op Routine

The pre-op area had about 10 curtained-off beds where patients were being prepped. Hearing nurses interact with other patients around me actually made me feel more calm like I was part of something organized and well-practiced. I even chatted with another woman who had the same surgeon!

• My surgeon came in next to do the markings. I’ve mentioned this before , but I’m saying it again because it’s not talked about enough: this step can be intense. It made me dizzy, and my surgeon said that’s not uncommon and some people even faint. We had to take breaks so I could sit down. Eventually, he paused and came back later to finish. Seeing the lines of what’s going to be removed, and where your nipples will be moved to, is both too real and surreal at the same time.

• The anesthesiologist came by to introduce himself and go over the next steps. He told me the fluids he uses for the anesthesia help reduce nausea and other side effects, and it was true, I didn’t experience any of that from the anesthesia. He also explained that it takes just a few seconds to go under once the needle goes in, and after the surgery, it only takes about five minutes to wake up once the fluids are stopped.

• A nurse came back afterward to give me Tylenol to help prep my body for the surgery. She explained that after the surgery they will ask me how I feel on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest level of pain. 1-4 would be ok for you to chill on your phone, and at 5-6 it starts becoming extremely uncomfortable for exemple.

• I had been able to keep my phone with me until the very last minute. At that point, the nurse took it, and put it in box. They would give it back to me later in the recovery room.

Surgery

I had never had surgery of this scale before, so this part honestly felt like something out of a movie.

• A surgery nurse came to roll my bed down the hallway to the operating room. When we reached the doors, I had to get up and walk over to the operating table myself. The room was so cinematic glossy white, filled with high-tech equipment, and just incredibly impressive.

• They had me lie down on the table, covered me with a blanket, and asked me to lower my robe to my waist. I thought that was really thoughtful that they didn’t ask me to do it fully exposed. I felt like I was given some dignity in a very vulnerable moment.

• The surgery room was cold, but they had this tube blowing warm air under the blanket near my legs to keep me warm during the procedure. It was such a small thing, but it made a big difference in comfort.

• The anesthesiologist I’d met earlier was there, and an inhalotherapist explained her role: she said her only job was to monitor my vital signs throughout the entire operation and to be ready to step in if anything happened. She told me, “I’ve got you.” That made me feel super safe and taken care of. I also noticed there were probably 8 people in the room. An entire team dedicated to you!

They started the IV fluids, and I was out in 5 seconds. Next thing you know? You wake up in the recovery room.

Recovery

I woke up from what felt like the most restorative sleep of my life. I literally said out loud, “Wow, that was the best sleep I’ve ever had!” 

• Something a lot of people might not know (I didn’t until a friend who had her appendix removed mentioned she had it too): my legs started shaking uncontrollably as I was waking up. The nurses explained it was normal and brought back the warm air tube, tucking it under the blankets near my legs. Eventually, the shaking stopped completely.

• As for pain, I’d say it was around a 5–6 out of 10 when I first woke up. It honestly felt like I’d been hit by a car in the chest. The nurses gave me more medication to manage it, and that brought it down to a much more manageable 3 out of 10 pretty quickly.

• I had bandages (no drains).

• Rapidly I asked to go to the bathroom to evacuate (pee!) fluids. They placed a plastic measuring device over the toilet bowl (kind of like a container) to catch and measure the amount.

• They called my contact in, and we had to wait until my heart rate went down. They read through all the post-op care instructions thoroughly. That’s when I learned I wouldn’t be sent home with a compression bra (which I would need 48 hours later), and it sent me spiraling into online shopping. Ask your surgeon ahead of time if they’ll be providing one, so you can shop for it before surgery if needed.

• They brought back the bag with my clothing. At that point, I had been in the recovery room for maybe an hour and was able to get dressed by myself. I eventually left. :)

I won’t go into post-op recovery here since this is more of a walkthrough of the day of surgery, but I’ll say this: I left the building with my friend feeling surprisingly awake, capable, and already way more mobile than I expected. I was honestly shocked by how well I was doing right off the bat!

I haven’t had any complications so far, but it’s safe to say that the first 3–4 days were the hardest and most emotionally packed : peaks of pain, adapting to sleeping on my back, removing bandages, seeing the work, taking the first shower, compression bra pressure (which I renamed opression bra lol), rib pain, etc.

I made a if anyone needs it.

Good luck! :)

1 year post-op, just measured myself. i've gone from J to D. as a 5'3 woman this makes every facet of my life easier and more comfortable. i feel like such a different person to who i was before, i was living live in the passenger seat until i had my op <3

I’m just wondering how much it hurts when they remove it? My appointment is in a week and I’m a little scared. 😂

someone please help me 😭 I ( 23f ) already cried at my first post op appt about this. i. cant. sleep. ive tried more meds, less meds, benadryl, different pillow arrangements, side sleeping ( i know, but im desperate ), different environments….and i cant sleep. please help me. im so bored & so in pain & sleep would help so much :( doesnt help that im constantly nauseous & have headaches and the only thing that helps is the two hour naps i manage a day ( 6 days post op ). i still have my drains in until at least tomorrow so that has been limiting me. but i just need something, anything. please.

update: i slept ! messaged my dr & then cried to my mom lmao, she let me sleep in her bed. idk if i was so exhausted it worked or the change of scenery but i slept 9 hours straight ! tried benadryl, being more elevated, more padding over my drain wounds so they’re not irritated & a fan on high= the best sleep ive had in over a week ! thank you everyone !

Anyone had any difficulties with insurance approving surgery if taking glp-1. Talked to plastics surgeon office yesterday and they told me a lot on insurances want weight to be stable for 6months on glp-1 before authorizing surgery. I only started taking glp-1 to kickstart my weight loss to get closer to my goal weight which I’m almost there. Just wondering if anyone had any insight on this!! Thank you

Hi everyone! My surgery is coming up this Friday (I'm ecstatic!!) so I was at the store today picking up some last minute things and I saw this absolutely beautiful dress in my size, so I decided to try it on.

The dress fit me perfectly. It was as though this dress was made with my exact measurements in mind, except of course, my chest was making it impossible to button the top of the dress!! In the past this would have probably sent me over the edge and made me cry but knowing my surgery is this Friday, I burst out laughing in the dressing room. In a weird way it felt validating that clothes will fit me, but never my chest. Normally I never buy clothes that I plan to fit into in the future, but given it wasn't a "goal weight" article of clothing I decided to buy it. I'm so excited to be able to wear this dress and have a chest that actually matches the rest of my body!!

Hey everyone sorry for the silly question, I recently started using scar tape and the instructions on the pack say to only leave it on for 4 hours for the first 3 days, but I’m wondering why? It seems like a waste in a sense only leaving it on for 4 hours then having to get rid of it…. I didn’t know you had to gradually increase the time.. is this common knowledge? Any why do I have to gradually increase and not just leave it on? lol

I’m 2dpo and honestly feeling AMAZING. I’m looking for recommendations for surgical bras and bralettes that I can wear in a few weeks once I’m cleared out of the surgical bra.

I was thinking about getting one of the nuudii system bralettes but I’m open to recommendations!!

Hi! I recently had my consultation with dr peter henderson at mt sinai in nyc. now its time to make a decision on which surgeon i am going to go with for my reduction. i was trying to find people's reviews on his results but haven't found much. lots of people mentioned he was great and it was an easy process which is nice to hear. if you had a reduction by him could you please explain in detail how you feel about your results. please and thank you!!!

and I had been telling myself I’d get a nice cute fitted bra for my new size. But there were so many cute outfits I wanted to buy that I’m sticking with the 6 dollar bras from target. #neverspending money on expensive bras again! I love my new small c and can wear everything now:)

When I hear compression bra I think of tight barley able to stretch out fabric (like compression socks) but my garment is just right it’s not too tight and not too loose but am I wrong in thinking it should be super tight? It’s weekend here so can’t ask surgeons office until Monday

I wanted to share some insight and a list of what products were super helpful to me during my initial post op phase. My surgeons instructions were to just not touch anything for 5 days - No shower or taking off bra or anything. Today I get my drains out and I feel like I’m gonna enter a new phase of recovery. SO for anyone with the same post op instructions as me this list might be helpful for you for the first phase!

SUPPORT TEAM

• First day: I needed support for literally everything. Moving out of bed, wiping after using the bathroom, putting on clothes, picking up my water cup, holding my plate so I could eat, sponge bathing in the morning and at night. Thankfully, I didn’t mind too much because I was still kind of drugged up. I wasn't in too much pain, I was just unable to move enough to do this stuff.

• Second day: I was able to move to the couch and could get to the toilet alone although it was painful to bend enough to wipe. I needed help making food but could support the plate on my own. Still needed help with sponge bathing. Also, by this point, I probably could’ve done my own drains, but I was too squeamish so I continued getting help with this until the end.

• Third day: Kinda felt miraculous how I just woke up this day and quickly I was able to do a lot on my own. I needed help lifting anything heavyish like my Stanley cup or reaching up high but I was able to do most things by myself and be left alone during the day. I still needed help getting ready in the morning and getting ready for bed at night. I had my mom takeout my braids and brush and rebraid my hair 

• Fourth day: I desperately needed to leave the house for my mental health but couldn’t move my arms enough to drive. So my husband took me out for a short drive to get some coffee and go through a drive-through. I needed help that evening with a sponge bath but was mostly independent by this point!

• Fifth day: From this point on I felt  independent. Could brush and do my hair, feed my cats, feed myself. It was great! It took everything in me to NOT to push myself. It was nice to have a support team around still to remind me to not do too much and continue to let my body heal.

SELF CARE

• Write EVERYTHING down. My memories were foggy the first few days from the anesthesia and medication and with multiple people helping me it was hard to keep track of who did what. I kept a log of the times I took my medicine, drainage, pain level, and my temperature. All of these were super helpful to have written down.

• These were amazing for sponge baths and did not leave any kind of sticky or annoying residue. I felt really clean the whole time.

• Of course ask your surgeon if this is ok, but I found it so nice to not smell bad lol. It was one less thing that was messing with my mental health. This brand is really gentle, and the spray kind makes it easy to apply when you can’t move so well.

• These were necessary. I can’t imagine having the drains against my skin for all that time, it would’ve been so uncomfortable. They also button in the front so they are easy to put on. I got 2 so that I could wear one all day and have someone wash and dry the other one so that I could have a fresh shirt every night.

COMFORT

• I keep all my medicines and comfort items in the top, entertainment (coloring books, phone, chargers, etc) in the middle, and medical supplies (nausea bags, drainage cups, ace bandages) in the bottom. It was super easy to move this around the room as I moved and I could move it from my bedroom to the living room without lifting.

• My body temperature was all over the place, I think it was having a hard time regulating after surgery. I also found myself wanting to faint when I would get a little squeamish about my drains. This specific brand is really nice, it had a lot of power and the battery lasts forever. Super affordable too.

• Back Scratcher. This is self explanatory lol. But necessary for sure because I was unable to reach the spots I usually could to scratch!

• Phone Stand. The first two days I really just wanted to be on my phone and relax but it was so hard to hold it. I didn’t realize how tired my arms would be. It was very frustrating. I think a phone stand like would make things so much easier!

• This was a must for sleeping. It is best to be slightly elevated and sleep on your back and this pillow does that for you. This one is super nice cuz it has different positions so I used it in bed and on the couch. I liked the attachable pillow too. I will definitely keep this around and use it on the days when I have a cold and want to be elevated so I can breathe through my nose.

• Sleeping on my back is an ergonomic nightmare for me so I really liked the support that this gave to my knees.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINES (I'm not a doctor so you should definitely ask your primary care and your surgeon about all of this)

• These helped so much with my nausea. I felt nauseous on and off the whole time due to all the medicine.

• I can’t prove that this accelerated my healing, but I normally do not handle sickness or wounds well. I am prone to inflammation and take forever to heal. However I started this the day after my surgery and I was shocked by how quickly I recovered. So I don’t know if it’s thanks to this, but this is the first time taking it and I have never had such a good experience healing.

• After I did a sponge bath every night I put this on all the bruises that I could see. This one I do know has helped me in the past reduce the appearance of bruises and the pain associated and I found it helpful in this case too!

• Thermometer. I didn’t think I’d need this but I felt like a had a slight fever so my mom brought a thermometer over. Turns out I did have a fever and I had to keep track every hour.

• Natural Sleep Aid. You could do whatever works for you like magnesium or melatonin I guess. But I wish I had prepared better for this. I couldn’t sleep right because I was uncomfortable and I think the anesthesia messed with my sleep pattern. I would’ve liked something natural to help regulate my sleep.

• Stool Softener. Take these like with your first antibiotic and pain pill. Even with this I still was constipated so I can't imagine what it would be like without. I'm going to be taking them until I stop the antibiotics and feel regular.

FOOD/DRINK

• Gingerale and Seltzer. Essential for nausea.

• Bendy Straws. Changes the game and makes you much more independent.

• Comfort Food. The first day I didn’t have much of an appetite but toward the evening I enjoyed some soup. Throughout recovery I thought I would want light food like soups and pudding, but turns out I was really craving hearty comfort food like mashed potatoes and burgers. It might be a good idea to get some frozen ready-made meals that are easy to heat up. Or prepare to DoorDash a lot.

• This was recommended by my primary care doctor as part of my pre and post surgery diet and I found them really good for a quick blood sugar boost and I was happy to have all of the extra vitamins and protein in my system. They tasted good and were easy to drink. **There's a clear liquid in there for the day before, day of, and day after surgery. It says it's designed to be drank "up to 2 hours before surgery." DO NOT DO THIS IF YOUR ANESTHESIOLOGIST SAYS NOT TO**

I hope this helps you guys! I felt over prepared in some areas and underprepared in others. But this list is everything I wish I had known beforehand!

*edits for formatting

Hi all! I had a reduction my senior year of high school after begging for as long as I could remember. I am 5'4 on a good day and was rather petite at the time and had G cups. Nightmarish. The reduction was the best decision I've ever made, and I'm so grateful for my surgeon, insurance, and family for getting me through it.

My issue: My surgeon was able to get me down from a G to a C, which is tremendous -- I lost 6 pounds! However, I still long to be an A or B cup. I just like small boobs for myself and don't feel like I'll really look like myself until then. I'm nervous about a second reduction though, especially with how massive my first reduction was. Do any of you have experience with 2nd reductions? How did it go for you, both medically and financially?

hi all - ive been silently reading through this forum for a while and recently went to my first consultation for a reduction, which has been something ive wanted since i was 16. i went to a surgeon who a friend of mine got a reduction with years ago and she was very happy with her results.

the surgeon and his team were very friendly, but the consult has me feeling a bit down. for starters, the first thing he said when he came in was that he wasn't sure if insurance would cover my reduction, just based off of the pictures. i understand hes been doing this for years and has a thorough understanding of how it works, and appreciate his honesty, but i felt like he didnt have to say it as he was walking in the door. the consult itself was pretty quick, he took a few measurements and then, just by holding my breasts in his hand, told me how much he thinks he could take off.

for reference, im 5'1 and about 130lb. im a 36DD as per the bra i currently wear which fits pretty well. if we're talking cup sizes, is love to get to a B or a C at the largest. he told me he could take about 150g off of the right breast and 200-250g off of the left and that was "being generous". he showed me a picture of another reduction he did and said that he feels that is where he could get me. the 'after' image he showed me was much larger than i was hoping to see and truthfully, they looked lifted but not very reduced. he also kept talking about the 'lift' aspect and not the reduction aspect, stating my breasts would definitely appear "more youthful and perkier" when i expressed concern about not getting small enough, he kind of just brushed it off.

im going to find another surgeon in network to get a second opinion on, to see if someone can remove more/is more focused on reducing my breasts rather than lifting them to appear perkier. i guess im just wondering if anyone shared similar experiences and how they worked through it?

Ok. Had my pre-op this morning. I took in some reference photos; the surgeon and resident both told me they don’t think I’ll be able to get as small as I was hoping re: the photos. I am rethinking the entire thing now; anybody else have this happen at pre-op? Thanks.

my surgery was this morning guys! Feeling very small which is a good thing for me! Still kinda blurry as I'm typing this so I'll follow up when I see them for the first time!

I’m in the process of selecting a surgeon for a breast reduction covered by insurance, so my options are limited. I’m torn between two.

Surgeon A’s results are my favorite aesthetically, but there are some red flags. His before-and-after gallery lacks diversity, he only posts fair-skinned patients, and that’s discouraging. A user here mentioned he tends to go too large with sizing and pushed back when they asked for smaller. I’m aiming to go from a 36I to around a D/DD, so I’m okay with fuller results, but the lack of representation in his work is concerning, especially given his years of experience.

Surgeon B has more diverse patient photos and solid work, though the results don’t quite match my preference, the perkiness and areola sizing are a bit of a concern. I also know I have to be realistic about gravity and the fact that my areolas won’t be seen by many. I’ve already had a consult and an office visit after a successful pre authorization. I signed an acknowledgment of the price sheet and they’re waiting for a deposit. I’m not sure if I should bring up my concerns or respect that that’s how he does his work and just keep looking.

Would you stick with the surgeon B (diverse work, decent results), explore a convo with the one whose style you prefer, despite the red flags, or just look elsewhere?

Today I had a consult from a highly recommended surgeon that is out of network for CareFirst Blue Choice. FWIW I'm a 36H, 5'4" and 145 lbs. After the doctor measured my breasts, she stated that I am a very good candidate and meet all the base criteria for trying all the non-surgical routes first before surgery.

Her surgery coordinator then presented the surgeon's cost and told me that my insurance *may* cover the hospital and anesthesia fee, but they'll only do it if the surgeon takes out 500 on each side. Apparently CareFirst BC requires 500 to be removed from anyone weighing between 131-199 lbs. This seems absurd. The surgeon said that she can't guarantee that she can take out 500 on each side and won't know until I'm in the surgery. She did note that my breasts felt "heavy" and they're dense.

Has anyone else run into this issue? I'm getting two more consultations with in-network surgeons, but I'm curious if I'm going to run into this regardless if the surgeon is in or out of network. Will I look ridiculously small if they take out 500 on each side just to meet insurance requirements?

Hello! I am 3 days post op and feeling surprisingly well! I was sent home in a surgical bra and was told to wear it for 1 month. I am hoping to get a second one to have on hand for when I wash the one I was sent home in. I found my identical surgical bra online, but it is $60. I'm hoping not to spend that much if I don't have to. Do you have a spare one that you love and if so can you share a link? Thanks so much!

That’s it, that’s the post. I look down and can see my feet instead of my tit shelf.

Unrelated, but I also got into grad school this week, so I’m so very very happy!!

Edit: thank you so much to everyone who has commented! Your experiences made me feel confident enough to go forward with the drains like my surgeon recommended. I've emailed to let him know :) I appreciate you all!

I had my pre-op appointment yesterday and am feeling pretty good about everything. He gave me the choice of doing the surgery with or without an FNG, but said he can pretty much guarantee that he can't make me as small as I want unless I get an FNG, so that's the route I'm going with since I'm a 38L/40K and am hoping to get to a full D, DD at most.

The big question mark of it all is that I asked if I would need drains, and he said he would prefer to use them but he would let me decide. He said that most people hate them and it's their most hated part of the surgery process (which is an opinion I see a lot on this sub lol), but if I don't get drains then there will be a buildup of fluid that my body will have to absorb, rather than that fluid coming out of drains instead. This can cause heaviness and swelling and all that.

I need to email him by tomorrow with my choice. I was wondering if anyone has any advice or personal experience with getting seromas/complications because you didn't have drains, orrr if you did get drains and are screaming at your phone right now because you don't want me to get them because they're that bad 😅 I have an extremely tender/sensitive ribcage and torso, like if you poke my side it hurts and I can feel the pain for a few minutes, so I'm really afraid that having drains is going to be extremely painful for me. But I also want to avoid any openings and complications. Please help 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Just got back from my doctors appointment where my dr referred me!

I was under the impression that I was going to be told I needed to lose more weight due to my BMI being 30??

Has anyone with a bmi of 30 successfully received surgery on the NHS??

Hey guys, im one day post op so of course im in pain but hot tamales it hurts so bad. Can anyone reassure me that the pain will go away? Also everything is good with my surgery and recovery, i saw my doc today. They took off 1,746 grams. Feels like they lopped my boobs right off!

Title is the main question. I was also cleared to do very light dumbbell curls if I was able to as well. Has anyone started this early?

Hi everyone! My surgery is fast approaching (July 8! eeek!) and I am counting down the seconds until then. However, I had a question for anyone that has had the surgery, would going to the movie theater 3 days after surgery sound crazy?

I won't have any drains as per my surgeon. My movie theater has reclining and spacious seats and I'll be wearing a hoodie and disinfecting the seats beforehand but I'm not sure if anyone else has gone that soon afterwards! I already bought tickets to watch Superman (my favorite superhero and my most anticipated movie of the year) and I am almost as equally excited for it!

I am 31 days post op today.

I have had mental health challenges in the past and so I was worried about my status post op. I’ve mostly been fine - bar some random moments of extreme emotion and tears. However like 3 days ago I started to question my decision.

Like I am really happy that I did this, my surgeons were great and I came down from a K/L cup size to a suspected C/D. But I can’t help but feeling like i’m pushing the plastic surgery industrial complex. I hate that I am even thinking like that, because I believe in bodily autonomy and doing whatever you want as long as it makes you happy and doesn’t harm other people. But I don’t know, I just feel confused. Did I do this because i’m vain and just didn’t like how I looked?

I know that’s not true, and even if it is it doesn’t matter. Everything went well and i’m surrounded by awesome supportive people. I just feel a little bit off I guess.

And tbh I don’t really know why I am sharing this, but if there is one place I can voice these feelings I guess it’s this community i’ve found so supportive during my journey.

I finally got my surgery date!! Is anybody else on or around the same day?

I'm 62yrs old and after years of wanting this surgery I'm finally going to do it! Can anyone close to my age share some before/after pictures? How was the healing process being a bit older than most here?

Thanks!

I’ve been thinking more and more of getting a breast reduction because I’m unhappy with how I look and my bra straps dig into my shoulder and i have bad back pain. I’ve been thinking about this for a while so it’s not a snap decision but anyone know any places that take blue cross blue shield (anthem) in New England? And how much did you pay for yours with or without insurance?

Hello, I have health first insurance & I've been trying to get a breast reduction for years now. Does anyone know a Dr. I could go to? Help please

It’s getting close to my surgery date (this Friday) and I’m getting so anxious to the point where I can’t eat anything and I’m losing sleep. Idk how to help I almost just want to cancel my surgery and live in discomfort. I know I’ll be happy at the end of it considering how drastic of a result I’m going for (I’m starting as a 40 N and wanting to go down to a 40 C/D). If anyone has advice on how to soothe my mind I would really appreciate it. My mom also had a reduction but isn’t being very sympathetic to my anxiety

Hi all! I just started researching into surgeons and seeing which will submit a claim for me. I do have a few trips lined up through September and I was wondering if insurance (once approved 🤞) gives you a deadline to get the surgery done? If so, how many weeks/months did they allow you to get the surgery done? I have BCBS just for reference

I just wanted to come in here and share my story with my reduction for all the people in here who are considering a reduction and aren’t sure if it’s right for you, or are waiting to get one and you’re feeling nervous.

I was right where you are! I’m 22, and pre op I was a 30i/j. I spent years of my life considering a reduction very heavily and eventually decided in 2023 that I’d get on the wait list (I live in Canada so it is a lengthy process). I was on this thread constantly, multiple times a day, feeling nervous and wondering if it was the right decision for me but also feeling very excited about what my life could look like after the reduction, so I just want to share now that I’m 3 nearly 4 months post op of how life has been.

There has not been one single moment where I have regretted getting this done. I used to cry in dressing rooms because I could only ever wear basic clothes that were never cute and I’d see all the women around me able to wear cute dainty tops, cute bathing suits, all these things. It was constantly devastating for me, and I really hated my body for it. I mostly wore t shirts, sweaters, and tank tops that never fit me very well but I had no other option in summer, and all my bathing suits I owned looked like sports bras. Now, I cry in change rooms because I’m overjoyed. Honestly, I’ve spent far too much money on clothes since the reduction because it’s been very healing for my past self who could never wear all this cute clothing and cute bathing suits. I can finally get bathing suits from places online that sell the same size top and bottom, I can wear bathing suits that don’t just look like a sports bra. I don’t go into a change room with the immediate sense of despair knowing there’s a good chance I’ll hate how my body looks. I am so much more confident and happy with myself and I’ve been actually finding my own sense of style and the clothes I like and don’t like when before I didn’t really have style, it was just whatever fit me. I have to consciously remind myself in stores that I don’t have to just walk past all the cute little tops I could never wear before, that I actually CAN wear those. Not to mention, I literally have not worn a real bra since I was cleared to take off my compression bra. Not because underwire bothers me or anything, but because I don’t need to wear a bra anymore!! I love it so much.

I’ll mention as well, the lack of back pain has been life changing. I used to work even just a four hour shift at the restaurant I work at and I’d be aching with back pain from standing that whole time. I would constantly be trying to bend and stretch my back and stand differently and nothing would help, and as soon as I’d end my shift I’d head home and lay in bed aching in pain. Now, I can work a full 8 hour shift and I don’t have a shred of back pain. It’s been life changing for me to not experience that same back pain at all since I got the surgery.

Another thing is just the lack of feeling over sexualized. If I’d wear a smaller top before surgery because it is very warm in the summer where I live I’d constantly have my boobs stared at — this doesn’t happen anymore. I finally feel freed from the over sexualization society put on me since I hit puberty. I don’t have to sit and think before I go out in a specific top if I have the emotional energy that day to put up with having people stare at my boobs.

There’s so much about this surgery that makes me so happy, but these are some of the biggest wins I’ve had so far. I’m going to Mexico in June and I’ve got around 10 bathing suits because I’m so happy and excited that I don’t have to just wear black boring sports bra looking suits anymore (I only owned 3 before and didn’t like how I looked in them at that). Everything has made me so happy about this surgery, and while the scars are dark and significant, they don’t even bother me because of the vast amount of upsides that far outweighs having some scars.

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have. To the people waiting and feeling nervous for a reduction, hang in there, you’ll love it I’m sure of it. To the people actively healing from their reduction, you hang in there too, soon you’ll be able to reap all the benefits and it’ll feel amazing.

Yay for healthcare!! Yay for small boobs!!

I’m just wondering if there is anything I should think about/know prior to the consultation? I’m going to be doing PT till then, idk if I have to push my PT to recommend me to my surgeon or just send notes or if he’d even agree it’s an issue especially at my age. Any advice is welcome!

I’m 2 years post op and just had my son a few days ago.

My milk came in but I’m having no luck pulling it to the surface. Anyone have success?

Also open to suggestions of dissolving milk clogs due to milk not coming in.

EDIT: Just want to make it clear that I am not sad or upset about not having enough milk. My surgeon made it clear that it was a long shot. I have been purchasing formula since I was 5 months pregnant.

I WAS able to get the colostrum out and fed to my baby thanks to a lactation specialist.

Just wondering how those of you who had shoulder grooving and are well into your recovery — did they lessen? My surgeon said there’s no way to be sure but since I’m older (in my 50’s) they’ve been there a long time. I can live with them, but it sure would be nice to think I might not have to.

Hello everyone, I currently have 34HH and I really need a reduction. My daughter is 10 months old and I don’t think I can wait any longer. She no longer nurses ! Any recommendations with surgeons in Nyc? Or Connecticut ?

Just trying to get a rough average

Is anyone not hungry at all? I thought it was the pain meds but haven’t take any for over 4 days already. I’m 1 week post op.

I just had my 1 month post-op appt today. My doctor told me that they didn’t provide any ointments or anything for caring for the surgical site and I asked her about any over the counter recs but she said it’s really up to me what I need. I have keloid-prone skin but she said everything looks good in that area but I was wondering if anyone’s doctor has said the same and they still decided to get some stuff for their scars and what products you used.

If you remember my post from yesterday, I was very nervous. To the point where I stressed my body out and I just felt horrible lol. This morning when I got up, I was so nauseous 🤣 like all of a sudden had the bubble guts.

I’d like to think that i was fine mentally all the way up until the entire anesthesia team came to my room and my stomach dropped and I asked to go use the bathroom bc it was getting real. When I got back and sat down, they asked me to take my glasses off and I took them off slowly and my lip was quivering and my eyes started to slightly water. One CRNA noticed and told me that everything would be okay, and I would be fine. He helped do some breathing exercises as they were giving me versed, and a lot of nausea medications. My mommy wipes my tears for me and the last thing i remember is being rolled halfway out of the room and the next thing i know i was telling her i wanted an orange popsicle.

I made it throughhhh. Thank you so much for the encouragement, It definitely made a difference. My ps removed 8 lbs, what a relief.