Reduction Anyone?

[breeze2day]

Hello! I'm very excited, I just got on a waiting list for BR surgery (although it is up to 2 years).

I have questions, and no one here seems to be on the reduction end of the spectrum.

If anyone HAS been there, my question is this: I know that I won't change in band size, at least not right away; so I guess it'll change inches (if you're 5 inches above your band size, that's a DD?)....sooooo.... do clothes that fit you before, fit you afterwards if they haven't been stretched out? I just can't imagine what it will be like at all. (except of course bras and bathing suits, THOSE won't work)

[lovinglifenow]

I had a breast reduction at the age of 50. I was a size 6 bottom and a size 12 top and a 34-36 DD or EE bra size. I now wear a size 34 C bra and can always wear suits and outfits in a size 6. No more shopping in the "separates only" section. I was not able to wear most of my previous tops, they were very loose on me (and I thought this was fabulous!) One of my favorite suits had a beautiful strappy black camisole with a matching slacks and jacket. I tried to wear it out one night and the cami was so loose that you could look down the front or back all the way to the bottom! I couldn't keep the straps on my shoulders. I had to keep my jacket on and everyone wanted to know why I had worn such a big jacket. I am extremely pleased with my decision. My posture is beautiful, my clothing fits great and I feel sexier than I ever have. We are big boating fans and we travel by boat for weekend trips, I now wear the strappy tops without a bra. I have never in my life done that! I don't know why the waiting list is so long for you. I interviewed physicians for a year before I made a decision and it was beneficial that I did, some physicians left significant scarring. My physician did not use stitches and the scars are almost invisible. The only place that is noticible is on each side, under my arms at the end of the incision there is a slight puckering for the last inch of the incision. My results are, perfectly matched, high and perky. My only disappointment is that I am a very full C cup. I asked for nothing larger than a B cup because if I gain 5 pounds, four of it will be in my breast area. It has now been 6 years since my reduction and I am still a full C, sometimes a D with the demi cup bras. The shape and look of my breasts is still beautiful and very high and symetrical. I wish I had done this in my twenties, then I wouldn't have the creases in my shoulders from years of heavy breasts. My husband loves it. I was single when I had my surgery at 50 and I married again at 51 and my husband was amazed at how youthful the results, especially when I pointed out the extent and number of the incisions. He really didn't even notice the scars until I pointed them out. He is an engineer so he was astounded at the "engineered perfection". I have two sisters who are equally large breasted and neither one are brave enough to have this surgery. When I look at their posture and how they look with an enormous chest, I realize how it makes you look larger all over. Even if you are small in the waist and hips, you look larger all over, especially in photos. My advice, look closely at the before and after photos of your surgeon, ask if one of his office staff have had the surgery. If so, they will let you see the results - in person. Good luck and best wishes!

[DianaD]

Hi! I'm looking to get a reduction in about the same timeline. I've got a little weight to lose but I'm not sure how much that will change my size (36DDD/E). When I am smaller I wear a 34 band and I last time I was at that weight I was still a DD.

I'd like to be a C if at all possible since weight gain does tend to happen with age...that way if I gain weight after the reduction due to menopause or whatever later on I'd only be a D rather than DD or E. I'm not planning on gaining weight but in case it happens I don't want to get big again! For me, ultra large breasts are overrated, having dealt with them (and all of the problems they cause) all of my life.

I'm tired of the double and triple digits and I'm excited that someone else has the same wish list and timeline!

[lovinglifenow]

Hi DianaD,
I had exactly the same concerns because if I gain weight that is the first place I gain it and 75 % of the weight gain goes there. I have 5-10 pounds that I gain and lose every year and it significantly effects my breast size. But, since the reduction it is less of a problem. My theory is that when the fat tissue was removed it lessoned the percentage of weight gain in that location. So, when I gain 5-10 pounds it seems to be about 30% is in the bust and the remaining 70% is all over. Another fear I had prior to surgery was that it would all go to my hips a problem that I had not had previously. I'm glad to report that was not the case it is as I said, an all over weight gain that is not that noticable. As you say, you don't plan for it to happen, but in case it does, you make allowances so that you get the best result. I think it is realistic to expect that you will gain there, because genetically you are predisposed to weight gain in the bust and that is usually the case with large busted women. You will be pleasantly surprised how much slimmer you look all over with a smaller size. Good Luck.

[DianaD]

I dream of wearing strappy tank tops one day! No bra must be heaven and it's interesting that we're similar sizes. Two years is a long time to wait, but it'll be worth it. In the meantime I do need to lose weight and I want to get in better shape so my immune system is ready for the surgery when it happens.

I also gain weight first in my breasts...don't you wish we could give the excess to the girls that want/need it so we all could be a little more proportioned!

[Makayla]

To read this from a different perspective.
I'm looking forward to getting implants. I've been between an A and B cup all my life (which is frustrating because A's feel too small and B's too big, plus one breast is a little larger than the other).

I find it interesting to read about the joy of going bra-less or wearing tank tops (since I've always been able to do that), and about the weight gain being mostly in your breasts (with me, if I try to lose weight, that's the first place I lose it, while my butt is the first place I gain it! augh!).

It's been good to read the other side of things, to remind myself to not get boob-greed; I don't want the hassle of different size tops and bottoms... need to remember to stay in proportion!

I've always heard that breast reduction surgery has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates... I don't think I've ever heard someone regret it afterward. Congrats to you!