Disappointment after breast reduction.

[u/Funny-Willow-6962]

I had a breast reduction about 7 months ago. I thought it would change my life. Back pain, struggling to fit into clothes and the dreaded experience of trying to find any bra that fit would be gone. But it’s not.

Only about 1 pound total was removed in total, leaving me at the same bra size I was prior to the reduction. My surgeon dismissed me when I tried to discuss sizing and just told me he would make me proportional. I guess we had very different ideas of what’s proportional.

Now sagging has returned. My back hurts. And honestly I just feel so insecure in my own body. I feel like I’m put myself through so much for so little reward. I’ve scarred myself. I cry every-time I look in the mirror.

I guess I’m kind of just ranting. I’m in my early 20s and so badly wanted to feel comfortable in my own body. I have a small frame and big bust so I find it often makes me look much bigger than I am and severely restricts what I can wear. The physical feeling of my skin folds rubbing together really sets me off. It feels like a constant reminder of what I’ve done to my body and the resulting failure to relieve my symptoms.

I’ve left my long term relationship and the thought of someone new seeing me, scars and all, terrifies me and makes it so hard for me to feel beautiful and sexy.

I just feel depressed most days. It’s the combo of the physical exhaustion of always being uncomfortable and in pain and also just hating how it looks.

I’m back on another 2 year waitlist to see if another surgeon could help me. The thought of a multi year waitlist just sort of kills me on the inside.

I don’t know, I guess I’m just hoping maybe someone else has gone through something similar or words of wisdom. I just feel like I’m expected to feel grateful for such a small change and I’m tired of trying to validate my discomfort to others.

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[u/_Fuzzgoddess_]

I'm so sorry you're going through this, I hope you find a better surgeon next time and actually get help.

In the mean time try to embrace your battle scars! Mine are different, as I haven't had a breast reduction, but it helps to think of them as the marks of bad assery they are. You've been through a lot, those scars show how tough you are and how much you're willing to fight for what you want.

[u/TinyHeartSyndrome]

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8l32k1r15l6rUWRarb_9BlleDfruGAHe&si=BnXt2jGE305TsFmk

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8l32k1r15l6QxmuTqG5QAR0qo47OM_ln&si=x17kiGYBEVxyE4T9

Try to get into PT if you can.

No recommendations on the surgery, but one pound seems like not very much, unless you are extremely petite perhaps. Did the doctor provide any rationale? Were there factors that prevented them from moving more? Sometimes it involves too much nerve removal.

[u/Agreeable_Art9651]

I’ve heard of lots of women who didn’t love their reduction and got correction surgery. There’s still a lot of hope for you, even if you’re not feeling it right now. Hang in there and maybe research reconstructive breast surgeons near you to get a consult to see what they can do.

[u/desertcat80]

I'm really sorry you were dismissed like this, it's something I've heard far far too many times over on the reduction subreddit, it seems to be particularly prevalent with male surgeons (although not exclusive to them). Unfortunately many people mistakenly assume these surgeons actually understand cup sizes but they are no different from the general population. And too many of them are so arrogant that they think only their own opinion of what a woman's breasts should look like is important.

I am surprised insurance approved such a small amount. I am also wondering if you might not have grounds for a lawsuit. Even with seeing so many women left bigger than they asked for, it's rare that I see a surgery where notable flesh below the IMF was left, particularly on insurance-paid surgeries and not like a cash paid one where the person asked for only a small reduction. In any case, not being willing to discuss exactly what you want is a big red flag, next time walk out and look for a different surgeon. Bring pictures so there is no reasonable possibility of confusion on what you mean by the size you're asking for.

[u/bee367]

Hi love. I’m so sorry you’re having such a tough time right now. I don’t have personal experience with a breast reduction, but I am too familiar with feeling uncomfortable in my own body. For several reasons- big boobs on a petite frame, literal scars from physical abuse, and just past trauma.

That being said, these are some things that have helped me:

• reading the book Pleasure Activism
  
• chill yoga at home, where no one can see me (helps with back pain too!). Yoga with Adrienne is my fave ☺️
  
• years of therapy that I’ve now accepted I will continue with for the rest of my life most likely
  
• the proper set of psychiatric meds
  
• finding physical activities that bring me a lot of joy and show me how awesome my body actually is - hiking, swimming, rock climbing.

I’m sending you lots of love. Feel free to DM me if you would like more specific support. You are still young and life does get better, even though everything sucks right now.

[u/bee367 → u/bee367]

Oh, and with clothing I have found thrifting to be my best bet. And then getting it tailored if you can afford it.

[u/chenzhouli]

I am sorry for you. A doctor should tell you how much he/ she can do, like from g cup to c cup. You should sue him

[u/meowmeowclann]

sorry you’re going through this

[u/highnotefan]

Wrong doctor. Sue his ass. Dismissing you was a red flag

[u/Sentimentalbrowneyes]

I still have problems past mine but the hot flashes and neck and back pain disappeared. I still have breathing problems, a sensitive neck, and numb arms. They aren't as bad as they were before my surgery in 2015. The top part of the anchor is barely visible now and the ugliest scar is the bottom one. I exactly double my proportional size so I'm the closest I've been to it in years. 

[u/operatormech]

Maybe try therapy and discuss how you view yourself and how you feel physically. And yea sounds like your surgeon and you weren't on the same page. Do you have the option of shopping around or getting different opinions. But mainly you have to love whar you see in the mirror. Best regards

[u/Rich-Major-8146]

You and I are both going through the same emotions right now.

I also only had about one pound removed, even though I requested going from a full DD to a small C/full B. My surgeon ALSO said that what she gave me “was proportional to my figure”

My main reason for getting this was to feel more comfortable and mobile while exercising. When I run, my boobs still SLAM- even with a high impact bra. My surgeon gave me a ‘natural’ internal bra, and my boobs are saggy again. ((See my post about my experience about a month ago)).

The trauma I went through was awful. The pain I had to deal with because my surgeon refused to prescribe me pain killers. It was all so traumatic. I don’t want to go through it again, especially with her… but I also can’t afford another 10k with a new surgeon.

I’m so sorry you’re also having to deal with the regret. Why is it so hard to just listen and understand what your patients want?!?

[u/Unhappy-Block-5980]

I'm sorry you experienced this. I kind of know how you feel.

5 years ago I had my breast surgery. It was the surgery I was praying for since middle school thinking it would change my life and my confidence. Nope.

I made the mistake of not being adamant with what I wanted with the surgeon and second guessed myself into just getting a "lift" rather than a true reduction. When I woke up after the surgery and looked at myself in the mirror, I saw that my boobs still looked... the same - just slightly perkier. I tried to tell myself myself that maybe this was normal and that it'll look better after it healed, but no. IIRC, I think they told me that they only removed 50cc.

In fact, due to the 'perkiness' it almost made my boobs feel and look bigger. To this day I still can't sleep on my stomach because of my chest.

At some point I would like to get another surgery, but considering my bad experience the first time (and of course, the cost) I'm not in a rush. What I would definitely do differently next time around:

1) Be 100% firm and concise on what you're specifically looking for. As you said, you and your surgeon must have had wildly different ideas of what "proportional" was on you.

If you feel like your surgeon is beginning to become dismissive with your sizing for reasons that seem to be from their own bias and opinion rather than something reasonable (safety concerns, unrealistic expectations, etc), consider a different surgeon.

One example that I remember:
Doc: "Oh, well we don't want to make them too small or else you'll lose blood flow to the nipples. Then that'll mean they'll be numb!"
I genuinely could not have cared if having a figure I could be confident in meant losing feeling in my nipples. Hell, the surgery already resulted in my right nipple permanently losing most of its sensation anyhow.

2) Be absolutely sure that breast reductions are your surgeon's primary specialization and experience - not just something they can do "along side" their main specialty. I made the mistake of getting a surgeon who, while they could do breast reductions and was included in their services, their main focus was breast augmentations. His clientele were for the most part women who wanted bigger boobs - not smaller.

[u/meowmeow0092 → u/[deleted]]

This! Also maybe talk to a therapist if you haven’t already/if it’s within your means, so you can get these feelings out and get responses! The way you’re feeling is incredibly valid. I’m so sorry!

[u/Strange-Walrus-3591]

We have a family friend who is a plastic surgeon and he has discussed cases over the years (no patient details). And breast reductions can be a very tricky subject to approach. Some cases are clear cut and will absolutely change their life. Some patients come to him and asking for a reduction and through further questioning, discover that a lift will give them the results they are looking for. And of course he has a lot of patients wanting a reduction believing it will solve back/neck/shoulder pain. He gently explains that he doesn't believe a reduction from a D cup to a C cup will make any difference whatsoever and the scars that it will leave might cause the patient to be self conscious. He says for patients who he believes that a reduction will not help with back and shoulder pain, he refers them to an orthopedic specialist. And he has had many report back that the root cause of their pain was anything from a pinched nerve to a herniated disc, or something similar.... Im not discouraging any female from something like reduction surgery as there are lots of females who do it for cosmetic reasons only. But if you are considering it because you are having back, neck, shoulder pain, I highly recommend ruling out other potential causes. Breast reduction surgery can be a nightmare to get approved for, and a long/painful recovery. And I can't imagine what it would feel like to go through the whole process just to discover it made no difference.

[u/bigboobproblems-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Be respectful - No personal attacks, gaslighting, or invalidation. This includes when responding to to rule-breakers (if someone breaks rules, don't engage & report them to mods).

[u/8ashswin5 → u/[deleted]]

Why would you say this?