Ladies: Reduction Mammaplasty?

[gaeamama]

I had mine done back in '91 when I was a junior in college, went from a DD to a C. I don't remember recovery being particularly hard. It was more painful than I thought it would be, but that's ok. I needed someone to wash my hair for me and wear only button-down shirts for a few days until I could lift my arms without pain.

Are you getting the bandages removed today? Be prepared for "franken-boobs" as I affectionately called mine.

It takes a good while for the scars to completely heal, but that has never bothered me. Sure they're a bit noticeable still, but really, who's looking now?

It was after surgery when my boyfriend stayed with me as much as he could during recovery, holding the puke-pan for me, that I knew he really loved me... he didn't leave when the big boobs were gone. Hey, after years of getting unwanted, sometimes negative, attention.. I really had no idea what to expect.

Anyway, I did breastfeed three children after the surgery. It was HARD, and took lots of determination on my part. I did need to supplement with formula, as I never produced enough. I did go through periods of feeling really bad about compromising my babies' health so I could feel better about me, but in the end it worked out for all of us. I am sooo very thankful I had the surgery, and would again if I knew then what I know now. Through each pregnancy and breastfeeding days I was back up to a DD.. geesh! how big would they have gotten if I didn't have the reduction? My aunt told stories of how she would wrap herself with ace bandages when she was pregnant because her breasts got so large and painful!

Best wishes for your recovery!

 

[ebwy]

Quote:
I'm thinking I'll just have to buy a hammock to sling 'em in because they're already huge and painful and I'm only 4 months in to this pregnancy thing.... with a J cup!

I have considered a reduction but I've always been to scared to get it done.

 

[clport]

Quote:
Gee, gaeamama, wish I would have seen your post before I went to the doc this morning for bandage removal. Franken-boobs, indeed! I was a little startled when I first saw the scars, but the doc assured me everything looked good so far. My girls are so tiny compared to what they used to be (I opted to go for a "B" cup). The pathology report said they took 3 pounds off my chest! I don't have much pain now that Tylenol won't take care of, but I'm on restricted activity for the next 3 weeks...no vacuuming, laundry, exercise, nothing to raise my heart rate (no scary movies, he said) so that the blood vessels inside the breasts have time to completely heal without stress. I can't raise my hands over my head, but I'm now allowed to shower finally. I'm gonna get a lot of work done on my laptop and lots of reading done, too. I'm lucky that my work is seasonal and February is always a slow time for our home business. All in all, things are going well. Thanks, everyone for the good wishes!

 

[Epona142]

Hahaha! I called mine frakenboobs as well!

I was with my boyfriend now husband at the time, and was sooo scared to show him. But when I did he looked at them all professional like and told me he thought it was a really great job done!

I knew he was a keeper then

Especially when he took such good care of me after I came home

 

[Countrywife]

What I find mostly amazing about this thread is the similarity of you ladies, who are all rather over endowed, to those of us who went through teenage years with smaller than a A cup. The humiliation, the fear at gym, the crude jokes and misunderstanding of those around you. I still feel it today, and I am in my 40's. I'm gonna say this but the guys have to stay quiet on it. I got mine "enhanced" when I turned 40. And no, insurance DOESN'T pay for that. But the only different reasoning to the stories you ladies tell is the pain. Naturally, being too small for an A cup isn't physically painful. I had the opposite problem after the kids- they deflated. I was never much more than barely B before motherhood, after all the nursing it was like someone let all the air out of the balloon. I was so embarassed. Proud to say now I am a 36 DD, which turns out to be perfect for my build, and wonder why I waited all those years to have the work done. It is amazing how much we always identify with our teenage selves, and the cruelty of others. The recover sounds about the same too, except my scar is only about an inch long, and is hidden underneath. I applaud you all for doing whatever it is you need to do to feel better, I am right there with you, in a different sort of way. We all deserve to feel our best about ourselves. Don't know about you ladies, but I always said my motivation was I just wanted to be "normal". At 40 I was tired of my abnormally small size being a topic of conversation and jokes.

And oh yea, the hubby thing- I always said, my husband married me when I had none- the boy totally deserved the enhancement. He loved me when, and THAT means everything.

 

[Epona142]

I think that sounds GREAT Countrywife. You deserve it, and I agree, I'm sure being small was just as painful for you as being large was for us.

Women should do what makes THEMSELVES feel good, not anyone else.

In the future, I may have a bit of "reinflation" happen, although as of right now I'm perfectly happy with things.

 

[gaeamama]

Countrywife,
thanks for that perspective.
I agree, we all deserve to be happy and comfortable with ourselves, and to be accepted for it.

((I forgot to mention in my above post that my then-boyfriend is now my husband of 16 years today!))