Breast reduction surgery?

Anyone been there done that? I've been hauling around serious tonnage for decades, and as an older woman and a newerish climber, it is becoming an impediment to chasing an appropriate level of fitness.

Sadly, fitness is not considered a medical necessity in our fucked to hell "health" system, so I'd be paying for this myself. At this point, I'm okay with that.

Just for the curious, I'm cramming into 34E, because that's the biggest I can find off the rack, in "sport" bras. Should be both larger cup size and smaller band size, but then my arms go to sleep when that nerve gets cut off. Sheesh. That's on a 4'11" frame, that's at 129 pounds. I have arthritis both knees, so that weight matters, too. I'm losing weight, and shifting it to lean mass, but all that up top hasn't departed even with significant weight loss (I was about 165 at my heaviest). Prepregancy 30 years ago, I was a B+ cup size!!! It was astonishing when the milk was in! Shoulda made porn flicks, lol!

So? If you've done this?

How long was the recovery? Any surprises/issues/regrets? I likely won't be able to do this anyway, Idaho is in crisis care now (fucking antivaxxers), and elective surgeries may be a long way out. I can't even get a call in to my doc for a referral, they're so slammed right now, but I do hope to at least start researching and talking to someone. Find out the cost, that sort of thing.

Best, Helen

I haven't had one, but I very much want to. A huge chest is SO inconvenient.

If you're experiencing any medical problems due to large breasts, there could be a case for medical necessity with insurance. I've heard of women with bad neck or back pain that have had a breast reduction covered. I do know that lots of women who get reductions also get lifts and insurance won't cover that.

I won't look into this for myself until I have enough money, but personally I get pretty bad mid-back pain if I stand for a long time.

I recommend checking Amazon for a sports bra. That's the only place I've been able to find bras in my size that don't have skinny straps that cut into my shoulders.

Hi! Yes, I have had one! I do not regret it one bit (besides the regret of not doing it sooner).  I was a 30hhh and I am down now to probably a B cup. Recovery was about 6-8 weeks? Depending on the technique they use and how much is removed, it can be longer or shorter.  Some tips I was given and strongly suggest is look at all the surgeons in your state and surgeons states and check out their websites to see images of past reduction surgeries they have done as well as reviews. It helped me narrow down. I wad able to get insurance to pay for it by going to the surgeons directly and they took care of the rest. It was just about $300 dollars for the surgery itself and nothing more.. It has helped my life in general so much.... I can't imagine not having it done.  I would also suggest getting on reddit and finding the sub r/reduction.  There is an amazing supportive group of women on there that help out people considering getting one, with recovery and insurance planning. You will get a great idea of what to expect and can ask questions to lots more women.  Good luck!!! 

Colleen Musick wrote:

Hi! Yes, I have had one! I do not regret it one bit (besides the regret of not doing it sooner).  I was a 30hhh and I am down now to probably a B cup. Recovery was about 6-8 weeks? Depending on the technique they use and how much is removed, it can be longer or shorter.  Some tips I was given and strongly suggest is look at all the surgeons in your state and surgeons states and check out their websites to see images of past reduction surgeries they have done as well as reviews. It helped me narrow down. I wad able to get insurance to pay for it by going to the surgeons directly and they took care of the rest. It was just about $300 dollars for the surgery itself and nothing more.. It has helped my life in general so much.... I can't imagine not having it done.  I would also suggest getting on reddit and finding the sub r/reduction.  There is an amazing supportive group of women on there that help out people considering getting one, with recovery and insurance planning. You will get a great idea of what to expect and can ask questions to lots more women.  Good luck!!! 

Thanks!!

Did you mean adjacent states??? I'm in Boise, Idaho, which is a long ways from....anything, lol! Probably I'll need to stick to this area. 

HHH is impressive! Dunno what cup size, but when my milk was in, I was pretty much cantaloupes, and not small ones. My arms didn't clear the suckers, lol! Sheesh. Hard to imagine women who pay to end up like that, but whatever.

How old were you when you did this? I'll be 65 next winter, so there's that to consider. No health issues at all, though, but also no back pain or anything, so it might be hard to get this on insurance. I can get the money though, pretty sure? 

$300 is amazing. Most stuff, there's almost always a bunch that isn't covered, and an endless parade of separate bills and people to pay. I'll be out a bunch anyway, because I'm on "affordable" care right now, and chose a big deductible over huge monthly payments. In theory, I'll get much of the monthly back in my pocket at tax time, but we'll see. 

Best, Helen