Breast Reduction

Wilde86

Hello,

I'm hoping for some advise from women who have previously had/ or are also considering breast reduction surgery.

I am 28 years old and have 34E/ 34F breasts. I'm a size ten and have for many years been self conscious about my breasts. They are sagging and not very attractive. Bra straps leave sore marks on my shoulders and bikinis are a no no.

When I was 19 years old I went for a consultation with a plastic surgeon and did not go through with it because of the cost.

I am aware that this procedure is costly but what I am hoping to find out from this thread is what are the best places in Ireland to have this procedure and if anyone knows of price plans for this type of surgery?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :-)

YumCha

Hi, I haven't had breast reduction surgery, but I did look into it briefly (I'm a 30FF and used to be a size 8, and I was super self conscious about it). I decided against it because it wasn't medically necessary (all surgery comes with risk), and because of the scarring - with reduction surgery you'll be left with a vertical scar running from the bottom of your nipple downwards in addition to the curved scar underneath.

Couple more things:
- Your bras shouldn't be leaving red marks on your shoulders, this is usually a sign that you're not wearing the right size - namely that the band is not tight enough (it's meant to do all the heavy lifting, pardon the pun)
- It's okay for boobs to be saggy! Have a read of The Guardian's article on the Bare Reality project (warning: NSFW because, boobs)

All the best!

lorrim

I had the surgery 2 years ago - at 28 also. Best decision I ever made. Went from a H to a DD. They took about 1kg in total -uplift and reduction.

I'm afraid I can't recommend a surgeon in Ireland as I had the op in Spain (Marbella). Excellent care, surgeons nurse was Irish, hospital was more like a luxury hotel. And I felt 100% confident in the hands of the surgeon, in fact a few friends have used him for other ops. I live in Spain so it was the best solution for me, I did consider going home but the best surgeons there were 1.5times the price.

PM me if you want the surgeons details - it might be worth looking into.

tomthetank

Hows your weight otherwise OP? I know you said you're a size ten but if you have a small frame and could stand to lose a few pounds, perhaps it's worth trying that route and seeing if it impacts on your breast size firstly.

I'm five foot nothing and am 30DD, that's at about 8.5 stone. If I gain a stone my breasts balloon to about 34FF/G, always been the way. I couldn't possibly afford surgery so I just keep my weight lower to prevent the bigger size, which I would always be self conscious and insecure about.

Wilde86

Thank you so much for all of your feedback and advice.

I'm 5 7' and slim (always looking to drop a bit of weight nonetheless). I developed quite early and to be honest they have always been an area of my body that I have been self conscious/ insecure about.

I have been measured on numerous occasions in M&S but maybe I need to try a shop specialised in lingerie for bigger chested women.

The Spanish surgery sounds promising. I always think of all the horror stories from surgery abroad and worry. But I will DM you now lorrim for further information.
Thanks ;-)

rainbow kirby

M&S make great knickers, but their bras aren't great in larger sizes and their fitters are awful. Try Peaches and Cream or Arnotts if you're in Dublin, or if you can get yourself up to Belfast there is a Bravissimo there and they are absolutely fantastic. If you're 5'7" and slim it's relatively unlikely you are a properly fitted 34 band, you may find that your true size is in the 30-32GG/H range.

B0jangles

I came across this guide to getting a really accurate sizing for bras, since I've always found the old "measure underneath, then measure across the fullest part of your breasts" method to be very inaccurate:

http://www.reddit.com/r/ABraThatFits/comments/rh26h/is_getting_fitted_for_a_bra_as_humiliating_as_it/c469bi0

lorrim

Wilde86 wrote: »

Thank you so much for all of your feedback and advice.

I'm 5 7' and slim (always looking to drop a bit of weight nonetheless). I developed quite early and to be honest they have always been an area of my body that I have been self conscious/ insecure about.

I have been measured on numerous occasions in M&S but maybe I need to try a shop specialised in lingerie for bigger chested women.

The Spanish surgery sounds promising. I always think of all the horror stories from surgery abroad and worry. But I will DM you now lorrim for further information.
Thanks ;-)

Have sent you some info - if i can be of any other help do let me know. No bra in the world helped me, i lost weight and it was the last place for me to lose from, i felt it made me look even more out of proportion when my waist was smaller. It's not something to rush into, I saw about 10 surgeons before I made my decision, and even then, chose my surgeon and gave myself a few months to see if I still felt the same.

Wilde86

Thank you for all of your feedback and info. It was really beneficial.
I've a lot to think about and many people to see. :-)

k8justk8

If you have private insurance they might pay for your surgery. You just need to meet the criteria.

My insurance requires your BMI to be under 25 (if you're slim it shouldn't be a problem), being cup F or bigger and a letter from GP confirming you've been complaining from the back pain for at least 3 months.

I'm cup H and I have serious back problem for nearly 2 years now (had a spine surgery and still suffer). I'm just waiting for the surgeon to confirm the date for my reduction... Will only pay the excess which is like 200 euros (obviously there's couple of doctor's visit involved, all together it's under 1000 euro)
Happy days

jenblaine

Hi could I get surgeons details if u don't mind

Glinda

Hi OP,

Had this about fifteen years ago in the Bons in Dublin. Went private and paid myself (insurance refused me: they only seem to cover this in theory, my surgeon told me he had never come across a patient where their health insurance had actually paid out, but maybe things have changed).

I went from a H/J cup to a C/D. The result literally changed my life - all kinds of clothes fit now, all kinds of exercise are possible, I can buy my bras on the high street instead of from specialist suppliers.

You can't see any scars on my actual breast now, they have faded completely but underneath each boob is what looks like a white line drawn on the skin. I wouldn't wear a very plunging bikini top, but to be honest I think that's as much because I know the scars are there than because anyone would notice.

I breastfed afterwards, although they do warn you that this is not always possible.

Just saw k8Justk8's post above - obviously things have moved on with the insurance since my experience!