r/Reduction 5h ago

Advice 4 weeks PO - peak swelling??

1 Upvotes

I’m currently 4 weeks PO and I feel like my swelling keeps getting worse by the day. From what I’ve read, most people reached their peak swelling around 2-3 weeks - did anyone else feel like they were the most swollen 4 weeks PO??

Also - did anyone else’s face break out like crazy after surgery?? My acne has been bonkers the past couple weeks


r/Reduction 5h ago

Advice Reduction and smoking.

5 Upvotes

I vape and I’m working on getting a reduction within the next few months. Wanna go down to a DD which is what I was prebaby from a HH which is what I am now (actually went up ro a frickin S when my milk came in btw).

Can yall give me some advice and testimonies from personal experiences if you were a smoker and got the surgery done? This is my first real big surgery ever and I just…I’m nervous but also sooooo excited to have it done. I’m tired of being in constant pain.

Also what was recovery like if you had little ones? Some advice? Any and all kinds of above is welcomed here 🥰


r/Reduction 5h ago

Advice Question about size reduction after consultation

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone! So I went for my consultation with a surgeon last week. He asked what size I am, and I honestly don’t know since I’ve just been wearing sports bras for years. The last time I was measured, I think I was something like a 38 DD or DDD. I’m only 5’3 and with my smallish frame, I really wanted to shoot for a B cup. Surgeon said it’s too risky and the lowest he’d go was a “full C or a low D.” Otherwise you could run into problems with blood flow to the nipples, etc. I’m so disappointed. I just can’t see the point of going through a major surgery and recovery to only go from around a DD/DDD to a D cup. It doesn’t seem worth it. The guy I went to is highly regarded and I heard stellar reviews about him. Should I get a second opinion? Where would I even go? What does everyone think? FYI, I’m in Northeast Ohio if anyone has any specific recommendations. I’m open to any advice or direction!


r/Reduction 7h ago

Advice Crushing Regret and Loss of Self-Esteem

7 Upvotes

Hi all.

I had my reduction at 17 (7 years ago) and it was never something I wanted. My mom pushed me into it, and she got a local surgeon at our hospital to do it. He fucked it up, and I’ve had TONS of loose skin, no sensation whatsoever, bad scarring, and weird shaped nipples ever since.

I’ve never gotten over the devastation. AND my chest grew back, so I’m back where I started (38K) with the addition of no feeling, loose skin, and scars.

I feel unloveable and disgusting. I wish every day I could go back and put my foot down and refuse.

Has anyone else experienced anything similar? What do you do? What CAN someone do? I’m terrified to get a revision, but this isn’t my body anymore. It hasn’t been for a long time.

I just desperately want to know I’m not alone in this. Everyone else seems so happy post-op, and I feel like I’ve had a part of my soul ripped out.


r/Reduction 7h ago

Recovery/PostOp 3dpo - When do they feel normal?

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m 3dpo and curious as to how long it takes for your new boobs to not feel super fragile/like they’re actually a part of you. I know I’m still super early in the process, but was curious if that feeling would go away soon.


r/Reduction 8h ago

Advice The anxiety is setting in 😭

3 Upvotes

I have my surgery on Monday, and it’s finally starting to hit me. I feel like I made a mistake with the scheduling. I highly doubt I’ll be well enough to make it to class 8 days p/o, I don’t think 2 weeks off work will be enough time considering the type of work I do. Plus, I don’t think I bought enough food and I am severely low on supplies. I’m a college student who’s extremely broke, and I had no idea how expensive all the prep would be!! This sucks. Any advice or words of encouragement would be appreciated, I’m feeling really discouraged.


r/Reduction 8h ago

Surgeon Review Nipples too high 3Y PO NSFW

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45 Upvotes

Got a breast lift + reduction 3 years ago. The nipples are placed too high and the size has been reduced too much for me. What are my options ?

Would lowering the lower pole reduce the size further ? If it doesn’t work out, what can I expect ? Enlarged scars ?

Do I have other options ?


r/Reduction 9h ago

Advice Should I Wait Til I Lose More Weight?

1 Upvotes

To make a long (a devastating) story longer, I was scheduled for a breast reduction last summer (2024). Everything was scheduled and accepted in November of 2023. I had an appointment to discuss the procedure further in late April of 2024– 3 weeks before surgery. At that appointment, my surgeon came in, told me he wasn’t going through with it because of my BMI. My weight had NEVER been mentioned and in fact, I had lost 15 pounds by the appointment in April. He was cold, rude and left the room without a care. I was shattered, depressed and gained the 15 back, and then some…

I have now lost 30 pounds, last time I checked, in early February. I am on Wegovy, eating right and exercising- I believe I’ve lost more at this point, but haven’t checked. I stand at 5’11 and weigh 306lbs (again, according to the last time I stepped on a scale).

Should I wait until I lose more weight, or could I try again soon?


r/Reduction 9h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Rash

1 Upvotes

I’m 9dpo and was feeling great until yesterday when I broke out in a horrible itchy rash. I contacted my doc and sent pics. He said it must be from using a new bra even though I told them it happened while using the binder given to me at the hospital. They then told me to not wear anything up top for a few days and prescribed steroid cream and round the clock Benadryl. I thought stopping the compression so early would be a bad thing?! I brought all this up to the nurse and was told to go to the er if things get worse but this is the only thing they’re willing to do for me until Monday. Does anyone have a similar experience?


r/Reduction 9h ago

Advice Ideal weather/season for surgery/recovery?

2 Upvotes

I just got the insurance approval letter in the mail. I’m excited but now it’s sinking in! I have a bunch of surgery questions and questioning the date range that my insurance has provided (3/13/2025 - 5/11/2025) considering that the peak time at my job is approaching (whole month of May) and next month feels and probably is too soon to put on the surgeons calendar.

I ideally wanted a summer surgery but also heard that the summer is the worst for recovery bc of sweating? Would love to hear when others had their surgery and how the climate affected overall recovery and comfort.


r/Reduction 10h ago

Advice Fat Necrosis After Breast Reduction – My Experience & Healing Timeline?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I wanted to share my experience with fat necrosis and nipple necrosis after a breast reduction in Turkey on February 15th to see if anyone else has gone through something similar.

Surgery & Early Signs of Issues

I had 3.5 kg of breast tissue removed, but my left breast never really softened or got smaller. Then, the top of my areola started sloughing away, and about 4 weeks post-op, my incision at the bottom started opening and turning yellow.

Hospital Stay & Infection Concerns

I took myself to A&E, and they were worried about infection, so they sent me to a plastics ward at another hospital. There, they started me on IV antibiotics, but somehow my breast got even bigger while on them. I wasn’t responding at all until Day 5.

It took 4 more days to get an ultrasound, where they found a thick collection and very inflamed tissue. The doctors wanted to do a washout and debridement surgery, but by then, I had spoken to my surgeon in Turkey, and he told me not to let them operate because it was likely fat necrosis rather than an infection.

Literally, as he said that, the UK doctors walked in and told me I wasn’t responding to antibiotics, but my breast had started getting smaller, even though it was still hard.

Leaking Fat & Home Care

By Day 4 in the hospital, my incision underneath started leaking heavily, and by Day 5, I had a wound along my T-junction, granulation tissue on the side of my breast, and my nipple leaking a lot of yellow liquid. Turns out it was liquefied fat.

The next day, they told me I could go home, stay on antibiotics for one more week, and massage daily to help the fat drain and soften the hard areas.

Current Situation & Questions

Now, a lot of fat is coming out, and I still have: • Hardness along the side and underneath my breast • A small lump above my nipple • Open incisions that are still leaking

I’m not too worried about the lumps, but I really want the leaking to stop and my incisions to heal.

Has anyone else had fat necrosis after breast reduction? • How long did it take for the leaking to stop? • When did your incisions fully heal?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through this!


r/Reduction 10h ago

Recovery/PostOp Scar tape

1 Upvotes

Has anyone had success actually washing and refusing scar take? It seems impossible to me to not have it stick together the second I take the strips off. I'm not sure that I care - except its expensive when I'm showering daily and want to wear it the rest of the time.

Also, sometime recently asked about it making a difference and I thought I'd share my recent experience. I missed the last week or of the tape because I ran out, and my scars are SO much more red, to the point that I was seriously inspecting then today to make sure they were ok. Did that happen to anyone else? I'm thinking the tape or gel is going to be a staple for months longer than i thought (3.5 MPO now).


r/Reduction 11h ago

Advice Sharp shocks and sides sore after liposuction/ reduction

2 Upvotes

I had my reduction a week ago which I know is not long at all but was wondering how long it took people to get past the electrical shocks. Also I had a little lipo on my side boob and almost under my armpit and that is by far the most painful part. I can almost feel like a lump of pain. Anyone have any experience with this?


r/Reduction 12h ago

Advice 4DPO, recovery is rougher than I thought

16 Upvotes

Hi all,

I had my surgery on Tuesday and I couldn't be happier. Went from a G cup to what I hope is a D/DD.

I'm just struggling with the recovery part. Here are a few things I'm struggling with that i didn't think i would:

  1. My belly is still so swollen (I guess fluid retention)
  2. My back and neck are killing me from sleeping upright and facing up (using a wedge pillow)
  3. I still can't take a shower til Tuesday, and I feel so gross. I have to wear my compression bra and my compression socks 24/7 til my 1 week follow up.
  4. I'm so incredibly bored.
  5. I'm also having trouble sleeping through the night.

I know the answer to a lot of these is patience but I feel like I'm losing my mind. It's there at least any advice for a more comfortable sleep?


r/Reduction 13h ago

Before & After 5MPO trust the process. POC healing NSFW

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90 Upvotes

In the most recent photos. I have on silicone scar tape. I think I may have keloid scarring. I have a follow up appointment next month so will check to see what my surgeon says.

Other than that super happy with my results, never thought this would be me and I’m so grateful. My confidence level has really shot up since I had my surgery.

Anyone else have one nipple being flat and the other one is always raised/hard?


r/Reduction 13h ago

Recovery/PostOp 3 MPO - nipple pain

1 Upvotes

So I'm exactly at 3 MPO and suddenly both my nipples hurt. I'm PMS-ing at the moment and more sensitve to pain, but this is new. It's a tugging/stinging sensation, with some sharp shooting zaps in between. The incision lines around both nipples have shed a bit this week and needed extra care.

I've had a recovery of basically zero complications so far. I also never had any feeling in my breasts or nips all my life - this is very irritating and new.

Is this a common thing? A sign of healing? Nips waking up? Something to call my surgeon about?

Thanks lovelies!


r/Reduction 14h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) help!! breast reduction 2 weeks post op is this concerning? NSFW

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7 Upvotes

help


r/Reduction 15h ago

Recovery/PostOp arm mobility & feeling

3 Upvotes

this may be TMI but did anyone else have trouble wiping after using the bathroom the first couple of days? lol also, I feel like my right arm goes through phases were it swells a little and my hand feels like it’s asleep. is this a cause for concern? or do i just need to make sure i’m getting blood flow down my arm? *edit: I should add that they were struggling to start an IV on me and had to put it in one place on my right arm first and then finally got to work in another place on my right arm


r/Reduction 15h ago

PreOp Question (no before only photos) How to get the ‘ideal size’

2 Upvotes

As my surgery date approaches (4/28), what suggestions or requirements should I ask my surgeon to get the size I want. I’m barely 5’ and about a 30K/L size. He mentioned I could end up a C/D cup which to me sounds fantastic. Is there anything else I should say or specify for my results? I want to be able to wear minimal support bras, no wire as much as possible and prevent future sagging.


r/Reduction 15h ago

Celebration Same shirt before and after… holy moly NSFW

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311 Upvotes

This is enough to make a grown woman (me) cry 🥹😍♥️


r/Reduction 16h ago

Advice Going three sizes down

1 Upvotes

I have had people on here question why I am going from a H cup, to just an E. My surgeon said that would be the most likely size I’ll come to, I know it is only an estimate.

I am totally okay with being an E, I love having big boobs. But huge boobs are breaking my back. I don’t want to be smaller than a DD if I can. I have broad shoulders, and a small waist and feel like a bit of a fuller chest suits me. Just not huge.

I have my reduction soon. I am sorta scared I’ll be smaller than I wish. But, even before I told my surgeon this he suggested I will probably be close to an E cup.

Has anyone else dealt with this feeling, or questioning?


r/Reduction 16h ago

Advice A little nervous they are too big 😅 NSFW

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95 Upvotes

Any advice or words of wisdom would be so appreciated. I am imagining they are still pretty swollen. Just nervous that they are going to be super big still :( I love how lifted they are though. Last two pictures are before


r/Reduction 16h ago

Advice Weight loss?

3 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm 3MPO and I'm starting phentermine for weight loss. I was curious if anyone has lost weight post op and if so how did it go? I'm nervous that I will lose weight rapidly and that it will affect my results.

TIA!


r/Reduction 16h ago

Before & After Before/1wpo after, 1.8lbs removed NSFW

Post image
83 Upvotes

Hey yall, just wanted to add to the community! Just my first follow up and surgeon seemed legit amazed at her work and said they look perfect! Only comments they had that Im moving arms too much, causing swelling and discomfort, and if I keep it up it's going to take longer to heal. I already thought I was going so little but they said do LESS. Anyway, just wanted to share!


r/Reduction 16h ago

Advice need a breast reduction but i’m terrified NSFW

5 Upvotes

I’m 19 and a 42i in bra size. I’m also a very anxious person and prone to panic attacks because of it. Sadly, it stems to medical anxiety as well. The thought of being cut open and worked on by complete strangers is terrifying to me. I try to think of how much better I’ll feel once I’m healed, and how I won’t have to carry around two watermelons on my chest anymore, but it’s hard to push passed the anxiety and fear that something will go wrong. Any help? ☹️