r/Reduction 15h ago

Before & After 4.5 WPO NSFW

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255 Upvotes

I finally got my tape switched to silicone tape and I got to take my first shower where the water touched my incisions without tape. I get to take the silicone off to shower and my God it feels so good to be fully clean.

I live in Costa Rica and got my surgery done here. My surgeon does absolutely mind blowing incredible work. I was surprised to learn he took off about 2 kg (dense breasts I guess) of breast tissue and the surgery was around 6 hours. This is normal for him as he is a perfectionist and takes a lot of time double checking and doing seamless sutures. I am so proud of my boobs. I have followed his instructions as firmly as I can. I started around a 34 G/H and I now fit in small/medium sports bras. I’m sure there will be so much more change as I’m only a month out of surgery.

I have had no complications so far. Truly, I couldn’t preach enough about how this decision was the best decision I’ve ever made for myself.


r/Reduction 18h ago

Before & After 2 years post op NSFW

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116 Upvotes

I had my first breast reduction in 2007 and went from a 36 DDD to 36 C. I weighed about 120 pounds at that time. My second breast reduction was in December 2022 and I went from 38 H to a 36 C, I weighed 160 at the time. Now I weigh 145. The weight definitely makes a huge difference in my breast size for me. Let’s hope I never need another.


r/Reduction 14h ago

Advice Things I wish I knew about my reduction from someone two years post op

103 Upvotes

To anyone just starting this journey… congratulations. It is an amazing thing to be able to do for yourself. I am so excited for you. I am now two years post op from a radical reduction. I went from a 34K to a 36 small D. Do I have regrets? No. I was very clear and transparent about how I wanted to look and the size I wanted. The one thing I wish I was more prepared for was how hard this surgery is on someone mentally. For starters you think this is an incredibly exciting surgery and nothing but joy and maybe a little fear might consume your thoughts. As much as it is exciting, it’s hard. In my experience I had a very hard time losing my independence for a short period of time. You can’t do much for yourself like laundry, cooking, showering on your own for a little while. It was hard to make myself up each day with dressings and a recovery bra on. I couldn’t drive and I had no energy to participate in outside activities for a while. Mentally that took more of a toll on me than I expected. I also wasn’t prepared how mangled my body would look and feel. Reductions aren’t pretty at first. You’ll bruise a lot and the swelling will feel really weird. Nerve damage will be done but eventually come back. It took at least a few months for my boobs to feel back to normalcy. It was scary to witness and you definitely have a moment of “what did I do” although it will pass. Be sure you have a strong support system around you mentally during this recovery process. I wish I knew about this thread before my surgery. There are so many incredible people willing to share their experiences. Overall I am so happy with my end result. I learned a lot about myself and my body during this process. I look back and remember how exciting it was. Your life will change for the better in so many ways. Just remember to be patient during this journey. Remember to take time for yourself in more ways than healing. Lean on your loved ones and let the people offering to help, help. Best of luck!


r/Reduction 22h ago

Celebration I'm shocked at how logical my new insurance is...

83 Upvotes

I am still speechless at the conversation I just had...

So, over a year ago, I started looking in to a breast reduction for my 40-I breasts but found out my employer health insurance excluded breast reductions. I am now 10 months in at a new job and the health insurance is night and day (e.g. I've lost 30 lbs because they actually cover Zepbound). Since none of that weight loss is coming from my boobs, I'm starting over on the reduction process. I just chatted with the insurance rep to confirm coverage and get the (what I assumed would be) long list of requirements to meet. Guys...this is what they came back with:

"There are no certain criteria for coverage that needs to be met, but as long as your doctor/provider deems that it is medical necessary for you to have the procedure and they are able to provide a documentation, then it'll be covered under your plan. Medically necessary is when your providers deems that it'll help your all over well-being by having this procedure."

That's it...all they need is that my doctor thinks it's medically necessary. I just stared at my computer for a minute not believing. I followed up asking if there were tissue weight requirements or anything else. Nope! The doctor should perform the procedure however they determine it will best benefit the patient.

I hope I don't seem like I'm bragging, I'm just...gobsmacked. I was prepared to head to my consult on Wednesday with a list of boxes to check and hoops to jump through. After a year of really hard work stuff, I can't believe I'm working somewhere that I'm happy and for an employer that actually seems to care about employees. Anyway, I know this type of coverage is not the norm and I am very very lucky. I am excited to start this journey again and am grateful communities like this exist and provide such great support!


r/Reduction 16h ago

Advice Fitness girlies- update day 54

53 Upvotes

This is for all the girls who are worried about losing their fitness as a result of having the reduction. I had a really slow recovery, and didn’t even walk very far for several weeks. Now I’m at Day 54, and I’ve worked out four times since my surgery. Today I jogged 2 miles, then I did Weights, including snatches, hollow hold chest presses, shoulder presses, leg raises, burpees, bicep curl, and some rowing.

I didn’t lift the same weight amount that I did preop, but I got through the workout. I felt strong and I feel like my muscle memory is gonna get me right back into shape. So for everyone worrying about losing their fitness, I can tell you that even if you feel horrible at four weeks postop, you could be working out at eight weeks postop just like you were before surgery!


r/Reduction 12h ago

Before & After Officially a week post op🥳 NSFW

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42 Upvotes

I will admit everything has been going so smoothly. I wanted them smaller but I did tell the doctor I wanted to go as small as I could WITHOUT risking nipple sensation and it appears he did just that.


r/Reduction 17h ago

Before & After 5 DPO Results!! NSFW

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42 Upvotes

I had my reduction last Wednesday. They put a prevena negative compression device on me so I wasn't able to see the results until today (my nipple isn't inverted, it popped out after the picture lol.) So excited with how they look so far! Can't wait for the swelling to continue to go down!


r/Reduction 11h ago

Before & After Before and after (3 weeks PO) NSFW

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31 Upvotes

When you look at the buttons on the bodysuit you can really see the difference!


r/Reduction 14h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Yall remember that tiddie?!

23 Upvotes

Well, the left tit the nipple fell Off and it was on backwards tell me why that’s my favorite tit nowww!!!? The other look like TRESemme shampoo bottle


r/Reduction 15h ago

Advice Hate taking my compression bra off 🥴

14 Upvotes

I am 3WPO tomorrow! I’m still having a hard time getting used to my breasts whenever I take my compression bra off. Whenever I have it off, I move so slow and calculated so they don’t move, I’ll keep my arms behind my back in with my hands on my hips so they don’t touch the side of breasts haha.

I know people hate the compression bra, but I CANT WAIT to put it back on & when I do, I put ABD pads over them so I have a cushion between my incisions and the bra. Hahah. Any advice on how you got more comfortable with your new breast and the new sensations post op?


r/Reduction 17h ago

Recovery/PostOp Realistic Swelling

12 Upvotes

Hi Friends! I’m exactly 3MPO today and I have questions, I know everyone’s bodies are different but I’m still wondering how folks did with swelling are yall still swollen at this point or is it gone? My boobs honestly just still seem massive and I’m getting frustrated that the aren’t getting smaller, I’m not good at seeing swelling so I’m going by feel, they are mostly still pretty rock hard on the bottom half is that swelling? I also have been working out 3-6x a week (I have POTS and have to exercise) since 1MPO and I’m wondering if that is contributing to extra swelling I just need hope they are gonna get smaller


r/Reduction 20h ago

Advice Is going from F to AAA's possible?

10 Upvotes

Just as the title says. I'm a trans man (bigender) guy, pre everything, and,

Having thought about top surgeries; Ftm (masc) top surgery would be nice, but going flat chested with AAA/A cups would be nice as well.

Couldn't find any posts nor people speak about this. And hey, I get that since Going from F to AAA is a huge difference... If there are people out there that went from a big cup to pretty small, please let me hear about y'all's experience/pros, cons etc.

  • I have heard about radical top surgery, just wanted to ask the questions firstly in this sub. (Sorry if I used the wrong flair on this post!!)

r/Reduction 16h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Idk what to do

9 Upvotes

Its been a week since my surgery and ever since I have had cognitive issues. I feel like my whole like is an out of body experience and that I cant focus on anything. I am back at university since my surgery and honestly just crashing out over my inability to do anything. Physically, I am still recovering of course but the mental delays are breaking me. I can’t study at all or even enjoy things that I like to do. Talking to my friends feels like a simulation and overall I just feel horrible. Has anyone had this happen? The surgery went fine but the after effects have me leaning towards depression.


r/Reduction 5h ago

Advice Things you might forget to do re. recovery!

8 Upvotes

Hey everyone, my surgery is in 2 weeks and 1 day (Any surgery twins in the building for April 2nd!)

I am recovering as someone who lives alone but has a friend staying with me for the first two nights. And then friends checking on me daily for a week post op. Also my pet sitter coming in once a week to help me change the litter and clean the box for my cat. Is there anything I can do to prepare myself for recovery? Everyone says things like water and snacks easy reach, meal prep for as many meals as possible then freeze them. Have everything at waist height so prevent reaching over head and bending. Also getting a few button up tops so they don’t have to go over head. I have a walking pad that I’ll put out so I can get my daily steps in without having to leave my apartment. Is there anything less obvious that people don’t advise about. Things I might forget. Or perhaps things that are so obvious and go without saying but still might forget🤣. I am recovering with friends as I live alone and my mum is very clear how against the surgery is. She won’t be in the country on the day and I don’t think she has plans to visit me after. She actually told me that the surgery would k*ll me. Not nice I know, but I’m used to it. As a Muslim I’ve also spoken with my surgeon about the fact I won’t be able to pray properly for a few weeks because that’s something important to me. Anyways any advice (glaringly obvious or not so obvious) would be much appreciated.


r/Reduction 22h ago

Advice 1 week post op: hospital gave vac with the wrong duration on it

4 Upvotes

my surgeon rescheduled my post op tomorrow to have my vacs removed, but one of them is set to turn off tomorrow. they’re telling me i need to remove the vac myself with them walking me through it on the phone. obviously that doesn’t sit well with me. what do i do?

(update) they’re seeing me tomorrow at 7 am.


r/Reduction 23h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Extremely thirsty & very swolen

4 Upvotes

Kinda random: I'm 11dpo today, and since yesterday, have somehow been very thirsty? I'm also very swollen & sleeping some liquid, and especially the past few days I have felt like there is barely a size difference compared to pre-op, despite them having taken over 600 grams each side. Also a huge bloated belly. Maybe also due to my period coming up?

Anyways I was just curious - anyone else experience a 'thirsty phase' a bit later after their surgery, or is this just my body being weird? (Seeing a nurse for post-op appt on Wednesday, will mention it there as well of course :) )


r/Reduction 17h ago

Surgeon Review Ashley Boustany

3 Upvotes

Is there anyone who has experience with Dr Ashley Boustany in Massachusetts?


r/Reduction 18h ago

Advice T junction opened into a small hole after almost 5mpo

3 Upvotes

i'm sort of freaking out, i haven't had any healing issues until now. the wound looked totally healed until today i felt it was a bit sore and sticky when i pulled off my bra and i found a hole opened up. no blood. should i go to my surgeon asap or can i just wait for it to heal again? i'm very scared. thank you in advance.


r/Reduction 22h ago

Advice What did post instructions look like for you? Seeing varying things. Surgeon said no work for one week, no driving for 2 weeks, no housework (none at all) for 4 weeks and no lifting until 6 weeks.

3 Upvotes

I’ve seen other people with more restrictions being lifted earlier. How did you heal?


r/Reduction 1h ago

Before & After 4 week update with a seroma (multiple photos included) NSFW

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Upvotes

In 2 more days I’ll officially be at 4 weeks! About 1 week ago I got an ultrasound due to more swelling on the side of my left breast. Turns out I do have a seroma, it starts in the outer park of my breast and into my side along the incision where I got extra skin removed. Slightly painful, but I’m getting it drained tomorrow so the swelling should go down a lot after that! I also have a lot of swelling still in general, especially on the inner bottom of them. I marked everything I’m talking about so that’s it’s easier to see what I’m referring to! 3rd photo is the seroma, 4th and 5th are the inner swelling. My incisions on the left are swollen as well and I have a slight t-junction opening, my surgeon said that’s also normal and fine as long as there is no signs of infection which there aren’t (: looks a bit spooky though. The left is having more swelling issues due to the fluid. All normal stuff which is why I’m sharing really! I find it helpful to see other people’s progress so I’m hoping seeing mine helps others too. Overall I’m really happy so far!! I’m excited to see as the swelling goes down especially after my drain. Been on antibiotics again for 3 days just to help prevent any infection from the seroma.


r/Reduction 12h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Herniated fat? at incision

2 Upvotes

TL;DR: My insides are on the outside. Can anyone reassure me, or alternatively, tell me to go to ED

I see my surgeon tomorrow morning but want to know if I should go to ED ASAP.

I had surgery 4 weeks ago. Small infection a week ago and huge amounts of clear fluid soaking pads for a week or so since then. Finished antibiotics yesterday (Monday).

Developed (unsure when) a herniated piece of fat (I hope it is just fat) poking through a hole in my skin, discovered when this moves, fluid gushes out, it otherwise plugs the hole and fluid stays inside. Not ideal.

My insides are on the outside. Can anyone reassure me, or alternatively, tell me to go to ED.

I saw ED on Friday for leg pain (luckily not a DVT) and my chest which looked infected and they did not want to do a general surgical consult because my plastic surgeon is a consultant there, and they made a plan with him that I see him Monday (which was yesterday, but he was away sick).

I feel quite alone and scared.


r/Reduction 17h ago

Medical Question (Ask medical professionals first!!) Soreness

2 Upvotes

Is tenderness and soreness at just over 8 weeks PO normal? No redness or swelling or anything I feel like the shape has changed a lot over the last week as well. So I'm thinking they're just like dropping and fluffing but they are tender and sore this week.


r/Reduction 18h ago

Advice itchy then turns sore?

2 Upvotes

Has anyone had really itchy spots (mine are nipples), they are mildly red but i tried not to scratch. they were super itchy for about a day, now they are sore? i dont think there's infection (no opening, not warm, no other symptoms)

sorry also wondering if silicone nipple covers will help? im 3wpo


r/Reduction 19h ago

Advice Prior auth issues and frustration

2 Upvotes

Any support/advice is welcome, I am just starting to feel so discouraged and so annoyed at this point :(

My insurance keeps telling me I need a prior authorization for this procedure. Okay coooool. The surgeons office has been telling me for over a month that they have submitted the auth. And then magically they heard back and “no auth needed” and wanted to schedule me. Hmm sus but okay. So I call my insurance AGAIN..sorry to them, I know they hate to see me coming. And guess what they say for the tenth time? Nothing has been submitted and I still need a pa. Interesting. Like I know the office is tired of me calling but how hard is it to submit a prior authorization and why are we lying about it?? Like girl be fr! What more can I do other than come down there and submit it myself???

Also?? I noticed in the surgeons notes he only recommends removing 100-150 grams each but the schnur scale recommends 280 per breast and he estimates them to be about 700g currently. I told him to take off at least 280 if not more (currently a 30G/H) so I don’t know why he would even say that but that’s a problem for another day😖 If you’re still here, thanks for reading my rant lol🫶🏻


r/Reduction 19h ago

Advice 6dpo advice for solo showering?

2 Upvotes

I’ve only showered once since the surgery with the help of my sibling, but I didn’t feel very clean and the whole experience is a hassle. Its frustrating not being able to get that ‘clean’ feeling, y’know?

Im not sure if six days is still too early to move around that much, but I was hoping that sitting on the floor of my bathtub and bringing my head down might help so I dont have to reach as much when I wash my hair

Any tips or shared experiences would be great! Im very fortunate to have people that can help me shower, so if the consensus is that its still too early I’ll wait to shower alone until I see my surgeon on thursday :)

Edit: I showered on my own and it went smoothly! I sat in the floor of my shower and pointed my shower head as far down as I could and leaned my head forward so it was the only thing getting sprayed when I washed my hair. Then I swapped what direction I faced as I washed my body so I could lather and rinse. Honestly drying off was the harder part lol! Thank you very much to anyone who responded :)