For reference, I’m located in the United States.

Sometime between November and December 2025, I called to schedule my consult. I also called my insurance to see what the requirements were for a breast reduction to be covered.

Throughout the year I visited my primary doctor, the dermatologist, and a PT, having them document issues from my large breasts.

I had my consult on September 10. The office didn’t think they’d need documentation from my other visits to get approval due to pictures and meeting the minimum gram removal requirement (my insurance uses the Schnur Scale).

Prior authorization paperwork was submitted to my insurance on October 7. There was actually a mix up at an earlier date where the office called my insurance and the rep they talked to said a pre-authorization wasn’t required. Luckily I knew this to be incorrect since I had called last year and asked about requirements.

My prior authorizations were approved on October 20 for both the breast reduction and side lipo.

My surgery is scheduled for December 7! I’ve been wearing a 38DDD, but I think it may be the wrong size. I’m hoping for a 36C, as they anticipate my band size to decrease with the lipo. I’m so excited for smaller boobs!

I had a reduction after massive weight loss. I went from 20 F to an empty 18 D. Lots of loose skin on the sides.

Early days but I am hoping for the best.

Do you think the drop and fluff will make the nipple placement even out?

Yall…today was the day! I left the hospital able to easily zip up my hoodie! I almost cried. And I told my doctor that I love him…Surprisingly, he ended up not having to do the FNG.

I didn’t expect the bleeding/leakage and that is the main discomfort. The doc said I have to wait 3 days before taking off the compression bra and gauze and then can shower and change the bra. I just feel a bit gross. And nervous about figuring out a new compression or sports bra!

Any advice or kind words welcomed!

Finally had surgery yesterday! It's hard to imagine exactly what they will really look like in the end... but definitely smaller!

Hello! I am one week post op from an aggressive radical reduction today (yay!) and finally made the switch from the ace bandage to a compression longline bra from the company Masthead as the ace bandage was becoming too much for my body to take on and wouldn’t be realistic for me to wear for 6 weeks. I got the smallest size they offer, and I do feel it’s doing me more than a regular sports bra would, but I’m concerned that the level of compression I’m getting is not enough. What level should I be looking for?? Will this complicate how flat I end up long term?? Any advice is appreciated <3

I’m over a month post-op, and these openings are GETTING. ME. DOWN.

I had a radical reduction (ending up an A cup by the looks of it), and while I’m looking forward to what this will do for my physical and mental health - I’ve been in the thick of nursing necrotic wounds that have really taken a toll.

I had a huge cry after my shower today, feeling so demoralized, and I had a moment where I thought of all of the posts on this sub about healing and openings and complications. Folks have been generous enough to share - and the emotional support that so many of you have provided each other (including me) is so impactful.

It can feel SO LONELY and overwhelming and I just wanted to shout you all out for the ways you’ve supported people on here, and also for all of the work you’ve done to care and advocate for yourself. It matters.

Thank you. 🙏❤️‍🔥😭✨

This might be a bit of a weird one…
All my life i’ve had this sensation where touching my nipples causes an indescribable, overwhelming feeling of sadness, loneliness, homesickness and shame/guilt. It only lasts a few seconds to minutes. I recently found out that it wasn’t just me, and it even has an unofficial name “Sad Nipple Syndrome”

Anyway, I had my reduction surgery exactly one week ago and I’ve been experiencing this feeling without any stimulation to the nipple. It still only lasts seconds to minutes but comes on completely randomly.

Has anyone else who has this “syndrome” experienced this after a breast reduction, if so does the spontaneous feeling go away eventually?

I should almost mention, most research on this “syndrome” is in relation to breastfeeding, I’ve never been pregnant 🤷‍♀️

hey guys! i was scheduled to have my surgery on 10/26 and i was so excited. i was even approved for paid medical leave for work and have been working so hard for the past month to prepare for my time off so i can truly rest. i got covid 2 weekends ago, and was better and testing negative within a handful of days. i still have a mild cough but i feel totally fine. i’ve been calling my surgeons office to update them and the nurse told me it should be fine to proceed as normal if i can walk up the stairs without losing my breath, so i let myself relax and get excited for my surgery, buying my favorite snacks and making lists of comfort shows with my partner.

today i went for my pre-op and they told me that in fact they need to cancel my surgery and we will have to reschedule it for at least 2 weeks after my cough ends—who knows when that’ll be and if my surgeon will have openings. i understand the caution but im so upset, to have to start all over again and without even a surgery date. everyone is reassuring me its a good medical decision but im just so so sad and angry. just here to vent! anyone else have a frustrating situation like this?

I had my reduction about 9 months ago and the healing was great overall.
Just on the inner sides of the underboob the scar doesn’t seem to get flatter.
I also had an opening right under the nipple where scarring is more visible now.
It is still very red/purple and thick aswell.
I already got a cortisone shot at my surgeons office but since he is very far away it’s hard to go to him again.
Has anyone of you had a similar experience with scarring and can calm my mind a little?
I have been thinking about laser or microneedling but I am not quite sure if it’s too early and the scar is still too active.
Any thoughts would be appreciated:)

Update from my last post

I am now 6 weeks postop (phew!) and finally all restrictions lifted. Recovery has been quite okay for me, in terms of openings I had none, I guess the struggle was mostly mentally I HATED being uncomfortable all the time and not being active… and honestly just funky lolol I’ve never felt funkier like I did these past weeks

For care: I just had micropore tape on my incisions literally 24/7 as per my doctor’s orders, he said they help keep the incisions flat and I would sleep and bath with the tape on then change every week. AND I JUST LEFT THEM ALONE with the tape and my surgical bra on the whole time.
Now I am cleared to start scar care as everything has completely closed, I started silicone scar tape today. Besides that, I have just been using Palmer’s Skin Therapy Oil to moisturise after every shower and I’ll continue using that and also massaging from here on. But my scars have healed well so far which I am thankful for (I don’t heal well and my skin is sensitive, I had a keloid from an ear piercing before)

Biggest issue I had is skin rash from the adhesive, now I’m left with acne spots all over my chest as you can see in the pictures.
But other than that I’m so happy!! They are not rocks anymore, they’ve kinda settled but still sitting honey 😅 I can finally sleep on my side and walk around with no bra on. They def look bigger now (maybe swelling?) I think I’m a D/DD I have not checked but I’m content with whatever size

100% WORTH IT 10/10 would recommend this procedure

If you’re in recovery, hang in there! It does get better ❤️‍🩹

PS. my nips really melanated a lot , they’re a lot darker than normal not sure if that’s how it goes for my POC girls, I’m not too bothered it’s just a lot of contrast now lol if you have tips lmk

EDIT: No implants. Just a reduction + lift

Hey guys,

I’m having my consultation in two weeks! I’m really excited but nervious as I have no idea what to expect, what questions/knowledge should I be prepared with? I have been looking into before and after pics on the surgeons site to show as-well as what I’m aiming for.
I just want to be well prepared!

Thanks 💓

Hi everyone!!

I am currently 13 days post-op and I've been healing quite well, especially on my right side (despite it being the side with more mass removed lol). One thing that's been bothering me is that, when I remove or shift the bra a bit, and a moment after putting it on, there's one spot on the edge of my right side (closer to the armpit) that experiences relatively strong (I'd say 5.5/10) but dull pain, for comparison as if you were to press your finger on any part of your body really hard. It is just a fleeting moment, and it looks completely fine from what I can tell, and on my last appointment with the surgeon he said everything was good, although I did not mention that pain (because it's very momentary and doesn't happen that frequently).

I wonder if anyone had something similar? Or should I just reach out to my surgeon?

Thank you 🩷

First time in my life i feel 100% beautifule. Couldnt be happier 💕

I’m happy with my results so far. My pain level is a 1 if at all. Maybe a little sore but so manageable. Only on Tylenol. Thank you to everyone that has posted in the past. Super helpful.

I had my tapes removed and replaced and my dr left open the t junction (day8) as she said it needs to dry out, today I’ve looked at them and it seems not to be improving? Not sure if I’m freaking out too early. I’ve messaged my nurse and waiting to hear back from her

Hello again everyone,

after posting here last week my surgeon got back to me saying that he would need to charge me an extra 2000€ for an overnight stay, so a revision is definitely out of the question for me right now. At this point, I also don't trust him anymore as his whole communication process has been terrible.

(Some context if you didn't see my previous post - instead of an actual reduction he only took out 80grams in total during my surgery last year, even though I had clearly stated it was also about weight and volume. I had paid out of pocket and was devastated that I had only gotten a lift - see my post for more details)

He did a beautiful job aesthetically, but I simply wanted smaller, lighter and less prominent boobs - not even by that much (see picture of current vs goal pic), but enough to still bother me.
However, I need to come to terms that I won't be able to afford a revision for years to come.

Of course, the best case scenario would be that I would just learn to be happy with them, which I have tried for over a year since my surgery in April 25, and have been unsuccessful with.

So my question is - is there anyone here who was unhappy with their results initially and eventually learned to love their boobs nevertheless? Is there any advice that you could give me?

Thank you so much!

It used to be all dark but most of the nipple is pink now, though part of the areola is still pretty dark as you can see

Anyone else that had this?

Hi all,

Just wondering with the weather getting a lot colder (well at least where i am) are your incisions hurting more??? When i’m warmed up again the pain goes but when im out in the cold i’ve noticed a pain! Does anyone else experience this?

I’m 16DPO. This redness started yesterday before my tapes got removed and slowly spreading. It is not painful but very itchy and so uncomfortable that I’m loosing my mind. Yesterday when I went to see my surgeon he gave me Cephlexin/ keflex for one week. But is there anything else I can do ? Please help me 😕

For those of you who have had a breast reduction without side/lateral chest liposuction, I’d love to hear about your experience.

Now that you've healed and everything has settled, are you happy with your results, or do you wish you had opted for the side lipo?

Did you have any noticeable fullness around your armpits or bra line afterward? Did it bother you, or was it something you were perfectly happy with?

I'm trying to decide whether the additional cost of side lipo is worth it for me, and I'd really appreciate honest feedback from those who chose to have the reduction alone.

Thank you!

Hi,, i am honestly pretty devastated right now. My surgeons office just called and said he will only comfortably be able to remove 300g but my insurance requires 475g. Do i have any other options at all? They said it would create risks for me like losing the flap&nipple. I dont know what to do :( help?

My before and after!

Overall everything is going well.

The scar/incision on the right is a bit more sensitive and irritated than the left, but i'm sure it'll catch up soon.

I've had no openings, only a few spitting stitches on the right (which caused the irritation haha)

Also my vertical scar on the right is quite tight, which occasionaly causes the underboob to look like a butt 🤣 i'm hoping with a daily massage and time it will start to soften up lol.

I've also started building up my exercise again, so hyped to finally dance again after 6 long weeks 🥹

I had my surgery yesterday and I'm not really in pain, just a bit nauseous I think they did really well!

Scheduled for November 16th and starting to feel all the feels. I’m starting to second guess myself and think is it worth it?? But also if not now, then when?? I just wanna hit the fast forward button. I’m looking forward to resting and relaxing during the holidays.

I genuinely can’t believe I finally became the girl who took all the steps to get here! To think there was a time where I couldn’t even bring myself to ask my PCP for a referral. Sometimes these decisions take years for many reasons and that’s okay. No two journeys are alike.

November folks, please chime in and let me know how you’re feeling and how your prep is going!

I was just looking at my previous pics and it’s crazy how my nipples have moved compared to my tattoos, and I feel I have so much more of a waist!

This group helped me so much so I wanted to share a bit of my experience.

Waking up from the surgery was the worst I think I felt, I did have quite a lot of discomfort under my boobs and my throat bothered me a lot.

The next couple of days my bf did most things for me, he helped me in the shower, took care of everything at home etc. I didn’t have any incision pain, the worst for me was the compression band digging into my ribs (it literally felt like my rib was broken but now it’s mostly better)

The first few showers were definitely scary and my boobs still feel like they might fall off lol.

I went for a super short walk the day I got home (I got home around 18hr after surgery) and since then I’ve been able to go for more walks and today (day 5) I feel basically normal. (Worth nothing I’m a very active person in general)

I was also REALLY worried about sleeping as I was a stomach sleeper but I’m so surprised about how good I’ve been sleeping. I got a wedge pillow and I put a thinner pillow on top of that and a pillow under my legs and it’s been so comfy. (The dr also gave me Valium)

(Pls ignore the dried blood under the tape and the betadine everywhere, the dr said it’s all looking good)