primitives discuss breast reduction surgery

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1184105

Oh my.

PennyK (441 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 12:45 AM

Breast reduction surgery

Has anyone done this or thought about it? I developed early and fast. I think my boobies were starting to sag while I was still in my twenties. I'm in my mid-sixties now, and have developed major shoulder issues (torn ligament on one side that I know about). I'm 5'2", and am busting out of my 40D minimizer.

I went to an orthopedist this week, and asked his opinion. He said it could definitely be a factor, and that he would write a letter for me recommending the surgery. It sounds as though the insurance company is very nit-picky about approving this procedure. I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon this Tuesday, and I i'm really excited and hopeful.

NYC_SKP (55,173 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 12:51 AM
NOMINATED FOR TOP DUmmie OF 2013

1. Good luck, PennyK!

I don't think there's any question but that large breasts take a toll on a woman's back health, balance, posture, etc.
 
I hope that all the medical care providers and insurers see the logic in moving forward with appropriate procedures.

Whoa.

Skippy agrees with franksolich.

  (20,469 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 12:54 AM
^^^NOMINATED FOR TOP DUmmie OF 2013
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE ROBYN McGRATH AWARD
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE NADIN ABBOTT AWARD

2. Doctors have tried to convince me to get it.

I'm quite a bit bustier than you but also taller. I don't think I could do the hold the pencil thing at 12.
 
I watched a program on the discovery channel that put me off breast reduction. It's possible that techniques have improved since then, but that program showed them removing the nipple completely and when they reattach it, all sensation is lost. It's a far more invasive surgery than getting implants. Have you looked on YouTube for videos on how it's done?
 
If you want information on how to better fit a bra, see this site: http://www.plussizebras.info/fit.html

PennyK (441 posts)   Sun Nov 24, 2013, 10:28 AM

4. The pencil thing! Haha

I am not planning on watching any surgery videos. But I do have an idea of what happens with the nipple...I think they can keep the nerves attached. A lot of lift would definitely be required. I've read a number of comments here and there about the recovery, which does sound as though it ranges from moderate to very painful. I have done one natural childbirth and had a hemmorhoid removal operation, so I do have a bit of experience along these lines.
 
I am just sick and tired of having these gross lumps on my chest. Not an issue much these days, but back in the day, it was all a guy looked at when he saw me...and of course, I was a dumb slut. The dumb horny guys were the ones who were attracted to me. I swear, it is as though they think that if you're trampy, those things are the physical manifestation of it. And it was never the impression I wanted to give...I was the smart, snarky girl!Hey, Janeane Garofolo did it I feel like I now have a chance to present the image I want to.

  (20,469 posts)    Mon Nov 25, 2013, 01:05 AM
^^^NOMINATED FOR TOP DUmmie OF 2013
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE ROBYN McGRATH AWARD
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE NADIN ABBOTT AWARD

5. Do whatever makes you happy and healthy

but I just want to say that if guys see you as a "dumb slut" because you're busty, that is entirely their problem. I know what you mean though. I don't get the dumb part, but some men definitely regard women with certain kinds of bodies as best suited for sex. I won't change my body because of that though. I like my breasts, but I understand that you feel them cumbersome, especially if you haven't figured out how to get bras that fit. I'm guessing at 5'2" your don't need a band size of 40. You're probably need to go down in band size and up in cup size. I'm 5 ft 7 and wear a 38 band size, and if I were the weight I should be it would be 36 or 34.

PennyK (441 posts)    Mon Nov 25, 2013, 08:54 AM

6. I don't have fitting issues

I know they usually say that women should go down a band size, but 1) I have broad ribs, and 2) if I wear a smaller band size I get the dreaded "back fat!". In fact, the style I wear is a minimizer that has the back designed to reduce appearance of back fat...and my chiropractor agreed with me about not going too tight with the band size.

As far as not letting what men think shape my opinion of myself, my point is that it felt that the ones who were attracted to me were looking at two things only, and that the smarter men shied away since I "obviously" was a sex object. Now this is my feeling, and it may not be correct.

In addition, I have a closet full of black tops. I LOVE fashion, and there are whole categories of styles that just don't work for me! I sew and no style or pattern works without major adjustments. It would be so nice to be able to look at clothing without having to think whether it makes me look bustier. As the years have gone by, my breasts have drooped, and my biggest horror is that someone see me without a bra...and at this point, there's comfortable, and there's wearing a bra.

polly7 (8,994 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 01:17 AM

3. Hi PennyK

My niece had this done about 10 years ago and noticed a huge difference in her shoulder and back pain immediately. She's a stick-thin girl but was always self-conscious about her breasts .... when the pain started, that was it for her. As far as I remember, her recovery was smooth. She's happy to this day she had it done.

PennyK (441 posts)    Wed Nov 27, 2013, 09:38 AM

7. I had my consult with the plastic surgeon

I got my breasts measured from every angle you can imagine! He also took photos. We looked at pictures of before-and-afters, and he showed me what I could expect. He submits the request to the insurance company and we should get a reply within six weeks. If it's turned down, we re-submit with any and all medical data showing why the procedure is needed for my health. If it gets rejected at that point I would have to pay for it myself...which I'm ready to do.

KitSileya (1,716 posts)    Sat Nov 30, 2013, 02:30 PM

8. You will have to keep us updated.

I really hope you get the surgery approved - it may sound like elective surgery, but when you're having problems with your shoulders and back, it is necessary, not cosmetic. Big breasts make it difficult to do physio-therapeutic exercises too, in my experience, so I hope they don't think that just treating your back and shoulders will be enough.
 
I am also quite generously endowed, but just this week I discovered that JC Penney measured me completely wrong for bras (probably because they didn't want to measure me out of their assortment of bras.) I'm not 40DDD, I am in fact 36I. I went out and bought two bras that fit, and can already feel the difference. Apparently this is a very common tactic at most of the chain stores - producing proper bras in cupsizes D+ is more expensive, so they'd rather you wear a 40C than a 34F, even though they have the exact same cup volume. Suffice it to say, I've given myself quite the bra education after I got sick and tired of not having my bra gore tack!

<<<blushing as writes this:

What is a "bra gore tack"?

[USA4ME]

Guys saw her as a dumb slut with big tits.

Now they'll see her as an old dumb flat-chested moonbat.

What a trade-off.

.

[dane]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1184105

<<<blushing as writes this:

What is a "bra gore tack"?

It has to do with fit.  'Gore' is the center part of the bra, and 'tack' is how the 'gore' lies against the breastbone.  I nadined "bra gore tack" because I didn't know either - and now I do.

[GOBUCKS]

5. Do whatever makes you happy and healthy

but I just want to say that if guys see you as a "dumb slut" because you're busty, that is entirely their problem.

DUmmy Alex doesn't realize that nearly everyone sees her as a DUmb slut.

[BadCat]

DUmmy Alex doesn't realize that nearly everyone sees her as a DUmb slut.

Whom nobody wants to ****.

[JohnnyReb]

Solution: walk on all fours like GOD intended for DUmmies.

[BlueStateSaint]

Whom nobody wants to ****.

Even stevenumbers?

[GOBUCKS]

Even stevenumbers? :???

If she's alive and meets his specs for species and gender, she's as good as done.

[Big Dog]

If she's alive and meets his specs for species and gender, she's as good as done.

I don't he's that picky.

A hole and a heartbeat, that's all he needs. And the heartbeat part is negotiable.

[BattleHymn]

  (20,469 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 12:54 AM

Doctors have tried to convince me to get it.

What really happened:

<scene opens>

< walks into the tit doctor's office>

- "Hello, I'd like to get a breast reduction."

< takes off bra>

tit doctor- "Put those disgusting udder bags away before you poke somebody's eye out."

<scene closes>

[Big Dog]

It's too damn bad their shiny new Obamacare won't cover that elective procedure.

[GOBUCKS]

jugs:   (20,469 posts)    Sun Nov 24, 2013, 12:54 AM
^^^NOMINATED FOR TOP DUmmie OF 2013
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE ROBYN McGRATH AWARD
^^^NOMINATED FOR THE NADIN ABBOTT AWARD

2. Doctors have tried to convince me to get it.

I'm quite a bit bustier than you but also taller.

Alex should go for it. She's a liberal, after all, empathizing with everyone who's less fortunate.

She could be a boob donor.

She could bring four or five flat-chested DUmmettes up to normal dimensions, while bringing herself down to normal dimensions.

[Delmar]

Does anybody know what they're talking about with the pencil thing?


Never mind, I nadined it. 

Women at various stages of their lives can use this simple "test" to determine whether they ought to wear a bra. The woman places a pencil in the inframammary fold, where the underside of the breasts attach to the chest wall. If the breast's lower (inferior) surface does not lie against the chest wall, the pencil will fall to the ground, and the woman has "passed the pencil test" and may not need to wear a bra. If the pencil stays put, the woman is "officially a woman, with all the attendant glories".[1] The supposition is that breasts that are not pendulous are self-supporting and do not need the added support of a bra.[2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pencil_test_(breasts)

[Chris_]

I know too many girls that failed the pencil test.

[BattleHymn]

I know too many girls that failed the pencil test.

I know too many guys that could.

[Chris_]

I know too many guys that could.

That's harsh.

[BannedFromDU]

     Don't tell William769 there's such a thing as a pencil test.