I had breast reduction surgery in 2019 when I was 56. It was the best thing I ever did and wish I had not listen to the naysayers and did it sooner. I used my HSA to pay for it. It was a reduction, plus a lift with the nipple repositioned. I waited the full six weeks before I even attempted to ride. I had waited way too long to screw it up post surgery. I went to a board certified plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills CA as he was willing to do on someone who was on the chubby side. My friend went with me and stayed with me the first night in a hotel near the surgery center. The pain was manageable with opioids for the first few days, then I did not need them anymore. It was instant relief as I was being wheeled out to the car post surgery. Everything is better. My posture, riding, fitness and happiness.
I had my first reduction at 19, paid for out of pocket. I went from a 34H/J to about a 34E (Iām 5ā1ā, was about 140lb at the time Iām guessing). I would have loved to have gone smaller, but my surgeon at the time was adamant on maintaining my ability to BF someday. I donāt recall recovery being bad - I was just looking back and saw I had surgery Dec 12th and I was up and about shooting at the range outside by Christmas Eve. I wasnāt riding at the time because i was in school, but i flew back three weeks later and donāt remember having any issues.
Iām now scheduled for my second here in 10 days! This time, fully covered by insurance. Iām currently a 30/32G and 110lbs. Hoping to be a small-medium C, but told my surgeon to do whatās best, but PLEASE go small. Schnurr Scale shouldnāt be an issue because Iām tiny in general. Mostly worried about recovery this go around. Iām 13 years older and will be staying with friends, not family. I hate feeling like an inconvenience, but Iām having to travel out of state for surgery thanks to insurance so it is what it is. I had ACL reconstruction just over 2 years ago and found that recovery a breeze so hoping my pain tolerance is still there.
Iāll come home at the 2 week mark and have my horse in full training, which heāll stay in through the end of August at least, if not September. I purposefully scheduled surgery so Iām sidelined the worst time of year here (I live in Ocala) and can be back for winter/spring.
I had mine about15 years ago and it was amazingly painless. Because the surgery was late in the day I had to stay over night and took some opiods but that was mostly to sleep.
I was lucky that there was no room for me in the regular hospital so I got to spend the night in relative luxury in the general clinical research center.
I remember driving to my 10 day follow up appointment and feeling like skipping because I felt so light!
Iād only caution you about the only lipo to make sure you wonāt end up with super saggy breasts. Think about a deflated balloon. If they are doing a lift at the same time, you should be good.
I had a large reduction done almost 15 years ago and never regretted it for a minute. I only wish Iād gone smaller. My insurance covered it, no issue at all.
I still wear underwire, but it does not cause me any discomfort and I want them to stay high and firm for as long as possible.
Hey ladies, Iāve lurked on this post for a while and would love any advice with this journey. Iāve been wanting to get a reduction but feel overwhelmed with the naysayers and mainly how to start to navigate going down the insurance route.
Does anyone have intel on where to start? Your chiro? PCP? Iām a 36H and just struggling. I got down to 165 but boobs didnāt budge, now Iām back up to 179 with more muscle. Iāve been able to keep riding but with a recent neck injury from sitting at my desk wrong. Reading your posts have been so encouraging. Just want to say i appreciate the openness each of you have posted from your experiences. Iām 33 and everything is a struggle with huge boobs. Iām tall and the weight just feels crippling. I know yall know.
For recovery was putting your horse in a program a good route? Any intel is appreciated 
How did you navigate insurance? I feel so overwhelmed with the naysayers. My pcp thought I was joking. š«£
I spoke with my PCP and they made the referral to a plastic surgeon for me. I then had a consult with the PS who submitted their evaluation and assessment to my insurance. I had to wait a bit to hear back but insurance approved my surgery. They reached their decision based on measurements, mass to body size ratio, documented skin issues, indents in my shoulders, my posture (rounded neck/shoulders). I reported a history of using a chiropractor to manage back pain but I didnāt have to provide any documentation for it specifically.
My timeline was I met with my PCP for my physical in July 2023. Consult with PS in November (he was booking very far out). Heard back about approval in December and then surgery was booked for March 2024.
I was on a pretty decent PPO at the time. My plastic surgeonās office was very good at helping me navigate the process. Basically, I had to have my massage therapist, chiropractor, and the plastic surgeon submit letters to my insurance company for review.
Read through your benefit schedule - you should be able to find it online - and see if it has any mention of a elective reduction mammoplasty. If it does not, call and see if you can get any information from them regarding deductibles, co-pays, and approval process.
First step would be to go to your insurance providerās website and find what plastic surgeons are covered by your insurance. Do some research on those docs online. Call the office/clinics you are interested in and find out the process. One clinic I was initially interested in was very assembly line and I had no interest in sitting in a conference room with a bunch of other people having the process explained. I ended up with a surgeon that I was very comfortable with, let me make as many pre-op appointments I needed to be comfortable and did an excellent job (if I do say so myself) as they still look great more than 10 years later.
I had the same basic problem - I lost 30 lbs and they got BIGGER relatively speaking. mine were mostly breast material, not fat so between no fat to lose and the increased muscle, it was almost worse.
I was already boarding with my trainer at the time and I just put him into full training for 6 weeks post-op. I probably could have ridden sooner, but I was incredibly paranoid about having a good result, so I followed post-op instructions to the letter and that included no riding for 6 weeks. I was quite weak in the beginning - my reduction was quite extensive and I had long incisions - and needed to reserve my energy for work after the first week of recovery.
I can get into more detail if youād like.
This is helpful. I gained weight when I got out of college and traveled for work. I lost the weight and have kept it off for 30 years. My chestā¦not so much.
I saved and paid for mine myself. Mind you it was 15 years ago so less $$$. I had saved and the Dr wouldnāt even schedule until they knew how it would be paid for. I didnāt want to wait and fart around with insuranceā¦knowing they would try their hardest to NOT pay. So I gave them the deposit and it was scheduled within a month. The hospital did give a break for cash up front. Best money ever spent!
Susan
Thank you so much for replying. Your timeline is super helpful with planning this. Much appreciated bb
Thank you so much for your advice and intel! I may pm you once I get closer to navigating this!
I canāt remember if I mentioned this before but in the day or two lead up to my appointment with plastic surgeon, I wore my tightest most uncomfortable bra for close to 48 hours straight. It was hell, but it gave me the red indentations on my shoulders and neck that insurance likes to see.
I also made sure to mention I had skin issues, had seen a dermatologist and tried x and y creams, had a note from my chiro (she rode at my barn so she basically let me dictate it), asked my PCP for a letter and mentioned Iād done PT (um it was PT for an unrelated injury but it was PT). I got approval on first submission, but wouldnāt have hesitated to go through the appeals process if needed, lots of people have to get to the peer to peer review and then itās covered.
Lots of good info on reddit r/reduction and Iām happy to answer any questions from either of my reductions too. Iām three months post-op now and the hardest part is the money Iām spending to replace all my show clothes and sports bras 
I was back on my horse at four weeks and jumping at 5. I rarely wear a bra anymore unless Iām riding. My neck and back pain is gone. My riding improved tenfold - all of a sudden I could move my arms from my shoulders and be soft? My balance is better. 100/10 would do it again (but omg I better not need a third)
Iām 14 yrs out and still thankful I got my surgery. Make sure you do wear a bra though. Staying perky only lasts so long, especially with gravity involved.
So appreciate your intel! Iāve done all the letters and appointments. Went to my consult last week 
Iāve re read your response multiple times. Your experience truly gives me hope that I will get relief one day 
