breast reduction

[thomasguy]

Hi there I've been visiting here for a while but I just took the plunge and joined so I thought I'd make my first post a biggie - sorry! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif

I've had SLE diagnosed since I was 12 (I'm now in my thirties) and during that time my weight ballooned. I've now lost over 6 stone and whilst I've pretty much managed to tone up the rest of me, my breasts are sadly lacking.

I've never been happy with them - for one thing they are flippin' enormous - but now not only are they huge but the whole weight loss thing has left me with a lot of loose skin around them and without support they seriously do hang to my waste. They look more like they belong to a very old woman.

I feel totally gutted about it. I look hideous and feel awful and I'm desperate to get it sorted surgically. It's preventing me from even attempting to have a relationship with anyone as I'm too scared of what they might think.

So I've been thinking about surgery.
What do you think?
Is it even worth my speaking to my GP about it or will they turn me down flat?

Oh I should mention I'm on anticoagulation therapy but I have had several hand operations whilst on this with no problems and it has been well managed.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts on this.
You seem like a reasonably sensible lot style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif

cheers for even reading it!

madge xxx

[alobreto]

Hi, Madge! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif
I am A-Number-1 supportive of doing things that will improve your self-esteem and self-image because it can have such a great impact on your quality of life. I've had my eyelids lifted and have permanent eyeliner, eyebrows and lip color. I'm not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination, but it's great when my eyebrow hair disappears to still have eyebrows that are the right shape, size, and position! It's also great to look in the mirror in the morning and not see a 'ghost' of a face!

All I need to do is put on powder to smooth out the blotchies and lip gloss. My hands shake and I can't do the detailed makeup routine anymore. I still feel like a female!

My recommendation to you is that you do your homework by finding out the risks of the procedure in a healthy individual with NO medical problems. Then add the risks to someone with lupus, along with the risks of BOTH being on blood-thinners AND being off blood-thinners for a time in light of the condition they are prescribed for.

Much of this information you can get by calling the offices of Plastic Surgeons and asking if they can mail you written information on breast reduction surgery. Be sure to contact ONLY Board Certified Plastic and/or Reconstructive Surgeons. Doctors can hang a shingle out with "Cosmetic Surgeon" on it when they have NO experience at all in the field. All they need is their license to practice medicine.

With that done, you'll have an idea of whether the risks are worth the benefit of the surgery. Then you can approach your treating doctor(s) for referral. The surgeons you see will also make a determination of whether or not the surgery benefits outweigh the risks and may turn you down. They will also likely want to know if your blood-thinners can be stopped for at least 7 days prior and following the procedure as this will greatly reduce the risks of heavy bleeding and impaired wound healing.

It's likely that your procedure would need to be performed in an acute care hospital setting in case of an adverse event perioperatively. Day surgery centers are not always equipped to handle serious problems.

I wish you well as you move forward!
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[thomasguy]

Thanks Angela! Loving the idea of permanent makeup - that hadn't even occurred to me before lol.

I've been reading up on it online for a few weeks and I know a couple of people with lesser medical issues who have had the reduction done and I've asked them about it too. So I have a vague idea but I will speak to someone medically qualified soon I think after such a positive response from you how could i not!?

I didn't know about the "cosmetic surgeon" tag before so I'll look out for that as a warning.

Hope you all have a great 2006 style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

madge

xxx

[pukeko]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif Hi

I would love to have a boob job ! I hate my big saggy boobs ! Every time I put on a bra my shoulder ache. I, like you, am beginning to look into it. My GP said for me to talk to the rheumy about it - if he refers me then the medical system might pay for it. Feeling good about ourselves in important and hard to do some days as we learn to live with a chronic disease.

Now am I brave enough to have it - whole other question !

Good luck style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

Pukeko style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/flowers.gif

[thomasguy]

Hey Pukeko

I am currently plucking up the courage to see my doctor - hopefuly some time next week.
But I want to go in with as much knowledge as possible so google is my friend right now.

Let me know what you decide.



style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

[alobreto]

Just want to add a note about the permanent cosmetics:

Mine were applied by a specially trained registered nurse in a plastic surgeon's office, and NOT at a tattoo parlor. The inks used were hypoallergenic and contained NO metallics which can interfere with MRIs of the head.
Angela style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif