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First off - sorry for the long post!!
I am wondering if anyone has undergone SBR after having had traditional BR surgery? I'm not sure if previously having had traditional BR surgery would mean that I might not respond as well to the SBR.
I had two children in my mid-20s and nursed both. I was large-breasted to begin with, wearing a D cup in college, but after I had my boys I was wearing a 38 DDD/F. I had traditional BR surgery in 1992 which was covered by my insurance and was reduced to a full C. The surgery was very well done and I was happy with the contour, etc.
Several years later I remarried and had one more child in 1995 whom I was also able to nurse even after the traditional BR. Unfortunately, I developed gestational diabetes and put on quite a bit of weight during the pregnancy. I was able to lose about 70 pounds over 4 years and then suffered a knee injury which led to a number of surgeries including two replacements of the same joint in less than 2 years. Needless to say, between all the knee surgeries and extended periods of barely being able to walk, etc. I have put some weight back on. It does seem that when I gain or lose weight I do notice a change in my breast size, which makes me hopeful that I have enough fatty tissue to benefit from the SBR procedure.
Currently I back to wearing a 38 DD. I suffer from neck and back pain that has had me in physical therapy for two years straight now. My physival therapist even drafted a letter to see if my previous insurance company would pay for traditional BR surgery, but they said since it was an outpatient procedure they would not make a decision about reimbursing the procedure until after it was complete and they knew the volume of the reduction. I have recently changed jobs and now have Aetna PPO which I think is even stricter on the tissue amounts to be removed to have the surgery covered.
Also last year I went through a cancer scare which resulted in my having a surgical biopsy of my right breast (surgery performed along the areolar scar from the traditional BR so there is no additional external scar - tissue was benigh). I was told that this area would fill in, and it seems to have, for the most part, but I don't know if this tissue would interfere with the SBR. The biopsy was in the medial upper quadrant of the right breast.
I am still happy with the contour of my breasts and feel that for being 44 they do not sag too much, at least for me or my husband
but the weight and the constant neck pain is bothersome, as you all well know. I was in tears this weekend trying to find a dress that would fit for an occasion I have coming up - never did find anything. The dresses that fit me up top made me look like I had no shape below my chest and the ones that fit me on the bottom didn't close at the top - we've all been there!!
One last question. How much does this cost? I am assuming that I would likely not be covered by insurance and with two kids in college I don't have an extra ton of money laying around. I do however want to get my body into better proportion so I can properly exercise and strengthen my back, which is also screwed up from all the knee surgeries.
Jules
PS - Even though I live in southern PA getting time away for a consult is tough so having as much information as possible ahead of time would be a big help for me.
