# Experience with breast reduction surgery? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 3, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247 "2018-07-03T19:39:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/21 "2018-07-05T15:26:02Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > It’s actually major surgery - you don’t want even minor stretching and effort to risk disrupting the healing process. The external scars don’t really convey how much cutting and rearranging of tissue takes place beneath the surface. > > Also, when lifting or otherwise exerting effort I think blood pressure within muscles increases, and may increase overall - you don’t want to risk a blow-out in small blood vessels that are healing. > > Fluid accumulations, blood accumulations, and the wound breaking open along incision lines are some of the more common complications of the surgery - it’s only prudent to do everything possible to minimize the chances of those happening to a particular woman. This plus the actual movements in turning a steering wheel; especially in any extreme-hard-turn or panic situations. My coworker avoided parallel parking for several weeks after she was allowed to drive because of the pain and discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/22 "2018-07-05T16:52:42Z")
When My Beloved had breast cancer surgery done on one side, she also had the other side reduced to match, and it turned out fine. Maybe she’ll pop in to elaborate. ---
**Author:** ![Rahne\_McCloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rahne\_McCloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rahne_McCloud)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/23 "2018-07-05T17:32:06Z")
I had to have reconstruction done in conjunction with my cancer surgery so that I can be “even”. A little over 3 1/2 pounds was removed taking me from a 46DD down to a 46C. I had a week of massive pain during the first week with no lifting of the arms. I have what I call a smile and lollipop. I had the surgery 7 years ago and my scars have faded so they are not so pronounced. The only thing is I’m not supposed to wear underwire bras! I will wear one on special occasions, but I usually go braless or wear a sports bra or bralette. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/24 "2018-07-05T17:34:54Z")
> [@Rahne\_McCloud](#): > > I had to have reconstruction done in conjunction with my cancer surgery so that I can be “even”. A little over 3 1/2 pounds was removed taking me from a 46DD down to a 46C. I had a week of massive pain during the first week with no lifting of the arms. I have what I call a smile and lollipop. I had the surgery 7 years ago and my scars have faded so they are not so pronounced. The only thing is I’m not supposed to wear underwire bras! I will wear one on special occasions, but I usually go braless or wear a sports bra or bralette. Didn’t you say it also helped with your back pain? ---
**Author:** ![Rahne\_McCloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rahne\_McCloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rahne_McCloud)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/25 "2018-07-05T17:44:51Z")
Yes it did, and going braless irritated my older sister! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247/26 "2018-07-05T19:57:17Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Curious, anyone know why this procedure includes a post-surgical restriction on driving and/or lifting heavy weights? AIUI, the cutting is restricted to skin and breast tissue. I can imagine these tissues being stretched when moving one’s arms through their full range of motion, but I wouldn’t have thought they bear a lot of strain simply from the underlying pectoral muscles straining to lift heavy weights. You know how when you get a papercut in a finger, any gesture you do seems to involve that damned finger? I suggest an exercise: get a slightly-small jacket and put it on backwards (if female, it can just be any regular jacket). You’ll discover how many times you do something with your arms that involves your chest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/experience-with-breast-reduction-surgery/817247.md?page=1)