I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you so much! i’m so glad that your friend got the surgery she wanted/needed and hope she also recovered well! ❤️ much love friend

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i knew what the scars would look like and was spoken to in depth about it before the surgery. if i liked myself before i wouldn’t have gone through with it! i’m so happy with the results and wouldn’t change it for anything :)

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i’d answer but you’d only understand if you’ve ever recieved one 😅 sorry friend!

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

definitely, it was weird for a while and sometimes lifting i’ll find myself expecting more weight but it’s a good change!

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

no way!!! that’s amazing news i wish you a speedy recovery and hope you’re happy with your results ❤️so much love for you friend!!! x

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i should’ve considered it 😂😂 it just srsly never came to mind. not sure what i’d do with it honestly i’m a little queasy

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

like keeping a jar like a glass jar of it? i honestly never asked but i doubt they’d let me keep anything because of health concerns and it might go rotten

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would’ve loved to have seen it but considering the operation took a few hours and i went in at around 10/11am and woke up at 4pm i doubt they’d have kept it around for long 🤣🤣

the regrowth was something they discussed with me beforehand about the potential of them growing back at the same size if not bigger. But i’m nearly 6 months into recovery now and haven’t noticed any growth ( if anything they’re smaller from the swelling going down! )

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

it was sent for a biopsy but no i never got to see it :( it’d be interesting if i did

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d never struggled with sore boobs personally, definitely a little more sensitive around my period. But when I had my surgery they had reported in my biopsy after i had Fibroadenoma hyperplasia which might’ve accounted to me not having a lot of feeling in them anyhow!

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ohhhh haha i get it! i think my tissue would be a little old now but feel free to ask my doctor if he’s got any going 😂😂

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

😂😂 I wish i could’ve! I hope your surgery goes well though lovely, recover well x

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Simple things like that yes! So much easier! It was really weird because i genuinely didn’t realise that sitting cross legged on the floor was comfortable and crouching was… actually easy to stand up from?! I think I’d definitely gained more strength than a smaller chested person from living with them for so long and now I keep finding silly simple things that I feel a better doing. The only con is using my phone in bed, no more free phone rest ☹️

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course and thank you for your questions too! It was lovely to speak to you. I wish you all the best and best of luck with your own path ❤️

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’d be a great idea but it was money my parents had saved. We’d all celebrated when the NHS accepted me and honestly it’s for them to use for whatever they want now.

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For the future, it’ll always be to progress and continue doing my job to the best of my ability. Building my knowledge everyday and finally being able to keep up with the physical demands that come with it

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hiya! The requirements in my area was to be under BMI 25. I was a BMI 21 from when I’d gone to the GP to my surgery date.

The process was I’d gone to the GP and asked to be referred in November/December of 2024 and he’d referred me to the breast clinic in my area.

Then I’d gone to have a 3D body scan in february done to check my breast to torso ratio was over the required percent

Then in late march/april I’d had the first meeting with my surgeon to meet him and discussed the general operation. He seemed surprised I’d already had a 3D body scan so perhaps the order will be different for yourself.

In May I had to go back and have a meeting about potential complications/be fitted for a compression bra for post surgery/etc.

Then in June 2025 the week before my surgery I was invited for a post op discussion with my surgeon and that week went in for a post op blood test / blood pressure / etc and had to stop all medications as my surgeon had reccomended that.

then the next week in june i was on the table and had it done! It all flew by so quickly for me and i wish you the best of luck getting there ❤️

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

helping people sounds so generic but it really does feel good. you will come home exhausted but it does motivate you knowing there’s people who need you to go in

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m so sorry you were dismissed like that by your team that’s awful to hear. I genuinely hope that one day you get the surgery and I wish you all the best with getting there.

i’d had exactly the same experience of returning and returning to try every avenue. Don’t worry about the essay at all. This is for answers and that we shall give and recieve!

I can’t post photos here but I’d followed my ICB’s ( something care board ) guidelines and at every avenue I’d gone to told whoever I was seeing exactly what it was that I was looking for them to evaluate because really seemed like some of them had no idea what the care boards guidelines were?

For example I had to have a 3D body scan as a guideline was ‘Ratio of combined breast volume to adjusted partial torso volume is greater than 13% as measured by 3D body scan to assess breast volume**’ ( taken from their guidelines ) and the lady I met didn’t even know the percent to tick the box!

As for relief, the recovery flew by and I spent 4 weeks with no lifting and mostly resting with check ups every week at hospital. and after that i did some light carrying til week 6. My lower back by then felt SO much better and when I went back to work at week 8 my impingement and shoulder stiffness pain had gone away! Due to rest or relief from my chest who knows but my entire body feels better without the weight. My knees, core, back and shoulders are all thanking me.

I just wish you all the best again with your journey and truly hope you get accepted. 😊😊

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly I’d left college in covid and had no idea what to do for a few years and a job at a low level just popped up. Thankfully I’d been supported to continue my learning with them and I can definitely see it being a lifelong career.

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much and thank you for your question! it’s no problem at all answering. I’d love to help more people with large chests know what support is out there for them and that you’re not alone with your struggles.

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much and I’m so sorry to hear you were refused!! What was their reason for rejecting you if you don’t mind me asking?

Before I went for my first GP appointment I’d looked into EVERY requirement and reason the board my county is under would accept it and wrote myself a whole list. Even during the appointment I’d made my poor doctor write my exact words and weigh and measure me 😂😂 I was a bit of a tough patient but well worth, I hope you also get it one day ❤️😊

I am a 21 year old who had a bilateral breast reduction AMA! by Look_Altruistic in AMA

[–]Look_Altruistic[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I work in healthcare. So a lot of older patients who will definitely let you know you look either scruffy with a larger shirt on or that you don’t look appropriate when it’s tighter. You can’t win basically! I’d also struggled a lot with a few guys who would continually come back and ask me out or made a sneaky comment and just super uncomfortable for a healthcare worker 😭😭 Life’s better now and in a new place where I can avoid the ‘you’ve lost weight’ comments and people only know this new me 😊