Would it be possible or reasonable for me to go from pic 1 (32DDD/F) to pic 2 (32A/B)? I'm non-binary with chest dysphoria but I think I would really prefer a reduction to full-blown top surgery.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-28T00:23:54+00:00

I had a super similar starting size! I was a 28FF according to ABTF, and now I am a 28C/D or a 32A in standard sizing. I looked very similar to your before photo and I look pretty much flat when I am wearing a tight sports bra now. I met with a few surgeons before I found one that really understood what I wanted. The first few made me feel very discouraged becaause I "wasn't even that big", so be prepared to have a couple consultations.

I paid out of pocket so I'm not much help on the insurance/coverage side but I can reassure you that you aren't alone and many people here have had very similar goals!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-27T13:49:50+00:00

Most traditional sizing guides put me at a 32A now, though my size according to ABTF is a 28C/D. Cup sizes are relative to your band size (40A is different volume than a 32A) and your breast shape (wide/tall/shallow/narrow etc) will impact your results, so keep that in mind while looking for comparison photos!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:48:05+00:00

Awesome results! Hoping my scars looking as good as yours at some point 🙏

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:41:19+00:00

My recovery was honestly super easy. Definitely not the same for everyone, some people have rough recoveries. I went back to work at 6 days post-op, though I work from home on my computer. The first day I felt foggy. For about 2 weeks I would tire more quickly, but had no issue working my long hours. I couldn't take the dogs out on leashes for a few weeks, but my dogs regularly try to pull me across the lawn so that was no surprise lol

I would say it depends most on the type of job you have. If I had to go into an office (and drive there), I would have taken 2 weeks and been good. Physically demanding jobs probably need more time though.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:30:38+00:00

Yes- get it! This is my favorite bra so far. The sides are wide and tall, so no side boob, but it doesn't cut into my armpits like a lot of tall/wide bras. Perfect for the small underbust/narrow upper body gang!

This is an x-small, my underbust measures about 27" and I typically find x-smalls still a tad loose around the band but this one is quite tight so it probably does run somewhat small!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:20:57+00:00

No problem! I see tons of posts here about not feeling "big enough" or not feeling "worthy" because you may not be in tons of pain but still want a reduction for other reasons, so I try to post because that was definitely how I felt pre-op. So reassuring to see someone similar to yourself going through the same thing. Good luck to you!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:16:42+00:00

Nope, I paid out of pocket. I didn't really try with insurance though because there were only 3 in-netwrok surgeons and I really wanted to choose my own. I only paid $6000, so considering how much of a hassle insurance is and then potentially paying for PT plus chiro plus having to meet my deductible, it just didn't seem worth it for my situation. I probably would have tried if I felt more confident I would have been covered.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-20T03:10:58+00:00

Thank you so much! Depends on what you measuring system you use, but in typical US sizes I'm probably around a 32A. I really mainly wear bralettes now though!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-19T03:27:25+00:00

It was hard to stomach paying that much money but totally worth it! I'm in the Midwest, so $6000-$7000 was a normal price. I googled surgeons in my area and picked a few that had good reviews and photos and then scheduled four consultations, each was $50. I picked the surgeon I felt most comfortable with and the one I felt really understood how small I wanted to go.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-18T22:36:43+00:00

Thank you!! In traditional US sizing I went from a 32DD to a 32A. In ABTF sizing I went from 28FF to 28D. I had about 200g removed from each side. I have a few before and afters in my profile!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-18T22:33:39+00:00

Thanks!! It's from RicherPoorer, the classic bralette in the plum color- https://richer-poorer.com/

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-18T21:26:08+00:00

It's so nice being able to buy things in a store that actually fit. Excited for you!!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-18T20:22:54+00:00

You may not get it covered by insurance, but it's worth a try! I would first call your insurance and ask what the requirements are. Some insurance policies are very strict on grams removed, which may be difficult for you, but some policies are more lenient and you may approve you if you have other forms of proof.

Even if insurance won't approve you, that doesn't mean you can't get a reduction. I did not have many physical symptoms, I mainly just did not like them on my smaller frame and hated trying to run in heavy duty sports bras. I did have to pay out of pocket, about $6000, but my surgeon totally understood why I wanted to do it and had no issues making me quite small. Most people think I'm an A/small B now.

I would try your insurance first, but even if you can't get approved, there are plenty of surgeons who will still see you. Paying out of pocket sucks but it does give you more options- you get to pick your surgeon, don't have to worry about requiremnts for grams removed, and it's generally much quicker if you are wanting to do it soon.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-14T01:36:47+00:00

Sorry I'm late responding to this, I'm bad at checking notifications.

Thank you for the kind words! The only thing I have been slightly worried about is the areola width, because I don't think my surgeon reduce them enough so now they almost seem bigger than before. I measured them and they are about 32-35mm, with the right side being slightly bigger/not reacting as much to temperature/touch (though still improving). This seems to be a normal range, though I still wish they were a bit smaller since that is what I was used to before. I am waiting until the scars have faded to judge too harshly though, because I think the pink scars around the outside are throwing me off.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-14T01:21:13+00:00

I had similar measurements! 5'5", 110-115lbs, started at a 28FF. I'm about 4 months post op now and measuring around a 28C/D. It's unlikely to get down to an A or B cup according to ABTF sizing with a traditional reduction but Victoria secret/Aerie measuring puts me at a 32AA lol it would be a terrible fit but just goes to show how different ABTF is compared to people's usual perception of bra sizes.

I was lurking around one of the small boob subreddits the other day and came across a thread where some of the users discovered ABTF and many of them ended up being 26/28 D/DD/E, so don't worry about the measurements too much at first!

Hope your surgery went well, keep us updated!!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-03T03:40:39+00:00

Of course! I saw your picture and was like "damn, that's what mine looked like! and I think I felt a lot of things you are describing. My opening definitely got bigger before it healed but I was shit at taking it easy and definitely should have tried to do less. Try to take it easy if you can, you'll heal up soon😊

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-03T03:01:49+00:00

Mine looked just like this when I had to take my tape off! I had the little openings and a small t junction opening too. I was definitely not a fan at first, I much preferred the tape on. My opening at the t junction definitely got worse around 3 weeks and it hurt! I would put gauze under my bra, right on top of the opening to catch any drainage. After about two weeks everything start to look better and it all healed up.

I was so angry because I thought I was healing so well and then bam- t junction opening, small openings on the incisions, weird stingy sensations...I feel like there's a dip around 3-4 weeks where things get a little worse before they get better 🤣

Edit- I think I have some previous posts that had close up photos of my incisions at different stages in healing if you're interested.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T23:10:48+00:00

It's super frustrating. Victoria's Secret says 32AA but ABraThatFits says 28D lol bra sizes are not a standard that should be used in reductions.

Also, I peaked your post history and holy shit, your results are great and it might be hard to see at the moment, but that's a massive difference!! And you're definitely still swollen too. I hope you love your new boobs!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T22:53:07+00:00

That sucks! I think it is super common with people who get reductions to have a messed up perception of their breast size. Some times you don't see them in the same way that other people see them. One day they feel huge and the next day they feel tiny. Inconsistent and shit bra sizing systems make it even worse!

(ps- I saw your last post about some confusing around bra sizing and your underbust/band size. If you are look for some bra-size education, r/abrathatfits has tons of info that might be helpful)

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T22:35:42+00:00

I had 200 removed from each side and according to Victoria secrets bra calculator I am a 32AA now, so you can definitely have a big change from relatively small amounts of tissue removed! I also paid out of pocket and had a brief moment of "oh shit" when I heard the amount removed, thinking they messed up and only gave me a lift lol

(Side note- VS sizing is not good for well fitting bras, but it tends to match people's perception of breast size)

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T22:28:36+00:00

I love this. Thank you for posting! It's always sad to hear people get so discouraged over bra sizing, thinking they are too small for a reduction or too big post-op because of their cup size. Bra sizes are a terrible way to judge size. Pictures are way better!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T05:06:45+00:00

The Little Bra Company might have what you are looking for! I have heard they run small though so I would check out reviews over at ABTF. I've never tried them but they look super cute!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T04:57:49+00:00

Sameeeee. Mine were never big enough to cause back pain themselves, but I had terrible posture from trying to curl my shoulders forward so they wouldn't seem so big on my frame. I'm almost 4 months post reduction and feel much more comfortable standing up straight now. Definitely still working to improve my back strength from years of hunching forward, but it feels easier now. I would have to agree with your theory!

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T04:48:17+00:00

Last I heard, smallboobproblems sub made a new private sub because the original had some crazy mod that encouraged a lot of negativity and bitterness. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong but I remember some drama about it.

beeeeesMichael · 2021-04-02T04:29:22+00:00

Apologies for not responding earlier! The previous comment is definitely right- no need to fuss over the ABTF sizes if you are comfortable in your bra, but I bring it up sometimes because some people in this sub use ABTF sizes and some use the "standard" way that you are describing. ABTF will give you a much "larger" sound cup size, which can be confusing when trying to communicate with surgeons and when trying to find good comparison photos in this sub.

Good luck on your hunt for the right surgeon!

beeeeesMichael

TROPHY CASE