I am not sure if this is inapporite... I have a rather large chest... and i was wondering if any of you have ever heard of a breast reduction helping TOS? I am sorry if this is inapporite... i dont know who else to ask or were else to go... If you want you can PM?

Thank you for your help!!

Hi Jacquelina! I do not have TOS but I have had a breast reduction. I wondered what you think is might do to help your TOS. I do not know anything about TOS. I can offer the fact that I had extremely painful back and shoulder aches..especially lower back. The reduction was not an easy surgery for me, however everyone is different. I n the long run I can say that I would go through it all over again. I went from an F cup to a DD and I went from alot of pain to practically no problems with my back and shoulders again. I cn len over nd come back up again. Before the surgery I had to rub my back and ease myself up slowly...very painful. Now I feel alot better! Hope it helps. Dorrie

I have a G cup... I was thinking maybe getting one would help with some of the compression... Things wouldnt be pulled by gravity so much if you know what i am saying... Maybe it would help open up my chest wall? I really dont know... I need pain relife and am having a hard time finding it between the TOS and RSD?

Hope all are having a pain free day

I know about the gravity thing....but not now...I had a lift when they did the reduction. I still wear a good bra though. I bet it would help you! I know that the pull down from the weight of my breasts is not near what it used to be. Definitely something to look into for yourself!!!

Wild,
My daughter had hers in 1998 and it was a rough surgery,. I think the way they do it now keyhole shape is better then the armpit to armpit slice and dice, and removed the nipple, cut to trip and resewn it on.

She looked liked frankenstine for two years...Did nothing to help tos at all, but she loved going braless with no straps to weigh on her, and being able to fit in a bathing suit, cute tops, so she loved it, but she went down to maybe a B+, not quite a C

I have a huge set to carry around, I lift them and place them on the snack bar at home, or cross my arms under and lift, to get the weight off. I buy a D bra, but if properly fitted I am off the chart.
I will not get reduction though. I am 53, if they could fish a thread down to the nipple and pull up and anchor them about 6 inches I would love that!
Di

jacquelina,

this doesn't apply to me so i have no direct experience. but i've read in the medical literature that MANY women have found relief from their TOS sx by having breast reduction surgery.

i believe that doctor wladislaw ellis of berkeley, CA (he's a neuro who specializes in the treatment of TOS) talks about this on his website, if i'm not mistaken: www.doctorellis.com; you might even try emailing him at: w_ellis@sbcglobal.net - perhaps he could point you or your docs towards some of the more current research and methodology in this area.

ocgirl is a patient of dr. ellis and i'm sure she would be happy to share any insight she may have with you via PM as to how accessible this excellent but i'm sure, very busy, doc is. i have not had the pleasure (yet!), myself.

good luck to you. i know they have come a long way in the last few years regarding this type of surgery. if you do decide to go ahead with it i hope that it brings you great relief from your TOS sx.

it makes perfect sense to me that it would. and of course just as with any type of TOS-related surgery you would want to be careful that you have a very savvy PT or bodyworker waiting in the wings to work with you in recovery (gently, gently now) to give you the very best odds of an excellent and sustainable result. and to choose your surgeon with the utmost of care; make sure s/he and your TOS caregivers are communicating effectively and frequently concerning your tx every step of the way.

and, it goes without saying (so i say it anyway, i notice...) that this is not a cosmetic procedure, so insurance coverage should not be an issue. in fact, it may help you to avoid or worst case, to prolong having to have a rib resection or a scalenectomy for the TOS itself - which the beancounters should find very appealing. as difficult as a breast reduction surgery may be, i dare say it still would not compare to a TOS surgery in terms of how long it takes to recover and rehab from that particular walk in the park. that one, i DO have personal experience with. TOS surgery definitely being the more expensive gamble, in more ways than one.

surgeons specializing in either area will no doubt minimize the heck out of the down time ... but i tell you true ... still i think what you are contemplating here sounds very worthwhile. your instincts, as usual kid, are spot on!!!

alison
"Be Brave"

Dr. T. had told me to get a corset. That this eleviates the pressure on the shoulders. I'm sorry, but I barely need a bra so I am not going in this direction but maybe could help you. I used to wish for more but now am happy the way I am. I know it can be a great strain on back and shoulders. Good Luck! Linda

Thank you all for you opinions and input... Greatly needed at this point.... Thank you again...

Miss. Sea Pines.... I have missed you my wonderful friend... I hope all is well!!!

Gental Hugs to all

bumped a few threads for you, derfinitely not the first time it has been brought up.

good luck, whatever you decide