To the breast-reduction crew: Questions! Cost, recovery time, pain level, scarring? Other things I haven't thought of? I'm sitting pretty at a 40/42 DDD, but probably a little larger, if I was actually measured right. Tell me ALL about it.
I actually don't remember the cost as my insurance paid for it. If you're big enough to need it, you can probably get the insurance to cover it as you can claim back and shoulder pain, etc. The doctor I went to has his own operating room. I went in the morning, had the surgery about noon, got out of recovery by 4, and was out of there by 5. Did have to go back the next day for a check but all was OK. I had a cousin who did it as an inpatient at a hospital with an overnight stay. My doctor said his way, you were less likely to pick up an infection, etc. Sure enough, mine was problem free and she did get an infection at the hospital. There was very little pain associated with the procedure. The first night they sent some strong pain killers home with me and I did take them that night but after the first night I took very few. The prescription was for 2 refills and I never even needed to refill it once; didn't take all of them from the first bottle. It is an open incision so it takes a couple of weeks to heal completely but I was back to doing all of my usual activities within 3 days. The scarring is minimal and only shows if you're running around naked. It becomes less noticable as time passes.
I'd be sure to go to a doctor who has done a lot of this procedure and is willing to give some of his former patients as references.
All in all, it was much easier than having a baby, which is the only other time I was ever in a hospital. In fact, it was much easier to recover from than when I sprained my ankle.