POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction Reviews
Optimism
UPDATED FROM BigToLittle
20 days post
Three Weeks Post-op
Well, what a difference a few weeks can make. Tomorrow morning marks the third week since surgery. It's not a time that I'd relish doing again, but boy am I glad that it was done. Overall, nearly 1650g removed! That's so much and no wonder my body is rebelling.
I've been fortunate to have no infections or holes, etc. but am still very swollen, stiff. and sore (especially on my sides). I've attached a before/after pic and I'm really pleased with the results. It may take a couple of months for the swelling to go down completely and you can see the side swelling in this pic.
Best of luck to all who are preparing for this adventure!
I've been fortunate to have no infections or holes, etc. but am still very swollen, stiff. and sore (especially on my sides). I've attached a before/after pic and I'm really pleased with the results. It may take a couple of months for the swelling to go down completely and you can see the side swelling in this pic.
Best of luck to all who are preparing for this adventure!
UPDATED FROM BigToLittle
18 days post
Almost 3 Weeks Post-Op
Hello -
It's been a while since I posted and wanted to update you on my progress. Quite honestly, despite all of the reviews that I read, I thought I'd be further along with my recovery by now. It's a little discouraging, as I see that some of you are getting on with things and I feel like I'm still very restricted, not by my PS who said that I can take on activities as tolerated, but by my inability to do so.
I'm at the beach with my husband, brother, and sister who have all really supported me and continue to help me out (don't know what I'd have done without them). Obviously I'm not swimming or doing many of my normal activities, but even a short walk on the beach can wear me out. I'm swollen...not just the ladies but my ankles, and feet, my face looks puffy, etc. I am able to get up and down more easily than the past couple of weeks, but I'm getting concerned since I return to work in only nine days. I forgot to bring my Bromelain so maybe that will help out more when get home on Wed.
The PS said that he removed 875g from my right breast and 775g from the left (after the oncologist had taken what she needed). The skin is so sensitive, feels almost like burn recovery might feel, and the incisions on my sides are very painful, off and on. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I still take a pain pill now and then, especially at night.
This is all concerning because there is a lot going on beginning October 5th with my dad's 90th birthday, a (sort of) job interview the next day...need a new outfit, then traveling with my sons in WY followed by a work conference in CA. Will I be able to keep up? I'm just not sure right now.
Aesthetically, the ladies look great (aside from the bruising and stitches)! I think that sensation is returning to my left nipple and the right one has been fine all along. I should finish out at a small C, and feel sure that I will be thrilled with them after a few months. The great news is that I had good feedback from the oncologist and, although I will be going on some preventive medication for high risk breast cancer women, I should be fine!
Hate to be a Debbie-downer but does anyone have advice to offer? #tryingtobepatient
It's been a while since I posted and wanted to update you on my progress. Quite honestly, despite all of the reviews that I read, I thought I'd be further along with my recovery by now. It's a little discouraging, as I see that some of you are getting on with things and I feel like I'm still very restricted, not by my PS who said that I can take on activities as tolerated, but by my inability to do so.
I'm at the beach with my husband, brother, and sister who have all really supported me and continue to help me out (don't know what I'd have done without them). Obviously I'm not swimming or doing many of my normal activities, but even a short walk on the beach can wear me out. I'm swollen...not just the ladies but my ankles, and feet, my face looks puffy, etc. I am able to get up and down more easily than the past couple of weeks, but I'm getting concerned since I return to work in only nine days. I forgot to bring my Bromelain so maybe that will help out more when get home on Wed.
The PS said that he removed 875g from my right breast and 775g from the left (after the oncologist had taken what she needed). The skin is so sensitive, feels almost like burn recovery might feel, and the incisions on my sides are very painful, off and on. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I still take a pain pill now and then, especially at night.
This is all concerning because there is a lot going on beginning October 5th with my dad's 90th birthday, a (sort of) job interview the next day...need a new outfit, then traveling with my sons in WY followed by a work conference in CA. Will I be able to keep up? I'm just not sure right now.
Aesthetically, the ladies look great (aside from the bruising and stitches)! I think that sensation is returning to my left nipple and the right one has been fine all along. I should finish out at a small C, and feel sure that I will be thrilled with them after a few months. The great news is that I had good feedback from the oncologist and, although I will be going on some preventive medication for high risk breast cancer women, I should be fine!
Hate to be a Debbie-downer but does anyone have advice to offer? #tryingtobepatient
Replies (5)
September 28, 2014
Have you been taking an iron supplement? Normally, post menopause, I do not take iron. But the first 2 weeks I felt so drained and started craving read meat and spinach of all things. So, I went and got a slow release iron tab, just one month supply. After a few days, I felt energized, maybe my blood supply post surgery was low on iron? Just and idea.
September 28, 2014
I haven't! I'll give that a try. I've been taking Vitamin C supplements and trying to eat a lot of protein and fruits/veggies, but no additional iron. Thanks, MsBobcat. :)
September 28, 2014
Rest more!! Seriously, don't read about other people taking excursions and feel like you should be able to trot about the beach. That's like judging your life by what your friends post on Facebook.
Think about what you want to do in a day and then cut it in half. You will heal so much faster and easier if you rest and let your body heal now. When you are trucking around the beach your energy is going to that instead of mending all the stuff inside you.
September 28, 2014
I hear you and appreciate your thoughts. I felt like I was doing virtually nothing...just barely walking super-slowly about 1/2 mile up the beach. Mostly sitting in a chair and sleeping. However, I am definitely going to cut back even more. Thanks Izzy.
September 28, 2014
I agree w izzy bella! Take YOUR time! Don't base ur recovery timeline on others reviews. Ppl r different. We heal differently our bodies deal w trauma differently and there are so many other factors. And don't b embarrassed about taking a pain pill if u need it take it! Rest well and follow ur ps advice. Don't rush to do things. It also sounds like u hv a lot coming up on ur plate...sometimes just the thought and stress of whats to come and "expected" of us can really inhibit our healing...do what u can and continue to ask for help! This is your recovery nobody else's so don't mind how others heal. Take care of u! (:
October 4, 2014
Sorry for the delayed response....just catching up. After spending three straight days in bed I began feeling much better and now feel like I can move around a bit and participate in my life, cautiously. Thank you for the encouragement. I'd been looking for slow and steady improvement but it's really more fits and starts. :)
September 28, 2014
Listen to your body! Take it really easy if that's what you need. don't worry that you're not where someone else is- we're all different! I'm really feeling my incisions more this week, so have been lifting less, and it helps. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water- that really helps with the swelling!
October 4, 2014
Thanks! Feeling much better now. Three weeks out seemed to be my turning point. Still have a ways to go but at least I'm functional and moving forward rather than regressing.
September 28, 2014
I was also feeling restricted (by myself, not by my Dr!) at 3 weeks and was feeling very depressed because while I hadn't had much pain at all, I felt very behind the ppl on this site. Please take all the time you need to recover - there's no point in comparing yourself to anyone on here. Everyone is unique in how much time they need. That being said, I noticed a HUGE difference from being 3 weeks post-op to being 4 weeks post-op. At 4 weeks, I finally felt like I could do things and still feel normal after (although, I was still getting tired in the evenings).
September 28, 2014
Thank you for your message. That's very helpful and encouraging. I feel like I've been resting a lot and making steady progress until the past few days...still resting a lot but just not making any progress. I'm not quite at 3 weeks so will hope for some more progress over the next ten days or so. I'm not really comparing myself to others because some have had terrible problems and others have seemed to recover quickly, just feeling like I've had a setback but didn't do anything to bring it on. I'll continue to rest and take things easy. :)
UPDATED FROM BigToLittle
7 days post
One Week Post-op
Well, it's been quite a week! I'm feeling pretty well, only taking one pain pill/day now and have another day or so of antibiotics. Almost no bleeding whatsoever. Everything feels very tight and stiff (especially where the anchors extend into my sides) so I'm icing a good bit.
I've been out and about some, walking, going out to dinner, so today I'm spending the day today in bed resting. I haven't seem a doc since before surgery! Been very careful to stay clean and dry, and to not overdo. So far, so good.
The girls are bruised, of course. I'm not looking at them much because they're mainly just sore, but I do find that I look completely different when I see my reflection. It's not just that they are smaller, but everything just rests differently somehow. I definitely look a little younger and hope to feel the same way before too long. I see the oncologist tomorrow and the PS next Tuesday. After that I head to the beach to relax for one final week before returning to work.
Good luck to all of you in the brink! (Pic from a Week 1 is attached.)
I've been out and about some, walking, going out to dinner, so today I'm spending the day today in bed resting. I haven't seem a doc since before surgery! Been very careful to stay clean and dry, and to not overdo. So far, so good.
The girls are bruised, of course. I'm not looking at them much because they're mainly just sore, but I do find that I look completely different when I see my reflection. It's not just that they are smaller, but everything just rests differently somehow. I definitely look a little younger and hope to feel the same way before too long. I see the oncologist tomorrow and the PS next Tuesday. After that I head to the beach to relax for one final week before returning to work.
Good luck to all of you in the brink! (Pic from a Week 1 is attached.)
Replies (2)
September 18, 2014
U look great! Wishing u positive news! (:
Replies (3)