A huge relief - breast reduction from 30H to 30DD - Edinburgh, GB

I'm really happy with the shape and condition after 3 weeks. The bruising has almost gone and now the tape is off I can see the extent of the surgery.

My right breast is a little more swollen than the left but I'm not worried about that as it will all even out as I continue to heal. The nurse advised me to rub oil into my scars to break up any crusty red scar tissue before I apply the silicon straps so I will start with the silicon strips tomorrow after a few days of massage.

I can finally have a shower without strips on but the nurse told me to put the silicon strips back on after a shower. I am in no pain, just tenderness around the incision areas and I'm still numb under both breasts and I have been only taking a couple o Ibuprofen a day as I don't feel I need anymore.

I have been able to do most household chores, but I've been taking it slowly and stopping if I feel tired.

I'm still sleeping sitting up as lying down is still uncomfortable but it's got a lot easier. Only one week to go until I buy a sports bra. That will be weird as I am really enjoying the braless look after years of wearing bras with so much scaffolding that you could support a tonne of bricks with them.

Here's some updated pictures and I am still very pleased with the results.

When I went to have my stitches removed, I was pleased to hear it was only the ones around the nipples and the vertical incisions down the breasts that would be coming out. The stitches under my breasts were dissolvable so would be staying put.

The incisions were glued then stitched and I got a chance to see them before the tape was put back over for protection. The incisions were very neat and tidy. My bruising has gone down a lot in a week so I feel they are looking much better.

I still take painkillers but don't feel the need to take them so often, so in a whole day I am down to 4 paracetamol, 4 ibuprofen and 1 Dihydrocodeine and one mouthful of Lactoluse to prevent constipation. The tingly sensations continue as more feelings return but nothing painful and for most of the time my breasts just continue to feel tender.

I am still wearing a supportive vest, just 2 weeks to go until I can buy a sports bra. When I first went in for surgery, I was advised only wear tops that zip up afterwards and I have to step into my vest rather than put it over my head. I still only step into my vest as I don't want to the elastic support to possibly ping off me as I lift I over my breasts but I have been able to wear loose fitting tops without zips as long as I am careful when taking it off.

It has been great to try out my clothes on my new small size, it feels like I have a whole new wardrobe and some things that now suite me so much better. I deliberately didn't throw anything out as I wanted to see if the reduction improved the look of certain tops but it's been great to have a clear out of all the frumpy baggy stuff in anticipation of the January sales!

Showering and sleeping are still a bit of a challenge. The tape can get damp but not soaked so I still need to be careful and be quick, whereas a nice long shower used to be one of my little indulgences. I still sleep sitting up as I was told it helps reduce the swelling as I find it uncomfortable lying flat for long periods of time, the pressure on the sides of my breasts for now isn't nice. But I have gotten creative with pillows and got a long bolster pillow which I can sleep sideways sitting up against.

Here's some latest pictures.

These pictures might look bad but honestly I am not in any pain and I do bruise very easily. So when the bandages came off I expected to see something like this.

I am still very happy with the shape and they will only improve from here. Dr Quaba came in during my nurse appointment to remove the bandages and he said they were healing perfectly. So I take a lot of comfort from that although they might look bad at the moment.

I had one two wee blood spots on my bandages, but nothing serious. Now I just have tape over my incisions which are glued and stitched together. I go back on Monday to get the stitches out. That's the only thing I feel squeamish about. The rest of the operation hasn't bothered me at all. The undersides of both breasts are numb and I can feel little pins and needles while I sit and type. So the feeling will be coming back. My nipples still have feeling in them, if anything they are hyper sensitive so I am glad they are OK.

I am wearing a supportive vest from M&S. I bought quite a few online before my op, so I have plenty to do me the next 4 weeks.

To speed up healing I eating a healthy as possible, taking multivitamins and getting as much sleep as I can. I take paracetamol an ibuprofen during the day and save my Dihydrocodeine for before bedtime as it knocks me out and I get a good night's sleep. I'm resting as much a possible although my house is a bomb site, it's not worth the risk to my scars to go mad cleaning everywhere. Some things at just more important at the moment.

Anyway I'll post again on Monday once the stitches come out.

Any questions please feel free to ask.