Breast Reduction: Stories

Hi Hana
Sorry for taking so long to get back to you, I am now bac to work full time plus two evenings at University and as well as family and home committments so haven't had the time to check into the site. Hope by now things are easier for you and you are able to drive and maybe back to work, it really will help you get your mind of things.
I'm seven weeks post op tomorrow and things a bit easier for me, still a bit painful especially if I overdo it. I took the tape off in the past few days but had a tiny bit of bleeding beside my right nipple so put a small piece back on. I'm now using bio oil to try and help the scars. I am also still a bit discoloured and sore at the bottom of my breasts, so things seem to be healing from the top down. I am still not used to the smaller size and can't believe they are mine.
All the best
Tx

Thanks Tona,
Yes I went private as I have been waiting too long already making my mind up so I thought I wud go for it as my bra size was going up an could not take part in alot of activities due to not being able to get a sports bra to offer the sport sn the constant pain with shoulders, neck and headaches.... I'm happy I had it done but just feel so emotional as did not think I would still be unable to anything :(
I spoke to the nurse and she said it's normal to develop swelling in evening/night and for me to try cold pack ... Which I have started an seems to be helping an I sleep on my back an sleep upright.. I haven't needed pain relief since the op as it's not pain its a feeling of uncomfortableness and sore.. Keep intouch and do let me know how your are getting on.. What size were you ? And what are you now ? Congrats Hun on your BR. x Do you still have steri strips on? Are you having showers? I have to go to a hairdressers to get my hair washed lol..

Hi it was good to hear from you again. Let me answer your questions first.
1)I was a 34H and am now between and C/D cup depending on the bra but I am not too concerned with it as I know there is a way to go to settle down. 2)I still have the steri strips on and was told to keep them on for a few weeks to come 3) Yes I have been showering and it feels so good, I bought Simple shower cream to avoid stinging and there have been no problems. My friend washed my hair for me last week and nearly drowned me so I think it will be easier next time to just wash it in the shower. I had to kneel down in front of the bath with a pillow between my chest and the bath previously. It's such a relief to hear that others have the pain at night in their breasts no one told me to expect this, but Kimmers on this site emailed me yesterday and suggested putting a cold pack on my boobs so not having one in the house I tried a packet of frozen peas and I felt great relief, so I bought a cold pack from the chemist today and it is currently in the freezer to be used tonight. It is nearly 6pm and my left boob is starting to feel sore again. I guess it must be all the moving about we do during the day which sets them off at night. My biggest fear is that they will grow back again and I have gone through all this for nothing. I know I am being silly. I know what you mean about feeling emotional I actually feel quite numb about the whole thing as yet, I thought after wanting smaller boobs for practically my whole life I would be jumping with joy when it actually happened, but I think we are at very early days yet and once we settle down and are able to do more and wear all the lovely tops we haven't been able to before we will really appreciate our new boobs. Can you tell me your before/after sizes and if you work have you started back yet, also do you have a family. I am due to go back to work next week and have three boys, two still at home and a lovely husband who has been looking after me so well. Sorry if I have gone on too long or bored you to death but its so good to have found someone at a similar stage as myself and not at the other side of the Atlantic. lol

Hey Tona,
sorry for the long wait as had my period was not well at due to the pain and swelling in breasts...
I also have been advised to keep my steristrips on just to give the area support and Im also using simple soap when having shower but the really funny thing is i have to have my sister helping me as once I have taken my suppoort bra off i feel the breasts are gona open up or fall off, I dont know if i am the only one feeling like this...

ive been reading alot of blogs and forums about breast reduction and only a very small number of people have grown back but im not that sure how that would have will have to ask my surgeon in March of the possibilities of growing and i will let you know..
Dont worry because i totally understand how you feel as i too wanted BR due to constant pain but now i do feel mixed about it as still recovering, i sometimes cry and talk to my sister and tell that if i knew i was going to be in the state i am i would not have never gone for it but i just was so tired of having sore shoulders and unable to buy nice clothes and so on... my sisters tells me to give it time and wait for the swelling to go down then i will be able to do things i could not and buy new clothes, which does make me feel better.... i was 28hh and will be a 30d/32d im not sure because the post op bra i am wearing is 34d and its slightly tight around around the band where i have placed gauze for extra comfort.. i remember when i woke up after surgery and looked at my chest and got scared that they had taken it all away..lol it was a shock. they looking alot better now and not swollen to how they were a week ago, i still do get scared and think they will disapear as alot of people say after a BR it takes a few moths for swelling to disapear and they will get alot smaller.:( I did say to my surgeon that i dont what them to small so i look odd or too big for my frame...I had my surgery on the 9/1/12 and have not gone to work yet as cannot stand straight as yet and my car has been just standing there as its very uncomfortable to feel every little bump in the road.. i work as a community nurse so i really need to be 100% fit before i go back to work. Im not married neither do i have any children.. thats good to hear you have a supportive husband and a family, i always wanted children before my BR but never found my prince so thought ive been waiting for so long so i might aswel go for it because god knows when the children are going to come, i dont think i be able to breastfeed, thats a sacrifice i had to make..

lol dnt worry you didint send me to sleep...
Are you still sleeping on your back? x

Hi Hana sorry to hear that you are still feeling rough. I am four weeks post op today and everyday that passes I do feel better. I think the two week mark was the most painful for me and I visited the clinic twice in two days just for reassurance. My breasts were really sore in the evenings with shooting pains and tingling and I really felt there were something wrong with me after reading all the posts on this site where most people seem to be hop skipping and jumping with joy and have no pain at all. After speaking to my surgeon who told me everything was knitting together inside and that it was still really early days for me, I decided to just suck it up and get on with it. I also talked to someone who had the op nine years ago and she remembered the pain and also the tiredness and said it's a good six months until everything really settles down. Since then I haven't been too bad but do still have some pain and my nipples are super sensitive particularly in the cold weather. I have been having showers and baths just to waist level as I'm still wary about getting bath water on my scars. I'm also still wearing the tape and think I might have to for a good few weeks. I just started sleeping on my side in the last two nights but am still very wary about hurting myself and am still using more pillows than usual. I started back to work last week and was glad as to be honest it gives me something else to think about, I am becoming bored thinking and talking about my boobs and I know I am also boring other people, but it's such a big thing to have gone through its hard not to talk about it which is why its great talking to you. I can understand your relunctance to go back to work as your job is very physical, so take your time going back make sure you are mentally and physically ready.
Keep you chin up X