Breast Reduction: Stories

Hi everyone, after decades of wanting this surgery but feeling that the risks probably outweigh the benefits, I've finally taken the plunge and consulted surgeons and booked a date for surgery. I'm now terrified. I'm 5'1" and 50kg and my boobs are a 30E. They've always been big and flopperty and caused no end of problems physically and mentally but over recent years I seem to have got even skinnier in the ribs and bigger in the chest. I've got to a point where I think that having endured this for nearly 30 years (I'm 44) to spend the next 30 years in the same situation is too much! I'm a runner and I'd like to run in just the one bra and not have to constantly rearrange the puppies as I go along. I want to wear spaghetti strap tops, and not feel like I have to climb into my locker at the gym to change because I'm so embarrassed and self-conscious. Unfortunately hubby disagrees, he loves the puppies and doesn't want me to change so this is causing some friction. I'm hoping he'll come around soon as he won't even talk about it. When I found this website I was so happy that there might be people out there I can talk to! When I look at some of the "after" pictures of what my boobs could look like I feel so excited. But then I look at what could go wrong and I wonder whether it's a good idea. Especially as hubby disapproves so much. What if it goes horribly wrong and I end up disfigured with a husband that can't bear to look at me..? Trauma! Has anyone else faced this kind of anxiety/uncertainty about whether they're making the right decision? Sometimes I think I should just get over myself and get on with life, but I also want to be able to walk into a store and buy a bra and a pretty summer top and actually feel good about myself instead of having this constant low grade misery!

So, I've just got back from seeing my GP. I don't have anyone to talk to here and I've been pretty stressed out wondering whether I'm doing the right thing. I thought my GP might be able to shed some light on the procedure, whether my PS is any good, whether I'm going mad. I almost cancelled thinking that I'd be wasting his time, BUT am so glad I went. He was great and really set my mind at ease. His wife had a reduction about 20 years ago and used the PS I'm booked in with. He said that he thought she wouldn't hesitate to say that hands down it's the best thing she ever did! She had a haematoma and had to go back into theatre, but this didn't alter the shape of the breast, scarring etc. So glad I went to see him, I feel a lot better. So here come my questions: what sort of sports bras did you get for the weeks post surgery? What about moisurisers etc: kelo-cote gel, silicone sheets or vitamin E cream? MY PS said boobs stay taped for 3 months and that this works better than anything. He also said that vitamin E can sometimes have a detrimental effect. Any thoughts?

I don't know if anyone is reading this, I can't seem to find my review on the website when I'm just looking! I had a second appointment with my PS on Friday and am feeling so much better and happy with my decision to proceed with the surgery. My breast reduction is scheduled for 28 January. It seems a long way away at the moment. The PS was great: really easy to talk to and very good at explaining everything in a succinct way. He said there is a 70%-80% chance that he can achieve a B cup which would be wonderful. Hubbie has worked like a trooper to get to a place where he's happy that this is a good thing to do and is being so supportive I really couldn't ask for more. I'm so happy that I've finally made this decision and can't wait to get things underway. The only thing that I'm not sure about is the surgeon doesn't agree with oils and massaging, prefering instead to tape for a full 3 months. He also thinks that post-surgical bras are a waste of time and a regular bra without wires will be all that is needed. Am going ahead and ordering a surgical bra and some vitamin E oil just in case!

I don't know how I managed to post my update as a comment in my review - pretty dumb!
Ugh, have been feeling pretty stressed for the last few weeks. I've had lots of anxiety and "what ifs" about things that could go wrong. I've been emailing my PS asking him lots of questions and he's been so kind in responding. I feel much more confident now about the procedure and what to expect. He has an excellent track record. The only thing I'm worried about is the size. I don't think they could be too small for my liking but I am worried that they'll end up bigger than I'd like. I've asked him to take me to a B cup and "perky little Bs" has become my new mantra. Here's hoping. Only 8 weeks to go and it's difficult not to to have every waking moment filled with thoughts of boobs. I've become a bit obsessed and keep looking at everyone in the street. I wonder what size the nice little ones are and I wonder how much discomfort the women with big ones are in! I'm so anxious about getting down to a B cup!

I'm counting down the weeks and they seem to be going so slowly! I try to project ahead to what my new boobs might look like and it's simply impossible to imagine. I don't know if anyone else has felt this prior to surgery. At the moment the weight of my boobs always ends up pushing my bra down my chest and I end up with four boobs and uncomfortable ribs! It's been that way for so long, it's hard to imagine that boob life will be completely different.
Earlier this week I went to see another PS. I had only been to see one previously. He's the one I'm scheduled to have surgery with at the end of January, he comes highly recommended by my GP as well as by the regional breast cancer centre. He's done over 1500 reductions alone and has an impeccable track record. I like him very much so I am very happy with my decision. It did occur to me though that I hadn't seen anybody else and I thought it might be a plan to just get another consult, if only to confirm that I am with the right person. Well, I can safely say that I'm very happy I'm with the right PS! I saw someone else who was pleasant enough but not nearly as thorough or, to my mind, as professional. He measured me but he didn't get out his giant tweezers and do all the measurements. He held my boobs in his hands (how mortifying!) and said "they're quite heavy aren't they?". I told him I hadn't noticed!!! By contrast to my PS he'd done about 300 reductions. He talked about dog-ears (which my PS said I was unlikely to get because of my frame) and he also talked about them dropping (which my PS said never happened in his surgery). He also talked about getting me to a small C rather than the B I am hoping for and which my PS says he feels is a 70-80% likelihood of achieving. So all up,, I guess it was a bit of a pointless exercise although it did help boost my confidence in my PS and reassure me that I am in the right hands. All I have to do now is TRY and relax and wait for January to come round!

Happy New Year everyone! Only three weeks to go until my surgery, I'm starting to get impatient and excited but also freaked out (no change there!). I've received all my admission forms from the hospital and have filled everything in, so they're ready to be dropped off at the hospital later this week. My only slight hitch at the moment is that I have an infected ear piercing! I had my ears pierced - a second hole - while I was on holiday in November. Even though I've been fastidious in keeping them clean they've become infected, so I went to the doctor today and he's prescribed a course of antibiotics and some antibiotic/cortisone cream too. They need to be completely healed at least a week before the surgery so I'm stressing a bit. The doc thinks I've probably had an allergic reaction to the metal in the earrings so I've swapped them for gold ones. They hurt like hell though, so I'm not sure if I'm just going to have to take them out and let them close up completely. What a bummer, I could do without the added anxiety, but hopefully the antibiotics will kick in and they'll heal up quiclkly.
Have bought a post-op bra and some arnica. The homeopath told me not to take it prior to surgery but immediately afterwards. Having lived with these boobs for so long it's impossible to imagine what I'm going to be like after the surgery. I have this fear that my boobs will be just as big but just lifted slightly! Irrational I know, but it's difficult to believe that I could ever actually be comfortable and have the boobs that I've always wanted. I'm still terrified of ending up too big, and have had to control the urge to scrawl "make me as small as possible, please can I have B cups" all over my admission forms!

Oh dear,feeling terribly apprehensive today and spent the night tossing and turning and worrying about all the things that could go wrong. Mainly about being too big and also having complications with wounds and not healing properly, needing revisions all that sort of anxiety-inducing stuff that rattles round your head in the wee small hours. The thought of chickening out crossed my mind but I know I would regret that for the rest of my days, so it's simply not an option. Doesn't stop me from being massively anxious now that the day is getting closer though. I'm sure this is all perfectly normal but - eeek! I just spent the morning at the gym and thought how wonderful it will be when my boobs are in proportion to the rest of my body and I can wear a little tank top at the gym instead of stuffing the puppies into several bras and a baggy top! I definitely want to go ahead but cripes the tension in my mind is full on!

This time next week I will be getting ready to go to the hospital - eek! Fortunately the infection in my ear piercing has cleared up and aside from the anxiety I am ready to go next week.
My husband has been telling me that it's not too late to change my mind! He took me bra shopping at the weekend, so he could buy the bra of his dreams for my "girls" last hurrah! A hideous balcony thing that squishes me front and centre but he was happy with the purchase! I thanked him as, looking at my boobs in the fitting room mirror, it made me so happy that in a few weeks time they'll be replaced by perky little things and the gruesome bra will be in the trash!
Having difficulty sleeping and feeling like I'm just about to jump out of a plane, but other than that all is well. Only seven more sleeps to go!

OK, so it's Sunday night here in New Zealand and tomorrow is surgery day. I have to be at the hospital for 1.30pm and aside from actually putting everything in my overnight bag, I'm ready. I can hardly breathe for anxiety - the fear of the unknown I think. Am hoping and hoping, and hoping some more that my PS is able to give me the B cup I'm hoping for. I'll take a small C, but fingers crossed that blood supply is good and he can make me the B of my dreams! I had my last training session for a while at the gym today. It's going to be so hard not being allowed to run for three months, so today I introduced myself to the stationary bike. It was okay! Realised when I got home that it would be the last time I'd have to strap myself into the sports bra from hell in order to work out. Now that's exciting!
Have pottered around the house this afternoon, like a little bird feathering my nest! Having a good old tidy up and a throw away. Haven't yet chucked out old bras. I think that will wait until Miss Perky Petite Boobs comes home and I realise that it's okay to throw everything away!
Will go to bed soon, and then in the morning have to shower and then cleanse myself with some antibacterial wipes the hospital gave me. Am allowed breakfast by 7am but I don't imagine I'll get up at 6am to do that, so I think supper was it until tomorrow night - that's okay.
Just need to relax now and BREATHE..! Wish me luck :)

So here I am, back home after my surgery and a night in hospital and am sitting at my computer typing very gingerly as I'm pretty sore.
Everything went according to plan surgery-wise. The nursing staff, anaesthetist and my PS were all wonderful and took great care of me. Surgery took about 2 hours and I was in recovery making a friend of morphine for about an hour! The anaesthetic has played havoc with my system and I have spent most of the time feeling extremely nauseous and clammy. I didn't get any sleep while in hospital. Although my room was quiet the motorised compression socks were a nightmare and I just couldn't nod off! I feel a lot better now I'm home and have managed to have a little sleep and am less nauseous.
I've not yet had a proper look at my new girls. My PS is pleased with them and thinks that I should be a 32B or small C. I'll be happy with either of those please! I still have the drains in and have to go back tomorrow to have them removed. I've got a 4 day dose of antibiotics and for pain meds I have panadol and voltaren (don't know what the US equivalent is!). The discomfort seems to come and go but I guess is about a 4 on the pain level. Since being at home I feel like the sides of my boobs have swollen up and are pretty uncomfy, I have a stinging/burning sensation all round the boobs which I'm guessing is the normal boob reduction pain. I'm all taped up and supported by a giant tubi-grip - like a boob tube from the '70's but without the sequins! It all feels a bit surreal at the moment. I've wanted this since I was a teenager and I can't believe I've actually done it. I wasn't sure what to expect on the pain front. I'm pretty sore and a bit hunched over like a little old lady, but my boobs feel a lot lighter - already I can feel that I'm not carrying extra heavy weight. My tummy is quite bloated but I guess that will pass in time and is the least of my worries.
Am not sure when to start taking the arnica and bromelain, I don't want to do anything that might risk thinning the blood - any suggestions?
I think that's it for now. I feel sore and a bit wasted! Hope everyone else is doing okay :)

Hi there! So I had my drains taken out yesterday which was a great relief. It seems as though they had been responsible for a lot of my discomfort - not that I'm exactly comfy now! The nurse at my PS's clinic was wonderful and it didn't hurt at all to have the drains out. It's a weird sensation but definitely not painful. My PS came and had a look at the girls and said everything looked great. I'm heavily taped up with waterproof dressings and what looks like padded bubble wrap, so I can't really see what I look like! I can tell that they're very bruised and I don't have to look to know that they're really sore! They look pretty damn small though - not as small as I was hoping for, but I think my hopes might have been a little "out there" on the smallness scale! I guess they are pretty swollen now so hopefully he will be right about the 32B/C. Fingers and toes crossed! I'm going back next week to have the dressings changed and a couple of stitches removed. It seems like I will stay padded like this for a while. Judging from everyones photos this seems different, but am not concerned and I guess it helps keep the risk of infection to an absolute minimum and also helps support the girls as they are well strapped up.
I managed to sit in a shallow bath yesterday and make a start on washing off the pink dye that is covering me, that helped me feel a bit more human. Hubbie held the shower hose while I stood over the bath and washed my hair - that was great too! It will be a while before the hairdryer and straightening irons come out, but washing my hair is one of my greatest pleasures so feel a lot more presentable now - even if I am staggering around like a little old lady, clutching my knockers in case they drop off!
I feel utterly exhausted and am having difficulty sleeping though. I'm uncomfy lying down, even if propped up on pillows. So have been sleeping in an armchair. I start off quite comfy but then tend to slump a bit and end up with achey ribs. Hopefully I'll be able to lie in bed soon enough and it's not as though I have anything to do during the day so I can cat nap a lot! Have tried to upload some new photos. Sorry they're not very good I need hubbies help to take some snaps but that's a big ask for him at the moment.

Yesterday was my worst day so far with the most terrible upset stomach. Hubbie phoned the PS's office and they thought it was probably the voltaren pain med I was taking disagreeing me, so stopped taking it last night and am now just on panadol. Feeling a lot better today though am incredibly bloated and swollen. I bought a Marena surgical bra before my surgery and tried it on when I got it to make sure it would fit okay and it was fine even with my old knockers. This morning I thought I would put it on over my tubigrip to give me some extra support and could hardly get it across my shoulders! Never mind, it will fit eventually but am surprised at just how swollen all over I am. I am still taped up in my bubble wrap padding so can't really see the new girls. I can just see enough to tell that I've gone from looking like I had a couple of purple plums, to today looking like a couple of oranges. I guess in a few days they will look like apples and perhaps by next week they may start to resemble boobs! I've not seen bruising like it and I'm wondering when the arnica and broma-wotsit is going to kick in! There seems to be some old dry blood in there and a little bit of new stuff. It gives me the frighteners not being able to see just what's going on. Every time I have a twinge or an ache I worry that I might have popped something or that I'm oozing some terrible gloop. Talk about a worry monster! I'm starting to stand up a bit straighter now. For the last few days I've been walking around like a little old lady and I even managed to sleep in my bed last night; albeit with a zillion pillows. By sleep, I mean of course drifting in and out all night! Not sure what that's about, I don't have any pain just the occasional discomfort, so I think it must be meds and anaesthesia.
So glad it's the weekend and hubbie is here to help relieve the boredom - bored already and it's only day 5 - yikes! Am used to running 70-90 kilometers a week, so goodness knows how I'm going to manage to stay sitting on my bum for a few weeks! Am working very hard at not eating like I'm running 90k's a week. It would not be a good look to put on weight during this process! I hope everyone is healing well :)

The first thing I have to say this morning is wax don't shave your underarms before you have the surgery! I have stubbly pits and oh my gosh I feel revolting! Goodness knows when I'm going to be able to raise my arms high enough to shave them! Hubbie, who is an authority on stubble, tells me that they will soften up soon and not feel so horrid. Thanks!
My right boob is itching like a mad thing. It's a cross between an itch, a tickle and a strange crawling sensation. It's intermittent and sometimes there's a bit of a twinge too. The left doesn't seem to be reacting in the same way and if it does, then it's on a much lower scale. I can't see the girls yet so am stressing (and yet trying not to stress) that there might be something worrying going on under there. I keep telling myself that if there was a problem it would hurt and not be simply irritating.
So all up with the itchy 'pits and the itchy tit I feel vaguely simian-like this morning! On the upside, with hubbies help I managed to get a top over my head this morning - yaye, some progress!

I've just got back from my second post-op appointment at one week. All the bubblewrap and adhesive dressings have come off and I've been able to see the new girls properly. I'm super-happy. Looks like I'll be a 32B which I don't think I've ever been before in my life. Still pretty orange and bruised but somehow it doesn't look so bad now that the dressings are off. All the stitches are disolveable so I've just had the little knots at the ends trimmed. The suture lines are now covered in a sticky gauze tape which will stay on for the next week. I then go back to the clinic to have the tape changed and after that I think it's paper tape for 3 months. I'm really happy with my PS and the clinic. They're keeping a very close eye on me and I was surprised at how neat everything looks. I'll try and take some photos later but have to say that although I'm still swollen the shape looks good, and I don't seem to have any boxiness!
My nips are super tender now though! Having said that the rest of the boob generally seem to be pretty numb. I'm sure this will come right in its own time. I spoke to the PS about the weird itchy feeling I was getting on the right side and he said that it's perfectly normal considering what's been done to the nerves. There are also, of course, a lot of internal stitches and these in some places attach to muscle which creates its own odd sensations. So all up it just needs lots of time to settle. I've bought some non-stick 7x5cm dressings which I've tucked inside my bra to protect my headlamps!
I tried to put my Marena bra on when I got home, but I'm still pretty swollen and I just can't do it up without risking great discomfort. I'm wondering if I should get the next size up to tide me over until the swelling goes down. In the meantime I'm now at least able to get an Aah bra on which is progress since yesterday!

Hi everyone, I've updated with some pics of my new boobs which I'm so so happy with. Am in my extra-small Aah bra, with my tubigrip over the top for extra support! Happy Happy! I ventured out today to the supermarket with hubbie and gingerly tiptoed around the aisles. I had to have a sit down when I got home though - I'm so tired at the moment it's crazy - I feel like I could sleep for days but sometimes I get too tired and then can't sleep. What's that about!

I forgot to say, that although I'm still obviously swollen and a bit of a mess, I got my tape measure out to see what size I might be! According to the Marena website I'm a 32A which I think is probably a bit far-fetched. The other bra size calculators I've looked at put me at a 32B! So happy :)

Am feeling a bit miserable today. I have just been for my third post-op follow up appointment. I've been doing pretty well, but my left breast has been healing a lot more slowly than the right. They've both been feeling quite numb and looking pretty bruised, but righty has been regaining sensation and the brusing is on it's way to healing. By comparison, lefty is a bit slow on the uptake! Still very bruised and very numb and still a bit swollen. When I saw the surgeon today he was very happy with my healing. He had a very big poke and prod around and thought it was possible I had a small haematoma in my left breast which was causing the numbness and the bruising. I have to go back again next week for him to see how it's doing. If it's no better he will stick a needle in to draw out any fluid. I'd been so worried about haematomas and so didn't want to get one, and now look what's happened! I don't much fancy a needle in the boob. Am very much hoping that this isn't going to have a detrimental effect on my healing or the shape and size of my lovely new titties. Am also feeling a bit sore now after having been messed about a bit. Am wondering if I should massage it a bit to try and break things down, or if it's best just left alone. Any thoughts?
Boo hoo, poor me!! Hope everyone else is doing well :)

Hello everyone! I've just got back from seeing my PS. It's been a challenging week but I'm pleased to report I am on the mend! I have had a small haematoma in my left boob. It's been bruised and solid and numb on one side. The PS had a look at it last week and said that if it hadn't improved after a week he would probably stick a needle in it to asperate it. Yikes! Not one to sit around waiting to see what would happen I decided to get a bit proactive on my healing. I was already taking Arnica 200 4 x 4 a day and also bromelain, so I doubled my doseage of bromelain. In addition I went to see my acupuncturist to see if she could help reduce the haematoma. I'm delighted to say that we have made great progress on that front. So far I've had two appointments with her and the haematoma is softening and shrinking. As a result the swelling is also going down and I'm starting to get more feeling in that boob. She starts off by balancing me out with some needles in strategic points on my body and then she uses moxibustion all over the area of the haematoma. It's been so so helpful. So when I went to see the PS today he was happy that the haematoma was shrinking and didn't think there would be anything to be gained by asperating it. He thinks that my body will just reabsorb it without any issues. So happy! I didn't tell him that I was having acupuncture as I thought he might laugh me out of the consulting room!! I will keep on with the acupuncture and moxibustion appointments until the haematoma has gone. I'm going twice a week and it's pricey but it's making such a difference.

I stopped taking pain meds after 2 weeks but am still getting the nervey zingers. The pain meds didn't make a difference to those anyway, so I just grin and bear it for the fleeting time that they zing. Evenings seem to be the zingiest time, not sure why. I am also completely exhausted and doing very little. I take my hat off to those of you who are back at work after 1, 2 or 3 weeks. I am an artist and am winding myself up to go back to the studio next week but just for one day! I think I might also have to have a lie down on my workbench after an hour or two!

I had a little play in the lingerie department of a local store at the weekend. I tried on a few little triangle bras - I don't think I've ever worn anything like that in my life! I think I must still be quite swollen as I had to go up a band size. I fit into a 34B. That really surprised me, as I haven't been a 34 since I was a teenager. For the last 20+ years I've been wearing a 30/32 but the 32 felt really tight. I don't understand how that would be unless it was swelling, so will wait a while yet before going for a fitting and shopping up a storm!

My PS has me paper taped now, which I have to do for the next 3 months. After only 3 weeks the incisions are already looking great. Both my hubbie and I were really surprised. Hope it continues on in the same way. The PS is happy for me to be fitted for a bra, but I told him that I would wait as I don't feel ready for that yet. He was fine with that too, so long as the girls are supported. Cripes, I wouldn't want to go through all this and then have them fall down to me knees! I did buy one triangle bra but have yet to wear it!

I also had a look in some clothes shops the other day. In the past I would have been so defensive if a shop assistant poked their head through the curtain to find out how I was getting on, I would have been hiding in the corner of the fitting room! Now I really don't mind who sees my boobs, I'm quite happy for the shop assistant to see them, I'll whip my bra off for the acupuncturist, really I'll flash them at just about anyone!! The acupuncturist was actually very complimentary about them and thought they looked fantastic which was a real boost!

Ok, enough rambling for this update! I hope everyone that has had their surgery is recovering well, easily and happily. For those who's surgery is looming - good luck. It's a journey but one so very worth taking!

I'm feeling quite down this week. I definitely feel a lot better energy wise and discomfort wise. The zingers are slowing down and mainly happen in the evening. My left side is still swollen from the haematoma but it's gradually subsiding (it needs to get a move on!).
Am feeling a bit down about my size though. My surgeon had suggested I go for a fitting and by the weekend I was feeling like I was up to it. I really really really wanted to be a B cup. I could put a spin on it and say that I fit into a 34B and am therefore a B cup, but really at the moment my size is a 32C. I tried on quite a few bras by Stella McCartney, all in a 32C and only one of them was a bit too big for me. I think that may have been because my boobs are still a bit solid because the 32B also didn't fit right. So, I've posted some pics of me in my new 32C bras. All of which are very comfortable...but... I think my boobs look pretty good on the whole and I'm pretty happy with them when I'm naked, but with clothes on I still feel that they are bigger than I would like for my frame. I've read a few blogs where people have said that after a month they were a 34D and then a month or two later they'd gone down to a 34C, so I'm hoping that there is still swelling present and that they'll shrink down some more. I don't really have much in the way of weight to lose so I'm not sure that losing weight would make much difference. Feeling sad. It seems churlish. They look so much better than they did before, and I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat but oh gosh I want to be a 32B.
I had a clean out of my bra draw at the weekend too. Weirdly, I found it really hard to part with my old bras. I threw the majority in the trash but found myself hanging on to a few old favourites. I have this fear that in a week or so they will grow back and I'll need my old bras. I seem not to be able to believe that this can possibly last. I guess this is all part of the process.

I can't believe it's 5 weeks since my surgery. The five weeks leading up to the surgery went by considerably more slowly. I am not as blue as I was last week but I do seem to be a bit impatient - I've had enough of sitting around and would like to get back to normal! This week I've started back at the gym, albeit very gently. I've been doing 60-90 minutes on the reclining stationary bike, some sit-ups and then home. I wear two sports bras and am extra careful that there is no bouncing. The recline bike is excellent as it keeps my upper body supported and stationary and therefore jiggle-free. It's nice to be able to get a bit more movement through my body.
I'm still not able to lie completely flat in bed, and find it best to be slightly propped up. Sometimes I shift down the bed in the night and wake up very achey so have to prop myself up again. I also get really tired half way through the day, so am still having my nanna-naps!
I'm quite bruised still (have uploaded a new pic) but the haematoma is slowly reabsorbing thanks to the acupuncture and I'm really pleased with the way the incisions are healing. Hubbie was very worried that I'd have big, red, livid incision lines but they are very neat and slim and healing well. Each time I change the paper tape a few of the absorbable stitches that are ready to go peel off on the tape. It smarts a bit but is progressively leaving a lovely neat line. Am still concerned about the size. Some days they seem quite neat and small and then other days they look like they've grown over night and I have a bit of a freak out! I'm a slow learner and only now seem to be taking on board that this is going to be a very slow process and I must be PATIENT!

Well this week I am exhausted! I had to work for a deadline last week and so went from almost zero to high speed in a short space of time. Now the deadline has passed and I am completely pooped! Have been doing very little and resting lots. Have been doing a couple of days a week at the gym (not my usual 6 days a week routine!) just on the reclining bike and a bit of ab work, maybe some squats etc without weights. Am being very careful and far more sensible than I would be normally! I wear a front fastening sports bra and then a 2XU crop top bra over that and am careful that the girls don't move. If I do an exercise that makes them move then I stop and don't do it again! It was wonderful to go into the sports shop and just buy a little crop bra off the shelf and have it fit perfectly. No ordering on-line from the UK or the States!
I have the all clear to wear normal bras but am paranoid about the girls sagging, so have been putting my tubigrip over the top!
The haematoma is reducing in size but my left boob is still swollen compared to the right. Am seeing the acupuncturist weekly and I'm positive that's helping. She keeps reminding me that if I had a similar brusing injury to my ankle it would take months to reduce, so that's helping me keep a vague degree of perspective. She's told me I should go ahead and massage it now, something I wouldn't have been able to do last week, and that is strangely soothing. Both boobs still seem to be bruised still, despite the arnica and bromelain.
The paper taping is going well,, no allergies, and I appreciate the security and bit of extra support it gives me. Each time I replace the paper (every 7 to 10 days) a few loose stitches come away. It looks like they're almost all out now, just a few at the ends that seem well installed and a couple around the aereola. Some of them are protruding a bit but I'm just leaving them alone and putting the tape over the top. They'll come out when they're ready!
The zingers in the nipples seem to have stopped now, but I do still get some soreness in general and some deeper soreness and tingling sensations. The tissue feels "active" for want of a better word, which I make mean that things are healing and coming to life :)

Well, I am getting there slowly but surely! I'm still having acupuncture for my haematoma and it's getting better - shrinking in size and softening up - week by week. I really hadn't expected it to take this long and I've been feeling pretty impatient but the results are slowly comiing. I'm surprised at how bruised I still am in the lower part of my breasts. Everyone else seems to be done with the brusing but mine is still lingering. I'm hoping this means that there is still swelling to go down. The girls are slowly softening up and taking on that tear-drop shape. I've been anxious about them dropping too much so am trussed into my surgical bra quite a lot of the time!
I had a happy day one day last week - I put on a 32C soft cup bra that I'd bought the week before, only to find that it was too big for me and I needed the 32B! It was a bit of a shame from a waste of money point of view, but gosh was I happy! Then, at the gym I found myself quite happily standing in the changing room taking my bra off. In the past I would have either attempted to climb into my locker to change or have gone to the loo and changed there! A huge and happy step for me!
I'm not really in any discomfort any more. I get a bit swollen if I've done too much and the occassional small twinge but nothing much. My main thing is waiting for the haematoma to resolve.
The scars are fading really well, thanks I'm sure to the paper taping.Sometimes I get worried that they are still a bit too big for my liking and some days they seem bigger than others. I've taken to measuring myself (my bust measurements) once a week as it's considerably more accurate than me standing in front of the mirror saying "I'm sure they've got bigger this week"! From the week after surgery to now I have lost 2.5cms from under my breasts and 2 cms from around my breasts. This is all swelling going down and not weight loss. There have definitely been fluctuations in the measurements, so I would say if you feel more swollen than you did immediately after surgery then that may well be the case but it will most likely resolve and go down again! PATIENCE really does seem to be the name of the game. I had no idea it would take this long to heal and it is certainly proving to be quite a journey. A very good one though :)

Hello everyone, I can't believe 3 months has passed since my surgery. I'm pretty much all healed up, except for this pesky haematoma. I still have a small amount of residual bruising ( my boob looks a bit "dirty"!) and a little bit of swelling on the left side but it is slowly resolving. I've been a bit disheartened and worried about the length of time it's taking to reabsorb so have booked a short appointment with my PS next Wednesday for him to have a quick look at it. No doubt I am over-reacting and he'll tell me that it's all fine and will come right eventually, but it's taking so damn long!
Otherwise, on the whole I love my new boobs. I do wish they were a little smaller but I guess that would be labelled a mastectomy! My husband, who wasn't wildly keen on me getting the surgery to say the least, has declared "they are very small, but they are very pretty", so I'm taking this as a rave review!
Bra shopping has been a bit tricky. Some 32C bras are too big, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the 32B will fit, but I have managed to find a couple of brands that work for me and have had a little bit of a shop! I still sleep in my surgical bra for support and comfort and am still paper taping.
I've increased my work load at the gym, but am still not allowed to run yet. I'm not yet comfortable doing too much upper body work, so am sticking to cardiovascular workouts and some leg work. My coach has designed me a programme so that when I get the all-clear to go back to running I won't get too much of a shock! I've nearly lost the couple of pounds that I put on sitting on my bum, watching movies while I healed!
More than anything, any discomfort etc, the emotional rollercoaster has been the hardest thing to deal with by far. Having said that, I am so so happy that I had this surgery, it's by far the best thing I've ever done for myself and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I had done it in my 20's rather than in my 40's but better late than never!

I've just been to see my PS for what I thought was going to be just a short consult, but turned out to be my 3 month review, He's very happy with everything. Apparently the residual bruising and discolouration can take up to a year to go completely. In the last week or two I've had some discomfort and lumpiness in my right boob. Apparently this could be anything from a cyclical change, to some glandular tissue that's dying off. If it turns out to be tissue that's dying off it will either reabsorb or form a small cyst. If a cyst forms the PS will drain it. I'm not overly concerned as the moxa treatment that I get from my acupuncturist has been breaking down any potential problem areas and I'm confident it will get rid of this little bit too. Aside from this current small lumpy bit my boobs are now really soft and perky with a very happy-making soft porn bounce when unfettered! Much better than their previous thud as they dropped to my knees! A mammogram in a couple of months time will establish a base line. I have the all clear to stop paper-taping and I also have the all clear to start running again. Am delighted not to be paper taping any more. It's been fantastic and I think has played a huge part in keeping my scars nice and thin and flat, but it's very nice to finally let the air get to my perky puppies. According to my PS the scars will take about a year to turn from pink to white (although in some sections they've already almost disappeared). I'm nervous about running again - afraid that I'll come unravelled and also afraid that my boobs will lose perkiness. I've bought a new ShockAbsorber Run bra, but if anyone has suggestions for good running bras I'd love to hear!
I'm still taking bromelain and B6 and will continue to do so until I'm no longer fluctuating with occasional tweaks. I marvel at those of you who have had wonderfully carefree recoveries and are back running and zooming around quickly after your surgery. I'm a slow healer! Having said that, this is by far the best thing I have ever done. It's revolutionised my life and how I feel about my body. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. I think I've said that before, but it's true!!