POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
7 weeks post op and healing nicely! New pics
ORIGINAL POST
I was a 38H before my reduction, and now I expect...
WORTH IT
I was a 38H before my reduction, and now I expect I will be a 38C. I was very nervous before my surgery, but it has been much better than I expected. I'm one day post-op and the pain is not too bad at all. I'm taking my pain medication every 4 hours, so I'm sure that makes a big difference, but even still it really isn't that bad. I had a follow up appointment today, and the PS changed my steri-strips and took out the drain on my left breast. They gave me a sports bra that hooks in the front, which I will day and night for the next few weeks. This bra has been the only thing to cause me pain, since it goes over my incisions. Even still, the pain is much less than I feared. Most importantly, I am elated with my results! I feel liberated with all the weight removed. I had nearly 5 pounds taken off; 1024 grams on the right, and 1200 grams on the left. I did not need a free nipple graft either. My breasts are perky, full, and round! I was worried about having a flattened, smaller breast, but these look almost like implants. My PS was able to do a superomedial pedicle which left me with a lot of roundness. For anyone that is afraid of pain or worried about the outcome, I highly recommend doing it.
Rachel V's provider
UPDATED FROM Rachel V
I'm now 3 days post op, and I feel great! I could...
I'm now 3 days post op, and I feel great! I could go back to work on Monday (it is Thursday now), but I'm still going to take the next week off. The recovery has been much easier than I expected. Today, I went to the grocery store and picked up a 10 pound bag of bird seed, no problem.
I have a litle bit of itching and minor pain along the suture line under my breasts, but I think that's mostly from the sports bra going over the suture lines. I'm feeling great!
I have a litle bit of itching and minor pain along the suture line under my breasts, but I think that's mostly from the sports bra going over the suture lines. I'm feeling great!
Replies (31)
March 14, 2013
Congrats Rachel V! This is amazing. It sounds like you're doing everything right-just don't left too much since you could tear something inside and cause damage so be VERY careful with the lifting. I remember how sensitive my nipples were after they took off the tape and it was skin against support garmet, that did get better in a few days. Did your PS suggest any cream or ointment? When I mentioned how senitive they were they suggested Aquaphor and that made a huge difference. It looks like vaseline but little thinner consistancy and it's a "healing ointment" for dry, cracked or irritated skin (and believe me your skin in irritated right now). I think I put gauze pads or something between and my support garmet but I've heard people tell of using sanitary napkins between their new incisions and support garmet. Best wishes & please keep us posted.
March 14, 2013
Thanks Happy with smaller! I have not gotten an recommendations, but I have been putting Cetaphil lotion on the centers. The nipples and all of my incisions are covered with steri-strips. I think those will come off Monday. How long do they wait to take sutures out? Monday will be one week post op. I have noticed that my poor nipples do seem dry.
March 14, 2013
Rachel V : I don't remember them taking any stitches out. I remember they cut-off the knots from the plastic line thread they used to sew up the incision under my breasts, but I don't remember anything else. I'm sure they told me the stitches would all dissolve. I know my incisions would itch (healing), felt like they were being stretched then hurt if I itched them, that's where the Aquaphor really kept them moist so the incisions didn't dry out and feel like they were being stretched. Also by keeping them moist it kept them soft enough for drainage. I was surprised that I would still have some drainage even 4-6 weeks after surgery. My PS told me this was normal. I would drain and stained up many bras along the way.
March 14, 2013
I sure wish I'd found this site earlier after my surgery so I had someone to help me with post-op questions/concerns I had. I'd be concerned about something and bring it up with the PS when I had an appt. and the staff would act like it was no big deal, but it was a big deal to me-like the sore incisions & using the Aquaphor.
March 15, 2013
Got my Aquaphor today after my first post-op appointment with my surgeon. My girls were as dry and cracked as the Sahara. The Aquaphor was like pouring water on a dry plant. It felt like Heaven.
March 15, 2013
Dear gmlaster: I'm so glad to hear that you're happy with my recommendation of Aquaphor. I know it was very helpful with my dry skin and incisions. I wish someone had told me about this earlier. Maybe the PS office doesn't tell you until you need it? It would be nice in a little post-surgery sample packet or creams, etc.
March 14, 2013
Isn't light and perky wonderful after being HEAVY and droupy? My PS also removed between 4.5 & 5# total with my breast reduction.
March 14, 2013
IM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS SITE... I AM HAVING A BR ON THE 21ST... AND IM EXCITED BUT ALSO NERVOUS.. IM A 36 H AND MY PS TOLD ME I WOULD B A HIGH C LOW D WHEN HE IS DONE BUT HIS NURSE TOLD ME YESTERDAY I WOULD B A D OR DD WHEN DONE... I WAS A DD BEFORE I GREW TO A H.. KINDA DISCOURAGED ME A LITTLE.. BUT HE IS TAKING 1000-1200 PER EACH SIDE.. THANKS EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE POSTS... I HAVE LEARNED ALOT...
March 15, 2013
Carolinagirl328 congrats on getting up the nerve to have this life changing procedure done. I do remember my PS telling me the size was partly decided by the width of your current breasts so that's probably why they are saying D or DD. If you think that's going to be too big still I'd be firmer with your PS that you've been huge for so long you now want a C cup and no larger. If he's a good plastic surgeon he should be able to do what you want. They sure can make them as big as you want with implants, why not take out as much as you want? Good luck, keep us all posted on your progress. It won't be very long for you now.
March 15, 2013
So the question that no body seems to want to ansewer for me is when can I buy a bra after the BR and do they suggest no underwire or underwire? U know us big cheated women always had to wear underwire to help hold us up.. Lol I seem to cant get an ansewer from anybody I ask at my doc office..
I have always been a DD cup and larger so I don't know what it is like to go around with no bra on etc and they act like its nothing and not to b concerned about a bra.. But I am.. :(
Congrats Rachel V... SEEMS LIKE U ARE HEALING REALLY GOOD.. I seen where u had wrote about going back to work next week.. Be careful with that..
My PS told me I couldn't drive for a week.. Then I could go to work in 2 weeks as long as I don't push , pull, tug, or lift well unfornatelty that's what my job consists of so I have to stay out 4 weeks..
I'm going to b pulling my hair out lol
March 15, 2013
Carolinagirl328: NO UNDERWIRES.....can you believe it? I'm 5 mos. after and decided the style I wanted to order in a catalog was wire & would be okay now and it's still sensitive (only when the wires are on them) on those incisions underneath the girls. Plus you don't need an over the shoulder bolder holder (underwire, thick gel straps, minimizer) like you used to. I love buying cute little bras at Catherine's. My PS had me in athletic type bras for probably 1-2+ months. You want everything held firmly in place. I would wear the support bra I woke up in (after surgery) every night since it held me firm. You want them to firm up good before you set them free or without support any length of time.
March 15, 2013
THANK U SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION.. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FIRM BELIEVER IN KEEPING MINE IN PLACE.. SITTING PRETTY.. NO SAGGING.. LOL CAN'T HAVE SAGGY GIRLS.. OTHER THEN OF COURSE CAUSE OF THEM BEING EXTREMELY BIG LOL
U HAVE HELPED US WOMEN SO MUCH WITH ALL THE INFO U HAVE SHARED.. TRUELY A BLESSING.. :)
March 15, 2013
I'm very gabby Carolinagirl328 so I'm glad to help. Those girls will be front & center WITHOUT underwires & shoulder groves now. I still find myself almost wanting (I don't) to flash people because I'm so happy with my BR results. You will also be happy I'm sure.
March 15, 2013
CarolinaGirl- I was told to buy a Fruit of the Loom front closure bra, one size up from what I normally wear. No underwires. Since normally I wear a 38, I bought a a 40. There are no cup sizes at all on it! ?? Anyway, I have two of those and one from my PS, which is the same style. They arefit well, but are not really tight. I suppose that's a good thing, because the band over my surtures is tender. I read about other women wearing compression bras, and tight sports bras, and that is not what I was told told to do. I have been wearing the one I have though, 24/7. It actualy feels better with it on. I have my next app on Monday afternoon. I don't know if I have disolving stitches or not, so maybe he will take them out. Anyway, I have added another pic, my breasts have turned this very odd orange color, lol. At least some of the red-purple bruising is fading. I am undecided as to whether I like my nipples. I think so, but it's hard to tell, hahaha
March 16, 2013
haha... i got the fruit of loom front closure from walmart... i bought 2 of them.. made kinda like a sports bra but just a bra.. i just cant wait to get all this weight off my chest.... u should post a before pic.. so we can see before and after.. of course with bra on... haha
UPDATED FROM Rachel V
I had a rough night yesterday. My pain wasn't bad...
I had a rough night yesterday. My pain wasn't bad at all, but for some reason it's gotten worse. I think it's just from the healing process. I have a lot of pain at night, when I try to go to sleep. Finding a confortable position with a billion pillows is such a challenge! The band on the sports bra really hurts the sutures under my breasts, and along my under arm area. I'm feeling much better today though. I have an appt tomorrow with the PS, which will be one week post op. I'm not sure what to expect. It's probably to early to take my stitches out, right? I will be happy with a change of the steri-strips at least. They were driving me bananas yesterday, and I sprayed them a bit with bactine which seemed to help.
Replies (29)
March 17, 2013
Rachel: Sounds like maybe you did too much so be careful. The only stitches the PS took off me were the knots on the bottom sides of my breasts. He snipped those off about 1 week I think. Everything else seemed to dissolve even thou I found black pieces of stitches coming out at times. A couple times they were aggravating and I had to pull a stitch out that was half in/half out and bothering me.Write down your questions and ask them all to your PS at your appt tomorrow.
March 17, 2013
Thanks. I'm vegging out all weekend and plan to for the rest of the week. I hope it helps!
March 18, 2013
my surgery is april 10 and i am a little scared out of my mind and EXTREMELY excited all at the same time i have been looking at my "dont want to look like" pics so as to rap my brain around the fact that they might look like that after all....i am a 34 ii now and it is horrible ..i know you understand..i am excited to be able to not have to plan my life around how long i have to wear a bra ......so i figure as long as it doesnt look like edward scissor hands did my surgery i should be fine ..really my biggest ick is the nipple placement ,unfortunately my PS stated that because of elasticity and how it affects the "look" when swelling is going down there is no guarantee that my nipple wont in fact pull up some ;( didnt like that response but he has been BRUTALLY honest with me which i am so grateful for ,because i over analyze all things horrible quality of mine!! Take it easy and dont try to do too much ..thank you for responding .i hope you start to feel better ....keep us posted!!! ;)
March 18, 2013
When I went to an open house for my PS a couple weeks ago I talked with one of the other PS there and he told me his favorite patients are the breast reduction surgeries because they are so excited as soon as they come out of sedation. I felt lighter than air (which is hard at 230#) because the weight was gone from my shoulders, back & chest. You will be sooo excited and happy when it's done I guarantee it.
March 18, 2013
Ask what kind of pedicle he plans to give you. Nipple placement, roundness, fullness, and length of result are inpluenced by the type of pedicle. I really pushed to not have an inferior pedicle, although I knew it was a risk based on the size of my breasts. I also stated numerous times that I did not want a free nipple graft. Going into the surgery, I expected to have an inferior pedicle done (it can leave a flattened, boxy look with nipples that continue to risk over time). When I woke up, my PS was elated and told me he did a superomedial pedicle. It gives a rounder look that lasts longer. I saw another girl who posted a new review recently. She talks about having a superior pedicle. I highly recommend researching them and discussing it with your PS. :)
March 18, 2013
I guess I never heard of pedicle. I never made any decisions, my PS just told me he would make the brown area around my nipples smaller and bring them up higher and it all worked out well and they look the right size for my new breasts.
March 18, 2013
this comment here cracked me up..i am with you on this !!!! i never knew any of this!!
March 19, 2013
i asked and he is doing a supero medial i dont know if i spelled that right!!! oh i am even more excited than i was before Rachel V you are so informed heck you could do a post just on all the info you have what a wealth of information you are!!!! it is so very scary my husband said to me"you are looking at boobs AGAIN" i laughed and asked him how he would feel if they were cutting on his wanker ? he got it after that lol!! ;) this website and all of yours and others posts have been so helpful ,but i have to say i have learned the absolute most from you..Thank you again for taking the time to post ....i cannot express how much i appreciate it!!! hope today finds you rested and pain free!!
March 18, 2013
Happy With Smaller.. do you really feel the weight be lifted off that soon?.wow!!!!thats is wonderful news...!!
March 18, 2013
I actually could tell the weight was gone when I woke up in recovery. It's crazy.
March 18, 2013
Yes as soon as you wake up you will feel a relief and they won't be in your way when you roll over.
March 18, 2013
Rachel V so its lollipop versus horizintal ? lollipop is superior and horizontal is inferior ?? i am trying to find info on computer between the differences and this all i found ..my breasts are LARGE AND VERY WIDE!!!! he has already told me because of my anatomy he cannot do a lollipop so i am prepared for that i already do not have alot of tissue up top and he has prepared me for that he told me point blank because of my anatomy all the things that i want he cannot do he has been very honest ...even told me that i more than likely will not like the shape of my breast when they are done....the only reaon he is not going to have to do the nipple graft is becaus ei went up a size my breast in relationship to the rest of my body are horribly out of proportion so i figure with all the trickery i know with using bras as long as i dont hurt anymore i will be stoked !!
March 18, 2013
I had the SPAIR technique, which is very similar (or maybe a variation of?) the lollipop technique. I was a 40 I pre-surgery, and my surgeon had no problems with the procedure. He was able to remove a total of 4lbs 12oz and bring me down to an estimated D cup. If you are in Michigan, I highly recommend Dr. Dennis Hammond in Grand Rapids. He is actually the creator of the SPAIR technique and he did an incredible job with mine.
March 18, 2013
Look at my pics and you can see the fullness and shape. My incisions are traditional anchor- below and down the nipple. I asked him to remove a lot of side boob too, so my incision goes the whole way to my underarm, but I asked for that. The pedicle is only the mound of tissue they leave the nipple attached to.. Mine is mostly medial, little bit superior. My notch to nipple length was 37 cm. FNG territory is 40cm+ so I was getting close. Even with long fat boobies, I was able to have it done. I'm really happy because it will keep the shape longer.
March 19, 2013
the notch is the grove where your voice box is. All of the measurements are based on that central point. When you have your surgery, they will make a bunch of marks that all start with or align to that area. It also forms a triangle between the nipples and determined nipple placement. I discovered BR is a very mathimatical procedure, lol.
March 19, 2013
That's very interesting Rachel V. All I know is my surgeon came in the day of surgery and marked me up with the marker. He did have a string or something that he put to my neck then marked each breast where he wanted my new nipple so that's probably what he was doing. So far (5 mos. after BR) I'm still thrilled with my new breasts. After I get rid of this fat/rolls/bulging stomach I will enjoy them more. I'm hoping to wear tight tops that show off the perky girls and my nice smooth middle. I haven't enjoyed them as much as possible when I wear large shirts to cover my middle. Thanks again for the info.
March 18, 2013
ok i got some info on it ..i am almost positive he will have to do an inferior as i have very little fullness up top at all ..darn..
March 18, 2013
I would seriously research the SPAIR. It's a short-scar technique, and my healing has been pretty amazing so far. I have only taken 1 Tylenol today and I'm only 3 days post op. SPAIR stands for Short Scar Periareolar Inferior Pedicle, so it is still an inferior, just performed differently. Here's more info on it from my surgeon's website: http://www.pipsmd.com/plastic-surgeons/spair-inventor.cfm
March 18, 2013
If you need fullness could he somehow take out your tissue and put in a silicone implant? I guess I have no idea what this inferior is all about. Do you have before pictures so we can compare with what we had done with our PS?
March 18, 2013
I was very saggy. I don't need a lot of fullness. I believe most of my pedicle was medial w/ some superior. It's worth asking about and asking if medial or superomedial is possible and to do it if they "get in there" and see it's possible.
March 18, 2013
he told me i could do an implant but i dont want the bother with that!! i, like you have or had no idea about all this inferior either but i am learning a bundle?
March 18, 2013
i just sent my email..i have to say i do believe that this dr will make my breasts look the very best they can possibly look and that he can make them look ..i have looked at his large breast reductions and they actually are nice i like that his breast look like the original just smaller .some pics i have seen the boobies look like the belong to a whole different women ..even when a small amount would be removed weird!! i dont like tht at all..oh i am getting excited !!! not about the grody button up shirt tho..really small beans there ;)
Replies (5)