Breast Reduction: Stories

I have not alwasy been large breasted. We have three beautiful daughters and with each pregnancy my breast got bigger and they never shrunk. I'm 5'3" and 145 lbs. with size 34 DDD breasts. I am hoping to be a size C. I started thinking seriously about reduction just in the last year.I'm excited, yet nervous about the procedure. I haven't blogged before, so this will be an adventure in a variety of ways for me. I will include pics as I go through the process of pre-op, post-op and recovery.

I took some time and got some before photos taken for the blog. Hubby was very happy I allowed him to take pictures of me with no shirt on. (LOL) I found out earlier in the week that I have to have an additional mammogram view done with a breast ultrasound. Hope this doesn't impede the schedule for surgery.

I went in for my annual mammogram mid October, the same day as my BR evaluation. I received a letter saying they wanted me to come back in for further evaluation. I called (totally freaked out) and found out they wanted another mammogram and breast ultrasound. Well, I went in today for the appts. The mammogram was first. They took four magnified shots of specific areas, showed them to the radiologist and I was told everything was fine. WOOHOO!!! Didn't need the ultrasound after all. I feel so blessed today to receive the great news. I can now freely go forward with my BR surgery pre-op next week without this hanging over my head. Thank you to all who were praying and rooting for me. Remember to always do self examination and get your mammograms. Save the tatas no matter how big or small.

I go to my pre-op appointment tomorrow. Very excited, because I called to find out what would be happening at the appointment and how long to expect to be there. 20 days and counting till my surgery.

Went for my pre-op appt. On Friday. Papers are all signed. I have my prescriptions filled. Now to just wait for 18 more days for surgery. Any suggestions on what to do while waiting?

Time is getting closer. I have 8 more days until my BR. I can't wait. I think the hardest thing has been the waiting. I have my prescriptions filled, my button front pj's for lounging and books to read. Any other suggestions from those who are on the other side of surgery?

I am getting very excited. I must admit I am even a little nervous too. Any suggestions on how to stay calm and relaxed the final night or anything I should do before maguffy modification?

On my way for Maguffy modification. Good-bye DDD, hello C!

Surgery day was a little long. Reported at 845, signed some more papers, went on back and got changed. Little later Dr Mackenzie came in and placed markings, then I waited. I must have a nervous bladder because I went to the bathroom at least three times before going into surgery which was about 10. Hubby said doctor called him around 2 saying everything went well and I was starting to wake up. We finally headed home at almost 4.

Time at home consisted mostly of sleeping, trying to eat with no appetite and icing the new girls.

I've added some new photos. You will see lefty is swollen quite a bit.

Have to give props to my hubby. He is taking such good care of me.

Went to my first pre-op appt. Lefty is still really swollen even after icing her all day yesterday, so they left her drain in. Now righty is swollen, but not as much and she got her drain out. Now I'm just relaxing in the recliner and watching tv. I might try to read some today.

I got to take a shower yesterday, drain and all. I gotta say "It felt soooo gooood!" Tip on showering with drain. Use a length of ribbon to tie up the drain like a pendant around your neck. I included a picture for an example.
Noticed there is the beginning of bruising showing.

Sleeping in the reclined position with 5 pillows is like sleeping in a nest. I have three behind me and one on each side of me under my arms. All this just to keep me from rolling onto my side. I miss sleeping on my side an spooning with my hubby. Wonder how long I will have to sleep this way? Guess that will be one of my first questions for the doctor on Tuesday at my next post-op appt.

I went in for my 2nd post op appt and had my drain removed from the left side. It feels so much better now. They also removed the steri strips, cleaned up the girls and gave me photo time. I am now re-taped and a very happy me destined for a C. I will post pics later.

Here are the new pics.

Things are going very well. I returned to work 1/2 days for the last 2 days. Must say I was pretty tired at the end of the day though. I am feelin geat otherwise. the swelling goes down a little each day. Last time I took any heavy medication was Tuesdy 12/4 when they were going to take my other drain out. I had a lot of bruising around it and was afraid it would hurt quite a bit. Otherwise, I am just taking tylenol a couple times day.

I went to my youngest daughters Christmas Concert last night and wore a shirt dress I had never been able to button up completely before. I gotta say it has been like putting on a whole new wardrobe with my girls being smaller now.

I am so glad that I had this done. Now I am contemplating having a tummy tuck. 3 babies with no elasticity in my skin has left me with extra below my belly button. If anyone else has had one done, what is your input?

Well, I am now 12 days post-op. Feeling great. Went back to work today after my follow-up appt. The nurse practioner who saw me today says everything is looking great. I have new steri strips on for another week or so and then will start wearing paper tape over the incisions for another 2 1/2 months. There is still swelling and bruising on the left side. I posted photos from todays appt, so you can see how the incisions are healing. They are looking so good. I found out they removed 264 grams from the right and 342 grams from the left. That comes out to 1.34 lbs. Doesn't seem like much when you look at the numbers, but it sure feels like it when I'm not having it hanging in a bra.

A friend told me today she heard that drinking pinapple juice helps with the swelling. Has anyone else heard of that? I just checked it out on-line. Hope this helps someone else.

Pineapple contains high doses of the enzyme bromelain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory, says the Feminist Women's Health
Center website. This means that eating fresh pineapple and drinking fresh pineapple juice can help reduce swelling and assist your body in healing cuts, bruises and sprains.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/262832-nutritional-benefits-of-pineapple-juice/#ixzz2EiFgLgqb

Haven't tried it yet, but I just bought some pinapple juice to start drinking. Maybe it will help lefty out.

Went back to work full days today for the first time. My girls were so tired by end of day. I guess they had a little too much aciton today. You don't realize how much you use your pectorals until later. I am also discovering that my girls don't like to be cold. They TINGLE BIG TIME. Lefty is still swollen. She looks a good cup size if not more bigger than righty. Never really loss any sensation in the girls, so I am happy about that. Lefty's nipple is very sensitive. Righty is lagging a bit, but am gaining more each day. I have described the tingling to my husband like testing a 9V battery. Hope everyone who is on the road to recovery is doing well. For those of you still waiting for surgery. It won't be too much longer.

Hey there ladies of RealSelf: A couple days ago I noticed my steri strips were starting to come off on their own. On lefty it looked like the vertical incision was starting to open up. I read through my pre-op manual and it said to treat with hydrogen peroxide and keep it covered. Well I woke up this morning with a couple of drops of blood from oozing. I didn't think to much of it. I went about my business making my daughter and husband's lunches for them. When I went to get ready for work myself I had a nice patch of blood on my bra and tank. Long story short. I called the doctors office immediately to see what they wanted me to do. They said come on down and they would squeeze me in. Doctor took a look and said I had a hematoma that burst near the incision. They took me into surgery drained the left breast, rinsed it out to make sure they got all the clots and restiched me up. No wonder Lefty was still so swollen. The bruising wasn't clearing up either. It didn't feel like a regular hematoma I guess. But then nothing has ever been regular about me. Now Lefty & Righty are about the same size. Plan on taking it real easy this weekend. I'm exicted for all of you who are getting ready for your surgery and Hope all who are on the recovery side are healing well. New pics soon.

I went for my 3 week post op appt yesterday. Dr. MacKenzie says I am healing great, incisions are looking good. I now wear and change out my paper tape for the next 3 weeks. I have included new photos.

Wishing all my RealSelf sisters a very Merry Christmas!! Praying for healing for those who have had surgery and peace & patience for those waiting for their surgery.

I am so happy with my boobies!! I am now 6 weeks post-op and they are healing so nicely. I have included new pics. Also, there have been posts questioning the use of tape or not using tape per doctors orders. My PS has had me using paper tape since the steri strips came off and my scars are nice and smooth. My left breast was very swollen and the scar is a little wider than the right but still looks great. He also told me that I can now wear regular bras. Time to go bra shopping. WOOHOO!

I am so happy with my boobies!! I am now 6 weeks post-op and they are healing so nicely. I have included new pics. Also, there have been posts questioning the use of tape or not using tape per doctors orders. My PS has had me using paper tape since the steri strips came off and my scars are nice and smooth. My left breast was very swollen and the scar is a little wider than the right but still looks great. He also told me that I can now wear regular bras. Time to go bra shopping. WOOHOO!

I am now 8 weeks post-op, healing well and so happy I had this done. I am still taping per doctors orders and the scars are looking fabulous. I can wear regular bras now, so I went to Victoria Secret to be sized. I was not thrilled by their measurement. I was told I am a 36D or 34DD. If that is true, then I was wearing the wrong size to start which was a 34DDD. The 36 I have to wear on the tightest hook because it is too big in the ribs and I am not filling out the cups in a DD. I guess I will stick with my sports bras for now and give the girls some more time to heal and settle. I posted some new pics.

Took a nap today on my tummy. Yeah!!! Payed on the bed to talk to hubby and one of my cats came and laid on my legs and butt and took a nap with me. The girls didn't hurt, so glad I could lay on my tummy without them hurting.

It has been a month since my last blog. Things have been going quite well. I went to the PS for a follow up yesterday and was told I no longer have to tape my incisions. I know it seems real strange having to tape, but it helped my scars stay flat and there are some areas of them that they are barely noticeable. My husband was very sweet and helped me put together new photos with a brief idea of the difference in size and shape. There is such a big difference. You realize there is a difference, but when you put together a comparison photo, you can see how much they changed.

For those of you who are on the fence trying to decide if you want to make such a change in yourself or are fearful. Don't be afraid. This site is so wonderful in supporting each other and there are so many of us who are so happy we went through with it. I am so happy that I did. After looking at my photos again I even thanked my husband again for supporting me in this decision.

I dont' have to go back in for a follow-up for two more months and at that time the PS will take after photos for my records. That gives me two more months to keep toning, so I look really HOT for my photos. I plan on extending my mommy makeover by having a tummy tuck in the winter and really want to lose another 10 lbs and tone as much of me as possible prior to that.

I will keep checking back to see how others are doing and will keep posting photos of the healing and the "girls" in their new fashion.

I am now 4 months post-op. I went to see my PS for a quick evaluation of an area on my scar that dog eared. We have set up an appt to revise it early next month. Otherwise, I am very happy with my perky boobies. I have included some new pics too. There are a couple with the dog ear on my scar and of my new bikini tops.
Hope everyone is healing well and for those awaiting surgery, it will be here before you know it.