Thanks!
The bruising is all the way gone now, and they actually look a lot different now - the swelling has also gone down and they have a better shape. I'm waiting for my six week post op appointment next week to take new photos, because I'll get the tape off then.
All that taken into consideration, I'd probably go with her, even with the dreaded drains. :)
It sounds like you guys have a good line of communication open, and that is so invaluable. I always sort of cringe when I hear about people talking about nipple size and placement, because I, um, never even thought about any of that until after my surgery! Ha. Luckily it all worked out fine and I have cute wee nipples right where I'd have chosen them to be.
Honestly, the first few days after surgery you're still so groggy from anesthesia that you're sleeping eleventy billion hours. Those first days fly by, and you would have the drains out before you even knew it.
I agree with you that a well-fitting bra makes a world of difference in how clothes fit and how you feel. That said, you still have big ol' boobies. I say that as someone who is 5'0", weighs about 117lbs, and wore 32DDD/F. So we're pretty much exactly the same size.
I'm 36 and just had surgery 4.5 weeks ago. I wish that I had done it YEARS ago.
Breastfeeding can be complicated even without surgery, and breastfeeding with large breasts can also be difficult. That's just going to have to be a really personal decision that you make, and I can't help with that.
I can say that while my well-fitting bras helped a lot, having the surgery and being about a 32C (haven't been fitted yet, but I'm guessing) has been the single greatest thing that I've ever done for myself. My sore neck and shoulders went away immediately, and I haven't had a single migraine since surgery (I used to have four a week). It's made a HUGE impact on my self-esteem and how I carry myself, and I look about 20 pounds lighter. Clothes fit so amazingly well that it's hard to even describe.
I'm not trying to talk you into surgery, as you may decide that this is just not the time for you to move forward with it, but I can almost promise that you won't ever regret doing it.
Good luck in deciding!
My doctor didn't use them either. He's written numerous journal articles and is the President of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, so I felt comfortable that he was up to date on the most current research regarding them.
That said, in the two years that I spent researching the surgery before having it, I was blown away by the differences between surgeons in technique and post-op care. Some want you in sports bras for months, while others want you wearing no bra at all. Some insist on drains, while my surgeon has only used them once in recent history.
I truly think that it comes down to which methods the surgeon is most comfortable with.
Do you like your surgeon's before/after photos? Are you comfortable with her personality? Do you feel heard and valued as a patient? If you can answer a resounding yes to all of those things, then I would probably use her, even if she goes with drains.
I'm no help, as I'm only 4.5 weeks out, but I'll be watching with interest. My nipple sensitivity drives me nuts too - I hadn't thought of sterile pads. I guess that the good news is that we still have nipple sensitivity, but good Lord. Too much of a good thing.
Did you have liposuction or something done on your belly? I know that midriff swelling often happens after BR surgery, but my understanding was that it went down pretty quickly.
Good luck and take care. I'm sorry that I couldn't be helpful!
Recent comments
Posted to Most Awesome Decision Ever: Possibly - Tulsa, OK on 24 Jan 2012
The bruising is all the way gone now, and they actually look a lot different now - the swelling has also gone down and they have a better shape. I'm waiting for my six week post op appointment next week to take new photos, because I'll get the tape off then.
Posted to Is anyone GLAD they had drains, or feel like there was a benefit to them? on 23 Jan 2012
It sounds like you guys have a good line of communication open, and that is so invaluable. I always sort of cringe when I hear about people talking about nipple size and placement, because I, um, never even thought about any of that until after my surgery! Ha. Luckily it all worked out fine and I have cute wee nipples right where I'd have chosen them to be.
Honestly, the first few days after surgery you're still so groggy from anesthesia that you're sleeping eleventy billion hours. Those first days fly by, and you would have the drains out before you even knew it.
Posted to Scheduled for BR in two weeks, and I just found out I've been wearing the wrong size bra since forever~~ on 22 Jan 2012
I'm 36 and just had surgery 4.5 weeks ago. I wish that I had done it YEARS ago.
Breastfeeding can be complicated even without surgery, and breastfeeding with large breasts can also be difficult. That's just going to have to be a really personal decision that you make, and I can't help with that.
I can say that while my well-fitting bras helped a lot, having the surgery and being about a 32C (haven't been fitted yet, but I'm guessing) has been the single greatest thing that I've ever done for myself. My sore neck and shoulders went away immediately, and I haven't had a single migraine since surgery (I used to have four a week). It's made a HUGE impact on my self-esteem and how I carry myself, and I look about 20 pounds lighter. Clothes fit so amazingly well that it's hard to even describe.
I'm not trying to talk you into surgery, as you may decide that this is just not the time for you to move forward with it, but I can almost promise that you won't ever regret doing it.
Good luck in deciding!
Posted to Is anyone GLAD they had drains, or feel like there was a benefit to them? on 22 Jan 2012
That said, in the two years that I spent researching the surgery before having it, I was blown away by the differences between surgeons in technique and post-op care. Some want you in sports bras for months, while others want you wearing no bra at all. Some insist on drains, while my surgeon has only used them once in recent history.
I truly think that it comes down to which methods the surgeon is most comfortable with.
Do you like your surgeon's before/after photos? Are you comfortable with her personality? Do you feel heard and valued as a patient? If you can answer a resounding yes to all of those things, then I would probably use her, even if she goes with drains.
Posted to Nipple Sensitivity and Body Swelling 3 Months After Breast Reduction on 22 Jan 2012
Did you have liposuction or something done on your belly? I know that midriff swelling often happens after BR surgery, but my understanding was that it went down pretty quickly.
Good luck and take care. I'm sorry that I couldn't be helpful!