Birch

BR Notes

Just wanted to add that I think 3M Micropore Paper Tape is a great product that is highly recommended by some PS's to reduce scarring. I would definitely give it a try if you are interested in it and your PS approves, and I think it is worth the time it takes to use it if your skin can handle it. I think it is probably quite rare for people to have allergic reactions like I did, but I wanted to share my experience with it.

Hello Ladies, I wanted to update this with my experience with paper tape. I had my BR surgery in April, and when it came time for my PS to apply paper tape, I had a severe allergic reaction to 3M Micropore paper tape. I also reacted to any other tape I tried, even those intended for very sensitive skin. My reaction included a severe red, bumpy, burning and itching rash covering my breasts and onto my sides that lasted a few weeks. Aside from that rash, my recovery has been very smooth, and my breasts and my incisions look fantastic and I am Extremely happy with them. Since my skin will not accept any type of paper tape, I started using silicone sheets with truly incredible results so far. The brand I am using is ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets, and it's available at drugstores, Walmart, etc. I payed $17 for a box that lasts quite a while. You can cut the silicone sheets in half or in fourths in order to apply it to your incisions and make it last longer. The sheets can be washed and reapplied each day for 1 week, according to the instructions. The silicone has already done an impressive job flattening and minimizing my scars and I have not been using it for very long. My sensitive skin handles the silicone just fine, and I wear the silicone sheets for 12 to 24 hours at a time. I wanted to mention this as another option to minimize scars on this thread, in case any ladies have a severe reaction to the glue on tapes, like I did. I am thrilled with how my incisions are looking, and I can't help but think that the silicone sheets deserve some of the credit, because they improve noticeably each day that I use the silicone sheets. Your incisions need to be solidly closed up before using silicone sheets. I find the silicone sheets to offer a very nice layer of protection from bras or abrasion.

3M Micropore Paper Tape is a tape that is easy to find at drug stores, grocery stores, etc. in the US, and is commonly used by PS's.

Hi Ccad, Keep in mind that you may come out of surgery with full range of motion upon waking, like I did. Even so, you want to avoid lifting your arms above your head at first so as not to pull on your internal & external stitches. Try stepping into bras if you need to. I have extremely sensitive skin, & my favorite super comfy, super supportive bra that had the same compression as the surgical bra I was sent home in is the Bali Comfort Revolution SEAMLESS bra, sold at JC Penny for $38.00, often on sale for $22.00. There is also a version with lined cups, and you do not want that one because it has seams. Walmart carries the EXACT SAME Comfort Revolution seamless bra under a different name, but with the same exact item number printed on the bra for $14.00 (I got some on clearance for $3.00!!!). Walmart carries it as the "Playtex Full Support Simply Sized Wire Free (#P844). It comes in lots of pretty colors, separates & supports your boobies for a nice shape and fits any cup size (just buy your band size) and has a easy to use size chart on the tag. It is back closure with an adjustable back. I tried various front closure sports bras, and I found the ones I tried to be very uncomfortable, and did not think they would shape my boobies nicely as they healed. Good luck finding one that works for you. I know it can be challenging. I wish I would have found the Bali Comfort Revolution bras BEFORE my BR, because trying on bras at 1 week post op was rough and caused swelling for me.

Hi Amella, Congratulations on your new little boobies!! What a fun and girly thing, to be able to have beautiful colored bras!!! I was in Target the other day, and I was so happy to wander around, and look at all of the cute tops and bras that I can wear now!! It's a whole new world lol!! Enjoy your perky little boobies!! :)