If you're considering a breast reduction, I whole heartedly recommend going to Dr. Oxley! I had my reduction on Feb 13/2024 after a long time on the waitlist and I am so happy I waited and didn't go to someone else to have it done faster. Going into the surgery, I was a 34HH in UK bra sizing (which is a 34L in US sizing), and by working in the lingerie industry, thankfully I had the bra and breast knowledge that I have so I knew that it would be hard for Dr. Oxley to guarantee I would be a certain size, because every bra fits differently. We verbally agreed for my new breasts to be much smaller, but I am a curvier young woman so I still wanted breasts- I just wanted to be more proportionate. 6 weeks post op and I tried on wired bras for the first time and I'm in a 36F/36FF UK (36DDDD US) and I am THRILLED! I know that letter still seems large, but the shape of my breasts has completely changed as Dr. Oxley will also lift your breasts during your reduction- honestly I don't remember the last time my breasts have been so perky and I'm only 25! One thing to remember is that no surgeon will be able to make your breast root narrower, so even though Dr. Oxley removed about 5lbs of breast tissue total and lifted my breasts, that's why I still am a "large" cup size- but that's ok! An F cup was honestly my goal but I knew if I am a G in some bra styles that is ok. Try not to let the letter define you! Bras are a tricky garment to fit, that is why you should go to a specialty store and get professionally measured rather than a big chain store in the mall. Recovery was also *much* easier than I anticipated! I actually went to a concert 2.5 weeks after my surgery (obviously no jumping around). I personally don't really handle pain well, but I didn't even need to take any of the T3's that I received during my recovery! Of course, everyone will handle pain and recovery differently, but I can say thankfully in my experience it was very easy, and I would do it again if I had to. The hardest part during recovery in my opinion was sleeping with your head/torso a bit elevated to help reduce swelling, so if you have a comfortable recliner or a couch that reclines, I would recommend sleeping on that for the first bit. Another helpful tip, which may seem funny, consider having a bidet installed before your surgery as movement after is limited. I was allowed to have my first shower 3 days after surgery, and if you have someone you trust in your life to help you shower, definitely take that opportunity. Scarring wise, they're honestly pretty light already! The incision line is very thin, and I think when I'm a year post op, I might not even see them. I'm not sure if Dr. Oxley uses the same method on every patient, but he did the anchor method on my breasts and my nipples stayed attached during the surgery. I know losing sensitivity is a concern for a lot of people considering a reduction, and again I know it will differ between people, but I actually have more sensitivity in my nipples now. I'm unsure if I will be able to breast feed, but even some people that haven't had reductions are unable to breast feed, so I'm not going to blame a potential inability to breast feed on my reduction. I know this was a long review, but I have had such a pleasant experience and this has already been such a life changing surgery for me. I am actually excited to be able to work out without pain, have a better rang of motion during sports, and just overall feel more confident and proportionate in my body. I 100% recommend having your breast reduction with Dr. Oxley if you're considering one :) - DR
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Oxley and his wonderful receptionist Sandra over 10 years ago before my spinal surgery in 2013. I stumbled upon him again in his new building about 2 years ago revealing a pretty awful scar on my neck ... I’ll never forget his honest response “ we can do something about that “ I was thrilled ! although the fusion changed my life for the better another scar was added :( Dr Oxley had offered his time and expertise in order to give some confidence back to my life. I had a Frankenstein scar on my forehead for over 35 years and it will be almost a year since the surgery and almost invisible! I mean 6 years with a bad neck scar and really my whole life with a facial scar and almost gone? I am forever grateful to Dr Paul Oxley for not only his professionalism but his love for what he does , I can now look in the mirror and almost forget about the past . I know one says all scars tell a story but I wanted my confidence back :) Thank you , thank you , thank you from the bottom of my heart . Sonja M
I've been secretly trolling for years, I developed very young (10 years old) and did not wear a bra till I was 12. Officially I was a double E, then had a child at 23.. my breasts gorged up to the size of a small watermelon then deflating like pancakes haha. I decided to ask my family doctor 2 years ago for this procedure as my chest would hurt if my breast where not in a sports bra or a wire bra.. yes I wore one 24 hours since it would hurt to walk with them as they where saggy and deformed. Told Dr Oxley I like my size.. I just want a lift.. he agreed and said he would reduce minimum amount and lift. I had read previous reviews about his personality.. horrible bedside manner but I didn't experience that at all. He was amazing and straightforward. It's been close to 2 weeks since the procedure and I've experienced a lot of pain in the area.. maybe I'm sensitive.. I had a car accident and been in pain since.. so adding another pain didn't work I guess. I'm happy with how they look so far, any bumps and extra folds are expected so I haven't freaked out. Updated on 17 Nov 2016: Updated on 17 Nov 2016: I need to state the most important part.. get a great supportive bra. I've been struggling with the super sensitive incision and nipple sensitivity. I've been to MEC and purchased a new bra.. it didn't work out.. thinking about visiting Forever Yours lingerie to get properly fitted. I don't want to start this new perky me and not keep up the maintenance! Haha. Also they hurt.. I'm not sure if it's just me.. but I'm taking advil and Tylenol everyday. Cold compresses help.. I've started to hold them when going over bumpy roads when I'm riding in the car. Updated on 22 Nov 2016: I woke up this morning and I felt the smallest of discomfort from my chest. I decided to forgo the meds and just have some Tylenol and advil on hand.. haven't taken anything today.. so I guess this is the first of many (I hope) of pain free booby days. Updated on 29 Nov 2016: I've been having a slight discomfort in my right breast for the past few days.. think it has to do that one of theses night's I rolled into my stomach by accident when sleeping. Today I removed all my steri-strips and discovered an open wound with yellow pus and white sides. Called the doctor and they moved me up for my follow up.. they said it should be healed by now, not having any open wounds. So here I am lying in my bed after sterilizing where the steri-strips where, decided to also apply vitamin E for good measures. Also for anybody wanting to heal scars and wounds I would recommend vitamin E oil. A few years back my father had a work mishap and he had a huge burn on his hand. After 2 months of applying vitamin E it healed so well you could not see the scar.. slight skin colour diff but with more application it was non existant. So here I am waiting for it to dry before I reapply any new strips only on the open wound.
After having my son at a young age and being overweight most of my life I made a change. I lost over 70lbs and kept it off, my son is now 16 and its time for me. I spent the last 16 years hiding my body and not wanting to be intimate in any sort of light..vampire lol I was reffered to Dr Oxley for a msp breast reduction and added a tummy tuck. My strech marks came up to my breasts and I looked pregnant due to muscle damage and loose skin.... I was embaressed and hated my own skin. Now after my surgery I couldnt be happier -Dr.Oxley and his staff are GREAT and have helped me through my recovery.. it hasnt been easy to wrap my head around some of the days of swelling and I obsess over things but despite this they have always been empathetic and caring I would HIGHLY recomend Dr.Oxley to everyone I know.
I could not ask for a better outcome. Have been wanting to do this for some time now and just decided it was time ..... Soooo glad I did .... And so glad that I chose Dr Oxley to do the surgery. So far they look perfect but I did just get it done today at 11am. A little pain of course ... But not bad
Document my experiences of my mommy makeover?? Don't mind if I do!! I have been a lurker on this site for a couple of months now and I must say... Thank you! Thank you all for all of your honest and yet inspirational experiences you have shared. I cannot wait to join the flat side! I have a 7 year old son and due to the fact that I ate the house and it's entire contents while I was pregnant, I ended up gaining a lot of weight. I lost most of it which has left me with loose skin, many stretch marks that look like a road map and a belly button that looks like a wrinkly butt hole (TMI???). My silver lining is that my breasts didn't totally deflate although they don't look like they did when I was 19. The rusted metal lining? They got way too big!! With big, came the weight, the back pain and the neck pain. Fun times! So a trip to the walk in clinic was in order to get a referral to a plastic surgeon to lop some of these puppies off! Since MSP will be covering the breast reduction/lift I thought I might as well piggyback a couple of procedures to save on surgical costs! I have decided to go after that tummy tuck and some lipo on my back, flank and maybe chin that I have so longed for. I'm very excited to feel comfortable in my own skin again. My consultation is on Dec 9th 2015 and surgery should be sometime in Feb 2016. Just enough time to heal up for bikini season next summer. :) I'll go back to lurking now until my consultation in December when I will post another update! Best of luck to all of you out there! Updated on 24 Aug 2015: This is me now. I'm 6 feet tall and 202lbs. I was 184 lbs last summer and will be back to that weight before my consult hopefully. Wait..... did I just day hopefully? Screw that. It will happen! Updated on 27 Aug 2015: 6 feet tall. 202 lbs. Time to drop some more weight to get the best possible results. Is it February yet???!!!! The wait is killing me! Updated on 7 Dec 2015: It finally feels real. I've known for 4 months that it was going to happen but today being the first step in this journey really helped to have that sink in. T-minus 2 months till surgery. I am over the moon excited and thankful to have found such a great Doctor. Dr. Oxley is charming, funny, friendly, professional and very informative. Not one bad thing to say about this man. He did a fantastic job with my friends tummy tuck and breast reduction so I know I am in good hands. During the consult I had to fill out a few form (naturally). Once the forms were completed I was escorted in to the Dr. office to meet Dr. Oxley. Not once during this consult did I have to wait like I do at my family doctors office. He came in, asked a few questions to better get to know me and my lifestyle and then asked that I change in to an open front gown. Once I was changed he came back in the office and first took a look at my abdomen while standing. He informed me that my small tattoo would no longer be there. I'm fine with that seeing as it means nothing to me being a tattoo I got when I was 19 which now has stretch marks running through it. He took a look at my flanks and c-section scar. He then proceeded to examine my breasts for the reduction in a seated position. He took some measurements and such. Then I was to lay down and lift both legs to check how much my muscles were separated in my abdomen (that hurt as my threw my lower back out a couple days ago). Once that was done he did a breast exam to check for any abnormalities or lumps. All clear! He left the room again so I could get dressed before we could chat in full about the procedures. Now... All the info... He started with the tummy tuck and what that would involve. He would make a nice low incision right along my c-sect scar and expand that to my hips. Bring my muscles bad to where they should be, remove the excess skin, make a new spot for my belly button and sew me back up. He will be doing lipo of the front of my tummy above my belly button (the skin below will be gone so no point in lipo there), my flanks, pubic area and upper back around the bra line. For the breast reduction, he recommended I go with the lollipop incision rather than the anchor. I am looking for a fuller, firmer breast and the lollipop will give that to me thanks to purse string sutures. I also want to get lipo of my neck but have decided after his recommendation that it will be left for a future procedure as it is an uncomfortable one and I will already be uncomfortable so not a good idea to overdue it. After the consult his lovely assistant Sandra got me to fill out some papers for the hospital and send me away with some information. I should hear from her in early January in regards to a surgery date but it is looking like early Feb 2016! All in all, this was a fantastic consult with really friendly and knowledgeable people. I feel very confident in the doctor I have chosen. If only he did family practice! Next update will be in a month! Updated on 9 Dec 2015: I have a few questions for you ladies if you don't mind. 1: Should we take a car or an SUV home from the hospital? I will be going home the same day. I am 6 feet tall and I'm leaning towards an SUV as I think it would be more my height... 2: Stairs. When I get home I will need to go up a flight of stairs :(. We are slowly doing renos so there is no railing to hold on to when going up. I will have two people to help me though. Just out of curiosity, how difficult was it for you? 3: I have a recliner but it is a recliner that rocks so it will move around when getting in and out of it. Plus to get that leg rest down when you need to get up will be a pain in the a$$. Should I bother to use it or should I just use the couch with a bunch of pillows? 4: How long till you were able to drive kids to school and back home (25 min drive there and 25 back)? 5: What did you find was the easiest way to wash your hair and how long did it take till you were well enough to do it? I have a removable shower head so I could probably lean over the tub... The doctors says no shower until the drains are out. That is 7-10 days!!!! I can't possibly go that long without washing my hair. It gets greasy in 2 days so 7-10 will just be nasty. 6: The negative thoughts and worries.... I'm so worried that I wont get great results. I'm worried I'll end up with love handles or I wont be flat. Worried that my breasts will be too small or not full enough in the upper cleavage area. Is all this stressing normal and were you proved wrong after the fact? Obviously there is only one way for me to find out and I have seen this doctors work first hand and it's great but peoples bodies are different. I'm probably just worrying for no good reason. Sorry for all the questions, I know its a lot. I appreciate all you ladies and all the info you have shared as it has been so informative. xxoo 55-ish days to go!! Updated on 15 Jan 2016: Got a confirmation on my surgery date. Feb 9th. I got for my pre op appt this Tuesday (Jan 19th). They will go over all the details and procedures that I need to follow before and after the surgery, fit me for my "super suit" garment, fill out my forms for short term disability for work and I will make my final payment $$$$.$$ OUCH! lol I have amazing myself at how much money I am able to save in just 6 short months though. Do I smell a down payment for an income property in my near future??!!! When I got off the phone with Sandra, my doctors amazing assistant, I immediately puked. Nerves are a funny thing. I guess it really hit home in that moment that this is actually happening. The feeling of being terrified and excited all at the same time was a new and interesting one that's for sure. I have one more week of work left then I head to mexico for a week. This will help take my mind off of it I hope. At least until I'm on the plane to go back home when i will have way too much time to sit there and think of what is to come one short week from then. I still have lots of organizing to do. I have a lot of cleaning, grocery shopping, meal prep, laundry, a few supplies left to get and I'm looking in to renting a walker from red cross as apparently being haunched over so much really kills your back. I am also on the hunt for a toilet seat extender (raised). Being 6 feet tall, it is a long way down to sit on the toilet with nothing to hold on to on the walls for support so this might help. Need to purchase more pillows to prop up the body too. I'm pretty worried about getting up the flight of stairs once I get home. I can't live in the basement for a few days due to the fact that it sucks down there and is cold and lonely. Hahahaha!!! I'm very fortunate to have a good friend come with my fiance and I to the appt and back home. She had the same surgeries 5 months ago and she will be a lot of help getting me settled in as she will know exactly what I need. I'm very grateful to have the both of them in my life. My fiance will be my sexy man nurse as he works from home and my mother is making me a big batch of her yummy low sodium black bean soup. Low sodium everything as I really don't want to swell more than the norm. I swell so easily as it is cause I have a sit down job. I am hoping that the doctor will sign off on 4 weeks off of work. Guess I will find out on Tuesday. That is all for now. I will post more after my pre op appt on Tuesday. xxoo Updated on 19 Jan 2016: This morning I had my pre-op appointment. I sat with the nurse and she went over all the do's and don't for recovery. I will wake up with the "super suit" on so I wont be able to see what my tummy looks like but the nurse said I will see a huge difference right away but it wont be my final results as I will be swollen with fluid and plus the fluid that they pump in to my body on all the lipo spots. I wont see final results for a few months but she says around the one month mark I will be pretty close to what I will look like at the 6 month mark. She says I can take my garments off to wash them and such but for the most part they stay on. I wont need any dressing changes or anything unless my bandages are wet from fluids which I can change myself when needed. I will be going home pretty much as soon as I'm able to get up and walk to the bathroom and pee. I put all my extended medical info and the name of who will be filling my script for me as they don't give you the script for your meds till they are about to send you home after surgery. Guess they don't want people popping pills before hand. Speaking of pills, I will start my stool softeners a couple of days before surgery as I really don't want the pain of giving birth to 4 days worth of digested food out of my rear (sorry for the visual but this is a blog with all the good, bad and ugly). Since we are on the not so pleasant topic, I told the nurse that I get nauseous easily and she recommended that I pick up gravol suppositories as the pill form will just get puked up. That should be interesting..... I told my fiance that I was gonna get him to take care of that for me.. Hahahahaha I'm so mean. I was kidding but it was too funny to see the look on his face. I wont have any staples. those are things of the past. The doc will be using internal disolvable stitches so I wont have to get those removed. The only ones that will need to be removed will be the stitches that hold in my drain tubes. The doctor will take those out once the drains are draining 20-25ml or less in a 24 hour period. I am not allowed to shower until the drains are removed which could take 1-2 weeks. So to be proactive.... I am very sorry for my dirtiness to all my friends and family. Baby wipes will be my best friend and thank goodness for a detachable shower head for washing my hair at least. I bought a raised toilet seat yesterday. We shall see how well that is needed I guess. I also will be picking up a rented walker for better mobility and to take some pressure off my back from being haunched over so much. Well, surgery is only 3 weeks away from today. Everything is paid. For those who are curious, MSP is paying for my reduction and the hospital fees. So My total for the tummy tuck and lipo minus the hospital fees was $7100.00 plus 5% tax so total was $7455.00. I'm off to Mexico for a week this Sunday so that will probably help make this 3 weeks fly by. I will have a week before surgery once I get back. I will have to go for blood work, go grocery shopping, clean, meal prep and that should be about it. I will post another update on how I'm feeling when I get back from Mexico. xxoo Updated on 2 Feb 2016: Well, I am back from Mexico. I got the flu while I was away but I should be just fine for surgery as I think it has almost run its course. I went and did my blood work today. Let's hope me being sick doesn't effect the results. The nurse said it shouldn't but you never know. Maybe I'm just paranoid about it. I think I am just so ready for this to just get done and over with that I'm worried something will happen that will result in postponing the surgery (I hope not). I never thought back in August when I decided to start saving for this surgery that this would be happening so fast. It has been a long 8 years and to be honest, part of me never thought this would happen at all. But it is. I've paid, I've done almost all my prep work and appointments. Now it is just a waiting game. With only 7 more sleeps to go the wait isn't long at all. I don't really know how I'm feeling at the moment. I think at this point I'm most worried about how I will feel the morning of, getting all marked up and walking in to the O.R. room to get put under. I'm scared of feeling so terrified that I will make myself sick. I'm not too worried about the pain afterwards though. I know it's gonna hurt. I'll just have to ride through it. Getting myself put to sleep will be the biggest hurdle as up until the moment I am out I have the choice to do it or not to do it. After that, and waking up, there is only one direction I can go and that is recovery. I'm also worried about the results of course (who isn't). I have seen his work first hand and it is great. I think it is mostly because I have put on a bit more weight (10 lbs because of work stress) and I am worried that I will still end up with a fat gut. Or because I will loose more weight after the surgery with diet and working out, that my boobs will dwindle down to nothing. I still want to be on the large side of proportionate. Maybe he will take mostly breast fat out instead of the dense tissue (yeah right). Normally I wouldn't care too much but my fiance is such a breast man that my main concern is him loving them as much as he does now. I really need to stop stressing about things like that. He isn't with me just for my breasts lol. Plus I can always go bigger if they end up too small. Well, I have one last pre op phone appt Friday morning (Feb 5th). So I guess I will do my next entry then. Happy lurking ladies! Updated on 3 Feb 2016: I know I said that I would update again Friday but apparently I'm a liar. Hahahaha So previously I said that my fiance and my friend were going to drop me off and pick me up the day of surgery but things have changed. It will now be just myself and my fiance there. I really didn't want to put my friend out by making her take time off work so instead she generously offered to come by after work that day and help teach my fiance the ropes (she had the same procedure 5 months ago) with the drains and pain pills etc... Also, she will be bringing me watermelon for my dry mouth. She is such a gem! Holy hell, I can't believe it is 5 days away! 5!!!!! Updated on 5 Feb 2016: Well, today is my last day of work. I don't go back until March 9th!!!! Holy hell it has been so stressful at work the past couple of months that I know it is the reason for my lack of working out and my excessive eating/weight gain. I will be glad to be at home and to concentrate on losing the pounds I put on. I just had my last pre op phone appointment. She said my blood work came back and it was excellent. My hemoglobin was 135. She said they want it to be over 115 and that mine was great and I should heal nicely. YAY!!! She went over details about what to do before hand like shower, sage wipes, eating etc..... She sent me an email with a bunch of information on drains, meds, constipation etc... I am all set. Just need to give the house one last big clean and go grocery shopping to stock up. Surgery is at 7:55am so I will need to be there for 7:00am. She says that Dr. Oxley is a perfectionist. Oh thank goodness!!!! I really hope to get the results I'm after. But, my mind is at ease because his assistant told me that he guarantees his work. I have been having some very vivid dreams the last 2 nights of the morning of surgery, getting marked up and walking in to the operating room. I'm just ready to get this done and start my recovery. I will be going out for a bonfire and some last drinks tonight as no more alcohol after tonight for a while (not that that is an issue or anything). I pick up my son from his dads tomorrow (even thought it is his weekend to have him) so that I can get some quality time in with him before I have surgery. He will be going to his dads for the first 1.5 weeks while I recover and that will be pretty hard to go that long without him at home. I predict that this weekend will go by pretty fast which will be good and will be very busy to help take my mind off of it. Well, that is it for today. I'll update the day before (Monday) with some more before pics! Have a great weekend!! Updated on 8 Feb 2016: Well last night my fiance and I got in to an argument and he told me to figure out another way to get to surgery tomorrow and find someone else to help me in my recovery. Awesome. So my friend has stepped up. Soooo grateful. I'm going through so many emotions right now I just ding know If I can do this. Guess is single life after recovery. I'll have plenty of time to find a new place to live while I recover. Worst timing ever! Updated on 8 Feb 2016: Well I think it is emotions running high with the both of us. My fiance doesn't want me to get this done. He loves me the way I am. Plus he is worried i will leave him for another guy after surgery (never would happen). He is 13 years older than me and also doesn't like the fact that he is getting older. So add all that up and you get an emotional mess. And with me being a ball of emotions too that doesn't help. My son got picked up by his dad today and I spent a good hour bawling my eyes out over it. We share custody but him being picked up this time was really emotional for me. Like what if I don't wake up and he no longer had a mother? Crazy thoughts I had. So as luck would have it, I got my period today and a huge cold sore on my lip. So glad I don't have to be in public for the next week or so..... My fiance will now be taking me in for surgery and will be there when I wake up. I will still be going to my friends house for the first few days. I don't think he can handle it emotionally and I can't either of I went home and had him take care of me. My friend has gone through this same procedure with same doctor 6 months ago so she will know exactly what I need. So grateful for her. Well, it is off to do my shower, sage wipes and pack all my stuff for the next few days at my friends place. Goodnight and I'll post in the morning! Updated on 9 Feb 2016: Well I'm 10 mins away from the surgical center and ready to get this done! !!! See you on the flat side! Updated on 10 Feb 2016: So all went smoothly. I have 2 drains for the tummy tuck and 2 drains for the breast reduction. I want expecting drains for the breastsame but apparently he did more lipo than cutting. He took less off my chest than he usually does which is what I asked for. I wanted to be perportionate but on the larger size. He did the lollipop incision and lipo on my sides under my arm pits. From what I can see at the top, they look beautiful. Perfect cleavage and nice and "up there". I don't even feel any pain with my chest at all. It is all in the tummy. It is no joke that it hurts so stay on top of the pain meds. I did get a very quick peek at my tummy at the hospital and holy crap I know I'm going to love it. Sitting up and being able to see my lady bits cause I have no gut hanging over on to my lap is amazing! He did lipo on my flanks and my mons pubic. My girl down there is black in color and swollen all to hell! So a little recap before these pain meds kick in and knock me out, I went in to surgery at 8 am. I don't remember falling asleep. I just remember talking then walking up. I was in surgery for 3 hours. I'm not sure how much was taken off but I'll find that out at my post op on Tuesday (Dr. Oxley is away till then). I was in recover for two hours before they moved me to day care. My friend that I'm staying with the first few days showed up around 2 I think. Her mom is a nurse and was relaying my progress to her so she knew when to pop in. She left and I slept some more. I then got woken up by forehead kisses from my fiance around 4pm and then my friend came back shortly after. My first attempt getting up was interesting. I got to a seated position with legs on floor but started to pass out and my blood pressure dropped so I layed back down. Took me 3 more attempts before I was able to get in a wheel chair and go to the bathroom. Once I was able to do that I was able to leave the surgical center. I was glad to leave. The beds there are sooooooooooooo uncomfortable. I'm now resting on my friends couch. She has been truly amazing. I don't know what I would have done without her. I'm going to think of a very nice gift to get her as a thank you. We'll, I'm going to get more sleep. Have a good night everyone! Updated on 10 Feb 2016: Updated on 10 Feb 2016: Updated on 10 Feb 2016: Updated on 11 Feb 2016: Not really much to update. I'm sleeping a a LOT!!! I've been able to get up on my own the last 5 times. My breasts have no pain at all. This morning was a rough one. Had to use a gravol suppository as I seriously thought I was going to puke. Here are some more pics. Off to sleep some more. Updated on 12 Feb 2016: So I've had a fever the last couple of days. Nothing too major but they are going to fit me in today before my original first post op appt Wednesday. I'll post after the appt :) Updated on 12 Feb 2016: So the fever is a mild one and he looked at everything and says I'm healing great. I had 2 of my breast drains removed. Yay! Now only have 2 tummy drains. Updated on 13 Feb 2016: Updated on 13 Feb 2016: Updated on 13 Feb 2016: I noticed tonight that I have 2 blisters on each hip around the tape covering the incision. I called the on call surgeon and was told to pretty much cover them with gauze to prevent more irritation. And Dr. Oxley will take a look at it all on Wednesday. Other than that I'm feeling pretty good. I'm getting up and moving around pretty well. I'm down from 2 hydromorphine every 4 hours to 1 tramadol and one tylenol every 4 hours. The harsh pain meds were messing with me too much. I was finally able to poop. Yay!!!!! Never thought I'd be so excited to poop. I've been taking stool softeners, restorilax, a suppository and one dose of milk of magnescum. My poop was a pleasant one. Didn't have to force it or anything. I haven't posted much pics of my tummy. I haven't taken the binder off much. The wrap over the breasts are easier to remove and the breasts don't hurt at all so it is much easier to take pics of the girls. I'll post pics of my tummy soon. Happy healing ladies! Updated on 15 Feb 2016: I feel like today has been a great day. Not a lot of pain. Able to get up and down with ease. This is good! I'm down to one pain pill at a time instead of 2. And I'm using tramadol now instead of hydromorphine. I've had 3 good poops. Yay!! Never thought I'd be so pumped about pooping lol I have had a headache all day today and can't shake it no matter what I do. That's the most annoying part right now. Here are some close up pics of my breasts. All looks well. Happy healing! Updated on 15 Feb 2016: Updated on 16 Feb 2016: Well it is one week today that I had my surgery. I'm in love with my breasts. He has done such a great job on them. They are perky, large, round, full and healing so nicely. I haven't fully seen my tummy yet but even with all the swelling I can tell I'm going to love it too! It is small and flat even with all the bandages and swelling. The belly button looks small and the incision line on it is on the inside so I think the scar will be minimal. Pain. I'm off most of the pain pills and after today will start on an advil and Tylenol combo. Tomorrow is my first part op with my surgeon. I went there last week and saw a different surgeon to remove my drains from my breasts as my surgeon Dr. Oxley had been away. I'm excited to see him and see his work after he removes the bandages. I hope to have my tummy tuck drains out tomorrow. Not sure if that will happen as I'm still draining around 35 mls each day from both drains. I am going to attempt to wash my hair in the sink today. A week without shampoo has been just nasty. So here is to hoping that the drains cone it and I can shower tomorrow. More pics to come when the bandages come off. Updated on 18 Feb 2016: I really hope this is just selling and I'm not going to be left with a roll or pouch or whatever above the incision. My mons pubic or whatever its called (lafldy bits) was lipoed so that is very very swollen. So hopefully the rest of my lower abdomen is swollen too? What is your opinion? Updated on 18 Feb 2016: Updated on 19 Feb 2016: Got my last drain removed and I get to finally shower this evening. I'm off my heavy pain meds and antibiotics. So I eeekkkk have a glass or two of wine tonight with a couple of friends. Yay! I also get to pick my son up from his dad's and go back to our normal schedule. I can't wait to see him. I feel like its been forever as I'm not usually away from him for more than 3 or 4 days at a time (shared custody). I'm pretty much able to do everything for myself now except drive my car. The pain is minimal so long as I take it easy. If I push myself too much I pay for it the next day. I think that is it for now. I'll post singed pics when I take a shower. Tape should come off nicely after the shower too. Oh and holy hell the swelling is bad! !! Updated on 20 Feb 2016: Last night we had a few of people over and I had some wine for the first time since before surgery. I was able to finally sleep in the bed. I still had pillows to prop me up but I was happy to be back in bed beside my fiance. Here are some pics..... Updated on 23 Feb 2016: Today I am 2 weeks post op. I feel like I have stalled the last 4 days or so as I don't feel much better from Friday. The swelling is so bad I'm worried about final results with the bulge. My surgeons assistant reassured me that is too early to tell and that Dr. Oxley stands behind his work so an in office revision at no cost won't be an issue if needed. That's reasuring but still kind of a step back. I did put on one of my summer dresses that I never felt comfortable wearing before and even with the swelling I felt like I could finally wear it. Yay!!! My breasts are doing great. A had a couple of days where the left one would get shooting pains but that seems to have subsided. I've had a little frustration with compression garments. I woke up in a binder. Last week my Dr. said that he would switch me to the garment I wad fitted for. I picked it up yesterday and when I grief it on at home I couldn't even do it up. Like at all no matter how hard I tried. Clearly too small. So I put in the one that my friend who is around the same size as me gave to me (she had same surgery with same Dr.) And it fits! It was two sizes larger than mine. The only problem it there is a 4 inch wide elastic band at the top that hurts my rib cage and puts so much pressure pushing down on my lower abdomin that I thought I wad going to burst. I had to remove it :( so I then desided to try putting on my spanx. That feels much better. I then put on my binder for added compression. So this is my set up until I see my doc this Friday. I've been using castrol oil on my incisions to minimize the scars and help flatten out the puckering. I woke up this morning with lots of swelling but because it is the 2 week mark I took some pics which I will post in a min. I have to crop out my lady bits first lol Happy healing! Updated on 23 Feb 2016: Updated on 23 Feb 2016: Updated on 25 Feb 2016: Both of my breasts have a couple of spots that don't seem to be healing as well as the rest. I see my surgeon tomorrow. I'm sure is nothing as the same thing happened when I had a c section and it ended up healin fine. I finally got a good compression garment today from the place my surgeon orders his from. Much more comfortable. Here are some pics. Updated on 26 Feb 2016: So I had my doctors appt this morning. Lots of swelling as I've said over and over lol. He said that he can get rid of the bulge area in office once my swelling is gone in a few months. No saroma or anything. Thank goodness. He said I can just polysporin the two areas on my breasts and they will be fine. He wants me to start moving around more. Walking or light exercise on a stationary bike. I'm not really sure if I feel ready for that as I'm still sore and can't walk fully upright so I'll see how I am next week for that. Well, nothing really else to update so I'm leave it at that for now. I'll post more pics soon. Updated on 28 Feb 2016: Last night the family and I went to Monster Jam. I was surprised that I was able to do it with the hour+ of walking and sitting in those uncomfortable seats but I did! Thought I'd pay for it today but another surprise..... I only needed Tylenol and advil. I'm finally able to sleep in bed with my normal pillow. No more being propped up but I do still need a pillow under my legs as laying completely flat pulls too much. I'm a couple of days shy of 3 weeks but it seems like forever ago. I forgot how it feels to feel normal. One day at a time I guess lol So far I'm very happy with my breasts. The feeling is coming back to them and they are sore. But only when I touch them (which I have to to massage them). My tummy is still awoken all the time. Less so in the mornings. I'm still worried about the results with that ledge or shelf or whatever its called. I just need to be patient and remind myself that he will do the revision of needed when the time comes. 8 more days till I go back to work. Time has flown by with that. Not really looking forward to going back but what can you do! Lol Here are some pics from today in clothing. The one in the white shirt is from this morning and the one in the pink is from tonight. I'll post more pics without clothing soon. Happy healing. Updated on 29 Feb 2016: Updated on 9 Mar 2016: Today is my first day back to work and my god this sucks. Like worse than a cheap [RS bleep]. Hahaha ok, lame joke. But seriously, I'm so swollen and uncomfortable. I sit at a desk all day long and feel as though I'm just one big swollen, painful mess. Being back has also made me realize how much I hate some aspects of my job. Im only half way done my day here but I'm taking an hour break to lay down on the medical cot. The plus side to being back at work is that I easy much healthier here than I do at home. I went for a lymphatic massage and although it felt nice this chick clearly has no idea what a lymphatic massage was as all he did was massage my tummy. So I will find someone else who does. What a waste of money that was. Had another post op appt yesterday. I have a small seroma but nothing big enough to get drained. I'll have a little nip and tuck revision once I'm all healed for that bump area. No big deal. Well that's about it for now. Haven't really posted much pics as I'm so swollen that I hate the ones I take (except for these). I'll post more pics this weekend regardless of the swell hell. Happy healing ladies! Updated on 11 Mar 2016: 4 weeks and 3 days progress pics. Swelling is down a lot in these new pics but not gone yet. Updated on 12 Mar 2016: Updated on 12 Mar 2016: Updated on 18 Mar 2016: I had another post op appointment this morning. I won't have to go for another until the end of April. SWEET! I'll start with the breasts since that is where he started. The shape is great. Nice and perky! The incisions that opened up below each nipple are healed and I no longer need to wear a band-aid with Polysporin on them. He will do a scar revision on those spots. The incision around the left nipple is healing great. The incision around the right nipple is having troubles. I'm having a reaction to the suture in that nipple and the scar is worse which then makes it look like my nipple is bigger than the other. He will do a scar revision and purse string suture removal on this as well later and has me on a medication that is usually for acne to help with the reaction to the sutures. On to the tummy.... I still have lots of swelling (especially afternoon and evening) but I will need a small revision. My sides right above the incision will need some lipo done to them. If not a lot is needed this can be done under local anesthetic in office. I will also need to have a bit more skin removed which can be done under local anesthetic in office as well. I hope to not have to go under again as I'm sure I'll have to fork out funds for hospital fees etc... Which kind of sucks cause I already paid to have a nice midsection. If it is done in office it is covered. Time will tell I guess. Maybe I'll ask him if its possible to do a little lipo under local anesthetic, wait till it heals then do it again to avoid going under? All in all I do look way better than I did before and if that is the least of my problems, that will be fixed eventually then big woop! I'm so glad he guarantees his work. My lipo spots still hurt, have some bruising and are hard or firm when I touch them and I still feel some pain and tightness right down the middle of my abdomen where the muscle repair was done. I have been cleared to hit the gym. He says to listen to my body and don't over do it which is understandable. I can also start to lose a bit of the compression garments. I don't need to wear one to bed anymore but should still wear one during the day. Yay! Nighttime freedom!!! That's all for now. I'll try and post some pics soon as I know those are what we really are here to see. Hahaha Happy healing!! Updated on 23 Mar 2016: So these were taken first thing in the morning. Still swelling in the mons pubic area from lipo and slight swelling in lower tummy and upper front abdominal area above belly button. Revision needed for the sides but will still go down some amd hopefully even out as one side is out now than the other. Went to the gym for first time. I was only able to do 20 mins of cardio but baby steps right?!! I was so swollen after the gym that I thought I popped the stitches on my muscle repair with how much my tummy was protruding but it was back down to normal this morning so all is well. Today will try for 30 mins of cardio at the gym. Need to drop 20 for the summer. If only I could get my eating in check. It's the hardest part for me. Time to find someone to check in worth each day to help keep me accountable. I am noticing that I'm feeling very tight or pulling on the incision line in the morning when i stand up now that I'm not wearing any garments to bed. It's a strange feeling. I also have a 2 inch area on my incision line that is knotted so I'm massaging that out. The lipo spots still hurt. Especially if I sleep on my sides. I end up ealing up in pain and man is it hard to tien over on my back. Lipo pain is real! Lol in still have bruising in some spots and hard spots under skin. Breasts are doing great. Don't hurt at all anymore. The scars suck but will get better in time and will get scar revision on the bad spots later. That's really I can think of for now. Thanks for reading :) Updated on 29 Mar 2016: I can't believe it's been 7 weeks already. I still battle swelling constantly. Ugh I took my son to the indoor community pool with a gf of mine and her daughter yesterday and I can't believe I'm going to say this but. ...... I wore a bikini! Yup, you heard right, a bikini!!!! I'm not happy with where I'm at just yet but I want self conscious about my tummy which was amazing. I can't believe I wore a bikini. I shed a little happy tear over that. I started a low carb, high fat eating plan (atkins) yesterday and I'm feeling really great and motivated. Excited for summer! Updated on 31 Mar 2016: Thought id post a pic. I'm down 5 pounds since I started the Atkins way of eating 3 days ago. Woot woot! Updated on 13 Apr 2016: I am now 9 weeks post op. I went on our annual girls only camping trip called Boob Bash. It is always so much fun being surrounded by 30 awesome ladies. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my tent as I was too lazy to set it up so I slept in my truck for 2 nights. My body did not like that one bit. I was pretty swollen and stiff from Sat night on and the swelling from that trip still has not complete subsided. (picture is from the beginning of the camping trip). I go for a lymphatic massage tomorrow so I hope that helps with swelling in general as even without that camping trip, I still had swelling. I no longer wear a compression garment yay!!! I still have the same concerns as I did before so I'm pretty sure I'll need that revision. I'm using bio oil now. Not sure how well that will work but I'm not too worried about it. Updated on 21 Apr 2016: Just a couple of things. I'm using bio oil on my scars in the mornings and castor oil in the evenings. I'm no longer wearing my compression garment on a daily basis. Just when I'm feeling more swollen than usual. I'll definately need a revision on my tummy tuck incision to remove more skin as when I sit, it sits on my lap not nearly as bad as before but there is still a bit of loose skin to be removed. Possibly a bit of lipo to one side to even it out a bit and scar revision on my breasts. I love my breasts! !! Shape, size, perkiness. ... just love them! The scars will fade and will be better after the scar revision on where they opened up but damn I love them. I think my belly button is a bit big but oh well. Maybe he can make that a bit smaller? I'll all at my appt next week. Swelling is still a pain in my butt. Especially after a weekend ugh. I'm down 10 pounds since before surgery which accounts for what he took off so I haven't gained weight which is good. I am eating low carb and starring to work out more so the scale will move more. Here are some side by side pics from 7 weeks (on the left) and 10 weeks (on the right). Updated on 21 Apr 2016: Updated on 25 Apr 2016: Updated on 28 Aug 2017: I will be going in for my revision in 2-3 months. I'm going for more Lipo contouring down my sides, to give a more hourglass look, have the hematoma bruise on my side removed and to have the lump cut out that is in the front. I will be going under for this one as its too much work to do it under local like my last one, which was just a bit of skin removal. I'm much happier with my profile than my frontal view so I hope this Lipo will get rid of the wide boxy look I have. Updated on 16 Nov 2017: I am almost 2 years post op and am very happy with the results overall. That being said, I am going under one more time for a revision. There is a small lump on the front of my tummy tuck scar that will be liposuctioned out, more lipo down my sides to give me more of and hour glass figure, more skin removal/scar revision and since I am going under anyways, I will be adding in some lipo of my chin/neck area. Bu-bye double chin. Hello defined jaw line!! Here are some pictures from before and after first surgery, to now and pictures of my double chin. Surgery date is Dec 6th. 3 Weeks away! Updated on 8 Dec 2017: I'm 2 days post up and boy is this easier than the innitial surgery! I'm still pretty sore but nothing like before. My doctor said he took an ohenry bar from my chin and a 2 litre bottle of pop from my abdomin. Lol I get too shower tonight. I haven't seen what my stomach looks like yet but my chin looks amazing. So happy with the results so far. Even with the swelling. Updated on 9 Dec 2017: I finally got to shower this morning. Felt so good. This recovery is so much better than the initial surgery. 2 litres of abdominal lipo, scar revision and chin lipo. As you can see from the pictures, the shape is way better. That lump in the middle is gone. I'm swollen but very happy with the results. It can only get better as swelling goes down Updated on 2 Nov 2018: So y breasts have pretty much grown back so I have been approved for a second breast reduction. I also have nerve damage to my right nipple due to a permanent stitch that will hopefully be fixed as well. My doctors will be adding lipo to touch up my rib cage are to give more of an hourglass figure, will be touching up my chin as it is a bit uneven and will add in the armpit lipo. Surgery will be in late Spring of early Summer on 2019. Updated on 6 Dec 2019: I had my 2nd BR done 2 days ago. So far im very happy with the results. They are sitting much higher than last time so once the drop and fluff, I should have much better upper pole fullness than before. My areolas are very small just like I asked for. They stretched out a lot after my last reduction so hopefully when they settle, they will still be on the small side. My Dr. did a touch up of my chin lipo to give a more defined jaw line, more lipo around my rib cage area to get rid of the higher up muffin top I had and he did more lipo on my side boobs and my armpits. I must say that I have been so pleased with my Dr. And his work. He's really changed my life and I'm so grateful for all the extras he has done. He goes the extra mile and it's much appreciated.
53 Y.O. no pregnancies, 130 lbs, 5'3" tall, having lipo to upper/lower abdomen, flanks and love handles, along with a long-awaited for Breast reduction, coming up July 4th! I am in a pretty good shape and don't look my age, either look wise, or figure-wise, when dressed up. But I've always abhorred my apple-shape, rounded midsection. Twenty years ago when liposuction was the new kid on the block and I was about to get married (you know how it is: emotions take over the brain), I saw it as my saving grace and rushed into getting it done right before my wedding. BIG MISTAKE :-( I spare you the boring details, suffice it to say that after spending a good chunk of money and suffering enormous pain while going through the final steps of my wedding planning, there was absolutely no difference in the measurement of my midsection and the shape changed ever so slightly, but NOT for the better! Basically, I still didn't have a waistline, the only thing was that I got a wavy abdomen, which just did not smooth out over time as the PS had promised. He wanted me to go back and do it again for a "reduced fee". I was furious. He is the one who screwed up and yet he wanted me to pay him another couple of thousands to correct it. Forget it, I said; and I learned to live with it over the years, forgetting about ever wearing a bikini and cute cropped tops. Last year, when it was determined that the weight of my large breasts was the culprit in severe joint deformation of my neck, doctors recommended a breast reduction to alleviate the pain in the neck (literally!) So I thought maybe now would be a good time to go ahead with correcting the botched lipo from 20 years ago. I've been maintaining my weight through the years and my figure now is not much different than back then. My PS (a different doctor this time as I'm in Canada now) assured me that despite my age, I'm still a good candidate for lipo as I don't have any loose abdominal skin and he can correct the waviness and take off the extra fat easily. We'll see about that :-) The only drawback, I still need to pay full price for it, $6,000. I was hoping that because it's done at the same time as my breast reduction (covered by insurance), I can save the cost of OR facilities and anesthesiologist fees, etc. Apparently that is not the case. I decided to do it anyway, as I really, really would like to have a waistline! So I'm scheduled for 4th of July! That's exactly one week away, woohoo! I'm so excited. So, all you wonderful RS friends, think of me while enjoying your BBQ & fireworks next Friday and please send me some positive energy and healing thoughts. Thank you! Updated on 2 Jul 2014: 2 more "sleeps" till my surgery! I'm so happy. Did my measurements today to keep as a baseline for comparison afterwards. The part I'm most anxious to reduce is my waistline (currently at 34.5") and the lower ab circumference, right on my belly button (currently at 35.5"). We'll see how that goes. I went to get some Arnica based on recommendations I read here, but my PS thinks it's a waste of money and there's no evidence they help at all. He recommends just icing it. I probably won't get a chance to post before my surgery, so have a wonderful long weekend, you all!!!
I found this site a couple of days ago, as I was preparing myself for my upcoming surgery. I know I need to have this done (having big boobs makes you look older than you are & I'm starting to have issues with shoulder blade pain). But I will admit I am starting to freak out a bit, it comes in waves, I will probably break down on Monday - day of surgery. Getting house in order, cleaning, gardening (when will I have time afterwards) and thinking what do I need for me before surgery. Apparently ice packs, so I will get those, people say a Hanes Comfort Fit Bra (I will check them out, if they fit comfortably around my body, then I guess the size will be ok), special soap to wash my body the night before & they day of, water jug, drink cups with straws, books, mags and TV, extra bedding & pillows (too late to get a recliner now), munchies of chips or chocolate (who knows what I may want or if I will want them, better to be prepared). So busy weekend to keep my mind occupied so I don't panic - ha ha ha. Updated on 5 May 2014: Today is surgery day... and I am surprisingly calm, so far. I had all my liquids up until 9 this morning, had my coffee no cream, wish I would have had a green tea instead, feel a little jumpy and I was fine before, oh well. Have to be at the hospital to check in by 11- surgery at 1. I have my drink cup and straw, a sandwich made for when I get picked up (ate at midnight last night - big bowl of mini wheats - will be starving by surgery time, hahaha) and a pillow to wear in front so I have some protection from the seat belt (found that on pinterest of all places, but thankful because I didn't know how I was going to have a seatbelt across my chest). Just got off the phone with pre admission and toenail polish is ok, yeah saved the pedicure I had last week on vacation :) And also asked about feeling anxious and they said that they have Ativan prescribed just in case, common procedure. Took all my before pictures yesterday - naked (wow do they look different when you look at them in that form - they're big), with bra, in clothes. Will post pics later to compare to same pictures. Feeling excited - Im getting new boobs - have to keep myself upbeat about this and not think of the pain ahead of me. Off to do some yoga stretches to calm myself, have my final scrub down shower and then we are off to the surgical day center. Big breath here - all is good, I'm doing the right thing, all will be ok :) Updated on 6 May 2014: I'm doing really good & I was panicking that I would be in a lot of pain and not doing so well - but know that you will be ok. They're sore, swollen and aching but I'm taking meds every 6 hours and I am really good - thankfully. So, I will explain my day yesterday, which went well. A difficult part for me was the IV, I have little veins well hidden and they always have difficulty - I got very emotional & teary, she suggested the Ativan, I explained that it really was the IV process which I am fine with once in. Then I felt nauseous but I think that was the no food or water and the cocktail of meds I had to take (2 advil, 2 tylenol and 1 oxy) with about an ounce of water - that should upset anyones stomach. The Dr came in and did his artwork (took a pic because it was interesting to see). Then the Anesthesiologist came and commented that my take home meds wouldn't be heavy duty as it was a superficial wound (?!) My breasts are being cut up & thats superficial, anyways.. I have a very low pain tolerance & that was one of my greatest fears. Everyone was so nice and cheerful - which made for an easier experience. My recovery was longer than expected as my blood pressure was low & my oxygen level low. They gave me oxy when I woke up & again before I left. I was prescribed Tramadol & Antibiotics for home. My husband & kids came to get me, they agreed that they were "little". But my daughter commented that I looked so skinny (and I'm overweight) so that was nice. I do look slimmer and feel so much better, but still hope that its just me and that they aren't that little. I ate the sandwich that I made early in the day - thankfully as they gave nothing but ice water in recovery. REMEMBER THE PILLOW for the ride home. I didn't feel the seatblet at all - it was fantastic. I didn't have drain's, yeah, and I have internal stitches so I can shower in 4 days. We came home & I rested, we have a leather swivel chair recliner that was comfortable to be in, they said I had to be upright for the next few days when sitting or sleeping. I slept on our chaise lounge last night & it was ok - too upright, may have to bring up the recliner tonight. I woke up at 5 this morning, but not because I was in pain, which was a good sign considering my fear of pain. I let my husband sleep until his alarm went, then I took my meds and crawled into bed with pillows - will need more pillows if sleeping in our bed, the recliner really is so much better. I had a lot of seepage through bandage and bandeau top & had hard swelling on one breast which they said to watch for. Made an appointment with family Dr, he put on new dressing and we used tensor bandage wrap until I could wash the bandeau which I feel better wearing. I briefly saw them in a side mirror in examining room, they look way too small & I cried on the way home. Hopefully they aren't and I'm just in shock from how much is gone, who knows. Feeling more tightness, tenderness and bruising as the day has gone & definitely needing the meds every 6 hours, not bad just not wanting it to get any worse. Feeling tired but I'm not one who can nap during the day, & it doesn't help that I got calls today & people visiting, all very appreciative but maybe more than I could actually handle. Again, the pain is not what I was expecting - which I am so thankful for, it is tolerable :) Updated on 8 May 2014: Had a bad day yesterday - I cried. Like I lost a part of me (hahaha, I know). It was so weird, I felt so sad, I questioned why I did it (even though I know why), that I shouldn't have done it (even thought I know I should have). Like I said, a real roller coaster of thoughts. I stopped taking my pain meds and just took a Tylenol with an Advil every 6 hours. Maybe I stopped pain meds too soon? I'm not really in pain, just irritated with everything, thought maybe I should go back to meds, might make me not so aware, lol. And after checking here, I remembered ICE, big help. And peoples kind words and encouragement are so nice as well. I took the bandeau off today, it was so freakin tight it was crazy. The Dr office said I could take it off for short periods but getting it back on is a 2 person job and still hard to do. So I put on one of those Genie Bras, its snug, the irritation is still there but it feels better. AND on top of everything, I think they are way too small - where are they? They look like big flat round discs. Someone said they "drop & fluff". I hope so, because I still like having breasts, just not super huge ones, but these are small. My girlfriends dropped by separately and they still think they are big (?). One said that they look great and she would be honest with me (but would she?) and would tell me the truth. She said its because I am used to them being sooooo big and that I have no concept of what is normal, true I guess. I know in a couple of weeks I may look back on this and laugh, but so far I'm not so sure. Today I made a fruit blend in the VitaMixer - yeah. I need to stop eating junk, but it doesn't help when you don't know what you want to eat. I'm so bloated its crazy. I took some tablets and fiber to help things move along, which is now moving but still feel bloated. When I move around, I hear water gurgling (?) What is that? Do I have extra water somewhere inside of me, very strange. I almost think its coming from my boobs, but that is silly because they are small, lol, my stomach makes more sense, it looks like a beach ball. Having a better day than yesterday, thankfully. Hoping that getting on track with better food will help all around (of course). I'm craving fruits and veggies, which is a good thing. So today my VitaMixer is my best friend. I'm hoping that it gives me some clarity as well :) Updated on 8 May 2014: I totally forgot about ICE packs and I cannot stress this enough. I read someones post yesterday and thought how crazy am I to have forgotten. It felt fantastic once I got them on me :) Need more than one set of packs because when the first set is done you will want another set put right on after. Getting some extra sets today. Happy ICE-ing :) Updated on 11 May 2014: Well today is Mothers Day. And I'm feeling good :) I was aloud to shower on Day 4 but was just not ready to do it. I had not looked at them at all. (Some of you are so brave & pics no less). Surprisingly it went well. Some bruising of course, but the tape covers the incisions & my stitches are internal. I was scared of the shower, but it went very well. Yeah, I have nipple sensation! So much so that I had to cover them from the shower, they were that sensitive. Interestingly, my back fat has disappeared (?) I don't know where it went & hope it doesn't come back. As for how they look, a little football shaped, but that I think is due to the fact that I didn't have lipo (BR is covered in Canada, but not lipo & any add ons make it not covered). My incisions underneath aren't so underneath on the sides, they actually come to the side of my breasts. So I think that is why they have that football shape. Maybe if I'm not happy later I can just pay to have it done. Looking at my tummy, I'm thinking lipo & tummy tuck, lol. Might as well keep this whole new body going ;D I got all dressed up today, well tank & capris - so cute. I just look different in the same clothes, they hang the way they are suppose to. I fit into an XL but look better in them now. And everything is longer. I just can't get over the fact that I look like I am suppose to in my clothes, the way they are suppose to hang & be worn. It's fantastic. I actually started trying on some of my clothes a couple of days ago, actually on Day 4, was sick of sweats & looking bad. A real boost to my self esteem for sure. Clothes, makeup and hair - felt human again. That would make a difference at any regular time, really need to do that for yourself to remember that you are still really beautiful :) Still feeling a little wiped. I help around and do things around the house, nothing much, but it still affects me. I would really say that day 4 was the start of coming around for me, and today is better again. I will admit that I started the pain meds after my downer day & am glad that I did. The pain was bearable but I was not. I'm taking way less than recommended (3 instead of 8 per day) but they helped me big time, took the edge off the irritableness of it all. I also got the Bromelain & I'm hoping that is helping as well. It must be because I am doing really good. Tomorrow is my last day of antibiotics, so I'm planning on celebrating my new boobs on Day 8 with a glass (or more) of wine - woo hoo! Again to all the Moms out there - Happy Mothers Day :) Updated on 11 May 2014: Had to add, going through papers on the counter and came across my surgery report. When I went to see my family Dr on Day 1, I had asked if he knew how much was taken from each breast (because so many people knew this info on the site). He told me & I asked if he could write it down (I was still very medicated) & he said he would print out the surgery report. So it was very interesting to read. I lost just over 3 lbs on one breast and just under 3 lbs on the other. They actually said they used a 42 mm cookie cutter for my nipples (1 and a half inches) - too funny, my nipples were shaped with a cookie cutter :) And at the end all sponges and instruments were accounted for - yeah they didn't leave anything in me. It was pretty detailed but nothing that I couldn't handle. I just thought I would share in case someone wanted a play by play report of there own surgery. Updated on 27 May 2014: All has been really good, minor irritations but nothing big. I had my 2 week post op appointment & didn't have the time to write a review, got busy with getting back to the day to day stuff. Funny how that happens ;D So here it is: 2 WEEK POST OP APPOINTMENT - it was my second day of driving and it was about a 25 min drive to his office, and driving with a pillow & still holding the seatbelt away from my body! He was a little more chatty than he has been, I guess we had gotten to know each other better with each meeting, lol. When he came in he took me by surprise as he asked questions & started removing the tape, I was "whats going on". I would've thought it would hurt way more & it really was best that he removed it because I was too afraid to. He said they were healing nicely, but I had one spot at the T-joint where it was weepy. He said it had pulled apart, it happens, & to put Polysporin on it (which really hasn't helped, but anyways...) He also said that I could start using Bio-Oil everywhere else. From the view point in his office they seemed ok but then when I got home I looked at them and was a little freaked out. They looked great with the tape on them, but with the tape off I was not so happy :( My nipples were cut with a "cookie cutter" so they are perfectly round and the incision is fine, BUT they puff up like little muffin tops! I know there is still swelling and at 2 weeks I shouldn't have expected perfection, but I was still sad. And everywhere else the incisions are just a line, but underneath the skin they are lumpy, which I now know as "braiding". I know I have to massage it down, but it still scares me that it might not go away. My friend had surgery on her arm and the lumpiness is still there, but she said that that was because she used her arm too much. Well, we use our boobs as well, they get pulled on for everything. Walking, driving, sleeping, etc. I didn't realize until this surgery how much our upper body is involved. I find that when I am a passenger I hold my boobs because the jiggling affects me later, as in tightness and general irritation. So thanks to this site and all of everyones helpful hints and tricks, I promptly went to buy the Polysporin that night and some 3M tape - yeah. And I taped myself back up, minus the spot that just won't heal. I also taped up across my nipples, they are soooo sensitive, it drives me crazy, don't even talk to me when they actually get cold, they just tweak right up tight - OMG! Overall the bruising is just a light yellowish and only dark stitch like colouring around my nipples. I have dissolving inner stitches and no drains. So the tape hides the muffin tops and the dark around and down my breasts, so that I can slowly get used to how they look (I am squeamish). Also I have read that that keeps the scares from raising, so I hope so. I don;t know which way to go, Polysporin Complete or Bio-Oil or just the tape. Hopefully someone has had some great experience with any of them and their opinions on that - that would be great :) I did ask the PS if I could have more painkillers for the night, and he suggested Extra Strength Tylenol and Advil instead. I was a little bummed out, but still had enough to get me through the next week as I was only taking that at night. I am still taking the Bromelain and I guess its working, sometimes I do need to take a combo of Advil & Tylenol during the day, but all in all the pain is just a pulling tightness not really pain pain. I was prescribed Tramadol with Tylenol, and it has been great for me. I was only constipated from the Oxy from the Hospital, but by day 3 things were moving and have been moving fine. I was prescribed 40 pills (5 day supply, lol) and only took 6 for the first 2 days, then the 3rd day I stopped taking everything but Bromelain, would NOT recommend that at all, it was a very bad day to say the least, then I went to 3 a day (morning midday and night) then I went to just 1 before bed. So the pills stretched out to get me to 3 weeks. I have read so much of people taking Oxycodone and Percocet and being so constipated, I couldn't imagine adding that to the healing process as well. So maybe others reading can check out Tramadol as well, you never know :) All in all the experience has been really good and I still recommend getting it done if you're considering it at all :) I am also attaching my pre-surgery art work, lol, and me at 1 week Updated on 27 May 2014: I will start with, I'm getting used to the new size. I think in the beginning it was the shock of going from huge to normal and holy holy, thats a lot to take in, and it happens just like that. I remember trying on clothes at 1 week and they hung differently and looked so much better. And at 2 weeks I tried on different OLD bras that I used to fool myself into fitting (once properly fitted, I was a 40J ). I tried on a 42DDD and its a little puckered in the cup, so it will be interesting to see where I end up. The reason I am so concerned about size is because initially it was shocking AND when people I know see me they comment on how SMALL they are and gasp. Only 2 friends were normal about it and thought they were a good size. So even though I do feel they are in proportion to my body, and I feel so much better, and my husband says they are still bigger than a handful, other peoples reactions still bother me :| And interestingly, most of these people have small boobs! And mine now are still bigger than what they have, go figure, anyways... This last week I have been struggling with the lack of energy. I only realized how slow I walked when I walked with people, and I'm just wiped out. Driving the kids to school is just irritating, not bad, just irritating. And my arms feel weird sometimes, I guess its how they attach to your body and where my incisions end. I still move slowly to get something from the top shelf in the kitchen and I'm careful when lifting things. If/when I overdue it, it usually shows up the next day with a really tight feeling. I joke that it must be what having implants feels like - its so tight. Yeah, they are getting softer but still pretty solid. My nipples are still really sensitive - drives me crazy, but at least I have nipple sensation, so thats really good. I have been really trying to get the open area to heal - argh. Polysporin and a bandaid makes it wet and whitish, gauze dries to it and when I go to take it off, it starts to bleed. So I have decided to go braless for a few days to let it heal and that seems to be working. Also, my girlfriend recommended Liquid Silver. I use it for so many things and I never thought to use it for this, it dried over night and is finally scabbing over - yeah. You can buy it at Health Food Stores, I highly recommend looking up what it is good for and trying it. I have been using it for 2 years now and we never get sick. When any of us feel something come on we take 10 ml of it daily. I have even been spraying it over the tape to have it heal underneath. I'm also hoping going braless is ok, it took me 35 years and kids to have them that hanging, so I feel a couple of days should be ok with my brand new set ;D Hoping that I can work on getting the braiding under the incisions gone. I try to massage over it but it does hurt a bit, again more irritating than painful but still it is hard to do, but I do do it. I find driving is the most bothersome for me, so I still tend to be house bound. I thought I would be going out more and getting things done, but I haven't been. So I tend to go out with my H to do things. And while we drive I find myself cupping and holding my boobs so they don't jiggle, as that ads to them being sore later. Really listening to my body and trying not to over do it. I was given the OK to walk on the treadmill, so I want to try that. I am scared that with all this inactivity I will add more weight - eek! I guess I will get more busy when I can, it is what it is. I have also been trying to do light yoga stretches that don't pull on the incisions, much needed for sure. I went to see Cirque du Soleil - Totem. It was really good, but it was a traveling show, under a circus tent, the seats were very uncomfortable and small. Not a good thing to sit through (2.5 hours) at 3 weeks post op, but I did and luckily it was my last pain med that I had because I did need it. So I recommend that for some it may be too early to go to the movies just yet. I also find sitting at restaurants uncomfortable, even though the positive is that my boobs now don't touch the table or sit on it, lol. Thank you to all that suggested it, the 3M tape is great, it sticks. In Canada it is Nexcare by 3M and is the blue packaging. I have read it helps to keep the incision flat, so I've got my fingers crossed on that one. The Tylenol and Advil at bed is OK, I would much rather have my prescription for bed, last night was not a good nights sleep. Tossed and turned all night and they were painful. Will try a T3 tonight, but that might make my constipated. Short of that, I will ask my Dr for a prescription for bed. Hopefully he is OK with that. Still taking the Bromelain 4x a day, and a Tylenol and Advil combo mid day. The incisions are still bothersome, but my nipple sensation is driving me crazy, more pain is from that alone. Ergh. Funny, I thought I would try being in bed with just the one regular pillow, hahahahaha. I still need the pillows for sure. Somehow its how my arms are attached that causes pain. My arms have to have support and I need to be elevated under my head. The memory foam pillows from Costco are great. Who knows, maybe this will be a regular thing to have all these pillows, because it really has been comfortable ;D Hopefully my review is helpful to some, and thank you for everyones support, comments and reviews - it really has made this journey easier to navigate for sure, so thank you ;D Updated on 30 May 2014: I was wondering if anyone had had a lumpiness or braid like texture under their incisions? The incision lines themselves are like felt drawn lines - yeah, but then I noticed it kind of puckering underneath in some areas. I have read so much on the site that I don't remember where I read something briefly about it. I am scared that they will stay like this, I hope I didn't do anything to cause this to happen. Please let me know if this is normal or if this means that they will remain lumpy like this - eek. Thanks :) Updated on 4 Jun 2014: I had my appointment with my PS yesterday & all went well. Its funny how mine was so non-conversational at the first appointment & now he's all chatty, lol. I had a few questions (of course), braiding (it is normal and it should be smooth by 8 weeks), muffin tip nipples (small area to stitch together & therefore you notice the swelling as the 2 areas come together), sensitive nipples - omg! (lots of nerve endings in that area, I need to play with them more & tell them that I am doing it so they get used to it being a normal thing to be touched, ok), puckering of skin at end of incision towards armpit (should normal out, but if not he can do a revision at 6 months, but says they usually blend in), areas that have come apart (popped a stitch inside so of course the outer skin had nothing to hold it together, so it came apart, to continue to use polysporin in that area and bio oil everywhere else). With all of that I must say that the muffin top on one nipple is almost gone and the other is less since the last appointment. The same with the braiding that I noticed, so all was good. I did forget to ask about baths and exercise, oh well, I guess with the opening, baths are out (common sense) & exercise to listen to my body. I am feeling not as tired, yeah. But I did put my back out the other day, obviously due to the fact that I am not in great shape and not being able to do any exercise for 4 weeks really took its toll. Yoga stretches are so important for my back, but I have been very limited to what I can do, slowly doing more. I have not added the treadmill in yet, but I will today as my back is better (thanks to meds). Speaking of which, I am out of Bromelean and will have to pick some up today, yes I did notice a difference :) Sleeping is still a pain in the butt. I can't sleep on my side and the stretch I feel hurts too much when I lie on my back, so needless to say, I still need extra pillows to support my back so I can semi lie on me back/side. I am slowly coming around to my new size, lol, I really think at times that they are so small (in comparison they are) but really they are a good size. An indirect Mom was surprised to know that I had a reduction, because she still thought they were big! She was shocked to hear that I was a 40J - she didn't know they went up that big - too funny :) I have noticed that they are starting to get more giggly on the sides, still very firm but slowly softening. It will be interesting to see them at 6 weeks when I hit 'drop & fluff' stage :) I am very happy that I had a breast reduction done and yes I wish I had done it sooner. I started my first consultation 8 years ago & kept telling myself when I lost weight they would be manageable. Well the weight went up and down, and I think as I aged I didn't want to be one of those old ladies with the enormous saggy boobs - time to be normal, and the LIFT is the bonus part ;D Updated on 10 Jun 2014: Here is my latest update :) My boobs are still firm but they are getting more giggly - yeah! :) Too funny, had to share ;D Also the braiding under my incisions (mostly in my cleavage area) is almost all gone. I was so scared that that was scare tissue and they would remain like that, so relieved now. The spot that came apart is still oozy at the T spot under my breast, but getting better. The PS said if not healed in 2 weeks to come back, so it has one more week to go - I don't know though, its iffy at best. Have no idea what he will do about it. My scares from my nipple down look the best, as in the least, lol. Some edges look blurred so to speak. So that is very encouraging. I'm beginning to see the light ;D My nipples look too "cut out" (they were... haha) and I may never get used to the way they look, hopefully the exact line disappears - because they look fake to me otherwise - too funny ;D But I have noticed that on the one that is healing faster, parts of the line look blurred as well - yeah. My muffin top nipples are becoming less puffy, as is the sensitivity - thankfully, as that was driving me crazy. Anything that came in contact with them sent hyper feelings. My incisions aren't pulling as much, as when I do yoga stretches on my back on the floor & sleeping is getting easier to do on my sides, still tender but not painful. I'm down to 1 pillow :( Driving is still awkward and I still have a rolled up towel for protection from the shoulder strap. OMG! I forgot what I found to be the most helpful. Roll a towel from one end to the next, so you have a roll about 20 inches long. Keep it somewhat loose and drape it across and over the shoulder strap, like and upside down U . It doesn't move like a pillow and keeps the right distance from your boobs. And the most exciting, I tried on bras! My sister and I have our favourite bras from Cacique (Lane Bryant) in the States, but they have now discontinued them :( My old 40 DDD are too big for me, so my sister gave me her 40D's and they fit perfectly! I tried them on with some sweaters and I looked amazing :) I was wearing them and then after awhile felt irritated at my incisions underneath - forgot about the underwire. It will be some time before I can wear them, but can't wait as they truly are such a flattering bra. And they fit so amazingly different - I never knew bras were suppose to look like they did on the package and feel amazing - hahaha. I will say that those Genie Bras (from Walmart) are VERY comfortable (I now have 4) but are not at all flattering, so until all is well COMFORT wins hands down :) I hope you enjoyed the weekly review ;D , I will post again next week and add my 6 weeks photos - so interesting to see the progression.
