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*Treatment results may vary
How I'm caring for myself
I spent my first week mostly sitting on my couch binge-watching Olympic coverage I had missed, drinking as much water as possible, and taking a mix of my prescribed pain meds (hydrocodone, gabapentin, and celecoxib). I started tapering my use after my second day, so that by 9/6 I was off the narcotic hydrocodone and by 9/8 (eight days post-op) I was off the gabapentin, and since then I've been taking acetaminophen as needed and occasionally a celecoxib before bed.
I started my period on the 10th (with really bad cramps, too), but I don't know if my usual pre-period boob swelling had any effect on my post-surgery boobs. They didn't feel any more swollen than they already were, I suppose, but I've been keeping a compression bra on 24/7, so it's hard to know for sure.
Still sleeping on my back, even though it's been more difficult without the pain meds to help me sleep. I wake up more often than usual (I rarely wake up in the night at all ever), and it takes me longer to fall asleep. I'll be happy when I can sleep on my side again. My fiance thinks that if I start sleeping on my side, it'll be too easy to end up on my stomach (my other favorite sleeping position), which is a fair point. It would be nice if could just end up a back-sleeper since it's better for you in general, but somehow I doubt it. haha!
I've been trying to take one or two short walks a day. For the first week I had to step very gingerly or else I would get a big old ZAP in Lefty (usually). It felt like someone jabbing me in the boob with a finger: not fun. As of a day or two ago, I have been able to walk fairly normally (still a little slower than normal). I'm still trying not to lift anything heavier than a bag of groceries or a backpack or a cat (5-8lbs). I hope that's okay! It doesn't seem like it's caused any issues thus far!
Since I have a glue covering my incisions, I have no open wounds (except the drain sites) to clean or tape, but nonetheless I have kept non-stick bandages on top of my areolas and on my sides for extra padding and protection from rubbing. CVS has a good selection of sizes and they even have a bra shaped pad/bandage! I don't really need them, but I bet other women with open wounds would find them invaluable. I have been showering almost everyday and switching out my bras, too. I always gave my regular bras a chance to reform/contract back to their shape after a day, so why not surgical bras?
I went back to taking vitamins a couple days ago. I probably could have done so sooner...
OH. About the bowel movements: I feel it's important to talk about it. I did get some Colace stool softener in advance after hearing about how the pain meds stop you up. I waited until the third day to take 3 pills (half a full dosage) and had a decent BM the next day. Then I was stopped up again another two days, but decided to wait to take more Colace. The third day I had two very productive trips to the bathroom, and since then I've been mostly back to regular. Extra fiber helps, girls! Eat your broccoli and your spinach!
I started my period on the 10th (with really bad cramps, too), but I don't know if my usual pre-period boob swelling had any effect on my post-surgery boobs. They didn't feel any more swollen than they already were, I suppose, but I've been keeping a compression bra on 24/7, so it's hard to know for sure.
Still sleeping on my back, even though it's been more difficult without the pain meds to help me sleep. I wake up more often than usual (I rarely wake up in the night at all ever), and it takes me longer to fall asleep. I'll be happy when I can sleep on my side again. My fiance thinks that if I start sleeping on my side, it'll be too easy to end up on my stomach (my other favorite sleeping position), which is a fair point. It would be nice if could just end up a back-sleeper since it's better for you in general, but somehow I doubt it. haha!
I've been trying to take one or two short walks a day. For the first week I had to step very gingerly or else I would get a big old ZAP in Lefty (usually). It felt like someone jabbing me in the boob with a finger: not fun. As of a day or two ago, I have been able to walk fairly normally (still a little slower than normal). I'm still trying not to lift anything heavier than a bag of groceries or a backpack or a cat (5-8lbs). I hope that's okay! It doesn't seem like it's caused any issues thus far!
Since I have a glue covering my incisions, I have no open wounds (except the drain sites) to clean or tape, but nonetheless I have kept non-stick bandages on top of my areolas and on my sides for extra padding and protection from rubbing. CVS has a good selection of sizes and they even have a bra shaped pad/bandage! I don't really need them, but I bet other women with open wounds would find them invaluable. I have been showering almost everyday and switching out my bras, too. I always gave my regular bras a chance to reform/contract back to their shape after a day, so why not surgical bras?
I went back to taking vitamins a couple days ago. I probably could have done so sooner...
OH. About the bowel movements: I feel it's important to talk about it. I did get some Colace stool softener in advance after hearing about how the pain meds stop you up. I waited until the third day to take 3 pills (half a full dosage) and had a decent BM the next day. Then I was stopped up again another two days, but decided to wait to take more Colace. The third day I had two very productive trips to the bathroom, and since then I've been mostly back to regular. Extra fiber helps, girls! Eat your broccoli and your spinach!
Photo update
I think I'm healing pretty well so far! I've been taking pictures of my progress almost everyday. Hopefully I'll have a great gif out of these soon.
First Shower and First Looks
I can't believe how great my incisions look! Everything seems pretty well dried up; I had hardly any seepage on my bandages after surgery or the following days. I figured there would be more, but I'm so happy with how things are looking so far.
Provider Review
Dr. Ram Kalus
Dr. Kalus is the ultimate professional. He does many breast reductions and his results are all amazing. I haven't spent a whole lot of time with him personally, but the time he has spent with me was informative; every question answered. Plus his staff are all nice and quick to respond to emails and answer questions on the phone. For me, though, the results are more important, and he has the best I've seen anywhere.