It Was Time to Do Something for Me! - Johnstown, PA

PO 3 weeks today :)
First I must say this is such a great site! I found it after my surgery, would have helped a lot if I had found it before my surgery. I was so.....ready for my reduction. I debated having a BR for 10-12 yr., everyone kept talking me out of it. Feel blessed you have them, blah, blah, blah. I got to the point where I was so fed up, couldn't take the neck , shoulder and neck pain any longer!
I must say that the recovery is manageable, uncomfortable but not terrible pain. That is what I was expecting. Pain.... not this being unable to do so many things, I have always been very active. The one who takes care of everyone else. Was a big adjustment for me to just sit back and have others do for me. I was told a wk. or 2 recovery, but 6 months to a yr. for the final results. I am so happy that I went through this surgery. I am slowly able to do more each day, however, I have found that when I have a good day, I do too much, then pay for it. Swelling and burning,total exhaustion for the next day or two. How long does this exhaustion last? I do understand that it is a big surgery. Mine took 3 hrs. PS took 3.5 lbs. off of me! My body is taking all of my energy to heal.
I feel so different. Ha! Ha! The first few days I couldn't relax my arms. I was so used to having my arms elevated from my breast being under my armpits. My daughter kept telling me to "relax mom, you look like your going to fly away"
I slept in my recliner for the first 16 days w my head elevated. That is something I wasn't expecting. So tough for me to not sleep on my side. But it is so worth the struggle.
Ok now the positives, I have already experienced.
1. When I hug my husband, I am closer to him than ever before! Feels awesome to sink into his chest :) . We have been married 28 yrs.
2. Pain in middle back disappeared immediately after surgery.
3. My clothes fit me amazing well. Can wear button closure!
4. The seatbelt is not falling between my huge breast showing them off. Lies comfortably over my chest now.
5.I can see my ribcage.
6. Finally , can wear a kami that covers my entire breast. They would only cover 1/2 before. Looked horrible.
7. I can leave my picture uncropped. I always cropped my pictures to show just from my collar bone up, cause my chest was so big it was all I'd see.

O my, I could go on and on, but just wanted to give you some ideas of the benefits.

Wow, 2 months have gone by so quickly. My body has done a lot of healing and changing in these past 8 wks. Each day is better and better. Feeling more normal as far as being so tired all the time. Doing just about everything I did before BR. Just need to listen to my body. Some pulling if I over stretch my arms without thinking. The burning sensation is not very present anymore. Haven't noticed anymore zingers lately. They were pretty regular a few wks. past.
My new girls are still a little swollen and my left t junction isn't healed all the way yet.:( The first 2 wks. in was closed but after I had my stitches taken out at 10 days PO, I could see that the skin wasn't adhered under my nipple to my chest bone. It was closed but not sealed like the rest of my incisions. I should of taped it closed, I think, but my PS doesn't use tape so I left it go. Well, a few days later I had a gaping hole under my left breast where the 3 incisions meet. My PS says that it is a common place to have this happen bc it is a weak point. So I am at 8 wks. PO and still putting crème and a bandage on it 2x /day and I was using vit. e oil on but have switched to bio oil for my incision scars. Anxious to be able to be completely closed up. I go back to see PS in 3 wks. he says I may not be completely closed by then. Ahh, I could scream when he said that! Says that it will be making new skin but not closed entirely most likely. I am praying he is wrong and I will be totally closed my then. It is getting smaller each day but a slow process. Fresh blood now means it is starting to make new skin now.
With this all said, I am loving the results otherwise! Love the way my clothes look on now. Feel so much more confident:)

I am getting so.... excited. My t -junction is growing new skin and closing the hole that I have been applying silvadene to 2x/day for the past month. I think in about a wk.. it will be completely closed. I can't wait! I want to be able to wear my cute little nightie braless! Have been in a sports bra 24/7 since surgery. I never used any tape of any kind. Only bacitracin and silvadene crème w a gauze bandage over it, my bra held my bandage in place. So... once I am healed , I will feel free for the first in a very long time. Scars are getting smaller each day and lighter, still have internal stitches working their way out poking me under my arms occasionally. Over all life is good :)