on the flip side- surgery was 6/5/12!

May 7, 2012

Welcome to RealSelf. You will feel fabulous getting this breast load lightened up! Stay strong and keep focusing ahead. I honestly felt so good after surgery just from having the weight removed.

While it's possible to go back to work 6 days post OP I don't recommend that. If there is any way of taking two weeks off that would be recommended. But I get that we can't always do that:(

The best advice I can give is to really communicate with your doctor on your expectations. Do so by talking to him and also providing pictures of what you have in mind for size.

I am happy you joined us and look forward to following your journey.

May 8, 2012

Thank you for your encouragement Kimmers25! This board is so helpful!

May 8, 2012

We are all here for you:)

May 7, 2012

HI MNRN! I agree with Kimmers, I had my surgery just 2 weeks ago and if I had to go back to work now I think I could. I get tired easily and if I do too much I swell up under my arms. For example, at the one week mark it was my post-op appt in the morning, then my mom wanted to take me out to lunch, we stopped at the store for a few things then a 15 min ride home from there. I didn't really do anything except walk, my mom did everything else, driving, etc. But I got home and felt totally wiped out. I sat in my recliner and didn't want to get up for quite awhile. I think this surgery is easy in some ways because no muscle is being cut but it is something that needs time to heal. If you are a nurse you probably won't mind watching the YouTube videos of the surgery but you can see its quite a process. I lived with neck pain and headaches for years and I can tell you it is GONE! Really gone. Since the surgery I have not had one headache. Only issue I am having is the sleeping on my back and elevated but I know that will change. I am stiff in the morning but once I am up and moving around I feel great. It is an amazing feeling. I had 2,200 grams removed and I feel like I can breathe again. Good luck to you and see if you can get the two weeks off, you will be in much better shape to go to work. Keep us posted! : )

May 8, 2012

Hi Marla, thank you for your input. I went into work today and put in for another week off so now I will be out almost 2 weeks! (just shy 1 day) I also have the option to work from home. I am nervous about sleeping on my back, I dislike it! I am thinking about purchasing a recliner. Thoughts??

May 8, 2012

Hurray so glad to hear this!! Two weeks will do you wonders.

May 8, 2012

I am glad you can get more time off. Don't worry about sleeping on your back. You have to sleep elevated depending on how you are taped/bandaged up. The Dr and nurses will tell you what to do. Just have lots of pillows so you can arrange them how you like. After a few days I was able to lay down more and more. I have a recliner and it hurts my neck to sleep in it so I stayed in bed. Put a pillow under my knees too to help me feel more comfortable. It is just a few weeks and in the long run, a small price to pay. : ) Take the meds if you need them and you will sleep. Make the most of those two weeks!

LinfromOntario

May 30, 2012

I found that putting an extra pillow under my head and body pillows on both sides kept me from trying to roll over. I am a stomach sleeper usually. After 3 weeks of sleeping on my back I still want to roll over onto my stomach. Goodluck

LinfromOntario

May 30, 2012

I agree with you. I had 1885 grams taken and I feel 100 % better. No more burning sensation in my shoulders and back. I took 6 weeks off and I am glad I did. I am at the 3 week mark and feel good but still tire easy and have quite a bit of bruising and swelling still.
Good luck to you all.

Kate30

May 7, 2012

Hi MN! I had my BR just over 2 weeks ago. I'm also an RN, and can't wait to go back to work with this burden lifted. First, I would advise you to take at least three weeks off, even with a desk job. If you're anything like our NM, you'll be up all day anyway. Any on-your-feet activity within the first weeks causes an explosion in swelling (and pain). I took six off. As for narcs, you'll probably get away with not taking any, especially if you have a high pain threshold - many women report not having much pain at all (not the case with me, but hey,we're all different). You'll want to purchase a wedge pillow for back sleeping ( unless you have a recliner and think you could sleep in it). I have a link in my review for a great one from Overstock that has helped me immensely.

As far as size and lift, at your size I doubt you'll end up too small - I was a 36DD am now a full C after 450 ish grams were taken. Mine were very pendulous and I got an incredible lift. You'll love it! Well, I wish you the best of luck and look forward to following your journey!

LinfromOntario

May 30, 2012

I had my post op 3 week appointment today. My surgeon says that I am healing well and that the discomfort and bruising I still have is quite normal. They took 1052 grams from my left and 833 grams from my right breat. What a difference. Now that I can see past my breasts I guess I have to work on my stomach as I did not realize how big it got over the years as well. I was shocked to see it there. HAHA

southern gal

June 9, 2012

I had a BR done April 23rd and even though I work at a school it is a good thing since I still would not be able to go back to work. I have had 2 other surgeries since then (may 22 and june 6th) doing some debridement of wounds, fixing other problems and now i have one that was already smaller than the other, but it is now REALLY smaller than the other after all the dead tissue was gotten out. I have had nothing but trouble out of this procedure and pain that is out of this world. I am a side sleeper and laying on my back was not anything i was looking forward to and still don't. I am still on my back.

I hope yall have lots better luck than i did. I was an H and was suppose to have gotten me down to a C but not real sure what i am now. Good Luck!!

PNW38DD

June 15, 2012

I'm so sorry to read your post. Hope you were able to have a different surgeon for the follow-up surgeries. Feeling so elated about my own BR, it's very sad to learn someone had such a bad outcome. Hope things get turned around and better, soon. Take good care of your overall health through all this!

southern gal

June 15, 2012

Thanks...I used the same one. I think the problem was that my breast were so large I had boils underneath them and had showed them, but instead of putting me on antibiotics first then doing the surgery we went right into having the surgery then antibiotics. I went for my first check up from the third surgery and she took the srain tube out, all staples on right side and half the stitiches and staples on the left side. I think she may have jumped the gun on it too...my hubby who is the one who doctors it all for me says that i am trying to open up again...::-( I am really getting frustrated! I am glad no more people go through what I have been through...it is not worth all of that...

May 8, 2012

Thank you Kate30 for the link! I will be purchasing one for sure. I am also thinking about purchasing a recliner (just to mix it up) :)

May 8, 2012

I went ahead and made an appt. with my hairstylist for 4 days after my surgery. Brought a pillow and she washed and dried my hair, felt like heaven and worth the money! Since then my mom or daughter have helped me. They don't mind and my Dr was very firm on not raising my arms above shoulder level until all the scabs are gone and my incisions are totally healed. See what your Dr recommends. You really won't care about your hair for awhile : )

UPDATED FROM MNRN

28 days pre

I bought a recliner! I don't need much of a excuse...

MNRNMay 8, 2012

I bought a recliner! I don't need much of a excuse to shop! I got a Lazyboy on sale at Slumberland, some great deals now if anyone needs one! $300.
Thinking about what else I will need, making a list
Ace wraps (have these at work)
Telfa
Micropore tape
wedge (if I want to ditch the recliner for bed)
some zip or button ups (I realize I have NO button up tops) weird
probably another bra
Miralax
easy to digest foods
Have I forgotten anything experts????
Hope everyone is doing well!!
Oh and I posted a before pic- don't laugh.

Replies (12)

May 8, 2012

Marla were you able to drive at day 4? My stylist said she will wash and flat iron my hair for free! Just have to get there! I do not really have anyone to help me at home. I am not so concerned with the look of my hair, but it is sooo long and thick it gets all tangly very easy then the birds start swooping in and laying eggs in the nest! ha ha.

May 8, 2012

I would not drive if I were you. Maybe your hairstylist can braid your hair for you before surgery like a french braid or something that won't be uncomfortable. Then you won't have to worry about it for a few days. I agree with Kimmers, but I really could not bend over. My Dr. does not like taping so all I had was gauze and a bra that all came off for a shower. Maybe if you are all taped up then bending over will feel ok.

May 8, 2012

You will learn very quickly how to manager the hair situation. I found out quickly how to bend at the waist, tip my head forward, keep your elbows at your sides and brush and wash the hair. Pretty much doing everything upside down for a while..LOL

If you keep your elbows at your sides and just bend the elbows and use the forearms it works. Not easy but you can manage.

WestCoastgirlinPA

May 8, 2012

You are having all the same concerns as me! I am only able to take 11 days off..hoping it will be enough. But I sit at a desk all day...hoping I will have enough energy to get through the day. My kids will be out of school by then, they are 10 and 13, they are ready to take care of me..as much as they can. :) My husband will only be able to take 5 days off to be with me. Im a "side" sleeper..but am planning on buying a BUNCH of pillows and possibly sleep on the couch for a little while. And my hair is very long and thick as well. Im one of those who either puts rollers in my hair OR flat irons it DAILY. I just asked my hubby when he would like his first class on Flat Ironing 101. lol I agree with the other ladies that you should be very upfront and specific about what size you want to be with your doctor. I know they dont like to talk sizes, but you need to be on the same page. Im 5'7 and just under 200 lbs..so not a tiny girl..my doc agreed with me that I shouldnt be smaller than a full D after my surgery. Good luck!