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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

Waiting Since High School! - Naperville, IL

ORIGINAL POST

I'm 4 days from my Breast Reduction surgery and I...

rhkwiatkowskiJanuary 5, 2013

I'm 4 days from my Breast Reduction surgery and I have found amazing peace and support from the sisterhoood at Real Self. Thank you to all that have come before me in posting your honest and real stories! I am 36 DDD/E and hoping for a C. I haven't been a C since grade school. I'd love any last minute words of encouragement that anyone has to offer. I'm scared but probably just the same as all of you - the waiting is definitely the worst part.

I am most upset about the idea of the drains. I'll need mine for 48 hours. My PS has been very honest and straightforward with me. I was able to ask her nurses in the office for the names of at least 3 women who have also had breast reduction surgery with the same doctor within the past year. For anyone who hasn't done this that is pre-op - I highly recommend it as it really helped put me at ease. All 3 women told me that it was the best decision they ever made and the feedback coming from all 3 was similar in that post op wasn't that bad. Any great PS's office will gladly give you the names of patients that you can call and get their feedback/advice.

As for Arnica and Bromeline - my PS seemed to "pooh pooh" both however based on the feedback on this site I'm going to take both. I've started Arnica as of today.

The biggest and hardest decision for me was to figure out what size to ask for - My PS seems to feel that I should go as small as possible (of course not "boy ish") as my weight has always gone to the boobs first. I'll be thrilled to land in a solid "c" when all is said and done.

The only questions I have that the REAL SELF sisters may be able to help with is - should I buy gauze/nursing pads to have on hand for post surgery? I'm hoping that I can manage the drains myself however I'm super squeemish and I'm afraid that I may be freaked out by them. My husband has offered to help - however I'm trying to be a "big girl".

Anyway, any cheers and last minute shout outs is so appreciated! My surgery is January 9th Wednesday at 7 a.m!

rhkwiatkowski's provider

Laura Semba, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

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Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM rhkwiatkowski
2 days pre

Forgot to mention that I'm 45 years old...I'm only...

rhkwiatkowskiJanuary 7, 2013
Forgot to mention that I'm 45 years old...I'm only 2 days from surgery and am feeling quite scared today! I'm pretty sure that's normal... I'm trying not to let the "what if" thinking scare me! Anyone support out there? Send me a shout out! :)

Replies (2)

Kimmers25
January 8, 2013

Hey girlie!!  Welcome to the sisterhood.  You will do wonderful and soon be home healing up.  You should be fine with the drains so don't worry.  They are really not that bad and will be in for a very short time.  

I am so excited for you!  I will be thinking about you and sending hugs your way for Wednesday.

rhkwiatkowski
January 8, 2013
Thank u Kim! I needed to hear that soooo much!!!!!
UPDATED FROM rhkwiatkowski
1 day pre

Ok - i'm down to the last day. Tomorrow morning...

rhkwiatkowskiJanuary 8, 2013
Ok - i'm down to the last day. Tomorrow morning is the day! I have one more hour b4 I can't eat/drink and I'm not gonna lie - been scared today and yesterday. I just took xanax (asked the doctor if this was ok) and that should help. Everyone says that the anticipatory anxiety is the worst part. Here's a funny .... i specifically wore my most awful underwire bra today to remind me all day of how uncomfortable it is to have DDD/E's! I've had a headache all day because I decided to do without caffeine today and just drink alot of water...(not sure that was a great idea (lol!) My daughter just said good night to me (16 years old) and she's been really upbeat and funny with me all along however I just started crying! Why the nerves so much????? I guest fear is normal. This is when Faith comes in right? I once heard a great acronym for fear.... F else E vidence A ppearing R eal.... Now why is it so hard to let it go??? Prayers for me if you pray and positive vibes from my REAL SELF community! I'll try and update tomorrow!

Replies (15)

natalierw
January 8, 2013
hey lady good for you,,2 days whohoo,,,you will do great,,,,these girls on here have all the stories and the help! the last time i had surgery i focused on a trick i learned in yoga to focus on one thing and not let anything els enter my head and i woke in recovery..i focused on my breathe and truthfully i said the our father over and over,,lol..keep u posted,im sure you will do fantastic like the girls on here before us,,XOXOXOXO
rhkwiatkowski
January 9, 2013
i will try this tomorrow - I just took xanax and am hoping to feel more calm! so scary the night b4!
babydeer
January 8, 2013
I'd get some gauze for after surgery if you didn't already, unless your PS isn't going to let you change your dressings until drains are out.. Some do some dont. I got the 4x4 inch gauze pads, I used one unfolded (so 4x8inch) along the bottom incision, then one over the nipple on each breast. Worked great!
natalierw
January 10, 2013
How did you make out?? Im sure you did great!!
rhkwiatkowski
January 10, 2013
Tyou Nat... I am doing ok today tried to come off Vicodin and switch to Tylenol bout Tylenol isn't cutting it... I am using crushed ice packs too. Glad it's over:)
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chalupatamale
January 10, 2013
Hope its going well.. Look forward to hearing how it went :)
rhkwiatkowski
January 10, 2013
Hi girlies! It's done! Yesterday was a long day... Surgery was 3 1/2 hours... My biggest struggle was coming out if anesthetic ... They gave me a patch behind my ear to help with nausea however it made me crazy dizzy upon coming out of surgery! I have drains and am resting in a recliner now. I highly recommend a recliner ... Saved my life last night. PS told my husband ill be a small c! Ill write more later... Feeling drowsy ...
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chalupatamale
January 10, 2013
Please all went well. I am worried about the anesthetic. I did not do well at all with the epidural when i had my C-section and threw up. I too have got the patch to put on before surgery, but have never had a general anesthetic. Not looking forward to that. Hope you feel good soon :)
rhkwiatkowski
January 10, 2013
Don't worrying can decline the patch and just tell anestheiologist that u have a tendency toward throwing up and he can manage with medication. They said that most do really well with patch I was the exception. They didanage pain after surgery really well .. I had dilaudin... Worked really good... As long as u tell anestiolost your history you'll be just fine:)
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chalupatamale
January 10, 2013
OK great thanks for the info, Happy healing :)
babydeer
January 10, 2013
I told them I tend toget carsick (it was a question they asked me at pre-op) and the anesthesiologist ordered the patch, and iv anti-nausea meds before, during, and after surgery. I woke up totally fine, didn't get sick once! The patch I had could stay on 72 hours, but I had the nurses take it off that night and wash my neck because it was itchy and I kept touching it. They told me every time I touched it I had to wash my hands because if it got in my eyes it would dilate them? Ended up being more hassle than it was worth at that point, and since I wasn't sick they took it off. But I do believe it helped me up until then! Everyone is different though.
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