Breast Reduction (Through my Insurance) - New York

Day 33 Update (11/28): Today was my 1 month post op appt. He's very pleased with how I'm healing for such a major reduction. No major complications and nothing minor to worry about. He took "1 month post-op" pics, and did discuss the "dog ears", he said they're there because had he cut further the incisions would have been visible. He said we'd discuss revision if needed at our 3 month appt (he said to be patient lol) I was also given the okay to start scar treatment. He recommended I use biocorneum twice a day, everyday. In his office a bottle goes for $60. I will be searching around for cheaper prices. My next follow up is in January, I'll be 3 months post op.

Day 49 Update (12/14): Feeling FABULOUS. Everything seems to be better after surgery... but I DISLIKE my scars ALOT. specifically the ones on my sides. They feel very braille like. I haven't started scar treatment (been to busy with work to make it back to the office) but I PRAY when I do that it will help. I haven't spoken to Dr. Blechman yet about my concerns, I'll wait to see if time and biocorneum will improve it.

Day 13 Update: So this morning I was getting ready to shower when I saw some discharge on both sides of my bra. Wasnt enough to draw concern so I showered and just padded the spots... when I got home last night my breast felt super heavy and  numb and more bruised than I've seen them, so I took my bromelain and arnica (which I also took throughout the day) and called it a night.

Day 14 Update: Woke up to more discharge and extra swollen breasts, sore but mostly numb. I took pics and sent them in an email to my surgeons assistant (because I knew he would be in surgery). She called me back about 2 hrs later letting me know that she got in contact with my doc and sent him my pics, and that he would be contacting me soon. Another 2 hrs went by before my surgeon called me (he's in surgey Wednesdays and Thursdays). He reviewed the pics I sent and thought it could be fluid buildup and wanted me to come see him today to drain.
Within the hr I was at my surgeons office. He examined my breasts and decided it was time to take the remainder of the tape off. After removing the tape he cleaned the areas where he was gonna drain. Now although my breasts were numb I could feel the drain needle so he numbed the area with novacaine and proceeded to drain, but surprisingly nothing came out of either breasts. He gave me a couple of possible senerios, infection being one. So he decided to give me a prescription for antibiotics.

 Day 16 Update: Everything seems to be fine. The swelling is back to normal. I am on Day 2 of the antibiotics, as well as my bromelain and arnica. Today will also be my first day back to work. I'm so happy.

PS- just want to clarify, I wasn't in pain. Just uncomfortable. The discharge has stopped and was never more than a droplet. I was given antibiotics to prevent infection. I appreciate my surgeon for his sense of urgency and for making me feel at ease.

 Day 19 Update: Today was my 2nd post op appt. since surgery on Oct 26th. My surgeon is surprising pleased with the way I'm healing (because the reduction was so massive). He removed my stitches and gave me clearance to work out as well as massage my breasts and incisions. He recommended I use aquaphor. He also told me to finish off the rest of the antibiotics he gave me last week at our emergency visit as they are working, apparently I had an infection that we caught very early before it got worse (thank goodness, TRUST YOUR GUT LADIES.) We have an appt. in 2 weeks where we'll discuss scar treatment. Yippee

Day 1 post-op Update: Woke up VERY sore but in minimal pain this morning. Just very uncomfortable. Took 2 percocets today along with my stool softener. Not much mobility with my arms becuz I am swollen something serious. Can barely wipe myself after the bathroom. I'm sure it'll get better as the healing progresses. Haven't seen what's under this bra yet.

Day 2 post-op Update: Woke up with the worst headache ever. Ugh. Don't kno if it's the anesthesia or the percs but it's bad. Decided not to take the percs and took 2 extra strength tylenol instead. Relieved my headache. Still very swollen but in no pain.

Day 3 update: Haven't taken my pain meds since yesterday morning. Feeling no pain, just discomfort. Drains are still in place until Monday (fingers crossed). Arms are more mobile than day 1, was able to give myself a sponge bath, but still restrictions tho. Been taking stool softeners 3 times a day since Monday, but haven't pooped yet. Also started taking bromelain and arnica 30c.

Day 5 update: Today was my first post op appt since my surgery on Wednesday. Today I got my drains removed (which was not as bad as some would think, the anticipation was way worse than the actual act. Lol). Along with the removal of my drains, my surgeon removed my initial steri-strips and replaced then with new ones that he told me to just let fall off on their own. He also gave me a new bra. Follow up is in 2 weeks (Nov 14). And he said I was healing well, he also made me aware that he removed over 7.5lbs combined from my breasts.

Day 6 update: The swollen-est I've been thus far. No pain just uncomfortable. Took my first shower today, was very cautious, so it wasn't so relaxing lol. Bought a front zip sports bra from target in a L but it's tooooo much compression for me right now, so I'll just stick with the new surgical bra my surgeon gave me.

Day 8 update: I finally pooped and BABY... sheesh. Today was also day 1 of the itching sensation on the incisions and I can tell you from now it's not gonna be fun.

Day 9-10 Update: OMG I'M HAUNTED BY THE ITCH!!!!! ????????????????????I just wanna take a back scratcher to the incisions under my breasts. ???????????????????? ... all jokes aside, how I'm handling right now. I put hand sanitizer on my hands emphasizing on the tips of my fingers. Rub em real good. Wait for them to dry. And I LIGHTLY stroke my incisions NO NAILS, JUST FINGER TIPS. It's working FOR ME RIGHT NOW. (I'M NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING DRUGS. THANKS)

DISCLAIMER: This may NOT work for EVERYONE. I'm just sharing MY experience. ????

Besides the itching. I'm healing great (I think). I take bromelain and (5) arnica 30c pellets AN HR BEFORE I EAT, 3X A DAY (8am, 2pm, 8pm) and its helped with bruising and swelling. I love the way my incisions feel, they feel so flat and thin. I can't wait for the rest of my tapes to fall off so I can actually see them.