POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
25 Days Post-Operation & Feelin' Fine!
ORIGINAL POST
Only 11 days post-op. Stiff, but lots of back pain...
WORTH IT
Only 11 days post-op. Stiff, but lots of back pain has been relieved, which was goal. Not a mother yet, so only glaring con was inability to breastfeed in future. Surgery was largely covered by insurance. Healing perfectly, no complications. Pleased with procedure so far, can't wait to see full result.
Can't say how life has changed just yet, but am excited to buy new bras and clothes in near future. Also excited to no longer hunch over and to possibly get rid of shoulder indents. Anticipating exercise to be much easier.
sunnylou432's provider
Replies (13)
August 27, 2012
Iowa71 -- Thanks for your comment and questions. I forgot to add that information in my review. I was previously DDD/G, depending on the bra brand. I cannot be sure what my cup size is just yet as I'm still in a compression bra and swelling has not gone down fully. I anticipate/hope to be a C-cup.
Because my breasts were uneven, my surgeon removed 1100 grams from one breast and roughly 1025 grams from the other...about 2.5 and 2.4 pounds respectively.
Recovery is going as planned. However! Changing my paper tape everyday is such a [RS bleep]! Gentle, non-irritating my ass ;)
Because my breasts were uneven, my surgeon removed 1100 grams from one breast and roughly 1025 grams from the other...about 2.5 and 2.4 pounds respectively.
Recovery is going as planned. However! Changing my paper tape everyday is such a [RS bleep]! Gentle, non-irritating my ass ;)
August 27, 2012
I've heard that about the tape. It is interesting to me how differently doctors do things. I didn't have the tape, just steri-strips and I just left them alone until they fell off in the shower.
I am assuming that is you in the purple dress? I think you should take another picture in it once you are able to so that we can see the difference. I bet you will be amazed :-DÂ
August 27, 2012
I have the same tape on me Lindsay, and I havent changed them ...wasnt told to. I think you could get away without taking them off...and just let them come off as nature would intend. saves the *gentle, non-irritation my ass* lol.
August 28, 2012
So fascinating. I had NO drains, and no strips. My surgeon removed the wrapping paper from my new boobs day 2 and told me that I was "good to go"....no additional wrappers, steri strips or anything needed. No stitch removal either and everything will disolve. It has been a pretty easy recovery considering the amount of incision. I guess they all do it different. Anyway, I think yours look nice. I cannot see the "rest of you" but the shape of them is good and overall, despite my disappointment that mine are not bigger I cant wait to get out there and exercise and feel the breeze on my baby boobies. I'm getting better with it each day. If you feel you need to lose some more weight, go at it with vigor, just stay healthy because eating right is important during recovery. Make sure your getting lots of greens and all your supplements, lots of protein, etc. I lost a total of 17 after surgery but then just yesterday I ate a "real meal" with dessert and put a full 4lbs. back on for the last two days?!!? Go figure. I have 15-20 more to go and I feel that will give me the confidence I need but people are already telling me I look like I've lost 20lbs.!! The bulk on my top carcass was so huge for me I feel it's bitsy today. Of course I MUST BRAG that I bought a Medium shirt today with buttons! Imagine? Buttons?!?!?!??!?!?! You will be so thrilled. Hang in. We are all here.
August 29, 2012
Thanks for the encouragement, dear. I will most definitely get into exercising once my stitches are out. My mom really wants to take a Zumba class with me. Ha! I've been eating alright, but could definitely do with more vegetables. Going out to buy another sports bra today I think. The one I have was too big when I left the hospital and now it's too small! Has anyone else had that issue? Also, any suggestions where to buy? I got this Hanes one at Walmart.
August 27, 2012
I honestly wish they would have reapplied the steri-strips at my second post-op appointment. I've been instructed to change the paper tape every time I shower (which is everyday for me). It's painful, not to mention a long process!
August 27, 2012
i dont think i could do it... im a total wuss and would likely faint if i had to do it every time i showered... gawd that thought alone... my sympathies my dear.
August 27, 2012
It tugs at my skin and leaves it pretty raw...at this point, it's more painful than where I'm stitched. Plus, I have to be super careful not to rip or tear the stitch leads or in the nurses words, "They'd have to go in and get them." Definitely don't want to find out what they mean by that. I will also say that it's an expense that I wasn't necessarily expecting. Between the bandages and tape I will need for the next two weeks, I've spent upwards of $40-50. I guessed I assumed that things like this would have been provided to me by the surgeon's office.
August 27, 2012
it looks like your healing nicely. Good for you!!!.What are those yellow things on your nipples?. I hope I can be as pleased as you are with your recovery! Id leave those strips right there and let the water loosen them first,OUCH!. I cringe pulling a bandaide off a much less wound!
August 27, 2012
I actually don't know what they're called exactly. They were removed 5 days post-op. The stitches on my nipples were removed 5 days after that. I had a 100% nipple graft take, which I was obviously relieved about. The steri-strips seen in the photos were removed and paper tape replaced them...as I mentioned before I was instructed to replace the tape every day after showering. Water doesn't help much. I thought it would :(
UPDATED FROM sunnylou432
I am currently 12 days post-op. I am still having...
I am currently 12 days post-op. I am still having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, despite being off of pain medication for over a week now. I take Tylenol periodically throughout the day but find that I don't need it too often. My only guess as to why I cannot sleep is because I was (and always have been) a stomach sleeper. I never slept on my back or on my side. Obviously, I've slept on my back since surgery. I continue to sleep propped up with two pillows on each side of me. I find that I'm most comfortable when my arms are elevated.
What I'm struggling with now is the swelling underneath my arms. I still cannot full put my arms down at my sides. There is a constant burning or stinging sensation around my sutures, but it is slight. My surgeon assured me that because he did not manipulate muscle and did not open the chest cavity, that my pain would be minimal. I don't know that I would use the word minimal ;) However, the intense pain immediately following surgery last just a few days. Since then I've mostly had to deal with itching, burning, stinging, and being stiff.
I return to work today for my typical 8-hour shifts. I was back to work two days ago but only worked 4 hours. I still tire easily...I anticipated pain, but I guess I didn't anticipate being so fatigued all the time too. That is definitely something you should prepare yourself for. If you've had the surgery, please tell me when you returned to work and how you did? I unfortunately stand for 8 hours straight at my job, no sitting...that's been difficult.
Will update again soon!
What I'm struggling with now is the swelling underneath my arms. I still cannot full put my arms down at my sides. There is a constant burning or stinging sensation around my sutures, but it is slight. My surgeon assured me that because he did not manipulate muscle and did not open the chest cavity, that my pain would be minimal. I don't know that I would use the word minimal ;) However, the intense pain immediately following surgery last just a few days. Since then I've mostly had to deal with itching, burning, stinging, and being stiff.
I return to work today for my typical 8-hour shifts. I was back to work two days ago but only worked 4 hours. I still tire easily...I anticipated pain, but I guess I didn't anticipate being so fatigued all the time too. That is definitely something you should prepare yourself for. If you've had the surgery, please tell me when you returned to work and how you did? I unfortunately stand for 8 hours straight at my job, no sitting...that's been difficult.
Will update again soon!
Replies (4)
August 27, 2012
Is there any way to delete previous updates? I seem to have posted the same one twice -- which is annoying! Please and thanks!
August 27, 2012
I am also 12 days post op and the swelling on my side from the lipo is has only subsided a little. It is very tender to touch. I called PS they said because it is on the right side ( which is the side I use). I am probably overusing and need time to heal.
August 27, 2012
I did not have liposuction in addition to my surgery, so I cannot comment on the side effects from that. My underarms are sensitive as well though. Have you asked your doctor about icing it periodically? I was told I *couldn't* ice my underarms. Was also told by my surgeon that sometimes one side heals more quickly than the other and it's not anything to worry about. Hope you feel better soon!
August 27, 2012
I am 18 days post op and my left side still hurts more...but i do believe its because i am using it more...and its so hard not to! lol. but i keep reminding myself. I dont know if they did lipo... it was never discussed. but there is a tremendous amount of swelling...
UPDATED FROM sunnylou432
Almost two weeks post-op and I'm feeling alright....
Almost two weeks post-op and I'm feeling alright. I've been changing my bandages everyday as instructed by my PS. Last night, my left nipple began to bleed quite a lot. I didn't tug on the skin or bump it, so I'm not sure what irritated it. It actually was a little bit disconcerting. Tonight it was not bleeding but the skin appeared raw. The doctor said that a scab would form, slough off, and to leave it alone. Maybe this is the beginning process of that?
After my stitches are out, I'm going to invest in some Mama Mio products. They're expensive, but I've read fantastic reviews and I would really love to be proactive about diminishing these scars.
I have been cooking some small things, done a load or two of laundry (with help carrying it up and down the stairs), doing dishes, and have returned to work. I thankfully have the next two days off and I'm going to be lying low. I will tell anyone getting this surgery to be sure to rest rest REST. Everything is so exhausting! Overall though, feeling pretty good considering I'm still stitched from armpit to armpit ;)
After my stitches are out, I'm going to invest in some Mama Mio products. They're expensive, but I've read fantastic reviews and I would really love to be proactive about diminishing these scars.
I have been cooking some small things, done a load or two of laundry (with help carrying it up and down the stairs), doing dishes, and have returned to work. I thankfully have the next two days off and I'm going to be lying low. I will tell anyone getting this surgery to be sure to rest rest REST. Everything is so exhausting! Overall though, feeling pretty good considering I'm still stitched from armpit to armpit ;)
Hi Lindsay! You will notice a huge difference in how much easier it will be to exercise. What size were you prior to surgery? Do you know how much tissue your doc removed. Wishing you an entirely boring recovery!