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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

45 Yr Old Tired of Neck/shoulder Pain. Rochester, NY

ORIGINAL POST

I'm a mother of 3 daughters, had large breasts...

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leo1970
WORTH IT$11,800
I'm a mother of 3 daughters, had large breasts since I developed them in middle school, just kept getting bigger with each pregnancy until I became a 38 H. I'm 5'3 200lbs. I was always an hour glass until I hit 37 and went back to school. I gained 60 lbs and its been a struggle. I decided it was time to do something about all my discomfort as dieting was an uphill battle. I talked with Dr Evangelisti about br and lipo of back, hips, abdomen, and thighs.

leo1970's provider

Stephen Evangelisti, MD

Stephen Evangelisti, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

leo1970

leo1970 rating for Dr. Evangelisti:

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Replies (10)

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January 30, 2016

Welcome to the community and thanks so much for offering your opinion of your doctor.

It would be great if you could give us a little more detail about your experience, like why you had the surgery, your tips for getting good results, pros/cons, and info on the recovery process.

Our community members especially love seeing photos from before, during, and after — a realistic look at what they can expect. Photos grab the attention of the community and encourage more support for you.

As a community manager, I get requests all the time from other members who want me to to keep encouraging people to share their experiences, which are so helpful for others considering these procedures. So please accept this as a well-intentioned request from thousands.

February 28, 2016
Thank you for sharing your experience and photos. I'm scheduled for a breast lift, mini tt, and Lipo in about two months. My stats are about the same as yours. I currently wear a 40H, and I wanted to let you know what an amazing job you did with healing your incisions. Your breasts look great! I know you mentioned boo oil (which I am not familiar with) and vaseline but could you possibly elaborate a bit regarding your after care regimen? Also do you have more pics of your Lipo'd areas, both before and after. Thanks in advance!
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March 2, 2016
My first 3 weeks I only used Vaseline. I showered daily and used dial antibacterial soap. Pat them dry and then used clean gauze 2 x 2 pad to apply Vaseline all over the areola incisions and straight down the vertical incision and the anchor. ALOT of Vaseline, I didn't rub it in just really coated the incisions heavily. Covered them with sterile gauze and wore the compression vest the Dr gave me. I did that everyday then at the third week I bought bio oil at WalMart I would cover them with the oil and gently massage it into the scars then again apply the Vaseline and gauze as usual. This was my new regiment even to today. My scars are completely flat and almost invisible, I am really pleased. I will post lipo pics asap. He told me at 3 months I will be at 50% of my final lipo result. I wasn't as flat as I want my stomach to be but I did drop another inch just this week so I gotta believe he's right. You need to have lymph massages post lipo to prevent the fluid from pooling. Literally as soon as you can tolerate it. I waited 2 weeks and that was too long. I had some pooling and lumps she had to break up and that isn't fun. I go once a week. What a difference! They help with the swelling and shaping you're new form.
March 20, 2016
thanks for the reply!
March 30, 2016
Thank you for sharing your story. You look really great!
I'm 50yr and same height and weight as you, after 2 pregnancies and a 50 lb weight loss several years ago. I've had lumbar fusion surgery, headaches, neck pain, etc. But even with that, I'm concerned that my insurance won't cover this. Did your insurance cover this, or was it all out of pocket?
Thanks again for sharing your story and pictures. :)
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September 16, 2016
Insurance covered it fully.
April 1, 2016
You look really great. We are the same height/weight but I have a much bigger stomach.
September 16, 2016
Wow! Your scars healed amazingly well! How did you know to use bio oil and vaseline?
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September 16, 2016
I used vaseline first few weeks then the bio oil to even this day. I put it on in the morning after a shower.
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September 16, 2016
My Surgeon told me about the vaseline and I researched online about the bio oil
UPDATED FROM leo1970
30 days post

some pics for reference

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leo1970
Before. They were bigger than my head

Replies (17)

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January 30, 2016
I stalked the site for about a year before deciding to take the plunge. Everyone on here is so helpful and made me feel more prepared by reading their stories. This is why I'm finally sharing mine. Its important we have an idea of what to expect. My skin at the incisions was tick and almost ruffled looking. I was scared my scars would be hypertrophic, but literally overnight they flattened out. I woke up one morning to perfectly smooth lines under my breast. So be patient and trust your surgeon, he knows what he's doing. I am so happy at how they are turning out. I went from a 38g/h to a 36 DD. At least that's what I think they are. I only tried on one bra so far. I lee the surgical vest on still, I like the compression it gives. Still some swelling by the end of the day. I still ice the once in a while.
February 3, 2016
You look great! I had a breast reduction on January 28,2016 so I'm 6 days post-op today. I haven't taken pictures because my breasts are very colorful & my incisions are bad looking. I have lots of bruising on my upper body aside from my breasts as well. It looks like I was in a horrible accident or something! When did you begin using products on your scars...I think you said you used Bio oil & Vaseline? My doctor hasn't been informative when I ask about using products such as those & that has been frustrating.
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February 4, 2016
I put Vaseline on them at my 1 week post op. They told me to "slather them up" with Vaseline. It keeps the incisions soft not dry and crusty. I keep them covered with gauze then put my post surgical bra on. I washed them every day with dis antibacterial soap, then pat the dry and load up on the Vaseline. I started the bio oil at 2 weeks. I put it all over them, let it sit for a few min to absorb then put the Vaseline on. Almost to the day of 4 weeks the scars smoothe right out to beautiful straight incisions. They looked like Frankenboobs up until then. Dont be scared. The Vaseline worked and I don't know if it was a coincidence but 1 week after I started the bio oil the scars are completely flat.
February 4, 2016
Thank you for that tip!
February 4, 2016
Thank you! That was very helpful & along the lines of what I thought would be a good plan. My doctors haven't been helpful when I ask about using a product on them.

I used Bio oil post ankle surgery a few years back & I like that for scar reduction. I think Vaseline will help in the meantime.
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February 4, 2016
I also used the Arnica Montana 6c and i had almost no bruising. I take a vit c, e and multivitamin everyday. My scars,are barely visible at 5 weeks.
February 4, 2016
Didn't even think about the vitamin factor...I stopped taking most of my vitamins pre-surgery as directed by my doctors. Forgot to start taking them again post-op since I focused more on pain management. Excellent point!! I'm so glad I opened up communication. I've gotten way more information this way!
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February 4, 2016
I believe they help tremendously in the healing process. I took a stool softener too. It helped me with constipation from the pain meds. I still take one everyday. Did they tell you to stay aww from ibuprofen for 2 weeks? It can cause bruising.
February 4, 2016
They actually told me to stay away from Tylenol because of my pain drugs, but said ibuprofen would be ok to use for swelling. I'm going to stop taking ibuprofen though since it's not helping with anything anyways!
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February 4, 2016
I ice for the swelling, and i taped them down the vertical scar because when they swell it pulls on the incisions and they separate a little but butterfly tape on them for 10 days straight worked.
February 4, 2016
I did have my husband buy those butterfly strips today, even though the doctors didn't suggest it. It would make me feel better!
March 31, 2016
The info you provided is precious. I am also a big Vaseline fanatic. I had mine 17 days ago and also have these ruffled incisions but I know that will flatten out as I was the same with my TT and literally overnight, as you mentioned here, then went...Ta da ... Nice and flat...
March 31, 2016
My biggest issue is the swelling under my breast my upper abs are swollen so much around my ribs too but my doctor and the nurse said it might take up to 3 months to settle as he lipo a lot. And as you rightly pointed out, the lipo's pain is worse than the BR itself.
Congrats on your awesome results. Uh, I was a 34-36 G/F I believe now after 2 weeks that I will settle at a 14C or a 12D. I am so happy
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March 31, 2016
I completely understand all you're going through. The stitches that are internal will pretty much release all at once. One day you will wake up and the incisions will be flat I promise.
April 1, 2016
It seems to me that you didn't need to have any tape on after 2 weeks, is that right? I still have mine on, but thinking to get rid of them to have more freedom to app,y the Vaseline all over ... I just now add it to the vertical and the T section incision.
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April 2, 2016
I didn't use the tape after 2 weeks however my right breast swelled more than my left and cause a slight separation at the vertical line so I use only 2 steri strips on that breast to ease the tension for another 2 weeks and it worked. So I think its very individual on how long to wear the tape
April 3, 2016
That true Leo. I have a tiny separation as well but at the T intersection. I keep it clean with lavender oil and cover it with Vaseline. I will keep the tape for another week then work on the Vaseline . What a miracle paste that is.

Thanks again
UPDATED FROM leo1970
2 months post

in clothes at 4 weeks post op

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leo1970

Replies (6)

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February 4, 2016
Looking gr8 ;-)
February 11, 2016
You look great! I'm glad your reduction went well.
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February 27, 2016
Thank you so much! Coming along slowly but surely
February 26, 2016
You look great!!! I am 18 days post op and I am having the hardest time. I am still really tight. I can't move my arms how I want and my breast are heavy. They are putting a strain on my neck. I also have staples they come out monday. I hope that helps. But you look amazing did you have lipo as well? I see your garment is drenched in blood. I wanted lipo as well just can't afford it right now. Your scars look amazing as well. My don't look bad I use the Vaseline I need to try the bio oil. Happy recovery!!!☺
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February 27, 2016
The Vaseline is great! My scars look so good. I kept ice on my breasts at night because they swelled up until the 5th week. Not every day but son days if I over did it I could tell because they would get tight and I could feel them under my arm pit. I think what your going through is very normal. I didn't have staples so I am wondering if that's part of the reason why you can't lift your arms so much yet? And yes I did have lipo on the sides of my ribsfrom my breast to my hips. The swelling is just starting to go down now at 2 months. I am finally feeling halfway normal. The lipo hurts worse than the br. It still gets tight and aches if I sit in one position too long. I hope you feel better once the staples are out. Keep me posted
February 27, 2016
That's for your response. I will keep you posted. Once again you look great!!!! I can't wait until I feel normal again. Today is a pretty good day. Not too much discomfort