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

UPDATED FROM leo1970
2 months post

8 weeks!!!

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leo1970
WORTH IT$11,800

leo1970's provider

Stephen Evangelisti, MD

Stephen Evangelisti, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

leo1970

leo1970 rating for Dr. Evangelisti:

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Replies (5)

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February 27, 2016
Bought a great bra by Olga. No underwire t-shrt bra I found at kohls. The just gave me the go ahead if i wanted to wear an underwire but I truly dont need it.
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March 30, 2016
wow! I look fwd to the say when I can say "I truly dont need an underwire"
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March 31, 2016
its fantastic!!!! I just love it. I can buy a bra off the rack.
February 27, 2016
You look great! Beautiful results!
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March 2, 2016
When you say Vaseline, you mean regular "Petroleum Jelly"?
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March 2, 2016
Yes. Just that.
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March 2, 2016
oh wow! Nice.
April 1, 2016
Those scars are amazing! So, you just use Bio Oil, then vaseline over the area? Seeing pics like yours give me the courage to go ahead with my breast surgery...thanks for posting.
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April 1, 2016
Yes. Just Vaseline alone for the first few weeks then bio with Vaseline over it. I'm at 3 months and only use bio oil now.
September 13, 2016
I went to him too. At what point did he let you stop using vaseline? I use aquaphor, but I am so over struggling to close my bra around gauze!
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September 13, 2016
I used the vaseline for 2 months. It keeps the scars soft so they heal almost invisible. Use it until there is no more flaking. I then rub them everyday with bio oil for one full miniute on each side. My scars are great. It's the rubbing that breaks up the scar tissue so the incisions are soft and heal smooth.
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September 13, 2016
Also, I didn't wrap the gauze all the way around me, I only bought gauze pads and placed them over the vaseline so it didn't make my bra icky. 4x4 gauze and open it up so it lays the long way across scars
September 13, 2016
Will do then! I will keep going on that. I have a follow up comng up (5 weeks). I have a little spot of concern at the inverted T on Righty. It looks like a stitch may have opened up. I have a butterfly bandage on it to keep it from opening more in the meantime.
November 13, 2019
Hi! Would you mind me asking what bra size you are presently wearing? You look amazing.
UPDATED FROM leo1970
2 months post

in clothes at 4 weeks post op

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leo1970

Replies (3)

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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
UPDATED FROM leo1970
30 days post

some pics for reference

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leo1970
Before. They were bigger than my head

Replies (3)

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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