POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS
20 Years Old, 5'7"/125lbs/30GG, & Finally Getting Rid of Headaches and Back Pain! Southbury, CT
ORIGINAL POST
First of all, a big thank you to all of the women...
lpb29December 20, 2015
WORTH IT
First of all, a big thank you to all of the women on this site who post their experiences, it's given me so much courage to go through with this procedure!
Tomorrow is my big day, so I decided to do an initial post today with some before photos.
BACKGROUND & WHY I CHOSE TO GET THIS PROCEDURE:
I'm a 20 year old college student who is a 30GG. As someone who is 5'7" and weighs ~125lbs, my boobs are one of the largest parts of my body and weigh me down constantly. After going on birth control a year ago, they grew one cup size to their current size, and I really started to lose mobility. I struggled with them a lot on my high school cross country team, but now I barely even run anymore because sports bras constrict my breathing so much, and loosening them only means bouncing everywhere (ouch).
As many of you can probably relate, the constant weigh pulling down on my torso really affects my neck and upper back, and has caused me tremendous pain over the past two years. It's become incredibly hard to stand for long periods of time without hunching forward, which has become problematic for me at my part-time job.
Deciding to go through with this surgery was a hard choice! I have just reached a point where I am no longer insecure about the way my chest looks, whereas I hated it all throughout high school. Now that I'm finally accepting the way they look, I have to say goodbye! :( But it's become very necessary for me to get this procedure. I can't sleep on my back without suffocating, my bras cost upwards of $60 each, and summer time is no longer the same because I live in fear of buying/wearing bathing suits.
GOING FORWARD/PRE-PROCEDURE:
I'm very optimistic about my big day tomorrow! I am currently drinking a lot of water and trying to eat protein/fruits/vegetables to help with the recovery process. I am also taking Arnica Montana to help relieve any bruising/swelling I may experience post-op. I purchased some Staphysagria as well to help incision healing, but I haven't been able to find as much information on it. Also, I will be using hydrocolloid plasters on my incisions when I can, because many women SWEAR by them for healing scars.
CONCERNS:
I think my biggest concerns are making sure I get the shape and size I want, and minimizing my scars. What reassures me is that they will probably be prettier than their current state no matter what, so I am very excited.
TL;DR:
I have
Tomorrow is my big day, so I decided to do an initial post today with some before photos.
BACKGROUND & WHY I CHOSE TO GET THIS PROCEDURE:
I'm a 20 year old college student who is a 30GG. As someone who is 5'7" and weighs ~125lbs, my boobs are one of the largest parts of my body and weigh me down constantly. After going on birth control a year ago, they grew one cup size to their current size, and I really started to lose mobility. I struggled with them a lot on my high school cross country team, but now I barely even run anymore because sports bras constrict my breathing so much, and loosening them only means bouncing everywhere (ouch).
As many of you can probably relate, the constant weigh pulling down on my torso really affects my neck and upper back, and has caused me tremendous pain over the past two years. It's become incredibly hard to stand for long periods of time without hunching forward, which has become problematic for me at my part-time job.
Deciding to go through with this surgery was a hard choice! I have just reached a point where I am no longer insecure about the way my chest looks, whereas I hated it all throughout high school. Now that I'm finally accepting the way they look, I have to say goodbye! :( But it's become very necessary for me to get this procedure. I can't sleep on my back without suffocating, my bras cost upwards of $60 each, and summer time is no longer the same because I live in fear of buying/wearing bathing suits.
GOING FORWARD/PRE-PROCEDURE:
I'm very optimistic about my big day tomorrow! I am currently drinking a lot of water and trying to eat protein/fruits/vegetables to help with the recovery process. I am also taking Arnica Montana to help relieve any bruising/swelling I may experience post-op. I purchased some Staphysagria as well to help incision healing, but I haven't been able to find as much information on it. Also, I will be using hydrocolloid plasters on my incisions when I can, because many women SWEAR by them for healing scars.
CONCERNS:
I think my biggest concerns are making sure I get the shape and size I want, and minimizing my scars. What reassures me is that they will probably be prettier than their current state no matter what, so I am very excited.
TL;DR:
I have
UPDATED FROM lpb29
1 day post
1-Day Post Op
lpb29December 22, 2015
Hey guys, not sure why my first message cut off, but I'm not exactly sure how to fix it. Anyways, yesterday was surgery day, and everything went great!
I arrived at the hospital at 7:45, checked in, met with a nurse who took my vitals and gave a urine pregnancy test. I changed into the hospital clothes and then they put device on my legs that periodically compressed them to prevent blood clots.
Another nurse entered and put the IV in my arm, they administered some antiacid for my stomach (I don't remember the reasoning for this, really) and some Zofran (nausea medication). Because I have a very sensitive stomach, they also gave me a bandaid like patch that goes behind my ear to prevent nausea. I'm still wearing it, but I have to take it off some time tomorrow.
Once my IV was secured, the anesthesiologist came in to talk, he basically just said that on my way to the operating room I'd be given some amnesia medicine and then I would be given the anesthesia when it was getting close to operating time.
There was a lot of waiting! Finally, my wonderful surgeon came in and marked me up, and reassured me about the whole process. She's really great and I can't wait to review her, but I want to at least see my boobs a little better first.
Once I was marked up, I waited a little longer before I was wheeled into the operating room. I was not wearing my glasses at this point so it was hard to see. The operating room at this hospital looked weirdly like an art studio. The last thing I remember was looking at the three women setting up the room, and that's it. I don't even remember someone telling me I was about to go under.
Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, waking up from what felt like a nap. There was a nurse next to me who was attending to me, and I told her my chest hurt so she gave me some more medicine. The pain wasn't that bad, it was about a 6, but it was a very dull sore pain. Once I got more medicine, I realized that I was really itchy all over. I think this is a reaction I have to percocet, so she gave me some Benadryl through the IV. Needless to say I kept falling asleep.
I was exhausted while getting discharged, I barely remember the process. I fell asleep in the car and in my recliner when I got home. I brought a pillow in the car with me to hug on the way home. I can't tell if it made much of a difference because I was so drugged and sleepy lol.
After a while of lying in my recliner and starting to come to, I realized my left breast was bleeding a lot. I texted some photos to my surgeon, who told me to change the gauze pads. My mom did that and then tightened up my bandage to add compression. My left drain has been filling much faster than the right one and my left breast is pretty swollen, but my surgeon said it was no cause for concern. I feel really good this morning, I'm still on percocet but I have little to no pain. Pain only really comes when I get up and walk around to go pee, and the pain is almost exclusively on the incisions under my breasts in the center of the chest.
MEDICINES:
Currently I am on Percocet, and I am taking an antibiotic. Percocet makes my skin itch so I am taking some benadryl too. I am also taking Arnica Montana for the swelling and Staphysagria for healthy wound healing and reduced itching. These are both homeopathic medicines I picked up at whole foods that have no drug interactions and my surgeon has approved them. Additionally, I have been taking Vitamin C and D for about two weeks prior.
RISKS:
My surgeon seems pretty optimistic about how the surgery went. So far I can still feel if my nipples are touched, but I'm trying not to touch too much of my chest right now. My surgeon also says I have an excellent chance of breastfeeding in the future.
Today the swelling has gone down and they already look better. I will update later today or some time tomorrow after my drains are removed.
Take care everyone!
I arrived at the hospital at 7:45, checked in, met with a nurse who took my vitals and gave a urine pregnancy test. I changed into the hospital clothes and then they put device on my legs that periodically compressed them to prevent blood clots.
Another nurse entered and put the IV in my arm, they administered some antiacid for my stomach (I don't remember the reasoning for this, really) and some Zofran (nausea medication). Because I have a very sensitive stomach, they also gave me a bandaid like patch that goes behind my ear to prevent nausea. I'm still wearing it, but I have to take it off some time tomorrow.
Once my IV was secured, the anesthesiologist came in to talk, he basically just said that on my way to the operating room I'd be given some amnesia medicine and then I would be given the anesthesia when it was getting close to operating time.
There was a lot of waiting! Finally, my wonderful surgeon came in and marked me up, and reassured me about the whole process. She's really great and I can't wait to review her, but I want to at least see my boobs a little better first.
Once I was marked up, I waited a little longer before I was wheeled into the operating room. I was not wearing my glasses at this point so it was hard to see. The operating room at this hospital looked weirdly like an art studio. The last thing I remember was looking at the three women setting up the room, and that's it. I don't even remember someone telling me I was about to go under.
Next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, waking up from what felt like a nap. There was a nurse next to me who was attending to me, and I told her my chest hurt so she gave me some more medicine. The pain wasn't that bad, it was about a 6, but it was a very dull sore pain. Once I got more medicine, I realized that I was really itchy all over. I think this is a reaction I have to percocet, so she gave me some Benadryl through the IV. Needless to say I kept falling asleep.
I was exhausted while getting discharged, I barely remember the process. I fell asleep in the car and in my recliner when I got home. I brought a pillow in the car with me to hug on the way home. I can't tell if it made much of a difference because I was so drugged and sleepy lol.
After a while of lying in my recliner and starting to come to, I realized my left breast was bleeding a lot. I texted some photos to my surgeon, who told me to change the gauze pads. My mom did that and then tightened up my bandage to add compression. My left drain has been filling much faster than the right one and my left breast is pretty swollen, but my surgeon said it was no cause for concern. I feel really good this morning, I'm still on percocet but I have little to no pain. Pain only really comes when I get up and walk around to go pee, and the pain is almost exclusively on the incisions under my breasts in the center of the chest.
MEDICINES:
Currently I am on Percocet, and I am taking an antibiotic. Percocet makes my skin itch so I am taking some benadryl too. I am also taking Arnica Montana for the swelling and Staphysagria for healthy wound healing and reduced itching. These are both homeopathic medicines I picked up at whole foods that have no drug interactions and my surgeon has approved them. Additionally, I have been taking Vitamin C and D for about two weeks prior.
RISKS:
My surgeon seems pretty optimistic about how the surgery went. So far I can still feel if my nipples are touched, but I'm trying not to touch too much of my chest right now. My surgeon also says I have an excellent chance of breastfeeding in the future.
Today the swelling has gone down and they already look better. I will update later today or some time tomorrow after my drains are removed.
Take care everyone!
Replies (7)
January 10, 2016
It would seem that they could let a person stay in hospital at least one night. It is surgery.
January 10, 2016
Yeah, I guess some women opt to stay overnight, but my surgeon didn't really address that. In the end, it didn't make much of a difference, although I think that would benefit women who are at higher risk for things like blood clots.
UPDATED FROM lpb29
2 days post
Pain meds causing trouble
lpb29December 23, 2015
Hi guys! Day two of recovery is going smooth, I've had such minimal pain that I've stopped taking the Percocet. It was making me constipated and loopy and a little itchy. However, I had a really bad withdrawal about 12 hours of stopping which caused me to have bad stomach pains and vomit over night and I didn't get much sleep. I'm finally starting to feel better, but I HATE Percocet. Other than the pain meds this is a smooth ride-- left is still swollen though. Tape is still over my incisions.... would I be able to tell if I had a popped stitch or hole? I'm scared for the tape to come off and reveal one of those two things.
Also, tomorrow is when I get to shower! Does anyone have any advice for this? I'd rather not wet my incisions, but would that make them more prone to infection?
Thanks! xo
Also, tomorrow is when I get to shower! Does anyone have any advice for this? I'd rather not wet my incisions, but would that make them more prone to infection?
Thanks! xo
Replies (7)
December 23, 2015
In my experience, holes and suture abscesses generally happen 2-4 weeks after and not immediately after.
For showers, I was instructed not to let the spray hit my breasts but to let the water hit your back and shoulders and just run down naturally. If you're concerned about infection, you should totally use dial antibacterial soap - that's what I used both times and neither time I ended up with any infection.
General advice for showers- get EVERYTHING ready beforehand and if possible, place your shampoo and stuff so that you don't have to reach up or down too much for them. I would suggest that you take off everything and get the water running before you remove your bra as the very last step. Then, once you're in the shower, put soap/body wash on your shoulders and just let the water run for a while. Oh, and make sure your hair is in a bun until this point. Then, once your body is clean, put some shampoo in one of your hands, untie your hair, and tilt your head to one side and bring your hand up to shampoo that side. Then rinse and repeat for the other side of your head. I know this sounds crazy and is really detailed but it's my tried and true method for the first 2 weeks or so.
Tie up your hair again before you come out. Then, towel up. When you're ready to put your dressings/bra on again, my best tip is to put a small towel around your neck/shoulders so that your hair doesn't drip down onto your breasts. You want to make sure that they are totally dry before you put anything on them again.
Hope this helps!
For showers, I was instructed not to let the spray hit my breasts but to let the water hit your back and shoulders and just run down naturally. If you're concerned about infection, you should totally use dial antibacterial soap - that's what I used both times and neither time I ended up with any infection.
General advice for showers- get EVERYTHING ready beforehand and if possible, place your shampoo and stuff so that you don't have to reach up or down too much for them. I would suggest that you take off everything and get the water running before you remove your bra as the very last step. Then, once you're in the shower, put soap/body wash on your shoulders and just let the water run for a while. Oh, and make sure your hair is in a bun until this point. Then, once your body is clean, put some shampoo in one of your hands, untie your hair, and tilt your head to one side and bring your hand up to shampoo that side. Then rinse and repeat for the other side of your head. I know this sounds crazy and is really detailed but it's my tried and true method for the first 2 weeks or so.
Tie up your hair again before you come out. Then, towel up. When you're ready to put your dressings/bra on again, my best tip is to put a small towel around your neck/shoulders so that your hair doesn't drip down onto your breasts. You want to make sure that they are totally dry before you put anything on them again.
Hope this helps!
December 23, 2015
Just to clarify for when you're washing your hair, tilting your head means that you only end up having to bring your hand up to your head to wash it - and so you won't have to really move your arms which I'm sure you don't want to at this point!
December 23, 2015
Absolutely! You can totally message me if you have other questions. Having gone through all of this twice, I'm starting to feel so experienced, lol.
January 10, 2016
I agree with all of anony1234's recommendations. Only let the water run over your breasts, and towel dry gently, but thoroughly before putting anything on.
December 31, 2015
Some information about the wounds in general. I thought the drier the better, but as it turns out the incisions actually need moisture, it has something to do with the healing process. I believe I slowed my healing process down by keeping them so dry. Google information about this. If I had to do it over again I would have let them get wet every so often.
January 2, 2016
Wow, I'm glad you've shared this with me, I've been reading about it and it definitely has changed my approach on how I heal my wounds. I've been keeping mine moist and covered with vaseline, and I think it has made a difference. Thank you SO much! :)
Replies (15)
GerI work.
Love the results
Im considering a breast reduction but how was the cost so low as $300?
your dr did a good job