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POSTED UNDER Breast Reduction REVIEWS

I Finally Did It !!! Stockton, CA

ORIGINAL POST

Hello, my name is Jackie and I am 45 years old. I...

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mtjackie
WORTH IT
Hello, my name is Jackie and I am 45 years old. I would like to share my experience with my breast reduction and lift surgery that I had on April 9th, 2015. Before surgery, I was wearing a 36H/I bra. Finding a bra that fit right and was comfortable never existed. I always had neck and shoulder pains, especially the muscle running from my neck to shoulder. Sleeping sucked too, because I am a stomach and side sleeper, and every time I would turn at night, my back would hurt and would wake me up.

On April 9th, the morning of my surgery, I was very nervous, as I have never had any kind of surgery before. I was admitted into the hospital at 6:00 a.m. Everyone there was super nice, which helped greatly with my nerves. I got undressed, which I was allowed to keep my underwear on, and they gave me a backless gown that hooked up to heating, which was very warm. They also gave me a pair of socks to wear. They took my blood pressure and started my IV. Next, my doctor came in and drew all over me and explained where everything would be when finished and told me that I would be a solid C when finished. Then, they put electric compression boots on me and rolled me, in my bed, into the surgery room around 8:00 a.m., where they gave me anesthesia. I don’t remember anything after that, because I opened my eyes and it was done. I looked at the clock across the room and it was 10:20 a.m. I did have a burning pain in my breasts, which they immediately gave me a couple of Norco. By 10:45 a.m., I was released and on my way home. (Don’t forget to bring a fluffy pillow and sunglasses)

I took Norco for pain during the first couple of days, which caused major constipation, even when taken with Colace Stool Softener. I quit taking Norco and the worthless stool softener on day 3 and started taking Ibuprofen 600mg instead. Also on day 3, I started drinking a hot cup of organic Nettle Leif tea daily, and this has cured me of my constipation. I started taking Bromelain 500mg on day 4. I have also been eating a bowl of pineapple every day since surgery. Pineapple/Bromelain helps with healing quicker.

I am now 1 week post op. I have felt pain this week, but I think a lot of it is mental, as I am always worried about my stitches. My front zip sports bra is uncomfortable and feels like it is pushing and rubbing on my stitches. I have been taking it easy all week and drinking lots of water. I have developed a rash on my shoulders, upper arms and stomach this week. I’m wondering if my doctor put something on my skin before surgery and it caused skin irritation. Also, my stomach feels and looks bigger than usual. But other than that, I’m doing great, lol.

Well, this has been my 1 week post op experience. Each day seems a little different with the swelling and how I feel. I haven’t had the energy this week as I usually do, but I’m sure that’s normal after having a breast reduction. Tomorrow, I go see my doctor for my boob checkup; I hope all is going well. I am sooo looking forward to getting back to my regular routines and start working out again, but I know that it will be a little while from now. Talk to ya later ?.

mtjackie's provider

James Kim

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

mtjackie

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Replies (51)

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April 17, 2015
I was just approved and have been scheduled for 2 weeks out and I am so nervous. Please keep me updated on your progress.
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April 17, 2015
And BTW you look great and happy healing!!
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April 18, 2015
Don't be worried, you will be just fine. Surgery is the easiest part; you close your eyes and open them and your done. Then, you go home and heal. I will keep updating. I just got back from my doctors appointment and he took off my tape. So, I will take another picture and update. Have a fabulous day :)
April 30, 2015
Thank you so much for sharing! I am in the beginning stages of consultation and your post really helped!
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May 1, 2015
I'm glad my posts are of help to you. They took almost 5 pounds off my chest, and i no longer have that neck and shoulder muscle pain. Good luck to you with your consultations. I hope you will be able to get this done and overwith soon.
May 1, 2015
Did you have the anchor lift? That's a vertical and horizontal scar ? What size are you now ? Thanks for sharing
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May 1, 2015
Hello. Yes, I did have the anchor style breast reduction and lift. They had to move my nipples up around 4 inches higher. I was a 36 I, and I requested to be a C cup. My doctor thinks I will end up either a C or D. Right now, I feel like I am closer to a D, but he says it could take around 3 months before I will know. He took close to 5 pounds off my chest, so I'm sure it's going to make a big difference for me.
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May 1, 2015
Jackie, thank you for posting your experience . I have just been put on a waiting list to have my G cup reduced to hopefully a C. It eases my anxiety about having the procedure.
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May 1, 2015
Hello. Don't worry about the surgery; that's the easiest part. Recovery isn't that bad either. When I'm all healed up and back to my normal routines, I know that it all will be 100% worth it. Hopefully, you wont have to wait too long so you can get it done and over with too. Good luck with every thing :)
May 14, 2015
Be patient and pamper yourself for a bit. I was back to work (paralegal) after three weeks and I was sixty-six when I had the surgery done last year, March 18, 2014. You look great....and I know how great it is to have that neck and upper back pain GONE!
UPDATED FROM mtjackie
8 days post

Day 8 Post Op

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mtjackie
Today, day 8 post op, I went to my doctor's appointment, and he took off my tape. While taking it off, a small area, the incision going straight down from my nipple started to bleed, so he had to apply more tape on that area. Other than that area, all my tape is gone. It looks kind of freaky to me, but I need to just get over my self. It will heal :) Anyways, the doctor said that I am doing great. And, by the way, don't worry after your surgery if you have a little spotting of blood on your bras. I had a little bit all week, and that is okay and common. I think my sports bra just sometimes rubs on my stitches and irritates them.

Replies (8)

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April 18, 2015
They look great! Can't wait until I do mine.
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April 18, 2015
Thank you, I'm glad it's done and can't wait until I am all healed up :)
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April 18, 2015
Congrats! Happy Healing to you!
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April 18, 2015
Thank you :)
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April 18, 2015
They look great. Hope the pain gets better. I'm so excited my surgery is Monday
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April 18, 2015
Thank you, I am so glad it's done. The pain is a lot better and I have more energy. I can even wear super cute tops now :) Good luck to you on Monday. It will be great for you to get it done and over with. Have a fabulous weekend.
October 11, 2015
They look incredible !
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October 11, 2015
Thank you :)
UPDATED FROM mtjackie
14 days post

14 days post op

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mtjackie
Well hello there, I am now 14 days post op and feeling better. My second week of healing started out with me starting my period on post op day 9. Wow, did my boobs feel weird, irritated and painful. I'm sure starting my period aggravated them quite a bit. But, now that it's over, they are feeling a lot better. I have been trying to find a more comfortable bra. I have bought 7 total, and they all seem either too constricting or not enough support or the band keeps riding up on my stitches. But, I always find myself running back to my beige Playtex front zip bra. I'm not giving up though, I have 2 more bras being mailed to me, lol. On a good note though, the rash I had last week on my shoulders, upper arms and stomach are gone. The bloating I had last week is gone also, even though I was on my period all week. My energy is so much better this week too. My boobs still look kind of freaky to me and my nipples are constantly erect, but they are looking a little better each day. I don't think I have ever had this much feeling in my breasts; I have not lost any sensation. I am very glad I had my breast reduction. I can't believe I can now wear button-down shirts :)

Replies (11)

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April 24, 2015
I had my surgery on February 9, 2015 exactly 2 months before you. I am happy with my results, have a little dog ear on the right side, the PS said he can fix it after everything settles down. You look great, congratulations!
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April 24, 2015
Thank you so much. I can't wait until I am all healed up. So looking forward to working out again and getting back to my regular routines. Glad to hear you are happy with your results. I don't know what a dog ear is, but I hope it all gets fixed :)
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April 24, 2015
It's where the scar puckers out, not a big deal but I think I will probably have it fixed.
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April 24, 2015
You are looking fab. Love the button up shirt pic. I'm dreading getting my period they are due any day now.
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April 24, 2015
Oh, them fun days, good luck with that and thank you for the compliment :) Hope you are healing well and working out that bloat issue. I know that feeling. ooooooooooooo
August 12, 2015
I had a consult with a PS for a BL and BR and he told me I had to have an implant with that or my lift would not last. Did you have any implant ? or was it even suggested by your PS ?
thanks
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August 12, 2015
Hello. I did not have an implant, nor did my PS suggest one.
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August 13, 2015
My PS did ask me several times if I wanted to replace my implants, but chose not to and just removed old ones and got a mastoplexy/lift. I was a size G and I didn't want to be top heavy anymore and even as I walked out of the surgery center I already felt a huge relief even in pain!!
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August 14, 2015
Any one have suggestions on what to take for constipation and gas from pain pills? Tyia
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August 15, 2015
Those pain pills really do a number on ya. I took them with Colace and that did not help. I had to quit taking them and drink organic nettle leaf tea. Magnesium will help big time. Take 1 pill in the morning and 1 at night. Or take 2 at night/evening.
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August 16, 2015
Thank you