Breast Reduction from an E to a C, Healing Great 13 Days Later - Thousand Oaks, CA

I had a breast reduction and Blepharoplasty on 12/31/2014. I chose that day to have at least 5 days before I had to work with clients on the phone. I work from home and did not need to look better so no worries there. They d not see me.

I have had large breasts my whole life and they did not fit me physically and they were pulling my back apart. They weren't so big that they were extreme but I am 5'5" and weigh about 125. One was a double D and one was an E and getting bigger. am 48 years old. I saved the money and paid cash so I could pick my doctor. He was great and right around the corner from me.

I had very little bruising on my breasts and have been off pain killers since the 5th day. I do take ibuprofen per my surgeons recommendation but only as needed.

I did take natural supplements before the surgery that I believe helped a lot. I went off all flax and herbal supplements two weeks before. No aspirin or derivatives. I took Bromelain capsules for the week before, twice a day and after twice day. I also took Arnica the night before, the morning of, right after I got home and once more that evening. I continued with Arinica for two more days twice a day and stopped on the after the 3rd day.

I iced my breasts constantly. I ran out of ice and my ice maker could not keep p with me. I had ice packs but they did not work. I ended up using plastic sandwich bags inside plastic quart sized bags to keep them from leaking I iced as much as I could and this helped a lot.

I pre-ordered a surgical bra. They gave me one after the surgery but I new I would need another. I have used them both constantly. I am not in the stage where the incision points are a little sre and my nipples hurt a little but for the most part I feel great. I have not had any alcohol, drinking green juices, limited all sugar and am eating lots of high fiber high protein meals.

I did get constipated and swear by drinking prune juice. If I would have known I would have drank the minute I got back from the hospital. They don't like to talk about nausea or constipation. I took 5 fiber pills two times a day and ate high fiber food and still got constipated.I took exlax twice in a 12 hour period and still nothing. Drank some prune juice and got better within hours. Back to normal now but prepare for this.

I also did not want to get nauseous. They gave me a script for one pill I took right before surgery and it was expensive and I can't remember the name. I also had oral nausea pills that dissolved and I took two of them over the course of the next two days.

I felt super tired most days but walked as much as I could to help my body along. Four days ago I did a mile walking on the treadmill and today I did 2 miles. Taking it slow and listening to my body.
I am not sure what size my breasts will end up. I asked for a smaller C. It will take some adjustment but I will not be lighter (already feel better about that) and I can buy clothes that fit and are appropriate.

I probably would have gotten in better shape, it is hard to work out during recovery. I am 5 weeks post op and I am just getting back into lifting some weights.
I would have bought a few more bras.
My number one biggest peeve about this is not knowing I would need support that has a big band around my rib cage instead of the way bras ride up. Most of my bras and support ride up on my stitches and hurt. I would have bought something that snugged up on my ribcage and did not ride up. I am 5 weeks out and have had to be very creative as far as support goes. Thankfully I have a lot of sports bras and have used those to wear. I still ache at the stitches site and wear support all the time. The bra they sent me home in is not a bra so you will need to think about getting some support garments that can adapt as you heal for weeks.
I feel great though! My back has completely quit hurting. It used to hurt and be out all the time and now it never hurts.My shoulders don't hurt. I feel lighter all the way around. So happy and would do it over and over again.

Feeling really good. I did recover well and am happy about the herb combos i took in order to make sure y recovery was shortened.
I still have pain around around and in my nipples. I think a little of it is hormones. I am very very gad I got this done. I am sad that they did bot make them smaller. I have very dense breasts and paid out of pocket. I now have very solid D cup breasts and wanted to go to a C. Losing weight does nothing for the size so I am suck about 1 cup size too large. They are perky, my back feels better and my scars are slowly going away.
My surgeon recommended silicone strips for the breasts. There are donut shaped ones and strips of silicone you can order on amazon. I wear mine all the time, except when I shower. They are not cheap but I am careful with them and they have been lasting over 2 months.

Hope this helps someone out there. I would do it again but be more clear about going down to the size I want. I am afraid they will start to blow up again due to hormones.