Breast reduction questions for women who's had the procedure.?

Question

My BR is scheduled August 1st and I'm really nervous about it. How painful is the post op? How long did you have to take your muscle relaxant and pain killer? Also, my doctor told me I could carry my university books but everywhere else is telling me not to, what do you think? Can you tell a difference (is your breasts smaller) right after the surgery? I've been to all the websites and have done countless hours of research but I don't really have anyone to talk to about it who's had the procedure done.

Answer 1

I know you're just looking for a few hints from all the 'amateur experts' here, but these are questions you should not just be asking - but discussing - with your doctor. HE is the one who's the REAL expert!
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Answer 2

You shouldn't be too nervous. I've seen patients who have gone out for lunch the day after surgery. Everyone is a little different and depending on how much tissue they are taking will depend on the amount of soreness. You will be pretty numb the day of surgery becuase most surgeons first start by injecting a long acting anesthetic to help with post-op pain control. The best advice I can give you is to not wait until the pain comes to take your pain meds. I would save the muscle relaxers for night when you want to sleep. Pain killers should be taken with food even if you can only get down something small. Continue to drink alot of fluids while you are on the pain meds as they can cause you to become constipated. Fluids and high fiber vegetables will lessen this effect. You will not want to carry anything heavy for several weeks mostly because your breasts are going through major trauma being reduced and swelling and fluid in the area can last for weeks even months after surgery. Any tension or increased weight on the are will affect your result. You can listen to your body and see how things go for you. If it hurts don't do it, wait a while and try again if it hurts again don't do it. Increase your activity level as you start to feel better. YOu will notice an immediate difference in the size of your breasts. Don't take this as what you will look like after months of healing. As I said before swelling and fluid can build up and take months to dissipate. Your final results will come many months after surgery. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I had this procedure done on December 9, 2004 It was definitely the BEST thing I have ever done for myself. I was reduced from a 44 FF to a 38 C.

YES you can tell your breasts are smaller right after the surgery...but don't freak out. The tissues are swollen and the skin is stretched quite a bit...this is natural after such an invasive procedure!

If you have a low tolerance to pain...then do take your pain meds BEFORE you start feeling pain..and on a regular schedule. Just be careful not to over-medicate!!

Also, it's better to keep wearing the tight bra(s) that they give you for a few weeks after surgery....they give SO much support and you'll just be amazed at how small your breasts look!!

If it's like my procedure, they'll mark your skin beforehand and they'll put small circles where your nipples will be after the reduction...that is mind-blowing!!

Definitely discuss all of your concerns with your doctor. Write down questions when they come to you and make sure you bring that list!!

Wash your entire chest/armpit area with Hibaclens antiseptic (during your showers) to ensure that your skin is as clean as possible. (You can buy it at pretty much any pharmacy)

OH! It takes a while for your 'new' breasts to "settle in" and take shape....so don't be impatient...just enjoy your newfound freedom!

Good luck and congratulations!

P.S. I returned to my desk job 2 days after the procedure and to my part-time waitressing job 2 weeks later. BUT! Everyone heals differently...so pay attention to your body. It might not hurt to get a rolling backpack for using until you're healed enough to carry your books!

Answer 4

I'm not sure if it because I am young and I had a very skilled Plastic Surgeon but I was in very little to no pain after my surgery. Everyone is different but I went back to University after only 1 week (I was so so bored at home) and was carrying all my books and driving myself around.
I was in surgery for 1 hour 45mins, I woke up 15 minutes after my op and only stayed in the recovery ward for 5 minutes before being taken back to my room. I got up and used the toilet (yes the actual toilet, not a bed pan thank god) after 1 hour, washed myself and got dressed after 2 hours and had a shower after 5 hours.
My breasts were immediately smaller after the surgery, I had no bruising at all follwing the surgery or even a week later, it just didn't come up. I started swelling about 5 days later - this was when I stopped taking medication, and the swelling only lasted 3 days.
I am now nearly 3 months post op and my breasts have not changed in shape or form since the day they were done- they were perfect right after the surgery and still are.

I am normally a bit of a sook but was very surpised at how I reacted to the pain. For me the worst part of the whole procedure was when the incisions started healing and got itchy and the fact that I slept upright, on my back for 3 weeks.
The pros of this type of procedure definetly out weight the cons.

I used the site
www.locateadoc.com
There are hundreds of before and after photos of BR's and lots of question/answers and even animated slideshows of the various types of ways this procedure can be done.
Not sure what type you are having but I had the Le Jour incision technique- there is less incisions, hense less scarring, no risk of boxy, odd shaped breasts and quicker healing time as there is no cut underneath the breast.

Also I am not sure how it is usually done but I had invisible inside stitches running along the vertical incision and I had only 4 stitches in each nipple, they were set into place using surgical glue which completly minimizes scarring ( I have no scars around my nipple).

Speak with your surgeon about all these concerns and make sure that you have a strong knowledge of the technique they are using and the aftercare, etc.

Wish you all the best

Answer 5

I had NO pain after I woke up in recovery, it was only a little uncomfortable.

I only used my vicodin for two days, then realized I didn't need it.

You should not carry anything heavy for two weeks, or else you risk opening up your incisions.

I saw the difference immediately, actually I thought they removed all of my breast! BUT, I ended up a C cup after surgery.

http://www.breasthealthonline.com has an excellent board that lots of women who've had this procedure done go to chit chat. It helped me out TONS before and after surgery!

38J to 38C Feb 2006

Answer 6

i've got had a breast alleviation with bring up and that i distinctly propose it! i replaced right into a FF and went all the way down to a C. i'm lots happier! i will placed on commonly used outfits and my decrease back does not injury anymore and that i think lots greater suitable approximately myself! it truly is no longer a risky surgical technique. it truly is ordinary and almost discomfort-unfastened. the outcomes are incredible! you may desire to maximum incredibly have it carried out! stable success!

Answer 7

I'm 18 years old and just had a breast reduction 6 days ago. I went from a 36DD to a 36C (as for the actual size, I'm not for certain because there is still swelling and I can't wear an underwire bra for a few weeks). So far my post op has been very good. I was not in very much pain, more of a constant pressure. I was prescribed Darvocet and Demerol for pain. By the second day after, I decided to stick to Tylenol extra strength. The Darvocet made me throw up the first night and the demerol just made me extremely loopy. Plus I didn't feel like I was in enough pain to really need that kind of medicine.

As for the surgery, my mom told me I was in the operating room for around 4 hours. This is very long for a breast reduction surgery. My surgeon told me that instead of having breasts with normal fatty tissue, I had more dense breast tissue, which made my surgery a bit more complicated thus requiring more time. This also could be why I never lost weight in my breasts, only in my hips.

Honestly, I do not remember anything from the day of the surgery because of the anesthesia. My surgery was outpatient so I went home the first night. I found it was MUCH easier sleeping in a recliner rather than my bed. In fact, I slept in my recliner until last night. I just went back to my bed on night five. I surrounded myself with pillows so I would not roll over. I am very much a person who sleeps on her stomach.

After my surgery, my Mom helped me with basically everything the first two days. I felt rather helpless, but really wasn't in any pain. I was able to take showers the day after my surgery. Luckily I have a removable shower head and just took that off and grabbed a stool and sat in the shower. I was worried about the water over my incisions, but really nothing happened. No burning or discomfort.

As for what my breasts look like now, I had the anchor shaped incision. My doctor left my nipple attached and just repositioned it higher. I have stitches around my nipple then going straight down to the crease of my breast. Then there is an incision going the length of the crease of my breast. The doctor put these antibiotic strips over all parts of my incisions. Most of mine are still on, but they do fall off, which is nothing to be concerned about. I can tell there is a noticeable difference in my breasts now, even with the swelling. I took a picture for my own use before hand, so I can compare the two when I look in the mirror now. My breasts didn't start bruising until about the fourth day. Even now, they are only a yellowish color around the nipple; nothing like purples and blues. When I change my bras (my surgeon gave me two) sometimes there was oozing around parts of the incision. My mom would take a q-tip with hydrogen peroxide and clean it off. Again, I worried about burning and stinging, but all I could feel was a wet sensation on my skin.

About the down time, I stayed home the first two days. By then, I was dying of boredom, and anxious to get out of the house. The third day I went to Blockbuster; fourth day out to the mall to buy more button up shirts, which I advise doing now. It was by no means a day at the mall, rather I could only take about an hour. The fifth day I went to lunch and to Bed, Bath, and Beyond. I am going in for my second check up tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping to get the okay to drive and do more physical activities because my body certainly feels ready.


Hope this helped. :)
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me: [e-mail]

Answer 8

i had this done in 1992. i wanst in much pain, cause what was cut off was gone and the suture line was numb. remember to wear a good bra while your healing so that you dont stretch out the suture line-then youll have smaller scars. they took off 3 pounds for me!goodluck;)michele

Answer 9

go to makemeheal.com

go onto the message boards there and follow the link to your specific procedure. I had a TT and found it very helpful before and after, You will have to sign up to actually post, but it's no charge. good luck.