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I'd check with Miss P-Chips. I don't think she was too happy with her reduction, but she might be able to speak more to the recovery experience.
A friend of mine had it done, and she was only out a couple weeks. Its more involved than an enhancement so there will be more down time compared to that
Hey!
I had breast reduction surgery on October 7, 2008 and it is truly a surgery that has changed my life for the better! They took a total of 4 pounds off my chest and got rid of my severe neck and back pain. I also do not have regular severe migrains anymore.
In terms of recovery I have to say that everyone is different. I was out of work for three weeks and I felt ready to head back to work after three weeks. The first week hard. I was tired, could not bathe, kinda hurt, but after that I started getting my strength back.
One thing that helped me and that I would ask your doc about if you are not getting them is drains. I had drains for a week and yes, they are gross and not too comfortable, BUT I never had bruising or tons of fluid retention. I think the drains really really helped me recover better.
I also found this board to be really helpful before my surgery:http://www.breasthealthonline.com/cgi-bin/mwf/board_show.pl?bid=3
I have rambled here, but private message me if you have any questions or want some support etc
My sister had hers done this winter. She needed a full month to totally recover, but she was functioning fine after 2 weeks. She was in pain/on narcotics for the first two weeks, and during that time she needed a lot of help. After two weeks, she was able to go back to work for a few hours a week, and she could do little things around the house like dishes, laundry, etc... She still needed help taking care of my nephew, but he's the most energetic 3 year old I've ever met! A month after her surgery, she was back to normal, but still a little swollen. When I saw her about 2 months after the surgery, though, she looked absolutely amazing! I couldn't believe how much they had taken out!
I am 3 weeks out from my br surgery and it was the best decision I have ever made. We are/were the same built and I went down to a full c/d cup. Yes we all will recover differently but my recovery has been amazing. The only pain I was in was from having to sleep upright. I didnt take the Oxycodone that was prescribed to me only took Valium so I could sleep. I just wish I could get out and exercise...another 2 more weeks before I get the ok from my doctor. Lifting is a bit difficult but you can tell when is too much. I was up and walking and driving 4 days after surgery. My wedding date is March 20th and I am so happy I did this before the big day. I even switched to a strapless dress! Email me if you have any questions
Thanks girls!
@ jaylii9: thanks so much for the advice. I was wondering about drains. We hadn't talked about it yet. I am a little afraid of them to be honest. I don't do well with surgery/stitches/etc. but if it's going to help them in the long run it's definitely something I should discuss! I'm really excited to see how much weight they take out. I've been trying to get down to my ideal weight before surgery so I won't compromise the results by losing more (12 down, 15 to go!).
@mrs.spring: thanks so much! The FH has booked a week off of work to take care of me so I'm hoping after that I can attempt to fend for myself. We do have a golden retriever puppy that acts like a 3 year old so that might cause me some trouble!!
@maddy: thanks so much for your response! I'd be soo happy to be down to a c/d! Sounds like your recovery is going great so far! I might fire you a pm later this evening with some questions :)
Emshaw- The drains just look like a little tube that is coming out of your body with a little clear grenade shaped bulb at the end. They are not real fun and FI had to empty them a couple times a day, but I think they were worth it. My doc took them out after a week.
Also, I bought a few inexpensive wire free, all cotton bras before my surgery. Kind of like these:http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=50475&CatID=56305&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=16937e2&attrtype=&attrvalue=&CMID=50475|51093|56305&Fltr=UNW:Euals:no+underwire&Srt=&QL=F&IND=76&cmVirtualCat=&CmCatId=50475|51093|56305
I bought them in a couple of different sizes larger than what cup size I thought I would end up at because of swelling. This was helpful because on day 3 after surgery my mom was able to help me change out of the surgery bra so she could wash it. After that I was able to rotate bras. Honestly, they are so comfy and I sometimes still wear one to work!
Thanks Jaylil! I was wondering what type of gear I needed post surgery so I'll definitely pop out and get some. I was so excited for my consultation I swear I forgot to ask him half of the questions I wanted to.
I had a breast reduction in July 2008 and am so happy with my decision! My recovery went very well and I was able to be fully moving after 3 weeks. Wasn't allowed to exercise for 5-6 weeks after and that had to start off slowly as well. My dr. left the drains in for 5 days, and I had no problems with that- no bruising/less swelling. But overall- I'd say the pain was certainly worth the gain! I loved getting to wear a cute bathing suit last summer! And got all excited when I went to try on dresses and knew I could try on the cute ones without looking like I was all boob!
And I bought a bra from my dr that hooked in the front and back- it made it easier to get on and off when my mom would help me change so she could wash it- and i still wear them to work out in and to clinicals- super comfy and great support.
Good luck with your surgery! It's so worth it!
My MOH had her breasts reduced August 2007 and she has been THRILLED with the results. If I'm remembering correctly, she was back at school in 2 weeks. She couldn't exercise for 6 weeks, and she was swollen for about 2 months.
my sister had a BR a few years ago. I dont remember her being incapacitated for too long, I think it was mostly a week, and then she was back to herself a few weeks later.
The one thing that you will want to be prepared for is the depression... My sister had a really hard time seeing herself naked for the first time after the surgery (stitches and all) she said she felt like frankenstein, she even needed my mom to come in and comfort her... THAT SAID, she says it is still the best thing she ever did. She feels so much better, she had over 5 pounds removed I think.
Good luck on your surgery!
I had a reduction years ago and, like others have said, it was the best thing I ever did. My experience was a really great one. I had the surgery around 7 am and stayed over at the hospital that night. The next day I left the hospital around 10 am, got home was sleepyish but was up and eating dinner at the dinner table with my family. I was pretty low key for a few days but functional; showering, wearing normal clothes (minus a bra obviously), moving around. I was giving a perscription for heavy painkillers but never needed it. I did take it easy for a few weeks (I was on xmas break from college) but went back to school 3 weeks after and was totally fine. The only discomfort I remember is being irritated by the stiches. But they came out after a week or two. I did not have any drains. I have really minimal scarring, hardly noticeable now. And full return of "sensation" so I don't expect any probs down the road with breastfeeding.
Your timing should be all good for your July wedding AND right after you get the surgery your boobs are like perfect and perky, so that will be awesome for your big day. Plus the time off of work for recovery should be the perfect time to get your DIY projects done! Congratulations!
I had BR surgery Jan. '06... It is the best thing I have done :)
You do need to be prepared for the scars... I have the classic 'anchor' scars... and at first I found it very hard to see them in the mirror... that being said, within a year the scars had started to fade and were evening becoming hard to detect!
I, too, had drains for about a week... they are a pain, but I feel they helped me a great deal with the healing process. My plastic surgeon also had be use a product called 'Kelocote' on the incisions everyday for many months... ask your doctor about it (It helps prevent keloid scarring and combat the red-scars...)
I didn't go back to work for about 3 weeks...
I hope this helps!
Thanks sooo much for the advice ladies! I don't know anybody who has actually had the surgery done so your stories are really helping.
My surgeon and I discussed either the 'lollipop' incision or the 'anchor' and decided the anchor will give me the best results.
I'm a bit nervous to see myself post surgery (I've never even had stitches before) and think it will be a bit of a shock to my system. I guess I'll just have to remember it will get better and how much easier it will be to live life with a normal sized chest!
@sweetsavannah: I'll definitely ask him about Kelocote. Is it a prescription lotion or something that I can pick up otc?
Thanks again ladies! I'll be sure to post afterwards and let you know how it went.
My mother had a reduction several years ago. She was in a lot of pain for the first few days, and this is a woman who had an 11lb baby naturally, so she can handle quite a bit of pain. She was out of work for a few weeks, but she is a nurse and does a lot of lifting. Depending on your job, you may be back in two.
I've always wanted a reduction myself. I am a 38 DDD now, and losing weight, so I'm definitely worried about getting even bigger if I lost weight but "the girls" don't. If you don't mind my asking, Emshaw, were you able to get insurance to cover some of the cost of the reduction, or are you having to pay everything out of pocket? Much luck to you!
Hi ladies-
just wondering, how much does a reduction cost? I know different areas of country will be different? Did insurance help?
Hey JillianBean & Mamadee,
I am lucky enough to live in Canada where they consider a reduction to be a necessary surgery so the government pays for it. I think as long as you have some physical symptoms like back pain, neck pain, bad posture... and you have insurance, they might be able to front some of the bill at least!
I've read the average is somewhere between $5,000-$10,000 to get it done
My MatronOH just had hers done this last year and she had a relatively great experience! She looks amazing and feels 10x better. She was up and around a few days after the surgery. I think they even sent her home if not the day of, then the day after her surgery.
<3 Good luck!!
My college roommate got hers done the day before Christmas last year, and was up shooting another friend's wedding photography a few days after New Year's. She couldn't lift much or be really active, but she wasn't totally incapacitated or anything.
I believe that as long as they weigh a certain amount and cause you physical problems then you can get them covered under your health insurance but every carrier is different so I would call them and ask what the requirements are and if it would be covered
A good friend of mine had reduction surgery done last year and she was off work for a month. She found it hard to move since you don't really think about how much you move your chest without realizing it! After about two weeks she felt better, but it was a full month before she was ready to get back to real life. She's really happy with the results but still getting used to it (she went from a G cup to a full C/D, and is about 5'2"). She said she wished she had done it before her wedding last year. The worst thing about it for her is that she doesn't really know how to buy bras since she always had them custom made, and it's hard to find a bra that fits her properly since they're still "wide". She's really really really happy with the results though and I'm so thrilled she finally did it!
Congratulations EmShaw, getting a breast reduction was one of the best things I ever did for myself! I would say that I was definitely up and pretty much back to normal life after about a week. It was another month before I could exercise normally and wear regular bras. And until things were really healed well, maybe three months.
Overall the initial healing was quick but I still had major scars on my breasts that took several weeks to go down. During this time I wasn't feeling very pretty and I wouldn't want to feel that way on my wedding day. Your timeline sounds perfect and I think you will be feeling great by the big day. I wish you all the best, it was a life changing experience for me!
Fortunately, my insurance actually covered the whole procedure as well.
Hi! I just saw this. I had my reduction done in August 2009. I took 2 full weeks off (meaning, on the couch, with ice packs). It's important that you don't do any lifting, bending, or raising your arms for about 2 weeks. By the end of the second weeks I was taking short walks around the neighborhood. During the third week I left my house a few times to tutor (I teach/am in school, so I had the summer off from "regular" 9-5 work).
It's super important to take care of yourself during recovering. Your body doesn't even begin the "real" recovery process for a few weeks: it's in shock at first. Please feel free to PM me with any questions. I could write a book about my experience!
@Mamadee: I was on pretty crappy insurance and they still paid for 80% of it. My total bill was about $1500. It was considered medically necessary (based on breast size, your height, and weight). Luckily (I guess??) I'm 4'11"—so I was approved pretty quickly.
99.9% of people I talk to/read online say that their BR was one of the best decisions they ever made. Unfortunately for me, while I healed quickly and nicely, I was left too large. Please drill into your doctor's head the size you want to be and ask them what size they realistically see you as.
I could go on and on...PM me for more info if you like!!
Ack! Sorry for the late response... I just saw that you asked me a question!
Kelocote is over the counter... BUT not many places carry it as it is very expensive for a little tube... I want to say about 40 dollars??? (It has been a while) Ask your doctor, and he might even have free samples of it or something like it :)
Good luck!
HUGS
Both my mom and my sister have had breast reduction surgery and to be completely honest I have been putting mine off for a while!! Both of them were able to move around easier in 1 1/2-2 weeks. My mom is a nurse and was able to return around that time but didn't become fully "back to normal" until a month-month and a half later. My mom was also in her late 40s when she had her procedure done. My sister was 19 and she bounced back fairly quick! In a little less than a month. It really depends on your pain tolerance...don't be afraid to take your pain meds they give you, that's why they give them to you! :)
Thanks girls for all your input. It's really helping putting my mind at ease!
I've already told my boss that I may be off work for up to a month so I don't have to feel pressured into coming back if I am not up to it.
@ potatochips: Thanks for all your input! I definitely don't want them left too large!! I'll drill it into my doctor's head. I'm hoping to end up a C/D. I would be pretty unhappy if I was anything over that!
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Hey Hive (sorry if I posted in the wrong spot, beehive seemed the most appropriate),
I have been contemplating breast reduction surgery since I was in my mid teens. I am 5'8, medium framed and currently wear a 34 G-H.
I finally got in to see a surgeon after a year of waiting and have booked my surgery date for May 10th of this year.
Now my wedding is on July 31 and he thinks I'm going to need a month off work to recover.
My question is for anyone who has had the surgery or knows someone who has, am I going to be completely incapacitated for that month? I am kind of excited about the prospect of getting some DIY projects and planning together during that time off work but if I'm going to be bed-ridden then I probably shouldn't count on it.
I'd love to hear of any experiences, negative or positive, as well if any of you have had this surgery.