I had a breast reduction AMA

[Bigtitsbetty]

I had a breast reduction two weeks ago. I’ve gone from a 34GG/H to a 34D.

Crack on with any questions!

Am I right in thinking that somebody on this thread has an operation at the beginning of September?

Not yet @Martinisarebetterdirty … I was possibly going to do it today but I think I might chicken out 😬 i kinda want to do it so I can check it’s all ok but not sure I can take the trauma! Also back at work tom .

Good luck tomorrow @Singletrackmind
I’m going to start on my work this week (summer hols for me).
What was the point of no tapes/dressings for others? I’m only day 9 but looking ahead! I’ve got used to the tight/sunburn feeling now. It’s just part of me 😂
Had a big panic that they are still too big, then tried on some clothes which was encouraging. Also trying to keep in mind that 1- still swollen and 2- I’m a bit fat so I wasn’t going to suddenly transform into a body beautiful…it does all look in proportion.

@Singletrackmind I’ve just changed mine, it was easier dry than wet, not as sticky. I had some minor nipple bleeding on the first change but nothing this time, was also told to shower without soap and let them air dry before retaping to rinse the wounds a little bit. All taped back up now.
@Heartfullofcheese I was told I could remove the tapes tomorrow (op 1 Aug) but I don’t feel ready so leaving them until Tues / Weds. My right side doesn’t feel fully secure yet (I’m sure it is but I want to give it a couple more days to set properly). I’m also allowed to start to moisturise from tomorrow / when the tapes come off and to do this twice a day with gentle massage.

@Martinisarebetterdirty yeah I think you are right, have decided to do it again later and peel off dry, then as you've done shower and reapply. As far as I'm aware my tapes stay on at least for the first 4 weeks. Nurse said it holds the skin, take the pressure off the incision and promotes the healing. The advice really does seem to vary.

@Heartfullofcheese yes that's totally me too. I spend hours, fretting, convinced they are still huge then either look in the mirror or try something on and realise they aren't. But they are still very swollen. Everything I've read says that the initial swollen period is at least 6 weeks and then months up to a year to finally settle. I'm sure @Bigtitsbetty or @Madagascary can help with their experience on that one.

@Madagascary ... Sept Op ... I think @MorrisZapp maybe?

Yip, my op is 5th September. They haven't asked me for any money yet, is this normal?

I don’t have tapes, just a waterproof dressing on the lower vertical incision- he has left clips in there as apparently that’s the bit that often opens up. They were very careful to get my bra fully compressing though. I guess they all have their preferred method eh. I also put an extra cropped top over when I walked yesterday as I feel vulnerable!
One of mine is distinctly triangular looking down on it which is disconcerting. Looks fine head on though. Assume it will reform in its final configuration eventually.
I just had a shower, which was both lovely and terrifying.

@MorrisZapp are you Spire?
They expected me to have paid based on the quote which was in my documents on the app. I didn’t pay till the week of because I didn’t realise this and it was fine - the admin is very slack.

I just have pink micropore tape over the incisions. I’m going to text my nurses and double check it can come off next week.
@MorrisZapp I paid my surgeon about two weeks before and the hospital the week before mine.

Just catching up on all the progress! Loving all the updates and glad to hear you’re all doing okay and healing well.

Peri menopause and hypothyroidism both absolutely kicking my arse atm so have been taking a break from all social media, news etc. Starting to feel a bit better.

I’m back on the treadmill and that feels like a big milestone 🙌🏻 Struggled to find a sports bra that fits / is comfy so I have reverted to my old Enell one, which was so tight and effective that it still does the job!

I do love having smaller boobs but I’m struggling with my self image right now (see peri and hypo above). My stomach feels enormous, I look pregnant 😕 and so im
not enjoying my new profile yet. I feel like I’ve just got a “band of boob” if that makes sense, like there’s no shape, no cleavage, etc. Hoping they “drop” into boobs at some point.

@MorrisZapp I had to pay 10 weeks out which was a bit disconcerting!
@Heartfullofcheese mine look fine head on and then full on porn boobs from the side 😂… but I think that’s the swelling and that they will soften & drop 🤞😬
@user80 lovely to hear from you & totally understand. 😌I had to have a word with myself this morning about the ridiculous amount of reading I’m doing just to reassure myself. And yes, even though my stomach has never bothered me, it is now a bit so I think that’s totally normal. It’s such a big shift when you’ve spent so much time wanting something & then here you are wondering why you aren’t overjoyed ever moment of the day. Think we just need to be kind to ourselves.

Oh no @user80 im
sorry to read that. How about getting some personal training sessions with a fitness instructor you trust? Also treat yourself to some new fitness wear that makes all the difference!!

I remember my surgeon telling me I was swollen even when I couldn’t see it so if you can see it then just give yourself a break.😀

I think I went back to see mine in about March and I had the operation in November, so that was quite a long time afterwards.

With the tape you lot. just leave it alone, it’s fine!

Just looked. APRIL was final sign off

I think I still have those bra recess doggy in bit things
I wonder if they will never go

Lol DIGGY

I have grooves like that too @Madagascary , I can feel them in my bones so I wonder if they never go fully.
@user80 echoing the be kind to yourself comments. I think I might book a personal style day when I’ve settled down so that I can think about how to dress my more visible stomach. A lot of my favourite things don’t look right now but trying to relax and go with it.

@Martinisarebetterdirty how was work? I am done & quite sore..… but haircut/ baggy top & nobody noticed 😂 that didn’t help my ‘I must still be big’ paranoia ….
But actually need to remember that mine wasn’t a huge reduction, the uplift is mega & fundamentally people don’t really see you!

I am shattered @Singletrackmind , wfh today so not seeing anyone until later this week BUT ex DH didn’t notice when I saw him at the weekend and my friend only noticed when I told her so don’t worry (ex DH would have said something, he has the tact of a gnat). I’m going to shove red lipstick on as don’t want to chop my hair, no one notices anything when you rock a red lip!
Sorry you’re sore, feet up and rest tonight!

@Martinisarebetterdirty thx hun you too! Loving the lipstick deflection tactic 😀

Plus. Who’s bloody looking at your stomach all the time?

The itching! I knew it would be a thing but argh!
Hope everyone is ok.

Ooh yes! Forgot that. Almost posted last night to say I still get that itching in between my boobs when I have a glass of wine. But I know that’s just me being weird 😂

Taking my boobs to the beach today.

Is the itching on the incisions @Heartfullofcheese ? I haven’t had that yet, but I know my guy does things differently so hoping to bypass it as I still have the sunburn pain, I’m now dressing free and moisturising twice a day (not silicone yet, that’s after 4 weeks so just a generic one). Have to say finding moisturising the incisions a bit grim and the bit of stitch poking out of my nipple isn’t so nice either, I think you had the same @user80 ?
Have a wonderful beach day @Madagascary - I think swimwear is the thing I am most excited about!