We’ve had breast reductions. Ask us anything.

[Bigtitsbetty]

Following on from our epic first thread I had a breast reduction

We are a group of ladies who have breast reductions for a number of reasons and are all at different stages of recovery.

I'm not seeing my surgeon until my six week sign off but that suits me fine as I'm scared of her! The nurses are lovely and you can chat to them about anything at all. Having my third weekly wound review on Tuesday, finally getting my glue tape off. Surgeon can climb back in her coffin til halloween 🎃

I reckon once I take into account sports bras, swimsuits, clothes being tailored and being able to buy cheaper brands, as well as bras, I will break even over my lifetime!

I never used to be able to walk around the house comfortably in pyjamas without a bra on. Maybe only when I was by myself and even then not comfortably. For me that and swimwear are the biggest perks

Guys I'm struggling. Left boob just won't go down, it's bigger than pre surgery. Achy and a nagging pain in lower boob.

Simple things like flushing loo, opening fridge feel precarious.

Nurse said I'm within normal range but I'm still so utterly exhausted. I didn't leave the house yesterday in fact I only managed a shower later in the evening.

Just worried I'm in for months of this.

How long has it been @MorrisZapp ? Can you ask to speak to the surgeon?

@MorrisZapp from what I can tell a lot of people have one boob that's more problematic. For me my right one was noticeably much more 'ouch' immediately post surgery and stayed that way for at least the first 4-5 weeks. It gave me horrible back pain cause I was compensating for the ache by holding myself all weirdly. It stopped being a thing around week 6 I think! I couldn't understand why my left felt fine and the right one felt awful .. not least cause the left one was the bigger one to start with. So I think unevenness + asymmetric pain/ healing for want of a better description, is totally normal.

It's annoying as some people seem to breeze through like they had a minor cut or something whereas I think for quite a lot of people it's actually a big ole recovery journey. I found the first 4 weeks pretty darn tough so don't worry you are not alone in feeling how you do at this point. It does get better.

But, if you are concerned, take some pics and get in touch with the surgeon/ admin team straight away. I did this for feedback around week 3 and again when I had a bit of a wobble around week 6 and my surgeon saw me pretty much the next day.

ps. .. @MorrisZapp just noticed you said you are seeing the nurse on Tuesday .. in which case defo mention your concerns now so they can address it on the day.

Thanks so much for your kind responses. I'm nearly three weeks post, and I know it's early but I was hoping for progress at least.

I'm seeing the nurse on Tuesday and I will tell her all my concerns. She's keeping a close eye on our friend left boob anyway.

Ironically it's the one that had less taken out. The bruising hasn't really faded much at all.

Sali Hughes and her flight to Spain one week post op can hop it.

Yeah, although I found some of her stuff useful that pissed me right off as well, as it's a totally misleading scenario for pretty much most people I would say. Never mind the fact that they say don't fly for at least 4 weeks after the op. I also saw someone else on a BR forum saying they flew home after a BR abroad and then were sunning themselves on holiday by day 5 .. really, seriously. I don't think so.

You are so early days, I'm week 8 now and it's a world away from where I was but still loads of healing to do. Be kind to yourself hun, it's totally fine to be pottering, watching movies and letting your body do its thing.

Get it seen Morris but try not to worry. For me, rightie has been more problematic- had less taken out but the underneath wouldn’t heal and it’s been more uncomfortable the whole time. Even the drains were worse that side. Three weeks is so early. It will get there. The precarious feeling is horrible but it does go.
Don’t try to manage without painkillers either. Keep on top of it and you’ll stand better etc. Then marathon something on Netflix.
Keep us posted.

Good luck today Morris!
I flew to Asia last week (7 weeks post), with work so in business and it was awful. My boobs were so sore and my scars really didn’t like being dried out, in spite of me slapping on moisturiser all the time in the loos. Conversely, in Greece now and LOVING being able to wear normal swimwear, scrappy tops and not worrying. I’m at least a stone overweight and I have never felt this good about myself. It is a revelation. Focus on the end goals, because this is more than I could have hoped for.

Thanks for your kindness. A business flight to Asia!! How extremely exciting! Mind you the slippy bikinis in Greece are what we're all here for.

I'm seeing progress now for sure. There's space in my bra so the swelling is finally starting to move. It's slow but I'm just so relieved. Bruising finally fading too.

I vaselined up my tapes last night to prep for the big whip off, my nips are now itchier than a farmers dog but again, in the name of progress I'll take it.

I'm pretty sure I'm currently an E cup (down from G), with high hopes of achieving a D in the weeks to come.

So grateful for the wonderful women of this thread, have a lovely day all!

@Martinisarebetterdirty yay girl! That sounds fab, really great to hear about your new found confidence.
@MorrisZapp that’s better … patience will reward you 😀
It’s such a work in progress… slowly my porn boobs are starting to shape into something more natural which is really helping me feel more comfortable. I’m still wearing the compression bras in the day, but then switching out to softer ones for home & to sleep in.
Hope everyone is good!

Great news, lovely to hear your newfound confidence

Chaps … scars are quite ‘pink’ at the mo & can be itchy some days … normal?

Mine too @Singletrackmind

Same. Mine definitely have good days and not so good days, itching and a little sore occasionally.
Still got some lumpiness around scars too so I assume still settling.
Not one regret though, my life has improved so much.

Yeah still some lumpiness around scars/ T jnc + hardness in the lower portions and can feel quite sore/ swollen at the end of the day. So likewise I assume still settling. Might switch over to the bio oil/ cream and see how that goes.

My surgery is tomorrow! I can’t believe it, I feel very strange today. Almost like it’s not happening. I’ve bought some button fastening pjs, flannel shirts and 2 dresses, need to buy a zip up hoodie today.
Going to spend today preparing practically - I want everything in easy reach in the bathroom and kitchen, for example.
I’ve booked a local salon to wash my hair for the next 2 weeks so no stress there.
I’ve packed my hospital bag, although I’m not staying overnight! I’ll be home tomorrow late afternoon.
I feel like I have loads of questions but equally none 😄

I’m in haywards Heath in the South - can anyone recommend a good surgeon? Have researched some in East Grinstead, Brighton and London but would prefer to go on a recommendation. Thank you.

The itching goes on for ages. For me 10 months post, I still get an itch when I have a glass of wine. Really odd!

@Rugbee my guy is more central south but does do Basingstoke - Adam Sawyer.

How exciting! Don’t worry too much about hair - think I did my own after about 5 days. Styling less so.
do not get out of bed/ sofa until after day three I think
don’t go out on walks even if you think you can

Are you def not overnight? I’d recommend that because morphine and potential bit of bleeding onto sheets.

however I’m not a doctor 😂😂