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.

Paid for DD this week. She has to go for pre-op assessment on Monday. She’s going to stay with her sister in London the night before as it’s not too far from ED’s flat. Only 2 weeks and 2 days to go. Will fly to UK Sunday, then op is on Tuesday. We have to pay hospital for the stay, and I’m worried we might just be that too far away from hospital as it’s round the M25, so might just let her stay. She said it looks like a hotel, so is not that bothered.

@sillysausage92 what @Bigtitsbetty said, you should defo not be driving .. I'd be amazed if you felt you could ... ditto for a 40 min round trip walk. Get someone to assist or the cab option.

@countrytweed great news!

Thanks both definitely a cab then!

@sillysausage92 good plan ☺️

Quick q post-op ladies... how long does it take for the feeling that every time you stand up your boobs are gonna fall off, to go?! And when is it less ouchy when you stand up (barbed wire on sunburn 😖)?

@countrytweed I cannot claim to have had the feeling that my boobs were going to fall off (although my nipples felt precarious at times) but for me a turning point was around 3 weeks after surgery where I stopped thinking about it every minute of the day and started focusing on other stuff in my life (including work). This was the time when the swelling started to become less noticeable and tender. It also coincided with being able to remove my own dressings and shower properly which made me feel much more normal.

Plus I’m sure you won’t be insured so you’ll be committing an offence. Do not drive

@countrytweed I only flew like they were going to fall off after my initial tape change, so after about week two / thre they were fine, keep on top of your painkillers if you’re still in a lot of pain when standing.

@Weatherwax13 - haven’t heard from you since your revisions and hope it’s because they went so well you’ve moved on from all this now. Thinking of you still.

@countrytweed yeah I was convinced mine would fall off for weeks ... it's weird but goes eventually ... It shouldn't be too ouchy just moving around so take painkillers if you need them
@Weatherwax13 yes, me too, same thoughts, sending good wishes

I have my one week check tomorrow... I'm wondering if I have fluid buildup under my arms as they're very swollen/painful... or if it's simply the lipo 🤔

Good luck @countrytweed

Just checking in with the boob squad...

I've felt really wobbly this week about the operation in terms of whether I am doing the right thing not. My main worry I think is losing the feeling in my nipples. Even though I hate my boobs and want them gone I am so nervous about the op itself and the recovery.

I told my best friend about the op and she was pretty disapproving saying I was wasting my money! She can be very blunt at times.

I'm also worrying about telling work that I will be off for three weeks as have only been in the job for 5 months. I don't want to tell them the reason for the op but the sick note will say the surgeon's name and Plastic Surgery on the header so a quick google and they'll know.

@CatrinVennastin The recovery really isn't so bad. I assumed I'd be bed bound for a few days but I wasn't even close! I just couldn't push or pull anything and didn't wash for a few days. My nipples become more sensitive, not less and nearly 10 years later, that's still the case!

Ignore your mate. You weren’t asking for an opinion
i wasn’t bothered by nipples at all. They’re ok but not the same. But the idea of not dragging around 5 lbs of tit appealed to me

Surely you’re entitled to confidentiality at work ?

I was ready to say it was elective :private as the NHS was doing a cyst /tissue removal on one side only

Your sick note won’t say the surgeon’s name on it, you’ll need a sick note from your GP, the surgeon can’t give you one. The surgeon gives you a fit for work note for your GP.
And yes ignore your friend, my mum was against me doing this and then watched something on tv about it and rang me to tell me she’d changed her mind and was glad I was doing it. Lovely but would have done it anyway.
The nipple thing, well I’m still a bit sad about having less feeling in mine, BUT overwhelmingly glad that I had the op - I am grateful every single day. Natura to wobble but so so worth it.
How did your check up go @countrytweed ?

@CatrinVennastin totally normal to wobble it's big thing, so much to worry about. My nipples are fine, not totally the same but my boobs are now on my body not dangling off it ... it's very worth it. With stuff like this you really don't need anyone else's opinion or approval, you are doing it for you. End of.

I just showed surgeon letter. Didn’t bother gp

My HR department wouldn’t accept this, for SSP over 8 days they needed a proper sick note which surgeons can’t legally provide. I’d have much rather done it your way, was a faff to sort with my GP

Oh I see, I think my work place just paid me normal pay

How did you all feel immediately after the operation in the coming round stage? YD is booked in to stay the night in the hospital as the surgeon was slightly concerned with the distance from home, so I think it’s probably best if we use it. This means that she will most likely be operated on later in the day. When my mum had her mastectomy we went to see her after, but she was pretty much out of it, and not up for visitors. I have looked into staying in a premier inn nearby. However, this would leave my 90 year old FIL home alone for the night. I was thinking maybe stay with her until she goes for the op, and then drive back first thing next day to collect her. Although I do really want to see her after. Dilemmas, dilemmas.

I don't come out general anaesthetic particularly well, so I was sick and groggy but there was minimal pain tbh. I was sore of course but totally manageable. I stayed overnight and needed a nurse to help me a bit in the night but I was up and about the next day, albeit a bit wobbly! Didn't need painkillers after day 3 really.

Had my surgery yesterday. Wow I was also incredibly tired and out of it from the GA, also felt terribly sick, shaky, and like I was going to faint at any moment. I think it was a combination of not eating for 24 hours by the time they had finished the surgery plus the drugs. Also pain was not nice! Feel much more comfortable today and they have been giving me codeine.

The nurse didn't really get why I was trying to sleep upright and now I'm thinking did I just read this on here and maybe not all surgeons recommend it?! Did anyone else sleep normally? I did sleep propped up but if I could turn on my side and sleep flatter I would be much more comfortable.

@sillysausage92 Hope you're doing ok and can spend lots of time resting/Netflixing! I think the general advice is sleep on your back propped up on a wedge pillow for around 2-3wks (it means your boobs won't get so swollen)... I know it's tough when you're a side sleeper, but actually it's not been as bad as I thought it would be cos it was one of the only positions I was comfy and the pressure was off my boobs. 2 weeks in and I'm totally used to it now (that's not to say I won't be on my side once my lipo swelling has gone down!)

@veiledsentiments To offer a different perspective I was absolutely fine after the GA (no sickness or tiredness)... pretty high as a kite though as the nurses were laughing about on my 1wk visit 😆 They injected painkillers round the area so I was also pretty pain-free when I came round, until day 3 when feeling came back 😬

@Martinisarebetterdirty Thanks for checking in... day 16 now and week two is a world away from week one. As you guys have mentioned, lipo has been the most sore/uncomfortable bit. It's all healing well apparently, even the massive bruising I had on one side in particular. Boobs don't look a normal boobs shape at the moment (swollen on the sides & a little square at the bottom?!) but I know it's early days... on the whole, man I'm glad I had it done. Just itching to get back to normal life now (and go shopping!!) but obvs don't want to push myself and set my healing back.