We’ve all had breast reductions - happy to help

[Madagascary]

Setting up as thread 2 is now full here

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/AMA/4876452-weve-had-breast-reductions-ask-us-anything?reply=134967968

props to @bigtitsbettyforgotherpassword And all who contribute.

My husband did the washing (and he always does the cooking) but nobody is doing the rest of the housework 😆

How are you feeling @Blimmingboobs? Sleeping any better?

I’m doing well, sleeping much better and feeling stronger and more with it. How’s your bruising? I’ve got quite a lot of purple bruising underneath my boobs, which is uncomfortable as the bra is resting on it. I’m sure it’ll be getting better as every day passes. It’s my only complaint at the moment so I guess considering everything it’s not too bad.

@Blimmingboobs and @Lemonadeintheshade welcome to the club!

I am almost 6wpo and yesterday I overstretched dressing after a shower. I feel really tender today and wonder if I have overdone putting surgery behind me.

I am also convinced they are getting bigger which is ridiculous 😂

But every day I am thrilled all over again.

Can the more further along than 6w remember how they were around this time?

It's an odd one because I can have a day where I don't even remember I have had surgery and then yesterday and this morning I am feeling tender and tired again.

Happy Halloween everyone! 👻

Oh no poor you @Leonoranobra. Hope the tenderness goes soon.
Can I ask a question about sleep, seeing as you’re a few weeks ahead of me. Are you still sleeping on your back or are you able to mix it up with some side sleeping? Woken up with a pain in my back, can’t wait to be able to change up my position.

@Lemonadeintheshade Thank you!

So, i have been back back sleeping since end of week 3 thereabouts. I didn't find back sleeping as hard as I had anticipated because I built a nest and had big pillows either side or me - also supporting my head so i could twist a bit with a pillow behind me and it felt like supported side sleeping, if that makes sense. I also sleep alone so that might have been a factor too in finding things not as hard as initially feared.

The first few days I definitely felt it in my back and buttox. That numb-from-sitting-discomfort. I am an active person so by day 4 I was ready to go on walks.

Moving around definitely helps and back sleeping can be manageable with lots of sides support - though before long you will be able to switch to back sides...

For me six weeks was about Christmas time and I was only just starting to have baths and stuff

Hi all, my sleep is still rubbish but I have been waking up on my side which is probably not a good idea but seemingly out of my control.

I am pathetic and grumpy (in equal measures) and my hair needs washing!

I tried a sort of shower-cap-wash-n-go contraption. It was OK but not good enough.

I’ve also managed to lose a stocking (and my patience) so far today.

Going to get my dressing changed later…

Thanks @Leonoranobra I might try wedging pillows at my sides. My right side around my waist is so so achey at night. I’ve been going for walks and even went shopping for a few hours today so getting plenty of exercise during the day, as well as time with my feet up. It’s just lying in one position all night is not good for my back!

@Blimmingboobs i got my DH to wash my hair over the bath the other morning. Could you ask your DH to do it for you. It’ll make you feel brand new.

@Lemonadeintheshade blimey really? I don’t think I could lean forwards or backwards for long enough for it to be washed. But I may go to a salon tomorrow.

My ribs deffo hurt more than my boobs do most of the time. I’m unsure if it will be better or worse without the binder…

Took about 5 mins of me leaning over the bath. With the bra on, my boobs are being held pretty firmly in place. So didn’t feel any pain. But definitely only do what you feel comfortable with doing. I think that’s it, isn’t it, we all do what we feel comfortable with.

Hope all goes well with getting your dressings changed @Blimmingboobs. I’m not due to see the nurses for another week. They sent me home with a huge supply of gauze. I’ve been putting on fresh gauze over the tapings every morning after my shower. Interested to know what happens at your appointment if you don’t mind reporting back. Do the tapings stay on until they come off naturally or are they taken off by the nurses after a week or two?

@Blimmingboobs I still feel that rib pain at post 5 weeks. In fact I have cording now - I can feel them running down my sides so all is tender, but that side rib pain you are experiencing has really eased up this last week. Hope you manage some sleep soon, I definitely think it is key to how we are feeling in the first few crucial weeks.

@Lemonadeintheshade I had tapes for first 3 weeks - changed every other day by my surgeon. Day before 3rd week and they were removed and remaining stitches removed. Gauze for a few days until he saw me next and at 4 weeks I was free of it all but there is still scabbing and surgeon wants to see me next week and then I guess I will be given the green light to put silicone or whatever... The itching was annoying 3-5 weeks but bearable.

@Madagascary I hear you. I have probably overdone it and hopped in and out of shower while washing hair and putting on bloody conditioning masks to my peril. Definitely slowed right down again today.

I think I leaned over the bath about day five or six. But really you must not be doing anything for two weeks. I’m gonna get quite stern with you all now.

Just scroll back and found out that I was driving after a week!!!. I do remember though feeling very heavy and sore from the fire doors at work after two weeks.

😂

I drove after a week too and know it was day 4 I leant over bath to use shower head on hair.

But you are quite right, we definitely need to be totally resting up and binge watching love is blind and other such gems!

So we basically just drove for 2 hours for a nurse to change my bra LOL.

She says that I am healing well but also very bruised and swollen, especially my armpits (no shit).

So she has said to wear binder for another week. And to try sleeping sitting up again (boo).

I only have one more appointment, which is in 2 weeks with the surgeon, to remove the tape (which is surprisingly invisible).

She also gave me ridiculously simple advice about washing my hair which I am too bimbo to have thought of - leaning my head to each side and only washing one side at a time rather than reaching both arms up to the top of my head. For shame.

Can you get somebody else to wash your hair for you? I remember my mum gave me a shower a day or so after which was hilariously infantilising 😀

....which I am too bimbo to have thought of

Oh this made me chuckle @Blimmingboobs. It's boob brain, plus lack of quality sleep.

Good news on the healing front. Are you pleased with how things are looking? I couldn't bear to look for weeks!

I washed my daughter’s hair over the bath for her on about day 3, and also ran all her baths, and then washed her hair in the shower once she had the dressings removed. It was like having a baby again, I can’t lie.

Aah my mum is coming to see me tomorrow and she is going to take me to the hairdressers.

I'm very private and don’t ever want anyone in the bathroom with me!

I had a quick look at my boobs straight after op and then again today. It’s all just too surreal. Definitely so much better but can’t really take it all in yet.

I'm 60 and really regret not having it done sooner as now feel too old
Have hated them since I was 12
Just put it off from cowardice really
Still do a sport where they are a complete pain and I have to wear double sports bra
5 ft and 34 g
Am thinking it's too late now really

It’s not too late. I’ve had over a year of giving them a little smile every day. Worth it. I can’t explain how much better my life is.

Oh my god not too late

@3smallpups if you can afford it, or get it on the NHS, then just fucking do it!

I am a bit uncomfortable right now but zero regrets and just wished I’d done it at least 10 years ago.

It is very literally a weight lifted off of your chest.

I am a realist and so had minimised in my head how much better it could feel, but it already does.

Little sob at the end there

Having said that…

I can’t work out how to find the bra advice / recommendations that were within one of these threads.

I am wearing Anita post op bras and they are pretty good.

But I would also like to get a black post surgery bra, which ideally wouldn’t have a band underneath (because my tummy is making them roll/fold up - sad eye roll).

Any suggestions please from you lovely ladies?

The bras I wore for ages postop were a Marks & Spencer‘s crop top style post mastectomy ones because they do have a band but it’s really thick and deep and soft. Think I had some in a grey marl but I’m sure they do them in Black.