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.

Lol @CornishYarg at LEAST 8 cup sizes

The most noticeable thing for me is that I don’t have a shelf, I actually have a chest and as I’ve said before, sorry if I’m boring I can wear a necklace

So I’m almost 4 weeks post op but suddenly today one tiny bit has got some pus, I’ve emailed my surgeon, has anyone else had this?

I’ve still got a few weepy bits (6 weeks) and did end up getting a sort of soggy hole checked out in A&E but my surgeon just seemed to think that this was all normal.

If you are concerned then definitely worth getting it looked at, nothing worse than an infection.

So it’s finally my turn! I go in this week and am nervous. Despite having wanted this for 20 years I have managed to convince myself in the last few days that I don’t want it at all and it’s not worth the anaesthesia risk at my age (nearly 60) and post op risks of blood clots etc
also I had to do my consent on line and it said risk of chronic pain is 1 in 4…I read chronic pain as pain that persists for months / years so that can’t be right surely?!?
Talk me down please!

I promise you it will be worth it

@Ssmiler Firstly, at nearly 60 you are within a large group of women around your age who have this done.

It is important to remember that this is a very common and safe procedure with an exceptionally high success and patient satisfaction rate.

The anaesthesia is really nothing more than a lovely long nap. You will be so well monitored so it is worth keeping that in mind rather than letting fear take over.

I am 11 weeks in now and I can honestly say I only really felt discomfort rather than pain. In my case it was a few weeks of feeling like I had sunburn across chest and bruising at the sides. All very manageable.

I also washed and dried my own hair on day 4 and went out for a walk. I know some others do have issues with pain management and incision openings etc. But I found the whole process easy and the time passed by quickly.

It has been transformative in so many ways. I have had not a single second of regret, in fact strangely, I have felt proud of myself for doing it. The change to clothing and no longer feeling dragged down by boobs is an utter revelation!

You are doing this for you and your future health and comfort.

I am 51 btw, so not much younger than you.

@Ssmiler I had similar doubts and fear about the anaesthetic. For me, it was all linked to the idea that it's cosmetic surgery, not essential etc that I started questioning whether it was worth the risk. But I've not had any regrets since doing it and as I said upthread, the very tangible benefits I've experienced mean that I feel cross that it's seen as a vanity, nice-to-have, pay-for-it-yourself procedure. After the first day or so, I'd also describe it as discomfort rather than pain.

@Madagascary I thought of you today when I caught sight of my necklace while I was on a Teams call and realised how much better it sits now!

Awww

@Ssmiler I have had a very easy recovery, nearly 4 weeks now, only problem has been a reaction to micropore tape!

Good luck & keep us posted!

@ssmiler good luck this week. The industry
is so highly regulated in this country, the surgeon's wouldn't put you at risk unnecessarily. I was absolutely terrified of the anaesthetic, I'm younger than you but overweight. My surgeon said that this surgery is so common and that breast reductions alongside ears being pinned back were the types of surgery which have the happiest and most life changing outcomes for patients and that he had no doubt that I would have a great outcome.too. And I did! I wouldn't want to go back to last christmas with my pendulous bazookas for anything

Thank you all so much - you’re all so reassuring! I’m in tomorrow so I will update as soon as I can - then can hopefully be on here going forward to reassure and help others who are planning this surgery, the way you have all helped me!

Hello all, I’ve enjoyed reading through all your messages and hearing everyone’s different experiences. I am finally having my reduction in January and I really want to hear all your top tips on how to make recovery comfortable and things easier around the house etc. during those initial couple of weeks.

I am in my mid 30s with two children under 5. I am a serial do-er and find sitting down ‘to relax’ incredibly difficult. I have a very physical job which means I won’t able to resume work for at least 3-6 months post-op. I know I will find not busying about far harder than any physical pain/discomfort afterwards. Any tips on how to prep the house to ensure things are at peak simplicity/ease would be so helpful, as I really won’t be able to resist the urge to try and reach up to those high shelves etc.

My husband is going to be on hand to help with most of the kids’ routine etc. but as he’ll still be working full time too I’d love to get any ideas on how to make things a bit easier rather than constantly calling on him to fetch me things or, most likely, try to reach/lift things myself that I shouldn’t be.

I want to know all the hilarious but invaluable little life hacks you discovered and thought ‘I wish someone had recommended this to me’. For example, in my pre-op today they said try to not lift your elbows from your side for 4 weeks. I imagine I’ve overthought this but how do I then drink from a glass or eat etc. Should I buy some straws etc? I am currently singing my days walking around like a penguin in practice 😂 any advice welcome!

I think you’re overestimating how difficult the recovery is just imagine you can’t lift your hands above your shoulders for two or three weeks. You’re gonna have to totally reprogram your mind so you get some help and stop trying to be wonder woman.

There’s no point going into this if you’re not going to take recuperation seriously.

get someone to cook for you for the first few days and literally do nothing or you will regret it

OK, you asked for it, my list will be random and I will add further posts if I remember anything else!

I do not have small children but I do have big dogs…

I took a gift bag to bed with me at night and it included a torch, a book, my glasses, a bottle of water, pain meds, mobile phone and some glucose sweets. Saved me getting up too often or waking husband up just to reach something.

Slip on shoes (couldn’t bend to do laces).

First hair wash at hair dressers.

Zip up hooded jackets.

Nicer compression stockings from Amazon.

Big U shape pillow from Amazon, supported me in bed and hood barrier to stop husband bumping me.

We got rid of one of our old sofas and have temporarily got 2 second hand armchairs. Easier to get up and down and dogs don’t try to get on my lap.

I got some big wipes that you use for bedridden people which were handy for in between proper washes.

Lots of precooked / ready meals frozen to microwave.

You have probably got a much better core strength than me but you are really not supposed to use your arms to help you get up from laying / sitting. A nurse told me that sort of rocking helps (builds momentum?) and she was right.

Stay hydrated!

This is so weird. My operation admittedly was two years ago but this idea of a bag you just have stuff next to you on your bedside table ….. you can totally move your arms.
Washing is difficult and the worst thing is sleeping propped up. I just had a cup of coffee next to me or the TV remote. I’m not sure what I did wrong.

Yes you DO have to stop doing anything and you WILL be bored.

Also I loved my tea urn, couldn’t lift a kettle for almost 3 weeks in the end I think.

And why can’t you bend?, And why are you putting on shoes with laces? Lol

Obviously everyone is different, and I appear to be the biggest wimp on here (despite previously thinking I had quite a high pain threshold) but my armpits were killing me and are still a bit sore 7 weeks later.

Hence not being able to raise my arms.

Hello everyone! Here I am now on the other side 😁

The surgeon says it all went very well and she’s really pleased with the shape size etc. I think she said she took just over half kg from each side - one side they took more than the other as I was uneven too. I had under arm lipo so was expecting pain from that but they injected local anaesthetic there which doesn’t wear off until about six hours later so still all good. I did have pretty bad breast pain on wakening but they had that sorted in no time at all with some top up morphine.

So thank you all so much for the support and guidance - and especially to those of you who talked me down and gave so much support the other day when I had my last minute wobble!!

I am staying the night and will be heading home late morning tomorrow I think. Bed and room are comfortable and I’m perfectly happy here and really looking forward to the healing process and finally starting to see how things look 👀

Congratulations!!!!

This morning’s revelation for me was doing Pilates child’s pose for the first time post op and my boobs not being squished between my arms / knees / the floor!

Mind blowing that there was an actual gap!

Omg you just inspired me to try this! Amazing not having that bulk in the way!

Oh, I am glad it all went well. The Lipo will hurt from much much longer than any of the other wounds

@Blimmingboobs @Madagascary thanks! Yes I have more or less no breast pain - so it is just the the lipo sites which are pretty painful - I’m very bruised there too so I expect it will be a good few weeks before that pain settles?

I went out last night and wore a necklace! The skin on the bottom half of my boobs looks a bit waxy did anyone else have this?