Practicalities of breast reduction surgery.

[Solola]

Went in today for my pre op assessment. I am scheduled to have the breast reduction surgery mid April.

Operation is on a Tuesday and so DH has that day and the rest of the week off to look after our 3 DC (age 5, 3 and 1.5 yrs). He is going back to work the following Monday, by which point I will have had 5 days of rest. We are wondering if he should take a few more days off or not?

Could anyone with knowledge of this give advice? Never had any serious surgery before so just no idea. It would be unpaid leave which we'd prefer not to do. But don't want to get all heroic and silly and end up taking much longer to heal than if I'd just rested.

Also have a nice bunch of friends who'd probably help out in practical ways if asked. Any suggestions as to what kind of thing would be useful?

And any other comments, tips, anecdotes from those who've had this procedure done would be welcome.

Havent got time atm to give more info, but I had it done 5 years ago, went from 34HH to 32DD.

Best decision I ever ever ever made.

PM me and I will happily talk you through everything. But not now. Cuz Im watching Dont Tell the Bride!

I think the youngest child will be the hardest thing, I had DH at home the first 5 days - kids were 15, 5 and 18mths...
I need up sending the 18 mth old to his grandparents for 3 days just as doing things like nappy Changing were so painful.
Also bending, lifting, pulling etc, getting things out of cupboards,
Really hard and a good 10 days needed....
But easily best thing I've ever done

Ps I went from 32HH to 32 DD

Had it done 6 years or so ago. I was a lone parent to just a 5 year old at the time and had no problems at all. I drove within a day or two and could do everything I normally did - albeit no heavy lifting.

You'll be fine with a few days of taking it easy.

As for tips.... make sure you have a painkiller half an hour before they remove the drains. This was so painful I was shaking for half an hour afterwards - the most horrific part of the whole thing tbh. And I did not expect it to hurt.

You will be surprised though - within a mere day or two you will be fine. A little sore maybe but that's about it

shine was unlucky. Have had several drains out for various breast ops and it has only hurt once. Pain killers is a top tip though. Take the drugs.

Shine, were you the person who posted in the 'most painful experience ever' thread about the drains being removed being your most painful memory?

Gulped nervously when I read that. I will certainly take those painkillers.

Your posts have reassured me now. I think that I will be fine if DH doesn't take any extra days off from work. Been teaching my youngest to climb into his cot, car seat and pushchair on his own and he's doing really well.

Yes that was me. I just didn't expect it... Obviously, you have two drains in, one each side, drawing out fluid/blood... and they remove these shortly before you leave to go home. So I am half sitting up and the nurse pulled them out and I just was so shocked, the pain was terrible, really horrible.

But, that was the worse thing really. I did have to go back two days later as one breast went hard and i needed it reopened and draining but it wasn't too bad at all. I drove very quickly afterwards and was even hoovering within a day. I just did what I felt I could manage

A quick update for this thread in case anyone is considering having this surgery and has done a search.

I had the surgery on Tuesday so 4 days ago. It all went smoothly and I had a surgeon who didn't think there was any point in using drains (!). Phew, you can imagine my relief about that.

So so pleased with the result - what I can see so far anyway. I think it will be life changing. Already my neck and shoulders feel a lot less achy.

Not been in too much pain either, paracetamol seems to be enough to keep it at bay.

Just really enjoying having perky boobies for the first time ever!