Breast Reduction Surgery

[rakno2]

Hi All,

I am due to have breast reduction surgery in April. Obviously I'm very anxious about the surgery but I'm more anxious about the recovery.

I am 32, my breast size is 34DD/E depending, and I work as a teacher.

My query is about recovery time/ complications. As I am a teacher I have chosen to have this procedure done over the 2 week Easter break and hope I don't have to take anymore time off- as I don't want to have to tell my employer about my surgery.

Just looking for advice, should I tell my employer I am going for surgery, just in case? Is two weeks enough time for recovery?

Thanks xx

It was for me - I went from a 34J to a 34DD and was really lucky, very little discomfort, only had to take a few paracetamol and think I had to go back for dressings to be changed 2-3 times. I had three children under 6 at the time, and cant remember not being able to anything, apart from lifting them up.

I’m 22 days post BR surgery, and to be honest I’d be struggling to work full time yet. I’m self employed and managing a few hours a day from home but wouldn’t be able to commute/stand/concentrate all day yet. BUT - I’ve had a massive reduction (from a 32K/KK) and I’m a fair bit older than you, although normally very fit and active.

Having said that, minimal pain, but still exhausted mainly.

i'm tentatively booked for surgery april 29th. my pre surgery mammo showed a few complex cysts. i hope this won't prevent it going through.
i'm 61 and tired of the bother, DD but they are such a hassle.

Thanks so much for the responses!

Even though the reduction part is pretty straightforward, I'm also getting excess breast tissue removed that sits under my right breast.

Because I'm a teacher I really don't want to have to my headteacher about my surgery, he's male and wouldn't really understand. I'm not going to tell anyone in work so if worse comes to worse I will just have to call in sick. My worry would also be kids brushing past me in the yard or corridor etc

Does anyone know if GPs would give a cert for this? Without putting what type of surgery on the sick cert?

I'm a teacher and had it done in mid-August one year. I went back to school at the beginning of September. It was a nightmare. It's major surgery! My GP said that they sign me off with 'post-surgery infection' so that no one had to know what I'd had done. I wish I'd listened now... biggest mistake of my life- long story but I ended up under-performing at a crucial time and lost my job 😞
All good now though. Fab job!

I had to phone the GP to ask for a prescription for dressings as the hospital didn’t give me enough, and she actually just asked me if I needed a sick note, and offered that she’d just put ‘post surgical recovery’ on it. I didn’t need one for self employment, but I don’t believe they need to put the nature of the surgery. I told clients I was having shoulder surgery as I felt that the sore bits after would be in the right region at least!

knit, sorry you are having additional worry. I was 61 just a couple of days before I had mine done. I wish I’d done it decades ago, even though I’m shattered and bruised from my collar bone to halfway to my belly button,and still reluctant to drive I have a sense of lightness I’ve never had in my life.

I’m fully expecting a 6 week recovery.

@JanetandJohn500 oh no really, I'm sure my school will be understanding if I had to take off work for surgery. Sorry to hear what happened to you job wise though. I'm worried about the effect it might have on my career too but to be honest this has been something I've thought about for years. I left a year between my consultant so I knew that when I made the decision I was certain it was the right one for me, I would have opted for surgery during summer but I'm gone for 6 weeks traveling.

How long until you were fully back on your feet?

@ilovecherries I have issues with my stomach, I've got a hernia, so I was going to say I was going for surgery on my stomach hernia.

I just hate lying to people- always feel ill get found out.

@Knitclubchatter mine are such hassle too

I have big dents where my bra strap is, I always have a rash around the side of my right boob, they're just too big

It was best thing I ever did but I had 3 month recovery time. No way I'd be back at work after two weeks.
I got serious infections at 6" week Mark.
But I had very large reduction. Went from 36 hh to 36 d and had uplift at same time.

Has anyone got any advice about being paid for sick leave? I've had neck pain and stiffness due to huge norks since I was 18 and am now very seriously looking into getting a reduction now I'm in my early 40s. My only concern is that my employer might not pay me while I'm off as it's privately paid for plastic surgery, perhaps they might see it as non essential? Sorry to butt in OP....

Also, are the majority of people glad they had a reduction? Did anyone feel it wasn't worth it? Would love to hear people's experiences/ any advice

@floppybit

Me too, looking for any advice anyone would have.

Also have you tried real self @floppybit there's good advice there too but I'm a bit skeptical about some of the posts - they seem to be fake reviews or sponsored by the doctors

@theredjellybean wow 3 months? No way! That's insane... I'm flying to Asia in July my consultant said I would be perfectly ok to fly etc

floppy, my consultant was happy to make the case that it was clinically indicated surgery, rather than ‘cosmetic’ given my size pre-op, and as my gp was happy to be vague about the type of surgery, then in my previous employment I’d have got sick pay. It early days for me yet, as jelly says above there are risks beyond the immediate post op period. I was very ill for a couple of days post op (needed two extra nights in hospital) but it already feels as if it was worth every penny. I look better, feel better, already the grooves on my shoulder are less deep, my headaches have gone, I no longer get pins and needles in my hands when I lie on my back, I look taller etc etc.

I’m also 8 lbs lighter! 😱😁

@ilovecherries 😱 wow!

I'm a 34G at the moment, but the biggest I've been was a J cup when pregnant. Can I be nosey and ask what size you were/are before surgery, and what size after?

I was a 32K/KK before. I’m obviously still a 32, but it’s far too early to know my final size - surgeons also won’t promise a final size. Mine knew I wanted to go as small as possible and I trusted his decisions. There is a limit to what they can do as they need to preserve blood supply, and if possible nerve supply to the nipple. At the moment, I’m measuring a 32F/FF, we are hopeful I might reach a solid E. I know that’s bigger than some of you are pre-op, but that’s 10 cup sizes, which I’ve read is an absolute maximum. Even if I don’t get any smaller, I’m happy.

Please may I ask where you (any of you, all of you) had this done?
I am seriously considering this. Currently a 42J (6ft1 tall) and seriously struggling with neck and shoulder pain. And I can't roll over in bed without manually having to rearrange my breasts.
I'm fed up with them.

Would I have liked a nice neat B or C? Absolutely, but it was never going to be possible for me. He was very honest with me about that. He promised me that I’d be more comfortable after, and have a good cosmetic result, butwould perhaps still be on the larger side of the bell curve. And against how I looked before, they’re very small - and lifted, so for the first time in my adult life, they are in the right place on my chest wall.

I have 2 close friends who over the last 10-20 yrs have had it done. Both recommended similar; button front pj’s and tops as raising the arms isn’t possible initially. Bath bench, no getting into the tub, I gather getting out is the problem). Compression bras (although no one has mention a brand or if I get this now of after).