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

behind, I had mine done at a local private hospital. I would not risk a clinic. I got a package price, so, eg, there were no additional costs for my extra nights in hospital. Basically, I looked at all the bios on the hospital website, and chose two that seemed to have expertise, then booked an initial consultation with both of them. One charged £40 for that, the other £120. The package prices were the same for both (6500), as these are set by the hospital. I chose the one I felt most comfortable with (and also the one who I felt was more realistic about what could be done). Neither gave me a hard sell, both encouraged me to see at least one other surgeon, both insisted on a second consultation (free) before I made a decision to have it done, and both had a two week cooling off period.

I use Macom compression bras. They’ve been brilliant, hate taking it off for a shower.

I had mine done when I was 48 - went from a 34JJ to 34DD - 10 years later still a very good shape. Absolutely the best thing. It is major surgery and I had 6 weeks away from work (4 weeks plus 2 weeks Christmas holiday - also teacher). Don't try to go back too soon.

I had mine reduced from 34J to 34C twenty years ago when I was in my 20s. It was done at an NHS hospital as it was deemed necessary rather than cosmetic. Back ache, constant fungal infections, cuts to my shoulders etc.
It was truly life changing.

I was able to go back to work after about two weeks, but wasn't in a job where I was at risk of being pushed, jostled etc. I also rested really well in those two weeks.
I didn't need any compression garments or special bra after surgery. The surgeon constructed something with the dressings which did the job well.
I had drains attached for a few days and used a little bag to carry them around, which was a really good idea. In fact, having the drains removed was probably the most unpleasant part of the experience but even that wasn't too bad.
Fair amount of swelling and bruising when the dressings were removed, but nowhere near as bad as I expected.
Good luck.

Thanks for the advice @MsOtisRegrets

Glad to hear you're happy with the results! Would you recommend 4 weeks then? Considering you're a teaching too- knowing all the possible dangers of the job lol 😂

@ilovecherries is there any supplements you would recommend? I.e turmeric for inflammation or ointments etc to prevent infection?

From what I've researched the scars at the T point are prone to infection? Are your scars noticeable now?

My sister was back at work after a week. Driving after two days. She had a lolipop lift/reduction though. It takes longer if you have an anchor. What type of incisions will you have?

@ForOldLandsEye I'm
Having an anchor incision

My consultant said I can go back to work after two weeks so you think I should trust him? To be honest from everything I've read here and other forums it looks like it's going to take the bones of 4 weeks 😱

Scars are still red but very fine. I still have them taped with paper tape, and will be till a month post op. After that, they can be massaged with a neutral cream. I took arnica pre and post-op - given my level of bruising, I suspect they were as much use as a chocolate teapot! I was told not to take any herbal remedies at all pre-op.

i'm in canada and for some reason the macom site doesn't like my address :( BUT i'm visiting london next week. can someone recommend a shop that carries them? i'll be fairly central staying by the kia oval.

I'm a GP and would be happy, assuming the length of time was reasonable, just to put 'post operation' or similar as this isn't cosmetic surgery

I had a breast reduction over 20 years ago and I do remember being signed off for six-weeks. I think two-weeks might be pushing it to be honest. You wouldn't want to get accidentally bumped for example. Good luck, I don't regret it (36FF to 36C, aged 21).

@dietcokemegafan are GPs normally ok to do this? I don't really know my GP, I'm registered with a surgery so whenever I need appointment I just get whoever is available.

So you recommend I go see my doctor about this? I don't want to have to take anymore time off work than I need to as I have just been promoted and I am really enjoying my position at the moment. But I don't think I can wait any longer either, my breast are droopy because of weight loss - lost 3 &1/2 stone 5 years ago, they itch horrendously after a days work under my straps and underside, I get rash under my right breast and side and shoulder pain

knit, I think Macom is only sold from their website, I was never able to find a stockist. Delivery is very fast though, if you had a U.K. address for a few days?

I’ll be there for a week. I’ll persever.

@Knitclubchatter are you having surgery in the uk?

knit, I’ve just looked on amazon.com and they stock them. Do they deliver to ca?

I’ll check out the link once home, currently out on a walk (10,000 steps a day, 30 minutes exercise, 1,300 calories a day).
In London just for a surprise visit to DD, and two grand kids.

Minimal pain here also... felt like a 'headache' in my boobs/some tenderness but was driving/feeling great after a week or so... good luck!

I had a reduction 18mths ago and it was life changing. The best thing I've ever done. I'm 40 and went from a 32 F to around a C/D now.
I was back at work after 3 weeks and exercising around 3 months. It's the anaesthetic that can affect you more. I was exhausted after it but thankfully my physical recovery was pretty straightforward.
My surgeon told me to bring a normal sports bra and I wore that for 2 months. To be honest I still haven't bought a traditional bra. No wires ever again for me.

This is going to sound like a weird question but I also have an over hang under my armpits of breast tissue/ excess skin from weight loss every time I wear a bra. Does anyone else get this? No matter what size I get it still comes out over the side

If anyone else has this did it go from getting a breast reduction?

Thanks

@MissMarple11 that's great, can I ask are you normally generally very fit? Because I know that can help with recovery?

Also, is your job in a way physical or in involve standing up for long periods of time?

My recovery was quick and straightforward but the thought of someone brushing past me or banging into me after 2 weeks would be awful. I could drive by then and function but did not want to be out and about in busy places for fear of exactly that.

Following with interest, particularly the recovery time. I'm a train driver which is mostly incredibly sedentary but the issue would be climbing in and out of trains from track height - and I'm short, so I really have to hoist myself up with my arms if that makes sense. I could avoid definitely having to do that with swapping some shifts but it's always a possibility in an emergency or if there's a problem with the train. Hmm. I'd really prefer to avoid discussing the surgery in such a male environment but I worry that I couldn't avoid it, and if I got signed off for a certain amount of time I'd trigger a work medical so it might all come out then anyway.

@RuggyPeg that's my fear with going back too soon and being around kids.

I just seriously can't tell my employer why, I will meet with him to tell him I am having surgery over the holidays but has anyone any advice as to what I need to tell my employer without telling what the surgery but also not getting in trouble in the long run either?