Breast Reduction- what DON'T they tell you?

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

Hi All,

After years of agonizing, I've finally decided to have a breast reduction to get my 28G boobs down to a size I feel will be more conducive to my active lifestyle and personal comfort. The surgery is booked for Dec 10th. My surgeon says that the best course of action for me is to have the lollipop incision, along with a lift and lipo. He asked me what size I wanted to be, and I said a B or a C. He said that realistically, he could only get me to a small D. I should have asked why at the time, and I do plan to call him and ask, but does anyone have any ideas as to why he may have said that? Anyway, I have a few questions for you ladies who have had breast reductions:


1) What size were you before/after surgery? Are you pleased with it?
2) I've read all the usual ' what to do after' info- but what does that leave out, based on your own experiences? What tips do you have to ensure a speedy recovery and to minimize scarring? What do you wish someone had told you before the surgery?
3) How long did it take you to get back to work? I work at starbucks, so while I could get away with not lifting heavy stuff for as long as I need, I would need to be able to move my arms enough to hand people change and to serve cups of coffee.

Thanks so much, everyone!

Comments

[galaxy-soup.livejournal.com]

I was also a 28G and my doctor took me to a 28B. I would definitely ask your doctor exactly why he feels you can't go smaller, and if a D is not ideal to you, ask for a second opinion. If you go for a D and still feel they're too big afterward, it's unlikely you'd get insurance to cover surgery to get smaller a second time.

I am so, so happy with the size I am now. I spent the night at the hospital and then laid around the house for a couple days, but I was up going to the mall and trying new clothes on within about 3 days. I experienced only minor soreness- it really was the easiest surgery possible for me. I think you could easily be back at work at Starbucks within a week :)

Do you know whether you'll have stitches, glue, and/or drains on the incisions yet? I had glue and no drains, and it was a very easy recovery process. The glue naturally peeled away once the incisions closed.

It's been exactly a year and three months, and my scars are nearly invisible (and I'm a bad patient and did nothing to help minimize them, honestly). It took about six months before I was comfortable wearing bras with underwires again, as the scars did have a tendency to get uncomfortable with something that hard sitting on them, but now I wear underwire bras every day with no problem.

If you have any more questions, feel free to reply or PM me! I think it was the best decision I ever made and I'm extremely pleased with my body now.

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

My surgeon is only keeping me for 5 or so hours after the surgery.. grr! I'd rather stay longer coz of my heart condition, but he feels confident. I am gonna call and ask why I can't go smaller than a D. Did you have the lollipop or the anchor scar?

Apparently I'll be having drains... is that more difficult than glue? Did you get a choice about that?

Thanks so much!!

[galaxy-soup.livejournal.com]

I got the anchor scar. That's possibly why he feels you can't go smaller; my doctor said the lollipop scar allows less tissue to be taken out. If that's the issue and he's only going for the lollipop style to leave less scarring, talk to him about getting the anchor incision. Honestly, I feel like the anchor is just fine, I have no noticeable marks after a year.

I didn't get a choice in drains, it was up to my doctor's preference. I didn't have to do anything to care for the glue besides avoid scrubbing too hard in the shower. From what I've read, drains require more care, and I don't know if there's restrictions on washing and showering with them.

The first shower is the worst part just because of the sight of the bruising. It doesn't hurt at all, but if you're squeamish it might bother you a bit.