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

[copper-season.livejournal.com]

It's possible that the doctor is attempting to keep your breast size in proportion to your body shape. I was a GGG as well and when I got my reduction, the doctor told me that to keep everything in proportion that my cup size would have to be a D. I was fine with that since it was a lot smaller than I was. LOL.

When my incisions were healing, I put aloe vera and shea butter on them to help minimize my scarring. I do have scars, but they are not as noticeable and have faded in the few years since my surgery.

As for work, I have a job that doesn't require me to lift anything or putting my arms above my head so I was back to work in about a month. I also heal pretty quickly so that was a factor as well.

Good luck! *hugs*

[franticalities.livejournal.com]

a month?? wow! My surgeon told me a week! Is he sugar coating??

[in-pieces.livejournal.com]

a friend of mine had a reduction done (in part due to removing some cysts). She was out of work for a week exactly, and back the following week, although she couldn't lift anything, or really drive for that second week. I helped her open her water bottles and stuff too. So if you're doctor said a week - its probably a week, but you won't be able to do *everything* after that week

[copper-season.livejournal.com]

He may not be. For me, even though I heal quickly my doctor told me a month to be safe. He had told me there were instances where women would wait a week and then try to lift things (a child or a tray possibly) and they would injure themselves and have to go back to the doctor to have staples removed and then redone.