I’ve been engaged on this put up for a couple of week now as a result of I wished to ensure it was as complete and useful as attainable. I additionally wished to offer my therapeutic a pair weeks in order that I’d be higher outfitted to completely reply lots of the questions, and to see how restoration went after the preliminary few days.
I’ve actually been shocked with the variety of conversations I’ve had with y’all, whether or not you’ve additionally had a discount or are contemplating one. It was SO good to have the ability to chat by way of the whole lot with a number of shut buddies and a bunch of you who had been by way of this earlier than. I’ll attempt to cowl the whole lot under and I’ll replace this put up down the street as soon as I’m absolutely healed.
Spoiler alert: I’m extremely proud of the choice to have this surgical procedure!
Let me know every other questions.
xx Ash
I spent an excellent 6 months assembly with 3 totally different docs, weighing my choices, and making a call on the surgical procedure. I ended up going with Dr. Jason Potter who I can’t advocate sufficient in case you stay round Dallas. As soon as I made a decision on Dr. Potter, we had a number of consultations that made me really feel assured moving into (by way of him as a physician). Dr. Potter had me do a mammogram, chest x-ray, full blood panel and bodily, earlier than deciding I used to be an important candidate for the breast discount/elevate I hoped for. One factor I discovered attention-grabbing that I wished to share was Dr. Potter didn’t need to see my ‘inspo photos’ of measurement/form. He mentioned that you simply usually instances don’t know what’s going to occur in surgical procedure primarily based in your breast density and several other different components, and he didn’t need me to have unmet expectations. I absolutely trusted him and understood what he was saying.
I’ll prevent too many feelings however I used to be extremely nervous for the surgical procedure. It’s the primary elective surgical procedure I’ve ever had (and aside from that my different surgical procedures had been each emergency C-sections the place I didn’t have a lot time to emphasize) and the primary time I used to be put below. That combined with all of the questions, like how dangerous the ache can be, would the surgical procedure even work, and so forth. was quite a bit for me, to not point out the extreme spouse/mother guilt I felt. I knew I’d be counting on Austin and our households HEAVILY earlier than and after the surgical procedure and that acquired to me. I additionally wouldn’t have the ability to elevate or assist a lot with the boys for weeks, which added to the guilt. Austin and my household have been nothing however extremely supportive, however in case you’re a mother, you recognize that the guilt creeps in it doesn’t matter what.
As soon as the morning of the surgical procedure arrived and we had all of the logistics of the children taken care of, I really felt fairly good and simply so excited to get it over with.
It’s been a little bit of a mixture of emotions however I need to say that all through the ache, the whole lot has been price how excited I’m to have gone by way of with this.
As we speak, I’m 16 days put up surgical procedure. Clearly everyone seems to be totally different however in my case, the ache has ebbed and flowed. Day 2 was undoubtedly essentially the most painful, as is the case with most surgical procedures, I hear. I used to be actually sore throughout my chest, armpits and in my again, and really drained. I used to be additionally paranoid to do a lot in case I broke a suture or no matter. My physician actually burdened the significance of not lifting and so forth. The ache has by no means been sharp – extra sore – and manageable with ache meds and relaxation. I really stopped taking my ache meds on day 3 and simply relied on Advil as wanted.
Final week, I used to be feeling fairly nice, like I used to be actually prepared to return to the gymnasium (to stroll, extra on that under), and the ache was very manageable. I even went to dinner with girlfriends…which I feel led me to over-doing issues and feeling worse this week. On the whole, this week looks like I’ve taken a step again by way of ache and I’m fairly uncomfortable. Once more, I’m assuming this is because of me overdoing it however I felt so good final week it was arduous to not!
My principal bandages had been eliminated at my first post-op appt however I nonetheless have pads overlaying incisions. I’ve had a post-op session and he says the whole lot appears to be like nice! I can’t absolutely inform my measurement but since I’m nonetheless swollen however I can completely inform that they’re a lot, a lot smaller! Dr. Potter was in a position to take a minimum of 1/2 lb out of every breast, which was the objective. I’m actually proud of the whole lot.
Because it’s solely been a pair weeks, I undoubtedly have incisions proper now, and don’t count on them to completely fade, however I do know they’ll change into much less intense. I’ll cowl this within the FAQ part however the scars are actually the LEAST of my concern they usually all the time have been. I wished to go as small as we might, it doesn’t matter what kind of scar I had…honestly.
One of many hardest elements, a minimum of mentally and particularly final week once I was feeling good, has been the restrictions (which I now perceive lol). I even requested Dr. Potter if I might go to the gymnasium to stroll for the reason that ache was fading, however he mentioned I want to stay to the plan of very restricted motion due to inner incisions, and so forth and so forth. I’m not in a position to elevate a lot over the subsequent couple weeks and have restricted mobility with my arms to comply with physician’s orders.
+ Past proud of how issues went!
+ Would advocate this to anybody who is an effective candidate.
+ I want I did this in my early 20s and deliberate to get a touch-up after children, as a result of it really feels life-changing.
+ I’ve already began attempting on garments and nearly cried with the ability to simply button up a shirt over my chest, with out gapping or something like that. I can’t wait to buy bathing fits, extra tops, strapless bras, and so forth!
+ Though I used to be feeling fairly good per week after, I want I rested extra and took it simpler to maintain ache in test.
+ I’ve had a number of merchandise which were lifesavers, together with:
+ Publish-Surgical Pillow: Obsessed! I’m a abdomen/aspect sleeper which is clearly a no-go proper now and this helps make me really feel snug. I’ve additionally been sporting it round the home throughout the day for help.
+ Eby Bralettes: This one and this one particularly. Comfy, supportive, easy.
+ Something Skims: I’m actually obsessed at this level. All the pieces, together with bras, button-up PJs, and lounge are extremely tender and cozy throughout this course of.
+ Stanley Tumbler: I used to be stunned to seek out that I really couldn’t elevate my typical Amazon water bottle as a result of it was too heavy with water in it. I’ve been loving the Stanley by my bedside and LOTS of lemon water has helped with debloating and restoration.
+ Lap Desk: It was arduous being in mattress and never with the ability to work or do a lot (as soon as I wasn’t on as many ache meds since they made me spacy) , so being able to work from my mattress has been good for my thoughts.
These are some repeat questions I’ve obtained so figured they’d be useful to cowl.
Q: How a lot does it price?
A: This may rely on insurance coverage, the place you reside, and extra however I acquired quotes for round 10K from the three docs I went to.
Q: What does/did Austin assume?
A: He’s 100% down for no matter I need to do, so I’m very very grateful for a supportive partner. My resolution wasn’t a shock to him both since this was the plan since earlier than we began courting. He’s been unbelievable all through the whole lot.
Q: What had been your expectations moving into, by way of form, measurement, and so forth?
A: I went into issues with practical expectations as soon as Dr. Potter defined the potential variation. I used to be all the time hoping for a B/C cup however was ready that they is likely to be a D. I’m undecided of my precise measurement but however we predict it’s on the smaller measurement with a slight elevate. I already really feel a distinction in my again and shoulders.
Q: How did you discover your physician? Did they method you about working collectively for posting your outcomes?
A: Phrase of mouth and buddies suggestions. I went to three totally different consults. The one I selected had a powerful medical skilled historical past, board licensed, works with high anesthesiologist group, surgical procedure is on the hospital, liked his work and I’ve a good friend that labored in his workplace and spoke very extremely of him as a boss and surgeon. As for the second a part of the query, undoubtedly not. I don’t even assume he has an IG (which I like).
Q: What did you put on to the hospital?
A: These Skims pajamas. I additionally packed some fuzzy socks/slippers…and that’s actually it.
Q: Do you keep in a single day on the hospital?
A: Nope. Surgical procedure was at 7:30 a.m. and I used to be residence by 5:30 p.m.
Q: Did you’ve gotten drains?
A: No
Q: Are you taking ache meds?
A: There was a mix of prescription ache meds and Advil relying on the extent of ache. I ended taking the prescription ache meds on day 3 and caught to Advil. I’ll say the ache meds make me really feel kinda blah so I’ve restricted them as a lot as attainable.
Q: Will you’ve gotten scars?
A: Sure. The physician instructed me this upfront. As I discussed above although, that is the least of my considerations. I’ve heard from buddies that relying in your kind of process you may have scaring across the nipple and the place incisions occurred endlessly, however lots of the darkness of the incisions fade. I can report again in a yr or so!
Q: What’s the typical restoration time?
A: About 8 weeks to be absolutely again to regular.
Q: Any recommendation for fellow mothers with little children who need to get this executed?
A: When you can, attempt to schedule the surgical procedure round a time the place you may get assist with childcare. I can’t elevate something over 5 lbs proper now and finally, 25 lbs and the considered holding the children is painful. Having an additional set of arms for dinner prep / tub / mattress and transportation is suggested. Not less than for the primary couple of weeks. Additionally, as a aspect notice to that, one thing that helped me with the guilt was understanding that that is one thing I’ve wished FOREVER. And whereas it’s been a tough month, I do know this can make me a greater, extra assured individual, a extra energetic mother, and I’m okay asking for assist to offer myself and my boys that.
