My breast reduction diary | 25 February 2012
I've been thinking about a breast reduction from the age of
sixteen. Having been told that breast feeding might not be an
option, I waited. Now thirty five, three kids later, backache,
granny bra grooves in my shoulders, sweaty rashes in summer and all
the lovely dresses I long for designed for smaller boobs, the time
has come.
I've always been very frank about my problem and a friend
told me about an open evening to discuss various surgical
procedures. I was nervous and glad to have her with me, but was
made to feel welcome anyway, with drinks, nibbles and a reassuring
chat with Marc Pacifico before his talk. It was an informative
evening with many before and after photographs, and a lot of fun,
with a game and goodie bags. Feeling much enlightened, I felt ready
to book a consultation. Clare, his secretary was very friendly and
helpful.
I was impressed with The Spire Hospital. Welcoming reception
staff, lovely waiting room, and hot chocolate for my husband
(Shaps) and I! Having met Marc previously I felt far more
confident, we had a chat about the operation and what it would
entail. Shaps had some worries, and Marc soon put him at ease, but
was truthful about complications that occasionally occur. Photos
and measurements were taken with a nurse present. Using these to
discuss the procedure was so much better than having to stand
topless. An estimated three quarters of a kilo would, he explained,
be taken off each breast, and my nipples would be raised 12
centimetres, at which point Shaps got the giggles! By now I was
sure that I wanted to use Marc and was keen to have a date
pencilled in his diary. I felt ready to move forward but it was
suggested that I had some thinking time, and we arranged to meet
again in two weeks.
During the couple of weeks before seeing Marc again, I did a lot
of reading up; his website is very useful also looking at the
internet, not always a good idea but I was interested to hear about
other women's' experiences. The consultation was just going over
everything, seeing if I fully understood the procedure, and
questions I had and checking I still wanted to go ahead, the answer
was a definite YES! The only question I had was his advice on which
bra to get for after the operation, he gave me the name of a
company that sells post-surgical bras. I left feeling very excited,
knowing I was booked in for the 5th December, a great
early Christmas present!
I received a phone call from The Spire Hospital to book me in
for a Pre-Op examination and I ordered my bra, it seemed like
everything was happening so quickly. Friends kept asking if I was
nervous but I could only feel excited. The bra arrived in the post,
it looked like a very wide piece of elastic. Unfortunately it was a
bit big, it was hard to tell but I guessed if it fitted over my
large G cups then it would probably be a bit loose on my new DD's!
The new one came shortly after and seemed much better.
I went for my pre-op examination five days before surgery, the
nurse was lovely, she took my bloods, temperature and blood
pressure, weighed me and measured me for support stockings. She
then ran me through what would happen on the day and what time I
could have my last food and drink before the anaesthetic. It all
seemed much clearer in my head, now it was time to count down the
days.
I'm going to start writing this daily so as not to miss out any
gory details!
Sunday 4th
December (Night before Op)
I've just finished packing my bag for hospital and received a
lovely phone call from Marc, checking how I was and any last minute
questions. I just wanted to know what the situation was with
wearing a seatbelt for the journey home from hospital, he suggested
a pillow across my chest was a good idea. I'm sitting watching
telly and finding it hard to believe I will finally have small
boobs tomorrow. I've had so many well wishes from friends and
people keep asking if I'm nervous to which the answers always been
no but now sitting here knowing what's in store tomorrow the nerves
have really kicked in. Going to try and get a good night's sleep
now, got to get up early to have breakfast as not allowed to eat
after 7am.
Monday 5th
December
Operation day! Can't believe it, had a great night's sleep,
thank goodness. The nerves seem to have gone, just really excited.
I had my early breakfast, didn't eat much though, never feel like
eating that early. I'm sure I'll be starving later! Took the kids
to school and gave them the biggest hugs as probably won't be able
to for a while, they said goodbye to mummy's big boobies! I'm now
in hospital with Shaps, who keeps eating, God I'm hungry! Nice to
chill out and watch a bit of daytime telly in my warm comfy room. A
nurse came to take my blood pressure and a urine test to check I'm
not pregnant (I'M NOT!). She also gave me support stockings and a
hospital robe. Marc's been in to take lots of measurements of my
breasts and generally graffiti all over them! This took a while, it
guess it's pretty important to get all the markings perfect. Shaps
has taken some before pics with all the markings on. Now I'm just
waiting to go down to theatre while listening to my tummy
rumbling!
Tuesday 6th
December
Oh my goodness, I'm sitting at home now just 24 hours after
going into hospital and I've got small boobs, well small for me,
lovely DD's and I can't quite believe it. Let me start from
where we left off yesterday. A nurse came into my room at 4 pm and
told me to lay on the bed ready to go down to theatre, it was all a
bit sudden but this probably made it easier. Shaps came down to the
door with me, we kissed goodbye, I got a bit of a wobbly lip, not
good at goodbyes at the best of times. The anaesthetist, who I had
met earlier in the day was very kind, he put the canular in my
hand, was chatting to me about my childminding job, popped the mask
over my mouth and that's all I remember.
Next I was hearing my name and seeing the hospital lights on the
ceiling and knowing instantly where I was and what had happened. At
that point I think I just felt relief to have woken up from the
anaesthetic, there's always a slight niggle at the back of my mind
that I might not. I think I spoke to Marc at this point but I don't
remember. The main thing I do remember from the recovery room is
being desperate for a wee, I told the nurse I couldn't hold it so I
had to go in a bed pan, a little tricky and messy when you're so
dozy!
I was wheeled back to my room around 8:30pm. It was lovely to
have Shaps waiting for me and by this time I was wide awake and
buzzing. He told me Marc had been in to see him and said everything
had gone really well. I couldn't see my new boobs as they were all
bulked out with cotton wool and a big kind of bra/bandage thing. I
was very lucky as a great friend of mine was nursing me that night
which was lovely, she said I looked smaller even with the bulky
bandages. Lara, my nurse/friend attached a drip, I also had drains
coming out of each breast, basically a long tube with a bottle
attached to the end, there was a small amount of blood in the
bottom of each. I was dosed up with pain relief so there was no
discomfort at all. My sister-in-law and Dad popped in for a visit
while Mum was at home with the kids, I was glad to have visitors as
I was on a bit of a high. Before Shaps left for the night I slowly
got out of bed to go for a wee, with Lara holding the drains and
Shaps wheeling the drip, I went for my first little walk, I felt a
little weak and wobbly bit it was fine, better than the horrible
bed pan! I was glad not to have any nausea from the anaesthetic
though I didn't have an appetite.
It was a strange night, I can't really say I slept well as I
kept waking to the sound of the drip pumping away but I did feel
very relaxed and to my amazement no pain. About 2 a.m. the nurses
came to undo the bandages and check all was well. It was my first
glimpse of the new me. I was too tired to get excited but was
shocked to see my nipples facing the ceiling rather than down by my
armpit somewhere! Lara and the other nurse said what an amazing job
they thought Marc had done. I had a couple more trips to the loo in
the night each time getting easier. I had a lovely breakfast in the
morning, I was well and truly ready to eat by now and gobbled down
the lot. Lara's shift ended and a new nurse took over. She gave me
some paracetamol though I still seemed to have no pain. Marc came
in very early to check everything was ok, my second look at my new
boobs! Shaps arrived after doing the school run and then everything
happened really quickly. Firstly the drains were taken out, I have
to say this was the most painful thing so far, horrible feeling,
and then having to do it again on the other side, ouch. She then
took the canular out, that wasn't too bad. The nurse undid the
bandage and helped me into my surgical bra, a bit of a tight
squeeze but very supportive. I was given an appointment to see a
nurse in a week and Marc in 2, also some paracetamol and ibuprofen
to take home. I got dressed and my cardy did up, all the way to the
top, that's a first!
Walking out to the car was very odd, my balance felt very
strange, I didn't know whether to lean forwards or backwards. The
drive home was a little scary, was worried Shaps might do an
emergency stop, the pillow under the seatbelt made it more
comfortable.
Now here I am at home, Mum's here, she had a jaw dropping
moment, she says I look 15 years younger, I'm so happy. My biggest
question at the moment is why am I not in pain, I can feel where
the cuts are but that's it. I hope it's not going to suddenly come
on. I've decided to sleep in the spare room for a while, I'm a bit
worried my 4 yr old daughter Lila will come and jump on me in the
morning. Also Shaps snuggles up a lot, not good with someone all
stitched up. I've come for a nap before the boys get home from
school. When Lila got back from pre-school she was funny with me,
almost shy, I don't think she likes not being able to jump on me
and hug me.
Had the best sleep this afternoon. The boys were amazed at their
new look Mum, I didn't think an 8 and 10 yr old would notice much
difference but they said it was amazing. Have had a very chilled
evening and still not in pain, though I am taking paracetamol in
case. I had a long look at them in the mirror, it's like they're
somebody else's breast. All the cuts have tape over them so it's
not gory. They are a slightly odd shape around the armpit but
that's probably the swelling. I wonder how I will sleep
tonight.
Wednesday
7th December
Had a funny night's sleep, wasn't too bad, just not used
to being on my back all night. Woke up at the crack of dawn and
read, best thing was lying in bed listening to Shaps getting the
kids ready for school, I think I'll make the most of a few lazy
mornings! I'm not allowed to get the dressings wet, Marc suggested
a shower with the water only on my back but I've decided to sit in
a very shallow bath and wash my hair with the shower spray. I've
got to keep my support stockings on until Friday, they're really
annoying and very hot. My boobs feel fine, I'm getting the odd
little shock every now and again, like a tiny electric shock but
it's not painful, feels like a nerve ending or something. I'm also
getting chills right across both breasts, almost like when you say,
"a goose ran over my grave". I'm quite enjoying being pampered,
Shaps has taken time off work to sort the kids and he's keeping the
house very tidy too. I haven't been for a poo yet but apparently
that's quite normal after an anaesthetic.
Thursday
8th December
Another fidgety night, I seem to get more comfortable with a
pillow under my upper back and two under my head, I'm definitely
not ready to sleep on my side, too sensitive. Feeling a bit grumpy
today, not sure why, maybe because I'm constipated, going to eat
loads of fruit and fibre. I've started only wearing my surgical bra
at night as in the day when I'm sitting down it rolls up under my
breasts and is rather uncomfortable. During the day I'm wearing a
sports bra from Marks and Spencer's. I've been so irritable with
the kids this evening, everything seems to be annoying me, Mum
thinks it's because of the constipation. Four days of food inside
me now, I'm so bloated. I've taken some Senocot so fingers crossed.
I'm going to have an early night and hope I'm in a better mood
tomorrow. I've got Lila's Nativity in the morning. Will be nice to
get out of the house. Mum bought me some new tops so I'll wear one
of those.
Friday 9th
December
Yee ha, the Senacot worked, I've been to the loo finally and
slept like a log. I'm ready for Lila's Nativity in my new jumper,
size 14, was in an 18 before. Feeling much better than yesterday.
I'm not going to take any more pain relief in case that's what
caused the constipation, really don't need it anyway. The Nativity
was great and my little King Herod remembered her lines! I felt
fine being out and about so we decided to go for quick lunch in
town. I'm sitting watching a film feeling a bit sad, Shaps and the
kids have gone to the school Christmas Fayre, which I love but for
one, I think I've done enough today and for two, it's so busy and
squashed, I'm sure someone would knock into me. They said they'll
bring me back a nice cake!
Generally today I've felt much better, back to my usual self.
The only downer today is I seem to be so itchy, not sure if it's
the tape over my scars or them healing, either way it's annoying as
I can't scratch it properly. While we're talking of itching I
forgot to mention, in hospital my face was so itchy, the nurses
gave me Piriton, they weren't sure if it was an allergic reaction
to the tape that had been over my eyes during the operation.
Saturday
10th December
I'm fed up with sleeping in the spare room now, think I'll move
back in with Shaps, just want to get back to normal. We're going to
put up some of the Christmas decorations this weekend but we'll
save the tree for when I can do a bit more. Itchy, itchy, itchy
again this evening, seems to come on at night time more. I hope
being back in my own bed will be ok.
Sunday 11th
December
Okay, I didn't have the best night's sleep, was so aware of
Shaps knocking me, I think he was too as every time I woke up he
was right on the other side of the bed lying straight as a pencil!
Still so much happier being back in my own bed. This has been the
laziest weekend ever. Shaps is back to work tomorrow so I'll start
doing the school run again, it's only a short walk so should be
fine, there's nothing wrong with my legs!
Monday 12th
December (1 week after op)
Was fine in bed with Shaps last night, slept well, just think I
was over worried the first night. The itchiness seems to be
subsiding a bit, thank goodness. Was great to see the other Mums
this morning, they seem astonished at how different I look. One mum
who didn't know I was having a breast reduction asked what diet I
had been on, when I told her she was amazed. Everyone's giving so
many compliments, its fab and this is exactly what I wanted, to
feel confident in clothes. I don't care about myself naked, only
Shaps has to see that! I've got my netball team coming round for
drinks tonight and I know they want me to show my new boobs, we'll
see!
Tuesday
13th December
Last night was so much fun, the girls couldn't stop looking at
me, they say I look taller, slimmer, and they seem to think my face
has changed too! They generally seemed completely shocked at what a
difference it's made. I decided to show them the before picture so
they could try and fully understand why I had it done, they all
said they couldn't have coped with those dangling off their chests!
I then showed them my new boobs with a bit of persuasion, I would
never in a million years have shown anyone before so obviously
feeling much more confident. A couple of them are deciding what
surgery they could get done! We can see how people could get
addicted. I've got an appointment to see the nurse now, think it's
just to check the dressings.
All went well, none of the dressings needed to be changed as I'd
kept them dry. She checked my breasts felt soft with no hard lumps
and no sign of redness or infection around the cuts. Mum and I
decided to do some Christmas shopping afterwards, poor Mum had to
carry all the bags as still trying not to overdo things, it's
getting hard though as I feel completely normal.
Wednesday
14th December
It's getting harder to write about my boobs now as I feel myself
again, other than not being able to have a lovely hot deep bath and
wishing I could have a little braless time. So I'm not going to
bore you with my personal life and only write booby related stuff
from now.
Saturday
17th December
Today I have noticed my left nipple is slightly flaky, some skin
is peeling off a bit but it still looks healthy and pink so I'm
sure it's fine. I'm seeing Marc on Monday so I'll keep an eye on it
until then. One thing I haven't mentioned is Shaps reaction to all
of this. When he first saw them without the bandages in hospital,
there was complete silence, he didn't say a word, just stared at
them. I had a moment of panic and thought he hated them. He was
actually shocked at how neat they looked, he was dreading them
looking bloody and gory like something from Frankenstein. I think
he's happy with the result, he says I look a lot slimmer. He'd be
happy with whatever boobs I have.
Monday 19th
December
Saw Marc today, he seems happy and says I'm healing well. He's
put more tape over the cuts. I'm really fed up with sleeping on my
back now but still feels too uncomfortable on my side.
Monday 26th
December (3 weeks after op)
Boxing Day today, just had a lovely chilled Christmas, usually
we have the whole family to ours but this year I was given a break
so Mum did all the hard work! I received loads of booby related
presents including a boob shaped cushion in case I was missing my
big ones (I'm definitely not). The best thing was Christmas Eve, I
slept on my side, had such a lovely comfy sleep, good job as the
kids were up at the crack of dawn wanting to open their
stockings.
Tuesday 3rd
January (4 weeks after op)
Went to see the nurse today, was
hoping she might say I don't need the tape on anymore, but
unfortunately not, she said it's much better for the healing of the
scars. She's given me tape to bring home for Shaps to re-do in case
they get wet, that's good, I don't need to be so careful in the
bath. My boobs are so flaky, it's like a snowstorm when I take my
bra off!
Monday 9th
January (5 weeks after op)
I've put on a few pounds over Christmas and finding it a bit odd
looking down and seeing my belly, I could never see it over my
boobs before! Healthy eating time again I think. I saw my Aunty
yesterday for the first time since the op. She said I looked fab,
her partner didn't know where to look! I've found that with men
that know I've had a reduction, it makes me giggle, women are happy
to have a good look, but for men I guess they feel a bit rude
looking at a woman's breasts!
Tuesday
17th January (6 weeks after op)
I went to see Marc yesterday, he's so
happy with everything. No more tape, I'm free! I don't have to wear
a bra at night either, felt amazing last night, so fresh. I've got
to moisturise and massage them which I did last night and this
morning. There are a few lumps under the skin, scar tissue that
needs a good firm massage. Marc took some more pics and showed me
the before and afters side by side, I was shocked, I just couldn't
believe those huge horrid floppy things were a part of me, It's
amazing how quickly you adjust to something new, although this
reduction has change my life massively I also feel I've been the
way I am now forever. I'll see Marc again in 8 weeks and in 9 weeks
we're off to sunny Tunisia, can't wait to buy some new swimming
costumes and finally those summer dresses I've longed to wear.
Below are views taken 3-months following surgery - notice
how the scars are going through their normal phase of maturation,
being pink at this stage. In due course they will continue to fade
and eventually pale.
