Having a hard time coping with a breast reduction.
September 21, 2010 9:14 AM Subscribe
Just had a breast reduction last Wednesday and I'm having a hard time coping with this. Insight from others who've had this procedure would be appreciated.
I was a 32G and my surgeon said that I should be around a C cup when it's all over. I got the dressing off and the drains out yesterday and I knew my boobs would look bad. I didn't even really look at them until today. They are bruised, oddly shaped and you can still see the stitches, which is to be expected. The only thing that freaks me out is that the incision under the breast is about an inch above the crease. I thought it was supposed to be in the crease? Or is it too early to tell because of the swelling? I just spent the last hour sitting here crying thinking I made the wrong decision and that my boobs won't turn out normal. I want to call the surgeon but I'm too upset right now and I want to know if I'm overreacting first.
I was a 32G and my surgeon said that I should be around a C cup when it's all over. I got the dressing off and the drains out yesterday and I knew my boobs would look bad. I didn't even really look at them until today. They are bruised, oddly shaped and you can still see the stitches, which is to be expected. The only thing that freaks me out is that the incision under the breast is about an inch above the crease. I thought it was supposed to be in the crease? Or is it too early to tell because of the swelling? I just spent the last hour sitting here crying thinking I made the wrong decision and that my boobs won't turn out normal. I want to call the surgeon but I'm too upset right now and I want to know if I'm overreacting first.
I'm a guy and I've never had your procedure, but I do know that even if things went 100%, it's completely normal to have buyer's remorse after the procedure. Your body has undergone a controlled trauma and it's completely understandable that the it's a little crazy. Mine was after I had gastric bypass. There were a few moments in the hospital when I had the whole, "Why the hell did I do this?" going through my mind.
But after a week or two, I was fine and I reunderstood the reason that brought me to that decision. So yeah, it's probably waaay too early to judge the success of your surgery. Focus on healing and then you can deal with any other issues later.
posted by inturnaround at 9:21 AM on September 21, 2010
But after a week or two, I was fine and I reunderstood the reason that brought me to that decision. So yeah, it's probably waaay too early to judge the success of your surgery. Focus on healing and then you can deal with any other issues later.
posted by inturnaround at 9:21 AM on September 21, 2010
Aw, baby. Do not freak. You are still SUPER EARLY in the recovery process. If you can SEE bruises/cuts on the outside, imagine what your body is trying to do on the INSIDE to help you recover. IANAD, but from what I can gather, it's to be expected that you'll be kind of horrified the first few times you look at your post-surgical parts... and six months or a year later, assuming you had a competent doc, you'll generally be VERY happy with the results.
I WOULD call your surgeon (or his nurse's line), however - just to get some reassurance that all that you're seeing is normal, and that it, too, shall pass.
posted by julthumbscrew at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
I WOULD call your surgeon (or his nurse's line), however - just to get some reassurance that all that you're seeing is normal, and that it, too, shall pass.
posted by julthumbscrew at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
Call the surgeon. They know exactly what to tell you. It is way too soon to consider this a calamity or even a bad deal. Surgery is very traumatic and healthy bodies heal quick.
posted by bukvich at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by bukvich at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
I have not had a reduction, but I have had two good friends who have done so.
The amount of swelling involved is PROFOUND. Honestly, you really can't make evaluations based on appearance at this stage. Go ahead and call the surgeon with your concerns, though; this is a totally reasonable part of your follow-up care. Just because your worries are likely unfounded doesn't mean you're overreacting.
posted by KathrynT at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
The amount of swelling involved is PROFOUND. Honestly, you really can't make evaluations based on appearance at this stage. Go ahead and call the surgeon with your concerns, though; this is a totally reasonable part of your follow-up care. Just because your worries are likely unfounded doesn't mean you're overreacting.
posted by KathrynT at 9:22 AM on September 21, 2010
I had a very different procedure from yours, so YMMV, but in the weeks after my mastectomy and reconstruction my emotions were running crazy, due to my buddy, my pal, my post-surgical morphine. As I tapered off of that, and was slowly able to wear things besides hospital gowns, and as the swelling went down I grew happier with my results. If I were you I'd bring up my concerns at my follow-up appointment with the surgeon, but in the meantime just remember you've been through trauma, and give yourself time to heal.
posted by Sara Anne at 9:23 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by Sara Anne at 9:23 AM on September 21, 2010
Here are two studies about patient satisfaction following breast reduction: one from 1995 and one from 2001. The results in both are similar: most women who had the procedure (95% and 96%, respectively) were happy with the decision to have the procedure. Most (98% and 91%) would recommend the procedure to a friend.
Obviously you may fall into the comparatively small number who do not have a positive experience, but at this early stage you may take some comfort in the fact that the procedure normally works out well for the majority of women who undertake it. In other words: things will probably get significantly better, but do call your surgeon's office to make sure that what you're experiencing physically is normal and not cause for concern.
posted by jedicus at 9:24 AM on September 21, 2010
Obviously you may fall into the comparatively small number who do not have a positive experience, but at this early stage you may take some comfort in the fact that the procedure normally works out well for the majority of women who undertake it. In other words: things will probably get significantly better, but do call your surgeon's office to make sure that what you're experiencing physically is normal and not cause for concern.
posted by jedicus at 9:24 AM on September 21, 2010
I have not had breast surgery, but I followed a breast-specializing plastic surgeon for a week in high school and had the chance to see boobs in all the stages of their boob-surgery glory. I even saw a breast reduction surgery in person. (It was really cool--I'm sure your surgeon went through the procedure with you first, but it's like they're creating superhero breasts or something.)
One thing that was constant in all the post-surgery people I saw, augmentations, reductions, lifts, reconstructions, whathaveyou--there is all KINDS of crazy swelling and it lasts for WEEKS. There were some pretty wonky-looking still-swollen breasts that came marching through the office, and the reaction from the doctor on every single one of them (no, that's not true, one woman had (accidentally?) pulled a drainage tube out herself and screwed some stuff up) was that it was entirely normal.
Give it some time. Then give it a little more time. There is certainly still a LOT of swelling right now. I saw people who still had swelling six months out from surgery. Continue to go to your follow up appointments, follow the instructions your doctor gives you, and of course ask questions, but do know that there is still a lot of natural, normal re-shaping your breasts will undergo before they settle into their new homes.
Congratulations on your new super-boobs!
posted by phunniemee at 9:27 AM on September 21, 2010 [9 favorites]
One thing that was constant in all the post-surgery people I saw, augmentations, reductions, lifts, reconstructions, whathaveyou--there is all KINDS of crazy swelling and it lasts for WEEKS. There were some pretty wonky-looking still-swollen breasts that came marching through the office, and the reaction from the doctor on every single one of them (no, that's not true, one woman had (accidentally?) pulled a drainage tube out herself and screwed some stuff up) was that it was entirely normal.
Give it some time. Then give it a little more time. There is certainly still a LOT of swelling right now. I saw people who still had swelling six months out from surgery. Continue to go to your follow up appointments, follow the instructions your doctor gives you, and of course ask questions, but do know that there is still a lot of natural, normal re-shaping your breasts will undergo before they settle into their new homes.
Congratulations on your new super-boobs!
posted by phunniemee at 9:27 AM on September 21, 2010 [9 favorites]
I broke my arm when I was a kid; it didn't mend right, and the bone had to be rebroken and pinned. Then, because of my age and where the pin was, it had to be removed about a year later.
After both surgeries, my arm was swollen and awful-looking and the scar looked HUGE. Kids heal quick, sure, but the swelling and bruising were evident for at least two or three weeks.
Don't despair. Call your surgeon's office. A lot of what you describe sounds like the normal aftermath of surgery.
posted by rtha at 9:31 AM on September 21, 2010
After both surgeries, my arm was swollen and awful-looking and the scar looked HUGE. Kids heal quick, sure, but the swelling and bruising were evident for at least two or three weeks.
Don't despair. Call your surgeon's office. A lot of what you describe sounds like the normal aftermath of surgery.
posted by rtha at 9:31 AM on September 21, 2010
I had a breast reduction on August 25. Like you, I was a 32G and now I'm something like a 34C. It's less than a month later and the change between what things looked like when I took the dressings off (scars! stitches! weird bumps! ewwww!) and now is profound. Give it some time for the swelling to go down and things to settle out a little bit. The scars are intense, but they're already fading and the benefits are so, so worth it. Shoot me a me-mail if you have any questions and definitely call your surgeon if anything is bothering you. That's what they're there for. Hang in there!
posted by fancypants at 9:41 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by fancypants at 9:41 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
Never had a reduction, but I have had a full tummy tuck and muscle repair. While I never really had buyers remorse - I did have initial concerns about how things turned out based on the way my body looked shortly after the surgery. I was eligible for a follow up to repair the issue. I never bothered to go back for it though. I should, but I just don't want to deal with it - life is moving too fast for me and it's not been a real issue.
As for you - I would imagine that based on the surgery you had that swelling could be a real cause of your concern around where the incision/scar will land. Talk to your doctor, but also feel free to visit one of the many plastic surgery forums out on the web. When I was preparing for my surgery and in the immediate after math those forums were very helpful. I can't recall the exact one I visited, but seriously - search for plastic surgery forums.
posted by FlamingBore at 9:44 AM on September 21, 2010
As for you - I would imagine that based on the surgery you had that swelling could be a real cause of your concern around where the incision/scar will land. Talk to your doctor, but also feel free to visit one of the many plastic surgery forums out on the web. When I was preparing for my surgery and in the immediate after math those forums were very helpful. I can't recall the exact one I visited, but seriously - search for plastic surgery forums.
posted by FlamingBore at 9:44 AM on September 21, 2010
I am male and have never had the procedure. That being said, two of my sisters and one of my better friends from high school had breast reductions. All three of them said it was one of the best things they had ever done. My friend let me take a look a few days post op and then after a few months. There is no comparing what they looked like. Take deep breaths and wait a few weeks. Give your body time to heal before you make a judgment.
In the mean time, if you feel like calling your surgeon, call, especially if you have concerns or it will make you feel better. That is why they have a phone.
posted by Silvertree at 9:46 AM on September 21, 2010
In the mean time, if you feel like calling your surgeon, call, especially if you have concerns or it will make you feel better. That is why they have a phone.
posted by Silvertree at 9:46 AM on September 21, 2010
I had a large growth removed from a finger a while ago. I was awake during the procedure, and near the end the doctor help up my finger to show me the incision: I was horrified, because it looked like they had removed half my digit.
When the bandages came off, it wasn't that bad, but it still looked pretty awful. Over time, the finger healed, and looked pretty normal (waaaay better than it had with the growth). Now, 6 or 7 years later you can barely tell that it has been operated on. The skin and tissue filled in nicely, just like the surgeon said it would.
posted by KokuRyu at 9:54 AM on September 21, 2010
When the bandages came off, it wasn't that bad, but it still looked pretty awful. Over time, the finger healed, and looked pretty normal (waaaay better than it had with the growth). Now, 6 or 7 years later you can barely tell that it has been operated on. The skin and tissue filled in nicely, just like the surgeon said it would.
posted by KokuRyu at 9:54 AM on September 21, 2010
I had a breast reduction in 2001, went from a 42JJ to a 42DD, so it was not unlike yours. My surgeon used a different technique than yours (I didn't have the drains etc), but I can tell you, mine looked like party hats for the first few weeks. The incisions aren't directly in the crease, they are about where yours are. I remember feeling like it was "wrong" just like you, but if they put them directly in the crease there is a lot of tension on the incisions and that can lead to complications and larger scars.
At almost 10 years post-op, mine look just fine, the scars are minimal, and everything still "works" (I opted for not doing the nipple amputation and reattachment, which was riskier but worked out in my case). The only weirdness I have is that the scars under my arms still stick out like "dog ears", but that was because my breast tissue extended further back than most people.
If you are concerned, call your doctor, but what you are describing sounds pretty accurate. It's only been a week, it takes about 3 months before they start "settling in" and start looking like breasts again. it took about a year for the scars to fade. They are still there, but very, very faint.
It's the best thing I ever did for myself. Seriously, it will take some adjustment, but once you can start wearing regular clothes or reach your steering wheel you will love it. The first time I could go buy a bra off the rack in a store I cried like a baby. I remember going to a grocery store and feeling like something was missing. I realized for the first time since I was a teenager NO ONE WAS STARING AT ME. It was very liberating (I developed VERY young, and my breasts on my frame were very disproportionate and outlandish).
Other advice: Look into getting physical therapy ASAP. After my surgery, my back problems got worse rather than better. I finally ended up in PT just a few years ago, and the therapist said she sees a lot of women who have had reduction surgery. The problem is, your body is used to operating around the extra weight in your chest. That disappears literally in a day, and your muscles don't know how to adapt to the sudden change. The sooner you train them, the better. Since the PT, things are much better, but I wish I had gone earlier.
posted by evilcupcakes at 9:55 AM on September 21, 2010 [8 favorites]
At almost 10 years post-op, mine look just fine, the scars are minimal, and everything still "works" (I opted for not doing the nipple amputation and reattachment, which was riskier but worked out in my case). The only weirdness I have is that the scars under my arms still stick out like "dog ears", but that was because my breast tissue extended further back than most people.
If you are concerned, call your doctor, but what you are describing sounds pretty accurate. It's only been a week, it takes about 3 months before they start "settling in" and start looking like breasts again. it took about a year for the scars to fade. They are still there, but very, very faint.
It's the best thing I ever did for myself. Seriously, it will take some adjustment, but once you can start wearing regular clothes or reach your steering wheel you will love it. The first time I could go buy a bra off the rack in a store I cried like a baby. I remember going to a grocery store and feeling like something was missing. I realized for the first time since I was a teenager NO ONE WAS STARING AT ME. It was very liberating (I developed VERY young, and my breasts on my frame were very disproportionate and outlandish).
Other advice: Look into getting physical therapy ASAP. After my surgery, my back problems got worse rather than better. I finally ended up in PT just a few years ago, and the therapist said she sees a lot of women who have had reduction surgery. The problem is, your body is used to operating around the extra weight in your chest. That disappears literally in a day, and your muscles don't know how to adapt to the sudden change. The sooner you train them, the better. Since the PT, things are much better, but I wish I had gone earlier.
posted by evilcupcakes at 9:55 AM on September 21, 2010 [8 favorites]
I had a breast reduction twenty years ago, when I was a mere 15-year-old high school sophomore. When the bandages finally came off, I started feeling much of what you are feeling now. I remember the first time I actually REALLY looked at the scars and swelling. I absolutely broke down into tears. My mom, bless her cotton socks, found me in the bathroom, in the midst of this breakdown. She was quite reassuring, as only moms can be; but what she said was true - I did the surgery for me. It lifted so many restrictions that having large breasts had placed on me. I was scared that no one would ever love me because of these scars. But, as she said, anyone who doesn't love my scars, doesn't love me. Over the years, my scars have continued to become less and less visible, and honestly, I have become quite proud of the scars. They are a part of who I am. I even participated in a documentary about scars, in which I bared all for the camera. It will take time, but your scars will become an important part of you. In the mean time, enjoy all the new things you can do with smaller breasts - stand up straight, go for a jog, get a new bikini, buy a smaller shirt. Believe me when I tell you, it was totally worth it.
posted by AlliKat75 at 9:58 AM on September 21, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by AlliKat75 at 9:58 AM on September 21, 2010 [4 favorites]
I had a breast reduction at year ago last Friday. I never once had even a second of regret (although I did after my gastric bypass like inturnaround) but it was definitely scary after the dressings came off. The bruising, the swelling, it was all so weird. I didn't have drains or stitches, just steristrips and glue.
Anyway, the swelling will go down. Things will settle into place. They'll become less foreign to you and eventually, even if they're not perfect, you will be totally satisfied. The difference is immense. It's so nice to not wake up with numb hands.
And I'm not wearing a bra today! How amazing is that?
Buyers remorse is pretty common. Give it some time. And in the meantime, voice your concerns to your surgeon. He's there to help you.
posted by elsietheeel at 10:00 AM on September 21, 2010
Anyway, the swelling will go down. Things will settle into place. They'll become less foreign to you and eventually, even if they're not perfect, you will be totally satisfied. The difference is immense. It's so nice to not wake up with numb hands.
And I'm not wearing a bra today! How amazing is that?
Buyers remorse is pretty common. Give it some time. And in the meantime, voice your concerns to your surgeon. He's there to help you.
posted by elsietheeel at 10:00 AM on September 21, 2010
(Unless he's my surgeon, at which point he will shake his head and say, "Wow, those are some tiny breasts" every time he sees you in the examination room.)
posted by elsietheeel at 10:02 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by elsietheeel at 10:02 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
I had a breast reduction around 10 years ago, and i've got to tell you: your fears are totally normal. I had a freakout too. I want you to think about the following things:
- You just had a huge part of your body removed, almost like a non-functional amputation. Your brain is going to have a hard time understanding whats happening to your body - i had weird shooting pains (like what i imagine 'phantom limb' pain feels like). Expect your thoughts to not make sense, and don't take them too seriously.
- The esthetics of your breasts right now have absolutely no relationship with what your boobs will look like in the long run. Mine looked square for several weeks. The don't look square anymore :)
- You might be right, the scar might be in a weird place. (The scar on one of my breasts is perfect, on the other its sort of straight, instead of perfectly curved in the fold.) This freaked me out, upset me, made me mad at my doctor for a while. But you know what? Its virtually unnoticeable now. Both scars have faded and flattened, and while they are still there, they are subtle enough that no one is questioning the details. This will be the case with you too, i'd guess. In the end, you're going to have scars no matter what, the variations in those scars will become subtleties.
- If, after a year or so, you are still upset about the scars, you can get a plastic surgeon to try and re-do/minimize them.
REMEMBER: You just did something amazing for yourself. You also just changed something major about your body - something that probably defined you, for better or worse, to yourself and to others. Wait till you've adjusted to the change before you decide to be upset or make other major decisions.
posted by Kololo at 10:39 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
- You just had a huge part of your body removed, almost like a non-functional amputation. Your brain is going to have a hard time understanding whats happening to your body - i had weird shooting pains (like what i imagine 'phantom limb' pain feels like). Expect your thoughts to not make sense, and don't take them too seriously.
- The esthetics of your breasts right now have absolutely no relationship with what your boobs will look like in the long run. Mine looked square for several weeks. The don't look square anymore :)
- You might be right, the scar might be in a weird place. (The scar on one of my breasts is perfect, on the other its sort of straight, instead of perfectly curved in the fold.) This freaked me out, upset me, made me mad at my doctor for a while. But you know what? Its virtually unnoticeable now. Both scars have faded and flattened, and while they are still there, they are subtle enough that no one is questioning the details. This will be the case with you too, i'd guess. In the end, you're going to have scars no matter what, the variations in those scars will become subtleties.
- If, after a year or so, you are still upset about the scars, you can get a plastic surgeon to try and re-do/minimize them.
REMEMBER: You just did something amazing for yourself. You also just changed something major about your body - something that probably defined you, for better or worse, to yourself and to others. Wait till you've adjusted to the change before you decide to be upset or make other major decisions.
posted by Kololo at 10:39 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]
My breast reduction was 11 months ago, and things are still changing in subtle ways (mostly having to do with scars getting paler and paler), so in your place I would a) try not to freak out and b) feel Ok about calling the nurse line to check in.
FWIW, my scars are just slightly above my crease on the fleshy underside of my breast, rather than exactly in the crease. There may be an important surgical reason why yours are where they are, and/or they may migrate closer to your crease as the swelling goes down.
posted by not that girl at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2010
FWIW, my scars are just slightly above my crease on the fleshy underside of my breast, rather than exactly in the crease. There may be an important surgical reason why yours are where they are, and/or they may migrate closer to your crease as the swelling goes down.
posted by not that girl at 10:48 AM on September 21, 2010
I had breast reduction 12 years ago. TRUST ME when I say things were pretty ugly at first. My body heals really well and today, only a doctor looking at my breasts could tell I ever had a reduction.
The swelling will go down and your will have done something wonderful for your health and state of mind. I know it did for me.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:00 AM on September 21, 2010
The swelling will go down and your will have done something wonderful for your health and state of mind. I know it did for me.
posted by Sophie1 at 11:00 AM on September 21, 2010
I am still mulling over a reduction, but wanted to say that breasts swell like crazy. I had biopsies on both breasts in July and the swelling took weeks to go down. As for the scar locations, I was told that they'd be in the crease, but the biopsying doctor said he usually tried to put them above the crease because they heal faster and smoother when not irritated by underwire or bra band. (Granted, he was a cancer man and not a plastic surgeon.)
posted by catlet at 11:39 AM on September 21, 2010
posted by catlet at 11:39 AM on September 21, 2010
My sister had the surgery many years ago and was definitely satisfied -- and also had some of the exact same anxieties and concerns you're having immediately following surgery. It's perfectly natural to feel like this: your body has just been through a major trauma, you're swollen (and don't underestimate how weird swelling can make you look/feel) and maybe in pain, you're still mentally recovering from general anesthesia, etc. So your concerns are normal, but are almost certain to pass over the next few weeks as your body heals. Hang in there... I know the initial post-op recovery weeks are rough.
posted by scody at 12:46 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by scody at 12:46 PM on September 21, 2010
i had the same surgery, albeit no drains when i was 20. I'm 31 now, and don't regret it. The day the bandages came off, i felt awful. I felt pretty rotten for about a week, because i don't do well with anesthesia. In my case, my scars are still visable, but not raised or keloid-ed.
you'll be just fine! and i think once the effects of the anesthesia wear off, you'll feel much better about everything. like others above have said, feel free to call the dr's line and talk to a nurse. that's what they are there for!
good luck!
posted by thatgirld at 1:26 PM on September 21, 2010
you'll be just fine! and i think once the effects of the anesthesia wear off, you'll feel much better about everything. like others above have said, feel free to call the dr's line and talk to a nurse. that's what they are there for!
good luck!
posted by thatgirld at 1:26 PM on September 21, 2010
My good friend had a reduction a few years ago, and I saw the before and after (both with and without drains). Her breasts looked pretty terrible at first , too -- lots of uneven swelling, bruising, and raw red scar tissue. She was totally freaked out, but the surgeon said that it was all part of the normal healing process. She didn't completely calm down until about a month later, when it became apparent that he was right. The bruising went away, the shape of her breasts smoothed out, and the scars faded amazingly quickly (though the swelling took months to go away completely). She's been really happy with the results, and with the freedom that the surgery gave her.
If you have questions, do ask your surgeon; he/she can probably give you specific answers to your questions. But it does sound like most of what you're describing is normal. Good luck with it, and I hope you feel better soon! If my friend's experience is at all typical, the drains are the worst part -- it'll get a lot better from here.
posted by ourobouros at 1:34 PM on September 21, 2010
If you have questions, do ask your surgeon; he/she can probably give you specific answers to your questions. But it does sound like most of what you're describing is normal. Good luck with it, and I hope you feel better soon! If my friend's experience is at all typical, the drains are the worst part -- it'll get a lot better from here.
posted by ourobouros at 1:34 PM on September 21, 2010
Just chiming in with another Yes, it will be okay story. I had a breast reduction twelve years ago, when I was 21 (38DD to a B/C) and everything does really look kind of horrifyingly Frankenstein's monsterish for awhile, but I promise it goes away, and the results, for me, as for others upthread, have been totally, totally worth it. My scars are currently just above the crease. I think that they have moved around somewhat over the years due to weight loss and gain and aging and settling and all that stuff. In that time, only one person who has been in a position to notice picked up on them, and he was not disturbed at all.
Hang in there! Things will get better.
posted by newrambler at 2:38 PM on September 21, 2010
Hang in there! Things will get better.
posted by newrambler at 2:38 PM on September 21, 2010
Also adding my 2 cents...
As far as I know most plastic surgeons do not start the incision in the crease because, as mentioned by previous posters, there is too much tension there for it to heal right. Also, it is my understanding that there are always scars with breast reduction. If you had a breast augmentation, then they could have placed the incision in the inframammary fold (IMF), where the scar less noticeable. So I think, even after healing the scars are going to be there. Look up Scarfade online---this ointment works like a champ.
Let yourself heal properly, do everything your doctor tells you---to a tee---and I think that you'll be pleased with the results.
Sidenote: I know its too late now, but this is one of those situations where its best to weigh the pros and cons of having the surgery prior to actually having it. (e.g. Is it worth it to have a reduction and have less back pain AND noticeable scars for the rest of your life vs not having the surgery and continuing to have health problems, or whatever reason you wanted to have the surgery in the first place.)
Cheers!
posted by ladybug_422 at 3:49 PM on September 21, 2010
As far as I know most plastic surgeons do not start the incision in the crease because, as mentioned by previous posters, there is too much tension there for it to heal right. Also, it is my understanding that there are always scars with breast reduction. If you had a breast augmentation, then they could have placed the incision in the inframammary fold (IMF), where the scar less noticeable. So I think, even after healing the scars are going to be there. Look up Scarfade online---this ointment works like a champ.
Let yourself heal properly, do everything your doctor tells you---to a tee---and I think that you'll be pleased with the results.
Sidenote: I know its too late now, but this is one of those situations where its best to weigh the pros and cons of having the surgery prior to actually having it. (e.g. Is it worth it to have a reduction and have less back pain AND noticeable scars for the rest of your life vs not having the surgery and continuing to have health problems, or whatever reason you wanted to have the surgery in the first place.)
Cheers!
posted by ladybug_422 at 3:49 PM on September 21, 2010
Everything will be OK! I had my reduction done 8 years ago and the under breast incisions were just like yours, not right on the crease & it was due to swelling. Once the swelling went down everything was where it should be. It took a while for all the swelling to go down for me - over a month - so don't be alarmed if it takes a while for you too. Being very pale complected your incisions and bruises will look especially angry, but being pale will also likely result in your scars fading quite remarkably. I have the same pale complexion as you & my scars are now basically non existent. Don't be shy to call your surgeon's office so they can help allay your fears.
You're going to be so happy once the difficult healing time has passed! Congratulations!
posted by zarah at 4:10 PM on September 21, 2010
You're going to be so happy once the difficult healing time has passed! Congratulations!
posted by zarah at 4:10 PM on September 21, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for all the responses, they actually made me feel a whole lot better. I've never had to go through anything remotely close to this so it's been really hard and the boredom doesn't help either. I managed to make it to the store yesterday and was able to buy a cheap sports bra and some button up shirts, the experience was pretty amazing. I'm looking forward to more clothes shopping once I'm healed up.
posted by MaryDellamorte at 5:24 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by MaryDellamorte at 5:24 PM on September 21, 2010
Hey, ma'am, I had this done in May of this year, and yep, the incisions weren't in the crease where I expected them. But the scars are fading fast, and I am past the sports bra stage and it is such a JOY to buy bras that are purple, blue, fuscia, brown, and to furthermore not have to wear them if I don't feel like it. I can't stop looking at them in the mirror now, whereas before I *hated* the sight of 'em. Life is good! Yours will be fine too, I have no doubt. Hang on, MaryDellamorte, it gets great.
posted by fish tick at 6:15 PM on September 21, 2010
posted by fish tick at 6:15 PM on September 21, 2010
And once the healing is well on it's way, Bio-Oil or a good Vitamin E cream will do wonders for scar reduction!
posted by liss at 5:18 AM on September 22, 2010
posted by liss at 5:18 AM on September 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Make sure to follow your doctor's recommendations to the letter regarding care for the sutures, and focus on the reasons why you had the surgery. (Since it's a reduction, I'm assuming that the reasons were mainly comfort, and not looks; correct me if I'm wrong.)
Know that even if your surgery is detectable when they've healed, chances are high that anyone who's close enough to you to see them will love them, scars and all.
posted by ocherdraco at 9:21 AM on September 21, 2010 [2 favorites]