DISCLAIMER
The information on this page is not medical in nature and is not a substitute for good communication with your doctor. This is simply things I have learned and/or found helpful. Your doctor may have a different way of doing things and your surgery is likely to happen under different circumstances than mine. I am not responsible for any harm or injury that may occur due to the information given on this page.

Pre and Post Surgery Tips

• My hospital told me to shower with antibacterial soap before my surgery, so I went out and bought Mountain Fresh or some other scented soap. After my surgery, Dr. told me to use antibacterial, non-scented, non-colored soap. Wish I would've known that the first time I went shopping! ADVICE - purchase antibacterial, non-scented, non-colored soap before the surgery!

• Putting on regular shirts is going to be next to impossible for awhile after your surgery. Button down shirts are your friend - make sure you have a few comfortable ones on hand. Because you'll probably be draining/leaking after your surgery, I wouldn't wear my favorite shirts at this time! ADVICE - Have comfortable, "disposable" button down shirts on hand.

• A breast reduction is pretty major surgery. There is definately a chance that it will make your period kick in. There is no way you are going to feel like futzing with tampons, if you can even move right to insert one. ADVICE - Have pads available to you just in case.

• One of the possible complications of this surgery, especially if you're a smoker, is that your nipples could die, turn black and fall off like scabs. Smoking affects your circulation, and you need to have good circulation when you're healing. This surgery is done differently than it was before as far as the nipple being moved. Most of the time, the surgeon will leave the nerve attached so you're more likely to keep sensation in your nipple. If you're a smoker, some doctors will automatically do it the old way - by removing the nipple completely and stitching it back on. You're more likely to lose feeling that way. I smoked a half a pack a day (down from a pack a day last year) and I quit for the surgery. ADVICE - Take the motivation of keeping your nipples and quit smoking before the surgery.

• For the first week or so after the surgery, you're going to have to sleep with your upper body elevated. This can be accomplished by sleeping in a recliner, having a wedge or tv pillow, or sleeping on 3 or 4 pillows. I could sleep on my side after about a week for short periods of time. It was (and still is 2 weeks later) more comfortable to sleep holding a pillow next to your stomach. You'll see - where your top arm winds up being makes a big difference! ADVICE - Make sure you have a couple of extra pillows.

• Dr. Janitch told me that most breast reduction patients experience skin breakdown at the intersection of the incision down from the nipple and the one underneath the breast. This has included me. I won't lie - it hurts and its not fun. I was instructed to use a triple-antibiotic cream twice a day and to cover it with gauze until the breakdown clears up. Don't use Neosporin, as many people experience a rash from using it so often. ADVICE - Have on hand generic triple-antibiotic cream, gauze 4x4's and first aid tape.

• I was on a liquid diet after the surgery and didn't eat much the next day. The day after coming home, I was sick as a dog ... a "hangover" from the anesthesia. The only thing I could keep down was plain old chicken noodle soup and ice cream. Jello probably would've worked, too, but I'm not a big fan of it. I stayed on my soup and ice cream diet for 2 or 3 days until I felt well enough to start eating normally again. ADVICE - Stock up on good liquid diet type foods ... soup, broth, jello, etc.

• The pain med I was prescribed is Oxycodone. Narcotic pain killers can dehydrate you, which leads to headaches, dizziness, and all sorts of lovely side affects. ADVICE - Drink lots of water while taking narcotic pain meds.

• I am the primary house-cleaner, laundry-doer, dish-washer in my family. After the surgery, my boyfriend had to take over all of this! It really is a lot of work to do when you're trying to hold a job, take care of the kids, take care of your invalid partner, and keep the house looking halfway decent. ADVICE - If you want to make sure things around the house are taken care of for right after your surgery, make sure they're done BEFORE your surgery! Prepare your significant other for the changes that are to come and let him/her know that they're going to have to help out more.

• Granted, I have pics on my site every step of the way for my surgery. Not everyone is going to want to put their breasts on the internet! Even so, you are going to look very different before and after the surgery. You may even like to be able to compare the difference. My Mom took all my pictures. For most of them we used a digital camera so they could be uploaded straight onto the computer. The others were taken to a one hour photo place where we could explain the film's content and make sure it got developed. ADVICE - Have your significant other, mom, or trusted friend take before and after pictures for you. After the surgery, its too late to take before pictures.

• I'm stubborn. I have a really hard time sitting still and not doing something. However - the idea of ripping a stitch doesn't really appeal to me. That means following doctor's orders and not lifting anything above 10 pounds for 6 weeks, do not attempt to pick up your five year old and drag him into the house when he won't walk in there by himself after throwing a major temper tantrum (no, I didn't do this ... but I came close!) If it hurts really bad - don't do it! I'm not going to tell you if it hurts don't do it, because then you won't do anything. ADVICE - Follow doctor's orders and ask for help when you need it.

• Sterotypically, you look at a woman, and what's the first thing you see that makes you think "woman"? Her breasts. I have looked at my breasts more in the mirror than you can imagine, both before and after the surgery. Its disconcerting after the surgery when your chest looks flat because of the swelling. Its difficult when your nipples are too sensitive that its going to be awhile before you'll let your partner anywhere near them. Your figure is going to change. This is not just a physical change. ADVICE - Be prepared for the fact that you are going to experience physical and emotional/mental changes because of the surgery. Know that these experiences will be different for everyone.

• I'm saying a lot of "this hurts" and "this part isn't fun", but I feel SO much better without that extra 6 1/2 pounds on my chest. It was SO wonderful to walk into Shopko and buy more bras than I've owned in the last 4 years for less money than one of those old bras cost. Don't let the promise of pain for a little while scare you. Its probably not as bad as you imagine. I had my gallbladder out two years before this - the old fashioned way - and this has been a cakewalk compared to that. I am so excited to be fully healed and I have no regrets whatsoever. ADVICE - Don't just take my word for it. Talk to your doctor. Read everything you can get your hands on! There is so much wonderful information on the internet, but don't believe everything you read. If you don't think it sounds quite right, ask your doctor. Its a big decision - don't let yourself be rushed into making a decision. Make sure you do the right thing for YOU.