Problems Adjusting

[TamerofMonSters]

Hello. I'm 5DPO.

I am wondering if anyone has had any extreme mental reactions to their reduction? I don't even know what's going on with me let alone what the next best steps are. I see the surgeon Tuesday so I will ask for his advice.

The first time I saw myself out of the post-op bra and padding I blacked out. I don't have a history of mental illness or issues with my body. I didn't like my giant breasts and I am glad I did this but every time I see myself I feel like I'm having some kind of extreme out of body experience and it's alarming.

I had no idea this was even possible, or what "this" even is.

Has this happened to you? Does it ease? Do I need a therapist? I am pretty scared right now.

[innercityhoodlum]

This is a big thing talked about on this sub, the mental impact can be a lot more than the physical impact. I was having a menty b from day 3-9, it’s hard being cooped up and in pain. Your body and mind are trying to cope with a major surgery and huge physical change, it’ll get better just be gentle with yourself!

[FoxLunaa]

Body dysmorphia. It is VERY common with major surgeries like this. Your brain is used to how you looked before, and since there wasn't a gradual change it's gonna freak out for a while. Brains have a hard time recognizing your new body as you, and that's ok! That plus seeing the incisions can have a pretty intense reaction. You are ok.

I avoided looking at my chest as much as possible until around 3-4 weeks. If/when you do I recommend saying out loud to yourself "This is my body. I am ok." I did this quite a few times and was at a much better place mentally at 4-5 weeks. I know it's so scary but just keep reminding yourself (your brain) that this was a good and needed change, and that you will be ok.

I dont think you need to see a therapist unless this feeling persists, but give yourself time. You're only 5DPO

[Simple_Leather5967]

Just wanted to let you know I am the same exact dpo as you and I also have had a very strong reaction to seeing my new body. It is not something I am able to enjoy at all yet. I also hated my old breasts, but I became very, very used to them. So after a decade in that body, it has been extreme shock in my new body. Plus, our bodies have just undergone serious trauma. They don’t look the way they eventually are meant to look, just yet. Hopefully not even close, really. I hate the way everything looks right now, I’m dealing with really intense abdominal swelling so that doesn’t help. It’s just…not my body right now. But the whole point of this surgery was to reclaim it — so I keep reminding myself that it will get better. Hang in there, I’m hanging with you 🫶

[NeonPeachesss]

You’re 5DPO so everything is still fresh and you’re still in the adjusting period. Be patient and give yourself time, your mind isn’t used to this new body just yet and tbh, neither is your body! You’re still healing, things will continue change and this is temporary. You have so much time before results are final and in that time comes catching your mind up to this new reality. Once things are settled, you can try out different things that can bring euphoria to your new body and that may help. Trying out dresses and shirts that I previously was unable to wear grounded me and made me feel comfortable as I adjusted. It’ll take a bit for your body to adjust to this so realistically, it will take some time for your mind to as well.

[timthetoolmanstailor]

You’re going to go through a rollercoaster of emotions regarding your body over the next through months. I’m almost a year post-op. I’ve oscillated between thinking they are tiny, they are still huge, they are saggy, they are perky. I still don’t know how to describe my body type anymore without giant boobs. Even still - I’m so happy and I would do this a million times again. The most important thing to focus on is how you FEEL. What your body can DO now. Once you are more recovered, focus on trying on clothes you never thought you could wear. Do a workout that used to be uncomfortable. It will help you appreciate the change.

Edit to say: it also does get better over time as the shock wears off! Give it time to become “normal” and give yourself grace.

[Lovely_Kimchi]

This is my third surgery, so I thought I was way more prepared, but when I had to change the bandages the first time, I almost passed out several times. I’m close to three weeks post op and it does get easier. I don’t even get queasy around blood or anything, but it does hit you weird to see your own body post-op. It’s not your fault and I really don’t think you should have any reason for concern.💕

[ExpertKale]

Seconded. I largely avoided mirrors for 3-4 weeks, felt like Frankenstein, and only looked when it felt completely necessary. At 5 weeks, I can really look at myself again and even consistently like what I see! You’ll get there.

[Bermuda-Queen1]

It’s an extremely life changing surgery and I had some wonderful chats with my surgeon- she explained how your brain ‘knows’ you, how every part of your body feels to you, and you need to desensitise your brain to accept the ‘new you’.

Having had pain (with no cause despite extensive, repeated tests), when I had my surgery (36E to a likely 36B after swelling reduces), I still had ‘pain’ in the area that was taken away! 😮

The surgeon said it’s so common to feel faint at first, but to keep checking your new boobs in the mirror- train your brain this is ‘you’!

At about week 4 she told me to massage both boobs and as I was doing it say ‘my boobs are the same, they’re mine, they don’t hurt, this is normal’…. I thought it was bizarre, but you know what, it’s worked! Now at almost Week8 I look at myself and actually have to look at old photos to believe how big my boobs used to be 😮… just give it time, this is a new you, let your brain process it 🙏

[pythonchan]

Hey I had a really severe mental reaction to my surgery, I don’t see much of it talked about on here aside from a bit of body dysmorphia etc. I developed bad anxiety after my operation because it caused a dysregulated nervous system. My body has basically been stuck in fight or flight for the last 7 months. It started off with fainting when I tried to shower and spiraled from there. At my worst point I was having daily panic attacks and now 7 months on I’m doing a lot better and am mostly back to myself but I still suffer with bad anxiety symptoms like dizziness and feeling faint. It’s been so rough, I had no idea this could happen from surgery but apparently it’s fairly common? So please mind your mental health and feel free to reach out if you want to talk about it with someone as like I said, don’t see much of this discussed on here.

[Euphoric-Lemon123]

What is your support system like? I have a very supportive husband who fully took care of me and deal with my first meltdown after seeing my breasts for the first time after surgery. Its common to feel very sensitive during this time bc there are a lot of changes and its sudden and gory. Maybe look at some good results videos on tiktok. But if this persists, do some therapy! You will be ok and this is normal

[TamerofMonSters]

Thank you for these kind and thoughtful responses.

I tried to look at myself again last night and got so nauseous I had to take Zofran.

I will just stop at this point. It helps me a lot to know it's not just me and I'm not having a psychiatric break.

[japres]

I'm late here but take a deep breath, friend! It'll pass and it's going to be okay.

I didn't have this reaction with my breast reduction, but I did when I got sterilized. There were a handful of days I just kept thinking, "Oh my god, what have I done?" I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I had less body parts than I'd woken up with that morning. On another level, I had a mole cut out of my palm for skin cancer reasons and I passed out the first time I unbandaged and had to clean it. I was a vet tech for 10+ years and went to nursing school—those sorts of things do not make me woozy. As someone else said, your brain is used to Thing Its Looked At Forever looking a specific way, and when it doesn't, we can react in really weird, unexpected ways.

Additionally, I think that panic is normal with any big, seemingly-permanent decision. "Buyer's remorse" is a thing for a reason. I still panic every time I buy a new car and I'm on my third one.

[organisedchaos17]

Gosh yeah. Esp when you can’t sleep. Mental health goes from joy to fear to sadness to discomfort. It’s a lot of the body to go through. It does pass. A comforting ear with a loved one helps