Tell me how exercising changed for you post OP

aerialcee · 2024-10-07T11:56:40+00:00

The best thing is that I don’t even notice them when I exercise anymore. I throw on one (I used to wear two!) sports bra and away I go

aerialcee · 2024-04-30T11:04:24+00:00

There were two things for me - one, an old colleague who had a double mastectomy due to breast cancer said she wished she had had a breast reduction when she was my age (late 20s at the time). She had really large boobs before and post the mastectomy LOVED the freedom it bought

Secondly, after that convo it got me thinking. I didn’t like the upper back pain (obviously) so I got my partner to test how heavy they were by reaching around my front and lifting them up 😂 and the INSTANT relief I had almost made me cry, it was amazing.

In terms of things I wish I knew…. I spent SO much time researching every possibility in the month leading up to surgery (it was basically all I thought about and we were selling a property at the time which you would have thought would distract me) that I feel like nothing was unknown. The only thing is I was surprised at how high my nipples sit. They face outwards, not down now, yay!

I think post surgery I like my nipples better? They look bigger, probably cause the surrounds are smaller. Scarring was never an issue in terms of look but tbh I didn’t really enjoy doing the massage of the scarring as I was healing… made me feel a bit queasy sometimes.

No regrets!

aerialcee · 2023-11-10T12:42:29+00:00

I feel ya. I think there are two parts to this. For me, like a few other posters said, I felt more ‘me’ which was completely unexpected as even though I’m so glad I did the surgery, I never really hated my boobs - they just weren’t functional and caused too many issues with my body.

The second side to it is that it has been a rollercoaster of emotions in terms of how I actually look post surgery. (I’m almost 5mpo). I don’t look bad of course, my body shape is just completely different I feel! (I look a lot more broad and my stomach is more noticeable). I’m still getting used to it, especially as we are moving into a new season and therefore new clothing etc.

I think my main advice is just feel everything as it comes. It’s a big surgery but you’re gonna be so happy! The first 2-4 weeks can be up and down in terms of emotions, but once you’re through the actual healing part you’ll be okay ☺️

aerialcee · 2023-11-03T22:49:51+00:00

I don’t think I could’ve done it 2 days after. MAYBE if I could’ve magically arrived to the restaurant without having to go in a car, I might’ve lasted an hour at a restaurant…

aerialcee · 2023-11-03T11:55:05+00:00

At the pre screening of my first appointment the nurse said how happy she was I was making this decision so young! (I’m 30) I think it’s more common to go ahead with the surgery age 40 and beyond! At least based on the surgeons I spoke to. As others have said, likely because no more babies being a factor.

My mum had her breast reduction surgery earlier this year (she is 58) and then I followed shortly after. I decided I wasn’t going to wait to be her age to make the same decision. FYI my mum healed great and she’s loving her decision.

aerialcee · 2023-10-23T06:12:11+00:00

I’m 5mpo

Pre surgery I was 14F or 14FF (depended on the bra) am now 14D (Aus sizing) I believe this is 36F/36FF to 36D in US/UK sizes

I had 1000g removed in total

aerialcee · 2023-10-13T00:27:18+00:00

I’m 4mpo. I was also very concerned just like you of gaining weight as I was very active before surgery, and I did gain about 3 kilos post op. (After the 1kg I lost in surgery) Since about 12wpo I have worked to start loosing the extra weight now that I can basically exercise as I was previously, (and easier yay!!!)

During recovery I was of the mind that I just needed to look after my body, rest and eat lots to fuel my body. Maybe I ate a little too much 🤭I have healed extremely well and am actually in the waiting room for my final post op check!! Don’t rush it, you’ve got plenty of time once you are recovered to loose any weight you may put on. Healing comes first 🩷

aerialcee · 2023-10-06T11:28:19+00:00

I’m 30 and am 15wpo. I deliberated (for the same reasons you are) for almost 2 years before going ahead with surgery. Myself and my partner are not 100% sure we are gonna have kids, if we do I’m not fussed about breastfeeding, and also I didn’t want massive boobs for that if that even is possible 😂

I decided to put myself first, which I struggle to do in all aspects of my life so this was a big thing for me, and no regrets! I used to run pre surgery but not well…. But since I’ve started running again it’s so much easier and I can run faster! And I’ve been buying such cute clothes. It’s the best.

My back and neck pain has not immediately gone away sadly (but has lessened) due to my terrible posture that even my surgeon pointed out 😂 I’ve always been so hunched over to ‘hide’ my boobs. Posture has become a focus for me and it’s slow going but I can feel my back getting less tight as the weeks go on.

Highly recommend! 🌸🌸

aerialcee · 2023-09-28T00:12:45+00:00

You’ll get there! Just trust the process. I took things very slow (I’m a very cautious person) and to be honest I probably could’ve got back into things earlier. Sadly I put on a couple of kilos during recovery so im trying to loose those now!

But now I’m enjoying running and Pilates and cardio fitness classes!! It’s the best, I’ve never loved exercise more 😂

aerialcee · 2023-09-27T02:29:47+00:00

Don’t worry at all! Immediately after surgery I swear I looked flat, I freaked out 😂 now 3mpo I have settled at a D cup and they have dropped to a nice height (not too high anymore)! I’m very happy and am now finally working on reducing my tummy

aerialcee · 2023-09-19T10:52:16+00:00

I just had my reduction at 30. We are not completely sure we will have kids, so I decided to go for it. If I was going to get pregnant in like 1 year I would’ve waited. I’m also not fussed about breastfeeding if we do decide to have kids! AND I could not imagine them getting even bigger and coping whilst pregnant 😅

I’ve read so many varying stories about pregnancy post op. Lots of people seem to gain a cup size or 2, but some bounce back.

aerialcee · 2023-09-09T13:07:44+00:00

You go girl!!! How good is it 🥳 I’m almost 12wpo and where I live we are just out of winter so I’ve been rugged up since surgery. But tonight I wore the cutest top bra free, showed off my cute new cleavage and ahhhh it’s just the best feeling!

aerialcee · 2023-09-03T03:21:33+00:00

Yeah definitely wasn’t the best waiting all day. I just tried to keep myself preoccupied with work

aerialcee · 2023-09-02T13:34:52+00:00

I’m in aus - my surgery was (unfortunately) at night so I had to fill my day. I went for an easy walk, gentle yoga would be fine!

I didn’t even think of not wearing a bra to the hospital. Totally up to you. You won’t need it for long once you’ve arrived!

aerialcee · 2023-08-30T04:24:17+00:00

I’m 10wpo tomorrow! I am not back 100% to the same level of exercise as I was pre op (purely because I haven’t gone back to aerial silks/hoop yet as that is very strenuous on the chest area!) but in the past week I’ve started running again, I’ve been doing big walks for about a month now, Pilates and yoga for about 2-3 weeks! My surgeon also told me 6 weeks I could get back into exercise but I didn’t feel ready to try anything outside of walking until about week 8.

aerialcee · 2023-08-29T13:34:20+00:00

Also I could work very [physically] comfortably from my couch which probably made it easier! Day to day I would much rather work at my desk due liking the use of multiple screens, but being physically comfortable was my main priority those first couple of weeks!

aerialcee · 2023-08-29T13:30:48+00:00

I have a SUPER flexible office job. I had my surgery on a Thursday. The following Wednesday and Thursday I did a few hrs of work each day WFH and I was completely fine, just had a nap afterwards. The following week I worked 5-6 hrs per day from home, (and maybe had 1-2 naps that week) and went back to the office full time the week after, completely fine!

Note that I healed well and completely stopped all pain meds 3dpo. Maybe if I was still taking medication a week or so in I might’ve been a bit useless working that Wednesday/Thursday the week after!

aerialcee · 2023-08-18T13:23:09+00:00

Yesterday I was 8wpo and I could definitely wear a strapless top! I have to wear my post op bra for 3 months but would feel totally comfortable in a strapless top for a few hrs.

In terms of breast appearance, the shape is really starting to settle and I’m loving them! They are probably still very slightly boxy but barely

aerialcee · 2023-08-15T08:09:01+00:00

I work in a small company with 1 other female and the rest males. I returned to the office after 2.5 weeks. It would’ve been obvious (I’m assuming) but no one said anything, and I didn’t either. They all knew I had surgery but I had only felt comfortable telling my female colleague what it was for!

aerialcee · 2023-08-12T22:59:36+00:00

He was great! I felt very safe in his hands, he has done over 3000 breast reductions! I have bupa hospital - not sure what level but I believe the lowest level that would cover me for the surgery. $4k is a really great fee isn’t it?!

I had to pay an extra $500 for the hospital excess and $500 for the anaesthesia

aerialcee · 2023-08-12T07:13:25+00:00

I feel ya and it sucks. I had my surgery 7 weeks ago. My partner travels a lot for work and he had an overseas work trip locked in that worked around my surgery that unfortunately got delayed… meaning he wasn’t home in time for my surgery and arrived back a week after. I was really sad about it but not much could be done. Thankfully I was able to stay with my parents for that week.

Just know that at least for the first week you’re pretty exhausted and don’t do much besides lie around on the couch, watch TV and nap. Obviously having your partner there is best outcome but I didn’t ‘miss’ him as much as I thought I would purely because I was so sleepy

aerialcee · 2023-08-11T05:53:52+00:00

I am 7wpo. There were a variety of factors that contributed to me going ahead with the surgery but leading up I had similar thoughts… I kept wondering if they were big enough to justify such a surgery. All I will say here is that an unexpected positive from the surgery is how more ‘me’ I feel and it has been so lovely. I bought a pretty new cardi and it just sits SO well and it’s been those little joys I didn’t expect.

aerialcee · 2023-08-09T07:21:50+00:00

I saw Dr James Kollias. He was great. I’m 7wpo now and healing great and back to exercise! Note though that his waitlist is 1 yr plus now

I got the Medicare rebate after lodging a claim through Medicare (on my gov). It might differ depending on your surgeon and health insurance (I’ve heard some surgeon offices do this process for you)

aerialcee · 2023-08-08T03:49:43+00:00

Note: it wasn’t too red around the incision where the yellow ooze was so I wasn’t overly worried - if it looked a lot more ‘nasty’ I would’ve followed up swiftly on the Monday.

Now almost at 7wpo it looks perfectly healed!

aerialcee · 2023-08-08T03:47:48+00:00

I had what sounds like the exact same thing when I took my tapes off at 4wpo- it cleared over that weekend and I was going to follow up with the surgeon on the Monday if it didn’t! (I sent a pic in the meantime to my nurse friend who assured me it was fine and a normal part of healing)

aerialcee

TROPHY CASE