Update on Recovery

So I haven't blogged lately and I thought I would keep everyone up to date. 

Days 1 - 2 after surgery:
I was feeling pretty good, but I was still on prescription medication and wasn't fully feeling everything that was going on.  I was super swollen from the IV's and was having some stomach issues as well. 

Days 2 - 4 after surgery:
I hit my bottom on day 3.  Sore, breasts were leaking and felt so sick.  Pain from the stitches and just overall body pain.  I started weening myselft from the pain meds on day 4 and continued with the stomach issues as I was going off the pain meds. 

Days 5 - 6 after surgery:
I was starting to feel more human and started moving around more, helping around the house, etc.  I learned my lesson quickly that although it's breast reduction surgery, it's still major surgery and I don't have the stamina I did before the surgery.  My body is healing and I need to take everything slow!

Yesterday/Last night:
The tiredness started in yesterday and continues on to today.  The sharp pains started last night at 4 am and continued on until 6 am when they finally subsided.  Needless to say I didn't get much sleep last night.  I am no longer on prescription pain meds and as you can imagine Motrin is not all that spectacular to take away all of the pain that I am encountering. 

Overall I've been asked if I like my breasts.  It's a hard question to answer as they are not the final product.  They are smaller than before and I noticed that when I wear t-shirts and other tops my breasts are no longer in my armpits (yippee!).  But they are all bruised and still leaking puss and other stuff, but I have been assured that this is normal and it will eventually subside.  I am able to sleep without feeling that my breasts are going to suffocate me and the relief I feel in my back and shoulders is terrific.   Looking forward to the future progress.  For now it's just laying low and resting. 

Some tips for people that are considering reduction surgery...

1.  Make sure that you have all of your help lined up.  My mom spent 4 days with us and it was terrific.  She helped with laundry, picking up the kids and the house.
2.  Don't think that by week 2 you no longer need help!  LIES I tell you!!!!!  Your husband or spouse cannot handle the kids and the house by themselves!  I am learning that more and more.  I am still super sore and cannot make meals and do laundry, or clean up the kitchen and let me tell you the kitchen needs some drastic help!  Last night we had take out for dinner for the 3rd night in a row! 
3.  If you are a stay at home mom, makes ure your kids are going to summer camp.  I can't tell you how much I've been able to relax during the day because the girls are not here. 
4.  If you work full time out of the house, make sure that you take enough time off from work to recover, don't check emails, answer your blackberry, etc.  It's not worth it!!!  I've turned off my blackberry so I wouldn't check the emails that are coming in while I am out of the office. 

I hope this helps anyone considering a reductions.  I've enjoyed writing the blog and will continue to do so throughout the remainder of my recovery. 

~Erin