6 weeks Post Op- my tips

6 weeks Post Op- my tips ( Reduction / DeAgonAlley ) I have stalked this group for a couple months for info and I appreciate all who shared things that tremendously helped me. I thought I would share the things that worked for me. I'm 53 was a 34DDD now C. Most importantly gravity is no longer pulling and my back/ neck pain is gone. My surgeon had me using the 3M Provena wound system for 1 week post op. I truly believe that was instrumental in my fast healing. I took collagen, vit D3, zinc and mag 2 weeks prior and 4 weeks post op. I also increased protein and fluid intake. For surgery I requested taking 1gm tylenol and Ammend (anti nausea)in Preop (yes, it's OK to take pills by mouth as long as your anesthesia provider orders it). Also given Versed by iv in Preop (bye bye anxiety!) I did shower my lower body with wand and used damp washcloth on upper. Kept dressings/Provena dry. I HATE percocet and was given Tramadol. Only used it twice. Alternated tylenol/ibuprofen cute pain. hat first week or 2 two are ROUGH. At 1 week the Provena was removed and I was on to shower. Pro tip here: use a blow drier on low to dry your steri strips dry after showering. Keeping the strips clean and dry are important! Nipple stitches removed at 3 weeks (not as painful as I anticipated). Left steri strips on 1 more week (week 4). Always wearing my compression OR front closure sports bra. Not a back sleeper but using a wedge pillow PLUS 4 pillows (aka pillow nest 😍) helped a lot. Started using silicone scar tape at 4 weeks. I cut 1 long strip in half lengthwise for under each breast, also cut one 2inch strip on half for the vertical scars and finally I cut 4 3 inch strips and made a small notch in each of them to create the covers for each nipple. So the actual nipple is exposed by centering it in each of the two (upper/lower) 3 inch notched pieces- like a nipple sandwich. I wear the scar tape 12 hours and use Bio Oil (surgeons recommendation) before bed. Just had my 6 week check in. At 6 weeks I am now able to go....wait for it...braless! A first since I was 11! My tenderness at 6 weeks is a 1/10. Never had any openings, t junctions included. I have full sensation. There is some mild numbness on the undersides of each breast but it improves a little each week. I went back to work (RN) after 11 days. I did the tshirt photo before and after, it really shows the story! Also could holf 6 pens under a breast before. After surgery- none! No regrets except I wish I had done it earlier. Hope something here helps you! I love this thread and wanted to give back. ❤️ weeks,post,tips,weeks post tips