(Part 2) Best products from r/Reduction

stock up HEAVILY on cotton gauze, paper tape, aquaphor, and steri strips. steri strips are amazing. my surgeon placed inch long pieces all along my incisions, and told me to keep them on until they fell off. as they fell off i replaced them with longer pieces because the swelling made me feel like i was going to pop open. i pulled them off in the shower every few days to replace with clean pieces and i wore them for a few weeks after i had my stitches taken out, really until i felt like my skin had come back together. i liked to put bandaid brand gauze pads over my regular thin gauze for cushioning under clothing and to keep aquaphor on the skin. aquaphor will be really helpful in keeping incisions moist so they don't scab but also will help the gauze not stick to any pus or blood within the incisions.
also a nice fan will help keep you comfy and is great for air drying your skin after showers before reapplying tape and gauze (:

i found this bra to be the absolute comfiest. the fabric is thick and soft and the back is mesh for ventilation.

<3 don't cry. I left my first consult in tears too, and I'm now 6 months post-op.

If he wasn't even willing to try and go through the appeals process if necessary, then go to another surgeon. Most areas have plenty of them. There's no reason you can't appeal a denial, and it's not at all unheard of to be successful in the appeal process. So don't give up hope, just buckle down for a fight. Your surgeon should be leading that fight for you, that particular one was unwilling but that doesn't mean others won't be.

Regarding bras to help you in the meantime, I recommend:

1. https://www.amazon.com/Elila-Microfiber-Spacer-Wire-Free/dp/B008UPMBB8/
   
   This is what I wore religiously prior to surgery. It kept the weight off of my rib cage, which does mean it's on your shoulders instead, but for me that was necessary. For you that might not work if you think the nerve issues are from your shoulders, but you can always try it and return it if it doesn't work. They are workhorse bras though, can't recommend them enough in general. I was an M cup prior to surgery to give you some idea of how much of a workhorse they are. If you watch their prices, they will fluctuate, sometimes getting down to pretty cheap when they get new stock in.
   
   Be careful with the sizing though, the cups are large than average for each cup letter and the band runs small/tight for the measurement.
   
   
2. https://www.amazon.com/Anita-Womens-Wire-Free-Sports/dp/B07C4WHDFL (sizes are pretty spot on for standard measurements)
   
   This is the best sports bra ever IMO. It's comfortable, holds me firmly, and dries out quickly once you take it off. I would wear it 24/7 if I could. You don't have to buy it in that pack though, you can find it for sale individually, just providing the link so you have the model/style.
   
   I can give plenty of other recommendations, but I can tell you that those two are the ones I suggest the most as being significantly better than most other bras in our size range.

I got a few different front closure bras off Amazon - one that was almost the same as the surgical bra they sent me home in, except a nice cotton instead of whatever cheap polyester the original was, and then 2 zip-front sports bras - this and this. I like all 3. I was 30GG down to ~DD and got the first in 36 (which was what the surgical bra I was sent home in was; probably could've gone 1 smaller) and the other 2 in M, which I guessed at based on the sizing chart. Considering my band size is 30, the surgical bras must be sized based on bust measurement (measuring tape around the nipple level). That third one is nice because it has narrow straps - it was hard to hide racerback straps under regular clothes. I'm gonna be honest, the zipper front is kinda fun, if a little hard to get started until you're used to it. I also can confirm you might have seepage at first, so it's good to have a few bras to rotate through.

The one /u/anniebeeknits linked looks good too.

You will want the compression to help with the swelling in the first couple weeks - bralettes are a bit too soft I think. You'll also want front closure at first - pullover and hooks on the back will both take a bit more flexibility than is comfortable.

A word of warning, I went to VS all excited that I could finally buy from there and bought a $32 "wire-free" bra. I got the small because the band fit better...yeah, it still had seams where underwires go and the cups are too small so they cut into my scars after wearing it all day. Waste of money.

Edit: OH and you might watch for bras with removable pads because you'll probably still be too big for permanently padded bras. Those 2 sports bras above fit well after removing the pads.

I'm two weeks post-op.

People here all have fantastic suggestions so far!
I used:

1. Fruit of the Loom bras from Wal-Mart, look like this. They were cheaper at the store vs. Amazon. I specifically like this bra because it's shaped like a tank top -- not a racerback, which means I can wear more clothes with it without straps showing.
   
2. Curad Non-Stick pads that look like this. That's what my doctor shoved in my post-op bra, so I just got more of them. Now I don't need them anymore. I didn't even finish the one box of 12.
   
3. Husband installed this bidet for me. The dignity of cleaning my own butt after such a challenging surgery was nice.
   
4. Someone else said heating pad -- yep.
   
5. Consider pre-making some food -- something really healthy and easy to eat. I made a diet soup that is meant for a cleanse because it had a ton of fiber (cabbage, lots of other veg) and was easy to heat a little at a time. I can provide the recipe link if you want it. I also took psyllium fiber tablets every day and drank dark coffee each morning, while drinking as much water as I could. And I lost some extra weight with the soup, too. For breakfast, I only ate oatmeal with cinnamon and bananas since that's so easy to digest. I had no problems, uh, getting the job done with all that fiber.
   
6. We installed a handheld shower head. I had my husband around to help me bathe, and it made things easier for both of us. I sat in a shallow bath and he helped me clean with the shower head. In the shallow bath, I used some scented epsom salts to help me relax. The first couple of baths were uncomfortable and awkward and it helped.
   
7. Tylenol. I weaned myself off the drugs after 3-4 days. In the morning, I took half the dose of Tylenol (which is every 3 hours vs. 6) to see how my pain was, then I'd either take another one on time, wait a while, or take half a pain pill. I did this until I was using only Tylenol and eventually nothing or only one dose a day of it.

Hi! We actually just received our first shipment of bras from the manufacturing facility this week, so we don't yet have any before-and-after pictures for you to compare to — hope to in a few months!!! I will just say that the silicone we use in the JellyBra is the exact same stuff you used in regular silicone sheets like here and here, I just know how frustrated I was when I tried those because I had to keep replacing them (like every week!) and because they took time every day to reapply, so that's why I specifically made the JellyBra to be durable and convenient :)

If you would be willing to share before-and-after photos I would love to send you a free JellyBra and share your progress on our website and social media. I’ll provide cute Jelly-branded nipple covers, and your face definitely doesn’t have to be in the frame (but if you’re smiling for the camera I’m here for that too!)

My surgery was this past Friday. I’ve been with my parents for the weekend, so they’ve been taking care of me. I go home today, and so I bought a couple of things in advance:

I put all gatorades/waters/ginger ales in my fridge on a waist high shelf.. and I bought some frozen meals for stuff I could just pull out easily and make for myself. My favorite thing to snack on when I got home from the hospital were
Mini saltines. Also, make sure you have stool softener. And someone else suggested throat drops. My throats been a little scratchy since surgery due to the breathing tube they put in.

I also did little things around my house. Phone chargers at least waist high. Made sure my house was clean because people will be coming in and out.

I didn’t buy nice bras because you’re so swollen it takes (from what I’ve heard 6-8 weeks for the swelling etc to go down.) But, I did have to order 3 additional compression bras from Amazon (and I highly recommend doing that before surgery). I don’t have drains and the drainage/blood has soaked through my compression bra in some spots.

I’d also make sure you have some loose button down shirts. I had to buy a few of those.

Good luck on your surgery!!

Edit: here is link for compression bras. You’ll be in these for at least 6 weeks.

bras

My favorite has been the True&Co bras for casual wear, they’re super comfy and cover what needs covered but they’re not incredibly supportive or shaping so they’re not great for professional wear for me.

My favorite for professional wear or to get that classic “wearing a bra round shape” is the cloud nine wireless bra by Warner’s. It fits me really well, has a good shape despite being wireless, and doesn’t do that weird cup gap thing a lot of wireless bras do. The cups aren’t super projected either which fits me way better than other wireless bras.

My favorite True&Co one


Cloud nine one on amazon

I just had my surgery this morning, so some answers are super fresh (and some I don't know). I was about a 36GG and had 1000 gram removed.

• I had it done as an outpatient in the US. I arrived at 7am and left around 11:30am.
  
• It definitely hurts! I've had surgery before and this is a more surface level hurt for me, mostly on my sides / armpits where they also did liposuction. My goal is to just keep up with pain meds for the first few days.
  
• My doctor uses bandages for the first week, then a soft bra afterward. They provided a list of a few different wireless front close bras on amazon and suggested I buy one that fit me before surgery (to account for swelling) and one that was a size smaller. So, right now I plan to order about 6 different bras later in the the week to take with me to my 1 week follow up. Let me know if you'd like specifics - most were bras I see recommended in this sub.
  

4. My surgeon recommends very minimal arm movement for 6 weeks. Elbows should be within 6 inches of hips at all times, no lifting, no hands over head, etc. Her opinion is that this cuts down on width (stretching) of scars).
   
5. I bought an adjustable laptop / tv tray from amazon and it has been vary valuable so far in having a level surface and preventing reaching. This is the one I have, but there are lots.
   
   Best of luck to you! I waited a long time to get this done as well (20+ years) and was super excited / nervous the day of. You've got this!

Almost there! This is the bra I saw most recommended in my research, and now that I own it I have to say I agree! It’s comfortable and supportive, and easy to get on. There are different variations of it- like how the back looks, but this is what I got. In terms of sizing, someone noted on here to measure the fullest part of your breast, NOT your band size. For example, I am a 34 band, but bought this in a size 40. So you may have to wait until post op to order. Amazon had free one day shipping for me so it was no issue- hopefully if you decide to buy you have the same luck! 😄

Fruit of the Loom Women's Front... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072MNMZC9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Edit: They also have them at Walmart if you're near one!

I thought of something else you will want on hand. Actually, my husband thought of it when I was telling him about our interaction on reddit. I was giving him examples of the best interaction and worst interaction I had on Reddit that day. You were the best, obviously. :)

You will need Lots of ice packs or gel packs in the freezer to put on your incisions where they hurt, you will swell a bit at first. You will wear the binding they put you in for awhile. I can't even remember how long. I was doped up for awhile!:D I used packs we had gained from lots of teenage boys having their wisdom teeth out. I wrapped them in thin, flower sack kitchen towels or a pillowcase I had on hand. That is really only needed if you are applying the pack directly to your skin. You can use heat as well, I think, so a heating pad is good to have on hand.


I noticed this lightening deal for three ice packs, if you are a prime member on Amazon. I have not used these before, but they look like they'd work well. Especially with a bag of ice from a convenience store, rather than clumsy refrigerator ice. Again, congrats!
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-No-Leak-Reusable-Post-Op-Therapy/dp/B01EH543WO/ref=gbps_tit_s-3_bb19_486f358a?smid=A23KD8V6Y9SIF7&pf_rd_p=41fd713f-6bfe-4299-a021-d2b94872bb19&pf_rd_s=slot-3&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_main&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=V9CA65CV5MVHPS2X4H7X&th=1

I do have advice for promoting wound healing, but it involves a gel, look for a collagen hydrostat like this: coloplast Woun'Dres .

I haven't used this particular one, I have another type that is no longer made. I am generally pretty slow to heal, and the collagen gel is like magic, it helps close the gap and protect the new skin forming do it knits together faster. It does this partially by keeping the moisture at the right level. I've very surprised that this stuff is not more widely used. I just ordered some for my recovery. Ask your doctor if it's worth trying.