Here you can see that the bruising has started. Again, it looks a lot worse than it feels. I have no idea where that small bruise came from in the middle of my breasts! You can also see puckering on the incision line. In time, this will flatten out. Not to worry. |
Only 8 days later and the bruising has already subsided. The tape and gauze that you see is very important because it will help to maintain the shape of the breasts until you fully heal. One problem with the tape is that you have to keep moving the spot where you stick it if you have problems with skin irritation. At one point, I was peeling skin off. OUCH! If you can't find a new spot to stick the tape, keep making the gauze strips longer and tape further up. You'll figure it out. |
One month post-operative. Bruises are barely even there and the stitches have completely dissolved. The darker spot you see under the left nipple was where a stitch had come apart. Eventually it all came back together on it's own. There is a little more of a scar there, but will eventually fade some. The sore (above left) is absolutely no big deal, so please don't panic if this happens to you. I panicked, so I am telling you that I over-reacted. This is under the breast where the stitches had come together. As they healed, they came apart in this spot and caused an open sore where blood drained out. This too, will eventually heal! It's natural to think that you're breasts are coming undone, but relax....they're not. I can assure you. |
Like I said, the sore will heal up. :O) |
Sore has completely healed, but scar is thicker and darker. Right breast scar under nipple still darker in that one spot, but really not a big deal. |
The ultimate comparison! |
It's been ONE YEAR already!! *updated 8/02 |
As you can see, scars have lightened and flattened out. The thick scar underneath my right breast is virtually invisible. I am VERY pleased with my results and I would do it again in a minute. |
Surgical Photographs Please be patient as all photos fully load. |
It's that time of year, or all year round depending on where you live, when you might be out in the sun and are concerned about what to do if you've just had breast reduction surgery. Below are some photos of me taken very recently after going to a tanning booth for 2 weeks. My results are good, but I do want to stress that: a. If your scars are still red, DO NOT TAN. If you do this, your scars will probably remain red and NEVER lighten up. b. My results are MINE. Yours can and very well may be altogether different! Even if you are 18 months Post0p, your scars could turn red but the chances are probably not very high. But, everyone has different skin. c. You've gone through A LOT having this surgery. If not for medical reasons, cosmetic ones. It would be a shame to have your scars turn red forever. Only a revision surgery would be able to fix them. Tan nude AT YOUR OWN RISK. Only you can make the right decision for YOU. d. If you are concerned about the sun (which can go through a bathing suit), you should put a good SPF on your incision lines when going to the beach/pool/tanning booth. If you are extra precautious (and especially after recent surgery), an SPF and a pantyliner or medical tape over your scars is also an option. I am posting these pictures in the hopes to answer this very common question, "What about tanning and breast reduction surgery?" |
Left |
Right |
~Below~ *UPDATED photos taken September 16,2008* 7 years Post-Operative In 2006 I had another child, so some slight sagging has taken place due to mother nature!! |
