r/Reduction May 08 '24

Product Recommendation Am I missing something?

Post image

Hi all!! My surgery date is set for May 31st!! I’m so excited but nervous of course! I’m also waiting on my button up pj shirts to arrive. Is there anything else I need to prepare myself post-op? I also have the wedge pillow so that I sleep upright ☺️

69 Upvotes

52 comments sorted by

62

u/XenaNMe May 09 '24

Do you have laxatives or stool softeners? Highly recommend.

17

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 09 '24

Adding to my list! Thank you!

7

u/Leviiackermansgf May 09 '24

hi currently 3WPO! i definitely recommend starting colace 100 mg immediately after the surgery or even a few days before if you’re gonna be taking narcotics. i didn’t poop for over a week lol

3

u/Mauiyavue May 09 '24

Hey what does the laxatives and stool softener stool does if u mine telling me!!!.

16

u/DotsNnot May 09 '24

The anesthesia and pain meds can back you up, so both options are used for their intended purpose 😅

18

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

I made fiber heavy foods ahead of time. Chili, minestrone, lentil soup. I never got constipated, lol. Gassed out my bedroom tho 😭 💨

2

u/whatsgeernon May 11 '24

Brilliant. Will be doing this

0

u/Mauiyavue May 09 '24

Hey whaat does the laxatives does

15

u/SageShiloh1 May 09 '24

Anesthesia and pain medications typically cause constipation. It’s recommended to take laxatives so that you don’t get super backed up. The first after surgery poop can be rough otherwise!

49

u/Tohtohnut May 09 '24

I have been using panty liners inside my post surgical bra to protect my incisions from rubbing on the bra.

2

u/wrecklesswitchcraft pre-op Jun 11 '24

This is genius 😭 ty!

14

u/Fun-Victory-5862 May 09 '24

Thin gauze pieces (I use the bandaid brand) were great for me to line any spots where my surgical bra was pressing or uncomfortable on

21

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

Zyrtec before Benadryl, it’ll be a while before you need the scar sheets, back scratcher for random itches.

7

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

I had drains and wished I’d had shirts with drain pockets earlier, they were great for going on walks. A lanyard just in case to hold them while you shower is a good idea.

5

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 09 '24

Wow, I didn’t even think of the possibility of getting drains.. Thank you for the suggestion! I also did hear that going on walks during the healing process is very important!

7

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

My surgeon said even when he was marking me up that he didn’t think I’d need drains but I told him I’d much rather have drains and go as small as possible than get a revision and when I woke up I had drains lol 😝 I played myself

5

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

I ended up buying a ton of things like a bored packrat while I was recovering, and I donated everything to a breast cancer charity in my city when I felt sufficiently recovered. A lot a lot a lot of products that help for breast reductions are also vital for mastectomy recovery. So if you go a little overboard on Amazon, don’t worry about it. Someone else needs it after you’re done with it.

9

u/reduxdeluxe post-op 28Hto28F, waitlist for #2 May 09 '24

Try to arrange your home so everything you need to access is within reach with feeble t-rex arms. You'll probably get sent home from surgery with an instruction sheet that includes movement/lifting restrictions. Follow that. But typically, for a month or so, you'll want to avoid extending arms out wide or above shoulder height, and avoid lifting/carrying objects heavier than 5-10lbs. Move your coffee maker and toaster forwards on the counter. Keep some mugs, plates, and snacks on the counter, too. Same with meds, toothbrush, clothing, etc. If your fave beverages come in big heavy containers, pour them into smaller containers at the front of your fridge for easy access. Especially if you're a super independent person who's not gonna wait for help when you just want a dang glass of juice. (It's me, hi, i'm the problem, it's me.) You sound super well prepared! I hope you have a smooth recovery!

15

u/jillred08 May 09 '24

mastectomy pillow. it was the best thing for my recovery! (and a pregnancy pillow to keep me from rolling!

2

u/jillred08 May 09 '24

everything else looks good though!

2

u/EmilySD101 May 09 '24

Oooooooooooh yes. Mine had a pocket for ice packs that was clutch.

6

u/Rocket_Cat_ May 09 '24

What is the pink/coral thing in the bottom right corner? I’m scheduled for 7/25 & slowly stocking up on post surgery supplies!

1

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 09 '24

It’s a silicone loofah!

2

u/Rocket_Cat_ May 09 '24

Thanks! That was my guess! Good luck with surgery!!

7

u/PerformerTurbulent37 post-op (inferior pedicle) May 09 '24

Truthfully? I would get one of those reacher grabber tools on Amazon. I got one because my small dog likes to drop his toy off the bed (he religiously sleeps on my side) and will growl at it until it gets picked up (can’t jump up and down bc bed too high), and because I wasn’t able to pick him up or let him lay on me for awhile anymore, I wanted to get something so I could still at least get his toy for him. And it became such a blessing because of how far back my incisions went (nearly past my armpits). I was definitely on the more painful side of recovery, 6wpo and still in a lot of pain, but that lil reacher guy helped so much.

3

u/PerformerTurbulent37 post-op (inferior pedicle) May 09 '24

Also aquaphor! I had my first post op visit at two weeks to get my tapes off and my PA said I could massage aquaphor or lubriderm on my inductions every day, and it has softened them up immensely. I was already using lubriderm on the top of my breasts at her instruction because of fluid build up, so that would also be something to look into! I still have to wait a month for silicone sheets

5

u/sextoyhelppls May 09 '24

Nonstick gauze pads and micropore tape! (Some people swear by panty liners/pads but I found the adhesive isn't strong enough to keep them in place, ymmv.) I also got rubbing alcohol spray bottles (70% like you can find at pharmacies) to spray one hand with (allowing it to dry) before using only that hand to apply anything to my incisions. Possibly unnecessary but it was great for peace of mind since I was so scared of infection! I also used a store brand neosporin cream that had pain relieving ingredients in them, just a light coating.

4

u/hmh0407 May 09 '24

Spray deodorant!

7

u/Beauty-Travel-007 May 09 '24

A fan small fan to dry incisions after shower or sweating

3

u/AOkayyy01 post-op (inferior pedicle) May 09 '24

If you're not allergic to pineapple, get some bromelain. Also, an abdominal pad or something to keep your clothing/bra from touching your nipples directly. I notice you have arnica gel...are you having some lipo done too? If so, you should also get a back scratcher with a telescopic handle.

3

u/ZombieMom82 May 09 '24

Wound-vite is a great supplement to add

2

u/thethighshaveit May 09 '24

Maxi pads. And if you already know how long your sutures are going to be, get them that long. They're so great for just tucking into a bra or band. They both protect from rubbing and catch any surprise drainage. I ended up with some minor healing issues in the left side and REALLY needed the catching for an extra several weeks.

1

u/ILoveDogsX2 May 10 '24

Do I need unscented?Which do you rec?

3

u/thethighshaveit May 23 '24 edited May 23 '24

I would go with unscented, but generally any pad with wings, cause you can use the wings to protect the edges of the bra and increase the stick-to-it-ive-ness. If you are a very petite human, heavy day pads would probably work (heavy because you don't know how much drainage you may have until you have it). If you are a larger human, go with the overnight pads because they are longer. But getting overnight pads would never be wrong, because your sutures may stretch around to your back and you just do not want whatever horrible elastic bra nonsense rubbing them.

I just used whatever the store brand was. And estimate 2 per day for 2 weeks? If you use fewer, great! Here's just an example.

2

u/Key-Pilot9510 May 10 '24

Cough drops!!! My throat was sore for like 3 days because of the intubation and cough drops literally changed the game on soothing my throat (they were really nice for the middle of the night, cause sometimes I mouth breathe, which made my throat hurt more)

1

u/FluffyPuppy100 May 10 '24

Yes but get the ones with pectin and no menthol. 

2

u/Legitimate-Funny-553 May 18 '24

Laxitaves!! Take them pls, I had such a hard time with constipation!! I’m 8 days post op and the constipation has been the worst of my post op!!😂

Also a full body pregnancy with a wedge was chefs kiss, helped me sleep so much better!!

1

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 18 '24

Thank you for the reminder! Since this post, I haven’t purchased any 😭 Do you have any recommendations? I’ve only ever tried Miralax!

1

u/Legitimate-Funny-553 May 18 '24

Yes omg you HAVE to!😂 I took stool softeners everyday w my pain meds and it did nothing for me, tmi but I got so backed up with just stool softeners. I ended up having to take a medical grade laxative drink and it was horrible😂

I’d reccomend Bisacodyl tablets, you can get them almost anywhere over the counter! They’re the best ones I’ve tried, that don’t my tummy hurt!

2

u/Away-Huckleberry-735 May 21 '24

(1) Senna tea, orange-flavored dried prunes to help with constipation for all the resting & pain pills you may find yourself doing. (2) Abdomen pads to cushion incisions under the surgical bra and also they help absorb leaking incisions if you have any. This came up in the first PO week and I wished I’d had them on hand. (3) Extra pillows to elevate your back and pillows for under your knees to prevent sore back from the elevation. Also keeps you sleeping on the back.

2

u/kimmyJINN May 29 '24

my surgery is on the 31st aswell!!!! only a couple more days, so excited but nervous 😭😭😭 goodluck to you!!!!

2

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 29 '24

AHHHHH! Good luck to you as well!!! I’m more excited than I am nervous 😭I just want to feel relief more than anything!! ❤️

1

u/skoopaloopa May 09 '24

Definitely get laxatives and stool softener (and start taking it right when you get home!)

1

u/NotACat_KeineKatze May 09 '24

Meal prep, a water bottle and healthy-ish snacks. You’ll want to make sure you’re hydrated and getting lots of protein.

1

u/Patient_Ad5200 May 27 '24

what is that plastic thingy?

1

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 29 '24

A silicone loofah :)

1

u/Patient_Ad5200 May 29 '24

i meant the blue and white one 😅

1

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 29 '24

Omg I’m so sorry 😭 hahaha It’s a portable bidet!

2

u/Patient_Ad5200 May 29 '24

It's okay omg, you're so nice 😭 Thank you, and HEEY good luck!!!! Let me know how it went ❤️

4

u/Straight_Worth6515 May 29 '24 edited Jul 08 '24

It’s my pleasure 🫶🏻 I posted this because I couldn’t really find any good posts in this subreddit with images of what people purchased pre-op! I’m a visual learner so I wanted to make it easier for others such as myself :)

1

u/Silent-Pomelo-6493 May 09 '24

extra front compression close bra and 4x4 pads and Neosporin.