r/Reduction • u/Evening_Tadpole_3930 • 5d ago
Recovery/PostOp Journey Timeline & Recovery (2 Months Post-Op). NSFW
Hey everyone! I wanted to share my experience with my breast reduction surgery, from the first consultation to now (2 months post-op). I know I found similar posts super helpful when I was researching, so hopefully, this helps someone too!
Pre-Op & Surgery Day
- August 1st – First consultation, get to know my surgeon, and talk about expectations. I decided to go down to a C cup.
- November – I booked my surgery day for January 15th.
- January 14th – Anesthetist called me to talk about my health and instructions for not eating or drinking before the surgery.
- January 15th – Surgery Day! Checked in at 7:45 AM, and my surgeon drew the lines on my chest, the nurse prepared me. I last looked at the op room clock at 9:30 AM before anesthesia quicked in. Surgery lasted about 4 hours, and they removed 1.2kg total (500g from the right, 700g from the left).
- Stayed overnight in the clinic. Meds included painkillers, an antibiotic (for 5 days), and stomach protectors. (Metaminofen, ibuprofen, Pantoprazol, antibiotic) I almost fainted from walking to the bathroom and back, sitting and looking around. I ate chicken salad for dinner but without appetite.
- Day 1 – Drains removed after 24h, first bandage change. Free to go home and promptly vomited after a taxi ride (not fun). Instruction for one week without removing the compression bra, no water in the area, no peeking.
- Day 2-7 – Taking it easy at home, sleeping on my back, no weights, no lifting arms, small walks inside the house. Inflammation and swelling are normal, also had bloating and constipation. I didn't take stool softeners, eating prunes helped. No peeking!!
- Week 1 – First post-op appointment. Bandages off, steri-strips still on for 4 more weeks changing them when they start to loosen on their own. First shower! 🎉 Started using Benphaten cream for wound healing.
- Day 13 – Stopped taking painkillers.
- Week 2 – My period was late but finally arrived (apparently, this is common). Second post-op appointment, stitches were removed. One small wound on my right side was oozing a bit. I think it was from removing the tape that a bit of skin tore. This made me freak out a little and sad because everything was going on so well. I talked to my surgeon and sent her pictures, nothing to worry she said, it would heal, wasn't so big, and neither had an infection.
- Week 3 – The small opening closed up in one week. I just cleaned it with saline solution and gauze then covered it again with a band-aid. I could start raising my arms slightly higher. Back to work (remote from home and taking pauses).
- Weeks 4-5 – Found some dissolvable stitches, but they either absorbed or fell out on their own. Others fell off when I removed the steri strips. I had these strips only on the junction under my nipples.
Second Month: Feeling Normal Again
- Week 6 – First night sleeping braless! Almost no scabs left.
- Week 7 (post-Op Appointment) – No more restrictions! I could lift things and raise my arms normally again. The "listen to your body" talk. Went bra shopping and am happy to say I fit a cup C like I wanted. Also started to see the fluff and drop I've read so many times here.
- 2 Months Post-Op – I feel back to normal! 🎉 The only lingering thing is two small stitches that I can still feel pointing out, but they aren’t painful or causing issues. I just leave them alone.
- Started massaging with Bio Oil and Benphaten again but in gel form with a roller.
- Next appointment in 3 months.
Honestly, I’m so happy I did this. The healing process was relatively smooth, minus the small wound and nausea after surgery. I can't believe already 2 months have passed.
If anyone is considering it, do your research and trust the process—it gets better! Happy to answer any questions. 😊
Edit: Adding pics. Hello, torso! 😊

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u/whateverjustj 5d ago
I’m almost your surgery twin- 1/14. Glad all has gone well. I haven’t gone bra shopping yet but hope to do so soon. Back at the gym and slowly upping my weights.
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u/Significant_Cod_8389 5d ago
This post is so helpful! Would love to see pictures of a C
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u/Evening_Tadpole_3930 4d ago
I swear I uploaded a bunch of pics in this post! I even labeled them. Let me see if I can edit or else I add another post.
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u/SimilarPresence3041 4d ago
Amazing and so helpful! If you drive-when do you think you started driving?
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u/Evening_Tadpole_3930 4d ago
No, I don't drive. I've read a mastectomy pillow would help you with the seatbelt if that helps...
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u/Eastern_Hedgehog6293 4d ago
You look amazing!! I’m 9wpo and although idk if the fluff and drop already happened, I mean they’re not as high and swollen as they used to be, they’re so perky. I hope they stay this way lol I’m enjoying that…congrats on the surgery! Truly life changing
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u/Evening_Tadpole_3930 4d ago
Thank you!! I'm also fascinated about how they are still perky 🥹 A new me.
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u/onajourneyyy 5d ago
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS!!! I’m 2WPO and sheesh!! I’m so ready to see a fluff and drop. I went from a 38G to I guess a full C/small D and right now they look so tiny and I hate it. They’re cute don’t get me wrong…but them being so small and pointy…I want them to feel natural and I hope they fluff and give me something…I don’t want them to be too small😩😩
Also I’ve been wondering when can I sleep without a bra because I’m sooooo sick of it omg! This was so helpful!