(The Rack is usually a weekly Friday column by fit model, bartender/waitress, musician and future superstar, Tammy. Because of the holiday weekend and Tammy’s exciting news, we’re publishing it today instead.)
Well, it’s really happening. After 6 months of consideration, 2 consults, 4 weeks of physical therapy and a lot of waiting, the date for my breast reduction surgery is set for June 21. I’ve been working non-stop, pulling 4-5 shifts at a new restaurant and devoting every spare moment to making music and working out, so I haven’t had as much time to reflect as I would have liked. I searched “breast reduction surgery” on YouTube the other day and watched a couple of videos of the procedure I’m about to have, and while the images of breasts being sliced open and trimmed down were gruesome, they didn’t shake my confidence that this is the best choice for me. My frustration with my breasts at a 34F far outweighs any of my concerns about the surgery– but there are a couple of things I’m scared about!
1. Recovery Time
My doctor said I’ll be able to go back to work in a week, but I’m worried that I won’t be ready to lift heavy trays and bus bins at my job with just a week of recovery time! I can’t really afford to take more than a week off, and since I just started this job, I’m not looking forward to explaining to my manager that in addition to the week off I requested after only working there for a week, there’s a chance I’ll need more time. I also don’t want to endanger my health, obviously. I plan to talk to my doctor about this more when I go for my pre-surgery bloodwork and health check on June 6.
2. Working Out
My doctor explained that I would need to stop exercising for 6 weeks following my surgery–that means no spin classes, no pilates, and definitely no kettlebell boot camp. Will my muscles turn to jelly in 6 weeks? My current plan is to eat nothing but salad until I’m allowed to work out again–but I plan to ask the doctor if I’ll be able to ease my way back into working out sooner– if I can at least work my lower half with squats and lunges and a LOT of walking, my muscles won’t atrophy completely.
3. Wardrobe
What am I going to wear!? On my list of things to save money for is the ever-important category of clothing. I’ll need all new bras (which will hopefully be less expensive), bathing suits, and probably some tops–most everything I own is stretchy, but it would be nice to be able to welcome my new breasts with some things that were purchased with my post-surgery shape in mind.
With three weeks to go, I’ll be working hard to save money, eat right, and spend lots of time at the gym! I will keep you all updated every step of the way.
I know you don't literally plan to "eat nothing but salad", but I have to insist that a restrictive diet while you're recovering from a major surgery is a bad idea! Your body will need lots of nutrients to heal and if you crave something high-calorie, you should eat it.
It might be hard to lift your arms and therefore do basic tasks required for taking care of yourself, for instance getting dressed. I suggest you have an oversized button-down shirt on hand if that's the case, and a friend or family member around to help you out with anything you might need.
Her salad comment stood out to me, too, Fiona. You've given really practical advice here.
Tammy, I wonder if you could simply be a hostess instead of a waitress right after your surgery?
I'm with Fiona! You need lots of protein and good carbs too. And, I was just told that B12, 1000mcg (? or is it gr?) per day can help with nerve healing—wish my surgeon had suggested that!
You don't need to stop exercising totally. You can definately walk! Carry a fanny bag/hip pouch with some extra weight in it. You might be able to get back to cycling gently after a month.
Definately find out if you can do different tasks at work. Show you're willingness to work, and they might be surprising and even more accomodating than if you flat out asked for more time off.
My initial healing was great, but then after about 3-4 weeks, I got a nasty infection. So it's important to be healthy, and to take it easy and let your body heal.
Spend a day being conscious of not lifting your arms higher than shoulder height and see what you'll have to adjust…before your surgery. I found out I couldn't unload most of the dishwasher, and I had to stand on the counter while my 4 year old passed things up to me. Husband was being a jerk…
is there maybe some light swimming that you could do? I'm trying to think of things that wouldn't bounce you around too much… ?
good luck!
My sister had a reduction last November and the only complaint she had was not doing it sooner. The lifting restriction is a big one that you will heed — the first time you lift something too heavy, you will never make the same mistake again… My hint is for you to sit on the toilet, cross your arms (putting your hands on the opposite shoulder) and try to stand without using any upper body movement. If you cannot do this, you may want to get a raised toilet seat, as it is easier to get up from a taller perch.
Ask your surgeon for your prescriptions before surgery, so you can get them filled before the procedure (then you won't have to wait when you do not feel so great, post surgery).
If you can prepare meals in frozen portions, you will find it easier to eat nutritious meals. If friends are going to be bringing food, ask them to use the disposable plastic containers — so you will not have to return a bunch of casserole dishes 🙂
Pull things out of the cabinets and put them on the counter — where you will not have to stretch to reach, as overhead stretching will be hard just after surgery.
Get the right size of sport bra that you will be wearing after surgery. My sister bought two, one to wash and one to wear.
Cheers,
Lunachance
thank you all for such great tips!!! my mom will thankfully be taking care of me for the days immediately following surgery, of COURSE i will eat lot of protein and nutrients to heal properly, and i spoke with my bosses about the lifting restrictions and was pleasantly surprised at how nice and supportive (no pun intended) they were about my differently abled-ness post surgery. apparently another one of the girls i work with had a strain in her back for a month over the winter and had similar restrictions, so they're used to accommodating.