Breast reduction & tummy tuck

[letsgetweird]

Has anyone had these two procedures done at the same time?

How was the pain? Did you get the exparel shot?

Did the reduction help with pain or headaches?

I finally had a consultation done today for a breast reduction, I was already decided on getting a tummy tuck. I've had neck/shoulder/upper back pain for yearssssss. I finally need to do something about it.

[winecat]

Congrats! I really want a reduction. I'm in a FB group for plus size women and many have had both done at the same time and have sung the praises of exparel. (I don't know if your plus size but these women look and feel great after even though they're not the ideal "within X pounds" of an "ideal" weight.)
I also belong to the /reduction subreddit and there are so many encouraging stories there; pain reduction, no more skin irritation, CHEAP bras! Anecdotes and all but sometimes it's nice to hear.

[sadlebred]

They will both be two of the best things you've ever done for yourself. Send me a PM if you have questions.

[waverly]

I've not had this. But I did go for my preliminary consultation. They are putting it through insurance with a letter from my primary and chiro. The wait for insurance was 2 months. I have another 3 weeks to wait, then I will call or they will call me to schedule. It's just the reduction though. I have no idea how far out that they are scheduling...

My question is anyone know is, do I need to purchase/ borrow a recliner to sleep in?  If I am in pain, I don't really want to sleep in the same bed as DH and be constantly waking him up getting pain meds. I'll need him alert so that he can take care of all the other stuff.

[namasteak]

I did 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Will you be getting diastasis recti repair at the same time (I did)?

[namasteak]

Aug 26, 2022 15:41:12 GMT -5 waverly said:

I've not had this. But I did go for my preliminary consultation. They are putting it through insurance with a letter from my primary and chiro. The wait for insurance was 2 months. I have another 3 weeks to wait, then I will call or they will call me to schedule. It's just the reduction though. I have no idea how far out that they are scheduling...

My question is anyone know is, do I need to purchase/ borrow a recliner to sleep in?  If I am in pain, I don't really want to sleep in the same bed as DH and be constantly waking him up getting pain meds. I'll need him alert so that he can take care of all the other stuff.

Yes but the recliner! I got a power lift one on Amazon for $300 and slept in it for 3 months. I added pillows to it at night to make it extra comfy.

[namasteak]

For what it’s worth this is what my recovery was like

1 week of absolute complete care.
2nd week you can start to care for yourself but not kids.
3rd week you can be a contributing member of the house but still need to sit and rest A LOT
5th week - could stand fully straight and could watch the kids for like 2 hours at a time max and then I needed a good rest.
6th week - could resume housework

[namasteak]

Aug 26, 2022 16:38:54 GMT -5 namasteak said:

For what it’s worth this is what my recovery was like

1 week of absolute complete care.
2nd week you can start to care for yourself but not kids.
3rd week you can be a contributing member of the house but still need to sit and rest A LOT
5th week - could stand fully straight and could watch the kids for like 2 hours at a time max and then I needed a good rest.
6th week - could resume housework

I would also recommend
-get the exparel
-wear mumus
-wear post C-section underwear or depends so your incision isn’t irritated
-get a seat with handles for the toilet & shower
-have a handheld shower head
-A walker with a fold down seat
-one of those grabber grabber things (you know the sticks with the grabby bit at the end)

All of this seems excessive but really made my recovery easier and gave me independence sooner.

[thebreakfastclub]

Aug 26, 2022 15:41:12 GMT -5 waverly said:

I've not had this. But I did go for my preliminary consultation. They are putting it through insurance with a letter from my primary and chiro. The wait for insurance was 2 months. I have another 3 weeks to wait, then I will call or they will call me to schedule. It's just the reduction though. I have no idea how far out that they are scheduling...

My question is anyone know is, do I need to purchase/ borrow a recliner to sleep in?  If I am in pain, I don't really want to sleep in the same bed as DH and be constantly waking him up getting pain meds. I'll need him alert so that he can take care of all the other stuff.

You can rent a lift chair from a medical supply place.

[wanderlustmom]

I had a reduction when I was 19 and it was life changing! So excited for you

[letsgetweird]

Aug 26, 2022 16:37:11 GMT -5 namasteak said:

I did 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Will you be getting diastasis recti repair at the same time (I did)?

Is this the same as muscle repair? If so, yes.

[namasteak]

Aug 26, 2022 18:40:24 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

Aug 26, 2022 16:37:11 GMT -5 namasteak said:

I did 2 years ago and it was one of the best decisions of my life. Will you be getting diastasis recti repair at the same time (I did)?

Is this the same as muscle repair? If so, yes.

yes - diastasic recti is the name for the separation of the muscle. 

I had so much back pain before my surgery and it is mostly gone (minus age related stuff). Insurance didn't cover any of it but it was the best $17k I have ever spent. 

[letsgetweird]

Aug 26, 2022 23:20:11 GMT -5 namasteak said:

Aug 26, 2022 18:40:24 GMT -5 letsgetweird said:

Is this the same as muscle repair? If so, yes.

yes - diastasic recti is the name for the separation of the muscle. 

I had so much back pain before my surgery and it is mostly gone (minus age related stuff). Insurance didn't cover any of it but it was the best $17k I have ever spent. 

I'm almost positive my insurance will cover the reduction.

Did you get frequent headaches? I get headaches probably 50% of days. I read that most that get a reduction see improvement with their headaches.

[campermom]

Lots of good info here so I won’t repeat but I didn’t have a reduction-had implants instead. For the tummy tuck and muscle repair yes get the exparel. My Dr said that also helps contribute to reducing the risk of DVT bc w patient who is in less pain can move and walk around more after surgery.

waverly I could not sleep in a bed for about 3 weeks. My couch declined and I slept in that. I used a rocker glider to sit in during the day bc it was easier to get out of.

[yourmother]

What’s the price range for tummy tuck and breast reduction?

I had a breast reduction many, many years ago when I was in my 20’s and it was so awesome. But at that point in time, it was $6k.

I’d like to know the cost for the combo.

[namasteak]

Aug 27, 2022 8:55:25 GMT -5 yourmother said:

What’s the price range for tummy tuck and breast reduction?

I had a breast reduction many, many years ago when I was in my 20’s and it was so awesome. But at that point in time, it was $6k.

I’d like to know the cost for the combo.

I paid $17k for a reduction & lift, DR muscle repair, & tummy tuck. That includes the overnight stay (WORTH IT) and exparel. 

[rupertpenny]

I’m scheduled for a tummy tuck and breast lift in a few weeks. In NYC metro I’m paying $12k for the boobs and $14k for the tummy tuck plus anesthesiology and the hospital fee.

I’m really debating whether or not to rent a chair. I probably should, but I don’t really have space for it. I also keep thinking that I was able to recover from an emergency c/s under general anesthesia without much trouble and I had a newborn to take care of. I do have a history of thinking I can do everything myself and that I won’t need help though.

[winecat]

rupertpenny- Rent the chair. You can always return it early if you don't need it. I haven't had either surgery but I had a really bad shoulder injury and couldn't use my arms much to help me out of bed. Getting up without being able to use your arms and abs will be rough. You might technically be able to but taking it easy on your body will help with healing and limiting complications from overdoing it.

[rupertpenny]

Aug 28, 2022 13:15:15 GMT -5 winecat said:

rupertpenny- Rent the chair. You can always return it early if you don't need it. I haven't had either surgery but I had a really bad shoulder injury and couldn't use my arms much to help me out of bed. Getting up without being able to use your arms and abs will be rough. You might technically be able to but taking it easy on your body will help with healing and limiting complications from overdoing it.

@@

Thanks. It isn’t as $$ as I thought so I most likely will. I have a lot of experience getting around without engaging my abs (during/after pregnancy) but I need to get over my tendency towards total self sufficiency.

Someone should really market these chairs for pregnancy and childbirth.

[winecat]

rupertpenny- Definitely take care of yourself! Yeah- I was surprised that the chairs weren't too expensive. I assumed that you were getting both surgeries done at the same time which seems like it would make it more difficult to get up.

[runblondie26]

Not a reduction, but I did get implants at the same time as a drainless tummy-tuck this past January. I have a very high pain tolerance and the muscle repair part of the tummy-tuck was killer and limited my activity for months. I would still do the procedure again in a heartbeat though.The boob discomfort was no big deal in comparison.

My doctor did not offer the Exparel shot, and I didn’t know it was something to ask for at the time. People seem to rave about it post-op for helping with the pain, so I would get it if it is offered.

Feel free to PM me if you have any additional questions.