How long?

Rather than start a specific thread for each one and totally hog the feed, I thought I'd just put them all in this!

How long until I can sleep on my side again?

How long until I don't have to sleep propped up? Morning boob hasn't been an issue for me, but I've been propped up (only one pillow more than I usually would).

How long until I can soak in the bath without a sports bra, or with? I get my stitches removed Tues so I will of course ask the nurse at my appointment, but I don't want to get my hopes up that I'll be able to have a proper bath soon if I can't!

How long until I can stop doing sit ups and bum shuffles and use my arms to help? To say I used to work as a fitness instructor, I'm more like a ladybird stuck on its back!

How long until I can lift things I don't particularly feel like I'm struggling with? Most things I can do, slowly.... Although I'm still playing on it with the kettle so my Mum keeps making me cups of tea

x

altw wrote:How long until I can sleep on my side again?

Get your first post-op appointment out of the way first hun and see how your boobs are healing and how much swelling you have. If they're doing well and you're comfortable you should be fine to try after that.

How long until I don't have to sleep propped up? Morning boob hasn't been an issue for me, but I've been propped up (only one pillow more than I usually would).

Again. just get that first post-op appointment out of the way hun, your body will let you know when you're ready so just go with that.

How long until I can soak in the bath without a sports bra, or with? I get my stitches removed Tues so I will of course ask the nurse at my appointment, but I don't want to get my hopes up that I'll be able to have a proper bath soon if I can't!

It's generally 6 weeks before you can fully submerge your incisions, but you can usually have a nice shower all being well after your first post-op appointment.

How long until I can stop doing sit ups and bum shuffles and use my arms to help? To say I used to work as a fitness instructor, I'm more like a ladybird stuck on its back!

Everyone heals differently babe, for some it's as soon as a week! for others it can take anything up to about a month before the morning boob goes and they regain the strength in their arms

How long until I can lift things I don't particularly feel like I'm struggling with? Most things I can do, slowly.... Although I'm still playing on it with the kettle so my Mum keeps making me cups of tea

x

You'll be unable to lift anything heavy until after your 6 week appointment sweetness, but things like the kettle, you should be fine over the next week (anything from 1 to 2 weeks) as you regain strength - A BA is quite an op and it really does take it out of you doesn't it. Our boobs may look like they're healing nicely on the outside, but they continue for a long time to go on healing on the inside babe.

I feel like I'm strong enough to use my arms to move myself in and out of bed, but I was told off at the hospital for using them and have been making a conscious effort not to... It's more unusual movements that get me now, I can't even open my living room door because the handle needs a really big twist and pull!

Also I haven't got a shower just a bath :(

Maybe I'll just write these down and ask the nurse when I see her on Tuesday for a better idea of do's or don'ts!

Thanks for the info :) x

At just 5 days post-op hun, I really wouldn't be weight baring on your arms till after your 6 week appointment. It's normal for the loss of strength to happen hun, I couldn't even pull the ring pull of a can of coke! lol.

Yeah, ask your nurse about your bath sweetness. I know I was told they shouldn't be submerged but if your bath is your only form of washing yourself then I dunno... they 'might' make an exception depending on how your healing?... then again, not being able to submerge may still apply but you'll still be able to wash your boobs and body as you normally would and give it a good wash and rinsing off but just not submerge your boobs babe. xx

I'll stay on my best behaviour until told otherwise by the nurse or surgeon then! Healing well so far (or feel it atleast) so would be a waste to jeopardise that for the sake of avoiding sit ups until I get back to the gym haha. Thanks for the advice :) x