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POSTED UNDER Breast Implants REVIEWS

3 Week Post Op Breast Implants and Lift - Denver, CO

ORIGINAL POST

5'6" , 125 pounds, 36 years old had 275cc sub...

MBDenverApril 1, 2013
$13,000

5'6" , 125 pounds, 36 years old had 275cc sub muscular implant with lift. Expected pain - as this is 2 major surgeries. However, the pain is exhausting, deflating, and draining and way more than anticipated. Had a hard time managing pain since the minute I came out of surgery. From a 2 and half hour surgery, took over 5 hours in post op. stopped pain meds after 3 days because I couldn't take the side effects, and they didnt really work, but perhaps that was my first mistake to not continue. (Note - i metabolize pain meds and sedation, muscle relaxants very different than most people)

On pain scale of of 0 to 10, 10 being that you want to cry, I wake up everyday at a 7. Takes me a couple hours to get moving and get pain down to 4 or 5 at best. By the time I go to bed, I am back to a 7 or 8. Days are long, pain is more than I expected and am questioning when I will feel even slightly normal again. I only took 5 days off of work and that likely was my second mistake. Worked on computer in slow mode for next week - didn't feel like I did a lot but apparently taking a solid 2 weeks off is HIGHLY recommended and even doing your make up and driving very short distances is too much.

Pain is achy, shooting knife like, switches from side to side on any given day and nipples feel like I have nursed 25 babies for hours at a time. Beyond hyper sensitive and sore. Miserable is the word that comes to mind. Tightness is very tough - still hard to breath. Very frustrated at this point and really questioning my decision. Really like my doctor and they say I am healing correctly but completely underestimated pain and really went in expecting the very worst and even that was not enough. Sleeping is tough - sitting up. Once I sleep I stay asleep for a good 8 hours but getting up is awful. I am REALLY hoping this week is better because I am not sure how much longer I can take this (not that I have any options) but looking for any insight, advice, shared stories etc. It helps to hear words of encouragement. Note: cost is Doctor, hospital and anaestia.

Replies (15)

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nonfatblonde
April 1, 2013
I had my 1st BA Feb. 2000, felt like I was hit by a Lincoln going 40mph & lived through it! I sat at my kitchen table for 15 hours. I think my body was in shock. I could not lay down for over 6 months. I had to sleep upright in a lazy boy. I screamed like I was in a burn unit my first three showers. My breasts felt like someone had scrubbed a thick ajax cold wash cloth on a third degree burn! I had second BA replace surgery because of failed implant in May 2004. I'm getting explanted asap, shopping surgeons. If I knew all I know now, nothing could get me to do this again!!! Good luck and many prayers for you dear, hope others will heed the warning...take care
IKREMOM
April 2, 2013
To be in that much pain is definitely NOT normal. My body is oversensitive to everything, I had 2 surgeries in 10 months for breasts and by day 5 was back at work and only slightly groggy. (Had surgery on Thursday, back to work on Monday.) On my 2nd surgery I stopped taking Vicodin a day after surgery. If your entire body hurts you could very well be having a bad reaction to the anesthesia that was used. If it's your breast area, you might have an infection or something else going wrong. The tightness is your chest is what is concerning, I am 5'3" with a 36" chest, had 800cc's put in and have no tightening or a hard time breathing - that is not normal. I know too many women that have had augmentation and though everyone's experiences are different NO ONE I have ever spoken to has been in debilitating pain for weeks. The nipple sensitivity is normal and nipple covers really help with that (you won't ever want to take them off) and the shooting pains sound like nerve ending issues, which can be normal but, they're usually intermittent and not constant as your nerves try to reconnect. You might need to really stress to your doctors office how concerned you are over your pain level and if they don't take you seriously, find another opinion. Also, because anesthesia is so toxic try some detoxing stuff like juicing, or drinking only water and green tea...that might help. Good luck, I hope you feel better. On a side note, $13,000 is outrageous. I had 2 surgeries by a reconstructive plastic surgeon in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area who is in such high demand he could charge what ever he wanted and it cost me $12,000 total for both (all inclusive).
madboobs01
April 2, 2013
Hi, MB. I'm really sorry to hear that you're experiencing so much pain. On the encouraging side, let's keep in mind that you've had two major surgeries simultaneously, which is huge. Getting a Breast lift alone is major, but then add in a couple of good sized lumps underneath muscles that haven't had to stretch at all before, not to mention the muscular incision, and your body is definitely going to be screaming. I had the same BA procedure without the lift, and I was pretty sore for the first 10 days or so. Then again, I have no problem with anesthesia or pain meds, so Victoria and Value were my friends for the first week. I took extra strength Tylenol for the second week and was okay after that. I didn't have any muscle spasms, but I know some women do. IKREMOM may be onto something with the drug reaction theory, so I would definitely contact your doc again. Intense pain is definitely debilitating and exhausting, and people have different tolerance levels, but I too am a little surprised at the intensity you're describing after three full weeks. The nipple sensitivity and sharp stabbing sounds fairly normal (I experienced exactly what you described), but I wouldn't think you'd still need pain meds at this point. Your body will heal much better with some relief, so I really hope they can find you something that will work. Has there been any change at all since you first came home?
madboobs01
April 2, 2013
Ugh...stupid auto-correct! Victoria and Value should be Vicodin and Valium. Yeesh.
MBDenver
April 4, 2013
Very good points. I have had limited relief with Ultram which is milder than Percocet, but seems to work to take the edge off. I don't really feel like I have made any progress in the last 3 weeks. 90% of my mornings, I feel just like I did when I woke up from surgery. Note - I woke a bit early out of anesthesia, so I felt everything!! I feel like it is groundhog day. I have had 2 mornings that were decent, only to regress back to square 1. I think if I could get rid of the tightness and breath a little easier, I could make some progress. Does the nipple sensitivity ever go away. I wish they were numb! Thanks again!
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Bubbles1980
April 3, 2013
Hi there MB. I am so sorry to hear about your awful experience. I am 12 days post op and only started feeling ok again yesterday. Are you wearing a bra yet? PS said no bra but for the last two days I have been wearing cami type tops with built in support (loose) and that made such a difference! Because of that tiny little bit of support that burny achy feeling that makes one want to cry in the afternoon is gone! Good luck and feel better soon!
MBDenver
April 4, 2013
Thanks Bubbles1980 for the insight!! I have worn a soft cup bra since 1 week post op - changing out of the surgical bra I wore for a week. I couldn't imagine not wearing one! The burning achy feeling is right on, I want to put ice on them non stop, because they feel hot all the time.
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BethH
April 3, 2013

Oh I'm so sorry you're having a rough time. It's not completely uncommon, but it's frustrating to hear so many "good recovery" stories when you're feeling awful. I have heard that drug sensitivity can be very serious. I'm curious as to what your doctor would say about some basic muscle relaxers...maybe a 1/2 dose though. I know I react horribly to most prescription pain meds...it almost seems like they're not worth taking sometimes. Hang in there and keep us updated!

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