ellieh

Recent comments

• Posted to Open Wound under breast on 13 Mar 2013

  Hi, Hmvjdv - you don't say how long it's been since your surgery, so I recommend you read everyone else's posts (and think back on your past experience) to know when it's been "too long". That said, I also don't know if it is different on subsequent surgeries (if the skin that's having to heal is "new" skin or if it is some of the skin that's been cut on and healed before) so I'd be sure to ask your PS about whether it should be different this time around. It does take a really long time - so hang in there!

• Posted to Open Wound under breast on 28 Oct 2012

  Hi, everyone. I said I'd post on the duoderm-like stuff (heavens - now I can't remember what it was called - same stuff though) after I was done with it. So - had surgery on June 26th, so that makes me almost exactly 4 months post. I did faithfully stick that stuff on for 10 weeks, so just got to quit about a week ago. I wish I had a "test" site without it to know if it made a difference, because I do still have very dark (purple, kind of) scars in most places, especially in my "creases". But, who knows what they would have looked like without? Sorry this didn't turn out to be more helpful! At 4 months I do love the way they look (especially in clothes) and have no neck or back pain (I had a reduction) so that's lovely. That said, they don't feel "normal" and I can feel the incisions from an awareness standpoint even sitting here bra-less - but it's not painful or anything - just weird. My only real "negative" at this point is that I still don't have feeling in the lower half of either of them - I can feel a poke, and oddly/happily they respond normally (so they can feel :)) but the nerve signals don't make it up to my brain yet. It's almost like I'm wearing a breast condom on part of them so a delicate touch is not something I feel at all. I have had a nerve block for shoulder surgery before and it took about 3 years (yes) to be completely back to normal where that nerve damage was, so I'm hopeful that this will continue improving, as that's one of the side effects I really didn't want (no feeling). I'll keep you posted, but am interested if others had this and how long it lasted.

• Posted to Open Wound under breast on 28 Oct 2012

  Stay put and don't do too much - otherwise you are doing the right thing. I think it's overactivity that gets us - either stretching or just the weight of breasts from standing up or getting sweaty from either - that messes one up. It's soooo hard to lie around, but it seems to be the best thing.

• Posted to Open Wound under breast on 3 Sep 2012

  I wore the "surgical bra" for about a month - until my follow up with PS and he said I didn't have to anymore - but when I didn't go braless I still wore the surgical bra with the gauze (no ointment ever) on until the wounds completely healed. If it hurts, put the surgical bra back on - you probably aren't ready - just sleep braless and naked/no covers on top if you can so the wounds can air out as much as possible. The white stuff is normal (dead skin, apparently) but you still have a ways to go so try to be patient. My last scab didn't come off until about 2 months out, and by the end of the day my scars were sore (still are some days) - it's just a really, really long process.
  
  Definitely talk to your PS about the shape issues though - I don't have experience with that so can't comment. Good luck - I'm sure all will be well!

• Posted to Open Wound under breast on 15 Aug 2012

  That scab ripping off is so frustrating! After a few days of it that was my cue to quit using it an let it DRY and let the scab alone. Obviously if you have to go out in public a lot that's less of an option (depending on how you feel about that, though I'm sure we are all a lot more comfy braless now!) but whenever you are at home I recommend going braless or topless (loose shirt vs. no shirt seemed to make no difference).