Surgery was yesterday. So far I am very happy with the result. The first night was pretty rough. So glad my husband is so amazing and did such a good job taking care of me. The next morning was better. Still painful and tight but manageable.
Updated on 27 Jun 2020:
I just want to stress how hard everything has been since surgery. I don't know how anyone does this with kids at home. I literally can't do anything for myself. If my husband had not been here to get me out of bed, make all of my meals, and stay on top of my meds I don't know how I would have made it these past few days.
I can't do the math because I'm still taking my meds regularly, but the surgery was wednesday around 4pm, and these pics were from Friday night.
Updated on 28 Jun 2020:
I feel better physically (so far, it’s only 10am), and mentally today. I like my boobs for sure!! And I’m really excited about them. Some angles are better than others, but I’m starting to be able to visualize the finished product. I think, at least. If I’m right, I am so so so impressed with Dr. Snyder. They are going to be exactly what I asked for! I can’t wait to say thank you in person.
I’m still taking pain meds. I was told that the pain is only intense for like 2 or 3 days so hopefully today (Day 4) proves that to be true. I’d like to be off of the Valium by tomorrow (Monday), because work is going to pickup and I can’t afford to be sleepy.
HOWEVER, I want to stress again that recovery has been VERY HARD. A lot of people told me that it would be no big deal. If you know yourself to have a low pain tolerance (like me), understand that it will be very painful in spite of the meds. you will need help with things you might not realize, like washing your armpits and undercarriage. I was able to change my own tampon and wipe my butt though. Sorry to be graphic I just want to be clear because I don’t think I was prepared for the pain.
Anyway, aside from the pain I am still just so so happy and I would do it again!! I love my new figure. I can’t wait to see what everything looks like in a month.
Updated on 28 Jun 2020:
Here are some pics that show the least flattering angle. I don’t want to be deceiving so here ya go!
These show that I am still kinda hunched over and bloated, and the implants are still sitting up high.
Updated on 30 Jun 2020:
So I had an overwhelming experience with the pain meds yesterday (or maybe the day before), so I’ve attempted to switch to just Tylenol during the day and gabapentin at night. So far it’s been ok but I am tempted to try half a Valium. The pain is still there for sure.
I am feeling insecure about them, but my husband keeps reassuring me they are looking good, and better every day. I am looking forward to my post-op appointment so I can hear it from the surgeon.
I want to shoutout Laurene, a medical assistant for Dr. Snyder. She has answered all of my emails and has been so nice and reassuring. 5 stars for post-op communication for sure.
Updated on 1 Jul 2020:
Here are some more updated pictures that my husband took for me. I like them more and more every day. I’m also paranoid I will mess them up somehow.
This morning I woke up and took my antibiotic on an empty stomach and it was a bad idea. I was so sick for like 2 hours. I was not sure if I was actually sick, or if it was because of the antibiotic. Again I emailed Laurene, the medical assistant for Dr. Snyder, and she immediately got back to me. She told me not to worry and that it was likely the antibiotic. She gave me some advice that worked and I feel better. She refilled my script for anti-nausea. Omg I love this woman. I wish I could give 10000 stars for her.
Updated on 2 Jul 2020:
Hopefully I’m not speaking too soon, but I feel really good this morning. I haven’t felt the need for any pain meds. I showered mostly by myself. I still need help washing my hair, but only because I’m so scared I will fall in the shower lol. Yesterday I got outside and watered my plants. So I feel very much like I am getting back to normal.
I was having such a hard time for the first 5 days, and complaining about it loudly lol. So I just wanted to update and say that it didn’t take long to be feeling “on the mend”. It might have gone smoother if I had been more prepared for the pain meds. Jen, the PA for Dr. Snyder, did explain everything to me in pre-op and I also received a PDF with the info. I just didn’t keep that info in my brain once I was in pain. So no fault to the doctor for that, I just was naive.
I also wanted to let anyone who may be reading this know: I have a mild case of narcolepsy. I suspect that made things harder for me post-op. I didn’t want to take my stimulants because it suppressed my appetite so intensely. So I slept a lot and was confused a lot. Just FYI.
Updated on 3 Jul 2020:
I’m a little disappointed to still be in pain, but I’ve gotten good at dealing with it now. As long as I don’t go too long without Tylenol I feel great.
I’m still super happy and I can see them dropping already.
My nipples are hypersensitive. My incisions don't hurt but are still warm to the touch. I can’t wait for my post-op appointment so I can get some reassurance that everything is healing normally.
Updated on 8 Jul 2020:
I am still liking them more and more every day! The pain is still there but I am totally making it now. Still taking like 2 real pain pills/day though. My memory is pretty much back to normal. Visited my in-laws last weekend and my MIL approves and was excited, which made me feel better.
My post-op appointment was yesterday. I was told everything looks good. The glue on my incisions was removed. The incisions are not identical. One is longer. But both look good. We will start massaging next week and also applying scar cream. I’m kinda excited for that stage so we can start to soften up.
Updated on 17 Jul 2020:
I am still pleased with my new body! I still think the breasts are looking good as time goes on. I am feeling very much like my normal self again. I don’t struggle with much anymore, just lifting things and scratching my back which I cannot reach anymore lol. I am a tiny bit insecure about how far apart they are, but that’s just my anatomy so I need to be ok with it.
My nipples, skin, and incisions are still super sensitive though. The nipple hypersensitivity is exasperated by wearing a tight bra 24/7. I’ve tried a few different bras and nothing has helped. I ordered a size L that should arrive tomorrow and I’m hopeful that a looser bra will help. So weird because I went from xs to a medium being snug lol. I was also told that I could switch to a cami with a shelf bra so I ordered one of those too. REALLY REALLY looking forward to a return to normal sensation and the go ahead to stop wearing a bra 24/7!!! It has been super painful. Before surgery I was worried about losing sensation, now I wish I had.
I also think I have a stitch trying to come out instead of dissolving. There is a small, painful protrusion on the incision line that is making it hard to be comfortable.
It appears that my breasts are healing unevenly and dropping at different rates, which I was told is normal. Especially because my right (dominant side) is slower.
All of the above will be addressed at my next appointment on Tuesday, unless I can get in sooner. Fingers crossed.
I was supposed to start using silicone scar cream but so far I have not because I’m worried about the possible stitch trying to come out. I started massaging them this week. They are still pretty hard and only slightly moveable.
I’m so looking forward to being totally healed up! I know this will all be worth it, as long as the whole world isn’t shut down for the rest of forever. I’ll update after my next appointment!
Updated on 23 Jul 2020:
I am feeling MUCH better!
My nipples are still sensitive but my skin has calmed down. I found a bra + nipple donut combo that works. The nipple donut is just a piece of foam cut to size with a hole for my nipple. This prevents them from being compressed in the bra.
I was told that my incisions looks good at my last appointment. There is a stitch protruding but it is not coming out (yet) so we are leaving it alone. It has been getting better, slowly, but we think it will keep getting better and fix itself before it pops out. Now that I have a seamless, size L bra it hasn’t been a huge issue.
I am not taking any pain meds anymore. Yay!
I am definitely still happy with them and feeling better about them every day.
Updated on 29 Jul 2020:
Here’s a group of new photos from today, 5wks post-op. Sorry for the lighting.
My right boob is still a tiny bit behind my left boob in healing and dropping. I am right dominant so I’m not worried about that, I’ve been told everything will catch up. Looking at these pics, it seems more obvious than it does in person .
Pain is 1000% better. I’m still a little sore in a weird way, but I don’t need Tylenol or anything. It’s mostly just after I wake up. My nipples and skin are still extra sensitive but I’ve gotten good at dealing with it. All hail the nipple donut lol.
One thing I am so so happy with is the way my nipples look now. Before surgery they were pointed outwards, now they are straight on. I wasn’t expecting that and I’m so happy about it.
Updated on 8 Aug 2020:
So I went to my 6wk postop appt a few days ago. I was told that all restrictions are lifted and I started working out. I was super disappointed to realize how weak I am lol.
I was told that my right boob will catch up to my left boob. She said the muscle is just thicker and tighter so it is taking longer to drop.
My nipple sensitivity is back to normal! It’s such a relief.
So I’m just massaging them regularly and applying scar cream once a day.
The gap between by breasts does still bother me. (TO BE CLEAR IM NOT BLAMING THE SURGEON, my anatomy only allows for so much cleavage and that was explained to me before surgery) I can’t tell if it is a normal gap or if it is significantly larger than normal. Please feel free to weigh in with your honest opinion. Thank you!