5'1, 172lbs - Poland Syndrome, Left side. 35yo female.
Attempting balance and more proportion to upper body structure.
Surgery 11/22/2021, Post op 11/25/2021
Steven Schmidt at the Dayton Institute of Plastic Surgery in Centerville, Ohio is my surgeon. Highly recommend. He was able to pull my size first go (try on) based upon my measurements. Very knowledgeable and honest.
Left side under an A cup, added 535cc with Mentor Memory Gel (Silicone) Xtra smooth high profile.
Right Side B/C cup, added 375 with Mentor Memory Gel smooth round pro plus.
Both submuscular.
Plan was to have left and right with same profile during consultation. During surgery, high profile was found to be needed on deformed left breast.
Surgery went great. Nurse and anesthesiologist was a god send. Super attentive and with true care.
Post op pain more severe on left side. Soreness was typical but burning sensation from back shoulder blade down to wrist was not. Not a lot of room for the implant to settle causing nerve pain from the pressure on the left side. Tends to be more towards the under arm area. Heating pad on the back shoulder and with muscle/pain medication has helped with time. Still riding high on the chest. Will take more time to drop I assume because of the size.
Right side has moved along great. Settling in as it should.
Shoulders were way tense out of surgery from trauma. Normal. Wasn't until a muscle relaxer was taken a little relief came and the shoulders fell down from a shrug position.
Was not able to use arms for two days, at all. Could not reach out for a keyboard to work in bed the next day on a laptop tray. Sleeping and the body healing caused stiffness. Normal. Sternum pain from the weight. Also normal.
Husband has had to help get out of the recliner and bed until post op day 2. He also assisted with managing medications, holding drinks, restroom breaks, and walking around the house.
I am able to use my right arm a bit more but the left is still sore with spouts of nerve pain.
Up and walking across the house every two hours as possible.
Rented a power recliner to help sleep and get up. Pedialyte, low sugar protein drinks, water, crackers, chicken, oatmeal, has been my go-to.
Very bloated. Wearing a size larger than normal in stretchy pants. Have not passed stool as of yet. And honestly thankful because I have no idea how I would reach to take care of it. *TMI*
First shower was today. Felt too crummy and dizzy yesterday.
I was ordered to wear a bandeau to help them drop.
*Advice* please be seated when this is taken off for a few minutes as your blood pressure may drop and cause you to faint. I learned the hard way.
Each day is getting better. Looks horrible and is painful right now but I'm excited for the beautiful results in 3-4 months.
Post op appointment set one week out for 11/29/2021.
Will update afterwards.
Updated on 27 Nov 2021:
Decided to do an earlier update. Post op, Day 5.
Surgery was on 11/22, today is 11/27.
Left arm is still a little sore. Implant seems to be settling as I can lower my band. Right side has shifted down much faster.
Pain is more noticeable in the evenings when I make myself stay up. A heating pad and electro device to relax muscles on my back shoulder have helped tremendously. Not doing any activity at all but I did wrap 7 smaller presents yesterday carefully and cut out a Christmas stocking pattern. Which made me feel as though I accomplished something that day. Sciatica is acting up from sitting so much. Trying to walk a little more each day. Up to 15 to 20 minutes at a time, at least once a day. Trying to be productive within that time but not overdoing it.
Sexual urges are taking a hit. Researched and not a good idea to masturbate during the first two weeks as this can raise the heart rate and blood pressure to cause a heretoma around the implant. Given my struggles already, I decided to opt out of this with great sadness.
I will be speaking with the surgeon and or the nurse on Monday regarding this. It would only take a couple of vibrations to do the job at this point. The device is hand free. It literally takes no effort. And what if it happens while sleeping? So many questions. I believe I've had more heart fluttering and my blood pressure rising when I about drop my phone due to the arm weakness and not being able to reach it than an orgasm would be but of course I could be wrong. Although I do want to be right I will not take the chance until speaking to someone about it.
Speaking of all things embarrassing, I was finally able to release some bowel pressure yesterday which would be post-op day 4. Miralax for the win.
I did have a bit of a breakdown Thanksgiving Day. Was unable to travel out of state to my parents house for Thanksgiving as we do every year. My other set of parent, my stepmom passed away the beginning of this year and she always held Thanksgiving dinner with my dad. So my dad didn't do anything. My other relatives live an hour and 45 minutes away with no transportation. Because of the surgery and not being able to use my arms I couldn't make dinner for our family. My husband did not want to. I think all of it together combined was very frustrating. I haven't read where others have broke down and cried be out of their frustration but I certainly did that day. My best friend and her sister brought us over a plate of Thanksgiving dinner from their family, which I will be forever thankful for.
*It is not recommended that you cry during this time because it tenses up your muscles and makes everything sore.
I have noticed a tad bit of a burning sensation where my incision is underneath the breast. Due to my right side transitioning faster I believe that is in part of the stretching/healing. It only happens for a little short time.
Medication wise, I am going to have to use all of them until the end. I was hoping to get off of the pain medication early, unfortunately it is needed. But the muscle relaxer is much more needed. Incorporated ibuprofen 800 mg in on day 3 between all medicines. Swelling has went down quite a bit.
Do have a little bit of fluid in my lungs. Sounds like I'm wheezing gently but have been coughing up and grossness hoping it clears up. More prone to catching illnesses so I haven't left the house. Have only had two friends come over to help assist with getting a shower and getting my hair done and out of my face.
Overall day five is much better than the first 3 days. Looking forward to my stomach becoming unbloated. It doesn't help that I've been using my core so much for support during this time. All those muscles compensating.
Haven't been able to look at them fully without the band since the first shower. But through the tank top they look pretty great. Excited to see them fully settled in.
In the meantime have been looking at others recovery stories taking notes and learning. Thankful for those who have shared. As to why I am. I am usually a very private person but know there is someone out there that will need some part of this. For advice, or to feel normal, or even feel not alone.
Again, I will post an update on Monday after my week post op check. I physically go back into work on either Wednesday or Thursday depending. I am a computer hardware technician in which I will need help from my coworkers obviously. A normal sized PC weighs 15 lb. And of course the max I can lift is 10. Should be quite interesting. The rest of the week I work remotely. The only good thing that came out of the past two years.
Updated on 29 Nov 2021:
Finally made it to day 7.
Dr. Schmidt said it looks good but the left will be some work over the next few months. Staying on the band for two more weeks and then transitioning into a singular band for it. It's due to the Poland Syndrome and how there was nothing now pushing a high profile 535cc is going to take work.
Band was adjusted tighter and is causing the back shoulder on the left side to feel as though it's cramping. Definitely work.
And sexual interaction was approved as long as nothing hurts. If it feels good, all is good. But nothing crazy of course. That'll have to wait, haha!
Starting to hurt under my incision on the right side. Feel as though it's dropping near the area. Also a cramp like feel.
Lifting a regular laptop isn't easy. Should make for fun at work this week. Unable to get anything off a high shelf.
Looking forward to the next two weeks of healing.
Updated on 8 Dec 2021:
Left is starting to drop I believe. Had a weird sensation around my areola for a few days and then a weird "vibration" sensation. Could have been a muscle spasm around that area, nerves trying to connect, and or the implant liquid shifting downward. After a few days of pressure and sharp pains, it all of a sudden eased up. I felt amazing!
And then a day later, not so much. I have a deliberating pain on the side a little below half way down. Burning/ripping feeling that does not ease up until I take a muscle relaxer. (At least that worked last night). Given that works, the implant must be moving and stretching a new area of the breast muscle or the nerves are trying to make a connection. Either way, super comfortable. And by super, that's putting it mildly. It doesn't go away unless pain managed. I did some light rubbing and that seems to help for a minute but at times it's sensitive to touch.
The land I was given to help them drop has became quite an annoyance, curling up around the band and digging in around the underarms. Continuing to wear this 24/7 but find relief when showering.
Tape covering incision is starting to come off. Held for a good bit. Overall, I'm uncomfortable, but hoping this passes soon. Will update for week 3.
Updated on 8 Dec 2021:
Right is doing amazing. Left is taking some time to catch up.
I'm still in pain but have been massaging. It has helped. Pretty sure it's the muscle still adjusting. Two weeks seem like forever BTW. But I know it's the beginning and can take up to 6 months.
Good news, just in time for summer.
Updated on 21 Dec 2021:
Implant has finally moved out of my underarm on the left side. I can now see all the hair I thought I was shaving. Haha!
Working the muscle a bit more but does cause burning pain to occur again. It's on and off at this point. Due to the pain, I'm still at 10lbs or under.
Developed cleavage two days ago. Still have ways to drop on the left side. Right side is at the point of rounding off at the bottom but not doing it yet.
Still wearing the band to assist them down. It sucks. Painful all of the time. It's all folded over and nothing you can do to rid of the folds work. Which leaves marks of indents deep within the skin. The band I'm using is the tightest it can go. I didn't feel as though having it a little lose would help progress that we're after. And the tightness isn't so bothersome. It's the stupid band in general. I take it off for around 10 minutes each night to gently itch my sides. But the left breast pain without it on is enough for me to have my husband place it back on. It's actually uncomfortable without it as well. In a weird spot.
Next checkup is around the 25th of January.
I have been upgraded to a loose fitting sports bra if that's such a thing. Have been wearing tank tops, body suits, and big tees in the meantime. I'm not able to find one at the moment. Been avoiding the mall with so many folks out and the virus. That's the last thing I need to hinder healing. Any kind of illness.
Bending over I have to hold it in place or sharp pains take over. Can't reach backwards and lifting a monitor isn't great with the width of holding it. (Primary chest muscle work).
My incision line looks great. Has been getting sore. Pretty sure it's from stretching even though it's below the line.
The surgeon had two residents in during my visit a few weeks back and this last week. The one before last, I was too embarrassed and exhausted from the pain to allow them in. This past visit I did. He said I was a special case, and that was exactly why I wanted to share with them, Poland Syndrome is a thing. It is rarely diagnosed in females and concerned patients and parents are told it's hormones; still growing as a pre-teen/teenager. Maybe the case for some but more are obvious if the effort is put in. Despite my difference, not one of my gyno doctors ever mentioned it during my breast exams. Even after I brought it up. Claimed it was my own normal. I suppose so, but a validation that it isn't "normal" and it recognized would have made me feel less crazy. Nonetheless, made sure it was noted with at least two more soon to be professionals. My little mark in the world to help the next stranger. Thankful for Dr. Schmidt's expertise and helping heal more than what's physical.
Overall, it's getting better. Not close to normal recovery as I've read on here but, I'll take any progress given the circumstance.