So I made my appointment for the first one of the day. So happy I did my mouth was already dry and I need something to drink don't think I could have made it if it was in the afternoon or late in the day. So so nervous for the surgery day that I didn't sleep much. So I made sure everything was ready for my family and me being down! I also took pre surgery photos in outfits to compare.
Updated on 16 Aug 2015:
Im 33 years old, 5'7" and 125 lbs. My procedure is a breast lift with implants on both breasts with a slight reduction on my left breast because it was larger than my right after breast feeding two children.
Got up early at 5 am, washed my hair and did a double body wash with the Hibiclens as instructed. It wasnt bad, but definitely leaves your skin feeling squeeky clean and a little dry feeling. Made sure to put on super comfy clothes and then packed some soft pajamas to wear the 48 hours after surgery.
We got to the office early, had to take a pregnancy test and change into the surgical gown. Staff made me feel comfortable even though I was super nervous, gave me a warming blanket and talked about our kids for a bit.
Doctor Hollins stopped in to check on me which made me feel better since I was obviously nervous. He took me to the photography room and took before photos for me to have. Also was visited by the nurse Heather and the anesthesiologist Anne to talk through the process. This was very helpful since I had never been put under before! I felt even better when she told me that she would be present throughout the surgery to monitor me and my vitals.
When I got back to the room Dr hollins marked up my breasts and did measurements and made sure it was perfect. I got back in bed and Heather put and IV in my hand and got the fluids running and another warm blanket and a silver cap almost like a shower cap it made me warm, found out it is called a surgical hypothermia cap. Anne then put a scopolamine patch behind my right ear after hearing I get really sick to my stomach easily. She then told me she was giving me something to relax me before surgery through the IV. I gave my family kisses goodbye and pushed my bed in to the surgery room. I remember telling them the room was spinning and I'm going to close my eyes for a minute! When I opened them they felt so heavy and hard to blink. But quickly discovered I was back in the bay area. I asked are we all done? Heather was next to me and asked how I was feeling I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest and my arms were tingling she reassured me that was normal. She instructed me to just keep my breathing regular because my oxygen flow was great just felt really heavy. I asked for my family. And they gave me more meds and finally some ice water!
After allowing me to wake up a little more Heather discussed my follow up instructions and post procedure directions with my husband and I. Heather also monitored my heart and blood flow and body temperature to make sure I was in perfect shape to return home.
When it was time Heather wheeled me out to my car and my husband drove me home. Car ride wasn't bad but I could feel every bump and crack in the road no matter how small :(
Got home and got into an upright position in a bed full of pillows. Started on my prescription for pain meds right away because it was painful without them. Spent the afternoon/night resting and following instructions to stagger my meds, get up every couple of hours to walk to the bathroom and keep my circulation going. Getting out of bed and using the toilet took some adjustment since I couldn't use my arms barely at all. Had to work out my legs and stomach to move around! :) I was told the meds could make me itch which was true, they recommended Benadryl to help with the itching all over, esp. Where the surgical bra was on my skin. With the meds working they took the edge off the pain, but I definitely noticed when they were wearing off and I could feel everything even where all the stitches were! For the first day I took two hydrocodone every 4 hours to keep the pain at bay, making careful not to exceed the maximum dosage for the first 24 hours, then the next day pulled it back to 1 pill every 4 hours except at night to help me sleep better.
Updated on 16 Aug 2015:
So the first 2 days I spent most of my time resting and watching Netflix. The pain persists but with a regular schedule of meds it's bearable. Breathing is the most difficult when the pain meds wear off, because of the tight feeling in my chest. I also noticed my throat felt soar from the oxygen tube they used during surgery. It wasn't at first but then the next day it hurt a little. Today my esophagus hurts more than my throat. Kinda feels like something is lodged in it. Also could be because I was eating mostly liquid until today and today I ate some bread which might not be moving down as fast without gravity, etc.
I'm okay to take a shower now but I'm a little scared just yet, and I'm not feeling very dirty yet so I might wait just a little longer.
I also took off the nausea patch because it was giving me a bad headache on the side of my head behind my right ear where they put it. Used an ice pack, took it if and wiped off any residue like they suggested. After a few minutes the headache went away and I felt much better. I was also having issues urinating with the patch on, very slow and couldn't push at all, it was like I had to learn how to pee all over again!
Today I opened up the surgical bra so that I could take out the gauze that had soaked up some blood and gunk, replaced it with new gauze and put the bra back on. Taking it off felt good for a second but also bad without the support, which is kinda why I want to wait to shower without it on.
Took a few more pictures so that I could actually see how it's progressing, and so far they look amazing! Still very swollen but very clean and tight. No major bruising or discoloration at all, in fact the worst bruise I have right now is on my hand from the IV!
Anxious so see how they settle in the coming weeks as the swelling goes down and they settle into a better position. I'm super happy and excited so far, just really sleepy!
Tomorrow is my first follow up appointment with Doctor Hollins and I'm excited to hear his feedback on my progress. Still a week before the strips come off and I can see the stitches, but from what I can tell there is no major stretch or stitch marks, and the lines are very clean and precise. A little oozing in a few spots, mostly around the areoalas though. Also hard to tell but the areolas are definitely smaller in diameter which is exactly what we discussed, so very happy about that. Nipples looked good through the bandages, so also excited to see how they heal!
Updated on 16 Aug 2015:
Updated on 17 Aug 2015:
Finally went in to see Dr Hollins for my first post surgery check up on day 3.
Not a lot has changed, still need the regular dose of pain meds. But today Dr Hollins checked up on me and took off the sticky gauze over my nipples, I was excited to see how they looked even though the strips are still on. They look great! Again no significant bruising or discoloration, the areolas are tight and maybe a little swollen but not much. A few tight areas around the edges, but for as much work as he had to do to equal them out he did a fantastic job!!!
They are still a little swollen and tight, but I have noticed them softening up a bit on both sides off and on. I have feeling all over including the nipples even though it's a little less feeling and kinda tingling as they heal. But very happy that they aren't all numb!
He said I could sleep on my back after another 24 hours but I think I'll stay elevated a while longer because it's so comfortable and should help them settle more slowly. He gave me some softer pads to wear over my nipples which are much more comfortable, and he gave me the all clear to switch into a sports bra, but I think I'll keep using the surgical bra because it's so easy to take on/off and I'm not going out any time soon.
Still a little nauseous when riding in the car, don't feel comfortable driving for a while yet. Got dizzy riding in the car. Been sleepy all day. Was also told strictly no pushing or pulling which is good to know.
Put on some normal clothes for the first time today as well, first shirt was too tight, lol! Also have noticed that I've gained a few pounds from something, maybe water retention since I've been drinking tons of water! Still no BM yet so he recommended milk of magnesia once every night to help.
Overall still super excited! Very happy I decided to get the augmentation with the lift at the same time! One because I didn't want to go through this all twice if I decided after the lift that I still wanted more volume, and two because he was able to get them the perfect size I wanted the first time.
I've been burning through meds esp. at night so he made me another prescription to last me through week one.
Updated on 17 Aug 2015:
Sorry, image wouldn't load with my first post, so here it is!
Updated on 18 Aug 2015:
Still no BM! Got on some laxative tea called smooth move, so we'll know soon if it works or not.
Finally noticed some yellow discoloration on the sides and bottom of both breasts, the beginning of some bruising. But doesn't look all that bad. The right breast looks slightly bigger due to swelling.
They are more sensitive now, plenty of feeling in the nipples, but definitely need the pain killers still, so had I the doctors office refill my prescripion. Been REALLY tired feeling and taking lots of short naps. Slept longer than usual last night, so I was in more pain when I woke up because the meds had already wore off. Still sleeping elevated because it's comfortable. Still wearing pajamas that button in the front for ease. My husband has been warming up my heat bag for my feet and bringing me lots of hot tea to help my throat feel good. He holds my hand at night to help me go to sleep!
Took a shower today, definitely hard to wash hair and everything else... without some help. Tried not to face the shower directly and tried to keep running water from hitting then. Afterwards I took advice from a nurse who had a lift, and used a blow dryer on cool air to air dry my breasts all around the bandages. I was afraid to use a towel even to pat them dry because there is a risk of staff, mersa, or other infection even from clean towels that are your own (her words)! Plus it was way more comfortable dry them off with air than rubbing them since they're more sensitive. A lot less itchy after showering too. Dr Hollins said the soap they use and the Hibiclens can be really drying. Took the opportunity to wash the surgical bra while I showered, I'm still interested in using it for a while longer for the support and to keep any additional swelling down.
Still super happy! My husband and I put together some before and after overlays from the front and the side to show how great Dr. Hollins did!
Updated on 24 Aug 2015:
Ok so I'm going to start out by saying milk of magnesia every day from the start mixed with some smooth move tea when you need warm and hot for your throat. After 6 days of no BM trying coffee and milk drinks because normally that will only take mins to work the tea meralax and looking like I was 4 months pregnant I finally got to go!! Keep on the milk of magnesia till you are done with your meds. This is the reason I haven't posted for a few days.
Besides that the bruising has pretty much faded. Still painful, mostly around the stitches now, when the pain meds aren't working.
Still been feeling like my throat has been soar from the breathing tube used during surgery, but also discovered that this could be part of the side effects from the anti-bacteria meds.
Can't tell if they are swollen, they haven't changed much, still a great size and shape. Went shopping for another sports bra to wear and found out that finding a front zipper no underwire sports bra is really hard to find, so might be a good idea to look for one before.
I found one that is Under Armour brand, zip up compression style which works great. I'll post some pics next time.
Still getting feeling back in my nipples, but I get sharp pains now and then as the nerves grow back. I have more feeling in the side that had less work done. I was more the last several days, and have been sleeping more
I was more than ready to get out if the house for a couple of hours, but it also took a lot out of me, so definitely going to be still taking it easy for a while.
Feel free to comment or give any other words of advice!
Updated on 24 Aug 2015:
Today was my 2nd Dr visit after surgery. We came in took my temp and blood pressure asked if I had any questions and how I was doing. Then the Dr came in happy as always making me feel right at home we looked at his work they took of the steri strips that was all around I was actually thinking it was going to hurt so horribly bad I took a pain pill before I went in and it didn't hurt at all!!! Way less then even a bandaid. Then he told me I need to move the breasts 6 to 8 times a day up by taking my hands and pushing them up and then taking my hands and pushing them together. And he showed me and it hurt when he moved them up!!
This is so they are more moveable because they made a pocket for the implant to sit in but it will be tighter if you don't move them. Has anyone heard about this? It hurts to move right now just was wondering if I should wait I like the way they look and feel!
Still very happy with the size and shape. It was nice to see the cuts without the strips in the way. I am impressed that the lines are tight and clean, hoping for as minimal scarring as possible in the long term so this is a great start! The sorest parts are still underneath the breasts and around the areoalas. Nerves are still healing so feeling comes and goes, but nothing annoying about it.
Still takes a lot out if me to get out and get around, had to rest a while after returning home, and still not comfortable driving unless I absolutely have to.
Im so Thankful for my hubby who has taken me to every appointment and knows what to do and has questions that forget to ask or if I say something to him he will ask the Dr if I don't feel comfortable. So nice to have that don't know what I would do with out him!
So that being said I'm ready to take my pain pills and close my eyes. Have a goodnight.