Long-awaited Breast Lift

I've always been unhappy with the physical sensation of how my breasts laid against my body. I have been blessed with extremely sensitive breasts, and dreamed of how they would feel, and how my quality of life would improve, just with the passive experience of feeling clothing move over them as they sat up and away from my body. I can't deny that I enjoy aesthetic of a smaller, higher breast, both of which I quite luckily find myself equipped for, but I have wanted this physical sensation of a freer chest with the weight off my ribs and casually brushing my clothing for my entire life.

I had a consult when I was eighteen, but was put off by the doctor. Now, at twenty-nine, I felt it was really time to take the leap.

I was super, super nervous about the possibility of sensation loss. Obviously, that would render the entire thing moot. My doctor spoke with me about it at length. He was so upfront and caring, and above all, honest about my risks and my goals. He never pushed me, and ultimately I decided to go through with it.

He performs a lift procedure where the skin isn't removed, but rather tucked in to the breast. I really liked that I wouldn't be losing tissue and might have the highest chance of maintaining as much sensation as possible.

My biggest concern going in, of course, was still sensation loss.

The surgery went great! As mentioned, my biggest concern was loss of sensation. After my first day appointment and rebandaging, I was SO relieved to feel both nipples, loud and clear! The bottoms of my breasts have kind of an insulated sensation, but I do feel things -- as if from far away. I believe this is due to the tightness and swelling, and am not letting myself be concerned about it at this early stage.

Already, I know this is THE BEST thing I have ever done for myself!!! I feel SO amazing, and my chest feels SO incredible!! I have just been ecstatic at how different my chest and my whole body feels without that weight laying against me all the time. The lighter feeling of my breasts off my ribs, and the amazing feeling of my nipples pointed forward, even though they hurt at the moment -- this is life-changing for me. I am so happy. In the past few days, I haven't been able to say enough how happy I am, just with the physically experiential changes of my body. I have a pretty small amount a breast tissue to start out with, but, man, does this shift make a world of different for me.

Pain. It hurt a lot the first day. More than I expected. But by the second, I had so much less than I thought it could possible have decreased by. I spent my whole day out running errands with my partner and had the time if my life! It really got so much easier so much more quickly. It's the third day now and I'm sore, but not even taking Tylenol.

Aesthetics: they're still in the Madonna-[RS bleep] phase and swollen at the tops a whole lot. I expect they'll need a long time to settle down into something more natural. I have no idea what the shape or size of my areolas looks like yet, and that's a worry for me. But, honestly, I am just SO HAPPY with how my body feels, ambiently, just sitting here, even with the pain. And I think they are gorgeous even in this rocket-[RS bleep] phase. I know I'm raving a bit but I just could not be happier.

Well, it's day five, and everything's progressing pretty well. I'd say the number one thing I feel is impatient. I really can't wait to get back to moving around more, be out of this bra, and fully healed! Two more weeks feels like an eternity, and three months seems unapproachable.... oh man, I'm so impatient...

I just re-read my first entry and want to address how embarrassingly stream-of consciousness it was. I'm going to blame the post-op drugs for that one.

I also thought I'd be able to edit it later, so I neglected to talk about my doctor. I went to Dr. Rand in Bellevue, WA. His bedside manner and professionalism was absolutely fantastic, and I recommend him highly. Whereas the doctor I consulted with eleven years ago put me off so much that it took me this long to consider a surgery again, Dr. Rand was kind, knowledgeable, and put me totally at ease. He remembered details about our conversations, and paid personal attention to keep conversation going and put me at ease directly before the surgery and during post-op visits.

As for my breasts, the area under the right one is still feeling numb. Not totally, but like touching your leg when it's asleep. I'm doing my best not to be concerned...

I still have more volume in the upper pole than I'd like. I assume it will be a long while before they relax into a more natural shape. Just rolling with the Madonna [RS bleep] for now, ha!

When I get cold, my nipples hurt. I think they are trying to get hard, but they don't. Are they pulling on the sutures? I can't really tell. I was told that they will still get hardline before after healing, but some irrational part of me is terrified that they won't. When did I start worrying so much?

Showering seems to irritate the bottom sutures a lot, even though I'm careful. The whole bottom of the breast gets pretty red. Other than that though, the pain is very manageable. I now go all day with mostly zero pain meds until evening, when it usually catches up with me a bit. I might take Tylenol or one oxy at night. But it's really not bad at all.

There is a little bruising starting to show up, but very minimal. I still have marker lines on my skin because I spaced it and left my alcohol wipes at the post-op appointment due to excitement and lack of pockets.

I'm anxious to have my tape off on Wednesday. Also I get a different bra to wear, I think. I'm trying to mentally prepare myself to see the whole picture for the first time. Fingers crossed!!