POSTED UNDER Breast Lift with Implants REVIEWS
Prepare Yourself for the Marathon, Not a Sprint
ORIGINAL POST
Prepare Yourself for the Marathon
WORTH IT$10,900
I have had plenty of surgeries in the past. I broke my neck in the military and I was a combat medic, so wounds and blood are something I’m used to. Nothing could have prepared me for this process though, I’ve never had plastic surgery before and combat medicine is VERY different from cosmetic surgeries. I am 4 weeks and 2 days post op from my augmentation mastopexy, and it’s definitely been a process healing. I’ve been to the ER twice, once for post of infection (allegedly) and once for wound dehiscence (separation of the surgical incision). Let’s start at the beginning:
Day of surgery: Dr Roxy explained the risks of doing the lift with implants. I knew I wouldn’t be happy with just a lift or just implants. I remember nothing after about 2 minutes in the OR. I woke up with an intense burning sensation in my breasts, but not really any “pain”. Tons of pressure, T O N S.
First week: Wasn’t too bad, stayed in an air BnB with my Nana who took fantastic care of me. Spent a lot of time in bed, not really in “pain” (thank God for Exparel) but absolutely sore as a mother. Flew back to Florida 4 days later, and been recovering at home.
Week 2: Had to take a trip to the ER for what I was told was a post OP infection. Sent pics to Dr Roxy who advised the white stuff was bloodless tissue trying to grow, but out of an abundance of caution I took the antibiotics anyway.
Week 4: This has been a PROCESS, my goodness. During a dressing change I watched my skin separate which of course freaked me OUT. Another trip to the ER, doctors wanted MORE antibiotics and wet to dry dressings. Having JUST finished a course of string antibiotics, I had doubts that the wound was infection. Dr Roxy advised the white stuff is NOT infection, it’s bloodless tissue that’s growing trying to cover the wound. During a mastopexy, they cut most of the blood supply so there’s no great blood supply for the tissue, it has to grow back. Because my skin is pulled SO tight (which is what I wanted, perky boobies. Not sad and saggy boobies) that’s why the wound is having trouble closing.
The good news is, my nipples are healing phenomenally well, nice and pink although I can’t too much in the left nipple just yet. My left breast is also doing GREAT, but my right one needs a little help.
Overall, I *am* happy I got this done, but I wish I had found RealSelf beforehand so I could see I’m not the only one who’s doubted their surgery. You always see the pics of people 3 months post op and they look great and their wounds are closed, and you get discouraged because yours don’t look like that. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
Day of surgery: Dr Roxy explained the risks of doing the lift with implants. I knew I wouldn’t be happy with just a lift or just implants. I remember nothing after about 2 minutes in the OR. I woke up with an intense burning sensation in my breasts, but not really any “pain”. Tons of pressure, T O N S.
First week: Wasn’t too bad, stayed in an air BnB with my Nana who took fantastic care of me. Spent a lot of time in bed, not really in “pain” (thank God for Exparel) but absolutely sore as a mother. Flew back to Florida 4 days later, and been recovering at home.
Week 2: Had to take a trip to the ER for what I was told was a post OP infection. Sent pics to Dr Roxy who advised the white stuff was bloodless tissue trying to grow, but out of an abundance of caution I took the antibiotics anyway.
Week 4: This has been a PROCESS, my goodness. During a dressing change I watched my skin separate which of course freaked me OUT. Another trip to the ER, doctors wanted MORE antibiotics and wet to dry dressings. Having JUST finished a course of string antibiotics, I had doubts that the wound was infection. Dr Roxy advised the white stuff is NOT infection, it’s bloodless tissue that’s growing trying to cover the wound. During a mastopexy, they cut most of the blood supply so there’s no great blood supply for the tissue, it has to grow back. Because my skin is pulled SO tight (which is what I wanted, perky boobies. Not sad and saggy boobies) that’s why the wound is having trouble closing.
The good news is, my nipples are healing phenomenally well, nice and pink although I can’t too much in the left nipple just yet. My left breast is also doing GREAT, but my right one needs a little help.
Overall, I *am* happy I got this done, but I wish I had found RealSelf beforehand so I could see I’m not the only one who’s doubted their surgery. You always see the pics of people 3 months post op and they look great and their wounds are closed, and you get discouraged because yours don’t look like that. This is a marathon, not a sprint.
SarahGrace1016's provider
UPDATED FROM SarahGrace1016
1 month post
4 weeks + 4 days
It’s been 32 days since my augmentation mastopexy and it’s been a rough ride. Although my wound opened up and it’s wide, it’s shallow. Very similar to a skinned knee. Found a new protein which tastes much better than what I was using so hopefully they will help with recovery.
Replies (3)
October 27, 2021
Hi there! I had the same thing happen to me when I had my lift and implants put in a year ago. My incision opened up and looked similar to yours about 4 weeks in. My doctor also assured me that the white was new tissue (and that is correct). I panicked about infection as well. I tried wet to dry dressings as well for about two weeks with no progress. Then I was put on a Pico machine. That is a pressure dressing that is hooked up to a device that sucks the air out of the dressing. It stays on for a week and then is changed out once weekly. It worked like a miracle! And for something I was told would take at least 8 weeks to see progress with wet to dry, the pressure dressing resolved the problem in 6 weeks. Every week it was changed i was shocked at the progress. It's amazing! Totally worth it if that's an option for you. Just wanted to provide some insight since I know exactly how you must be feeling right now. Hope things get better for you!
October 27, 2021
That is so awesome that you were able to find something to help you with your recovery!! It’s such a relief to know “okay, all I gotta do is this and everything will be fine”. I tried the wet to dry which is something we used in the military pretty commonly but again this is a procedure that’s supposed to be aesthetically pleasing, so all the info and training and education I have is completely out of the window. Thank Goodness they’re patient at RPS!!! It might take a little longer than I originally thought but hot girl summer is coming yallllll!!!
UPDATED FROM SarahGrace1016
2 months post
November 1 update
It’s been one month and 9 days since my surgery. The blood vessels have DEFINITELY started to grow back, and the feeling is BACK in both nipples! As you can see from the picture, the right breast is slowly but surely starting to close. This is quite a *process*!!
Replies (2)
November 8, 2021
I am having the same issue and I am 3 weeks post op. My experience is quite painful, particularly during dressing changes and showering. It's nice to see there may be a light at the end of the tunnel for me: what kind of protein are you taking?
November 14, 2021
I tried a few different ones and quickly realized I absolutely HATE the way protein tastes. However, I found a *truly* flavorless product at Target called Vital Proteins, I take 2 scoops in a shake (18g of protein) and I have 3 shakes a day (54g of protein) the rest of my protein I get from my diet, with lots of chicken and rice, white fish, I take a multivitamin as well as collagen gummies for hair skin and nails. There definitely is a light at the end of the tunnel, I had my 12 week post op call with King Carlos last week and he said I’m healing amazingly well which makes me very happy. He recommended an iron supplement, which is something I already incorporate into my daily supplements along with vitamin C to ensure maximum absorption. Hang in there, trust the process!!
Replies (5)