Surgery scheduled for 8/30/12 - Ready To Be Me Again! - Carmel, IN

I am now 3 weeks post-op and getting better each day. Armpit pain is minimal and my breasts definitely look a little more full and feel fuller to the touch. I'm going to buy some organic coconut oil to start massaging this weekend.
I finally have my rash under control. I had a moderate-to-severe allergic reaction to the antiseptic cleaner they used during surgery. It was horribly uncomfortable. My PS prescribed me a topical steroid cream and Methylprednisolone (Medrol) which is taken orally. I am 99% better now. My skin is still dry and rough to the touch, but I have no itching so I can't complain.
I posted pictures of my rash. The rash pictures are about day 4 or 5 into the rash, so it was much better at this point. It was worse than this but I did not think to snap a photo when it was at its worse...but you'll get the idea from these pics. And I only have a picture of the rash with my bathrobe on, so you can't see my rash-covered breasts and stomach. Regardless, you'll get the idea of what it looks like. It was the most painful in my armpit areas on my incisions. I also posted my 3 week post-op pictures.

Well I'm 9 days post-op and feeling better each day. My armpit tenderness has gotten much better. However, three days after surgery I developed a rash on my neck area. It was extremely itchy so I used some anti-itch cream on it. A few days later at my post-op appointment I showed the rash to my PS. He said it was a reaction from the antiseptic cleaners used during surgery (betadyne). He said he could prescribe a steroid topical cream but we both agreed that the rash appeared to be subsiding...so I said "no thanks" to the cream. Boy, I wish I would've taken the cream! The rash has disappeared from my neck area but has spread to my armpits (around my incisions which were already itchy to begin with), the outside and bottom of both breasts and my stomach area beneath my breasts. It is EXTREMELY itchy and itching only makes it worse and bumpy! I will definitely be calling my PS Monday morning to have him call in that cream. This is so much more annoying than my armpit pain has been.

Anyway, I haven't really noticed a huge change in the appearance of my breasts. They do feel different though. They feel like they are firming up a bit and not so much like Jello. The left breasts does look funny when I lie down...it has a big dent. If I bend forward or move a certain way, this is the same breast that feels a little strange. I'm hoping this goes away as I heal.

Okay, my explant has officially happened. On the road to recovery now and lots of fluffing I hope. The surgery went well. I woke up with my armpit area being very tender. I have no pain in my actual breasts -- it's all in the armpit & the area between my armpit and breast. I had the binding wrap on after surgery and that was very uncomfortable because it came up high and hit my armpit incisions. My surgeon told me I could switch to something more comfortable the next day, like a tight-fitting sports bra, so I was on a mission to find one today. I'm so much more comfortable now! I'm actually wearing 2 sports bras to get more of a binding feel. I was a bit groggy yesterday from the anesthesia but took 2 Aleve and slept all night. I finally feel like me again in regards to the grogginess and hope the anesthesia is out of my system for the most part.

My armpits are still very tender. Picking up a 1/2 gallon of milk, lightly pushing myself off the couch/chair, and reaching for a glass in the kitchen cabinet causes mild pain. Basically, any movement of my arms comes with some pain. I would say it's minimal pain though compared to the initial BA.

I was able to take the binding off today and shower, so I snapped some pictures. Initially, I was a little shocked at how flat they were, especially on top. I think part of flatness was due to the binding wrap because they've already improved a little over the past few hours without the binding on. I'm really hoping the flatness on top will improve. I mean there is absolutely nothing on top. Based on the reviews I've read on here I think that will come with time.

I'd forgotten how soft natural boobies were. It was wonderful in the shower. I was almost afraid to wash them -- I felt like I would break them by moving them around, haha!!

Ultimately, I know I made the right decision and it feels great to be me again -- even with all the tenderness. Will post more pics as they continue to improve.