Took the Risk Hoping to Brave the Reward - Houston, TX

Forgive me for being Remiss to you all my favorite supporters - be it sharing your stories or rooting me on! Because I’ve been so lax I’ll have to post my pics later.

(written at 23 days PO)
Ladies – I'll admit it after my Post op I was a bit gun-shy on posting anything, as bountiful20 was expected to have her Bolsters off on Friday & my new friend purplesugar was anticipating her arrival for surgery and I didn't want to make anyone more antsy. I want to thank me950 for talking me off the ledge, as I was quite upset when my nipple bolsters came off & they were in such a state of healing (grey/scabbed) and feeling so unsafe in the world without those silly Puffs on, feeling like one little mistake would make the grafts not take & I’d be nippleless. My esteem deflated in my appearance for a day or so, until I finally embraced it was a healing process and would take some time, and here I am at 23 days out & very proud of what the surgeon did. So Patience....Ladies is essential.

Discussion at Post Op - PS was very pleased. All 8 pds of my Tissue was "Healthy" so I have a great start going into my 40's in not worrying about cancer/tumors - positive thinking anyway. I believe its important ladies we don't forget that fact when we reduce, considering all this excess tissue being healthy. At the initial look I was quite full on the top which was something he was striving for but did not expect & they were lovely but still very swollen.

My instructions for the next month which seems different than most of you (I’m still not crazy I never received Post Op instructions). No Sweating, No Heat (outside - I live in 100 degree weather is he nuts & wearing a sports bra?), No Swimming/water submersion, no working out (except light walking/major a/c), No massaging & no discussion of steri-strips or anything. He wasn't a huge fan of any topical treatments either except maybe Vaseline.

What I’m doing: Each night I sleep to Healing Harmony (meditation music), power of the mind is underestimated so I have been doing what i can to cheer my body on to healing. I am using my Country Divine Ultra Emu Oil (at least 2x daily) & an aloevera product I have to promote skin growth. (Max Heal Skin Restoration Gel). Products I have long used for other issues & are natural (and do not distribute); I also just started some LED (Light therapy) Treatments to promote faster healing/reduce scarring. Guess I want to take a more holistic approach & so far things are looking up. I am wearing a full sports bra at night & as I’ve posted this prior bras similar to Playtex® Women's Simply Sized Wirefree Bra - an inbetween bra of sorts in the daytime. I spend only an hour or so outside of the bra when the girls feel swollen. About $16, depending on your size you might find similar cheaper at Walmart.

What I’m experiencing: Sensitivity to cold – like icecubes, tenderness, still hating sleeping on my back but with pillows can sleep on my right side for a bit & TIRED!! That’s it, no itching, zingers, no pain. Few scabs but all appear to be healing well. Upside, increased confidence in looking in the mirror - not just at my "baby girls" but in seeing my overall beauty that was clouded it all. I no longer feel extremely overweight - as I have a torso now, my scale has reached below 200 & gives me far more confidence for when I can start working out. I am getting more compliments on my appearance & clothes I've always worn but now I wear them properly & you appreciate them because I have a figure. My work chair is more comfortable sitting all day & despite needing a serious chiro adjustment for a few areas (he can't touch right now) - I feel much better. I also have very little issues in breathing without that 8 pd baby on my chest. I am elated at the shape of my girls & if I could show everyone (HA) I would & do not feel disfigured as I thought on the scaring because it looking reasonable if not awesome in some areas. I haven't spilled on my chest in a few weeks & I need to pull the table to me because of all the room I have now.

At this point I had been to work 1.5 wks & it was literally kicking my butt. I look perfectly healthy to everyone & was working myself as I was - but it takes a toll. So for my sake & works - I took that following Monday off to prove a point & ha I slept most of the day. So Listen to your body....before it crashes! Ok expect more recent update & then pics soon.

Son of a biscuit - I just typed this great post, hit something & voila it was gone. One wk today & Post Op tomorrow. I can't even promise if this one will be as good but you did choose to read on....

There was a great quote that indicated - it's not the Surgeon who makes recovery Possible it's YOU/Your body that makes it happen! Rest, food, positive vibes, following instructions/intuition. Each night I sleep with a Healing Meditation on, and I talk to myself and praise my girls & encourage their healing. Power of the Mind I tell ya!

Funny note - I had been describing my recovery stage as Frankenboobies - I mean I am his creation & stitched together like mad but I do feel ALIVE again! Can't wait til all that stuff heals though - eegaads. I'm thrilled I did it, but still can't believe i trusted someone to rearrange stuff with sharp objects. Guess that's why you do your homework.

I thought this week would be long & painful/full of worry & disgusting and it just wasn't. In fact I can't believe it was a week already - felt like a few days. I have some serial zingers last night & I can only hope that's good. I also noticed some inflammation on my left FNG on one side today like when you have a cut that needs might need extra attention. So Relieved my Post Op is tomorrow. So much I want to ask him, What was the new procedure, will my left girl keep veering left or are these still being molded, what is that yellow ooze exactly....can I drive/shower/throw away this aweful itchy ace bandage?

I had my caretaker (catch all of terms for him) relive the day with me - funny stories etc. Like, Ice chips seemed like the most awesome thing in the world & I looked like a baby bird eating them. How much I apparently loved my morphine button, and knew exactly how many minutes before my next one ~ Hey pain/no pain I'll never know but I'm ok with that. My stubborn streak on being demure & insisting even before getting off the gurney to the bed/getting hooked up to leg compressions & even midddle of the night - I'm going to the loo ON MY OWN! Ok ok but get me there first please. Pfffht bedpans/side toilets. How my first thought when the heart/oxygen moniter went off when I was falling asleep was yelling "OMG Am I dying?" - really as if you could say that if you were? And how inept some of the staff was there on little stuff - irritated to the point of tears my throat because the oxygen was too high w/o having the humidifier attached and you seriously have NO MINTS/Cough drops in the entire hospital to give someone to numb it...oh they had them earlier in the day but apparently lock them up trust me he looked lol? Even the vending machines weren't dispensing from that row I heard. So you have to wait forever for an OTC Script for Childrens Cough Spray? It was nice to laugh about it, and realize it all went better than I expected.

Favorite things so far : A crumb fell into the bandaged cleavage & was so easy to dig out, The fact I am wearing no real bra & they aren't to my belly anymore....no armpit boobs, clothes I have tried fit as they should - I don't even mind the belly I need to lose, the scale saying 200 (that's 10 pds since last week - 8lbs from surgery & 2 I guess just a bonus for being good), but MOST OF ALL - I look in the mirror every time, smile & see ME - that was always there hiding. I so can't wait to socialize and see people, feel normal. My mom's not even seen me yet, her jaw's gonna drop!

Ugh I need to sleep, can't wait for my appt - see these Powder Puffs come off & know I'm right on schedule for healing. I must admit I feel like I should throw a parade or something for them...but no clue what to do. Maybe a card or fruit bouquet - anyone do anything worth mentioning?

I hope whatever stage on the journey you're at - you're doing well. For goodness sake go to bed it's Late!

So thank goodess, this site posts for you how many days - clearly Day 6 post op - wow! (Now if they could just help with & edit button to fix typos) I had mentioned being very sleepy the last few days, and more emotional. I think some is just being in such a vulnerable state right now, otherwise still happy I went through it. Feeling lonely as well, not many friends I expected to check on me did & well I can't "do" anything - but grateful for the few that have made efforts. I had some worry about my FNG & wondering if under those bolsters they were finding their blood source, but that's out of my control & I'm sure its fine. I also trust that if Anything ever bad happens at all my PS will do all he can to help fix it. So can't wait until Tuesday! Nipples, driving, shower? Yes please?

With this Houston heat, I realized I better leave early morning/night to go outside. I still can't drive so I did have someone with me. Hit a quick breakfast, and then Walmart for my sports bra (I can't wear one until approved by PS, maybe Tuesday) I purchased $7.98 Fruit of the Loom, comfort front close up Sports bra shown to me by the PS nurse. 2 sizes up from my initial bra width 38 to a 42.

Wanting to add some fruits/veggies - I decided after checkout to go pick them up myself leaving my friend waiting with the cart. Not sure what happened but suddenly that feeling of "I'm going to pass out" - thankfully I didn't but that scared the crap out of me on being very careful & wondering why it seems I was so energized after surgery & now am so fatigued. Anyone else have that happen? Don't have much appetite, heard small meals will help with that.

I've been using LBEmuoil.com for my bruising/swelling - something my mother/I use for all sorts of things. I will post some pics of a different a day makes. I have only changed my bandages 1x a day, otherwise I'd be further along in healing I think. But as I've said I'm so protective I don't expose the girls for anything if I don't have to. The oozing has subsided to yellow finally (wth is that?) & the side stitches are bruised to the touch more from relaxing from the pucker and hurt more. I can't wait til that glue crap is off cuz I know that's some of the tugging.

I want to say major kudos & empathy to those that have to go back to work a week later & haven't had someone to help with the chores/especially bandages. I have been blessed & don't forget it. With as tired/sensitive as physically even though it's a desk job I can't imagine how I'd sit for 8hrs a day & be helpful. I'm not just tired - yawn, I'm like Tired - eyes drop better lie down & sleep for 3 hrs tired. I do have a weaker immune system so probably just how my body is compared to most, just probably a reminder to slow it down!

To my ladies that are having surgery tomorrow, this week or around the corner..chins up & have faith. To the rest that are recovering with me or well on your way & still teaching us ropes ~ Thank you & happy healing and enjoying the new view!

Oh Oh - forgot to mention - I can eat at the table without my breasts on it & see my food. It's the little things!