Numbness in the Fingers and Back Pain for Years - Indianapolis, IN

I am posting this after it occurred. I started writing on POD 5 and added some previous information as well.
I have had back pain and nerve compression (resulting in numbness to the thumb and first 2 fingers) on and off for years and I finally had the time to take care of this. I was measured at 38H but I can wear a 40DD (equivalent to a 38DDD) without too much spillage, so I think I am more of a 38 DDD to 38DDDD. I would like to be reduced to a 38C to D, anything smaller will probably look bad on my frame. My BMI currently is 27, I just lost about 20 pounds (over 8 months) and hope to shed a few more pounds. My main exercise is riding a FitDesk, I can get in 10K steps a day with it while watching Netflix or doing computer work.

Wednesday November 4
Day of surgery, up early and my weight is up 1.6 lbs. above what I am normally. What can I say, I had a pre-op Chinese buffet trip yesterday! I am sure some of it is sodium retention. At home, I couldn’t find my post-op medications (naproxen and tramadol). I finally just grabbed a bottle of Tylenol (8 hour) and took that with me. I let the nurse know that I had forgotten the meds and she said they would give me something before discharge to carry me over until I found them. The doctor came in to mark me up with a Sharpie, and asked if I wanted to go bigger or smaller. I said, “Definitely a C, maybe a D, so bigger, I just don’t think I would look right with too much off.” Then off to surgery.
I had a great anesthesiologist, she may have been just a little liberal with the Dilaudid though! I don’t remember waking up until maybe 2 pm, and I was still dizzy at 5 pm when they kicked me out of the Same Day Surgery suite. I got a little nauseous with movement (the pink bucket is my good luck charm). They did not give me any narcotic pain medication before discharge since I was dizzy.
As planned, we went to Holiday Inn for my first night. I did nothing, just held onto the cart (still dizzy), and stayed in bed for a bit, then walked down to watch the others in the pool. I have only taken OTC Aleve (440 mg) and 8-hr acetaminophen, no narcotics were taken or needed. We had Jimmy John’s for supper, no nausea for me although I am keeping the pink bucket close for good luck! Just a hit of nausea occasionally but no real pain, no vomiting.
In bed around 10 pm, and it was a restless night. I don’t sleep well in a reclined position, even with 4 pillows! I woke up on my own around 2:30 am to take more Tylenol, and then about 6 am for more Aleve. I am sore, but no real pain, And tired still.

Thursday November 5, POD 1
Post op visit today, got up finally about 8 am (awake since about 6 am) and took my turn in the shower. I got a first look at the incisions, and even let my friend take a look at them. Everything is bloppy, not smooth and I can see my fluffly abdomen – not a good site. It seems like I am much less than a C size.
No pain, just stiff, achy, and sore, I am taking my OTC medications when due even if I feel well.
At the post-op visit, I asked about how much had been removed. Pre-op visit, I remember her saying something about 600 grams. She took off 725g on one side and 750g on the other – over 3 pounds total. (My weight with clothing this am was about 3 pounds up from pre-op). And she said that I am less than a C. Not sure why she took off so much when she didn’t need to? Something I didn’t think to ask then but will at the next visit.
I feel great – really just sore. I have been told that I have a high pain tolerence, so YMMV. She said that I can drive, so I drove to meet my friend for lunch, and then drove home. It is good to be back home!
I got in 10K steps today, trying to stay active but not raising my heart rate much. I am walking and riding my exercise bike (which she OK’d). My weight is up 1.8 pounds (not really accurate since I weighed with clothing at the doctor’s office after eating breakfast)

Friday November 6, POD 2
I took a picture today, and I hope to take one daily for a while to show the changes. I am still wearing the sports compression bra (I have 4 that I alternate) and with them on, I am almost totally flat. There is breast tissue under there, but it is compressed flat. It helps me to look at the images and know that I am not really flat! I know that I am still swollen, and I don’t know how much more I will reduce, but I think that I may be between a B and a C cup. Hopefully I don’t go below a B, I can’t even find bras that are a 38A.
Weight is down to about pre-op, 0.2 lbs above my pre-op (post buffet) weight.

Saturday, November 7, POD 3
I went to the free clinic today (I volunteer), did no lifting but I did see two patients. I was there to shadow more than anything but I did do a pap (no lifting) and a annual exam. No twisting, no lifting, and I felt fine. Just taking the Aleve now.

Sunday, November 8, POD 4
Feeling good, my weight is down to 2.8 below my pre-op weight. I figure this is about what she took off, so anything from here is my loss! Only walking and riding my exercise bike, but trying to stay active.
The compression sports bra really flattens me out, so I wore two bras today. Not a bad look. I justify it by saying that the second bra actually fits (it does) but I need more compression right now. So the look is the same as what I hope to be later, about 38 B-C. I am trying to embrace the “less is more” athletic breast size. My stomach doesn’t stick out as much, or maybe I have better posture? Either way, not too bad.
I still can’t sleep reclined, and actually laid down for a few hours last night. Very achy still today, still taking the Aleve.
And I slosh. No kidding! I was reclined, and when I scratched my upper breast, I sound like a drum. When I rub there is a definite sloshing. I guess I have more water weight to loose.

Monday Nov 11, POD 5
Today started out well, I was down 5 lbs. on the scale (pre-op weight), to a weight 1.5 pounds below any pre-surgery weight! I was expecting this because I was diuresing a lot yesterday. I am still having trouble sleeping well because I do not sleep well sitting up. I drove to the office, just to check on something and to do a little shopping. Nothing vigorous, mostly just walking about. And no lifting of anything heavier than 5 pounds (my handbag). I bought another sports bra.
After I got back home, I took a nap. No pain, I just feel so achy, I am not sure if it is because of the problem with sleeping (my back hurts) or if I am just achy from healing. I am tired still, even after my nap I am sure that I will not have any trouble getting to bed tonight. Maybe I should just chuck it up to healing. And I have just a tinge of nausea hanging down in the depths of my stomach.
I plan to make my own scar cream soon, using Vitamin E oil, lavender oil, and a coconut oil/beeswax base.

Tuesday November 10 POD 6
I don’t remember taking Aleve last night, this morning I am only achy, mostly my upper back (probably from trying to sleep upright). I will take it this am, for the anti-inflammatory effect mostly, I am in almost no pain, my shoulders ache like they did pre-surgery at the end of the day from carrying the weight of the breast tissue. I have no incisional pain. I do have decreased sensation, left is more sensitive than the right side. And I am very itchy! This is definitely tolerable and I think it will improve when I am able to sleep flat.
Weight is down about another .4 lbs. I am only walking and riding my exercise bike (which she said was OK, I really am trying not to over-do it even though I feel well). I am trying to eat more protein to assist with healing. I did pick up some yerbal mate to try instead of coffee in the morning. It is supposed to also help with mental clarity, and weight loss. We’ll see.

Wednesday, November 11, POD 7
One week! Yeah, I can start sleeping flat!
Weight is down, 6.2 lbs. below pre-op weight (which is about 2 lbs. above what I normally weigh, so actual loss of 4.2 lbs.) Since she only took off about 3 lbs., I consider this to reflect a weight loss!!
I have been experimenting with bras, and I think that I am currently between a B and C. C fits a little better since I have that side boop, and the C cup covers that a bit better. My breasts are small but wide, it seems to me. And a little perky from the side – something that I have never said about them before! I am usually a 38 but bought a few 36 sport bras for the compression. But a 38C does mostly fit now. I know that I am not done changing so I expect this to change in the future. But it is nice to know that I am at least a 38B (you can’t buy 38A in a store, I guess I would have had to buy on-line. Even 38B is harder to find).
Feeling well, still taking Aleve for the anti-inflammatory effect and the aches. Not so achy this morning but I will confess that I cheated a little and slept flat for at least 2 hours last night. Today is the first day that I have had almost no serous drainage on my bra from the nipple area. The steri strips on the nipples are still intact even though I bathe every day or every other day. There is also a clear dressing on the incisions under the breasts, these are every itchy.
I have an interview for a new job tomorrow! I tried out an outfit that was always a bit too tight in the chest and it fit very well! That will be one nice thing, having blouses and tops fit right.

Thursday November 12, POD 8
I almost forgot to take my Aleve today, I am feeling that good! I do get very tired after about 6 hours of anything, so I nap. I slept a little better last night, but I must have been a little too comfortable because I woke up with a crook in my neck.
Weight is up slightly but I always fluctuate. I’ll see how I average out tomorrow.
I found a great price on some sport bras at Walmart, so I got one in each color at $2.50 each, so I have plenty in large to use now. At that price, it was worth getting 3-4. My breast size may still change but I will get my moneys’ worth out of these in the meantime. The only thing is that they are slip over, but since I am now allowed to raise my arms above my neck, it shouldn’t be a problem.
I got the job! It was not the part time one (2 days a week) that I was wanting but at least I got a prn (as needed) job! And I made it clear that I would take a part-time job as soon as one opened, and she said that she would consider it.

I took photos this am but here is no discernible change, so I will be posting periodically instead of daily.
Weight is down 4 lbs. total, 2.4 below my baseline. I am also eating more fiber in the last few days, which retains water so some maybe related to that. So far I am happy with my loss.
Less tired today, I put this down to a better sleep. I was able to side-sleep last night and finally got some quality sleep! Still taking Aleve, and I will do so until this Saturday. I will stop at that point since it is doubtful that it will be needed.
The steri strips are starting to peel off on the nipple area. They don't bother me so I will just leave them. The drainage is also less. I like the new sport bra that I purchased, it fits well without under-wires and I think it is helping to shape my breast tissue better. It is also more comfortable, so better all around.
I got two requests today for interviews for positions, both for the same day, Nov. 23, which is when my post-op visit is scheduled.