Updated Photos - 3 Weeks Post-Op - North Carolina

I apologize for not being better about posting updates or pictures - hopefully the bounty of pictures I am uploading today will make up for some of that. I will also apologize for the pictures - I took them with my phone so the lighting isn't great.

First - how I'm doing. I'm doing great! I'm 23 days post-op and so much of the swelling has gone done! I'm back to most of my normal activities but still adhering to the limitations regarding lifting that my doctor set (no more than 5 pounds for four weeks). Tomorrow will be two full weeks of being back to work and it has gone very well. I haven't been unusually tired at any point. My back and neck pain is completely gone! I am feeling some sharp pains in my nipple region on occasion but it is so infrequent that it isn't even annoying at this point. I can sleep mostly on my side though I still try to sleep mainly on my back just to prevent any unnecessary soreness.

Second - how I'm healing. I'm healing pretty well. The ugly scabs under Leftie (from the picture) are now gone and my incisions haven't been leaky/oozy in more than a week. I've removed most of the steri strips (feels great!) but I am using paper tape on any incisions that could stretch (like the sides of my breasts from reaching). Yesterday I removed the paper tape I had been using around my nipples because every time I peeled it off to replace it, I could see where my incisions would separate in a couple of tiny places. In one photo I shared, you can see where the vertical incision directly below Leftie's nipple separated just a tad. I didn't know it was like this until after the steri strips came off. I think it happened when I caught an elbow right in the boob the second day I was back at work. OUCH! The little scab under that place has now come off which makes it look much better. That Leftie, I tell you - it's the bane of my existence! It's had more swelling, yucky scabs, a separated incision... Oh well. It is tons better than it was! Rightie is healing like a dream. I couldn't be happier with either of them, to tell the truth.

I go back to the doc next week for my one-month checkup. She said we will talk about scar massage at that point. This surgery was seriously the best thing I have ever done. :D :D

Well, kids, it has been a week. And I have never been happier! Everything is going very well for me. Here are the highlights:

- I ended up taking only the three pain pills (those I had taken the first three nights after surgery). I've not needed any Tylenol for post-surgery pain either. This has been easier than I anticipated! I finished my prednisone yesterday and today is my last day of antibiotics. Hooray for not needing more drugs!
- I've been switching between my surgical bra and some Genie bras I had pre-surgery (I would have to use two to cover my old boobs and would just wear them around the house when I was tired of underwires). The Genie bras fit perfectly now and are sooo comfortable on my new boobs! Wearing one provides the perfect amount of support for my healing babies and the band doesn't turn under or interfere with my incisions at all. I'm able to lift my arms over my head so getting them on has not been bad.
- On Sunday (day 5 post-op), I started getting a lot of sensation in my breasts - fluttering, tapping, and feelings of cold so cold it was hot! Most of the sensations have not been uncomfortable - just strange. They are more prevalent in the evenings.
- I've not had a single twinge in my upper back since surgery. No burning in my muscles, no neck pain, nothing. It is amazing what 4.4 pounds can cause!
- I still have drains. Yes, I know. They don't bother me (they don't hurt) but I am really ready to get rid of my "utters" - I'm tired of these things laying on my stomach! I was still draining a little too much over the weekend when I called my numbers in to the doc. They dropped significantly yesterday though and I should have the drains removed tomorrow. When I do, I'll post new pics.
- The bruising I had is almost gone now - just a little yellow. The swelling is also not bad at all. Some areas of my breasts are a little hard from swelling still but other places are getting much softer and more natural-feeling.
- I've been slowly trying on all the clothes in my closet. Most everything I already owned fits - and looks great now! Everything is much more comfortable to wear and I will need to do a lot less shopping than I originally thought! I'm a novice seamstress and though the darts in some of the tops I made pre-surgery are quite a bit too low, the blouses still will work well with a cardigan over them (only to hide the low darts).
- My mom and I went shopping yesterday, looking for a dress for my friend's wedding that is in less than two weeks. I picked up three adorable dresses, two of which have the tiniest little straps! One has molded cups and they fit perfectly. Even with the shape-changing that will be taking place, they should continue to fit. Three clearance dresses and a new two-pack of Genie Bras for $60! These bras are going to be in heavy rotation. :)

I think that is all for now. Again, I'll post more pictures after my drains are removed (should be tomorrow). Hoping everyone is doing well!

I apologize for the lack of updates over the last several days but things have been a whirlwind. First and foremost, surgery went wonderfully. I wasn't nervous even walking into the OR. My mom and sister went to the surgical center with me and they were wonderful, of course. I woke up in recovery after about 4 hours of surgery and one and a half hours of sleep. I drank too much water too soon and ended up getting a little sick but was able to leave by seven that evening (surgery was scheduled for 11:45 but started a little later than that). Everything went well after I got home that night. Sleeping sitting mostly upright was incredibly comfortable for me (I'm a back or side sleeper).

Wednesday was a really good day too. My mom helped me get cleaned up and we went out to the grocery store for a bit. We made lunch together and watched movies. I did nap for about two hours but that was all. Yesterday was also great and we went out to walk around a store for a while (about 1.5 hours) and then to out lunch. Once home, we vegged out on the sofas watching movies. I took another 2-hour nap through the day.

I've slept all through the night both nights and haven't taken any pain meds through any day. I have taken one each night just to make sure I do sleep through the night but I'm going to skip tonight to see if there is a difference. I do have drains that will be removed next week (either Monday or Wednesday, I'm not sure which). So far they aren't causing any discomfort at all. I'm draining well and my breasts aren't very swollen at all. I'm wrapped in gauze under my surgical bra and my mom and I took a sneak peak yesterday - so little bruising! We only looked at one though. The nurse said if I wasn't oozing through the bra, there was no need to remove the gauze.

I go for my first post-op appointment today so I will be able to see my new happy boobs! I'm very excited. I also know that I am very fortunate to have had these days since the surgery be so easy for me. My mom has been a godsend, my boyfriend has been wonderful, and I think my PS did an amazing job! Once I have something other than a surgical bra and drains to show, I'll post some pictures.

I hope the rest of you are doing well with your recoveries and waiting for your surgery dates! I am thinking of you all!