35 Yr. Old, Very Athletic Dancer/gymnast/aerialist (16 Hrs/week), No Kids, 5'4 110 Petite, Currently 32 A/AA - Pennsylvania

My sutures came out a little over a week ago, and my PS said everything looks great. They are definitely improving by the day! I'm still wearing the band but he said I only have to do it if/when it is socially acceptable for me lol, so basically I only wear it when I'm at home at night and to sleep. I started getting zingers and I got one in my right breast that lasted for three days straight, not coming and going, just constant. So that has pretty much been the most painful part of this whole process for me. It felt like half of my breast was on fire, and the other half was just numb. That feeling has slowly subsided.

The day my PS took my sutures out, he told me to put Neosporin on my incisions for a week and then I could switch to scar treatment, so I've been using the ScarAway silicone patches since Thursday. I can't believe how well they worked after just one treatment! When I don't have the patches on, I've been using the ScarAway gel.

My left breast is still riding a little high, but not too bad. I see my PS again on Monday. I'm also getting Botox and Juvaderm, which I've done before. I'm hoping he clears me in a week to go back to dance. I'm going insane not being able to do anything! I finally discussed my surgery with my dance director and he was fine with it (phew!). We are starting major rehearsals next week and he said that it is fine if I'm not cleared yet, he won't pull me from my spot and I can just "mark" it, so that was a huge relief. Pretty much all of my clothes and sports bras still fit me which is nice! I have no problem buying new bras though when it is time. I've been massaging in the shower and throughout the day with cocoa butter. I'm not really having issues sleeping on my sides now, and I get a little bit of morning boob, but nothing severe. I will post again next week.

Tugaboos for sore/sensitive nipples
Lansinoh Thera Pearl hot/cold breast packs (Amazon)

Well, it has been a week since my surgery and I am doing just great. I have had absolutely no bruising and the pain really hasn't been that bad at all, although I did use all of the pain meds because I had to travel over the weekend for a funeral and was up walking around a lot rather than being able to rest.

Sleeping for me has been a breeze. Last night was the first night that I slept in my bed. I've been sleeping propped up on my couch since surgery (I have a chaise lounge hybrid couch type thing). I woke up somewhat turned to one side but it wasn't painful. I went back to work on Monday. I'm not really having pain when driving except for some turns, opening doors is still strenuous, and I can carry things but I have had other people do it for me just to be safe. My right breast has already dropped, and they have definitely softened up a lot. When I went in last Thursday for my first post-op visit, my PS told me to start lightly massaging the sides and tops so I've been doing that whenever I can and I think it has really made a difference. He also gave me the band (aka torture contraption) to help push them down. I was instructed to wear it at all times. It's not really painful at all, just annoying. I got a slight rash from it which my PS said might happen, so I used some over the counter cortisone cream (his instruction) and now I wear the band over a thin tshirt. I go tomorrow to get my sutures out and I'm hoping he tells me that I don't have to wear the band anymore lol.

The last few days my nipples have been SUPER sensitive and sore, which I guess is a good thing because that means there wasn't any nerve damage. It hasn't helped that I also got my period three days ago, ugh. Anyway, I've been putting this creamy petroleum jelly on them after I shower and put my cocoa butter on. It's called Tugaboos, I got it at Rite Aid and I think it is their generic version of Aquaphor. It was with the baby stuff. It seriously has helped! Another product I've been loving is a set of hot/cold gel packs made especially for nursing mothers so they are breast-shaped. I just stick them between my sports bra and shirt and it is so relieving (I use them cold). I got them from Amazon and they are called Lansinoh Thera Pearl 3 in 1 Breast Therapy; great product!

Although I know that my breasts aren't finished settling yet and won't be for a while, I couldn't resist doing a little bra shopping the other day. Aerie was doing 40% off of bras so I bought three. I measured as a 32C :))) Exactly where I wanted to be! I just can't say enough good things about this experience and my PS. Everyone that has seen me already says that they look so great and natural.

I guess the best advice I could give would be to really trust your PS. Mine gave me three size options 300, 325, 350. After really telling him my expectations and wants he told me not to go below a 300 or above a 350. I had sooooo many comments on here saying that even 300s were going to be way to big with too much projection. I was even getting nervous after looking at pictures but everyone is different anatomically. Trust your doctor and know that the sizers are gonna be pretty true to your actual results. I was really on the fence regarding whether to go with 325 or 350, and honestly I think I would've been happy with either because there is barely a difference. I went with the smaller size because I was concerned about being too big and I feel that I really made the right decision. So if you are on the fence, just think which you would be more upset about, being too big or being too small and then let that be the deciding factor! So my end choice was Mentor Silicone Memory Gel 325cc smooth round high profile.

I plan on posting again next week. Good luck for anyone that has an upcoming surgery, and Happy Thanksgiving!