37 Years Old, 2 Active Little Boys, Bringing Sexy Back After Nursing! - Richmond, VA

After finally getting a chance to spend a bit more time on this site, I've realized there aren't very many of us that have had the underarm (transaxillary) procedure. It seems like the healing is different, because the incisions are different. I know it also depends on the doctor and how experienced they are in this type of procedure. As for my experience, I feel like i completely lucked out when I found my PS. He uses the transaxillary procedure on a regular basis, and felt that this was the best one for me. So far, I have been more than happy with my results!

My experience was this: We went for the underarm incision, saline unders (380 cc's in right, 380 filled to 410cc's on the left). He said I had very little bleeding, had some pain and tightness, but I was able to control it with one pain pill every 4 hours for the first 3 days. I didn't believe him when he told me that I could actually pick my son up (22lbs) on the third day, but I was able to do that a little, although I tried to avoid it when I could and only picked him up using my legs mostly and his back to my stomach. I was able to drive on the third day as well. I took my oldest son to school, but honestly, that's about all the activity I could stand except for the little things around the house with the youngest son. He also encouraged me to move as much as possible without raising my heart rate too much (risk of bleeding), raise my arms over my head, etc. I was able to wash my hair on the 4th day- taking a shower felt HEAVENLY. He also said that I could start taking ibuprofen instead of the Percocet so i wouldn't get too hung up on those. Since I had no problems with bleeding during surgery, he was confident I'd be okay. I really stopped taking the tough pain pills on a regular basis by the 4th day. I would take one every now and then, especially if I had some soreness going to bed, but really by the end of the first week, I've been able to stay away from meds unless I absolutely can't stand the soreness.

In general, I'd say the pain and soreness that you have within the first week or two really feels like when you've had a baby and your milk comes in- you feel like you're about to POP! Because I'd felt that twice before, it didn't bother me too much. I think it was the random tweaks of pain and muscle spasms I felt worried me the most. When I felt those, I stepped back and took it easy.

Bras: I've had the worst time getting a bra on the fly after surgery. I feel like it was the best thing for me to do to wait until I knew what size I'd be, but he recommended an underwire right away, a tshirt comfort fit underwire bra (Fruit of the Loom, #9292) from Walmart, and I could NEVER find a 34 D/DD anywhere. My husband got my first bra from Target- an underwire that was a silkier feel in a 36D. I had the "raisin look" going on the first few days, but started filling it out after I settled a bit and had to wear my band for a few days. I was able to finally find a 36D in the bra he recommended, and also found a pretty one that makes me look like "Chesty LaRue" from Victoria Secret! That one is a 34 DD. I think I will be doing a lot of bra shopping online from now on or in specialty shops.

Yesterday, I went to see the doc for a two week post-op and make sure I could take my band off. He was extremely impressed with my progress, the incision are almost invisible (a GREAT advantage of transaxillary incisions!), my new girls looked almost natural (they'd fluffed and dropped quite a bit), he said I could go braless anytime (YAYYYYYY!) EXCEPT for bedtime. He said it would be like having braces and having to wear a retainer after getting them off- the underwire will help keep the girls in place and less sagging. I will go for a 6 week appointment in June, but other than that, i'm set! I'm totally in love with my new tatas, and I couldn't ask for anything better!! I'm at a great size, teetering on the line that I can show them off or fly under the radar with them if I wanted to- exactly what I wanted!

One more thing, MASSAGES. I know i've said this a few times already in some comments, but I can't say enough positive things about COCONUT OIL. It has really helped with some of the itchiness from over-sensitive nerves and stretching. I put it on at least two times a day. I massage it into my incisions and all over my chest. It really does help move things around a bit, easing the nerve tension and everything if you have trouble with that sort of thing!

Other than that, I will try to revise this at 3 weeks! Happy week ladies!!

Today, I'm feeling a bit more discomfort while wearing the band, probably because I'm trying to stay off the meds and stick to Advil during the day. Doesn't numb the pain as much, but I'm only taking 600 mg. however, I'm experiencing less discomfort during the massages, and the girls are starting to soften a bit- righty is looking more natural than the left at this point out of the bra. I'm itching to go bra shopping, but holding off until I know how everything is going to fit later. I'm sticking to the underwire I got after surgery and my pretty VS one my hubby bought me after post op. :)

It's amazing how the recovery seems easier every day. I still hate the band I have to wear on top, pushing everything down, and there are actual moments I have a little nausea (could be from the slight constipation coming from the meds), but I'm able to move around ALOT. I was actually able to wash my hair today, I've been able to pick up my 1-year-old with no trouble (something I had permission to do, surprisingly!) I am doing the massages as often as I can (I wince at the first one EVERY TIME, but after you get started, it's a cinch!).

I hate that I can't check in and update more often than I am- my husband and boys keep me busy!! But I have appreciated having a place to go for support anytime I need it, so THANK YOU LADIES!!

I realized I never really posted my full stats last time. So here it goes...
I'm 37, 121 lbs, 5'4", was a deflated B (almost A) from nursing. Went to a voluptuous full D cup (DD in Victoria Secret) with Mentor saline high profile unders, with incisions under the arm. 380cc's in Right, 410cc's in Left.