Here Goes Something - Seattle, WA

I have been meaning to update this review for forever. I suddenly stopped updating once things got back to normal because I was too busy enjoying things being normal to revisit the hard part, but so many stories on this site helped me through the hard times so I felt I should at least wrap up my own story.

This surgery was the best decision I could have made. Even with all the rough times while healing and even though I still ended up a large DD, it has changed my life in such a positive way. I feel like it freed me up to be who I am instead of feeling like I was defined by my bra size. Shortly after my last post I was able to go shopping and buy normal tops without worrying about how far the chest would stretch or if miles of cleavage were showing. My scars are practically invisible and I have been able to run pain free. I looked at a photo I took before the surgery and couldn't believe I ever lived with that kind of weight on my chest.

Not that it made everything perfect, I am still a rather large size and though finding bras got infinitely easier it is still a challenge when you are anything over a D cup. I also still have a lot of work to do to correct all that damage to my back/posture that carrying around a large chest for so many years caused. But things are good and I am really happy with the decision I made.

I hope for the same result for all of you :)

I made it to 6 weeks without any wound opening! Hurray! It is a huge relief to have passed the six week mark. Unfortunately my incisions are only 2/3 closed, which seems like a lot of scab to still have at 6 weeks but I feel like I will be all the way there by next week so I am hopeful. I also still have not ventured away from the surgical bra, however, I am way more comfortable in the bra I wear while I wash it then I used to be and tried on some other bras today. Only half the bras I got will work, but I was hardly surprised given that I couldn't really try them on before and this is a whole new size. The most luck I am having is with the Bali bras and the Underscore zip front sports bras from JCPenney. By the looks of the forum these are what are working for a lot of other people as well. The Genie bras I got definitely aren't working, the sizing is way smaller than what it says on the box and the shaping is a bit weird. I also got a Glamorise wire-free bra but that doesn't really work because of how pointy the cups are. Once my incisions are all the way closed I will go bra shopping for real.

The only setbacks I am really dealing with is the possibility that I am forming an abscess on one of my incisions and an irregular period. The possible abscess started out looking like a stitch trying to come out but now it looks like a bump the width of a pencil eraser. I am just going to keep an eye on it and will call my PS if it gets any bigger or red around the edges. And I had my second period since the surgery, and though my first one was shortly after the surgery and normal (with the exception of the extra terrible boob pain) this one only lasted 2 days (it usually lasts 5 like clockwork), anyone else having strange menstrual cycle post-op?

Week 4 to 5 and it was definitely full of ups and downs. I had felt super great during the week only to be sore and achey all weekend, I guess it kind of all built up and spent the whole weekend sleeping and recovering. By Sunday the T area on the bottom of lefty started looking really gross, a bunch of layers of skin coming off (more than just peeling) and there was an inch long spot that looked almost like a red sore. I stopped using the A&D and took extra time airing everything out with the blow dryer after my shower but it ended up looking worse the next day. I felt really down that night, I just kept thinking "what did I do to myself?" and that this isn't worth it. I called my PS and the nurse said it sounded like there was some drainage that had made things a bit damp and my skin was getting macerated, she suggested airing things out more. So I have been leaving my bra off for an hour and a half after I shower every day and only using A&D on my nipples and things are looking better. It's tough because you can't really do much with your boobs out for an hour and a half at this stage so it's a bit chilly and boring but it's worth it because I am feeling better about everything. I think things are just at an odd stage right now, kind of scabby and very new skin.

I have been rather anxious at this stage as well because I know a lot of people run into complications like wound opening between week 3 and 5 so I have been terrified that something is going to happen to prolong the whole healing process, which would just make me lose my marbles. I need to make it through 5 more days and then my odds of complications drop.

I have bought a couple of bras but haven't felt comfortable trying anything on yet. Especially since my second period since the surgery will start in a couple of days and they say only the first one is extra painful on the new boobs but OUCH! That is not at all true for me, things are noticeably more painful w/ the PMS again. I am hoping that once it's over the swelling goes down considerably because it currently looks like I am still a DD. And while I understand that as a former DDDDD (H cup) that is still a considerable difference, it is hard to think that I went through this to still be in the doubles.

Onward, I can do this. See you guys at week 6.