43, Talked Myself out of It for Years! - Seattle, WA

I am two weeks post-op, still quite swollen around the abdomen. I had a breast reduction and lift, full tummy tuck and flank liposuction. I have 3 young children - which drastically changed my shape! - and a busy lifestyle (which, apart from being fearful, the downtime was a concern).

I do not have a before photo on hand, so let me describe: 34dd pancakes. The wade my short waist non-existent. Even the very best bras kept my breasts 9" away from my clavicle. Now I'm around 7", about 34d, firm and perky! After surgery my surgery my new nipples were causing pain; this went away within a day - however, I did have a plethora of drugs. Helpful. Otherwise no real pain or complications, just a bit of irritation beneath the breast from the bra. I am extremely pleased.

The tummy tuck... I'd been amply warned! No bathing, numbness, itchy scaring, and difficulty moving due to extreme pain and worry have been the worst for me.
The next tier would be inactivity due to the pain (getting in/out of the car; walking, etc.) and the drug cloud I was in for just over a week. The drain tubes, perhaps being in in the pubis area - unfriendly with the garment - became an obsession, keeping it ver clean, perfectly positioned but nothing removed the discomfort from my mind.

Two weeks post- op, I'm starting to feel better, but still too swollen to fit my usual 28/29 jeans. I'm in 31 right now, however my belly and breasts look streamlined, firmed with a waist! Yay! I still can not shop for more than 15 minutes, and the obsessiveness (if you can't tell, I am) of doing things right are paramount. Dr. Salemy told me three days ago, this period is most dangerous as we feel more like ourselves again and overdo it. Since I plan to never have this again, I'm following orders.

The flank liposuction is so far unremarkable. I'm not sure yet I will benefit from the procedure. I will keep you posted! The only brushing I had was it the upper back section, which is nearly gone.

I did have a great deal of help and for the first 8 days I needed it... But I'm off drugs now, and carefully able to drive when needed though I avoid it.

Oh, BTW, I'm 5'6, 138#.

Lastly, I researched for the best surgeon around, and found him with some help here. I don't think he's as "reasonable" in cost, but for this sort of risk the money, to me, is nothing.

On the 20th I saw my surgeon because my T incision had possibly become infected. The sides of the vertical incision became dark reddish in hue, with tinge of purple. The stitched area was slightly open and seemed a bit angry. Moreover, I was nauseous which really scared me. What on earth did I do wrong?
Luckily I was able to see him quickly and he put me at ease with, what was most likely, a prophylactic antibiotic. Everything else was healing fine. I just finished the meds and things have dried up and the colors have faded quit a bit. My concern now, however slight, is the lower T: as of today, seems too dry and has pulled a bit creating, what I'm guessing is, a superficial wound. As I write it appears to be scabbing.

Last week was the toughest. Only yesterday and today have I felt like myself again. My skin was hypersensitive (for maybe 2 weeks) and so intense it was hard to sleep. Anything touching me hurt, like a bad sunburn, but as of yesterday, that has subsided greatly. Thankfully! (Moisturizer and gentle massage with a mild lotion in - safe areas - helped w/ hypersensitivity, fwiw.)

It was around this time - 2 weeks post-op - that my bouts of depression, or just disappointment, set in. My tummy is uneven with swelling, and for a long while, painful on one side. This pain is now. When I'm upright I feel solid and strong, and know what I'm seeing (as flaws) is swelling. My breasts on the other hand...

I just stood in the mirror with my husband after doing my self-care ritual and cried. My perky breasts have dropped noticeably. My husband asked what happened to my breasts as I stepped out of the shower, and since I noticed it several days ago but talked myself out of worry, his comment sent me into tears. They were lovely, just what I wished for, and though the shape is still nice, my waist is again obscured by my low, heavy looking breasts. They've softened too, no longer firm like last week. Just as a comparison, I put on a soft bra I wore pre-op and disappointingly look the same as before! I can't imagine how, but I'm holding out hope they will rise again, as I've been so careful. They are healing beautifully, my nipples and all.

My navel seems fully closed, only slight scabbing left.

So... I'm no longer in pain and feel I'm over the hump, but really upset with my breasts thus far. I'm trying to keep an open mind and stay positive.

I will keep posting if anyone is out there.