Day 1 Post Operative - Manchester, GB

Mr Mahdi and the team at Transform Manchester are superb - 295 unders performed yesterday to replace 'empty' 47 year old breasts - as you can appreciate the bra maybe doesn't do much justice to the results underneath but at this stage I don't think I will be posting public undressed pictures. My surgeon was consultative and a great listener and we are both very happy with the results. As you can appreciate last night was a bit rough as I had drains and the massage machine on my legs so it didn't aid a restful sleep - will keep you posted on my progress - tired but happy and very glad I finally made the decision to do something for me!!

Had a sneaky peak at my dressings - right one perfectly clean, left one was stained with what looked like yellowish liquid and blood - rang my surgery and they invited me to go in so they could take a look to see it was nothing untoward.

I managed to get into Manchester and my nurse removed the dressings off leftie and took a look - absolutely nothing to be worried about, totally normal to have some discharge and was only bloody because the 'leak' had come thru the wound - but dressings were actually very clean in general.

Nurse said they were healing well and I had the opportunity to look at them in the mirror - already starting to soften and scars very clean, with nicely shaped and pink nipples - phew what a relief. Only a tiny bit of bruising and nurse gave me some tips and confirmed a few questions I had.

Right one was left in original dressing as it is clean, this is the generally less painful side possibly because it's my dominant side.

Back on Friday for dressings removed and hopefully the all clear for a shower!!

I also found a great anniversary card for my hubby on 15th September - it couldn't be more true ????

Feeling a lot better today, even brave enough to take off my own bra and go 'near them'. Showed hubby he was super impressed and managed his expectation that they are likely not to stay so 'big' - men - so visual.

Took a few shots for you hard to really see in a black bra and my dressings are not matched so makes one breast look different to the other

Very pleased with progress and pain is now minimal - yes mornings are a little stiffer but then isn't your whole body?!

Sleeping really very well since Sunday the whole raised head and shoulders bit is super comfortable which I never thought I would say for a front sleeper! I bought a foam 45 degree wedge and have 2 or 3 pillows on it was only about £17 and is more than sufficient - I keep my shoulders and head on this and apparently this helps with swelling and not final breast positioning

I can honestly say that the main thing going into all of this is preparation

I mean this across all aspects of life - health, weight, diet and fitness I truly believe have helped me so far in this recovery- I feel a lot stronger mentally and physically than I believed I would and I thank myself for that.

Be honest with yourself about what you really want, make your outcomes realistic - wish boobs are great but what looks great on a 20 or 30 year old might be way off what the realities of 3 big babies, weight loss, body condition and gravity will produce on a 47 year old body that looks better in clothes - if I can keep in this headspace things are going to be just great.