Booby update
Just added some pics to my BL/BA album.
I know it hasn't quite been a full week since I last posted pictures, but my breasts already are looking better and not *quite* so much like water balloons that are ready to explode. They look fantastic from the front but from the side, still pretty gnarly because they're high up.
My left breast is my "good child", has started to drop a tiny bit, is looser, doesn't cramp up a lot. The right one is the "bad child" and tends to swell up at the end of the day and get very hot, I have to put frozen peas on it. But that's because I'm right-handed so I'm using that side a lot more, even though I'm not lifting anything heavy. It will spontaneously cramp up sometimes so hard that my whole arm swings around. THAT hurts. If I massage the muscle right next to the armpit area it helps a bit. I also find that if I get cold, shivering will cause both pecs to really cramp a lot, so I make an effort to be dressed very warmly all the time.
My PS doesn't have me doing any breast massage because I have the full lift incisions and he wants them to heal completely without me messing around with the tissues. So at the moment I'm just doing gentle stretches (shoulder rolls mostly) to help loosen the pecs.
My nipples have gotten very dry and flaky the past few days so I've been carefully rubbing a little hypoallergenic lotion on just the nipple, not getting any on the areola incisions. It hurts to apply, because they're SO hypersensitive. I keep little gauze pads taped over them under my clothes. No bra, the implants have to drop into place. So no support.
When I bend over I feel like my boobs are going to fall right off. That's the only time I can really feel the incisions along the bottom crease of my breasts. I have to hold my arm across my chest if I bend over.
I was horribly freaked out when I felt how FIRM they were, but someone on another messageboard assured me that they will get so much softer. If you have a bag of water, and you squeeze it tightly with your fist and poke it with your other hand, the bag will feel very firm. But if you've just got it laying on the table, it's soft. Same thing with implants (especially saline, like me). Mine is being squeezed, but once the muscle lets up it'll get a lot softer. Not as soft as silicone, but hey, it's the choice I made.
I met a super cute guy recently through work and I just want my freaking boobs to DROP already so I can wear pretty (read: tight low-cut) tops around him. I've been covering up my man-pecs with sweatshirts and sweaters. Patience, patience.
I'm gearing up for my TT next friday, not gonna lie, I'm very scared. But also excited. EEEEEK!!!
I know it hasn't quite been a full week since I last posted pictures, but my breasts already are looking better and not *quite* so much like water balloons that are ready to explode. They look fantastic from the front but from the side, still pretty gnarly because they're high up.
My left breast is my "good child", has started to drop a tiny bit, is looser, doesn't cramp up a lot. The right one is the "bad child" and tends to swell up at the end of the day and get very hot, I have to put frozen peas on it. But that's because I'm right-handed so I'm using that side a lot more, even though I'm not lifting anything heavy. It will spontaneously cramp up sometimes so hard that my whole arm swings around. THAT hurts. If I massage the muscle right next to the armpit area it helps a bit. I also find that if I get cold, shivering will cause both pecs to really cramp a lot, so I make an effort to be dressed very warmly all the time.
My PS doesn't have me doing any breast massage because I have the full lift incisions and he wants them to heal completely without me messing around with the tissues. So at the moment I'm just doing gentle stretches (shoulder rolls mostly) to help loosen the pecs.
My nipples have gotten very dry and flaky the past few days so I've been carefully rubbing a little hypoallergenic lotion on just the nipple, not getting any on the areola incisions. It hurts to apply, because they're SO hypersensitive. I keep little gauze pads taped over them under my clothes. No bra, the implants have to drop into place. So no support.
When I bend over I feel like my boobs are going to fall right off. That's the only time I can really feel the incisions along the bottom crease of my breasts. I have to hold my arm across my chest if I bend over.
I was horribly freaked out when I felt how FIRM they were, but someone on another messageboard assured me that they will get so much softer. If you have a bag of water, and you squeeze it tightly with your fist and poke it with your other hand, the bag will feel very firm. But if you've just got it laying on the table, it's soft. Same thing with implants (especially saline, like me). Mine is being squeezed, but once the muscle lets up it'll get a lot softer. Not as soft as silicone, but hey, it's the choice I made.
I met a super cute guy recently through work and I just want my freaking boobs to DROP already so I can wear pretty (read: tight low-cut) tops around him. I've been covering up my man-pecs with sweatshirts and sweaters. Patience, patience.
I'm gearing up for my TT next friday, not gonna lie, I'm very scared. But also excited. EEEEEK!!!
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." -Bertrand Russell
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
My surgeon said "Yep, you're a bleeder." That was his explanation. I do bruise really easily so I guess when I bleed, it's a lot. If the bruise on my left breast keeps spreading out like it has been, soon I'll have one brown tit and one white one. The bruising has slowly bled down into my abdomen, so I have a band of yellow and purple that is migrating down my stomach. People are shocked by the appearance but I reassure them that it doesn't hurt at all. Well, not the bruising anyway. Just the muscles.
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." -Bertrand Russell
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
Well I decided to take off my bra for a few minutes today--MISTAKE. I leaned forward to turn the water on in the sink and it hurt like all hell. Terrible searing pain in my left boob. Did I mention this sucks??? I'm still just doing the gentle stretches you suggested and the light massage the nurse said I could do. It is almost like things are never going to be normal again. And I have one hypersensitive nipple and one with no feeling whatsoever. Seriously? Well, I hope you get to wear your tops around your super-cute guy soon!
And just a wee****il the TT?? Don't be scared. You'll do great. The drains (which I assume you'll have at least a couple) suck, but I've got mine in a little bag that hangs around my waist and am able to tend to them by myself, which is good. Whatever you do, do NOT cough or sneeze. :) If I think of anything particularly helpful, I'll let you know. Having had the LBL I'm guessing you'll have much less discomfort and limitation of movement than I'm having, but of course that is so individual there is no way to know. Praying for you!
Take care!
Denise
And just a wee****il the TT?? Don't be scared. You'll do great. The drains (which I assume you'll have at least a couple) suck, but I've got mine in a little bag that hangs around my waist and am able to tend to them by myself, which is good. Whatever you do, do NOT cough or sneeze. :) If I think of anything particularly helpful, I'll let you know. Having had the LBL I'm guessing you'll have much less discomfort and limitation of movement than I'm having, but of course that is so individual there is no way to know. Praying for you!
Take care!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
Amen. Leaning over sucks, it hurts my incisions. I've learned to squat more to pick things up, which is supposedly more healthy for your back anyway.
Are you taking pictures every few days? I know it's easy to get caught up in how far you still have to go. The one thing that saves me is looking at how far I've come already. You don't notice it yourself because you're looking/grabbing at them every second of the day. But when I look at the pictures it reassures me that I'm making progress (....mostly in the left boob, but I'll take it). Of course, now I have to be careful about letting anyone else use my laptop because I have topless pics of myself absolutely littering the desktop and iPhoto. And my phone, let's pray it never gets stolen and hacked. It's full of nudies too.
So can you explain to me this bag that hangs around your waist? I'm worried about the drains, I hear they're the worst part. I've heard people describe using large safety pins to suspend the drains from like, a necklace type thing they hang around their neck. It all sounds intimidating. Is this bag something you just rigged up yourself (like a plastic grocery bag) or like a fanny pack?
Good to hear you can tend to yours yourself. I know I'll need someone to help me with mine the first few days when I'm drugged out of my mind, but I'd like as much independence in my self-care as possible. I hate having to rely on other people for stuff. But I'm learning, believe me.
I really appreciate you sharing your tips. It means the world that someone else has gone through something similar, and is making it work.
Also, have you been looking at the justbreastimplants.com forums? they're an amazing resource. Thousands of users, tons of questions and answers, so much information about everything. It's been a real lifesaver for me when I start obsessing about some small detail. I can go look there and always find answers, because there are 30 other women who are obsessing about the same thing. It will seriously eat up your day if you're not careful.
Are you taking pictures every few days? I know it's easy to get caught up in how far you still have to go. The one thing that saves me is looking at how far I've come already. You don't notice it yourself because you're looking/grabbing at them every second of the day. But when I look at the pictures it reassures me that I'm making progress (....mostly in the left boob, but I'll take it). Of course, now I have to be careful about letting anyone else use my laptop because I have topless pics of myself absolutely littering the desktop and iPhoto. And my phone, let's pray it never gets stolen and hacked. It's full of nudies too.
So can you explain to me this bag that hangs around your waist? I'm worried about the drains, I hear they're the worst part. I've heard people describe using large safety pins to suspend the drains from like, a necklace type thing they hang around their neck. It all sounds intimidating. Is this bag something you just rigged up yourself (like a plastic grocery bag) or like a fanny pack?
Good to hear you can tend to yours yourself. I know I'll need someone to help me with mine the first few days when I'm drugged out of my mind, but I'd like as much independence in my self-care as possible. I hate having to rely on other people for stuff. But I'm learning, believe me.
I really appreciate you sharing your tips. It means the world that someone else has gone through something similar, and is making it work.
Also, have you been looking at the justbreastimplants.com forums? they're an amazing resource. Thousands of users, tons of questions and answers, so much information about everything. It's been a real lifesaver for me when I start obsessing about some small detail. I can go look there and always find answers, because there are 30 other women who are obsessing about the same thing. It will seriously eat up your day if you're not careful.
"The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution." -Bertrand Russell
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
5'9 HW: 297 GW: 160 CW: 161
I just took my first pictures yesterday. I'll definitely keep up with them. I feel a little softer today, at least on the left. It's not like a big, hard ball--I think there actually may be a little jiggle! What I do still have is the implant extending under the arm thing that is making me crazy. I just can't for the life of me figure out how that will resolve itself. I said yesterday that with the projection under my arm I'll be having to shave my boob when I try to shave my armpits!
Thanks for the website recommendation. I can't wait to hop on there. You are right--this can make you a little obsessive. I just want to know all is well and I won't have to be reaching around these boobs to try to play tennis (or eat a sandwich for that matter). Funny thing is my friend that visited me a couple days ago called to tell me how awesome she thinks my boobs look. I do appreciate the positive feedback, but that is far outweighed by the discomfort and limiting nature of these big things. I wonder how these women that get those outrageously huge implants stand them. I long for the day I can sleep on my side again!
So the drains--it is a little fanny pack. It was given to me with my pain pump ball in it. I would prefer a really fanny pack, but wouldn't know where to get one. I have heard some folks wear like a badge hanger around their necks and suspend the drains from there. I didn't want anything near my boobs, so the waist was perfect. Before the pain pump ball came out, they hooked the drains to a big piece of velcro and attached them to my binder. I will say if you go the velcro route, which was very effectivce, be SURE they are well attached before you stand up. One of my drains slipped off the velcro, fell, and pulled like hell. I almost passed out. Thank God the drain was empty! Since I had 4, I put 2 on one piece of velcro and 2 on the other. You can actually empty the drain without unhooking the velcro. Once I realized that, it was very easy. Even taking them off the velcro it is not hard at all. You do have to "strip" the tubing once or twice per day, but even that is easy now. My drains are a bit annoying, but honestly, I really don't notice them and would far rather keep them in too long that take them out too soon. I'm with you though, I hate asking for help, but am getting pretty darn good at it!
Do you have a raised toilet seat? That has been a HUGE help. I set myself up on the potty, do my drains while I'm peeing, and then I'm set for a few hours. Hmmm, maybe that was TMI! LOL!
Well, my Dilaudid is kicking in. Gonna give the girls a little massage and then it's nap time!
Talk to you soon!
Denise
Thanks for the website recommendation. I can't wait to hop on there. You are right--this can make you a little obsessive. I just want to know all is well and I won't have to be reaching around these boobs to try to play tennis (or eat a sandwich for that matter). Funny thing is my friend that visited me a couple days ago called to tell me how awesome she thinks my boobs look. I do appreciate the positive feedback, but that is far outweighed by the discomfort and limiting nature of these big things. I wonder how these women that get those outrageously huge implants stand them. I long for the day I can sleep on my side again!
So the drains--it is a little fanny pack. It was given to me with my pain pump ball in it. I would prefer a really fanny pack, but wouldn't know where to get one. I have heard some folks wear like a badge hanger around their necks and suspend the drains from there. I didn't want anything near my boobs, so the waist was perfect. Before the pain pump ball came out, they hooked the drains to a big piece of velcro and attached them to my binder. I will say if you go the velcro route, which was very effectivce, be SURE they are well attached before you stand up. One of my drains slipped off the velcro, fell, and pulled like hell. I almost passed out. Thank God the drain was empty! Since I had 4, I put 2 on one piece of velcro and 2 on the other. You can actually empty the drain without unhooking the velcro. Once I realized that, it was very easy. Even taking them off the velcro it is not hard at all. You do have to "strip" the tubing once or twice per day, but even that is easy now. My drains are a bit annoying, but honestly, I really don't notice them and would far rather keep them in too long that take them out too soon. I'm with you though, I hate asking for help, but am getting pretty darn good at it!
Do you have a raised toilet seat? That has been a HUGE help. I set myself up on the potty, do my drains while I'm peeing, and then I'm set for a few hours. Hmmm, maybe that was TMI! LOL!
Well, my Dilaudid is kicking in. Gonna give the girls a little massage and then it's nap time!
Talk to you soon!
Denise
Check out my blog--menumealplanning.com. Tales of making meal planning managable, family fodder, and everything else under the sun.
RNY 2/3/09, LBL/BL w/Augmentation 9/16/11
Start weight: 335 Current weight: 185 Goal weight: Whatever the hell I can maintain without driving myself insane!
*6.5 lost preop
Lizzy, glad to hear your boob are progressing. I'm a bruiser, too, so I know mine will look the same way when the time comes. Thank you for your posts and all the particulars. I'm like a sponge trying to absorb this info. I'll go to that site you recommended tomorrow.
The cute guy sound interesting! :o) Jenny
The cute guy sound interesting! :o) Jenny
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