In the words of Formula 1 commentating legend Murray Walker "... and they're off". It's done. Wasn't as bad as I had thought. Waiting for the op was the worst part and what an anti-climax, all I had to do was stay very still while the anaesthetist injected me. The next thing I knew I was in the post op come round area. I was then whisked back to my room and was watching telly a couple of hours after I had been called to theatre. I have to admit I have always been terrified by the thought of operations and I was really scared by the time I was in the little pre-op room. Everyone was great and the nurse was a god send, as I think it was obvious I was terrified, she put her hand on my shoulder and that really provided a lot of reassurance. As I've already said the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. Oh yeah Mr Levick took my photo and drew on me tatties.
When I was taken back to my room I was told that I had a tube coming out of each armpit which led to two little bottles which drain any fluid or blood from the operated area. Basically I had to carry these little bottles to the toilet, not that easy as I was all trussed up in Mr Levick's trademark bandage thingy. Painkillers are layed on and although I wasn't really in that much discomfort I still took them. I got a little sleep and ate a little of the food, which was very nice.
There really is not much I can say about the operation or my time at the hospital as I was passed out for the op and the rest of the time was spent watching television or having the numerous health checks. The hospital is great, very comfortable and everyone was really friendly and supportive.
The next day, after I'd finished my bacon butty and croissants, firstly the anaesthetist came to see me and he said that everything went fine. Mr Levick then came to see me to check everything was ok and talk about the op. According to him it went very well, there were no complications and I was cleared to go, I was told to keep the bandage thingy on for at least seven days and take it easy. When I remove it, should there be any fluid build up I should call him to arrange an appointment to have it removed. If no fluid, I should arrange an appointment for in 1 month’s time.
The drains - which were more or less completely empty - were removed by the nurse, I was given my antibiotics and Mr Levick's instructions were reiterated by her and I was picked up by my Mum at about 10:30am. As the drains were only removed today I'm counting this as the finish of the operation, so I'll be 1 day post op tomorrow.
This bandage thingy: Whilst I've heard differing feelings about it, I love mine. It is a reassurance. Firstly that the area is getting sufficient compression - it totally prevents any swelling in the region of the cavity left by the gland removal. Secondly it's padded underneath and makes the tender area seem protected - I don't feel anywhere near as vulnerable as I would wearing that flimsy compression vest that I've bought. Thirdly it stops me from mucking about - taking peaks etc, and it restricts movement enough to prevent any over exertion.
I've just thought, this board changes the word co.ck to thingy so for all you know I could be calling the bandage thingy bandage co.ck - hey hey. Anyway I wouldn't be without the bandage male thingy.
Op +1 & 2 days
The last two days have not been too bad. I've been able to do everything without assistance i.e. eat, get dressed, wash, cook etc. I've been rattling about the house and becoming a demon on Grand Theft Auto. I have had quite a lot of swelling around the bandage particularly on my left side - which was larger pre-op - and this has seemed to get worse over the last two days. The bruising is also starting to come out which is good as that shows the body is healing. There isn't really any pain, more of an occasional burning sensation inside my chest, I haven't had any pain relief since I left hospital. I can't lift my arms higher than shoulder height.
In myself, I feel relieved to have got it over with but I'm not looking too hot in the mirror without my tracky top on. With it on...I've...well...got no breasts basically. It looks loads better.
Op +3
Today the swelling seems to have gone down a little. Looking in the mirror it's obvious that my chest is a hell of a lot flatter. I've been out for a walk and typed this diary so far. I've discovered that I have quite a bobbing gait as walking causes me a lot of discomfort, I can feel everything moving. So I'm trying to walk normally without much success, I feel like I'm doing a John Cleese style funny walk. In all honesty typing this so far has been quite hard on the old chest as I have to hold my arms out in front of me, so I'll stop now and check in tomorrow. Adios.
Op +4
Hey diary. The swelling is definitely going down on the front of my chest above the bandage male thingy but seems to have sprouted up at the side under my armpits, especially on my troubled left side. I'm worried that I might have some fluid there. I've got at least today and 3 more days of wearing the bandage so it's still probably too early to say. I'm drinking a lot of water in an effort to help my body purge. That reminds me, I've had no problems having a Forest Gump at all for the whole time, as has been the case with some other people. I also weighed myself today and I've lost half a stone. Switched my mobile phone on for the first time since the day of the op and I've been ringing and texting a few people. My female friends seem to want to give me a cuddle and make meals for me, aaaah the sympathy vote - I'm not proud
Op +5
The swelling has definitely gone down a lot or I'm a Dutch man. Every day for the last 3 days I've woken up feeling better. The bruising is taking on a yellow hue and I've been familiarising myself with being a tiitless wonder. Every time I walk past a mirror, window, any reflective surface I have to do a double take. Wot no breasts. Today I think maybe I won't have any fluid on my left side as it's settled down a lot, I'm even contemplating a spot of socialising this weekend.
Op +7
It's bandage off day. It came off easy enough, a bit of pain as it pulled hairs out but I'm not too hairy so it wasn't that bad. The look of me though. Sh.it. My chest is totally sunken. My nips are a deflated mess and I've got a massive bulge under my left armpit. I've got a lot of bruising as well. I look terrible.
I'm now wearing the compression vest which is surprisingly comfortable. Not restrictive at all. It gives plenty of compression. Basically, I'm not going to worry about whether my chest is now too small as it's early days.
Op +9
The last few days I've been getting used to not having a prominent chest, in fact the opposite - it's ridiculously puny. I'm trying to rationalise this by telling myself that:-
a) I've just had surgery and the surrounding area is still swollen making it look smaller and it still hasn't come back to life yet.
b) I've always been used to having a prominent chest and have no experience of having a puny chest.
c) I've always weight trained the rest of my body but never my chest, so it could probably do with a bit of bench.
But in all honesty I've been really depressed about it because at the moment it looks too sunken. I feel like I'm in one to those moralistic short stories on the Sci-fi Channel - The Outer Limits or Tales from the Crypt - entitled "Be careful what you wish for..." where a vain man wishes his chest was smaller and so his wish is granted and he has to spend the rest of his days with an impossibly sunken, disfigured and puny chest as a lesson for his vanity.
At least with clothes on it looks quite normal, still a bit underdeveloped but so much better than before.
Going out tonight for a bit of socialising tonight so I'll see if anyone goes "Hey where have your tiits gone you sunken chested freak?"
Op +11
Went back to work today no-one said a dicky bird about my chest - phew! My chest is looking better or I'm getting used to it a bit more. It still seems a little sunken and my nips are still scabby but it looks more flush now than sunken. Again, in clothes I look totally normal. Elation at this is being kept in check because I've still got a bit of healing to do. I'm still swollen under my left armpit and I can't feel large areas of my chest. This creates weird sensations, especially when showering, when drying myself I can feel a drip of water run down my shoulder then I stop feeling it and then it starts again below my chest.
That's the story so far. I'm still glad I had it done. It can only get better. I just hope that it becomes a little more prominent over the next few weeks. Never thought I’d want a more prominent chest.
Til next time
Ste
Topic: Diary (Read 12501 times)
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