My day under the knife...

[manic91m9]

western australia are you not needing to wear a compression garment after surgery? ill be in one for at least 2 weeks

[Hustler]

yes i have to weaqr a compression vest for 4 weeks, then just at night for a further 2.

Good luck again for tomorrow dude.  How are they doing it? incision under arm? are you having gland removal too?

[Paddy]

Hustler matey -

GOOD LUCK!! I hope it goes ok for you.

P

[manic91m9]

yeah they are doing lipo then gland excision though the usual under nipple incision. im leaving in an hour. its so strange i feel kind of calm and excited at the same time

[Hustler]

Day 9

Well, the bandages came off last night. i bought some ZOFF from boots... highly recommend this as it disolves the glue. slow process but makes it less painful. Well.... what can i say.... the right-hand side is flat as a pancake!!!! (Hooray). i have have a slight indent but that will fill out in time.
The Left-hand side is a different kettle of fish tho... this side was really big and felt like a water bottle strapped to my chest. this was what i really was hoping i wouldnt find. I called Mr Levick late last night as instructed and he said he will drain it for me the following morning.

Me & my partner decided that it would be easier to travel up late last night so we booked into a local B&B and got to the hospital by 8.15am this morning. i walked in the ward and didnt even need to give my name, the nurse greeted me and told me Mr Levick is waiting for me. This place never ceases to amaze me... they are soooooo professional, so friendly and nothing is EVER a problem for them.

After a little local numbing Mr levick drained the fluid from my chest, leaving it flat but quite indented (This was expected due to the 'mesh - thingy' he had inserted when i started bleeding during the original op). He then bandaged me up and sent me home. feels a lot better now in many ways but very sore. He said its 50/50 chance that it may come back so need to call him early next week and see what we have to deal with.


Maniac91m9.... hope everything went well. post soon buddy

[Hustler]

Day 10

Yesterday/last night was a nightmare! the inching was becoming unbearable in the new bandages. They come off tomorrow and im just in the compression vest then.

BKross--- Yeah, at first glance i was unhappy with the left side due to the sheer size. That is now drained and hopefully it wont come back (Will find ouy tomorrow). Had a lot more work done on the left due to the extra bleeding extra and the entry-point scar is a lot bigger than the right (4 or 5 times bigger) but Mr Levick assured me yesterday that all will be well in the end, including the scar, so i have to trust him on that one.

I keep asking myslef if i would do it again if i know how it would be....... i cant possitively answer that question but i hope in time i will see it as the best thing i have ever done, just like most guys on here..... finghers crossed for that, but im not patient and i struggle to be possitive sometimes

[Paddy]

Hustler - hang in there.

I had a problem with my drainage on the left side as well and when i came back and had my bandages off it was about 2 or 3 times the size of the right. it was heavy and you described it perfectly - like a hot water bottle strapped to my chest. I didn't have it drained at all but it went down over time and wile the bruising lasted for about 4 weeks more on that side they are pretty much even now, though the LHS has a bit of a lump under the nipple which I assume is scar tissue.

I know its hard but keep looking ahead and each day it should improve..

[Hustler]

Thanks Paddy. Well i have to take the bandages off again tonight and hopefully the fluid buildup has NOT returned and i can just get on with it. Bit painful this morning on both sides and still can lift me arm above the horizontal yet, just need to be patient i guess

[manic91m9]

hey 2 days post op now and very itchy. there seems to be very little swelling however the main source of discomfort for me is this compression garment which seems to be sucking in my gut more than anything and making breathing a little uncomfortable ill make my own thread and share more details sometime.

[Hustler]

Things seem to have gone well for you. This is why i am so concerned, because i done seem to have had it as well as most others!
Anyway, 2nd lot of bandages off last night. more fluid build up so am waiting for a callback from Mr Levick and no doubt i will have to drive the 3+ hours to birmingham again. getting really fed up with this now.

[manic91m9]

yeah i don't think you have need to be concerned as yet, the complication you had due to bleeding will mean extra healing time. also since i had so little removed (more of a contour issue) probably explains why im not in much pain, i've noticed i have a bit of swelling today more so on the right side and there is a little more blood showing though the waterproof bandage on that side too. my chest looks really good already tho im not sure how my nipples will look and the right one is kind of taped weird so i hope it doesnt heal crooked 
the main issue im having right now is trying not to move so much coz every time i move around alot it makes things uncomfortable (and causes swelling) i have never been able to sit still for long so ive just been watching alot of dvds in bed.

[Hustler]

Yeah i know what you mean about sitting around doing nothing! thank heavens for DVD boxed sets lol..... i watched Prison break series 2 in 2 sittings! lol

Good luck with your healing

[Hustler]

Day 12

Well, i have arranged to go see mr levick this thursday, more fluid to be drained. Not as bad as last time so im hoping it will be the last time.

I seem to have a lot more movement in my left arm today.... maybe this is the turning point. fingers crossed. In better spirits today too, maybe due to being back at work (even tho im still at home) and not moping about feeling sorry for myself.

[Hustler]

Day 14

Made the 6 hours round trip to see Mr Levick again his morning. I had more fluid drained. For some reason this time it was really painful.  Really uncomfortable at the moment. trying to convince myself this will al be worth it in the end...... but im struggling with that one.
If it comes back i need to go back to him next Friday.

It really bothers me to think that i seem to have had it worse than most. typical.

[manic91m9]

yeah that totally sucks eh. i have had minimal swelling but wearing this compression garment 24-7 i cant imagine there being much room for swelling under there. how tight is your compression garment? mine was pretty uncomfortable and i felt like i couldn't breathe in it a couple of times but now im either used to it or its stretched a little? maybe my swelling went down. i think you need to avoid moving as much as possible and just take it easy so the body can put all its effort into healing. hopefully all the pain will be worthwhile when you see your final result.