Post surgery - Benito

[Jim1985]

Here are some close up shots.

1st photo: the red mark closer to my armpit is the incision used by Dr. Benito, (as well as the nipple incision).

2nd photo: Another shot of chest from the left. (I had a lot more gland/fat removed from the left side of my chest than the right).

3rd photo: Close up of left side

4th photo: Creasing around right nipple (This is when I lean forward a bit, so it is more extreme here than when I stand upright)

[outertrial]

How come I looked like Id been run over by a boat after my op! Seriously looks good, dont worry about creasing you have weeks of healing ahead and these things will come and go.

[irish lad]

.. can creasing become permanent??  or does it heal more often than not..

[Jim1985]

Outtrial, from day 1 out of surgery I started using a cream that Dr. Benito gave me for the bruising (arnica cream, probably). Hurt like hell, but I think that it helped a lot.

Irishlad, from what I've read, creasing isn't permenant. It just happens as skin retracts, but it can take a while to go, depending on your surgery. It is just a bit of a shock to see it, no matter how many times you've read about it.

[irish lad]

nice one jim.. i taught that but wasnt sure but what you said makes a lot of sense.. best of luck with the recovery jim

[Jim1985]

I had the followup consultation with Dr. Benito. Here are the photos he took. Overall he seemed happy with the progress and said that I would only need to come back and see him around September.

The only thing that would concern me is the nipple shape and size. Did anyone else notice a change in shape and size of their nipples during the recovery?

Also, how long did it take for peoples skin to retract to a normal level? Mine is still really wrinkled when I am anything other than upright or lying flat.

Cheers, Jim

[Jim1985]

I'm just over 5 weeks post op now and I am still a bit concerned about my nipples. Since I've taken off the vest my left nipple has puffed up a lot and looks erect and is a very different shape to the right. Has anyone else had this problem?

[Blue2]

Try not to worry me old mate. I am pretty sure this is just swelling and scar tissue build up. Remember, you are only 5 weeks post op and you will need 5-6 months before you get to see your final look! I am sure it will all be cool, just try and forget about it for a little while and don't look at yourself too critically at the moment. I try and not look at mine for days on end and then take a good look and this way you can see more progress. But as has already been said, you will get worse before you get better so don't press the panic button just yet! 

[outertrial]

I'm just over 5 weeks post op now and I am still a bit concerned about my nipples. Since I've taken off the vest my left nipple has puffed up a lot and looks erect and is a very different shape to the right. Has anyone else had this problem?

Yes mine did, and I was worried too though in the end  it went back down a fair way.  I can still feel scar tissue under there.

[equium]

Booked an appointment with Benito, look forward to it!

[irish lad]

jim to me i can see a big improvement.. the creasing is not as visable as before and your chest ovrerall looks good...  have patients you will prob be telling me the same thing next month when i get my op lol

[Jim1985]

You're right, mate. Good luck with the op too and let me know how it all goes.

[equium]

How you getting on Jim? I've developed creases on both sides, more noticeably on the left, which is worsened when I flex my pecs - have your creases improved? I am sure they eventually will if they have not yet.

[Jim1985]

Hi. Sorry I haven´t been keeping this thing up to date. I´ve been away and hardly ever get online, and it´s usually only for about 15 mins if that.

The creasing has improved. It is still there a bit, but better than it was. My chest is still a bit uneven though. Again, it´s improving, but quite slowly.

How is your progress coming along?

[equium]

I'm quite happy with the results so far and there definitely seems to be a lot of similarities between me and Irish lad - I had more gland on the left, so more lipo, meaning there's a lot more scar tissue around the left nipple than the right. Like you, I had a crease in my left side that has been there immediately post op, so I am equally worried that is due to too much lipo - but if your creases are improving, hopefully mine will too. I have a little bit of creasing on the right too but it's not as bad as the left.

I'm only 2 weeks post op but am dying to take this compression vest off!!

How long ago did you have your op now Jim?