34's Pre-Op and Post-Op Photos

[George Pope, M.D.]

Really nice result.  You should be pretty happy.

[34andReady]

[quote author=Dr. Pope link=topic=20185.msg138404#msg138404 date=1267931797]
Really nice result.  You should be pretty happy.
[/quote]

looking good. well done

Thank you both!

The new look really hasn't hit me yet.  At this point I consider myself simply grinding through the 'price-to-pay-for-happiness' recovery period.  I am by no means ready to be out there showing off anything yet.  The compression vest is way too much of a distraction.

My annual golf trip in 2.5 weeks will be my coming-out party!  I'll finally look the way I've always wanted to in my golf shirts.  And usually, one of the days down there we end up at a beach bar.  Could my shirt actually come OFF in public???  We'll see!

[34andReady]

Time for some new pictures.

The pictures below are 20 days post-op.  I feel great.  I'd say I have 90% range of motion back.  It's still a little tight when I reach way upward.  So I am doing some VERY light stretching.  Tomorrow will be the first day that I am going NO VEST to work.  We'll see how it goes.  My post-surgery literature says wear the compression vest for 3 weeks.  So I did.  I rarely took it off during that time.  For the first week, 24/7.  Second week, 23/7.  Last week, 22/7.  You get the idea.  Now it's all about the nipples and waiting for the incision tape to fall off.

[postiey]

great results! well done

[34andReady]

great results! well done

Thanks bud!

First day at work SANS compression vest!  Feeling really good.

[ddh]

Isn't it great going without the vest?

I'm now 5 weeks post-op and haven't worn the vest for the last couple of days.

The weather is warming and it is great to go out in a t-shirt, throw my shoulders back and stand up straight!

[34andReady]

Isn't it great going without the vest?

I'm now 5 weeks post-op and haven't worn the vest for the last couple of days.

The weather is warming and it is great to go out in a t-shirt, throw my shoulders back and stand up straight!

It certainly feels great to not be wearing it anymore.  I stuck with it for exactly 3 weeks, per the document provided by my surgeon.

It's strange though.  Every morning I feel great.  No soreness.  I almost have full mobility of my arms.  BUT, then come around noon I start getting sore.  Not really sure what's going on there.  I see my doctor next week.  I'm sure it's just typical healing.

[ddh]

My surgeon suggested that after the vest (i.e., for weeks 5-9), I should wear Under Armour T-shirts whenever I go to the gym or do something very active. Here's a link.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/apparel/pid1207602-Men-s-UA-Speed-Metal-Compression-Shortsleeve-T/1207602-001

I've worn mine to the gym, under a regular T-shirt, and it is great. It gives just enough support so I don't feel sore or "fatigued" (for lack of a better word) in my chest. It doesn't look weird at all.

I got mine at a local sports outlet.

[34andReady]

My surgeon suggested that after the vest (i.e., for weeks 5-9), I should wear Under Armour T-shirts whenever I go to the gym or do something very active. Here's a link.

http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/apparel/pid1207602-Men-s-UA-Speed-Metal-Compression-Shortsleeve-T/1207602-001

I've worn mine to the gym, under a regular T-shirt, and it is great. It gives just enough support so I don't feel sore or "fatigued" (for lack of a better word) in my chest. It doesn't look weird at all.

I got mine at a local sports outlet.

I'll probably have to get something like that for my golf trip that starts Wednesday of next week.  The thing is, I haven't been doing ANYTHING.  I've been very cautious with the vest off.  Just sitting at my desk at work all day.

Anyway, I decided to wear the vest to work today.  And I'll probably wear it tomorrow and Sunday too.

[ddh]

I think a compression T would really help during a game of golf.

I wore mine to the gym again today and it is just enough to keep you feeling "supported" without imposing any restrictions on your movement.

[34andReady]

I think a compression T would really help during a game of golf.

I wore mine to the gym again today and it is just enough to keep you feeling "supported" without imposing any restrictions on your movement.

I think I'll pick something like that up tonight.  Have to go to the sporting goods store anyway for a few other golf supplies.  Golf season starts TODAY!  My course is open but I can't play.     I knew this was going to happen.  Seeing how close I was cutting it when I had the surgery just 6 weeks before the season.  But again, it's going to be SO worth it.  Couldn't have done it in the middle of the season and I didn't want to wait another year.  This summer is going to be GREAT!

Another question for you, ddh...  It seems like you are a week or 2 ahead of me in your recovery.  I will be 4 weeks on Monday.  What exactly are you doing at the gym?  Are you just running and/or riding the bike or are you full-out weight lifting?  Though I am optimistic about being able to swing a golf club this coming week at 30 days post-op, I feel like I won't be 100%.  I am not planning to get back into the gym until a few weeks after my trip.

[**Gynefor**]

Great results mate ! Congrats ! What a change !

[34andReady]

I think a compression T would really help during a game of golf.

Well, as mentioned, I went out and bought an Under Armor compression T thing last night (couldn't find the exact one you linked, but the one I bought should do the trick).  I decided to buy size SMALL.  Once I finally got the thing over my head it was TIGHT but felt nice.  If I wasn't buying a shirt like this for this situation, M would have been fine.

I am going to attempt to play today with the UA compression T on today.  I'll let you know how it goes!

[PASA8]

Really great results... I hope mine turns out as good as yours.

[ddh]

I think I am a week or two ahead of you in recovery.

My surgery was Feb 10. But my surgery did not include the nipple incision like yours, so my recovery may be a bit easier. I just had a lipo incision on each side. But it looks like I had about the same amount of fat/tissue removed as you.

During my first day back to the gym (last Wednesday - week 5), I did my usual routine (30 minutes on a bike, three types of situps, and using a half-dozen machines). The only thing I noticed was that on the pec machine I had to lighten the weight some. The pulling across my chest didn't feel quite right. But when I returned to the gym on Friday, everything felt good.

Like I mentioned, I'm wearing the Under Armour T at the gym (I got a small too). I don't think I'd feel near as good without it.

In lieu of running, I've been taking a fast one-hour walk 5 days a week since the surgery. Never been that big on walking, but I really have begun to like it. And from what I understand, it can be equivalent to shorter runs.

My wife and I are leaving for a trip to Morocco next weekend and I thought my surgery date left more than enough time to recover before our departure. Now I'm surprised that I cut it so close. It really does take a good 5-6 weeks to feel back to normal. I was thinking that it'd only take 3-4.