Operation with Karidis 12/7/11 + pics

[fingerit]

I'm not sure if this is any consolation but I still have a little bruising after 3 weeks, so even with taking arnica as prescribed, it will still take time. I noticed the most severe bruising though settle down in the first week though.

Funny you say that about your chest muscle, I felt the same thing, it was super flat and I have weight trained for years, the shape is slowly coming back though.

[pharmerjoe]

Good to see someone else noticed that with their chest, but was just concerned, as some members, e.g. lightweightbaby, still had pecs straight after surgery, but guess it just depends how well developed they were previously.

Day 4
Still not much change, although getting more comfortable in the vest, but maybe this is due to me dropping the weight a bit, but once I go back to my parents house and have my mums cooking, may be piling the weight back on  Sleeping is getting slightly more comfortable, and have not been walking around outside much, but felt strange walking around and not worrying about my chest. I keep thinking people are looking at me due to the vest, but I don't notice any difference myself, expecially as I'm just sticking to the clothes that I used to wear before, which are a  bit baggy, but look 100% better on me now!

[bomberman]

How have you found sleeping on your back? I find it so uncomfortable, it's what i'm most worried about haha

[pharmerjoe]

it was pretty bad for first couple of days. First night is really bad, was just using pillows to prop my head and neck up and basically sleeping while sitting up. After the tight band gets removed, and your chest starts to heal up, then it does get better. I may start sleeping on my side, but need to be careful I don't get tempted to go onto my front during the night.

[Choda]

Your chest will be over flat, too flat at the beginning but after a couple weeks your chest will take shape with your muscle's returning if you were pretty active before surgery. When I look down at my chest is does look uneven (especially the nippe area) but looking in the mirror from every angle possible my chest looks fantastic.

Problem is, I haven't had a flat chest for bloody 10 years and you have a vision of how a flat chest looks like. But everyone is different, friends of mine haven't different chest shape and once my nipple return I will be the same.

Just need to lose that belly now.

[pharmerjoe]

True, its hard to know if its normal now or not, as I've never really had a flat chest. Also, with you on the belly as well lol, at least I will not be conscious of my moobs in the gym. Also, when is it we can safely start lifting weights again?

Day 5

Still some yellowish discolouration to my chest, and brusing is still there, but hopefully this will go if I continue with the arnica. Picture below just to show how it is at this point

[Choda]

True, its hard to know if its normal now or not, as I've never really had a flat chest. Also, with you on the belly as well lol, at least I will not be conscious of my moobs in the gym. Also, when is it we can safely start lifting weights again?

Day 5

Still some yellowish discolouration to my chest, and brusing is still there, but hopefully this will go if I continue with the arnica. Picture below just to show how it is at this point

IMO I would say at least 4 weeks, but I don't think your chest is ready for that pressure just yet because my chest hasn't 100% healed and still feels weird. But I would say at least 4 weeks.

[pharmerjoe]

Day 6

Still same, but can see its getting slightly better. Vest really felt tight this morning though, but perhaps I was bloated or something. I got the new vest from firm 51 (remove spaces from link)
http:// firm51.co.uk/index.php/compression-vests/white-compression-vests/white-power-vest-3.html

Although the fitting is fine, and looks much better than the other vest under clothes. It was VERRRRY hard to put on. Its extremely tight at the chest part, so putting it on was like wrestling with a crocodile. I'll maybe fire some emails to the website and see what their suggestions are with a larger size instead.

[pharmerjoe]

Day 8

Not posting everyday, just when any new updates. Slowly getting better, and trying to get out and get some exercise lol. Was walking a lot today compared to what I have been, and my ankles are killing me lol. Sticking to the firm51 vest, its much better, and doesn't give unnecessary compression to the stomach. Looks just like a muscle vest, you could even just wear it on its own, and would be hard for someone to tell its a special vest. Nipples are starting to cave in at the bottom though, and I hope its not a result of having continuous compression of them.

[pharmerjoe]

Day 10

Back home with parents and freaking out!!! I am sure they have noticed something, and asking why I've lost weight, and think I look ill! Have to be really careful, and good job I'm wearing the firm51 vest now, cos its white. At least I can just say I started wearing tight vests or something if they see it. Not to mention, Karidis's team sent me a letter saying I owe them nearly 1.5k for liposuction!!! I had already paid the 4k+, really hope its there mistake and not cos I need to fork out more for having too much fat or something...

[somedude999]

Great result mate.
Don't panic about the flatness, chest starts to fill in and look more normal over the next month or so.

[pharmerjoe]

yeah its probably more cos I was away from home for a while and did some high protein diet which put me into ketosis, and I've dropped a load of fat, very evident from my stomach. Good thing, but will maybe try and up the calories now, will probably be better for long term recovery as well. Also, that thing about me owing money is probably a false alarm, it was actually the hospital fees, and it actually said at the bottom Amount due: £0.00  . So think thats just to show that its been paid.

[pharmerjoe]

stretched my arm up high yesterday to get something, and felt a very sharp pain in or around my nipple. Now I'm getting sharp twinges in my nipple now and again. Hope I've not done some bad damage.

[pharmerjoe]

pain kinda gone now, but I'm back eating my mums cooking again, and I am really starting to bloat up, and look ridiculous when I'm wearing a shirt. This hot weather is making it even worse!!!

[chopper]

Bet it's nice to see the t-shirt stick out at the bottom around your belly then hanging like a tent off your breasts eh!!

I'm chuffed my belly protrudes further then my breasts for once! lol