Swelling - how long realistically should it take to go down?

[bomberman]

Hi,
I'm about 4 months post op and i still have swelling, especially under the nipples which has got me a little worried, though as everyone says this is normal, karidis suggested that 8 months (i think) was about the time that your chest should be how you want it and others have said up to 18 months, so try to feel happy knowing that it will improve and as i understand it is a rollercoaster and can get worse before better

[kieran_22]

Appointment is on Monday - will be good to hear what he has to say...

The last week or so has consisted of exercise! Feels good to get back into it again, just tough when I look in the mirror when it comes to the shower!

I think I'm being hard on myself, just hope it repairs itself after a couple of months - always thought I'd be back closer to 'normality' but I'm afraid not!

[chopper]

What was the outcome Kieran?

[kieran_22]

The outcome was that it is definitely swelling...and that it's still too early to worry about the final outcome.

Levick seems to think that I'll be completely flat when it's all healed - very hard to believe though

He said that if he does need to do anything then it'll be free - but he doesn't think I'll need it.

I'm really struggling psychologically at the mo - I look in a mirror and still see it - not as bad as it was, but nowhere near what I expected....

Hard to be positive.

[chopper]

I'm going with Levick on this one too, I've always thought it was swelling and I'm also pretty confident that its going to sort itself out in the end mate. I don't know how your diet was after the op and i don't know if you were out on the piss a lot but if you were, I'm sure it wouldn't have helped too much.
get pushing that fluid away from the area a few times a day, helping it find new drainage paths and see if it looks better after 10 minutes of doing that. if it does but then blows up a few hours later you know its the fluid and you need to massage to help drainage etc

try and keep positive mate, after all he will do any revision for free if it needs it and he will jab the scar tissue too if it needs it 

[kingboob]

The outcome was that it is definitely swelling...and that it's still too early to worry about the final outcome.

Levick seems to think that I'll be completely flat when it's all healed - very hard to believe though

He said that if he does need to do anything then it'll be free - but he doesn't think I'll need it.

I'm really struggling psychologically at the mo - I look in a mirror and still see it - not as bad as it was, but nowhere near what I expected....

Hard to be positive.

I can understand why you are frustrated and finding it hard to be positive....... I would just advise you to hang in there for the moment.

It looks pretty puffy/swolen from the pictures you posted and although you clearly already have a massive improvement, it would be nice to think there is further flatening to come once the swelling goes down.

The worst case scenario is that you require a touch up revision..... obviously not what you wanted, but I can say from experience that Levick is true to his word........ if once the swelling has gone, it needs doing he will do it and it wont cost you anything.

The whole proceedure is a bit tricky I think.  Some guys seem to get in a situation where they get nipples that indent and take months to fill out, some get swelling that takes ages to go, others find that one side takes longer to heal... etc etc.   From what I have seen on this forum, very few people wake up with perfect results from day 1 without suffering the 4..5..6... month healing process.

[kieran_22]

Hey,

Long time since my last update so thought I would let everyone know how I am getting on...

I can't honestly see that much of an improvement in things, and I'm now 6 months post op. It really isn't easy trying to stay positive when the whole reason for you having an operation still exists...

It's not as bad as it was pre-op, but I definitely still have moobs...I really struggle to fathom how it's possible when I've seen the operation pictures with gland sitting on my chest and fat in the lipo pot.

It's looking increasingly likely that I'll need another op - and it's something I really didn't think I would need.

So all in all, still quite depressed. Sorry if this isn't what people want to hear...

[Swarley]

Really sorry to hear that.
Have you been back to see Levick? Does he think it's still swelling?
Also, any chance you could post some new pics?

[thetodd]

Its in part swelling

But i think the fat on your armpits thats making your chest prominent still. Ask Levick if you can have it lipo'd in the revision (he may charge, but he seems pretty decent with revisions).

But you could do with losing some weight. I know some lads have beer bellys and are flat chested but everybody distributes fat differently. Once you get into a healthy routine youl enjoy it.
 
And i know your down but its a huge improvement.

[kieran_22]

I'll stick some updated photos on tomorrow.

Maybe I'm being a little picky over my surgery?!

I actually asked him to remove fat from near my armpits and he said it was all part of the service - as far as I'm aware he actually did it...

Speak tomorrow.

[zm]

I feel your pain bro.

having looked at your pic just after the op, to me anyway, it seems that there is still some fat around both of your nips.  they're not completely flat as seen in some immediate post op pics.  I know that's not how the final result should look but given after many months, i would have thought outcome should be more positive. 

Also, if fat from underarm was lipo'd i don't i'd be wrong if saying that you would have defintely noticed due to soreness/marks etc.

i do agree with thetodd that it's a huge improvement but the main thing is how you feel.  Do request a revision surgery.

Good luck bro.
 

[kingboob]

I'll stick some updated photos on tomorrow.

Maybe I'm being a little picky over my surgery?!

I actually asked him to remove fat from near my armpits and he said it was all part of the service - as far as I'm aware he actually did it...

Speak tomorrow.

There is certainly a big improvement but I can understand that you would be disappointed if you were expecting washboard flatness.

In fairness your immediate after pic (with the bruising) does look flatter than your 'now' pic for whatever reason (more pics would make it easier to judge). Do you notice them getting bigger/smaller through the day or week at all?
I know my experience was that swelling can go up a bit and then go down again, especially after exercise.

Your underarm / sideboob area does look a lot better to me and I'm sure he would have tackled that area at the same time as the chest. I had my sideboob/armpit area lipo'd too and there is an improvement but difference wasn't massive, so I think it is a tricky area to actually flatten 100%.

You are 6months post op now?  When is your follow up?

[kieran_22]

My follow up is on the 22nd now - will be interesting to see what he says.

I'm going to take some photos tonight hopefully and will get them up as soon as I can....

I really appreciate all your help though lads, it helps as a 'pick me up' if nothing else.

Cheers

[kingboob]

My follow up is on the 22nd now - will be interesting to see what he says.

I'm going to take some photos tonight hopefully and will get them up as soon as I can....

I really appreciate all your help though lads, it helps as a 'pick me up' if nothing else.

Cheers

In my experience Mr Levick true to his word and genuinely cares about us as people & patients. He is not an in/out, take the money and run type of person...... So you will get an honest opinion from him and if he feels that there is something more he can offer to help then he will do it. But if he reckons there is still swelling and room for improvement naturally then he will probably tell you to wait a bit longer.

Try not to get too down about things; I know it is disappointing not to get the result you had imagined, but do hang on to the fact that there IS a significant improvement and things may still get better over time without more intervention.


 

[Bikkembergs]

I'm gonna agree with everyone pushing exercise. Exercise also makes you feel better about yourself too.