surgery booked with Dr. Karidis 3rd March, pre-op pics

[zm]

Thanks birmingham and crossfit.

Crossfit, it's only this morning that i have taken off my sterile strips from my nipples but i changed these everyday with waterproof ones.  However, the ones near the armpits, i took off after about 4 days as the cut had sealed completely.

My chest is looking different every single day.  I'm seeing improvements all the time.  I do get the odd pull on the muscles. I think this is because of the scar tissue.  I'm just so glad i have had this done.

[chopper]

Hold tight ZM, now is when the real fun and games start, but it should have calmed down in a couple of months.

When you train your chest the chances are the swelling will increase significantly. Get used to "smoothing" out all the built up fluid under the skin, try and help it find new drainage paths and push it away from the areas its built up in. If i was you I would probably do cardio for a few weeks and leave your chest alone personally, but it's up to you mate 

[zm]

Good idea Chopper...i was thinking of doing that but i'll probably do relaly light 5kgs dumbell flyes of 3 sets. i know that's nothing but it should help things along a little.

how's your chest looking now bro? you must be fully healed you lucky git...

[chopper]

It's like I never had it before ZM. A photo was posted on Facebook about 3 or 4 weeks ago and it was of a load of us in the garden in the sun and there i was, about 22 years old with my top off. My eyes were instantly drawn to the photo and i was just staring at my gyne embarrassed and shocked for a second, but then i just started smiling, it was a great feeling mate, it didn't matter what people remembered or saw, because it doesn't look anything like that now! lol

Ive had a great result mate, I'm really chuffed with everything, the summer is coming, I can smell it 

[zm]

you just follow that smell mate, i'm coming right behind you .

Chopper, when did you start massage? There is not a set time as to when to start as some people do it 2 weeks in, 3, 4 or even 6 weeks after surgery.  the documents i received from Dr. Karidis says to start after- 2-3 weeks.

I did some massaging today with bio oil.  spent 5 minutes on each side.  the scar tissue on my right chest is quite bad.

[zm]

Hi guys. It's exactly 2 weeks since my surgery now.
last night I didn't sleep with my vest on but will wear it after my I've had my breakfast.   I only wear it during the day time now.

I did some firm massaging yesterday and can't believe some some of the scar tissue has disappeared already,as in it's gone soft.  I will massage every morning and just before I  go to bed.  I'm using bio oil by the way.

[namsoni]

Glad to hear it's going well mate. Looking forward to not wearing this vest full time as well. Did you have much bruising btw?

[zm]

compared to other guys, I'd say my swelling is very minimal.  It's, just the scar tissue rearing it's ugly head

[Dracksus]

Dracksus and Linkin, if you are reading this, have you guys started to get any scar tissue yet?

Yeah I'm starting to get what I suppose is scar tissue. Feels like hard lumps under the skin, growing in a few different areas.
Not worried about it though as I know it's to be expected. Started my first massage today mate, using bio-oil also.

[zm]

How long are you massaging for? i'm doing 5 minutes a day..

[Birmingham]

Do you remember how you felt after a week post op bro? I have to go home Saturday morning and that means carrying a suitcase on the train and not acting suspicious around parents. Any tips since you hid it from some people as well?

[zm]

You'll be fine after a week bro..they won't even know a thing. Lifting things like a luggage would be no problem.  The only problem i had was point my hands up but you wouldn't do this in a normal situation anyway.

[zm]

just thought i'd give you an update as i've been sporadically hijacking other threads...

i am 18 days post op now. i have full range of movement back but do feel slight discomfort and odd stretching feeling when i pull my arms back.

Right now there is a lot of scar tissue but not much swelling due to fluid buildup or anything like that. The scar tissue feels lumpy like rubber. I do seem to have a lot just below my nipples and around the sides of my chest. I have started to massage with bio oil which is supposed to help break up the scar tissue. i'm doing this 5 minutes twice daily.

I'm only wearing the compression vest 12 hours during the day now instead of 24 hours which i did the first 14 days. I'd say wearing the compression vest is probably the hardest part. it is just so tight and the lining of it really digs into your armpits and hurts quite a bit.

The cuts themselves have fully healed.

Planning on starting training again from this Saturday.

Here are couple of photos i took yesterday.
As you can see, my nipples do seem to be slightly more puffier then previous pic...any thoughts?

[Dracksus]

How long are you massaging for? i'm doing 5 minutes a day..

I went for 5 minutes for each side mate.

[zm]

Hi Guys,

1,000 mls of fat aspirated (500 mls from each side) together with a total of 19 grams of breast gland resected (9 grams from the left side and 10 grams from the right). I would have thought there would have been more gland. Hell of a lot of fat there..that's like a whole litre...