Surgery with Levick 7th May 14 (2 week photos added)

[Swils29]

Yes very strange! All over so quick!

Bit of cabin fever today I have to say. But feel a lot better than yesterday and more mobile. Being very careful not to stretch for anything of use chest when getting up etc. walking around like the tin man lol!

Things feel a bit tender and can see bruising above vest, but no real pain to speak of.

Roll on Wednesday when the vest can come off!!!

[Donut]

Yeh, myfitnesspal is great - I use it whenever I need to lose a bit, just have to be careful picking the right foods on there now as there is so much crap/incomplete data in the database, seems like 20 or more of every single item, and 18 versions of it will have the wrong data!

Just gained a bit by not being so active work-wise I think, usually do a fair bit of lifting and shifting in a day, so not doing that for a couple of months really makes a diference I guess... and maybe the odd tub of Ben & Jerry's too many? 

I got a bit/lot of swelling in the area that was underarm/top of the compression binder - and that got agrevated even more when I swithced to vest as the arm holes of the vest really dug into it... solved the problem by wearing a compression T-shirt under the vest, which due to having arms helped hold in all that swelling and made things a LOT more comfortable - plus as Mr Levick says, can never have too much compression!

[Swils29]

You're not wrong there, it took me 5 attempts to find a slice of wholemeal bread that recorded protein, carbs and fat. I guess people record only what they are interested in recording for themselves.

I'm going out to buy a new compression top to wear under the vest I will switch to on Wednesday. Your experience and that of others tells me this is a good idea.

I'm back at work then (office job) so hoping the weather stays cool for a couple more weeks otherwise it's gonna be warm with 3 tops on. I'll stick to dark shirts for now as don't really want people noticing. Anyone else do this? Did anyone notice you had vest under work shirt?

Changed dressings under armpits today. Wounds look a bit raw, but hopefully will heal well enough over the next few weeks.

Also had to re-tighten vest as it felt a little loose. Just lay down and got the missus to help. Got a little look at the new me. Everything just flat and not too much bruising either. Nips were squashed a bit off garment but expected that.

Going to get out of the house today and go watch my son play football. I usually help coach the team so going to be tough standing by not getting involved.

Overall feeling today is one of further improvement, improved mobility (still being carefully not to stretch pecs at all), but still feel very tender and experiencing different sensations as things heal themselves!

The last few days have flown by, can't believe its been 3 whole days since the operation. 4 more sleeps and the vest can come off 

[Donut]

Vests are not really noticeable under a shirt - people are more likely to notice you suddenly look 'slimmer' ! 

I kept mine on almost 24/7 for 3 months - before that when I tried wearing for only half a day etc. swelling noticeably increased. They definitely work!

I just told people I'd hurt my back and made a joke of the "corset the doctor said I had to wear for a few weeks" and gave people a quick flash of it!... no-one gave it a second thought then, and it had the added benefits of not being worried that someone might see something odd through shirt and get suspicious, and better still of not having to keep giving reasons why can't lift anything or do anything too strenuous for a few weeks...

...better to pre-emp with a simple explanation that no-one will ever even think to question, than someone noticing something, and rumours start spreading behind your back, people looking at you funny all day, and then them being suspicious of any explanation you end up giving them!

[Swils29]

Yeah might say I've had a minor op and have to wear it, just hope it doesn't get too hot these coming weeks. Was hoping I'd only have to wear it for a couple of weeks like but will see how it goes!

Are you still wearing compression tops or just regular clothes now?

Spent couple of hours outdoors today watching the kids football. Was good being out in fresh air. Think I'll get out for a walk tomorrow if weather ok. Slowly does it!

[Donut]

Nope - enjoying the freedom of wandering about in a t-shirt or polo shirt, which I never did before! 

Sometimes wear vest if doing some heavy work, tho to be honest haven't done for the past couple of weeks now, and I suspect I never will do again.

Good times ahead!

(just want my right hand nip to sort itself out now...)

[Swils29]

Bet it feels great mate! I'm really looking forward to the new clothes options I will have! Will be strange after years of only wearing things that masked it!!

You've gotta be happy with where your at now though...just a bit of scar tissue to resolve itself!

I'm just crossing fingers my recovery goes well...but expecting a few twists and turns along the way!

[Swils29]

Day 5 on the other side...time is flying by. I remember sitting in the priory thinking time was dragging...but soon going by!

Similar to other peoples stories really, things getting better by the day. Feel more mobile etc. just returned from 1.5 mile walk with the wife and kids, felt good being out!

Dying to get this vest off as it's a bit restrictive, and can't wait for a proper shower!

I'm still being extra careful and not stretching for anything.  How soon was it for others before they felt fine reaching/stretching? Should I start trying gentle stretches or should I leave this till week 2?

[Swils29]

Can't believe its day 6 already! Time going by quickly now.

Again seeing improvements over yesterday. Everything a bit more comfortable and more mobility. Under arms are where the 'pulling' is when stretching for things, but seem to be able to reach further than yesterday. Still being careful not to over do it though.

Getting the odd 'hot' sensation in chest too, obviously just things healing!

Bruising and swelling above garment still there, bruising turned yellow.

Wounds under armpits are a little different, left hand side looks like a small line, very happy, right hand side larger and not healing so well. Thinking back to immediate post op in the recovery room, when I was coming around I lifted my right arm above my head (want sure where I was what I was doing) and felt a pain where wound was. Maybe I pulled stitches and it hasn't knitted together as the other side has. Hopefully it will get better though.

Looking forward to the big reveal tomorrow evening when I will look to put on the next vest etc. in time for work on Wednesday. I'll look to post pictures then!

Hope everyone else's recovery is going well who's had it done in last few weeks/months!

[LeonsWorld]

Literally word for word same situation as me, right down to the differences in wounds!

[Swils29]

Well, was just getting changed ready to go for a walk and temptation got the better of me. Undid the vest and had a look.

Gotta say it is the strangest feeling ever, just didn't look like me at all.

Things don't look perfect, due to bruising and also left nipple is quite creased off the vest. But I am very very happy with progress so far. I know from others that this is the start of a roller coaster and it will get worse before it gets better, but just looking down and seeing a flat chest was awesome! Never had that since I was a kid, and will be great not having to worry about my chest anymore in public!!!

I was keen to get the vest back on quickly, but will post more tomorrow to show 1 week progress.

[LeonsWorld]

Only thing I'd add is that I've been a bit nosey, routinely taking off the binder and taking a peak - noticing that the flat/concave look is filling out which is great as I was sure I had a bit of muscle under all that breast!

Quick question to the experienced members, I'm planning to go to Madrid on the 30th, do you think it would be ok to go clubbing without the vest (will be about 3 weeks with compression vest)? Also a bit personal but what did you guys do when getting intimate, is it ok to take it off for a bit then?  

I asked levick all this but I think he thought I was joking !

[Swils29]

Literally word for word same situation as me, right down to the differences in wounds!

Hello mate. Good to hear from you. Pleased yours is going well too. Every day a little easier eh! Can't wait to get the vest off full time!

Weird to think this time last week we had all that sh*t in our chests!!!!

[LeonsWorld]

Well, was just getting changed ready to go for a walk and temptation got the better of me. Undid the vest and had a look.

Gotta say it is the strangest feeling ever, just didn't look like me at all.

Things don't look perfect, due to bruising and also left nipple is quite creased off the vest. But I am very very happy with progress so far. I know from others that this is the start of a roller coaster and it will get worse before it gets better, but just looking down and seeing a flat chest was awesome! Never had that since I was a kid, and will be great not having to worry about my chest anymore in public!!!

I was keen to get the vest back on quickly, but will post more tomorrow to show 1 week progress.

Wow your chest has healed really well, I've still got the whole squashed nipples thing going on - hope it resolves itself! Tempted to take these dressings off as it's really starting to irritate me, not sure if that's ok though?

[Swils29]

Cheers mate. Mine is squashed on left hand side, big crease right through the middle so looks like I have a step in my chest. I'm guessing this will sort itself out one the vest comes off!

I'm gonna keep mine on until tomorrow night (suffered for 20 years and paid over 4k so worth going through 1 more day of it).