RRB's Op Diary

[RRB]

Well i took my bandages off today, hardly any bruising at all and the bandages werent too bad coming off.  Chest looks different,  nipple area was well sunk in and i got a bit of a fright but hey they have been well compressed for a week so i should have expected it.

Above my left pec close to my armpit, if i rub my fingers gently I can hear a little squishing sound, im guessing there is possibly a little bit of fluid there, its like a little air pocket of sorts.  Ill be phoning Levicks office and explaining it as i was instructed by levick to phone when i took the bandages off.  Im hoping i dont have to go back down for just a 5 minute fluid removal, but we shall see.

Felt so vulnerable once the bandages came off, like my armour had been stripped away  .  Got my vest on now and feel much better.

Ill update later once ive spoken to Levicks office.

[RRB]

Spoke to Gail Levick today and told her, she said Mr Levick will give me a call after work tonight to discuss the possible minor fluid problem.

Been out most of the afternoon with the compression vest on, longest ive been out the house since the op.  Walked down the town and had a look about the shops, stopped for something to eat and walked home again.  I must say i was well tired by the time i got home and glad to get a seat.  

Compression vest is comfortable and seems to do its job well.  Its not visible under clothing and man does it make me look thin around the gut  

[RRB]

Mr Levick called there regarding me thinking i might have a little fluid and after explaing exactly what the symptoms were he reckons it will just be a little air pocket that will dissapate shortly. Told me to call if there is any other queries or problems.

He really is such a nice man, I cant recommend him enough.

[Merv_UK]

Know what you mean regarding "armour". Mr Levick suggested that I leave mine on until Fri/Sat. I'm getting a bit nervous about it as the time draws close. I guess I'm a bit afraid of what I'll see... Stupid really, because I'm quite prepared for 6-12months recovery but in the bandage you feel so secure and FLAT!

[RRB]

Well thought i would update with one full day of having bandages off and compression vest on.

Itchiness is gone, much to my relief.  im wearing thin t-shirts under the vest at the moment, my reason for this is i think its a bit easier to whip the vest off put shirt in wash and put another t-shirt on, rather than wash the vest everyday.  Also maybe a bit paranoia but for now i really dont want to have the vest off for any length of time.  

The vest isnt restrictive at all and i have a lot better movement now the bandages are gone.  The swelling lumps under my armpits seem to be subsiding now the bandages arent keeping that area compressed.

The vest isnt as tight as the bandages were so when im out walking the chest area is ever so slightly tender when getting a jolt from walking.  There is no way i could go running at the moment. Other than that everything seems to be going fine.

[had_the_op]

sure,

well i HAD (woohoo) gyne since GCSE day, cronic puffy nipples... really annoying as ive worked out in the gym all my life, never taken steroids..... just natural gyne... my brother has it too, but his gland is flatter and well it looks like every other pec.....

I was able to get every other part of my body down to just skin and muscle apart from my pecs.... had to give up simming..... wearing white T-Shirts.... anything that was very drappable...

i allway thought it was fat.....also, i never knew it was the reason for puffy nipples....

that was until i came here in Dec..... and read a post on puffy nipples and the cause..... my heart sank .... "WTF" so i carried on reading....found that everyone rated Levick very highly.... the armpit technique sold me.....

i phoned his office arranged a consultation..... and within the month i was under the knife....

he called my gyne moderate.... nothing that would get me in to the hall of fame....... but gyne none the less.....

its been 8 days since the op..... the bandages came off yesterday ..... my chest was flat..... ****ing wonderful..... i could feel the pec muscle... well sorta its still a bit numb.... the tender swollon area under the armpit has gone... and well..... im at work today....

it all happened within the space of 2 month..... surreal .... very surreal...

.................. im very pleased..... other than the drains coming out..... if had no read pain.

[RRB]

he called my gyne moderate.... nothing that would get me in to the hall of fame....... but gyne none the less.....

.................. im very pleased..... other than the drains coming out..... if had no read pain.

Lines like that crease me up, i cant remember what he said to me to be honest but the way he says things just makes a bad situation so light hearted that it makes you feel better.

The drains, for me it was a procedure i never want to experience ever again.  The only good thing was the pain was very very brief.  Its like a hard kick in the nads, immensly sore for 2 minutes then goes quite quickly.

[had_the_op]

yeh ... hes a funny guy.... really nice...

"Ive 2 boob jobs before yours..... lovely women.... much simple operation too... "

I can wait to get back in the gym.....

I cant wait to put on a shrunk fit Tshirt......

.................. the only bad thing was that one of the nurses changed my bandages after the op... she wasnt meant to ... she didnt do as good a job of it as Paul Levick ..... and she made it worse by covering 2/3 of my back with the sticky bandage....

it took my 2 hours to remove them... after a soak in the back.... hairy back you see....... pain pain pain...  i cursed somthing cronic...


SO IF A NURSE TRIES CHANGEING THE DRESSING AFTER THE OP MAKE SURE SHE GETS MR LEVICK PERMISSION....

[Chorlton]

Hair...Back...sticky plaster.....OUCH!!

The misses had fun talking mine off.  I nearly cried like a baby.  She loved me enough not to ripe any skin off!

Chorlton

[IT100]

I spent an hour deep breathing in the bath taking mine off... I still remember the pain!! Ouch ouch ouch!

[Merv_UK]

Cheers lads! Its my turn to remove the bandages tomorrow/Sat morning: I'll not sleep tonght now

Tape starting to itch in places, so taking it off will be a relief.

[had_the_op]

let the healing begin..... im going to buy all my protien powders and amino acids this week..... and start loading up...

i want my pecs back by may....

[blondlad]

Removed the bandages tthis morning took about 30 minutes managed to get those Zoff wipes from the chemist used a full box but it was worth the £4. Less bruising than I thought there was gonna be. I am pleased with the results so far, I still have a chest so the gym work did pay off. Got a slight swelling at the bottom of my right pec hope that goes soon. Looking forward to getting back to the gym!!

[RRB]

Luckily for my im not a hairy person so mine came off relatively easy without much pain at all.

Merv

Just take your time with the bandages and you will be fine  

[doddy]

Random question: with bandages being on for 7 days, don't you really start to stink like a hound after a while?