You can definitely feel the scar along the incision line if you touch it, but it is difficult to see even close up because I think generally it is hard to see texture on the areola and they're also a little smaller than they used to be. But you can see the scar just outside the areola even in the pictures I think. Part of the incision is inside the areola and part of it is just outside. The part inside the areola is raised, but you can't see it because the skin is darker. The part that is just outside the areola is not raised, but it is a light pink color. You still have to look pretty closely to see it and I honestly don't think that anyone would be looking that carefully. It's also starting to fade, I think the scar creams I've been using have definitely helped. I'd be pretty comfortable to take off my shirt in from of people now without worrying that they'd notice anything. The raised scar is also softening with massage. I really do hope by the 6 month mark that it's completely healed, at this rate that sounds pretty realistic.
The Stage 1 vest is REALLY annoying, but the Stage 2 vest is very comfortable, just make sure you get the right size. It really needs to fit very snugly, I had to trade my size small in for a size x-small because the first one wasn't tight enough. The Stage 2 was comfortable enough for me to wear another 8 weeks after I ditched the Stage 1 (which I wore for about 4 weeks), which is above and beyond what Bermant had suggested, it really wasn't a big deal so I just kept wearing it. The trick to the Stage 2 is to step into it and pull it up the entire body rather than trying to put it on overhead (if you are skinny enough). It is very difficult to put on overhead because there are no straps or hooks, it's just like a thick undershirt. So just post-op when you're still sore and tender, it is painful and dangerous to try to put the Stage 2 on overhead. Had I known how easy it was to put on by stepping into it, I probably could have transitioned from Stage 1 to Stage 2 a lot earlier. Just a tip for all you guys on the vests.
I've seen your pics also, you have a pretty minor case as well. If you do decide to go with the surgery, I highly recommend Bermant if you can afford him, he is very good at subtle cases. You are going to need the results to be almost perfect or you will regret even having the surgery in the first place because you look pretty good the way you are right now, it's even more minor than mine, so you really need to think this through, it was hard for me to pull the trigger myself.
Can you feel the gland underneath? Can you tell how large it is? Do you feel uncomfortable taking your shirt off in front of people?