Welcome to the other side!
I’m glad it all went well and it sounds like you planned things pretty well so that you will be 3 months into healing for when you hit Uni in September and out of the compression vests.
I was on cloud 9 within an hour of coming out of surgery; I even took a pic of myself with a smile from ear to ear as I sat up in bed. The damn things that had haunted me were gone and I didn’t mind looking like a trussed up turkey with those bandages because the boobs were gone.
Take it easy for a while and don’t be worried what you look like when the bandages come off. I nearly fainted when I saw my chest for the first time. I looked an awful mess. It’s funny looking back at that now because I was concerned and I didn’t need to be. I’m now 8 months down the line and about 85% healed and although I might need a little tweaking later in the year, I still think I look bloody marvellous and any extra improvement will be a bonus.
Anyway onto your questions:
1. How did you feel about yor chest 3 months post op in terms of its appearance were you able to wear any clothes you wanted with confidence or did you still have reservations?
I was absolutely over the moon with my chest. After 3 months it wasn’t perfect but I could and did wear any clothes I wanted including T-shirts (although it was the middle of winter I still wanted to wear them)
2. Again in terms of appearance did you have the confidence to expose you chest in public such as at public smimming pools or not?
My chest was still lumpy and I was working hard on the massaging to alleviate that but yes I did once go swimming and no one gave me a second glance. The lumpiness was only visible close up and the incision points under the arms were just tiny red lines and to all intents and purposes invisible. All signs of bruising and main swelling had long gone.
3. Anyone who began weight training or losing weight 4 weeks post op did you find that the various forms of training had any affect on the healing process or the formation of scar tissue during that time?
I can’t comment on this as I didn’t do anything along those lines prior to surgery.
If you haven’t already done so might I suggest you have a read of the diaries in the Diary section of this site? A few of us who have had surgery with Paul Levick have detailed the whole thing right through to 12 months post op in some cases. The reason I suggest it is you might find it useful if you hit a low because swelling comes up or fluid starts sloshing around inside your chest (all of which are normal and no reason to panic). I think the most useful bit of advice I could offer is to have patience.
All the very best of luck to you, and feel free to ask questions if you have the need.