Operation with Mr Vijh on the 18/06/2018

[pIxulz]

Welcome to the other side dude!

My bruising went down pretty quick and I think yours will too looking at your post op pic. 

I'm still kinda numb in my nipple area and I'm just over 3 weeks post op now so expect that for a while.

[Hondacr84]

Thanks. Such a relief I am now on the road to recovery. I can't believe how different my chest is when you look at the photos! I'm slightly paranoid that I've only done 4 days with the supplied belt and not 7. It's so annoying as it's not designed for the chest plus it leaves grooves on the chest. The compression top seems tight and is sold as post OP so surely it will be fine...

Now you're in week 3, are you back at work? 

[wakenbake123]

Looks good to me.
I wore hospital belt over my compression top at night, it was hot but the extra compression really seemed to help. 
Hirudoid cream and sudocrem seemed to speed up recovery.

[pIxulz]

Yeah it's pretty crazy the difference it makes even so early on. I think you will be fine, the first 48 hours are probably the most important to wear the belt. 

I am, went back to work after two weeks. Probably could of gone back after a week to be honest. Its crazy the difference it makes though, I'm wearing t shirts for the first time without feeling self conscience. It's gonna take me a while to remember my chest now looks normal. 

Super happy with the results though and just can't wait to be like 5-6 weeks post op so I can exercise again. Overhead stretching still kinda hurts but other than that I feel pretty normal 

[Hondacr84]

Thats great news, I'm happy for you. Ive not heard from the other chap who had the OP on the same day as me, hope he's doing well...

[Hondacr84]

Recovery day 5

Bruising seems to be coming out more today.

It seems the ES compression top is leaving lots of marks/grooves on the chest/body. Is this normal?

[ShadeThrow]

Im still around. To be honest ive had a bit of a horrific time. Ive had extreme bruising on my chest to the point where i sent Mr Vijh a pic and he asked me to head to his clinic to take a look. Will post a pic at some point.


Basically the nipples and entire areas around are so dark they are almost black. On the plus side he said with time they should heal and clear up.


Ive also been in absolute agony since the day after so not done much except lay around and pop codeine.


Hopefully things will start looking up for me on the next few days! Glad to see youre doing well. Results look great!

[Hondacr84]

I thought it was a bit strange that we've not heard from you.

I'm really sorry that you're in so much pain/discomfort. I feel really bad for you!

I guess bodies react in different ways. Apart from the bruising, is the end result/shape what you had hoped for?

Did you go to Mr Vijh's house?

It seems that you've been taking all of the supplied drugs then. It would seem that I've been very lucky as I've not touched the codeine and have only sipped the morphine a few times. The first day or two were painful but the last 3/4 days have been the same, numbness and minor chest and core discomfort. I have my GP appointment on Tues to check the incisions.

Rest up and I wish you a speedy recovery. I hope work are flexible with you.

[ShadeThrow]

Yep my body has not enjoyed it at all. My codeine has completely run out so sipping morphine quite a bit. Just changed over to my stage 2 vest though and it feels so much better. The other one causes a lot of discomfort and doesnt really compress it everywhere. 

Yeah i sent photos asking does this look normal got a respnse saying likely just bruising but come and see me so struggled my way to his house in hopwood for him to take a look. Today the large scale bruising seems to have started. My entire left side is one big bruise but ar least a more enjoyable yellow rather than dark purple. 

As for the result im not too sure yet. I think ive swolen in a few areas which has made it look a bit asymmetrical but hopefully after a week or two ill be much happier with it. Cant imagine it could ever be worse than the gyno i had. 

Lovely pic attached. 

Got my wound check on tues at gp too. mr Vijh ripped off the gauze and said they weren't needed anymore so at least a bonus to not have those as they were super uncomfortable.
 
I booked another full week off work luckily and generally work from home at any rate so hopefully will all be fine on that front. Booked my post op with mr Vijh for 30th july. 

[pIxulz]

Damn that is some pretty bad bruising, definitely consider myself lucky with my recovery now. I would not be discouraged with results, especially within the first week. 

My chest has changed quite a bit mostly due to swelling reducing as time has gone on. Also you probably won't have any feeling in your chest/nipple area for a while, mine is slowly coming back now and I am nearly a month post-op. I hope your bruising heals up soon and all the best with your recovery. 

[Hondacr84]

If its only just started to turn yellow I'm guessing it will be +2 weeks before it goes.

Good news about the gauze, I'll be removing mine today then. Changed it a few times but left on just in case vest rubbed against it.

Ive also got next week off work. Ive been doing a few emails from my phone. Ill sit in bed/on the sofa tomorrow with the laptop.

My arm movement is limited and the chest is still tight. Bruising seems to be the same today. Starting to get funny sensations in both nipples. My only real pain and its minor is when getting up. As of last night I've stopped taking drugs, I could of done this a day or two ago to be honest.

I find the compression top leaves bad marks on my chest. I find I take it off for an hour or two each day when not moving. The skin seems to recover before putting it back on. Not sure if its a good/bad idea but happy when I see the marking disappear.

I'm so happy that my painful lumps have been removed and that I can now actually see my chest muscle!

Did you arrange the appointment directly with Mr Vijh when you visited him? I presumed the hospital would be contacting me regarding a date and location...

Did he show you a picture of the crap that was removed from your chest? I asked the day after the OP and he said he didnt have his camera. He said he'd show me the next time we met.

Also, did he mention the weight removed from each side? I'm sure he said 71grams from left and 46grams from right. Sounded about right as the left chest had a much larger hars lump.

Good luck in your recovery and I hope the outcome is what you wanted. Let the body do its thing and try and rest/eat healthy to speed up the recovery process.   

[ShadeThrow]

So ive found that the stage 2 vest is a bit worse for rubbing against the wounds so ive just put plasters over them both to prevent it rubbing them open. 

I booked it with Julie while seeibg Mr Vijh on Wednesday it was his idea for me to book it then so i think you can just email Julie and ask to book your post op appointment in 4-6 weeks. I'm not sure the hospital will do it for you and i think it happens at his house rather than bmi. 

Nope didn't have any pictures shown of the glands but might ask at post op appointment. Dont recall being told any weights either but to be honest i was pretty out of it while in hospital so may have just forgot. 

I have no pain while sitting or lying down but while standing its still awful. Ive noticed that its making me hunch over to avoid the pain and also lean to one side. This is leading to further back pain. 

[Hondacr84]

Thanks, I'll pop her a message now.

Ive removed the gauze and it seems the right incision looks worse than the left. I'll see what the nurse says on Tuesday as I'm not sure what they should look like.

Ha ha. It was my first question to him as I've been carrying around these painful lumps for 10 years so wanted to see the bloody things 

Sounds like you need to rest up for the next week and to let your body do it's thing. It would seem my body has handled the first week better than yours but I can tell that I am still some way off for total recovery.

[Hondacr84]

7 days post OP

Post OP appointment with Mr Vijh on the 25th July. That would be 5 weeks since the OP. Wanted around 8/10 weeks but his diary is basically full in August. 

Feels like I've hit the wall with the recovery. Top chest and core is still sore, pain minimal. No feeling in the lower pecs. I persoanlly think another few weeks before the bruising completly goes.

Incisions being checked by the GP tomorrow. Stinging sensation now and again. They seemed raised so may require massaging at a later date. Ill speak to Mr Vijh about this in July. 

[Hondacr84]

Day 8 post OP
Just seen the nurse at my local GP and I must say what a pointless visit.  Incisions look ok, one is better than the other.  Asked about deodorant, she didn't have a clue.
It still feels that my recovery has come to a stand still but I presume it will be slow from here.  I'll post a picture later today.