surgery booked with Dr. Karidis 3rd March, pre-op pics

[crossfit99]

Drains are more of a pschylogical issue than anything. Just knowing they are there is nve racking, also the maintenance is a pain in the ass too. I suppose it all for a good cause but I'll be happy to have them out!

Lol good stuff man! I have a bad feeling I'm not gonna sleep so well tonight, that's not normally like me, but I'm going to attempt to sleep somewhat upright. Between that and the drains itll be interesting!

My goal is to keep the vest and all the bandages on until Monday when I go in to re check up and get the drains out. Kinda scared to even look lol. That may change in the next day or so, we'll see!

[zm]

I took off my bandages/plasters after 24 hours and had a shower.

I'm just wondering why some docs insist on drains and others without.......

[crossfit99]

I took off my bandages/plasters after 24 hours and had a shower.

I'm just wondering why some docs insist on drains and others without.......

Just seems like a safety valve. It's kind of reassuring knowing there is less of a chance of a hematoma or seroma (sp?) with the drains.

Lucky man, I won't be showering till Monday night!

[zm]

Rather you than me dude...you have a few rough nights ahead of you but just keep focus bro.

summer is just around the corner and we should be fully healed..that get baby oil ready...

[crossfit99]

Rather you than me dude...you have a few rough nights ahead of you but just keep focus bro.

summer is just around the corner and we should be fully healed..that get baby oil ready...

Lol amen!

[zm]

Hey guys,
10 days post op now.

The swelling has definitely started.  Nipples surrounding area very numb and feels soft.
I can feel hard lumps below (not directly underneath) both of my nipples and around the sides of the chest.
I believe I have already started to form scar tissue as i can feel hard lumpy bits.  By the looks of it, the cuts have completely sealed but i'm still wearing plasters around the nips and change them every day.

When i tense my chest,both of my nipples concave in. i expected this as there was a lot of mass which was taken out.  From peoples' experiences that I have read about, i am expecting things to get worse.

the vest is still giving my problems under my arms.  A bulge is starting to spill out underarm due to the tightness of the damn vest

I shall post some pictures up next couple of days.

Dracksus and Linkin, if you are reading this, have you guys started to get any scar tissue yet?

for someone who has been through this whole thing, is it wise for me to start massaging the lumps or wait another few more days?

[crossfit99]

any pics bro? Hows the swelling?

[linkin]

Hi ZM,

Yeah I'm starting to get some serious scar tissue now. At first it started with a small hard patch (where the bad bruising is on my picture at the top of my left pec) and this just felt like hard muscle at first. But now the hardness is forming all over both pecs. It's basically where the lipo has been done I think as where the gland was taken away (under and directly around the nipple) there is no hardness at all.

Thanks to the guys who have posted previously I'm not worried at all as I know it's to be expected. Their diaries etc have been invaluble and I would be a lot more stressed if they had't have provided their infomation, so thanks to anyone who has done this!

[zm]

I'm not that worried about the scar tissue either but I didn't think they would start forming so soon.  Linkin when will you start to massage? I'm thinking of starting in the next couple of days.

Crossfit I'll post some pics up tomorrow evening.  However, right now it's not a pretty site due to all the swelling etc.

[linkin]

I was told not to massage until a month after sugery, so I'm going to stick with this.

It makes sense as the chest is still sore, swollen and bruised, so obviously not healed yet. I don't think massage will have any benefit at this point, and may even hinder healing so I'm going to leave it for now.

[zm]

Hi Guys,
Just thought I’d give you an update.


The swelling has started to take hold now with a lot of scar tissue forming. You can’t really see all of the scar tissue in the photos but it’s everywhere. They feel like lumps of rubber. This is expected at this stage.


The areas around my nipples are completely numb. If I run my fingers from my nipples going outwards, the numbness goes on for about a good 7cm in all directions and also numb under the armpits.


The cut under my nipples haven’t closed. I don’t know if this is normal as when I stretch the skin the wound is about couple of mm deep. However, beyond this, skin/flesh has reattached itself.


Am I happy with the results so far? You bet I am. I’ve still got a very long way to go and there will be days when things will look bad, maybe as bad as the gyno I had but I’m prepared for this.


The other thing is that I’ve not been training for a few months. Once I start to build up my muscles again, I’m sure thing will start to smoothen out quite nicely.


I am still wearing the compression vest with my daughters socks under the armpits to stop the discomfort of chaffing.  I actually slept on my stomach last night.


Anyway, here are some pics 12 days after surgery:

[ChestMan]

Zm,

Thanks again for the updates. I'm bricking it about the swelling. Luckily other guys have been through it before and you know what to expect.

The nipple incisons look like they are healing, I've got no idea what to expect.

How are you coping with your daughter? Can you pick her up etc? When are you going to start training again?

[zm]

hey breastman,
if i hadn't read about all the swelling from the other guys i think i would have been really stressed out.

the nipples incisions are healing but it will take time bro.

i can pick up my daughter just fine now. funnily enough, she is right here lying next to me eating wotsits crisps and watching incy wincy spider on youtube on my phone..lol

I'll be starting to train again from Monday..going to do some cardio and train all body parts.  this is not something i normally do but as i've been out training for about 5 months, i'm slowly going to let my body get used to training again.

[Birmingham]

You're gonna have amazing results when everything calms down mark my words. Also I asked about sleeping on the stomach issue and was told that while not ideal, if you feel comfortable sleeping like that then it's fine even the night after the surgery so I'm sure you're good.

[crossfit99]

You're coming along there, bro!


How long did it take for your sterile strip to come off?