Surgery Booked With Dr Levick

[maurice212303]

Hi Everyone

So I am now 5 weeks post op and I am just questioning when I can take the compression vest off - I know everyone is different - can you tell me all when you took yours off?

Also in regards to massaging when did you start this and how long would you go for?

Thanks

[ha032742]

Not sure how long Mr Levick recommends but post-op instructions for Dr. Karidis are 2 weeks 24/7 then 2 further weeks wearing it 12 hours per day. I think it'd be ok to take it off now...I seem to remember Dr Jacobs posting on the forum a while back that in his experience, patients only benefit from compression up to 6 weeks.

As for massaging, again not sure what Mr Levick advises but I started at the 3-4 week point as per post-op instructions (starting earlier is pointless IMO anyway as it'll be too uncomfortable to give your chest a good massage).

[j86ui]

Hi Maurice, by compression vest do you mean the Macom binder we were given at the hospital or the clip on vest that we had to buy ourselves? If you mean the clip on vest when did you stop wearing the binder?

[maurice212303]

Hi J86ui

I stopped wearing the binder after 4 weeks and occasionally still wear it at night - but have been wearing the clip on vest since week 1 post op. I just fancy letting the uncomfortable nights sleep go and get on with it now
 

[maurice212303]

WEEK 7 POST OP

Hello everyone

I am now 7 weeks post op and I wanted to update with pictures - as you can see bu the pictures I am very flat chested now which is truly amazing but I have creasing over the nipple area which i am growing concerned about. I wanted to know if anyone else has had this nipple creasing problem?

I think I might have been wearing the compression vest to tight.

Anyway pictures below

[maurice212303]

[maurice212303]

[ha032742]

I don't think it's due to wearing the compression vest too tight. You had big glands, so the area of skin that needs to retract is large and this will take time. Sometimes developing scar tissue can cause creases where the skin becomes tethered but this should also eventually settle with time. Lots of people have developed creased nipples post-op...just search the UK board.They have completely resolved with time in some cases whereas in others the creases have improved in appearance. Try not to worry too much at the moment as it's still very early days!

[j86ui]

Hi Maurice, you must be made up with that profile! Are you still wearing the compression vest during the day or only at night now? Are you massaging daily with bio oil or something similar, do the nipple still look as creased after a good massage?

[maurice212303]

Hello
So I am starting the massaging this week - it's been really tender up until this week,  I am wearing the vest all the tune still, I don't know whether to take it off or not - I took the best off for a day on Saturday and it seemed to im prove a little. I will start the massagibg and see how it goes. I spoke to Dr levick and he reassured me that it is still early days and that it will take some time. I am still thrilled with the out come comped to what I looked like before. How often do you massage?

[j86ui]

Ive been massaging before every shower for 5 mins each nipple, usually once or twice a day, i started at week 5, think im gonna start only wearing the vest at night now, its been 7 weeks

[maurice212303]

Hi there

So massaging is going alright - I started with 5 mins a day before showering!!!! I have also started cardio back in the gym. It seems strange to run and not have the feeling of the female chest bouncing!!!! Amusing!!! I have also been swimming at my local outdoor heated pool and it feels completely liberating!!!!

Hope you are all well - I'll probably update pics next month now!!!

Good luck all

[Donut]

Obsessing over the little details like creasing is really tough, but trust me (and everyone else who is year+ post) when we say it WILL improve with time! My own creasing has only recently resolved to be unnoticeable at the one year point.

Keep up compression long as you can stand it, and massage good - I used to do it watching telly, kind of forget about it then and easy to do half an hour!

Good luck - amazing transformation!! - you'll be beaming from ear to ear all summer prancing about in (or out) of t-shirts!

[maurice212303]

Hi Donut

Thank for that - I was beginning to think that I might go crazy, I always new that it would be a long process and of course I am thrilled with the dramatic change that my body has incurred - I need to also tell myself that it has only been 2 months next week.

The compression is fine and when I don't where the best there is what looks like a little swelling and fluid build up - then I poo it back on again!

I'd only been massaging for about 10 mins but ill take yor advice and increase that to 30 mins- 

Thanks a lot

[maurice212303]

Hello Everyone

So I am nearly 3 months post op. I got to a point where I thought my chest would always look like a sad face.  I am happy to say that it is getting better.  I've attached photos and I know that this is a very long term recovery!!!! I was very big before and I am glad even now to go swimming every morning! let me know if you have any questions or want t share your stories or surgery worries.