SURGERY COMPLETE WITH KARIDIS 23/02/13- UPDATED PICS

[McGilli]

Hey looking good!

I just want to chime in on the vest. The vest does nothing, but help your recovery. I'm just concerned at how opposed you are to it and want to not wear it. My surgery was only 20 units removed from each side. And I wore my vest every day for 23.5 hours for 6 weeks solid.

Of course I'm no expert, but I think you should keep it on longer - because again - it does nothing but help your body with the swelling.

You had the moobs for so long - don't be in a rush to get past this recovery phase. A few more weeks even is nothing compared to how long you had them. You want the best results.

If your surgeon says you can remove it - well of course listen to the surgeon. But not wearing it because it's not comfortable doesn't cut it.

And undoing the bottom part of the vest..... Well... if that was ok... Then all the vests would just be half the size they are right? I think the vests go down that far for a reason...

Keep healing! SO far things really are looking good.

Oh - I had the black nipple too. For about 6 weeks. Then the black stuff fell off and it was back to normal. Not the feeling in the nipple, just the looks.

Good luck!

[Imbackagain]

Thanks, wish i can see me looking good too, but time eill tell i guess...

vest- Absolutely not reluctant to wear the vest for longer. I am only following the post op instructions which clearly states to wear for 2 weeks, then for another 2 weeks day or night MAX.  I am happy to take advise and wear it longer if it will help the process and the result, but I'm just worried that Im going against the surgeons instructions I've even tried calling there office to find out, but everyone was busy and I've not been called back yet.

. The other issue I have is with regards to massaging, it says to start massage from week 2, but I'm still swollen and tender, is it a good idea to massage swollen tissue? Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[improving]

I personally think that's too early to massage mate. I waited for a month before i started massaging. I'm sure i read somewhere that you can cause problems if you massage too early. My advice would be wait for a month post op and let everything settle.

As for the vest, its pretty important although it is a pain in the ass. As long as you wear it for the recommended period then you'll be fine!

[about2change]

You're right that about 2 weeks full time, 2 week day or night, SP.

I had a bad case, Dr. Karidis and I were both concerned about my skin snapping back, so he recommended that I wear it FULL time for 4 weeks and then part time...

as others have said a vest can do no harm.


enjoy the recovery dude

[Imbackagain]

Despite being advised by karidis nurse that I can take vest off now for 12 hours a day, I've decided to keep it on full time for 1 more week, then revert to wearing for another 2 weeks part time, I'm only doing this because it seems others on here have kept it on for much much longer. Still swollen and tender and have not started massage yet, bruising is almost gone, slight yellow tinge, chest is very lumpy, and occasional sharp pain now and again through out the day. Oh and I get this weird sensation when I drink something cold, like a cold drink, I can actually feel the coldness of the drink in my chest area.. Weird I know. Will be posting a updated pic this week too.

[about2change]

glad it's going all good mate.. enjoy it

[McGilli]

Awesome to hear. Yeah keeping it on longer can't hurt.  You never hear about any doctors saying "No take that vest off or else!!"

[sjwsjw]

See how fast the time goes. Things really move on and after a couple of months you forget most of the early days. Hell I'm not even 4 months in and I have to remind myself of my pre op pictures.

Keep your chin up its all for a good cause 

[Imbackagain]

3 WEEKS POST

Where do I start, it's looking a i little better then it did, I've started massage once a day with arnica cream as I still have a slight yellow tinge, I will change to bio oil once the bruising disappears. I still get occasional chest pain, not sure why, the incisions appear to be healed, however the Incisions under nipples are still look like a  'slit' as such but nothing comes out, maybe they are healed underneath. Anyway, I've worn the vest full time for three weeks, now I'm going to wear it part time for another 2 weeks, even tho it feels as though the vest is not doing much. Since I started massage the hard bits of swelling seemed to have softened slightly, could be scar tissue. Massage however is a little painful when I really dig my fingers in, hard,  maybe bacause I'm  still tender, tight and swelled. However it feels great not having my old chest.  Nipples do not look great tho if I'm honest, I still have slight puffiness and creases near nipple area and the nipples are still very dark/black and look awful.
Apart  from that all is good lol...actually no,, go back to work on Wednesday

Cannot wait to hit the gym.... Anyone reccomend a good time frame before I can start running/cardio/light weights

Here's a updated pic

[McGilli]

I can only speak from my experience with weights. After my surgery I started very light weights at home. I was doing all the muscle groups, but only using 5 pound weights one week, then 10 the next.

After that I went back to the gym and eased back into it with heavier weights. So. 6 weeks for me to get back to the gym.

Looking good!

[Imbackagain]

Hi all

Just took two snaps quickly as I'm a little worried- surprise surprise

First pic is whilst tensing and second is relaxed

DO I HAVE EXCESS SKIN?? (Can't look face)

I was promised by my surgeon that my skin will snap back and have no excess skin but it Dnt look it to me

Oh and my nipples look so Weird




And relaxed





Hopefully building muscle will help...

Thanks in advance everyone

[thetodd]

It looks like swelling to me, granted it doesnt look nice at the moment but it will get better the three work mark is the worse because all of the swelling scar tissue is formed and the nipples go weird etc.

Building muscle honestly wont do much, going the gym isnt a bad thing but eating healthy and letting the body heal is the best medicine.

It doesnt look like excess skin, just looks like water and scar tissue. Its easy for me to say, but just relax id ditch the vest your just delaying the inevitable back when i had it done we never had it on more than two weeks.

[Imbackagain]

Thanks thetodd...as always reassuring words...

Hopefully your right And it all does settle down, I started massage gentlly everyday for about ten mins with bio oil,since I began massage the size of the chest has reduced a little..  it's looking a little ugly at the mo, hopefully it does look better in a few weeks. I am looking to start gym at around the 5/6 week mark upon ypur previous advice, not rushing into things. Think you have a valid point, Don't really feel the benifits from the vest anymore but I'm still going to try wear it for a little longer as karidis instructs. I'm going to try book my follow up a little soon than recommended as I get this occasional sharp chest pain, mostly on the left, I'm not sure what it is but assuming its from nerve damage or muscle pain.(I hope)

[McGilli]

If you are going to start working out - you might want to keep the vest for the first week at least. Working out might increase swelling. Just my two bits.

But ask your surgeon on your follow-up....

[Imbackagain]

Thanks Mcgilli I'm looking to start with cardio only in about 2/3 weeks time which I should be 5/6 weeks pot op. then gradually start on light weights, hopefully this might improve the look a little. But I will for sure consider wearing the vest during work outs. Any idea how long it takes for you NOT to swell up after a work out?