Surgery this week yikes! 30/07/15

[Mr S]

Hi mate,
I feel your pain with the binder! I've really tightened mine down today and it feels a bit better , just a bit conscious of a bit of fluid that has built up on the larger side. I think this can be normal and as you say the healing process doesn't happen overnight!
I took two codeine yesterday and went a bit light headed, next think I knew I'd been asleep for two hours on the sofa !
Think I'm going to order another vest as opposed to the Veronica 640, I think a longer body one will be comfier

Charlie - Have a look through my thread as I mention a couple of other vests that have been recommended here. There is also a voucher code to save you 15% off on my thread so hope that helps :-)

[Charlie33]

I noticed those , thanks. That's where I got the idea for the longer vest  I' haven't got a big stomach but the 640 seems to make it stick right out! 

[Charlie33]

First day today without the binder, felt really strange taking it off! My skin was tingling and it was great to look down and be flat! 
Had a small walk to the local shop and immediately felt the the difference not having the binder on. Kept touching my chest, it feels numb with a pins and needle sensation at the same time?! I could feel each footstep so obviously still tender down there.
After wishing the binder was off I've found myself with it back on tonight over the vest, kind of like the security of it!

[ggnail]

Hi Charlie, well done. Did the fluid buildup resolve itself then? On which day did you have to tighten the binder? I think I have fluid buildup and so worried

[Charlie33]

Hi, it does seem a little better. I think it was the 4th day , you'll know because you will be able to move a little more freely. I was really sore for the first 3 days. I managed to hold the binder down around my side and give it a good pull a cross and fasten it in place. It did feel better tighter. I don't think it was tight enough at first.
I think fluid build up is pretty common mate, Dr Levick told me not to worry and to continue with compression . Hope that helps

[ggnail]

Cheers, definitely helps. Yea it's day 2 for me and def still sore. 

[xoxoxoxo]

Yall didnt get drains? I justr had it done yesterday and ill have this drains for a week. At first i was against it but i got used to it. Its also better to have drains to prevent seromas. Im still sore today but not too bad tho. Hope it gets better.

[Charlie33]

Well I'm 11 days post op and recovering slowly. The largest side still has some fluid present, which concerns me, and a small indent. I'm going to send Dr Levick some pictures 2 weeks post op to see what he says. 
I've kept the binder on top of the vest all weekend and throughout the night to see if it helps. Left side has very little bruising , right side seems quite bruised lower down towards my rib cage.
1st full day at work today with the vest on its own! Managed to get into an old slim fit shirt which felt good! My chest feels very numb and tingly, is this normal?

[xoxoxoxo]

Well I'm 11 days post op and recovering slowly. The largest side still has some fluid present, which concerns me, and a small indent. I'm going to send Dr Levick some pictures 2 weeks post op to see what he says.
I've kept the binder on top of the vest all weekend and throughout the night to see if it helps. Left side has very little bruising , right side seems quite bruised lower down towards my rib cage.
1st full day at work today with the vest on its own! Managed to get into an old slim fit shirt which felt good! My chest feels very numb and tingly, is this normal?

Everytime I walk i always feel that tingly sensation on both nipples.  Maybe because that's where the incisions at. Take it easy at work bro. 

[ggnail]

Glad all going ok Charlie. Take it easy. I checked mine today and def have fluid even with 24/7 compression. The sites look concave with some indent and squishy. Oh well, just have to wait and see

[Charlie33]

As soon as I got home from work I put the binder back on tight until this morning when I had a shower. I'm going to keep doing so to see if it helps with the fluid, I'm used to the binder now so no harm done  
I have placed one of the square pad dressings on top of the fluid and then put the compression vest over the top. Just trying to keep the area compressed as much as I can whilst remaining comfortable!

[ggnail]

Charlie, Are you talking about the mepore plasters? Or maybe you received some other type of dressing. Anyway, I think we just have to keep compressing and hope the fluid goes down. I've put up pic on other thread with Mr S. Let me know what you think?

[Charlie33]

I'd say the dressings are 3" x 3" mate, white and about 10 in the pack. I used the full pack, nice and soft and you can't tell it's there under a shirt. 

[Charlie33]

Well I'm now 2 weeks post op so thought if give a little update.
Bruising has nearly all gone apart from lower down on my right side which was the larger. Both incisions have healed well but my right side isn't as tidy as the left, obviously this side needed more work
I'm still tender and can feel each footstep in flat work shoes, chest is still totally numb to the touch with some slight pain at the sides.
I had a look this morning and the left side looks perfect, right side still has some fluid under the nipple and a small indent to the right of it, I'm still using the binder at night and taking it off before work. 
I'll try and get some pics up

[Charlie33]

First pic :