Dressings off and an update

Today was my 1 wk post-op appointment, boy was it tough, it was so painful having the dressings removed as the adhesive had stuck to my sutures and my wound, I even saw my nipple lifting off with one of them not nice! then sniping the sutures was really stingy and sore. The wounds are healing nicely, my blood blister is still there but should reabsorb soon. Sort of wished I could put the dressings back on because it was so much more painful with them off, I have non adherent dressing pads to place inside my bra and on top of the wounds, but they move and it feels like my wounds are re-opening (they're not) The numbness is quite wide spread into my armpits but pain is amplified/distorted it's hard to explain, if someone were to draw a feather across my left breast it would feel like a cat scratching me. My ribs and sternum are so bruised and sore, feels like a booted foot is standing on my chest, just off centre sternum, takes my breath away sometimes, my right armpit feels really bruised too, doesn't help having the band cut in there, I've padded it out with cotton wool but still, been told I have to wear it for 6wks it's a love/hate relationship I hate wearing it but I know I need it for the stability it gives could not walk around comfortably without it.

My boobs look way better than last time, the shape has finally changed, I'm hoping when the muscle stretches and the implant drops and softens the roundness in the cleavage area will come back, as it's quite flat at the moment (had overs last time and they were quite round in the cleavage at the start) Really not enjoying this stage of the recovery, completely different to last time, want to fast forward a few months (when hopefully the left breast pain will have resolved completely still very apprehensive about the fact there were no guarantees it would dissappear)

I've put breast pads over my nipples but wonder if they are being squished, my original dressings had peep holes cut in them for the nipple to stick out. Seriously feel like my nipples might drop off after seeing them lift like that. I can now shower but am way too scared to have water thundering onto my boobs!

My legs are good (had lipo retouched) amazed at the minimal bruising this time, I had black/blue/purple thighs from groin to knee last time. They are still a bit uneven though, I'm really hoping once the swelling settles they will improve as my left doesn't look much different to pre-op and the whole point of the retouch was to even them out more.

Got to go back next week for another check up.

After starting off so well I'm now struggling with a good nights sleep, I have been well propped up but last night I was so desperate to sleep a bit flatter (I normally only have one pillow under my head) so rearranged my pillows to a lower incline and I paid for it in the morning, boobs hurt a lot more. Will have to try a different configuration again tonight. Even sleeping well propped up I was still getting a good dose of morning boob.

After my appointment I went into Debenhams as they have 20% off shock absorbers and I really wanted to get a Run bra, as I tried one before my op and found it really comfy, love that there are no internal seams. Sods law they didn't have the size I wanted in black, only white and after the torture session I'd been through I was put right off the changing room anyway, might check back in next week in the hopes they'll of had a delivery.

My left boob is feeling so stingy now, pain killers aren't doing much, and I won't go back on the codeine as it doesn't really do much for me other than space me out and give me a headache! Fingers crossed for a better night and a better morning!

Aww Sugarplum i hope you start to feel a bit better soon!! Sounded really painful when the dressings came off ,but at least thats done with! I really hope you get a good nights sleep,i remember it being awful laid propped up when all i wanted to do was curl up on my side!! Youl get there soon !!Try take it easy and take care love Sparky xxx

Awww sweetheart, do remember it's not necessary to sleep sat up at all, just as long as your head and shoulders are raised above your chest that's fine to help with the swelling and help you off to a better sleep.

Morning boob is awful and for me the worst of my entire BA journey, but it's not forever and it's a small price to pay for lovely boobs.

If you feel able to, try to reduve the heavier meds of a day and maybe just take them for bed and first thing in the morning until you feel more able to cope on your own. You start to feel much better when you can get off those sweetie, but of course if the pain isn't at all manageable without the heavy meds then take whatever you need lovely to make you comfortable.

If you aren't already using icepacks, they're amazing Sassie, especially for morning boob. I doubt I'd have got through my BA without them, they're a blessing for when you're feeling very engorged or uncomfortable.

Really hoping you feel better soon hun

Gentle hugs coming your way. xx

Sorry to hear you've had a tough time. Hope it all resolves very soon so you can start enjoying your lovely new boobs!

Aww, you sound in so much agony sugarplum! Hope it gets better ASAP! All this pain will be worth it! Think happy thoughts. This beautiful ! Xx

In the end I cut out nipple holes in the breast pads and lightly taped them down so they wouldn't move, and taped the dressing pad lightly, put my band under my bra to try and eliminate even more movement, shuffled my pillows and took some paracetamol. It was a better night still not great as I woke a couple times because of a numb/sore ear! I'd managed to sleep in a semi side position which was lovely but did my ears no favours because of all the pillows it actually made it a harder surface to sleep on than my usual one soft pillow!

Cookie- I'm only taking Ibuprofen and Paracetamol now, as I didn't find the codeine was that great TBH, stopped that by day 4 or 5 I think.

I've now got another problem but I'll post that on another thread.

Soon you'll be over the worst of this Sassie, you're 8 days post-op now, so no more than another 6 days tops of the most discomfort. xx

Thankyou Cookie, that's reassuring, despite the fact I've been through this before it's been a lot harder this time so in a way it all feels new and like the first time when I was clueless.