5 weeks post surgery........

..........today.

5 weeks post-op

side view

delayed healing of section on left breast

I have a small section on my left breast - where the boob crease suture line meets the vertical incision - that has been weeping for a week or so [see picture].

I have no symptoms associated with infection and, for the most part, I'm not overly concerned.  Wish it would get a blooming move on and heal though.

It's been 5 weeks!  I have been patient.  Just want to be fully healed now......

Punched myself in the breast.......

..........it hurt A LOT; I don't recommend it.

I was making pizza for my family this evening.  The passata, that I needed for the sauce, was in a small tin, shrink wrapped to 11 other such tins, in my kitchen cupboard.  The considerable force with which I was pulling on the plastic wrapping was transferred into the punch I gave my left tit when the wrapping finally gave way!!

Ouchie!!!

30 days post surgery.......

........and I'm struggling with lack of energy and with back pain.  Sleeping on my back for the past month, and not moving much during the night, is causing my back to be sorer and sorer each morning.  My breasts are still too tender to allow me to comfortably lie on my side.

Tomorrow will be one calendar month since I went under the knife.  I am surprised by how tired I am still feeling - especially in the mid to late afternoon.  I was not at all prepared for the length of time it would take me to heal from the surgery.

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Booby update:

My breasts are feeling less and less sore with each passing day :).  Most of the scabs have now fallen off and the skin on my breasts is much less dry and itchy.

In the past two days the suture lines have become much redder and I have had a little weeping from a couple of areas: on my left breast where the vertical incision meets the boob crease incision and on my right breast where the vertical incision meets the areola.  Both sites appear to have suture thread poking out and I am sure there is nothing to concern about just delayed healing. 

30 days post-op

left side 

right side

27 days post surgery.......

..........and all is well :)

I am 4 weeks post-op tomorrow and my boobies are healing well.  They are still very sensitive and ache after a long day (especially one that involves a lot of driving) but actual pain has all but gone (YAY!!)

27 days post-op

My nipples are beginning to look like they are properly attached to my breasts (phew).....

Itchy dry skin is being soothed by regular showers, using moisturising body wash, and then lots of body lotion applied and allowed to soak in before I get dressed.

Such a relief to be able to use body lotion to ease dry skin (not directly on the suture lines)

Finally decided on names for my titties and........

........mere hours later they received their first correspondence [see pics below].  They are considering employing a PA to deal with their personal admin ;)

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Without further ado I have great pleasure in announcing that my boobies, shall from this day forward, be referred to as:  

Scrumpy (righty) and Ale (lefty).

They are named after my hubby's favourite tipples - both of which he finds hard to resist, enjoys enormously and associates with pleasure, relaxation and good times :)

An envelope, addressed to my titties, lay atop the sofa............

I hurried to open it.  It was a card :).............

From my darling hufband <3

24 days post surgery......

.........and I'm feeling just fine.  The discomfort / pain has reduced a lot in the past few days - hurrah!!

Hugs (careful ones) have been reinstated - WHOOP!!  It is sooooo good to be able to hold hubby and be held by him.

Skin is feeling itchy; not the suture lines themselves, the skin all over my breasts and chest.  I get the best relief from having a shower, putting on body lotion (avoiding wounds) and sitting braless for while (letting air get to my skin).

24 days post-op

side view

This is a good look - I predict a fashion revolution.....

...........NOT!!!

I might have looked like a moron with two compression bras worn over my dress but it made a big difference to the level of pain/discomfort I was in whilst driving.  

I drove 10 minutes of the journey without the extra bras to ascertain, if the lack of discomfort was due to my being a few days more healed than the last time I was driving or, if the bras were making a significant difference: they absolutely were.

7.5 hours in a car today made much more physically bearable by three bra combo

Lots of driving ahead of me today, I'm getting prepared.....

.........for a day of pain.

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I am looking at a round trip of 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 hours today (Friday afternoon on M25 and over QEII Bridge so who knows??)

Driving quite simply hurts.  The vibrations cause my breasts to move (internally and a little externally) and the suture lines to rub against the inside of my bra - ouchie, ouchie, ouchie!!

Where roads are badly maintained, with potholes or speed humps my car turns into a boobie torture chamber!!

Yesterday I postponed a work commitment that required me to drive for a few hours.  Today that simply isn't possible.

I am planning to utilise Hippo to hold the seatbelt in a more comfortable position and to wear sports bra done up as tightly as I can bear AND to add additional support (and I think glamor ;) ) I will wear a compression bra (maybe two) over my clothes whilst I am actually in the car.

Note to self:  must remember to remove compression bra before I get out of the car......

my motto for today

22 days post surgery......

.......and swelling / bruising has almost gone.

Three weeks on from surgery and I am starting to feel almost back to my usual self in terms of energy levels.  Although I remain frustrated at my inability to do a lot of things; e.g. lifting, heavier housework, lay on my side, tolerate anything coming into contact with my breasts, drive without significant discomfort and so forth.

22 days post-op

appearance of the suture lines & bruising is improving each day

Three week tittiversary and a major milestone........

......... moments, even minutes, without pain/discomfort/awareness of 'ouchies'!!

A while ago I was sitting here, getting on with some business admin, when I became conscious of the fact that I was unaware of my breasts.  

No pain, no discomfort, no aching - nothing!

Even when I brought my attention to my chest I could not feel the suture lines - it was as if the cuts were not there at all.  For the fist time in three weeks I was entirely pain free :D

Bliss.........

I moved and the wounds made themselves known to me again but - not to worry - I experienced another episode of the absence of discomfort a few minutes later.  

The relief is heady.......... 

It wasn't until I was without pain that I fully appreciated how much it has been a constant companion; the first thing I noticed when I came round from the anaesthetic and again upon waking every morning since.

Appointment with nurse - feeling reassured :)

Having spoken to Caroline (the nurse who I saw at my second wound appointment) over the phone on Thursday, about the weeping from the wound on my right breast, I went in to see her today. 

Over the weekend my left breast has also been weeping - on and off - from the same place (where the vertical scar meets areola scar). 

Caroline examined me this afternoon and said all is well: no sign of infection.

She said the point where I am experiencing the weeping is a weak point on the suture lines and that what I am experiencing is just delayed healing. She looked at my wounds and said she suspected I was not reacting very well to the dissolvable thread used to create the suture line (internal stitches) and that I was healing more slowly as a result. 

She also explained the reason the skin on my breasts is so dry, and flaky, is down to the post-op swelling having stretched the skin and resulted in dehydration after the swelling subsided.

Once the scabs have all fallen off the suture lines I can begin massaging the scars to improve their appearance. They are still feeling much too sore for me to relish that thought at the moment though!

20 days post-surgery.........

...........and I'm getting there slowly!!

20 days post-op

left side

right side

The skin on my breasts is very dry and itchy.  Being encased in bras made from manmade fabric 24/7 is not the best skincare regime I can tell you!!

18 days post surgery..........

........and I'm feeling better and better hour on hour.

I am not yet at pre-op energy levels but I'm getting there :)

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Booby update:

1. My wounds are looking less horrific (phew!).  
2. I am now getting oozing from lefty (the same spot as on righty) I will see the nurse on Tuesday just for reassurance that all is well.  When I spoke to her on Thursday she said the point where vertical incision meets the areola is a 'weak point' as it is where all of the wounds meet and there is a lot of pressure on that 'junction'.
3. Showering is very much helping with the aesthetic improvement of the wounds - the dried bits of blood and the remaining adhesive from the dressings is being washed away with each shower.  There is a very stubborn bit of adhesive just above my right areola that is irritating me.
4. The bruising on my lefty is taking its sweet time to improve.
5. The skin on my breasts very dry and starting to flake off - tiny bits of dried skin are on the inside of my bra whenever I remove in - I have boobdruff - I am using mosturising shower cream/gel but with little effect.

Day 18 post-op

side view

incisions on righty

incisions on lefty

Driving and sex (not at the same time)........

Driving, even short distances, causes my boobies to hurt. Uneven roads, and especially potholes, are especially painful. There are moments, whilst I am driving, when I fear my wounds might be opening up because that is what it feels like :(

It is more bearable as a passenger because I can secure my breasts with my hands / arms (especially when I see a bump or hole in the road ahead) and that decreases the pain. 

I am so relieved that I planned my surgery for late July. August is a quiet month for my business and the amount I will be travelling around the country is significantly less than any other month. No travel at all until the end of next week :) - yay!

In the past two days, mercifully, I have found a way of making the seatbelt more bearable to wear [see pic below]. I had tried pillows of various sizes and the commercially available seatbelt cushioners but neither had worked anywhere near as well as Hippo :). He is just fat enough to hold the belt an ideal distance from my chest, and his chin is perfect for holding the belt firmly in place.  Thanks Hippo ('Potty Mouse' to his friends - because he is a Hippo-potty-mouse).

Hippo helping to make the seatbelt less 'ouchie' to wear

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I've stated before, on this blog, that when I decided to write it I was determined to be as candid as I can bear and to write about my experience of breast surgery and recovery in as truthful way as possible.  I am therefore going to share my thoughts about sex.  Those relevant to my breast surgery at least ;)!   

Sex is very relevant, and important, to my breast surgery journey.  It was the prominent consideration in my decision to have surgery; because my loathing of those sagging pendulous breasts, that disappeared under my arms when I lay down, was beginning to affect my sex life.  If hubby went to touch my breasts, when I wasn't wearing a bra, I would find myself tensing and wanting to push his hands away.  I hated the fact that I did that; and although I knew that hubby wasn't bothered about my far from perfect boobies I very much was.

Despite sex being a major factor in my decision to have surgery, bizarrely, prior to surgery I had not considered the short-term post-op implications for hubby and my sex life.

In addition to the practical considerations (i.e. the fact that my chest has felt incredibly tender and raw, and my inability to lie in any position except on my back) there was the fact that my breasts look(ed) like something out of a horror movie in their mutilated state - I was really not rocking 'the allure' I can tell you!  I was also very concerned about what would happen if/when I became sexually aroused: would my breasts / nipples even work (i.e. respond to arousal)  and if they did would I be in pain??

I have really missed being intimate with my hubby and he has been a total grumpy bear (bless him).   In the almost 13 years that we have been together we have never gone so long without having sex! 

Last night (16 whole days and 17 nights post surgery) we decided it was time to try [no pic attached].  Sports bra on and no direct contact with my breasts obviously.    I am very pleased to report all was well (incredible infact ;) ).

My nipples and breasts did respond to arousal (yay - they still work!!) and it was a little uncomfortable but the pleasure elsewhere more than overshadowed that.  The discomfort increased and, I guess, became pain when I reached orgasm but at that point - to be perfectly frank - I couldn't have cared less.

Bring on the sexing :)...................

What a difference a day makes.......

.........I'm feeling much better today; and my boobies are looking like they are actually getting on with the business of healing :D - about time too!!

Hubby says I am looking and sounding better too.

The bruising has almost disappeared on my right breast and the incisions are visibly improved when compared to a couple of days ago.  My energy levels are increasing and I am less achey everywhere but my breasts (which are still sore but improving).

Day 16 post-op

Left side
Bathed in evening sunshine........

Close up of right breast where wound was oozing

The wound that was oozing on my "righty" (where the vertical scar meets the areola) is healing well.  

The adhesive that remains on both breasts is slowly being washed away. 

Showers rock!! 

My skin is starting to get dry and flaky; I'm looking forward to being healed enough to use moisturiser on my boobies.

Yesterday was tough.......

I was back to work and had a very long day.  4 hour round trip drive to deliver a training day.  The training delivery I took in my stride, but the driving was not fun!

The vibrations, the seat belt, the steering and gear changes - ow, ow, ow, ow :(  At times my boobies felt like they were coming apart at the seams!  Painkillers were required.

I drove much of the way with my right breast in my left hand trying to add extra support and to comfort myself.

I was also very worried about the fact that my wound was still oozing amber coloured liquid.  I was afraid that maybe I had the beginnings of an infection.  I post on Breast Buddies forum for advice and the wonderful women on there offered reassurance and, at lunchtime, I phoned THG and Caroline (the nurse I saw on Tuesday) called me back.

She was very supportive and said, from what I described, she was not concerned and she suspected she had disturbed the healing when she removed the steri-strips and, more so when she snipped the end of the suture thread.  She recalled that the thread nearest to where I was getting the discharge from had been tricky to cut.

She very much encouraged me to shower (I told her I hadn't because of the oozing and my concern about not being water-tight).  

I came home and showered - it was a disconcerting experience allowing the water to spray on my poor mutilated breasts!  I pat my breasts dry with a separate towel to the one I used for the rest of my body, used a hairdryer on 'cool' to ensure the wounds were properly dry and I lay on my bed for half an hour allowing the air to get to my wounds.

I put on a sports bra (much more comfortable and flattering than the Macom compression bra) and went out with a couple of girlfriends (Nandos then cinema).

When I got home I checked and there had been no oozing - YAY!!!

Day 14 post surgery ..........

............and I am feeling sore and thoroughly fed up with my body taking so long to heal (I don't have time for this!!!!)

I slept horribly last night.  We had a power-cut at 23.30 and the electricity board were out in the road trying to fix whatever the problem was (noisily) until 02.30.  

I was conscious that today was going to be busy for me as it is my sons' 18th birthday and there are preparations during the day and a party tonight.  

I was also very aware that I am back to work tomorrow (long day too:  I'll leave home at 06.00 tomorrow and not get home until 19.00 - I'll be on my feet delivering a lecture to approx. 80 people all day).

Close up of the weeping wound

I needed my rest and the universe was disobligingly configuring itself to prevent that.  I am not used to having so little energy (I usually work 70+ hour weeks and still have energy left over to look after my family, my home and for socialising).

I woke up this morning and my right breast was still weeping :(  [see close-up pic].  I put some gauze over it and have left it alone all day.  I will look later (when I go to get ready for my sons' party) to see how it is doing.

I am a tiny bit concerned that if it continues to ooze it could be a sign of infection (please not!)

The photos on this post were taken early this morning but I have been so busy I am only now managing to update my blog.

My nipples are looking frighteningly like they could fall off my breasts if I don't take good enough care!

Day 14 post-op

Side view

Just a little reminder to myself that........

Day 13 post surgery.......

.........and I am feeling RAW!

Today was my second wound-check appointment and the nurse removed all of the steri-strips.  OUCHIE!!

This first picture is my breasts this morning before my appointment at the clinic.

13 days post-op

After my appointment at the clinic I went shopping with my eldest and youngest children (to buy my other son's birthday present - he turns 18 tomorrow and an iPad needed to be purchased from the APPLE store :) ).  

My breasts were feeling very sore as we walked around (I was thankful that the nurse had placed gauze between my wounds and my bra).  

I was acutely aware that my breasts were sewn together  :(  The best way I can describe the sensation is that I felt as if I had big cuts across my chest (which - of course - I do).

Part way around IKEA I looked down and saw I had blood on my top........

Oh my; I was bleeding!  And it was seeping through the gauze and my bra and my top.  I kept very calm (I had my 20 year old daughter and 14 year old son with me and didn't want to frighten them) but inside I was really shaken up.  

At the earliest opportunity I headed to the toilets to take a look and to add more gauze - I was bleeding from the point where the bottom of my areola meets the vertical incision on my right breast.  I used my phone to get a close look and could see the nurse had pulled off a scab and that the bleeding wasn't serious (phew!!).

Eeeekkkk!  Nipples aren't supposed to bleed!!!!!!

When I got home I took a couple of snaps.  I had become used to how my breasts look with the steri-strips on.  These pics are again putting me in mind of post-mortems - *shudder*!!

On the plus side the bruising is really fading now (hopefully I can see more positives tomorrow....?)

Day 13 post-op with steri-strips removed

Close-up of wounds

Discomfort and feeling useless is getting me down......

....... 12 days is long enough!!

I am getting impatient to be healed and 'up to speed' again.  Earlier today I dragged a basket full of wet laundry from the washing machine to the line (approx. 30 meters) with my foot!

I keep having to remind myself that I am healing; and that - today - I am, no doubt, suffering the consequence of having done too much at the weekend.

I have my second wound appointment with the nurse tomorrow. She will probably remove the steri-strips and not replace them. I hope that will help ease some of the discomfort (the steri-strips are irritating my wounds in places).

Today has been a low point emotionally - ordinarily a bear hug from hubby would be the comfort I would seek :(.................

Breasts looking, and feeling, SMALL ........

........bring on my implants.

Immediately post-op, due to the swelling, I was quietly questioning whether I would want/need implants.  I was thinking my breasts were looking full, round and large enough for me to not want to put myself through further surgery.

The swelling has abated now and my breasts have dropped a little and the fullness has flattened out - just as Mr Russo said it would.

My boobs are feeling much smaller than I am used to and, to me, they look very small.  My torso looks unbalanced (see before and after pics below) with my hips bigger than my chest and I am now certain I want implants.

I'd like to go up a couple of cup sizes.  Which, by my reckoning, would take me back to the size I was pre-op; but with lovely pert titties and cute button nipples that I can be proud of when unclothed - YAY!!!

My torso pre-op

My torso post-op

Day 12 post surgery.......

.........and I'm feeling tired and sore (hangover from weekend away I'm thinking).

The very outside edges of the boob crease incisions are feeling especially sensitive (overnight I needed a dressing between there and my compression bra).  I am also beginning to feel itchy around my nipples which, is a good sign in that it indicates healing but, is not easy to cope with (scratching the itch is a definite no-no!!)

12 Days post-op

Close-up of incisions on right breast

Close-up of incisions on left breast
(dissolvable stitch thread from internal stitches can be seen at bottom of picture)

Weekend away - with long(ish) car journeys.......

Walk with dogs and a delightful little girl this morning

Hubby and I went to visit his cousin (and family) overnight. They live approximately a 2.5hour drive away. Husband drove with me in the passenger seat. I only have a small car (FIAT 500) and it is not the smoothest of rides. On the way up yesterday I needed to take paracetamol; and 4 hourly for the rest of the day.

The vibrations of the car made my breasts ache; and pot holes, and poorly maintained roads were out and out painful! I was also a much more anxious passenger than usual (to the irritation of my hubby) pointing out when the traffic ahead was braking and asking hubby to back off from cars infront - I kept having to remind him that if he had to brake heavily, or suddenly, that would be very painful for me.....

I felt much more comfortable when I placed a pillow between myself and the seat belt but still felt excessively protective of my breasts.

Yesterday was a very long day and spent walking or sitting on hard upright dining chairs and/or garden chairs. I found myself getting very uncomfortable at times (breasts and arms aching). Sleeping arrangements were not conducive to great comfort either.

The trip was planned before I booked my operation but if I had the choice I would not have planned such a trip so close to my op.

I'm now home; and very tired and achy :(  I will take more pain relief now.  I should have taken some before I got into the car for the journey home.

Rest is in order me thinks.

Bedfordshire 9.30am today

Day 11 post surgery.........

...........and healing well :).

I am still feeling very tender but the bruising is fading well and the wounds are knitting nicely.

My nipples are looking more like they belong to the breasts the are sitting upon too (which is a relief)!

Day 11 post-op

Left side

Right side

NOTE:   These ^ photos were taken late afternoon - I usually take pictures first thing in the morning