Awaiting Mr Russo at Dolan Park........

.......once he has arrived and seen me (and his other patients I guess). I will have the drains removed and will be able to go home.

The poor driver has been sent away by the nurses (he was booked for 7am) and is now having to hang around waiting to take me home.  Not a lot of fun for him. I guess he drove someone in early this morning and only after dropping me home will get to clock off. 

I'm feeling okay. Got some sleep. Not a lot but that's to be expected.

Have had some painkillers this morning as my breasts were very achy when I woke up. Anticipating the drive home (and my ouchie, ouchie experience post-uplift of cars) I thought it pertinent to utilize the strong painkillers the hospital administer. I have been given some co-codamol to take home - the nurse told me they are not as strong as the ones she gave me at 06.30 this morning. 

Also taking anti-biotics for the next week to stave off any potential infection.




INSTRUCTIONS FROM NURSE:

• Post-op bra to be worn - day and night - for 6 weeks.
• Need to keep dressings / wounds dry for at least a week (until after my first wound-check appointment with nurse). 
• Not to lift anything heavy or to stretch my arms above my head for a couple of weeks. 
• Change bra daily and keep breasts clean and dry.

End of surgery day update

Thankfully my BP increased to what is normal for me [100/60 (ish)] late this afternoon and has since stabilised. Obs have been taken much less frequently since.

I had a yummy ham salad for my dinner and have drunk plenty of water and tea to flush out the drugs and anaesthetic from my system.  I have spoken to my hubby, via FaceTime, a few times throughout the afternoon and evening.  Very much looking forward to getting home to him.

The few friends and family members who know about my surgery have all been in touch.  I am fortunate to have such wonderful support (no pun intended).

Mr Russo hasn't left instructions regarding my drains and the nurse who is looking after me overnight, therefore, isn't permitted to remove them until he arrives tomorrow and gives permission.  She said he is a bit of a law unto himself as to when he will arrive. My transport is booked for 7am but will have to wait around until Mr Russo has seen me.  It doesn't affect me too much - I will get home later but I don't have any plans other than resting up - but will inconvenience the nurses and especially the driver.

I am required to sleep sitting up and will attempt to do so soon. My room is directly opposite the nurses station so that might be tricky. I may resort to listening to some music quietly through my headphones as that will be easier to sleep through than people talking and moving around right outside my door.



BOOB UPDATE

I have some discomfort but not to the degree that requires pain relief. The most painful thing was the cannula in my hand.  I asked very nicely and the nurse who is on over night removed it for me an hour ago. I'm chuffed to bits about that!

My breasts are very firm and swollen (even the bit between my breasts is swollen) and are comically large. The swelling will reduce, the implants will soften and they will drop into place (I believe the 'technical term' is that they will 'fluff') - at least I blooming well hope all of those things will happen.

I'll update with daily photos in the first few weeks to chart the changes.



Night blog-world. X

I have drains in both breasts.........

............which makes trips to the toilet somewhat challenging.   Focusing on not bearing weight on my arms (telling myself to "think T-Rex") and taking care with regard to BP (not moving altitude too rapidly) whilst gathering the flasks that the blood is draining into from each side of the bed requires a 'procedure'.  I think I've mastered it though :). As long as I decide to 'go' 5 minutes before I 'need' to 'go' all is well. 

Actually I think perhaps a trip to the bathroom is pertinent right now.  Back in a mo..........

I have opted to just wear my pj bottoms and compression bra - so as not to risk 'catching' and/or 'pulling' the drains which aren't stitched in.  Not stitching them in will ease removal tomorrow morning. 

My nurse, Nadine, is very happy with the small amount of blood draining into the flasks.  It doesn't look like "nothing" to me but that's how she describes it "oh good there is nothing in there - that's excellent". 

Drain - preventing excess blood build up

Back from theatre.........

.........and feeling pretty good considering. 

My estimate was spookily accurate. As I was wheeled back into my room and my bed positioned the nurse asked if I had a mobile phone.  She handed me my phone, so I could iMessage my darling hufband and let him know I was back from theatre and going to snooze, the time was 11.59.

As expected my BP has been low but, unlike in July, has been coming up slowly (in July it did the opposite).  I have been in and out of sleep all afternoon - the drugs they gave me have induced a very pleasant floaty / yummy post-op experience.  Not an altogether unpleasant way to spend a Friday afternoon :D

My experience of being in recovery couldn't have been more different to last time (when I was very alert and chatty). I was fully aware of the lovely woman (Catherine) who was caring for me talking and asking me questions; I was forming responses in my head but know I didn't speak them out loud. I was very, very cold (teeth chatteringly cold) and she put a warm air blower under my blankets (it looked like an old-fashioned extraction hose from a tumble dryer).  It warmed me wonderfully and I was bereft when they removed it to bring me back to the ward.

The nurses put my compression bra on as soon as I arrived back on the ward but I have just sneakily unfastened it to take a couple of snaps. I'm laying on the bed so angle not the best but should give an impression at this very early stage. 

3 hours post augmentation surgery

side view

I'm about to go down to theatre.........

.......I've showered (removing all deodorant etc), dressed in gorgeous surgical gown and stockings (I'll put the paper pants and hairnets on later), had my obs taken, seen the anesthetist and Mr Russo. 

Mr Russo is very pleased with the result of the uplift and is keen (like me) not to increase the size of my breasts too much. Hoping to go up one cup size and to have a fuller more rounded shape. 

I'm second on the surgery list.  Anticipate going down at around 09.30. Surgery should last approx. and hour and will be in recovery for around 30 minutes. All being well I should be back in my room by midday. Giving me the afternoon to snooze and recuperate. 

I'll update this afternoon if I am feeling up to it. 

Mr Russo has been drawing on me again

Mr Mario Russo's boob art 

I've arrived at Dolan Park.........

.......... operation TT-MkIII is happening and it's happening TODAY!!

Paul, THG driver, picked me up at 04.15 this morning. Arrived at Dolan Park at 06.45.

I'm sitting in reception waiting to be admitted. It is very chilly - brrrr (bitter cold outside and whenever someone arrives, or leaves, the doors open and admit a blast of freezing air).

I'm feeling: thirsty, cold, anxious, tired and tense.

Looking forward to getting to my room so I can relax and get myself into the right headspace for surgery day.

The reception at DP is a fascinating place. I'm always curious about what people are in for (and what those who are leaving have had done). Sometimes it is fairly obvious, often not. Lots of 'beautiful people' here.

I'll update when I'm on the ward.

X

Mr Russo came to see me this morning......

.... and has just left.  The surgery went very well from his perspective - couldn't have gone better he said.

He removed 100ml of fat from my right breast to even out the sizing. He had a look at how they are today and was clearly delighted with his work - as am I   (:  

He looked at my new titties with much more reverence than he looked at the old ones I can tell you!!!

Now it's down to me to look after myself properly:

• Must not get the dressings or site wet for 2 weeks.
• Need to wear post-op bras - day and night - for at least a month (to ensure good final shape).
• No heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for 6 weeks.
• Not to bear weight on my arms for at least a week. 
• Attend wound care appointments with nurse at the Southampton clinic (usually 7 & 14 days). 

Mr Russo said over the next few weeks my breasts will drop a little and the fullness at the top will flatten out - that will be rectified with the implants.

I will see him again in a month and at that stage we will be able to discuss when the implant surgery can take place. 

sexy post-op compression bra - flattering (NOT!!)

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In other news:

Cannula is now out - YAY!  Hospital bracelets removed :) and I'm waiting for my driver to come and collect me (I was told 7am but I think that changed because Mr Russo wanted to see me).

The hand the cannula was in is quite stiff and swollen.  My wedding, engagement and eternity rings, usually loose on my finger, will barely go on.

The morning after........

BP went low again overnight (I suspect because I was asleep) but that meant Obs taken regularly and being urged to drink more water (which meant lots of trips to bathroom: T-Rex style).  All in all not the most restful sleep I've ever had. 

I'm in a little more pain today (laying flatter to try and sleep almost certainly put pressure on the incision sites (especially the big ones in my boob crease). I also have a very sore throat :( (breathing tube obviously scraped my windpipe during the op). 

I cannot wait for the nurse to take the cannula out of my hand. I loathe them and it cannot be removed soon enough for my liking!

I was told I'd be discharged at 05.30 so I've been up, dressed and packed for an hour. I suspect the nurse meant 06.30; which would make more sense with transport arriving at 07.00. At least I'm moving around, drinking and the likes which should satisfy her desire for my BP to raise.

I hope they don't insist I stay because of it - I cannot wait to get home. 

My children now know I've had the procedure done; I didn't tell them ahead of time because I didn't want them to worry about the anaesthetic etc.   I talked to my daughter last night (as she was staying with friends) and hubby told my sons (they are 20, 17 and 14 respectively). 

Interestingly now I'm clothed my boobs look a lot smaller than when I arrived yesterday. Part of that will be the compression bra - but some will be down to having lost volume during the op.  

I'm thinking it might be difficult to hide from observant folk - my breasts get smaller overnight and then a couple of months later (when I have the implants) grow again!  Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.......... 

06.15

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On a very positive note today starts two whole weeks of R&R for me :). I run my own business and work 70hr+ weeks. I am so looking forward to not having anything I 'should' be doing other than resting, channelling my inner T-Rex, healing and trying to think up fitting names for my new titties :D

Couldn't hope to feel better than I do at this stage :)

I have a small amount of discomfort but nothing significant (certainly nothing that would warrant pain relief). The discomfort definitely increases when I use my arms.

I am having to concentrate really hard to stop myself from bearing any weight on them; when getting on or off of the bed and/or shuffling my position for example.

I messaged my amazing best girlfriend telling her that I was struggling to not use my arms and she responded stating I was supposed to act "like a t-rex". Genius!!!! That has helped so much. I just embody my inner t-rex and I stop trying to use my arms :D

I've eaten most of a delicious salad - took my time so as not to cause my BP to crash.

Yummy :)

I couldn't be more content (other than if I were at home in my incredible hubby's arms).  The wifi is a godsend - I cannot get a phone signal so I have been able to FaceTime and Skype him instead. It is lovely to be able to see him and I know he is reassured at being able to see me (and my new titties!)

Low BP :(

After my last post my blood pressure dropped and I have spent the afternoon in & out of sleep and trying to get as much fluid into me as possible.  Approx. 5 litres of water and two cups of tea later it has come up a bit.

I ordinarily have low BP and anaesthetics in the past have affected me similarly.

As a teen I would regularly pass out (especially in hot weather). I then gained weight and my BP raised (it became 'normal'). Having lost the weight I am again suffering the effects of low BP. Happily, these days I'm much more clued up, than when I was a teenager, as to what the symptoms mean and how to minimise them.

I'm now up and out of bed. Sexy compression bra in place and own nightshirt on :).

I've been for a pee (of course after sooooo much fluid) brushed my teeth (heaven!) and used cleansing wipes to wipe off the dried blood that I can get to.

I am now going to attemp to eat something. Food = BP drop so I am kind of reluctant. Nurses really want me to though so I'll give it a go :).  I'm starting with a strawberry yoghurt. I've ordered a salad to eat later.

I'm back from surgery (:

Surgery took longer than I had imagined (I hadn't actually asked how long it would take).  I went in at 10.30 and was taken to recovery ay 13.30.

I am now back in my room, sipping water and breathing oxygen to help flush the anaesthetic out of my system.

I'm a bit sore but that's only to be expected. Been told I must not use my arms to push myself up or bear any weight at all for a week.  That is going to be tricky. Just trying to get myself comfy on my bed - whilst focusing fully on not using my arms - resulted in my twice nearly doing exactly that!

I haven't been out of bed yet but I've done my best to get a couple of shots of  my new titties. 

One hour post surgery

Titties MK-2

Right breast that most of the hard work was done on.......

The soreness is mostly in my left breast (which is odd because it is the right breast that Mr Russo reduced as well as lifted) and is a throbbing sensation (pain I guess).  Both breasts have pain particularly around the areola area and feel like they are burning (although not excessively so). 

I am unexpectedly not feeling sleepy at all - quite alert infact - but I do feel woozy and a bit dizzy. 

Water, water, water.....

I'm on half hourly Obs from the nurses.

Pre-op meeting with Mr Russo

Mr Russo has just been to see me. He jotted down some of his thoughts about what he needs to do once I am under the anaesthetic.  See picture below that I took of his jottings.......

Mr Russo's surgery notes :). -  photo taken in mirror (breasts are reversed)

He is going to reduce my right boob in size so the two should be more even (to be honest until I met Mr Russo nobody had ever pointed out the great disparity in the size of my breasts!!).  I think the way he is thinking about this surgery is as a foundation for my eventual implant surgery :)

The way he looks at my boobies is far from flattering - lol.  The way he handles them is hardly gentle either. I'm a bit sore already and he hasn't been near me with a scalpel yet!!

I am second on the surgery list so should be going down in about an hour.........

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I've managed to do a pee in the sample pot as well :). My nurse will never know I completely failed the simple task she set me when I arrived :)

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I will try to update again later today (if I'm up to it that is).

On the ward now :)

I've been brought up to the ward by Sharon, who will be looking after me today.  She asked me to shower (removing all deodorant, creams, make-up etc.), to put on the sexy surgical gown and gorgeous paper knickers ;)

She also asked me to provide a urine sample but I totally forgot to pee in the pot!  I'm desperately hoping the urge to pee will happen soon so I can provide a sample before she comes back to 'book me in'.   Nurses scare me a bit.......

View from my room

I have a private en-suite room with large flat screen television and wifi access. All is well :)

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My anaesthetist has just been to see me and done his pre-op stuff; and nurse Sally has booked me in, measured me for the oh so flattering surgical stockings and asked all of the questions they need to go through.

I am allergic to iodine (very) and I am a little anxious to ensure that I don't come into contact with it during surgery.  Iodine causes serious burns to my skin, allergic skin reaction for months following exposure and blistering under any dressings that are applied.  At least I think it is the iodine + dressings that causes the blistering; if it is the dressings alone then I am in trouble as I will have a lot of dressings post surgery.  We have agreed to go ahead with the dressings (as alternatives are not really appropriate for the kind of surgery I'm having - keeping the wounds covered, clean and dry is essential post-op) and I will keep a close eye on my skin to ensure I am not reacting to the adhesive.

Sitting in reception @ Dolan Park......

Waiting...................

In car en-route to Dolan Park....

Morning :)

Driver (Paul) picked me up at 4.15am. I could murder a cup of tea but nothing other than water is permitted after midnight :(. Drank water up until 5am (now nil by mouth).

Managed to sleep.  Feeling remarkably calm :)

I'll update when I arrive.

X