Four days post augmentation.......

..............and I am still stressing about the deformation in my right breast.  I know I need to wait and let the implants soften and settle but......

I am trying to focus on the positives.  I am feeling remarkably well and discomfort is minimal.  Driving is not the titty-torture that I experienced post-mastopexy and I am not struggling, as many women do, to do simple things like brush my hair as I can easily hold my arms straight above my head.  My breasts are softening as the swelling reduces and in a compression bra, under clothes, they look absolutely fine (thank goodness); but then again my breasts at the very start of this process looked absolutely fine in a bra and under clothes!

I will be gutted to have invested this much money, time, effort and pain to end up with a deformed right breast!  Actually even if I hadn't invested any of those things I would be gutted to have a deformed right breast - the fact that I have paid (in so many ways) for this makes it more awful.

I am beginning to wish I hadn't had the augmentation surgery and that I had, instead, stuck with my uplifted boobies.

Each time I take off my bra to have a look I am hoping the incision line on the right breast will have evened out, at least a little, and that the implant will have dropped down to a position more similar to the left (at the moment the curve of my left breast is around an inch lower than the right).

My left breast (after the first op) has always been a little bigger than the right but now.............!

Four days post-augmentation 

side view lefty

underside of lefty

side view righty

underside of righty

I'm rubbish at resting!!!

I tried.  And I sort of managed it for the first two days post-surgery; with the exception of cleaning kitchen and bathrooms whenever I went in there but - in my opinion - it is unreasonable to expect that I would be able to just leave an unclean basin or toilet.

Today, however, I was unable to resist.  I've dusted and hoovered downstairs and done a few loads of washing, hanging, sorting and folding it.  

Eventually I went to visit my mum to stop myself from doing more.  Sadly my mum is terminally ill with cancer and has had a rough week with infections and the likes.  It was lovely to see her and to have a good catch up and a gossip.

My breasts and my arms are aching this evening so I know doing the housework was not the best way to recover from surgery - I don't recommend it.  I am a little on the OCD side and I just cannot leave it.  I usually work 70+hour weeks and my idea of 'down-time' is allowing myself a whole day to clean my house (it seems less 'cool' when I see it written down like this - heehee).

At least busying myself prevented me from obsessing about my deformed titty.

And in other good news hufband sent me these gorgeous flowers via interflora today <3

Lovely flowers from my gorgeous hufband

very pretty

Three days post augmentation........

......and I am increasingly worried about the deformity in the incision line of the right breast.  Looking back over the photos it was nowhere near as apparent in the photo immediately after the op.  It also was not apparent when I saw Mr Russo on Saturday morning.

I am concerned that when the nurse removed the drain (after I saw Mr Russo) that the internal stitches may have been pulled; and that my breast will heal in that shape (please not!!)

The nurse from the local clinic phoned to ask how I am this morning and to make an appointment for my wound check appointment (which will be on Friday ay 11.30).  I asked her for Mr Russo's email address and I have emailed him my concern with photos for him to see.

I am hoping he will be able to reassure me that, in his opinion, the implants will settle and the curve will smooth out.  I wanted him to see the issue at this stage as when he saw me on Saturday morning the breast looked much less deformed.

Three days post-augmentation

side view

Two days post augmentation surgery......

...and I am feeling remarkably well.  I'm being much more sensible than after my first op.  I am resting; it is so, so difficult for me not to clean and tidy.  My husband was playing golf all day yesterday and to let him do everything when he got home (around 16.15) was very difficult for me.  Especially as he was tired himself and was getting frustrated at all of the mess our 3 children had made (I say 'children' but they are 20, 18 and 15 and perfectly able to clean up after themselves).  I feel 'lazy' sitting here whilst he sorts washing, cooks our dinner and brings me cups of tea and glasses of water!

He has gone off to play golf again today and I am trying to resist all of the things that I can see need doing (hoovering, polishing, sorting dry washing, hanging wet washing, topping up fish tank with water etc....)  I am managing to only do the things I absolutely cannot leave: kitchens and bathrooms are impossible for me to cope with if they are dirty so I am running a cloth around them and splashing some CIF and bleach around but other than that........

I slept wonderfully.  I was very tired.  I made myself a 'pillow fort' on the sofa (chaise lounge bit of a large corner sofa) and slept very comfortably propped up on 6 lovely feather and down pillows with a large cushion under my knees/lower legs.  That is where I am sitting right now - sooooooo comfy!!

This morning I washed my hair over the bath - I'm surprised not to be experiencing significant difficulty raising my arms as I know a lot of women do post augmentation.  I then had a shallow bath and shaved my legs and underarms etc.  Bliss :)  I took great care to not get my dressings wet.

Titty update:

I am trying not to panic about the 'deformity' that I see in my right breast.  I know this is very early days post-op.  I know from my first op that the changes over the first few weeks and months will be significant.

I am not experiencing anything like the level of discomfort I expected.  But I am, again, being more sensible than last time and taking the pain relief I was prescribed.  Seeing what was under my dressings - when they were removed after the first op was a real eye opener and this time I am determined to rest, and to allow my body to do as much healing as possible before I return to work a week on Monday.

Two days post-augmentation

Side view

Gorgeous 'heal well' flowers........

........hand delivered by my Pops :)

Flowers from my Mum and Pops

One day post surgery.......

I'm home and resting.  I left Dolan Park at 9am after Mr Russo 'popped' in for a minute to have a look.  He seemed very pleased with the results and said "that's what you wanted yes?"  I said there was clearly a lot of swelling and they needed to settle.  He seemed to think not!!!  God I hope so.  I'll be devastated if my titties end up looking like this!

Mr Russo was clearly harassed and in a rush.  He did say that the 'squareness' at the base will round off. 

The augmentation has exaggerated the difference in the size of my breasts (annoyingly the right breast that Mr Russo reduced in July is the smaller and less nicely shaped).

One day post BA

I very much hope that, as I heal, the right breast does not retain this indentation at the base.

Right Breast

Left Breast

I know that my breasts will settle, that swelling will reduce and the implants will soften.  I wish Mr Russo had reassured me of such.  I experience him as so very changeable - very moody - and today he was clearly not in a good mood (maybe he wanted me to be thrilled with the way my breasts look currently and - for obvious reasons - I'm not) .  

Ironic that he was the one who was sullen, since it was me who had been delayed 2 hours for him to spend no more than a minute with me.

Once Mr Russo left I had my drains removed.  Not a pleasant sensation but not exactly painful.  The drain was pushed right into my breast, with approx. 20cm of tubing under my skin, that was a revelation to me.

I'm cross with myself because the nurse who removed the drains did not maintain sterile gloves and I did not challenge her.  She put on gloves and removed the dressings covering the right drain.  Having removed that drain she applied another dressing (touching the sterile area having already touched the old dressing and the wrapping of the new dressing).  As she pushed the trolley around to the other side the drain she had already removed fell on the floor, 3 times, and she picked it up each time.  She then removed the left drain - wearing the same gloves!!

The driver who brought me home in July brought me home today.  I like him very much.  Such interesting conversations all the way and he drives at a reasonable pace.  Got me home in a little over 2 hours (took 3 hours to get there with driver who was much, much slower!)

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.

The actual implants

Image of Naturelle round silicone gel implant

I now have Allergan Naturelle 340cc round gel implants in each breast. They are positioned under the mammary (subglandular).  This is considered less painful than submuscular placement (so yay). 

Illustration of Subglandular and Subpectoral implant positioning

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

Two days and counting..........

............until surgery day.

THG phoned today to let me know I will be picked up on Friday morning between 04.00 & 04.30.   My admission time is 07.00. I was told nil-by-mouth from midnight (including water). I protested about having to be without water for so long and was put through to the ward. The person who answered the phone on the ward initially agreed that I was to be entirely nil-by-mouth from midnight. She then asked a colleague who confirmed what I believed should be the case - i.e. that I am permitted water until 05.00.

I am very relieved. I drink a lot of water and dehydrate easily. When I had my breast uplift operation I had post-op issues with low BP (something I suffer with generally) and was required to drink litres and litres of water to try and get it to increase.  I guess that situation would have been worse if I had not drunk for even longer.

It feels a bit surreal that I'll be back at Dolan Park in less than 36 hours.

I will take some final snaps of TT-MkII (titties mark two) tomorrow as TT-MkIII will be returning home from Dolan Park with me on Saturday morning.

1 week to go to augmentation........

This time next week my augmentation surgery should be complete.  I am starting to feel a little anxious.  Not looking forward to the pain.

I have taken a week off work and will definitely rest this time.  I did way too much after the first op and - no doubt - compromised my healing.

I've taken pics today and posted some below.

23 weeks post uplift surgery

23 weeks post uplift surgery

23 weeks post uplift surgery

23 weeks post uplift surgery

11 days to go to my augmentation surgery!!!!

Augmentation surgery booked!!!!!!

I went to see Mr Russo today. He is very pleased with the way my boobies are healing and with the result of the uplift surgery. He measured; and my nipples are - apparently - perfectly even (he measures from place where collar bones meet down to each nipple).

He is now happy to perform part two of the procedure. I am booked in for 10th January.

I had hoped to have the augmentation done just before Christmas, to fit in with my having a quiet time in my business diary, but the surgery slots were all taken for then. I was initially disappointed.  Having had time to reflect, however, I am now thinking that is probably for the best. I am exhausted,  and have not had a break from work (other than the two weeks post-op recovery in the summer and an occasional weekend day off) since last Christmas.

The last op took much more recovering from than I anticipated and I need a proper rest. I will get one over Christmas (I adore being at home and taking care of everything and everyone there).  I will then be nice and rested going into the second op.

I'm not hoping for my breasts to be massive - I'm looking for a bit more volume and a rounder shape (particularly up top).   Mr Russo said he can definitely deliver that and he is confident my final result will be lovely 😊.





X

18 weeks post surgery

16 weeks post-surgery............

............and mostly I am unaware of my breasts.  If I bash my boobs or my chocolate lab stands on one of them (you'll be surprised how regularly that occurs) it hurts and probably more than pre-op but that's not surprising.  My nipples are still somewhat numb and certainly nowhere near pre-op sensation levels.

I love the fact that I can go braless around the house and that my chest remains where it should.

16 weeks post-op

side view

11.5 weeks post surgery........

......and all is well in the boobie department.

I have been wearing underwired bras, during the day, for a little over a week.  I bought three new bras sized 34E but have realised many of my pre-uplift bras (34F) also fit so I will be fine until after my augmentation when I will get fitted properly.

I'm still wearing the MACOM bras at night and sports bras for lounging but am relieved to be back in 'normal' bras for work.  They give me a much better silhouette and enable me to wear clothes that simply did not work with a sports bra underneath.

11.5 weeks post-surgery

side view