Tag Archives: Compression bra

Fin!

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WARNING: NSFW / graphic content below.

Alright boys and girls .. I think we did it! I think we’ve finally arrived at the end. My exchange surgery was on Thursday, September 11. I had pocket revision on my right side and a swap from tissue expander to implant on my left.

SunriseWe arrived at the hospital at 6:30am for the 8:30am procedure. It was a beautiful morning! The surgery lasted three and a half hours – longer than we expected. I woke up bundled up in a tight compression bra and ACE bandage wrapped about my chest. The biggest and most wonderful surprise: NO DRAINS!!! I couldn’t believe it. Spent a bit in the recovery room and then hightailed it home to my comfy bed.

On Friday, we drove out to Dr. M’s office for my follow up appointment, which is when I got to see them for the first time after surgery. Things are looking good! I do have some swelling, which is to be expected, but aside from that they look to be the same size, are even on my chest wall, and my nipples line up. Woo hoo! I know it’s early, as it takes up to a year for things to settle, but I am just ecstatic!

Post exchange

Dr. M explained what he found while he was in there. It appears that at some point since my last surgery in April I ripped apart the pocket revision he did then and this is why the right side was bottoming out again. This could’ve happened as I bumped into something or fell or had some other physical strain or trauma. Hub pointed out that it may have something to do with me painting. Yes, I admit, I did more than I should have. I’m an idiot. This time around I am doing N O T H I N G. Absolutely nothing. For at least a month. And no excuses!

On my left side, Dr. M made the incision underneath the nipple, where the original was, rather than going in through my armpit again. He had to do some work on that side to make sure symmetry was achieved, hence a bit more swelling there. He did not do any fat grafting, which made me happy and I did stay with the same implant size and projection I had previously: Mentor round, smooth, high profile, silicone in 450ccs.

I am feeling amazing! I think the girls look great and physically I am not in too much pain. I am to wear this compression bra for two weeks straight, with the exception of showering. This will ensure everything heals in place as it should. Next appointment: September 25.

Show me the goods!

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Only two weeks to go until my exchange surgery! I am so excited. Can’t wait to be on the other side of this thing. I’m looking forward to being finished. I report to the hospital at 7:30am, for a 9:30am surgery, on Tuesday, September 3rd.

Pre-op appointment

Met with Dr. M this afternoon for my pre-op appointment. Discussed a few more details, got my pictures taken, signed the familiar consent forms, got the don’t-take-these-meds sheet, had my blood drawn, and peed in a cup.

Here are a few of my final questions:

  • QuestionWill I be required to wear any type of bra (compressions or underwire) after the exchange surgery? Should I purchase something? No. If any type of compression is needed it will be via ace bandage and dressings or a mastectomy bra that will be issued by the hospital.
  • I have hypertrophic-ish spots on my incision scars from the mastectomy, should I use something special after the exchange to prevent this from happening? The lumpy scar tissue will be removed during the exchange surgery. Since the pockets are already created/expanded, there won’t be as much stress on the incisions going forward. Silicone sheets? That’s an option that will apply pressure to the incisions to keep them flat. We will revisit once they close.
  • What about this ugly, scarred tissue from the area that was necrotic? Depending on how much skin is loose/available after the implants are placed, we may be able to remove the chunk now. Otherwise, a skin graft from the hip area is an option, but that would need to happen at a later time.
  • And the most important question: will I have drains again? Yes. That wiped the smile off my face. Noooooooooooo! I was hoping I would never see a surgical drain again.

For my photo session today, I removed everything except my underpants. This is the third set of full body pics we’ve taken, but it was still weird. While standing on a pedestal I was thinking of this XKCD strip Lannis shared a little while ago and giggling. Where are my beads? I earned them!

Source: xkcd.com