Top Surgery Recovery Updates (a place for all members to update after surgery)

[RaptorChops]

Hi Majik and son!

My mom also scared me about the double mastectomy and how her aunt had it and it looked horrible and didn't help her (cancer). Best thing to do is when he is ready for his top surgery is to be completely supportive and positive with him. My mother supported my surgery but she was very negative and scaring me about it being "botched". That's when she told me about her aunt and then how she watched "botch" and how everyone had surgeries that were jacked up. I didn't allow her to go with me for my surgery which hurt her feelings and I did apologize but it was my decision, I also thought it would be for the best so I didn't have the stress of her being a mother with me lol.

The surgery is really not as painful as it may sound or look. Yeah it's sore and all that but it's not horrible. It was my first major surgery to ever have and I was nervous as crap. I pulled through that though and don't remember anything after I laid down on the operating table. It felt like a second went by and I woke up feeling groggy and just a little sore but not a lot. Just do some research and make sure he has everything he will need when the time comes. Just let him know it is life changing and you can never go back. I was 100% happier after getting to see my chest and I'm still happy. The only thing that bothers me a little is the scar but I know in time it will fade. Tomorrow is my 2 months post op and I don't regret it for a second. Good luck!

[Majikbrat]

I know that I promised to go away now.  But I wanted to clear something up.  I did have the good sense to not communicate my fears to my son.  And after what Raptor said I am very glad I didn't.  How scary.  I just came and lurked in your thread, and wore out my google button.

Cheers,

Majik

[AndrewB]

Hey all! Just past the 3-week mark on my recovery and doing way better than even the plastics dept. staff expected. I was even allowed to take the binder off on Monday, since there wasn't any swelling! Here's a torso shot:



aaand one from an angle:



There's closer shots of the nips and the sides in this album here, if anyone's interested: http://imgur.com/a/kZhzo

On the side shots in that album, it might be of interest to note the small, dark dots that maybe kinda look like moles, on my sides, near/on my ribs; those are where my drains were inserted, rather than sticking out of the ends of my incisions, and I think it made a HUGE difference in my pain levels while the drains were in. I really hardly felt 'em, and I've been wondering if that's the reason. Might be something interesting to discuss with a surgeon?

Oh and the discolouration under my incisions and pecs isn't from the surgery, it's mostly like scars from sweat rashes and stuff I used to get and itch at when I bound, and even before that when I wore bras. It actually looks better than it did, now that I'm not binding. 

[captains]

Damn, bro, your results look amazing! You said you got yours done at Sunnyside, right? The one in Clackamas? ->-bleeped-<-, I'll switch to Kaiser for that.

[AndrewB]

Damn, bro, your results look amazing! You said you got yours done at Sunnyside, right? The one in Clackamas? ->-bleeped-<-, I'll switch to Kaiser for that.

Yup! Kaiser has been awesome about everything so far, with constant follow-ups and great communication, in and out of the doctor's office. Their team really has it all together, I've been nothing but impressed.

I think I'll be able to start scar treatment on Monday, I already bought some scaraway strips, and my nips have even regained a lot of colour, they're pretty naturally brown in the centers.

[harlee]

So I'm pretty much 1 year post op with Dr. Garramone!

Left side


Right side (still not 100% with this nipple, it's a little raised near the top edge and the colouring is a little weird)


Front


I've been using nothing but 3M Micropore tape on my scars (just peeled it off in these pictures which is why there are a few red marks). It is like a sticky tape made from paper that you cut off and place over your incisions. It is really cheap ($4 for a roll will last me around 3 months) and it is great for lazy people as you only need to change it once a week. I have been wearing the tape on my scars 24/7 for the whole year but will stop now. It is a great way to keep your scars thin and you dont even notice it's there!

[RaptorChops]

Andrew-It looks like you are healing really really well, I'm glad you're happy with your results!

Harlee-Looking awesome dude it's not even noticeable!

[palexander]

i can finally join this thread...

i had surgery on the 27th with dr. medalie in cleveland. his entire staff is incredible. very friendly and they make you feel at home.... my chest reveal is on tuesday, the 1st so i don't have any photos right now, other than one of my swollen stomach, in a vest, and with the drains.

the drains don't really bother me, though i thought that they would. the main thing for me is the center of my upper chest, to my right collarbone— the numbness wore off so i can feel where he cut through everything.

[RaptorChops]

Congrats Pale! Welcome to the club! Just keep taking those meds and relax in bed . Can't wait to see your results. The drains really aren't bothersome at all. I just didn't enjoy the tugging when they took them out. I would recommend taking one of your pain pills before you go to have them removed. It's not painful getting them out, it just stings a little bit. Good luck though sir!

[AndrewB]

Congrats Pale! Welcome to the club! Just keep taking those meds and relax in bed . Can't wait to see your results. The drains really aren't bothersome at all. I just didn't enjoy the tugging when they took them out. I would recommend taking one of your pain pills before you go to have them removed. It's not painful getting them out, it just stings a little bit. Good luck though sir!

For some reason when I got the second one out, my body decided it wanted to try and make me pass out.  I went all lightheaded and my vision went pretty dark, it was the first time that'd ever happened to me; mentally I was fine about getting them out, but I guess my body had other plans. Weird!

Anyhow, glad you're feeling upbeat, Palexander, you're gonna feel even better in the coming weeks!

[palexander]

yesterday was definitely my worst day for pain, but today i feel a lot better. Last night I accidentally ripped the stitches on my right drain because I opened the car door to without thinking.... I had my friends mom look at it (she's a nurse) and she said its normal. The drains still function— there's barely anything anyway. I had less than 30cc my second day. just a few more days...... (9/1 is when I get them out)

Sorry if some of this doesn't make sense. I've been taking the pain pills routinely and I'm incredibly lightweight 

[RaptorChops]

Oh yikessss!!! I did the same thing when I was heading home from my surgery minus ripping the stitch out. I forgot about everything and was opening doors and reaching up for things. Just gotta relax and try your best not to do anything. My drain areas turned into bumps but they are now starting to smooth and flatten out. So don't be concerned if this happens to ya.

[palexander]

5 days post op with dr. medalie
insanely happy with my results

[RaptorChops]

Wow your chest looks fantastic dude! Nipples look good and it doesn't look like you have much swelling either. Very nice!!

[FTMax]

Dude! Looking good! How are you feeling? Just wait till all the tape comes off

[AndrewB]

Looks amazing, bro! Super studly chest! How's it feel, joining the post-club? 

[palexander]

Wow your chest looks fantastic dude! Nipples look good and it doesn't look like you have much swelling either. Very nice!!

thanks man! i am a little swollen where i had lipo/drain site but other than that, it's just some bruising.

Dude! Looking good! How are you feeling? Just wait till all the tape comes off

thank you! i'm feeling great now that the drains are removed. still haven't had a decent bm since surgery, so now i'm struggling with that.... pain is only a 1 or 2, it was a 3-4 with drains. i'm going to finish out the bottle of pain meds because i do have some tenderness if i wait too long in between doses

Looks amazing, bro! Super studly chest! How's it feel, joining the post-club? 

thank you!! i had no idea i had pecs underneath the tumors...... are we allowed to post pre op photos? or ones with the nipples crossed out at least? if you guys only knew what i started with.... the transformation is insane. and it feels surreal! i woke up forgetting that i had surgery, but my lungs reminded me that i'm free. truly amazing

[AndrewB]

I think pre-op pics with the nips blurred/blocked/otherwise concealed would be fine. I think you and I both were a bit surprised to find pecs underneath our moobs! I love it, wearing a tank undershirt makes me look like the manliest of men—definitely an esteem booster!

[Nathan90]

I finally had topsurgery last thursday by dr van Loenen here in the Netherlands and this is the first look I had at my new chest on friday morning.



I was very happy to have the drains out yesterday and feeling okay on the whole. Most pain/irritation is coming from the left drain hole but could be worse.

Next friday I'll have to go back to have the nipple spondges removed and then I'll be allowed to shower again haha. Can't wait!

[RaptorChops]

Looks awesome so far Nathan! Congrats bro!