November 5, 2021
Visiting the Boob Fairy
I feel fortunate to have snagged a cancellation in my BA surgeon's schedule. By completing my BA in early November, i should have ample time to recover and be ready when our tennis season resumes in January.
A week before, my surgeon had ordered a COVID test as well as an EKG. They'd also require me to have someone with me who would drive me home and stay overnight in case there were complications.
This is where one of my friends stepped to volunteer.
I feel blessed that my partner, Yeng, came into my life, us quickly becoming close friends. Getting to know her other best friends was a wonderful experience, so when one volunteered before even being asked, i was humbled.
Wednesday morning she picked me up at 5:15am, arriving at the hospital around 6am. After paying my tab and demonstrating that i had a caretaker, they moved me into a pre-surgery room where i donned a gown and waited for a series of people to stop by to review the surgery with me. Around 7:30, they rolled me into the surgery suite where i was quickly sedated, waking up around 9:30am in the recovery room.
I had been cautioned that some people feel severe pain afterwards, which is why i left with a small bottle of Norco. The only pain i've felt the past three days comes from the incision area so i can't determine whether it's the compression bra's tightness or if it's my body responding to being cut open. Doesn't matter though.
Recovery from BA is quite different than from FFS, but then FFS is a whole suite of incisions and actions. I left the hospital with written instructions about my tasks during each phase of recovery. i'm currently in the first phase, refraining from showering until after the fifth day.
The worst part of recovery is protecting my new boobs so that they settle correctly and don't end up wandering on their own. That's why i can't play tennis, lift weights, or raise my hands above my head.
I must also sleep on my back the first month because side sleeping might cause these ladies to roam from their placement. Now, i've never been a back sleeper and i always feel uncomfortable when trying. because of this, i've not slept well these first few days. i'm just hoping it gets better because i'm pretty loyal to the doctor's instructions about after care. My first
i've not seen the girls yet so my first view will happen next Monday when i'm allowed to shower.Currently they look much larger than i wanted, but this is due to the amount of dressings under my bra. i'm pretty curious though.
The best part of recovery have been my good friends. The woman who cared for me the first day, Gayle, was such a gift. I knew little about her history though, so the many hours we spent together included many reveals about each of our lives.
Yeng, my best friend and tennis partner, came over in the afternoon, bringing me egg rolls and noodles she'd picked up from a restaurant. Her other best friend, Celeste, visited me yesterday, again to see how i'm doing. Never have i had this many friends who care about me. I feel blessed.
As i begin to feel better, I'll begin taking walks as a form of exercise, moving to our gym's elliptical in a few weeks to improve my endurance and prepare for January's matches.
More after my first follow-up with the surgeon next Tuesday
Onward
Laura