I had this happen, but I experienced some violence that may or may not have caused it. It got out of control and I had to have emergency surgery. My surgeon is wonderful, the cleanest lines I've ever seen, but the side that was opened twice is more scarred and wrinkly than the other side. I still have graphing paper with stats and charts on drainage (my roommate is a mathematician and a little odd) but I don't know where it is right now.

It sounds like you are being careful and keeping track of everything, which is good. The photos look like great progress. I hope you continue to get better. Grats on the top surgery.

I'm sorry to hear it had to lead to surgery - but am glad your surgeon was on top of things and the problem was fixed. I've thought about my bad side possibly looking different than my good side but in the end, it will be so much better than what was there it doesn't really bother me. I love the idea of having graphs and charts documenting the drainage (I'm a science type at heart). I wish would have thought to document things even better before the surgery because after I was in no condition to think to do so.

Thanks for the kind words I'm off to yet another appointment...this is becoming so routine. Minus the needle part...I just cannot seem to warm up to that part...

Hey guys - sorry so long to update. Yesterday's draining yielded 9cc's. Today's only 5 so things are looking hopeful. Here are pictures from today:

http://imgur.com/a/bLMcc

Hoping to be able to return home Monday. What the doctor is looking for is when you push just to my left of my left nipple, you can see it move closer to my nipple even where you're not touching. That's the cavity and the fluid we want gone. Sounds like I will have to wear the compression vest and extra padding on the left side until that happens(pushing creates no ripples/movement anywhere else around it).

I think it looks good. After that fluid reabsorbs for the last time, and the bruising and inflammation fades out, I bet you won't be able to tell just by looking which side it was that had the problem.

Hey guys

Sorry so long for the update, a lot has happened in the past few days.
Went to the doctor for the ninth day of draining and found that there was nothing left to drain - and got the okay to fly home I had the surgery in MN and live in TX. I had been staying with family there but it was nice to get home to my fiancé. The only condition was that I need to wear the compression vest and extra padding on my left side for another week. I cannot wait until Saturday to take this thing off for good. I also need to see him in six weeks. I'll get some updated pictures soon.

Here are the pictures from that last dr.'s visit:

http://imgur.com/a/3iCzZ

Now I think the left side looks better than the right. (on the incision line)

I think the nipple on the left side looks better than on the right, but that kind of thing changes fast and you look very good overall.

Hey, Pictrig.  It has been a few weeks.  How are things coming along?

Also, I am wondering if you would post your top surgery experience in the Top Surgery Recovery Updates thread, which is a sticky at the top of the Top Surgery child board (this one).

We are trying to get people's experiences with different surgeons, along with pictures, and tips for recovery to help current and future surgery patients.  The number of views is astounding, so it is clearly utilized.  thanks!

Hey everyone

Wow, it's been so long since I've updated and I'm sorry. Things are going well. I'll include some one month post-op pictures. Had to wear the vest and padding a little longer due to a little swelling on that left side, but nothing major.



This is my first time putting pictures in my post, so let's see if it worked before going on...

Hmm...okay how about this

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/zYdrj/embed"></iframe>

Well I'm technology-challenged...I think you can get to the pictures via that last attempt at least.

Movement is much better on both sides, almost back to normal on the right, the left is a little behind. I head back to my super physical work Monday, so we'll see how that goes.

Has anyone ever had weird tingling in there arm/hand? Especially when touching a certain part of one of the incisions? It's really strange...hoping it calms down with time.

Overall things are great - it has been a long road, but totally worth it. If anyone has any more specific questions, shoot - I'll be sure to get online soon to be sure I can reply. Thanks for all of your support

You can't always tell early on about nipples. At first I thought the right one would be much better looking than the left, even Dr G thought that. But after a month the left one looks better and has "popped up". The right one looks kind of flat.

--Jay