1/8/08 - The Day of Boobs!

[ChicFashionista]

I had my BA yesterday, and I thought I would come and type up my story while it's still fresh in my memory!

First of all, I was in total freak-out mode all day and night before. I hardly slept a wink. I had boobmares. But by the time I had to leave in the morning, I was so exhausted that I wasn't nervous anymore!

I arrived at the hospital at 10am. Paperwork and setting my chart up took forever. They also took a pee sample.

I was finally brought to my room around 11am, where I changed into a hospital gown, these cute slipper socks, and met my nurse. They started an IV while I was waiting in my room to be called down. I took my dissolvable Zofran table to prevent nausea.

Before I knew it, I was being wheeled into the pre-op room. The nurse got me all prepped with those real sexy hospital booties and haircap. :-) I then met the anathestiologist, who I asked to include something in my cocktail to prevent me from getting sick. Then my plastic surgeon came in to answer my last questions and mark me up. I originally was going to go with 250 CC's ... but after reading this forum for months, I decided to go with the largest size that I was comfortable with - 310 CC's, saline unders. (I went back after my pre-op to try on the sizers again, which is how I found out that I felt more confident with that size. I also brought my sister along for a second, objective eye ... very helpful.)

After that, I was wheeled into the surgery room, which looked so futuristic and high-tech! There were four people attending to me at the same time - it's weird to describe, but it felt "pampering." They put a heated blanket on me to keep me nice and toasty because it's definitely chilly in there. My PS asked me what my favorite kind of music is ... we started talking about a recent Celine Dion concert in the area, and the next thing I know, he's got Celine Dion's "The Power of Love" blasting out of the speakers. Then I suddenly felt groggy (no one said anything to me about being put to sleep - which is better - because then I freak) ... the music is the last thing I remember, until I woke up in recovery.

Waking up in the recovery room was the worst part of the experience for me - but it was over fast. I woke up shaking really hard, feeling like I couldn't breathe, and in a lot of pain on my chest. The nurse told me not to worry, that the no-breathing feeling would pass really fast, and to breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth. She was right. It lasted about 5-10minutes. I was coughing a bit too.

I complained about the shaking, and they gave me something for it. It wiped it out in about five minutes. Once I stopped shaking is actually when it felt much easier to breathe too.

Then they gave me dosages of Dialudad (sp?). They asked what my pain level was, and I was feeling a really hard 8/9. After each dose, I felt a warm sensation throughout my body, and almost an instant amount of relief. I felt significantly better after just the first dose. We had to wait 20 minutes after each dose. I took three and a half doses total, so I was in recovery for awhile. The nurse wanted to get me down to a pain level of 4.

I was wheeled back to my room, where I was actually very awake and alert. I thought with glee that I would get fed, but they kept me on a liquid and jello diet ... and only offered water for the first couple of hours post-op.

Fortunately for me, my PS has it worked out with the hospital that I could stay overnight at no extra charge if I wanted to. I ended up being SO GLAD for this. I had packed my bag and everything in case I wanted to stay. The adjustable beds, nurses to help me up and down and bring me medication, tv at easy reach, etc etc were blessings. They kept a hydration IV in me all night, so I knew I was getting all the fluids I needed. I was up every 1-2 hours to pee, and that would have been much more difficult at home without an awake nurse to assist!

I started taking Percocet last night - one pill every four hours. The pain is greater than I was expecting for sure, but managable with regular doses of Percocet. I'm staying away from taking two pills at a time, though that's certainly an option too. I'm also taking a bunch of other things like antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, stool softner (TMI - I know - but a must with the Percocet they say), etc.

I just got home a couple of hours ago. I'm mostly dealing with pain, a lot of soreness and lack of arm reach/mobility of course, and some shortness of breath. The shortness of breath isn't bad, though - I remember being so scared about reading other stories about that. I thought there couldn't be much worse a side effect than that! But you just need to breathe through your nose and out your mouth every once in awhile to retain comfortable breathing. It's not scary.

My post-op is tomorrow. I haven't even peeked yet, and it's so hard to tell what size I am because of all the bandages ... but on the drive home, when you can feel every jiggle and bounce ... I remember thinking - HOLY CRAP! I'm jiggling and bouncing! I never did that before!! YAY!!! (OUCH!!!)

I sent my sister out just now to get some zip-front sports bras, since I just found out I need to take one with my to my post-op tomorrow to wear home.

I'm off to rest now. I'm taking it easy with the food, but I could seriously eat a pizza pie right about now! I won't, but I'm so hungry!! I think that's a good sign.

Hopefully this will be helpful to someone out there!

[sillyp]

Glad to hear everything went smooth. I woke up the same way, just shaking like a leaf and confused and talking about wanting to be on DOn't forget the Lyrics! LOL

I bet you can't wait to see your new girls!!! Good luck tomorrow and happy healing!

[jeremysgirl1984]

Thank you so much for your detailed story. I know this will help me when my surgery day comes. I'm so excited for you and so glad everything went well.

[IBTC 2 BBTC]

Thank you for sharing your story! So glad you are doing well! Can I ask you, how does the Percocet make you feel? That is what they prescribed for me and I have never had it before. Tired? Loopy? I am not crazy about prescription pain meds (but I am NOT a hero either, lol!) Just curious about what it might feel like...



Jen

[NYchickie]

Thank you so much for telling your story... happy recovery!!

[ChicFashionista]

<<Can I ask you, how does the Percocet make you feel? That is what they prescribed for me and I have never had it before. Tired? Loopy? I am not crazy about prescription pain meds (but I am NOT a hero either, lol!) Just curious about what it might feel like...>>

It just makes me feel very tired, which actually helped me sleep the little bit I did last night. Aside from that, no loopiness or anything. Everyone's pain is different ... mine seems to be more painful than a lot of the stories I've read, and I definitely wouldn't be able to deal without the Percocet!

[GrlyGrl]

Congrats to you and take it easy! I have not had my BA yet, but I have used percocet for the pain from other surgeries. I have found that it is best to use it as needed. But I always get VERY canky when I'm due for the next pill. A great transition pain reliever is perscription ibuprofen (600 mg). They take the edge off very nicely. I "saved" the percocet for the night time or when I needed to shower etc. Don't be affraid to let your PS know if your not feeling relieved. Everyone tolerates meds. differently. Stay hydrated and REST! Thanks for sharing your story...it helps me to be prepared for my BA. I appreciate you taking the time to write!

[blueayes]

Thanks for posting your story. Like others, it's good info to prep for my upcoming ba too (not until March). I suspect I won't be sleeping much the night before either!!!

Take it easy, and here's to a speedy recovery so you can really enjoy your new additions!

[*starkarros*]

CONGRATZ on your new boobies ~ I hope your recovery goes well and you aren't in pain ~ Once your bandages come off...you won't be able to peel yourself away from the mirror hehe

[FullerBreasts]

Great story!!! Mine is on the 17th. Wow....that's a week away!! I love the driving home part!! I'm ready for mine to jiggle too!! Speedy recovery!

[brneyemomma]

Sounds like your surgery went very well. That is very good that you could stay over night and have the nurses to be at your becking call. I will just have my hubby instead. Which is just fine.... I'm up tomorrow! Whoo hoo... Hopefully I won't be up all night. I'm about to eat my last meal before 11 am tomorrow. That will kinds of suck. I hope my recovery goes well like yours did. Thanks for posting! I look forward to see your results.

[*Peanuts*]

Congratulations!! I also had my BA on the 8th so yes - it was 'the day of the boobs'. Hope your recovery goes well so you can have fun with your new additions soon!!