Finally my story...better late than never!

[notapackrat]

Happy 4th of July Guys!

Here is my long story, 10 days post-op and a little later than I would have liked to have posted about my experience.

In preparation for the surgery, I drank a gallon of water the day before, and took mega-doses of vitamin C for a week before, as well as the Bromelain and Arnica in the days before.

Everything started out well enough on the day of surgery. I had taken a valium the night before because I was nervous and apprehensive. I think that really helped to calm me down and I actually slept well the night before! On the day of the surgery, the staff all seemed wonderful and very positive. I had to tell the surgical assistant that I had had my ears pierced recently and that I was afraid they might close up if I took the earrings out for any extended time. She told me I could leave them in and it would not be a problem. I met the anesthesiologist and he asked me if I was worried about being put under, and I told him no, since I had been put under on previous occasions without any problems.

Then the PS came in. I had made these special posters of pictures of good and bad BA results, trying to show my preferences. I think that it was all for naught, because he explained to me that because of my age and the amount of stretching of my breast skin tissue, that my results could never be like a photo book case. I think he did this to make sure that I was not going into this with some unrealistic fantasy of what I could attain. But, in actuality, I just wanted to show him what I liked and disliked. He marked me up and we talked about reducing my areolas. He said that would be fine but he would not reduce them any more than down to 4.2cm, the normal average areola size. And then he said he was concerned about my having too many incisions and scars, and he changed his original plan of doing a crease insertion to inserting through the areolas. I thought that was great. The less incisions the better from my perspective.

He drew the lines for the breast lift, with my lefty being lifted higher. In the end I decided on going 25cc smaller than the max size I was contemplating, ending up with 325 in my right and 300 in my left. He had me wear my bikini bottom that morning so that he could keep the incision lines of my tummy tuck right within those lines. I think in the end they are going to be totally hidden within my bikini! And plus, I have a new belly button. Hurray! My old one was totally distorted by poor reconstruction after gall bladder surgery ten years ago.

I remember asking the anesthesiologist about his weekend, and just making small talk. I told him about my weekend trip to Six Flags with my son, and how we rode the scary rides together because my son just loves that and my husband gets sick when he does it. I remember saying that there was no way I would be able to do that after the surgery. Ha, ha! And then I was out.

The next thing I knew they were waking me up. I was already dressed, and did not remember a thing. However I do remember them saying that everything went really well and that I woke up from the anesthesia pretty quickly. It was a 6 and a half hour surgery. I do remember feeling pretty sore and very uncomfortable shortly after. And then my husband arrived and he and the surgical assistant somehow managed to get me into the car. I was pretty uncomfortable until I got my first percoset upon arriving at the nearby hotel. It took about 30 minutes for it to start working. After that first initial hour of discomfort, I was good for the first three days so long as I kept on the percoset. It always seemed to take 20-30 minutes for it to take affect. I was tired, sluggish and just a little uncomfortable, but not much pain. I had a pain pump and drains related to the TT. Sleep was very difficult, though. Trying to get a comfortable position was not easy.

Having heard about how you should make sure to get stool softeners and prune juice, I started on that almost immediately. But, it did not work out for me, because 3 days after surgery I started to get into a lot of pain. I had not been able to have proper BMs. Turns out I became extremely distended from my crotch all the way up to my rib cage (and it looked like I was pregnant). But it was just gas and from being backed up, made worse by the very uncomfortable compression girdle that they make you wear. The pain was so bad I thought I was going to die. With migraines adding to the problem, I was so miserable and weak. I had had tremendous regret at that point about the TT. It took about 5 days to try and clear out my system, and it involved completely cutting out the percoset, applying every imaginable digestive aid, including the dreaded enemas. But, I can say now that I am feeling better. And I am able to stand up straighter now. My PS reassures me that the overly distended abdomen did not destroy and stretch the skin to ruin the results of my TT.

As far as my breast augmentation is concerned, it has been on the back-burner, as I have had little time to think much about it. But looking at it now, I think I am going to end up a small to medium C which is what I hoped for. But of course I know only time will tell. I think it will be a good size in the end.

Sorry it took so long to post this, but I was just in no shape to sit at a computer and type for very long. I thank everybody at the forum who wished me well and had great advice,. Of course, I have to put out my warning that some people are even more sensitive than the average person to percoset. All narcotics will block you up, but some people are even more susceptible to this effect.

There you have it. I hope to be more positive and optimistic and thrilled in the days and posts to come.

P.S. In a few days I hope to post a blog of helpful hints for people who have tummy tucks because I learned a lot that I want to share.

[Alaria]

Thank you for sharing. Glad to hear your feeling better. I hope your recovery continues to go well.

[Theycallmecarmela]

Hope your recovery gets better every day. Sorry you had such a rough time.

[plum*crazy]

Thank you for sharing your story. Sorry you had such a hard time at first BUT I am glad to hear that it seems life is slowly getting back to normal. I know you will look GREAT and this will totally be all worth it after the healing process!!!!!!

[Aria_cavatina]

congrats! happy 4th to you two

[NooBoobs]

I'm glad you posted your experience. I still never posted mine, and am sort of debating whether I want to at all, because I don't want to scare people out of it all. I think I had an unusually painful experience. That, or I'm an unusually dramatic baby. In any case, I tend to think I may feel inclined to put too much emphasis on the ouch factor. :P When I read your story, however, I count my blessings that the discomfort lasted only a week or so. It's still rather awkward, but not painful. I'm really looking forward to hearing your posts once you are able to fully discover your new body and try on new clothes. That's always a delight! I've just begun doing that in the past few days. Take good care of yourself, my dear. I hope you get well VERY soon.

[notapackrat]

Originally Posted by Aria_cavatina

congrats! happy 4th to you two

Hello and Congratulations Aria!.....I noticed that your BA date it just about here! Sending positive vibes your way!

[notapackrat]

Originally Posted by NooBoobs

I'm glad you posted your experience. I still never posted mine, and am sort of debating whether I want to at all, because I don't want to scare people out of it all. I think I had an unusually painful experience. That, or I'm an unusually dramatic baby. In any case, I tend to think I may feel inclined to put too much emphasis on the ouch factor. :P When I read your story, however, I count my blessings that the discomfort lasted only a week or so. It's still rather awkward, but not painful. I'm really looking forward to hearing your posts once you are able to fully discover your new body and try on new clothes. That's always a delight! I've just begun doing that in the past few days. Take good care of yourself, my dear. I hope you get well VERY soon.

You know I truly think you will not scare anyone by posting your story...Really! ...the more one knows about all the possible things that they can encounter during a surgery, the more empowered they will be in the end.

Anyway, I hope I did not scare anyone with my story!!

I have to say in retrospect...that the 'regret phase' for the TT was a really short one when I think about how much better I am feeling day by day.

[kpang78]

This is late too, but CONGRATULATIONS!

You're so right on with the BA being put on the backburner, it was more annoying than painful! I'd sit there trying to deal with my TT business and my damn boobies were in the way!

I'm sorry to hear about the constipation, it just really sucks. I'm glad to hear that you finally cleared out and all is well now.