WOW, I didn't expect this much pain...

[MASONS GIRL]

Hello everyone, I am 2 days post-op today and have to say that I'm still in quite a bit of pain. I went in for my surgery on Monday, July 7th. I arrived an hour early at 9am as told and after filling out a few forms was ushered back to do the routine pee test, changing into the gown and booties, etc. Next the nurse started my IV and told me that she was gonna get my DH to come and sit with me til it was time (which was suppose to be 10). Well, my doctor didn't come to see me till about 11 so I guess the previous surgery ran a little long but it was ok. If anything I was just really anxious. Long story shory, the anesthesiologist finally came to ask me a few routine questions, then the nurses (who were extremely sweet) came and wheeled me into the OR where they prepped me, they called the anesthesiologist to tell him we were ready for him. He showed up and started asking me questions about myself and told me I was going to get sleepy and before I knew it I was out.

When I awoke I was in sooo much pain. I just remember the nurse asking me if I wanted more morphine and I told her yes. She said I'd have to stay longer then and I didn't care at all. I hurt with every movement I made and my mouth was so dry I thought it was going to crack right then and there. LOL That first night was the worst ever! I couldn't sit up or lay down on my own. My sister in law had to feed me and give me sips of water cause I couldn't even grip the glass. Is this normal? Should it have hurt this bad? And of course to make matters much worse I had to sleep on my back (I'm normally a side or stomach sleeper) and the back pain I experienced is a whole 'nother story. I went to my 1st pre-op visit yesterday and my DR. took off that tight wrap and put on my sports bra. It felt better as far as breathing but it also allowed me to feel the pain of every movement much stronger too. I've been taking the pain pills, muscle relaxants and antibiotics religiously but they haven't made a significant difference yet. My doctor showed me how to massage my breasts daily to help them drop and soften. That helps and hurts at the same time. Also, the sides of my boobs and my nipples are compeltely numb. Anyone else experience that? I guess very slowly but surely I'm feeling better. I can just about lay down on my own but still need assistance in sitting up. It just feels like so much pressure in my breasts and I can also feel pain in my incison if I exert myself too much. Also, the arm thing. I can't move my arm for nothing without sharp pains shooting through. Is that normal to experience at first too? My boobs still feel pretty firm on top and on the sides. You ladies have been so helpful by sharing your experiences and I was just hoping that what I'm feeling is normal. I've read so many stories where some of you were up and at 'em within days. I have a high tolerance for pain and am really just hoping that nothing is wrong. I guess I'm looking for some reassurement.. Thank you all for taking the time to listen. Besides everything I've just written, I love my new boobs. = )

[dreamscometrue]

So sorry to hear you are in so much pain!!Just try to hang in there ..it does get better
Thinking of you
Dreams

[MASONS GIRL]

Thank you for the kind words Dreams, you're a sweetheart.

[blondiegirl76]

It definately gets better. Just stay on top of you meds, whether you think you need them or not for the first week. This keeps your pain at bay and don't over do it. If you start feeling a little better don't start cleaning or anything. My recovery wasn't horrible but I definately had some bad days...don't worry, it will be over before you know it!

[Trailrunner]

I had my BA on Monday also so I'm right along with you on the recovery front! Maybe today I will post my whole story--I'll have to see--I get sidetracked by reading and responding to all the other posts. It's way too early to worry about whether or not your pain level is normal or not. I've read so many different versions of what different people experience. As for me I would say provided I stay on top of the pain meds, my pain is manageable but certainly there. The only snafu I experienced was that one of the types of pain pills my doctor prescribed had no effect on me. It was very strange because this particular med (Dilaudid) is a schedule II drug, very potent and knocks most people out completely. My PS prescribes this for the first two days post op and then wants you to switch to the Percocet. I took two of the Dilaudid on the way home (at least this is what my husband says-- I have no memory!) and it may as well been a sugar pill. At home I was very uncomfortable, getting a little freaked out by all the pain so my husband called the doc and he said that some people have a different type of chemstry and they don't get affected by it at all. That would be me! We switched to the Perocet and I felt like a human again and have stayed on that and the valium since. I find I don't need to take the valium very much (for muscle spasm) and since it makes me slow and sleepy, I only take it at night which really helps at least to get some rest sleeping elevated. That first day I was also being spoon fed and drinking with a straw (LOVED the TLC ) and now I can do a little more but can't turn far enough in bed to put the cup back down on the bedstand...I dozed off yesterday and when I woke up I forgot and automatically stretched my arms over my head as I usually do when I wake up...OW! The valium was the only thing that took care of the spasm after that.
Overall I think I feel a lot of the same things you do but think it's pretty normal so I'm not worrying about it. I remember the doctor saying do NOTHING for 5 days and now we know why so I'm not questioning it. I am a big Do-er in my family of 6 so it's you would think it would be challenging to not want to jump right in and do the little things, but it's really not. I'm very aware of the pressure around my chest and when I do move or twist in a strange way I get the zing very quickly which keeps me well behaved, much like a cow with a cattle electric prod.
The worst pain was trying to go to the bathroom last night! Oh my goodness! I was sick of the pressure in my gut from not going, even though I have been eating very lightly, so I decided it was time to clean house so to speak. The stool softeners and coffee weren't doing the trick so I got some suppositories and used one right before bed, thinking it might make for an easier morning! I didn't realize they work so quickly and violently! It took me back to the hours I spent breathing through contractions during the birth of my children! And for what? One little milk dud of a poop, so dry and descicated it looked like it was preserved from the ice age! I was literally curled on the bathroom floor on my knees like I was praying to the Mecca for about 45 minutes. This morning was a little more eventful so hopefully things will run more regulary now.
Sorry if the detail was too graphic in your fragile state!
Hang in there and know that each day will bring more changes!

[L216]

I hope you feel better. Im having my surgery 07/15/08. Everyone tells me im gonna be ok. Just to take the meds as directed and it should help. Im also a side sleeper and this past week Ive been trying to side on my back to get use to it for after my surgery. Hope the pain goes away!!

[KaseyWantsBoobs]

OMG I fell the exact way! My surgery was also july 7th adn everything since is idential to your story!!! I have NEVER experienced this much pain in my life! I cant lay down to sleep bc I wake up in such harsh pain adn its even harder to get up. Sleeping propped up is starting to be uncomforable. My incisions (crease) hurt pretty bad too. The side of my breast (over by armpit) has been the worse! Today Im starting to feel a lil better....so hopefully the worst is over! I think the tight tape makes the pain worse but I know its worth it in the end! So dont worry you are not the only one with a hard recovery!! ITS SO WORTH IT THOU!!

[Val]

Hello fellow Monday ladies...

It's Day 3 for me as well and I too feel a bit dejected that I am
still so uncomfortable. I don't want to say that misery loves company,
but it is comforting to hear that what I am going through is normal.

I'm only taking Percocet before bed and when I wake up so that I can avoid
nasty side effects like constipation, headaches and nausea. Tylenol 3 the
rest of the time. I can get out of bed on my own and managed to get
myself into the bathtub this morning and sponge off in 8 inches of hot
water. That felt WONDERFUL. I started to feel the implants drop a bit
last night - less fullness around the armpits and collarbone. But today
I feel really really achy. My back hurts a lot - probably from lying around
so much. My breasts hurt all over today. One side is completely numb, the
other has good sensation and the nipple feels completely normal :-)

I'm getting sharp pains if I bend or reach the wrong way - like
Trailrider said - a built-in cattle prod to keep me in line. I don't think I'm
feeling quite as much pain as the rest of you though. I'm functioning. Barely.

What's working best for me is ice. Lots of it. I'm sandbagging my chest with bags
of peas. That's doing a pretty good job of holding back the flood of pain.

The other thing that's working for me is TV - something I don't usually get time to watch.
I rented a full season of "24." Terrorists have just exploded a nuclear bomb in L.A.
and Jack Bauer is trying to stop them from detonating three more. The pain in my
chest seems immaterial when millions could die!

I say it's time for a visit to Blockbuster...

Cheers,
Val - Canada

[MASONS GIRL]

I just wanted to thank the time out to thank each and everyone of you for posting your replies. I would send everybody individual "thak yous" but I guess I'm not capable of doing that yet. I think I need more posts first. As for a quick update, I'm still in pain but I must admit that it's getting just a little more bearable. The nurse from the surgery center called to see how I was doing and told me that I sounded like I was in a lot of pain so she had me up my pain med dosage to 2 caplets at a time. I am currently taking Hydrocodone 500 mgs and she said that that wasn't enough by their pain standards. So I took 2 and though I'm feeling more drugged the pain is a bit more bearable. I was able to take my bra off and look at my new boobies and aside from the swelling and highness, I think they'e going to look fabulous once they've dropped and softened. As they say, no pain no gain. I just want the gain part to hurry up already. = ) Anyways, much love and lots of luck to all the other gals out there who are recovering or who will be going through their B.A.'s soon. You all have been lifesavers. Thank you!

pre B.A. 34B (lost all volume after breastfeeding 4th child)
post B.A. 34/36D
400 ccs-unders-moderate+ silicone gels-inframmary incisions
32 years old-mother to 4 beautiful children and wife to 1 amazing husband

[Alaria]

Sorry you were experiencing such pain. It will get better each day that goes by and next thing you know you won't really remember the pain so much. Just like having a baby. Just try and rest and take it easy. Thank you for sharing.

[Carolinagirl]

I felt the exact same way. I am now on day 14 and just feeling 100% like myself again. I am going for my 2 week visit tomorrow and finally get to take this strap off. Hope you are feeling better now!