4th Day Post-op, Have I made a HUGE mistake??

[CuriousGirl37]

OK Ladies - I know I've read stories of both incredibly fast and wonderful recoveries, and stories of long and somewhat painful recoveries, but I did not expect this much pain and discomfort all over. I'm pretty good with pain (gave birth to 3 children at home all naturally with midwives), and I know I'm impatient, but if anyone can give me some hope here and let me know this is normal I'll feel much better. I'm sitting here in bed wondering what I've done to myself and whether this will be worth it. I'm going to sound like a whiner, which I'm usually not, so I will ask for forgiveness in advance. But if I can't whine here I figure where else??

On July 1st I had my BA, 400 Silicone textured HP unders, trans-ax, with some lipo of the upper armpit fat. My PS was very pleased, at 1 day post-op said everything looked great. Advised no bra, no massage. My breasts are so hard, and HOT, and left one numb from nipple down. I am in constant pain, and taking vicodin, I tried last night to switch to just tylenol but was in agony. The incisions under my arms hurt, I feel like I had 2 huge bricks shoved into my body and they should come out. I hear and feel the sloshing around of the air in my left one - yes, PS said that should go away within 2 weeks, but it is so wierd!!

I cannot lift my arms, and am not really comfortable in any position. Maybe its my age that I'm taking longer to feel better - I'll be 45 next week. I've suffered terrible bloat and constipation - finally switched that for diarrhea after the laxatives kicked in this morning. I feel overall just very sick and crappy. I am not at all excited about these huge things now, like I was before I got them. I don't even feel up to trying on any clothes - my husband's big t-shirts are all I can manage. Has anyone else felt so crappy and painful for this long? When will I feel like going out? Is there hope for me yet? Sorry for the drama, gals - but I was so sure and excited prior to, and I feel like I've made a huge mistake...

[SexyWS6Mama]

It's only been 4 days for you,so everyday you should feel better. Unfortunetly you have to be super patient!!!!!!!!

If pain increases or doesn't let up, talk to your PS to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary...put this is normal.

I went out the first week, towards the end of the week, but it was a short outings. I really stayed close to home to rest. But my first big outings was at 2 week mark!

[MustangBabe]

Hang in there. Day 2 was my best day, then day 3, 4 & 5 were painful. I was driving on day 6. Just slowly ease your body into a routine. Ask your PS what you can do, but my PS had me raise my arms above my head by the end of my first day. I had to do it twice a day after that. I have a high tolerance for pain, so I was only taking one percocet and that was at bedtime to help sleep. If you're in a lot of pain, stay on top of your meds and you should be ok. Are you in pain like something's wrong or are you sore? If the pain persist, call your PS. Keep us posted on your progress.

[Tiger]

Dont give up hope!! The first week is the WORST. Really. But you will start to feel better every day, little by little. What I found was that I was able to go longer periods of time between pain medication. It takes a while - I think it was 3 weeks before I was finally no longer in need of them at all, even at night.

Hang in there, it DOES get better....

-Tiger

6 week boobie birthday pic!:

[Suprmama]

You should be heading toward better days now. Just hang in there!

[Alaria]

I think its normal. Remember you also had some lipo which is even more trauma to the body. So don't compare your healing to someone who just had a BA. I felt quite good day 2 and got off the meds. However I too on day 5 felt pretty crummy again. For me though I had to lift my hands over my head the first day 6 times a day. I had peri-areolar so I imagine it's different for the different type of incisions. I also was allowed to massage which to me makes such a difference. It helps the implant move and drop as well as soften faster. Call your PS and see if you are allowed to massage at all because of the pain. It will get better. I was uncomfortable at night well after the first week. In fact last night was the first night I was allowed to sleep without the sportsbra on and it was the first time I actually slept more than an hr or two at a time. Hang in there. It will get better. I hope you feel better real soon.

[JJ1979]

Definitely hang in there...I personally thought having my 3 kids via csection was easier than this...lol. Just keep your eye on the prize...it's gonna get easier, I promise!

[angiedee]

You are just getting started. You will feel better and better. Take pictures to monitor your progress, and know that you are right on track. Any fever or redness... always call your doc.

[newboobs32]

I agree with the girls... I felt great until day 4... then I got sick, back aches, migraines, throwing up, it was terrible. I'm at 8 days now (omg is that all?!) and am feeling good enough to actually go out like a normal person, but I am still building my energy.

WARNING!!! I wasn't told that Vicodin was a narcotic and I took more than I needed. If I would have known I would have bad withdrawal symptoms I would have spaced them out more and taked strong tylenol or ibuprofen or whatever instead, when possible. Make sure you wean yourself off the prescription pain meds, space them out at much as possible... I've been told that's what contributed to the majority of my symptoms from hell.

You will get better and better... and you will love your boobs in a month :-)

[brunettebeauty]

Totally normal. After my first ba I felt sooo terrible for about 10 days. I couldn't come off my pain meds cause the pain would get so bad then I would get upset which makes the pain worse! I know exactly where you are coming from but trust me it gets better and it's well worth it in the long run. Just hang in there. If you need to talk fell free to pm me! Good Luck!

[kpang78]

Originally Posted by CuriousGirl37

My breasts are so hard, and HOT, and left one numb from nipple down. I am in constant pain, and taking vicodin, I tried last night to switch to just tylenol but was in agony.

I wouldn't recommend that, you're so soon post-op, you should keep taking vicodin. I HATE the way it makes me feel, but I took it to keep the pain under control.

Originally Posted by CuriousGirl37

I cannot lift my arms, and am not really comfortable in any position. Maybe its my age that I'm taking longer to feel better - I'll be 45 next week. I've suffered terrible bloat and constipation - finally switched that for diarrhea after the laxatives kicked in this morning. I feel overall just very sick and crappy.

That's all normal too, be glad for the diarrhea at this point because your body is flushing out the anesthesia and meds. You really want that, because that's also probably making you feel like crap. You shouldn't be lifting your arms too much at this point either, your muscles are really tight and you need to give them a chance to loosen up.

Originally Posted by CuriousGirl37

I am not at all excited about these huge things now, like I was before I got them. I don't even feel up to trying on any clothes - my husband's big t-shirts are all I can manage. Has anyone else felt so crappy and painful for this long? When will I feel like going out? Is there hope for me yet? Sorry for the drama, gals - but I was so sure and excited prior to, and I feel like I've made a huge mistake...

When I first got mine I didn't even care for them, I thought they were an annoying nuisance! I DEFINITELY didn't try on cute tops, bras, bikinis, etc. until I was 2 weeks PO. I was feeling tight and uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks. Remember, you're only 4 days out, don't be in such a rush to recover! If you try to do too much I think you'll just prolong the discomfort.

I was really hating my new boobs for a while, until they started to drop and soften a little, also they gradually became less painful (note I didn't say painless, there's still discomfort and I'm 3 weeks out!). Just be patient, take it easy, stay on your meds, and rest. I know you'll feel better in a week or so, just give it time!

Good luck!

[CuriousGirl37]

Originally Posted by MustangBabe

Hang in there. Day 2 was my best day, then day 3, 4 & 5 were painful. I was driving on day 6. Just slowly ease your body into a routine. Ask your PS what you can do, but my PS had me raise my arms above my head by the end of my first day. I had to do it twice a day after that. I have a high tolerance for pain, so I was only taking one percocet and that was at bedtime to help sleep. If you're in a lot of pain, stay on top of your meds and you should be ok. Are you in pain like something's wrong or are you sore? If the pain persist, call your PS. Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks, Christie - I had the same experience. Day 2 was the best, and I figured, OK, no problem. Then days 3 and 4 were horrible. Painful, bloated, constipated, depressed. Now I'm on day 7, and while still in more pain than I expected, I am seeing improvement every day. I just can't wait to get to the "normal" point, where I don't feel like I'm a bit of an "alien", and can actually forget about my breasts for a little bit! I drove today for the first time, and am finally feeling like I'm turning that corner. Thanks!

[CuriousGirl37]

Originally Posted by kpang78

I wouldn't recommend that, you're so soon post-op, you should keep taking vicodin. I HATE the way it makes me feel, but I took it to keep the pain under control.




That's all normal too, be glad for the diarrhea at this point because your body is flushing out the anesthesia and meds. You really want that, because that's also probably making you feel like crap. You shouldn't be lifting your arms too much at this point either, your muscles are really tight and you need to give them a chance to loosen up.




When I first got mine I didn't even care for them, I thought they were an annoying nuisance! I DEFINITELY didn't try on cute tops, bras, bikinis, etc. until I was 2 weeks PO. I was feeling tight and uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks. Remember, you're only 4 days out, don't be in such a rush to recover! If you try to do too much I think you'll just prolong the discomfort.

I was really hating my new boobs for a while, until they started to drop and soften a little, also they gradually became less painful (note I didn't say painless, there's still discomfort and I'm 3 weeks out!). Just be patient, take it easy, stay on your meds, and rest. I know you'll feel better in a week or so, just give it time!

Good luck!

Thanks - this is so good to hear that so many other gals were not immediately psyched and happy. I am learning to be patient, and take it easy. I'm on day 7, and feel better than day 4 for sure. I know it will just take time before I absolutely LOVE my boobs, and get excited to try on clothes. Thanks everyone for all the support!

[Angie89]

Awww, I know how you feel.
The first week or so really is the worst, but I promise that you will be feeling so much better after that. For now, just get plenty of rest, stay on top of your pain meds, and dream of how you will look in a bikini!
Once the pain and all is gone, it will just be a distant memory when you're trying new bras on, I can promise you that. Feel better!