5 replies to this topic

[Lani's Mom]

Hello everyone-

Well, I had my surgery on 1/18.  I had a TT, Breast lift and augmentation.  I chose to do the Silicone Memory Gel implants, 475cc in each breast.  I spent the night in the hospital, so I could use a PCA to control my pain.  Was sent home on Roxicet and Phenergan.  Pretty much used the Roxicet up.  I only used the Phenergan a few times.  I had two lower abdominal drains (Jackson-Pratt's).  I had kept those for 2wks.  On the day that I had the drains removed, I was draining approximately 22cc in one drain, and 28cc in the other (Drains were removed, 2 wks post-op).  I gained 22lbs of edema (fluid) mainly from my abdomen down.  My doc said it is normal to gain fluid weight, but that I may have gained a little more than normal.  It is really hard knowing that I went in for a TT and came out weighing 22lbs more.  Hate seeing the scale show those numbers again.

Yesterday, I walked 2 miles on the treadmill at a pace of 3.0.  It took me about 40 mins.  Since Tues, until this morning, I dropped 5 lbs....only 17 more to go to get back to my pre-surgery weight.  I still would like to loose an additional 10-15lbs. once back to my pre-surgery weight.  I saw in an earlier thread, someone was posting about swelling in their feet.  Was just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this.  They told me that it should all go away in 3-4 wks, and just walk as much as I can.  I even had swelling and bruising in my labia, like I had given vaginal birth!

As far as appetite and sleeping.  It seems that I am not as hungry, and I have noticed that the amount of food that I could consume, which was 1-1.5 cups, has deminished some.  I slept in my over-sized chair and ottomen for many of the nights, could not lay down flat.  Slept straight up.  To let you know my pain tolerance, I had a C-section with my daughter 7 years ago and only took one pain pill when we came home.  When I woke up from anesthesia (from plastics), I definitiely had less pain than I did when I woke up from my lap GBS.  I remember being in a lot of abdominal pain with that, much more than a c-section.  Plus I had hiccups for an hour and a half, after the procedure and everytime I had a hiccup it would jerk my belly and I would moan.  I would say the pain from the plastics, has been more.....from the at-home perspective; but less, directly after surgery than GBS.  Still both plastics and GBS was more pain than the section.

I have been experiencing a weird pain in my left breast.  It starts in the left breast, almost by my armpit, then it goes into my armpit and down my bicep, stopping slightly before my elbow.  I asked the doc about it, thought maybe it had to do with regeneration of nerves, etc.  He said, it wouldn't be that, because he didn't do anything in my arms.  At times it is constant nagging pain (like I'm on fire) and the pain will intensify like a throbbing sensation.  It hurts to touch, cold seems to help it...been putting ice-packs on.  Don't get complete relief with pain meds.  Which, by the way, I am now on non-narcotic Tramadol.  It doesn't matter how I position my arm, I still have the pain.  The only thing the doc could come up with as far as an explanation, is that maybe it was from my arms being strapped down to the OR table, he didn't feel it had anything to do with the implant.  I'm not 100% sure that is what it is from though.  Anyone have any thoughts on this?

The other breast, well I have a funny comparison to give you.  You all know Spiderman...well you know how he flips his wrist back and the web comes out of this area on his hand.  Well, I will get random twinges from my right nipple that remind me of a piercing pain that starts as one...shooting out of the nipple, then branches out.  Crazy, I know, but it's the truth!

So, when will I start looking like I had something done, when will my breasts and tummy look normal?  Any advice is welcome!  Btw, I don't mind sharing pics, If anyone wants to see, and if we are allowed to do that on here.

[sal1594]

wow... u did alot congrats..

u seem to be having some weird after effects sounds scary if u dont know what is it.. id be freaking out..

i wnt everything u had done after and if i get to goal.. not even ad surgery yet for my bypass but have been following urs and others stories glad to know ur ok..=)

if allowed id like to see were the scars are? were the drains were? how the swelling is?

sleeping in a chair REALLY??? i wouldnt be able to sleep.. love my bed.. but i guess u gota do what u gota do...

[Hopeful2011]

Personally I think you need to see a Dr. I am concerned with you gaining that amount of fluid.  That is a massive amount and honestly I think about 4 times what is normal.  Some of the other things you described are concerning too.  I have had 3 surgeries (TT, arms, breast, thighs and am scheduled for my last surgery this week) and I have learned that when I have fluid in my legs and feet the best thing to get rid of it is to lay on my bed backwards and put my feet on my headboard.  They are very elevated.  My surgeon says there is only one way to get the fluid out and you have to get it back to your middle area.  So extreme elevating is a must but if you do it for several hours (and do quick potty breaks) you will see it exiting) each day until it isn't an issue any longer.  Just elevating them on a ottoman isn't enough they have to be higher than that.  I do not agree that walking is the best way to get rid of it.  When you are recovering that can seriously make it worse.

[Lani's Mom]

sal1594, on 03 February 2012 - 01:44 AM, said:

wow... u did alot congrats..

u seem to be having some weird after effects sounds scary if u dont know what is it.. id be freaking out..

i wnt everything u had done after and if i get to goal.. not even ad surgery yet for my bypass but have been following urs and others stories glad to know ur ok..=)

if allowed id like to see were the scars are? were the drains were? how the swelling is?

sleeping in a chair REALLY??? i wouldnt be able to sleep.. love my bed.. but i guess u gota do what u gota do...

I am a nurse, so probably a little more at ease for that reason.  Symptoms seem to be easing up.  Good luck on your Bypass...when is the big day?  Yep, sleeping in a chair, it is crazy...believe me, I love my bed too, but there was no way I could have laid down flat for a good while.

[Lani's Mom]

Hopeful2011, on 05 February 2012 - 10:20 AM, said:

Personally I think you need to see a Dr. I am concerned with you gaining that amount of fluid.  That is a massive amount and honestly I think about 4 times what is normal.  Some of the other things you described are concerning too.  I have had 3 surgeries (TT, arms, breast, thighs and am scheduled for my last surgery this week) and I have learned that when I have fluid in my legs and feet the best thing to get rid of it is to lay on my bed backwards and put my feet on my headboard.  They are very elevated.  My surgeon says there is only one way to get the fluid out and you have to get it back to your middle area.  So extreme elevating is a must but if you do it for several hours (and do quick potty breaks) you will see it exiting) each day until it isn't an issue any longer.  Just elevating them on a ottoman isn't enough they have to be higher than that.  I do not agree that walking is the best way to get rid of it.  When you are recovering that can seriously make it worse.

Thanks for your concern and input.  I having been seeing my plastics doc on weekly visits.  He told me that I have a little more swelling then normal.  Edema is still pitting.  I have lost 10 of the 22lbs.  I will be 3wks post surgery tmrw.  Been trying to elevate my legs as much as possible and pushing fluids, doing some walking...this all is helping.  Still have the pain in the right upper breast and bicep...burning...but not anywhere as bad as it was.  Latley my left breast with the  pain in my nipple, has been more of the culprit.  I guess I am told that is the regeneration of the nerves??  You have any thoughts on that?  So, did you have an augmentation?  When do your breast implants finally drop?  I am a nurse, so I am keeping a close eye on things, but still have some concerns, obviously!

[Hopeful2011]

Lani, on 07 February 2012 - 07:50 AM, said:

Thanks for your concern and input.  I having been seeing my plastics doc on weekly visits.  He told me that I have a little more swelling then normal.  Edema is still pitting.  I have lost 10 of the 22lbs.  I will be 3wks post surgery tmrw.  Been trying to elevate my legs as much as possible and pushing fluids, doing some walking...this all is helping.  Still have the pain in the right upper breast and bicep...burning...but not anywhere as bad as it was.  Latley my left breast with the  pain in my nipple, has been more of the culprit.  I guess I am told that is the regeneration of the nerves??  You have any thoughts on that?  So, did you have an augmentation?  When do your breast implants finally drop?  I am a nurse, so I am keeping a close eye on things, but still have some concerns, obviously!

That is great he is seeing you weekly.  That makes me feel better!  Didn't know you are a nurse so I am sure you have a good idea of what is normal and what isn't.  I didn't have implants but a lift.  I had large breast for many years (due to being overweight) so I was super happy to be a C! My surgeon just smiled and said, he thought I might change my mind on down the road but I couldn't be happier.  I know my lift took about 6 weeks to settle. Glad some of your pain is subsiding and more of your fluid is leaving.  That is just such a large amount.  Hoping soon you are back to normal and loving your results.  I think this has to be the best part of the journey.  Hard with a recovery but a sweet way to end a long journey.