Day 3 post-op – Getting to see myself for the first time

Three days after surgery was my post-op appointment. I was dreading the one hour drive to the hospital where the follow up was, but so excited (and nervous) to have the bandages removed.

After an ordeal of fighting traffic to get there, finding downtown parking, and registering at the hospital, I was brought into an exam room where my bandages were removed by a nurse. 

It was really nerve-wracking for me because they were stuck on very well with a lot of adhesive tape, and I was so worried when she pulled them off that she would pull a stitch!

I had prepared my husband for however my boobs might look, because I had seen such a vast assortment of outcomes in the BII groups. He would get to see them before I did. 

I really prepared myself that I might be somewhat concave because I wasn’t very big before implants, and my right side didn’t have much tissue at all. I was also asymmetrical and deflated and saggy before implants.

When the bandages were finally off my husband took a couple of photos for me so that I could see myself. 

I nervously took my phone to look and I was pretty happy with how they were so early on! Before surgery I had two very different size breasts and two very different size nipples that were stretched from breastfeeding (and stretched from the implants as well). 

The surgeon did a great job making everything fairly symmetrical. I haven’t had small nipples in over two decades, which is a big change as well – woohoo! 

I was so torn about whether to get a lift or not, and I’m so happy I did. I was worried I’d have nothing left since I didn’t have too much before implants, and I’ve read you usually lose a size with the lift, since the extra skin is removed.

I am so surprised at the tissue I have now – it’s more than I was expecting. I gained about 10-15 lbs. since getting the implants and it could be that some of that went to my boobs. I might have some swelling now, so I expect some changes. 

As far as choosing whether or not to lift, everyone is different and it’s a very personal choice. I would base it on if you’re saggy/deflated or not and how your nipples are positioned. I decided that even if I ended up smaller than before my implants, I’d rather not be saggy. I think you need to go with your gut and what’s right for you. 

The surgeon helped me put my bra on and he wasn’t too gentle about it. He was a great surgeon, but just doesn’t know what it’s like to have freshly operated boobies  😲 

I purchased a lot of bras before surgery to make sure I had one that would fit well. I have written a bra review that you can read here on the ones I purchased and tried. I have had a definite favourite which has worked well. 

Settling in back home

We found out there was a huge snowstorm coming so we decided to leave Montreal a day early. I was nervous for the long (7 hour) drive, but was also looking forward to getting back home. We stopped a couple of times so I could stretch and move around a little and all went well.

We had our dogs with a pet sitter, and we left them there for that first night so we could settle in easier. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to sleep in my own bed, and I had my first good sleep since surgery!

I own my own business, so during my second week post-op I needed to do some work from home. I set up my laptop and a monitor at our dining room table on the main floor so that I could alternate between working and resting. Our master bedroom is also on the main floor, and our home office is on the second floor. 

One of our dogs is still a puppy (Labradoodle) and full of energy, so I had to teach him that he couldn’t jump up on my lap like he usually does. It’s amazing how quickly they pick up that something is going on, and he was a lot gentler with me. He has loved to steal my pregnancy pillow “nest” on the bed and I’m constantly having to relocate him. 

I have a set-up for sleeping that helped me to lie on my back with a good incline so that I was still somewhat comfortable. I also have a set-up that we created for day time, which has a lot of pillows added so that I could mostly sit up and watch shows or read (day time arrangement is below).

Recovery progress

My surgeon doesn’t use drains very often, so I didn’t have to worry about those. Thankfully I didn’t have any major fluid build-ups. He also doesn’t use antibiotics during surgery or after because he doesn’t want to destroy the good bacteria in the gut.

For the most part my recovery has been good, but I did have some inflammation on my right side, to the right of my areola. It was a little swollen, red, and hard inside, but not so much that I needed to go to the hospital to get it checked.

I used some things that had natural antibiotic properties, such as oil of oregano (I mixed 4 drops in juice every morning and evening), ginger, honey, and garlic. I made a great ginger honey lemon tea, and an amazing chicken soup that was great. You can check out these and more recipes here.

Smooth Move Tea (peppermint flavour from Amazon) is an absolute lifesaver for constipation. I started taking it the first night after surgery. It worked like a charm, and I was very relieved because I’ve seen so many women have a hard time with that. 

After about 4 days of having the Smooth Move Tea in the evening I started to drink it every second day to give my system a chance to kick in. By about day 6 I was good on my own – hallelujah! – and I stopped drinking it.

I took Arnica tablets (under my tongue) for a week before surgery and a week after. I used Arnica gel on my skin where I was bruised and had some inflammation, and it helped (do not use on or too close to your incisions). 

I bought a high-quality Manuka honey (UMF 20, but UMF 15 is also great and it’s cheaper) and liquid silver for scar treatment which I started using at 5 weeks post-op.

I feel like I really turned a corner on day 13 post-op. I could move my arms more (still being careful not to lift them much) and do more for myself. 

On day 18 I wore jeans and a sweater for the first time (I had lived in PJs or track pants and button-up shirts). It felt great and made me feel a bit more like myself. I also went out with friends for the first time which was nice, after being cooped up for a while.

I didn’t try any regular bras on yet because I don’t want them rubbing my incisions. I did hold up a few of my old bikini tops that I haven’t been able to wear in years, and I am so excited to wear them down the road. I love being small again!

Part 3 of my recovery journey coming soon. Sign up here to make sure you don’t miss it!