Five weeks post exchange update

JennieKeaton

Hi All,

I'm just about 5 weeks post exchange. Thought I'd provide an update and ask a few questions:

• I had fat grafting from my abdomen, and I'm still having some pain near my belly button. I was in my compression garment for 4 weeks per my PS, but I'm still wearing it as it feels better during the day (from a pain standpoint at least - nothing comfortable about it riding up under my clothes!).
• Both sides are still sore in my side area and underneath the breasts. It seems to be getting better but very slowly.
• I think the left has dropped, but the right hasn't. The left is also starting to feel softer but is not "soft". The right is still fairly hard.
• When I sleep on my side, there is some discomfort - it's mostly as if the breasts are being manipulated together too much. I wonder if it's because they haven't softened up enough yet.
• Both sides, but primarily the right, are pretty sensitive to touch (of clothes, etc). I went through this after the initial surgery and it was dying down, but is back.
• At the end of the day, I'm finding my bra (a Coobie one) is leaving indentions in the bottom of my breast. It's gone by the morning.

Now for my questions.

• My PS says I'll be 90% healed at 6 weeks. If this is the case, and I'm still in pain, will it likely continue to subside? I do understand that I've had major surgery, but it's more sore (bruised) than I expected it to be at this time. I'm hoping for reassurance that I will be essentially pain free in a few weeks/months. Both in the breast area and fat grafting area.
• When they say it will "soften up" - how soft? Meaning will they be comfortable to sleep on my side? To lay on my stomach (for massage or chiropractor)?
• When will they become "me" and feel like they are mine? I know this might be a while, but just wanting to know what to be ready for and expect.

Thanks so much!

Jennie

VegGal

Hello,

My PS and BS both had a fit when my bra had left marks and they saw them during an exam. You might want to check into that as apparently our fake boobs need good circulation and if you have marks, they are not getting it. 

As for laying on stomach...my PS said 4 weeks for chiro. My chiro also uses a special pillow under me to prevent my full weight from smashing into them. 

JennieKeaton

Thanks VegGal -

I don't know how else to do the sports bra - I'm in a Coobie One Size, and I'm only probably a B cup. And I'm small (120 lbs). These things are supposed to fit all sizes. I will ask how to do this when I go back to the doctor, but I'm honestly at a loss. But it certainly is a question - it did seem odd.....

Thanks for the response!