Tip: Don't worry about us until you no longer need to worry about lifting more than 20lbs.
1 year ago (edited)
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Hereâs some tips from someone who had top surgery last year and a revision this spring: - Practice getting up without the help of your arms. This is crucial for the next few weeks! It helps if youâre already accustomed to doing it before youâre all sore! - Get yourself earplugs and a sleeping mask if youâre staying at the hospital. They are so. freaking. loud. - Bring an extra pillow or plushie to make yourself extra comfortable! - Take pictures beforehand, say a loving goodbye to the chest you had before. Be kind to yourself :) I ended up painting my chest with body paint to celebrate my body before having the first surgery! - Make sure you have easy snacks for when you get home. Stuff you know youâll like and will make you happy! Make recovery as enjoyable as you possibly can! - Let people around you know how they can help. Get a network of trusted friends that can help in case you need it. Someone going grocery shopping for you might not seem like a big deal, but it could mean everything when youâre in recovery. - Make sure you have all your meds ready for the next weeks so you donât have to think about them. - Wash all your favourite comfy clothes!! - If you can, get yourself a comfy bathrobe! Easy to put on when you canât move your arms a lot. - download some chill games you can play during recovery! Or find a show youâve been meaning to watch. Itâs best to have something prepared for when youâre bored and too exhausted to think much. Thatâs all the tips I could think of for now! Wishing you all the love and best of luck with your surgery! So so happy for you!
1 year ago
| 278
Just because it doesnât hurt to raise your arms up doesnât mean you should or itâs okay to, your scars might be much more prominent if you do that
1 year ago
| 109
I had my top surgery literally yesterday! You're going to want lots of pillows and/or one of those pillows that is shaped like the back of a chair with arms for comfort. I personally am not finding the pain too bad with 1 T3 every four hours, but still very tender. If your doc didn't already reccomend it get an extra strong anti-inflammatory to take along with your pain management. Good luck, man! You got this.
1 year ago
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-Be prepared for nausea and have easy prep/easy on the stomach food available. -The recovery process isn't linear, day 1&2 I was feeling great, day 3 was terrible, it's part of the process and it will get better again. -nipple zaps are a thing after surgery which was very weird for me as I chose no nipples. If your nipples are remaining attached this shouldn't happen. -sleeping on a wedge pillow made staying sleeping on my back so much easier and easier to get out of bed. - making a chart for medication timing was helpful to ensure everything necessary was taken, meds that need to be taken on an empty stomach or with food, stool softeners etc -I was more tired and so much weaker than I expected considering muscles stayed intact. Take your time doing things, accept help, rest as needed. -Move stuff you need on a daily/weekly basis somewhere you can access while keeping your elbows tucked into your side - I could not tolerate putting on large button up shirts, I found large stretchy sleeveless tops so much easier to put on myself and way more comfy, and I already had them in my wardrobe I'm super happy for you! You got this!
1 year ago
| 61
Had a reduction back in 2008 and top surgery in 2015, here are my tips: - If you can find one of those hot/cold packs that are LARGE then that will help with discomfort and swelling. ----- You're going to feel REALLY compressed for the first week or two bc of the medical binder. That's normal. If you have a preferred NSAID (anti-inflammatory) then stock up now, but remember that they can do a number on your gut so make sure you eat when you take them. - I personally didn't need the painkillers they prescribed. If you can manage it, I highly recommend asking for a higher dose NSAID prescription so you can just take that and focus on getting the inflammation down. You're going to be exhausted from it, major surgery does a number to you, so try not to get in your head about needing painkillers to sleep. ----- Everyone's pain tolerance is different and this isn't to say you should try to "brute force" it, but in my experience surgeries involving bones/joints are much more intense than either the reduction or top surgery was. - Stock up on easy to prep meals and/or snack that won't make you feel like a big pile of crud. It's not uncommon for prescription painkillers to cause constipation and you do NOT want that pain while your unable to use half the muscles in your torso lol ----- Fruits and veggies, meal bars, etc. - I saw someone else recommend a robe, but really any button/zip up shirts will be helpful. Also lose fitting shorts/sweat pants so you don't need to fight with any extra buttons or zippers. Trying too hard to pull up a pair of jeans could pop a stitch. NSFW tips CW gore/viscera: - The drains are not pleasant to deal with, and people who are squeamish will struggle. Be sure that your partner or whoever is helping you with recovery is prepared. My mom wasn't and ended up refusing to help me with them and I had to clear them myself. It's really not recommended and I could have caused a problem. ---- You have to physically move the blood and chunks of fat that they pull out of your chest. Sometimes it involves squeezing the line and it's very difficult to do when you're swollen and attached lol - Don't push yourself to shower. Invest in a bucket and sponge and just accept that your bathroom floor is gonna get a little wet lol. Sit on the toilet and just wipe down the parts of you that feel gross. It will help keep your mood up without worrying about getting the wounds wet prematurely. - If you don't already use them, adult flushable wipes will be useful You can use them to clean up when you can't be bothered to do the above, and anything that saves you arm movement in the bathroom will be helpful to your recovery. Best of luck! I still remember the feeling of elation after and it's been a decade đ The euphoria is REAL đŻđŻ
1 year ago (edited) | 40
If youâre able to get a second post-surgery binder itâll do wonders. I only had the one they gave me and it got so gross and smelled rank. Being able to have one to switch to while you wash the other one is something I wish I had thought to do. Also, extra pillows that help you sit upright in bed are great. Idk what kind of top surgery youâre getting, but if youâre getting drains I got these little bags that could hang from my neck to hold them while I was in the shower or walking around, so they werenât just hanging and pulling at the drain sight. Always call your doctor if someone feels off/weird/unexpected. Better to be safe than sorry.
1 year ago | 16
Congrats!!!! My two cents: Diligently treat just as the surgeon tells you and be patient (pun intended), youâre going to need some love and care for a bit. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and also start taking a stool softener several days prior so when you are on the pain meds you donât hurt yourself from being constipated. Avoid all alcohol so the wound site can heal properly. Yay! Iâm so psyched for you! Woo hoo!!
1 year ago | 23
Jolly ranchers in case you have dry mouth from the meds/trach tube!!!!
1 year ago
| 30
be careful about the emotional changes!! our chest have hormones, so its normal to feel off about the surgery on the 3rd day. but your true feelings will come out later. I dont regret nothin and im so damn happy. (personally my surgery was not very painful, and i didnt need a lot of meds. but i know thats not the same case for everyone) STAY STRONG AND IM SO PROUD HOMIE ⼠GIVE YOURSELF 4 WEEKS OF VACATION/REST
1 year ago | 10
youâll want comfortable pillows to sleep slightly elevated/without rolling onto one side or the other (if you will have drains). a cheap lanyard to hold the drains like a necklace might be a good idea for whenever they let you take a shower. might have to be a few days. i recommend shower wipes for these cases. (speaking of wiping, it might be difficult to wipe your butt. not a cute fact but true about having top surgery unfortunately.) even as excited as you might be, youâll probably feel like shit for a little while after. between pain meds, anesthesia, and being operated on, you wonât necessarily look or feel your best immediately, and thatâs okay. post-op depression is real. in my case, i had an allergic reaction to the adhesive tape they used in post-op, so i was red and itchy and the incisions were all squiggly and puckered. they worked themselves out somewhat, and i canât understate the important of massaging the scar area once it starts to heal to that stage. personally, drains and sleeping were the worst part. sleeping got a lot easier both when i was off heavy painkillers, and with the drains out (they are so uncomfortable!) ideally, have someone around to help you for the first 4-5 days or so. once youâre healed up, it feels like you could have always been built this way, even knowing it isnât the case. for me it felt so natural after a point that itâs hard to imagine before surgery, and it wasnât even 3 years ago. i hope it goes well!
1 year ago | 10
Congrats Ty!!! So excited for you!!đđ Top surgery was the best day of my life! I think the best advice I could give would be to let other people help you as much as you need them to, and take time off from any strenuous activity for at least a few months. Also donât stress too much about the results being âperfectââAs long as youâre communicating with your doctors and doing what they tell you, you should heal up just fine, and at the end of the day youâll be so happy to have had the surgery that any little imperfections wonât really matter. Wishing you the best!!!
1 year ago | 2
For me nausea was huge for the first day or two. I donât remember what exactly it was but the nurses gave me a little packet I could peel open and smell that was kind of minty/herbal that would calm down the nausea when I felt something coming. And in the moment the recovery process might feel slow and/or brain foggy but youâll be out the other end soon and for me once I was it all felt like just a quick dream. For me there was also a subtle emotional roller coaster in the days/weeks/months after, and now years out I can see how natural that was, and everything just feels normal now. You got this and good luck :)
1 year ago | 14
Good luck Ty!! Got my top surgery in March! Recovery can be a bit tough but I would do it again, so worth it. Make sure you get lots of rest and take it easy on yourself! đ¤
1 year ago | 2
Do not put anything on a side table, you canât twist your upper body at all so donât do anything to tempt yourself. Get a mastectomy pillow!!! Theyâre on Etsy, I lived in mine and cried when I had to wash it lol
1 year ago (edited) | 17
Congrats on your top surgery, Iâm excited youâre finally getting it after so long! Iâm two-weeks post-op as of writing this. Iâve seen so many folks already list all of the main ones, so Iâll just share one thing quick before I drift to sleep! Iâll likely come back and edit later. I highly recommend getting a good walk in at least once each day, for however long you can do so without causing strain. It keeps your blood flowing and helps prevent clots, and the mild exercise helps healing! Itâs been doing wonders for me, just make sure youâre able to wipe yourself down really well or have someone help you do so afterwards.
1 year ago | 3
The things that worked and helped me: - Activia. The idea of a difficult poop with fresh incisions terrified me and tbh I was so grateful to have good gut health through the initial healing. - Open faced shirts. No hand raising. - Don't stress about if you've worn your recovery clothes "too long" - I found it very comforting to use the bandage wrap longer than recommended, until I felt less vulnerable without it. - if it legal where you are: thc or cbd products are a great muscle relaxer for once you're off prescriptions if you still have tightness - Preparing mentally for the nerves and sensations to feel weird. My left nip still feels like it's all the way to my armpit sometimes? lol - Listen to your body. - It is okay to be upset. I've read some people feel sadness, for me it was a deep carnal "what did I let them do", not because I missed my chest. But it was because I let someone injure me so severely, my body felt betrayed almost. (I am the happiest I've ever been and 1 year post op, no regrets, just the body doing body things, and that's okay) I'm so excited for you. I hope it is a smooth surgery and initial recovery.
1 year ago | 8
I'm so happy for you that you're getting your top surgery! Congrats! My own experience may be a little unique due to my specific brand of Stupid Body, but some advice nonetheless: - Have a tank or tee underneath the compression binder. It'll help with itchiness, especially if you know you've had reactions to wearing a binder for a long period of time. - If you get staples due to moving the areola, they might itch from time to time, especially if they get nudged around when adjusting the binder. Don't itch at them, but instead monitor whether or not they get irritated/inflamed. It most likely won't be an issue, other than the itchiness. - If you've had back pain in the past, I highly recommend having some kind of heating pad nearby in the earlier days. Laying upright can be a change, and if you have a sensitive back it may cause some pain for you, at least from my experience. - Place the drain close to you so that if you are to move, the tube won't pull. I remember it being somewhat uncomfortable every time I forgot I was attached to that thing and was suddenly very vividly reminded, haha. - Take it slow, be patient with yourself. Healing will take time, this is a major surgery that you will feel the effects of. Take care of yourself. - Button-ups and zipping hoodies are your friend! Lifting your arms above your head isn't fun, so having clothes you can take on without doing so is a boon. - Just be gentle with yourself. Take the time in recovery to relax and recover. Everything else comes later. I don't know if my advice will be relevant to you, but I know for my own part I was not prepared for the itchiness that was the binder. Frankly, the worst pain for me was my back pain due to the way I was sleeping, and the itchiness. My chest itself just felt like a major bruise in comparison, lol. But that may just be a me thing, so take it with a pinch of salt. I'll also say that if you've never been put under before, waking up may be mildly disorienting, and you'll probably still feel very tired. And you might feel a little cold, so don't be afraid to tell the nurses that (oh how I miss you Tube of Warmth). Take your time waking up and reorienting yourself. Anyway. Wish you all the best! My own two year anniversary is coming up, which blows my mind!
1 year ago | 2
They sell mastectomy pillows that slide under your arms and mine even has a buckle that secures it around the back and a little pocket on the front, that thing was my best friend for the first few weeks! My mom's friend who got me the pillow also got me a bell to ring when I needed something, so if you have someone in your home to answer I suppose that could be helpful haha
1 year ago | 9
Ty Turner
I'm having top surgery next week! Please share any top surgery tips you have đâď¸
1 year ago | [YT] | 2,897