My Reduction Surgery- Weeks 2 & 3 Post-Op

The second week of recovery went really well.  On Wednesday I drove for the first time.  I had to wait an extra week because I drive a stick shift.  I was still sore, but it didn't hurt to drive.  Soreness and swelling went down a lot, but I started to become VERY sensitive.  As the nerves reconnected I was overly sensitive and tender, but it wasn't too bad.  I left the house more and started getting back to my regular routine.  Toward the middle of the second week I was able to take a normal shower without the handheld shower head.  At the beginning of the second week I was also able to start wearing a normal shirt instead of a button-down shirt.  At the end of the week my mom and I went shopping!  I bought some new shirts, a couple of dresses, and a bathing suit!  For the first time in years my bathing suit didn't cost a number that was even close to triple digits! It was so nice to actually enjoy shopping! I didn't have to worry about things looking funny, BUTTON DOWN SHIRTS ACTUALLY CLOSED, and I can wear strapless things! Clothes look so much better.  I was so excited!!  My mom and I also went to a bridal show- which was so much fun! It was nice to get dressed up and go do something!  

The third week went pretty well too.  Unfortunately, I started PMSing.  I usually have breast tenderness and swelling, but this time it was multiplied by like 50.  It felt similar to how I felt the first week, but it went away after a couple of days.  I could've started buying bras, but I was pretty uncomfortable so I decided to wait a while.  I did buy a wireless bra that was really comfortable so I had something to wear under my shirts without my sports bra showing.  It's so nice to not have to wear underwire!!!! I've never worn such a comfortable bra.  I don't want to ever go back!  The stubborn steri strips FINALLY started to come off a little, but not very much.  We went to the sunflower festival- which was beautiful- but I was really sore that day so it dampened my mood because I was pretty uncomfortable.  

Which brings us to present-day! Lol!  On the 3rd I had my last appointment with my surgeon until September/October!  He took the rest of the tape off and put on fresh ones to help smooth the scar.   He said he thinks my new size is great for my body size, and he was very happy with the results- as am I!! After 3 weeks I can take the tape off and, gradually over the next 3-6 months, everything with settle more and continue to look more natural.  They look great now, and he said soon it will be hard to tell I even had surgery!  I am now completely unrestricted!  I can lift, exercise, and sleep without worry!  It's so nice to be able to sleep on my stomach, and I can't wait to start working out again!! I'll be going back to Louisiana this weekend and get ready to face the real world!  I've loved being around family in Atlanta, and I wish I could spend this much time up here more often.  Unfortunately, now I have to get a job and get ready for grad school so I won't have the luxury of a month of free vacation anymore!  

My fiance and I are having one last hoorah before the craziness starts again- so we're taking a road trip to visit my cousin in Savannah for a night then spend 2 days in Charleston!!  I'll also be moving in a month, so the next few weeks are going to be VERY busy.  Hopefully I can find time to blog about our California and Charleston trips in the meantime!! 

Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes during my recovery! I'm so thankful for my friends and family who have made it such an easy process- and, of course, for my AMAZING surgeon, Dr. Joseph Woods!  I could NOT have asked for better! :)

My Reduction Surgery: First Week Post-Op

So, it's been more than a week, but I've been enjoying this time I've had to relax and, honestly, didn't feel like typing LOL.
Recovery has been great so far.  It went much better than I expected.  Of course, some days were worse than others- but, overall I was pleasantly surprised.

The first week was probably the worst.  It wasn't terrible, but it was pretty uncomfortable.  The worst part, by far, was the drains! They had to be stripped and emptied 3 times a day, and they were gross- not gonna lie.  Thank God for my mom who took care of them for me, because I don't know if I could have done them myself.  Having them stripped (pulling on the tube to remove clots) didn't necessarily hurt, but I could feel the suction from the drain.  The first time we pulled a little to hard on one and it did hurt and I almost passed out.  But, this was more because it freaked me out and I was already really anxious about it than because of the pain.  I didn't have to take much of the pain medicine.  I took one pill the first few nights so I could sleep better, but I was usually just fine with just taking prescription strength Aleve.
The day after surgery was pretty uncomfortable.  I had the most soreness that day, so it was pretty uncomfortable to move around.  But, getting up and walking around the house periodically actually helped some.  I wasn't allowed to bathe until the drains were removed, and the nurse at the hospital told me I could not wear deodorant yet.  It was really frustrating and uncomfortable, but I took some sponge baths which helped a little.  Over the next few days the swelling and soreness started going down.  On Tuesday I finally got to get the drains removed! The doctor was very happy with the results and gave me permission to finally bathe the following day.  And get this- when I asked if it was okay to wear deodorant he told me I could've BEEN wearing it. really? LOL I could've died.  After he examined me he removed the gauze and, surprisingly, I had virtually NO bruising.  I was extremely impressed!!! Then I laid back and breathed deeply as he removed the drains.  It was a very strange feeling.  It kind of hurt on one side- the side that bothered me when we first pulled too hard- but not for too long.  Needless to say I changed into a clean bra and put on deodorant as SOON as I got home.  It was such a relief! But, the worst part was mostly over.
The next morning when I woke up I noticed I was really swollen and sore again.  It felt really full.  From what I understand it was similar to how it feels when you breast feed.  When my mom came home I FINALLY took a shower and washed my hair.  I have never been so happy to take a shower in my life.  It wasn't easy to wash my hair, but it wasn't really painful- just kind of uncomfortable.  It took a little longer to do most things, and some things I still needed my mom to do for me, but every day it got a little easier.

Even the first week was rough I still think it was the best decision I could have made! I am so happy with the results.  I immediately felt the difference in a relief in back and neck pain, it was easier to stand up straight (which I still have to remind myself to do LOL), and my confidence was much higher! I'm not self conscious about my breast size any more.  I really do not think I could have had a better surgeon!  I wish I could've done this sooner! Another update soon!

My Reduction Surgery: Pre-op and the Big Day!

First, I'll start with my pre-op appointment that took place on June 4th. It was really simple. They did a little blood work and stuff, but mostly I went to a) pay the balance and b) to meet with the nurse and anesthesiologist to discuss what to expect on the day of surgery.
The next day I met with my surgeon, Dr. Woods, just to touch base since I hadn't talked to him since my consultation in February. He told me what he was going to do (and, again, what to expect) and told me he was very confident that I was going to have really positive results and that it would be life changing for me!
A few days later was the day of surgery!!! Because I was going to have post-operative drains I wasn't going to be able to take a shower or wash my own hair or anything for about 5 days. So, the night before, I washed my hair and put it up, and then I woke up at 4 the next morning to take my last shower for a while using the special soap they requested. My surgery was at 7:30 in the morning, so me, my fiance, and my mom got to the hospital for 5:30. They gave me an IV, and Dr. Woods did the markings, and then I was off to the OR!!! I wasn't really nervous until I told my mom and fiance goodbye and they started wheeling me down the hall. Then the nerve REALLY hit me. Thankfully, the nurses there calmed me down and helped me keep my mind off of everything. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me a sedative (or something) that was going to make me a little sleepy. HA!! I was out in less than a minute LOL. I knocked out before they even gave me the anesthesia. The next thing I knew I woke up in recovery, and I didn't even realize that any time had passed (it had been 4 hours). I woke up pretty easily, of course I was a little groggy at first. I stayed in recovery a little over an hour because they had to wait for an empty outpatient room, but I felt pretty good. I had some slight pain, for which they gave me a pain pill, but mostly I felt fine. My mouth was dry and my throat was scratchy from the breathing tube, and all I could taste was plastic. After a little while in outpatient I got up and went to the bathroom, and then they let me go home!!! It took a little longer than usual to do everything, but they said I was doing great. I couldn't eat much the first day, but I didn't really need the narcotic pain medicine until I went to sleep. I took naproxen sodium most of the day, and I had to take a little medicine for nausea. I wasn't groggy at all from the anesthesia thankfully. At 7:00 we had to empty my drains, and I'm not gonna lie- it was not pleasant. I was really anxious, and it was a little painful the first time so I got pretty lightheaded and nauseous. I laid down for a little while, but then I felt fine. I slept on the recliner in the living room so I could stay elevated (even though Dr. Woods told me I didn't need to) and it helped to keep me from turning in the night. I feel so blessed to have had Will and my mom by my side taking care of me and making sure I had everything I needed. It really made recovery a lot easier :)

A Quick Update

Hello fellow Bloggers!!!!!!
Sorry I've been MIA the past couple of months. Everything has been so crazy I haven't had time to breathe. As you know, I got engaged to the best man in the world! Then two of my friends and I went to Destin for a week for spring break- and it was AMAZING!!! I also graduated on May 18 from LSU with a Bachelor Degree in Child and Family Studies. The day following graduation we had our engagement party, and Will (fiance) and I also went to California for a week! As soon as I got back from California I had to come straight to Atlanta, where I have been since June 3, because I had breast reduction surgery on June 8!!! Along with all of this my Dad and the family have moved back to Louisiana, so I got in some QT with them before I left, too. It's hard to believe how much has happened in such a short amount of time, but it has all been great!! I'll fill you in on my spring break trip, our California trip, and I plan on writing a weekly (maybe a little more often tho, since I have lots of free time now) update on how recovery from surgery is going. Thanks for all of the well wishes I have received!!!

It feels good to be back!

Some Positive Encouragement!

On Friday I decided to try to take K-Love's 30-Day Challenge where you listen to nothing but Christian music for 30 days. Lately I have been neglecting my personal time with God, and I know I need a bit of a reboot; so, I thought, what better way to start?!? The music is so uplifting, and I've always loved listening to it. I challenge everyone out there to do the same thing and see if it doesn't change you. When I do this it puts me in a better mood, gives me a better perspective, and gives me strength and patience I know I would not have if it weren't for God.

Try it... I think you'll be pleasantly surprised :)

http://www.klove.com/30day
Positive, Encouraging, K-LOVE! <3

Ready to See a Change

Like many others my new years resolution is to get in shape again and be a healthy weight. I'm doing this not only to look better but also feel better- physically, mentally, and emotionally.

As I have said, I've been using the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program. It is fantastic! I knew I would do well with it because it worked for me before, and the best part is I can still pretty much eat whatever I want... in moderation, of course.

I know that the only way to lose weight and keep it off is to do it in a healthy way at a slow pace. But this pace is too slow for my liking. I know I'm not the only one who is dreading spring break (less than 3 months away!). Although I'm excited for the beach and time with friends, the thought of getting into a bathing suit makes me want to both cry and vomit simultaneously.

This semester- especially til March- is really busy and hectic and I can seldom find time or energy to work out. I don't even have time to watch TV- and anyone who knows me can tell you that that is especially odd. If I can't make TV time you can bet your bottom dollar that workout time is even slimmer. However, I need to see some change. As nice as it is having my friends tell me that I'm looking thinner- I don't see it at all, and the scale only sees it a little bit at a time. I've got to get some heavy-duty workouts in soon if I want to avoid getting sick at the thought of a bathing suit. So, I'm hoping to at least get 3-4 high-powered workouts in a week (motivation appreciated). After I come home from Atlanta in a couple of weeks I'll have the big Zumba workout (thanks Mom!!) so that will at least be something. Until then I'll have to find something else- and fast. This fat won't burn itself off.

Stay tuned for my progress- and I'll let you know what workouts work best for me! Please give any suggestions!!! They're very much appreciated!

FINAL semester- YAYYYY for graduation!

Well, it sure has been a long time- and there is so much going on!

This semester, thankfully, is going to much easier... I think. I only have 2 classes and a 120 hour internship (well, 3 classes if you include my english class that I've been doing for a year.. oops :P). I am so excited because I got my internship with CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocates. They work with children in foster care and do their best to look out for their best interest and get them into a permanent placement as quickly and safely as possible. I am beyond thrilled to be working with such an amazing organization, and I can't wait for all the experience I will get there!

Unfortunately, I have my least favorite professor this semester. again. Thankfully, I also have my favorite professor- even though his class time is NOT my favorite. at all. (7:30-10:30 AM on MONDAY!). Needless to say, I hate Mondays with an undying passion.

I am volunteering at my church's coffee shop- Common Grounds- again this semester on Wednesday and Sunday evenings, and I'm meeting with my WONDERFUL community group on Tuesday nights again. Although I am so busy I always look foreword to those times with my wonderful christian friends. They're so uplifting, and they always make any bad day much better.

Also, I am back on track with weight loss! It is hard to come by enough energy to exercise, but I try to stay in workout clothes so I can take advantage of the energy when I am lucky enough to have it. I started the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program and I am down 6 pounds since January 1st! I can't wait to be back in shape and ready for bikini season (which, for me will be at the end of the summer after I recover from surgery).

Unfortunately, these first couple of weeks of this semester are the more difficult ones. I have a lot of catching up to do with English, and I am taking the GRE this Thursday (PRAYERS PLEASE!). It is so hard not to stress out and worry, especially since so much depends on me doing well on this test. But, I know if I do my best God will do the rest, and I am taken care of.

As great as this semester seems I know that, while it may be easier than last semester, it is far from easy. There is still a lot of work to be done! Wish me luck while I tackle it all. Thankfully the bulk of it will be over in March.