My Cleavage is Coming Back!!! Yeehaw!!

Hello everyone!!  Things are going well with recovery, a few hiccups along the way but so far nothing to push back my exchange surgery.  While having another surgery scares the crap out of me, November 18 will be welcomed with open arms, as I can't wait to get these expanders, or rocks as I call them, out of my chest.  I hear the silicone implants are like heaven and oh so soft!!  Not too mention with these cold days we have been having, trying to keep warm has been a chore.  With having only my skin to cover the expanders that are filled with fluid, when I am outside and cold, the fluid gets cold too and takes a long time to warm up.  Hopefully once they get some of the fat around the new implants that will help with that issue.

Physical therapy is under way to reduce the risk of Lymphodema and get my muscles working again.  I've been working hard at home with my exercises trying to get my left side caught up to how the right side is progressing.  The muscles are tighter on that side and my left shoulder sits higher than the right, as they figure I have been trying to overcompensate for extra pain I have been having on that side.  My vertebrate are super tight as well, so we are working to try to get those a little looser. 

I had my first expansion on Tuesday!!  I was so nervous and scared, but worked myself up for nothing!!  That was easy breezy compared to what I have been through.  I didn't even feel the butterfly needle go in.  They filled each side with 50cc's more of fluid.  Then on Oct. 28, they will fill each one with 50cc's more!  I was a bit sore with a pressure feeling the day after, but nothing that some ibuprofen couldn't help out with.  The best part about getting expanded....I have started getting CLEAVAGE again!!  LOL

I get to go back to work Part-time starting on Monday and I couldn't be more excited!!  I miss being there and can't wait to get back into the swing of things!!  My co-workers have been amazing with working to get the days covered that I have missed and I can't even begin to Thank them for all they have done!!



*************WARNING UPDATED PICTURES************************

WooHOOOOOOOO.....I'm getting some cleavage back!!!

 

Side View after expansion

 Front view after expansion

4 Week Post OP Visit

I had what I would like to call a very exciting Post Op appointment today!!  With the exception of the awkward feeling air bubble in my expander, that I can see and feel(but nothing to stress about), all is going well!  I feel like my expander's have moved a little bit making it look like I actually have boobs, and making me feel a bit more confident about myself.  

I will be starting physical therapy in the next couple weeks to work on getting my arms to raise and reach around like before.  My Plastic Surgeon is also satisfied with how things are going enough that I will be getting my first expansion on Oct. 14!!  While I am extremely nervous, as I have heard stories of how painful they are, my P.S. assured me it won't be too bad as I have the Alloderm inserted into my breast. 

 I will then go back 2 weeks later on Oct. 28 for my 2nd expansion and a Pre-Op visit!!  Pre-Op visit you ask???  Yup because we made all of my appointments for my next surgery!!!  November 18, I will be having my expander's removed, Silicone Gel Implants inserted, Fat Transfers to make my breasts look more natural(take all you want I told him...LOL), Nipple and Areola Reconstruction, some Lipo around the sides of my chest and breasts and he is also going to Lipo that annoying fatty area in between the armpit and the breast!!  

The Nipple and Areola will be made from skin from my lower abdomen, it will be flesh colored, so if I want it to be a darker color like a normal areola, I will need to go to a tattoo artist for that.  He will take the fat transfer from my Stomach and possibly my thigh area. 

I am so excited for this to happen...I never thought that I would be so relieved to have Foobs, as my new friends that have gone through this process too refer to them as.  I am in disbelief of how fast things are moving, yet ready to put this behind me.  I have had a very hard week so far with October being Breast Cancer awareness month and the 1 year mark from when my Mom was diagnosed.  I have laughed and cried plenty of times thinking about her this week, but I know she is with me and cheering me on as I am now considered a "Previvor."