Top Surgery - What they don't tell you So this was *my*…
0 reactions
Top Surgery - What they don't tell you
So this was *my* experience and in no way invalidates anyone else’s, but there were definitely a few “would’ve been nice to know” moments along the way.
In my case, I had drains. For anyone unfamiliar, they’re basically long tubes under your skin with the tips up in your chest to help drain excess fluid so you don’t swell. You *can* opt for compression only, but for the results I wanted, drains were part of the deal.
What they *don’t* really tell you about drains:
1. You can feel them. Like… *really* feel them. Not painful, just this constant hyper-awareness of exactly where they are at all times.
2. They get gross fast. Not dangerous, just… visually offensive. You’ll know.
3. The less fluid you output, the more you notice this weird “sucking” sensation. Again, not painful. Just deeply unsettling in a “what is my body doing??” kind of way.
4. Showering. Yes, I knew you can’t shower until 24 hours after the drains come out. What I did *not* know is that drains can stay in anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks. I just got mine out after 3 weeks, which means it’s been 3 weeks of “pits and bits” bathing. I have never been more excited to shower in my life.
Now let’s talk about the itchiness.
**OH. MY. GOD.**
It’s like having chicken pox again. Some areas have sensation, some are numb, and somehow *all of it* itches. You’re not supposed to scratch (infection risk), but also your soul is screaming for it. It’s a whole internal battle.
Sleeping tip: cradle yourself.
If you’re a side sleeper like me, post-op sleeping (on an incline, not flat) is rough. What saved me was putting pillows under my knees so I felt kind of “cradled.” Made a huge difference.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough,
If you feel amazing post-op… **do nothing anyway.**
I made the mistake of thinking “wow I feel great!” and proceeded to overdo it. Result: 4 ER visits thanks to a hematoma, seroma, and edema. Not dangerous, but incredibly annoying and it delayed healing. Learn from me. Be boring. Rest.
Same energy for pain management:
When they say don’t let the pain get too high… **listen.**
This is not the time for “I’ll just tough it out.” Take the meds. Stay ahead of it.
Finally…
At some point, you might ugly cry.
My friend did the moment they woke up and saw their chest. I didn’t until the big bandage came off 4 days later. There’s no right timing and no wrong reaction. Just feel it when it hits.
And one last thing:
Make sure your support person is *the* person.
IYKYK.
Happy to answer any questions, seriously, ask away.
#lifestyle
source
So this was *my* experience and in no way invalidates anyone else’s, but there were definitely a few “would’ve been nice to know” moments along the way.
In my case, I had drains. For anyone unfamiliar, they’re basically long tubes under your skin with the tips up in your chest to help drain excess fluid so you don’t swell. You *can* opt for compression only, but for the results I wanted, drains were part of the deal.
What they *don’t* really tell you about drains:
1. You can feel them. Like… *really* feel them. Not painful, just this constant hyper-awareness of exactly where they are at all times.
2. They get gross fast. Not dangerous, just… visually offensive. You’ll know.
3. The less fluid you output, the more you notice this weird “sucking” sensation. Again, not painful. Just deeply unsettling in a “what is my body doing??” kind of way.
4. Showering. Yes, I knew you can’t shower until 24 hours after the drains come out. What I did *not* know is that drains can stay in anywhere from 5 days to 5 weeks. I just got mine out after 3 weeks, which means it’s been 3 weeks of “pits and bits” bathing. I have never been more excited to shower in my life.
Now let’s talk about the itchiness.
**OH. MY. GOD.**
It’s like having chicken pox again. Some areas have sensation, some are numb, and somehow *all of it* itches. You’re not supposed to scratch (infection risk), but also your soul is screaming for it. It’s a whole internal battle.
Sleeping tip: cradle yourself.
If you’re a side sleeper like me, post-op sleeping (on an incline, not flat) is rough. What saved me was putting pillows under my knees so I felt kind of “cradled.” Made a huge difference.
Also, and I cannot stress this enough,
If you feel amazing post-op… **do nothing anyway.**
I made the mistake of thinking “wow I feel great!” and proceeded to overdo it. Result: 4 ER visits thanks to a hematoma, seroma, and edema. Not dangerous, but incredibly annoying and it delayed healing. Learn from me. Be boring. Rest.
Same energy for pain management:
When they say don’t let the pain get too high… **listen.**
This is not the time for “I’ll just tough it out.” Take the meds. Stay ahead of it.
Finally…
At some point, you might ugly cry.
My friend did the moment they woke up and saw their chest. I didn’t until the big bandage came off 4 days later. There’s no right timing and no wrong reaction. Just feel it when it hits.
And one last thing:
Make sure your support person is *the* person.
IYKYK.
Happy to answer any questions, seriously, ask away.
#lifestyle
source
| 4,000 mlx | |
| 5 | |
| 0 |