happyteacher
4 months out from PS and heading into a double mastectomy
Mar 29, 2014
I am about 4 months out from the TT now, and doing great. I still cannot believe how flat my stomach is, and I never thought even with the TT my results would be this good. I am so glad I went through with it! I am still not healed up all the way though. In the last 3 weeks or so I can finally go on walks with my husband without it causing significant swelling so that has been wonderful. Still not ready for the elliptical or lifting much of anything. I have very mild soreness that comes and goes at the bottom of the rib cage and in the mons area. I can't tell if the mons area is still swollen, or if this is just how it is. My mons area does portrude a bit more than what I would like, but not enough to be self-conscious about it or anything. I still have a lot of numbness, particularly in the same areas that I am still sore. I am hopeful that I continue to regain sensation and lose the numbness. doc said it could easily take a year. Some women never full lose the numbness. Even if this is as good as it gets though, still totally worth it. I lost 5 pounds of tissue and on the day of the TT weighed 179. I never really saw a drop at all on the scale though. Today I weigh 181, so at least despite not being able to exercise I am doing Ok with the weight management.
I am going in 2 weeks from now for a double mastectomy. I am experiencing a bit of surgery fatigue, but also can't wait to eliminate as much cancer risk as possible. I feel like the disgifuring part will not bother me overall, espeically since of have the experience now of the TT under my belt. I could be wrong though- I won't know for sure until I am post-op. I have been through disfiguring surgeries before though (lost an eye as a kid) so I am completely confident that I will rebound just fine. It I wasn't married, I wouldn't even bother with implants- but I think it will be super important for my husband and I am happy to do it for him. Now in 10 years when it will be time for an upgrade, probably not. But I will cross that bridge when it arrives.
I am squarely focusing on the positves for the BMX.
1. Reducing risk by 90%-95%, priceless! I have been going in circles for 3 years with skin cancer so this will be a serious load of my mind.
2. Hopefully I don't have to wear a bra. I am not sure about this, but I think once everything is said in done I will only need to wear a bra when I exercise. This is a big deal for the 6'2'' chic, because straps on bras are NEVER long enough making them very uncomfortable. Camis without bra straps showing- here I come!
3. The girls have taken a beating with the weight loss. Major deflate, major shrinkles, and major droop. This just won't be an issue when I am done. I am looking forward to eventually being perky and choosing to have a smaller size than what I currently heft around. Having a C cup sounds wonderful!
What I know will happen, and dread just a little:
1. Numbness. It is going to happen and it will not go away. I have experienced enough of this with the TT to know it will bother me. People say though that with enough time passing, it becomes a new normal and not a big deal. I hope so.
2. Implants that will double as ice packs. I really dread this. I freeze all winter. I have to wear my winter coat in my classroom for the first hour I am there. Many times when students arrive, I wear a hoodie over my sweater or something. Implants get cold and feel like icepacks on the chest from what I am told. I just don't have a good answer for this, and pray that eventually I adjust or figure out some strategies to help.
3. Pain. I am reading that up to 30% experience permanent nerve pain. I has some cancer removed from my back and dealth with nerve pain- it was aweful. From what I read the women who do have the pain say it is very manageable though, so that is reassuring. The nerve pain from my TT has been no problem for me. Hopefull that is how it will end up.
4. Risk of complications. I know going into this that it could happen. I am so blessed that during my last several surgeries over the last 3 years I just have not had any complications. I pray this streak continues.
