Post Op day 2

Drains are pretty blech. Still no real pain, but I can feel where they go into the sides and it’s just odd and uncomfortable. I got my hopes up a tad at my pre op appointment when I was told that for this procedure, drains weren’t always necessary. Welp, they were for me. 

So far so good. Bit more tender today than yesterday but not as bad as I’d feared.

Post op day 1

I'm now a day post op. So far so good. Yesterday I felt really good, just a bit tired. It felt like I just did heaps of push ups to make my chest tight and sore. Today its a little more sore in the pain way, but still not bad. I'm using lots of ice packs to numb it and take the swelling down. I've been taking arnica and prescription strength ibuprofen for the inflammation and bruising.  I have also been taking norco (the not quite vicoden narcotic). I have had no ill effects that I was worried about.

I am definitely limited on movement, but I don't feel trapped in bed which is good. I've just been relishing the ability to relax with no nagging feelings that I need to be elsewhere doing anything specific.

We'll see how long it takes me to get truly restless.

Pre Op Appointment

The pre op appointment went well enough. I asked a couple more questions of my surgeon. All of my fears are quite allayed.

Side note: He's possibly the most dapper person I've ever met. Today, being St. Patrick's Day, he was wearing grass green slacks with a matching pocket square in his black jacket. Possibly the only person I know who can pull of green pants in a professional setting.

Anyhow, the nurse gave me all of my herbal supplements for proper healing. It was also mentioned that due to the nature of the periareolar procedure, I may not have to have drains. This is a surprise, but definitely a good one. Everyone I know who has had chest surgery has said the drains were by far the worst part.

Two more weeks of waiting.

Then more waiting after that for everything to heal up.

So close!

Tomorrow, I go in for another consult with the surgeon to ask a few more questions about why he does periareolar in two separate surgeries and exactly what each surgery entails. I also have my pre-op appointment with his nurse where she will give me all the supplements that will help me get through everything.

Soon.

Starting to get anxious/excited. Two and a half weeks.

I am not worried about the surgery itself. I am a bit worried about painkillers though. I've never really had them. When I had my wisdom teeth out, I was prescribed vicoden, but when I took half of one, I got dizzy and nauseous and reverted to ibuprofen. I'm afraid of what narcotics will do do my head. I'm actually just sort of wary of them in general for a variety of reasons, my brother's addiction being one of them. I really don't want them at all. But I'm also worried that it might be too painful to go without.

I am also a bit worried about money. I have enough for the surgery, but it's basically emptying my savings account. I just hope nothing happens, I won't have a rainy day fund for awhile.