Hi Caz, its so much to get your head round isnt it.  I hope you are getting lots of rest and support. I had an implant at age 18 cos I had a wonky looking chest ( like it had potholes in it) I just recently got dx with invasive ductal carcinoma. It limited surgical options because they couldnt leave it in, so out it came. My anatomy includes dented ribs and missing muscles, so I couldnt face going back to the wonky body I sufferred as a teenager. It took until day of surgery to confirm I wanted immediate reconstruction, with an implant. My surgeon had no idea what he would find when he stepped inside. I am 13 days post op, in pain, but each day it is getting better, the exercises are sore, however they are essential. I cried and screamed when I first looked at myself as the fluid suction thing left me with ripples over my chest, theyare going down now the drain is out, and Im seeing thehospital for possible seroma draining (aspration) on wednesday and praying it wont need doing,. saw breast nurse this afternoon and she dressed some blisters which had come up and were leaking. hope this isnt too  much info but apparently its not unusual after reconstruction,. Hope you have great support off the breast nurses at your hospital, and wishing you  all the best. Top tip- get info, ask for diagrams, ask the breast nurses, and keep on til you feel informed but not overloaded. And rest, sleep and a heart shaped cusion is your new best friend. and I take my pain meds before travelling or doing exercises. its tough, but we can get through  it. gentle hugs, k 

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Hi K

thanks for thinking of me. I’d broken my phone on a pre op run and then couldn’t remember log in details!!! Hope you are continuing with your recovery. 

I had the double op on Tuesday with immediate reconstruction. Home the next day and so far so good. Bit sore around my newly positioned nipples and feel like I have a baby elephant sat on my chest, but all manageable. 

Caz x

Hi Caz and I hope baby elephant is behaving. I was told to go and buy nappy rash cream this morning after getting my dressings changed as the crease under my boob is itchy and the skin is angry (its where the scar is).  I have been advised to apply a seaweed lotion to the bits that went "scabby" to help the new skin under them recover and heal, and to shed my horrid "pork scratchings" as I chose to call tghem when HCA was trying to find a polite word for them.  I went into work today to see people, and to p;inch a lush piece of carrot cake, it was designed to be a FIKA which acc to the boss is a scandinavian fad for marking the end of christmas and moving towards the end of winter. I was scared that if I didnt go in an say hi I could lose my nerve for going back. This is now the fifth time Ive had extended sick leave, I love this job, and havinghad to give up my old career back in 200 I know Im not ready to retire ful ter,

Hope things go well for you, and that the healing happens comfortably.,  make sure to rest, and find positive things to  look at read or listen to as you are enforcedly idle.  all best, k.

Hi Caz and I hope baby elephant is behaving. I was told to go and buy nappy rash cream this morning after getting my dressings changed as the crease under my boob is itchy and the skin is angry (its where the scar is).  I have been advised to apply a seaweed lotion to the bits that went "scabby" to help the new skin under them recover and heal, and to shed my horrid "pork scratchings" as I chose to call tghem when HCA was trying to find a polite word for them.  I went into work today to see people, and to p;inch a lush piece of carrot cake, it was designed to be a FIKA which acc to the boss is a scandinavian fad for marking the end of christmas and moving towards the end of winter. I was scared that if I didnt go in an say hi I could lose my nerve for going back. This is now the fifth time Ive had extended sick leave, I love this job, and havinghad to give up my old career back in 200 I know Im not ready to retire ful ter,

Hope things go well for you, and that the healing happens comfortably.,  make sure to rest, and find positive things to  look at read or listen to as you are enforcedly idle.  all best, k.