{Recovery} Time Flies

Tomorrow marks 4 weeks since my surgery! It's hard to believe I head back to Madison tomorrow already. This will give me a few days to get settled in before heading back to work on Monday. A relaxing weekend getting Pixel reacquainted with the apartment and being the only dog in the apartment. Here's to hoping she adjusts well without Widget being around.

The last week or so has brought dramatic improvements in how I feel and look. My bruising is completely gone externally and I definitely don't get as tired as I did last week. I can also comfortably wear a wireless bra all day now! Thank God I can leave the torture device to sleep time only. There are a few rare times I'm still in some pain: driving over speedbumps and potholes (ouch), attempting to sleep on my side in the middle of the night as I'm so used to doing and working out for more than 30 minutes or so.

Now that I can move around much more easily, I've spent the majority of the last week keeping myself busy with wedding invitations, save the dates and bridal shower invites. I have so many great clients right now! I'll definitely have my work cut out for me with the FT job and invitations. Luckily I love both :)

Better head to bed...I must get up early in the morning to pack up! Will definitely miss Milwaukee, but excited to get back and see everyone.

Finally!

I apologize for the lack of recent posts. I've been having some issues with my Blogger account lately and was unable to save drafts or publish posts for the last week or so! I've got a few informative posts planned coming up.

{Resources} Breast Health Online

Breast Health Online has been SUCH a great tool during my preparation and recovery.  I highly suggest every woman checks out this site whether you are debating a breast reduction or not.  The forums are great for reading about other women's experiences with the surgery and to help answer questions!

Here are just a few of my favorite links:

Breast Reduction FAQ - Great advice on topics such as: What to ask the surgeon during pre-op visits?,   Post Operative Scar Care, Selecting Your New Breast Size, and lots more

Pre Op & Post Op Nutrition, Hydration, Healing and Rest - links to many other articles as well as the importance of water, rest and good healthy eating during the pre-operative and recuperation process

Breast Reduction Support Board - If you can't find the answer to your question in these forums, ask!  I've learned so much by reading the forums, including things I would have never thought to ask or would have been related to surgery.

{Recovery} Wait, it Fits?

Last night, I was off to Target for more comfortable bras - finally!  Of course, I got distracted and ended up buying these too cute Orla Kiely canisters for my kitchen.  How could I pass them up, right?

 

Dr. Mixter suggested avoiding my fave Victoria's Secret for a few months, since size will still change a bit due to swelling.  So, I figured Target was a good place to start.  I found that most of the wireless bras were only available in size A or B.  It is definitely harder to find wire-free bras over the size of C.  It was hard to find something comfortable that would also look okay under clothes and avoid the dreaded uni-boob my current torture device gives me.  I found a few, but my favorite is a C9 by Champion Yoga Bra seen below.  While it won't work under all shirts, it is comfy and supportive, plus doubles for the gym later on!

The most exciting part of my trip was deciding to try on a super cute dressy shirt.  I couldn't believe...it fit!  I also found a super cute trench coat.  It is very exciting to be able to fit in a shirt and not have the bottom be 5 sizes too big.  This alone makes all of the pain and recovery worth while to me.

images via Target

{Recovery} Can't Sleep!

Unfortunately, it seems as though I've gone from having a hard time staying a wake to having an impossible time falling asleep.  The last few days have been torture.  Bed, couch, wedge pillow, regular pillow, 1000 pillows - doesn't seem to matter - my back just kills and I can't get comfortable!  I basically stare at the wall or watch late night TV until 6 or 7 am, finally pass out from pure exhaustion and then sleep until lunch time.  I decided to pick up some Tylenol PM, but it didn't seem to help much.  I was able to fall asleep earlier, but woke up every two hours throughout the night.  I hope this gets better soon!

{Why Surgery?} Reason #3

I can't wait to go shopping for cute dresses!

image via J.Crew

{Recovery} I Survived the First Week!

Today was my one week checkup with Dr. Mixter.  He said everything was looking good, and I couldn't agree more.  I've seen many recovery pictures online (see Resource links to the right) and I think the vitamins I'm taking, healthy diet, and Bromelain are definitely contributing to my great results.  My breasts are finally starting to look more normal - the bruising and swelling has gone down considerably in the last two days alone and the shape is starting to fill in.  Right after the surgery they looked all scrunched up, which freaked me out a bit!

To celebrate, my mom treated us both to amazing MicroPeel Deep Cleansing Facials.  It was my first and boy was it relaxing and nice!  After spending a week locked away at home in sweats and no makeup, it was nice to feel pampered.  I really am so lucky to have my mom here to take care of me!  She has been so patient and helpful during the whole process, and it is nice recuperating in a comfortable place.

image via hyatt