u/Emergency-Tale-6808

tldr; I have a weird cleft/lip/bump/ledge along my incisions on one side with the incision more or less healed underneath. Has anyone experienced this and if so what did it looks like as healing progressed? Did it settle?

So a bit of background... I'm currently 17 days post op and healing is going swimmingly overall! Incisions are pretty much all closed up and nipples are doing their wet healing thing.

I finally took off the last of my tape yesterday and got the first proper look at my incisions and that's when I confirmed that I have a weird bump/ledge/lip (idk quite how to describe it) over my incision on one side. I could sort of feel it through the tape and had hoped it was just swelling, but after getting a look that doesn't seem to be the case.

I reached out the clinic and they said not to worry too much as it's still so early in my healing and we'll have a better idea by 3 month post op. So I suspect it is potentially more of a cosmetic issue, if anything.

I have a couple ideas/thoughts about what this could be with the primary one being (fingers crossed) pinched skin from the sutures that will hopefully settle or can be massaged away. I just really really hope it's not a misalignment or excess skin.

If anyone has experienced anything similar please let me know how it went! Also open to any recommendations for helping it settle.

I am now 11 days post op DI with free nipple grafts! I found this sub super helpful leading up to and post surgery so I figured I'd share how my recovery is going and some pics :-)

Week one was uneventful truthfully! Minor pain that was very manageable with ibuprofen/acetaminophen combo. Slept a lot, had visits with fam and pals to keep me sane , and relied heavily on my mum for support with my twice daily binder removal/chest checks, prepping meals, and chores around the house. By day 5/6 post op I was feeling a lot better and the cabin fever was setting in.

Worst symptoms for the first week post op were binder discomfort and itchiness which I managed with antihistamines and benadryl.

At my 1 week post op I finally got to see my chest!! All the bandages came off (other than the tape on my incisions) and I was deemed to be healing well and cleared to shower THANK GOD. First pic was taken immediately after my dressings came off.

Now, let me just tell you that the feeling after the first post op shower is AMAZINGGGGG. I finally felt like myself again and finally feeling good in my skin AND getting to see my flat chest in clothes that make me feel good and like myself made me happy cry. I probably could have managed the shower on my own if needed, but I was very grateful to have my mum's help with hair and back washing and to help me set out over the tub after.

Days 8-11 have been pretty chill in all honesty. The binder and itchiness are still causing me grief but other than that I'm feeling pretty great! I'm still resting a lot and my energy levels aren't nearly what they were pre op, but I'm regaining more energy by the day. I'm also a lot more independent now which feels great. I'm able to take off and put on my binder solo, do my dressing changes, make most of my own food (easy stuff, not really back to full on cooking just yet), and can do dishes if I take it slow. Chores like laundry, kitty litter, vacuuming, and mopping still aren't quite doable for me yet though.

As far as healing goes, I'm pleasantly surprised at how well and seemingly quickly it's going! Most of my bruising is gone and swelling has reduced significantly. I suspect this is in large part thanks to the lymphatic drainage massages I got as part of my surgery package from my clinic. I also maintained much, much more sensation than I ever anticipated! I've only lost sensation in my nipples and approx 1/4-1/2" around them and I'm already getting zaps!! So hopefully that's a good sign for regaining sensation!!! Second pic is from after my shower this morn.

I'm more than happy to share more about my healing so far if anyone has any questions! :-)

p.s. apologies from the super cropped pics, trying to avoid all my tattoos for privacy sake!