u/PlasticSad3698

54F, self-pay (took 2 years to save, but am hoping the end result will be worth it!). Technically, I'm on Day 10, but the photo was taken at the one-week mark.

I feel like I can see a clear reduction, although the surgeon's markup photo doesn't seem nearly as drastic as other people's - I'm assuming it's because I started smaller (DD/E) and she said she would get me to a B. I asked her afterward how much tissue she took, but she wouldn't elaborate, saying she took as much as she could.

My pain has been pretty minimal since Day 4, and the only struggles have been sleeping on my back (I'm using a ŋ-shaped pregnancy pillow and wearing a mastectomy pillow on my front), and remembering that I'm not supposed to reach for things. I've been doing okay washing/pulling back my hair using T-Rex arms. 🦖

I keep reading that Week 3 is the worst - can anyone elaborate?

So grateful to this community for support!

EDIT EDIT: Thank you all so much for your comments. I've revealed enough here that I need to delete the background info in case he's following the sub. I can say that I've only recently started to say some of this stuff out loud and that, as u/RhubarbJam1 noted, the surgery is, indeed, shining a light on our relationship and issues that have been problematic for awhile (which I've been perfectly happy to bargain my way around: "Nobody's perfect!" "Marriage doesn't guarantee happiness, and most of them end up in divorce anyway!" "He shows me he loves me, even if he doesn't say it!"). It's a hard mirror to look into.

For now, I think I will focus on my own joy, healing, and recovery, and kick this can down the road a bit. So much gratitude to you all. <3

7 days post-op

really excited but also grieving and could use some support (throwaway account)