Well I’m 4 weeks post op and thankful that the worst is behind me.
Some new developments over the last 2 weeks:
I’ve been able to regain some activity. I’ve been going on long walks again which is nice. Especially having help watching my kiddos, I’m able to take advantage of this time to gain my strength and endurance back, allowing me to feel more like myself again. Thankful to move and gets some exercise.
My range of motion has improved drastically over the last 2 weeks. I can raise my hands all the way up toward the sky, instead of having T-Rex arms, and unable to reach anything above shoulder height.
I can start carrying 10-20 lbs. 20 lbs sounds a little frightening to me right now though. Unfortunately my baby boy, Max (who is now ONE YEAR OLD… *Happy Birthday to my beautiful boy*) is 22 lbs so I need to wait another 2 weeks to hold him. More than anything I’m grateful for people in my life who love my kids, who show them that love and make them feel it, so that they don’t feel this sort of deficit that I was so fearful for. Can’t ask for more than that.
I was SO looking forward to my last expansion fill today at the Surgeon’s office, but unfortunately there was a misunderstanding and I was unable to fill any more without my Plastic Surgeon’s approval, and he wasn’t in today. Looks like I’ll have to wait until my next appointment with him. I’ll get there but I was just so bummed today when I was looking forward to being done with this part of the process and having my desired size! I just can’t wait to be schedule the exchange surgery. It’s going to be amazing to have my permanent boobs and not these expanders.
My appointment with my Surgeon is in a few weeks, where he will discuss the next surgery with me, and put it on the books!
Last post I mentioned that these expanders were uncomfortable, and not so much painful. Yeah… I stand corrected. They’re AWFUL when I sleep. Being vertical is generally fine, but being horizontal just plain sucks. They’re just not built for comfort, and I’m pretty sick of waking up at 1 am in pain and needing to take ibuprofen.
Few more months. I got this!
This ain’t no boob job, folks. This is a staged, involved process that takes you for a real ride physically, mentally and emotionally. But I’ll be done with this process soon(ish) and it’ll be so worth it in the end, for many reasons.
I just pray my sweet babies didn’t get the BRCA2 mutation from me. They each have a 50% chance. I hope Ilana doesn’t have to go through this, but if she does have it, she will know that her Mama went through it, and understand that she has strength in her that is immeasurable and that she is capable of any and all things! Both of them are!
It’s a great day to be alive! Thankful for modern medicine, modern knowledge, family, friends who have been there, and my long walks 🙂
Love to all of you
Johannah Katz 
I was so happy to readyour blog this morning. I’m 8 days post op from my bilateral double mastectomy with tissue expanders. And last night seemed to be the absolute worst night sleeping. I have 2 of my 4 drains left. The final two come out next week. And I start the expansion process the next. They even scheduled me for my exchange surgery 12/10! But- these things hurt!! The pressure is crazy. And last night as I was laying in my bed inclined I felt like I was in a straight jacket from 3a-6a because I was afraid of the initial pain from moving. I hate sleep. I’m a huge runner and I just miss so it so much. I’m told I’m healing well. But ouch. It almost feels it took me a week to really hurt. When did you start feeling better in the form of I can deal with this? Do you still have major discomfort under your armpits? I notice it too where the incisions are at my fold. It’s still covered with surgical tape. I’m told I’m healing well. But does this eventually feel better. I expect the pressure part.
I too pray my children don’t carry this gene. But if they do, they will learn from our strength. You have been an inspiration to me.
Also- when I start with fills will the soreness I have now be gone? Or will the fill make it worse? And you are 100% right!! This ain’t no free boob job! I’d do anything to have my old self back. But we sure are lucky….because “knowledge is power .” Happy to hear you’re doing well.
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Hi!! I’m so glad to hear you’re healing well! That’s the most important part. You’re almost through the worst. I felt like those drains were just chains, so after 2 weeks things really start to improve. As a runner myself, you will love getting back out and doing walks (slow at first). Just listen to your body and you wont go wrong. Sleeping still sucks. It’s frustrating, especially as a side sleeper and not being able to sleep in a comfortable position. I was told I was allowed to sleep on my side and tried it a little for the first time yesterday and it didn’t give me as much anxiety as I feared. The pain with the expanders only comes when horizontal for me, and its really my right boob only. Very odd…but I’m hoping it improves as time goes on. How much do you hate the “free boob job” remarks?! You’re a warrior mama and you got this!!
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