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[The Oopster]

Originally Posted by Thinker

I, too, wondered if the Arnica played into it.

Seems like it's a "game-time decision" for some surgeons......which I think is a good thing. To me, it means they're paying attention.

I agree and have been curious.

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I got a question for the guys who are a year out or more from top surgery: What did you use to lessen your scars during your first year? I hear a lot about silicone strips, has anyone used them? Any other products you guys can recommend? Thx in advance!

Nivea cream and lightly massaging the scar tissue.

Originally Posted by theoddz

No, Koop, I didn't use Arnica. Dr. V recommended that I use Nivea Cream (the one in the jar, not the tube) after my surgery, so that's what I did. He said that the other stuff was just "expensive" and it didn't do anything that the Nivea cream wouldn't do for me. I remembered that my sister used Nivea cream on my nephew when he was a baby (he's 21 now, and coming to visit me in July!!! ), so that was good enough for me.

I think that the reason for the drains has to do with how much tissue is removed. Like it was pointed out in Chaz's documentary, the purpose of the drains is to siphon off any accumulated fluid that the body generates to try to replace the excised breast tissue. Wearing the binder post-op, as directed, really helps with that, too. I didn't have my drains in for more than an day, either. It all went pretty quick, I think.

~Theo~

I also used nivea cream for the scars.

Like thinker said the arnica was to reduce bleeding and bruising from the surgery. It is fairly inexpensive.

I know I had similiar amounts taken off as everyone else and I usually bruise really easily. I lost over 5 lbs. However like Thinker I started the arnica about a week before and took it til a week after.

The only other thing is maybe due to the factor that we are skinnier guys and could be sculpted more not as much tissue was left behind so less need for the drains?

[Linus]

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

[atomiczombie]

Originally Posted by Linus

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

Mine has been SOOOOO itchy and I don't have any chest hair to shave. What's weird is that there is no where I can scratch that relieves the itch. I try to scratch where it seems to itch, but its all numb there.

[Nina]

okay...so, I don't know anything about most of what is being discussed here...
But, I do have a comment on the itching issue...some meds have itching as a side effect...I had it happen with a medication I had to take after a surgery...I started to have the strangest itching feelings....it was deep inside, and scratching didn't do anything to help...it wasn't a 'regular' kind of itching, though it was intense...
it's probably not worth saying, that never stops me, I'd suggest you (re) read all the possible side effects of any and all meds you're taking, or took, and see if that is one of the symptoms...and, if so, call your doctor...

I hope your healing is smooth and swift...all the best to you

Nina

[The Oopster]

I don't remember a lot of itching except along the incision I think especially at the 5 to 10 day mark. It's a damn long incision so a lot of itchy area.

However I took minimal pain meds also, but have had itchiness from pain meds in the past but the itchiness was all over the body.

[atomiczombie]

I have been off pain meds for more than 2 weeks, and I am still itching!!

[Thinker]

Originally Posted by atomiczombie

I have been off pain meds for more than 2 weeks, and I am still itching!!

Yours could be from the return of sensation.

Just a guess...

[justkim]

Sorry for the intrusion. Linus I myself have had several surgeries and I usually get itchy from the beta-dine stuff they use, even though they *kinda* wipe it off. Also, take a cool shower and gently uses a wash cloth or one of those puffy bath thingys.. Key word here is gentle. Hopefully we can get a nurse in here to maybe give a better explanation. After surgeries all of the anesthesia has to come out some how and for me it comes out in my skin, even on area's not related to the surgery. I find that keeping hydrated and I keep my skin totally moisturized it makes it all much more tolerable.
By the way, congratulations!

Heck, Congratulations to everyone in this thread.

Originally Posted by Linus

Ok. I have a question for those whove had surgery recent or remembers theirs: do you find yourself itchy? I thought it was the glue from the tape but I realize that even my chest is itchy where there is no tape. I'm thinking they may have shave my chest and that's causing it?

[Thinker]

Yep on the med's side effects and yep on post-surgical itching.

Some of it, too, is going to be little nerve endings that are waking back up.

Another thing y'all just reminded me of... My nipple grafts and the numb area on my right side started "pinging" after a couple of weeks. I was told that was when sensation was starting to come back. The nipple graft pings went on for a good year or more.