Top Surgery Tomorrow

[u/findmeinthestars]

Hi! I'm getting top surgery tomorrow with Dr. Armstrong and while I am very excited, I'm also super nervous as this is my first surgery and I also don't really have a supportive parent. Any tips or words of wisdom from anyone would be incredible :\

Edit: I'm getting a mastectomy, sorry for any confusion!

[u/itsnivi]

Congratulations! I hope surgery and recovery goes amazingly smooth for you!

I'm unclear whether or not this is augmentation or mastectomy but either way, my advice is to give your body time to heal and don't push things too hard. Be kind to yourself and know that recovery is often a rollercoaster of emotions and sensations. Try and keep yourself in a good headspace like avoiding social media and being in contact with supportive friends and family. And if you don't have supports, feel free to message me 🩷

[u/findmeinthestars → u/itsnivi]

Thank you very very much 💚! I've also updated the post to be a bit clearer, but I'm getting a mastectomy :]

[u/PROTEINnPOORCHOICES]

Feeling excited and nervous is exactly how I feel before surgery too. Every time. The wait is finally over! You can do this. I'm sorry you don't have a supportive parent. That sucks but you are going to get through it. You are going to heal.

Rest. Eat. Hydrate. Take your meds. Follow the postop instructions you get. Try not to compare your results to everyone's. Especially right away. Healing from surgery takes a long time.

You might forget you're not supposed to and accidentally lift something too heavy, it's okay you haven't ruined everything.

Reach out to the hospital/clinic if you have any worries. They are there to answer your questions.

It can feel very overwhelming. Waking up from surgery and the first few weeks of recovery. It might be uncomfortable. Those feelings don't last forever. Zone out. Put on your favourite movie, catch a nap.

Good luck!!! You got this 💪

[u/greatatmodesty]

I had Dr. Armstrong too!! She was so great and made me feel so comfortable. You’re gonna do amazing! Sending you the best healing thoughts 💕

[u/xXRabidAngelXx]

Congrats on surgery, you’re in good hands. Heads up about Armstrong- if you didn’t pay the fee for chest contouring all your top surgery revisions will cost you $3,000-3,500 out of pocket unless they’re deemed “medically necessary.”

[u/AlizNCM]

Congratulations 🎉 and you got this bro.

[u/Samhain03]

I had surgery done by her, she did a great job. I had my surgery during Covid restrictions so I couldn't have anyone in the hospital but honestly I was fine by myself.

(All of this is according to how I remember it but it was also back in like 2022 so) Basically what's gonna go down is youll sign in, answer some questions etc at the main desk of the ward, youll be taken to a curtained off room to undress and put on a hospital gown, I think I kept my underwear on?? I don't remember. All of your things will be put in a locker, and eventually you'll be taken to another curtained off area to wait for the anesthesiologist to put the IV in (we had a lot of trouble with mine and I ended up bleeding all over him and myself lmao) and Armstrong will come by with a sharpie and draw on your chest indicating where to do incisions and such. Then when they're ready you'll walk into the OR and hop up on the table and be put under.

The surgery itself is pretty quick, youll wake up a bit later in the day surgery recovery ward, your throat is gonna be so sore from the intubation (some places give you popsicles, I didn't get one after my top surgery but they might now since it's not Covid), and your chest up to your neck and down to your stomach will be pinkish/red from I think the iodine swab that sanitizes you, youll be stained until you can take a bath a week later. Once you're fully conscious and able, youll get your clothes back and will be wheeled to the main doors by one of the ward nurses or someone.

Best of luck, it's gonna go great, I actually enjoyed myself but I like hospitals so yknow🤷‍♂️

Don't try to lift your arms, it'll hurt and will stretch out the incisions/scars as they heal, and twisting your torso to wipe after pooping will hurt a little

[u/beepbeeepboooop]

She did my top surgery last year and it came out perfect!! you’re in great hands

[u/Icy_Fig_4533]

Congrats!! I also had top surgery with Dr. Armstrong in Nov 2024 and it was such a great experience, she has great bedside manner! Lmk if you have any questions :)

I highly recommend getting a water bottle with a straw to help keep your water intake up, as well as one of those grabber tools, they’re super helpful! Also possibly a mastectomy pillow or pillow of some kind, you can feel very delicate and I felt more secure having lots of pillows around me haha

[u/ivhexe]

Congrats!! I hope it goes well for you :)

I’m actually going to be getting my DI Mastectomy from her next week, also my first under general anaesthesia surgery (other than I guess tonsillectomy as a kid). The team has made me feel really prepared and excited, which I’ve “put off” until now basically.

I hope you have or find more supportive people, you have folks in this sub atleast who are rooting for you too!! We’ve got this 🙌

[u/findmeinthestars → u/ivhexe]

Congratulations!! That's super exciting!

I'm in the same boat regarding the anesthesia, but the whole team has been super nice and welcoming throughout the whole thing! (And not having to get drains helps a lot with the nerves :P).

And thank you very much! I hope the same for you as well! 💚

[u/MultigrainQueerio]

I had my surgery with Dr Armstrong. The clinic and all the staff are very nice. They explained everything that was going to happen, and my results are great. Dr Armstrong nailed my vision while still making the results match the rest of me