Rise and shine... I've got nipples!

Yesterday was nipple day.  After 6 months of having no nipples, just flat fronts on my foobies, I was pretty pumped to get my nipples done.  We're talking about the actual poking-out part, not the colour.  That comes with tattooing, which is the step after this.

I didn't really know what to expect - I knew I was going to see Dr. Hofer in his clinic room at Princess Margaret (not a big operating room at Toronto General).  I was told I would be awake, and they'd use a local anesthetic, and the whole thing would take about an hour.

First off - I am SO GLAD I brought Ansley to the appointment with me.  She was allowed to stay in the room for the whole thing, and she was a lifesaver.

Here's how it went down... I got dressed in the fancy gown (which was kind of silly since it was draped open the whole time), and lied down on the table/bed/thing.  Then the Master (aka Dr. Hofer) and his team went to work.

I knew I wouldn't want to watch what they were doing... even though the nerd part of my brain thinks it's kind of cool, I knew I would probably feel sick watching someone operate on me.  So I asked them to drape a little towel over my eyes.  Then I put my headphones in my ears, thinking I would listen to a podcast to distract myself.  BAD IDEA.

No matter how loud I had the iPod, I could still hear what was going on in the room, and I couldn't focus on the podcast.  So, with too many noises, a towel draped over my eyes, a big light blaring down on me, and weird sensations happening on my chest... that all added up to a nice little panic attack.  I asked Ansley to take the headphones out of my ears, and just listened to what was going on.  I took deep breaths and tried some small talk.  After about 10 minutes, the dizzy, panicky feelings went away, and I was able to relax a bit.  Or, relax as much as you can when you're trying not to look but you can still hear all the sounds of people operating on you.  NOT COOL.

Dr. Hofer and his team were lovely - we all talked about random things, and he cracked a few jokes.  He's a funny guy.  That really really helped.  And yes, it was uncomfortable, but it was over within an hour.  They worked quite fast.  When they were done, Dr. Hofer asked if I wanted to see.  I asked Ansley if I wanted to see, and she said, no, wait a while.  So they bandaged me up.

This is the part that really stinks - when they bandaged me up, they took little plastic medicine cups (like that one over there), and taped those over my new nipples.  It makes sense - the new nipples are very fragile, and they need to be protected against bumps.  Or as I learned last night, they need to be protected in case I roll over in my sleep, and accidentally crush my new nipples. 

I HAVE TO WEAR THE LITTLE CUPS OVER MY FOOBIES FOR 6 WEEKS. Yup, six weeks.  Six long weeks.  GREAT.

I am so glad I have a job where I work alone most days.  Because I look ridiculous.  And I only have so many loose-fitting tops.   We're going to a wedding in Halifax in just under 6 weeks, and I REFUSE to wear the little cups that day.  New nipples, you're gonna have to take one for the team.  I'm sure they'll be pretty much healed by then.

In the meantime, I'm just going to have to get used to my new Madonna-esque pointy-boob look. (click the picture to enlarge, and then you'll see what I mean)

Overall, I'm feeling a little low today.  It's funny - this procedure was NOTHING in comparison to the big surgery.  Maybe it's because I was under-prepared.  For some silly reason, I thought the nipple surgery would be a walk in the park.  I didn't know how involved it was.  I know they'll look spectacular after some time, but right now, my new nipples look like cut off baby toes oozing blood.  I know that's gross and graphic, but seriously, that's what they look like. 

I don't feel very happy with my body right now.  And I'm not thrilled with the thought of messing with gauze and medical tape and stupid little plastic cups every day for the next 6 weeks. 

I know I'll get used to it, and the 6 weeks will go by quickly.  I'll bounce back and feel great again.  But for today, especially with the rainy weather outside, I'm going to have a nice little pity party.