Last week had my top surgery done with Dr. Charles Garramone, and I kept a detailed daily notebook to make sure I could remember everything. In this post, I’ll go over what happened from the day we flew out to the first week after surgery.
Watch the companion video here!
Flying to Florida and Pre-Op Day
We flew out to Florida on March 1st, taking an early morning flight, and arrived at our Airbnb around 3 or 4 PM. The next day was my pre-op appointment, scheduled for 10:30 AM. We arrived just before the appointment, but we didn’t get back into the pre-op rooms until about 12:30.
There was a lot of waiting and paperwork to fill out, but one thing I really liked about Dr. Garamone’s office was the window design—blacked out from the outside, but you can see out from the inside. It felt safe for anyone who wants privacy or is going stealth.
Dr. Garamone himself was professional and efficient. Some people describe him as robotic, but I found him straightforward and focused on getting his work done for as many patients as possible.
Surgery Day: Nerves, IVs, and Waking Up
The day of my top surgery, March 3rd, I had a few last-minute things to take care of, like paying the hospital fee. Then I got into my gown, had my IV placed, and waited for my sister to join me before heading into the operating room.
I was nervous but tried not to think about it too much before going in. The operating room itself was intimidating, and the anesthesia caught me off guard—I wasn’t warned before it was administered. I woke up crying immediately, half asleep and very emotional. It was probably a mix of panic and relief. My first thought was “I did it” and I was so excited.
Eventually, I was able to calm down with my sister’s help. After getting dressed, I headed back to the Airbnb, since this surgery didn’t require an overnight stay.
The First Days Post-Top Surgery
Once I was back, I noticed that the wrap around my chest was extremely tight. I cried so much from the pain of the wrap. the pressure from the wrapp was the worst part. I ended up calling Dr. Garamone’s office the next morning to loosen the bandages because I couldn’t sleep or move comfortably.
For the first few days, I mostly laid in bed watching Stargate, surrounded by pillows and a travel neck pillow for support. My back hurt a lot, so my sister helped with massages to relieve tension. By day five, I started taking fewer pain meds, using them mostly to help fall asleep. Discomfort was minimal aside from where the drains were placed.
Post-Op Appointment and Seeing Results
Day six post-surgery was my post-op appointment at 10:30 AM. Dr. Garamone removed the wrap and bandages and let me catch a quick glimpse in the mirror. The full reveal came later, when I got home and changed the bandages for the first time. Seeing everything in full detail was incredibly exciting and emotional.
If you’re curious about the healing process, I post daily updates on my Instagram with pictures of my chest.
Looking Back on My Top Surgery Experience
By day seven, I felt much more in control and comfortable. We flew back home that morning, and that night I was able to finally change my dressings and see the progress. My top surgery journey was emotional, tiring, and rewarding all at once.
I hope sharing my experience helps anyone else considering top surgery, or those curious about what the first week is really like. If you have any questions or ideas, drop a comment—I love reading them!
Key Takeaways from My Top Surgery Journey:
- Expect a lot of waiting during pre-op.
- Bring pillows and comfort items for the first days.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for adjustments to bandages or pain management.
- Emotional reactions after surgery are normal and part of the process.
