Charleston Bound, part 2

Ashira

Thanks for clarifying Marty...and hello🙋 I may contact Jeskachi, or can add my date to my profile I suppose. 

Welcome Scary. I echo Marty's sentiment. We're here for you .  I don't check the board as often as I used to, but I do try to stay present.  

You ladies have been an invaluable source of support to me and I hope to give back more over time.  

I do have a question for you veterans.  Wondering about lipo .  Is there any place on your body that if you had it to do over, you would skip?  If so, why?  I may pop onto a few other boards to ask as well. Doing my best to face #3 with as much knowledge as possible.

Thanks!

scary

thanks ladies.  i didn't realize it was just for tram flap reconstruction on this thread, oops.  but since i'm here, i will read what you all post since there is alot of good information.  i will be getting a fat transfer from the tummy, does that count?  lol.

p.s.  i just noticed Marty said whoever created thread said charleston not specified for only tram flap.  it doesn't really matter to me, so you don't have to add me to the list, but i just want to make sure i'm welcome here, as i doubt there are many, if any, people in my situation having the same type of surgery in charleston.  and i really don't have anyone else to talk to about it, as they all have problems of their own, so i came here for much needed support.  in regards to distance travelled, it's about a 2 hour drive each way from where i live.

Catie2013

Tamiami - I rented a condo about the same time you are going in 2013.  I looked at both island rentals and VRBO and specified an elevator if it was on anything but the first floor.  I found booking for a month made more sense in my case, but two weeks is a decent time too.  The rental I wound up with had 3 bedrooms and 3 baths (which I needed because my daughter and her family came to be my caretakers) (well, she was the caretaker and I just enjoyed the little grandkids!) 

The place I stayed in had parking right next to the elevator, so no problem on that regard.

Hope you find the perfect place for your post op.  I was on the Island of Palm which is right around the corner basically (a few miles) from the hospital and Dr offices!

Hugs

Catie

Catie2013

Scary, just a bit nosy here (sorry but curious) driving 2 hours ?  Are you going to CHS for a special Dr, or the hospital ?   I'm not knocking driving to CHS as I will be driving 7 hours, but that's because no one in my area does the free flaps with own tissue.  Hope you don't mind me asking ?  I fell in love with CHS So truly not being negative but just curious!

Hugs

Catie

scary

i don't mind you asking.  my local hospital PS didn't take medicaid, and i don't like the hospitals in the columbia area, and i heard great things about Charleston, and so far, i'm happy with them.

MartyJ

scary- our hospitals and docs are excellent.  I had implants for 27 years placed by a wonderful PS in Columbia, but he passed several years ago.  MUSC is wonderful and many, many patients travel for service.  Nothing odd at all - there just aren't a lot of good PS in this tiny state.

So, implants with fat grafting.  You mentioned tissue expanders are in.  You like them?  A friend just had her exchange at he med u with Armstrong, I think.  Fat grafting for volume and hollow areas.  All the gals on this thread do Flap, but not Tram (there is a difference) with some DIEP, GAP OR PAP.  We all get some fat grafting hence all the lipo references.  It is a bit painful where they take the fat and generally about 50% stays.  You have come so far and are almost done.  Don't be scared.  It can only get better!

scary

thank you Marty.  I have an alloderm expander.  it was a quick surgery, outpatient.   the dr. said it was too dangerous for me to have a diep or flap due to my very big stomach.  for the upcoming surgery, the lipo will come from tummy, which has plenty of fat, instead of buttocks, which have almost NO fat.   the dr. said surgery will take 4 hours, hubby nervous about it being outpatient, but dr. said it will be fine, and i'm not worried either.  i hate leaving my dog home alone for that long, he's my baby, so i'd rather not stay overnight.

MartyJ

with a four hour procedure, you might want to spend one night in charleston instead of driving straight home.  For comfort.  I am a gal who almost always throws up after surgery.  If you can kennel the pup, your doc might be able to help you get a room at Extended Stay America through the American Cancer Society.  The current group of docs at MUSC seem to be steering women away from DIEP, I think they don't have a lot of free flap experience.  Usually a big tummy is a bonus for DIEP.  The two docs who specialized in flap have gone on to other things.  

scary

wow, that's interesting about the diep/flap not being done much at musc anymore.  my doctor also mentioned something related to my heart, which i had a minor problem with in the past.  i think he was just being extra careful.  but i want to be able to do lots of situps and other exercises in the future (after the lipo site heals of course), so the plan he has sounds fine.  i may just ask my neighbor to look in on the dog, since i did that when i had to stay overnight in the hospital for my mastectomy.  my biggest worry is the dog, believe it or not.  but i am wondering, from a medical standpoint, is it necessary to stay in the hospital overnight for what i'm having done?  i personally don't think so, but hubby is worried.

MartyJ

I am sure they will keep you overnight if needed.  MUSC has a 23 hour unit where they place patients if they don't need to be admitted, but need to be watched.  It is an insurance thing that they have figured out a way around.  Works well, but you should be prepared so the dog is cared for just in case.  I wouldn't worry.  Your husband is smart to be concerned.  Once everything heals, you can do lots of core work.  I had DIEP To replace my implants and do lots.

Tamiami

Thanks for the info Catie!

Davy

Ashira,

Glad to see how far you've come! As for your lipo question. I avoided lipo to the knees, despite being short on fat, because I've read that the aesthetic outcome is sometimes not good. I didn't have any problems with lumpiness in any area following lipo. The bruising is horrendous though as anyone will tell you. I recommend using arnica x100 pellets beginning two weeks prior to surgery and following surgery coupled with arnica topical cream. There is a lot of research available on using arnica to aid in healing and I experienced a tremendous difference using after surgeries three and four. I realize homeopathic remedies are not for everyone and, naturally, you should discuss any supplements with your doctor. 

scary

thanks for the info.  i guess i will have to make arrangements for doggy.  i'm also nervous, because on the side they are reducing, they will send the removed tissue to be biopsied.  my dog has been extra lovey dovey with me in the last few days, and he was like that right before my diagnosis too.  maybe i'm overthinking things, but that's how i feel.  i prefer to have doggy stay home, and give a neighbor the key, because she has little kids at HER house who have accidentally let their dog out, and he ran away, so i don't want that to happen to my baby.  we put extra pee pee pads out, so i don't care if he messes on the floor if the neighbor doesn't get here in time to walk him.  i just feel bad because i know he will be missing me badly, but it's still better than having him be in a strange place.

p.s.  that's really great about the 23 hour thing too.  hubby wants to get a hotel room for the night before since the hospital said i'm the first case of the day, so we can avoid getting a room after the surgery.

MartyJ

Davy, I tried arnica with no luck.  Perhaps because I naturally bruise very well.

Scary - try the comfort Inn right by the med u.  I believe they have a good medical rate.

scary

Marty, i will.  thanks so much for the info.   i will be having the surgery at the ashley tower, so i'll check mapquest for the exact location, thanks again.

Ashira

Glad to hear that Lipo went well for you Davy. It's good to hear from you. Hard to believe that I'm coming up on a year since Dx . Hoping for a better 2015!

Doc already did my knees and thighs in phase 2.   He told me that "there wasn't as much fat as he had anticipated there ." Hmmmm.  I'm hoping to approximate my original size, so my guess is that he'll be going to town with the Lipo. I can't say that I'm looking forward to the pain. Kind of getting used to life feeling somewhat normal again . 

Doctor one prefers that I stay away from the Arnica prior to surgery, but I'll be sure to have it ready for afterward . That and the dilaudid!  How long were you on pain pills after the liposuction?

Ashira

Scary, of course you're welcome here! Marty is the resident expert on all things local.  

If you're on medicaid, you may consider treating yourself to an overnight stay with a complimentary room at extended stay . They do have a program through the ACS that you could check into. I stayed at the one in mount pleasant and it was very nice. Not fancy, but clean and comfortable. 

Then again, with such a short drive, you may prefer your own bed. My drive was 15 hours, so I needed a few days of recuperation prior to hitting the road after my last surgery!

scary

Ashira, thank you so much for that information.  i had no idea that option existed.  i've been looking at a few places near the ashley tower, so it will be a really short drive the morning of the surgery.  i meant to call the hospital concierge for hotel info today, but i had a dr.'s appointment (regular family md), and then i went on a walmart run for meds and groceries, and now i am POOPED.  We have a tornado watch in the area right now, and that makes me very nervous, so i can't think straight.  i will try calling tomorrow to see about a room, and also check about the ACS option.  but i also want to ask if anyone knows, what if you book a hotel room, then the surgery date is changed?

p.s.  my body is so weird, thin, and no fat from the legs up to the butt.  then balloons in the belly, chest and upper arms.  that's why they're taking fat from the belly.  hopefully i'll be more even ater the surgery, and i will keep up with my fitness regimen after healing and getting Dr.'s okay.

lbrewer

Scarey, 

Welcome!  I tried the Hope Lodge but there was nothing for my dates. Maybe you will be luckier!

ask the hotel their cancellation policy but most require no more than 24 hr notice. Many are ok with same day. Just be sure to call them and cancel!  I forgot once. 

scary

thank you lbrewer, i'll try them too.

Ashira

Scary, if you book extended stay through ACS, all they ask for is 24 hour notice .

Catie2013

Hope Lodge worked for me but you don't always know until the night before.  I called Hope Lodge and had my paperwork in and also had a hotel appointment with a same day cancelation - that way I had my bases covered.  But Hope Lodge only has 17 rooms so iffy at best.

Catie2013

So have some dates for the Flapper Reunion - November 10-12, which is a Monday through Wednesday.  I think it was Cascader who said to just make the dates around my appointment and then go from there.  Well, I took her advice and will be in town on the 11th for my appointment but will be there the day before and the day after.

Would love to make this an annual reunion - so hoping more join either next year or next!  Right now there are 3 of us, Pinkheart, Sewannee GIrl and myself - but pipe in if you are in town or can be at that time!  So good to put the faces to the names and to just sit and share our experiences without autocorrect mixing the words up!!! LOL

Hugs

Catie

Davy

Ashira, 

So you've had your first round with lipo already...sometimes I don't follow the boards as closely as I once did. 

I'm not one to take pain meds after leaving the hospital. After stage one (BMX with reconstruction) I took the meds for two days then realized they made me feel worse, so I discontinued them. So after stages 2-4 I didn't bother with them. And especially after stage four when I started the arnica well ahead of time. 

The same night after I had stage four the nurse walked in to check on me and found me in the bathroom putting curlers in my hair. Lol!  I couldn't believe how good I felt. But, as I mentioned, arnica is not for everyone.  

Here's to a fabulous, pain free, healthy 2015! 

Cheers,

Davy

scary

thanks for the info ladies.  i have some phone calls to make tomorrow.........

Ashira

Davy, you are amazing.  I was on pain killers for at least 8 weeks post stage 1!  I think it was about two weeks for the second go round.  I can just imagine the look on your nurse's face when seeing you put on curlers just after surgery.  I'll stay hopeful that my #3 is half that easy!

Davy

Ashira, you've come this far, so you've already shown your superhuman strength!  

Ashira

thanks for the reminder Davy. I'm just now noticing and reading your pic. Love it.  Certainly there is a special spot in my home where just those words belong! Can you share the source?

Tamiami

Hi Ladies~

I have narrowed down my search for a rental to 2 different units.  One is in Mt. Pleasant and one is in Isle of Palms.  I am planning to drive from Michigan to Charleston, so I will have a car and my mom or husband (alternating) will be with me the whole month that I'm there. I attached the links to both units if anyone has time to check them out for me.

The Isle of Palms rental is 1st floor.  Since my surgery is in January, I don't think it will be warm enough to be doing any beach activities, but it is pretty there, and is close to restaurants. The monthly rental plus fees is $1540 with a 30 day cancellation policy.

http://www.vrbo.com/61097?utm_source=SYS&utm_mediu...

The Mt. Pleasant rental is close to restaurants, and a grocery store.  It has a recliner which is what I slept in for 6 weeks following my BMX and is ground level.  The monthly rental plus fees is $1877, with the 10% discount the owner allowed me for medical stay, and they have a 5 day notice for cancellations

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2292136?euid=511c16e5...

I'm leaning toward the Mt. Pleasant rental, but any input from you knowledgeable ladies will help!  I'm hoping to be able to book tonight!  Also, I have an AFLAC cancer policy that pays $65 per day for a "hotel" stay for the caregiver if you have to travel for care.  Does anyone have any idea if they would pay for a condo rental instead?  And has anyone had AFLAC pay for their entire recovery stay even after they were out of the hospital?  I'm just not sure how to approach them with me needing to stay for recovery before being allowed to drive/fly home.

Thanks in advance!  Tami

MartyJ

tamiami - my preference is always the beach in January.  Often the weather is in the 50s to 70s.  A great time to get your strength back walking.  The unit you showed is the same building where Ashira stayed.  The Mt. p condo is conveniently located for tourist stuff in downtown Charleston, but not a good neighborhood for daily walks.  You really won't be doing the tourist stuff and walks are important.  just my 2 cents.