August 2014 Surgery

Juliecc

Good luck Friday, Shine, Amy, Anasnana. You'll do great.

Yes I had my pre-op today and all went well. The surgeon is going to remove that tiny lump during surgery. Because of that, she is going to wait on the fat grafting until a later date. I was a little bummed about that but I understand. She thinks it will be nothing. I'll probably end up with 500cc round style 20 implants but she'll try different sizes all the way up to 600!

I hope all of you are doing well. Try not to be nervous. You honestly fall asleep and wake up with no sense of time passing. It's pretty amazing. 

honeymama

hi Aug sisters,

Went and bought my post-op bras today. Lady at store was trying to sell me a wig also!  I sure wasn't ready for that!  Pre-op on Friday and even though it's all routine I'm nervous. To top it all off receptionist at PS called me yesterday and said she was going to order the other implant as I might want that one rather than the anatomical gummy bear one I have originally picked. Aghhhh!  Nothing is ever easy! Lol!

Good luck everyone :-)

Allydp

Julie - glad to hear your appointment went well and your PS will take care of the tiny lump. Stinks you have to wait on the fat grafting though. Maybe you'll find you don't need it once all is said and done. 

Honeymama - I have my pre-op this week too, tomorrow actually. Keep us posted on how things go! 

Juliecc

Thanks, Allydp.  Good luck at your pre-op and write down all your questions!

diva77

Hi All,

I had my pre-op today and all went well. Now to just try and relax and wait until next week. 

Good luck to Shine14, AmyG516, and AnasNana on your surgeries! 

Allydp - good luck with pre-op tomorrow.

Wishing you all a good and peaceful day!

AnasNana

Allydp....so ready to get this done...although nervous. I am ready pthough.

Amy and Shine..good luck on Friday...will send you a both a long distant hug as I go off to isurgery.

AnasNana

Allydp....so ready to get this done...although nervous. I am ready pthough.

Amy and Shine..good luck on Friday...will send you a both a long distant hug as I go off to isurgery.

Jules_NY

Had my pre-op yesterday. Started to get anxious 1/2 through because it all suddenly became very real and overwhelming. I didn't expect that! But I'm ok now. Squeezing in a mini family vaca in next week. I was able to arrange my work schedule to have 4 days off and it's the first time since my diagnosis in Feb that I have a week off from going to the treatment center. looking forward to it! 

Good luck Shine, Anas and Amy!!!! 

Lori1967

CAT Scan today, PreOp tomorrow.  I then have my next app't next Thursday for a physical from my Family Dr....

I would love to squeeze in some summer fun with my girls before surgery, but the weather isn't 

co-operating!

Such a nervous time for us all.....

cinchgirl

Hello ladies.........I will be having my exchange surgery on August 6.  It has been a pretty quick 5 months with these expanders or alien envaders as I like to call them. lol.  However, I did spring a leak in my right expander about 6 weeks ago and that has been a little difficult keeping it full going back and forth to PS all the time again.  Just when you think you are done with those fills, oops here we go again. Naturally my doc wanted me to move the exchange surgery up a few weeks but it didnt' work out with my schedule and I opted to hold out as planned.  As a matter of fact that is what he really pushed for me to do, but It was my choice to wait.

And just for you ladies that are having your expanders placed soon, the expanding process was not all that difficult for me except for the occasional muscle spasm following a fill.   It was much easier than I ever expected.  Yes, I know that others have had a more difficult and painful journey with them but other than a little discomfort and the leak it wasn't too bad. Also, once I got my range of motion back I started swimming laps and that helped by leaps and bounds. I hope that my exchange goes just as well and that all you lovely ladies will have an easier time of it than you might be expecting..........God bless!

Allydp

Jules_NY - I was quite anxious for my pre-op today too. Like you said, it's getting very real at this point. How wonderful you're able to sneak away for a bit and get some relaxation in. Enjoy every minute!

Lori - hope the CAT scan went well today. Good luck with pre-op tomorrow! 

Cinch - welcome! So great to hear you had an easier time with the expanders (minus the leak that is) and that the time went by quickly for you. As someone embarking on them soon, that's very encouraging.

I had my pre-op this morning and it went really well. My PS is placing the exact size expander that Whippetmom recommended (without me asking), so that was encouraging and gave me some peace of mind. He may or may not use the AlloDerm depending on how my skin looks once he's in there, which makes me kind of nervous. I'm having rads, so I'm thinking my skin will need that extra support. I'm trying to just let go and trust his judgement, but it's not easy!  

Hi to everyone else! Hope you're all having a great week! 

AmyG516

thank you everyone for all the well wishes! I am truly blessed to have found so much support in this group!  Had final preop appointments with my BS and PS yesterday.  Comfortable with my decisions and my team.  Anyone have SLN dissection before?  The shots sure don't sound like they are going to be much fun.  Not that any of this is much fun right????

Today will be busy trying to tie up all the loose ends at work.  Taking my puppy to the kennel tonight for a 2 night stay while I have surgery and then my son and I are going out to a nice dinner and ice cream. 

Big hugs to Shine and AnasNana- let's start the group out strong tomorrow!

Ally2345

Amy- I had the SNB biopsy the week before my bmx.  I am not sure what the snl is. The shot stung for about 10 seconds then it was fine.  It was not pain free but I had imagined that it was going to be awful so I was pretty relieved that it wasn't as bad as I had expected.

Jules- enjoy the vacation. I am enjoying time with my family now so my posts will be sporadic. Glad your pre-op went well though I think everyone gets that nervous feeling at some point during that appointment.

Cinch- hahaha on your name for the TEs. That's funny. Way to hang in there with that leaky one. Yikes, what an additional hassle. 

Lori-  good luck with everything!!  Know we are thinking about you!!

All right August Sisters...we are on deck!!  Amy, Anasnana and Shine-  the virtual Pink Bus is on it's way to pick u up and everyone is on board to send you off in style. Pink umbrellas in the drinks and party hats for all.  We are going to rock this month!!!

Ally

diva77

virtual hugs and best wishes to shine, amyg and anasnana!  I will be thinking of each of you tomorrow!  ((hugs))

Lori1967

Thinking of our two August 1st girls, let us know how you are as soon as you can!

CAT is done...that was weird!

Preop went fine, it was like a treasure hunt, go here get this done..they check off your sheet and off to the next one!  I was so tired when I came home I took a little nap!

I'm done with everything until Aug 7 for my physical. 

Hoping for some nice weather to do something with my girls!  My daughter works now and she's off when I'm on, so scheduling is a problem. 

I can't believe we are so  close to August.......<3

Juliecc

Amy, when I had the injection for the SNB, it was easy!  It was just one shot and it stung for 5 seconds. I think there are 2 methods, one with blue dye and one with radio somethings. Your pee will be blue in the morning!

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Woo-hoo!  Let's get this party started! Shine, Amyg and Anasnana, I'll be in your pockets tomorrow holding your soft, pink & fuzzy slippers for when you are done.  The anticipation is the worst part of this journey. Try and enjoy your evening tonight.  All will be well. We are all with you. 

{{{HUGS}}}

Susan

Allydp

Okay, girls, let's do this! Shine, Amy, Anas, we are all behind you cheering you on. Check in when you can and know that I will be thinking of you and sending many good thoughts your way. As Susan said, try to enjoy your evening and get a good night's rest. You will do great!

AnasNana

Thank you everyone for the well wishes..it means so very much right now. Don't anticipate much sleep tonight. Surgery is set for 7:30 in the morning. Of course the nerves are setting in. They were not to bad this week as I was too busy getting things in order. That is why I have not been on here either. 

To Shine and AmyG...let's start this off strong...we got this ladies. I will be sending you silent hugs as I head in to surgery in the morning.

Thumper004

prayers and hugs AmyG, Shine and Anasnana!  You are not alone!  

Allydp-glad to hear your preop went well!

Had my last PS appointment before surgery yesterday.  So thankful to have found "the one."  Absolutely love her so feel good as the one week countdown begins. Getting a few massages to help relax.

Nervousness about the SNB shots the day before surgery.  Thanks JulieCC for sharing your experience.  How were your armpits after surgery? Will I be able to move my arms very much?   

Thumper004

shine, pls update us when you can.  I am having same procedure (hoping for DIEP but may be muscle sparing free tram depending on my perforators) so any tips or insight you can provide is greatly appreciated.  Will be thinking about you tomorrow!  Hugs!

Juliecc

Thumper, I was able to move my arms well after BMX but they don't want you to raise them above shoulder level for I think the first couple of weeks.  Your chest will probably be numb for months/years :-/ Armpits were less numb but eventually the drain exits felt irritated.  None of the pain was too bad, mostly soreness.

Juliecc

August is here! Best wishes to Amy, Shine, and Anasnana.  Try not to be nervous!  Remember you'll fall asleep and wake up in what seems like a second.  Ask your nurse for an ear patch and your anesthesiologist for anything to prevent nausea.  I woke up from my BMX feelig great and I hope you do, too.  xoxo

ganzgirl2010

Im also having surgery,  bilateral mastectomy on August...the 20th...Im scared to death !

Juliecc

Welcome, Ganzgirl.  I know it's scary but you'll get through it!  If you have any questions, feel free to ask.  A few of us on this thread have been though it already.

Ally2345

Ganzgirl- The thoughts are often more scary than the actual procedure.  You will find other ladies here who have had similar procedures, even for reconstruction if you are choosing that.  No question is stupid  here so ask away.  You will do great!!

Ally

ganzgirl2010

thanks ally2345 and juliecc...this site is a godsend

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Hello Ganzagirl! Welcome to the group.  I'm sorry you have to go through this but am glad you found us.  It is scary. Like Ally said,  it's the waiting and anticipation before surgery that is the worst.  You will get through this and we will be right by your side.  Hang in there.  Pamper yourself a little if you can to help you relax a bit.  Yes, ask questions.  Arm yourself with knowledge.  It helps ease the mind somew

Hugs to you. 

Susan

ganzgirl2010

thank you iwanttoseeyoubrave ! the ladies here have been great and Im so glad I found this site. I am a natural worryier in general...alwayssss worrying. I know I am treatable but Im so worried about how long I will be out of work, what if I don't like what I see in the mirror...I worry about chemo and rad...even tho I don't know right now if I will need chemo. They are doing the onco test when I have the mastectomy in a couple weeks. Its waiting that's killing me...not cancer !

 

Good luck to all the ladies having surgery this month

iwannaseeyoubebrave

Ganzgirl, I was off work for 3 weeks and worked from home on my 3rd to 4th week. I have an office job so it's not very physical.  I think I could have gone back into work my 4th week. Keep in mind,  everybody is different and heals at a different pace. Depending on how long you have drains will make a difference as well.  I had two drains and they were removed a little over a week after surgery. 

Ladies,  don't forget to increase your protein intake after surgery.  It truly helps the body recover. I didn't care much about eating real food the first week so I drank a lot of pre-made protein shakes.  Also, don't forget to take those deep breaths after surgery as well.  Speaking from experience,  I was taking shallow breaths after I got home and ended up back in the hospital several days after surgery with a touch of pneumonia. Be sure to use the breathing apparatus they send home with you!

Susan