Info on SGAP please?

Gramof2boys

I'm having my Stage 1 SGAP in August and am very nervous about the whole surgery deal, recovery and then Stage 2. Will those of you who have had SGAP please give me some insight on what to expect? Thanks in advance.

besa

I had sGAP surgery at NOLA over 2 years ago.  Not sure what exactly you want to know so if possible you can post specific questions or just PM me.   Everyone is different so this is only my experience.

 I had almost no pain with sGAP. (I had a DIEP done locally and that was by comparison a more painful recovery.)  The will give you a PCA pump when you are in post op-- pain meds that you can self administer by pressing a button -- it is attached to your IV.  I hardly needed to use it.  (You will wake up with and have an IV for a couple of days.)  You will also wake up with in a compression garment.  and will have drains. You will need to wear compression almost round the clock while you have drains.  The nurses will show you everything you need to know -how to handle the drains and how to get into the compression garment, etc. Getting into and out of compression takes a lot of time at first but gets easier as you heal and also get better at it- still it is a production...    If you are having surgery in NOLA my experience was that nurses are very attentive and are there for you.  I was up and walking laps around the halls the day after surgery (possibly even the evening of surgery- can't remember now.)  I took a first shower while in the hospital. I was definitely eating the day after surgery - (maybe the evening of the day of surgery??. ) 

After I was released from the hospital I was feeling pretty good (they gave me pain meds to take but I basically didn't need them- maybe just tylenol).  I was walking around the French quarter- though walking slowly and actually was able to enjoy New Orleans.  At this point I tired easily.  I have to say dealing with drains was just annoying and for me that lasted 4 weeks (which is on the shorter side).  I didn't need help when I was home (but if there were small children at home I would have wanted someone to help with them.) . I went back to work 4 weeks after surgery - but I was really feeling pretty good while I was at home.  I didn't want to deal with drains while at work.  

For me stage 2 was initially a little more painful in the sense that I didn't feel like walking all over the French quarter when I was released  But the actual recovery was very quick.  I was feeling fine and was back to work in two weeks.  

For me the experience turned out to be very doable. (There are many women on the "NOLA in September" thread who have had sGAPs)

Feel free to PM me.

Gramof2boys

Thanls, besa, I am having my surgery in NOLA, I had a unilateral mastectomy there in March. It was a great experience, they take care of you. I needed to have radiation so they wanted to wait to do Stage 1. I just wanted to know what to expect for recovery time, I know everyone is different. What kind of pants did you wear after the surgery? Baggy? I am just anxious to get this over with!! 

besa

I took 3 pairs of loose, draw string, workout pants that I purchased from Sports Authority.  Loose is good because its comfortable and you need to be able to fit them over the compression garment.  I didn't purchase anything else special for the surgery.  One thing that I thought was nice to have was a thermometer.  (In case you want to check your temperature after you are discharged from the hospital but before you return home-- Not sure if this will even be relevant since you may be so local that you can go home between discharge and post op appointment.) Longish loose tops (button down would make things easier) that can hide drains are nice  (Some women also use use a fanny pack worn on top of their clothes for drains.)  The hotel were I stayed had washing machines and dryers that I could use.  I think I washed at least one load while I was there. (I flew to NOLA and traveled with only carry on luggage -which for me worked out well)

Gramof2boys

Thanks so much, besa! I am local so it won't be a problem. I feel very lucky to live so close to a wonderful breast center for reconstruction.