Surgery finally happening

Hello, my swell friends! Well, the implants are out, and it is an immense relief to not have that implant poking through my muscle or my chest muscles pulling and spasming on the outer side of my chest due to the capsular contracture. The PS said both capsules were quite thick.



I received the full proactive treatment with Dr. Massey and staff. Both arms were wrapped by Dr. Massey, BP taken on calf, IV in neck. No questions asked. What I found most interesting is how Dr. Massey tailored my surgery so that it would have the least impact on my LE. In order to remove all the extra skin that had been created for the implant, she would have had to create large incisions that ran around the side of my chest. After seeing that the side of my chest is my main LE area, she decided against that kind of incision since it might disrupt the pathway I've been using for MLD.
Instead, she cut a two inch incision on each side closer toward the sternum. She also placed the drains below the breast area vs the side since the scar from that might effect the MLD path. She had said I might need a second surgery to make everything tidy, but that she'd be able to do that with only a small incision and wouldn't effect my LE. I wasn't keen on a second surgery but knew she was right about protecting my MLD path.



Post surgery, my arms were unwrapped. Dr. Massey reported she was pleased with the results
and said I probably wouldn't need a second surgery. Going to see how the skin shrinks and everything heals. I know this seems crazy, but I actually think my chest LE is down even though I
had surgery in the immediate area. My arm is fine, and both of my hands feel like my "old" hands. It's clear my body didn't want these implants in me and is happy they're gone.

haven't felt emotional about the loss of my implants - guess I mourned when I made the decision to deconstruct and in the days leading up to the surgery. I'm just incredibly happy to feel good again. Can't imagine I'm going to feel even better once the incisions heal.

Had MLD the day after my surgery and today, and I'm scheduled for MLD every day next week. One drain will probably be removed when I see Dr. Massey on Monday, but I'm hoping the second one
cooperates and can go at the same time.

Time to take my meds and get some rest. Looking forward to catching up on the discussions here. I've missed you guys!

Tina

 Thanks for all the good wishes! Having a slump day - uh, plumbing wise. Taking my stool softener to stay ahead of those meds. I can't stand feeling like a big balloon!

Edited: I can't believe I just posted that. TMI . .  Sorry, you guys get to hear it all! 

Still here in Charleston, as my LE physiatrist recommended I stay long enough to get drains removed by Dr. Massey. I have had such a great experience here. I've been scheduled for daily MLD sessions with the therapist since being released from the hospital. She has been very good.



I was so elated by the relief I felt from the removal of my implants, that it took me a while to bottom out. Dr. Massey had warned me I'd probably have some crying spells, but I was still surprised when they came on like a great flood. I was already tired of being a patient, had become cranky and weepy by the time I had my first appt with Dr. Massey after being released from the hospital. After she removed one drain, she explained exactly what she found during surgery and what she had been able to repair. It was clear a lot of damage had occurred during the expansion phase, and it's no wonder since it was painful as hell. Anyway, some of the muscle couldn't be repaired because it was so thin and wispy. As a result, for now I have a little ledge above my incision that may or may not retract and lie flat. We are hoping I don't need to return for a second surgery. Anyway, I think it finally sunk in exactly what I had subjected my body to. I have been having great feelings of regret for what I have done to myself, even though I know I made the best decision I could during a stressful time. I thought I was informed, but obviously not as much as I could have been. It's going to take some time to come to terms with the body I have been left with, and I know I need to be patient and give it six months to allow the skin and muscle time to retract (like a tummy after pregnancy). However, I am going to need to work on trying to forgive myself. I am so upset that I wasn't just grateful enough to beat cancer, but had to have boobs, too. I almost passed on the recon, and it was always my plan to never replace implants when their shelf life expired. I wish I had just known better. So much wasted time and pain.



I had one drain removed the day before yesterday, and yesterday morning I woke up with some swelling - bad side of trunk. It was a rainy day, I've been slipping on hydration and it's been difficult to control salt. Anyway, the therapist wrapped my trunk and put yellow foam inserts on the sides below my arm pits. No fun with that remaining drain pinching underneath, as well as the bandaged drain site. Slept very poorly last night. Wore my tank and swell spots to therapy today to show therapist my original compression treatment garment. She liked it and said was okay if I preferred over wrapping. Bad news: four months again with the compression until everything settles down from surgery. Another blow to my fragile emotional state, and I slept poorly with the foam pressing on the edges of my back or firmly against my side. Ah, well. I know I came to the best place possible for LE care and surgery, so even though it's going to be a little while to get back to my pre-surgery state, I know I'm in better shape than if I had stayed local for the surgery.

It's a good thing I had the foresight to schedule our flight home on Monday for late afternoon, allowing for one last chance for drain removal. Looks like the left drain might not be removed before the weekend.

Did I mention Dr. Massey is just the greatest? She is warm, compassionate and committed to her patients. What an amazing doctor.


Tina

Thanks for your support and kind words. Blaming myself certainly doesn't help the situation, does it! I am trying to take it one day at a time and think positively. Some days I'm more successful than others. I think the physical stuff, still feeling somewhat bruised and raw - or having more sensation - combined with antibiotics that never agree with me, make me feel beaten down. Looking at all the extra skin and muscle that was left in order to avoid a longer incision in the LE area of my chest is just difficult to take.

In contrast, yesterday I walked five miles with my husband, and today we did almost four. And, this morning at the LE therapist I was back down 2cm to my original post-surgery measurement. I do better when I keep myself busy, and I think when I get back home I'll feel better. Living out of a hotel room without a car and needing a cab to get places makes me feel I don't have much control. The salt factor has been difficult to control, and I am tired of restaurant food.

My husband bought me a silver necklace yesterday - he was worried I wouldn't have anything positive to associate with Charleston. It is a stark contrast to our first trip here together 11 years ago. What a difference a decade can make! We were at such a different point in our lives, and we've both gone through so many changes. DH doesn't have to worry; I will always love Charleston. It is such a beautiful city. How can you not love the place Dr. Massey calls home!

Here I am! I'm feeling a little better and really appreciate how thoughtful you all are. Such a great cheering team!! It warms my heart to see your messages.

Suzy, you are just so funny - it's impossible to not laugh when I read your posts. I need a recording!

Kira, we walked past the Hominy Grill yesterday and thought it looked great. I want to go to there . .  (channeling Liz Lemon!)  We're thinking about breakfast or lunch tomorrow or Sunday.

We haven't done any beach stuff - I'll save that for the next trip. Have been wanting to see, but it's actually starting to get HOT here. We have really lucked out with the weather. Our first week here it was in the low 80s, but now it's in the mid-70s. The locals say this kind of weather is rare - it's usually cold and then becomes really hot, so they treasure days in the 70s. If it were more hot and humid, I would be freaking out. After 2pm it starts to get a little too much for me if I can't find some shade. Actually, I'm hoping that some of this swelling I'm having is similar to the humid summer weather at home . .  ah, probably wishful thinking!

Tomorrow we are having dinner at Fig. It has received great reviews and the menu looks interesting. 

http://www.eatatfig.com/

We had lunch at the Black Bean Co. yesterday, and it was delicious. I asked my LE therapist if she knew of a healthy place, and she recommended this, which was only a few blocks from the hospital.

http://www.blackbeanco.com/store/1/menu 

We walked some today, but I am trying to slow down a bit as my drain output was higher after more walking. It was at the level it needed to be for almost two days until I started walking a lot. So, this weekend I am taking it a little easier so it can be pulled Monday morning before I fly home.