Charleston Bound, part 2

Linda - I said everyone EXCEPT Dr. M was in network for me.  She was actually listed on my insurance website as being in network, but she really isn't.

Journey- I was just told by Ashley that she no longer worked for Dr. Massey, and they were really busy trying to get everything consolidated and in order. Dr. Massey also moved her office in Charleston ( same bldg, one floor down.....more room ). And, Dr. Massey herself moved to a new home in Charleston. So, lots of change...I can only imagine how busy Ashley must be, with Jenny gone.

I did talk to Jenny thru email and wished her well. Said she wasn't sure what she would do next. I'm sure her experience with Dr. M has prepared her in many ways for something new.

JOni

OMG-its been awhile since I have been on this thread and I am surprised to hear about Jenny!!!  I will miss her!!!  Ashley is really nice too. I had a chance to meet her while I was in Charleston.  I just saw a message that she is now a homeowner and I am so happy for her!!!

It was just a year April 15th that I had my Diep and two more surgeries after that....I feel fantastic and can't thank Dr. Marga enough!!  I still have some tweaking to do but I am taking this year off to recover fully and pay off my medical stuff.  Time is really needed to see the results and let everything settle.  I still am seeing differences even after my last surgery in Dec...its amazing how long swelling sticks around.  I have not had a chance to read all the threads but I hope that everyone new and old to this thread is doing well.  I am so happy with my decision to do a DIEP AND TDAP....its been a long 4 year + journey but I am enjoying life and happy with what I see in the mirror...and I hope it just gets better!!!!

 Happy Spring Girls!!!

Laura ;-) 

SAMaypFL (Susan)

I originally had implants and on the radiated side, I had such bad capsular contracture that it actually caved in my chest wall...so when Dr. Massey put the flap there, that caved in space sucked up more of the flap than anticipated.  So my second stage, she did the TDAP...she basically took some of the back fat and fat under your armpit where your bra would be and some how flipped that around to the front of my chest to give me more volume!!!  Yes, its another scar but I don't care....my girls look great.  Still some adjustments need to be done but they really look great!!!  I can't believe it has been a year already....I really had a lot done but it was worth all the time off of work (I was lucky to have great short term disability insurance) travel since I live in Chicago and recovery and the pain....I would not change any decision I made with Dr. Marga and would do it again to be where I am now!!!  I hope you are just as happy on the other side.  The ladies on this board will help you every step of the way!!!

 Best of luck to you!

Laura

Hey Laura, it's great to hear that you have been through so much and are still happy with the results.  How encouraging!

I have another question for you ladies who are familiar with Charleston.  I am hoping to stay at the HOPE lodge but I know that may not work out.  Dr. Baron is the surgeon who will do the mastectomy.  I know I will have to go to Dr. Baron's office, to Drs. Craigie/Kline's office and to East Cooper.  Is there public transportation between those places or will I need to rent a car?  Thanks for your input!

Susan

Hey Anne, do you happen to know if these places are within walking distance?  UGH!!!  I probably just need to start looking into rental cars and save myself the frustration.

Susan

Susan- East Cooper Med. Center & Dr. Craigie/Klein's office are in Mt. Pleasant and only about 1/10th of a mile apart. However, Dr.Baron's office is about 10 miles away on the Charleston side. Not sure about transportation.

Charleston Bus system -

www.ridecarta.com

Jeskachi - ugh!!  This may be the hardest part for me.

Journey,  I am going on 9 weeks.  Hate to say this, but I love the feel of compression.  I usually wear the Zippered Dom garment at night or the binder they also gave me after surgery.  Of course I didn't have lipo below the waist which helps.  My dom does go down to my knees.  During the day I wear a "lighter" compression of the store bought variety.  Again, because I don't need it below the waist I like the cami kind that just come to my hips and I can wear my own undies with!  About 3-4 times I went without my compression at night and it was a bit uncomfortable for me.  I guess you need to see how you feel, but they say compression is very important.  There, for what it's worth that's my 2 cents!  Also, Journey, I live in MI and it isn't warm here yet.  Dr. Massey will tell you 3-6 months....so don't ask her!

Susan,  here is a link from the company that supplies the compression garments to Roper.  Not sure about East Cooper.  This explains the importance of compression and how it works.....Are you listening Journey!! LOL!   

http://designveronique.com/shops/dv2/catalogs/DV_Postsurgical_White_Paper_2008.pdf 

I understand and you can b###ch and moan all you want.  We ALL understand!

We also stayed at Homewood Suites...yep $89 for us, too!

Stage 2 we stayed at the Holiday Inn & Suites just across the bridge as you cross over to Mt Pleasant. Great place as well, a little more expensive, but nice.

Journey, about those darned compression garments...I ventured out of mine during the day yesterday for exercise, only to pull them back on after. But they're killing me at night--hot flashes are so much worse when you're encased in Spanx from thigh to ribcage! (Why the hot flashes NOW after 8 years of no ovaries is way beyond me, but it's killing me!)

So, I'll wear them during the day, and free myself up at night. Marga told me to wear them "as long as I could stand them" and Jenny said "six months," but I think I wore mine for 8 weeks last time. I'm not quite to the 8 week point this time. I'll try to hold out a little longer. I don't see myself developing a seroma at this point. Am I fooling myself?