DIEP 2011

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  • Jerusha
    Jerusha Member Posts: 406
    edited May 2011

    Hi Suz39, I am nine days post NOLA DIEP ( and I am a happy, happy, HAPPY girl...) and I wanted to respond to your post so you will hopefully have a speck less to worry about. I read on this board every day, but post mainly on the NOLA thread. You might consider asking if you can put in a super giant tampon(or 2!) just before surgery, if that would be more comfortable for you.They might actually prefer that -- especially if you are getting flipped over for hip flaps. Doctors and nurses are used to sticking stuff in and taking stuff out of you, and they are completely used to bloody, yukky stuff!! (Id draw the line , tho at the young male nurse someone mentioned, and ask for someone else..) For example-- they will probably be putting a urinary catheter in you before surgery. Mine was put in after I was asleep. It was removed the afternoon of the day after surgery, just after Id been up sitting in a chair. Once it was out I started walking to my bathroom. At that point -- the day after -- you will be abe to tend to things yourself. I agree that calling ahead to talk about the first 24 h is a good

    plan.Two things which mght be useful: "feminine wipes" like "Always" brand. Also a squirt bottle for water for squirting off. In the grocery store they sell plastic bottles meant for condiments -- that have a pointy squirt top. You wont feel like doing much twisting or bending. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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  • dee7493
    dee7493 Member Posts: 155
    edited May 2011

     Scuabacat -Wow -   Stage 2 is more extensive than I thought or expected. As always thanks for sharing your experience and details.  So PS Lipo from hips to chest.  I hope you feel better soon.

     I am re-thinking not getting 3 D tatoos and getting nipples done. So you look like you are cold all the time lol

    Oh yes have spent so much money on bras and spanx already, and still spending ...Silicone Scar Sheets, two new bathing suits, high neck tanks that are SPF 50 (don't want sun to darken scars). I really can't wear Vnecks shirts (until I have Stage2 for cleavage) so buying new teeshirts

    Today was a good day.... my first time back to Aquasize class and it felt great to finally be back in the pool- at least for a few months until foob finishing work.

    . Treeesprite - Thanks so much for the link :)- so many of us need information on options and what to expect.

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011
    I just heard news about mscal02 who had her surgery on Friday.  Her husband sent me a text that said the drs reported it was a textbook case and expectations are high.  She is resting OK and thanks us for our thoughts and prayers.  SmileSmileSmile  Definately the kind of news we wanted to hear!
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  • cakeisgreat
    cakeisgreat Member Posts: 660
    edited May 2011

    Hi, Guys! 

    I just popped back onto the baords, so I havent read all 39 pages here, LOL, but wanted to wish everyone doing DIEP in 2011 well.  I had bilat mx and DIEP recon March 2010, so I'm a little over a year out, and I am SO glad I did it.  It was well worth it.  My "stoobs" as I call them (stomach boobs) are 10 times better than my old ones!  I was scared, and it is a tough recovery, but I had the best team doing surgery and the greatest love surrounding me helping me recover.  You will all do GREAT!

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  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 586
    edited May 2011

    Hi Ladies I'm back and alive. First of all Thank You for your thoughts and prayers it all helped so much, special thx to Fl susan for updating me. I am recovering. I won't lie the 1st 2 days in ICU were a little tough, I think for me just being stuck in bed like that was the hard part. I went into the surgery room at 7 under by 7:30 not cut into til 930 in ICU at 930 pm skipped the recovery room( probably had all gone home by then LOL) in ICU til Wed. 5 pm. Long story short I came home yesterday. I will post more later. Best wishes and prayers to all of you,Sue

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  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 1,153
    edited May 2011

    Iowasue  welcome back, hope you are healing well,and have no discomfort!  Yeah definitely the worst is being stuck in that bed relying on someone else to come help.  You will be dancing very soon!

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited May 2011

    Sue,

    So glad to hear you are home and recovering! My butt got so sore in ICU! I was so happy to be able to get out of bed, although the first few times up and down are rough, but each day is better and being able to do anything besides lie in 'modified deck chair' position was heavenly!

    alexanjb: thank you for the update - so glad to hear things are going well for mscal102 -- we'll all be back in bikinis in no time   LOL, don't think I've been in a bikini since before my kids were born!

    It seems to be taking me a long time to get my stamina back, but since I'm not working, I'm not pushing myself. Gotta be more consistent getting up to the Y for workout!

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  • Suz39
    Suz39 Member Posts: 125
    edited May 2011

    Thanks Dee and Alexanjb,

    So annoying, but I've been waiting for my surgery for 3 months, so I'm not going to reschedule.  You are right though, it probably happens all the time.  I am having a uni.  I think the 10 hours is because at the time of my consultation I didn't have a lot of belly tissue to work with.  I've been working on that quite successfully these past couple of months though, so I'm hoping that my surgery time can be shortened. 

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  • misszed
    misszed Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2011

    Great to hear from you Sue. Wish you a smooth recovery and keep us updated. Im just under 3 weeks to my surgery...time will fly lm sure. 

     Take care.

     Susan

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011

    IowaSue44-welcome back!  And good job!  I'm happy for you that it is going well.

    Suz39, I wouldn't reschedule either but maybe if you talk to the nurse they can give you an idea of what to expect.  Isn't there a type of birth control pill that causes women to only menstruate every 3 months or something?  Seems like I heard of something like that.

    Girls...I am having issues with my family.  When I had my mx, I kid you not I had 9 family members in the waiting room for the whole surgery.  I'm trying to discourage that this time without coming right out and scheduling everyone.  Believe me I appreciate being loved and cared for, but I don't feel right having the waiting room filled for just me, there are other patients with families.  I've tried to explain that I will be unconscious and well cared for by the hospital staff, I would rather have help after I get home.  My husband works 2nd shift so I may need help for the first few days at home (letting the dogs out, etc.)  I think I have enough to think about with the upcoming surgery without worrying about everyone else and their feelings being hurt.  So far, I have said to do whatever they feel is most comfortable.  If they are going to be a nervous wreck waiting for news then I guess they need to be there, but it seems like they could take shifts and/or communicate with each other without me having to actually organize it.

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited May 2011

    Hey IowaSue, OMG you being in surgery for so long threw me into a full blown panic attack!! Holy cow that seems like a LONG time.  I am having a second mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction.  I don't know how long my surgery is anticipated to be and I am trying hard not to think about it.  I am sooooo happy you are home and I hope you are feeling better every day.

    I sent Mscal a text today and her husband said she is doing great.  He said if everything keeps going well she will be in a regular room tomorrow and discharged on Wednesday.  Carolyn, we are all continuing to think of you and pray for you.  We can't wait to hear from you when you are home.

    Cakeisgreat, thanks for letting us know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I loved your stoobs.  Last week we were posting noobs for new boobs or toobs for tummy boobs.  Your stoobs fit right in.

    Ohhhhhh the thought of a VS bra!!!  That will be a wonderful day.  This afternoon we took our boat out and I wore a tshirt and shorts.  I am so self conscious of my uniboob.  To make it even worse, I have a hole created from a flap of skin where my cleavage used to be.  When they put me to sleep for the DIEP I will dream of waking up with cleavage!

    If I am not mistaking Brendaclee is next on Tuesday.  She is going to Charleston where I will be in August.  Brenda, we will all be thinking of you and praying for you on Tuesday.  Let us know how you are!!!  I can't go back to Kathy's post of names and dates until I post this.  Other than Brenda is anyone coming up this week?  Who is next?

    Sue and Carolyn, I hope you are resting well tonight!

    Susan

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited May 2011

    Sometimes I open up another tab with this forum so I can scroll around for info while I'm posting.

    I hated hugging people with my TE - like a big rock in the middle, so I always hugged off to one side. My friends say they can't tell the difference between the diep side and non-diep side. Yay!

    Susan - love your signature line - that helps so much! It's great to see your upcoming surgery date as well as the other info. Better than a list we have to go back to. So glad to hear that you got out on your boat today - shorts and a t-shirt, sounds wonderful! 

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  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited May 2011

    Hi All...

    Thanks for your posts... Informational as well as Inspirational...

    I am not scheduled until August 17, 2011 at University of Pa...

    So, I will stop in from time to time...

    You all, are in my Prayers...

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  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited May 2011

    Hi All...

    Thanks for your posts... Informational as well as Inspirational...

    I am not scheduled until August 17, 2011 at University of Pa...

    So, I will stop in from time to time...

    You all, are in my Prayers...

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited May 2011

    Alexanjb: Wow - 9 people in the waiting room! But guess if they really want to be there, then so be it and just let the hospital deal with it. You should have plenty of help after you get home with that much support! I asked everyone to stay away and also to stay away my first few days at home; I had some ruffled feathers, but I wore myself out after my mx; I just wasn't good at resting when people were around. I think that is part of the reason my mx drain was in for 6 weeks! My diep drains were all out by day 10.

    sohardbnme: August 17 will be here before you know it! one side or two for you?  

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  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited May 2011

    Tree,

    I am having immediate on right and delayed on left... Had left mast Dec.13...

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011

    Treesprite-that is what I mean.  I can't rest or even figure out what is going on when there is a parade of people right after coming out from under.  After the mx I guess I told each person, in turn, that I was going to beat cancer's ass!  I only remember saying it once.

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  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 1,153
    edited May 2011

    Hi everyone,  I made sure I told everyone, except immediate family, that I wanted no visitors in the hosp.  i did not want anyone staring at me lying there in a half drugged coma, with no hair on, ugly gown with tubes everywhere.  Who needs to see us like that?  My DH sent out text to all our dear friends letting them know how I was doing, and they still asked if they could visit, and he backed me up and said absolutely not, told them they could visit when I got settled at home. 

    Special hugs to all those recovering!

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited May 2011

    When my diep surgery came around, I made up my mind to put my health first, no matter what! I told everyone that I loved them and appreciated their care and concern but I really needed time without visitors so I could rest & heal.

    Each person stopping by meant my husband trying to fit more food in the fridge and me worrying about the house being picked up and how I looked. Flowers or plants meant more work for me, so I asked people not to bring them. I sound like a real grinch but I know myself & my husband and what works for us.

    I had to really think about who would truly be helpful to my healing and ask them to come when I needed them and ask for what I really needed. My true friends and my family were awesome. One or two were offended, but I had to let go of feeling like I was responsible for everyone else's feelings.

    It felt great to sleep whenever I needed to and to do exactly what I wanted without interruption. I got a bit bored towards the end of my hospital stay, but I had my laptop so could email and interact with this forum. The key is knowing yourself and being honest about what works & what doesn't.

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  • alexanjb
    alexanjb Member Posts: 304
    edited May 2011

    I had my pre op appointment today which turned out to be just some paperwork and a talk with the RPA.  I have my Rx for the pain meds after the surgery.  The pre-testing is on Wednesday and I guess it is just blood work and an EKG.  She said I am an ideal candidate for DIEP and hopefully maybe SIEP.  Hmmm, never thought having a fat belly and small boobs would be a good thing.  I will be given a binder to come home with from the hospital and she recommended cami or tank taps with shelf bras.  I think I just got rid of all those after the mx....She said she sees patients one month after surgery and they are usually glassy eyed and say they expected to be so much better by then, but it is a lot of healing to do.   On the other hand she said I should be pretty self sufficient one week from surgery.  I also asked for sleep aid Rx.  Just in case.  After Mx, I could not sleep AT ALL.

    And....DRUM ROLL...I had my first haircut and style since Mx.  There was a lot of gray cut off and now my hair is very dark with a little gray.

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  • NotAfraid
    NotAfraid Member Posts: 218
    edited May 2011

    Suz39, I started my period on Thursday (after surgeries on Tuesday and Wednesday).  I have fibroids, so I'm super heavy the first 2 days.  It was a pain in the ass, but not worth re-scheduling over.  I knew going in that I would start sometime and brought stuff with me.  I started in the middle of my first physical therapy visit.  I was embarassed, but got over it quickly.  All women do it - and often.  I'm sure I wasn't the first to be bleeding for multiple places.  Tampons are the best because you need to wear some sort of panties woth pads and panties and drains don't work too well together.

    The good part - no pain from crapms due to all of the pain meds!  Heaven!

    Sue - good to hear you're doing great!  You'll be up and about in no time.

    I wore a VS bra top to a party the other night.  It is a halter and has a little key-hole peek in the front.  I was completely comfortable in it and comfortable with what it showed.  I'm loving the Noobs and can't wait to see what improvements Stage 2 brings!

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  • XRAYestInMA
    XRAYestInMA Member Posts: 132
    edited May 2011

    Greetings to one and all....Went for pre-admission testing today, spoke with anesthesia, and answered questions for a H&P. I'm good to go and moving forward as scheduled. I will not travel back to Boston until the morning of the surgery. Funny enough, no one asked me to pay a co-pay today. DH says not to worry - they will not forget to bill me or ask for the $$$ on the day of the surgery.

    Re: visitors and loved ones in the OR waiting area... There will not be 9 people waiting in the waiting room, or even 1 person - and that's exactly how I prefer it. The hospital is an hour and a half away from where we live, and none of my friends and family live anywhere near it. I asked my DH to make the most of his day and drive back home, perhaps go to work, just have a normal day. There is no reason for him to sit around for half a day waiting to see me in the PACU for perhaps 5 minutes. Our children will still need to be picked up from school, homework will still need to get done, and my DS10 has a little league game scheduled for that night. DH is one of the coaches. I think it would be better if my DH remains busy doing his thing while I am being operated on so hopefully the time will not "standstill" for him. He implied that taking in a Red Sox game would be a great way for him to kill some time, HA HA. They are probably not even playing that day, and besides, what fun would it be to go to a ballgame without me?, LOL.

    A question that I forgot to ask today = will I be allowed to wear a pair of ankle socks to keep my feet warm during surgery ? The pre-op paperwork states no make-up, jewelry of any kind including wedding ring and piercings (I just wear earrings as nothing else is pierced), no lotions, powders, fingernail polish = pretty much birthday suit and that's it. I was thinking of bare fingernails but perhaps giving myself a pedi with a bright fuchsia shade to cheer me up once I am awake and able to walk around. I also wear a sterling silver toe ring that was custom made and would have to be cut off. I really like it and do not care to cut it off. I thought if socks were allowed, they would cover my toes. Anyone else run into this situation? I figure I will be draped extensively during the procedure and my feet will be nowhere near my abdomen and chest (hopefully), so I'm thinking socks would be fine. I was able to wear socks during my MX, port insertion, and BSO - but that was a different hospital. Just wondering.

    Sue (Iowa) Glad to hear that you are healing well. I hope you continue to do so =) 

    1 week 6 days to go till the DIEP, 8 more days of work, 5 days off to run erands .... YES, I'm counting =)

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  • IowaSue45
    IowaSue45 Member Posts: 586
    edited May 2011

    Its a week tomorrow and I feel 50 % better each day. Went for a short walk this evening.

    I am surprised they gave me no instructions on cleaning the wound area,so I haven't, and no shower til drains are out.Sponge baths suck LOL.... is this others experience? He gave me medicated stripes to clover the bottom area only and nothing on the top. I hope these drains come out on my follow up Wed. 10 lb weight limit for 8 wks, its hard to tell what weights 10lbs.

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited May 2011

    Hey Sue!!!!  So glad to see you posting.  Did they give you any kind of compression garment to wear? 

    XRay and Alexan, your dates are right around the corner.  I can't wait to hear how great your new boobs look.

    Carolyn, still thinking about you and hope you are doing great!

    I can't remember is brendaclee has posted on this thread or just on the Charleston Bound thread but her DIEP is tomorrow in Charleston, SC.  She is using the same three doctors that I have and is like me in that one side is delayed and one side is immediate.  Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow!

    Susan

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  • charlottesmama
    charlottesmama Member Posts: 250
    edited May 2011

    Hi all. Chumbawumba rocks! Got them on my iPod. Didn't have it during surgery or after. Too many tubes and wires as it was. I call my new breast my "tummytitty".

    3 weeks out now and I have had many good days, but a few rough days. Today was all achy and chilled. Walked my daughter to school, then just had to lay down and sleep with a dose of oxycodone. Slept all day and STILL achy! Mom picked up kiddo and has her over night.

    My tummytitty looks really good according to everyone but me. I'm still freaked out about it all. Never been sliced and diced like this before. It's all so weird. I miss my body the way it was before. I'm sure I'll feel otherwise in a few more weeks. Going back to work, I hope, then start a round of Taxol. I wish it was just all over. Feeling a bit blue... 

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited May 2011

    Ooops, I have Brenda going under the knife a day too soon.  She is actually scheduled for Wednesday.

    Charlottesmama, how bad are your scars?  Honestly, I am a bit freaked out about that too.  I have seen some post-DIEP pictures that scared me to death.  How many rounds of Taxol do you have to have?  I did 12 weekly rounds of Taxotere.  It was much better than the A/C but it wasn't a cake walk either.  I finished Taxotere on March 23 and lost my hair the second time ten days later.  My fingernails are in various stages of falling off now too.  I hope Taxol is a breeze for you.  Hopefully, the blues will pass.  I have read that depression is quite normal after surgery.  Big hugs to you!

    Susan

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  • misszed
    misszed Member Posts: 90
    edited May 2011

    Charlottes Mama - Cheer up dear, you made this far, girl!! Love the expression "tummytitties" so funny!

    IOWA-Sue- Im so happy for you, my prayers continue for a quick recovery.

    Susan FL - Thank you for keeping us updated on MsCal, lm praying for her to go home soon.

     Just sharing a laugh - I spoke to a friend who had knee surgery a month ago and she told me she wore "granny panties" on the day she had surgery, she figured, well, she's gonna be as comfy as possible and no one will see them anyway.  So after the surgery is done, she is in recovery and the first thing she asks the nurse when she wakes up is "Did my under wear show?"......l could not stop laughing when she told me this, the nurses were so amused they gave her a care packet with a note saying "they did not show" LOL   I told her this was a result of her thinking about how "hot" the surgeon was...hope it makes you guys laugh too..

    gnite and sweet dreams!!

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited May 2011

    Hi CharlottesMama: It is good to hear from you! I think it is like Alexanjb's doc said in her post above; a couple weeks out we can be kind of glassy eyed. I had trouble the first time I saw myself in the mirror; felt a bit like frankenstein. I'm feeling much better now at two months out but I still have to remind myself sometimes why I choose diep, how much I hated the TE and that implants or no recon was unacceptable to me. I wish I never had BC because my breasts (& me!) wouldn't have had to go through this, but that isn't possible. Damn it!

    Your resources are probably pretty close to being exhausted. Once you start to build them back up again, you will feel better. You are being smart by resting as much as possible. If you are achy & chilled, could you be running a temp? 

    Misszed: that is a good story! I'm always 'the drunk girl' right after surgery, gives my DH a good chuckle (when he manages to make it in time!).

    We get knocked down, but we get up again, ain't nothing gonna keep us down!

    Alexanjb: I would take your socks along and ask. They gave me socks with grippy bottoms but they kept falling off. I used my own thick & comfy socks for post op; just make sure they have good grippers on the bottom so you don't slip. I did my toenails bright pink with orange, blue, & green daisy decals; made me smile. If they have an issue with your ring, they'll probably put some kind of bandage over it.

    IowaSue: good to hear from you! My PS didn't want me messing with my incisions to keep the risk of infection down, although I could take a shower as soon as I could walk and just let the water run across the steri-strips. No tape or covering over the drain exit points. My mx surgeon was more in line with your doc but gave me clear plastic things to keep my drain exits dry while showering (she had gauze bandages over them). You will be super happy to get your first shower! Don't push the weight limit & don't over do, that will help your drains come out sooner.

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  • NotAfraid
    NotAfraid Member Posts: 218
    edited May 2011

    IowaSue: Sponge baths and drains - yuck!  But, it all becomes a distant memory very soon.Plan to have a party the day your drains come out!

    charlottesmama I went through my depression at about 6-7 weeks out.  I never really had time to process the whole thing before hand because I was in fight mode for most of it.  So, after it was all done and life was returning to normal (and I returned to work) it all hit me.  But, it didn't last too long.  Just keep telling yourself "this too shall pass" and it will.

     Alexanjb: I didn't end up wearing socks in surgery because I wouldn't have known if my feet were cold or not!  After surgery, you're under the irritating bear hugger blanket and you end up super hot, so it was about 3 days before I even wanted socks (and I'm ALWAYS in socks).  

     I've now entered the stage where I think my bod is pretty hot for a Frankenbod!  Too bad I'm not married to Frakenstein!  I haven't been shy about showing off the progress to friends.  I figure if I show them now (when they're not complete) they are going to be super sppreciative when they're done.  I guess that means I'm becoming an exhibitionist when I grow up!Surprised

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  • carberry
    carberry Member Posts: 1,153
    edited May 2011
    Iowasue so glad to hear from you... I was allowed to shower with the drains, they actually gave me a string to go around my neck to hang the drains from.  No specific wound care though, I had steri strips and they said to just let them fall off on their own.  I could not look at myself for the longest time...like treesprite says "a little like frankenstein" but now at 2 months out I am ok with the lookhave not had stage 2 yet)  Tried on a cute low-cut shirt the other day and my cleavage looks awesome, the same in a bra...was thinking of posting pics on here to give everyone encouragement that it will be ok!
    misszed   all modesty is totally out the window,  what does that say about us women, always wanting to be beautiful even when waking up from surgery?  LOL a man wouldnt think this way.
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