Charleston Bound, part 2

Heading to Charleston early in the morning. Surgery Thurs a.m at 7:30. Will see Dr. M tomorrow evening. So excited that this might be my last surgery with only tats to go!  Not sure what all will be done besides nipples. Will just wait & see what the "sculptor" says. I have a few areas that need some work.  Ashley called today and said the local TV station wanted to film Dr. M during my surgery for about 20 mins. Doing a segment on BC Awareness for October. Of course I don't mind.....I won't really be there   Can't remember a thing you all have said about nipples, so will just ask all my questions as they arise, later. Looking forward to some Shrimp & Grits tomorrow night!! Will try to update soon. 

Joni

Joni, best wishes for a great outcome.  Wow!  how cool is that about the TV segment.  Of course no one will see your pretty face or terrific body, but you go girl.  Give the "sculptor" a hug from all of us and tell her Nov. 19th won't get here soon enough.

Safe travels.   

Well, I thought Dr M was a sculptor....she's really a painter!! I've got black marker art all over...haha

Lots of tweaks, fills, lifts, lipo on the way today!!  I almost feel guilty asking for anything more to be done. I truly love my new breasts, and even after a year with them, just stand amazed when I look at them  So very blessed to have a Dr who wants perfection and knows how to achieve it.

Anne, Marga was going to show me your calendar, then we started talking and I think she forgot later. She said the Denver symposium was great!  I told her how VERY unhappy I was that I couldn't go to Chicago with all the Charleston girls!! She knew you were all coming, she saw the RSVP's.  She is very passionate about these events, and getting to present info to lymphedema therapists especially who just don't realize the possibilities. And, what a commitment from her!!! To totally fund these events, and bring women (and men) together  

Ok, about to head off to Roper hospital. Will be in touch.

Oh Sandy...ate at Poogan's Porch last night..thought of you:)  Tried to get in The Husk (next door) and they had no reservations available. 

Surgery ended up being 8 hours, but  boy did I get the treatment. Have I ever mentioned just how much I love Dr.Massey:)  Let's, see, she removed 2.5 liters of fat from hip area, filled in a divot in my left breast, added some fullness at the top where necrosis was removed last Stage 2. She somehow fixed a "cord" that went from my cancer side breast to the armpit. It really limited my movement with that arm. Not sure if she just popped it, or what. She removed 9 moles I had (this was a pleasant bonus). And I had a red, scaly area on my thigh she wanted to remove and bipsy Then nipples. They looked wonderful, though fairly large right now. I know they will shrink in time. She did some scar revision on both gap flap donor sites. Even though I had DIEP, she removed 2 hip flaps at the same time during stage 1, thinking she might need to use them.  And on top of all that, hardly any pain whatsoever. Didn't use any pain meds after the recovery room!! 

Just finished doing a TV interview with Dr Massey from my room. It will go with the footage they shot during my surgery yesterday.

I am one happy camper, and so very thankful I found Dr. M!!

Checking in to hotel room today. Fly home Sunday.

Thank you all for your support,

Joni 

Woohoo, Joni!! Big surgery, big results. I'm in the process of scheduling my last surgery--filling in a big divot and getting nips. Shooting for late Dec in Chicago, if my insurance will work with her surgery center there. Would be a great way to ring out the old year. And I'll take whatever last bit of lipo she can manage, cuz it won't happen again!!

Heal well, and don't over do it!!

Ok, just so you don't think I'm some kind of wonder woman, the pain has ARRIVED!  Had a very restless night in the hotel. But, still haven't felt the need for pain meds. Tonight, maybe!!  Scoped everything out in the mirror this morning, just to try and figure out what all she did. Looks like the majority of lipo was at my waist....at least that's where the heavy bruising is. Then I found a couple areas on my thighs, and under my butt cheeks. So, think not a huge amount from any one area, but multiple areas got attention.  One nipple is pointing to the side...will be very interesting to watch how this heals and morphs in to a nipple. I told her how important nipples were to my DH...she told him that one was just for him..lol. Have had my shower and going to try and walk around the Market & King Street. Then maybe a stroll on the beach at Sullivan's Island this evening.

Anne, I really hope you are able to get approval for Dec in Chicago. I'm wondering too if I might be able to do any additional nipple revisions by then. She thought I'd probably need it down the road, so I might just have her do that and tats next time. I think I'd rather go to Chicago than NOLA. 

She did a great job filling in my divot and adding fullness...I REALLY hope it stays in place. I am very pleased with the symmetry now.  I've noticed with each trip I've gone down a size in the DOM garment. 

Sandy & Linda, are you totally finished now? I just can't remember.  Sandy you're right, the lipo pain is intense. Last Stage 2 when I had inner thigh lipo...it was the worst. Literally couldn't move my legs in any direction without severe pain. So I was really dreading this time.....thank God it was sooo much easier.

Thanks ladies for your unwavering support...I know I wouldn't have ever gone on this journey without hearing your stories. This thread has been my lifeline.

Joni

Joni...I am so happy for you!  I told you not to say it was your last surgery!!!!  I am through with surgery.  I am just getting a tattoo touch up in Dr. M's office in Chicago the day after the symposium.  When I got home after my last surgery, my dom was too big!  After the swelling goes down, those things can get loose!  I was lucky enough that they had a smaller size in the office that Ashley mailed to me.  I have so many of those things...if anyone needs a spare...message me and I will see if I have your size.  I will be glad to send it to you!

 Wanting to get some special shirts made for our trip to Chicago.  I have sent a message to Sandy from the NOLA thread about some custom-made shirts, but I have not heard back from her.  I hope to hear from her soon!

Beautiful day in Tennessee today!

Hi Ladies, I am a NOLA girl, but I've got a question for you mermaids. As I'm sure you know, the different docs have very various protocols for compression post stage 2. For example, I came home in compression to be worn 24/7 for two weeks, then absolutely none at night and optional during the day. Since I know that many of you wear compressive garments for many months, I'm wondering about your experiences with brands and styles. I came home in one made by Flex Support that goes from beneath breasts to knees. I ordered some from Veronique, which have even less "give" ( and were even more uncomfortable), and some from Marena that have more "give"-- too much, I thought for the first two weeks. Do you all switch (when?) from hospital issue (which one was that ?) to "over the counter" brands like Spanx, etc? Thanks so much. I'd like to stick with it for a while, despite the fact that the benefit seems unclear, so would love your input. Thanks so much!

Jerusha-  Dr. Massey seems to be pretty adamant about wearing compression up to 6 months after heavy lipo, for the best results. I wasn't able to wear it that long after Stage 2, due to an abdominal abscess that formed.  However, I just had another Stage 2 on Thursday, with alot of lipo again, and I do intend to wear it as long as possible this time.  I was sent home with the Veronique...knee to under breast. This garment actually works really well for me and is comfortable since I am long waisted. I like how firm the control is, so I haven't tried anything else.  I was told I could switch to spanx or even biking shorts after my first Stage 2, where all my lipo was inner thigh. I did notice when I woke up from surgery Thursday, the Veronique was tighter than it has ever been. I'm amazied how they get it on while we are asleep!!  

Many of the girls will soon give their input. It is very interesting how some ladies on the DIEP Stage 2 thread are never told to use compression at all!!  Best to you!!

Joni

The theroy is the longer you wear the compression after lipo, the better the skin will adhere to the thinner areas (where the fat was removed.) Don't want baggy skin once the fat is gone!

I can usually only manage compression for about 6 weeks. Especially if it's summer. They're hot!

I like the "dom" style for the first two weeks after surgery, then go to the Spanx pull-up type. My bike shorts compress, but not nearly as well, and who wants the chamois crotch?? I've tried lots of garments--watch out for the kinds that have seams on the inside--you'll be rubbing out those lines! Spanx are expensive, but well worth the cost over Flexees (my least fav) and Target brand (they all seem to pick and wear out quickly!) Get two pairs of quality Spanx, wash one out by hand every day. They'll hold up! And hold YOU together!!

jeskachi-

I like the Marga's Mermaids....I may try and get to Chicago. I am in Minneapolis area...have to see if I can swing it schedule wise....

Nowords,

Would love it if you could make it to the Chicago symosium.  There are several women that will be getting together on Friday and Saturday night for dinner. 

My opinion on the shirt...I had Marga's Mermaid because it distinguished me as one of her mermaids....

Ladies, I was asked to create a rhinestone t-shirt design for Marga's Mermaids,and here is a mockup:

You can order this as a t-shirt or tank top, and other items like totes and hoodies upon request. You can order it with "Mermaid" singular or plural. The mermaid's body is in peach rhinestones, and the wording is in clear crystals. Her hair can be in gold, brown, black or the red crystals. We recommend that you don't order black hair unless you put this on a garment that is not black. As with all of our rhinestone creations, you can contact us through the website if you want more personalization.

We are doing a lot of pink ribbon rhinestone designs for teams doing Komen and other races and would be happy to do the same if you are on a team and want customized shirts, caps, etc. We donate a portion of the proceeds to Breastoration.org.

Nice Sandy!  I'm getting one even though I can't attend and am not a mermaid......... yet!

Today I found out that my melanoma doc, who is also a breast surgeon, will help me out after my surgery in Dec in NOLA.  Yay.  Hopefully I won't need him though!