NOLA in September?

Nordy, Thanks for the info about the response time for photos! 

Eva, always so good to see you post.  I get a big chuckle from your limerick's.  I'm not sure mine are big enough to knock anything over LOL!  Are you feeling good?

I'm definitely bigger than I was before, but Dr. D said it's easier to go big and then reduce at stage 2 than the other way around. I do bump into things. I bumped my guitar player's arm this afternoon trying to get past him and he was all afraid he'd hurt me. How would I even know? 

I do want to go down a bit. My arms keep pushing against them. I don't remember have much in the way of side boob before. I guess my old ones were a lot squishier. These fight back. I don't know what size they are. I'm just wearing "medium" stretchy bras or NO bra - which is kinda interesting. 

I feel so much better with the drains out. Now I'm just waiting through that extra week with compression and for the drain holes to be healed enough for a nice tub soak. I went to a music jam today and was on my feet, playing for a good five hours. It's almost my birthday too, so my music buddies came up with the birthday trifecta: flowers, chocolate and wine. They rock.  

For those of you who are new here and/or waiting for your stage 1, there is light at the end of the tunnel! It's hard to see it. I know I couldn't focus on anything but worry about the surgery those last couple of weeks. But it does get better. 

Yes - the side boob reduces. Mine drove me batty but they have gone down now. I bet by my stage 2 in May they will be fine. I still sleep though with nothing on as by the end of the day I need nothing touching them. My sensation is coming back slowly too.

Denoument (Dana) is young and had her ovaries taken.. maybe PM her?? I think the risks of an offrectomy is bone issues first and foremost and early menapause and all that comes with that... BUT ovarian cancer is potentially very serious, more serious than dry skin and weak bones.. I am sure its a balance... and a personal decision. I am BRCA negative and thought about taking out my ovaries to reduce estrogen production (aged 49) and decided against it for now.

Hi Kerry A

I was 33 when I had a complete hysterectomy. I am BRCA2+

I had this done before I found out my BRCA status, but as soon I did they asked if I still had them and wanted to take them if I did.

I do take HRT (Enjuvia) and it is taking care of all my menopausal symtoms, but I need to find a good gynecologist/oncologist that has BRCA knowledge.

Hey Ladies,

Michelle, happy to hear that you are doing much better-sitting up is a big step!  

Welcome, Kerry!  I am also a cheesehead. :-)

I also recommend commando, lol.  After DIEP, your incision is quite low and it's not good to have your undies rub on it.  I found it was taking off skin-eww.  

My port gets installed today.  :-)  Looking forward to getting the drugs that make you forget and completely out of it. 

Will report back later.  

Where is Miss Adey???? Haven't heard from her in awhile.  :-(

Take care all!

You are very welcome Kerry!!

Good luck today Caitlin!! I am thinking & praying for you everyday!!

**Happy Birthday Eva**

I just got home from my consult w/ Dr. D - I see why you ladies loves this place.  Truly unbelievable, I have never been to a doctors office I was so comfortable w/.  I have to decide whether to do revision w/ alloderm and implants or a tissue transfer from hips (is that a GAP procedure).  

Spring, I had BMX w/ TE and exchanged to implants.  They have dropped or bottomed out and feel like they are tugging at my chest.  I also have large indentions in the upper pole.  So, I can try the Alloderm fix or go straight to Gap procedure.  The implants are not uncomfortable just the lack of support for them, I think.

Kerry, oopherectomy is what was recommended for me at 35, if I was done having kids. It took me a couple years of research since the side effects scared me and I have risk factors already for many of them, like heart disease and osteoporosis, etc. I finally got comfortable with facing those risks and using an estrogen patch to help reduce those risks and menopause symptoms. I am three months out but feel great and do not regret doing it. I was reassured that I can come to the women's health clinic as many times as necessary to treat each symptom as it comes and I haven't had to yet. I did the surgery during stage 2 breast recon, in NOLA, like Dana.

Hi everyone,  I was hoping for some input about doing a baby flap.  I am three weeks post surgery today and getting better and better.  The gap flap sizes were the same but it seems I have a bony defect on the right side which makes it quite a bit smaller.  Dr. M says she would bet that I will want to match the larger one but that would mean I would need a baby flap from my abdomen.  I know making that side smaller would be easier but.........any input would be greatly appreciated.