PAP vs. TUG

For anyone who is interested in the on going PAP vs. TUG debate, I thought I would give an update.  I'm doing very well.  Ahead of schedule according to my docs.  I feel great and am sooooooo glad I did this.  I gave my hubby a hug today for mother's day, and I swear it's the first real hug we've had in almost 3 years.  He looked at me and said "they are real!"  I feel that way too.  Lots of happy tears around here.  Best part was snuggling my kids tonight and feeling normal again.  Makes it all worth it!

To address the TUG vs. PAP specifically, they are both doing great.  I do notice a difference between my legs in mobility and general tightness.  The TUG leg is tighter in the inner thigh and hamstring area (to be expected).  I notice it bending over, shaving my legs, etc.  Both are about the same in soreness around the incisions, which continue to be the most uncomfortable part of this surgery for me.  My PAP leg is really going great feeling wise.  However, I have more numbness on that side down the back of my leg, my inner thigh has more of it's natural shape and fat deposits (as compared to my TUG leg which looks GREAT--I'm so excited about it), and there is a more interesting deposit of either fat or swelling under my butt on that side.  PS says when the swelling is gone, if it still looks puffy we will fix it in stage II, so I'm not worried.  On the upper half, TUG side is bigger (by a fair amount) but firmer (more massage necessary).  The PAP side is softer but more "hollow" on top.  Again, all of this to be fixed in stage II.

All in all I am thrilled.  I love the look of the TUG side (top and bottom) more than the PAP side, but I like the feel of the PAP side (recovery and result) more.  So it's a TIE!  Hahaha.  I feel very fortunate to be standing here with two successful flaps looking forward to feeling good in the future.  Happy mother's day to all and hope everyone had a great weekend.

Andi

Hi sweetbean, everything is looking GOOD!  I'm getting tons of compliments, but of course everyone has to say that right.  We went to the pool for the first time tonight.  Not in a swimsuit yet, but I'm not afraid to be in one.  It's just still too cold!  The scars are there, but they are fading, and my legs look so much better than before that I generally feel better about myself, and my boobs are amazing.  Very natural, youthful and perky--yea!  I am 5 weeks out as of yesterday.  I had a check with my PS on Wednesday and was cleared of all restrictions, although I'm supposed to start back to exercise slowly "listening to my body."  My body says "you are a slug and enjoying it, keep up the non-work."  What am I supposed to do with that!?!  My swelling is nearly gone (just a little in my PAP leg and some in my TUG boob).  Spanx are my friend.  Couldn't live without them.

Overall, out of everything my TUG leg is the one with the most noticeable lasting effects.  It is tighter and I have a smaller range of motion than with my PAP leg.  But not too much.  I can do lunges and squats and touch the floor with my legs straight, so not too bad.  My arms/chest feels great.  My radiation side has tightened back up a little, but it feels 50% better from just one PT session.  I don't think it's anything that stretching won't fix, and I don't feel as if I am constantly fighting the implant.  Just stretching out the muscle and tissue.  My lymphadema appears to be gone, hopefully for good.  So at the moment I even get to ease back into exercise without my sleeve.  Yea!!!!!

At 5 weeks out, I still say if I had to choose I would go with the PAP over the TUG because it is easier on your body, but I still really like the look and volume of the TUG better than the PAP.  In my case, a PAP on my left side may not have worked whereas the TUG was a safe bet.  I certainly would take a TUG over a failed flap any day, so I have no regrets.  Plus my TUG leg is no longer numb whereas my PAP leg is still numb in the back from my butt crease to about half way down my thigh.  My PS says that's because there was more trauma to the PAP leg to access the vein.  I can tell you that something happened because it has been my numb/sore leg from the start.  My PAP boob is softer but smaller than my TUG boob, so I can't decide which I like better.  All of these minor issues are to be fixed in stage 2, which is scheduled for August 31st.

Overall I am still just over the moon about this.  Just could not be happier.  I will let you all know how getting back into exercise goes.  I did wall push ups at PT on Thursday and felt..........NOTHING!  Yea!!!!!  I felt completely normal.  No weird implant under the muscle (i.e. the beach ball stuck in your chest) feeling.  Can't wait to do more.  When I brushed my teeth this morning my boobs jiggled.  It was AWESOME.   

Hope everyone else is doing well.  Have a great holiday weekend!