Charleston Bound, part 2

Bogie.. I think what Anne means is that TRAM takes muscle and DIEP does not... DIEP is just fat.I know once I read that a doctor who does 5-10 DIEP per week is a capable doctor... 3 falls a bit below that, but is better than some. I also agree that none of these doctors in Charleston and NOLA are in network for most woman... but they do work with you... so you should inquire and have them research the insurance for you. And if you already have LE, then Dr Massey is the way to go.

cascader,glad you are home safe and sound! Get lots of rest and heal fast!!!

Checking in with all of the Charleston thread ladies!  Hope everyone who has recently had surgery is healing well - please keep us posted!

I am enjoying the summer and not having to deal with any healing or compression - though I have an upcoming procedure (nipple) in October, hope that is easy and a quick recovery!  It has been 2+ years since my bilateral SGAP procedure - I am still over the top happy about how everything turned out.  Personal life is good - getting used to life as a single mom and even starting to date.  I am thankful every day that I listened to my "gut" (and listened to the great advice that I got on these threads) and went ahead and had the reconstruction after 5+ years as a uni-.

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer!  Take care! Liz 

I'm in NOLA about to see Vinnie and Dr Massey. Tattoos at 1:00!!! I was diagnosed in April 2009, and hopefully after today, my destruction and reconstruction is complete. Because of this board I found the best of the best to orchestrate my journey! I would have never gone this route without all of you who shared ( and bared...lol thanks to timtam). I am so grateful and have no regrets!

Liz- glad life is becoming joyful for you again. You deserve it!

Anne- good to see you here and hope you are being adventurous.

Sandy,Laura and Linda....enjoy your time together!!

Joni/Jacee:  How did the tattoos go???  I hear wonderful things about Vinnie (I think someone mentioned that he might not be back in Charleston, is that true? hope not!).  I hope they end up looking exactly as you expected!  Congrats on being finished!  That must be a wonderful feeling!  

Sandy/Linda or Laura - please post about your get-together!  

Liz 

Vinnie did an amazing job. He is such a great artist and really loves what he does. I actually felt pain on one side quite a bit...which surprised me as I haven't had feeling to touch since surgery. Nothing severe though.



Liz...no, he isn't traveling to Charleston.

Hoping you and Anne can finish soon.

Brenda, can you get both done the same trip? I'm thinking she probably won't want you to get tats till nipples are all healed. Will you do the revision in Chicago? I know you are ready to be finished, too!!

I really had no opinion on getting tats, but my DH wanted them. I am so glad I did...they look soooo real ! I look in the mirror and can't believe the change from having a uni for 15 months,,,to what I see now. Simply remarkable!

Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in Charleston in mid February? I know it will be warmer than New York! I am trying to plan for what type of clothes to bring.Thanks!

Hi Adey

Hi Brenda,  Would you please add me to the above dates.  I am having Stage 2, Dr. Massey, in Charleston on October 5.  Thanks, Jamie 

Adey,  maybe we will have a group ready for tattoos at the same time.  Meet in Baltimore and have a big time.  Someone said Vinnie doesn't go to Charleston anymore.  Won't that be great....planning the icing on the cake!

Not knowing hen the revision/replacement of flap on left side will be scheduled, I bought a boob yesterday! Didn't want to go around with the bra shifting and not knowing where the soft that they give you in the hospital form would land. At a dinner party last week it was veering more to the middle than nowhere it was intended. Fantastic though that when on, the fitter placed it in the bra, I had no clue how much it weighed. I asked her again if it would hold the bra in place. She could tell by that that I didn't realize how heavy it was, so she handed it to me after I took the bra off. And it worked. Woo hoo.

Still consulting . . .

I'm only 9 hour drive from Vinnie and have brothers in Philly and DC, so can stay with one of them should I head East to Baltimore.  Really do not want to have another surgery for nipples even though short and easy.  3D Tatoos seem years away ... when will all this re-re-reconstruction ever end?

Betsy~

Do you know where in Philadelphia?  My brother lives in Marlton, NJ suburb.

Marga's Mermaids, Laura, Sandy and Linda had a great get-together in Nashville this past weekend.  We stayed at the beautiful Gaylord Opyland Hotel in a balcony room that looked over their lush indoor gardens, waterfalls and outdoor restaurants.  We did a lot of talking, laughing, eating and shopping!  Sandy won the award for buying the most!  

Thank you Sandy for getting us that lovely room at a such a great rate.  Thanks too, for chauffeuring us all over and to and from the airport.  Loved our eating adventure at Monells.   I can't wait until we get together again. 

Love from your "Breast" friend,  Linda