Charleston Bound, part 2
Comments
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Dear Bogie, I am so sorry to hear about recent news. I will be thinking and praying for you. Please dont loose faith. I know it is hard, but you must believe it will all be fine. We will all be pulling for you.
Adey, You will enjoy the Dr. is In seminar. As you know, I went to the one last October (2011) while you were enjoying Ireland! It was fantastic.
Pinkheart, great news about the approval. One step forward to feeling and looking better. Yahoo!
Downey, So glad to hear you are happy with your outcome and you are feeling pretty good. Sorry, I couldn't be hospital partners with you, but look at the next paragraph!! Take care and heal well.
Ladies - I just got my Stage II B surgery date with Dr. M in Chicago on November 26th.
Tried to get a hotel in Chicago the night before surgery, but I guess the Bears are playing at home against the MN Vikings on the 25th and the Chicago Bulls play at home on the 26th. Geeze, people stay home and watch it on TV!!! Hotels are either sold out or rooms start at $300+ - $400. a night. -
For the Charleston Hope Lodge gals - thought you might enjoy this article from this morning's paper.
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Linda, so happy for you that you got your date. Not so happy for you about the hotel prices!
Marty, thanks for sharing that article about the Hope Lodge. Very nice.
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Marty, thanks also, the article on the Hope Lodge Reunion was great to read. I stopped in when I went in to see Dr K in September, but had to miss the event last night. Now I know I missed something even more special with the founder there.
Bogey, will be praying for you - so sorry you have to go through even more, and hope all goes well. -
Thanks for posting this article Marty. I just referred a patient there an hour ago!
I ended up not staying there during my first surgery, but did stop in to see it when sight-seeing downtown Charleston. It was beautiful, and the volunteer who gave me a tour was so caring.
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Cascader, how are you doing with the HBOT? I have 2 left. Skipped yesterday as it was thunder and lightning in Atlanta plus tummy not feeling well. Boy I can feel it today after having 3 days off, the feeling like I'm in a fog with full feeling ears. I also found a source for $1 movies so that helps the time to go by unbelievably fast.
Pinkheart did you say you gave a gift to the tech on the last day? What is appropriate? The tech has been wonderful.
Woo hoo almost done. I am almost embarrasses that I was such a baby before going through this about not wanting to. Sure hoping it makes the blood and veins etc better for my next surgery! Everyone asks if I can tell that it worked, and I cannot so trusting its one of those things that help without outward signs. I just tired after for a while and get full ears, I am positive that's not the result I'm going for;) -
GMA ~ I got my HBOT tech two bags of Dove chocolates - one dark and one milk choc, and put in gift bag with a thank you card. I also told all three of the doctors in the center how she took great care of me and all other patients, and had a positive attitude EVERY single day.
I knew she liked sweets because one of the HBOT docs who is a retired surgeon and her buddy, would always bring her a cup of coffee and cookies on the afternoons he came to check me over.
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Thanks, Pinkheart. The doc who works with the tech is also a retired Ob/GYN. Must be where retired surgeons go after leaving their practice!
I won't miss the treatments though, my back gives out half way through, even with taking an aspirin before going into it. Cannot at all figure out how ill manage going back after surgery, but will cross that bridge if it gets to that. Not sure Dr Kline will think I need it then. -
Hi ladies, finished dive number 16 today, 4 more to go. Not reading in the chamber as much as I thought, just kind of close my eyes and relax, pass the time , just like on an airplane. I agree gma, hope it helps, just breathe all the good in.
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Hi GMA & Cascader,
My blurry vision cleared up last week. So it hit ~week 3 and lasted ~3 weeks.
I will PM you both soon about more about HBOT.
Have a nice celebration this weekend when you are both done!
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Woo hoo, I'm done, with this part at least, with HBOT. So glad, no side effects that seemed to linger. But glad it's over.
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Congrats gma!! Me too , done! I got to ring a big bell and given a graduation pin. Ha! It was tough doing twice a day but l lIked the big chamber, people etc. most days I was the only female. So glad to be done , such a time commitmentI
But loved getting my city fix , restaurants , shopping. But back to the mountains today where we are getting our first snow! Ugh, too early. on to the next step for both of us. -
Cascader - that snow will really make you appreciate December in Charleston!
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Sure is quiet around here!
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Linda, I was just thinking the same thing. From the list it doesn't look like anyone is up soon in Chucktown. I am two weeks from my day with Dr. Marga in NOLA. Can't wait. Going to finish packing and house cleaning next week as we are leaving on the 3rd. Any last minute reminders I should pay attention to? I did vote.
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I'm in the process of researching all my reconstruction options (delayed BMX), and am wondering why you decided to go with Dr. Massey (or Kline/Craig) rather than the doctors at NOLA? Was it due to proximity, insurance reasons, or???? I've already had contact with NOLA, and have some preliminary feedback from them, but would like to get some more info. on Charleston. I still am not totally sold on a free-flap procedure since I am relatively thin and have been told by at least 2 PS's that I don't have enough stomach fat for a DIEP, so would be looking at SGAP instead. Not sure I could get an acceptable size even with SGAP, but I know these doctors can do pretty amazing things with limited body fat. I need at least a C cup to keep everything proportionate (was previously a 34DDD, but am looking to downsize).
How did you first make contact with Charleston, and what was the process for an initial consult? Would appreciate any insights you can provide.
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Raelan - To get to Cragie & Klein, just google breast reconstruction Charleston. Dr. Massey operates in Charleston, NOLA, Chicago and Utah. I attended presentations by both groups. There were things Dr. Massey said that simply resonated with me. My DH & I loved her attitude, her compassion and how she dealt with patients and especially how she responded to issues. She recently posted an article on her website about her Top 10 Flip Flops. It says a lot about her and her thought process/evolution over the past decade. My surgery (implant removal and DIEP) will be in NOLA with Dr. M. One thing I have learned is that many PS will tell you you can't get what you want with free flap. I think they simply don't have the experience with the procedure. The NOLA docs (Massey included) have developed many techniques to accommodate no matter how tiny you may be. I would really give them (Massey & NOLA) fair consideration.
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Raelan-- I chose Dr. Kline after a lot of research on outcomes and, quite frankly, the fact that I was able to talk directly to Dr. Kline in great detail. He and Dr. Craigie work as a team and stay solely in Charleston. They have a specially trained reconstruction surgical and post op care team at the hospital they use. And I can't say enough about the office staff-- they take care of everything, including handling all insurance matters. You might want to call Dr. Kline's office-- talk to Gail, who is the office administrator. I think you'll be impressed with the way they treat you. It really is important to talk to as many plastic surgeons as you can in order to make the decision that is best for you. Oh, and I am very pleased with my reconstruction-- these guys are amazing perfectionists.
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In terms of experience and skill I think the NOLA docs, Dr M and the Charleston docs are all on par with each other. PRMA in San Antonio is pretty experienced as well. I think the main difference might be--and you should ask this of all the PSs you talk to--is how they deal with flap failures. What is their Plan B? I think the NOLA docs (including Dr. M) have more options in their arsenal if you should be one of the unlucky ones, and they won't stop offering options until you're happy. The corollary to that is those same docs will do everything in their power beforehand to avoid a failure.
But there are some docs out there--not implying any of the above fall into this category--that will just throw up their hands and dismiss you if your first flap fails. Or they'll offer a solution that you might not be happy with, i.e., implant, lat flap, etc.
Know what Plan B is. That's my strongest piece of advice for anyone considering this surgery. It's good to talk to happy patients who had a great experience, but consider asking to talk to patients who had a flap failure and ultimately ended up happy with their reconstruction. (for Dr. M I fall into that category)
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Raelan, I called all three places(NOLA, Massey, and Drs Kline and Craigie) and ultimately chose Dr Klines office.To be honest, I never rececived a call back from Dr. Masseys office, she was always out of the office when I tried reaching her, and NOLA wanted a large amount of money as a down payment. I know this is not everyones experience however, so call as many docs as you need to until you can make your decision. They are all very skilled docs but find one that matches your needs and personality. I second guessed myself until just a week or so before surgery, drove myself nuts but so happy with my choice. I found both Dr Kline and Craigie to be very compassionate, caring and made me feel like I was his only patient. Office staff is great, handle all the details and so nice at following up to see how you are afterwards at home. But besides just the personalities, I believe they are dedicated to their patients and spend the required amount of time answering all your questions. I trust them. They are happy to do a phone consult, send them pics. I chose to fly from the west coast for my consult, but that is just me.We are all different, we make our choices for different reasons. Decide what is most important to you, then go for it! Once you make a decision you will feel so much better.
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Raelan~
I just had Stage 1 SGAP with Dr. Kline in Charleston. Stage 2 is set for December. Please PM me if you would like. I'm very thin, 5'6" 118, and have had two kids. I'm 53, but told constantly I look 40. I formerly weighed around 135, but after difficult BMX and immed recon surgery in July 2011, I was in constant pain from that and radiation went down to 113 at end of radiation. I'm working hard to gain weight and at 124 now! Of course our bods are all so individual, so a good surgeon will know what surgery best works with your individual wants and body. Some, even thin, women will carry plenty of fat in their butts to warrant just an SGAP, and other need to have stacked flaps.
ALL these docs mentioned have the same high level of skills. In the end it's who works best with you talking together about your hopes, what type of surgery works with your anatomy and past surgical problems, (Dr. K had to do a ton of repair work from past problems at other institutions (and radiation issues) before he could start to do his SGAP magic).
Another big thing is how much does the DOCTOR communicate with YOU after the surgery. Dr. Kline is outstanding with doctor/patient relationship. He will not ditch you if you have a problem (like two other surgeons I had at two other "famous" U.S. top institutions). He has absolutely no ego problems whatsoever, is so laid back and down-to-earth, and will do everything he can to make you happy, just be sure to tell him what you are thinking and know that he is not going to be upset ever with you explaining something that is bugging you.
Dr. K's staff have been so polite and caring. His nurse talks to my PT-CLT at home. They call or email back immediately. I send long emails to Dr. K with a zillion questions and tell him no rush, but he still answers quickly. He will do a phone consult with you at no charge if you don't want to travel to Charleston for initial consult. We talked for a good 90 minutes. I sent him all my med records and tons of pictures prior to consult. He obviously read and reviewed them well before our call.
Their staff has been fantastic also with regard to insurance. He takes MUCH more insurance than NOLA and other docs from my own personal experience/research, and feedback from other patients. I had already met out of pockets and deductibles and have no copays starting back in May, so I have paid ZERO for all my surgeries with Dr.Kline, zero for tests, zero for imaging, zero for anethesiologist, zero for HBOT, ZERO period. They checked into EVERYTHING for me first to ensure me of this so no surprises.
Like these other doctors, he does team surgery with his partner Dr. Craigie, and residents do NOT touch their patients. Residents may be invited to scrub but only observe.
Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie do all their surgeries in a nice brand new suburban hospital with private rooms. They don't travel to other cities so scheduling with them is much easier. Dr. Massey is excellent but you are going to have to do a lot of waiting, and track her schedule around the U.S. Also, keep in mind that she does not do Stage 1 of surgeries in Charleston because she does not have a partner there. But, she does have surgeon partners she is set up with in New Orleans so you will have Stage 1 there, but could ask her to do Stage 2 in another city closer to you if you like that.
Though not as important as the medical safety, care, and outcomes of our breast reconstructions -- I LOVE CHARLESTON. So beautiful, clean, and easy to get around. Enjoyed a week of island/beach hopping and sunsets to relax before such a huge surgery and long recovery. Looking forward to going back in December, but will have to settle for just beach walking as water will be too cold to swim. I will probably be going back again in Spring (when in full bloom) for a Stage 2b, but not certain.
Warm wishes to you on making your very personal decision, and know you are in good hands whether you go to NYC, NOLA, or Charleston.
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I am going to have my surgery (bilateral SGAP)with Dr.Kline and Craigie in February. I also considered NOLA and Dr.Massey.I did have a phone consult with Dr.Massey.I called Dr.K and C,spoke with the nurse.She told me to send my photos and one of the doctors would call me back.I had a call back within an hour.Once I spoke with Dr.Kline, I knew he was right for me,based on what he felt was the best recon for me and his answers to my many questions.He made me feel like a person,not a patient and that is very important to me.His office staff have since bent over backwards to assist me with insurance and travel arrangements and all my other questions.I think the more doctors you can consult with,both face to face and by phone, you will be better informed on your decision.
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Thank you all for your great input and advise. I contacted Dr. Kline's office yesterday and have a phone consult set up with him for next Tuesday. As I previously mentioned, I contacted NOLA several months ago and got some preliminary feedback from them. The sense I got at that time is that the financial component might be a deterrent for me to use them. They are out-of-network for me, and if they balance bill that could be an issue. According to Gail in Dr. Kline's office (spoke with her yesterday), my insurance is in network for them and she reassured me that aspect of it would not be a problem for me. So, while I don't want to base my decision solely on the financial component of this, if I can get an equally good outcome for Massey, Kline, or Dellacroce at NOLA, yet have in-network insurance coverage with Kline.....well, that's a pretty easy decision for me.
So, I'll keep you posted on how my discussions go. I'm not planning on starting my reconstruction until after the first of the year, so have time to do my research, talk to as many doctors as I feel I need to, then base my decision on all the facts/information I have gathered.
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Raelan.. In New Orleans, you may want to ask for more specifics. They were out of network for me, but apparently I have a third party insurance plan (I didn't know I had) and it makes my procedures be treated like in-network sort of... No balance billing for me. It does work off of my out of network co-insurance, but other than that is treated like in network.
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A quick post as our lights have been flickering!My surgery will be February 13 with Dr. Kline and Craigie.I have a two bedroom cottage reserved at Sandpiper Village for 2/17 to 2/23,but I am going alone and having a nurse come in to help me with drains and showers and take me to appointments,grocery shopping,etc.If anyone else will be having surgery at that time and would like to share the cottage,let me know.Would be great to split the cost and have a little company!
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Panda glad you got that all worked out. Sandpiper will be perfect. They will deliver meals if you need from their dining room( very reasonably priced) and have a small salon so you can get your hair washed properly. Nice little area to walk also, I would make loops. February will be here before you know it. East coasters, stay safe!
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Panda~ Glad to hear you found a nice place to stay for your recovery. If I were there at the same time, I'd definitely help you out somehow during my pre-op part of my stay. I believe that's where cascader stayed --she said it was perfect. Where are you staying for the day or two before you go in hospital?
Hope your back is getting better and you are safe from storms in NY.
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Panda, I would have never thought of getting in-house nursing care, etc. That is so resourceful of you. I put off having a surgery, because I didn't have a caretaker at one time. Good for you and congratulations on getting everything set up. The Sandpiper must be near East Cooper hospital. How will you get from hospital to cottage?
gma- just wondering....I see you are having breast redo using the new method PAP, is that right? You'll have to report in on how that was. I just heard about that procedure. They sure have come a long way!
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Hi,Pinkheart..storms were not as bad as expected,but I reinjured my back trying to get ready! Cascader,I had forgotten about the meals and the salon....that makes it even better! LindaG47,it was really Dr.Kline's office that was resourceful.I called them and asked about the possibilty of a home health aide .They said they would send me a list of nursing services and rehab centers and also sent me the forms for Hope Lodge,they had someone else who stayed at Hope Lodge and had a nurse come in.I had the info within 15 minutes of my call.I talked to one of the nursing services,they can do just about everything including picking me up at the airport and taking me to all my pre op appointments and to Sandpiper when I am released from the hospital.They will be there when I shower, empty drains and give my blood thinner.It is $19 an hour with this particular service.I do plan to call the others on the list.I also talked to one of the rehab centers,I was told there was a possibility that insurance would cover my stay(which surprised me)but if I was self pay,it was about $180 per day.So it will be costly(unless I get to stay at Hope Lodge),but not impossible if I pinch my pennies!!
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Yes, Linda I will be getting the PAP on my failed side, left side. As I understand it Dr Allen should be assisting Dr Kline. It seemed the only solution to give me two boobs. I am not sure what to expect as far as recovery etc, but have so much confidence in Dr Kline that I am willing to be the test for this procedure.
Panda, that is super, good thinking about the visiting nurses. You probably can give yourself the shots, I did. But good to have them there for the beginning.
I stayed at Hope Lodge for my first go round in April. They are fantastic there. I had 4 different caregivers because I had some complications and was there almost 6 weeks. So glad to hear about the visiting nurses.
I still don't have my lodging secured and have been told Hope Lodge isn't taking requests until after Thanksgiving.
I may be using my daughter (who comes with her 3 children) as my caregiver, but may need to have a driver to get to the Dr office after I am released from the hospital. Good thinking getting it all lined up.
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