DIEP 2014

Cherrie, did you have any problem getting in and out of the recliner by yourself? I don't want to have to wake up my DH every time I have to go pee, etc.  He will need to sleep some time, poor guy.

Yes, Nihani. I think you will be fine.  Truly, no tummy incision, etc.  You will be good. 

I use to be that way with codeine, but now we are friends...lol

Oh, this last time I asked them not to let me get nauseous, and whatever they did worked.  I was good.

yeup....tried the patch and different combos of drugs with every surgery I've ever had, and I have had prolonged nausea and vomiting with every surgery. Nothing seems to work.....I'm just a "barfer", but with every surgery, I go in hoping that THIS time it will be different.

yup.....gotta find the positives!!!!

Help, I am going to be up all night trying to make this decision.  Do I have my diep ASAP and get it over with, or do I enjoy the nicest time of the year in Texas, and have my diep during hibernation time during the heat of the summer? I missed last spring, and I want to get my garden in shape, and ride my bike, and take my grandkids to the park, and everything I have been missing.  Then, when it's a million degrees outside I can sit in here and recover.  I am afraid if I have it in late March, early April by the time I recuperate I will be stuck inside anyway because of the heat, and I feel like I have missed almost a whole year already. I don't want to do it again.  Ugh!!!!!!!!!!  

Good Morning all!  I have a cup of coffee with my gas fire going.  You would think I would be on top of the word!   Today is going to feel like a SAD dad.  What is wrong with me?  I would just settle for a cup of coffee with but the snow is hindering getting outside.   I have played music that is fund and enjoing but this mood is being a pain in my backside.  Perhaps, I should return to bed and get up on the other side!!  My mom swears it worked when we were toddles!   Well, atleat I have you gals who probably understand this more that I do.  Hope your day is better than mine.     

Maggie and Kelly.....we veterans of the first stage, have been where you are.....1 more day....this surgery is totally doable and so worth it for most of us. Safe surgeries and gentle healing to you....we'll all be thinking of you. (ignore my nattering about stage 2...I'm just being stupid about it.)

you guys are killing me! In the nicest possible way. After seeing my N&V this time, my PS said he'd talk to the anesthesia dude for this one. It was the best of the lot, compared to previous bouts.....Keep those fingers crossed!

Lucy....I bequeath my "cuppa" tomorrow to you....as you say, it's the least I can do. It'll be one small spoon of evaporated cane sugar and a touch of cream. Enjoy!!!!! I'm currently savouring this mornings dose!

goldie....no one can pick the right time for you, and for some of us, picking the timing wasn't part of the deal. If you do have lots of "say" in the "when", my only comment would be that walking.....often and lots....in gradual increments has usually been a big part of recovery. Planning to hibernate in the house wouldn't have been the answer to walking for me. I did have the long hallways in our condo to help me get started, but I needed the fresh air, mentally/emotionally, to really start to recover. I really feel for the northern gals now, like curly, torontogirl and others, because getting out to walk certainly isn't in the cards for them at this time. I remember last summer I suggested you go to a mall to get some walks in and be out of the heat, but I don't know if that worked for you. Good luck with your decision....I'm sure it'll work out in someway.

katski....What's got you down....is it winter blues or something else???? Sending you hugs. ((((X))))

Travel safely out there Ridley.....bundle up!!!!!

Hope the PS appt goes well......

Nihahi, I am so sensitive, I even throw up after conscious sedation.  I always tell my doctors and nurses I am allergic to narcotics and list it on my medical history under allergies.  Then I acknowledge that it really isn't an allergy, but all narcotics make me deathly ill, even codeine.  It gets their attention!  One hospital even put one of those allergy bands on my arm, which gets everyone asking what my symptoms are when given narcotics.  The patch works for me.  I'm sure they will work with you.  Sending you non-vomiting energy!

nihahi, kelley, and maggie good luck tomorrow!

Nihani, hopefully all the great suggestions well get you through this barf free!!!  Who knows?!!

As far as my surgery date.  I picked one right in the middle.  A compromise.  It's before the truly brutal heat hits, but after the temperate days of spring.  I will be able to get out to walk in the morning and evenings still with a June 2nd date!!!!  Yes, I picked it with the help of Kuka.  If I went a month later it would be to hot to walk at all.  It is nice to have a choice this time.  My bmx was do it now, or else.  I feel more in control this time.  I am also not so freaked out because I have something on my chest, albeit uncomfortable, but something is there. 

goldie....It'll be good to see your name on the list again!

Nihahi, Maggie, and Kelly. Sending positive vibes for great healing, no nausea, and peaceful thoughts. Wilbur will be visiting you all for sure. We are all thinking of you. 

Gosh, Nihani.  It sure took them a long time to get around to your stage 2.  I thought I have been marinating too long.  You have been too.  Of course Wilbur will be there.  He wouldn't miss this for anything.

See, Nihani.  I wish more docs were like that.  I think a lot of them have an attitude that there is going to be a stage 2, so let's just get this done and worry about the final results at stage 2.  Mentally, I don't think that is good for a lot of us.  We get scared they won't be able to fix it. That we will look like this forever, etc.  I think they should strive for best possible initial outcome for us, and for them.  I like your doc's approach.  I think mine has that attitude too.  Let's get it to look the best we can from the beginning.  Now, saying all that, I know there are situation where they just need to get that flap viable, and then worry about aesthetics later. And, those guys are geniuses too.  Rotating flaps, etc.  It's all amazing, isn't it?

One of the women who works at my PS office (I think he hires all his ex patients) had her tummy cut one time for her diep.  No revision, and it looks great. She is happy to show it to you.  She was back to work in 2 weeks.  A little soon for my taste, but she was very young and stronger than us old girls who need more time.