Charleston Bound, part 2

lbrewer... its a girdle. For buttock, it usually runs from above the knee to just below the breast.

Spanx is a little different. The compression girdles are crotchless. USUALLY works to not pull them down, but some brands are better than others with that.

I was a skeptic, but it does work.

compression can be a necessary evil.  I have been in compression since March after my gap surgery complication allowed me to-- which was 3 weeks after the surgery.  Those 3 weeks out caused a seroma to form which turned into a pseudo bursa that had to be surgically removed.  By wearing the compression from surgery until doc clears you, you are making sure that the skin and fat adhere where you want them to and it will produce a great result.  Dr M is shocked that my behind turned out looking any good at all and she contributes it to me wearing the compression since I was able to since the bursa was fixed.  You get used to it pretty quickly and you will most likely be out of it soon after that....You can do it!

Maggie

Lbrewer, the compression used to be the thing that I feared almost as much as the surgery - but as Mags said, it really wasn't bad at all, and you do get used to it and then it's gone!  So don't sweat that part.  You can also ask for the pillows!!!  Good padding for the car!  East cooper is very happy to accommodate !

Hoping for smooth sailing for you

Hugs

Cathie

Lbrewer - you will be fine.  Dr K will make sure you are symmetrical and beautiful. Relax!

I live in Michigan and scheduled for DIEP w/ Craigie in the summer. MT. Pleasant is 14 hours from me, so a 2 day drive with 7 hours each day there and back. Is that doable after surgery or do I need to fly? )trying to find a way to save money.)

lbrewer you have lots going on so it is normal to be a bit anxious. Regarding compression, I actually thought it felt good, I used a mareena garment as a back up which also had an open crotch making it easy to pee. I was really uneven after Stage 1, (i'm a uni)but after Stage 2 there was a huge improvement and I am now symmetrical . Make sure you let the doc know that symmetry is more important to you than size and have this discussion with him. Thinking of you!

the sad part about Chs is how hard it is to fly into. There are very few direct flights. It takes me six hours to fly there and about seven to drive.  Even flying you are looking at a long trip and can not break it up as you choose,  at least driving you are in control of when you want to stop.  Don't know which is cheaper in the long run

BRCA - I will add an additional challenge - if you do bring the kids you are probably going to need to rent a condo.  There are lots here, but the pricing is much, much higher in the summer as we are a strong beach community.  Southwest flies from Chicago direct and from Grand Rapids with only 1 stop.  Their planes are big and comfy.  Grand Rapids is about $240 round trip.

Even if you have the surgery in Michigan, you will need people to care for your kids.  Your husband can do much, but if he is at work you will need help.  You really won't be up to doing much for them for 2 - 3 weeks and you job will be to heal (inside and out).  I am not trying to discourage you, but want you to be fully aware of what to expect.

Brca35, 

Great suggestion above from Pink. I, too, felt that there were a lot of obstacles to traveling for surgery. Although I didn't have to travel as far, but I have three little kids and am in the midst of a divorce. But by God's grace it all came together just as I was about to throw in the towel. I encourage you to keep going over the possible options and talking to different people who may point you in a direction you had not considered. 

And while I realize that for many people their spouse is their biggest supporter, could you maybe have a family member or friend accompany you for surgery and leave DH with your kids. You will save on babysitting costs assuming your DH is up to doing the care taking alone.  And when you're back home maybe you could call on the babysitters you didn't use while out of town to help if your DH has to go to work (don't know if your kids attend school or not) because you will need help for the first few weeks at least. 

Don't give up even though it can be overwhelming with your other responsibilities weighing on you.  After all, the outcome is yours for the rest of your life, you want someone who has the experience and knowledge to do it properly. 

All the best,

Davy

you will need someone to take you from the hospital to wherever you are staying as dr craigie will want to see you about seven days from surgery before you head home. But the nurses at east cooper are wonderful and will see you ear we'll taken care of in the hospital

headed to Chs for surgery on Friday. Scared but glad to be getting on with it. It looks like it will be freezing!

lbrewer I  am also hoping the weather warms up quickly as I will be heading to Fla next week, but I really miss CHS and office staff. Good luck with your surgery, you are in the best of hands. Stage 2 made such a big difference. There is light at the end of the tunnel, none of this is easy but stay focused. 

I was able to get an earlier appointment with Vinnie , so now scheduled to get my tattoo sooner on Mar 17. Catie I am sorry I will not see you in MD, you still in May?

Had my Onc  appointment last week and she noticed I had some pec muscle atrophy.. big surprise(not) so I started some upper body stuff at the gym and now my  LE  has flared up like never before ! Can't win. 

Brca, traveling and all that it involves can be overwhelming for sure, but it really is doable. Try breaking the challenges down to smaller parts, kids, house, food , etc. Now is a really good time to ask for help, even tho I know how hard that is to do. You might be surprised , people want to help but often don't know how. You have some time, don't get discouraged, this is important. 

Getting late, stay warm everyone!

Cascader, thanks for the encouragement.  Do you wear a lymph sleeve when you exercise?  Latest studies show upper body exercise is good for lymph seam but I was told to wear my sleeve when I did weights.