Charleston Bound, part 2

Highbeams,

How was your trip to CHS to check things out?  Thinking about you!

panda z I can't answer your question because my surgery is in July but many ladies say the food is great at the hospital. Also, my caregiver is staying with me at the hospital during my entire stay. 

I have a question for those who have had the double mastectomy with DIEP; how long will I need to wear button/zip front shirts/dresses. I'm trying to complete my post surgery wardrobe shopping and I'm not sure how to plan.

Thank you! 

Philomene..I had that concern too because of the photos on the NOLA site....then I took time to read about the photos posted ..nearly all of them had skin sparing.....that makes a huge difference in aesthetics....I have read of many failures and repeated attempts to make things right on the NOLA thread...I did NOT choose Dr.Kline only because of insurance.From the minute I talked with him on the phone..I knew...I had so many other phone and in person consults and I liked a few of the doctors,some I did not..the one from NOLA was one I did not...But Dr.Kline made me feel that he truly cared about me as a person..that he loves his work..and you know by the acceptance of insurance that he and Dr.Craigie really care about all of us..not the money.....honestly if I had the money to go to NOLA,I would still be going to Charleston.......

I know..I worry too..then I remind myself that anything will be better than my hideous scarred chest.I can't wait to have cleavage again and be able to wear my old tops...I am still planning flights and other logistics..I think once it all is in place and  I have time to think I will be a little crazy...er...!!! about the outcome....right now when I worry it is more about recovering and that I will push myself too hard...I do think a lot about the first time I will look down and see breasts..I keep reminding myself that they will not be like my originals..but they had a lot of miles on them..so time for a new pair...!!!!!!!!.

Philomene,

I don't think it's absurd at all that you are worried about aesthetic outcomes! I was in tears over that exact concern today. I too contacted Nola and wanted to go with them originally. I could not afford them either. My eyes opened, however, as the conversations progressed and they suspected I wasn't able to afford their services. They became rude, wouldn't return my calls and treated me as if I was a waste of time. Then I was blessed to be lead to Dr. Craigie. I knew in my heart that I had found my Dr. and that I was lead to them for a reason. I too am concerned about aesthetic outcomes - very concerned. I do feel confident that I am in the best place possible, though. I interviewed 5 breast surgeons and 2 plastic surgeons in my hometown plus Nola, PRMA and CNBR. I exhausted myself with research. What made me feel even better is that I am having my mastectomy and I found out that not all surgeons were as thorough as Dr Baron in removing breast tissue. Also, the scar placement at CNBR is much better than was offered to me at other locations.

I'm so glad I have found a place where we can all come to support each other.

Deep breathes ladies.

Philo,

I really liked Dr. Baron, too. He is now even considered my oncologist.  Do you have a pre-op appointment with him the day before surgery?  

pinkheart, yes I have a pre-op appointment with him. I figured I'd ask him my questions then. Glad to hear you like him. 

Brca35, I'm pretty sure my incision for stage one will be in the same spot. I wanted infra mammary incisions but it's not looking likely. 

Philo,

Did Dr K say why IMF incision not possible?

Oh, Ashira!  Thanks for your very timely encouragement.  Tuesday's my big day.  Prayers and encouragement from everyone are so appreciated at this time.

To all of you scheduled for Stage 1 with Craigie or Kline, you are about to fulfill your dreams.  I, too, had looked into NOLA for my surgery, as it appeared to receive the most accolades.  Like many of you, I was not accepted as a patient because of an insurance issue (my primary was Medicare, but I had an excellent BC/BS gap insurance as well -- still no dice).  The first few conversations we had they were very friendly and informative; however, once they realized I did not meet their qualifications, they became rude and disinterested.  I didn't know where to turn until God led me to Drs. Craigie and Kline.  What a blessing.  They and their staff have been wonderful.  I had my Stage 1 with Dr. Craigie last November.  Results were quite good, but not yet the finished product.   I had my Stage 2 in February and the end results are astounding.  I am truly amazed at the talents bestowed on these doctors.  I went from a concave breast site to a warm, soft, natural breast.  Since I had only had a single mastectomy, Dr. Craigie was faced with the additional challenge of matching the other breast.  He did a masterful job!!  All this talent and he is still very "down to earth".  A very kind and caring person.  I would recommend them over NOLA anytime!!!  I have an acquaintance who had her reconstruction at NOLA and her results are no better than mine.  I hope this puts you at ease.  You are truly in the best of hands.  Just concentrate on taking care during your recovery -- you are going to be soooooo happy.

Thanks, everyone, this is exactly the sort of reassurance I need. 

As for incision sites, when I did the consult he said that they typically do the incision straight down under the nipple. I don't recall why not in the inframammary fold. I'm saving these questions for when I get there. 

Like BRCA35, I'm looking for stuff to wear but I'm not sure how much to buy because I don't know how long I'll be in them. How long before I can put on a regular shirt over my head?

wow, lots of catching up - but had to jump in and give my 2 cents re worrying about the outcome!  As was said, you are in such caring capable hands that you need not worry.  Dr. K and C will work with you to make sure you are happy with the outcome.  They are artists and truly leave your satisfaction as their priority!  It's been 2 years and a few months from my first surgery and a almost a year from my last.  I am thrilled!  I have cleavage - my sons even comment on how great my 'chest looks' - and that's with clothes on!!!!  They would be amazed if they saw under the clothes! (LOL)  

I am thrilled (did I say that?? IT bears repeating)! I went from the cold slap of being dx with my 2nd bc and the thought of possibly not doing recon b/c of the Docs in this area who could only do implants or lat flaps for me to the expertise, artistry and skill of Dr K and Dr C.  Am I perfect, NO!  Was I perfect before Heck no!!!  

I had cancer.  Most of us have or most of us are in danger of it because of BRCA.  We face the option of recon or no recon.  Some of us after radiation and chemo, some spared this time but have had it already and some have caught it early.  Recon could be a long road in a difficult journey for some on this cancer path. We have little we are in control of at this point - but we are in control of our choices and to find a Dr that supports the choice you have decided on not only fully but with compassion and eagerness to make your choice the best one is a miracle.  I believe Drs. Baron (yes he is FANTASTIC and also my go to for my yearly check ups!!!), Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie have all supported me, given me compassion in my choices and confidence that they have my best interest at heart.  I never once thought or think they consider money as the reason they are seeing me, but instead they see me as a person and someone they work their hardest to treat and perfect.  I could go on and on but bottom line is that you are all in good hands, with truly caring Drs.  Drs. who are dedicated to HELPING us!

BTW - I truly enjoy those topless moments before my shower!  Give it time, do what the Drs say and you too will be one day enjoying those moments!!!!!!

Sorry for being so long winded.

Hugs

Catie

I lived in the surgical bra topped with the cammie and had some button and snap closure blouses to cover the cammie when I needed to go out of my room while I was in CHS.  Comfort and cool was my motto (cool as in "it was darn hot outside but I know I need more than just the cammie so I'll through a short sleeve blouse over the cammie when I go out to hide the cammie- which by the way holds your drains").  Not sure the sheer top might work when you want to basically look normal while in CHS waiting to go home, you need something more opaque to hide both the surgical bra (not glamorous) or cammie (functional but not something out of Victoria Secrets)(Victoria Secrets comes later).

I purchased some black skirts from Target, stretchy, easy to get on and off and big enough to slip on from the feet and sit above my incision line.  Also went to Walmart and got some short sleeve knee length house oats or robes In a very light material that had a snap front - that covered my bra and cammie and worked great for just the lounging days before heading back home.  Prices on all were minimal so I didn't worry if I bled, leaked or messed them up in any way.  Throw away clothes if need be.  I'd save the good stuff for after you get home.  

Must haves for the hospital are a back scratcher - useful for that itch that comes when you can't itch it but also for reaching stuff or moving it from the tray table.  I also bought a heavy duty "grabber" - not heavy as in weighing a lot but more like sturdy.  That helped in too many ways to mention picking items off the floor etc.  hard though to pick up wet soap in the shower, so have another bar handy just in case!

A small cosmetic bag with some things like lipstick, etc that will take little effort but make you feel better about yourself.  I brought Ricola along as my throat got dry from surgery.  

Ask the nurses for the throw away pillows you are given, and ask for more if you need them there, they are going to be thrown away anyway and you can certainly use them for cushioning your incision area, your back in the car and to sit on if needed - depending on your type procedure.

I'm not sure but I think Dr K has a driving service that you can call for a fee (he recommends someone) and I know of two patients at least who have used that service and were pleased) if you need transportation and are willing to pay for it.  Otherwise, the hospital food is pretty good.  I just wasn't too hungry so my hubby ate what I had leftover and was fine.  But everyone is different remember!

Praying for those coming up

Hugs

Catie

Hi all ~

I had a very nice consult visit with Dr. Kline while on vacation in Charleston!

Dr. Kline along with Meredith (Medical Assistant/OR Assistant) spent an hour with me talking about my next surgery (Stage 6), which is supposedly my last.  I’ve had 10 BC related surgeries to date.  I sent him an email the day before our consultwith a list of questions, and he printed them for us to discuss during my appointment.  I don’t have to wait until July 2015 as previously discussed!  I will schedule it in October, November, or December 2014, since I have met my deductible and out of pocket for the year by then.

He said the surgery will take 4 hours in the OR (I will need to be flipped), with 2 nights in hospital at East Cooper, and 4 weeks medical leave from work.  He got out the Sharpie marker and went wild marking me up front and back, and took pictures.  HE SAID NO DRAINS!!!

He got out a notebook of surgery notes and pictures of other patients in the operating room to show me what he would be doing.  Yikes!! – but I had previously confessed that I watch that surgery stuff on uTube anyway. . .

• 1.Leftie= make the skin paddle/island smaller to be more the size of an areola.  Also, more fat grafting to middle upper pole to round out the shape.  Already have nice cleavage along the sternum.
• 2.Rightie(radiation damaged, implant failure) = more fat grafting to cleavage along sternum.  Rightie will never be as soft as leftie due to all the complications I’ve had with it.  But Dr. K has done a remarkable job!
• 3.Fat Grafting = will lipo from belly, knees, and maybe from lower back.  He may do a mini tummy tuck with small incision along top of pubic where my incision is from lymph node transfer.  That incision is barely visible.
• 4.Butt Lift = will be joining SGAP scars across the top and getting rid of small bunnytail and shark bites.  My SGAP scars did not start sinking in until at least a year after surgery.  Anyone else have delayed appearance of minishark bites?  He will be filling in sharkbites by tucking under fat when he cuts and does the butt lift.
• 5.Evil Cording = He will try to work a little more on my evil cording which is attached to my rightchest wall and runs through my armpit and down right arm.

We also chatted a while in general about stuff – his kids, me still trying to move to CHS, and he also mentioned that he will be authoring the chapter on GAP surgeries in a major medical textbook.

He wants me to stay for a week after surgery, and really wants someone to drive me home to recoup for three more weeks before going back to work.  I have solved that problem by just staying the entire 4 week medical leave in Charleston with my friend!

Oh -- I am definitely ordering Rub On Nipples (thanks for tip on those Cascader) next payday, to start getting more optimistic about the finish line of 3D tattoos even though that’s still far off in future.  Hoping to find someone as talented as Vinnie!

Now to figure out a date for surgery!

PinkHeart-  Sounds like a great consult.  Hoping that this surgery will be the final..I can't imagine 10 surgeries.  Keep us in the loop!!

Montrial- Many of the ladies have used some sort of silicone paper/scar away paper...I can't remember the names but they have posted information so it might be on other surgery sites.  If I come across any specific names, I will try and remember to let you know.