NOLA in September?

So my Stage 1 is scheduled for August 20, I am doing Gap flap. We have a trip to Disney scheduled for November 11 with our grandsons, do think 12 weeks out I will be ok? We also have tickets to Mickey's Christmas Party that are non refundable.  Also how will my butt look? Lol!! I want to wear shorts or Capri pants. Give me your thoughts. Thanks, Gram

Thinkpink- I live in Metairie! So not far from you! So glad NOLA center is so close for me!!

finally got a call to schedule the MRI yesterday.  I am set for Thursday morning.  UGH!! hate them...so loud and on my belly that long makes me antsy!!! 

Maggie

has anyone ever had to go back and add an additional flap to an existing flap. I am preparing to have radiation to my right flap that was added in jan of 2010 and they said that I may have significant shrinkage. I just was wondering if another flap would be an option. 

can anyone tell me how to see the pics in this forum? Are there requirements? My surgery is July 29 and I am obsessing.

Got my second followup with Dr. Sullivan tomorrow.  All in all, I haven't had too many issues.  I did see one small spot in the incision under my left breast right at the intersection of the anchor scar, where it's opened up just a little bit.  Other than that, I'm hoping to get Stage 2 scheduled for sometime in September.  Oh, and yesterday I was able to get a dress over my head.  Whoop whoop, it's the simple things!  

One love,

tp4ever

thank you, lastar

Betsy,

 Did they add additional flaps after stage one ??  Sort to ask so many ?'s I am just trying to be prepared for after rads. 

Jaime, I had rads on one breast after I was finished.  It took about 1 year for swelling to go away, per the numerous scans for my other breast.  That breast has kept the shape very nicely.  The skin has recovered well.  I still do have a 'tan' line on it 1 1/2 yrs post rads.  I have lost only about a half cup of volume.  The skin does not feel tight or leathery.  I did have about 2/3 breast radiated and some supraclavicular nodes radiated.  So not my ribs, axilla, etc.

Before I found out I needed rads, I had a Stage 2b to fix a seroma/pseudo bursa I developed at Stage 2.  In order to refill in that volume, Dr Sullivan used some fat from my back.  He called it rotational flap and I've seen it referred as d-tap flap.  It's the latismus flap without taking muscle.  The vein stays attached to the fat and is just rotated around.  I found no difference in my back/armpit area and my infra mammary fold scar extended only one or two more inches.  

I found it surprising to see that my radiated breast was consistently more inflamed than my IBC breast on scans.  The scans started about 2 months after rads and continued for the next year. I was glad to have no inflammation on that rads breast, per my last scan.  If it were me, I would wait a full year before doing any tweaking.  

I'm on my 4th year in a row!  Dr S always has options.  Have you let them know what is going on with you?  I keep in touch with Laura.

sgcam - I am 11 weeks post DIEP today. I have no swelling in my breasts anymore. It was a gradual change. Are you wearing a cotton sports bra or the surgical bra? That helps me not swell. On days that I need to look really good, I put on a molded cup, non-underwire bra, but most days I wear one of the NOLA surgical bras or a cotton front hook cotton sports type bra. My belly still swells with activity (and sometimes without activity). I am going for stage 2 next week (exactly 12 weeks). I have had almost zero complications. I'm a big rule follower so I am sure that helped. I have commitments in Aug and Sept that prevent me from going in those months and Dr. Massey is in Charleston in July. I just couldn't bear the thought of putting it off until October and luckily they are able to accommodate me. I am hoping this leaves late fall for any complications to be handled. I have a goal of being done by 1/1/15, two years after my diagnosis.

MartyJ - I am so excited to see her! I am dying to know what she will do in stage 2. I will ask if she thinks I need to be on the Nov schedule. I am able to travel if she is not in NOLA. Is August your 2b surgery? What type of things do they do in the stage 2b?

mri is tomorrow morning...took forever to get them to set this up....I keep telling myself that it is just scar tissue or necrosis...better safe than sorry.  will keep ya posted as to the results. 

Maggie

Has anybody had Earleen from North Carolina Do their tattoos?  Vinnie is too busy. I can't  even get them to return my phone calls.  If you did and your on the picture forum... please let me know who you are?

thanks much

I hope so too.  I know Vinnie is great- but, he seems so busy.  Further, it wouldn't be bad to visit north Carolina either. I am glad she got back with you. I would love to hear from others that used earleen.

You can PM me also