September 2014 Surgery Sisters

hi surgery sisters! Anyone else have like ripples where the steri strip is? I know that was swollen and that it will look better someday but just curious.

Also I feel dehydrated so I drink but then I have to pee every hour. Anyone else?

Plastics on the 8th for follow up

Everforward

Congrats on your promotion! So happy for you!

Minivan

I don't have any answers for steri strips since I'm allergic to any adhesives/tapes/etc. (you can read my rant on my allergy in a thread I started "Got Rant?")Sorry maybe someone else can give you insight. Yes I continued to feel dehydrated, I think it was partly because of the drugs they used during surgery to dry out your saliva is flushing out the system also all the iv fluids are going out too and the other part for me anyway, is that they used a tube down my throat when I was under so my mouth was constantly dry and parched so I felt so thirsty all the time.

Hope everyone is recovering nicely. Wish me luck as I start chemo today.

Jbdayton, yeah I'm a bit nervous as the time ticks down. I'm hoping all the tips and tricks I've read on this site will make me one of the lucky few that have little to no SE's fingers crossed!

Luckily I only have to do 4 treatments one every 3 weeks. Thank you so much.

Hi ladies, I don't know how to feel right now. Initially I thought all nodes were negative after surgery but I just got a call from my BS she told me that two of the 3 node were negative no cancer cells, but the first node showed evidence of micromets are any of you familiar with this?

Glad it worked mischief, my idea came from when I had to tape my dobe dogs ears up and I hated to just rip off the tape when changing them out and the vet suggested baby oil will loosen the adhesive from the skin.

Welcome mand1373, did you already have your surgery?

Enlm sorry to hear that, hopefully one of the micromet sisters can help. Here's a link to a thread that can help you. micromets in sentinel node from what I skimmed through it its a positive outlook. Good luck and let us know what happens.

enlm20 sorry for your results.  I would have gotten the same diagnosis but i did chemo before SNL.  My final path report showed 1 of 2 nodes with one node showing 'fibrous scarring possibly related to prior lymph node metastases with pathological complete response'.  

Let us know what is suggested for you.

Hugs.

I had expanders with 150 cc from the day of my mastectomy.  5 weeks later I did 25 rad treatments and had no problems.  I kept the expanders for another 4 months (total of 7 months) then did the DIEP reconstruction on my radiated breast.  My skin held up perfectly.  No problems at all.  My problem was the flap on the good breast.   

My PS would only do flaps on radiated breasts.  He had to cut out a lot of radiated damaged tissue when he removed the expander and replaced it with the flap.  He could not remove a section near the center of my chest and I now have a lump that feels like concrete.  He said he will try to bust it up some with ultrasound but not sure of the end result.

Are you doing tissue reconstruction or implants?   You may need to discuss this with another PS.  I see some will do implants and fat grafting.  Mine would not even consider it, he does not like implants and radiated tissue.  

Hope you can work it out and be happy.  I liked having my little bumps with the TE's during treatment, I felt more normal.  

Keep us informed as you progress through the decision making period.

Hugs

The third time really was the charm. Surgery #5 is now in the books. PS said pockets were too big so they were re-done to hold the 740 cc FF 410's tighter. Implants had bottomed out so fresh new set was positioned several inches higher and Alloderm was placed. It took two plastic surgeons three and a half hours. Trouble left side with it's super thin skin is getting that lavender color in a couple of spots...just like when I got the infection. Blood flow is barely adequate but PS is optimistic. One drain - on other side, which PS said was quite vascular. I had two "leaks" last night but gushing blood from drain entry site was stopped. No more trouble today. This feels like it did after the BMX in spite of having Exparel this time. Tylenol is no match for the pain but I know it will get better. 

My signs that remind staff to wash their hands are working.  

So happy your surgery was done Sandra and now you can heal and rest!  Wishing you a well-deserved speedy recovery!

god must be a man. Why else wound I have two months of short cycles and get my period 4 days post op? I'm nauseas and Percocet dies nothing for period pain. I like god, but if he was here I'd punch him in the stomach

Sandra. . Happy your surgery was a success. Wishing you a swift recovery!

I'm 6 days out since my BMX and I must say I'm feeling a little discouraged with the pain and stiffness. My main complaint is the swelling near my armpits that makes it impossible to hold my arms flat down to my sides. I have to walk with a big gap between my arms. Have any of you experienced this and does it get better? And if so, when? 

I haven't logged on in awhile....been doing "well" and had 2 drains removed last Monday and will have my final 2 removed tomorrow along with a "fill" my 1st of MANY. 

I hope all the sisters who had surgery had an easy surgery and sail through recovery. 

My FACEBOOK link is: marie.mello.12@facebook.com or mariejunemello5@yahoo.com

Hope you're all on your way to healing. I'm on the pic forum & have posted up post op pics. Will continue posting pics after each fill. there's LOTS of support there and knowledgeable women who have loads of valuable insight for us. I highly suggest joining.  

Lots of love to all. Here's a pic of me this past week "rocking the flat chest & binder". Lol. I was 6 days post op in this pic. The binders are SO CUTE!! Like little crop tops with flowers. Adorable! Have one in pink & also blue. 

And a newer pic from this week- with only 1 drain on each side. with a mastectomy shirt a wonderful woman gave me. Love the drain holders! And added gauze pads to my chest because my incisions are underneath, so where the seam is hurt a bit, so I added "padding" which gave me a mini "A Cup" LOL!! 

MarieJune. .I've been having a rough time but your post just gave me hope..you're a rock star! Happy healing to you and congrats on getting rid of the drains!

Enlm, in a pinch you can use a Ziploc bag with cotton balls as a substitute for the soft small pillows.

Sandra... Now that, I can do! Thanks