Charleston Bound, part 2

tamiami,

It wa only about four days. The sgap drains usually stay in longer than diep, but I think dr k says no more than six weeks. I am sure if you ask dr k he will tell you when he thinks you are ok to go home.  I accidentally pulled one out at about five weeks and my husband pulled the other the week later.   

Good morning!  I ended up booking the Isle of Palms condo that Ashira stayed in...I gave both choices to my mom, and she overwhelmingly picked that one!  So, with all of you voting for that one and her liking it best it was an obvious choice!  The best part was that I asked about a medical discount and the owners asked if I was a patient of Dr. Kline and Dr. Craigie because they offer a 25% discount to their patients!!  Apparently, they have been on this journey as well and were so thankful to find our docs!  I feel like it is all just meant to be!  I also decided to drive into town 4 days before surgery, so I can take my mom to do all of the sight seeing.  We'll arrive Sunday and have pre-op Tuesday and surgery Thursday.  Thank you all again for all of the support and advice!

Tami

LA dr M used Roper but Kline and Craigie use east cooper.  Both are great hospitals.  The extended stay is not bad and convenient  I hope it works for you.  Let me know if you need anything or information.  

LA - I am in Daytona right now.  Let me think and PM you with more details,  you should be okay, for the price, but it would not be my first choice,  I'll be back with you tomorrow,

thanks for the encouragement ladies.  we stayed at a cheapo motel the night before and the day of surgery, since it was all we could afford, and none of the free options worked out;  we got home today, and OMG i am in so much pain, especially in the reduced breast.  tomorrow i get to take a shower and will wear a loose sports bra.  also the belly button hole where the dr. took a bit of lipo was leaking fluid, and i panicked and called the after hours number,and the dr. on call said that it happens with lipo.  it hasn't leaked since.  i have my follow=up next week.

thank you catie.  just took my first shower.  kept surgical bra on in the shower, but took off the loose gauze, i had a teeny bit of the pre-surgical scrub left, so i used it in the breast area.  then when i rinsed off, i threw the bra in the wash.  i'm wearing a sports bra for now.  i also have a loose spanx-type thing around my belly just to compress it a bit, but not too much.  there is definitely satisfaction when i look in the mirror now, and look like a human being, lol.  hugs.

Montrial,

Wishing you well from your surgery today with Dr. Craigie!  

Scary,

Itchy itchy! The glue and I did not get along. Took a week or so for the rash to calm down for me. But in the end, my incisions healed and faded nicely. 

i was really itchy too!  I sprayed them with dermaplast.  I used the one thats an antibiotic as well as numbing spray.  I've used it on all my incisions since my ob-gyn gave it to me for my episiotamy(sp?)

Lbrewer,

Thanks for the dermaplast tip for itching!

Wish I'd known about it 10 surgeries ago. LOL. One last surgery next year so I better note that somewhere. Did Dr K & Dr C recommend too?

Hi Ladies, I haven't been on here in awhile, lots going on with work, like lawsuits and IRS audits. Has not been a good year as we are still dealing with insurance from the wildfires. I am handling it all surprisingly well, I think it is one of the good things that came from this bc experience, I am so much better at just dealing with things matter of fact, take it as it comes, with a "it is what it is" attitude. The old me would be freaking out and having anxiety big time !

Anyways, I am disappointed that I will not be able to attend the flapper reunion. I have met Pinkheart, Sewanee, and bethow; but was really looking forward to meeting Catie and any other who might be joining. I know you ladies will have a fab time and I will be thinking of you and the bond we all share. Enjoy your time together. Hugs

i went to follow-up yesterday.  i had one drain removed (the non-cancer/reduced breast).  the PA said i can use anti-itch cream on the area at the top of the chest that itches like crazy, but not near the incisions.  she said the incisions should dissolve in about 2 weeks.  i go again next week to get other drain pulled.  hubby and i felt too icky to take a side trip to the beach, so we went straight home after appointment.

actually, when i first complained about itching, it WAS the incisions.  but now, the top of the chest, where the implaint is still sitting high and hasn't dropped yet, is where the itching is driving me crazy.  the incisions are much less itchy as time goes by.

p.s. i know this is early to worry, since it's only been 9 days since exchange, but i feel like the implaint is almost up to my neck still and there's a huge mound/lump there, sort of an extension to the implant; maybe it's in the process of moving, and that's why it's driving me crazy.

Hugs!

I have been away for quite a while,I have been very ill and still am.A long story,but all of the meds,especially the doxycycline did a number on my digestive system.The anesthesia and pain meds slowed my digestion and the doxy of course killed the good bacteria...yes,I was eating yogurt.....I have lost almost 20 pounds in two months and have to force myself to eat,the nausea has been overwhelming.I have been in and out of the ER needing fluids.I am so weak and light headed and super depressed.I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this?My doctor feels I still have anesthesia in my system,especially since I have been so inactive.I can't take any anti nausea drugs,they have tried them all and they affect my stomach.Sorry if I sound whiny,I am so angry at myself for this.

I'm sorry GTC that you are having such a tough time. Surgery takes enough out of you without piling on a long and complicated recovery.

None of this is your fault, so please don't beat yourself up. Maybe adding a multi strain probiotic would be helpful. Yogurt is good, but the number of different bacterial strains is limited.

And for constipation (I'm assuming your system won't tolerate stool softeners right now?) I use a product called Calm. It's just magnesium in a powder form, very gentle on the stomach and super effective.

You will get through this because you are stronger than you think. A recent study I read found that when most people slam on the brakes to avoid a collision they only apply 50% of the pressure that could be applied to the brake petal! Imagine that...just 50%.

My prayer is that this encourages you to apply the other 50% of your strength (that you likely don't think you have) to positively thinking yourself back to your whole, healthy and happy you! Daily affirmation: I am healed, I am whole, I am strong in body, mind and spirit.

Cheers!