Reconstruction sisters in Charlotte, NC

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CarolinaAmy
CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
edited April 2018 in Breast Reconstruction

It seems that there are several of us here who are going to or have had reconstruction in Charlotte with Drs. Robinson, Lefaivre, and Clavin. I'd love to start a thread where we can check in and compare notes the way the NOLA, PRMA, and Charleston girls do!

If you'd like to add your name and date (past or future), please PM me and let me know. Best wishes to all of you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

January 20, 2014 -- jenjenl, DIEP, Dr. Robinson (CMC/Levine)
_____ -- NotAgain2015, DIEP, Dr. Robinson (CMC/Levine)
February 8, 2016 -- CoolgrammieNC, BMX/DIEP, (CMC/Levine)
March 8, 2016 -- J3nny4, BMX/DIEP, Dr. Clavin, (CMC/Levine)
March 14, 2016 -- Bluebird123, BMX/DIEP, Drs. Clavin and Robinson (CMC/Levine) 
March 18, 2016 -- CarolinaAmy, BMX/DIEP, Drs. Sarantou and Robinson (CMC/Levine)
May 12, 2016 -- Blossom40, Stage 2 w/implants, Dr. Robinson (CMC/Levine)
TBD -- J3nny4, BMX/DIEP, Dr. Clavin (CMC/Levine)


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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    thank you for starting this thread. It's always great to hear from other women and their personal experiences.

    So much to learn ....and know what to expect.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    i did DIEP with Robinson and he is amazing. Ill send a PM.

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    I'm relieved to hear that, jenjenl. He's my surgeon, too. I sent you a PM yesterday, I think, when I realized you were in Charlotte. 😊

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    responded and excited for you.

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  • Blossom40
    Blossom40 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    Good afternoon Carolina sisters!

    I had Bil Diep by Dr Robinson last March. He is an awesome surgeon! I had to postpone my stage 2 due to DVT blood lots at Thanksgiving. So hoping to do that May or June. I am debating having fat grafting or having a implant added for added volume !

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Yay for Dr. Robinson! I have to call the office tomorrow to tell them I've made my decision.

    A lot of women talk about being sent to ICU for the first couple of days, and then the regular hospital room. What happens at CMC? I kind of hate having to move around, simply because I like to get settled and also get to know the staff.

    And what are these surgeons' policies on things like compression binders, surgical bras/camis? Most surgeons seem to use them, but comments from women who I think are in this area gave me the impression that these guys put NOTHING on. I just want to start buying whatever I'm going to need; it gives me the illusion there's something I can control.  LOL

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    hello CarolinaAmy...I'm with you...I have my final pre-op on Jan 28...that will be on my list to ask the surgeons. I am really starting to get nervous now that my date is getting closer, but reading all the posts Seem to help my fears . I will let you know what the PS and BS say

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    I was in recovery room for a while 8 hrs or so then moved into final room. No binders or anything. Dr R is so good not needed 😃

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    I'm relieved to hear that. I don't like the idea of being schlepped all over the hospital rather than having a home base, you know? And your explanation for it was hilarious!

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  • Blossom40
    Blossom40 Member Posts: 21
    edited January 2016

    hey Carolina Amy

    At CMC after surgery you go to kinda like ICU for a couple hours just to monitor you and the flap. Then you go up to your huge , beautiful room for the remainder of your stay . I was there for 5 days.

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Thanks, Blossom! I spent two weeks at CMC Main, so I'm very familiar with 4th floor. LOL  I'm actually hoping I get some of the same nursing staff if we wind up spending our time in the Oncology ward (where I was during the 2nd hospitalization). They were fabulous and I'd love to say hello.

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    Dr. Robinson's office called. My surgery is on for March 18 at 7am. Pre-op stuff on March 8. Yikes...

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited January 2016

    You'll be all healed up just in time for summer.

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited January 2016

    hello CarolinaAmy....I start my first pre-op with Dr. Lafaire tomorrow morning, and next Thursday with hospital pre-op.....now I'm really starting to get nervous....it's weird one minute I can't wait until this part is over, then the next minute I wish it wasn't so soon.....like you said YIKES!!!!!

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2016

    You go, girl! Let me know what happens with pre-op. I have a bunch of questions for Dr. Robinson but I don't think I have any other appointment with him than the pre-op March 8.

    It's so funny, I had in my head that my surgery would be sometime around March 10, so the 18th took me off guard just a bit. And yet at the same time there's a panic now that there's a real date. Talk about conflicted.

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  • NotAgain2015
    NotAgain2015 Member Posts: 223
    edited January 2016

    just found this thread. Robinson was my surgeon and I am very pleased with my outcome!!! I found that I have almost no recollection of my post surgical time and was moved to my room within that first 24 hours and there I stayed for 5-6 days. The first few days I barely remember!

    Hang in there ladies!! I know it feels like crazy time leading up to surgery. i bought lots of stuff in advance that I didn't use and mostly returned. My power recliner was my best friend for the first 3-4 weeks, I also use a bed buddy a lot (thingy you can heat in the microwave), I lived with a blanket or two. I found I was quite cold and found it hard to get warm often.

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Hey NotAgain!! I'm glad to hear you had such positive experiences with Dr. Robinson and the hospital. I'm trying to get through these last two Taxol treatments (which they may not let me get because the neuropathy is worsening) and then focus on preparation for the surgery. We're all going on a Disney cruise--a first for all of us--as a break in between this long chemo slog and the long recovery from surgery.

    NotAgain, when was your surgery? How are you finding the recovery process?


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  • Blossom40
    Blossom40 Member Posts: 21
    edited February 2016

    NotAgain I am right there with you. I don't remember a lot from when i was in the hospital . I do remember I was on the cancer floor and the nurses were awesome! The 1st couple days after surgery are rough. But the nurses made sure I recd my pain meds right on time. I do not believe I had to ask once for any pain meds. But I did have a pain pump for I think 2 days. Like I said it is all a blur.

    CarolinaAmy: I had a big list of questions prior to surgery to ask Dr Robinson. He answered all of them before I even asked. So that was good. I am still waiting for them to call to get my stage 2 scheduled. I am sure they had to get everything with my insurance re-auth again. Get lots of pillows you will need them for your arms, legs and to prop your back up.

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2016

    hello everyone...one week since surgery..surgery was 13 hrs..did not wake up until next day. The hospital was awesome to me and my family. Dr. Lafaire and Dr. Robinson, and Dr. Sarma are awesome. Had a few issues with getting my pain meds correct, my body does not like any heavy drugs , came home sat. Other than extreme exhaustion, getting better every day....thank you all....got to sleep no

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    CoolGrammie--so very glad to hear from you! I've wondered how you were doing and am glad to hear that you're doing well. I'm so sorry about the pain meds snafu; it's always amazing to hear how differently people respond (or DON'T respond) to different drugs, and we often don't have the opportunity to learn that until we really need them. :(

    I don't know Dr. Sarma; was that your surgical oncologist? Mine is Dr. Sarantou. Just saw him Wednesday with my post-chemo mammogram. The tumor has responded very well and he really questioned me as to whether I wanted to get a BMX. He was assured by the end that I understood what I was getting into and had made an informed and appropriate decision.

    How many days were you in the hospital? And are they letting us shower with the drains in? (The things I am so curious to know.)

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Hey y'all, can you welcome J3nny4 (Jennifer)? She's waiting on the scheduler for Dr. Clavin to give her the date for her BMX/DIEP.

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  • jenjenl
    jenjenl Member Posts: 948
    edited February 2016

    Amy, Robinson lets you shower with drains.

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  • J3nny4
    J3nny4 Member Posts: 15
    edited February 2016

    Hi Everyone! My name is Jennifer, you got it right, Amy :) I had my BMX with TE on 12/21/15. We thought I might need radiation, but due to a complete pathological response YEY! I did not need radiation so next step is reconstruction. I have decided on the DIEP Flap. My surgeon is Dr. Clavin who said I am ready and his scheduler will be calling to set the date. Nice to meet you all. Great to connect with women who are going to the same medical center with the same doctors. It really eases the mind!!

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Jennifer, you're so freaking cute!!

    jenjenl, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that. Phew.

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  • Bluebird123
    Bluebird123 Member Posts: 8
    edited February 2016

    Hello ladies. Just found this forum when doing some research about my upcoming surgery. Lots of wonderful info here! I'm having surgery on March 14, with Dr. Clavin and Dr. Robinson. I went to the breast reconstruction seminar at LCI last night. It is held every month, so if you haven't been, it is a good opportunity to ask more questions. Also good to hear others ask things you might not have thought of. Looks like I'll be spending some time on this site doing a lot of reading!

    I was not a candidate for immediate reconstruction, so I have been working through the process for over a year now. Surgery, chemo, radiation, and now more surgery. This one will be a prophylactic mastectomy on the remaining breast, plus DIEP flap on both sides. I'm looking forward to getting yet another hurdle behind me. It is a long journey.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2016

    Welcome Bluebird123! we are so glad you joined the community and look forward to seeing you on the boards. Keep us posted. The Mods

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  • CarolinaAmy
    CarolinaAmy Member Posts: 281
    edited February 2016

    Bluebird, you're having your surgery four days before me. We'll almost certainly overlap

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  • NotAgain2015
    NotAgain2015 Member Posts: 223
    edited February 2016

    Hi all,


    Sorry I have been off the boards for a bit. At 6 weeks really started to feel good. Was so glad I had some time before I started work to pull my life back together, run errands find clothes that fit for work, had my hair done etc. Went back to work at 8 weeks with no issues other than a bit tired. I still find I go to bed earlier than I used to. I sat on my horse last weekend and trotted a bit - it was fine. Dismounting and hitting the ground was a jolt. My abdomen is the only odd thing. It still swells some as the day goes along. I have a bit of a 'ken doll'. Lol. I plan to start exercising this coming week. I have a friend who is a personal trainer and I want him to supervise me as I get started. The thought of swinging a kettle bell terrifies me! Bottom now at almost 10 weeks out, I feel GREAT. At times I forget I have even been through this!!

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  • CoolgrammieNC
    CoolgrammieNC Member Posts: 54
    edited February 2016

    Hello Everyone......three weeks today, post op, boy what a ride. I am doing quite well considering I have been off all pain meds since week 1. Got final drain out last Thursday, also a lot of the glue like bandages were removed. Dr. Lafaive said I was healing great. Other than a few small open spots, that I cover with silverdeen cream and bandages , I'm healing good. My biggest complaint is the complete exhaustion that I feel, I can't wait to get rid of this feeling. The weather here is beautiful, so today I think I will try to take a little walk outside, wish me luck....my heart and prayers go out to all you beautiful ladies who are having upcoming surgeries, because I without all of your thoughts and prayers I know I could not have gotten this far..I try not to complain because I know I have been very fortunate, but there are days when it hits me like a brick wall, and I feel bad, but everyone tells me that's normal. Oh well here comes week 4 hopefully by next week I will start to be more mobile......that is my goal.....

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  • NotAgain2015
    NotAgain2015 Member Posts: 223
    edited March 2016

    I don't know if this is helpful, but I had my surgery on 12/16/15 and I was driving today and thought how grateful I am. I feel normal. The surgery almost seems a distant memory. I know I will have phase 2 in a couple of months, but I feel that good. Nothing hurts, I am exercising again, I feel normal.

    Each day you will feel better. I remember the utter exhaustion.. The inability to sleep well, etc. the pain and weight of lifting my skin every time I got up or moved... But in the end it is so well worth it!!! Best wishes for continued healing to those who have had surgery and you can do this to those whose surgeries are scheduled!!!!!

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