November 2018 Surgery Support Group

I'm almost a week out from BMX with TEs and just now starting to feel like I'm not going to die. I was not expecting it to be this painful and I think I tried to reduce the pain meds too soon. If I keep up with them, it's definitely more manageable. I'm down to 1 Percocet every 6 hours now (along with the muscle relaxers) and feeling much better.

Surgery went well, no surgical bra for me (my surgeon actually wrote that on my chest). I stayed an extra night in the hospital because I wasn't ready to go. The bed was quite comfortable and the food was pretty good, so that made it harder to leave. By the second day I was ready to go home and I've spent the rest of the week on my recliner sofa sleeping a lot and enjoying the excellent care from my wonderful husband. I wish everyone had someone as nurturing and attentive as he is. It is making a world of difference.

I'm surprised that my range of motion is much better than expected. I have to remind myself to keep my arms down because it's really not hard to raise them. I'm super impressed at how everything looks. So far I think I picked an excellent plastic surgeon because it looks like I will have minimal visible scarring. My drains have already slowed down significantly, so hopefully I will get them out sooner (I have 4).

There are two tips that I am glad I learned from this site, @-BluGene. First, bring a LOOSE button up shirt to go home from the hospital. I can't believe that neither surgeon even mentioned that very important tip. Secondly, I have long hair and didn't consider what I was going to do with it until someone suggested a French braid. I had that done before the surgery so I didn't have to mess with it all week.

For those who had a BMX w TEs, do you have a stabbing painon or around your sternum? That's what is hurting the worst for me when I go to get up from a chair. I'm taking Norco every 4 hours, but it doesn't seem to touch this pain. I have to put.a little pressure on that spot when I get up and that's the only thing that helps.

I am getting caught up on my sleep. They had those boots on my lower legs to prevent blood clots, and I hated them! They also recommended a medicalert bracelet because of lymphedema risk. I have never had one despite penicillin allergy. I will have to call them tomorrow. As well as appts with BS and PS.

I am working on the changes to my 7 * 4 pill minder. Very nice if you are scared of making mistakes.

Hello November ladies,

I’m hoping to join you as well as the December crowd as my surgery is scheduled for 11/30 (just got confirmation today).

I’ll be having bmx with the hope for immediate reconstruction with implants, but will see what happens of course. Keeping the best case scenario out there in the universe for now!

Am reading and learning from all you strong women!

-Wigging

evilly, I ordered the plain bracelet with blue lettering. I am not a frilly sort. I was peaking on silliness, and the rep took care of it. They are engraved with a reference number for other conditions. Unlimited space available for people with complex problems.

I asked in my pre-surgical interview with the BS what is the likelihood of a change in diagnosis as a result of surgery, and she said five percent. The analysis of tissue after is more complicated, but the final score is unlikely t o be much more serious.

Im not sure if im going about this the right way but i would like to be added to the nov surgery group. My surgery was Nov 12th Bmx with Diep flap reconstruction.Thank you.

I wish i had got back on the site before now. Ive been struggling as well with pain. Pain in general in the area of surgery snd horrible back spasms. Honestly don't know which is worse. I know the drs have to tell you to get off the pain meds asap. But it's sort of had me down that i still need them. I've never taken them as often as prescribed since I've been home and continue to stretch the time out. But as someone earlier said i feel like im doing better overall keeping my pain under control because i can get up and move freely and feel stronger the next day. I did not have this whole thing in perspective as far as pain and how out of commission i woukd be for the first couple of weeks. I will be asking for a non narcotic thats stronger than otc. I'm tired of fighting this pain so hard and feeling bad that i need it to begin with. Thx

That's what I thought. And my breast surgeon took off this week so it prolonged it. Im just rollin with the flow trying not to think about it! Thank goodness your nodes were clear!!!

Am recovering nicely from my lumpectomy two days ago; somewhat swollen and tender but haven't needed any pain meds. However, a few hours ago I looked online and found the pathology report for the two sentinel nodes removed. I am disappointed to learn that micrometastases are found in one of them. Probably won't be able to talk to my doctor until Friday to learn what this might mean for my treatment.

We have a lot to be thankful for.

Hi ladies!

Hope all the healing is going well! Dyannah, wishing you positive news for Monday!

Thanks for the tips about BMX recovery I’ve received so far, it’s really helped me to gather my thoughts and prepare properly.

I’m wondering if any of you who have had bmx and te’s have found sleeping in a recliner necessary? I’m thinking I’ll borrow my father in laws mechanical one. How long did you use it?

I have a king sized bed, but my husband is a toss and turner, and the bed is pretty rocky.

I’m most nervous about the TEs and the pressure people say they put on their chest. I have a great pain tolerance, but any lung pressure or difficulties breathing and I’m a huge baby. I have asthma, and I get super panicky when I can’t breathe.

Happy Thanksgiving (a day late) to my southern neighbours. Like it’s said above, so many reasons to be thankful. <