Tag: Surgery

Process and Procedure minus common sense

So after waiting a day and a half for my surgeons scheduler to call to no avail, I called to get this process moving. I have no patience and I need to be able to let my husband know what is going on so he can get help at work.   I also need to arrange something for the kids.

We have a date..August 24.  Nipple reconstruction and revision.  Of course it was not the smoothest of calls.  We start by getting the first available opening, later than I wanted but that is totally out of my control.  Then she proceeds to tell me that I need to schedule a pre-op appointment.  “I was just there on Tuesday” I politely tell her.  “Did you sign your consent and did they perform the physical?” I did not sign the consent but since  he said we were ready to move forward I assume the physical was completed.  “Oh no..it is a form and it is procedure”.  NOW…those who know me, know that I am a policy and procedure kind of gal.  I also do my best not to shoot the messenger. BUT I have little patience for those who can not add simple common sense to the procedure and don’t stop to think for a minute.  She sticks to her guns that I need to make another appointment.  By the way, another important fact to include here would be the fact that I received the first set of doctor bills for the surgery in the mail just a few hours earlier.  Thankfully we have wonderful insurance but as we all know there will still be a large out-of-pocket payout and unnecessary doctor visits are just not needed right now! So not quit as politely I explained  that I had just seen him at 3:45 on Tuesday and that I would not be making another appointment and that I thought one of us should give the actual surgeon a call.  She agrees a bit reluctantly, and says she will try to get him on the phone and call me back. No lie, five minutes later I receive a call saying that I did not need to come for an appointment.  Really…no kidding?  She faxed me the consent form which I signed and sent right back.  I do have to re-do blood work since it is over 30 days but I can understand that.  Maybe that will be our big adventure for tomorrow.

I know I should not get so aggravated but after already having 2 appointments with him since leaving the hospital July 8th, the last of which being 2 days ago how could you say I have to come back. It has been a long road and it is time to come to an end! At least we are moving forward.  The pointy parts are close!

No Bra

So when I was at the doctors the other day he reaffirmed that I am under no circumstances to wear a bra until at least the next time I see him in 3 weeks.  No Bra…last time I can say that I could get away with walking around town (not that I am going anywhere right now), without being ticketed or poking myself in the eye was like maybe when I was 12?

Heading into the surgery I was a 40DD.   I had thought about reduction for a while but once this process started it was like “all in”.  We agreed that we would be going smaller but he could not guarantee a size per say and that we would need to “tweak” the initial work which would be done at the time of the nipple reconstruction.

So the no bra thing is really is not a problem at all for a few reasons, first they are still so swollen they are like annoying (yet non moving) bricks on my chest.  Second, I am not going anywhere fast right now, and third they are well, not at all “boob” shaped.  They are clearly different sizes and I swear they point in different directions. They strike me as more square.  I will need another small procedure probably in about 4-5 weeks back in the main hospital OR.  my Surgeon say it will be about a 2 hour process where he will hide the flap, build new nips and liposuction the new bricks boobs. The plan is that since I was so large anyway, to utilize the extra skin that would have been cut away in surgery.  Instead of having to harvest skin for the new nips, he will gather what is forming around the new flaps as the swelling goes down and make the nip out of it , at the same time hiding the flap and  creating a nice “boob” shape.   The doctor says they will be lovely when finished and not to worry.  Honestly, I am not at all worried.  I fully trust in my plastic surgeon and the “boobie vision” he has painted for me.  For now I have been hanging out in a tank top which I pin the last drain to but then put a baggy button down over top.  It works.

Anyway, yesterday was a down day.  I really spent the day just lying around and napping.  Frank took the girls out for a few hours in the afternoon which was great.  I had no real energy or inclination to do anything more than hang out in my size smaller bike shorts. Sleeping is improving (still with assistance).  Almost made it through the night.  Closest I have come anyway!

Yipieeeee for the most part

Today I had a followup appointment with the plastic surgeon and for the most part it was a great appointment.  Got 3 of 4 drains out and all of the sutures.  I am much more comfortable but annoyed at the same time.  My surgeon is going on vacation so the other drain has to wait a full week before it can come out due to scheduling. My husband has already taken two weeks off from work, I can’t drive so it is tough when they give you a choice of 2 appointments only. I guess these are the little things that I am not supposed to allow to affect me.

I am doing great physically…doctor says I am healing beautifully.  I am more comfortable since the doctors appointment.  Yet, my emotions are all over the place which is not at all like me!  I talked to the doc today about it…I think it is 2 parts anxiety over what I can not do and the burden I am to everyone (at least in my own mind) and  2 parts lack of sleep.  Anyone who has ever been in a hospital knows you do NOT sleep at all while there.  But I am home now and expected that by now I would be sleeping..yet I am not.  The doctor gave me a little something today so I have high hopes for a restful evening tonight!