December 22, 2009 office visit

I saw my PS today for a final consult before my Stage 2 surgery on February 3, 2010. Three separate procedures will be done during that surgery, in this order - ovary and uterus removal, bladder lift, stage 2 breast revisions. My PS's goal is to make my breasts symmetrical since the left is slightly larger. I would need a small implant on the right to match the left side, so I definitely said no to that. The whole idea was to avoid implants. So, the left side will be reduced slightly to match the right. The right side will have some fat grafts to plump things up abit and create a more natural slope. That will involve some lipo. I've heard that is quite painful, but he says it won't be nearly as invasive or painful as regular cosmetic lipo. There will be lots of bruising, though, and I'll have to wear a compression garment for a week or so. Breast drains are a slight possibility, but if I need them, they'll be removed at the first post-op visit in 6 days. Both breasts will be moved towards the center more. They're a bit to the east and west right now! He thinks he will most likely be able to do nipple creation assuming everything else has gone well up to that point. He'll also remove the dog ears at the end of the abdominal incision.

My abdominal swelling remains the same. Very annoying. I was afraid he'd want to open the abdominal incision to see what's going on, but he said let's wait until the Lupron has a chance to wear off (February 10 will be 3 months). If Lupron isn't the cause of the swelling, then he'll order a CT scan. If necessary, he can use abdominal mesh to pull my abdomen back in. I was worried that I'd be left with a "tight girdle" feeling if he has to do that, but he says I won't. He says it will be unnoticeable. So, I'm still hoping that Lupron is the culprit because I certainly don't relish the thought of any more abdominal surgery.

He said I'd stay one night in the hospital as far as he was concerned. Any additional days would be at the order of the gyn and/or urologist. Let's hope not.