Saw my PS today for the "reveal". I'm thrilled beyond words! The new aureola and nipple are healing well with only minimal scabbing. The nurse removed all the stitches possible. Some are still stuck under the dermabond. He said the dermabond will come off gradually as I begin to shower. I'm excited that I can shower now! I have to wear the foam "donut" over things for 4 weeks for protection. The nipple is still really swollen - he says it will shrink 50% over the next few weeks.
Abdominal revisions look great and are healing well.
Abdomen is still swollen, but now I can't tell if it's Lupron effects or swelling from the hysterectomy. I'm sure it's some of both. I'll just have to be patient and give it a few weeks to see how things shake out.
Happy day!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Surgery and Post-Op - February 10, 2010
Stage 2 surgery was Feb 3 and included nipple creation, some fat grafting, and dog-ear revisions. Also included was a hysterectomy (ovaries, tubes & uterus), and bladder suspension. Surgery lasted 9 hours. Not long after I arrived in my room from recovery, my nurse and my husband helped me stand by the bed. I was surprised that they wanted me to walk so soon after surgery, but I was trying to be compliant. I remember feeling faint and sitting back on the bed. The next thing I was aware of was the nurse and my husband holding me by the arms in a sitting position on the bed. It seems I passed out cold after I sat back down on the bed. I was unresponsive for about 30 seconds. My husband said the nurse jumped on the bed and started calling my name and lightly tapping my cheek. That little episode resulted in getting 2 units of blood and having my vitals taken every 20 minutes all night. My blood pressure was around 80/49.
After reviewing things, my doctors wanted to keep me an additional night. I was happy with that because I really didn't feel that well. No much pain to speak of, just not very steady. I got up to walk at least a couple of times the next day. I was discharged on Friday, Feb 5.
I didn't have much pain at home and was able to discontinue pain meds after 2 doses (except for Tylenol). I was prescribed Bactrim and iron supplements. By late Saturday, I didn't feel well, but attributed it to the antibiotic or the iron. Felt worse on Sunday - kinda achy and feverish. Felt nauseous by Sunday night. By Monday norming I was vomiting, too. After consultations with nurses from each of my 3 doctor's offices, I was told to stop the Bactrim and iron. I tried to control the nausea with Compazine, but couldn't keep anything down. I finally got it under control with Phenergan by Monday night. So, in retrospect, what I assumed was medication reaction was actually some sort of virus with fever, body aches, and vomiting. Nice.
As of today, the virus seems to be waning and I'm back on the Bactrim.
I have flat, round foam protectors with a hole in the middle taped over the new nipples, plus steri-strips over the laproscopic incisions (1 by navel, 1 over pubic bone, 1 on each end of original abdominal incision.
I can't shower yet because I can only tolerate paper tape and my PS doesn't want the nipple area to get wet and doesn't want the bandages disturbed yet. I can sit in a few inches of water in the tub and wash my hair in the sink. No drains, hurray! I have alot of bruising in the lipo areas, although it looks much worse than it feels. He promised me that the lipo wouldn't be very painful and he was right!
My PS post-op appt is Monday, Feb 15 for the grand unveiling.
After reviewing things, my doctors wanted to keep me an additional night. I was happy with that because I really didn't feel that well. No much pain to speak of, just not very steady. I got up to walk at least a couple of times the next day. I was discharged on Friday, Feb 5.
I didn't have much pain at home and was able to discontinue pain meds after 2 doses (except for Tylenol). I was prescribed Bactrim and iron supplements. By late Saturday, I didn't feel well, but attributed it to the antibiotic or the iron. Felt worse on Sunday - kinda achy and feverish. Felt nauseous by Sunday night. By Monday norming I was vomiting, too. After consultations with nurses from each of my 3 doctor's offices, I was told to stop the Bactrim and iron. I tried to control the nausea with Compazine, but couldn't keep anything down. I finally got it under control with Phenergan by Monday night. So, in retrospect, what I assumed was medication reaction was actually some sort of virus with fever, body aches, and vomiting. Nice.
As of today, the virus seems to be waning and I'm back on the Bactrim.
I have flat, round foam protectors with a hole in the middle taped over the new nipples, plus steri-strips over the laproscopic incisions (1 by navel, 1 over pubic bone, 1 on each end of original abdominal incision.
I can't shower yet because I can only tolerate paper tape and my PS doesn't want the nipple area to get wet and doesn't want the bandages disturbed yet. I can sit in a few inches of water in the tub and wash my hair in the sink. No drains, hurray! I have alot of bruising in the lipo areas, although it looks much worse than it feels. He promised me that the lipo wouldn't be very painful and he was right!
My PS post-op appt is Monday, Feb 15 for the grand unveiling.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Pre-op PS office visit - Jan 18, 2010
Had my pre-op PS visit today. As far as the abdominal swelling goes, my CT scan showed nothing anatomically wrong - no abdominal wall or muscle weakness, no hernia, no lymphadema, no fluid collections. That's wonderful news! That means that the Lupron must be causing this swelling. The Lupron effects should wear off by early February and I can't wait for that! Dr. S says that if, for some reason, the swelling doesn't go away, then he can fix the problem surgically at another time. I sure hope that won't be necessary.
My Stage 2 surgery is Feb 3. Nipples will be created, left side will be reduced a little to match the right side. Fat grafting will be done to fill in some hollow areas and dog ears will be fixed. I'm also having my ovaries and uterus removed laproscopically as well as a bladder lift. The gynocologist will go first, followed by the urologist, then the PS will do his part. They estimate a 4 hour surgery with 1 night in the hospital.
I'm getting nervous about surgery, but I keep reminding myself that this is nothing like the Stage 1 surgery. I'm just ready to get this behind me and move on.
My Stage 2 surgery is Feb 3. Nipples will be created, left side will be reduced a little to match the right side. Fat grafting will be done to fill in some hollow areas and dog ears will be fixed. I'm also having my ovaries and uterus removed laproscopically as well as a bladder lift. The gynocologist will go first, followed by the urologist, then the PS will do his part. They estimate a 4 hour surgery with 1 night in the hospital.
I'm getting nervous about surgery, but I keep reminding myself that this is nothing like the Stage 1 surgery. I'm just ready to get this behind me and move on.
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