Wren

Hi,

Well, I my surgery involved nipple reconstruction, areolas using eyelid skin, a revision/lift on the left and the cleavage, and a small scar revision on the right.

I am still bandaged up on the nipples but I got a glimpse of them when the dressings were changed last Friday and I am happy.

My eyes are still bruised but I am also pleased with that outcome.

Overall, this surgery made me feel quite worn out, but I am not on any pain meds anymore, just Tylenol. So, even though I'm exhausted, I am doing well.

Hugs!!!

Sue, I had the same thing years ago and it was just an ingrown hair that formed a bump, like a cyst. It eventually went away on its own. I think your idea to use tea will help too...

Nancy, that is a wonderful family photo and memory. You have a handsome family.

I'm slowly recovering from my surgery last Monday. I have my nights and days a little turned around though. It still amazes me all the surgeries I've been through to get to this point.

Hugs to you all!

Firni, My eyelid skin was used as a graft for the areolas. The stithces and tape is to help them heal up. I do notice a subtle difference already. I don't look as tired. Linda54, the eyelid procedure is a blepharoplasty (without removing fat or muscle, just skin)

I'm only taking Tylenol for pain most of the time now so that is good that I'm not feeling a lot of pain.

The bruising on my eyelids is minimal in my opinion - the redness was more from a reaction to the antibiotic ointment which I am not using any more.

I think I'll get some stitches out today.

Hugs!

I am so sorry you are having to go through this. It sounds so overwhelming. I don't blame you a bit for shedding some tears.

I hope the time flies and you get your new implant sooner than later.

My nipple surgery is on Monday and this is also my biggest fear, that something won't heal right.

Take care!

I had my pre-op today and everything will go along as scheduled. My name is already on the list, but I am so happy to be alllmost there. I will have nipples and areolas and some revision to the cleavage and left side. It's been over a year since I began this journey--and it was really a lot to go through, but I am soooo glad that I did it!

pondfrogs and blessed,

I have the same thing--one is slightly lower and squishier, and one is slightly higher and firmer. I meet with my PS tomorrow to find out if I'll get nipples and revisions or just revisions and nipples at yet another surgery.

Right now, nipples are planned with the revisions, but they have changed even more in the two months since I've been in to see the PS.

I think it's common to need some revisions. I have a couple friends who either are going through, or have gone through reconstruction with implants and they both needed some minor revisions.

I'll let you know how it goes. My best wishes to you all.

Ulla, that sounds like an overwhelming test! I'm sending good wishes your way that this week just flies by so you can find out one way or the other.

Sue, I can't wait to see pictuers of your vacation! I sooooo want to go too.

Hugs to you all!

Well, I don't know what date is my official cancerversary, LOL... I had my lumpectomy on Aug. 29th of 2007 and my bilateral mastectomy on Oct. 23 of 2007. Both are significant because on the first surgery we got all the cancer (that we knew of) and on the second I said goodbye to a part of me... and hopefully decreased the chances of ever having breast cancer again...

All I know is that today was a weird day for me--and although I wanted to tell someone, I didn't know who to tell... and so I just wore my pink ribbon pin and bought a Breast Cancer raffle ticket at Safeway, LOL!

Cathi1, I'm thinking of you and sending good wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery!

Sue, I'm so glad you are going to see your doctor next week. It's not fun to feel bad, but it's even worse to worry and wonder about why...  so you will feel better just having a chat with the doctor. I wonder if you have something like we have here where you can call a consulting nurse with questions? It's kind of like a hotline that some hospitals or clinics have just so you don't have to worry about things until your doctor appointment.

As to limey or any other expressions--I ususally go to urbandictionary.com to find out about slang. Most of the time I find what I want to know there, and sometimes I find out more than I want to know! LOL!!!

My kids are home from college for a just a few hours tonight so we can get a family picture taken! It will be the first one in many years. I am so excited! I don't even care what they are wearing, etc... Best part is that the photo is done for free by professionals for our church directory.  All I had to do was promise my kids (and their friends they brought along) a spaghetti dinner.

Hugs to you all!

Cathi, you're doing all those 'feel good' things that you need to do, so just keep moving forward and don't look back.

I think 'good hair' will help too, LOL! I had my hair done before my BL mastectomy and had it perfectly styled (with no gels, etc) the day of surgery. It made my day when the nurses all commented on my pretty hair too. After surgery my hair stayed looking good for a long time too and I was so glad I had it all done.

Continue to do all those nice things after your surgery too. I went ahead and let folks pamper me and I think it helped in the rate at which I healed up. I said 'yes' to anyone who wanted to bring me dinners and help with housework.

I'm in your cheering squad sending as much positive support as I can.

Sue, ummm... Shirlann is right... when your language gets cute...I start to wonder which one of us is still speaking English, LOL! I love it!!! 

Hugs!