NOLA in September?
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Okay gals, I still need an answer about the dom suit. What does it look like. I am going to buy a suit from marena and need to know what kind to buy.
Thanks
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thanks 2tzus- i will pm with some questions.
Sheridangirl- here is the Link to the Dom outfit:
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this one is closest to the one you get: http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-86-1st-stage-girdle-with-medium-legs.aspx
But given the expense, you might want to consider wearing the garments they give you for the first couple weeks (let them get the stains) and then get a pull-on stage 2 Marena to wear long term after that (with or without suspenders, that's up to you). The zippers can get uncomfortable after long term wear. Zippers make it easier to get on, but once your incisions heal the pull-on is easy to get on too. Also, the stage 2 one is a little tighter, it'll give you better compression after you lose some of the initial swelling.
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I am sad that I will miss the dinner. I am flying in on 10-29 in the AM. Hopefully I will stop by St Charles and visit y'all during your morophine haze. Good luck ladies.
BC Diva I am thinking of you and praying for you.
I am 5 and a half weeks out from Stage 2 and by back has been killing me, Right where they did the Lipo. Is this normal.
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I didn't get a dom suit. Any idea why? Is that something I will get tomorrow at my follow up appointment?
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Just4ann ; I never got one at Stage 1 not until stage 2 and I still am wearing it after 5 weeks
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Thanks SallyM. That makes me feel better.
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Thanks Gals, Now I know what to do. I will wear the dom outfit they give me and then will wear the Marena stage 2 after a few weeks past surgery.
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sallym- my lipo'd areas were sore for quite a long time. It was manageable but sore. I remember wondering if it would ever go away
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sallym, My back still hurts a lot too from lipo there. It's been since end of July. sorry you won't be there for the dinner, but there will be other opportunities to have fun!
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Melinda - Hope u're recovering well!
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I was told that lipo on the back is more painful due to the very large muscles in that area. Another NOLA grad warned me that it was the most painful area to have lipoed, and that was definitely my experience as well. I think I'm going to be too sore to be much fun Halloween weekend, but I hope to see you, Sally.
We got great news today. My brother got married last November, two days after my last surgery in NOLA. I had to be very creative to camouflage the big nipple protectors that day! For many years, he has been hoping to marry and have at least one child, and we were so happy when he found Stacy. Well, she is three weeks pregnant and my brother is over the moon with happiness. He'll turn 50 a few weeks before the baby is born. I've felt badly for him and worried about him for so long, and now I feel great relief and joy....it's all such a miracle.
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That's great Auntie Sandy!
So they are no longer doing the DOM outfit post stage 1? UGH. I wish I would have waited, ha ha ha. Honestly, it is not a fun time, so those who don't have it yet, well. ENJOY this time!!!
Sally, come visit us in the surgical hospital. There will be at least three of us there Friday through check out on Saturday...
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I would like to wish all of you lovely ladies well. Continued speedy recoverys, and best wishes for upcoming surgeries. Sadly I will not be getting the sugery in NOLA ,. THey will not take my insurance. Dr Massey will do it in Charleston, but not till March.
I am not sure I will be able to do that. We had a house fire on Sat. Our home is gone. Entirely. The reconstuction of the house (ironic that they use that word) will be scheduled for the spring. I don't think I can recover and rebuild at the same time.
I am devestated right now, perhaps in time things will be more clear,.
I will contine to check on everyone and wish them well!!
Elaine
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Just4ann--I didn't get a dom outfit either after stage 1. They gave me an abdominal binder to take home with kind of vague instructions to wear it for comfort, Then I found out they wanted me to wear it for one week after the last drain came out. It sounds like instructions are different with different drs and different surgeries.
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((Elaine))- I hope you figure out a plan tha is going to work great for you and your family.
So Nipple stitches are out and so far righty is looking great. I hope it continues to look great. I went walking yesterday and I felt pretty good. I am looking forward to getting in better shape again. I am seeing a gym membership coming soon.
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Got some upsetting news this morning. My onocologist called me with the results from some tests she did on the 17th. Turns out I have developed Autoimmune Hepatitis. My immune system is attacking my liver. Not real familiar with that so I guess I will have to go back into research mode. She scheduled me an appointment with a specialist once I get back home and can get around a bit better. I was so hoping I could just sit around and enjoy my new boobs. I have an appointment with Dr. S this morning at 11. I will see what he says about it. I hope it doesn't compromise any aspect of my reconstruction. I am so ready to just move on with my life. But I just don't seem to be able to find a sure foothold. Every time I think I have found solid ground, it crumbles beneath me and I have to change direction. I will let you know what the doctor says. If anyone is familiar with Autoimmune Hepatitis please let me know. I sure wasn't prepared for more internet research.
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Elaine, we are sorry about the house fire! Holy cow. I can imagine you must feel totally overwhelmed right now. I am sure things will become clearer once your home life is back in order. Dr. M is great and you will be well cared for in Charleston, whenever you go there.
Amy - who was your doc with no binder after stage 1? I am so jealous.
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Ann wow. I don't know anything about that. How did you develop it, do they know even? Hang in there. That is a lot with just recovering from Stage 1....
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I was given the binder type thing at discharge from NOLA, I had Dr S. The nurse told me to wear it when walking and stuff. I tried but it was so hard with the 2 drains still etc... So when I had my post op Celeste said oh no, don't wear that til after your last drains come out then for a week.
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Elaine--oh my--house fire?? That's sounds horrible. And Ann, same with autoimmune hepatitis. Keep us posted on what this means!
Spring, I had Dr D. I don't know if he has changed his approach, but I just had DIEP, not stacked like you. I wore a wrap around binder for a week after the last drain came out, but was told I didn't have to while still having a drain.
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Elaine I am so sorry to hear about your fire. Hang in there and hopefully things will work out for you and your family. Prayers are being sent your way
I did have a binder after Stage 1 but at post-op Dr D said it was too tight and not to wear it.
I will most certainly stop into the hospital Friday Night to see all of you wonderful ladies. Again sorry I will miss dinner.
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Ladies ladies ladies,
A dear friend will be in NOLA for her Stage 1 on Oct. 21st and is interested in getting together with all those who will be there on the 28th and onward. Her name is Liz and she is having delayed recon. She will book her flights so as to be able to get toether with y'all.
Spring please add Liz to the list, October 21st Stage 1 bilateral delayed!
Love to all,
Marcia
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((((Elaine)))) ,I am so so heartbroken for you..please be kind to yourself during the days ahead.
((((Just4Ann))),
I hope that you are able to get the information and treatment that you need and can make the best choices for yourself,' I did dig this up for you..."Certain medications, such as the antibiotic minocycline and the cholesterol medication atorvastatin (Lipitor) have been linked to autoimmune hepatitis. " Hope this tidbit is helpful. I believe the cyclines can be used after autologous tissue surgery..
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Does anyone know how much of the drain tube is inside after stage 1? I know my breast ones weren't that long, but a lady i met while there pulled her hip one out and she said it was like 15" long? WOW!! She had Dr D, I had Dr S. Not sure if there is a standard, just trying to get an idea and see if I want to attempt myself when they're ready.
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Just4Ann - wow.. I'm sorry to hear that... also Elaine .... ugh....
Dragonfly - After Stage 1, I had a nurse pull my hip drains and I didn't look. After Stage 2, out of frustration and impatience, I pulled my own hip drains.... I remember it was Memorial Day weekend and I wasn't willing to wait until Tuesday... lol....it was freaky and I cried through it but I did it.. I'm thinking they were like 12-14" long maybe a little longer? I am trying to recall that after trying to block it out ... but I think that's about right. The relief of having no drains is like no other... lol. I think that's why I had the nerve to do it...
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Elaine, I am so sorry to hear about your home. That is a terrible thing to have to deal with. Stay strong!
Thanks Marcia for the info on Hepatitis. I have looked up a little bit but there is so much to muddle through. And honestly, I don't have the mindset right now to absorb that much information. I will save that for when I get home. But I did read it is often triggered by medication. And looking back at all my labs, my liver panels started going haywire about two months into chemo. That is when I developed a UTI. So maybe it was the antibiotics. I will never know for sure.
Dragonfly, I went for my follow up today and it just so happened Dr S was explaining the two remaining drains in my hips. I was hoping he would pull them today but the combined output has to be 50cc or below for a 24 hour period. I am still over 100cc. I will still have them for a while. He said when we pull them to be prepared because they are about 2 feet long. So there is your answer to the length question.
Something I wanted to share about dealing with the drains -- I found a fantastic way to carry them comfortably. I got an elastic bandage -- like the Ace bandages for sprains and such. I have one that my husband used when he had knee surgery a couple of years ago. It is about 6 inches wide. But I lay my drains in front of me and wrap the bandage around and around my middle -- not tight, but so it stays. Mine makes about 4 wraps around. Then I slip the drain bulbs in between the layer of the bandage. They don't slide or pull or poke out. They are actually pretty comfortable. I had it on when I went for my appointment and Dr S said that looked like a great idea and he thinks he may start incorporating that for his other patients.
He did give me the dom outfit today. But he said I don't have to wear it until after I pull the drains and to then wear it for 1 week. I am glad I don't have to wiggle into it with the drains. It certainly doesn't look like it will be comfortable.
I fly out at 10:50 tomorrow morning. Yeah!! I will be so glad to be back to the hills of Tennessee. Everyone has been so nice here but Dorothy is right -- there's no place like home!
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Hi everyone! I'm Liz and I am scheduled to start reconstruction (delayed bilateral) on Oct 21st. I got an "all clear" PET/CT scan today and will go for my EKG and labs the week before surgery.
I have been "boobless" for 16 months now and can't wait to see and feel some bumps on my chest again. We fly into NOLA on Oct 19th and plan to return to FL on Oct 29th. I would love to meet some of you ladies at ZEA. Will it def be on the 28th?
Thanks soccermom4force for adding me to the NOLA clan!
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Thanks ladies for the drain answers
My right side put out less than 30cc today and yesterday, my left side is still putting out more between 40-60cc. They can pull one before the other right? I don't think i have the courage to pull them myself, especially knowing now how long they are! OUCH I'm nervous now thinking about it! Ann, I'm surprised you got a DOM outfit. I got a big binder thing that has 3 velcro flaps. Course I can't wear it yet cause of the infamous drains. It was 2 weeks yesterday.
Holtbolt - Seriously???? There are drains with stage 2?
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Thanks for the update and info just4ann. you and Elaine are in my prayers.
My post op appt with Dr. Sullivan is tomorrow and then I get to fly back to Ohio tomorrow to see my husband and kids.Miss them!
Every surgeon I saw prior to Massey/Sullivan said the best they could do with my (then) thin build and radiation and double reconstruction would be a size A. I was devistated. I just wanted to be back to where I was before, around a size B/C.
Dr. Sullivan checked me out and said he could do it, but it would depend on my radiated side.
Woke up from surgery and Dr. said he was able to do more than he thought. I waited 2 years to get these better than fantastic results. I am out of my mind. Can't wait to get an official sizing tomorrow. I know they're still swollen but so far waaaay beyond my expectations.
Thank you all for all your help. without this thread i would never have taken the leap of faith to fly down here etc. I'll update after my appt tomorrow.
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