NOLA in September?
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I know they have a computer room off the lobby.... and I am almost certain I used my ipad in the lobby... Not sure if it worked in the room... Maybe someone else can chime in.
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yes there is wifi in the rooms and in the lobby and dining area.
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maggie85 - yes there is wifi but it did not work in my room which was all the way at the end of the hall and then a turn to get to a corner room. My room had reclining beds, which was a definite plus. You could get a signal if you sat next to the door but not in the bed. I used my cellular but I wanted to be able to watch Netflix and didn't want to eat up my data streaming.
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Stix, I had implant revision at Nola in November - previous abdominal surgery has left me with limited choices. My initial ps ended up over dissecting my chest wall towards the sternum and caused symmastia - after switching to another ps I've had revision after revision - gave up and headed to Nola. So far it looks better but I still need one or two more revisions. Dr. D was my surgeon. Laurie
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kelleyb...I had the hip flap because I didn't have any fat on my tummy. I knew that was the only option for me. I woke up in a compression garment. I would go with what Dr. Sullivan recommends:)
I still need to post my pics on the forum. I'm so happy with them!
Weaveshear. I had many complications with expanders from radiation. Thin skin, infections..I'm so glad I went to Nola.
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Finally put my pic up on the forum...;)
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Marsha, we must have been in the same room at the Hope Lodge, cause you described it perfectly only I could get wifi a little bit on my iPad but it wasn't a very strong signal and it was better by the door.
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Betsy--I would LOVE to be added to the fb group!
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I had wifi in my room, lobby, and dining hall.
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Maggie - it looks like we're having our surgeries in NOLA the same day. I'll try to find you while I'm there.
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Well, we just got some snow and freezing rain dropped on us in the night, and I'm driving. I hope we are still able to get there tomorrow, kelleyb, because I darn sure don't want to put my surgery off. I'm pumped up and ready for it! It doesn't appear I'll have to drive far in the snow, so that's a good thing, but my little coupe likes it hot and zoom zoomy ... it protests in snow and ice by sliding around. I look forward to seeing you!
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You are both Jan 8, right? Its nice to have surgery buddies. I have had a few.
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How long is the DIEP flap surgery with the NOLA docs? I thought I read they all work as a team, but I see some ladies say 7 hours and on up to 12 hours. I won't get to talk to the docs until Tuesday, and I have family and friends asking how long it will be.
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Maggie,
Mine was under 5 hours. I did not have nodes done. (Done in a previous surgery). This was a bilateral mastectomy -skin sparring, nipple sparring, with DIEP reconstruction, My quotes in NY were for an 8-12 hour surgery. I asked Dr. Sullivan how it was they could be done so quickly....he said "this is what we do". As in, they do it often and are very experienced.
Another great thing was time spent in the hospital....it was less than the quotes I had in NY.
Oh, and the hospital itself is private...breast patients, nurses that know their stuff, Murphy bed for the caretaker. Meals provided for you and caretaker.
So many positive things to say about NOLA.
Pat
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Maggie, just saw your surgery date!
Wishing you the best.
Pat
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Maggie, I hope you don't have any travel issues. I can't believe how cold it's going to be in NOLA tomorrow night (low 20's). But it looks like things pick up nicely around Thursday. I do hope to get to meet you.
Also noticed that you have Dr. Trahan for surgery, I have Dr. Sullivan, and I've not even spoken to him yet. Hopefully no major issues come up, the only thing I'm concerned about is size. I'm pretty overweight (by about 50 pounds) and pear shaped, so hoping he can give me more balance with this surgery and I'll end up more of an hourglass. I'm wondering about if they ever use implants to increase volume with the DIEP or just harvest from tummy and hips. I'm also wondering how they do these surgeries, as in, are they using residents? I thought they worked in teams of two, plus the mastectomy doctor if appropriate, but that would only leave Dr. Dellacroce of the three to assist. I'm having a prophy mastectomy on the right.
Anyway, I just got home from getting my nails done and having myself waxed so I'm all spiffy for Wednesday.
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Kelly and Maggie, good luck on your surgeries this week. You will both be very pleased with NOLA. They only have the three docs. One is the lead surgeon and one of the others assists. I am not aware of them using residents.
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Another question - when you see the PS for the consult the day before surgery, are you dressed or in a gown? I wasn't planning to bring any dressy clothes but feel like if I'm going to see Dr. Sullivan in my street clothes it should be something nice.
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Ya'll are going to have such a fun week! Surgery time - it really varies by patient and what needs to be done. They do work in pairs, but not always two docs in the OR with you - they move about as needed. Some parts require 4 hands and some only 2. They are expert at maximizing their time. So Dr. D might be scheduled for a Stage 2 while Dr. T is doing a Stage 1. Then D can move in to assist T at the appropriate times. I am not sure if Dr. Massey is down there now, but if she is she will also be scrubbed in and rotate as needed. You will be asleep the entire time. They do not use residents. In my case, I had implants removed with lots of scar tissue plus the DIEP and it took 6 or 7 hours. If you are having hip flaps there might be extra time as they have to turn the patient.
Kelley, if you have plenty of fat then they won't need implants as they can stack flaps for greater volume. Just remember in this first surgery, they really will be focusing on getting good blood flow to the flaps. Aesthetics come with Stage 2. So, don't be surprised if the biggest body shape change you see is a flat tummy. My waist pulled in more at Stage 2 when Dr. M did lipo on the flanks to get fat to graft.
I hope this helps a bit. You will be a bit nervous and anxious. Actually, I was that way the day before surgery. On surgery day I was really calm. Just remember to be flexible and know that you are in the best hands. Breath and just show up - that's all you have to do. These docs and nurses really do have it all covered!
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Kelley - wear casual comfortable clothes. You will be in a gown, most likely so that Dr. S can see what he is working with. He may also mark you up like a smurf.
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May I also join the FB group?
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Kelley - PM BDavis and she can add you.
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kelleyb, I was dressed in streetclothes for initial meeting with doctor S. he discussed some of the procedure and then I was sent to change, get my "before" photos (remove identifiable jewelry...pics are from neck down) and then doc came in to draw on me.
If you don't wear low cut panties they give you their "hospital" panties to put on for photos...or maybe I had to wear them anyway? Geez I have a crappy memory! This was for the photos.
Wishing you the best.
Pat
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About clothes... the blue marker gets on your clothes, so don't wear white. I have a beige bra that still has blue on it.
And Kelley, friend me on FB Betsy Schreier Davis and I will add you.
Also, my BMX GAP flap surgery was 11 hours. Gap flap with flipping takes a while, plus they spent about 45 minutes trying to remove my chemo port and were doing a floroscan or something... so that added time. I had Dr D and Dr S for my initial surgery and then had Dr D and Dr T for my DIEP flap... I think Dr D ran solo for all other surgeries. They did have a 4th doctor on staff for a bit, but it didn't work out. They are very particular.
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My surgery was 8 hours the first time and I had a prophylactic masectomy on the left side then had each side done diep. Also my port removed too. I had Dr. T, but Dr. D assisted and I didn't know this till my insurance was billed and I seen it on my account. You both will do great. They take really good care of you. Like others have said on this first surgery they are just concerned with getting good blood flow going to the flaps.
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Kelley.... Also, about your nails, they will need at least one fingernail with no dark polish for the oxygen thing... I did my nails before stage I and had to remove polish from one nail for surgery. Just letting you know.
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I had a prop double mastectomy (nipple and shin sparing) DIEP. My surgery was 10.5 hours with no complications. It seems like just a few minutes went by.
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My stage 1 surgery took about 5 hours. Bilateral mastectomy with DIEP. I did not keep my nipples. I had nodes removed in previous surgeries.
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Kelly, I have a pre-op appt. with Dr. D Wednesday at 3:30, so I know he's around that day and will likely assist Dr. S with your surgery. I am also overweight, and after my hip flaps there is NO WAY I would need an implant for volume. Believe me when I tell you, if you have extra fat they WILL put it to good use! I am having stage 2b revisions on Friday and am actually planning to ask for a slight reduction. My breasts are only slightly larger than my natural breasts, but because they sit higher it makes them look bigger, I think.
Now, if only I could talk him into removing a large hunk of flab from my inner thighs!
Good luck this week, and maybe I'll see you in the halls on Saturday if you are still there! I'm having revisions, hysterectomy and oopherectomy on Friday. Supposed to be released Saturday, but I usually end up needing to stay an extra day or two because of very low blood pressure after surgery. I'm prepared for anything this time--it's my 4th surgery there!
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Dianne. Kelley and Maggie are having surgery on the 8th. Busy week down there.
Oh. And if you want him to lipo the inner thigh just ask. He has lipo'd all parts of my body.
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