NOLA in September?
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Hi love. They can fix a lot at stage 2. Have you sent them pictures? Maybe they could give you an idea of what to expect. Where in Ohio are you? I'm in Toledo.
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yellow springs near dayton. I have sent pictures and talked with Dr. T. He mentioned a lift and making flaps smaller which is ok with me. But I saw a picture on another site where that led to a complete flap failure and infection. Surgery is 3 weeks from Friday. Just getting really nervous. First surgery was really long due to not so great blood vessels in my chest, never smoked a day in my life and very healthy but I guess sometimes you just don't know
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sorry, I had to delete my earlier reply and think carefully about how I felt. I only try to post upbeat posts and I never want to discourage anyone else. But so many times, I wish that I hadn't had this surgery. I have issues with scar tissue buildup and now I think I may lose the flap. I don't know if they can take out scar tissue, it's 24 hour pain. I know these docs can do amazing things, so I am holding out hope.
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MyDiane - You have stage 2 a week before me. How long will you be in NOLA?
MerrellGirl- We will be there at the same time. My surgery is Friday the 14th.
I wish you both smooth sailing and would love to meet either of you if it works out. I'll put a sign on my door that says SeaShellie :-)
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Shellie, I def will seek u out! I am staying at the Hope Lodge before and after. I will b in NOLA until the 21st. Going down on the 8th. Will b my first time there as I didn't go for a consult beforehand. So anxious but trying to remember others' advice: just show up...
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I like that advice, Merrellgirl - I'm starting to get a little nervous, it's finally becoming reality! I've never been to NOLA before, either. My parents are traveling in their 5th wheel for the winter and they timed it so they'll be there for my surgery! They will keep my hubby company. I'm going to start packing tomorrow, then it will be even more real! Deep breath....
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good luck, MerrillGirl and Shellie. You will be in great hands and will be treated very well. Sending loving, healing thoughts your way.
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Thanks Zenful, I appreciate that!
I'm curious how much walking around everyone was willing and able to do after stage 2. Obviously, it depends on how much the Dr. does but trying to get a general idea. Wondering if it might be a good idea to rent a wheelchair, I'll be in NOLA for 4 days after surgery.
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SeaShellie,
I will have my post op appointment on the 10th and fly home later that day. It looks like we will just miss each other. I'm getting a little nervous too. I wish you the very best with your surgery. Sending good thoughts and healing your way.....
MyDiane
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Ok girls. Just got to Sebastian, FL for the winter and found a new pea sized lump. I am 2 years out of DIEP and a skin and nipple sparring surgery. It is near my original BC site. Didn't think I ever had to worry about this again. I am pissed.
Is anyone out there familiar with Breast Specialists on the Vero beach/Melbourne area?
What could this be?
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Hello!
Added these two surgeries to the list just now:
Dec 3 - TedWilliams - Stage 2, Dr. D., NOLA.
Dec 5 - Gramof2Boys - Stage 2, Dr. T., NOLA.d
Makes me remember my own stage 2 in early Dec years ago!
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Cherrie,
It could be what they call an Oil Cyst. I have seen that so many times here, even a few years out. Stay hopeful for now...
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Shellie,
You will be surprised at how much easier it is after Stage 2. I had the Body Lift, so they reopened my breasts and hips to do their magic, and I also had a little work on the tummy scar, plus the lipo. It still was very manageable, and I walked each day. Even walked from the Homewood Suites to the French Quarter for lunch. It's so much easier when you are not bent over!
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Cherrie, a bunch of us have had oil cysts. I had an MRI and Dr. Stolier verified. They are a little sore to the touch and can cause redness on the skin surface. Best wishes in dealing with this quickly so you don't have to worry any more.
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hope all of you wonderful women are feeling well.
today, the last of my stitches and dermabond came off from my stage 2. I looked in the mirror and a regular girl looked back.
I’m still battling a small infection and have some residual bruising and i think the lipo areas are still swollen, but it is such a relief to be at this phase of healing.
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HI Cherrie, I second exactly what LAstar said. I have had a number of the same.....they are a bit unsettling but no big worries. Dr. M took care of a few of mine that bothered me. Try not to worry.
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MyDiane, Sorry we'll just miss each other but I wish you a greatly successful surgery and speedy healing. Hugs to you.
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Has anyone here had tattoos with Vinnie in a location other than NOLA, and been successful at getting insurance to pay for it? I have relatives near his MD office. For both it would be $800. Let me know
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nope. Ins. Would not pay
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Thanks Shellie,
I wish both of us swift and successful surgeries, quick healing, and beautiful outcomes. I will keep you in my thoughts on the day of your surgery. Hugs to you, too!
Diane
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Thinking of scheduling with NOLA tomorrow. They said they could possibly get me in for Stage 1 on December 10th.
They tell me that it is a three day hospital stay and then I can fly home to Vermont on December 18th, just 8 days after surgery.
What has been your experience ladies who have come from afar? Did you go back so quickly after surgery? What did you do for follow up? Removal of drains?
I think they said I would come back 12 weeks later for Stage II so I am guessing, being the New Orleans is so far from Vermont I wouldn't see them again until Stage 2.
Any past insights on your experience and timeline with this would really help me. My insurance doesn't cover this so I have a lot of out of pocket cost - UGH, which is very difficult. But, I also hear this is one of the best places to do it and probably worth it.
I have been through such hell with my mastectomies and post surgical infections in my expanders and then implants that I can't wait to have soft, real feeling breast again.
Look forward to hearing from you ladies.
Take care,
Julieho
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Julie--I had surgery there but with Dr. Massey, who has her own practice separate from the group. But, I thought the stay was the same--4 nights, not 3. I went in on a Wednesday and was discharged on a Sunday to the hotel. I had my follow up appointment on the following Thursday. I had already planned to stay until Sunday. If I had the flexibility (but no, thanks to the airlines), I could have left on Friday or Saturday, and I think I would have been fine. I think it would have been possible to leave on day 8...with good help, of course. The NOLA airport is not bad to get through. I requested the wheelchair, and it couldn't have been easier.
With Dr. Massey, you have a "helper doctor" who is local and agrees to the role ahead of time. That person can pull the drains or you can. I did it myself.
The hospital is a very good place for care and recovery. I did not have a big insurance outlay, so I can't say what the price point is where it's worth it or not, but to me, to be out of an intensive care situation and a place that was very comfortable is worth something.
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julieho, I arranged to be followed by my local breast surgeon before I left. My nurse friend pulled one of my drains and my husband pulled the other. It's not that bad, as long as you remember to open the drain before pulling so that there is no suction! I think I was there for 10 or 11 days total so your schedule sounds right. The Hope Lodge is available for free through the ACA and is really nice. The only down side is that you can't bring food into your room (cockroaches are just awful in the south and they can't let that happen there). They will take great care of you at St. Charles Surgical Hospital and provide great food and shuttles. They make it really easy to travel for surgery. The flight home is long and tiresome but that is the only downside.
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Julieho, the stay sounds about right. My family physician pulled all my drains. I would suggest waiting closer to 4 months for Stage 2. Those extra few weeks will make a difference in your strength. Definitely ask for a wheelchair at the airport on the way home after Stage 1. You won't need it after Stage 2, as it is a much easier recovery. They will take great care of you at The Center, and you will look fabulous. So glad you found these wonderful doctors.
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Julie:
My journey began in New Orleans and will be ending in New Orleans. There are various options in regard to places to stay before and after surgery. Having lived on the North Shore, we chose to rent a cottage near the lake after I was dismissed. It allowed us to cook or walk to several restaurants and the cost was comparable to staying in New Orleans. Surgery was on Wed. and I was dismissed on Friday. I was shopping at Stein Mart on Sunday on the North Shore. Post op was on Tues. We headed home on Wed. Home was a 12 hour drive and I did great. My first drain was removed at my post-op appointment. My husband removed the second. We almost forgot to open the bulb. The Center sent home a kit for him to remove the remaining stitch as well as gloves. If I had needed care, I could have gone to my PCP. Stage II will be Dec. 3. This time we will fly in. The NO airport is easy to navigate. We are staying close to the Center and can take the streetcar wherever we need to go.
When I began this journey the Breast Center was just opening up. I watched the commercials. Dr. Stolier was my BS and recommended a different PS. I was the 1% that failed. Then we moved to Texas. Again a very highly regarded surgeon performed a second flap. The damage from radiation and previous surgeries prevented a good result. After much contemplation, I contacted the Breast Center. This has been an expensive journey--the other surgeries were in net work-- but for the first time in 5 years I am feeling my new normal. As Dr. D said to me....you took a long time to get here.
And there is magic in New Orleans.
Jana
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Julie
I will be in NOLA for my stage 2 on December 11. So will see you there. I was one of the lucky ones with stage 1 recovery.... 3 nights hospital. Hotel day 4 to day 7 and home on the 8th day... Flight to ny. I was walking 2 miles a day when I was at the hotel. But that was tiring and took lots of naps. Went home with 1 drain and pulled it myself two days later.
I don't know what to expect for stage 2 (especially since I can't get a call back from dr t).... As my new breast is much smaller than my other side and I fear this is going to be more than a small nip/tuck. But hoping outcome and recovery is just as easy and looks much better
Kimberly
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Hi,
It is looking like I will get the stage 1 DIEP on December 10th. I haven't had a confirmation call yet but am very hopeful.
I have joined some Facebook DIEP groups and gotten really freaked by some of the photos I have seen. I am feeling suddenly really scared. I have wanted this for so long, my implants are so hard and so not a part of me, but I am also healed and the idea of going back to having such a big surgery is freaking me out some.
Any words of encouragement or experience about the Stage 1 would really help right about now.
Thank you all,
Julieho
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Julie, this is the appropriate time to go "what in the heck am I doing?!?!?!" I think we've all done it, but I don't know of anyone on this board who wishes that they didn't have this surgery. Waiting for surgery is the worst. For me, the pain afterward is easier to deal with than the fear of the unknown. When you are seeing some of the very best microsurgeons, you can relax a little and know that these folks are going to take great care of you. And pain meds work. And bodies are amazingly resilient. And my reconstructed breasts look AWESOME. Write your to-do list, stay busy, do some core and cardio workout everyday to be strong, get a massage, get a pedi before you go, take hot baths while you still can, then prepare to rest, read, relax, and heal. Lovely soft breasts in 2015!
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Julie--I've not been on the FB groups so I don't know what you've seen. My experience, now at six weeks out, has been fine. I'm very pleased with what I have and at no rush to get Stage II unless I can get it in this medical plan year, of course. The attention and treatment at SCSH is unbelievable. Yes, it's a big surgery, but every day gets better. You can look forward to your first shower with their help, your first ICEE and their food which is pretty okay. It's quiet there too. If you want to PM me, I'd consider sharing some photos if that would reassure you. I think your results will be even better because you already have skin in that area--I did not because I was coming from BMX with no recon.
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Julie,
By Fed law, insurance is required to pay for breast reconstruction.
Why is your insurance not paying?0
