Monday, August 6, we had to be at Sibley Surgical Center at 5:45 am. Got checked in, and they had me put on a gown and a cap covering my hair. Then the nurses came in and put an IV in my forearm and asked me a lot of questions. Next the nurse anesthetist and the anesthesiologist came to see me and explained how they would put me to sleep and then I'd have a breathing tube during the surgery. Finally, Dr. Brown came in to draw the Wise surgical pattern (what I call a "Simplicity sewing pattern") on my breasts with a special magic marker. He has to do this while I'm standing up since he'll be operating on me while I'm lying down. Around 7:15, the nurse anesthetist came in and gave me something to relax me via my IV. I remember being wheeled down the hall and parked in front of the operating room, and that's the last thing I remember.
The operation took about 3.25 hours and all went as expected. They apparently took about 1.2 lbs of skin and breast tissue from my left breast and 1.3 lbs from my right breast. Wow. When I woke up, I was in a compression bra that I'm wearing for a week, and have a drain coming out on either side near the base of the bra. I have to measure the fluid that comes out of me and empty the drains a couple times a day. When there is less than 30cc of fluid from each drain in 24 hours, they will be removed. Larry is helping me with the drains and everything else. He's an excellent care-taker!!
The biggest surprise for me is that I thought that it would be odd psychologically to look down and see my "shelf" much smaller. But I like it! Although I'm sore and swollen, my breasts look a lot different - like those of a much younger woman. And I can already feel the benefit of carrying around less weight on my chest.
A couple of weeks ago, I did an online search for post- breast surgery recovery supplies and found a few things that have really helped:
Heal In Comfort Wet & Dry Drain Pouch Kit -- includes a little cotton apron you can wear during the day under your shirt to carry the drain bulbs, and a mesh apron you can wear in the shower for the same purpose. They are really working well!
Xtreme Comforts 7" Memory Foam Bed Wedge Pillow -- This wedge props up my torso slightly allowing me to sleep comfortably on my back.
Leachco Snoogle Body Pillow -- this large C-shaped pillow allows me to prop up my arms for more comfort when I sleep.
Button-down shirts -- so I don't have to raise my arms to put on a top
On the day after surgery, I successfully showered thanks to my dressings being covered by gauze and waterproof clear tape. However, I noticed that the dressing under my left breast looked like it had gotten bloody. Although I don't think it was actively bleeding, I was worried about the moistness. The nurse called to see how I was doing and I asked for advice about this. She suggested going to CVS and buying supplies and re-doing it ourselves. We ventured out and had a hard time finding the right things. It was a little too early for me to be out and about, too. When we came home and Larry started to peel the dressing off, it hurt a lot and I said I really think Dr. Brown should do this. Fortunately, when we called, they said come on it, so we did. He said it was good we came. It was a relief to have him do this and not worry about introducing any bacteria or disrupting the stitches. Whew.
The pain has been quite manageable. I haven't taken the heavy duty pain pills since the morning of Day 2 - I'm just on Tylenol now. They gave me anti-nausea medicine, but I never really needed them. I also have a muscle relaxant which I'm taking before bed to help me sleep. I'm sore and swollen and achy but basically able to do my normal activities around the house.
So happy to have this second surgery behind me! Next step: I have to heal for about 3 months and then will have my "nipple-sparing mastectomy." It will likely be the week of Oct. 29. Dr. Brown told us yesterday that having the breast reduction (which I did to get my nipples in the right place) first will make the mastectomy easier because there is less breast tissue and skin to deal with.
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