RECONSTUCTION RE IS HAVING HOPEFULLY ONE FINAL SURGERY

RE

Today I went to see my reconstruction surgeon so we could evaluate how things are coming along (notice I said “WE”). Well if you have followed my other reconstruction posts you will recall he and I had discussed some sanding (remember the car ref) to smooth a few rough edges out. Now in addition to that I wanted to know what is needed to reconstruct a nipple and areola for my new breast. He said it is a pretty simple thing to do, but it does involve grafting from the lower area of my belly (don’t worry I have enough to spare). This skin is circular and it is grafted around the nipple and skin and bandages will be sutured into me around the new nipple he will create for me. I was told that sometimes this type of graft will darken on its own and look quite natural so tattooing will not be needed, we shall see. In addition to that I have noticed that when I lay down the new breast tends to slide a bit to the side (how odd is that). He stated that that sometimes occurs with big breasted women (trust me I was not that big breasted) so he is going to go in while he is doing all this other stuff and resucture that side to reinforce it to better stay where it is supposed to be which will help it to better stay where it is supposed to be. The whole thing should take a little over two hours. I do not have a date yet but it will be soon, I’ll keep you all updated.

Hugs to all,

RE

Alexis F

Hey
Re, that sounds like a plan. A confusing and complicated one, but, a good plan. I know Ohilly finally got her nipple and tatooing done and was so happy with it. Your surgeon sounds like he knows what he is doing. 2 hours doesn't sound bad for all of that. Yes, let us know when you have a date. We will be praying and waiting to hear the good news that you are out of surgery! Thanks for letting us know.

Lex♥

Ritzy

Alexis F said:

Hey
Re, that sounds like a plan. A confusing and complicated one, but, a good plan. I know Ohilly finally got her nipple and tatooing done and was so happy with it. Your surgeon sounds like he knows what he is doing. 2 hours doesn't sound bad for all of that. Yes, let us know when you have a date. We will be praying and waiting to hear the good news that you are out of surgery! Thanks for letting us know.

Lex♥

Hi I am new here, but, I
Hi I am new here, but, I wanted to wish you good luck with your upcoming surgery. And, to tell you what a beautiful baby you have. Just looking at that pic makes me smile.

Sue

RE

Ritzy said:

Hi I am new here, but, I
Hi I am new here, but, I wanted to wish you good luck with your upcoming surgery. And, to tell you what a beautiful baby you have. Just looking at that pic makes me smile.

Sue

:-) :-) :-) :-) ;-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Thank you Ritzy, she is my newest grand one and she is a joy!!!! I love your dancing Garfield. This will be surgery number three on the reconstruction road and it should be the last, as usual I will keep you all posted.

RE

Akiss4me

Whew....
Didn't realize so much was involved to get a nipple! This is what went through my head about reconstructing a nipple the simple way.....they took suctures and did a basting stitch in a circle where they wanted the nipple to be, both ways, then pulled tight together to pucker it, and let it heal like that! Of course, everything in my head is simple!! ♥ Pammy

RE

Akiss4me said:

Whew....
Didn't realize so much was involved to get a nipple! This is what went through my head about reconstructing a nipple the simple way.....they took suctures and did a basting stitch in a circle where they wanted the nipple to be, both ways, then pulled tight together to pucker it, and let it heal like that! Of course, everything in my head is simple!! ♥ Pammy

Hi Pammy
Yes, I figured since I have gone this far I might as well finish it and get the best results possible for me. I will be glad when it is all done.

Hugs,

RE

Ritzy

RE said:

:-) :-) :-) :-) ;-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Thank you Ritzy, she is my newest grand one and she is a joy!!!! I love your dancing Garfield. This will be surgery number three on the reconstruction road and it should be the last, as usual I will keep you all posted.

RE

Well, she is beautiful! She
Well, she is beautiful! She looks like she loves her bathtime. A darling granddaughter!

Glad to hear that this will be the end of your reconstruction. I bet you can't wait.

Glad you like my Dancing Garfield! Thanks!

Sue

GreeneyedGirl

RE said:

Hi Pammy
Yes, I figured since I have gone this far I might as well finish it and get the best results possible for me. I will be glad when it is all done.

Hugs,

RE

I'm thinking of you~
~you got alot goin' on there RE. But it sounds like you and your doctor discussed it all in detail. Keep us posted. It does feel good when it is all done and over with.
Melanie

RE

GreeneyedGirl said:

I'm thinking of you~
~you got alot goin' on there RE. But it sounds like you and your doctor discussed it all in detail. Keep us posted. It does feel good when it is all done and over with.
Melanie

:-)
Thank you Melanie, I truly appreciate the positive words you give. It won't be much longer, they will prob. schedule it within the next two weeks. My doc says it is not too invasive so the recoup time should be no greater than 3 weeks and more like 2 so here we go again!

RE

tommaseena

RE said:

:-)
Thank you Melanie, I truly appreciate the positive words you give. It won't be much longer, they will prob. schedule it within the next two weeks. My doc says it is not too invasive so the recoup time should be no greater than 3 weeks and more like 2 so here we go again!

RE

Meeting with mine
I am meeting with my plastic surgeon on 9/9 to see when the exchange surgery will be. I was told 3 months after chemo treatment so maybe end of October or early November. I want to get it done before 2010 so I won't have to meet another deductible and right now my insurance is paying 100% since I met my out of pocket for this year.

Good luck to you RE!

Hugs,
Margo

lolad

tommaseena said:

Meeting with mine
I am meeting with my plastic surgeon on 9/9 to see when the exchange surgery will be. I was told 3 months after chemo treatment so maybe end of October or early November. I want to get it done before 2010 so I won't have to meet another deductible and right now my insurance is paying 100% since I met my out of pocket for this year.

Good luck to you RE!

Hugs,
Margo

Im glad things are moving along good for you. Good luck to ya

laura

lynn1950

Wow, RE
You are amazing. I appreciate your sharing your journey...as you know, I am following you! Best wishes for one last uneventful surgery and a quick recovery. xoxoxoxo Lynn

Jeanne D

lynn1950 said:

Wow, RE
You are amazing. I appreciate your sharing your journey...as you know, I am following you! Best wishes for one last uneventful surgery and a quick recovery. xoxoxoxo Lynn

Sweet RE ♥
This will be your last phase of the reconstruction! So happy for you! Please let us know the date when you find out. I will pray for a successful surgery and a quick recovery for you!

Love, Jeanne ♥

Noel

Jeanne D said:

Sweet RE ♥
This will be your last phase of the reconstruction! So happy for you! Please let us know the date when you find out. I will pray for a successful surgery and a quick recovery for you!

Love, Jeanne ♥

You go girl!
Re, happy to see that everything is moving along for you and that soon you will be finished with your surgery! I know how happy you were when you first had it done! Let us know what the date is!

♥ Noel

dbs1673

Sharing info
Thanks for the update Re. So much to consider. I had my expanders removed in April with silicone implants. Had some rippling problems so had them redone 2 weeks ago. I'm much happier with the results. I was small to begin with but it seems a little more volume helped this time. I am so conflicted about the nipples. Maybe it's just too soon to think of another proceedure right now even though it wouldn't be for months until my new girls are ready. I know they will never be "twins" but I do want them to be good "bosom buddies". It's been 15 months since this started and I never would have guessed the saga would be this long. Then again, maybe getting the nipples is just the "period" I need to end this story.

dawn

survivorbc09

dbs1673 said:

Sharing info
Thanks for the update Re. So much to consider. I had my expanders removed in April with silicone implants. Had some rippling problems so had them redone 2 weeks ago. I'm much happier with the results. I was small to begin with but it seems a little more volume helped this time. I am so conflicted about the nipples. Maybe it's just too soon to think of another proceedure right now even though it wouldn't be for months until my new girls are ready. I know they will never be "twins" but I do want them to be good "bosom buddies". It's been 15 months since this started and I never would have guessed the saga would be this long. Then again, maybe getting the nipples is just the "period" I need to end this story.

dawn

Good luck with your upcoming
Good luck with your upcoming surgery Re!

taleena

dbs1673 said:

Sharing info
Thanks for the update Re. So much to consider. I had my expanders removed in April with silicone implants. Had some rippling problems so had them redone 2 weeks ago. I'm much happier with the results. I was small to begin with but it seems a little more volume helped this time. I am so conflicted about the nipples. Maybe it's just too soon to think of another proceedure right now even though it wouldn't be for months until my new girls are ready. I know they will never be "twins" but I do want them to be good "bosom buddies". It's been 15 months since this started and I never would have guessed the saga would be this long. Then again, maybe getting the nipples is just the "period" I need to end this story.

dawn

RE... wishing you my friend the best... wow ... after all you have been through to reach the final surgery... do keep us posted on when they finally schedule you for it... I will be thinking of you.

♥ & hugs,

~T

chenheart

Hooray!! It does indeed
Hooray!! It does indeed sound like a plan! I was just going to say, being as I am such a giving person, if you'd like, I will GLADLY donate my excess tummy skin for your grafting. No need you having to go through more than the breast surgery, please, please, let me! LOL You sent me such beautiful earrings to get me through my Dr appointments; it is the very least I can do for you! LOL

Hugs,
Chen♥

Kristin N

taleena said:

RE... wishing you my friend the best... wow ... after all you have been through to reach the final surgery... do keep us posted on when they finally schedule you for it... I will be thinking of you.

♥ & hugs,

~T

In my prayers RE ☻
You are right there at the finish line RE. I am so very, very happy for you! Let's get this done!

Kristin ♥

chickad52

Happy for you that this is almost over for you. Good Luck with the final surgery. Hugs , Diane

outdoorgirl

that sounds like a good plan! Keep us posted for when your surgery will be.
We love you,RE!