Surgery

The first doctor I met after my initial phone call diagnosis was my breast surgeon, Dr. Gilmore. My sister and I listened as he gave us his opinion on my diagnosis and likely treatment plan. As he was finishing up, he mentioned “ you can have plastics there on the day of surgery if you want.” IF I WANT? Do women say no to this? (No judgment to those who do). This is the silver lining! Yes, please. Several months later, I met with the plastic surgeon, Dr. Chandler, and discussed the surgery plan, which included a bilateral reduction and lift. (yay!)

The Surgery. On Thursday, September 26, 44 days after my final chemo infusion, I had my surgery. When I woke up, the first thing I said to my mother was “oh my gosh, they’re so small!” So girls, if you’re going through this process and you want something to cheer you up just a little bit, this is it! Admittedly, I had plenty of extra to give in the chest area, so smaller was way better in my opinion, but what middle-aged mother doesn’t want a little lift to perk her up? 

The surgery itself was pretty quick and simple. I arrived at the hospital that morning and was put in a pre-surgery room, where I wiped down with antibacterial wipes and changed into a gown and some no-slip socks. I signed the waivers for both surgeons and met briefly with both of them in my stylish surgery gown. The anesthesiologist came in and chatted and I signed his papers, too, and then the star of the show, the CRNA, came in to administer the Versed, and that’s the last thing I remember before I woke up a couple of hours later. Allegedly, I was still awake and talking, but that’s none of my business because I don’t remember it.

The Aftermath. Okay, so the day of surgery was a bit dicey, but after that, everything was fine. I was pretty queasy on the drive home, so they sent me with a barf bag. Hot. after My parents drove me home, where my husband and kids had prepared the living room for my arrival and recovery. They had moved a recliner from the movie room into the living room and that was absolutely the move. I highly recommend a recliner situation if you have one available to you after surgery. A friend brought over dinner, but I wasn’t really able to eat much. As soon as I took my next dose of meds at home, up it all came. Pretty gross and awful, but after that, I was fine. I moved to the bed thinking sleep was really the only answer and I was right.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt much better. They sent me home with antibiotics, anti-nausea meds, and pain medicine. I stuck with antibiotics and Tylenol after day 1. I don’t love the way pain meds make me feel, and Tylenol was just fine. I was honestly up and moving the next day, and took a walk around the neighborhood just two days after surgery. I went back to the office after a week. I was getting stir crazy. Showering was another story. While I was not in pain, it was gross. Gross is my weakness. Between the glue and the scars and the bruising, it gave me the ick.

As I write this post, I am exactly three weeks out from surgery. I’m still a bit bruised and a little stiff on one side, but otherwise, it honestly has not been bad at all!