Top Surgery - Day After Tomorrow - Nerves!

[Kreuzfidel]

The day after tomorrow I'll be having my top surgery with Dr. Megan Hassall in Sydney.  It's all becoming real now - I have been quite reserved with my excitement up until now as I am a catastrophiser and think that something will go wrong and it won't happen.  But it is - I just confirmed my time to be at the hospital and pre-op instructions and we are flying out tomorrow!

It occurs to me now that I am painfully ill-prepared.  We have to pack tonight and I have a million lists to make! 

I am also quite nervous (but "good" nervous) - considering this is only the second operation I've ever had in my life...wow.

I'll keep you informed in the results thread, I suppose  

[Alexthecat]

You getting drains in? Those are the worse part, especially since I had to have them in for a whole week!

[Kreuzfidel]

Yeah, Alex, I'll be having drains.  Is a week the normal amount of time to have them in for?  Geez.  I guess it just comes with the territory...but yowch.

[Alexthecat]

5-8 Days. Since I had surgery on a monday and they were closed on the weekend I had to wait until the next monday. They didn't want them to be removed less than 5 days even though I was doing under the 30cc a day that was on the papers. Then they got inflamed and keep trying to eject themselves from my body but were stitched in my hairy armpits which they didn't shave in surgery. But only one was actually up in the hairs, other was lower.

They keep you in hospital in sydney or outpatient same day? Just don't take a baby wipe to the drain hole area as it has chemicals in it that causes it to puff up.

[Adam (birkin)]

Good luck! I wouldn't worry about forgetting anything, because inevitably you probably will. It's easy enough to get the things you need if something is missing.

[Darrin Scott]

Good luck. Mine is the day after tomorrow too.

[spacerace]

I hope the whole process goes great for you. Don't fret too much. Most of it is out of your control really anyways!  Make sure to bring good distractions to entertain you in the week afterwards.

[Kreuzfidel]

5-8 Days. Since I had surgery on a monday and they were closed on the weekend I had to wait until the next monday. They didn't want them to be removed less than 5 days even though I was doing under the 30cc a day that was on the papers. Then they got inflamed and keep trying to eject themselves from my body but were stitched in my hairy armpits which they didn't shave in surgery. But only one was actually up in the hairs, other was lower.

Ahh okay, that's good to know.  Do you think it's worth shaving the armpits then? 

They keep you in hospital in sydney or outpatient same day? Just don't take a baby wipe to the drain hole area as it has chemicals in it that causes it to puff up.

From what I've been told, I will be in hospital at least overnight and up to 4 days.  So I suppose if there are any issues early on, they'll be able to address them promptly.  I will remember that about the baby wipes!

Good luck! I wouldn't worry about forgetting anything, because inevitably you probably will. It's easy enough to get the things you need if something is missing.

Thanks, caleb   You're right - at least we'll be in a pretty big city so most things will be readily accessible!

Good luck. Mine is the day after tomorrow too.

Thank you and good luck to you, mate!  I just realised that yours in on the 22nd and mine the 23rd, but forgot about the time difference between the US and Australia - which means technically we'll have it on the same day as I'm from the future

I hope the whole process goes great for you. Don't fret too much. Most of it is out of your control really anyways!  Make sure to bring good distractions to entertain you in the week afterwards.

Thanks, spacerace   I'll have my laptop so loaded up with games and movies!

[Bimmer Guy]

How exciting for both you and Darrin!

Guys, it will be great.  Nothing to worry about.  When you wake up you will ->-bleeped-<- yourself that you have a flat chest!  Even if you have pain, you will still smile, I swear!

I would definitely shave my armpits. 

Kreuzfidel will you be getting the pedicle or the DI with Hassall or do you not know until you meet with her?

Good luck to you both!

[Kreuzfidel]

Thanks heaps, Brett!  I'll definitely be smiling - no amount of pain can keep from it  

Alas, shaving is "the pits", but I'll definitely make sure I do it..

Kreuzfidel will you be getting the pedicle or the DI with Hassall or do you not know until you meet with her?

I'm having DI with complete nipple graft as I don't care about sensation.  I'm pretty small-chested, but excess skin is my big issue. 

[aleon515]

Good luck. I was nervous too. Guessing it is a normal thing. Funny thing, after I met Dr G, I calmed down. I have heard that's a common thing, that meeting the surgeon calms people down. Guessing they feel that the person is competent.

--Jay

[Kreuzfidel]

Well, I am now in our serviced apartment room recovering from my surgery.  I had surgery on Thursday (Wednesday for folks in the US) and today is Sunday here in Aus (Saturday for US). 

I'll post more about it in the recovery thread, but overall it went well.  I'm still very sore, but completely happy with my results so far. 

[Jamie D]

I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[Arch]

Lovely thing about these surgeries: Most of us are eager to have them, and all we have to do is go to sleep and let someone else do all the work. When we wake up, we are new men/women.

Congrats on getting it done!

[Ayden]

Congrats!

[Kreuzfidel]

Too true, Arch!  My wife's boss said to me that most people go away and feel like a changed person, but I really took the cake! lol

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone.  Much appreciated - it's a monumentous achievement that's for sure 

[Cindy]

Congrats kreuzfidel.

Take care and enjoy.

[oh hai!]

Big congrats, heal well and take it easy on belly laughs the next little while 

[aleon515]

I can't say it isn't uncomfortable. But it wasn't very painful, for me anyway. Never touched the Vicodin (okay I may be an exception here-- and don't worry about taking it). But I am only 11 weeks out, and I almost don't remember the discomfort.
But give yourself a chance to heal.


--Jay

[Kreuzfidel]

Thanks heaps, y'all