GRS and FFS with Dr Ley / Meltzer Clinic on Jan 11 2019

[jill610]

Oh the countdown is on! I am so excited that the preauthorizations and medical necessity determinations are out of the way. Not so excited that I have to be off E injections for a month, I get raging migraines during hormone swings and yeah they are starting to happen. Everything else stays put until a few days before hand.

I had BA back in October and I found this huge sense of... nothing afterwards. By that I mean that I no longer think of my breast's. They are there, it is part of me and I feel whole. Sometimes annoying sometimes not, but always just like it should be.

I am hoping that this has the same effect and I can finally live without this thought of being incomplete in the back of my head all_the_time.

So... starting to prepare supplies. I will be out in Scottsdale for over two weeks, mostly in the hospital and they supply near everything. I have chargers galore for that adventure and loose clothing. Any recommendations on what is better in those first few weeks? Pants seem... not useful? A robe. What else?

But mostly, once I get home, what should I be stocked up on?

[Dena]

They have good WiFi so your portable devices should work well. If you have a bunch of chargers, you might consider a short extension cord. Most of the outlets are occupied by medical equipment and your not supposed to use an orange one so outlets can be a bit rare and far away. A cord 8-10 feet should be plenty. Mostly you want light entertainment as your head may be out of it for a few days. The menu is pretty good but make sure you get your food order in early. Also if you want a snack, the nurses have a few things at the nursing station. That can come in handy if your taking medication that upsets your stomach.

When you return home, you will be able to do short shopping trips but easy to prepare food will work into your schedule better. If you can, you might consider putting away frozen dinners of food you like to eat. Naturally you will need paper towels to clean up the dilation mess, lubrication jelly, pads, hand mirror, bar or soft soap to clean up with, toilet paper (bigger the package the better), a few old bath towels to lay on and a big box of heavy duty feminine pads.

[Kendra]

Jill I am excited for you!  Your future is about to start.

> So... starting to prepare supplies. I will be out in Scottsdale for over two weeks, mostly in the hospital and they supply near everything. I have chargers galore for that adventure and loose clothing. Any recommendations on what is better in those first few weeks? Pants seem... not useful? A robe. What else?

But mostly, once I get home, what should I be stocked up on?

I posted a detailed list on page 11 of this thread.   

[LizK]

Oh the countdown is on! I am so excited that the preauthorizations and medical necessity determinations are out of the way. Not so excited that I have to be off E injections for a month, I get raging migraines during hormone swings and yeah they are starting to happen. Everything else stays put until a few days before hand.

I had BA back in October and I found this huge sense of... nothing afterwards. By that I mean that I no longer think of my breast's. They are there, it is part of me and I feel whole. Sometimes annoying sometimes not, but always just like it should be.

I am hoping that this has the same effect and I can finally live without this thought of being incomplete in the back of my head all_the_time.

So... starting to prepare supplies. I will be out in Scottsdale for over two weeks, mostly in the hospital and they supply near everything. I have chargers galore for that adventure and loose clothing. Any recommendations on what is better in those first few weeks? Pants seem... not useful? A robe. What else?

But mostly, once I get home, what should I be stocked up on?

Hi Jill

I am about 10 days post op and the things I use the most are

Phone...invaluable for keeping you sane when things get tough or boredom steps in

Back up batteries that you use in the hospital if you cant reach the plug to recharge your phone.

Ipad/tablet...not so easy to use in bed but much better for movies, utube etc A 2m + charging cable

Dena pretty much covered the Dialation stuff...I would add a small pack of "wet ones" or other pre-dampened towelettes and if you can get them some plastic backed Underpads to cover your towels with as they help contain the mess and can be tossed after a couple of uses

Once I get home I will put together a Dilation pack that I can just grab as I need to the first 6 months its a 3xDay dilation regime for my Surgeon

Stress Teddy...something to cuddle for those times when you need a bit of self comfort.

Patience and a good sense of humour [emoji3]

Hope that is of sone help

take care and congrats....not long now!!

Liz




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[Lisa89125]

Hmm, Not really relevant or important. I believe the orange plugs are the isolated ground plugs for medical devices. The red plugs are the generator backup power plugs. My EE knowledge showing again.

Lisa

[jill610]

Hmm, Not really relevant or important. I believe the orange plugs are the isolated ground plugs for medical devices. The red plugs are the generator backup power plugs. My EE knowledge showing again.

Lisa

Haha, yes I think that's correct lol.

[Jessica_Rose]

Awesome! My visit with Dr. Ley is on 5 April, so I'll definitely be watching this thread!

[Kendra]

> I believe the orange plugs are the isolated ground plugs for medical devices.

And orange is Soul Source dilator size 4. 

[LizK]

And orange is Soul Source dilator size 4. 

I didn't realise if but it would seem I have been given soulsource dialators...or exact replica's

I have 3 of them

The purple one I call "junior" and is the first one I have to use....next I graduate to Excalibur the blue one...From here I go to the largest one which I call Merlin(Its going to need magic to get that brute to fit [emoji23])

Take care

Liz


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[Mariah]

Comfortable clothing would be best. You don't want to wear anything to tight. They supply a lot of things at that clinic which is where i had mine. Hugs
Mariah

[jill610]

Comfortable clothing would be best. You don't want to wear anything to tight. They supply a lot of things at that clinic which is where i had mine. Hugs
Mariah

Any suggestions on comfortable clothes? I got a robe for Christmas and bought myself some T-shirt's and loose pjs.

[Margarine]

I wore dresses when outside the hospital. As part of my umm welcome bag, a nice robe was included from Dr. Ley. Bring comfortable shoes and slippers, try to get out of the hospital when you can will help getting use to movement for the trip home. You are in amazing hands there, be sure to order your meals three at a time. The media selection sucks on the TV, Netflix, Kodi or what ever on a laptop or pad helps.

If you like burgers Rehab burger is Amazing and in walking distance.


Take care,

Margaret

Any suggestions on comfortable clothes? I got a robe for Christmas and bought myself some T-shirt's and loose pjs.

[jill610]

I wore dresses when outside the hospital. As part of my umm welcome bag, a nice robe was included from Dr. Ley. Bring comfortable shoes and slippers, try to get out of the hospital when you can will help getting use to movement for the trip home. You are in amazing hands there, be sure to order your meals three at a time. The media selection sucks on the TV, Netflix, Kodi or what ever on a laptop or pad helps.

If you like burgers Rehab burger is Amazing and in walking distance.


Take care,

Margaret

Thanks!

All the skirts and dresses I have are more for work so might need to hit the thrift shop! My outside of work is more jeans and leggings. My ex gave me a robe and some "recovery" items lol.

I have had two burgers in the last year... give me carrots and rabbit food and I'm a happy girl! With a side of local pickles of course.

I am going through spin withdrawal, dumb question how long do people usually take before getting back into their exercise routine?

[Mariah]

Their care package includes robe. Clothing like skirts, sweats, pajamas, nightgowns are all really good. The key is to avoid tight clothing and for me it meant that I had to give up skinny jeans for a bit. Also you want your underwear to be able to breath so cotton is better for the moment. Hugs
mariah

Any suggestions on comfortable clothes? I got a robe for Christmas and bought myself some T-shirt's and loose pjs.

[Anne Blake]

It is getting close for you, congratulations! I agree with everything already mentioned. Dr. Ley is great, they supply a nice robe, I still use mine at home. The food at the hospital is good and the staff very good. Rehab burgers is good and just a short walk across the parking lot. Healing will seem to take forever and then you will realize that a year has past and life is appearing normal again.

Good luck with this and say hi to Dr. Ley for me.
Tia Anne

[Michelle_P]

Jill, your doctors instructions will give you activity limits.  Make darn sure you follow these.

Exercises that elevate blood pressure, or put ANY pressure on the abdominal wall will be out for several weeks.  You may see things like limits of 5 lbs for lifting, or step limits for daily walking.  DO NOT try to push yourself.

I helped one gal through her post-op care, and just two days after she got out of the hospital she pushed herself too far, trying to walk several blocks.  The "W" incision between the anus and base of the labia majora tore open, necessitating a trip to the ER, and once stable, a medical transfer flight to her surgeon's hospital, where she remained for almost 4 weeks.  So, DO NOT push yourself.  (She's doing fine now.)

[Rachel]

Congratulations Jill.

I recommend a few cell phone rechargeable batteries. Just in case you can not plug your cell phone in to charge.

You may think about some collagen supplements. I take it every day, 20 grams. It really helps with skin and connective tissue regrowth.   

[jill610]

Thanks everyone! The countdown is on and I am an anxious ball of nerves, fear and anticipation. I am not a happy camper being off hormones for the last two weeks and that made the holidays so much more exciting lol.

[Mariah]

Within a few days of surgery you will be on hormones again since they will start you back up earlier than you expect. Hugs
Mariah

Thanks everyone! The countdown is on and I am an anxious ball of nerves, fear and anticipation. I am not a happy camper being off hormones for the last two weeks and that made the holidays so much more exciting lol.

[BritneyX]

Thanks everyone! The countdown is on and I am an anxious ball of nerves, fear and anticipation. I am not a happy camper being off hormones for the last two weeks and that made the holidays so much more exciting lol.

Wish you all the best.  I have just begun my journey, so that point is way off for me.