Well this coming Wednesday will be 3 weeks since SRS / GRS with Dr Brassard. Doctor says everything went well, and so far my recovery appears to be going well.  The first couple days were somewhat rough, but on day three I seemed to be getting along fairly well. Seems my days just disappear with the aftercare requirements, and I may have a slight case of granulation around the fourchette but I will have my GP check it out on Tuesday.

I really want to say that the nurses and support staff in Montreal were amazing. No one here really knows me; but I will assure you I can be critical when it's deserved. I have only praise for these people along with Dr Brassard / Dr Belanger.

I want to thank Isabel (Izzy) for taking me out to eat and even bringing me an item that I asked for. She checked on me, and it was really nice. I feel I made some friends in Montreal between my surgery group (6 girls total on Tuesday and Wednesday), a few of the nurses, and Izzy.

Kristin

Congrads Kristin!

Posts such as yours are encouraging to those of us who are more than a little intimidated by the surgery. 

Thank You!

Hugs,

Jen

I'm so happy for you!!  Glad you had a great time with the staff!!

I'm flying to Montréal (YUL) on June 16th for my June 18th surgery with Dr Brassard. Any suggestions as to what to bring?  Don't want to go over that 40lb luggage limit

Quote from: MileyOrnot on June 09, 2014, 07:03:42 PM
I'm so happy for you!!  Glad you had a great time with the staff!!

I'm flying to Montréal (YUL) on June 16th for my June 18th surgery with Dr Brassard. Any suggestions as to what to bring?  Don't want to go over that 40lb luggage limit

There another girl from here that will be there also next week for her surgery along with 2 that i know that are there this week and will be at the recovery center

I would pack as indicated by the brassard staff. In the hospital you will be in a gown most of the time and at the residence i stayed in my PJs and bath robe most of the time. It has been great weather here and i would make sure you have some loose fitting something that you could ware outside and enjoy the view of the river. Just make sure travel home it is comfy loose fitting.

I will be around there both this and next week for visits and can stop by and check on you if you wish. I live in Montreal and try and stop and say hi to anyone who is traveling alone or like having a little company or extra support.

I wish you well in your travel. Let me know if you need any help while you are visiting Montreal.

Isabell

I would love to have you visit!  I'm going alone 

Kristin,

You are so welcome, I so enjoyed being able to stop around and spend some time with you while you where here.

You are a great woman and glad i now have another sister.

It does and will get better in time.

Hugs

Isabell

It's wonderful having more sisters!!

Quote from: MileyOrnot on June 09, 2014, 07:41:40 PM
I would love to have you visit!  I'm going alone 

I sent you a pm but i am sure you need at least 15 posts for that to work. Would be glad to check up on you.

so get busy. Many use the game sections to add a few posts.

Isabell

Miley,

Like Izzy said.

With exception of the night before surgery; your stay in the hospital will be in a hospital gown. All I took to the hospital was my purse, a pair of PJs, house shoes, and my iPad, and phone. Upon return to the recovery house I only used (2) pair of pajamas (they were kind enough to wash my pjs twice because of unforeseen circumstances). They provide underwear, pads, and pretty much everything else. I would make sure to bring (2) bars of dove soap as you will use that for each shower and sitz bath. Izzy brought me a 2nd bar just in case.

What I would suggest:
Two or three pair of pj's, house shoes, robe, entertainment, soap, and as Izzy said something to wear outside. Mainly, what the staff suggest is a very good guide.

Also for the trip home comfy, loose fitting clothes. I decided to NOT wear either dress that I brought for the trip home as my ability to sit in a ladylike way (legs closed or crossed) was somewhat compromised by the swelling. Jeans were also not possible, I choose a pair of loose fitting, soft cotton slacks that worked well.

I did not require extra room in the suitcase for the sitz bath as they were now having you take that in the bath tub.

Also a suggestion if you are flying. Make sure to pack absolute necessary items in your carry on, my checked bags did not make it to Montreal till a few days later. They were at the recovery house by the time I returned, but ........


Kristin

Kristin, thank you for your wonderful advice!

I wasn't planning on talking any slacks, just dresses and skirts, but not being able to close your legs makes that impractical, so slacks it is!

Really good suggestion to take the important stuff in the carry-on!

The documentation Dr Brassard provided didn't answer all my questions, but Patsy did:

• About the lubricant jelly, you can use any water base lubricant.
• You can choose any soap without perfume and alcool [alcohol], unscented.
• It is better to use an electric razor, we don't want you to have cuts because it is a risk of infection.
• Ok to bring CPAP machine.
  

Miley, you may be able to wear a dress or skirt; I just didn't feel comfortable due to my swelling. A girl that left shortly after I arrived was wearing skirts for several days before she left, soooo you never know. I'd bring both so you have a choice.

You're going to love the nurses and support staff they were awesome. Oh and the chef, I hated to come home to my cooking.

I was really glad to have my I pod with me for those dilation sessions, tried to watch a movie on netflix but the buffering made it less enjoyable. Not sure what the problem was, I have the new I pad air and it works like a charm at home.

Quote from: MileyOrnot on June 10, 2014, 10:46:20 AM
Kristin, thank you for your wonderful advice!

I wasn't planning on talking any slacks, just dresses and skirts, but not being able to close your legs makes that impractical, so slacks it is!

Really good suggestion to take the important stuff in the carry-on!

The documentation Dr Brassard provided didn't answer all my questions, but Patsy did:

• About the lubricant jelly, you can use any water base lubricant.
• You can choose any soap without perfume and alcool [alcohol], unscented.
• It is better to use an electric razor, we don't want you to have cuts because it is a risk of infection.
• Ok to bring CPAP machine.
  

My nickels worth of suggestions
Lubes i used store brands that are the same as KY. Saved lots of money being you go through it like water at first. In the states Wal marts equate brand was the best priced. (home)

Soap, Put you soap in a mason jar filled with distilled water. It will make a very nice liquid soap to use. I used plain old bar of ivory.
Just replace water as needed. (home)

Safety razors work good also. I worked on getting mine trimmed a few weeks out so all i had to do was keep it touched up before hand.
My hubby helped lol. 

They give you a disposable douche that you can reuse but i found that a hanging one worked better. I did mine while in the shower.
2 birds one stone. (home)

I use pantie liners the most and changed them out more often when i was out and about. I also gave my bits as much as as possible through out the day. (home)

Clean up after the dilation's, i went from normal paper towels to the select a size. They are just the right size to help clean up. I also fold one and stuff it as a dam to keep the goop from running everywhere IE bed.
Stock up when they have the great sale. (for home)

Wal mart i buy my handy towelettes, or baby wipes. Non perfume ones and i am now spoiled and still use them after i use the toilet. Being Pampered is always a reward. (for home)

My last tip. I use a hand mirror for my dilation. The one to prop on the bed i used for my first dilation with the nurses and rest of the time i held it like a hand mirror. Just does not want to stay put on the bed at all.

And what Kristin said about the carry on, supplies given at the residence and cloths.

Isabell

Thank you for all the good ideas!  I'll be packing everything in the next couple of days - hope I remember it all! 

Quote from: MileyOrnot on June 10, 2014, 11:25:10 PM
Thank you for all the good ideas!  I'll be packing everything in the next couple of days - hope I remember it all! 

Miley,

I will be at the residence Tuesday to visit with Zoe and a few other girls. I will look for you there.

Isabell