On 4/9/2009
robbiehb wrote:
Hi Selah, I am thrilled to hear you are happy with your reconstruction - For your sake and Mine! I hope phase 2 goes well for you. My surgery is not taking place until May 5. I am havining a dm with reconstruction. I have a bunch of questions I would like to ask you if you don't mind..My doctor suggested gaining weight for the surgery - seems to me I have plenty to spare already - Ha! Did you have any issues with that? I am 5'6" and size 14 ...Also I would love to know how long your hosital stay was, how long the surgery itself was, and how long before you were back to "fairly normal." Gosh all of these "how Longs' I guss I am an inpatient person or something. I hope I am not a pest. Thanks for any information you can share - I think I have had too long to worry about this..Best of luck to you.
Robbie
Life is not about surviving the storm, but learning how to dance in the rain.
Goodness Robbie, May 5th is right around the corner! Good for you!
Regarding weight...I am about 5'6" (I'd swear I used to be taller!!!) and about a size 14 as well. Gaining weight has never been difficult for me, particularly with the help of Arimidex (estrogen blocker). I have had 4 children, so had a generous amount of belly fat to use. My family would laugh as they were giving me second helpings of food, that we were "growing boobies!" After reconstruction, I am almost a "C" cup.
I had a 14 1/2 hour surgery on a Wednesday, and by Sunday morning I was in the car on my way home. I have a neighbor who was in the hospital for a week, and stayed local in a motel for an additional week. She is a few years older than I (I am 51), and was a recent new diagnosis, and was having, or had had recent chemotherapy. Another woman in my vicinity stayed local for a few days after her discharge from the hospital, though in retrospect, she thinks she could have returned home a bit sooner. I have a sporthorse breeding farm, and am used to a good bit of physical labor, which I think was to my benefit. I had to ask my husband his opinion of how long it took for me to be back to "fairly normal", and he says about 4 weeks...certainly no longer than that. Dr. Bernard said to walk walk walk (not to overdo though) after surgery. It took my neighbor a bit longer, but again, she had other things to deal with at the same time.
My sister came to stay for a week after my surgery. She is on the west coast, I am in the east, so it was a real treat, especially for my teenage daughters. We had such a nice time!
I think the most helpful thing for me was a RECLINER! I don't know how my dear neighbor in the motel got along without one. I was physically able to get in & out of bed, but it was at least a week before I chose to.
I am so glad and honored to be able to answer questions, so please feel free to do so! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!