[DruulEmpire]

(Cherri ... Cupcake ... suddenly I need a bib ... )

Druul "sometimes my name is a liability" Empire

[MasterDragonfly]

Much obliged for your feedback, Cupcake!  It's reassuring to hear from someone who has "been there, done that" that the drop-and-fluff still has a way to go, still.  Her right breast is definitely looking and feeling better, although her left is lagging somewhat.  And I know the lagging isn't unusual.

On a related note, cherri's minor setback from about 12 days ago has revealed itself again today.  She's not in pain, but we'll definitely be giving the doc a call today (or at least leaving a message with his answering service).  Given that he indicated he'd be in town this holiday season, and also indicated that we should call if any concerns, we'll be doing just that.

Put another way, he tried to correct the issue, but there's still something going on (or more accurately, going on again) that we feel needs attention.

Here's hoping things are otherwise completely uneventful until at least the 26th.

[MasterDragonfly]

Update:

Called the doc's answering service yesterday.  He called back pretty quickly.  We gave him the rundown.  He told us to be at his office 8am this morning, and he phoned in a prescription for her to take.  Which we followed up on, and she took right away.

Went by his office this morning.  It was good news and bad news.

First the bad news.

There was surgery.  And the surgeon removed her left implant.

Now the good news.

The situation wasn't bad.  There was no infected tissue.  He cleaned away the protein buildup, put in a drain and closed her up.  It definitely could have been worse, from what he described from past experiences.

More good news:  All this, including the surgery 6 weeks from now (including the replacement implant) is all covered.  No extra out-of-pocket expenses.

As he put it, she'll be inconvenienced for the next 6 weeks.  She'll probably have to stick with baggy clothing, and maybe use one of the prostheses from time to time.  Good thing it's not t-shirt weather.  

We go back in 2 days for a look-see, and the drain comes out at the end of the week.

So 'Joyful' is doing well.  'Triumphant' will be back in 6 weeks.  

She's resting in bed at the moment.  Since it was light sedation, she's just feeling a little sleepy (in part due to not **83** well), and no nausea at all.  While the incision under her left breast is of course tender, she says her arm hurts more (where she was given the anaesthesia).

While it would have been great if he could have waved a wand and made things right, I'd say we're all glad to have the root cause addressed, even if it means an added delay.

I need to head out to the pharmacy in a couple minutes and get a script filled for some pain meds.  She's indicated she doesn't feel like she needs them at the moment, but that may change.

[Sandy_in_RI]

Eeeeek!  Well at least everyone is healthy!  Best wishes in getting back to 100%.  I guess 50% will do for the time being.  Merry Christmas and a healty, happy 2008!  

~Sandy.

[lovefakeboobs]

MD, how is she doing have not heard much after you said they took out the one implant and stuck her to a draining tube. If there was an infection did you get a gram stain

[collared_cherri]

Quote:
lovefakeboobs said:
MD, how is she doing have not heard much after you said they took out the one implant and stuck her to a draining tube. If there was an infection did you get a gram stain

I'm not sure what you mean by gram stain.  

I'm doing okay as far as physical healing goes.  Mentally things are tougher.  It's depressing to have this set back, but I try to look on the positive side.  Things felt "not right" for a couple of weeks prior to the removal.  It made sense when my doc told me that it's typical for one side to hurt more than the other during the healing process.  Still, it wasn't getting any better.....

While it's an unfortunate that things have happened like this, I know they could have been a lot worse.  The infection could have gotten worse quickly, there could have been more "cruft" to remove, my natural breast tissue could have be seriously effected, I could have gone to the wrong medical centre and had them both removed as a standard practice.  

On the positive side I was lucky that my surgeon was in town over the holidays and he dealt with me immediately and at no extra cost for having to call in an emergency surgery crew at relatively short notice.  It's no party going under the knife on Christmas Eve and I felt guilty for having to interrupt the day of the people who had to attend me.  

Right now I liken myself to a before and after photo in one package.  My left the before surgery and my right after surgery.  It's not too noticeable when I'm out bundled up in winter sweaters and things, but I'm pretty self-conscious about it.  I don't like to look at or touch it.  In fact I think I became overly sensitive to any kind of touching at all.

I make a really bad patient.  I've become quite the bitch to live with.  I'm moody, irritable, insensitive, overly-sensitive..... Think of PMS overload.  Only worse.

It's tough at times to stay positive and if I didn't have such a wonderfully supportive husband it would make this tenfold worse.

I get to go back in 6 weeks and have a new one installed.  I was very concerned over who covered the costs, especially after reading pjwantsbigger's experience.  It took so long to prepare physically and financially to the point where I got my initial boob job that all I could see ahead was a wait of years until I could get to that same point again.  But things are healing well and fingers crossed that this next go-around will be drama free.

[christina w]

Hey you guys,

I'm sorry to hear so much has happened. It is unfortunate but like you said it could've been worse so thank goodness it didn't get to that point.

Cherri, I know this is emotionally draining on you and MDF and my heart goes out to you both. Hang in there and I hope everthing gets better.

Take care,
Christina

[collared_cherri]

This morning I made a call to Dr Liland's office to make appointment to get my other boob installed again.  We went for a check-up Friday just gone and he said that everything was looking good and he was ready to go if I was ready to go.  Mentally I was ready weeks ago.  Physically I've been dealing with some minor issues related to my lap band.  I got a fill in the beginning of Feb that was a little too tight.  I wasn't able to keep food down and could barely get any fluids in.  Night-time reflux was also a problem.  

On Monday I managed to get some of the fill taken out and loosen things up in my band so that fluids go down fairly well now, although I'm still struggling with cold drinks for some reason.  Food is limited, but that's the way it's meant to be.  So I'm all set physically to go and get the girls evened up again.   *happy dance*

March 12 is my surgery date.  I'm relieved and excited.  

[reman]

Wonderful news!  Great to hear that the "end" is nearing in your quest!  

[derf79]

*Derf brings the champagne*

[xenon]

Even though that date is soon, I bet it feels so far away. Best wishes when the time to heal comes.

[Scooby_and_Kitty]

Well, we hope your ok... Dr Liland is really good about follow up. I hope that your issue heals well and that you feel better soon.

Now I (Scooby) wish I hhad a lap band... I need to lose weight and cannot exercise due to hernaited disks in my lower back. I just recovered from hernia sugery for a navel I blew out. I wish it could be covered by insurance but technically I'm not heavy enough... And I feel and look like crap... Oh well..

Kitty is looking better every day... her new 1200's are settling in nicely and she loves the firmness and the fact that her nipples now point UP again!

Scoobert

[MasterDragonfly]

Oh yeah, she's doing great at the moment.

Back in December, once Dr Liland realized there was an issue, he was all over it.  That continued with post-explantation checkups until about mid-January, at which point he indicated that things seemed to have settled down and to book an appointment to come back in about 6 weeks (which was last Friday's appointment), but to come in immediately if things go south again.

So yeah, she's in great shape.  Just kinda antsy for having to wait so long.  

[Sandy_in_RI]

Good news for now and here's to even happier to come!

[MasterDragonfly]

The surgery was done today.  Competely uneventful.  cherri was quite upbeat and lucid after I picked her up from recovery.  She said she was slightly nauseous afterwards, but a small sip of water seemed to quell that.

The nurse who came to get me told me that cherri kept looking down and making 'yay' noises.  

What's particularly interesting is that the discomfort is nowhere near what she felt back in November.  A little tender for sure, but that's to be expected.  She says her arm hurts more (where they put in the IV) than her left breast.

Obviously left doesn't match right at this point, given that her right has had almost 4 months to drop and her left hasn't.  But no worries there.  

I'm sure I could provide a few more details, but I'm absolutely knackered.  I had a terrible **82** last night due to some sort of airway congestion that I just couldn't shake.  Then after cherri settled in at home I had to hit the road running (metaphorically speaking) doing things at work.

I've already asked her if she wanted to post something, but she said she's not quite up to putting together anything which requires thought.  

More details before too long.