Thx for keeping me in your thoughts! My BA story.

[Midwest Cutie]

Thanks again for all the well wishes and positive responses. Special thanks to AlleyCat for her perspective on the things she wish she would have done preop. The important thing I took away from her story was to savor the moments. Prepare ahead of time. Take off from work the day before. Although I was only able to take 1/2 day, it really helped. I work in management which is at times stressful. Had I worked a full shift, I likely would have come home stressed and frustrated as I often do. That is not the mindset to be in going into surgery. So thank you, AlleyCat.

Surgery was scheduled for 11:00 but had to be there at 9:30. Since I work nights I'd planned on using 2 hours personal time and leaving at 5:00AM. But when midnight rolled around and I had to stop eating/drinking, I decided to leave at 3:00. My throat was as dry as a desert and my stomach was growling like a male lion. Hadn't eaten since the previous evening. When I saw everyone else drinking their coffee and eating their food, I knew I wouldn't make it through a 6 hour shift.

When I got home I jumped in the shower. Work environment is very dirty. While under the dryer (hooded) I surfed JBI for a bit and posted on my blog. Looked over the preop paperwork again and made sure I had followed all the pre surgery instructions. I then proceeded to tidy up the house with a little dusting and a good vacumn. Disinfected the bathroom with bleach and put up a new shower curtain. (Doc made me paranoid about germs and bacteria so I wasn't taking any chances.) By that time Walmart had opened so I headed there for some frozen peas. You should have seen me in the freezer section, contemplating which ones to buy. They had small, medium and large bags so I had to put them up to each breast to determine which bag would fit me best. I looked around to make sure no one was observing. Hope they weren't watching me on the security camera or they would swear I was crazy. Decided on two medium sized bags then hurried away from the food section cause I was starving!!

Decided to take a look at their pajamas. Wanted something button down so I wouldn't have to lift my arms. Let me just say Walmart has the worse looking sleepwear! Had trouble finding something button down other than moo moos and no way was I going to walk around after surgery looking like granny. Finally settled on a couple of button down tops with matching crop pants. Not the best looking but did the trick. Glad I got something though cause when I got home from surgery I had zero energy and it was fairly easy to change into.

After the visit to Wally World I sat down to watch Hillary Cinton's speech at the DNC. Was quite moved by her words so when I started to tear up I knew it was time to do something different. LOL! Grabbed my iPod and listened to songs that were upbeat and positive. It helped a lot and I started to feel completely overjoyed. I wasn't nervous about surgery at all. Ahhhh ... the power of music.

It was about 8:15 and time to shower again. I took a nice long one and really let the antibacterial soap soak in. Now normally I prefer my showers super hot. But of course hot water dries out the skin. Since I wasn't allowed to use any lotion before surgery had to turn the hot down quite a bit. When my skin is dry it itches like the dickens and I didn't want to be a miserable itching mess. At 9:00 we hopped in the SUV and headed to the surgery center. Had never been there so we had to find it. Wasn't too bad and we didn't get lost. Before we went in I asked hubby to give me a few minutes to pray.

The waiting area was set up quite close to the check in desk which I didn't like. Everyone in the waiting room could hear what they were telling me and I was somewhat uncomfortable with that. Whenever the receptionist said the word IMPLANT it felt like the room went silent. Probably not but that's how I felt. I would have appreciated a little more privacy. I signed a bunch of paperwork which I don't think they expect folks to read. She went over in general what the forms were about then said sign here. I told her I needed a few minutes to read what I was signing. She was nice about it but gave me what I thought was a funny look. One of the consents said something about agreeing to have vendors in the OR. I questioned her about that cause I saw no reason for it. She explained that it was in case a vendor wanted to witness their medical product being used but that it rarely happened and that my doc never uses vendors. I felt okay with that explanation so we moved on.

By 9:45 they had called me back to the preop area. Hubby was able to go with. They assigned him a locker for my clothes. I couldn't believe how busy it was back there. Didn't bother me, I was just surprised. But they perform all sorts of surgeries there - gynecological, gastroentestinal, podiatric, etc. They didn't waste any time getting started. Had me change into a gown which thank goodness hubby was there cause I couldn't figure out if it should be open in front or back. I thought it should be the front since I was having the front part of my body worked on. But DH said no, it tied in the back which he could tell cause it had a pocket. Once on I noticed the snaps down both shoulders which is how they access the front. I'm such a goof. BTW, they had me take off everything including underwear. Wasn't expecting that. Next came the compression stocking and the sexy blue cap.

At that point I still wasn't nervous. Not until the nurse began setting up the IV. She was having trouble finding a vein. I'm used to that cause it happens every time I have blood taken or an IV put in. But one thing that has never happened is getting the needle in then having to take it back out. First she put it in my right forearm. DH questioned her as to why she wasn't using the back of the hand. She said she needed to put it wherever she could find a vein. As soon as she stuck it in I knew there was a problem cause it hurt badly and IV's don't usually hurt me except the intial prick. It started bleeding and she said something about popping the vein. That's when I got nervous! She took the needle back out and there was a fair amount of bleeding. She left the room saying she needed to talk to the anesthesiologist about whether she could use a 22 on me instead - a smaller needle. She returned with the smaller one and proceeded to place it on the left in the back of the hand. All I could think about was what I was going to do if she couldn't get it to go in and had to start over again. It was really starting to stress me out. Thankfully, she got it to go that time. Phew!

Another nurse came in and asked what seemed like a million questions. She asked if I had been given a pregnancy test. I told her it wasn't necessary since there was no way I could be pregnant. I had a total hysterectomy a few years ago. We got a good laugh out of that. My vitals were excellent, which surprised me considering the ordeal with the IV. A few minutes later a different nurse came in - a male nurse. I mention that only because I've never actually had a male nurse. His name was Gay Focker. Just kidding! Just a little humor for any "Meet the Parents" fans. His name was Jay and he was a sweetie. He joked around a lot but at the same time made me feel completely at ease. He explained that he would be the one in the OR with me and if he saw something he didn't like he would be my advocate. A few minutes later the anesthesiologist came. I explained to her my worry of vomiting after surgery, which has happened every time I've been put under. She said they would give me something in the IV to prevent it.

Jay put some Valium in for me. I could feel it working almost immediately. Next my doc came in. He asked hubby to step out while he marked me. I was surprised to see that he was using a regular old permanant Sharpie but he said once in the OR he would use something different. I was surprised at the number of markings he made. Don't know why-just was.
I really like my PS. He's such a great conversationalist. We even talked about the Convention. Although, I omitted the part about getting choked up about Hillary's speech. LOL! He said his nurse was going to try and make it out there to see me but he didn't know if she would get there in time. I really like her and had asked if she was going to be there for surgery. She said probably not which I was a little bummed about, so I thought it was nice that she had at least considered it. After doc was I said goodbye to hubby and they took me to the OR. It had to have been less than five minutes I was in there and I was out like a light. Must have been the Valium cause I don't recall having anything else put into the IV up to that point.

When I woke up I was back in one of the cubicles and DH was sitting beside me. He asked if I wanted ice chips and when I went to say yes nothing came out. My throat was soooo dry. Must have been a combination of being so thirsty before and the tube they put down my throat. And they must have had a little trouble with the tube or something cause my top lip was broken open and bleeding a little bit. I swished my tongue around to make sure I hadn't lost or broken any teeth. LOL! I'll tell you -- ice chips never tasted so good! v Another nurse came and asked if I wanted something to drink so I ordered up a Sprite. She said I would be there another 30 minutes so I dozed off. I was sooo tired. When she came back she asked if I felt well enough to leave. I wanted to sleep a little longer but was anxious to get home. DH helped me get dressed. Nurse put me in a wheelchair and took me out to the car. I had hoped to see Doc and Jay before I left, but oh well.

Made it home around 3:00. I slept most of the way. Thank goodness for the tip from some of you ladies to take a pillow for under the seatbelt. It helped tremendously. Hubby helped me change and take my meds. I was in pain but surprisingly, most of it was in my back. After taking the Vicodin I was conked out for nearly four hours. It didn't seem like that long though. I was propped up on pillows, kind of sitting up so my back was killing me even more. I could feel my breasts starting to hurt a little too, like shooting and sharp pain. Hubby got me a burger and Frosty from Wendys. The frosty felt so good on my throat as I was still pretty hoarse. In fact, my throat is still sore as I type this.

All in all it was a good experience. Most of the trouble I'm having is with trying to sit up. They say to limit the use of the arms but that's nearly impossible. Every time I go to push myself up I feel like my incisions are bursting open. So far I have taken just two Vicodin but soon heading for the third. My back isn't hurting as much but my breasts are pretty sore. I had to ask hubby to loosen the ace bandage cause it was way too tight. Kind of still is but I'm not going to mess with it. I've tried to peek inside to see but can't really see anything. What I can tell though is the top of my breasts are about an inch from my clavicle so I must have some major Frakenboob happening. I get to shower today so perhaps I will have the opportunity to see a little more. I'm so excited!!! Will post after pics as soon as I can. Looking foward to seeing my new breasts in that halter top. See avatar.

[Midwest Cutie]

So sorry Mods - just realized I posted this to the wrong forum. Please move it for me. Thanks a bunch!

[feeling beautiful]

Let me be the first to say WELCOME TO BOOBLAND!!!!! I will be praying for quick healing. Take care of yourself. Get lots of rest and let us know how you are doing!

[kinjon]

Oh Midwest I am sooo excited for you. I was tearing up during your entire story. I see that you are online right now, I take that as you are feeling Ok! A great big hug is coming your way

I know you will have a speedy recovery and look forward to hearing more from you soon! Lots of cheering Take care of you!!!!!!

[TammieS]

congrats on the girls

[bebby]

"Congratulations"
to you and your boobies , wishing you a good recovery and thanks for sharing your story -go girl, cant wait for your pics

[tabby15208]

Thanks for the wonderful story! Very amusing and informative. Hope things work out well! You'll be in that halter in no time.

[blueayes]

Great, detailed story. It will definitely help someone that's pre-ba. I LIVED for detailed stories like this!!

Sorry to hear about the IV...glad they got it on the second try though. And I remember trying to sit up by myself....that was definitely a killer. It took quite a while before it felt "OK" to be doing that.

Over all it sounds like you had a great experience! Best wishes for a speedy and uneventful recovery. Enjoy!!

[Slinky]

Big congrats!

Slinky

[Glamgirl4]

Congrats!! Loved reading your story. Hope you are healing nicely.

Hooray for new boobies Take care and keep us updated on how you are doing!

[GrowingMyRoses]

Thanks for a great story ! I hope you are still doing well and that you will really enjoy your halter when you are ready for it.
Rosie
PS. I was watching the news right after my surgery and saw the speeches from the convention then

[HavBootyHavBoobs]

Thank you for sharing your story. I have my surgery tomorrow and I am not nervous yet...but I really can't believe I am doing this. hahaha This is sooooo exciting. I am so excited for you and wish you a speedy recovery.

[Island_Girl]

Thanks for sharing your story. As I was reading it, I started to have tears in my eyes. Not sure why. lol. Glad to hear that all went well. My throat was sore too after my surgery.