diary2

August 15 ~ I went for my refresher visit with Dr. Anderson today. He remembered me, which was good. Here are some of the points we touched on:

1) He will be doing the LeJour method of breast reduction. This method is where he makes an incision around the aerola and down the center of the breast. There is no horizontal or "smiley" incision under the breast. He says (and from what I've seen, I believe him) that the LeJour method makes for a fuller, rounder breast - not boxy - and the healing time is shorter, due to one less incision. This is the only method he uses. I was concerned that in order to get down to a B-cup, I would be too big for a LeJour, but he said I just squeaked in. Apparently, he can do a LeJour if the nipple-to-fold measurement is 15cm or less, and mine is 14cm. *WHEW*

2) He does use drains, which I didn't know, and they stay in for five days. This will help with swelling.

3) He does do liposuction under the arms - the axilla area - to shape and define the breast. I'm not looking forward to this at all, because I've read that it is VERY sore afterwards. In fact, Dr. Anderson said that I'll complain more about the lipo spot than the incisions in my breast. But, I'm pretty tough. :)

SURGERY DATE IS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 7, 2001 AT 7:30 A.M.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

September 7 ~ Arrived at the LR Surgery Center at 6:30 a.m. Filled out the obligatory paperwork and then the nurse took me back. I had to remove all my clothes then she took a short medical history, had me pee in a cup, and then started my IV. After about 10 minutes the anesthesiologist came in and talked with me, and then Dr. Anderson came in and did the markings. They gave me three medicines in my IV and after that I don't remember anything until I woke up in recovery.

All I can remember about recovery is that I was *hot*. I had all these blankets on me and these compression stockings were squeezing my legs up and down, up and down. When I could finally croak out words, I told the nurse I was hot and she removed all the blankets and the stockings. Then they put my clothes on and led me to a recliner, where I promptly threw up. Dad and Danny came in and sat with me until my head cleared enough to come home. Came home and immediately went to bed, where I slept on and off until Saturday morning.

September 8 ~ Woke up and felt pretty good. My boobs were encased in this Ace bandage tube top thingy, so I didn't know what they looked like. Danny and I peeled it off to get a peek. They are really SMALL! :) But the drains bleed everywhere, so I had to bandage them up right away. They looked really mushed and squashed, but I know that's normal.

September 14 ~ One week post op. I'm doing great! I've been able to drive the kids to school every day this week. Monday I napped all day and piddled around the house. Tuesday I went and had the drains taken out, which was a piece of cake, and that made me feel TONS better. Now I can shower and dress myself without having to worry about all that blood and gunk running out everywhere. I'm having my stitches taken out next Wednesday. Tuesday I went and bought new bras ~ the Bestform sports bras were TOO tight and the bras I bought at Dillards were TOO loose ~ so I went to a local lingerie shop and bought three bras by Jodee. They're more like sleeping bras than sports bras and they are extremely comfy. They've helped with the dropping that's so important to LeJour breast reductions, and with the shaping.

September 22 ~ Went in today and had the stitches taken out. Actually, it was the *stitch*! There was just one long running stitch around each areola, and down each verticle incision. That was the weirdest feeling! Kinda like pulling a drawstring out of a pair of sweatpants. After he took the stitches out, Dr. Anderson applied this brown paper-like tape to my incisions. I have to wear this tape 24/7 for six more weeks. He said to reapply it every five to seven days. *sigh* I was hoping to be able to start massaging the scars with some lotion to get them to flatten out and soften up, but apparently, this tape is to compress the scars which will keep them flat. I hope so! I don't have to go back to see him until November 2. At that time, I will be able to stop the tape. YAY!