My Post-Op Appointment

I went to my 1st post-surgical appointment today. I didn't get all my questions answered, but it was a good appointment. The good news is 1. I can drive again!, 2. 1 of my drains was removed, and 3. my foob is healing as expected. I was VERY excited to have a drain removed, until I got home and realized the drain with the most fluid was the one that was removed. I called the doctor's office and was told it doesn't matter which drain was removed and that any excess fluid would be removed by the remaining drain. That makes no sense to me since the drain tubes are pulling from different places in my body and I need to track the amount of fluid drained by drain number. The drains are removed when the fluid removed gets to a low number. So if drain #1 is draining 10ml/day and drain #2 is draining 40 ml/day, drain #1 should be removed. But in my case, the drain with the most fluid was removed. I am nauseous with worry over it. I'll feel better tomorrow if I don't wake up leaking gross whatever kind of fluid is draining from the incision where the drain was removed. So the removal of the drain is kind of a bitter sweet thing right now. I do feel better about how the foob is looking. I mentioned in a previous post that I was worried about the nipple surviving and the doc said it looks great and could look worse before it gets better. I'm not sure how that's possible, but she's board certified and I'm not, so I guess I'll trust her.

On the not-so-great news side, I've gained 4 lbs since surgery. It's either because you all keep sending me such yummy food or this expander implant weighs way more than I thought. I'm hoping it's the implant, but asked about exercise just in case. I was told no exercise for 6 weeks. 6 weeks! Not even walking Torrey Pines because that will increase my heart rate and increased heart rates are bad for wound healing. It's bad enough for bikini season that my chest is completely lopsided, but now I'll have a fat ass to go with it. I guess I'll be lounging at the Children's Pool with the seals - I've heard hanging with seals make you look thinner.

The other bummer part of the appointment is that the pathology report was not back yet. I still don't know if the cancer is estrogen receptive or how aggressive it was or if it was invasive at all. So I don't have any idea yet about additional treatment.

I'm scheduled to go back for another appointment in a month. Assuming that everything is healed as expected, they'll fill my expander a bit more and I'll be one step closer to completing reconstruction. Before then, I'll have my remaining drain removed and learn about the pathology report. Thanks for all of your support!