Pre-op visit with Dr. Schembri

 

So I had just seen Dr. Dabs a couple days ago and she said that most of the questions I had were completely plastic surgery material. So I came with all my questions ready to go, turns out |Dr. Schembri is very excited to have a young woman for a change and can actually do a nipple sparing, he said most of his patients have been 40+ with nipples that are pointing south so there would be no cosmetic reason to want to spare what has already failed and fallen. So he was very enthusiastic that we will be doing a photo journal all the way and he has offered to me that I will have a lot of intra operative photos as well. Si I’m very happy that this journal will not only be pre and post. But some neat in surgery photos to show what the tissue looks like.

On order are a set of 500cc expanders, which sounds better than my initial understanding that I’d be filled to 800 cc. So hopefully my half a liter of saline filled goodness will be fitting and not to porn star.

 

My questions were as follows:

·      Do I need Physio? Breast cancer program at Mistercordia hospital 2 weeks registered prior to d/c by nurses.

·      Activity at

o   3 weeks? 5-10 lbs.

o   6 weeks? Fully expanded by then, no restrictions

·      Follow up appointments that I will have with you? 1 week checkup, then at 2 week expand first fill and drains out then aswell, (Edmonton clinic) then every week till I'm fully expanded ( 6 th weeks)

·      Pain killers? T#3

·      Will I require a special bra? Band bra that you see in the store with no straps is great doesn’t need to tightly secure the breasts just needs to support the incision, if need more support look for front closing style with as little elastic as possible

·      Specific clothes to wear or not to wear? None, use a panty liner in bra for drainage absorption, why not they conform, absorb, and adhere…great idea!

·      Do I need home care to come do dressings? No

·      How long till I can start showering? Most likely when home, but if I’m up to it the nurses can set me up in a shower. Water is good for the incision. No bath, hot tub, or swimming for 4-6 weeks

·      Other points to remember: No herbals (green tea especially), ibuprophen, aspirin, cold fx, or blood thinners for 3 weeks pre op

·      Come day before surgery ( Oct 23) for ore op markings done in sharpie pen. Shower and wash hair before the appointment