Personal Boundaries

I have been waiting for my meeting with the Plastic Surgeon for what feels like FOREVER. So you would think I would be bright eyed and ready to go for my 8:10am appointment...well you would be wrong. I had trouble shaking the cobwebs from my brain and caffeine was not helping them. I rushed through the shower only to realize I was already running late. I am sure I committed about 20 traffic violations, plugged all of my change into the meter and ran like a mad women to his office. I literally sat down to catch my breathe at 8:20am and was immediately called in.

She was worried I was going to cancel and I was worried the police were on my tail from the Subaru I wanted to "cautiously bump". I was asked to fill out a form, which looked very familiar to others I had filled out, but hospital departments do not share. Next comes in intern A looking very young. He asks some basic questions like "When was your mastectomy". Half way through our conversation I realized I had skipped a year and it had been two years since my surgery...I guess time is moving along. He handed me a Johnny shirt (ties forward) and left to go consult with Dr. L. I got changed and got up on the examination table.

I looked at my toes and decided I needed a pedicure, probably should have shaved my legs, decided that if I grew 2 more inches my feet would actually touch the step stool...and where the hell were they.  Next thing I know in pops Dr L who introduces himself along with intern A and low and behold intern B! Dr L asks if I mind another intern and I am thinking that at this point the janitor could come in and I wouldn't care.

Dr L directs me towards the chair and Intern A and B sit on the examination table...I guess I should have done up the Johnny shirt as everyone is getting comfy. Dr L goes through 3 options which he believes would suit my case best.
Option A: Expander Implant (stick in a blow up balloon and fill it up over time)
Option B:Latissmus Dorsi Flap (Take a muscle from my back which apparently I rarely use and bring it forward and add an implant in to make the breast)
Option C: Tram Flap ( tummy tuck and boob in one)

I asked how many times he had made the spiel, with the interns snickering and Dr L smiling. "A lot" was his response...can't fool me. I figure if you are going to check me out I had better make sure you are my guy.

Each option has their pros and cons but Option B sounds best to me for my right side now what to do about the existing left side? I think it is odd that making the decision about what procedure to get with my right breast was easy but what to do with my existing breast is difficult.

Do I do a skin/nipple sparing surgery and have an implant put in. Do I get a mastectomy and make them even and get rid of any possible reoccurrence, or do I leave well enough alone. I have a bit of time to make this decision so I will weigh all of the options in my mind and come up with a plan.  So stay tuned on that one. Next came the sizing option, did I want bigger, smaller or current size. I decided my current size has done me well thus far so I guess I will continue.

Now came the examination part. If you ever had a fantasy about three men at the same time...then don't look now but it was not what you would imagine. I was lifted touched, maneuvered, described...had pictures taken of from all angles including showing my belly fat and nipple placement. Sexy oh yeah. What I did discover was that I have good nipple placement (you should have seen me when I had two..ahem) and not enough belly fat (stop, you will make me blush..but can you tell my pants that).

I was then given the opportunity to get dressed and ask if I had any questions or wanted to see pictures of other patients. I decided that for now I need to make up my mind based upon what is right for me as opposed to letting vanity take its course of worrying about scar lines.

Now I need to see my surgeon and have a left breast talk and then make my decision...yikes! I can't wait until I can show them off...watch out wet t-shirt contests!