19 August 2004
The day before surgery was my pre-op appointment. This was the time for any last minute questions and the pre-surgical markings. By doing the markings today, we avoid exposing my breasts for all to see in the pre-op area. Dr. Janitch took a black Sharpie permanant marker and drew the lines in the pics below.

The areas outlined in purple are going away completely! The black circle are where my nipples will be after the surgery.

I can look down and see the bottom of my new breasts! I just keep looking down and thinking "oh my god ... he's taking THAT much out?" I've got that marker the doctor used for touch ups if the marks fade throughout the day.

All day I'm trying not to think about the surgery - I've got way too much going on! Went out to breakfast with my boyfriend, out to dinner with Dad. After that we went to the Doors of the 21st Century concert (AWESOME concert by the way! The music wasn't the same without Jim Morrison, but still - awesome show!). Got home pretty late and had to hurry to make something to eat before my midnight deadline. Kielbasa and macaroni and cheese - my last meal before the surgery.

20 August 2004
We didn't wake up until quarter to 6. I have to take a shower yet and we're supposed to be at the hospital at 6. Good thing I packed my bag last night! We got to the hospital a little after 6am Friday morning to register. A hospital volunteer took me up to "holding room" I guess ... basically, a bare minimum hospital room. I think its one used for outpatients, maybe? I got one of those pretty little hospital gowns and a bathrobe and sat down to hurry up and wait. Me and Steve played cribbage until they came to take me into pre-op. My Mom and Steve were left at the waiting room as I traveled down the long dim hallway into the pre-op area.

I met the two anetheologists (sp? I'll fix it later!) and Dr. Janitch came in to to check on me. Not sure how long I was in there ... they got the IV started with saliene and an antibiotic and eventually wheeled me into OR 6. I had to wiggle off the stretcher onto the narrow operating table. I didn't realize how tiny those things are! These's sideboards for your arms that made me think of the lethal injection tables you see in prison on TV. Luckily I was in good humor and was able to laugh about it! I remember being told I was receiving a narcotic in my IV before the mask went over my face and then .... I was out.

The surgery lasted about 5 hours. Dr. Janitch took 1000 grams out of my right breast and 800 grams from the left for a total of about 6 1/2 pounds. I lost a lot of blood, which I was told is normal. I did receive a lovely HIV and Hepititis test for free because my surgeon knicked himself with a knife during sugery.

I don't remember waking up really well ... I think I called for Steve and my Mom and was told the surgery went well. The pain wasn't bad, I was just very, very tired. I was brought a liquid supper I wasn't really hungry for. My Mom, Grandma and sister were up to see me while Steve went home to shower and change. When he came back, he spent the night in the hospital with me.

These are the pictures from literally right after the surgery - drains and all. I'm all taped up with qauze in the in the first one. The second is the mess under the gauze and is probably the bloodiest on the site, so please be forwarned.

My Friday night nurse was wonderful, even if she did have to wake me up half a million times during the night for vitals. Dr. Janitch was in before 8am Saturday morning to take the drains out. That part felt really weird and stung a little, but didn't really hurt. He put proxy strips on all the incisions and a petroleum based gauze around my nipples, which were also covered with gauze. The proxy strips help put pressure on the incisions for better scarring and also are a water proof barrier so I could actually take a shower. He told me not to lift anything over 15 pounds for 6 weeks and to take activity based on comfort. It would be at least 10 days before I could wear a bra and I needed to schedule a follow up appointment with him the following Thursday.

I took a shower with the nurse's help before I left the hospital. That alone really wore me out. I think I fell asleep for a half hour or so once I got back to my room. Around 2:30 the nurse came in with my going home instructions and I got to go home.