Extended TT done May 10th

Hey everyone, had my extended TT done this past Thursday.  I'm amazed at how little it hurts.  It feels like I've done a trillion sit ups and that's sore but nothing is like "OMG painful" it burns a little because of how tight it is and is just more uncomfortable.  They took just under 6lbs of skin off! 

So my question - how long did you leave your bandages on?  I was told I could shower on day 3 - which is today, so I'm assuming the bandages come off then?  I have 2 drains and I go into the Dr tomorrow to see if they'll remove - barley anything is coming out of them - under 20 cc's in over 8 hours... it goes down more and more each day.   I'm fine if they stay in longer - I'd rather they stay in then end up with a seroma. 

 Congrats!  I'm so glad you're not having pain.  My LBL was my least painful procedure.

My surgeon had my incisions stay bandaged until the sutures were removed.  I was in compression garments for six weeks, 24/7.

When were you able to shower for the first time?

I was able to shower the following day but chose to wait two days. The nurse helped me shower. After that I showered daily. I was in the clinic 5 nights, then a hotel for 7 nights. When I went to the hotel, Dr. Sauceda had his nurse come to the hotel every morning to give me my shower, put in fresh gauze, then put me back into my garments. It was the reason I chose him. I did not want to be sent home the day after surgery to take care of myself.

You received amazing care.

 I really did receive amazing care.  It is what allowed me to have multiple procedures!

I live close enough to the border and here enough and have been advised by those living on the border to not go to Mexico...period.  It is such a shame.  The cost of surgery by Dr. S would allow me to schedule today!  I've talked to my family about it, and they go nuts...especially my daughter.  I tell them about the following he has, but that does not matter.  I even though maybe if I go and do not leave the hotel that would be okay.  I could do that.  I'm home all the time anyway.  Did you feel secure while there?

 I felt totally secure there. A friend went with me. She walked from the hotel to the clinic and back everyday.  She did not walk alone after dark. The hotel shuttle picked her up.  There are restaurants that deliver to th hotel.  Breakfast is included and I always took fruit and yogurt back to the room for lunch. A few evenings they have happy hour snacks which many people make their dinner.  I walked to the grocery store, to restaurants, to the movies which are all in the hotel parking lot.  I had the shuttle take me to a shopping mall to walk for a few hours. 

My friend that went with me is planning her surgery.  I hope to go back with her if I am still unemployed.  Going when other OH people is great o that you have people to hang out with.

Dr. S sends his driver to pick you up at the airport.  He paid for a taxi to take me back when I left.

How far is the airport.  You felt confortable going in the taxi?  How far is the clinic.  My SIL grew up on the border with a family member who is a border agent.  His parents, Hispanic, will not even go.  He won't even go.  I asked him if he thought it would be okay, and he advised against it.  We get so much into...maybe too much....so it has me concerned.  But everyone is very happy with him, and everyone talks about the excellent care they receive.  When will you be going with your friend?  Isn't the hotel a Hampton Inn or something like that?

 Yes on Hampton Inn.  About 30 minutes from airport. Felt as safe in taxi as I do at home.  I worked with government agencies and saw all the videos about the border.  It did not stop me. It felt safer than some parts of Oakland.  The only time I went out after dark was to go eat or the grocery or movies.  Lots of folks just like us walking around.  My son is Hispanic and was all for it.  My brother did a year as an exchange in Monterrey during college and was ll for it.

Not sure when my friend is going but late fall probably. There is a summer schedule of patients posted n the Sauceda group. Come see if any would fit your schedule.  Come to Vegas and meet Dr. Sauceda and his Dr, wife who is the anesthesia person.  You will feel so much more comfortable.  I will be there!