4 days to go until leg reconstruction!

Which makes it sound like I'm getting some awesome bionic legs, but, sadly, I'm not.

I have paid the hospital and done my pre-op on the phone with the nurse. Over the weekend I picked up the lift recliner that a good friend kindly offered to loan me for however long I need it. (It was her grandfather's.) And then another friend volunteered her SUV for transportation. I have the best friends!

Then, yesterday, I started feeling crummy. I had a sinus infection early this month and let the doctor give me amoxicillin which did NOTHING and the sinus infection has been hanging around ever since. It got worse yesterday and today when I woke up I went to urgent care to get an actual effective antibiotic. So I'll be right as rain by Sunday, but it sucks since the same thing happened before my first reconstructive surgery. Thanks, body!

I think I'm as prepared as I can be. My surgeon told me that hip abduction was the movement I'll need to be most careful with while healing, so I bought a strap that I can put around my thighs while I sleep so I don't accidentally spread my legs - since I'm an "active" sleeper :P I've got the shower stool and toilet seat risers ready. I've even practiced with a "p-style" which is one of those tools that lets someone without a penis pee standing up.

I did get around to reading my pre-op information packet and there was a section I hadn't been aware of. Apparently, for this surgery, since the incision is in the groin and therefore close to the anus and vagina, it's important to wash with soap and water after using the toilet in order to avoid infection. (From fecal matter getting into the incisions.) If this is TMI, sorry, but this is something no one had told me prior and these are the sorts of things we should be prepared for when going into these surgeries!

And, best news of all... at the beginning of October my partner who is my surgery day advocate found out he was getting laid off in two weeks (total unexpected surprise) so we weren't sure if he'd be able to be my surgery day advocate due to the whole hopefully new job thing. But he did secure a new job and his new job is totally cool with him working from the hospital on Monday to be my advocate. My other partner is out of town that day, so I had lined my mom up as back up advocate if necessary, but I'm SUPER grateful that my partner will be able to do this because if any advocacy is necessary, I'd rather my mom not have to go through that on my behalf.

So yay! Aside from this sinus thing, I am READY to get this thing done and to finally be finished with surgery. Then I'll be able to finish with recovery. Then life will be back to the new normal and I can't wait! I miss running and everything else that I do.

I'm still a bit nervous, though. No matter how much we prepare, all bets are off once we hit recovery.

Glad you're getting the antibiotic into your system. Feel better!

It sounds like you've got everything under control and are ready to go. I had one of the pee things too. I really liked it.

Excited for you and for your plastic surgery journey to be completed. Wow, it was a whirlwind, wasn't it?

A total whirlwind! I completely understand why there are people who do a surgery a year because doing it all at once over a span of 6 months is a challenge. But I think going through this once a year would be a different kind of challenge. Ultimately, I have no regrets that I chose to do it "all at once" because this was the best option for my life, but it has been quite the wild ride.

And if I end up needing slight revisions in 10 years, so be it!

I think once this is behind you, you will be glad you did it in one big shebang! I did my LBL and BL in one surgery and my arms six months later and then I was done. I was glad to have it behind me. I will be sending you great vibes on Monday (from Stockholm!).

I agree! And have a great trip.

Best of luck to you!!!

Thank you!

Sounds like you are prepared. All the best for your quick healing!

As prepared as I can be. Thank you :)

can't believe how quickly time has passed to bring you to this . . . . so excited for you. wish beyond wish i could do it too . . but my body won't allow it :(. sending good, wonderful, peace-filled thoughts your way for a gentle healing!!!!