The morning started like any other. Waking the kids up, Livi always takes almost 10 minutes to finally get out of bed, and getting them fed, dressed and off to school. I kissed each one of them and sent them off to the bus and then when I shut the door the anxiety started. Not sure why I was so anxious about this appointment. I think it was because I knew that this was the final step before the surgery date would be set. I got dressed and headed off to the Naval Hospital to meet up with Josh. Having him there for the appointment was wonderful. Just knowing he was there to support me meant so much.
They called be back to get my vitals. I knew, just sitting there, that my heart rate and blood pressure was going to be high. Sure enough, my blood pressure was really high. So much so that the corpsman decided to get it again, this time manually. The second time around was a little better and we picked up Josh from the waiting area on our way to the exam room.
We only waited a few minutes before we heard the knock on the door and the doctor walked in. I felt at ease, as much as I could feel in that moment. The doctor was very laid back and he went through the different options I have for this process. I can have implants of my choosing, or I could have a TRAM, or Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap procedure.
For those of you who do not know what a TRAM procedure is, they basically would take my extra abdominal tissue and create breasts out of that tissue. The other option would be implants, saline or gel, it would be my choice. The doctor thinks that he can expand my pectoral muscle enough to put in an implant that would be close to the size I am now. I am relieved to hear that, because that is one thing I was hoping for.
At this point, the doctor sent me home to research my options for procedures and told me to email him in a week. He thinks that the first surgery will most likely be in July or August. The plastic surgeon will need to get together with the general surgeon and find a day and time that they can both be there for the surgery. As far as a timeline, he says that it will probably take approximately a year to go through this journey. The tissue expansions will happen every two weeks or so until the expanders are at the size we have decided on for the implants.
One step closer. So many different emotions going on, but I know this is the right thing, so at least I have peace in that.
Until next time, God Bless
Gretchen
