Re: a female question, and, yes, men can answer, too

[Guest guest]

Wow.... I think this one is way out of my league. So I will just pass on that one...lol

in Suffolk

[Guest guest]

Deborah-I can't tell you what they did. When they attached my IV during prep, I walked to the operating room wearing a gown and some kind of shorts deal. Someone injected something into the IV, and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room with chest pains I hadn't had before surgery, no shorts, and six incisions instead of the 5 I was told I would have. Pay attention to what LeeAnn said: The pain really isn't all that bad so i haven't used any of the pain meds since returning home. I think you will be surprised about how well you do after surgery, and as many have said, you will wonder why you waited so long. You may even be able to check out a laptop at the hospital (Bronson in Kalamazoo has them). We will be so anxious to hear from you!

Jo Deborah Lattimore <deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote: Hello and Here's my Question: O.K. Now, this is how I think the VAT goes, just a part of it, that is: you take off your clothes, you get into a hospital gown, you end up on gurney, you get an I.V., you wait around (this bit varies), then, into the operating room, they strap your left arm up and over your head whilst you begin to get knocked out, they shove, uh, slide, er, whatever, put the endoscopic probie thing down your throat, they make ports, that is, cuts, er, they get inside your chest, do the surgery, take a look-see for anything that ought not be there, they rinse out the esophagus with some

blue saline to see as you leak where you ought not, and then all that stuff comes back out and you get to sleep it off and go home in 2, 3 or a few more days, depending on whatever else comes up or goes down or doesn't do what it should. Right? Now, here's the female bit: where do your breasts hang out during all of this? Do they get taped to your chest? What if they swag and drape around the place whilst the team is fidgeting with steel tubes, cameras and photographs of Sophia Loren taped to the overhead light? Make that photographs of Connery for me, would you please? Ralphe Fiennes? ny Depp! Seriously, about the breasts: I think I want them covered up or taped or something. The idea of my boobies just flub-tuttering around makes me very uncomfortable, not that I have enormous mammaries or

anything, but they do swoft and dob a bit (gravity's no help, either, I can tell you). So? Deborah, wondering at the beach

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

Another thought:

Cover your face and they won't know who they are working on.

Then it won't make a difference. LOL

I use to tell my children that if they lied I could see devil's in

their eyes. My youngest, very early age, maybe 4 or 5, would

put her hands over her eyes when she was going to tell me

something that was not the whole truth. That seemed to work

for her....and gave me a clue at the same time.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Dear Deborah,W/O getting too graphic... I think you are out of luck controlling your breasts during surgery. Let alone controlling them after children and age 35. Those thoughts also went through my mind....This is the way Cedars does it... similar to most I imagine.Check in, change into gown....naked, IV w/ very charming anesthesiologist... Very Charming... not your dream one, but VERY CHARMING.... I was paranoid about having my glasses when I woke up because I can't see w/o them. You go sleepy. Pretty quick, no long waits at any stage.From what I've seen on TV etc. Every area not being cut into is covered with sheets. I'm guessing others move us and put in more tubes and there we are laying on the table, properly draped before the surgeon walks in.Yes, you are probably on your side and your "girls" are drooping. I just figured they were impressed by my natural size (without implants) and put it out of my mind. When you wake up you are aware but the medication seems to include anti-anxiety effects so you really don't care. Believe me, I never appear even picking up the newspaper w/o support and I didn't care. Again... I strongly suggest a sports bra, no underwire as the ports are not pleasant w/ a regular bra when you go home. Or go without.Also with VATS, you will likely not be looking for a computer in the hospital... the surgery is a little more painful because they are working through your side and I assume spreading your ribs and those muscles a little. However there isn't gas injected into you that seems to be a lap issue. They get you out of the hospital just when you start thinking about getting your contacts back and thinking about a shampoo and brushing your teeth.It sounds uncomfortable but again, the pain meds, made me aware (I thought when I needed to be or when someone called) but there wasn't any anxiety. Even when I had a spasm it was painful but more like I was watching myself having a spasm. I was much more nervous before surgery than anxious afterward or with any issues that came up.So... Ms. Control Issues.... I think you have to let them cover your breasts as they determine best. The tradeoff is being able to "take your girls out" with a proper cocktail dress with the handsome guy to a lobster dinner, not put through a sieve.Most of the thoracic patients are people w/ lung issues, so I assume smokers with wrinkled faces and black lungs. In comparison us achalasia people have to be a treat don't you think? We aren't terminal and giving us back the ability to eat must be very rewarding to everyone working on us.So that is my pep talk.... basically.... you have to lose control of your breasts for a while. Let it go.Lee Ann..... IFFFF you made it this far... CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Happy eating.Sandy in So Cal.... Kids FINALLY back in school... Son on a bus for a 4 night outdoor science school week. A First!!! He was so nervous and excited his upper lip was sweating and he was talking 100 miles a minute when I dropped him off. Yea!!!! That means no other 5th grade neighbors underfoot either w/ their bottomless tummies and lazy bones. This is the REAL New Year. >> Hello and Here's my Question:> > O.K. Now, this is how I think the VAT goes, just a part of it, that is: you take off your clothes, you get into a hospital gown, you end up on gurney, you get an I.V., you wait around (this bit varies), then, into the operating room, they strap your left arm up and over your head whilst you begin to get knocked out, they shove, uh, slide, er, whatever, put the endoscopic probie thing down your throat, they make ports, that is, cuts, er, they get inside your chest, do the surgery, take a look-see for anything that ought not be there, they rinse out the esophagus with some blue saline to see as you leak where you ought not, and then all that stuff comes back out and you get to sleep it off and go home in 2, 3 or a few more days, depending on whatever else comes up or goes down or doesn't do what it should. Right?> Now, here's the female bit: where do your breasts hang out during all of this? Do they get taped to your chest? What if they swag and drape around the place whilst the team is fidgeting with steel tubes, cameras and photographs of Sophia Loren taped to the overhead light? Make that photographs of Connery for me, would you please? Ralphe Fiennes? ny Depp!> Seriously, about the breasts: I think I want them covered up or taped or something. The idea of my boobies just flub-tuttering around makes me very uncomfortable, not that I have enormous mammaries or anything, but they do swoft and dob a bit (gravity's no help, either, I can tell you).> > So?> Deborah, wondering at the beach>

[Guest guest]

Maggie,I told my kids, especially my son, but ONLY Mommies could see a "Mommy spot" on their forehead when they were lying or telling me a story. The first time I did it, he slapped his hand on his forehead so I couldn't see. He was about 4 yrs old. Later years, actually about another 5 years he would raise his hair off his forehead without me asking and say, "See, no Mommy spot." He believed me for years. Wonder why I didn't have those issues w/ my daughter? Funny... Deborah..... no..... you can't WEAR a bra or anything into surgery, you know that don't you. Preeti, most well-informed gi doctors (I think all, but just in case said most) DO NOT recommend botox for generally healthy people that can tolerate surgery. It appears to leave scars, making surgery more likely to be less successful in the future. I will go out on a limb, and suggest you find a more well-informed gi about achalasia. Those are opinions at least 5 years old. Botox was HOPED to be helpful, but turned out not to be helpful, in fact detrimental to long term successful treatment. Unless surgery is extremely difficult or you have a very unusual case of achalasia.Sandy in So Cal>> Another thought:> > Cover your face and they won't know who they are working on.> Then it won't make a difference. LOL> > I use to tell my children that if they lied I could see devil's in> their eyes. My youngest, very early age, maybe 4 or 5, would> put her hands over her eyes when she was going to tell me > something that was not the whole truth. That seemed to work> for her....and gave me a clue at the same time. > > Maggie>

[Guest guest]

Maggie wrote:

I use to tell my children that if they lied I could see

devil's in

their eyes.

Granny used to tell me that an old man with a horse drawn cart would

collect me and take me to be turned into soap.

notan

[Guest guest]

When I would swing my legs on a chair, Gramma said I was carrying wood for the devil.

[Guest guest]

God help the imagery! My hope is the " boobies " are concealed by drape, surgical

drape

during surgery and that some discretion is observed in the operating room. If

not, I

DON'T WANT TO KNOW!

>

> Hello and Here's my Question:

>

> O.K. Now, this is how I think the VAT goes, just a part of it,

that is: you take off

your clothes, you get into a hospital gown, you end up on gurney, you get an

I.V., you

wait around (this bit varies), then, into the operating room, they strap your

left arm up and

over your head whilst you begin to get knocked out, they shove, uh, slide, er,

whatever,

put the endoscopic probie thing down your throat, they make ports, that is,

cuts, er, they

get inside your chest, do the surgery, take a look-see for anything that ought

not be

there, they rinse out the esophagus with some blue saline to see as you leak

where you

ought not, and then all that stuff comes back out and you get to sleep it off

and go home

in 2, 3 or a few more days, depending on whatever else comes up or goes down or

doesn't

do what it should. Right?

> Now, here's the female bit: where do your breasts hang out during

all of this?

Do they get taped to your chest? What if they swag and drape around the place

whilst the

team is fidgeting with steel tubes, cameras and photographs of Sophia Loren

taped to the

overhead light? Make that photographs of Connery for me, would you

please?

Ralphe Fiennes? ny Depp!

> Seriously, about the breasts: I think I want them covered up or

taped or

something. The idea of my boobies just flub-tuttering around makes me very

uncomfortable, not that I have enormous mammaries or anything, but they do swoft

and

dob a bit (gravity's no help, either, I can tell you).

>

> So?

> Deborah, wondering at the

beach

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah...how are you feeling today? Still having pain and feeling

tired? I agree you should speak with Dr. Fuller about this. It could

be that you have aspirated.

I remember being very concerned about the modesty issues while on the

operating table and it was the only question I had asked before I went

off to sleep. I was naked except for the lovely white stockings and

leg thingies they have you wear for circulation...other than that I

was completely naked...so why is it that we can't even wear our

panties????? It's a good thing I was scheduled quickly or I would be

sitting about driving myself crazy with worry about these things just

as you are Deborah!

I had asked if they would keep me covered up during surgery and the

nurse just replyed " we will try our best " ....I would rather not know,

but the first thing I remember waking up to is my surgeon whispering

in my ear in his deep sexy Bolivian accent... " you are going to be

thin " ! LOL...This (I think)is because I perforated and wasn't going to

have anything to eat or drink for a week during my hospital stay. At

least I was given a private room so I didn't have to watch other

people eating...

I still can't get that voice out of my head...it was like he had

hypnotized me and now I am forever under his spell " to be

thin " ...hmmm...I am still waiting for that to happen! LOL...I kinda

fell in love with my surgeon too...I guess it's not uncommon.

What a sight we must be all pumped up with gas...

and LUCKY YOU...with VATS, this is one thing you don't have to worry

about!

Only 16 days...Have you tried doing any deep breathing exercises to

help with relaxation??? It might be helpful with the recovery process too!

Hugs,

Sandi

>

> Hello and Here's my Question:

>

> O.K. Now, this is how I think the VAT goes, just a part

of it, that is: you take off your clothes, you get into a hospital

gown, you end up on gurney, you get an I.V., you wait around (this

bit varies), then, into the operating room, they strap your left arm

up and over your head whilst you begin to get knocked out, they shove,

uh, slide, er, whatever, put the endoscopic probie thing down your

throat, they make ports, that is, cuts, er, they get inside your

chest, do the surgery, take a look-see for anything that ought not be

there, they rinse out the esophagus with some blue saline to see as

you leak where you ought not, and then all that stuff comes back out

and you get to sleep it off and go home in 2, 3 or a few more days,

depending on whatever else comes up or goes down or doesn't do what it

should. Right?

> Now, here's the female bit: where do your breasts hang

out during all of this? Do they get taped to your chest? What if

they swag and drape around the place whilst the team is fidgeting with

steel tubes, cameras and photographs of Sophia Loren taped to the

overhead light? Make that photographs of Connery for me, would

you please? Ralphe Fiennes? ny Depp!

> Seriously, about the breasts: I think I want them

covered up or taped or something. The idea of my boobies just

flub-tuttering around makes me very uncomfortable, not that I have

enormous mammaries or anything, but they do swoft and dob a bit

(gravity's no help, either, I can tell you).

>

> So?

> Deborah,

wondering at the beach

>

[Guest guest]

notan wins this contest! LOL

Granny used to tell me that an old man with a horse drawn cart would collect me and take me to be turned into soap.notan

[Guest guest]

Deborah, From a male perspective: DON'T WORRY!!! Everyone in that operating room will be medically trained personnel. Their number one priority is to get the job done. At the time of the procedure, if anything gets in the way, it will be treated as any other part (excess muscle, excess fat cells[that's from my experience!]). And they will ensure you are presentable in the recovery room. Kind of a similar story - when I was in my young 20's I required full body radiation to treat a form of cancer. I too was concerned about certain body parts and their exposure. Imagine requiring a mold be created to protect the little guys from the radiation! And the techs were all female! Quite embarrassing to say the least. Then every day, the lead shield needed to be fitted prior to the procedure. Then standing naked

on a stage-like apparatus, the shield covering only the element requiring protection while the rest was fully exposed, as the (again, all female) techs administered the radiation. That's when I learned that medical personnel are VERY PROFESSIONAL! Modesty is the last thing to worry about - getting healed is first. Good luck with the operation and hope you have a speedy recovery!!mike in WI

Photos Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands ASAP.

[Guest guest]

Wow, Mike, what a story!

>

> Deborah,

>

> From a male perspective: DON'T WORRY!!! Everyone in that operating

room will be

medically trained personnel. Their number one priority is to get the job done.

At the time

of the procedure, if anything gets in the way, it will be treated as any other

part (excess

muscle, excess fat cells[that's from my experience!]). And they will ensure you

are

presentable in the recovery room.

>

> Kind of a similar story - when I was in my young 20's I required full

body radiation

to treat a form of cancer. I too was concerned about certain body parts and

their

exposure. Imagine requiring a mold be created to protect the little guys from

the

radiation! And the techs were all female! Quite embarrassing to say the least.

Then every

day, the lead shield needed to be fitted prior to the procedure. Then standing

naked on a

stage-like apparatus, the shield covering only the element requiring protection

while the

rest was fully exposed, as the (again, all female) techs administered the

radiation. That's

when I learned that medical personnel are VERY PROFESSIONAL! Modesty is the

last thing

to worry about - getting healed is first.

>

> Good luck with the operation and hope you have a speedy recovery!!

>

>

> mike in WI

>

> ---------------------------------

> Photos

> Got holiday prints? See all the ways to get quality prints in your hands

ASAP.

>