The cherry on the top 🍒

Today I had my last reconstruction surgery! [Happy dance 🕺🏽] It is the cherry on the top. Nipple reconstruction.

A small piece from my remaining nipple was transplanted as a “free nipple graft” to reconstruct the nipple on my reconstructed breast. Known as “nipple sharing”, this procedure produces the most natural appearing nipple. Apparently the “donor nipple” becomes slightly smaller (up to half size) afterwards. Sensation and function should remain intact for the donor nipple, and a very small scar is created on its undersurface. I can neither confirm nor deny whether this is true because my nipples are currently sealed up underneath waterproof dressings.

The surgery was pretty straightforward. I was first on the operating table today for my plastic surgeon. My admission time was 6:45am. I arrived early.

At 7am I was taken to change into my attractive wee outfit - surgical gown, hair net, long compression socks, short red non slip socks and a dressing gown. No paper undies this time, which is disappointing (sarcasm - see my post about my mastectomy). They are such an ill fitting treat (my plastic surgeon has told me previously that they fit no one, ever). I was COVID tested (negative). I was asked lots of pre admission questions by a nurse, including what was to happen where, which required great particularisation/detail (which is quite funny because I only have one nipple so obviously if we are taking from it, it is going to the side where there is no nipple - but particulars were demanded, so particulars were provided). I had my blood pressure, oxygen saturation and temperature checked. I was then deposited into a recliner chair under a heated blanket and pre warmed to 46 degrees C (love this part).

The surgeon arrived and access to my torso was gained via domes on the surgical gown. We used a heart monitoring electrode to work out where the nipple would go. Once we’d finished with her tape measure, she pulled out her trusty yellow pencil case from the pocket of her scrubs which contain her vivid markers. She drew on me in vivid. All the good preheating work was ruined so I was dispatched back to the recliner to be warmed again to 46 degrees C. I did not complain.

Whilst I was warming I was visited by the anaesthetist and then the anaesthetist’s technician (separately). I persuaded the anaesthetist to give me oral anti nausea drugs rather than the patch that goes behind your ear which blurs your vision for 72 hours if you touch it. Every time I’ve had that patch I’ve accidentally touched it, then touched my eyes and had blurred vision for 72 hours.

The anaesthetist’s technician took me to the operating room. I saw my surgeon on the way in scrubbing up (first time I’ve ever seen a surgeon in the realms of the operating theatre). The table was heated (marvellous). Vein was located without incident. First drug made me drowsy. Second drug was described as making you feel like you are having cocktails (euphoric and then the room started spinning - pretty accurate description). Third drug knocked me out.

I was awake around 9:30am. I remember my surgeon visiting me twice in the recovery room. I do not remember ever seeing her in a recovery room after our three other surgeries together. She has assured me that she has visited and spoken to me after all my other surgeries, but I remain sckeptical. This new remembering development is obviously due to the much shorter surgery.

I had an ice block and ate lots of egg sandwiches and Anzac biscuits and drank coffee and before I knew it I was on my phone and high on that euphoric “I’ve made it through another surgery alive” feeling.

I was gone (home) by lunch time! No pain!

I do feel completely wiped out now though. I get really anxious about surgery. It is never as bad as I imagine it will be but it takes a lot out of me via nervous energy.

I’m looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

Pōmärie e te blog whanau.

Ahakoa he iti he pounamu

Although it is small it is a treasure