Cooper and I woke up around 6:30 am to get ready for my 9 o'clock appointment to see my plastic surgeon. We took a shower, changed my bandages, and Coop even blow dried my hair. He's the best!
When we arrived at my appointment around 8:50, the nurse greeted us immediately and escorted us back to the examining room. Since I am limited to wearing over-sized button up shirts or hoodies, because of my eight JP drains, I did not have to change into the horrible pink paper top that opens in the front. Come on ladies, I know you all know these tops all too well from your OBGYN appointments...they are horrible!
My PS carefully removed the ace bandage, gauze and tape that covered my newly formed breast mounds. I have to admit, I was a little nervous seeing myself for the very first time. Prior to surgery, I envisioned the moment of seeing my newly reconstructed breasts and thinking, "what the hell have I done?" But, as the gauze and other items were removed, a sense of relief came over me. This visit reassured that I had made the right decision to move forward with surgery.
My PS and his nurse then cleaned up my incisions (they are horizontal and the width of my breast, where my nipples once were) and placed new clear bandages over thestiches. He did something abslutely amazing,he pulled 2 of my JP drains!!! Yeah!!! At first, this took me completely by surprise, because he gave me no warning. He quickly snipped the small stitches by my armpits with scissors, and within seconds pulled about a foot long drain from both my right and left sides. It didn't hurt at all. A huge relief came over me, because these were two of the drains that were most painful, because where they were located. It was very easy to pull on them when donning and doffing clothing, which gives an intense burning sensation. My PS decided not to do any expanding today, because it was still too early, and I needed more time to heal. He requested to see me in his office on Friday for follow up. I left feeling optimistic and a little bit lighter with my 6 remaining JP drains.
Now, if you have never had surgery, you may be asking, "what the heck are JP drains?" A Jackson-Pratt drain isa medical device that is commonly used as a post-operative drain for collecting bodily fluids from surgical sites. The device consists of an internal drain connected to a grenade-shaped bulb via a plastic tubing. The flexible bulb has a plug that can be opened to pour off collected fluid. Each time the fluid is removed, the patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider squeezes the air out of the bulb and replaces the plug. The resulting vacuum creates suction in the drainage tubing, which draws fluid from the surgical site.
The JP drains have probably been the most annoying, and uncomfortable part of surgery so far. Cooper has to empty the drains three times per day, and record how much fluid is being collected in the bulbs. Fingers crossed I will have additional drains removed at my appointment of Friday!
When we arrived at my appointment around 8:50, the nurse greeted us immediately and escorted us back to the examining room. Since I am limited to wearing over-sized button up shirts or hoodies, because of my eight JP drains, I did not have to change into the horrible pink paper top that opens in the front. Come on ladies, I know you all know these tops all too well from your OBGYN appointments...they are horrible!
My PS carefully removed the ace bandage, gauze and tape that covered my newly formed breast mounds. I have to admit, I was a little nervous seeing myself for the very first time. Prior to surgery, I envisioned the moment of seeing my newly reconstructed breasts and thinking, "what the hell have I done?" But, as the gauze and other items were removed, a sense of relief came over me. This visit reassured that I had made the right decision to move forward with surgery.
My PS and his nurse then cleaned up my incisions (they are horizontal and the width of my breast, where my nipples once were) and placed new clear bandages over thestiches. He did something abslutely amazing,he pulled 2 of my JP drains!!! Yeah!!! At first, this took me completely by surprise, because he gave me no warning. He quickly snipped the small stitches by my armpits with scissors, and within seconds pulled about a foot long drain from both my right and left sides. It didn't hurt at all. A huge relief came over me, because these were two of the drains that were most painful, because where they were located. It was very easy to pull on them when donning and doffing clothing, which gives an intense burning sensation. My PS decided not to do any expanding today, because it was still too early, and I needed more time to heal. He requested to see me in his office on Friday for follow up. I left feeling optimistic and a little bit lighter with my 6 remaining JP drains.
Now, if you have never had surgery, you may be asking, "what the heck are JP drains?" A Jackson-Pratt drain isa medical device that is commonly used as a post-operative drain for collecting bodily fluids from surgical sites. The device consists of an internal drain connected to a grenade-shaped bulb via a plastic tubing. The flexible bulb has a plug that can be opened to pour off collected fluid. Each time the fluid is removed, the patient, caregiver, or healthcare provider squeezes the air out of the bulb and replaces the plug. The resulting vacuum creates suction in the drainage tubing, which draws fluid from the surgical site.
The JP drains have probably been the most annoying, and uncomfortable part of surgery so far. Cooper has to empty the drains three times per day, and record how much fluid is being collected in the bulbs. Fingers crossed I will have additional drains removed at my appointment of Friday!
Medical supplies and medications needed for daily use.
Me and my JP drains. Originally had 8 drains that drained in to 4 bulbs. Now I only have 6 that drain in to 2 bulbs.
This is the chart that is used to record the amount of fluid drained from each Jackson Pratt Drain. Each pump has its own chart.
RSS Feed