Dealing with the Wrench..My Way

So, I had begun to entertain the idea of having the reduction and lift.  I did a lot of soul searching and thinking, and to be honest, staring at my hard as a rock "foob" in the mirror.  However, I was not entertaining the idea of having yet another surgery and prolonging the process any further.  There were discussions to be had.

I got to the size I felt was a good size by my first appointment of Oct., so it was time for the discussion.  My PA came in and asked me what I had decided.  I told her I was going to do the reduction, but wanted it done in the same surgery.  She then talked me through what my PS reaction (and following discussion) would be.  She then had to leave to deal with another patient.

Next, my PS and another PA walked in.  The PA expanded me (you have to be overfilled once you hit your ideal size) and then came the discussion I had been waiting for.  As predicted, my PS rreeaallyy wanted (and lobbied hardcore for) the two surgery approach.  I love my PS, but he is definitely a perfectionist.  He really wanted to do my exchange surgery (taking out my tissue expander and replacing it with my implant) first, and then let it settle for some time.  After that, he would then do the reduction and left to "near perfectly" match the other side.   I'm a logical person, I understand his viewpoint and the advantages to that approach.  However, I'm also the person who has and is going through this process.  At some point in the conversation, I looked my PS in the eye and said "Please.  I am tired.  I really just want to close this chapter and move on to the next chapter in my life."  At that point, he gave me his kind smile and agreed.  We started discussing scheduling.

Once again, I had a plan.  Once again, the plan got thrown a curveball.  My plan was to schedule the surgery my surgery for mid week before Thanksgiving.  My idea was then that I would only have to take half a week off because we had the entire week of Thanksgiving off.  Well..no go.  My PS was at a conference that week.  So, we discussed doing it the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  I thought, okay, same idea, just back a week.  He ended the conversation by telling me to schedule it with his secretary.

That left the PA with me to discuss getting ready for the surgery.  Before she left, I asked how many more times I needed to be overfilled.  "This was it! You're done!"  she cheerfully responded.  Say what?! That was it??  Oddly, I was a little let down.  It seemed to "end" unceremoniously, without me realizing it.  I was also a little bummed because it had ended without my usual PA, who had been there every step of the way with me. 

So, I was done with the expansions.  Now I just had to "be" for the next month and some change.  I could handle that..