I wanted the tummy tuck so clothes would fit better and I wouldn’t mind seeing myself in a mirror. What I wasn’t expecting is the side effects: I can move better, I can hold my knees together, I can see the tops of my legs, there is less pressure on my bladder, my circulation is better. touching my toes is easier. I can suck my gut in, really in. I’m at week 7 and still a little swollen, but I would be happy with this.
After surgery: On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is serious pain, this was about a 2-3 most of the time. The anesthetic lasted 2.5 days and the pain was minor, as long as I didn’t cough, sneeze, or laugh too hard. On the third day I started feeling a tickling sensation, I assume that was the nerves coming back on-line, I never did use any of the pain meds. I went back to work on day 5 (sit-down job). The drain bulbs were the majority of the pain. I ended up using large band-aides to keep the tubes from catching on everything. I wore pants and shorts with deep pockets so I could put the bulbs in the pockets. I wasn’t able to have the bulbs taken out until the end of week 3, and I hear that sometimes you end up having them even longer.
This was definitely worth it, I just wish I’d done it years ago.
What impressed me, and my family who had already vetted surgeons in Chicago for my sister, was the attention to detail. The staff was always pleasant on the phone and in person. Prior to surgery I was given a document that detailed the medication, when to take it and what it was for. I was able to pick up the prescriptions a few days before so that was one less thing to worry about. Dr. Hunsicker recommended talking with a nutritionist and seeing an acupuncturist prior to surgery. She didn’t push it, just mentioned the benefits I could see. I had never seen an acupuncturist and after a couple treatments I was surprised how much better I felt with less stress and anxiety. I highly recommend it! As for the nutritionist, I thought I ate pretty healthy, but when you look at the studies about what we put in and on our body and how it’s absorbed, I was up for some education. There was so much I learned, especially using collagen supplements prior to surgery to help my skin, that I still follow the guidelines 8 months after surgery.
Dr. Hunsicker is thorough after the surgery. I saw her and the nursing staff the morning after, not even 12 hours after I left the hospital. I saw her a few days later when I was too scared to remove a pain pump on my own. The staff was so kind when I embarrassingly walked into the office for a 5 second visit. Then for next several weeks I saw the nursing staff at routine appointments.
I had minor issues with a stitch trying to poke out but other than that my recovery was a breeze. I don’t need any revisions and superficially, I look fantastic! I think the holistic approach of a healthy body and mind prior to and during recovery helped a lot as well as physical therapy. I’m very glad Dr. Hunsicker was my surgeon and would recommend her and her team to anyone.
After surgery was scheduled, we met again to ‘pick out breast implants’. Not something you ever expect to do. Again, Dr. Hunsicker explained our options and we felt we made the best choices.
At the hospital before surgery, she was again very positive and explained just what we could expect. After surgery, she explained how the procedure went and set forth a very specific protocol for us to follow. Once home, both Dr. Hunsicker and her staff were available for questions and concerns no matter how small. Follow up appointments went very smoothly and again we were impressed by how encouraging and professional everyone was. We had a very positive experience for a very scary event. Now that we are done we look back and realize how fortunate we were to have been sent to Dr Hunsicker. She is truly a life saver.
Being BRCA1 positive and having survived a Stage IV Ovarian Cancer diagnosis and 2 recurrences, I could no longer live with the high risk possibility of developing breast cancer. Meeting Dr. Hunsicker for the 1st time, I knew right away she was the surgeon for me. She has a wonderful chair side manner, and just speaking with her it was quite evident she is highly skilled and very and passionate in obtaining the best possible results for her patients. There was no need for a second opinion. My expectation was simple, one surgery- mastectomy with immediate reconstruction , and I wanted to come out looking better than I went in. This is exactly what I got.
Dr. Hunsicker provides options for women, that many other plastic surgeons don’t currently offer. In my opinion she is a pioneer in Direct To Implant reconstruction technique. The procedure was outpatient. I went in at 9am left at 6pm. I am still amazed how little pain I had; tylenol was all I needed. The day following surgery my husband and I went out for lunch and two days after the procedure we went to the movies. By far the easiest surgery I have had.
Being faced with having to make this type of decision can be very hard and emotional- For me it was a little easier due to my past history. However hard it may be, it is far easier than hearing these 3 dreaded words again…. You have cancer.
I have taken the time to share my thoughts in hopes of providing some ease to those who walk a similar path. Dr. Hunsicker is definitely who you want as your plastic surgeon, hands down.
I highly recommend to anyone facing breast surgery for breast cancer to at least include Dr. Hunsicker on their list of MDs that they are consulting with before making a surgery decision. Her approach is by far the most cutting edge, detail oriented, best cosmetic result, and quickest recovery. Nobody should have to make a decision about surgery until they know ALL of their options.