Plastic Surgeon - "Lets set a date!"

I'll start with the good NEWS.  The Plastic Surgeon says, "the wound is looking great, let's schedule a day for surgery."  (BUT, I'm on hold still, awaiting a call from his office with a schedule.  I plan to start my phone barrage to them in a minute, with no let up till something is finalized.)  *2nd BUT, before the surgery first they have to refer me to a local General Practitioner and get 'blood work' and an EKG done.  This is on hold too till they schedule / refer it, let me know who and where, plus what.  So be a patient. patient.

That's the good news.  The bad news is My Leg Hurts and the VAC exacerbates the discomfort.  Lippy decided there were two spots on the wound where the skin was not growing in thick over some muscle and tendons, so he took a scalpel and cut cross hatch patterns down 'into my meat.'  That was yesterday and i am sore today.  It feels like my leg is cut.  (duhh)  Maybe this is just a little taste of what the skin graft will feel like?  If that's true, then i need to toughen up!  (quick, and a lot)

Now take a very fresh open wound, slice and dice it, then cut a little piece of foam to fit exactly into the gaping open wound.  Cover it with suction and let the torture begin.

After the suction is set, wrap the leg in a compression wrap to squeeze it even more.  

Last, relax and pretend you cant feel it.  Ignore the 'discomfort.'  Continue this for a few days till you go back and have them try and remove this sponge that is stuck to the fresh cut wound and new skin.

* The Skin graft will be performed as an Outpatient Surgery.  I'll get some cutting and sewing, then be released back to the boat for a week of 'No weight on the leg.'  Bed rest and elevate the leg.  I approach this with much trepidation.

Nutrition

I have read in all the brochures how the patient will heal better if they have 'good nutrition.'  But it never mentioned what that is.  I assumed it meant plenty of fruits and vegetables.  Lots of green leafy plants to get vitamins from?  Turns out they meant - Protein. "Skip, you need to eat lots of PROTEIN. Meat, cheese, nuts, fish, chicken."  So i went to the store yesterday and bought some more meat and less fruit.  I CAN eat meat.  I had bacon with my cereal today....    I'm growing skin on the boat!

Oatmeal with raisins 

 Cereal with Blue Berries

 Load up the fridge with PROTEIN

Ice Cream?  sure with brownies, banana, nuts.  It's what new skin craves!

I hope your skin is great....    Peg Leg Skip
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Alvis wrote:  "fried pies are a cellular skin growth super food."

Good to know Alvis.  I'll load up on all kinds of Pies.  Just to insure i get all possible health benefits.  (i got a small apple pie yesterday at the local Publix market.  Only 2 pieces left)  My theory is: if they are taking skin, i better stretch it now - quick - to give them lots to work with!

• PIES:
• apple
• key lime
• cherry
• black berry
• coconut creme
• banana creme
• pumpkin
• *question: does banana pudding count?  (better get some just in case!)