Pete I am so sorry that you have had a set back. You have the best attitude. I certainly hope that your body will now heal faster and that the flap does rejuvenate quickly. Please take care of yourself and rest. I have grown quite fond of you and the rats.

Patty

Hope you heal rapidly as you predicted. Was surprised to read that the thigh flesh rejuvenates where as the flap from the wrist does not.
Always learn something new here.
Take care and get better soon.
Gabriele

Rejuvenation is a conclusion on my part, based on stuf I was told, not a fact gleaned directly from what they've told me or that I have read. They used the word "granulation" a lot when talking about the now-exposed areas of flap and floor bonding with the rest.

I also recall hearing the word granulation used for the issues I have between the tongue and flap. A few smaller operations over the last 2 years to repair with another in 2 weeks.
With me it is a minor problem not like what you have been through.

The granulation might just mean that the surface skins all form and bond together to form one continuous skin across it all, even with the donor skin now removed.

There was one longer piece left in there trailing down my throat and annoying me when it got caught in my breathing -- Doing a juggling act with mirror, flashlight and scissors, I finally managed to cut it out -- Tough stuf, even with sharp scissors!

Pete, as always my good thoughts are with you. You make me laugh--2 free flaps per lifetime is my husband's goal too. #2 will be on Monday. And now you're even doing your own surgery!! Ha! Keep smiling, Pete. We have 2 little ratties at home too. They are my daughter's, so guess who usually takes care of them?
Lori

Pete hopefully you are feeling a little better today especially without the skin bothering you when you breath. Although the image of the flashlight, mirror and scissors did give me a little chill. It may be too early to tell, but do you feel any better since the part of the flap that was not successful was removed? I hope that you start to feel stronger quickly.

Thinking of you and the rats. Is the little rat still licking your hand?

Patty

RatPhooey's still licking my hand, but he might also think there's food involved! Aren't they social little beasts?

Part of excess material still hanging down and it really irks me that I can't get to it -- Nasal breathing is working, so the excess stuf sort of gurgles in the wind... I did some clean-up clipping on the first flap also because it was interfering with use of my toothbrush and fluoride trays.

Flashight & scissors !! Trying to picture you performing your own surgery. Brain surgery next ???
BTW I have found using an electric toothbrush since surgery to work better for me.

Pete

You are as tough as nails to be clipping yourself like that. Does your doc know about your scissor habits? Please be careful, sounds pretty risky. I use a waterpik, works great to get everything out of the creavices.

You got yourself a nice pet. Sure hope he isnt licking your hand just seeing what you taste like. Heard a gruesome story a while ago about how a cat will eat their owner when they die, but a dog will lay down with the deceased owner and guard them. Sure hope that its not true, I have 2 dogs and 2 cats.

Hope you are feeling ok and doing ok with your recovery. I had wondered why you hadnt posted muhc, sorry to hear you had some problems. Please rest and be a good patient so you heal.