Pre-Op Report

Nikki didn't have any unusual problems Tuesday during her pre-op workup. It took five sticks to get her blood sample- not bad for her. Since being burned, Nikki doesn't have any ungrafted sites to use for blood draws. On top of that, it's very hard to find a vein under her heavily textured skin grafts. She was pretty sore by the time they finished, but the mission was successful.

The operating room is booked for eight hours, which would be a record length of surgery for her if used. Dr. Miller is anticipating 6 - 7 hours in the O/R, so we'll see. The actual procedure will be focused on her lower neck, where the constrictures always form from her neck to her chest / shoulder area. By removing these areas of tight skin, Dr. Miller anticipates that her upper neck & facial features will relax and stay relaxed. This might allow conventional skin grafting to do a better job on the upper areas, without fear of constrictures forming. But if necessary, the same radical tissue transplant procedure can be used on the upper neck & face at a later time.

Nikki is pretty well prepared for her extended time off of work & she's anxious to get this done. This will probably be my last update until surgery day, which is next Wednesday. Stay tuned-