DIEP 2011

alexanjb

Here is an old joke that seems right on when thinking about constipation problems:

The Organ in Charge

All the organs of the human body were having a meeting, trying to decide who should be the one in charge.

"I should be in charge," said the brain , "Because I run all the body's systems, so without me nothing would happen."

"I should be in charge," said theblood, "Because I circulate oxygen all over so without me you'd all waste away."

"I should be in charge," said thestomach," Because I process food and give all of you energy."

"I should be in charge," said thelegs, "because I carry the body wherever it needs to go."

"I should be in charge," said the eyes, "Because I allow the body to see where it goes."

"I should be in charge," said therectum, "Because I'm responsible for waste removal."

All the other body parts laughed at the rectum And insulted him, so in a huff, he shut down tight. Within a few days, the brain had a terrible headache, the stomach was bloated, the legs got wobbly, the eyes got watery, and the blood was toxic. They all decided that the rectum should be the boss.

So what's the moral of the story?

The asshole is usually in charge!

mscal02

I quess that is why we need to keep it moving!

mscal02

lady: My pain was just above my breast. It was dark and swollen. I mentioned it to my PS and he didn't seem concerned.I think maybe that is where that went in to inject the fat or there was some type of instrument pressing there. It is much better now and seems to be moving in between my breasts,still not as sore though.

XRAYestInMA

@mscal, ROTFLMAO, a six pack and a radio ?!? I thought I was married to a comedian, but can see your DH is in the running also. Lucky for me, my DH is a butt man since I have some junk in my trunk and probably always will. You are a tall gal for sure - if you are a size 14 at 6 feet, that sounds pretty slender to me. I'm 5'4" on a tall day and currently wear a 12. With a loss of 20 lbs more pounds ( like I will do =positive thinking), I'll be down to a happy weight for me. I'm not built to carry a minimal amount of lbs on my frame and would probably look skeletal if I was 130. My sister is the same in height as me and weighs 145 - she has a dynamite figure...*sigh* she's also 9 years younger, never had children, and still has her ovaries, unlike myself. I fear that droppong the extra lbs will be a tad more challenging now that I am post-menopausal. That's OK, I'll just work at it harder.

@alexanjb HA HA for the old joke. I would send my vote for the colon, rectum, whatever, to be the boss anytime, any day. I learned my lesson...via the hard way.

@c8andygrl Yes, I do believe I had the beginnings of an ileus, but thank my lucky stars it did not go that far. The only intervention that I needed other than the meds, fiber, etc., was a suppository. After the event, I took it easy with foods and ate sherbet, Italian ices, clear soups,  drank H2O, OJ, watermelon, and after 12 hours, tried a salad. I am def. on the mend in the bowel dept. Your "recovery nest" sounds lovely. I had an extra down comforter lying around but I didn't think of lying it on the recliner. I actually padded the recliner with some of the chair pads from my patio set - it is new and the pads had not even been outdoors at that point. It helped and was very comfy. GO Martha Stewart from Lowes!

@ladym13 WELCOME home Mo! Isn't it great to be healing within the privacy of your own home ? Yeah to the shaved legs also - I remember that little victory - that and plucking my eyebrows. I CANNOT believe how nasty they were looking after a week and a half. I sure wish the leg and eyebrow hair growth would have slowed like my bowels did after the surgery. I'm 12 days post op now and the pain and pressure in both of my DIEP-boobs have eased up. I am still uncomfortable a lot, but take only Extra-strength Tylenol to control the pain. I have 1 drain left - out of 4, and I hope to have that one pulled on Tuesday at my next PS appt. The drains are a pain, but I'd rather have the drainage that comes out, out of me, not still in , if you get my drift. I haven't slept flat since I've been home - I use a wedge pillow with another two pillows on it, one for under my legs, and one under each arm. I was never one for sleeping on my back, so this is a whole new experience for me. It kind of sucks, but any sleep is better than none.   

alexanjb

Yeah, anyone that has suffered from constipation, let alone EXtreme constipation will see the truth in that joke.

momtomygirls

Well the official countdown is on!  Just trying to get a few things prepared and then I'm going to have a nice relaxing bath.  My sister is going to be with me at the hospital all week, so I will ask her to post on my behalf.

 Hugs to everyone!

Cheryl

c8ndygr1

Wishing you all the very best, Cheryl ~ We 21 Club girls are right behind you. We'll meet you on the other side. Have a smooth surgery and a quick recovery. Hugs.

mscal02

mommytomygirls: Just relax and you will be on the other side before you know it. I will be praying for you.

alexanjb

The very best to you Cheryl. 

momtomygirls

Thanks everyone!  See you on the other side

nicurn4222

Good Luck Cheryl!! We're right behind you!!

 Re: Summer Solstice Babes, 'bi-DIEP or uni-DIEP?' - I am a bi-DIEP also.

Can't believe I got everything done here I wanted to get done before surgery! I am so anxious to get this show on the road! I can't believe it is almost here!

C8ndygr: I need to work on my nest tomorrow too! Good Idea!  I have to do preop labs in the am, then see my PS so that she can draw on me. Don't really like the idea of being drawn on a whole day before the surgery. Kind of messes with the mind!! Don't think I will let myself look at it too much!

Alexan: that joke is hilarious!! Thank you for that!!!

Ladym: so glad your home and doing great!

Question: is it possible to wear loose fitting stretchy capri pants home? Or are sundresses the only option? Is your tummy too sore to wear pants for awhile?

Welcome Norma June!

1 day and counting...yikes......

Lynne

dannade

I have not been on the discussion board for a few months.  Had DIEP in Dec. 2010.  I have had revision once and will need another revision.  It's not so easy to match a tissue breast with an implant.  Most concerning is the bloated and numb tummy.  PS had to take a pc. of muscle to protect the vessels he took (I know, some might then call it a Free flap tram but my PS still calls it a DIEP because he used perforators).  Anyway, I have continually complained about my tummy and now PS finally agrees with me it is a bulge which could turn into a hernia.  Everything that could go wrong on this left side since day one has gone wrong and now the tummy.  In the middle of all this, I need a knee replacement.  I was walking every day, but can't now with the knees so bad.  btw, I am 65, was 64 at time of DIEP.  I see most of you are much younger.  If I had it to do over again, I probably would have chose something less severe.  Anyone else have to have tummy repair?

NotAfraid

SAMayoFL 

My Stage 2 is July 11 - Mini Market Day (ie: 7/11).  

Treesprite - do you have any dents or holes that you want filled in or any extra areas of fat that you want taken away?  Thos would be my other questions. 

mrsnjband

Susan: Thanks for the warm welcome.  I can handle the good the bad & the ulgy.  But I don't like doctors who try to pull the wool over my eyes.  Just give it to me straight!

I need to loose some tummy fat about the bellybutton, any suggestions? 

alexanjb

I had another follow up appointment.  It is still wait and see.  I have to go back on Friday.  The oozing blisters didn't seem to phase the PS at all.  As for the flap, no cool spots now.  If it gets hard in some areas they will be cut out.

Lynne,  I am able to wear yoga style pants and shorts with no problem, so I think capri's should be ok.  Just make sure they are loose and can be folded at the waist to avoid the incision and drain areas.  In some ways that is better than the sundresses, like when you need to empty the drains or go to the dr. and they want you to remove your top.  I would rather have bottoms to leave on for that thank you very much.  I do both sundresses and shorts/pants.  Today I wore a skirt, but make sure the fabrics are soft and loose.

Sherryc

Has anyone had to gain weight to have their Diep.  I only have enough belly fat for one boob and I need enough for two.  I ate all weekend, thought I would make myself sick and I did not gain anything.  My PS wants me to keep up my workouts because he wants my core stomach muscles to stay in good shape.  IDK, I know I am impatient with only one weekend of eating.  I like healthy food, the only non healthy thing I really like is icecream and even at that I get tired of it.  I did buy me some Cliff bars and gonna try those and some shakes.

XRAYestInMA

@Summer Solstice Babes Good luck to all four of you! I can't believe 4 gals from this thread are having their DIEPS all on the same day. I'm off to the PS tomorrow for a second follow-up - I'll be 2 weeks post-op at that point. Hopefully drain #4 (out of 4) will be removed and then no one will be able to catch me!! HA HA, seriously, a 100-year-old person using a walker could probably catch me at this point. I worked the day before my marathon DIEP and pretty much everything I did I thought, "I am doing this (whatever) for the last time with 1 breast!" Now I have two again and am not looking back

@alexanjb Ok, deep breaths, your noob is hanging in there and that's great. Has the color improved at all? Perhaps your PS has seen blisters like you have mentioned and is not concerned because he can repair the damage at a later date? Does he have any idea why this is happening to you?

@Lynne(nicurn) If the Capris are stretchy, they'll be fine. I wore Yoga pants home of a stretchy, silky kind-of material and no undies as they would have hit the incision and I was not having that. I had to roll the waist of the pants down and it was fine as I was only going from my room (by wheelchair) to the car that my DH had pulled right up to the entrance of the hospital. I don't think anyone paid much attention to me so I doubt that anyone knew I had no panties on. I wore a similar get-up to the PS's office 1 week later, and will tomorrow also, but I'm wearing undies this time, just with the waist rolled down below my incision. My sundresses are form-fitting and I don't plan on wearing anything constricting at this point. Think loose and comfy.

mscal02

Alexa: Atleast the PS has seen this before and is not concerned.

NormaJune: My belly button was moved to a new location after it was pulled down so tight. My PS told me to stop loosing weight because he needed my fat.

nicurn: You can wear whatever is comfortable for you. Just make sure that whatever you wear don't rub your incisions or tug at your drains. Try on a few things for pratice, and let it ride below your bikini line.  I prefer dresses, because they don't rub my incisions. I wore a top and skirt to the PS office when it was time to get my drains removed. Wear something that you don't mind getting stained in case there is leakage from the tubes while they are being pulled. I wear soft pants that fit below my belly incision when walking.

Sherry: The only suggestion for gaining weight that I have is to add maybe Boost or Ensure to your regular meals and maybe google foods that are high in calories.

alexanjb

Yes, Sherry.  Google healthy high calorie foods.  It seems like they used to tell people to add Carnation instant breakfast to each meal (not instead of).  I would not imagine that you would gain weight over the weekend.  You eat healthy and work out, so you are probably at an optimum metabolism.  It is such a shame to screw that up.

Lori,  the PS treated the blisters like a total non issue, I guess they will correct themselves.  The purpled mottled skin that had the cool spots, well, he said something went wrong like a blood clot, and it would either correct itself or harden and have to be cut out.  Worst case the whole thing would be cut off.  Treesprite said she had some hardened areas that had to be cut out.  It doesn't sound pleasant, but this whole thing is pretty freaky if you really think about it.  My hunch is that it will be ok.

Sherryc

alesanjb had not thought of the carnation instant breakfast that might work because I do like milk.  I now I am just a little impatient.  I like to see instant results. haha  Guess that is why the idea of a delayed reconstruction always freaked me out.  I like the idea of immediate, even though I know it will not be perfect and will need revision.  At least it will look like a boob

mscalo2 I had thought about adding somekind of drink supplement.  I used to be in the nursing home business and we gave pt's ensure between meals to help them gain weight. I hope they have improved the taste.

SAMayoFL

Gee Sherry, rather than you gaining weight, it seems like you just need someone to donate a few pounds to your cause.  I am your gal!!!  LOL!!! 

Alexan, I was sitting at my desk reading your colon joke and I laughed WAAYYYY out loud.  That was hysterical.  Maybe it was funny to me because I work for two lawyers who maybe, just maybe, run the show at times! 

Lori, I am 5'4 too and am currently a size 12.  I will tell you that between chemo, chemopause and Femara I am having a tough time losing it.  I carry my weight completely different from you though.  Over the past couple of years especially I have really developed a tummy.  No matter how much I walk or diet, losing my muffin top has been hard.  I am definitely wanting to be in the weight loss club with you and mscal though!  I am working on it with a goal of being as healthy and strong as possible for my surgery in six weeks.

Ladym, welcome home!! I saw a picture of you on the hair thread I think.  You look beautiful and I love your hair. 

Momtomygirl, you are in my thoughts and prayers today.  I can't wait to get news from you sister!

21Club, woohoo just one more day to go.  Can't wait to hear from each of you!

Susan

mscal02

Sherry: I tried Boost while going through chemo, and it had a pretty good taste. Eventhough I didn't need a lot, because I didn't lose my appetite.

mscal02

I have been trolling the vegan topic, because my appetite for meat seems to be leaving. I have been eating mostly stir fried and baked vegetables, especially since DIEP.I eat my largest meal by 2 pm, which cosists most of the time just vegetables , and after that it is mostly fruit and lots and lots of water.I find myself reaching for my water bottle before anything else.

Sherryc

mscal02 I'll have to give boost a try

Susan-I wish they would let me take donations.  I'd have me a very nice set of boobs with all the offers I have had. hehe.  If someone would figure out a way and then patent it they could make a fortune.

treesprite

Good luck to everyone on deck for tomorrow!

I'll check back in after my PS appointment. Thanks for the suggestion Susan . . I do want to ask about the chest to boob transition and if there will be dents if he removes the hard spots.

I have heard of stacked DIEP when there isn't enough belly fat. Wish I had a dollar for everytime someone offered to donate their belly fat!

pupfoster1

OMG I just read the Constipation joke.  HYSTERICAL, but SOOO true @Alex!  Love it!

@Dannade, I have an implant on one side and DIEP on the other.  So far it's worked OK. I've had one revision including lipo on my flanks because of the excess hanging over where they took tissue for the DIEP side.  I'm pretty numb there as well, but have had no swelling or bulging as of yet.  I do have to wear a lovely compression garment for 6 week, which sucks for pool season, but it is only temporary, and I am just glad to be alive to complain about it!!!:::)))  I'm 49, but I don't think age should matter in one's decision, only what is important to YOU, and of course with your doctor's green light.  It IS a tough surgery/recovery.

Good luck to all having theirs today and tomorrow. 

Sharon

alexanjb

Treesprite you lite the way!  You are very good to hang with us when we are so far behind you, and keep us informed.  I hope all is well at your follow up.

nicurn4222

Well 21 Club...it's OUR TURN!!! Good Luck to all my new buddies!! May you all have an easy surgery and quick recovery! Thank you to all who have given such great encouragement and advice!! You have made all of this so much less stressful! I am so Blessed to have found all of you!! I'll talk to you in a couple of days   Lynne

mscal02

Ladies: We will talk to you on the other side. Sweet dreams tonight.

c8ndygr1

Anyone hear from momtomygirl (Cheryl)? Hope she breezed through today.

21 Club sisters: We are finally up to bat. I know we'll do fine. Although we will be 'out' tomorrow, know that I will be virtually holding hands with you both. I wish you a smooth time of it and a quick recovery. We'll be back on our feet before long and with spanking new 'hot' noobs and a flat tummy.

Thanks to all you fantastic ladies. Your support, encouragement and advice has helped ease us through this trying time. My daughter will send status to Susan. And I will begin to fill you in with all the details in the next few days or so. Hugs to you all!

Bring it on!