DIEP 2011

mscal02

canarychick: Maybe you should get another opinion before you throw in the towel.

XRAYestInMA

@canarychick What I think is you have to do what is best for you. Perhaps you don't have enough abdominal fat for 2 DIEP breasts, but maybe you have enough for a DIEP and implant combination - if that's even done and I'm not sure that it is. Have you considered a Latissmus Dorsi flap ? Implants can be added with that type of flap for added volume. How about a SGAP? And if you do decide to go the implant route, that's fine too. I work with a two ladies that have implants because of BC - one who had it in one side, was treated with chemo and rads, then several years later got it again in the remaining breast, the other had a strong family history and atypical dyplasia and had both of her breasts removed and implants placed. I've seen both sets (au natural) and they both look great - both ladies are in their 50's and both feel as though they made the right choice for their individual diagnoses. 

wolfe33

Hi everyone,

I just need to know when I am going to feel better?!?!?!?  Had double MX and immediate DIEP on June 1st.  My poor husband...he is am amazing, but I feel horrible for him.  All he does is check on me and bring me things. I am almost 4 weeks out of surgery and I am still unable to go to my office. I would be a financial wreck if I couldn't work from home...

 It is less pain and more that I am just so uncomfortable.  I also had my jaw dislocated, accidentally, by the anesthesiologist during my surg (my PS is NOT happy)...so it is adding to the discomfort.  Am I taking too long to recover? Is there a moment when you suddenly start to feel better? Please tell me there is...I need hope today!

alexanjb

wolfe33-I don't know the answer to your question.  I had a delayed SIEA on June 8 and I can relate to what you are saying.  I have discomfort more than pain and I am just plain tired.  I have to believe that bi-mx and immediate DIEP would be even more taxing on the body. Kudos to you that you can work at home.  I certainly don't feel up to that yet.  I don't think I could concentrate on anything.  Give yourself a chance.  This is not the time to be wonder woman.  You are talking about a little over 3 weeks out from 2 body parts removed and a transplant from your own donor site.....

wolfe33

Alexanjb...thanks for responding!  I am sitting here refreshing my screen hoping for an exact answer....crazy, I know.  The tired thing....I know exactly what you mean.  It is so weird, I am 37 years old and I feel like I am 90.  I eat dinner at 4 pm and take a nap...then go to bed at 10. 

 I think that the only thing I can try to remember is that the only constant in life is change. 

One question though.....even though I am not in extreme pain, I am taking pain meds still because of the constant discomfort.....are you there too?

 BTW....I have 20 employees that are driving my boss crazy. Job security:) that is why I am trying so hard to work from home (only 6 hours or so a day)...but boy it is hard to do.  I can't wait until I feel better!!!!  Best thoughts and good vibes to you!!!

momtomygirls

I'm at the hospital feeling a little blue.  I'm not sure if it' s from being the hospital or just all my emotions letting out from the past year.  I  went outside and got some fresh air and that helped a bit.  I am so looking forward to going home tomorrow.  I keep wondering if staying an extra day was a mistake.

Hugs to everyone

zogo

Wolfe33,   It definitely takes a long time to get your energy back. Somewhere I read that your body needs a full month to recover for every hour under general anesthesia.  My bmx/diep was 11 hours and I had to have a skin graft at 3 weeks (that didn't take) but 3 more hours of anesthesia....and I SLOWLY got my energy back after 3-4 months. I'm sure the jaw issue is no fun...is that very painful?  I felt so much better (and more clear in the head) when I switched to ibuprofen from the prescription pain meds.  If you can swing it, I'd give that a try.

Momtomygirls, I'm sorry you are feeling down.  You and your body have been through sooo much!  I remember a time after I was home for a few days and I just cried, my mom and my husband tried to understand and help, but all I could explain was " I just don't feel good". My mom patted my back while I cried, and the feeling passed.  Going outside was a great idea, fresh air and change of scenery. Staying an extra night can never hurt, especially if something comes up, and you will feel so relieved to get out of there and home tomorrow.

Hugs to all 

momtomygirls

thanks Zogo

Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough!

I think I will take another walk before bed.

Snobird

Wolf33- Are you walking or getting some sort of exercise? It's really important to get up and move around. I found it very helpful to walk everyday no matter how I felt or how slowly I went. Also, I stopped all prescription drugs one week out and used motrin or Tylenol for pain and discomfort. Try to work in short shifts of a couple of hours with breaks in-between. Working too much to soon can wear you out. Make sure you are eating enough protien and taking a good multi-vitamin.

wolfe33

thanks Zogo....I am not happy to hear about the month per hour theory but I will have to just keep going and hope it gets better.  AND oh yes...the jaw thing is horrible.  I can't open my mouth more than 3/4 of an inch...eating, yawning and talking are all painful.  They have me on muscle relaxers for that so that my disc slips back into place so I can eat again!!!!! Only good news with that is weight loss...

I am so afraid to stop the pain meds, I have cut out 2 doses per day at this point.  I now only take afternoon and bedtime doses( this is when the pain and discomfort are the worst).  I will work on getting it to one dose in the next week....this is with the ibuphropen in the morning. I want to be clear headed again, but I cannot handle another episode of sobbing when it gets too bad.

Thanks again and all tips would be greatly appreciated!

Momtomygirls- hang in there.  You are in my thoughts tonight.

wolfe33

thanks snobird.....yep, walking everyday without fail. Also, I have a beautiful 120 year old Victorian home....so LOTS of stairs in the house.  They are a blessing in a weird way......exercise that I can't blow off   I am working on the meds as I stated in the last post.....PS said that the jaw dislocation is adding to the need for the meds.  I am making a real effort to eat right...but can't eat much without major pain...it is a vicious cycle that I am in.

zogo

wolfe33, omg if you can only open your mouth that far, chewing or getting the protein in must really be a dilemma.  Maybe you could try protein shakes?  I lost weight at first and then I gained it all back and more.  This week, after I finally got the ok to exercise from my PS, I started p90x. I sure hope I can make a difference by the time I have my next stage. 

You are right not to let the pain get away from you.  It is so much easier to take the meds early rather than late.  It sounds like your plan is working for a clear head during the day.  I hope you are finding time to rest, as I know you must still get very tired. Things do get better.

Hoping your jaw clicks back soon! Hugs

XRAYestInMA

@zogo Man oh man, I hope I don't take that long to get my strength back. According to what you read re: general anesthesia and recovery, I would take FOREVER to get back to being myself after my 18 hour marathon DIEP. I refuse to believe it and will make myself gain my strength back. I'm almost 3 weeks post-op and my daily walks are up to 35 to 40 minutes, and I started the stationary bike and bicep curls with 5 lbs weights this evening.

@wolfe33 I have no accurate answer for you either, but I do want to add that I'm so sorry to read that you suffered a jaw dislocation. That's just plain awful, and sounds so painful. I'm 19 days p/o from my bilat, and still have discomfort, but it's not too bad at all. I'm taking Extra Strength Tylenol during the day to take the edge off and it has helped. My noobs feel fine but my abdomen is tight. I get tired also during the day, but try not to nap for fear that I wouldn't be able to sleep during the night. I started feeling more like myself at about 2 weeks out, but I did not have a jaw dislocation so it may take a while longer for you. I just hope you see the light at the end of your DIEP-tunnel soon and start to feel better.

Jerusha

Canarychick , look on Tim Tams picture forum for women who have had SGAP. You will see that even very thin women can get lovely breasts. If autologous flap reconstruction is what you want then you need to go to a PS who does nothing but this kind of surgery. Even if having surgery in New Orleans is not an option, you might consider making a quick trip there to the Center For Restorative Breast Surgery, for a consult just so you can know you've covered the bases. I was told by my hotsy totsy PS at MSKCC that I would be an A- minus ( whatever that is...), and the same from another PS. I went to NOLA for a consult, then went back 6 months later for a DIEP. I am a full C or small D and will probably be a bit bigger after stage 2 - and all they used was tummy. . I have never heard of anyone being told there that they were too thin-- the docs seem to find fat somewhere . There are also a handful of other practices, several in NYC and surrounding area , that specialize in this. Sadly many PS's tell you it cant be done when what they really mean is, it can't be done BY THEM!

c8ndygr1

@Wolfe33 - I am so sorry about your jaw dislocation. I didn't even know that could happen in surgery. I too hope it realigns itself soon.

@CanaryChick - my PS was able to get two DIEP breasts even though he was concerned I didn't have enough fat for two. They are small, which I wanted anyway, but he will fluff them up in Stage 2 if I want them larger after they've healed and settled. They can do 1 DIEP & 1 implant but I said no to implants. My plan B would have been 1 immediate DIEP and a delayed Lat Flap. Find a PS who has experience in ALL options. IMHO, DIEP/implant is the doc's easy way out but an option I personally would not have been happy with. I want living tissue all the way.

canarychick

thank you to all who responded to me. You guys are so kind. I will definitley ask him tomorrow when I see him. I am a natural type person too. I'm listening to my new yellow canary singing. That's why I'm called canarychick.

momtomygirls

Oh, there's no place like home!

 Have a great day everyone!

zogo

Momtomygirls, such good news that you finally made it home-sweet-home!  Now rest, rest, rest!

c8ndygr1

I'm home now too! I was discharged yesterday afternoon along with 2 ab drains, a pharmacy of meds, and a bag full of dressing supplies. One ab drain will be removed tomorrow. And on friday, I get my navel cleaned up by the PS and the final drain removed. He said to bring a Spanx ab-thigh shaper from Nordstrom with me. He doesn't like to use binders. I have no dog ears! It's so great to be at home with my own shower!

wolfe33

My PS is having me wear Spanx as well.  I actually think that they are pretty comfortable.  Good luck on your recovery! 

Responding to the earlier comment about my jaw:  My new oral surgeon (never wanted or needed one in the past ) said that this can happen even during normal dental appointments, but because you are awake, you can tell them you are in pain and they can almost always immediately make an adjustment to your jaw....but because I was unconscious..no one had any idea.  It is a huge bummer and to be honest...I am just plain mad about it now.  I have been drinking protein shakes and eating what I can, but I am just feeling annoyed...annoyed, hmmmm...maybe I am feeling more like my self again!!!!  LOL>

mscal02

momtomygirls and c8ndygr1: It is good to know that you are both home. I am so happy for you. Take your time and get plenty of rest. Do walk a little at a time.

misszed

Welcome home momtomygirls and c8ndygr1 YAY!!!  Take it easy, as Mscal mentioned, do walk a little at a time, it helped a lot..and do take your pain meds the first week, it helps you move around easier. 

Im 17 days post op today and drainless , got my Spanx on now and will try to work maybe 3 hours a day at home starting this week...lm still a little tired and tummy is still a bit tight but PS & BS want me walking straight up. The Noob cleavage is great and not as much pain anymore, it gets better everyday!

Sherryc

good luck to all of you who have had your surgery and are now at home healing.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!

c8ndygr1

@Wolf33- I hope that blasted anesthesiologist is picking up the bills for your new oral surgeon and related pain meds. It's the least he could do. How're you doing today? I feel so bad for you. It's bad enough to be going through a major surgery but this on top? Get better soon.

ladym13

c8andygr1- I also will be 'fluffing' up in stage 2, any idea how they do this without implants?

Just wanted to share...boyfriend and I had sex last night, was amazing and all incisions are intact:)

c8ndygr1

@ladym13 - YOU, girl, are my inspiration. Where there's a will, there's way. Glad it worked out. (You are one week ahead of me ... hmmm, let me get my calendar.)

Re: 'fluffing' in Stage 2 - My understanding is that it involves liposuctioning fat from other areas of the body that have excess and transferring that fat via fat injections to fill in areas of the breasts that have dents, dips, holes, unevenness, ripples, whatever needs filled or evened out. There is bruising and discomfort after but the incisions are small and heal relatively unnoticeable. 

Anyone else who can tell us more? (maybe we ought to move over to DIEP Stage 2 thread.)

Ondagrow

Hi all...

Sending positive thoughts...

You all are in my prayers...

wolfe33

c8ndygr1- you know....I haven't even thought of going after him for this added expense and pain!!!  What is wrong with me?  I am in Risk Management, LOL!!!!!  My DH and I just talked about this and we have decided to take the wait and see approach, if I end up needing surgery on my jaw because of this...then we will go after him (one of my closest friends, ironically enough, is an attorney)...apparently there is a 2 year time frame to make this decision.  I just want to feel better, ya know?  Ahhhhhh, this shall pass.......eventually

c8ndygr1

Random observation here - I'm so glad the occasional seep, drip, leak and the drain fluid that goes into the bulbs doesn't smell. Or is my nose still under anesthesia?

XRAYestInMA

@c8andygr1 Take it from a gal who has had one lingering drain at 3 weeks post-op today - the fluid does not have an odor to it - providing there is no germ and or bacteria brewing in it. The fluid that is draining from me is a very light yellow color at this stage in the game. I was hoping to have it out today, but I am still outputting more than my PS's daily criteria for drain removal. As much as it sucks to still have it in, I am comforted to know that it's doing what it is meant to do. Since I have upped my fitness to include light free weights and the stationary bike, the output to the drain has increased by quite a bit - but on the up-side, I'm feeling A WHOLE LOT better, so there you go. Are you taking any post-op meds other than those for pain? My PS had me taking Keflex as a prophylactic antibiotic therapy for 10 days after the sx., and I take 2 enteric-coated aspirin a day instead of the nasty shots of daily Heparin while I was incarcerated in the hospital. I'm taking the aspirin for 1 month. How many drains do you you still have in?