DIEP 2011

Shellyann

I just got home from the hospital after having a mastectomy on my right breast. Left was done last summer prior to chemo and rads. Having 'delayed DIEP' on Monday, so I will be back in the hospital for a few more days. No real pain at all from yesterdays surgery. Looking forward to getting this second phase completed and on with healing. I thought it was strange having one breast, but now that I have both gone I feel a huge weight has been lifted. The imbalance of a D and a nothing was uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to not having to wear that heavy protheses. I guess in a few days I will have an even stranger feeling....two new foobs and a flatter belly. From what I'm reading on here,it will be weeks before I feel normal and months before the breast settle but I'm ready!

mscal02

Shellyann: I am happy for you. You are going to be so happy being even, and not having to stuff your bra.

misszed

Thank you ladies and hope you are all having a wonderful day.

Alxan, lm so glad you doing much better, the noob will soften with time then you are off to stage 2

SAMayoFL

Misszed, yayyyyy for no chemo.  I have happy for you!

Welcome Libby!  I am just before you on August 3.  My DH and I are leaving 2 weeks from tomorrow and taking a few days of vacation before surgery in Charleston, SC.  I had a right mastectomy in September, 2010 with no reconstruction and am having a left mastectomy with both breasts to be reconstructed in August.  I am having a proph mastectomy of the left side because of being BRCA+.  I know I clung to each of the girls who had surgery shortly before mine for every piece of information they could give.  I will post as soon as I am able and give you all the details I am able to!

Well ladies, I finally got clearance for surgery today.  They finally decided that I have a 3.7 cm cystic something in the right paratracheal region but the PET scan showed there was no enhancement or washout and that it is not malignant.  Good grief, I wish they wouldn't take three days to figure stuff like that out!

I have started putting stuff in my suitcase.  I picked up the CDs of my last mammo, breast MRI and PET scan today.  Dropped all 8 of my prescriptions off, have washed my wife beaters and downloaded my soothing healing music.  I have no idea how I would ever get ready for this without all of you who have gone before me.  Less than three weeks to the other side!

Susan

treesprite

Susan,

I'm so glad to hear that you are all cleared! wow -- can you believe how quickly your surgery is coming up? It seemed like just a week or so ago we started talking about it!

It is great that you and your DH have a few days of vacay planned before the surgery . . that is a great idea!

kathy

SAMayoFL

Hey Kathy!!  I wouldn't have made it this far without you.  I can remember several emails I sent you in a total, complete panic.  You have been a dear friend and supporter through all of this.  It's funny because earlier in the week I kept vascilating about whether I should go through with this or not.  Then the chest xray came back and it appeared the surgery might not be a go and I was devastated.  Now, I am calm and know I am going forward.  I am not necessarily looking forward to the recuperation period but I am sooooo looking forward to having two hot boobs and lovely cleavage again.  I dunno ladies, you may all have to worry about my wild side after this surgery is over!  LOL!

Susan

c8ndygr1

Anyone looking to buy Spanx?  The Spanx mid-thigh shaper is now on sale at Nordstrom for $23.90 (reg $32) if anyone is interested.

SAMayoFL

Wow.  I don't have Nordstrom's here but I am sure I can buy them online.  When did you start wearing them?  After your drains came out?  Also, wasn't it Spanx that runs small?  I emailed my medical clearance letter from my GP to the PS yesterday.  I have had to jump through all kinds of hoops because I am traveling for surgery and haven't met the doctors up there yet.  The nurse emailed me back and gave me some last minute instructions like don't shave the pubic area for two weeks prior to surgery and bring loose fitting clothing as nothing needs to be tight on my abdomen for a few weeks.  That makes me wonder if my PS is in the no compression camp.  I know one other girl who used my same doctors and I am going to call her this weekend to find out what they did for her.  I am sure I will want compression at some point though so I think I will go ahead and buy a couple if you will just let me know about the sizing.

Susan

c8ndygr1

Susan, yes, you can buy the Spanx on-line at Nordstrom.com. Here's a link for the ones I bought:  http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/spanx-in-power-line-super-power-panties-mid-thigh-shaper-buy-save/3079984?origin=category&resultback=0 The manager of the Hosiery dept where I got mine told me the Spanx run small. I got two sizes larger than what the sizing chart indicated for my height and weight. If you are unsure, buy several sizes and return the ones that don't fit. Nordstrom has free return shipping. The shaper can be pulled up higher (above the navel) rather than low slung like the model in the picture is wearing them.

My PS put me right into Spanx 24/7 when my last drain was removed. I'm sure I will need them after Stage 2 lipo and fat grafting as well. I am still wearing loose fitting stretch waist yoga pants or sundresses and I am 3-1/2 wks post op.

Hope this helps.

ladym13

So I saw my surgeon yesterday and it's not an infection...yay! Said that it is just dead fat...ewwww, hahaha anyway, it's only in one area and the rest of my inscisions look great. My breast is almost completely healed, not even any scabs left and my belly button looks GREAT! I'm really happy with the bellybutton. My abdominal swelling has gone down considerably and I actually thought my tummy looked pretty good yesterday when I was checking myself out in the mirror.

As far as pain, I'm really not in any, I can't remember having much pain at all to be honest. I'm 4 weeks out and feeling good. Really excited about stage 2.

Good luck to everyone and their upcoming surgeries.

Mo

JustLaura

Ladym13 - I am SO jealous! We had our surgeries on the same day and I can't say the same thing. My abdomin is still swollen and my belly button still looks gross! What is your secret?  Seriously though I'm glad to hear you are doing so well!

mscal02

Susan: I am so glad for you!

lady: You go girl!

My Ps doesn't want me to wear anything, but I sure am tempted. Maybe after stage 2.

c8ndygr1

@ladym13 - I'm just a few days short of the 4 week post-op mark. But, what the heck, tonight's the night. Wish me luck that I don't blow a stitch.

 

zogo

Susan, I have read that hibiclens has the dye "red 40" and it can stain clothes.  Just a "heads up" for when you start using it.  Best of luck on the surgery.

Shellyann

Thanks for the encouragement, Sue. You look awesome, btw. My PS ended up getting sick and was unable to perform the Diep on Thursday. I went ahead with the prophy mastectomy and he is doing the DIEP tomorrow at 7:30 am. I was only in the hospital one night this time... however, last yr when my cancerous breast was removed- along with 27 nodes, I was home that night! Different dr. and hospital make the diff I guess. I agree about pain meds. I get nauseated from them too. I haven't had anything for pain since Friday am before I left the hospital. I did take 2 advil yesterday because I am a bit sore. I have one drain which will be replaced by 4 after tomorrow's surgery. :-)

I am packing a bit differently for the next surgery- in terms of clothes to wear home. Luckily I live 15 min. From MD Anderson (Orlando).I did buy the 'wife beaters' but not sure if my dr. Requires binders or spanx. Several have written about cough drops...I did have a sore throat after surgery due to the tube but last night I kept coughing with a 'tickle' in my throat. I hope that doesn't happen

when I have stomach incisions.

I plan to go back to work on the 15th- after 4 weeks recovery...my boss is flexible and I will do what I can that week. Hoping and praying all goes smoothly.

Thanks again for the support- it helps to hear from others who have been there.

Shellyann

Mrsmot, thanks for the support! I don't plan to go back to work for one month- I had originally scheduled surgery with 6 weeks recovery time and the dr had to reschedule me for two weeks later. This cut off two weeks of my recovery time. I am a teacher so I have to go back on Aug 15--no students until the following week. Hopefully I will do ok. Last August I went back to work while going thru chemo and did ok. Not at my best, but I was probably weaker and 'sicker' than I will be this time going back. I expect to be using a walker for a bit and hopefully my drains will be out by 3 weeks (or sooner!) I'm a wishful thinker. :-)

I had a mastectomy on my good breast two days ago and go in tomorrow for the DIEP flap on both. They did a skin sparing mast on my good side and the left side was radiated last year. Hopefully both sides will look great! I noticed that i have the word 'hopefully in here several times!) I have learned a great deal of patience during this past 15 months since diagnosis.....but I will never give up hope!!! ;-)

Shellyann

Don't forget cleavage!!!! Can't wait to have cleavage again! ;-)

mscal02

Shellyann: Prayers and good vibes are being sent your way.

mspradley

 If you also read the "DIEP Stage 2" thread, ignore this as it is a duplicate!Just checking in on all of your progress!  I am 11 days post-stage 2 and my husband pulled my final drain last night (after pulling the other two last week).  Ugh!  We both about passed out, but we've been on vacation in the NC mountains with the idea of getting away so that I could recuperate in a cool and quiet setting, so commuting back 3 hours to Charlotte to get my drains pulled didn't seem as appealing.  Neither of us expected any of the drains to be coming out so soon after surgery since the DIEP drains took forever to come out (the last one at almost 5 weeks).I realized that because of my wound healing complications, that I had either been wearing a drain or wet-packing an open wound for 15 straight weeks and this morning will be the first day that I don't have to worry with either issue!  WHEW!!I celebrated by ordering several pairs of "replacement" pants from my favorite store, J. Crew online this morning.  I had always needed a size 12 for my gut and muffin top, but those have been sliding off of me for the past few weeks.  Even the mild stage 2 swelling didn't set me back in size and I expect that to improve when the swelling subsides even more since the PS excised my muffin top and love handles above the scar during stage 2 surgery.I will have my follow-up appointment with PS on Tuesday and have several topics I want to discuss:1. I am still flatter/smaller than I expected.  I have the hamburger bun shape and while I like the base circumference, I want more projection.2. Scars: what can I do to improve healing and appearance of the scars (he had no choice on the radiated side since I had a huge surgical wound that needed to be repaired)3. Bras: while I could easily go without a bra, I recognize that gravity will affect my non-radiated side more than my radiated side (had a BMX-Diep).  Will I have to stick to wireless, or can I use underwire bras for added dimension/projection/shape?  Of course, my LE might trump any answer he gives me since the banding on most bras tends to aggravate my mild LE.4. Stage 2b possibilities:  I believe I will need a fat graft for some cleavage indentations - I would love to have lipo of the back and thighs, and right now don't mind this being an ongoing process towards completion.5. Cleavage:  One thing I may not have mentioned before, but REALLY surprised/thrilled me was the way my PS created a sharp and youthful cleavage during my stage 2 surgery.  Prior to stage 2, my radiated side was rather firm and tight and where one would expect to see cleavage between the tight side and the looser non-radiated side, there was only a tight valley.  During stage 2, my PS somehow used strong sutures (maybe staples) under the skin to attach my cleavage area to my chest wall, creating a distinct and deep cleavage (without having to squish the boobies together). I will have to admit that this one spot had the sharpest pain post-surgery - it felt like I'd been kicked in the sternum by a mule (maybe he did staple the darn thing).  When I was swollen right after surgery, I wasn't sure he had done me any favors, but as things have settled in, I am THRILLED that he did this!  I'm sure I'll think of more, but for now every day gets better and better!  No binder, no bra with stage 2 (nor with original DIEP).Looking forward to hearing the progress of others!Meredith 

SAMayoFL

Shellyann, sending positive thoughts your way for tomorrow.  Your body has been through a lot in just a few days.  I hope things go well for you!

Zogo, thanks for the tip about the Hibiclens.

C8ndygrl, woohoo!!  Let us know how that first romp in the hay went!  I am sure your DH is thrilled.

I have less than three weeks to go!

Susan

IowaSue45

Good luck to the ladies getting ready to have your surgeries!!!! Remember each day after surgery you will feel almost 50% better each day that follows. I didn't have much pain and only took narcotics for two days. But I did have some discomfort. I always hate the catheter the most!!! Anyone else??FYI  got spanks that were comfortable from Walmart 14.99 and I know everyone has one of those near them. I got the lg size it felt great to wear. I said before I wore the binder for 3 weeks but got annoyed with it because it slid up. The binder is what they sent me home with and for sure I was much more comfortable with it on then off. I really don't know why everyone doesn't get something like that. I asked my PS what the reason for wearing it because I had seen ladies on here that didn't have anything like that and she told me to hold your insides in. This is what it felt like it did. I will be 9 wks out already on Tue. I feel like I have healed amazingly. Eat very healthy before and after.

Sherryc

Good Luck to those having surgery this week. Hope all goes well and you all have very little pain.

c8ndygr1

@Susan and Mo - everything went off without a ... stitch. Wink-wink.  My DH has been so patient with this patient. I just wish I could lie on my sides too but not with these weird pads under my armpits (that will be removed in Stage 2). I'm not sleeping all that well being stuck on my back the entire night. Anyone else have these underarm pads? It's like part of the noobs extend around the sides.

Wishing the best to all the ladies having surgery this week. You are almost there and will soon be on the other side wondering what all the anxiety was all about.

IowaSue45

No to the underarm pads. yes to hard time sleeping on back, they gave me ambiem to help sleep and that sorta helped.

alexanjb

I don't think I would describe it as a pad but I do feel the edge of the noob under my arm.  When I lay on my left side (non noob side) I put a small squishy pillow under my arm.  I have tried it for a short time when on my stomach and on the noob side as well.  I think the pillow is micro beads.  I am still wondering what is meant by "dog ears".  Is this on the waist or the chest area?

IowaSue45

Alexanjb- it was me that made the comment about dog ears. It is at the site of where the scars end on the abs it has left me with just a drop off where the scar stops and it looks like a flap. Its kind of ugly. It gives a whole new look to the love handles. I think it will look a whole lot better when I lose the 15lb I have gained this last year.

mscal02

alexan: They are at the end of your belly incision. They look like dog ears for real. I didn't see mine until I started loosing weight and inches.

grdnslve

no pads for me either.  and i'm also a side sleeper, so this is a slow form of torture.  talked to the ps today--guess i should have called him sooner.  i misunderstood about the weight limits extending past the 1 week follow up.  so that explains my abd still being so 'uncomfortable'.  actually, it isn't bad in the morning, but by nighttime it is giving me the willies & can't wait to get out of my clothes.  then it is so hard to get to sleep, trying to find the most comfortable position in my 'nest'.  anyway, he reminded me about the muscle they took & that is why i need to be gentle for a bit longer.  so i will try to be good. 

alexanjb

I don't have anything like you gals are describing as dog ears but because I had the SIEA flap procedure my incision is lower than it would be with the DIEP flap, so maybe that is why.

mscal02

lucky you!