DIEP 2011

IowaSue45

I had a pretty good muffin top. Maybe others want to share. I did not take before pic. didn't even think to do that. The ps office did.

JustLaura

Sue - you look fabulous!! 

Goldlining - I bought a recliner just for the purpose of this surgery on the advice of a friend and I'm SO glad that I did. I have used it a ton. I did get one with an arm lever (long wooden handle type) and I do use it - but I often get up with using just my legs too. The first couple of times my husband pushed the back up for me at the same time I sat up to help. He did this until I realized it really didn't hurt to do it by myself.  I slept in mine for the first several weeks too (a bed was not comfortable). It is still more comfortable than my bed but being in my own bedroom with my husband and ceiling fan and total darkness trumps that for me now.  

mscal02

Sue: You look really great! I didn't take a before picture either. I am going to ask my PS for copies when I go back in Sept.

RetiredLibby

Wow, Sue, you look wonderful! You did get nice shape and volume in your noobs! Thank you so much for sharing ...it is very helpful to see others' experiences before I do the surgery. The more I know, the more comfortable I become. Thank you!!

IowaSue45

Can you see my dog ears on the side, I'd ask if you'll have those and if so to please make them as small as possible.

RetiredLibby

I did see those ... I had actually asked both the breast surgeon and the PS about dog ears, and both of them said, "Oh, you won't have dog ears." I'm not sure they can be avoided completely, though. The PS has thus far been very responsive... 8/23 is DIEP Day for me.



L

goldlining

Thanks for the recliner tips!!

Now to find space for it! 

Shellyann

I had DIEP done on Monday so I am on day 3 post op. This has been the best day yet. The first couple of days I was very out of it from the morphine. The room was hot and I was quite uncomfortable and sweaty. By Tues. they cooled it down a bit. I had a fever- they said from fluid building in my lungs from the long surgery. I have been using the breathing thing religiously to open my lungs and that has helped with breathing and the pain in my chest. (I felt like I had a horse sitting on my chest). Yesterday the PT got me up and walked me to the chair and today I have walked the halls three times! What a difference that makes in healing. I feel much better tonight. They took out the catheter today and no more IV. I'm now on percoset. Have only had sponge baths up till now...maybe shower tomorrow, my hair really needs shampooing! Food has been very unappealing to me until today. Your body needs the food to heal. I've had a protien smoothie, ensure
and picked at my food tray. Hospital food sucks! Tonight my sister brought me chick-fill-A and it
tasted great. Still a bit worried about the BM....


Waking up to two boobs and beautiful cleavage was amazing. The belly incision is long and painful but in time it will fade. It is truly amazing what our bodies can go through. I feel a bit better everyday. Yay!!!

IowaSue45

Yay Shellyann, you will feel better everyday !! Keep moving

SAMayoFL

Sue!!!  You look fabulous!!!  WOWW!!!  I hope I look that good.  It's only been what, 6 weeks?  From your earlier posts I thought your ab incision was higher than it looks in the picture.  Also, the other photos of noobs I have seen have the two scars that are more football shaped.  It appears that you have good form and projection.  I am really impressed.  If they make my muffin top look as good as you I will be thrilled!!

Betsy is safely on the other side!  I heard from her friend around 6:00 p.m.  The surgery was faster than they anticipated and they were able to harvest from her hips and did not have to use her abdomen.  The only bump in the road was they could not take her port out.  She is going to have to go back to her surgeon at home to have it removed.  

I think I have been working so hard both at work and at home getting ready that I am just over-tired.  Tonight after I heard that Betsy was safely on the other side I sat down and cried like a baby for over an hour.  I guess I just had to get it out. I feel much better now!  LOL.  This is my last weekend at home before surgery.  We are leaving next Saturday and hope to spend a few days having some fun before surgery.

Susan

bdavis

Thanks sue.... Just had my surgery today... Feeling good so far

nowords

Betsy...so glad that you are on the other side....rest and heal well...

nowords

Shellyann - have someone get you some sunsweet ones - prunes...2 a day at the same time, or prune juice worked great...

Snobird

Way to go BD. sounds like you are doing well. Don't over do or you will crash.

Shellyann

Prunes..Great idea... Will try that. This morning I was given senecot. Drains aren't putting out much. I go home tomorrow.... Could i be so lucky not to bring all 4 drains with me? A girl can dream.....

IowaSue45

Thanks ladies, I just want to give some idea on what I end up with and over all I am pretty happy!!I just thought the ab incision was higher than I expected it is above all my pants and I dont really wear low pants and no one is going to see it but hubby and I.

I am going to take off the noob pic this afternoon hope everyone got to see that was intrested.

RetiredLibby

Thanks for the BM tips ... I don't think I have ever had that problem (often, the opposite), so I'm not really sure I know how it feels.  When I don't "go," I just figure I don't have to and I will when I have to.  Guess I'm going to have to spend time in the "digestive aids" aisle to figure it out.

 L

mscal02

Betsy: Good for you!

Shelly: Use a suppository if you have to.

Sam: The wait is almost over.

bdavis

Pain has started now that I am in recliner and my nurse has been at lunch...walking a few feet was difficult.. Sound familiar?

grdnslve

betsy--don't try to be a hero.  if you are hurting take/get what you need..  so glad you are 'on the other side'.  take care

wedding is tomorrow, going to fit just fine in the dress.  got my mani & pedi done, hair cut for the first time in over a year (thank you chemo) and almost feel like myself again!

btw--sue, you look awsome.  thanks for sharing.

c8ndygr1

Betsy - stay ahead of the pain. Take your meds like clockwork these first couple of days. Makes it easier to move. And moving helps heal faster. Glad you are on this side now. It only gets better from here on out.

grdnslve - good for you. Getting all dolled up can make a girl feel like a million bucks. Enjoy the wedding.

bdavis

Just took 2 percocet..then I want to walk

Sherryc

Shelley and Betsy glad both of you are doing good.  Don't overdue it. Take care

sunflowerE152

Betsy and Shelley - glad you are doing well!

 "Stingers" anyone???  I am 3.5 wks out and the last 2 days have actually been more difficult pain wise.  It is not a constant pain or ache, but a sharp pain very low around where the abdominal drain was.I called my doctor's office and his assistant said it sounded like a stinger that sometimes occurs as the nerves start to wake up. 

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and how long it usually is before ther is "no pain."

mscal02

sunflower: I am 2 months out and I still have a little pain every now and again in the same area.

alexanjb

Sunflower, stinger sounds like a good name for it!  I did have this for about 1.5 days on one side.  The PS said it was probably nerves waking up but he didn't call it a stinger.

SAMayoFL

Hey Betsy, you have been in my thoughts all day!  I hope you are doing well and that it's not as bad as what my imagination conjures up.  I can't wait till you feel well enough to post the juicy details!

ShellyAnn, did you get any drains out today?

Hugs to all!

Susan

NotAfraid

Stinger!  That's a good term for it.  Yes, it's nerves reconnecting and mine was on my right upper drain side.  It actually caused me to take a vicodine for 2 or 3 days and then it was manageable again.  I don't really remember it going away, but it was just gone one day.  It's funny how the pain seems like a long-ago, faded memory to me now (except for my Stage 2 dog ear stitches, which are a nuisance at the moment).  

Sue4LSU

Yeah! It's over!  My surgery was Tues. the 19th, and I was allowed to come home on Thurs!!  I'm walking around good, just bent over, really not as much pain as I was anticipating!  I'm able to get in and out of my bed okay, just hate sleeping on my back.  Wake up with a bad headache every morning.

One thing no one mentioned was the "teddy-bear" blanket they wrapped me in the first 36 hours after surgery!  I have never been so miserable..felt like a baked potato!  and I couldn't have any water..just sucked on sponge lollipops!

Thanks again to everyone who has posted...knowledge is power..certainly keeps the fear at bay when you have an idea what to expect!  To God be the Glory!!

alexanjb

Sue, I don't think I have read where anyone has mentioned a blanket.  I was hot and miserable enough without one.  Poor you.  I couldn't have water for a while either.  The first sponge lollipop was a wonderful, wonderful thing!