DIEP 2011

alexanjb

Theresa, I think you will find that the pain is managed very well.  In the hospital I had a pain ball, pain meds in an IV and the morphine push button.  I usually forgot the morphine and only used it when I knew I was going to have to move.

Many of us found that having a recliner or a nest of pillows to prop up on in the bed was a great help.  I have a recliner but I still opted to sleep in the bed with a wedge pillow for my upper half and pillows under my knees.  I would gather the bedding and pull myself up with it.  Oversized tank tops like men's "wife beaters" are great to have to wear under anything else.  They are soft and will be comfortable under the binder you will probably have and you can pin the drains to them.  Many of us found panty liners to be helpful for the bleeding and oozing on the new breasts "noobs".  Eventually I transitioned to non-stick pads (Telfa or other), Curad did have one I liked that was self adhesive but I can't find them in my area anymore.  I did find them on drugstore.com.  Sport tanks with shelf bras are great when you need to go out and I think I was actually more comfortable with the compression than without it.

As to the size of your noobs, I wonder why they are not using your hips instead of your tummy or planning on a stacked DIEP.  I had plenty of tummy but there have been others on here that did not.  Hopefully, they will respond to you.  You have come to the right place.

Sherryc

Teresa I am from Gonzales, Tx an hour away from SA.  I will be having my DEIP with Dr. Nastala with PRMA as well. So far I really like them.  I had a lumpectomy almost a year ago and ended up having problems with rads so will be having a BMX with DEIP.  My biggest problem right now is I am thin and don't have enough belly fat so I am in the process of gaining weight, which I do gain weight in my belly.  I probably will not have mine done until March because of the weight gain and work issues.  If you have plenty on the hips are they going to do hip flaps for you instead of DEIP? Who is your Dr.?

NotAfraid

Suz, they found a surprise IDC doing path post MX on me as well.  However, my nodes were clear.  My Onc (who is rumored to be one of the best) gave me three options and a recommendation.  Because my margins were clear (they took all tissue) and nothing in the nodes, my options were a) chemo, b) tamoxifin and c) do nothing.  He felt chemo was complete overkill and much to invasive for my situation.  I can't tolerate Tamoxifin, so that was out.  He was perfectly comfortable with option C - doing nothing.  I have to watch my ovaries (I'm Estrogen+) and probably have them taken out post menopause (if I ever get to menopause), but, with 99% of the breast tissue all removed, the chance of active cancer present is very small.

I'm comfortable with the direction we're taking.  I have a great breast surgeon, a fabulous OB/Gyn and they actually communicate with each other about me!!  I love having quality healthcare! 

TheresaCC

Alex and Sherry, thank you for sharing! I hadn't heard about the pads, great tip. Also wasn't sure about "noob", I figured it was new boobs but wasn't sure. LOL!

 Sherry, I'm going with Dr. Pisano. I'm also trying to gain weight which is a strange emotional paradigm shift because I'm always trying to lose weight. Before I started to gain, I already needed to lose about 15-20 pounds... now add on 10.... and it just seems to be going straight to my hips. I'm honsetly not sure why I'm not a candidate for the TUG flap. I'm going to call the nurse today and ask some questions but I have more on my outer thighs than inner and I think they use inner with the TUG.

Alex, I'll ask about stacked. When I visited the Dr. I wasn't prepared for other solutions since I didn't know that my fat level was an issue. It does seem a little scary to have to have surgery twice but maybe it would be worth it to get a better result. I'm also a bit worried about where my chemo is going to fit in. I suspect they won't do anymore surgeries on me until after chemo, right? So stage II would be after chemo, I'm guessing (?)

Please let me know if you all know of anyone who had to go from small to smaller ("B" cup to "A" cup). I want to have peace about it and know that my life is what's important here ... but can't help but to have a kneejerk reaction to going smaller. 

TheresaCC

Spoke with my AWESOME nurse and she explained to me why I'm not a candidate for TUG, After learning more, I wouldn't even consider it.  It's performed on the upper inner thigh and that area is very hard to keep clean and infection rate is high, plus, muscle is taken. I'm not so worried about size anymore either. The bigger picture here is reconstruction and I believe the DIEP is the best way to go, so smaller or not, I know that I'm in awesome hands and I'm grateful that this procedure exists. Now to get to the "other side". OH, and happy to hear that the pain is managed well.  I'm still ready for any tidbits now that I'm seven days out. Glad to have found this thread!

Sherryc

Theresa will be praying for you

c8ndygr1

@Theresa ~ welcome to a wealth of info on this thread and a lot of caring, supportive women who will help answer any questions you have. Re: pain, for me the tummy incision was the most painful BUT it was no worse than the hysterectomy I had years ago and others will probably tell you it is no worse than a C-section. The pain is definitely manageable. Most who have been through this will say the pre-surgery imagination is waaaaay worse than the reality. Re: not enough tummy fat, my PS told me he doubted he could get two breasts out of mine BUT he managed to do it without me having to gain weight in advance. I now have two perky A cups with very nice cleavage which I LOVE. I had DDs before and I'll still be happy if Stage 2 doesn't get me Bs. The flat tummy and curvy waistline are a bonus. I am so glad I chose this option over implants. My noobs are all me. Good luck with your surgery in 8 days. We will be sending our best to you and will be waiting to hear how you do with your recovery.

TheresaCC

@ c8ndygr1, thanks for sharing! I love that you love your A's! My B's were good girls before they got sick. They never  got in the way of exercise or clothing so my possible A noobs will be even better behaved, right! LOL! 

Well, I find it very healing and reassuring to read through these posts and read the replies. The fear is starting to subside some...

misszed

Been off the boards a few days...so glad to see everyone's surgery went well...and wishing today's surgery goes well.  I can't say enough how much l learned from here, you ladies are such a blessing!

Sohard - I hope you believe me now that you are on the other side LOL...it gets better right? Take care of yourself and remember, God loves you!

Gob bless you all and goodnight!

Seashellie

I had my PS consultation yesterday and he said I have enough fat for 2 C cups. I had some hesitation because I was a D before my BMX. I was walking around today with my D prosthesis in 1 cup of my bra and a C size pad in the other to see how I felt about going smaller. Funny, being as I have no breasts now I should be perfectly fine with whatever size I can get but I really had to think about it. Reading these posts has helped put things in perspective and I now feel that a C will be just fine (especially with a flat tummy!) and I will be happy to have my own tissue for breasts rather than putting "foreign objects" in my body.

 I'm learning so much here from all of you, it's very comforting and inspiring. Thank you:)

bdavis

Hi ladies.. I was told i did not have enough belly fat and so i had hip flaps... Super easy recovery with no pain at all... And for stage two, they will lift my lower butt up to contour... How cool is that. And i had an open incision as you all know and had the wound vac put in last week, and then today (or yesterday now) had a diep flap to fix my lost fat due to the incision problem... So now i have done both hips and abs... On morphine etc, so not much pain yet, but i have had enough to push the button.



So theresa... I would ask your doc about the hips... Not all doctors do hip flaps, i would perhaps get another opinion before you gain weight.i travelled to new orleans for mine... No regrets... And with my complication, they paid to fly me back, and also paid to fly my friend down so i have an escort going home... And are paying for my hotel when i am discharged. So... No complaints here.

Kay_G

Wonderful news bdavis! Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery! God bless you.

Ondagrow

Hi All...

I feel great OVERALL... The only thing I am experiencing is mild achiness & tightness... I am still taking Meds to help that pain abate....All wombs are healing properly...

Two more of my drains will come out this week...



How is everyone else doing...

God has been gracious with me through this process...



All you wonderful woman are in my prayers...

Sherryc

Teresa I was wondering about the hip flaps as well.  I know that PRMA does them.

mscal02

Ladies: I am so glad for all of you that have crossed over, and for those of you that are about to embark on this journey it is natural to be nervous venturing into the unknown. I would do this surgery again in a heart beat!  I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to find out about it. Just remember that we are healing from the inside out and it takes time.Recover at your own pace. Allow help for as long as it is offered so that you can focus on you. Each day you will get stronger.I am walking 10 miles + post 3 months.I have hit a plateau with my weight loss, but I am losing a lot of inches.The fat is changing into muscle, I can tell because I am leaner and my love handles have become much more pronounced. I will see if my PS can have me shaped like a coke a cola bottle after stage 2.

NotAfraid

I went from a DD (L) & C (R) to somewhere between a B and a C  (the beginning C was post-lumpectomy sized - the surgeon was "generous" ie: he sucked).  I haven't finished St 2 yet but I'll probably end up a small C.  It is an adjustment, but I think when I get done (and I lose some extra weight I've out on) I'll be really happy.  I just have to get my hips/butt a bit smaller so I can be long and lean instead of a little bottom heavy like I am now.  

redninrah

I justed booked my surgery for JAn 7th 2012, Very EXCITED!!!!!!!

Ondagrow

I'M SO GLAD... I DID NOT LET THEM TAKE LYMPh NODES OUT...all my right side breast tissue was benigh...

God is Merciful...

Sending healing hugs to you all...

gardengumby

Hi.  Had my DIEP flap done last week.  My BP got a little whacky, so ended up spending 3+ days in ICU instead of the normal 1.  I went off pain meds totally while I was still in ICU, cuz they had attached a little 'caine machine into my tummy and the pain medicine just screwed me up too much.  They took out the little 'caine thing when I left the hospital and I'm fine on just a bit of tylenol now and again.  Started sleeping in our bed my first night home.  (on my back, with two pillows under my back/neck and one under my knees - but still, it's bed and it's normal and my hubby is just a touch away )

I'm pooped all the time, but each day is better.  I only just had enough nerve to look earlier today.  I'm sure I'm gonna be happy with the end result. 

 Oh yeah.  My PS said that he had a lot of trouble getting the veins, and that most docs would have just done a TRAM flap.  He had to take some muscle, but nothing like a TRAM.  I think I'll be OK and still have middle strength.

alexanjb

OK, so...I went three days with no bandaging.  I thought I was finally healed and even thought sometimes that the noob was softening.  I've started to blister again.  I was told it might happen.  Am I going to lose this thing layer by layer?

SAMayoFL

Betsy, you are doing great!!  The day after my surgery I could not have posted online to save my life.

Sohard, you and I were both blessed for sure.  No cancer in either of our remaining breast.  MY BS did end up biopsying one node because it was right there!

Redinrah, that seems like a long way away right now but I swear it flies by.  It will be here before you know it!

I am three weeks out today.  I can't believe three weeks has already passed!  I got my last drain tube pulled today.  I have a white stitch left very close to where the drain tube was and it's a loopy sticky out stitch.  I am wondering if the general surgeon missed it since he wasn't the one who put it in.  I am debating whether to call the PS tomorrow or just wait and see what happens to it.

Susan

goldlining

Redninrah I'm on November 24. So many of the gals who have been actively posting and sharing are on the other side now. We'll have to start taking checking in as our dates approach. Time for the lurkers with future dates to delurk :-)

bdavis

Alex... So as you know i had the raw blistery skin and then the open wound... So what they did was debribe the breast, removing the dead skin and fat that i was losing, and a wound vac... That was thursday... Then yesterday did a diep stacked flap to rebuild that breast and used the ab skin to fill the gap. This is WAY better than dealing with an open wound. With the wound, some will die, so don't let it get out of control.. I know you mentioned hip flaps.. So maybe you can ask your dr about that... I totally feel for you as this is what i went through... I think mine was worse and happened in a shorter timeframe.

treesprite

Betsy,

You have been through a lot and you seem to be handling it so well. I suppose once you find yourself in a tough situation, you just have to put on your big girl panties and get on with what needs to be done.

How are you feeling after your procedures?

Susan - hooray for no drains!!! I have either a stitch or a leftover staple sticking out and my nurse told me to leave it and let it work its way out, but it doesn't hurt to call and ask and then you don't have to wonder. I felt so much better at the three week point!

Gardengumby: Glad to hear you are on the other side and on the mend! I nearly fainted when I saw myself full on in the mirror for the first time! Believe me, it gets better and better and I am thrilled after my recent stage 2! 

mscal: Sounds like you are doing great! Walking 10 miles - wow! 

sohardbnme: It is great to hear how well you are doing! Sounds like your instinct to fight for your lymph nodes was right on! You are doing so well, you might need to change your screen name to sogoodbnme!

alexanjb: they were getting ready to debride my incision after my mx when I hit the vitamin C hard and I was able to turn things around.

My DH and I picked 10 pounds of blueberries today . . .YUM!

Kathy

SAMayoFL

Betsy, I have to chime in here too and say you are an inspiration to us all.  I know we don't have a choice about the cards we are dealt but we do have a choice about how we handle it.  You have handled your setbacks with grace, courage and just a plain old good attitude.  Cheers to you girl!  For me, there was a drastic change on day four.  I actually felt human again.  I hope you too have substantial healing in a few short days.

Kathy, yummmmmy I wish we were close enough to share the blueberries!

Susan

bdavis

Well thank you susan... I try to approach my problems like the making lemonade out of lemons... I can't control my setbacks, and believe me, it has been a rough journey, but i have huge faith it will all work out...



Kathy... Today they took off the ab bandages, and i showered and feel so much better... The taped bandages were annoying me and made it even harder to stand up... Last night i got up to go the bathroom and swear i was so bent over i could have touched the floor... And of course then it makes my back hurt... Oh well...



It is great to hear that i should improve a lot by the 4th or 5th day... With my nurse helping me dress my drains etc, i wonder how i can do it all at home, alone... But last time, i went home with 3 drains, and then developed the bleeding breast with the open wound, so if i handled that hopefully i can handle all my drains, compression garment and multiple incisions. There is definitely a comfort being at the hospital.



You all sound great... Susan, you seem to be super human... Don't forget to rest.

treesprite

Betsy,

It is amazing how good a shower can feel and how it can revive your spirits! The back ache was one of the worst parts for me -- it gets better every day and then one day you are standing up straight!

My PS believed that drains exits shouldn't be dressed, but of course you want to absolutely follow your docs instructions. Don't hesitate to get help; if I lived near you, I would be happy to come by and help and I bet there is someone who would if you put the word out. I'm pretty fiercly independent, sometimes to my detriment. 

Sometimes all we have is our faith that things WILL get better! Where would we be without that!

Please continue to keep us all posted on your progress and how you are feeling! We are all pulling for you!

Kathy

bdavis

I think the drain dressing is mostly for comfort... To pad around them so they don't rub and pull... I am glad to use the pads...i don't think its for any other purpose.

treesprite

good point - mine have been really sore!

gardengumby

bdavis, I can't believe you're already posting when still in the hospital.   You'll do fine taking care of your drains - though like treesprite, my PS said no dressings on them.  They're sore, though.