Diep 2012

sandpiper1

Wish T made me rowdy! ; I like the rowdy beckers! Keep shaking it up girl may your return to work go smoothly

Galsal

Beckers, you're feeling pretty darn good to get the rowdy feeling.  You go Lady!

Beckers

Thank sandpiper! I got the best call today and I am taking different job and actually looking forward to it. Relief.

sandpiper1

Fantastic Becca!!!!!!

fredntan

did you change your pic Beckers, It looks great

Beckers

I did fredntan. Thanks! Took me long enough to put pic up. Ha.

Beckers

I have shared before that I feel emotionally detached from my breasts and that I need to force myself to do self exams. Well, I feel the edge of where my breasts were taken off and it creeps me out. Took me a year to do a self exam!! Has anyone else experienced this?

cg1234

Rebecca, I have a divot that has appeared above one breast as it settled. Didnt even notice until ps said he'd fill it in at stage 2. If I feel it, I can definitely tell how concave I would've been without recon. It's weird but doesn't keep me from massaging and doing exams. Makes me glad I was able to do immediate reconstruction though. Can you ask your ps to fix the spot?

shianne29

Cindi, can I ask how long it took for your breasts to soften and relax? I'm 7 weeks post op I know it's still early but I'm just wondering how long it's going to look like a snow ball. Lol. It's quite firm and mi worried the rads won't help any either.



Rebecca, I have been massaging and "lubing" since the stitches came out to prepare for rads so I can't say I ever felt that way although I can understand it. To tell truth, I hate it. The numbness makes it feel like its not real, my ab area is numb also and I hate that too. I get angry about all of it and I feel robbed of normalcy. I'm only 43 and I'm in menopause, I hate my scars and lack of sensations. This disease takes so much!!

I'm not sure if this compares to what you feel.

Beckers

Shianne, I completely understand. I can't feel from pubic bone to about 2" above naval, 90% of both breasts, and left underarm and back of arm. I think part of why I'm disconnected is because I don't want to feel robbed. :-(

cg1234

That's about how much feeling I have too except I have sensation on my arm. I was numb in a much wider area post surgery but it has definitely improved with time. I suspect it's about as good as it gets by now. My pants hit right on my ab scar, so I try to be careful not to wear anything too tight that would affect circulation. I have noticed a little puffiness at Snb site lately. Probably a little boob thats under my arm and a little le I guess.



Luanne, I'm 43 and about 4 months out from diep. My breasts settled quite a bit after a couple of months but still get firm by evening sometimes. They are bigger and more bagel shaped than I was before but ps will work on that at stage 2. I too had a hard time early on and felt pretty mutilated at first. That has improved a lot as physical healing progressed. I try to view myself as a work in progress and know that I will look much better when it's all done. It will never look or feel the same and I grieve that but at the same time I feel lucky. I've seen some pretty bad implants and know others who have struggled much more than me, so I've tried to see the glass half full. Most of the time it helps, but a good cry just does the trick some days! Hang in there and gentle hugs. Healing on the inside often seems to take longer than out. We'll get there!

shianne29

Thanks guys. Just knowing what I'm feeling (or not feeling in this case) is normal helps. Yes the last few days a good cry has seemed to be all I want but I'm trying to stay focused and positive for my family I have one son 1200 miles away that feels helpless already and a little one at home that just doesn't understand. DH has been great but isn't the most emotional, he's supportive and I know he's hurting for me but its not in him to be strong enough to see me crying. I think I'll send them out this afternoon and have a good old fashioned snot running out your nose one!!!

Lol hope you enjoy your Sunday :-)

fredntan

I had my diep in early oct. they suddenly started softening in mid jan. My PS at PRMA recommends US therapy for the hardened areas. but no one in Va were I am would do that. they say its contraindicated in BC. Personally I think they have never heard of it and are kind of lazy to try and learn something new. and liability issues.

MENA1954

I had my DIEP Flap Reconstruction on Augist 1st.. 2012. Due to insurance issues, I have not yet had stage 2 done.

I would very much appreciate  if anyone can share with me exactly what happens in stage 2 & 3!

Would a general Plastic Surgeon be able to perform the procedures? 

I had to go out of network for the DIEP FLAP and as it turned out pay the surgeon out of pocket. Now that I need to continue with the rest of the necessary procedures needed to complete the reconstruction, I need to go to a surgeon that is in my network.   I don't feel like paying out thousands of dollars more to the original PS.

Thanks,

Mena

Janetanned

Mena - Stage 2 & 3 really depends on your surgeon and what needs to be done.  I just had phase 2, 3 weeks ago, which included having nipples added and dog-ears removed.  The PS used the donor skin on my foob to form a nipple, so no grafting of tissue was done.  It was day surgery and took very little recovery.  I had it done on Friday and was back to work teaching on Monday.  I had to wear a binder around my waist for 2 weeks since the PS did some lipo around the dogear sites.  No special care was needed for the nipples.  The only thing left for me would be tattoos.  I  will probably do these in the summer while on break.  Others might opt to have scar revisions, fat grafting, a lift on the natural side, more extensive lipo, etc.  So, basically, it really depends on your original surgery and what still might need to be done to make you happy.

shianne29

Fredntan, thank you, I'll be massaging and moisturizing away and hoping in the next month it softens

Mena, as I haven't had stage 2-3 yet I'm not exactly sure and of course each is different but my PS and BS said stage 2 is the fine tuning and nipple construction and stage three will be the final cosmetic fix and areola tattoo. Both should be simple day procedures with stage 2 possibly one night depending how big of a fix has to be done.

I'm just so worried it won't soften due to the rads. None of my drs wanted to reconstruct first but my post chemo MRI showed a complete response then my path report said a 7x7.5cm mass with positive margins.

It just seems since that day nothing has gone right. I've had 2 infections in my tummy incision requiring home care nurses everyday. I'm restricted from most physical activity until this last one clears. Im really, really trying to keep a sense of humour, lol but honestly, if its true that if it doesn't kill us it only makes us stronger, I should be able to carry a Buick!!!

Ok enough of my pity party!!!

Spring is almost here, the trees are starting to get buds on them!!!

MartyJ

Mena - you should be able to find someone in network in NY that has experience with DIEP.  While you probably won't need the microsurgical skill, you will need a surgeon who understands the sculpting, fat grafting, nipple creation, lifting and other tricks and techniques used during Stage 2 and 3.  Those tricks and special techniques are what will make your outcome the best and you don't want to skimp there.

Beckers

Shiane, I had a good cry last night. It's cleansing! It's a lot that you are going through and it's very traumatic on your body. It is nice to know we are not alone.



Mena, I would definitely get a consult from a local PS. I had fat grafting done on my left as end of it was flat. Kind of like a big bagel on my chest. Ha. I also had divot from SNB filled in. They lipo'd my dog ears and used that hip fat for grafting. in addition I had necrosis removed from abdominal scar and all scars revised. I also got some lipo of upper abdomen.

shianne29

Beckers, the dog ear revision and grafting, necrosis removal and scar revision.... Was that all one surgery? Did you stay overnight? With the infections my tummy scar will have to be revised for sure, and I'm sure I'll need fat grafting to even me out. I'm likely going to wait till the fall tho. I had one summer ruined by cancer last year, I'm not going to let it take over another!!!



DS has gone to a friends, and DH is on his way out :-) I'm going to pour a glass of wine and watch a chick flick!!! That will get the tears going!!!

Beckers

It was one surgery Shianne and it was done outpatient. I don't blame you. Enjoy your summer!!! I am definitely taking a break from surgery!

shianne29

Oh that is a relief!!! Lol. Anything at this point that is out patient is good!!!!

cg1234

Rebecca, has your fat grafting done well or reabsorbed? I'm especially hopeful I can get some projection in the center of my bagel boob!



Luanne hope today's been better for you! Been hoping you turn the next corner soon.

Beckers

A lot of it stayed cg1234. I'm impressed. It is still firmer than the other so when I bend over the right one hangs more. Does that make sense? If I can, I will probably have one more surgery but not for awhile. I need a break!! Right now, they are too big. I have some weight to lose and if they are still this big I think I will get right one reduced.

shianne29

Thanks cg. I'm hoping that corner is close too.

5/25 rads done, and I'm beat tired, just wanted to check in say hi and wish everyone a restful sleep!

RonnieKay

Hi Diep Sisters   I've been on hiatus from the computer after my onc said I need to live my life w/out being tethered to bc.org.  That lasted about a month and I'm back...cause I missed you all!!!  This is a very important part of my life, and has been for almost 4 years now so...good to catch up!

I'm doing amazingly well, I think (my husband may disagree some days).  I am blessed that I have almost no side effects from my treatment, which is navelbine (the chemo), herceptin & perjeta.  Every 4th week I get neulasta for low white counts. But my onc gave us the news on Wed that it looks like treatment is working!  My liver enzymes and 3 other readings are in the normal range and my tumor markers are good!  I was supposed to have scans but she's waiting until next month to give us more time to see change as everything looks so good now.  We're ecstatic!  I had a bit of cellulitis (skin inflammation above my ankle) from a cut on the bottom of my foot (I ran into the scale in the middle of the night...another reason not to have a scale!).  It was pretty painful, but I took antibiotics for it and it healed, thankfully.  Have to keep remembering a compromised immune system...ugh.

As far as Diep goes...I can totally relate to the lack of sensation in the toob and tummy area.  It's so odd...to me, it almost feels like there's a foreign object between me and the person/thing putting pressure on the area, whether it's my husband cuddling me or the grandkids running up to me for a hug.  When I touch my toobs (it's so random whether mine are warm or cold), I don't get quite the same sensation, they feel a bit more real, but I'm gentler.  My stomach area is gaining feeling more and more, but I'm still bothered & saddened at my bulge.  I have a wonderfully flat stomach and it hasn't really ever swelled, but the bulge under the incision on the right side has never gone away.  My ps (whom I haven't seen since 6 weeks post stage 2, right before my stage 4 diagnosis) said it was my uneven physique, which my gp and onc all agreed with.  At my appt with my onc last week, she said she thinks it's developed into a hernia.  I am guilty of lifting probably too much after I was cleared at my post stage 2 appointment, but I was 6 months post diep and thought it was ok.  It was for a very short time that I was lifting kids, as Jan 2 I had my port put in, so there was no lifting after that.  I'm making an appt w/the ps.  Hernia is VERY rare after diep, which I've read on every website.  Wouldn't you know I'd be the one....always am in that 2 percent of whatever's out there

Other than that, I've lost 16 pounds (on the save my liver diet!), and I think my toobs have gotten a little smaller, but my husband doesn't think so   Everything just fits a bit looser.  Cg1234, I think it's good your ps is waiting a bit for your stage 2...I think so much changes that it's best to wait and know exactly what needs to be done!  I think I've lost some of my fat grafting, due to the chemo going through my system.  I had some major tingling, soreness, mostly where there were incisions, and I could feel it in the grafting areas.  That's settled down now, but it seems the grafting is less obvious.  They still look great though.  I just think stage 2 is so helpful at fine tuning.  I don't like surgery any more than any of us, but if I'd thought I'd needed a stage 3, I'd have done it.

So.....glad to be back amongst my sisters & not a day went by that I didn't think of you.  Have a great week & Yahoo Beckers....Congrats on your new job!!!! 

Beckers

Ronniekay, Welcome back!!!!! It makes me happy to see you here. Now you know we'll come lookin for ya! Ha! ( I return PM'd you.). (big ol' Hugs)

Dutchy

I had DIEP a few years back and recently decided that I did not like the shape of both of my breasts as the girls were too square and not rounded like natural breast so I decided to ask for breast reconstruction revision with small implants to perk them up.  Well as usual for me, I had complications with my right breast and it required a second surgery.  Now the right breast is much fuller and higher setting than my left and has a drain.  I feel guilty wanting my breasts to look better but I do and am going to ask for yet another surgery to fix them.  In the past I had to fight for my DIEP and did not feel guilty one bit.  Why is that I am feeling guilty about wanting them to look as close to natural as possible?

fredntan

Welcome back Ronnnie, i am still hooked up to this damned machine-the internet.



I cant wait for april 3rd. Want these girls to be done. Anyone going to the thing in las vegas in sept. I am going.

Still have this hacking cough. Its worst at night. I clean my sinuses out twice day with netti pot. Could probably drink more fluids. Dont really want to take cold med. I think i will email my doc to see whats safe with tamox.

cg1234

Ronniekay, you made my day!! So good to hear from you, and so glad chemo is working! Sorry about the possible hernia though. They do make quite an incision in the muscle according to my ps so it's good to get checked out. I just hope it doesn't keep you from hugging those grandbabies!



Dutchy, sorry to hear about your recent experience with recon. I don't think any of us would blame you for wanting the best result possible. Did they try fat grafting on you or just suggest the implant? I am debating on how much to push for perfection as I can live with what I have just fine but it does bug me to be flatter in the center. Bras just fit funny. Try not to feel guilty. If there's a way to be happier with your outcome you deserve to go for it! Hope you heal well.



Good luck with stage 2 Fran! Will be excited to hear how it goes as I'm not far behind you!

Beckers

Dutchy,



I have had stage 2 and I already know there's a 3 in my future!! People tell me, "Everyone has one that's bigger than the other." Well, no...not me. Mine were the same. (They were ugly as heck, but the same...ha!!) I would go for it!