Diep 2012

bdavis

Jamie... It has all become a distant memory for me now but at the time it was overwhelming. You will be fine and the docs are great, and their outcomes are always great. And its not just what you want, its what they want. Its true that the buildup is the worst time period. I know you've combed the NOLA thread and everyone gives great advice. Pack light, bring your phone and some digital device (for entertainment) and the doctors will give you most of what you need. Once I got home, it was great to have friends bring dinner 3 nights per week and had a cleaning lady. You have been through this before so its not that different, just a different donor site.I didn't really have abdominal pain, but had back pain for a few days from being hunched.. they gave me Flexerall and that seemed to help... I went off all drugs one week post op and was fine.

Downey30

bdavis,  Thanks so much.  I will most certainly pack much lighter this time.  It's a wonderful time of year for the Dom. HA

rtnyc

Hi chris13. I am at 4 and half weeks, surgery date 4/23. I have more pain and uncomfort than the weeks following the 10.5 hr surgery. Doc says its because some of the swelling goes down, the numbness is a little less, the nerves are starting to wake up. I have new pains every day and the pianist the worse at night time. Also I have the pain under my arms pits from the node extraction. When I move on59 my side it kills. Also when I move the electric like shocks kill. Not sure if that's what you have but that's what I am dealing with. Let's not forget insomnia!!! I had to literally drug myself the other night and took more than what was prescribed so I could get at least a few hours of sleep. I also have raw opened wounds, not sure what's its ally called but I have to put cream on Amd bandage it up all day and night which is adding to the discomfort. I hope you have less than me! Feel better.

gale1525

Jannelle, Did you ask how many flaps  Dr. Tseug has done by himself? He seems a little new at this only completing his fellowship in 2009. I guess you will see pictures when you go in and maybe you should ask on this form if anyone else has had him.

Chris13

Wow, Rtnyc. I'm so sorry you feel miserable. I guess in comparison (at the moment) I am not as bad. Must be the healing process, but it is frustrating. A couple of weeks after such extensive surgery, we are thinking "it wasn't too bad." Then the pain whammy hits. 

 Heal, baby, heal....and leave the pains behind. 

 

rtnyc

Chris13:  Last night I decided to not follow doctor orders and feeling very guilty about that, I did not put on bandages on my boobs and/or wear a bra or cami to sleep. I put on the cream as I am suppose to on the wound, put on a tshirt and guess what.  I fell asleep, slept until 3, went back to sleep til 5.  I think it's the extra tightness of the bra/cami which was making me feel really confined and kept me up. I'm going to try it again tonight!  Oh and that was also without any sleep or anxiety drugs...

spicedlife

rtnyc-so sorry you are still having such a hard time.  I had my surgery April 16th and while it was the absolute worst thing I have ever been through, I feel much better now. 

I was talking with my counselor this week and told her about the operation and how much pain I had and how I felt and was blown off about my pain she told me I should have had an advocate with me to help with that.  All I could do was cry and it was not effective!.  What i am trying to say is for anyone about to go to do this surgery you need to tell them your pain level is a 10.  I told them right after surgery mine was a 5 (i was thinking a 10 would be dead)  well they thought a 5 was managable. 

Ask what they are giving you.  Tell them if it is not working.  Also, you may need to ask for a pain management consultation.  I was told that other than hydrocodone (which i am allergic to ) they could not write scripts for percocet, etc.  I really hope any one else going to surgery is able to communicate and knows that they have the right to be comfortable in the hospital and at home.  Do not let them blow you off. 

I start chemo Monday and went shopping for bras today.  I cannot find anything that fits.  It looks like I am smaller but even same size bras don't fit? 

bdavis

I had no pain... all great meds... my only discomfort was my back and for that they gave me Flexerall.

Del11

I went to the same place as bdavis but my pain wasn't controlled well at all. It kept me from being able to get out of bed when they wanted me to, my PS had to intervene and prescribe more/different meds.  Jenny has given good advice.

Chris13

rtnyc, funny but I did the reverse. Went to lingerie boutique that also specializes in mast camis, and bought a couple that have a shelf and provide very good control. I have some swelling in both breasts, and they aren't tiny to begin with, so I felt I needed more control. I made sure the incisions were not disturbed. For the past few days I have been having knife-like pains in the side of the foob when I lie down and move in certain positions. With the cami on, last night I didn't have the problem. Made the mistake of lying down for a brief nap without any cami, and the pain was intense. I was level 2 or 3 in the hospital and when first home, off RX meds in a week; this shooting pain is 7 or 8. Hope this is a sign of healing that will soon disipate.

 Glad you figured out how to get a good night's sleep. The world looks different then.

Kadee63

hi, I will be four weeks post op for my DIEP also.  I am still having the same issues you described.  I walked quite a bit today and felt like someone had stretched me when I got home.  The girdle is very uncomfortable and hot.  Any recommendations on what kind to wear would be appreciated.  Im having a lot of pressure around my belly button .  When I eat just a little i feel so bloated and umcomfortable.  Is that normal did  anyone else experience that with the DIEP? I don't want to ruin my tummy tuck. lol

spicedlife

Kadee, my surgery was 4/16/12 and when I eat my stomach still feels strange.  I don't know why.  lol

TexasRose

I think it just takes a lot of time to heal. I had a lot of the same issues although not really any pain. I did have the pressure around the belly button. My surgery was 2/14 and sometimes I still have that pressure. I swam yesterday and today and it was like starting over. The belly button pressure was back in full force, but it's already gone. Just lasted a little while this time and in fairness, I had Stage 2 on 5/7 and he "tweaked" my belly button so it's probably a little tender again. I also had the bloating and uncomfortable feeling after only eating a little bit. I ate very little for probably two months after surgery and lost 10 pounds. Unfortunately, the feeling is gone and I've gained about 5 of it back. Trying to lose it again now. Hang in there, ladies! I think it really takes at least two months to feel somewhat normal again, but it happens. I barely know I had surgery now except for the scars and I even just had my revisions three weeks ago. I think what all of you are feeling is completely normal for this surgery.

bdavis

I am many months post DIEP and still get bloated...Kadee... look at Marena brand girdles. They are expensive, but you can google a 20% off coupon. The fabric is very soft and its much more comfortable than the one I was given by the hospital.

spicedlife

Thanks ladies, I think our tummies are still getting used to the new feel lol.  Well, I start chemo tomorrow so phase2 here we go.  After that I will take some pill for 5 years and have my 2nd breast surgery done where I get a more breasty looking breast?  We will see.

God bless you all.

Jenny

mags20487

I am still in the research /study options phase for recon and am seriously considering Diep with lymph node transfer through Dr Allen.  I will travel to whatever location to see the best!.  They are currently working with my insurance to let me know what my responsibility will be for the procedure.  I also would like to have a consult with Dr Massey as she sounds amazing.  Any one able to give a comparison on the two.  Any one have any terrible things happen from the surgery?  Blood transfusion?  Not going to lie I am just too lazy to read all the previous pages --teehee

Maggie

Del11

As bdavis said, Marena garments are very comfortable.  Sounds like it would be worth the investment for you.  They're good for wearing as control garments under dresses too, so you'll get use out of it in the future if you want.

I'm almost a year out and my waistline is still bothered by tight elastic and jean waistbands.  Usually a cami tucked in keeps it from being angry--it's more of a surface inflammation than bloating.  For summer pants I've found that buying either plus-size or maternity cargo pants (in as close to my regular size as possible) with the soft, wide rib-knit waistband are the most comfortable.  I like to wear those pants baggy anyway, so the sizing isn't an issue.  I've found that style at Target last year and this year.  It came in handy after my surgery last year, you can only wear stretchy pants for so long without feeling like you're always in your pajamas

bdavis

Maggie... In my opinion I would go with dr massey... I met dr Allen, and although very nice and I am sure confident in his skill, he does not have the same concern with the overall outcome. He did not do my surgery so I can't comment on any of that, but from my consultation, he was not overly interested in revisions, to help blend everything together... So I went to new Orleans ... And dr Allen was much closer as I live in new jersey.



Sorry the the varied cases... Using an iPad and too lazy to correct.

rtnyc

A few things:  so much for me figuring out how to get a good night sleep, nothing is working even with the drugs, without drugs, I change 5 times during the night cause I'm just so dam uncomfortable i think it's between the swelling, the nerves, which top to wear bra, cami, none, pants, shirts nothing.  OMG nothing works.  Whatever, tonights another night! But the daytime is fine. I've started walking again, so I'm up to about 40 blocks, I'm guessing that's a couple of miles; feels great to be out and moving. Met some friends for lunch the other day.  I have to say that at the 4 week mark I am first feeling like a human being, not perfect by any means but much better than not.  Still wearing yoga pants, leggings. I tried on my summer pants last night one pari could button up but leans on the ad scare which is still healing so not go and my work pants are tight; guess still swollen.   

In terms of finding a doctor and ok to travel I would recommend coming to NYC for a consultation with Dr. Elisa Port Breast Surgeon and Dr. Carlin Vickery for recon. Both are amazing. they will clearly explain your options, how they work. They are concerned with before, during, the entire process all the way til the end, making everything perfect until your happy!  They are very skilled, experienced and highly regarded...Just a suggestion.

julianna51

One more week!   Ack...this is really happening!  I hadn't been nervous about the recovery but I'm beginning to be.  

mags20487

thanks Bdavis...I will try to set up a consult with her as well.  I am really intersted in the lymph node transfer too as my lymphedema is getting the better of me these days.

Maggie

bdavis

She is well known for her LE expertise and her patients love her.. and not only that, New Orleans isn't that far from you and that is where she is doing most stage I surgeries... then for stage II you could go to NOLA or Charleston.

ReadingMama

Frentan - my surgery was 14 hours for BMX and DIEP.

Jannelle - I have a slightly different view.  My PS also takes a very small piece of muscle at times, I had that on one side, not the other.  I call it a modified DEIP as it is more like a DEIP than a TRAM. (there is no tunnelling up through the ab muscle, it is still lifted up and out of the body)  He thinks it is better in many cases than trying to make many cuts around the muscle to not use it.  I have not noticed any difference, I am 6+months out now. I would just make sure you are clear with PS if you are okay with the small muscle, but will not allow a conversion to a full TRAM or a pedicled TRAM.  That is what I did.  But I also agree with others than 3x3 doesn't sound like a small amount, sorry

NOLA was not a good option for me as my kids are still fairly young and I was very happy with my PS here (in NJ).  I did see Dr. Levine in NYC, but I was more comfortable with the PS near me, he is more conservative and more a perfectionist.

Re: thyroid nodule - I have had one for quite a few years.  They found it by accident when I had a second fainting spell.  It is quite small, so I am suppossed to go every year for u/s just to watch it and make sure it is not growing.  Due to BC, I went two years from the 1st visit and might just go every two years from now on also...

Chris13

Re the muscle...that's what my PS mentioned....maybe a slight amount. He said there was no way it would change to TRAM once he was in there.

I haven't seen surgical report, so don't know if it happened. But I have absolutely no abdominal issues, was able to crank myself up after a few days...the arms being the ones to "baby" at the time. BTW, my PS is Dr. Serrletti , head of PS at UPenn, one of the pioneers of flap surgery.

Five weeks now, and healing well.....ohhs and ahhs from BS, woman who fitted my mast camis, and the many fellows (medical) who see the results. Getting used to having breasts eyeballed!  I do have a small section of necrosis, so will see what PS says going forward with that.

Jeannie57

Chris, you give me courage for my surgery someday.

Chris13

Hey Jeannie,

Once you've gone through chemo as you are doing, I would think DIEP is so much easier. Everyone is different of course, but I'm sitting here with a mast cami on that adds comfortable support, and I have the cleavage of someone much younger.  (lift on other side helped, LOL.)

 Are the tissue expanders so you can have the flaps done when you finish chemo?

wrsmith2x

Two things:  First, I have pain in my breast that had the cancer.  Its deep inside, sometimes a sharp pain, sometimes dull but never lasts long.  Could this be phantom pain?  Anybody else experience this?  

Second, I am a left side sleeper.  My BC was on my right side.  Now when I sleep on my left side the rib under my right breast gets to hurting so bad that it takes my breath away and I must roll over to my back.  It happens every night and takes a few hours for it to bother me to the point of taking my breath away.  What could this rib pain be?  Why only when I sleep on left side?  I can push on the rib and it hurts also when I do that.....anyone else have this issue?

See signature for particulars about BC and surgery. 

Jeannie57

Chris, I had a skin-sparing BMX. The TEs keep the skin stretched and not adhering to my chest wall. That's how it's done out here and I'm good with it. I'd rather have weird foobs than none at all. I've been lucky to have had a healthy experience with the TEs to the point that they make me laugh, they're so ridiculous. I am also having rads, so it's impt. to keep that skin stretched. There is six months of healing after rads, so the DIEP is far out there. I read of a study recently from MD Anderson, I think, that recommends twelve months post-rads! Hope my PS doesn't see it, haha. I've had good surgical experiences, other than with the pain pills so I will hope for the same with DIEP.

LEisenbarth

Has anyone had Diep done by Dr Shannon Colohan at UW Medical in Seattle Wa.   I have an appointment with her and will be traveling from Idaho for the consultation and would love to here from anyone that has been seen by her or had Diep done at UW Medical.  With all the cost I need to stay as close to home as possible, but do not want to have my muscles cut.  Any information would be great

fredntan

Jeannie, my PS has read that article. Where do i find it. I just need this to be done with. 6months will be nov for me