Diep 2012

dltnhm

My PS surgeon is Dr. Loren Schechter. I had my mastectomy (Dr. Memmel - Center for Advanced Care ALGH) and my DIEP reconstruction in January at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (ALGH) in Park Ridge.



Believe I've had the A-Team involved from the beginning.



Let me know if I can answer any questions.

regenschirm

Scheduled for diep in San Antonio with Dr Pisano. It has been a long road. Finished rads april 2. Came home and had bilateral oopherectomy that same week. I have been working hard at stretching the cancer affected side,slowly regaining strength. I am optimistic that surgery will improve the feel of the irradiated side. Dr pisano said bringing in healthy tissue can improve healing, range of motion. For now I am working on core strengthening especially swimming. Worst things now are threat of lymphedema and dealing with joint pain from femara. Cant wait to get over this next hurdle!

samannie

i feel lonely, have know one to talk about breast reconstruction. i tough i was going to have diep on both breast, when i came out (i don't remember any thing the 5days i spent icu)i had tram on my left side and a diep on my right side . people will listen to you but they don't understand. i had my surgery 5 month ago still have pain and big hard mast in my stomach i don't know how my healing is good or bad. i  hope some one can help.                                                                                                                                                samannie

mommaof4

Oh my Samannie.  I really feel for you...  I am just in the scheduling stages of my DIEP.  Who is your Dr?  Are you still seeing him/her for follow-up?  Do you possibly have a hernia?  Did they ever explain why they changed things during the surgery?

bdavis

Oh samannie.. please call your doctor. I don't know about TRAM, but for DIEP you shouldn't have pain at this point.

samannie

my docters was dr. nobal who removed my breast and nods,dr jeffries did diep with the help of dr.toma  who is not certified for diep. they had to do the tram on one side because he didnt think  it was not strong it was 9hr, and 5 days in icu. at my post-office visit(which was about,3months ago every thing looked fine) i have made an appointment , it is good that he practise is in my town which is not a big city. we are on the traverse city bay which is part of lake michigan i can give you the step by step of the operation all thing they don't say(they cut the 4th rib from your sternum  .    

Carol65

Has anyone had a diep flap procedure with Dr. Stefano Fusi in Connecticut, and what did you think of his work?  Thanks

Beckers

Met with assisting PS today, PS in the am, then BS, and finally anesthesiology/testing in prep for my DIEP next thur. It's finally here.



Will probably have injections for SN biopsy day before. Will that be painful in the evening? Had right one done with lumpectomy but put to sleep right away. I had a lot of nipple pain that night which is why I'm wondering.



I think I have most of what I need. What about gauze 4 x 4 pads?? Or tape?

Lavendarlady

I was just a little achy in the evening. Had the injection around 1pm that afternoon I think. I was quite surprised how it didn't hurt! I was so scared of getting it. I am 6 weeks out today started trying to wean myself off my binder. Feels so strange not wearing it now. Good luck. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Feels so good to be on the other side. Every day gets better!

Beckers

Lavender, thank you for reply. I can't wait to be on the other side. Do you wear binder on tummy? Are you back to work at 6 weeks or if not working, could you be? I hoping to get placed in school district type job. So sitting working with kids.

mommaof4

So excited!  I have my DIEP surgery date of Sept 26th in Charleston SC with Dr. Kline!  I had originally been hoping to get in with Dr Massey but her office pretty much stopped talking with me when we found out that they weren't in network and they would need to submit paperwork etc... to work on getting it covered.  Anyway, I looked at Dr's in the Chicago area and thought I'd call Dr. Craigie and Dr Kline's office just to check.  I have to say, they are absolutely wonderful!  I talked to the office coordinator and found out they accept my insurance (UnitedHealthcare) and had a phone call/consultation with Dr. Kline within hours of my initial inquiry...  They have been so nice and prompt with emails, phone calls, and information.  They are now in the process of setting up lodging at Hope Lodge in Charleston, SC for me.  I would love any info from anyone who had Dr Kline, also anyone who stayed at Hope lodge as to what your experience was like.  It is just such a weight lifted to finally have a surgery date set to look forward too!

ttay

Mommaof4, Congratulations on your surgery date!



Ttay

cascader

Mommaof4, that is great! Actually making the appt is such a huge step forward . I am 2 months past a sgap with Dr Kline. I am very happy with him and entire staff and east cooper hospital. I did not stay at Hope lodge so can't help you there. If you have any questions please feel free to pm me

bdavis

Mommaof4.. have you been to the charleston bound thread??

mommaof4

Didn't even know there was a Charleston bound thread...  I'm going there now!  Thanks bdavis!

Lavendarlady

Beckers, yes the binder I wear on the belly and had an exercise bra on too for six weeks. I went back to work at exactly 4 weeks to my desk job. It is 5 hrs/day. Started physio yesterday and she gave me some great exercises. I get up and stretch a few times while at work. A few days before I started working I began driving. But I basically just drove to work, did my job, came home and did nothing. The best thing we did was hire a housekeeper!!!! She comes once a week for 4 hours and is a big help.

Mommaof4, getting your date is such a relief! Congrats...you are on the road to "back to normal"....speaking of which I must get ready for work

Have a great day ladies.

Beckers

Lavender - 4 weeks. That is definitely encouraging!!! I remember when you were going for surgery. How does it feel to be back to life again? It's been awhile for me already. Looking forward to it.



Mommaof4, congrats on the surgery date!!

301724

Hi all,

 I'm having bilateral mastectomy, sentinel lymph node biopsy, and DIEP on the 16th. Any advice from those who have had immediate reconstruction with DIEP?

Thanks!

florafarm

301724

I just had the same exact thing 3 wks ago. What would you like to know? I'm doing well, better every day. I traveled to New Orleans. I was in the hospital 3 days and stayed in town another 5 before flying home.I had both breast drains pulled when I left the hospital, and one hip drain pulled when I had my post op. I still have one hip drain because my bellybutton's center died and my doc wants to make sure it doesn't get infected before she pulls the last drain.Its fine, I think I will just have more of an "inny".Breasts and abdominal incisions look good.

Esther

AnnAlive

Esther -- good to see you there. I have a belly button issue too (necrosis). I didn't know the center could die, but maybe mine is trying. Abdominal incision is necrotic too (see NOLA thread). Breasts are doing better. I'm declaring August my month of healing! Same for you -- so glad you're doing well. Some have said 3 weeks is a challenging point, but you have been blessed!

301724 -- my DIEP was delayed. I think it's good if you are a candidate for immediate and wish I'd known about DIEP last year to spare me the failed TE route. Have a good 2 weeks in preparation. God bless.

cascader

AnnAlive, and to others in recovery,

Here is to August, the month of healing!! 

zeeszoo

I know its quite a distance but my PS, Matt Goodwin, out of West Palm Beach Fla., does Diep. He has excellent results and he has an incredible bedside manner! Just saying ...you could recoup in sunny south Fla

florafarm

Hi Ann! What is being done about your stomach necrosis? I don't think the bellybutton necrosis is too much of an issue, as a bellybutton is just a scar anyway. I see healthy tissue underneath. Dr. Massey warned me that some patients experience depression around 3 wks, but as I just saw my oncologist about the micrometastases and he said it's not to worry about, I am happy! I just have to keep taking that darn tamoxifen....phew! Hot flashes. Walking a couple of miles every morning, and I don't have any issues with abdominal tightness. I can see one breast is a bit smaller than the other, so that will be taken care of at stage 2.

301724

Sounds like a fast recovery, Florafarm! That's encouraging.

AnnAlive

Florafarm -- for the necrosis above the abdominal incision (size 5cm x 2cm) Dr. S advised painting with betadine 3 times/day and continuing the compression binder. It looks bad enough to me that I kind of ignored the belly button, except I knew it was ugly, but the nurse pointed out in my pictures that it has necrosis as well. My bilat DIEP is quite different on each breast, so I'm counting on stage 2 to even things out.

So glad the micromets aren't a worry. Tamoxifen is a challenge from all I hear. I didn't have it because ER-/PR-, but had a year of Herceptin. God bless, Esther. I hope your hip drain won't be needed much longer!

Cascader -- thanks, very encouraging!

Bogie

Ann, I also wish I had known about the DIEP when I had my bilateral mastectomy last year.  Both my TE ruptured and failed so contemplating the DIEP.  I would have had it done instead of these stupid failed TE/implants that have caused me nothing but trouble and capsular contracture.

 Mommaof4 what made you decide to go to Charleston to Dr. Kline vs some Chicago doc's like Northwestern or University of Chicago.  I would love Dr. Massey since I have truncal lymphadema but based on your experience sounds like that won't be an option I have HMO IL BC/BS and I already spoke with them.

I've met with Dr. S out of Univ of Chicago and he said I'm a good candidate.  Although I forgot to tell him I had a C-section for abdominal, wondering if that makes a difference. 

PinkHeart

Bogor make sure if u go with dr massey that your il bcbs is accepted in new Orleans where she does stage one.

I have truncal chest wall lymphoma too. Dr Kline has knowledge and works on le issues as well. Also does lymph node transfer. Warm wishes on your decision

CookieMonster

Bogie - I had a c-section and DIEP with no problem at all. My c-section scar is gone now, replaced by a much larger DIEP scar.

dltnhm

You IL ladies might want to have a consultation with my surgeon - Dr. Loren Schecter. I had a left UMX and immediate DIEP reconstruction. I had zero issues with the surgery and recovery. No loss. No incision openings. No packing or rupture or necrosis. I am very fortunate All the docs and nurses who have seen me have said how wonderful and amazing it looks. My RO (I start rads on Monday) went on and on about how good the breast looked - like my right breast - and the natural feeling as well. Radiation therapist also commented on it. They said it might be more difficult to realize being the patient but they see so many reconstructed breasts and mine is exceptional.

I have BC BS IL HMO too. Had my surgery at Advocate Lutheran General.

dltnhm

C-section. Also had a c-section with first son in 1990. That scar was bikini line. It is gone - as incorporated into the DIEP.