Diep 2012

cascader

Hi Beckers, talk about wild....I am 2 months past an SGAP and healing well. how do i know? my flap is very hairy!! I didnt even know i had hair on my backside.lol, very strange. I will need laser hair removal but just not sure when to get it done, before or after stage 2.

CookieMonster

Wild on the hair growth. I have some fine hair on the abdominal skin but it's not terribly noticeable compared to the other difference: I have a different skin color, anyone else have a 2 tone boob now?

bdavis

Mine is only slightly two-tone... no hair... but over the year the two tone has disappeared IMO

BirdyRobin

Hmm a little disconcerting..the idea of hair, on my new breasts. I am scheduled for a bi-lat diep on Monday. Trying to clean everything like crazy, not sweat to death and still not freak out. I am worried about how "natural" and well shaped everything will be. Are you all satisfied?

Robin

goldlining

I am two-tone on the delayed side. Flap looks to me kind of greenish in comparison, which is freaky.

Hoya03mom

BirdyRobin...mine are two toned with old nipple area a bit lighter than rest of breast skin..only scars are ones from 6 o'clock position to bottom of crease which I can't even see without mirror and circle around where nipple area use to be. Both sides are pretty even, no puckers etc, but still a bit swollen and larger than I had hoped for. Ps says some of that will go down in coming weeks. Hope so as these babies are heavy!!

Good luck with your surgery. It will be a long recovery time, but I am so glad I went this way!

Kathy

sandpiper1

Birdy- 5 weeks out & I was impressed the minute I woke up from surgery & could pull my gown down to look & feel the new righty. (I had no dressings-surgical glue only - due to adhesive allergies/sensitivity). My tone is almost evenly matched- maybe slightly lighter flap. I do have some hairs growing there. Oh well.......That can be dealt with.

Like Cascade, it reassured me I have a good blood supply & healing is taking place. (Who would have thought hair growth on the boobs was a positive thing?????)

Pretty close match in symmetry down to the contour with opposite breast so I could avoid a future surgery on my unaffected breast & just have nipple recon. Abdominal incision a bit daunting but I am even pleased with my slimmer looking abdomen.

I hope you will be just as happy with your results. Peaceful thoughts & healing energy coming your way Robin. Can't wait to see ya on the other side of this!

Beckers

Robin- I am 1 week post BMX and DIEP. They did nipple and skin sparing and my nipples are still covered by a dressing that looks like shape of flower so I look like I have pasties on. I have bruising, swelling, and a bit of necrosis at incision line. However, they seem kind of large at the moment but look like they will be a great shape when they are healed. Right now it takes a bit of effort to get past some of that, but I'm excited. My tummy was fat and now is flat, new belly button, smooth skin, one less scar that was vertical from belly button down and my incision is way low. That is very exciting for me!! I had a 10 pounder when I was 20 so my tummy hasn't seen the light of day since And never bounced back into shape. Had to live with some form of sagging skin over c-section scar ever since. So overall I am happy. Feel free to PM with any questions.



Purl51 - where are you in California??



Hoya03mom - you don't have pain after 3 weeks? Wow. I hope I'm like that because I have a lot of pain right now at 1 week. It's hard to imagine that much improvement. Did you walk a lot?? What do you or anybody think I can do to reduce pain? (Besides pain meds.) Also, how long before I can drive?



Bdavis - what were stage 1b and stage 2 operations? How long in between each?

Hoya03mom

Beckers, I stopped Percocet about day 5 and switched to extra strength Tylenol (CVS substitute since no one sells actual tylenol around here. Other than slight occasional burning sensation under rt arm and sharp pain when I would snag a drain tube, very little pain from surgery. Stomach sometimes. Feels tight especially after eating but no real pain. Lower back pain if I sit up straight ie at computer for any length of time and md wants me using Valium for that. Take about 4 per week. Biggest pain is still hemmroids which keep me awake at nights. Will help once I don't have to sleep in this chair which puts constant pressure on them. No real pain in boobs they just are so big and heavy. Hubby loves them. I can't wait for swelling to go down. 55 more hours till I should be free from drains!!

bdavis

Beckers... My stage I was BMX and Hip flaps and a month later after a problem with the non-cancer side I had a stacked DIEP on that side (basically they used all the ab fat to make one breast. Then 3 months later I had stage II where they revised all scars, did a butt lift, breast lifts, nipple building on the cancer side (other side was nipple sparing), lipo, lipo, lipo.

I did not have enough ab fat for two breasts but I did have enough butt fat... but my incision opened on the right side and leaked and distorted so they re-did it... So what I had was equivalent to the Body Lift.

willy5js5

Seven and a half weeks out from surgery and I feel ready to take on the world but my body says eeeaaasssyyyy, sslooowweerrrr, .... It's a bit annoying not to be back to where I was before surgery but I would say I'm 90% there.  I can do most of it, just can't do it all in the time frame I could before.  Each week brings more endurance though and it seems like an eternity as I wait for it to get better day by day.  Time really does heal all and while I'm waiting for that healing, the great new gals are quite a nice reward!  DIEP is so worth it all.  It is truly restoration for me! Blessings to all you brave women who have been there, are there, or waiting for your turn. I also highly recommend a cleaning lady for the first four weeks.  Sure wish I had done that.  My house was a wreck and it got me down in the dumps.

Galsal

Plan on asking at the PS appt this Tuesday about when I might be going back to work.  I'm like Willy, my body says I'm not really quite recovered yet.  The tentative date is 9/4, from a 7/9 surgery.  In my mind, it might be best to return part-time since outings still thoroughly wear me out.  My entire day is stress, as I run a computer helpdesk.  That won't certainly be good if I'm not up to par.

Maybe I'm just being a big baby.

ro4kids

Hi  I am having double mastectomy and Diep Flap in 2 days 8/20. Diagnosed with Stage 0 calcifications non invasive along with an invasive tumor 3cm all in the right breast. BC is all over my family 4 aunts and 2 cousins,. So this was my choice, i could have had alumpectomy with possible chemo and radiation but opted against that.  We dont of course know if I will need chemo until afer the nodes are tested.  Its a 10 hr procedure and Im petrified.  Not of the after pain, not of the recovery, but just of the anesthia. I have had gall bladder surgery and 4 c-sections never a bad reaction but this time its different. Maybe b/c i am older, my life is wonderful 4 kids, great husband 2 grandbabies in the past 6 months, new house, blessed so many ways. Maybe it is b/c of all the blessings I am just thinking my luck maybe running out.  I dont know, I was afraid of flying but I did it I survived. So I keep telling myself all will be fine, but still having a hard time. I LOVE my surgeons 2 woman and trust is not the issue. So i found this site, read a few posts and do feel a lot better. Ten hrs seems like a lot and cant imagine my family waiting in the waiting room of course they  will not stay home. Their 10 hrs will be like 10 days and my 10 hrs will feel like a 10 min nap. So tomorrow we baptize my granddaughter, we celebrate all our blessings and Monday morning I will go. I should be home by Friday, I wish everyone well and remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck 

willy5js5

ro4kids - hours are not something to worry about.  It takes that long especially for both sides and the docs will do everything you need to get you through and them some. You want the anesthesia and it is minor compared to what you have been through already to get to where you are now.  Things will be so much better once you are on the other side.  Don't worry about what loved ones will do while you are in surgery.  They will probably do what they always do and how fortunate are you to have your family right there with you.  You will do great and so will they.  Good luck to you  and the light at the end of the tunnel is so close.

BirdyRobin

Thank you all for the support I am trying to stay busy and not think too much about it. I will take smartish phone and lap top and Ipod. Think good thoughts think good thoughts.........my montra for the next day.

Xxxxoooo Robin

Hoya03mom

Other than phone I left all at home. It will be days before your brain connects to your fingers to type...and you will sleep a lot!! Drink lots of water today as it helps to be well hydrated!!

bdavis

I had my ipad and loved having it with me...

Beckers

Ro4kids, I had my surgery a week ago. The anesthesia was fine. I was under 12 hours. I was not as alert in recovery as some of my previous surgeries but nothing to worry about. My arms were sore from being in one place so they propped them with pillows. I did some crying for about 24 hours. Not sure if that was anesthesia related. Overall, it was not different than my csection operation as far as anesthesia is concerned. I'm very excited to see my new body after swelling has subsided and so happy I went this route. As far as family, they did shifts. My hubby and best friend at 5 am, mom and brother came around noon, etc. It is a long day.



BirdyRobin, I loved having my iPad but honestly I couldn't even see straight for the first few days so have them bring it to you on day 2 or 3. You will know when.

Purl51

Beckers: I am in Santa Barbara.  Who was your surgeon?  Happy to read that you are doing well.  I'll be looking to schedule a consult for DIEP soon.

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences; it is helping me with my "D"-ecision on plans for my remaining "D" breast.

mags20487

love reading all the experiences...My Diep is set for Nov 1 tentatively depending on what my OOP will be.  If it is too high I will wait til Feb 2013 and then have diep and revision on the same $$.  I am excited about getting my breasts back but nervous about everything it entails.  I have gained some weight this last month (since I had consult with doc) and am wondering if I should try to lose a few before the surgery?   Does losing weight after surgery is done cause problems?  Definitely cannot stay so chunky! haha

Maggie 

basketnut3

I'm also 7 1/2 weeks out from surgery and doing great. My week 4 really got me going as I'm our county fair treasurer and it was fair week.  My daughter made me go home and take a nap most days, but I made it through and have kept going.  Went back to work last week, I'm a high school computer teacher, and no problem. Wish I had a house cleaner the first 4 weeks too.  My daughter kept most of the house clean, but wouldn't touch my room where I spent most of my time.  Just got it all straightened up last week.  Still dealing with healing of open wounds due to removal of skin neucrosis, but I can tell it is improving.  Can't wait for that to be over with.

Best wishes to everyone getting ready to go down this path.  It was a good decision for me, only took me 4 years to make it.

Beckers

Hi Purl, I am in Banning CA. I had surgery at Loma Linda Medical Center. I really love the team there. Best wishes with your decision process!

BirdyRobin

It is 11pm and I do not think I will be able to sleep tonight I leave at 3am. ~ometimes I feel so odd, like I might cry and I am not sure why. Hubbys a bit cranky he won't say why either. I guess its all stress. I would have though there would be less stress this time than with the dmx. I really hope everything goes well. Think good thoughts for me. Robin

BirdyRobin

It is 11pm and I do not think I will be able to sleep tonight I leave at 3am. ~ometimes I feel so odd, like I might cry and I am not sure why. Hubbys a bit cranky he won't say why either. I guess its all stress. I would have though there would be less stress this time than with the dmx. I really hope everything goes well. Think good thoughts for me. Robin

CookieMonster

Soon it will be over Robin and healing can begin!! Best of all to you! Enjoy the sleep and the new breasts!

Beckers

Robin, I remember the night before. I stayed awake late until I fell asleep on living room couch so I wouldn't get too comfy cause I knew 3:30 would come quick! I let my hubby go to sleep early in our room and had some alone time. I don't know why some DH's have to be cranky when we need them the most. Sending you peace and serenity until you fall asleep. We will be waiting to hear from you on the healing side. You will be fine. It is so nice to have it over with. {{hugs}}

Dutchy

Just wanted to find out if there are any ladies out there who need tattooing of the nipples.  I have a fantastic lady who is out of Tustin, CA.  She lives in New Mexico but flies out here once a month to do nipple tattooing and permanent make up.  She is awesome.  At the time I was getting my nipples tattooed I asked her how much it would cost for my permanent makeup to be retouched on my eyebrows and eyeliner and she said it was free to her clients finishing their reconstruction process.  Then when she was done with the nipple tattooing process she took me to Blondies' Boutique and the owner of Blondies gave me a new bra with bling on the straps.  What two fantastice ladies and what a way to start the finishing of the whole reconstruction process. The owner of Blondies also lost her mother to breast cancer and continues to be an activist in the breast cancer causes.  If anyone should want either of ttheir names and phone numbers then please IM me.

BirdyRobin

I am on my way to hospital with DH and a good friend of the families. Gave my son a kiss on his sleepy head. Feeling a bit better now that I am on the road. ^ know it will all be ok and I will be sleeping and healing soon. I am looking forward to new breasts. I know you all feel that you made the right choice my sister had bc and a single mx with an implant and she told me if she had it to do again she would choose a diep. Thanks for the good wishes. Bless you all. Robin

Galsal

Dutchy, how wonderful and special those two Ladies are.  You are blessed. 

sbelizabeth

Blessings, Robin, as you step out into this new adventure!  You'll be in my thoughts all day long.  Please let us know how you're doing when you can.  Sweet dreams.