Diep 2012

RonnieKay

Cookie: I totally laughed when you said 2 hours on your back, with a new faucet!!  Our anniversary is 9/1-coming up-don't need a new faucet and I'm sure my DH could think of other activities on my back....probably aint happening...a time for him to be patient! 

Kathy: Eight weeks out and I can say the feeling of heaviness left about a week ago...so much better, do I dare say, almost feeling natural!  I had bi-lat diep and my ps said I had enough fat to make nice full breasts (I was a B cup, he said they'd probably be small C), but now I'm a little concerned because I'm pretty much the same size I was before, which is okay because my flat stomach makes them look bigger.  I feel like my swelling is gone...I'd be bummed if I ended up smaller than before.  As those who've gone before us have said, it's true that each day, each week, it seems more like this is my body again!

Bdavis: Did your stage 2 require lots of down time?  I know it depends on what's done, but I know I'll have a bit of skin taken from under armpits, with a bit of lipo, not sure exactly what else, just wondering. My ps said recovery would be minimal, but on other sites I've read people say it takes its toll.  Any insight?

bdavis

The first 3 days I felt like I had been hit by a truck.. no pain as long as I didn't move... of course moving is part of the recovery.... It hurt, but improved quickly. I planned my stage II for the week before Thanksgiving so I'd be able to take advantage of Thanksgiving break to get more rest... I went back to work 2 weeks post op and was fine.... I was still wearing compression (by choice) but was feeling just fine. At 6 weeks I was back at the gym. I physically could have gone sooner, but when you have fat grafting you need to protect that or you could lose the graft... so no weights etc for 6 weeks.

florafarm

Questions for those who have had fat grafting after DIEP....was it successful? Did it take more than one session? I have one breast that needs more volume at the top. and am wondering about it.

Hoya03mom

Thanks all. I know patience is the word of the day.

301724

So a question for all of you. I had my BMX, SNB, and DIEP on 8/16. Came home on the 21st. Am feeling better every day. But - was freaked out by the new girls feeling not quite as warm (they had been almost hot) and feeling some lumpiness in them. At the same time, I am starting to lose some of the 15# of fluid I had on board. I have discrete fingers and wrists now but not ankles. My sense - confirmed by the nurse - is that as swelling (both from surgery and from fluid) decrease, the girls will change, too. As long as they're pink and warm, as opposed to black, she said all is well. Anyone else have this experience????

gale1525

florfarm; I had fat grafting, 2 months ago I definitely think I need a least one more. It did help.

howhm02l

BMX last Thursday and DIEP next Thursday. PS wanted wanted to wait on surgical pathology to ensure I would no need radiation. Good pathology results yesterday so I am go for the DIEP.



I did not want to get to far ahead of myself with thinking about the DIEP in case pathology would not allow. So, I am behind the curve and know I will have several questions in the weeks ahead. First few questions: 1) how long we're you in the hospital for the DIEP; 2) how did the recovery compare to BMX, if you were delayed between BMX and Recon; and 3) how does the abdominal recovery compare to c-section recovery? I had a c-section 4 years ago, and do not recall it being as bad as this BMX recovery has been (of course, I was younger and had the infant care adrenaline!)



Thanks in advance- I have having trouble getting geared up for another surgery.

Beckers

Howhm021: 1) my surgery was on Thursday and I was released on Tuesday. 2) I had immediate reconstruction. 3) It was similar to my c sections In the way it feels when you stand. I was able to get my feet on the bed by myself with this surgery, which is a plus. This incision is much wider than the others. Good luck as you get ready. Hope it's easier!

Galsal

Although I've never had a c-section, I found the BMX recovery to be minimal compared to the Diep.  At about three weeks I went back to work part-time with the BMX.  With the Diep, I'm six weeks out and don't feel ready to go back full-time.  Remember though, we're all different.

RonnieKay

Bdavis:  I rescheduled stage 2 from 10/11 to 11/1...I may decide to go to week before Thanksgiving too. PT yesterday said to get all the excess weight off NOW, before stage 2, and I already had that info from you, so thanks. 

301724: My breasts were very warm, which made me think infection, but the drs said they were fine. Same as yours, they said they look at coloring, so not to worry about warmth or cool. They didn't cool down for about 3-4 weeks.

Florafarm: I also need volume at the top of my expanded breast.  When are you scheduled for stage 2?

Howhm: I had one expanded breast and the other taken at diep, and didn't have c-sections so I'm not much help, other than to say it's nice you don't have to have a TE, and now you're getting the healing DONE!  Wishing you the best!

cmbear

Ronnie--how much weight are you wanting to lose? Did you doc explain how that would effect stage 2?

RonnieKay

cmbear: I gained about 15 pounds since my 2nd diagnosis last year, a broken elbow and ankle and hand surgery and was already probably 15 pounds over where I should be...so, in reality I should lose 30 lbs-but realistically, I think 15 would be good start.  My PS and PT are the ones that said it's important to lose the weight before stage 2 (PT much more adamant than PS).  Amazingly enough, my onc has always said my weight's just fine...which I just can't fathom.   Is there something you know I should be aware of?

cmbear

Oh no. It's just I have gained 20 lbs since my DX 2 yrs ago. And no matter how hard I try, that evil tamoxifen will not let me lose it. My docs haven't said anything about my weight. Guess its more me than them that's worried.

sadie5254

howhm021:  I had two c-sections and a hysterectomy and compared to those, I thought the diep was a breeze.  I know everyone has different pain levels, but the fact that the muscle wasn't cut, was such a relief.  My husband did still give me a hand to get me out of the recliner for the first couple of days, but I remember having to roll out of the bed, and climb up a dresser with the other surgeries. 

I'm a little over six months out from the deip surgery and three months out from the reduction.  Everything for me is back to normal.  No pain, no twinges.  Sometimes, I don't even remember anything happened.  I opted not to have nipple reconstruction though I can change my mind later.  I found this site "Rub on Nipples" that you buy a package in a color that best matches your skin tone and they last for weeks.  I'd kinda like to have the diep side reduced a little since it's a little bigger than the beautiful smaller reduced right side.  But I think that may be opening up a can of worms.

So, for you facing surgeries, hang in there, because there's light at the end of the tunnel.  And something else....when you're in the hospital, speak up to every single person that comes into your room to either glove up or wash.  And watch them do it!!! 

fredntan

Silly question here.



But when i have my diep sx, (rt side mast with TE sept 2011) I will have prophalactic mast on left-hopefully nipple sparing-But after sx will I lose rangevof motion in the left arm? After my rt mast I had to work for many months on that arms rom. Will new mast side have the pins and needles feeling. The dont touch that arm feeling?



Thanks

bdavis

I never had that in either arm...

Beckers

Fredntan - I'm recovering now from BMX and immediate DIEP. Because I cannot lift arms above 90 degrees, I will surely have to work to get full ROM back. My left arm, tricep area has pain sensation and numbness under arm. I have a back scratched with washcloth taped to the end that I am using to desensitize the area. But...right arm is completely normal sensation. You probably won't know 'til after sx.

Beckers

*back scratcher (darn autocorrect!)

cider8

I had a bmx. I had range of motion issue on the side I had ALND, not the other side where I only had sentinal node biopsy.

Ralsper

Fredntan - I had a left side S/P UMX with TE on 2011. I have never fully recovered my range of motion (mild LE plus TE) and after radition it got worse. I just had a profilactic mastectomy on my right side and DIEP on both sides and I can tell you that I don't have any issues with my right arm.

willy5js5

Fredntan I had no issues with my prophylactic side arm. Rom is fine and had very little discomfort with it following the breast removal twice. Original surgeon left enough tissue that the docs in New Orleans called it a repeat mastectomy. That arm was really unaffected both times. My right arm on the other hand took many months to get functioning after modified radical mastectomy. No issues with it after DIEP reconstruction though.

Beckers

I will be 3 weeks post BMX and DIEP on Thursday. How much were you walking at this point?



Were you still on pain meds?



My tummy is so swollen. How long did that last?



Thank you for your response!

CookieMonster

I was maybe walking a mile? I'm not sure. DH and I would go out for walks up and down the park across the street from our house.

I was not on pain meds but I seem an unusual case that I didn't take any pain meds once I left the hospital for any of my surgeries - just a Vicodin for the ride home.

It can take up to 6 months for all of the swelling to go down. If you're not in a binder, getting one might help with reducing the swelling.

That said, we all heal differently, give yourself some leeway.

Ralsper

Beckers -

1. I was walking one hour a day.

2. I stopped pain meds two weeks after.

3. My tummy is still swollen (6 weeks)

betsy7122

I had a wonderful experience with my DIEP by Dr. Matthew Carty, who is affiliated with Faulkner Hospital, but who performed the DIEP at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, where the special instrumentation required is available.

 My pain was well controlled and not as bad as I had thought it would be. I was essentially out of pain when I got out of the hospital. I stayed four nights.

No numbness, etc.

I bounced back incredibly fast. I have had a hysterectomy and a colon resection in the past, and this went far, far, more easily

 My new boob is amazing!

I would recommend Dr. Carty, Brigham and W's, and DIEP to anyone.

Couldn't be happier with the process as well as the outcome.

goldlining

Beckers - At three weeks, I was walking 4+ miles once a week (treadmill), and basic transportation walking the other days. I had found that walking was a mood and pain breakthrough after my previous mx so I made up my mind to do it.

I only took over the counter medications from about a week or so after. And even in the first week, mostly just at bedtime. I had some discomfort but it was completely appropriate amount for the degree of surgery.

I don't know about swollen tummy. Mine was pulled very tight and I was bent over it for 6 weeks.

fredntan

Was everyones Sx near 11 hrs. That just seems like long time to be under

Beckers

My sx was 11.5 hours. You won't know it. I was a bit more out of it in recovery than previous surgeries and my arms hurt from being in one position so long but it's not that big of a deal.

Beckers

I don't think I am walking enough. Just trips to kitchen and room, etc. Only outings to doctor visits. I still walk hunched over and PS said they want that for a few more weeks due to tummy stitches. So hunched over makes lower back hurt. I'm going to see if walking helps that. I'm still on vicodin. Hmmmm. Don't want to be taking it too easy. Thank you all for responding. )

bdavis

I was lapping at the hospital before discharge... and definitely tried to move often. I was off pain meds at 1 week and lower pain pain improved a lot by day 8.