Diep 2012
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HI BECKERS, I HAD SGAP SURGERY IN MARCH AND THEN HAD DIEP SURGERY IN JUNE. BOTH DONE AT NOLA WITH DR. MASSEY. STAGE 2 IS IN CHARLESTON OCTOBER 5. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING FIXED UP.
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Leanna, it is a big decision to make either way when it comes to reconstruction. For me it came down to - could I live happily enough without a breast? The answer for me was no. I had a diep reconstruction on the cancer side and a reduction on the other to try to get a similar size. It is major surgery with all that entails with recovery.
Am I happy with the results? Yes. It isn't perfect which I never expected it to be, it was essentially two different surgeries and two slightly different results, but I have two breasts again that look really good in a bra and clothes and feel pretty normal to touch (though I do not have much if any sensation in the diep one). I do have a good number of scars including of course the hip to hip one across my abdomen (it is low down) and for a while I did think of myself as a patchwork doll, but now I view them as my badges of honour for getting through this and I accept them much more readily.
Definitely ask to see before and after photos, your ps will probably offer them to you anyway - who could make such a big decision without some idea of what the result might be! Good luck! -
I see that many of you have had your mx & within just a few weeks, your Diep. Is it that you were waiting for pathology reports to go ahead with Diep? My surgeon wanted to wait for pathology on the bc side, and then wouldn't do prophyl mx on R w/diep for 6 months (which turned into a LONG year w/broken bones), but it just seems like a tough thing to go through the surgeries so quickly...just goes to show we are amazingly resilient.
Hang in there...the swelling will subside and my L, firmer side is finally starting to soften. HOYA, my belly button wouldn't heal due to a stitch...any chance of that with yours???? It's still red pt said that will subside. It's the shape of a smiley face...I'm hoping that's less obvious when it's not so red.
Leanna: There is a huge healing process that goes with diep...it's a little daunting at times, I think. There have been times I've asked myself why I agreed to it...but my center does diep almost exclusively, because of it's success physically (they rarely do implants unless diep isn't possible), and emotionally. I stand in front of the mirror and am so glad to see two breasts...one pretty perfect, the other needing a little adjustment, but my original breasts were the same-one bigger than the other. My concerns are met with, "we'll fix that in stage 2", so I'm pretty confident. The scar on my stomach is fading nicely, the numbness is a little odd, but I think the most difficult part is being aware of taking extra care in not lifting (I have small grandkids), and am just generally a bit less active...feeling overprotective of my body. However, every day I'm thankful that the breasts I have are truly part of me and are not growing pesky cells..and when I put my clothes on..I feel like ME again! That's totally worth it! Time heals
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RonnieKay: I appreciate your last post. I am struggling the last couple of days with all this. Did your incisions ever open up a little? Mine did under my arms. It's so creepy looking. It is red and some puss coming out. I called my PS and he said that it is normal at this stage and some women find it more comfortable to put a menstrual pad in that area. So today I have one under each arm pit and one under the right breast where that has been leaking for days. I didn't have a fever at the time I called the PS, but now I have had a low fever between 100-101 all afternoon. I took some Tylenol. I am just tired of feeling so icky! This has been the biggest medical event of all of them so far. For the first time, it has made me a bit nauceous and unsettled my nerves. I just had no idea this would be so involved! I will be at two weeks post DIEP surgery Wed night.
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I just sent my pics off. Arggh that was tough.. Made sure not to post to fb
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Downey, I was wondering because you said tummy is still bloated. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago and hoping for stage 2 by the end of the year for insure deductible out of pocket issues. So yours is 4 months later? Maybe there is hope I can.
RonnieKay, glad to hear your firmness is softening. One of mine has been feeling so firm all of a sudden.
I feel like I developed some bruising overnight. But brown like an old bruise. Breast is still warm on that side. Anyone had this happen? I actually had my arms crossed and pushed on breasts as i woke up but didn't feel it.
It's been a bit of a worry. I had nipple sparing and have necrosis on right side, then some infection I've been watching. PS drew line around redness. It's kinda stressful as its been up in the air as to whether to admit me for IVs.
I shouldn't complain as I was reading the stage IV group are in the process of losing a beloved member. Kind of puts you in a different frame of mind. -
J-Bug, my BS mentioned 100.4 being the temp when concern begins. Thought I should mention. It really can be stressful. Do you still have drains. My tummy incision was leaking for a few days and they kept that drain in while the tummy was draining. I'm sorry you opened up. Do you get home nursing? Under arms seem like. Tough spot to deal with. My underarms are quite sensitive. It is very involved isn't it. So many say it's so worth it. In April I remember saying, "I want them off, slap some new ones on, take 6-8 weeks and then back to work and life as usual. I haven't been back to work yet!". Hang in there.
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RonnieKay...I did ask about stitch possibility the last visit, but he said it is really doing ok....just like a big (well really only about 1/2 inch) hole but goes in a bit...hate the whole packing with gauze twice a day things, but as someone said could always be worse. For those of you months out...do your boobs still feel so heavy or is that just the swelling? Still having a nurse that stops by once or twice a week who checks to make sure things are not getting infected and that is reassuring....plus they bring treats...dark chocolate...fresh vegetables from their gardens! Good thing I have lots of my photocards so I feel like I have something to give back! I already gave them a copy of the book I made up with lots of my photos and inspirational quotes. They are just both so nice.
Totally lazy day today....had three days with dinner with friends and family and today Ken and I just veged at home....watched Bridesmaids...funny movie.
For all with surgeries coming up soon, do know that while it is a long process, and some days you have setbacks, you do eventually start to heal and mentally get sharper....I am just so glad to have this behind me and am SO glad I chose this method of reconstruction! And so glad it was done all at once...
Thanks for all who have sent good wishes for my sister....still hanging in there....going on 6 weeks with no food and just water....girl is a fighter!
Kathy
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Beckers, when I have state 2 it will be a little less than four months since stage 1B. I could have done it at about 3 months but couldn't get it on the schedule. Hope this helps.
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Beckers: I did have 6 drains, now I am down to just the two coming out of the groin area. The fever seems to be staying away with Tylenol all afternoon, but it makes me wonder if it could just hide an infection by taking it. Anyway, I felt a lot better through the evening with the Tylenol - still icky and leaky, but a lot better energy and appetite.
I was told that my stage 2 would be at 3 months, post surgery.
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Thanks Downey and jbug. I hope I can have stage 2 before 2013. Sounds encouraging. I will start my list for PS Wednesday.
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Anyone end up with a hematoma following DIEP? I was diagnosed with a DVT 10 days post op. Six days after that had a hematoma in one breast. They've put in a drain - not really draining anything - and adjusted my anticoagulant. Said to expect it to 'take some time' to resolve. Wondering if anyone else has dealt with this......
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Trying to get prepared for my DIEP on Monday, yikes! Most women here seem to have had Mastectomy and DIEP at the same time? Anyone just have the reconstruction done , on one side? Trying to get an idea of length of surgery and recovery. I go for my pre-op on Thursday so I guess I will find out more then, but I am curious. I had a single mastectomy 4 years ago.
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@DFOnt, I had a mastectomy in June but won't be having reconstruction for several months yet. When I do, it will be one side only and most likely DIEP. The hospital where the surgery will be done has a support group for breast reconstruction and one of the other women in the group just had unilateral DIEP a few months ago, and that was also not simultaneous with her mastectomy. I'm sorry, but I don't know the answer to the other questions. I am sure they will be able to fill you in on that at your pre-op.
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I had DIEP flap surgery on 7/11/2012 with the most amazing PS Dr. McDreamy (I mean Dr. Mark Venturi in McLean, Virginia)...lol. Anyway he warned me that in about 2% of cases the tissues do not work. After a very valiant effort by both him and his partner, that was the case for me. So they decided to go to TE as our plan B. I just got my last fill and will do the exchange sometime after chemo ends in December. Do I regret trying the DIEP...absolutely not!! I still got an amazing tummy tuck. Gotta look for our silver linings where we can find them girls 😄
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DFOnt, I had one immediate and one delayed DIEP in the same procedure. My BC side was mx a year before the DIEP and I had the other one mx prophylactically at DIEP time by a BS that was referred by the PS. The mx added maybe an hour or 2 to the start of the procedure, i.e., the PS arrived while I was already under. I arrived at 6am, I think it was, saw the PS and Fellows in the pre-op ward for all the drawing on and dressing up, and started in OR about 8, and woke up at 7:30ish, but "woke up" is perhaps an exaggeration. I was no longer under anaesthesia but unlike my mx where I went home and was doing work emails two hours later, I just wanted people to let me sleep some more. I was kind of groggy the next day and not gregarious but in a completely appropriate amount of (dis)comfort given the circumstances. The surgery duration was a breeze to me. I am sure it was tougher on those who were awake and working.
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301724: No hematomas, but I talked to my PS on the phone today and he said that the drainage that I am describing may be a seroma. It has been draining a lot in the sewn together area under my right breast - which is also my radiated side. I see him on Tues and he said that we may have to drain it some then. He also said that it can take a LOT longer to heal with a seroma on the radiated side.
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Things went great at PS appt. today. Infection clearing up well. I had nipple sparing and he wants right side covered for showers so it doesn't get wet. Any ideas on what to use to cover?
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j bug.
Dfont had my umx & recon together. Total surgery time was @7-8 hours.
Beckers. Yeah on infection clearing. I actually had a new hand held shower head installed. Took 5 min. That said........I have used Sarah wrap or cut food baggies to size & did double layer. Sometimes put gauze under to catch any moisture before it hit line. Immediatelycremoved & dried around area. I had a PICC line in my left arm to keep dry. I also used co-bond. adheres to itself as I have an adhesive sensitivity. I alternated showers & sponge baths early on.
Went back to work today. Went pretty well. Came home, ate, sat on my bed, put on the news & next thing I know, I wake up at 11pm. Oops! PS was right (darn him) about the fatigue. I did find 2 different items at Walmart to wear for abdominal support as I am on my feet a lot at work. Worked well today. Kept the swelling and discomfort to a minimum plus reminds me of my limitations.
One minor issue I still deal with is occasional heartburn/mild reflux since surgery. Never even had this issue when I was pregnant! -
Donna .......wonderful spirit you have. Sorry about the loss of the flap.
love the McDreamy comment. Dr. Fletcher aka mmmm McDreamy/Steamy HOTNESS is a fellow with my PS group. Nurses loved having me as a patient a second time because he was always there. Got to see him in the office last week with my primary PS. More than his hotness Dr. F is very kind, thorough & compassionate. What a total package!
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Thank you for ideas for showers. You girls are making want to see this McDreamy doctor. I'm on west coast though. I wonder if you said anything while woosie from meds before or after surgery.
). You know how goofy we can get post op. Ha! -
LOL! I google imaged him! Handsome indeed, but I have to say my husband is a keeper. Which reminds me...any advice for the husbands? Mine is taking off a couple of weeks to help, and he is a great cook, housekeeper, dad, and support, but I hate leaning on him too much when I know this is hard for him too. Any suggestions on what to do for him? I am enlisting some family to give him a break every now and then.
Also, I just found out my DIEP can't be scheduled until the week of Thanksgiving because my docs are heading to conferences. Ugh! I don't want to wait that long since my bc grew so fast over 6 months, plus I work in a hospital and know how bad shortstaffing can be over a holiday. My other option is to switch to a different ps (whom I also like, but don't know as well) and maybe get in later next month....we'll see how it all comes together I guess. My preference is to move ahead and be able to enjoy the holidays with my little boy. He is just old enough to understand Christmas, and I don't want bc to interfere with those fleeting, but magical, moments we get of their childhood.
Hoyamom, I am thinking of you and Dianne.
To everyone else in the midst of recovery, I send you strength and hugs. Thank you again for sharing. It helps remind me that it is all possible, one step at a time.
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cg...does your husband like massages??? One thing I did for my sister, Peggy, who was here for the week, was arrange for friend to take her to spa for hr long hot stone massage as a thank you. Also, if you have friend/relative to take care of you one day, maybe pre-plan special activity for your husband and son?? Or for your husband with one of his friends??? Also sending him cards at his work letting him know how much it means to you to have him in your life and how glad you can depend on him when you need him the most....I think we never thank people enough and it is easy to overlook how much our loved ones are doing for us.
In my case, since Ken and I are in business together, he not only had to do his job, but mine too...plus my share of housework, cooking, etc...and a lot more laundry...plus constantly having to do things I couldn't do myself...ie open juice bottles, put things in the microwave (too high up!!) lift pretty much everything...so even putting post it notes where he would find them may brighten his day.
When folks at our office asked what they could do for me, I asked them to check in on Ken and to let him vent if he needed to. While it was certainly a stress reliever when we found out my cancer was not invasive, and no further treatments needed, having two of my sisters go down the terminal cancer path was something that definitely scared both my husband and son. I just told Ken in advance that there would be days I would be bitchy and I might fall apart on occassion, but eventually it would be better. Thank God for supportive family!!
I feel bad about the scheduling problem and hope you can get it resolved!
Kathy
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Cg1234- I would make sure you have a reacher and something called a dressing stick. If you wear socks, a sock aid. These tools will greatly increase your independence. I have not needed my husbands help with sponge bathing and dressing hardly ever since I've been home. We bought all white towels, wash cloths, big men's t-shirts and my hubby does a load of laundry daily to bleach these items for infection control. Maybe you could assign laundry tasks to someone else. My hubby did medications for first week and then I was able to take that over. He makes lots of trips to store and makes my meals. He works from home so that helps. Of course he drives me to many MD appointments. Definitely will need to take some breaks. Maybe family can help give him day off on weekend.
As far as the wait for surgery, do you know what grade your tumor is and if you are Her2 positive? If my cancer was aggressive I would have a hard time waiting but that's me.
Good luck! -
I had BMX on August 1, at PRMA. I wanted to share here for all higher BMI women who want to have DIEP. I am 5'7'' tall and was 238 pounds when I had my surgery. I was told by a few surgeons how my BMI was too high. PRMA does DIEP for ladies up to 40 BMI. I understand NOLA does too. I wanted to say I have no issues. I am at week 5. No leakage, no dying tissues or lumps I am very pleased. They have written a new paper on this exact topic. It is very informational. You can read it here:
http://prma-enhance.com/sites/default/files/Abdominal-Wall-Stability-and-DIEP-Flap-Complications.pdf
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Ladies - I am now 1 week post bilateral DIEP, and Today has been a much better day. Being at home rather than being in the hospital cannot be underrated in ability to help recuperate. When I have taken pain meds, and relearn still, I almost "normal". ha!
Beckers - on the waterproofing, make sure not to use Press and Seal, because it can pull on the skin. May be good to contact a medical supply place or an occupational therapist to see if they have any ideas.
Cg1234 - if you are concerned about waiting and like the other PS, trust your gut. I think we have t trust our intuition in knowing what is best fornus.Tgiving is early this year so you would be in pretty good shape for your son by Christmas but an earlier surgery would ensure that. One of the best things for us as a family has been the dinners that friends have brought. It is hard for me to accept help, but it has really helped to ease that burden. -
Howhm, glad you made it home!! So far so good for you? This is some recovery, but I have no regrets. Hope you continue smooth healing.
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Birdy,
I had my Diep in April and the pain was really bad the first 2 weeks then started to get better each day. I had a bi-lateral Diep and the chest healed great but abdomen opened up about 2+ inches long and finally just closed completely about a week ago. I'm scheduled for my 2nd phase on October 1st. The worst of the pain was in my chest area when I sneezed or coughed but it was explained that there was cartiledge removed in the ribs thus causing the pain.
As for swelling I was swollen and still am (well it is hard). The Plastic Surgeon is going to work on reducing it. I have to say once I closed up some of it did go down but to me it is still very noticable. She is planning on tightening up some of the abdomen. Hoping for good results but she did say I'll never have a flat tummy (but then I'm not a small person either). I just want to be able to buy pants that fit my waist and not my abdomen.
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Hey there ladies! I was here posting back when I was going through phase 1 but excited that phase 2 will be happening on October 1st. My goal was to get through the major surgeries prior to the one year mark and it looks like that will happen. Phase 1 took me a long time to heal and not happy with how the abdomen turned out but hoping she is going to be able to clean it up a lot with phase 2 (at least she says she will). Chest turned out fabulous and I'm still shocked how good they look. Have a few little fixes in this phase but also getting my ovaries and tubes out since I'm BRCA 1 positive. I'm happy with how it turned out even if nothing else gets fixed so I'm hopefully optomistic that it will look even better. It looks as though the OB will take the 1st hr then the PS will take the next 4 hrs to finish. Crossing my fingers there is a lot less pain with the scar fixing and lipo, etc. Wish me luck as I head into the next phase of this journey and please let me know if there is something I should prepare for or straighten out prior to surgery.
Sabrina
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Beckers,
Was just reading your post and my ps recommends waiting 3 months from phase one to begin phase 2 to give the scars time to soften up. In my case it was longer as I had to schedule around two surgeons to get the 2-1 deal (less surgeries is always better) and that my abdomin took a long time to heal. If you plan ahead you can probably swing it in late nov early dec. Good luck! My phase 2 is Oct 1st.Sabrina
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