DIEP 2013
Comments
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Gosh I am able to read from time to time, but usually by the time I finish catching up on the reading of this thread, I'm needed either by work, child or who knows what else!
- First, happy healing thoughts and prayers to those who are taking a nice long sleep today.
- Yeah Kuka for no pain in the knee, now if you can just keep off it and let it heal...
With all the belly/tummy tuck talk....well I'm there too. I've been heavy and skinny, and my son (who is 20!) was nine lbs when born. Needless to say I have a lower tummy 'apron' with lots of stretch marks too. I also still have (depsite losing 20lbs since March) that upper tummy hump like thing. My ps says that the upper will get flatter, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how the whole tummy area looks....It's been a LONG time since I had a nice stomach.
(I also have a fupa, which my ps said he'll take care of for me in stage 2!)At this point I keep nervousing from time to time about the upcoming surgery, and know that God has got this. ....I just keep swaying back and forth between 'let's get this show on the road' and 'what the heck am I doing?' All normal I know, and I'm keeping that in mind, its just getting a bit more intense as time flies by.
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I defo am going for the nipple. Many years of being "uni-nippled" has left me with memories of either having it obvious through clothing, that I only had one, or having to wear padded bras to conceal the one I had. I consider it the final step I need, to making the new gloob truly "mine". But, I salute those ladies who choose another route.
Today's ladies...getting close to "halftime" for you!
Facial sutures now out, but incision partially re-opened. Some of them were stuck, and he pulled so hard at them I thought he was gonna turn my cheek inside out! Back to steristrips again.....seriously, why don't we all buy stock in medical supply companies
.Liefie....did you get the ok to get busy with exercising???? That scar massage is important, chickie....don't you be sluffing that off!.
Kuka....wonderful news re: knee pain....remember though, he told you to take it easy still, too soon to be the energizer bunny!
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ok, I'm not hip, I admit it.....what the heck is a fupa??
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Good afternoon! It is a beautiful summer day here in Michigan and Thing 2 and I went on a great bike ride! I did just about 3 miles and turned around and hung out at the trail head while he rode for another hour. Happy happy happy! And very tired! No stamina...but it's a start. Told him to leave the bikes on the carrier....we will go again tomorrow. I was shocked at how much smaller I had to make the waist strap of my camelbak!
On nipple reconstruction..maybe y'all know this already but if you don't want actual nipple reconstruction but you want the look of a nipple you can get a tattoo of a nipple. Some artists do a 3D nipple tattoo even! The "gold standard" is probably Vinniemyers.com....he goes to NOLA to do tattooing there, but you can go to him, too (Maryland). I have seen other tattoos as well....hearts, shamrock, etc....if you can think of it they can probably tattoo it!
Here is my question on tattooing...if you have a dark scar can it be tattooed to match your skin color so it blends in better? Maybe I will email Vinnie Myers! -
Bailey....very good question....Recently on the news here, they had a story about a tattoo artist here, who has started to do tattooing to help blend scars into more closely resemble normal pigmented skin. aka....changing dark areas to lighter ones....I cannot understand any reason why this hasn't been a benchmark of "cosmetic tattooing" already! I've done some checking out of the 3d tattoo, and the ones Vinnie does look amazing, but, they are still not "raised" to match a real nipple. If I was a bilateral, I would likely go that route, but couldn't realistically access him. There's also the option of wearing "fake nipples", but I have done my time with fake already.....no longer interested unless no better option.
The bike ride sounds AWESOME!!!! Take a nap....enjoy the feeling of another step back closer to "normal"!
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FUPA is fat upper pubic area. Hope thats not TMI, but ....
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never too much tmi with us! Thanks for the info!
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Nihahi, sorry you had to endure that, and hope for complete healing. You deserve a nipple after all those years- I totally agree. Will be good with masage, I promise. Exercise - forgot to ask, can you believe it? DH was in there with me, and they talked doc gibberish. That's why I prefer to go in alone, but did not have the heart to lock him out - lol. Will just use my common sense, and gradually get back into exercise. Going to try yoga in about 3 weeks time when my arm is stronger, and can move higher. Forgot to ask her about that too - dang! That's why you should write down those questions . . .
Also did not know what a FUPA was. Speaking of which, I think I have a bit of a FUPA, but seeing that I hardly ever study that area intensely, I'm not sure if it is bigger or smaller after DIEP - LOLOLOL. Nobody's going to touch my FUPA, that's for frickin sure. It won't bother anyone, me least of all. Hahaha.
The flap that was taken from my tummy was an ellipse, and I have a perfect elliptical-shape scar on my DIEP boob where it was put in. Now try to imagine a nipple on top of that . . . I just don't know. Seems better to leave it as it is. Oh well, as time goes by, wisdom will come to me - lol.
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Liefie....you're too funny! Can you call her and ask about those activity questions??? I don't doubt at this stage, there would be any reason not to be active, but she didn't want you doing anything way longer than my doc, so maybe you should check????
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Thought I might be the only one here that wasn't too thrilled about a nipple. DIL says YES get one - she thinks I won't be happy w/o one, DD says NO - too many surgeries I don't want you hurting again, DH says "whatever you want to do", DS says YES (husband to DIL) (LOL), (guess he's a headlights on type a guy!?), SIL says NO, ... and on and on. Oh, ya, and I can't forget #1 DS - "Mom, don't get the nipples unless DH plays with them (COME ON!!! TMI! for DS to talk about) and then, mom, if you want, you can go outside in the summer topless!!!! (GOOD GRIEF!!!!)
I have mounds, one PAP, perfectly coned, one SGAP, looks like the hamburger bun, but a full C and fits in a bra nicely with some cleavage - and football 'eyes' on both of them. Would not look good going shirtless in the summer! AT all!
So, my thoughts are to not get the nipples, I like being able to go braless (my Dr. orders now until my next stage on 7/11 for more fat grafting and tweaking) and not worry about headlights. I'm thinking about tattoos and might go to Vinnie - a pretty known tattoo artist that does 3d nipples and aureolas. But, I have a friend who had a saying tattooed on her DIEP flaps with a circular design with the center of the circle being in the middle. The saying escapes me, but something to the effect of how strong and courageous she is. Very pretty writing and it's written so when she looks in the mirror she can read it.
Dyvgrl you got it, best wishes, prayers and hopes it went well. -
Catie2013, LOLOLOL!!! Isn't it funny that before we would never dream of discussing our boobs at all except maybe with a close friend or DH. Now it just does not matter any more. I've simply lost all shame as far as that is concerned - even my SIL makes jokes about my boobs, and it does not bother me at all. Have to say that he is a seasoned veteran as far as this is concerned. His mom had a BMX 11 years ago after diagnosed with Stage 3 IBC, and had aggressive chemo and lots of rads. She is a true survivor. I guess he had earned the right to joke about my boobs - lol!
I'm also thinking of going bra-less most of the time, but still have the nipple on the healthy side . . . sigh. At home I never wear a bra. When I go out, the straight jacket comes on. Wish I can get rid of it for good.
Nihahi, will contact the doc - good idea.
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I had no idea what a fupa was either, and I'm 35!!
When I visited my ps for the first time he told me in a nice way that I had two muffin tops. He was going to use the bottom part for my new boobs and the top would become my bottom and only muffin top. He's going to lipo the remaining on stage 2.
I decided I'm going to join a gym and try to loose as much weight as possible before my stage 2. But I'll do it being safe and not pushing it too hard. -
Kuka, that is kind of my plan as well. My ps doesnt like to do stage 2 until six months after stage one, so I should have plenty of time to safely lose the weight.
Thinking of the gals that are soon finishing up with surgery and heading to recovery....
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Dark Scars - the scar on my initial right MX side never faded very well. They were somewhat raised and red. The scar on my second left MX side faded away. About 4 years ago I stumbled on an article about using pulse dye laser on scars. My dermatologist was happy to give me a reduced price to test it out. We did 3 treatments several weeks apart. Within 6 months the scars had flattened and faded.
My DIEP scars are red now. I think that the left will probably fade within a year. The right again promises to be slightly raised. I plan to give the scars at least a year after my final surgery, then look into laser if needed.
I do plan to do the nipple thing and tatoos. Like Nihahi, after all these years it will be nice to have something that I need to dim the lights on than have nothing.
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I "had" fupa. This is why I now have pubic hair on my boobie. Truly hard to explain, bu tthe skin pulled went into the fupa area and my once very full pubic area is now nearly flat. Part of that area is included in the skin on my right boob, and there is hair.
My PS appt went well. All incisions healing fine. A little separation at the front of belly/bikini line, but all superificial and of no concern. All formal restrictions lifted. Activity as tolerated. Gradually increasing at my pace but 'don't push it'.
I have one more surgical f/u in 2 wks. Then I will not see PS again until considering stage II, which he will not even consider until 9 - 12 months post DIEP. Fine with me, I need a long long long break from all this.
So, I'm shooting for one year. I will now upgrade my wardrobe, lightly, for the next year. I feel ok doing that as any body changes now are due to my own diet/exercise routine. I plan to drop about 20 lbs over the next 6 months or so. Not drastic, just the same 20 lbs I've always wanted to drop.
As I will not be actively treating, I'll be popping in here trying to read, catch up and be supportive, but the way this thread just flows and flows and flows, no doubt I'll have trouble keeping up.
All of you ladies amaze me. The strength and determination of each and every one of you keeps me going. Thank you for all of your support through this. I'll keep this thread in my favorites and keep in touch, just not daily.
Mary
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shechirple...that is all wonderful news about the healing and return to activity. Enjoy the "break" time that is coming your way, you have more than earned the return to "life as you want it to be". Hope to hear from you now and then, there will always be "newbies" who will benefit from your experiences and thoughts.
Hope the new veterans are sliding into recovery now.
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Sugery went great today!
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WOWZER.....Great to hear from you so early damaina9! Have a gentle, easy rest tonight. Welcome to the "other side"!
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Hey Guys,
Been kind of out of it today. The fill the PS did on my temp expander's has really set me back. It made "Iron Bra" so much worse, and I just can't wait to get the whole mess out of me for good when I get my DIEP. I am so afraid iron bra feeling won't go away after DIEP. I know I have mentioned before on here, and several of you said it did go away. I am praying it does. Mine is so bad. It could almost drive me insane. I am assuming the fill made it much worse, and that is why I am in the state I am in. July 24th can't come soon enough for me!!!!
Hope all is well with everybody. Don't really have the ambition to go back into all the posts from today to see what is going on. So, I will send my best wishes that everybody is on the right track, and I will check in tomorrow.
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Damiana- HOORAY! Great job getting through it! I was watching for a new post from you and hoping for the best. Keep updating when you feel up to it!
Shechirple- your posts have been helpful to me and I am glad that everything is looking good for you.
Jenny -
Hooray Damiana! Thanks for posting!
CGabby is up tomorrow! Thinking of you! -
goldie.....((((((X))))) Hang in there. The painful tightness, iron bra DOES go away. It likely won't be immediate, but it will, sooner than you think. I had it bigtime, I no longer have it at all. No need to stress yourself getting "caught up"...the previous messages won't go anywhere and you can always go back later to read them if you want to. For now, focus on the future, care for yourself and know that even if you're not "here", we're all close by in your pockets! Thanks for catching the next dates goldie!!!!!
6/20/13 cgabbyj (Diep)
6/21/13 ssla01 (BMX with immediate Diep)Thinking of these ladies....cgabby....have a peaceful sleep, we'll be thinking of you tomorrow.
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I promised myself last night I would get on here sooner and post.....need my beauty sleep....
Damiana! So nice to hear from you! Rest up and use you pain pump.......check in and get us all up to speed when you are up to it!
Liefie, thank you for offering to send me my TimTams.....that is too much to expect, and I am sure there are import fees and the like tacked on the price......I do have a "source" here in the states, but they charge an arm and a leg......small price to pay to feed my growing addiction..... :P I am sure you can return to activity....you were in such great shape beforehand! Just start out really light on weights (I will NEVER lift above 5-6 lbs again....do not want LE). I started with 3 lbs each hand, am now up to 5 or 6 depending on the exercise. I usually do cardio for 1hour, then switch to weights for 35 minutes or so.....cardio has mostly been elliptical (with a smidgen of stair stepper thrown in for good measure). My main thing is aiming for 10,000 steps minimum per day.....this has not been hard. Will attempt yoga poss. Next month.....
Nihahi, I read that your stitches came out and you were forced back to
steristrips.....bummer! Well, it doesn't seem to have affected your energizer bunny energy in any way! By the way, you better not abuse my TimTams in any way.....just eat them! I need a fellow addict on the board!
Marty, I am so glad you posted about your red scars....I was worried that I wasn't healing b/c at 5 months the scars are still fairly red. Was going to post about it tonight, believe it or not!
My gloob scars are footballish-shaped......still debating nipples.....may go the Vinnie route.....DH wants me to get them....thinks I am a "quitter"-he says that in a very nice way...I just think he is afraid I will regret not getting them while they are free!
Kuka, glad no pain in knee today.....be a good girl and be careful!
Everyone else, hope your days were good, and that you are either healing well, or are getting the last things done before surgery......good luck to Cgabby tomorrow. We are in your pockets!
(((Hugs)))
Namaste and God bless- Jackie -
movie.....((((((X))))))). My Waterton girlfriend has quite the sweet tooth. I'm sure she'll take care of the T..T..consumption!
fyi...at 5 months out...scars are still fairly young...not at all unusual for them to still be dark/red. Plus, some of yours took more than one "go round" to heal! Hang in there. Now....tuck yourself into bed, sleep well, and for pete's sake....CALL OFF THE RAIN!!! We're drowning here!
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Sending an inflatable raft AND life preservers your way as I type.......
XO
Jackie -
Damiana - Congratulations! You're done! So nice to hear from you
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Goldie - it is funny about the iron bra. It bugs us so very much. Then after DIEP, you are thinking about a lot of other things (standing straight, drains, etc) and then one day you suddenly realizing that it is gone. Just gone.
Jackie - I think we need to be patient about the scar thing. We are all so anxious to have everything back to our "normal", but healing really takes time.
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Good morning everybody!
Question for anyone who's done a stage 2. Were you able to lower the scar on your tummy and how much? I got a gym membership yesterday with a personal trainer so that I can learn a routine. I told them about the surgery and my knee so that they work around that.
I forgot to mention yesterday that my ps said the discomfort I'm having on the tummy scar is from the nerves reattaching and it's normal. -
Kuka, when I look at pics online, and on TimTams site of the belly scars before and afters, if you notice women carry their tummy weight in different areas. Some lower tummy, some more middle tummy, etc. I think the doc takes the best fat he can, and hopes the scar won't be too high. Granted, the girl at the PS's office, her's is pretty low, but I have seen other's where the scar is right up under the belly button. Being younger than me, I know you still want that bikini body. I have seen some really cool tattoos over the tummy scars. After seeing those I even considered a tattoo for the first time in my life.
Damiana....glad you are doing so well.
Thanks to everybody who sent me encouragement about my iron bra problem. I can't wait for surgery!!!!!
Marty, and Nihani....did you both have delayed reconstructions?
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Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who wrote to support me. You have no idea how much it helped to hear others say that my son's news is not the end of the world. I spent the last two days crying but I would go back and read your words of encouragement and that is what helped me. Also, my husband is taking it much better than I expected. In the business world over the years he has met many gay people so it is not an unfamiliar thing to him. We were married 30 years last month. I was not up to going out then so we went out to dinner last night to celebrate. We talked about the many struggles and obstacles that we have encountered in three decades. I don't know if everyone gets their share or how that really works. I pretty much reacted to this news the way that I did when I was first diagnosed with BC 9 years ago. I wanted to run away and hide but there was no where to go. When I came home from dinner last night I realized that I have to be happy that my son is still here, he hasn't gone anywhere, he has not been severely injured, he is the same that he has always been. This is not the trip that I signed up for-he is a big burly guy who has always had a penchant for style and decorating but no outward signs of femininity. I still don't know if I am God's punching bag or that this is how life is for most people. I know that my son is relieved and life will go on despite the scars that are on my body and those that are right now on my heart.
Love and prayers to all all of you. Thank you for your words of wisdom and experience.
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