DIEP 2013

sbelizabeth

Goldie, how about just making a few laps inside the house, increasing until you're ready to go out?  My house has stairs and after climbing them a few times a day, I got my exercise in the first few days at home!  

Mammalou, I must have missed out on the radiation scar effects.  I had 38 treatments, and all I got was a weird-looking tan and a leaking radiation wound.  The scar certainly looked no better.

It's a hot day, and I'm making chili again for a crowd!  

mammalou

I can't explain the disappearance of MX scar from rads. I did have a bolous on my breast for 2 out of every 3 rads tx. This was supposed to focus the rads treatment on the upper layers/skin of my breast. I turned extremely red and blistered. Who knows. It seems docs don't even understand why things happen half the time.



On day 8 I think my scars are healing great. My belly button is triangle shaped and it is for sure nor centered.

I was just looking at my insurance authorization this am and it said I get 3 days. I stayed 4 nights so I hope that does not cost me. Usually they just make the hospital write everything off. 3 days seems kind of ridiculous to me.



Well, happy 4th to everyone. It's one of my laziest ever.

nihahi

goldie....phew....now I can stop worrying about you and that treadmill! You're going to do fine post-op, I'm sure, and could well blow us away with your recovery, but better safe than sorry!!!! Your surgeon wants you walking, not necessarily "exercising"...big difference!

sweetpickle and mammalou....sounds like normal healing to me. Your incisions are just starting the early days of "scar formation", and you will see lots of changes....likely looking like things are heading in the wrong direction for awhile, but, that's just the way of scars. You're both probably having changes in how things look, as the post-op swelling slowly resolves too. Then there's all the internal dissolving sutures....layers of them...they take time to sort themselves out.....patience is quite the wonderful tool, if you can find it!!!!!!

mammalou....my bellybutton was off center for at least a couple weeks, if not longer...I was all prepared to ask my ps at my 4 week appointment..."what the heck did you do!!!"....but it seemed to be getting better so I let it ride. Now it seems to be pretty dead center...it's all due to swelling. 

My tummy scar is finally starting to feel softer, and more moveable, loose skin, but only at the side (hip) areas. Center area is still feeling hard and looking "stuck" down. I still obviously have lots of massage in my future!

goldie4040

The off center belly button is weird.  From what I understand about the belly button is that is doesn't move from it's original position.  They cut around it and pull the skin down over it, and then make a new hole to poke through...it seems like that would make it pretty difficult to be off center.  I bet you anything it is swelling, like somebody else said, and it will right itself.

I have something new I freak out about, and obsess about every day.  Today it's the tummy scar.  I don't really care how high, or low it is, but I want it very neat and even.  No dog ears, etc.  I already have one dog ear from my bmx that has to be taken care of during stage 2. 

Jeannie57

I got the okay to sign up for Northwest Casting Call in October, barring major complications in my recovery. It's at a local hospital. It's for bc survivors. The spend the first day teaching you how to cast a fishing pole, then they take you out to a river the second day where we will float and try casting. Although I have fished several times, this is more about camaraderie, I think. There is another overnight program that does a similar thing, but this sounds better to me. I hope there is still space for me and it works out!



By the way, I'm done with these TE's! I'd like to rip them from my chest! This is good as it makes me look at surgery as a wonderful thing. Sixteen months is wayyyyy too long to have these hard, homely, hellacious contraptions. They have done their job well, though, I suppose.

mckinley1

Nihahi - yes I am having surgery in Sask.  Any advice on best way to get "healthy and fit"?  Will I have a flat belly after all is said and done?

kuka21174923

Wow, you ladies have been busy!

Goldie, I was walking around my neighborhood on week 2. It's probably about a mile or a little less to go around the block. But if course, I'm only 35 and didn't go through BC. I was healthy and had never have any type of illness. The only restriction my ps gave me was the no lifting weight. Everything else he said to just listen to my body. So that's what I did and it worked for me. I think that's the big thing, is to listen to your body. Since you're having your surgery in July maybe at first you can walk around your house and then in August it starts to be cooler outside in the evening and you can walk outside. I agree with the rest of the ladies about waiting for the treadmill and see how you feel after surgery.

Sbelizabeth, I thought the same thing. 15 pounds in two weeks?! We'll see about that! But after I did the work out with him I thought I'll either loose the weight or die trying! Lol

Nihahi, my muscles are very sore today. I'm hoping they'll feel better tomorrow since I'm meeting my trainer again. Hopefully he won't ask me to do any squats because I don't think I'll be able to do it with my legs being so sore😩

Damiana, be careful taping gauze or putting any tape on your new breasts as the skin there is very sensitive now and tape can cause blisters. If you are going to use any tape just use the paper tape or hold the gauze on with your bra until the blister heals. My blisters are finally all healed up, but it took 11 weeks!!

goldie4040

Kuka, I would have no problem walking outside if it wasn't so hot out.  BTW...I have a question for you.  It's about your tummy and  your tummy scar.  Do you feel the shape of your tummy has changed for the better even though you don't like your scar placement?  There is a lot of rumbling here, and on another site I visit that people are not happy with their tummy's afterwards.  Yes, they might be flatter, but they lose their waistline and have trouble keeping their pants up, etc. 

damiana9

Kuka- Yea, it has been very tricky bandaging myself because I haven't put any tape at all on my new boob skin.

Goldie- I like my new shape a lot! Of course, I have HUGE wide hips so I still definately have curve still. re: walking- I can now walk through an entire grocery store, not pushing a cart, 2 weeks out from surgery- to give you an idea of when you will be feeling up to doing things.



How long does it take for the abominal swelling to go down?

How does this necrotic skin thing work? The little corner of my flap that died doesn't really ooze but I guess it does a bit? Like parts of it slough off and it is all dark old blood but still soft, so it gets on things if I don't keep it bandaged. Does this part eventually fall off completely and leave a divit in my skin, or does it stay dark and gross until stage 2?



Yesterday was the first day I drove since surgery. I think the hardest part of any of it is getting in and out of the car and swinging both legs around to get in and out. That wears me out! I went to Target by myself, got a cart and picked out a new dress and got a few new bras. I couldn't make it through the whole store since I was pushing the cart, and that wore me out; but it was nice to be able to go somewhere myself!

nihahi

kuka...you've got me chuckling...please don't "die trying"!!!! Don't you just hate sore muscles....maybe try some epsom salt baths??? 

goldie..I think so many things factor into the tummy incision outcomes....presurgery bodyshape, surgeon's plans for future stages, personal expectations and so on. This would be a good thing to chat with your ps pre-surgery. He/she should be able to give you an idea of what you can expect. I'm 5'6", went into surgery at about 135 lbs. Always been rather on the thin, atheletic build, long waisted side of things, but "thankfully" I did have a little post-meno tummy pouch. My tummy incision is now (I just measured!) 2 and 3/4" below my bellybutton. That's certainly low enough for this almost 63 yearold, and I defo have a well defined waist, with a flat tummy. We are all built differently, which I think goes a long way into our final outcomes. 

mckinley....I'm not a fitness expert..and what to do "fitness wise" I think depends on where you're starting from and what you enjoy doing. If you don't get some kind of enjoyment from being active (and some people don't), it might be more challenging, but imho, is always a positive commitment to a long, healthy future. I think (again imho), cardio is uber-important which means aerobic things that get your heartrate up, strong legs and back will really help you in "life" and certainly post-surgery, flexibility, balance and stress management things. The things I do "fitness wise" are really just a way to ensure I can keep doing the things I love, which are recreational activity things. I also really believe in yoga for any woman, as the balance thing can really help minimize those dreaded later in life hip fractures, etc., and I really love the mindset it encourages too. For me, the more active I am, connects to being a healthier eater, too. Of course, there is reality, and I see nothing wrong with putting an ice cream stop into a hike or bike session!!!!!!!!! hmmmm.....obviously rambling here....basically, being healthy and "fit" is a good lifestyle or goal for all of us, even without throwing a long surgery and recovery into the picture.

goldie4040

Me too, Nihani.  Always athletic,  and on the thin side.  Just recently started to grow my meno pouch too.  PS asked me to gain some weight for the surgery.  I am trying.  Not easy.  Those that have a problem losing, don't get angry. 

Damiana, I would consider myself a pear shape, not an apple, but I don't think I am quite as pear as you.  I have noticed in pics that women with defined hips definitely look better after the tummy thing is done.

I am going for a fill today on these stupid expander's, maybe I can get a quick word in with the doctor. 

nihahi

goldie....then we're even more alike! Again, apologies to those trying to lose weight....I defo lost weight pre-surgery, about 5 lbs, and kept freaking out, thinking my future gloob was dissolving away. Show me stress....I lose weight. My husband says, I can lose weight in a strong wind.....on the flip side...I always catch every cold or virus in a 200km radius....nothing is ever perfect!

Why don't you call the office before your appt, and ask for a couple minutes with the doc???

Gini23

Jenny - I wish I had heard/though about the lingerie bag idea for the shower!  Sounds perfect!  And I had one hanging in my laundry room all that time... oh well!

On lymph nodes - I went for a second opinion during my diagnosis phase in NYC to the Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai.  (I considered doing my surgery there - only chose Boston because it's easier to get in/out of coming from Hartford.)  The surgeon there thought she felt a little something in my lymph nodes.  Since Dubin is 1-stop-shopping (as opposed to the week or so it would've taken me to do this at home between doc's office and radiology center), she sent me down the hall for an ultrasound, and then they decided to do an ultrasound assisted needle biopsy.  And when the results came in - yes - there was lymph involvement.  So at that point we knew that wherever I had surgery, they would be taking lymph nodes.  I feel lucky in that they only took 11 and only 1 showed signs of cancer treatment effect (I had neoadjuvant chemo).  In fact, that is part of the reason why my MO and I decided to go forward with chemo first, because we knew the cancer was already on my body's super-highway, and surgery would only be a localized treatment.

I would recommend this route to anyone who is up in the air, if it is offered.  I was able to take the time during chemo to research my surgical options, and that in fact is how I found out about DIEP!  Otherwise I was scheduled for surgery locally with a PS that was planning implants and barely mentioned the autologous options to me.  Only TRAM as an option that I quickly pushed aside as I have back issues as it is.

Still back reading over here...  Have I ever mentioned lemon water to you ladies?  It is how I start every day now, thanks to the advice of a friend and BC survivor.  Read up about pH balancing and acidic/alkaline diet.

Have a fabulous day - wherever you are in your DIEP journey!

 Jeannie

Gini23

Almost forgot my funny 4th of July story!

So we went to my sister's pool club.  I am still stressing over my bathing suit situation here...  I have 1 one-piece that has really wide top straps - not the best for tan lines.  I prefer tankinis but the ones I have were bought pre-surgery and don't really fit right, plus the bottoms barely cover my scar and if the top rides up, well there you go.  My one visit for bathing suit shopping did not turn up any great options.  So anyway, I settled for this old top that has push-up pads inside that are not necessary any longer, and kind of gave me a funny shape unless the pads were positioned just so.  They are not removable, and I didn't want to start cutting up the suit...  So off we went, me very self-concious.  I spent awhile looking around at women's breasts (yes, I did!)  I started to feel much better about myself quite honestly, as most of the women there were 40-something moms like me, with their own equipment in various stages, not looking all that much better than I was.  Except one lady - not large, but nicely shaped and not at all droopy!  (I also liked her tankini.... almost went up to her to ask where she got it...)  Well, guess what?  Later my sister was pointing out two friends who are BC survivors and.... you guessed it!  That lady has implants!  So all in all I am going to stop freaking out about how I look because compared to my 43-year-old-nursed-two-babies boobs, these are looking amazing!

Smile!  Sunny day for errands here in CT....!

xo
Jeannie

damiana9

Jeannie- you are right! sometimes we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget *normal* and yea, normal boobs (as much as we would all love to have our own old floppies back) are saggy and we will end up with a nice youthful rack, one way or another. And yes, I spend a lot of time looking at other womens boobs too! LOL!

Gini23

Yeah Kimdy!!!  So happy for you!  

I have to say I have not worn any of my old bras since my BMX last summer.  They are all underwire push-ups.  Certainly didn't fit while I had TEs, and I have not yet tried them since the DIEP.  I purchased some softer cupped bras that are much more comfortable on the new girls - no wires!

Cherrie - hugs to you and your DD and hoping all will turn out well for her.\

Damiana - I also was surprised at pants/shorts that won't button.  But I am still swollen almost 4 months post DIEP, 1 week post stage 2.  Mine is mostly sitting in my pelvis - so odd.  We will get there!

I am in agreement with Jackie & Sherry - so amazing to turn here for support, love, laughter!  No one else really gets it... or seems to care at all at times.  Took my DH 2 days to ask me how my new fipples look...  

Oh!  Not sure I even posted about my follow-up appointment to stage 2?  Dog ears are gone - yahoo!  My flanks/love-handles are all smoothed out.    The origami nipples are very interesting...  They look really REAL!  Aside from the stitching making it's way out.  lol ... And the football paddles are now little areola cirlces.  All is still healing, but I am happy with them!  And they don't seem to stick out all that much, plus they are supposedly going to go down anyhow.  We will see...  Next step will be tatooing in the PS office in 3 months, and maybe down the line try to lower the ab scar.  Which makes me wonder, since there will be drains, will I have dog ears again...?  That would mean another revision after...  ugh!

Anonymous

I always say I'll have the best rack in the nursing home wet t-shirt contest because I got to "start over" in the gravity war at age 45!

Gini23

I was given shoulder/arm exercises post-MX that look similar to what lhw posted.  PT taught them to me in the hospital, also after DIEP.  Definitely recommend!  DH came home every day and asked me if I was doing them.  

I can understand the confusion over all the different protocols.  I felt so well taken care of in Boston.  So much pre and post info and details, 1 week and 2 week follow-ups...  It is maybe something to think about when selecting a facility perhaps?  Or at least to ask about.  I wouldn't have known to ask, but some of you are much better at preparing yourselves by reading in advance than I was!

liefie

I've been reading everything, but not posting - too busy with kids visiting this week. Just want to say to Jeannie57 that it does indeed feel soooogood to be rid of the that TE that I had for 15 months. Iron bra is completely gone, and the new breast is now really beginning to feel like my very own. You will be thrilled - I guarantee that!

nihahi

Bailey....we're gonna be awesome old biddies, aren't we!!!

gini....I feel like I'm "spitting into the wind" here, but in support of any past or future ladies who find themselves as trams instead of dieps, from my own experience, today's version of a tram does NOT automatically mean back issues or compromised lifestyle.

Gini23

LOL Bailey and Damiana! 

Gini23

You are so right, Nihahi - but with THAT PS - it did!  He was talking old-school TRAM - pulled up through your chest cavity....!

nihahi

Yep,, the OLD Tram would be a OMG....don't go there, run away as fast as you can. But many people aren't aware of the difference, so that's why I try to identify the type of Tram I had, when on that topic. I wish the "data" bank on these threads, had a way of discerning in our "bios" what kind of Tram surgery we had.

Anonymous

McKinley- welcome to the thread! You will find great support and good humor here.



I don't know where you are on the cancer road or what your general level of fitness is. Walking is a great way to start a fitness program. There are walk at home (like right in place in your living room) videos for free right on you tube (Google Leslie Sansone)....or get outside if you can. I discovered a love for biking at age 43 and started out with a used bike from a friend on flat, paved trails. I couldn't go very far at first, but slowly worked up my endurance. I absolutely agree on the Yoga (can probably find free yoga videos on YouTube too). it will increase your strength and flexibility.



As far as diet....anything that is heart healthy and is meant to change the way you eat forever will cover your bases. I like the Sonoma Diet book. And counting calories IS important. I use the My Fitness Pal app to track my food and exercise. Love it.



And yes, after 2 c-sections and several years of being overweight (so stretched out belly skin) I now have a very flat belly! Love it!

goldie4040

Ugh, my doc wasn't even there today.  Just a few nurses there pulling drains, and doing fills.  Everybody else was off for the holiday weekend.  I will have to email him.  He likes email.  We have our best conversations that way.  His nurse wasn't even there, I had a different nurse do my fill, and she did it totally different than my  PS's nurse.

Then my husband took me for lunch in downtown Dallas. I haven't been there in a while.  It's so funny to see the "obvious" tourists in Dealey Plaza, and wearing the absolute wrong clothes for this Texas heat.  Don't people check out what the weather is going to be before they travel?  I saw women in sweater's, and heavy long jeans.  Um...it's 98 degrees! Living here I am so use to people walking around half naked (even when they shouldn't) most of the time.  My jeans are put away until October. I think that is why having this happen in summer has been even harder for me.  Very hard to dress cool, and cover up my "no boob" situation right now.

FierceBluebird

Hi girls! I'm new the forum and still a bit nervous about surgery coming up in two weeks. I was diagnosed in January and just finished chemo. I will be having a double mastectomy, lymph nodes removed on left side and free flap reconstruction done with Dr. Serletti at Penn on July 19th. I can't believe it is only two weeks away! When I began this journey, it was difficult to think about getting through one day, let alone surgery months later.  But the path to wellness has brought me this far and I'll just have to see what's around the next bend!  So nice to read everyone's success stories and encouragement!

MartyJ

Welcome Bluebird!  You sound like you are on the right path.  Don't hesitate to ask any questions the float through your mind.

Crewzer

I agree with Damiania!  I hate to sound impatient, but this tummy swelling is getting O-L-D.  (I'm 3 weeks + out from diep).  It's such a pain that I cannnot fit into my pants anymore, and I'm getting tired of stretchy pants!  Anyone have any advice on helping things along?  I have seen some of you suggest massage, does that help much?  How long does it normally take to go down?

I have had such trouble with the "sunburn effect", specifically on my chest.  I found online that vitamin B-12 helps, so I started taking it, and it does!  I still have it, but not nearly as bad.  If you are in this position, give it a try!

I'm just so excited about all of this!  So glad for my new "girls".  I was in fairly good shape prior to surgery (5'1" and 125 lbs), but went from a size A to a size D!!  I realize some of this is swelling and will go down, but....I have cleavage for the first time in my life, and I love it!  I was so happy to go to the store and buy a "big girl bra" instead of my pre-teen push up bras!  Lol! 

So I'm curious...how long do you have to wait for tattooing after having the "fipples" put on?  I'm hoping to get things done before the end of the year, but I'm not certain it's possible.   I admit that not having nipples has been...convenient at times.  My friend had this done a few months ago and is not going to go through stage 2.  She loves not having to wear a bra!  She mentioned that some docs are doing 3-D tattooing so you don't need the nipples done at all.  Anyone heard of this?

Thank you so much to everyone who contributes to this site!  And...welcome bluebird!  It's a great place to get advice!

I had decided to have this surgery phophylactially because of the number of women in my family who have died/suffered from this disease at a young age. I  planned the surgery for June 11, and then they found a lump, which turned out to have small cancer cells in it, the week before surgery.  Unbelievable.  I'm still floored by the news!

nihahi

Hi Bluebird, glad you've found us. You'll get lots of support from these ladies.

Crewzer... Sorry to hear you're having swelling issues...are you using any compression? Seems like some of us are "swellers" and some aren't. What has your surgeon told you? Sounds like you made a very difficult but timely decision re: the prophy mx...so good that you caught things early.

Judy_63

Crewzer,

I am going to have the 3d nipples tattooed on me in September in NOLA by Vinnie Myers. I've seen his work and its hard to tell that they are not real. This has been my plan from the get go.