DIEP 2013

Janet_M

Sherry35 - I'm from Toronto. To the best of my knowledge, DIEP is a one-step process here in Ontario. During my pre-op appointment I asked about Stage 2 (after reading this forum) and there is no such thing as a pre-planned second stage. My PS did say however, that if anything had to be tweaked, they could 'do it later'.

I asked about 'dog-ears' and he said they could easily be taken care of. At the time I didn't know what 'dog-ears' were, but being a basset-hound owner, I assumed the worse. I'm a month out and I don't have dog ears, but I do have a few other issues, and I'd would love a session with SheChirples's PS - I could use a few contours wiht a fun guy. Hopefully my own curves will come back, but we'll see. I'm meeting with my surgeons on Thursday.

Michele - Nice to meet you, and welcome. Don't be shy about asking questions - nothing is off limits. Concern about a long surgery is a big deal for a lot of us. But as my PS said, 'That's not your problem, it's mine'.  Then I wanted to know if he took snack breaks and he laughed - but, it was a serious question. I didn't want my doctors getting hungry! That was way back at the beginning, before I knew that he had a team.

Sweetpickle - Thanks for the glue/scab info. (Nothing sounds gross anymore)

MartyJ - My situation sounds identical to yours in the 'white stuff' dept. Darn it! I have serious swimming envy as well, and a trip planned to the ocean. Looks like it might just be shallow waters for me. 

By the way - I am not looking forward to seeing my original BS. His secretary apologized profusely and  I told her that it was not okay for him to be out of the country when he's expected in the OR. Many other things were said as well, but I told her that ultimately I wanted to follow up with the Surgeon that actually performed the surgery. She said that Dr No-Show would like to continue to have me as a patient and I told her that it wasn't his decision to make. In the end I agreed to see him, as long as I could see Dr Last-minute-replacement as well. Yuck. I don't like confrontation.

Janet

lahela

Another new DIEP contender here!

I had my first appointment with the BS today, too, so I'm definitely one just starting out on this journey with you, Michele.

My gyn said last week she thought I would have a lumpectomy, but everything got turned upside down when I saw the BS. Due to family history (great grandmother died of BC many years ago, and in the past 5 years my mother, aunt and sister have all had multi-focal IDC + countless DCIS), she said she wants to do a double MX. Skin sparing on the affected breast (tumor is too close to the nipple to save it) and nipple sparing on the unaffected breast. She said she could use prostheses but recommended taking some of my belly tissue, so I guess that's DIEP. She's planning on doing everything at the same time, so hopefully only one surgery.

This whole process is moving so fast that I just start to get my head around what I think will happen, then it changes! I feel like I'm stuck on the spin cycle, sometimes. But it seems the decision has been made, so I'll be reading through... well, maybe not all 154 pages of this thread, but a lot of it!

MartyJ

Lahela - welcome!  Yes, there are definately times in life when things seem to move at warp speed.  Sounds like you have a wise surgeon.  You said that your BS (breast surgeon) is going to do everything.  Will there be a Plastic Surgeon?  The biggest surgery is the first, but there may be additional surgeries necessary for tweaks.

GreenGirl1

Pat - that's it! Just like grandma used to wear!

lahela

Hi MartyJ. Yes, there'll be a PS too - I almost forgot about him!

I'm very happy to be having the next week and a bit away on vacation so I can get this all sorted in my head, then it will be full steam ahead.

And I have to say, not only having made the decisions about surgery and reconstruction and knowing I'm in good hands with it all, but just being able to talk to people here has made this path a litle less bumpy.

Janet_M

Lahela - Welcome to you too!

Belly tissue is indeed DIEP, and this is the right place to get information. We've all been in the spin cycle, and we'll help you slow it down. Making the decision is often the hardest part - so now that you've taken that first step, you can start asking questions, or venting, or whatever you need. There is a lot of wisdom, humour, and spirit to be found from the ladies on these pages. 

Janet

liefie

Welcome Lahela!

Janet, I am curious as to what explanation/excuse that dr will have for not showing up for your surgery. In my book it is just so not cool to do that. 

Janet_M

Lieife - According to the BS (bullsh*t) secretary her computer just got wiped clean. She and the PS's secretary had been changing my dates around, and somehow they dissapeared off her computer. She said it's never happened in 15 years, and she was horrified. In the OR on surgery morning, they discovered that the BS was missing. They tried to call him - no answer. So they called this secretary and she said that he was in Germany. That's when the PS summoned two BS's from the neighboring hospital.

I am very forgiving of human error. But I also believe strongly in human decency. They waited four weeks to contact me, and the BS and I still haven't spoken. Historically we spoke quite a lot, and he always answered my texts/emails without delay. I keep picturing my sleeping self on an OR table, while my surgeon was cruising down the Rhine with a glass of Reisling. I guess I'll hear the whole story next week. Not cool at all.

Janet

sweetpickle

Janet- That really is crazy, especially that it took them that long to contact you. I hope you are able to give him a piece of your mind.

Anonymous

I agree, Janet, errors are forgivable.....not being decent about it....in a timely manner, no less....unforgettable, at the least.



Ok....so my "rogue" plan of keeping my unhealed areas dry at all times (with Tegaderm film in the shower ....cleaning two times a day with alcohol) is working. Or maybe they were going to heal this week anyway and I just think I'm a rogue flapper. Idk....regardless, I see progress.



Welcome Michelle and Lahela! You are amongst friends!

mammalou

Janet, I would love to be a fly on the wall when you meet with BS. You are lucky that PS scrambled and got a BS for you. Being sent home without surgery would not have been fun.



I am 16 days post op and really feel I am turning the corner on recovery now. It's like I can start up my life again. Still walking funny, swollen, brused, and have some tiny incision issues, but feeling so much better. I look down at my breast and I don't see this hard implant ledge, but instead the nice slope of a natural breast. This was the right decision.



Wondering? I can tell already that the new breast ( is it a foob gloob, or what) is a little smaller but the shape is perfect. Do you think they ere on the smaller side because it is easier to plump in stage 2 than reduce? Just wondering.

Janet_M

Mammalou - Congratulations on turning a corner - that's such great news!

I guess the silver lining for me and my missing Doc is that I had a faster surgery. I had two last minute replacement surgeons, rather than one for my BMX,  so my Biltaral BMX/DIEP took nine hours. 

 

goldie4040

Just got back from having another fill.  OMG...this time I really felt it.  I came home and took half a valium for the spasms, and 1/2 hydrocodone.  I think I will relax this afternoon.  My husband thinks the expanders are the ugliest things he has ever seen.  During this whole process that is the first negative thing he has said, and I think he is ready for me to be rid of them too.

We stopped at Costco on the way home, and they have Bio Oil (two pack) for $19.99.  I have heard so many good things about it for stretching skin, scars, etc., so I bought some.  I put some on as soon as I got undressed (first thing I do these days when I get home) and it smells really good.  If my scars are gone by tomorrow I will let you all know....lol

Shechirple, glad to hear your PS is going to take care of you! 

Anybody hear from Robyn yet?

Nihahi....stop shopping! I can't afford anymore!

Yeah, Mammalou!  

Janet, I know it stinks what the BS did to you, but maybe it happened for a reason.  I believe in destiny, and there must have been a good reason you had those two other docs, and everything turned out fine.  I would forget him, and move on. 

Moviemaniac

OMG Ladies.....SLOW DOWN!!!!! How is a girl with a sore face (from a tooth needing a root canal yesterday) supposed to catch up?????



Welcome to you new "newbies"..... This is the craziest bunch on the board, but we ALWAYS have your back......and we're damn funny, too!



Robin,sending ((((hugs)))) and support your way.....I think about you every day.....hope things are getting better for you.



Janet......I would like to see you write a classified advertisement for a "fun" PS.......I am sure we would all be laughing!



Jeannie, I think it's great that you have company coming.....you'll be so occupied that worrying thoughts about the upcoming SX won't be able to sneak in.....and remember: the night before your SX and the morning of......Ativan is your friend (if your anesthesiologist says "ok").......repeat this little ditty as needed....).



To all those closing in on DIEP Day......it'll be here before you know it, and you will soon be a Real-Life DIEP veteran!



Well...painmeds are making me weirder than usual.......off to take a NAP!



Love to all you special women.....



Namaste and GodBless - Jackie

jacee

I also had the pubic hair on my new breast. Totally freaked out, but I sat in front of my magnifying mirror and plucked each one. They never came back in.....and I had no feeling, which was great:) Also had lipo to the pubic mound during Stage 2b. Had one incision on each side, and came out of surgery with a drain on each side....but that may have been due to other work that was done...not sure. Anyway, the result was wonderful!!! I just asked my PS to please get rid of my "ken mound"....as in Ken & Barbie dolls:) She smiled and did it!!!!!

Anonymous

I love all your posts! Can't keep up with everything! Just know that as I read your posts if you sound like you are needing a prayer, I say one; if you've had a victory I say a cheer (really....hand motions and back flips, too); if you post access to your Amazon account, I shop (kidding Goldie).



I will mention Robin....if you are reading, or when you catch up, know that I am saying special prayers for you each day. We are in your pockets still!



It's soooo beautiful in Michigan today! Been inside doing laundry and housework all day....can't wait to get out there.



Bailey

goldie4040

Jacee,

I didn't know you need drains after lipo? I hope I am not getting too personal, but does having lipo in your "ken" area hurt more than other places? The Ken area!  You crack me up!

Movie, sorry about the root canal.  Remember when we use to say, "I rather be having a root canal than do _______. I could change that to something else these day, but people would look at us like we were sick in the head. They would think, "who would say such a thing?"

liefie

Janet, so the computer got wiped clean, and nobody can go in afterward and see what was booked for OR on that date, and what was not - how very convenient. Also wonder if you were the only patient so inconvenienced by the BS' German holiday. If he had contacted you immediately when he got back and apologized, it would have been somewhat acceptable. Everybody makes mistakes. We all get that. This one is sort of a big deal, and one would somehow expect at least some action from the BS by now. Just comes across as so uncaring when we trust these people with our lives. Don't know what he can say to repair the damage at this late stage. His explanation will indeed be interesting. Like Goldie says, forget him and move on. You already have two others to choose from - lol. 

Pattysmiles

Sounds to me like the secretary messed up and she is trying to cover it,

That would explain the Dr. not reaching out to you.



Pat

Janet_M

Thanks gals. The secretary admitted her error but you're right, it doesn't explain why he didn't call,(Maybe he was expecting a lawsuit), it would have been the decent thing to do, and he could easily have found time at the airport while he was lining up at Starbucks for his low -fat grande frappucino. Mostly I'm just disappointed, I trusted him and it made me strong. But I'm with

Goldie, time to move forward - I've got some living to do.



Best wishes to Gotcha, Mary, and Debra - I hope you're all being taken care of. And to Robin, always thinking of you.

mammalou

Just curious... How much fat is there in the pubic mound to lipo?

Cherrie

I am one who had a very puffy mound. My doc calls it the "pushin cushion". It was taken care of when my scar was revised. It looks much better.



Oh I hope Robin is doing ok. We are all thinking and praying for you girl.

SheChirple

mammalou: probably depends on the person.

Anonymous

Ohmigosh Janet you are killing me with your imaginations of what your BSBS was drinking!

mammalou

Good luck next week. It sounds like you're getting a lot done all at once. That could be nice. I'll be thinking of you.

Gini23

Faith - nice to see you back! So sorry about your grandfather. I will reply to your PM when I am have a real keyboard. I'm pecking on the iPad - brought it down the beach but forgot my keyboard. Psyched for your stage 2 Tuesday! Will send more details ASAP!



Goldie - my arms were much, much better after DIEP than post-BMX. I was happily surprised. Sorry that I missed out on the shopping trip!



Greengirl - sensation seems to improve over time. Doubt it will ever have a full recovery, but it's nice not to feel as completely numb as I did witht the TEs.



Michele & Lahela - unbelievable stories... So sad about your families, and your strength to handle this is inspiring. Wishing you all the best as you explore your DIEP options. We are with you!



Jackie - bummer on the tooth! You'd think we'd all be exempt from other stupid health issues for awhile!



Glad I am not alone with the puffy "ken" pubic area! It's been freaking me out. Perhaps in my stage 2b, when I hope to lower the scar.



Just lost a long post when I hit the refresh by accident.... Shared a glue-picking story for Sweetpickle, and my latest bathing suit shopping expedition.... Too tired to peck it all back out! Maybe in the morning....



Looking forward to a swim in the ocean tomorrow! I will be sure to send some of that feeling out to you ladies having swim-envy. Last summer I was out of the water because of BMX and so far this summer I have kept the girls above the water. You will get there before you know it!



Goodnight flappers!

sweetpickle

Jeannie- I actually just got the all clear from my ps yesterday for swimming. I poured myself into a suit and took the kids to the pool today. I was a bit uncomfortable, the super sensitive skin didnt like the cold water so we didnt stay long. I was sure happy to have a go at it though!

Gini23

Sweetpickle- I'm looking for the "like" button!

sweetpickle

Gini- No kidding, I do the same thing on here lol!

goldie4040

Maybe they can but a like button on here, because I do the same thing...lol