DIEP 2013

goldie4040

sweetpickle,

That is great about the swimming, although Damiana did say it felt weird to have the cold water touch areas she couldn't feel.  I have no weird sensations in the shower, so it must just be cool water that makes it feel strange.

How about getting in a bathing suit.  Did you feel good about your boobs, and your tummy?  

jlbloom

I finally decided you all must take notes before you post.  Either that, or your memories are MUCH better than mine.

Janet - I agree that it may have been a blessing in disguise.  It certainly should have been addressed as soon as it was known, but God does make good out of bad.

Bailey - Hope the unhealed areas are healing.  I'm sure I will be asking for advice in a few weeks.

mammalou - turning those corners is a great thing.  Being 7 weeks post-op from the BMX feels like the old me.

lahela - I'm a short timer in the group, but I can certainly understand the spin cycle.  It is just more than you can absorb all at once.  We are very fortunate to have some real veterans in this thread.  Sure helps to hear what they have to say.

Curlylocks - Even though I didn't get my DIEP immediately, the anesthesiologist had prepared me for BMX + DIEP.  The long time goes by in the blink of an eye. 

Jeannie - maybe we can virtually hold hands!  It will be interesting to compare stories.

faith & Bluebird - the big week is here.  Praying God will be with the surgeons, nurses, and patients of all the July 15th week DIEPers.

Robin - prayers to lift you up.  (Has anyone heard anymore?)

Past, present, and future DIEPers.  We have a support team here that "gets us" like no others!

Prayers for all of you on this thread where ever you are in this journey we share.  ...Julie

sweetpickle

Goldie- Well Im still a big girl, just a smoother version...lol! It wasnt bad, I always had small boobs and still do. It was nice to see a smooth stomach though!



Jbloom- LOL, I know how you feel, I scroll backward as I type.



Now that I think about it, the water doesnt bother me in the shower. It must be just cold water that feels uncomfortable.

nihahi

Took a day off to go to the mountains and BAM.....pages behind!!! Love it!

jlbloom....spin cycle....PERFECT analogy! That description is a keeper.

lahela..welcome...you have found an incredible support group here. Whatever the surgery, protocol, experiences you may have....someone here has been through something similar and can help you along.

Jeannie...I had unexpected "family" hectic business too, just before my surgery. I wasn't happy about it at the time, but in hindsight, probably saved my brain from pre-surgery meltdown. You might find the same for you!

I'm going to have to check out the swimming thing soon....getting curious! I have my 3 month appt with my PS this coming week....will report back after as to the "now what" and any other info I get.

Robin...thinking of you. I really like and agree with Bailey's comments (no, not the pass the tequila ones) ....I just can't comment each time on the thread on everyone, but as I read through the messages, I do the same...cheer the good news, send thoughts and prayers to the difficulties, embrace the progress, share the insanity....Thank you all for being who you are.

liefie

jlbloom, nothing wrong with your memory - lol. I also have to scroll up regularly to refresh mine. Those of us who had chemo can sympathize . . . just yesterday I had a day where I just could not remember certain words, or the names of things. Then on other days I have no problem with that. Will have to start looking into brain gymnastics . . . lol.

sbelizabeth, how is Robin? Cannot get her out of my mind, and trying to imagine how I would have felt if it had happened to me.

Jeannie, I agree with others re staying busy before surgery. It is the best thing ever. The less you think about it, the better. Just close your eyes and jump.

Movie, I hope you are okay with that tooth, and that it is not too painful? I've been having some back pain since falling down those stairs last Saturday, and I know it is an old injury acting up. Had not done yoga these last 8 weeks, those muscles had tightened up, and got injured again . . . arrrgghh.

Somebody posted here about her DH's comments re her TE's being so ugly. Yesterday morning DH held me when he kissed me good bye to go to work. He commented that it feels really wonderful to feel something soft and feminine again when he holds me close instead of that hard TE that he was always scared of puncturing somehow - LOL. Just another incentive to encourage you DIEP-flappers-in-waiting!

ssla01

Sbelizabeth, how much longer till the baby arrives?

goldie4040

Sweetpickle,

That's what I wanted to hear. Nice flat tummy!  I am going to have small breasts too. I was a full B, and I hope to be that when I am done.  I am small framed, and I think big breast would look silly on me. 

I guess we agree, it cool water that is bothersome. Anybody else have this experience when swimming? If you didn't read Damiana, or Sweetpickles posts about getting in the swimming pool, evidently there is a strangle sensation around tummy and breasts in the cool water, but not in warm shower.

goldie4040

Liefie,

It was my DH that hates the expanders.  He was fine with nothing, but those expander's really bother him, and even more so because he knows how much they bother me.

As the day of my surgery get's closer I get more apprehensive, and scared.  I know it's normal.  I think the gals who said I need to stay busy with something else are correct.

BTW...I got in some trouble on the TE Exchange thread.  There was a woman who posted how miserable she was after exchange, and how she thought maybe she should have done DIEP. I wrote her back and told her it was never too late, and talked about how much Iron Bra stinks, and how it goes away with DIEP.  Well, those implant ladies let me have it. LOL.  It was like I was some kind of interloper, and how dare I change the subject on their thread. I tried to explain that was not what I was doing, and some understood, but some really got upset.  One kept talking about TRAM flap and how it ruins your body,etc. She had talked to people who had it 15 years ago before it was improved.  I was going to stay and fight, but I figured I better leave, and mind my own "boobs"

sweetpickle

Goldie- Sorry that happened to you, stay here with us, we wont bite :-)



Just wanted to let you guys know that week five is night and day better than the weeks before. I sat up at the pool with the kids for about two hours and dh and I plan to do dinner and a movie tonight. It will be our first date night in four years. Starting to feel human again although I can still feel the mesh in my tummy when I move to fast and my boobage skin is still really senstive. Movin on up, to the East side! LOL

damiana9

Sweetpickle- glad you are feeling so much better. I must have missed it but did you have a hernia? Why did they end up using mesh?



swimming- yep, it felt pretty weird, but once I got used to not feeling the water in my numb areas, I enjoyed the pool a lot! It made me feel weightless and much more pain free than I had in a long time!

sweetpickle

Damiana- That is awesome that you were able to relax and enjoy. I didnt have one but I did have seperated muscles from twin prgnancy so they did a plication while they were in there. The mesh is to prevent hernia and is absorable over six months to a year.

liefie

Oh my goodness, Goldie! It is so weird how defensive some people are about their procedures, and how they always have to justify it? I fail to understand it. Everybody makes the choice that is right for her in her circumstances. It is certainly not one size fits all, is it? I am sometimes amazed at how snarky people can get on these boards. Aren't we all in the same boat here? Are we not here to support each other no matter which choices you have made? I am with you here. Nobody will convince me that implants are better than DIEP, especially when you had lived with expanders like us. Those implant ladies should thank their lucky stars that they still have the option of DIEP if their implants ever give them problems. Maybe all of us DIEP flappers should descend on that board at once in your defense? Just joking - don't want to start a riot. But I am going over there now . . . want to see what this is about - LOL! We should put Nihahi on to that woman about the TRAM flap - some people can spout such nonsense about something that they obviously know nothing about. Ridiculous.

Each to his own!

Live and let live!

Janet_M

Sweet pickle,

Good to hear about week 5. I'm a week behind you, and am starting to get frustrated and achey after not stretching properly for a month. The thrill of being a patient has completely worn off.



Last night I snuck my bike out of the shed when the DH (domineering he-man) was walking the dog, and did a spin around the neighbourhood. I know he'd panic if he saw me riding, and it's hard to explain that it's easier to ride than to walk. Also, I wasn't wearing a helmut. And if he saw me cruising down the street he might expect me to do more around the house, and it's way more fun when he does it.



Goldie - Should we challenge the Implant Ladies to a duel? Don't they know that Team DIEP is fierce & mighty, and even though slightly hunched, can kick some TE ass?

sweetpickle

Oh Janet you have me smiling with tales of your escape! LOL I can see you looking over your shoulder as you gleefully sail down the road on your bike. I am so glad you felt up to doing that, it helps to feel a part of life again. :-)

nihahi

hmmmm.....blood pressure rising at how you were attacked like that, goldie!!!!! Like someone here posted awhile ago (think it was Bailey) something along the lines of there being a difference between being opinionated and informed. We all probably have different takes on what choice is right for us, but they are our choices to make, and I believe in informed support, than blind prejudice.....ANYDAY!!!! 

hmpf......nobody messes with my little chickies!!!!!!

Janet_M

Sweet pickle - I WAS gleefully sailing down the street! I was wearing a sundress, and I even put on some panties for the occasion.

nihahi

Janetm.....I can hear sbelizabeth nodding her head gleefully as she reads your post about bike riding!!!!! Unless you're on some weird kind of bike, you'd be bent over a bit, so makes sense it would make your tummy happy! 

goldie....must admit....I checked out the te thread like Liefie.....It read to me, like you were just trying to empathize and inform, from your personal experience, not judge. I can understand how it made you feel, when you were just trying to offer another line of support. Some of those ladies did seem to appreciate your info. There certainly are some very contented ladies with implants, and good for them, I wish them nothing but the best of success. Understandably, though, they all seem to be fairly "new" implants....things can change with implants, and not always for the better. It may be the same with flaps, but, once healed, and "done", I have yet to find that reported, anywhere! Hang in there, don't feel badly about your "good intentions". 

grrrrr......I feel like starting a new thread along the lines of THE TRAM OF TODAY IS NOT GOING TO RUIN YOUR LIFE....STOP COMPARING US TO THE TRAM OF 20 YEARS AGO!!!!.....but then I really would have NO life beyond these threads!

goldie4040

Thanks for the back up, guys.  Makes me feel better.  I just thought I would read about what it felt like to have an exchange,  and came across that poor woman's post, and thought I would write her.  Bam...they slammed me.  Oh well.  I am going to stay here in my own backyard where it is safe.  

And, Nihani...I might have come off opinionated, but I know I am informed on this topic, anyway.  The woman who ranted about Trams, she was definitely not informed. 

nihahi

goldie....hope you didn't take my meaning wrong!!!!! I didn't mean YOU were one of the unexperienced, uninformed opinions. You just shared what your experience has been, and what your choices have been. That's what makes your opinion more honest and valid, as opposed to someone who related what a "friend" thought. (imho)

sbelizabeth

Happy weekend, everyone!

I spent Thursday and Friday in Santa Barbara at meetings.  Foolishly, I wore silly high heels and then sat for two days, so now my back is killing me.  Then I slept until 0900 this morning and sat around drinking coffee and reading the newspaper, didn't get out on my bike until 1100 and by then it was HAWT.  I so need to smarten up.

Ssla, the baby is due in 10 days!  Every time the phone rings I act like a maniac.  My poor DIL is a trooper and never complains, but her ankles have disappeared and her feet look like they're going to pop.  No blood pressure issues so it's just normal pregnancy swelling, but she'll be glad to have the baby in her arms and not her tummy.  I went to Costco and bought a car seat, the kind that goes from 5-50 pounds, so we're all set to steal the grandbaby and chauffeur her around.  It's the feeding thing that would cut that short, though--even when I had the equipment, they were just decorations at this point.

Janet, way to go with the bike ride!  It really IS easier than walking, and I love it now that there's no belly to dangle and swing.  About the helmet thing...mine saved my life (I really mean it) at least once, and protected me from some nasty bumps many times, so strap that baby on!  When we ride to church I wear a cycling skort.  It's really cute.  Looks like a skirt but it's attached to padded bike shorts.  Of course, it can't compete with your sundress...

I called Robin and left a message with her husby.  She's still in my prayers. 

Another Saturday night!  Enjoy, ladies!

goldie4040

Oh no, Nihahi, I knew you didn't mean me.  I am so versed on siea/diep/tram I recite text in my sleep.  I was saying that the woman on the TE Exchange was not informed at all!!!!!  And, she was quoting a friend who had her TRAM 15 years ago, really?  

I actually have a friend who had a tram 15 years ago.  She lost it all, her whole tummy muscle, and her breasts.  She happens to be lucky enough to have the best looking implants I have ever seen, and they are 15 years old too.  But, she didn't know about the new procedures till I showed her, and she is wishing me luck.  

goldie4040

SBelizabeth, you sound like me.  We have carseats, booster seats, high chair, etc.  We are ready for all occasions.  Don't forget the baby wipes from Costco are the best!!!!  My DIL even prefers their diapers.  Is this your first grandbaby?  

kuka21174923

I can't keep up anymore! I'll try to remember everything I read.

On the swimming, I have been swimming since week 4 and I never had any strange feeling. I don't know why some have the feeling some don't, but I'm happy I didn't because I love being in the pool in the summer. I actually took the kids to a water park today. We had a blast!!! But I'm wiped out now!! Maybe spending 8 hours at a water park wasn't a good idea. But I'm glad we did it! We went with the cub scouts, who don't know about my surgery, and nobody was able to tell I looked different! Ha!

Goldie, you don't need to go anywhere else anymore! Just hang with us! Ever since I found this thread I just didn't feel as good talking to other groups. It's their lost for not wanting to inform themselves!! But I'm going to go to the thread and check it out. Hehehe!!!!

The bad part about my day is when we were leaving for the water park my husband hit the mail mans truck with my car!!! I was so mad at him!! My car is 9 years old and only has 55,000 miles on it. Never been on an accident or nothing!! He's in so much trouble!!!!

Anyways, trying to forget about it and rest so that I can do my work out tomorrow!

Good night girls!

Zoemom

Dear Nahahi, all -

My diep flap surgery is in 1.5 months.  It is to replace a lg custom implant on my right side.  The surgery will be performed by Dr Joshua Levine and Dr Robert Allen.  Has anyone had experience with one or both of these doctors?  How was it?  I am scared - of both the surgery and flap failure.... 

Thank you

goldie4040

Kuka, all day at the water park is more than the average person should do.  You have move energy that anybody I know.  God bless you.  And, yes....I am staying right here from now on.  There is no place like home! BTW...sorry about your car.  I am in insurance.  If you need any advice PM me.

Zoemom, if it's the Dr. Levine in NYC, then I heard wonderful things about him.  Welcome, btw.  We will all are here to answer any questions, shoot the breeze, calm you down if you are nervous, etc.  Glad you found us.

kuka21174923

Ok, I had to write back. I just went to the TEs exchange thread and read over some of the posts. All I have to say is that you need to educate yourself before you talk about something you don't know. Clearly this women are not educated on flaps! I don't judge people that decide on implants. I personally just didn't want to wait to get breast having to wear TEs. And DIEP gives more of a natural look. My DH has never liked implants, so I'm happy to pleased him there. I almost posted something there, but then I decided it was better to turn around and come back here😄.

Goldie, I'm going to pm you about my car. I've never had an accident so I don't know what I'm supposed to do?

mammalou

Well I used to me an implant lady and I can attest to the Diep being better! Shall I go tell them? Ha, ha. They should really have and implants without rads and an implants woth rads thread because the outcomes are very different for the. I think a lot of the RADS ladies would definitely understand the DIEP being better. Jmo



When do you biking ladies think it is ok to try the bike. It just seems like it would hurt too much.



I had my drains out on Wednesday and I've developed a pain in my abdomen on the side that was draining the most. Do you think fluid could be building up?

Jeannie57

Today I was jiggling my belly-boob for my husband, something I'm usually embarrassed to do. But hey, I'll only have it for a few more days. He said, "Come here, I want to cop a feel!" We laughed hysterically. Felt so good. Let the implant ladies top that!

Jeannie57

Jlbloom, I'll definitely be somewhere in your OR on Thursday as we both take our long sleeps. I will visualize holding your hand!

Anonymous

Zoemom - sorry, not familiar with your doctors. I bet somebody here is, though! Welcome! Glad to have you! You are not alone in your fears....we have all either been there or are right there with you. The surgery is long, but you are not deeply anesthetized. Someone's anesthesiologist said it's a boring surgery for him! And despite a lot of sewing it is not terribly invasive....they aren't repairing or moving internal organs around or cutting through muscle (or not much anyway). Failure scares everyone...and unfortunately it does happen. No way to predict to whom. But the failure rate is so low....I have found stats that say less than 1%. Which means a 99% success rate. That's more certain than I am about most things in life! Toss your questions out there...we have a wide variety of experiences, somebody will answer.



I am still (7 weeks out) having trouble riding in the car for more than 30-45 minutes. What is that? When I get out (after about an hour ten minutes earlier today) my tummy just feels awful. Maybe it's the seat position or staying still for that long. I can walk and stretch it out fairly quickly. We have a long car trip (3-4 hours) in two weeks...not looking forward to that part



We went to Lake Michigan for the afternoon and stayed to watch the sunset. My DH and 17 and 14 year old boys. It was so much fun and perfect weather and we did our traditional late night stop at the ice cream shop on our way home. I wasn't able to climb the dunes as usual, but it was so nice just to be there. Life is good.



Janet- your bike story is awesome. (I felt the same way...bike was easier than walking.) The joys of a clandestine bike ride! We are going riding tomorrow, can't wait!



Kuka - my oldest son is "this close" to his Eagle Scout and the youngest is coming right up behind him. They have both been in since Tiger Cubs. So fun. A water park sounds perfect with that Texas heat!



I had several people come after me (aggressively) about my DIEP decision...a couple of survivors and a couple friends of survivors. And yes, I was the one that said it, just because somebody is opinionated doesn't mean they are informed. I can't always keep my big mouth shut but I really, really try to be kind and feel good about my interactions with others. (My momma always said, "Kill 'em with kindness." LOL!) So when my tongue is in check my response is, "Thank you for your concern for my well being, but I have made an informed decision." When my tongue is out of control I say things like, "You can be on my side or remain neutral, those are your choices."



Wow, ok, wordy girl needs to go to bed. Night, ladies, enjoy your Sunday!