DIEP 2013

Anonymous

Ssla01 - the one that is lightening sounds normal. The one that is dark....sounds like "old blood" to me...was it bright red before? That sounds normal, too, actually. I had the same. The light one was on my abdomen. The blood one on my flap. Yours, too? Are they slowing down at all? I sure hope so!

Ps...it's "good" if it's old blood...means it's just draining what pooled in your flap during and for a bit after surgery...if it's bright red, like when you cut yourself, then it's fresh and something new is bleeding.

sbelizabeth

Greengirl, don't lose any sleep about having a period when your DIEP rolls around.  If it were to happen just tell your operating room nurse and they'll put a big absorbant pad (a "chux") under you during the surgery.  They have to get to your lady parts anyway to put in the urinary catheter, and it's no big deal.  When the catheter comes out the nurses should help you with peri pads so you won't be sitting on a wet chux, or you can use a tampon when you're up and around.  

Nihahi, you're such a great source of rehab ideas.  I wish you were in my kitchen so I could pick your brain about my painful shoulder and lower back.  Between the multiple surgeries, the radiation effects and the femara I swallow faithfully every evening, I find new aches and weirdness all the time.  Maybe I'll get the husby to tap on me.   

Mammalou, how's the pain in your side?

Stay cool, everyone!

ssla01

Bailey, it is very dark and has been since the beginning. I just thought 3 weeks was a long time not to be lightening up. They are slowly, but surely slowing down. They're mostly in the 70's now.

mammalou

Ssla01.... I had one drain coming from my upper breast that looked like regular blood the entire time. The others were a more serous fluid. They told me to worry if it started filling up very quickly.

jlbloom

Thanks for all the good wishes and prayers! 

Bluebird - I thought I was having DIEP reconstruction immediately, but didn't.  I purchased some scrub tops that snapped down the front.  I did wear them post BMX.  I also have some grey knit capri length pants with a drawstring waist that I wore.  Planning on getting more good out of them this week.  Love the idea of the house dresses my grandmother used to wear.  I have a large plaid seersucker loose dress that snaps down the front.  Going to wear it to and from the hospital.  Just purchased face wipes.  Will NOT forget chapstick and reading glasses!  I was only there for two days.  Immediate family is good.  You can sleep and they won't care.  Oldest daughter opened up the sleeping chair in the room and took a nap.  If it is entertainment they want, they should go to a movie not visit a post-surgery patient.

Jeannie - We have been laughing about my excuse to keep eating a lot so I will have bigger belly boobs.  That reminds me, I think I need another piece of Texas sheet cake!

Bailey - Hoping for a smooth first day back for you!

Blessings to you all.  Thanks for "getting it!"

kad22

Well ladies you have keep me reading for at least a good 45 minutes! I too am terible at trying to remember everything that was said and by who- so sorry if I don't respond although I am booing, cheering, and laughing while reading!



I guess I need to go to that theard because I had implants and hated them so decided on the deip and like them so much better. Although, my first ps who did the tissues expanders and implants screwed me on size! I am huge and seems like no one can can make me smaller. Asked my new PS and he said he would try but they seem even larger, can't fit into any old bras or sports bras! When did everyone start wearing bras again?



Now that I have a somewhat of a flat tummy how do I lose all of the other fat on my body?



Goodluck to those going under this week and prayers still going out to Robin.

damiana9

Kad22- what? they couldn't make them smaller? That's insane. That being said- I know I am still swollen so I bet you are too! Not sure how long it takes for the swelling to go down completely. I feel like I still hava a cantaloupe for a boob. My body looks pretty decent except that my thighs seem super huge now since I don't have a belly to go with it. My PS said I could ride a bike- and I think that would be a great exercise for legs- no ab exercises yet I have been wearing bras since my 2 week checkup when I got my drains out. I use Genie bras or other super stretchy bras. My PS said I could wear sports bras- I can't wear a normal sports bra because they are too hard to get on but the Genie type of bra works pretty well.

mammalou

My PS has had me in a surgical bra 24/7 since surgery. I am still wearing an abdominal compression garment also. Honestly, I would love to take them both off permanently! I did not have any flap swelling, just in the area above the flap, I have a very sore bump where they get the blood vessel to attach to.



I have taken up the tapping too! That sunburn feeling is annoying. I've had that since MX two years ago, so thanks for the tip! I still have hand tingling, numbness, and pain. I'm wondering if this will ever go away.

christina0001

So many great, informative posts here. I now have a list of things to bring to the hospital with me, and it's not very long. I have been worried about what to wear on the way home and I may take that suggestion of a bathing suit cover up. The one from Land's End looks really nice! Definitely no dusters for me, I am way too young for that!

GreenGirl1

Sbelizabeth - thank you. Can you tell I'm nervous about this whole thng? Lol.

GreenGirl1

Bailey - good luck on your first day back to work! You have come through to the other side. Comgratulations. I woll be jappy when i am there too!

sweetpickle

In case anyone is interested, I found some super soft bikini underwear at Target. I liked that the underwear hit me just under my tummy incision.



Bluebird- I only had close family and friends visit, I was pretty loopy.

Anonymous

Christina -you look much too young for a duster! (Beautiful bird!) I have worn that cover up out and about a few times....very cute and comfy...and I even heard a stylish looking young woman woman tell her friend how much she liked my "dress"... just added a scarf and cute sandals and earrings.



So having more conversations with DH today about post surgery and discovering more and more that I don't remember! He brought me coffee everyday....no clue. Trying to remember the move from icu to regular room....no clue. So my advice is keep the list of stuff you take to the hospital short...because if I am missing something I have no clue!

damiana9

Bailey- that is funny that you have no clue about so much of what happened. The beauty of a pain pump, I guess

sweetpickle- I might look for some low underwear- I have been using granny panties to go up over my scar. I am not even sure I can find any that will go under my scar because it is right at my pubic hair line- couldn't have gone any lower if he would have tried



wondering if anyone else has experienced this oddness- when I run my fingers across my abdominal scar, I feel the sensation up high- where my belly button is (where that same skin USED to be)!!!! How freaky is that? My brain/nerve endings aren't up to speed on my surgery, I guess. LOL!

Anonymous

Damiana - you come up with the best stuff! I experimented...nope...my brain/ body connection has already happened but I am a month ahead of you. I am kind of bummed! I did tell my kids that my noob hurts when I eat too much....which elicited shrieks of, "MAAAAA-UMMMMMM.....TMI!!!" Hee hee hee.

Zoemom

Dear baily and goldie - thank you for your reply.  It helps to hear from people who have gone through this and to have the support.  The upcoming diep flap surgery is monopolizing my mind these days.  I find myself short tempered, feeling like a victim and feeling life is unfair.  This is very unlike me.  I don't have much of a support network as I haven't shared the news that I am having diep flap with many people - most people don't know I have an implant as it looks fairly natural.  Unfortunately, it ruptured and has become painful.  I am thankful I found this community.  Another question ....i want to be in tip top shape for the surgery, what would all of you suggest?  Lots of exercise, increase vitamins, etc??   Thank you again...

damiana9

I know- I always come up with weird stuff. My PS even told me at my last appointment when I was asking him a bunch of questions that he has never been asked such questions before. LOL! That is really funny telling your kids that your noob hurts when you get full. hahaha!



Yesterday I started having a pain in my abdomen on the left side- kind of felt they way it does when you run and get a side ache- but it was more towards my abdomen. It didn't get better all day, I even used a warm heating pad, soaking in a tub- nothing worked. Today I still have the same pain. Now I have noticed that my pubic area on that side is red and more puffy than it has been. When I started feeling around there is a really hard knot or lump right there in the part of my pubic area that is red. When I press on it, I feel that pain all the way up my abdomen. Ugh. I don't know if I pulled a muscle (or if a pulled muscle would even leave a lump like that) so I guess I need to call the dr tomorrow.

damiana9

Zoemom- talk to your dr before adding any vitamins. My PS said to absolutely excercise before surgery- makes recovery easier if you body is in better shape!

goldie4040

Hello Ladies,

I had a funky day.  Kind of down with no real explanation.  I am just tired of being tired I think.

Bailey, I hope you have a great first day back at work. Take it slow, don't over do, or stress.  I know they all will be thrilled to have you back. 

Damiana, if you feel your thighs are too big after your nice little tummy tuck you got, have you PS do his fat grafting from there for stage 2.  That is what I am planning to do. BTW...I love to ride my bike, but it just makes my thighs bigger because of the muscle expansion.  Less fat, bigger muscle. I find walking is the best thigh reducer for me.  I use to ride my bike so much when I lived in NY, because I used it for transportation, that my thighs were huge.  I have learned to ride just enough to firm, but not build.

Sending the best of luck to all the girls have their procedures this week. My heart is with you all.  It will all be over before you know it. 

I can still see my mom in her "house coat" as she called it, but it was a duster.  They always had a zipper, or buttons up the front.  Back in the day woman didn't wear nice comfy sweats, yoga pants, jeans, pj pants, etc around the house.  They had dusters...poor things. I wish my mom was still around to enjoy comfortable clothing.

damiana9

Goldie- my PS doesn't do lypo/fat grafting at stage 2. He says that he used to, but more often than not, it would result in even more surgery and problems because the fat that gets injected often necrotizes, and then he has to go and take it out. I am sort of disappointed but honestly I am okay with it. The reason I went with DIEP is because I hated the fakeness of implants, not because I wanted a free tummy tuck, so I am happy with fixing my legs the old fashioned way.

goldie4040

Damiana,

That is interesting.  It's the first time I have heard that. I have heard of it just reabsorbing, and having to do it again, but not necrosis.  Well, remember...if you feel you need something like that done later, you don't have to stick with your original surgeon if you are not happy with him. But, right now just relax and heal.  You are doing awesome. 

Janet_M

Bailey - Good luck tomorrow at work. i bet you have a triumphant return

Anonymous

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone! I have been working for the same company for 24 years (yes, child prodigy in human resources)... it'll be busy, but no worries. We even have a lounge with a couch in a rather quiet area, so if I need a rest at lunchtime I have a place to go. I am not much of a napper, but might be nice to stretch out. I usually do my strength training in the conference room during lunch a few days a week. Suppose I should get that stuff packed up, too.



Zoemom - my OT had me doing lots of quad and glut strengthening during the last few months before surgery. So, quad lifts, donkey kicks, sit-to-stand using quads (no "scooping" to get yourself up!), etc. Reason was to aid me in getting around after surgery. Lots of us find yoga helpful before and after! Nurses and PS were pleasantly surprised with my strength after....So I guess it worked!

ssla01

Good luck tomorrow Bailey. I have an HR background too.

damiana9

goldie-yes, that is true- I could use another PS in the future. I did like the idea of fat grafting on my remaining boob just to plump it up a bit to help it match my diep side.

kad22

Damiana- thanks for the info. Will look into those bras. I am huge and hoping that the are still swollen! I too will have to go the old fashion way to lose weight everywhere else.



Good luck Bailey at work. My daughter who is beginning her first year of college in the fall is going into HR.



Mammalou - do you wear your bra to bed?



Goodnight hopefully I can fall asleep earlier tonight.

Anonymous

I just had a thought...with the clothing talk going on...I know TWO people who have been going down stairs and gotten their toes from one leg caught in the wide, too long pajama leg of the other side and taken falls resulting in very serious injuries.....So pin 'em or peg 'em or something if the are wide and long....the last thing any of us needs is a fall (just remembered Liefie' s fall...how are you doing?)



And that makes me think of Robin again. She is 12 days out today. Rooting for you, Robin!

goldie4040

damiana,

Just a suggestion, but since you go to the same building as Kuka surgeon, you might want to meet him.  I did.  He is awesome, and I would have used him, but the surgeon I am with is also awesome.  At the time I just needed reassurance that my guy was where I should be, Kuka's doc is top notch too.  Also your present doc should be trying everything he can to make both breasts match as best he can.  If he is not giving you what you need, then thing seriously about second opinion for stage 2.

liefie

Wow - lots of posts here! Won't try to respond to all, but here goes.

Robin, still thinking of you, and hope you are doing okay.

Bailey, thanks for asking, and I have to commend you on your memory with so much going on here. I am doing fine except for my back. It seems the fall has wakened up an old injury, and it has kept me away from hard core exercise and yoga yet another week. Between my skinned right knee, still somewhat purple left foot, DIEP arm/shoulder/boob and sore back, I just could not do it. Will go to gentle aquasizes this week, and keep walking every day. Good luck on going back to work tomorrow!

Seeing my ob/gyn tomorrow - so NOT looking forward, but have to be checked every 4 months for 6 years because of endometrial ca. Will get in some retail therapy, and Costco is on the list too.

To prevent falling in too long pj's, buy knee length drawstring pj's. I bought 2 extra large pairs at WalMart, and that's all I bought for DIEP. It's too hot for ankle length anyway.

To those girls getting DIEP or stage 2 procedures this week, it will be over soon, and you will be thrilled with the results. Best wishes to you all!

Everybody else, I read all the posts, and know what is going on. Keep on keeping on; things get better with time. My DIEP boobie has now settled considerably lower, and is almost level with the other one - YAAYYYY! Feels really good after living so long with that TE lefty which sat 4 inches higher than righty.

Sleep well, girls!

mammalou

Kad22.. Yes, I have been wearing a bra to bed. I am ready to take some breaks from compression garments and a bra as I am feeling very uncomfortable. Can anyone tell me what the actual purpose of the compression garment is? I'd like to know, so I can decide how vigilant to be. I saw the NP at my postop and she said the PS was not big on them but she was. That does not exactly make me feel that it is essential.



Pretty funny about the bob feeling full. Ha, ha.