DIEP 2013

sbelizabeth

I went for a long swim tonight that did wonders for my sore shoulder and back.  Great therapy!

Jeannie57

Thanks for the prayers and encouragement! I sure need it! I just want Thursday to be here already. Tomorrow I meet with the anesthesiologist team to get everything straightened out.

My friend is here to distract me and I'm not sleeping well but I'm doing well. I went for a bike ride today.



Bailey, good luck tomorrow! Jlbloom, we're going to be fine. Faith and Bluebird, prayers for you, too.



I'm looking forward to being a full-fledged flapper! With fipples someday. )

nihahi

sbelizabeth.....I wish I was in your kitchen too!!! Your swim sounds lovely, and how wonderful that it helped with your problem parts! Liefie....glad to hear you're getting in the pool tomorrow too. I've always been a big believer in doing things that encourage you to use ALL of your body, not just certain parts. I think it helps keep things "balanced" in a healthy way. The body will always try to compensate, when things go wonky in another part, so I believe success is limited if you have a sore "xyz", and only focus your attention on that spot. If you work on "xyz" but do so by also bringing everything else into the picture, I think things are more likely to get sorted out. That's why things like swimming and yoga are so helpful for so many people, of all ages. (again....just my opinion). To the question of how to exercise pre-surgery...the same principle applies..I think you need strong legs and core, but also need to do aerobic things to have strong lungs and heart, to handle the meds and time spent in bed.

Compression helps control swelling that comes from the incisions, surgical manipulating of tissue, excess fluids, low muscle tone, lack of movement, altered fluid drainage, etc. My ps doesn't require it, but I used a store bought compression garment for awhile, and really found it was more comfortable on my back and tummy! 

Bailey.....hope you'll still find time to post with us, after returning to work! You are such a bright spot on this thread.

Going to bed soon....just wanted to check in, say....we're thinking of you to all of this weeks ladies, and welcome to the latest newbies. These are wonderful ladies.

Moviemaniac

Geez......I lose my IPad for a few days......and all hell breaks loose on here!!!!! ( my tooth still hurts like h-e-double-toothpicks..Liefie, I HOPE you are feeling a bit better....going in tomorrow to decide on course of treatment......I almost found the tool bench pliers and solved the problem myself....thank goodness I still had a few of the hardcore drugs from surgery.....throw in a few Ibuprofen...and viola!)



All you pre-flappers about to be post-flappers: good luck and safe passage to the other side of DIEP......in your pockets! XO.



Goldie, you probably struck a nerve with some of those women.......stay here. We're "naturally" more.......(natural, funny, smart, whatever.........).



Janet, I have this mental picture of you careening down the street......feet off the pedals, and legs straight and off to the sides of your bike.....in a dress....... . I am sure it didn't happen THAT way!



Sbe.......grandbabies are the BEST......(says the woman with 5). Have fun!



Nihahi.....still working on a trip to Iceberg Lake.....wanna meet me there? You can become a member of the Mile High Polar Bear Club.....(I joined last year).



Re: Visitors in hospital post-surgery......none in ICU, but on regular surgical floor, I had friends take turns being my eyes and ears (we own our own business, and if DH isn't there, neither is the $$$) during the day......I forgot they were there, and it gave them a chance to read, or knit, or......., but my BS said its good to have someone with you at all times in the hospital, so they stood in for DH, so he could continue to earn a living. He stayed with me at night. Poor things.....I spent the entire time in my birthday suit, so am sure they were well-traumatized......I have really great friends, though, and they saw me through this.....even helped throw me a "No Pity for the Titties/TaTa to the TaTas party before my January surgery......they saved my butt a few times in hospital.....



Well ladies....it's almost 12 am, and I must get up at 5:30......workout before Endodontist!!!!



Love to all....(((hugs)))



Namaste and GodBless-Jackie

jakig

My left DIEP was done June 10th. I'm in my 5th week post-op. The last drain was removed this past Wed. The PS says all looks fantastic, and I'm going to allow them to keep and post pics pre and post op for their future patients who are considering DIEP. There are moments when I am so hopeful and grateful. I hold on to those moments, and in moments when I want to scream because my life was turned upside down with this illness, I force myself to add positive statements. Eventually, I come back to the place of gratitude. Gratitude that I'm alive. Gratitude that I have a pretty boobette on the left side. Gratitude I have a loving husband and friends who stayed with me and encouraged me. Gratitude that the pain post op was manageable with meds, and the dosages of meds has been decreasing nicely. I don't regret the DIEP. I am grateful I had the insurance and co-pays to make it happen. I am praying for the newbies on the site, and especially those who are having the surgery this week. This site has been a wonderful support for me, and though I don't post every day, I do read the uplifting words of others. I know there is one more surgery within the next 3 months or so. I am certain now after the main surgery that I can do this. I look forward to the long-term effects, and know that my discomfort at this time is just part of the process. I'm so much healthier today than a week ago, and a week before that, and so on. It is helpful for me to remember back to see just how far and successful I am in the process at this moment. Best wishes for a wonderful Monday, everyone! And special thanks to the DIEPs who are post-op and beyond me in time and experience. I appreciate your support by sharing where you are in the process. I'm trying to do the same for our newest members.  WE can survive and yes, thrive, beyond our diagnoses. Hang in there and trust the process.  

kuka21174923

It looks like this is going to be another sleepless night for me:(

Damiana, your ps doesn't do stage 2 at all or just fat grafting? There's lots of things you can do on stage 2 like revision of your scars, coning of the gloobs, etc... If that's the case I would seek another ps. After everything we go through I would want a ps that looks for perfection! And having both gloobs looking the same is not too much to ask, right?

Goldie, my ps told me he doesn't recommend lipo on the thighs. He said its very hard to get all of the fat cells out and in most cases it ends up leaving the thighs with fat pockets and lumpy looking. I opted for getting my thighs into shape by doing squats.

Somebody asked what type of exercise to do before DIEP. I would do anything that's going to make you use your tummy muscles and legs. Lots of squats, steps, stairs, etc.

I forgot to tell you girls that on Thursday I told my trainer I don't eat veggies. He said that's fine as long as I keep a healthy diet. And it turns out I wasn't eating enough calories in a day. He wants me eating 1,500-2,000 calories a day and I was only getting about 1,000. So yay!! I get to eat more😜

For all of you going in this week, good luck! I will be praying for successful surgery and a painless recovery!

mammalou

If you don't get lipo from thighs and you can't use stomach, where do they usually go next? The only other place I can think of would be maybe some back fat. I don't have much there.

damiana9

Kuka- he does do a stage 2- it involves scar revision, shaping, nipple/areola grafting, He will also be doing a lift on my non-diep boob, and make the 2 match. I will be having that surgery in December. He said I could do it in late August, but I am starting grad school and don't want to deal with any surgery recovery on top of school. I will do it right after my classes are done for the semester- that will also give me more time to decide what I want to do with my nipples.

goldie4040

Damiana, Phew...sounds like your guys does everything but the lipo.

Kuka, So many people get thigh lipo, I am surprised your guy doesn't want to.

Mammalou, do you not find that there might be a little extra fat in your upper tummy now that your lower tummy was made flat?

damiana9

goldie- yea, he will make sure I am happy with the end result.



I guess I need to do some research about what a breast lift does to the size/shape. Once it's all up where it should be, it might seem a lot more 'plump' than it does now!

Dr.'s office just called about my pain/mass in pubic area- I need to go in tomorrow first thing in the morning. It's times like this that I really wish he wasn't over an hour away!

goldie4040

I know what you mean, Damiana.  I chose to go into Dallas too because I did not have the options I needed in Arlington.  But, every time I take that ride I want to scream.  It's best you go in through.  Are you running a fever, or you just have the swelling and lump?

damiana9

nope, no fever- I think the redness is just irritation from the swelling. I am wondering if maybe I tore a muscle orsomething. I have NO clue what it could be. Yes that drive to Dallas can make anyone crazy. Especially during rush hour.

nihahi

Movie....do NOT lose that Ipad again!!!! We always miss you when it's been too long between posts. Iceberg Lake dunk....NOT HAPPPENING! Cold water and me just don't mix well, unless it's soaking the hot toes in a cold stream after a hike. Hope the tooth gets sorted out really, really soon.

Damiana....glad to hear you are getting that ??checked out. Hope it is just a teeny, tiny blip on the recovery road for you. 

Bailey.....we and your bike miss you, but understand the working world. Hope it is going well.

Kuka....sorry about the no sleep. I agree about the "old-fashioned" way of re-shaping, cause it means you're re-shaping your "health" too. But, like EVERYTHING ELSE, we're all on different paths to "successful outcomes". 

Gotta dash...going for another massage today....feels soooooo good.!

goldie4040

Jakiq, thank you for your beautiful post.  We are so happy you have come out the other side happy, and healthy.  It's great to know we all have been a support system for you, and that you took the time to share your positive experience so the ones that go after you have a positive story to hold on to.  I go next week and I want to be a poster child for my PS website!!!!  What more can we ask for after everything else we have been through.

Congrats.  Continue to feel good!

kuka21174923

Damiana, I'm glad that your ps will give you what you want. I thought he didn't do stage 2 at all. A lot of us don't need the fat grafting. I don't even think I'll need it after he shapes the girls a little, but hey, I'll take the lipo there! I've always carried my weight in my middle area, so it will be nice to finally see it flat.

Goldie, there are a lot of doctors that don't agree with lipo on the thighs. Here is the thing. When they lipo something they remove fat cells that don't grow again. So you will never get fat in that area since there's not fat cells, but if you gain weight it will have to go to a different part of your body. My friend got lipo of her stomach 12 years ago, and now when she gains weight she it goes to her back. A couple of friends had the lipo on their thighs and they ended up lumpy is some areas. I don't really need it on my thighs since I've always have bird legs, but boy do I need it on my tummy!! I think if I really needed it on my thighs I would probably take the chance and do it anyways. I think it's all very personal and all of us choose what's right for us. For me, I want to look as close as possible as to what I looked like before having kids. I know that's hard, but that's my goal!

Nihahi, thankfully my DH worked from home this morning and he took care of the kids and let me sleep in.

You ladies have a wonderful day!

goldie4040

Kuka,

I don't know if I will end up needing any lipo, or not.  I know for sure once you have it you better not gain weight.  You are kind of forced to not ever over do again...lol, or else you will gain weight in the wrong places.  I just heard a story about a woman who had that new Cool Lipo, the one that does it from the outside in. Well, she felt so great with her flat tummy, and slim thighs, and no bra fat, then she gained weight and it all went to her butt.  Somebody accused her of wearing those butt padding panties, but sadly it was fat.  

sweetpickle

Kuka- I had no idea that was how lipo worked, thanks for sharing.

GreenGirl1

My PS doesnt like to use fat from the thigh either. She said the fat is very hard and not as easy to work with. She said once in a while the blood vessels in the belly fat don't take when fused with the blood vessels in the chest. She said it is rare but it happens. And, in that case she would use fat from the back.



During a second surgery is when she would match the sisters to one another and lift the other reast if needed. Before and after photos of her work were beautiful. You could barely tell the difference in the boobs.

FierceBluebird

Four days and counting. My mind is slowing becoming obsessed with surgery. My husband told his family this analogy. "It's like being told your going to be in a car accident. On this date XX-XX-XXXX, your going to be in a horrible car accident. You'll end up badly scarred and lose body parts. But don't worry, you'll be okay!"  Yikes! No wonder I can't stop thinking about Friday!

I'm so happy to see everyone on here that is on the other side and sharing their stories of success.

How soon can most people get in the water again? I'd love to start swimming as soon as possible, but I know the drains and incision healing will be a determining factor.

I'm so looking forward to having my port out during surgery. It limits my movement.

Went out again and bought another ridiculous amount of things to have on hand. C-shaped pillow, fanny pack, etc. Don't worry fellow Americans... I will single-handedly turn this economy around with all my buying!

Good luck to all the other newbies this week and Bailey heading back to work. Sending healing light to all those recovering too.  Damiana hope it's just a minor blip.

Back to my frantic house house-cleaning, yard work and pet preparations. After six months of chemo, my house and yard looks like a bomb hit it.  I can only imagine what it will become after surgery.

FireDragonll

I am nervous to know my surgery date. Thrying to get things in order at home.

GreenGirl1

Found this alternative to the old polyester duster. It is 100% cotton and very cute!



http://shop.stagestores.com/catalog/product/view/id/566299/morning-glory-pique-terry-cloth-palm-duster/

GreenGirl1

FireDragon - i know how you feel. My stomach is in knots. Deep cleansing breaths. We will get through this, we will get through this. The lovely lades here will help us.

Bliebird - your analogy of getting hit by a car and seriously injured is about right. Ugh!

Anonymous

Jakig -beautiful post....what she said! So glad you are doing well.



Bluebird - yeah to port removal!



Cracks me up how much we all hate having ports and TE' s and implants....I think there may be a certain, common personality characteristic amongst many of us! How do y'all feel about acrylic nails lol??? I have had them a few times but rarely lasted more than a few days before I was ripping them off!!! I didn't have the choice of implants, but I decided on tram or diep before I even knew that. Cannot stand the idea...hated my port!

faith729

Hi ladies thanks so much for the well wishes ! Im getting just a bit nervous with surgery tomorrow not too too bad though. I only did a little prep this time rather than turning the whole house up side down like I did before DIEP lol



Bluebird I had visitors but was pretty out of it the entire time. I barely remember the whole hospital experience. Here's a funny story though at one point I do remember that my clothes were bothering me and I literally stripped completely naked in front of my mother while trying to put the jackie on thank goodness it was my mother !!

sweetpickle

Did anyone else come out of DIEP a bigger pant size than they were before? I cant fit in to any of my jeans or pants that have zippers or buttons. I just went to find some new pants and I tried a size up and it just fit but wasuncomfortable. I have also lost ten pounds since surgery so how can I be two sizes bigger? Could it be swelling? thanks

kuka21174923

Bailey, have you tried the gel ones? They're so nice and it goes right on your nails! They last about 3-4 weeks!

Sweetpickle, my pants don't really fit either. The ps said after stage 2 they should fit again or even be bigger!

sweetpickle

Did he say why after stage two? I just called my PS to ask whats going on. I cant afford to replace an entire wardrobe even if I go to Goodwill to do it.

damiana9

Sweetpickle- Ugh, I am dealing with this still too- I am nearly 4 weeks out and feeling frustrated. When I look down, I don't feel huge, I don't feel like I am super swollen, yet the clothes that were loose on my before surgery are now tight??? I don't get it! My hips do seem much larger than they were, but that's because my tummy isn't there to take the focus off. It must be swelling, because I have no idea what else it could be, if they removed all that dang fat we should be smaller- not larger

nihahi

Have you ladies been in compression garments of any kind???

damiana9

Bailey- when I first got my port I was actually really excited about it- I have no veins in my arms and the few tiny ones I do have roll easily. I always end up just telling people to take blood from my hand I was really hoping that my port would be useful in places other than my chemo center- but nobody else will use it, which pisses me off! If they would use it I would consider keeping it awhile but since nobody else will access it, I am more than happy to have it taken out!