DIEP 2013

goldie4040

Janet, you need to make your plastic surgeon give you back your curves at stage 2. 

Jeannie, that is awful.  I was almost there after my bmx, but finally went.  Hope you are better now.

Krissy, isn't the Cleveland Clinic right near you.  That's where I wound start if I were you.  Best of luck.  Welcome to our group.

JJbloom, glad to hear from you.  Sounds like you are doing okay now...thank goodness.  Thanks for the positive outlook on the liver thing. That's what I am holding out for too.

Since I am not having surgery till who knows when, I had another fill today. Each fill I have makes the outcome of surgery prettier.  But, d..m they hurt, and I am so tight.  I only have 500 cc expander in, and I am up to 250.  Not much, but it looks like boobs...lol. The nurse has me massaging with Bio Oil.  Guess that was a good purchase I made.  She also told me not to worry to much about liver.  Because they can't do MRI they will probably do some kind of blood test that shows cancer markers in it?

Jeannie, I also had an ambulance ride many years ago.  They sure drive fast!

hrf

Typewriterjenny, it's good to have a partner in this. We can compare notes. 

Typewriterjenny

Absolutely! The waiting is driving me nuts. It's approaching fast though! I have many appointments scheduled up until that date to keep me somewhat occupied!

sweetpickle

PS office called after I left a message to be referred to a pain mamagement specialist to tell me that they have started the papework but it would be monday at the earliest before I heard anything. I kept myself in bed today and took four ibruprophan and then two tylenol and that has kept the pain at bay as long as I dont move. Still hurts to get up or down. So I plan to scale back and do absolutely nothing until I can get in to see someone.

faith729

Hahaha! bailey so devious "hope she steps on a Lego"

jlbloom

liefie - happy birthday!  I loved, "Every new wrinkle is a sign that I am living longer - lol. Feel so grateful and blessed."  What a great way to look at it.

Sbe - I agree with MartyJ.  Do you provide carryout?  So with you on the invention of that new mammo!

hrf - don't worry about what your friends say.  It is your body and your decision.  I asked one of the PS residents what she would do having seen all the options from the other side.  She said it would be DIEP for her.  These are our breasts.  They just were growing in a different area until we needed them.  We ALL understand!

kad22's list looks complete unless you wear reading glasses.  add them to the list if you do.  I found that XL cheap men's boxer shorts are very comfortable.  Make sure they are loose.  I am loving my fashionable http://www.womanwithin.com/clothing/Petite-seersucker-snapfront-lounger-by-Only-Necessities.aspx?PfId=58168&DeptId=20328&ProductTypeId=1&PurchaseType=0&pref=pvp#.UfLI-YUueSo.

Jeannie - so sorry for your ambulance ride.  I told my sister today that I have never been so grateful for stool softeners.  Wednesday was the big day for me, but I was still in the hospital.  They gave me a stool softener twice a day, from day one.  I still needed something like miralax to get things moving.  Yesterday I had "a movement" that was only slightly less difficult than childbirth.

krissy - Cleveland Clinic is a great place.  I hope that is where the DIEP PS is located.  If not, check with them.

Sorry about two long posts in one day.  Just catching up with you lovely ladies after a week off is daunting!

Jeannie57

Jlbloom, glad to hear from you but sorry you had such a harrowing experience. How are you feeling now?



It's good to be prepared with things to move your bowels post-surgery. I was taking Ducosate twice a day, Miralax once a day, lots of fluids, short walks several times a day, prunes, prune juice, cherries, black beans, hot drinks.... I thought that would be enough. I think those drugs just did a number on me. I hadn't eaten a lot before or after surgery so I didn't think it was that bad. It went from bad to worse really fast. The ambulance ride was a necessity, no regrets. I am glad I have no memory of the "dirty deed" itself in the hospital. I do remember telling Nurse Juan that he was my hero. ) I don't feel great. I have to say, despite everything so far, it feels so good to have these soft warm mounds on my chest.

goldie4040

Jeannie, I know what you mean about the giving birth feeling, but usually that means the worst is over.

ssla01

Jeannie, so sorry about the method, but glad you found some relief!

ssla01

I am sad to report that I am now five weeks out from surgery and still have two drains. Soon. Soon, I hope.

sherry35

Jeannie, so sorry for your discomfort! I started my stool softener today for surgery Monday!

Jlbloom, thank you for the great link! I'm being serious and sarcastic at the same time! Just spent 2 hrs shopping online with woman within! I love their stuff! It looks comfy and isn't outrageously priced! I hope it fits and feels as comfy as it looks!

Sbe, hopefully you have baby news!?

Movie, I hope your daughter is doing well.

Bailey, I love your posts!

Marty, you are so wise, thank you for all of your words of wisdom!

3 more sleeps !!!

Curlylocks

HRF - I am Canadian living in Ontario.  I had read there was a stage 2 on these boards, just starting the process here...appt with bs on Aug 14.  I guess I will find out at the appt. I am having a prophy mast, hopefully with immediate reconstruction due to my High Risk Family History (3 out of 4 sisters now diagnosed with bc).  I went through all my treatment in 2005 and 2006. How many months did you have to wait for DIEP surgery.  Sooner is probably better than the Fall, at least you will be good to go well before Christmas hits!

Jeannie - What an experience.  Hope you are getting some relief.

Sherry35 - good luck, your turn is coming up really quickly.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Michele

sherry35

Hi ladies in Ontario, I was told no stage 2 here. However, my PS did say if I was unhappy with symmetry or had dogears etc. that she would fix them for me at a later date. So maybe it depends on the surgeon but as far as I know there is no planned stage 2.

Anonymous

Sharon - I am so sorry you still have the drains! Where are these two? I know you've told us I just can't remember. Big hugs to you! You're going to feel like you broke out of jail when they come out!



Sweetpickle I am glad you are getting a referral to pain management. They should be able to help you get to the root of it. I am sure you are feeling like your body is not your own. It will not always be this way....sounds like you are going to have bit of a different road, but you will keep plugging along. Many prayers for you. Stay strong. Your story will likely help someone else here down the road...not much consolation now, I know Gentle hugs. Chin up!

sherry35

Deb, sorry you are here but you will get the help you are looking for. This is such a personal decision! I originally got a bilateral mx. I was going to get an implant but decided I couldn't stand the thought of something foreign inside my body. Many women opt for diep and then have natural breast lifted and or reduced if necessary.

My surgery isn't until Monday but I know it's the right decision. Many ladies here have said the same and I'm sure they will chime in.

All the best to you.

Anonymous

My other comment for today (so far anyway lol) is if you can get some physical therapy, get it. Having someone evaluate how you are moving, what is happening when you lift your arm etc can be so helpful. My therapist had me move my arm around while she watched. She was able to determine that my pain is caused by 1) me "guarding" my left side....by pulling my shoulder up and forward...it's all subconscious, of course....but do it for several weeks straight and it causes pain! So DH is in charge of holding it "in place" for 30 seconds....working our way up to 3 minutes. It makes me nauseous when he does it. 2) the other pain I have is because of my messed up pec and tissue in chest (my surgical report says the microsurgeon had to take an extra 1.5 hours to remove all the adhesions inside me to get where she needed to be......yikes!) So we'll work on that after we get the shoulder back down. She has me doing hip bridges, pushing scapulas together 10 times an hour hour and trying to do sit to stands.

sweetpickle

Thank you Bailey, I feel a it guilty coming here to whine but its the only place that other people understand.



Deb- I made my decision based on wanting to have my own tissue to replace my boobs. I dont know why but the thought of an implant has always bothered me.

sherry35

Ok so I have been sneezing a bit today. Tonight after a sneezing fit I have a bit of a runny nose and a little tickle in my throat. I CAN'T get sick! I've waited too long for this surgery! I've taken echinacea and made a lemon tea. What else can I do? I have to make it to Monday, after that I don't care!

HELP!

Curlylocks

Will defintely have to ask about stage II.  My friend who had the surgery done by the same PS I am being referred to had a 2nd surgery done.  Are dog ears common just in the abdomen area.  Will have to talk to PS about this.

Michele

Anonymous

No shame in pain here, Sweetpickle....there are no demerits or medals It is what it is and you're dealing the best you can. no worries (and no guilt)



Deb - it is a very personal decision...there is no right option...only the best option for you. In the few days I had between dx (diagnosis) and first bs/mo (my breast surgeon is my medical oncologist....which makes her a surgical oncologist) appt I assumed I would have a mx with immediate reconstruction.....So I researched for about 72 hours straight (who sleeps after dx?). I didn't like the idea of something foreign in my body either. I also didn't like the idea of having to have periodic, additional surgeries in the future future, as I age, to replace the implant. And I am a uni, too, so I wanted the best possible match to my remaining, healthy breast. As things turned out I was not able to have an expander and implant anyway...a flap was my only option.



I had a lift on the healthy side when I had my DIEP 9 weeks ago. I love the lifted side! The flap side is getting more lovable! Lol.....I have some issues, but I also have every confidence that they will be resolved with stage II and III. No worries! I am happy.



We have some flappers here who had implants for a number of years and then had DIEP. They will chime in, too!

Anonymous

Sherry do you have allergies?

sherry35

Yes bailey I do have allergies and have had windows open instead of air on today! I totally did not think of that! I must be preoccupied or something! Lol

Anonymous

Ha! Push the EASY button, not the PANIC button lol! Pop a Zyrtec and chillax!

christina0001

Sherry - how cool that we are both delayed unilateral DIEPs! There are not many of us. Definitely will have to compare notes!

Damiana, wow, what the doctor is having you do is overwhelming. I don't know if I could do all that. You are a strong woman!

Jeannie, owww, that sounds awful. I am actually really worried about BMs after surgery and I am planning on eating light between now and surgery on Tuesday. 

Something else I am worried about: I was talking with a friend today who was under anesthesia for 5+ hours for surgery a couple of years ago. She said when she woke up, her throat and lungs hurt so bad! Has anyone else experienced this? Is there anything we can do beforehand to help prevent this from happening?

sherry35

Christina, I'm bilateral, but you are right, not many delayed! We will definitely have to compare notes!

Thanks bailey!

Damianna, hope you are doing ok!

Ssla, (((hugs))) for you!

Anonymous

Deb - no, not too personal at all...I think this is why many women who are "done" so to speak keep hanging around the thread....we want to answer questions and provide support..it's sort of a way of giving back.



Do you mean how is diep different than a tummy tuck? I think that's what you meant. I'll give you my two bit take on it based on what I have seen on the web and what women here have described (keep in mind I am not a medical professional!). The answer is...it varies! Because the surgeon has to use the tissue to build a breast they sometimes have to cut a bit differently than they would if they were doing a straight TT. Where our TT scars are after after surgery varies. Mine is as low as it can be...right above my pubic area. Some people have their scar lowered at stage II...but it really is a TT either way. It feels, looks and acts just like a TT.



My flap issues...it's too big (partially due to swelling), it's too far under my arm and sort of pointed toward my arm instead of straight ahead. I have some areas inside of it that have fat necrosis. I had some areas that were slow to heal. For now a good sports bra gets it minimized and pointing in the right direction lol! Next sx they will "debulk" it, remove lumps, give it a little lift....make it match the other one. I will have nipple reconstruction surgery at some point, too.



There are several woman here who have had immediate reconstruction like you described.. everyone here is happy with their decision, I think!



Reasons people have switched from implants to diep (I hate to speak for others but will give it a whirl). Some do because of implant failure (infections is one reason I think). Some people have experienced capsular contraction. Some people have had implants for years and don't want to go through the hassle of having them replaced anymore. Sorry I am not more helpful here....not my department!!! Lol



Another difference I have heard is implants feel cold and hard where flap is warm and soft, because it's just natural tissue all the way through. Idk.....have never felt an implant!



Others really will share more....I think people are busy with weekend stuff!



When were you diagnosed?

Anonymous

Christina - my throat was dry....not really sore...was a bit hoarse for a few days...i did not care though....too many other things going on..no sore lungs.

Anonymous

Deb - I am sorry you got hit with this and had to stop smoking at the same time. That must be hard! If your PS wasn't comfortable with your condition I have to believe they would recommend that you delay reconstruction...they don't want a bad situation on their record.

sweetpickle

Bailey- You just described my foobers, lol! I cant put my arms down by my sides anymore due to the side foobage. My right side is more swollen than the left and is also where most of my pain is. Thanks for listening to me whine, all in all I have been fortunate with my diep and I am very happy with how they look.

Anonymous

You are welcome Sweetpickle. You are going to be fine. I often wonder if the chemo wreaks havoc with our ability to heal for ...well...forever? idk. I know I was a quick healer before chemo...and a slow healer ever since. Some people think it's because of the Avastin. But I do heal....eventually...you will, too!



Lahela you had PS appt today, no? How did it go?



Hrh- nobody has to live in your body but you. People thought I was nuts for doing this too. Remember two things ...other people's opinion of you is none of your business (so they should keep it to themselves) and just because somebody has an opinion doesn't mean they are informed. TOWANDA.