DIEP 2013

Janet_M

HA! Happy to report that one of my boobs is nearly perfect. But come to think of it - the other one is about the same shape as a small wheel of cheese.



Perhaps I should have stick to half grapefruits and cupcakes.

Anonymous

Janet ....My DH just asked what I am giggling at....I was reading your last post....how does one even begin to explain the essence and being of this thread? I just shook my head and said with a smile, "These women...."

nihahi

Oh my lord....Saturday insanity has hit the thread! 

Bailey...sure wish I was picking blueberries with you. I grew up in Western New York State....fond memories of cherry picking in July, blueberry picking in August, OMG...the fresh corn, strawberries.....apples and grapes in the fall....pumpkin fields in October. (Bet it sounds like hell to you, Kuka )!

frankensurgery???? To me, that was my mastectomy, the long, ugly, painful, unhuman deforming scar where my breast used to be...that was to me....the "mutilation" surgery. The free flap recon.....Plastic surgery at it's awesome place of possibility, that wasn't even a pipe dream when I needed it! 

Robin....time might take you to a different feeling. Time might bring new possiblities...Time is what you need now to heal, physically and emotionally. NO APOLOGIES, dear one.....we love you, we pray for the best for you. 

Movie....bring on MONTANA!!!!

Have great days ladies!

relocatedtarheel

Janet...I LOVED your post.I have more than enough padding so I'm hoping to lose 50 lbs overall in the next year or so...but I loved your description and the joy of life that you incorporated into this experience. A wonderful attitude adjustment for me today

nihahi

oops....haven't left yet...fyi..at my 3 month appt with my ps, I thought the slight size difference was because the new boob was just bigger...my ps said, nope, you're still a bit swollen, which is why he wanted to see me again in 3 months before planning the next "whatever"...So, now, another month out, I can tell the size is matching a bit better lately. Takes time, a lot more time than I expected for swelling to resolve for some of us. Works for me, like Liefie....I'll do the next surgery, just am no rush for it.

Sweetpickle....at 8 weeks, I bet you still have a lot of swelling to resolve! I bet the hard spot under your "button" is the iron plate that many of us talk about...mine is defo getting smaller and smaller. It's all a part of the healing. So glad to hear you are feeling more comfortable!!!!

Bailey....yup....."these ladies".....BEST EVER.

Anonymous

Wow...5 up this week...Tarheel, Greengirl, Kuka, Marty and Lahela....I will be praying for you today as I fold laundry and weed the garden...you got this, sisters!

Omg Nihahi...I wish you were here to pick blueberries too! I love picking and talking! We would have the best time! I haven't been but I would think west NY state would be a lot like west Michigan.

nihahi

never say "never" Bailey!!!!!! Heck, we could have fun just weeding your garden!

Ladies....if movie can drive across a couple states, and I can drive across to another country (assuming customs lets me through! My hiking friend who's joining us ranks 11 out of 10 on the "insanely fun yet crazy" scale....hmm.. where to hide the kahlua???).....these get togethers CAN happen!!!!

Jeannie.....enough with the insomnia....ask for something from your doc, maybe???? You need to sleep to heal!

ok, seriously, I'm signing off. Love to all.

faith729

Sweetpickle so glad to hear that some ofthat pain is gone ! I had the same sunburn feeling it's no fun but should be gone soon. My PS told me it was nerve regeneration. Hang in there



Marty is fat grafting the same as lipo? I'm just wondering what type of new scar would be associated with fat grafting ?



Anyone who plans on going to Chicago I would love to tag along if you'd have me ! I have a good friend who lives out there so I could visit with her as well she actually flew home to take care of my kids while I was in the hospital after DIEP.



This week is a big week for surgeries ! Thinking positive thoughts of all you ladies



Robin sending the biggest hug your way praying for some sunshine on your horizon. You've been our strongest DIEP sister so far.

kuka21174923

Marty, so sorry about DH. When I broke my back they were going to do that same procedure, but I was too chicken and told them

I would live with the pain. I will pray for you guys!

Robyn, every time I think about you and what you must be going through I tear up. I just can't imagine. But with time I know they will be able to make beautiful breasts for you.

Faith, I've heard that your body reabsorbs a lot of the fat. I told my ps to put extra fat in there. I would rather have them fuller than flatter;). But if I have to I will go for a third surgery. Not stopping until I'm satisfied!

Goldie, how are you doing? Are you going to keep your ps or still trying to decide? I'm here for you;)

I've been a little down since yesterday. I guess I lost one of my friendships. This called "friend" was so hurtful when I needed her the most. She was upset I couldn't help her with something next week. Sorry I'm having this surgery!! But in her mind she doesn't understand why I'm doing a stage two when I already got my boobs! Really??!! Don't need friends like that. But it's still hurts😞

Today I'm taking my 6 year old daughter and going to get pedicures. She's so excited! I'm trying to make this weekend fun for my kids since I won't be able to do much next week.

Have a great Saturday!!!

Anonymous

Medical people ....why does the body swell? I know how it happens...but what is the body trying to do? Anything? Like a fever is the body's way of trying to kill germs and clots form to stop bleeding...is swelling a protective measure or just a reaction?

Anonymous

Kuka I am so sorry that happened to you with your friend. I think you found out everything you need to know about her, unfortunately. You enjoy your pedi with little girl. Hugs!



Yes Faith, more the merrier!

kuka21174923

Marty, Tammy and faith. I ordered a compression garmen with leonisa and one with spanx. The first one came with a zipper which makes it easier to pull up. It really compresses, but not really uncomfortable. I have noticed it leaves marks on my skin. My friend who had lipo before said that her garment left marks in her skin and when her skin adhered back it was left with those indenctions. The one from spanx is very comfy, no marks but it doesn't compress near as much. What should I do? Gosh! My surgery is Monday!!!

hrf

Kuka, so sorry about your friend. Someone once said to me that when you go through cancer, you find out who really does love you. The losses are difficult but hopefully you have made many new friends who do love you.



Do most of you wear compression garments following surgery? My PS said no compression garment as it seems to interfere with healing.

lahela

hrf, I'm going to be wearing a hip to just below bust compression garment, but my PS said it's because they will be taking every scrap of fat I have and stitching me up really tightly... I'm actually quite relieved to know that I'll be well swaddled! I get the impression it depends entirely on the doctors - they don't seem to agree on anything!!!

Morningsun1

Kuka, most likely your ps wanted you to buy them so you can have some to change into. They have to put one on you when you are on the operating table. If he needs to use what you purchase, he would have given you more precise instruction of what to buy. I would not worry too much about it now. The Marena my ps put on me has max compression and is very comfortable. I think they are very expensive and I may need to order one. Faith, fat grafting is that they lipo fat from whatever donoe site you have spare fat and injecting it into your gloobs. What you had in your stage II is it. For the Chicago trip, you can leave you car in Pittsburgh and I will drive us the rest of the way, faith.

hrf

Lahela, I think you are correct that the docs don't agree. My PS told me that in her experience, the kind of garment you describe, tends to ride up and she has had cases where it actually opens a surgical site. I was surprised actually. As long as we come of this healthy and happy with the result, I'm ok with whatever works.

Morningsun1

Compression after stage I seems to be all over the map, but post stage II, it is the norm, as long as you have fat grafting.

kuka21174923

Deb, no compression garment for my first surgery. This is for stage II. When doing lipo ps what's you on compression for 6 weeks!

hrf

That makes sense now. Thanks for explaining.

mammalou

Hrf.... I am still in a compression garment breast to hip at 5 weeks post op. I was a sewn up extremely tight person because of lack of fat. I am also having split abdominal incision issues that have been getting worse as time goes on.



So here I sit, trying to be a good patient. Uggg, it's boring. I worked in my classroom yesterday and overdid it. Drained a lot last night out of my 2 1/2 inch open wounds last night. Uggg. This is getting old.

goldie4040

Bailey, swelling confuses me too.  If you swell they they give you anti inflammatories, and tell you to ice it down, if you get a fever they tell you to get it down. If these are natures way of protecting our bodies then why are they (doctors and nurses) so anxious for us to reduce what natures thinks we need?

Kuka, it's interesting what happens to some friendships when you are going through a crisis.  Some people can't handle it, or they are two ignornant to listen, and learn if they don't understand.  I also lost a good friend during my BC, and I mentioned on here once, and heard from other's who had experienced similar experiences.  I am sorry about your friend.  It hurts, but it will pass, and when you think about it, I bet she really hasn't been much of a friend.

goldie4040

mammalou,

I am so sorry.  You must be so frustrated.  I forget, did you PS say he would restitch you if things didn't get better soon?

Morningsun1

mammalou, when my ab-incision first opened up, ps told me that it will get worse before it starts to get better. It did get a lot worse before it turned the corner. I used to take a pic of it everyday during dressing change to compare them each day. That way I could see exactly when the turning happened. I believe you will see a huge difference in the next two weeks. Hang in there.

mammalou

He has not said he would restitch. I went in last week and they cut out dead tissue and packed. I didnt actually see my PS. He sent a fellow out of the OR they were in to see me and take pictures. She then went back and showed him. They decided I didn't need IV antibiotics yet. They took a culture and I'm back on antibiotics. I go back on Wednesday. My concern is was mostly that it got 10 times worse in the last 2 weeks.

Anonymous

Here we are new ladies.....with varying protocols...stage one people with no Lipo at the time of diep - some PS will put u in compression bra, some won't...some (most?) will put you in a binder for your tummy but for how long really varies.



Seems to me it's more the stage II Lipo that requires compression on thighs and hips ???

mammalou

Tammy... I, too, take pics everyday. I also e mail them to doc Occasionally. When I look back at my pictures from 2 weeks ago, I wonder why I even went to the Dr. They look so good compared to now. I am feeling like I'm going to turn the corner now. It didn't get worse yesterday!

hrf

Mammalou, I am so sorry that your recovery is not going as well as expected. I do hope that you have I deed turned that corner. Do the docs know why it's happening this way?

FierceBluebird

Robin, please know that you are not alone. I went to a Thrive program at my local hospital and it was run by a woman who also did not have success the first surgery. But she was later able to have reconstruction again and is doing great. I'm so sorry your journey has been so difficult. Love, hugs and peace to you.

Nihahi and movie, so jealous of your hiking! Sounds like fun! I can't wait to get back to the woods again. I have a trail through my property and it was part of my treatment plan in chemo and brought me much peace.

relocatedtarheel, best of luck to you and you will do great! As they say on here, we'll be in your pockets and Wilbur by your side.

DebDylan, I too chose to focus on getting through surgery and gave the rest up to God. It was out of my control anyway, so I just tried to focus on what I could prepare for. Lots of great advice on here and on the "preparing for surgery" forum. Sending good thoughts your way.

kad22, join the party! Nice to see you!

Kuka, my sister that I was the closest to has not called or texted or anything since my surgery 2 weeks ago. My dad told me that he even asked her to call me but she hasn't. I'm not sure what is going on, but it makes me really sad. 

christina0001

Was not released from the hospital this morning as planned. My oxygen levels keep dropping to the low 90s/high80s. So they are watching that, and if it gets better they will release me tonight. Otherwise I'll have to stay here for another night. Also having an allergic reaction to the dermabond, so I am ITCHY!!! Ugh!!! Other than that, everything looks great, and I have great bloodflow in my new breast. I'm sure grateful for that.

Morningsun1

Bluebird, when my baby sister was diagnosed with bc a few years back, I couldn't bring my self to call her for a very long time. Finally I ran into a friend who was going through chemo for bc. I told her that I did not know what to say to my sister who just had surgery (my other sister toldedme) and that I was afraid to call. My friend told me to just call, I'd know what to say and she made me promise to make that call. I called that night and was choked up most of the time while my sister did most of the talking. Your sister maybe at the same place I did.