DIEP 2013

Tracy516

Told husband about my dream (see page 195 or 6). He looked at me like I was sick! He didn't find the humor of Boobies on my Belly! Ugh



As for friends and family not bring around?! I don't think it's always a matter of being true to you, but what they can handle. Some people are not strong in times like these.

Happy Saturday night!

damiana9

Tracy- I thought that dream was pretty funny. Takes tummy boobs to a whole new level You have to have humor when dealing with all this craziness otherwise it is so much harder. During chemo my hubby called me his hairless cat. He has now renamed me his alleycat- because it looks like I got into a few too many fights with my scars! hahahaha!

christina0001

lol @ damiana, sounds like your husband (and you!) have a great sense of humor!

I am officially staying one more night at the hospital (sigh) My oxygen levels are not as high as they need to be. But the doctor assured me I can go home tomorrow morning. They are mostly concerned about having enough oxygen while I sleep, as mine is dropping quite a bit when I doze off.

Tracy516

@damiana I think you need humor too. My hubby usually has a good sense but it may be too soon!



Christina0001 hope you can go home soon!!!!

Anonymous

Christina - sorry you are stuck one more night (even when you know it's for the best...everybody wants to GO HOME!)

How is your pain? And dizziness? Better, I hope! Your body has been through a lot in the last year and a half. Hugs and let the healing begin!



Robin - someone said you are our strongest flapper...I second that. You are often on the minds and prayers of your friends here.



I am having difficulty keeping up on everyone and did some quick skimming the other day, thinking I would have time to go back and read everything.... not yet!



Sbel - have you picked out Aubrey' s first set of wheels yet???

MartyJ

Hi all!

Some docs want compression on the abdominal incision following DIEP.  I believe the feeling is that the compression will help reduce the possibilities of the wound opening up (reduce, not eliminate).  That is why my doc had me in compression from knees to underbust following Stage 1.  The compression later during the fat grafting is for the areas that had lipo not for the fat grafting.  The following reasoning was provided by a PS on why one should wear a good compression garment after lipo (the reasons would also apply to abdominal surgery):

• Reduce excessive swelling
• Reduces incidence of seroma or fluid collection.
• Give abdominal support for posture.
• Reduces bruising.

Though not all PS are believers in strong compression, the majority seem to favor it post liposuction.  There is no liposuction done during Stage 1.  Some PS suggest Spanx, but most favor a stronger garment with an open crotch so that you are not pulling it up and down.  Medical compression garments are made by a variety of manufacturers.  Most doctors will put you in a compression garment while you are still under anesthesia - this will be the kind that has zippers on both sides (imagine trying to get you into that garment).  Some women only wear this one, but it is helpful to have a second to wear while the first is washed since you are to wear 24/7.  After about 2 weeks, a garment without zippers is often used - again with the open crotch.  By this point enough of the swelling is gone to enable you to get into the thing (be sure your skin is dry, damp doesn't work at all).  All PS vary widely on how long to wear - 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 3 months or more.  Often the recommendation is 24/7 for the first 2 - 3 weeks and then daytime only for several weeks.  

Whew!  Hope this helps.  Do some googling on compression after lipo.  I think you will find it generally recommended and a strong supportive garment used.  Some brands to consider might include:  Design Veronique, Marena, Leonisa.  A website like makemeheal.com has a variety and offers a bit of a discount.  I did learn early on that although the Wacoal panty girdle I bought gave nice support, it wasn't comperable to the medical compression garments.  It is hard to explain, but there is a really big difference.  Most of the medical garments will provide support at the flanks, waist, abdomen, hips and thighs.  Like Kuka learned, when I put on my Design Veronique I am instantly smaller.  I also have several sizes.  When I came out of surgery I was in an XXL.  After a few weeks (when I began using the zipperless garment), I went down to an XL and then to an L.  From all my reading, it takes at least 6 months to develop the full benefits of lipo.

Jeannie57

Christina, I had the oxygen sat. problems, too, and I stayed an extra night as well. I am still blowing in the spirometer regularly, but now I have that pesky fluid on the lung. Not saying you will have that. Home for you tomorrow, I hope!



Mammalou, you are so brave! You have put up with so much. I hope you truly are turning the corner. You have things to do!



Sweetpickle, happy to hear your pain is lessening!!!



Wow, I'm not looking forward to compression garments for weeks at stage II. But then, I'm not looking forward to another assault on my body at all.



Kuka, I'm sorry about your friend. Some people want to know and understand what's going on and some don't, I have found. There is so much misunderstanding about bc. I sure didn't get in the beginning what a long process it could be. One of my friends said recently how cool it was that you could be treated for breast cancer and then go back to normal (I may have shared this before). Snort. Not. But hopefully the new normal may be pretty good. I hope the loss of that friendship doesn't leave too big of a hole in your life.

faith729

Same here kuka I don't want more surgeries either but I've come to far to settle for anything less than what I think is perfect for me so I'll be having a stage 3 probably.

kuka21174923

Thanks girls!

Marty, I hope the one I got from leonisa will work. I'm going to get a second one without the zipper and then purchase them as needed.

sweetpickle

Side note on the swelling- I went out to the pool and then dinner with the family (I just sat and didnt swim) and I felt really uncomfortable after dinner. Came home and measure my stomach and I had swollen up a full inch around. Crazy what the body does!

Anonymous

Jeanine - I get the same thing from lots of people, too. Grow your hair back and people think you are done and back to normal. And if I try to explain the 5 years of side effects from tamoxifen or Femara (or similar) and the likely lifelong pain and side effects of chemo and rads and surgeries I have I feel like people think I am exaggerating. Especially because I am not a complainer, am happy and positive most of the time and a very active person. But just because I am happy and running a 5k doesn't mean my feet don't hurt so bad I can barely walk at night.



But like I always say....I am glad most people don't get it....means they don't have it.



My family and closest friends get it....some people at work get it...because they care deeply enough and are around enough to see the day to day issues.

Anonymous

Somebody said here in the last few days that they didn't even know what to expect. Unfortunately I can't recall or find it. Whomever it was....did you get your questions answered or are you still feeling lost? Let us know...we will answer whatever we can. Were you wondering about sort of a play by play of what happens at the hospital the day of and while you are there and what you feel like and can do during that time? Or something else.



Please, ladies, if you ask something or need something that doesn't get answered within a day, ask again. This thread moves moves very fast and people (like me lol) have lots to say so there is lots to read!

Janet_M

Christina - Sorry you're stuck in the hospital again, when you'd rather be at home. Fingers crossed for tomorrow morning, and good oxygen levels. 

But I have to confess - I might be the only person who actually enjoyed being in the hospital  - and I wanted to stay a few more days. I liked the big bathroom, and the view from my room, and I liked the nurse bringing me my juice and pills, and the adjustable bed. Sure I missed Jim and the furballs, but I liked having everything done for me, and I wasn't in a rush to leave.

goldie4040

Janet, I only enjoyed being in the hospital when I had my son, other than that..nope.

Okay, if you haven't tried Bio Oil, please do.  I was told that I needed to keep the skin over my expanders in tiptop condition till my surgery, and they wanted me to massage them with a really good moisterizer twice a day.  My incision scars look so good, and I have only been doing it about 2 weeks now. Bio Oil is a little pricey, but if you have a Costco near you, I got a package of two bottles there for 20 dollars.  Oh, and this stuff smells really nice too.

Sweet pickle, glad you are feeling better.

Mammalou, hope you have really turned the corner, and the incision is getting better.

Everybody going into surgery this week....prayers and hugs!!!!

Damiana, how is you hole doing?

Kuka, I am almost glad I got delayed. I think I would rather wear that compression garment during the winter in Texas, than summer.  You never stop amazing me. I wish I had half your energy.

goldie4040

Jeannie and Christina

Go on Youtube and look up Yoga breathing exercises.  I have been doing them since I got home from my bmx because I was upset that I could hardly move that dumb spirometer. They are great to do when you are not able to do any aerobic exercise.  They bascially exercises your lungs and brings oxygen to your whole body, which is healing.   I do them all the time now.

Don't be upset if at first they make you cough, that is good.

Also, my SAT rate when I was at the MO the other day was 99

faith729

Goldie I was just saying that about the bio oil last night ! I just started using it so I'm not sure about the results yet but your right it smells so good.

goldie4040

Faith, I think you will like the results it gives.  I thought it was my imagination about the scars lightening, but my husband agreed too. 

BTW...keeping my fingers crossed for you till Tuesday.  I just really feel you are going to be okay.  Do you have any symptoms of thyroid problems, or did your blood work come back showing your levels were off?

lahela

Goldie, thanks so much for the info on dressings, and Marty, thanks so much for the info on compression garments. (And Marty, I hope your DH is okay and you both come through all this well!)

Is chemo a risk factor for DIEP success? I'm wondering why a lot of PSs won't go through with the DIEP during MX if the nodes are positive. Mine said she'll do it regardless.

liefie

Lahela, if there are positive nodes, chances are good that you will get rads. Rads and DIEP recon don't mix too well as I was warned by my PS. You don't want your reconstruction wrecked, and rads will harden and damage underlying connective tissue and sometimes even the skin. So it is better to delay DIEP if you are going to get rads. For that very reason I got a TE during mastectomy, then had rads, then had DIEP 11 months after rads. I don't believe chemo will be detrimental to DIEP breasts.

You guys are inspiring me to actually use the Bio-oil that I had bought a while ago already. Will it stain your clothes? That's why I have been reluctant to start using it.

Jeannie and Christina, good wishes to you both! Breathe in, breathe out, repeat. Don't stop!

Janet, I also enjoyed being in the hospital for the same reasons as you - lol!

If I ever have to wear a compression garment, it better be winter. Cannot imagine wearing that in summer. I will explode within ten minutes. LOL. Remember only too well how hot that wig was last summer.

Time to sleep. Good night everybody!

Barbmal5

Good morning everybody! My name is Barb, I am 51 & I am BRCA 1+ & I am post-op bilateral prophylactic skin & nipple sparing DIEP (almost 11weeks now) & will be going back for stage 2 in 1 week. I was on another post for awhile & following along on this one & finally decided to join in. You ladies have become addicting! I can hardly wait to get home & read the next posting. I have secretly shared your moments of profound insight, jaw dropping awe & shock, excitement & let downs, i have become motivated to exercise & try helpful products & tricks, I have cried with you, prayed for you & laughed a whole lot! Now I would like to hopefully share any helpful personal experience I can, although I think you guys seem to have it all covered.



I am extremely thankful for this site. Even though I have a pretty supportive family they just don't get it. I want to be able to talk ad nauseaum about my nipple or the little seroma I developed. I want to be able to share my excitement when I pull the last drain or finally close up a wound. They smile politely & nod their heads but I get no cheers, hugs (even cyber hugs feel good), or helpful hints. And certainly nobody wants to SEE my stuff. So I've learned to keep to myself & cry or cheer alone at my image in the mirror. My kids are always hanging out by the bathroom door asking "momma you ok?" Funny.



Anyway I would LOVE to join you all, help if I can, definitely buy a Wilbur T- shirt & hopefully meet up with some of you someday. Thanks for YOU!!

Janet_M

Good Morning Barb! - Nice to meet you. We'd love 'see' your stuff! Nothing is off limits here, and no triumph is too small.  I can pretty much gaurantee, you've just found yourself a brand new cheering section. These ladies are super-fantastic.

Morningsun1

Hi Barb, you are very close to me, Pittsburgh PA. I also had bilateral skin and nipple sparing DIEP. Just had my stage II this past Tuesday. Where are your breast incisions? My are on the fold. Looks like you healed very fast to be able to have stage2 in just 12 weeks. What is your surgery date, that is if you don't mind? Welcome.

sherry35

Good morning all,

So I have swollen out of my bra and can't find a front closure one with a big enough band. Any suggestions? My homecare nurse was here yesterday to change my dressings and doesn't seem concerned yet about any blisters. These damn blisters are causing me more worry than the actual surgery!

I woke up at three this morning and just started crying. I have no idea what this was all about but feeling kind of blah today. I can't figure out why I'm so damn tired when all I do is sit in my chair, walk to the bathroom and back and sleep? Wth?!?

Barbmal5

Thanks Janet, smiling already!



Tammy T - ask anything. Surgery date is Aug 14. Not sure what to expect but going to ask for lipo-ing of side & back boobage. Thought i'd try squishing my chin down to my chest & telling them I'm pretty sure it's all neck boobage & needs to be lipoed too!



Sherry where are your blisters?

Barbmal5

Sorry Tammy just re-read your post. Pitts is really close! My incisions are from fold to nipple. What did they do for you at stage 2? Are you seeing any changes yet?



Relocated targeted & Kuka best of luck tomorrow!! You'll both be on my mind & in my prayers.

nihahi

Welcome Barb....I'm already chuckling this morning. Obviously I have not yet swallowed enough coffee, I read your post as "sharing our profound INSANITY, not insight"....hehehe I thought, another one who "gets us"....Now I'm chuckling again, not sure how profoundly insightful we are, but we are an extraordinary bunch of ladies who "get it"! AND we can be profoundly insane, just so you know. I grew up in Jamestown NY, not far from Erie...Hope you are healing well...where are you at, activity, ROM, swelling-wise?

goldie..I tried bio-oil in the early days, as soon as my ps said....keep your skin moisturized....broke out in a rash. Not sure what's in it to react to, but I sure did. If anyone is trying it while using compression garment...the "oil" might weaken the elasticity in your garments, so be cautious. 

kuka....could you wear your spanx (which you said was comfortable) underneath the other garment (that you said compressed better, but left marks)????? Just a thought. Shame to spend $$ on garments that aren't quite right, but you will need good compression after lipo, for sure. Sorry about your "friend"....but even without major things like surgery, bc, etc., over time, in life some friends just morph into acquaintences. Don't use your pre-surgery energy on her, enjoy your weekend with the kids. 

bailey....LOVE your suggestion of tossing out questions more than once....!!!!! I hate to feel like I've missed responding to someone who may have asked something I could help with....but keeping up with this amazing group has been close to impossible lately, while I've been out of the house all day. If anyone has asked something and it hasn't been addressed by someone else.....ASK AGAIN.....we're all here for each other. 

jeannie...didn't notice any latenight posts from you....could it be you slept???? Please let it be so!!!!!

Gotta dash....doing one more week of volunteer stuff....a few days of catching up, then off to Montana to rendezvous with Movie....who seems to have gone quiet???? Movie, sweetie.....everything ok???? Hope doggie is being cared for....but...you need to care for yourself too! Please check in!

sbe....I WANT BABY PICS!!!!! OF YOU AND BABY! !!!!!!

this weeks ladies....may Wilbur protect you during surgery, and gentle healing to you all. TOWANDA!!!!!!

8/5/13       relocatedtarheel  (BMX with immediate DIEP)
8/5/13       kuka21 (Stage 2)
8/6/13       GreenGirl1 (Diep)
8/6/13       MartyJ (Stage 2B)
8/8/13       Lahela (BMX with immediate Diep)

Tracy516

Welcome Barb. I'm in New Jersey!:)

Anyone getting surgery today: Good Luck.

(((Sherry))) hugs!!

11 more days til my surgery!!!!!!! Lots to do lots to do!!! Ugh stressed!

goldie4040

Good morning

Barb, welcome.  Glad you finally decided to jump in.  Sounds like you have been through the worse and might have some great insight. I know what you mean about the people around you, they care, but they are bored now.  My son caught me crying last night, and couldnt' understand what was wrong.  When I told him he acted like he was surprised I was still worried about that...lol.  But, that is not the first time he, and I have butted heads about this.  My husband is great.

Liefie, I but the Bio oil on in the morning before I dress, and again before bed.  By the time I massage it in there is not enough to mess up my clothes, or bedding. Once you rub it in it acts like any other moisterizer. I am feeling where I rubbed it in last night, and it just feels soft, not greasy.  I haven't showered yet. Any excess left on my hands goes on my elbows, knees, and rubbed into hands.  I do not use bio oil all over my body.  I still use my regular old Jergens for that. The Bio Oil is too expensive to use except on necessary areas.

faith729

Liefie I've actually found the bio oil to be less greasy than most lotions I've tried. I use very little and rub the excess on my hands and it disapears quickly. Im not sure if it would stain clothes though since it disappears so quickly I haven't had the chance to see. Honestly though I wish it was less expensive because I would use it everywhere if it was !!



Sherry I think that being so tired is completely normal and to be expected after such a big surgery. It will last a while and can be frustrating but hang in there because it will get easier and fade away soon. I think it has a lot to do with all the anesthesia in the body. I remember collapsing on my couch in tears after my first surgery in total frustration because after trying to put my hair up for 5 min I felt like I could take a two hour nap. It gets better I promise



Welcome to the thread Barb ! We will most certainly be you're new cheering section. Sending a welcome cyber hug your way



Goldie I had symptoms but my thyroid function test came back normal. The endocrinologist said that the function can be normal even if there are problems so he wanted to biopsy the 3 nodules that seemed to be more concerning. How are you doing ? They said they're not worried about your liver right ? Forgive me if I'm repeating Lol my brain is foggy these days.

christina0001

Waiting for the PS to come in and let me know if I will be released today. My oxygen levels are not really any better than yesterday, but I can't stay here forever! I am doing the spiro-whatever thing about every 10-15 minutes, and walked the hallways a few times, too. They have taken great care of me here but I miss being at home, and I can tell my husband is overly worried with me being gone.

Too many posts to reply to all - Sherry I hope your mood improves, that sounds rough. And I will definitely look up those YouTube yoga breathing exercises, maybe that will help. Thanks!