DIEP 2013

goldie4040

PS: I forget who it was, but somebody on here once talked about wearing a soft thin (wife beater type) tank top under her compression garment, and it made it much more comfortable for her.  It was a few months ago, but it sound like a good idea.  It sounded like she had a zipper type on, and the tank top kept things from pinching her.

Nihahi, that is weird about the Bio Oil.  I know a lot of people who have used it for other things besides what we are using it for.  Pregnant women use it to prevent stretch marks, people use on all kinds of scars, eczema,  etc.  I am sorry it didn't work for you. Never thought about it ruining elastic.  I rub mine in really well, and don't put anything on till it is absorbed, but I will watch my bra for damage.

sweetpickle

Hi Barb, the more the merrier. :-) I know tnis group has given me the strength that I couldnt have found anywhere else.



Sherry- HUGs to you, I know exactly how you feel and I was in that place to for a while. It will get better as you heal. I still feel like that if I do to much in one day and I have had to slow myself down which goes against my personality. However, my healing improved greatly once I did. I started reading again which has kept my mind occupied during the long days in my recliner. I have been getting out more in the last three to four days but I cqnt walk Target or the grocery store without feeling completely wiped out. Hang in there!



Marty- I dont know how but I missed the news about your dh, prayers being sent your way.



New ladies having surgery this week- May the Wilber be with you and we will be in your pockets :-)



Jeannie- How are you feeling?



I know Im missing folks, love to all and happy Sunday!

Pattysmiles

Ladies, where would I find bio gel in Costco? Is it in moisturizing section or vitamins? I don't have a Costco near me so would have to make arrangements for a friend to pick it up and then meet with her , I guess a good excuse for Lunch! Lol



Also, I have been wondering about DIEP surgery cost?

I have a quote from NOLA, and it is "all inclusive" as far as I can tell.

My local DIEP surgeon office is attempting a quote from my insurance and they must not know how to bill well....NOLA will be getting close to 100k (out of network) and my DIEP dr. Has so far gotten quote of 10k.

I am concerned local DIEP is not getting quotes for all the stages, and the process will drag each time.....I think the person doing the insurance is terrible,,,she told me I had to call insurance and ask for out of network quote...I wouldn't even know where to begin!



Pat

damiana9

Sherry- look for Genie bras- they are very stretchy, no underwire, and you can just step into them (or put them over your head) There are other ones that are similar to that but I think that Genie bras are my favorite. You can get them at Target in the section that sells 'seen on tv' stuff, rather than with the bras (but buy much bigger than you think you will need- as the fit is off a bit, I think)

damiana9

Patty- The dr may not be billing for everything- usually the hospital and anesthesiologist bill seperately and those are usually pretty big amounts.

Gini23

Hi Ladies!

Way behind on reading - but wanted to say hello, we are back in the states!  Nihahi - last I read you had wished for me that DH would feel better quickly so we could enjoy the rest of our stay in Brazil.  Well... the trip was winding down and on the last day he went to our BIL's doctor and got a script, so at least he was not miserable on the flight home!  Then a couple days later, DD came down with it (strep) plus an ear infection.  Thankfully she is starting to feel better now.

I want to let you ladies know who are debating about fipples - mine have gone way, way down since my stage 2 on 6/25.  Could be that they will disappear entirely...  will keep you posted!  I can still look into the 3D tattoos - never did call insurance to see if they will reimburse.  I am happy though that the skin paddles from the flaps are smaller and rounder than before.  

How are my fitness buddies doing with weight loss?  Unfortunately, on my road to lose 20, I put 5 back on with all the amazing Brazilian food.  Back down 2 since we got home.  Need to measure the inches!

jp

sweetpickle

Oh question for stage two vets- Did they reposition the paddle scars during stage two? Ive been looking at photos and I dont see the football shape that I have from my stage one diep. Or do the scars just fade? I think Ive decidec not to do nipple recon and go with three d tattoo but will that affect what he does with my scars?

goldie4040

Patty, you just made me giggle.  It's Bio Oil, not Bio Gel.  I can see your friend running all over Costco looking for something that doesn't exist..lol.  Anyway, most Costco's I have been in are set up the same way.  The generic drugs and body lotions, and potions are all in front of the pharmacy.  That is where the Bio Oil is.  It has two bottles and they are on one of those awful cardboard and plastic cards that you need to cut open with a box cutter. Whoever invented that packaging needs to be shot. 

Sherry, Bali also has these wonderful over sized bras at Kohls you might want to look at. Damiana is right, the Genie bras are great because you can step into them, unless you still have drains.  I believe the over sized Bali bras have a style that hooks in the front.  Sorry you are feeling so miserable right now. Hopefully, tomorrow can only get better.

MartyJ

Patty - that is one of the advantages to using NOLA or Massey or PRMA or Kline/Craigie - their insurance people know how to get it done.  Though I have a feeling that the quote you have from NOLA is only for Stage 1, but they would have all of the parts wrapped together (anesthesia, cta scan, hospital stay, surgeons).  If they are using the St. Charles Surgical Center, it is owned by two of the doctors and is right next to the breast center so they have some control.  Because many PS don't do procedures covered by insurance very often, their insurance staff sometimes is a bit less experienced.

Jeannie57

Good morning, everyone! I slept last night! I only woke up once and that was brief. I am still in pain when I breathe, under the right boob and over the right shoulder. I have no idea when it should go away. Researching pleural effusion was a bad idea since there was a lot of info on cancer being the cause. It is my radiation side so maybe that has something to do with it. I am going to call my rad onc, my favorite cancer doc, and see if he has any insight. When will this go away and is it causing damage to my lung???? How long did you sleep on your backs? I am still on the wedge. My ps didn't want compression on the new boobs so I figure sleeping on my side would cause some compression, I don't know. It's probably not very comfortable yet anyway to sleep on my side.



Welcome, Barb! It made me smile to read that you've been following us and could hardly wait for the next post. This is the best ---and busiest---thread out there, I bet!



Christina, hope you go home today. What a good patient, using the spirometer so often! Best of luck to all those going in --or under!-- this week.

Gini23

Quick comments -



I get my Bio Oil at CVS. Trying to remember if it was with lotions or first aid section.



I was the one who suggested thin cotton camies under the compression. Mine were wide Velcro "binders." Actually it was the TA at my PS office who suggested it. You wouldn't need it under Marena or Spanx type garments.



Patty - not sure where you are but I also found Brigham & Women's in Boston wonderful in taking care of the insurance. I have Anthem BC/BS and I haven't had to do a thing except take care of co-pays.



Have a lovely day, lovely ladies! I've missed you!



Gini

Jeannie57

When do you start using bio oil on incisions? Mine are very scabby and my ps said I would heal slowly. He recommends A&D ointment but I don't know when.

MartyJ

Jeannie - my doc wouldn't allow side sleeping for 6 weeks.  I didn't want to goof and roll so I kept using pillows under my knees and upper back.  Also, because you are so very recently out of surgery, don't even worry about bio-oil or scar treatments.  Give yourself at least 8 - 10 weeks to fully heal before even considering and ask you PS if he will be re-opening the incisions for Stage 2.  Mine did so any "scar treatment" after Stage 1 wouldn't have mattered.

Since so many of the treatments are costly, I have been using a simple mixture of Coconut Oil, Vitamin E oil and a touch of tea tree oil plus lavendar essential oil.  I try to massage in daily.  I have another concoction that is Coconut Oil, Vitamin E oil, cocoa butter, aloe vera gel and honey with lavendar essential oil.  Very moisturizing, but a bit sticky.  Time is really the biggest healer of scars.  As red as they are today, in a year they will be much less so and maybe even flesh colored.

Jeannie57

Thanks, Marty. I gag at the thought of stage II! I need a long recovery before then.

sbelizabeth

Ok, gloobfriends, I need your advice and experience.  I woke up this morning with a slight fever (101) and a weird rash on my chest and abdomen.  The DIEP boob that was prophylactically done is flaming red.  The other boob looks fine.  The rash is flat, non-raised, doesn't itch, doesn't hurt.  I would think cellulitis, except there's absolutely no pain and I've had cellulitis before in my elbow; it hurt like crazy.  

Any ideas? 

Jeannie57

No ideas except call the doc! I'm sorry this is happening to you.

Anonymous

Idk Sbel....weird..any change in appearance or fever or anything new? Medication or food reaction?

Abcess in your chest or abdomen?


Rash says you are reacting...fever says you are fighting...right? What am I telling you for, you are nurse lol! Nurse....heal thyself

Sorry you have the gleep Hope it's simple.

goldie4040

Gosh, SBE, you are so far out from stage 1, and have been so active, I can't imagine something going wrong now.  Where you around a lot of children?  Were you exposed to a childhood disease you never had? Did you eat something new, wash with a different soap, etc.  A bad allergic reaction can cause a fever too.  There are too many things it could be, but I seriously doubt it has anything to do with your diep surgery.  It has been too long. I am sorry. I must be frightening.  Hang in there.   Call doc!!!!

ssla01

Katy, sounds like time to call the Doctor.



Marty, good luck to you and your husby this week. Hug our Dr. for me too!



Welcome Barb!

sweetpickle

Oh no SBE- I have no idea what it could be but definately call the doctor asap. I have a rash a little bigger than a half dollar on my back just inches away from tummy incision. I thought it was my incision itching until I looked in the mirror, plan to show doctor on Thursday.

Anonymous

Love bio oil and used on mx scar and port scars. Then OT had me mix equal parts safflower, grapeseed and olive oil (messy) and use that at night while we were in very active "soften the mx scar" stage before DIEP.



I have worn wife beater tanks to bed for months to absorb all the "goop"...whether my body was putting out the goop or I was putting the goop on my body. During rads I used a lot of Aquaphor which is very greasy and wore wife beater under my bra when rads skin got really bad.



I think a 10 pack of wife beater t' s should be standard issue with a bc dx.



Welcome, Barb! Glad you joined us!



So I am 10 1-2 weeks out. Feel like I have turned a corner even just in the last few days. More energy, getting better sleep, less pain, lighter, dark circles under my eyes, better ROM.



Part of it is simply time and healing, I am certain. Part is starting therapy and 5k training. Part is being regimented about when I take my meds and what I am eating.



We are starting our neighborhood outdoor group (The Dirt Devils) up again this evening....So happy...I will walk the trail, others run or bike...should be good fun.



Enjoy your evening, friends!

Pattysmiles

Goldie, glad I made you giggle...and the funny (or is it sad) thing is I will probably continue to get the name wrong and call it a gel. And if you knew my friend you would be laughing out loud as she would be INSISITING I asked for gel, not oil....never thinking I would be mistaken! Lol



Thank you for info re insurance. I think the girl in NY is inexperienced.

NOLA quote was for all stages. My insurance is specific to NYC ...think civil servant...and NOLA said it was "one of the best paying insurances they have ever seen"....now THAT had me laughing as typically they pay doctors the 1985 rate...so they don't pay much! I guess being out of network and a "newer" surgery helped, if not, those billing people really know how to play the game....perhaps the NY doctors people need to go take some lessons!



Pat

goldie4040

Bailey, I was using the Aquaphor till I found the Bio Oil.  Not to say I don't still love my Aquaphor.  I keep it by the bed and put it on anything that feels dry, feet, lips, boobs, knees, elbows.  The only mistake I ever made with the aquaphor was one night I got into bed and realized I had forgotten to put on my undereye cream.  I didn't want to get up again, and looked over at that aquaphor, and figured why not?  Well, my eyes were so puffy the next day and I had a zit right under my eye.  So, not for the face, I guess.

I am so jealous of all you guys getting out to exercise.  It is so freaking hot here. 102 today.

Jeannie57

Oh, that Wilbur. I noticed a cute pair of earrings on our dresser and asked DH about them. He said while I was in hospital after surgery I asked him if he was going to give me anything (greedy girl). He went to the gift shop, bought the earrings and I really liked them when I opened the gift. I, of course, have absolutely no memory of this whatsoever. Wilbur strikes again! But I got to enjoy the gift twice so that is nice.

goldie4040

Jeannie, I am starting to like Wilbur more and more all the time.  I wonder if I can get a gift out of my husband like that. 

I do have a cute gift story though. My best friend and I always point at the ugliest things in stores, and say, "you need that."  Well, on the way in to my bmx we saw this really ugly stuffed pink flamingo in the window of the hospital gift shop, and she said, "you need that." I said, "if I wake up and see him sitting in front of me then I know my nodes were clean.  Well, there he was when I opened my eyes in recovery.  My bff, and my son ran down to the gift shop and got  him as soon as the doc gave them the news.  Unfortunately, he now is part of my life forever, and sits on my made bed every day.  LOL.  I should take a pic of him. He is really ugly.

Jeannie57

What a great story, Goldie!!! I wish I had clean nodes. So much would have been different....but here I am, made it through treatment and with reconstructed boobs. Now we have to get you the all clear so you can get yours!!

goldie4040

Thanks, Jeannie.  Yes, I am still waiting to hear my the insurance person at my MO office.  Ugh.  Waiting waiting waiting.  We do too much of that.

MartyJ

SBE - def get to doctor or hospital. If cellulitis you need antibiotics quick.



Deb - now is the time to relax and breath. You will do well on Wednesday and whatever happens will be something you are strong enough to handle. Big hugs for an easy sleep.

sherry35

Feeling better this evening. I think I was just trying to do too much, too fast and don't like failing! Just relax! Is my new mantra!

I had a good visit with my nurse today. Everything looks better than I remember it looking last time I saw it. We also discovered that I got the blinged out package! Today my nurse found a staple in my FUPA between the vagina fangs! Only thing we could come up with is that it's for hanging a charm from! Bling it out!

Seriously, does anyone know why that is there?

Love the earrings and flamingo stories! Good luck to all of you up this week! I will be thinking of you!

Cheers,

Sherry

marieann1020

Thank you Marty,

very helpful information, 

love

Anne