DIEP 2013

Moviemaniac

Jeannie, you are KILLING me.......YOU birthed Wilbur all on your own.......I think you have contributed plenty........hope you are feeling better.....

Jeannie57

Haha! I guess I did birth Wilbur. What a strange trip. Never experienced anything like it. I still have the painful breathing thing but I'm off narcotics so it's getting better. Now I have nothing to do but rest and walk so I am constantly reading this thread, trying to keep up. I feel obsessed.

Gini23

Faith  - Ken mound + Barbie boobs means we've got a hermaphrodite doll on our hands!   OMG that is so weird I have had a tiny bump just under one spot on my ab scar since the DIEP in March, to the right and a little lower than my belly button.... maybe it is Dr. C's signature....!

SBe - hoping this does not change your plans!

Bluebird - I had some icky, almost necrotic skin across my breast along the incision post-BMX (a year ago).  It was like a big black canyon.  The Silvadine worked WONDERS and you would never know today that it was there. It had me so freaked out - I was terrified and had not yet discovered the boards nor had anyone to discuss it with.  Often my DH helped with the cream and bandages, but often I was on my own and I bawled my eyes out everytime I had to look at it, afraid this is what I would have forever.  Watching the new skin grow in was kind of weird... think watching a sandbar come out at low tide. I am the farthest thing from a medical professional.  Just know that it DOES get better - have faith and keep using the cream!

An easy way to add protein ladies - which I just learned about the past few months... I add "seeds" to my salads and smoothies:  chia seeds, hulled hemp seeds, lecithin, and then flax meal.  Sometimes sunflower seeds to salads.

ssla - for you I wish that with all this fluid output, you will have ZERO swelling problems!  I still get it this far out...  definitely increased with additional activity, like Faith said definitely with core/ab work... but I think it is starting to get better as I get more consistent with the workouts.  I bought a balance ball and a resistance band this weekend to switch up my workouts a bit!  I am low carb most of the time, but while we were away I definitely cheated more, and swelled up more.

Ann - I had TEs before DIEP, but every case is different.  I'm pretty sure your final size has more to do with the amount of fat they can get from your belly than it does with how far they fill you.  Consider women who are delayed DIEP with no TEs and they go from flat to flappers!

Kuka so happy your scar went so far down!  I am very hopeful that I'll eventually be able to do the same.

Marty + GreenGirl - in your pockets.  Enjoy your naps. (((((x))))))

 Gini

Gini23

Goldie - doing just as you said here and sending a separate post (having just noticed that a whole new page popped in while I was typing....!)  Sending hugs and happy thoughts for your DIL.  

I missed the conversation about t-shirts, but I always advocate for "girl-shirts" instead of big man style shirts!

ssla01

Gini, I haven't had a lot of swelling after the first couple of weeks. I wonder if GAP surgery is less swelly than DIEP?



I have been a slug for the past few days hoping the output will hurry up and decrease already!

mammalou

Bluebird... Please hang in there and cry if you need to. I really think that sometimes we just need to release emotions. I now have a very large opening in my abdomen and my daughter and I are pretty sure we now see one of my organs. I'm just kidding about that, but it has opened up wide now and I see a ridge if soft tissue. I don't know what it is. Another call to the PS tomorrow is in order.



I was very depressed last night. I wasn't much better today. My DH and I went to Carmel and had lunch. I had 3 glasses of champaign and cried my eyes out to my husband. I've been feeling sorry for myself and worrying about my son. My husband mentioned his class reunion was coming and I suggested he go hook up with a two boobed woman. Lol. He just listened politely. Ha ha. Anyway..... I feel better. 😊

Gini23

ssla - that is awesome!  Maybe it's GAP, maybe it's still having the drains in?

Oh mammalou - glad you feel better and got to enjoy a nice lunch with champagne.   Even crying is better when there is a little bubbly in your hand.  You have not had it easy.  Sending healing thoughts to you - keep those organs inside!

Jeannie57

Oh, Mammalou, my heart is breaking for you. You didn't expect anything like this. I hope your PS can give you some reassurance, a timeline, something. You are taking good care of yourself. I am praying for you. These setbacks are such a blow (I didn't expect to be in emergency twice within two weeks of surgery) and it's hard to find our balance. I have not experienced your situation but I'm right there with you! (((((Hugs!))))))

nihahi

Good lord...impossible, truly impossible to keep up with your all!!!! I feel like if I don't respond to everything since my last post, I'm letting someone down, if I don't post at all, even worse....!!!!! You all are so special to me, I don't know how to resolve this dilemma. 

Thinking of you kuka and relocated....thinking of you, Marty and greengirl.

sbe...are you in hospital...what's the dx?????

Hoping to sleep tonight......there may well be an insomnia party ssla....please don't invite me!!!!!

goldie4040

Mammalou, I am sorry, but your PS is pissing me off. I don't understand why he doesn't clean up the edges and restitch. It makes no sense.  Ugh..I guess he knows what he's doing, but it seems like a no brainer.  I hope you feel better soon, and I am also glad you got out, and vented to your DH.

ssla, I have seen pics of the gap flap on timtam's site, and the butt doesn't seem to stay very swollen, and it amazes me how the scars look so good after a short time.

Jeannie, maybe you just came up with our tshirt slogan, "Wilbur, what a strange strange trip it's been." I like that.  Nobody will ever figure that out....lol

ssla01

Goldie, the scars did heal very quickly. I think the nice thing is that I'm not looking at them like the ladies who have a front scar. I initially signed up for diep, but the blood vessels were better in the back. I haveno regrets about changing to gap. I had plenty of tissue to spare there too. Lol

Moviemaniac

Mammalou.....does your dehisence have some infection? (Mine did.). Perhaps that is why no debridement and resuturing........? My PS had me pack curly gauze saline solution-soaked wet to dry.......I cried every damn day......but eventually it was infection-free, and THEN he re sutured.........I hope your nightmare ends soon..... (((Hugs)))

goldie4040

Movie, I have heard the statement "wet to dry", but it doesn't make sense to me.  Can you explain how it works?

lahela

Did my pre-admission admin stuff at the hospital yesterday and the clerk said there was no typo - 8am Wednesday empty stomach admission for Thursday surgery. I'm assuming they want to do blood tests or something like that. And if I'm stuck there, then I can see all the people I need to as they are free to see me (they said I'll speak with BS, PS, anaesthetist and surgical nurse).

Tears are flowing this week. I really don't think I'm ready for this.

GreenGirl & Marty, thinking of you today.

Moviemaniac

Goldie, we were just told to pour saline solution over the first few lengths of gauze, and place into the open wound, piece by piece ....then add a protective sterile pad over, and secure, which I did with Depends, as they had elastic, and it made it possible for me to ditch the tape altogether.....which had it in for me. The saline made the environment inhospitable for the staph germs, and as soon as they were destroyed, the PS was able to stitch me back up. I improved rapidly after that. It was almost as if the 2 and 1/2 weeks never happened. At it's worst, my wound was 7-8" long, by 2" wide by 1 & 1/2" deep........awful!

goldie4040

Lahela, only you know what's best for you.  I cried everyday for at the same time for weeks before I was supposed to have my surgery, and then I had delay anyway, and I am so frustrated now.  I just want my Diep.  It is the scariest thing you will do ever, probably.  But look at how well everybody else is doing, and how happy they are with their results.  Sure, everybody has their own small issues, but they have all been dealt with. I was looking at the 2012 diep forum and I noticed that none of those women are around the forum anymore.  You know why, because they are all better and back to their lives.  We will all be there someday too. 

We are pulling for you, and praying for you, and we all understand your fear. I wish I had the opportunity to do my bmx and recon at one time.  I would be finished by now. 

goldie4040

Movie, I understand the concept, and how it worked, which is great, but the "wet to dry" makes no sense.  It should be "dry to wet"...hehehehe 

Glad it's all like a bad dream to you now.

mammalou

My PS is pissing me off a little too! I want this sewed up, but I seem to have infection. I am packing it wet to dry 3 times a day, but I have only seen it grow so far. It didn't grow today, but the redness around it did. I know that is not a good thing, so I'm going to call in the morning and see if I can move my Wednesday appointment up.



Thanks for all the support girls. Hang in there everyone!

christina0001

mommalou - your husband sounds so sweet, taking you out for champagne and being supportive when you cried. My DH has been wonderful as well... it makes me feel so blessed to have a husband like that. I sometimes feel that I've let DH down; he married a whole, healthy woman and boy did that change fast.

lahela, I can completely relate. The stress waiting for surgery, tests, whatever is almost too much to bear sometimes. I never felt ready for my DIEP, but I finally got to a point where I just wanted to get it done and over with. That's surprising how far in advance they are admitting you, definitely not the norm here in the U.S. as far as I know. 

I'm having a really rough night. PS knows I am having an allergic reaction to the glue they used to seal the incisions, but wanted to hold off on prescribing me antibiotics as long as possible, because they will slow the healing process. Well, I cannot wait any longer, I'm going to call tomorrow and beg her to order some for me ASAP. I can't take this itching anymore. Also, I have this OnQ pain med thing that sends pain medicine directly to both  hip areas. My tummy has been relatively numb because of it. Tonight it ran out, which I knew it would eventually, and I wondered if I would have much more pain once it did. Well the answer is YES, a lot more pain! I had not been needing to take my full amount of pain medication but between the OnQ running out and the itching, I am taking everything to the max I am allowed to have. I feel totally groggy and out of sorts but it's just more than I can take. 

relocatedtarheel

Im so upset. Tiny cancer in one node so no DIEP for me yesterday and knowing now ill have have radiation. So sore. Just sat up for a few minutes. I'm stage IIa. I'm so disappointed and sad

lahela

Oh, no! Tarheel, I'm so sorry to hear that things did not go as planned for you. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

kuka21174923

Mammalou, why are you doing it 3 times a day? I was told not to do it more than twice a day. The less you mess with it the better. My ps tried to cut the edges on my blister, but it started to bleed like crazy. Even though it looked awe full it very superficial. But it takes time. Mine took 2 months to heal!

Movie, the lipo part doesn't hurt, or at least I don't think it does. The reincision in my tummy can get uncomfortable. I don't even want to take my compression garment off. I can walk fine and lay on my side and everything, as long as I'm careful.

I can't believe I have to deal with that glue on my incision again. But I think I should be back to normal by Friday. I hope so because I plan to take the kids to a movie:)

Welcome to the newbies. Sorry I didn't say anything earlier, but I was still on my Wilbur stage?

christina0001

relocated tarheel... how disappointing! I hope you are feeling better soon, physically and emotionally.

Barbmal5

Mammalou, I'm so sorry and embarrassed about my thoughts of it being gas.  I didnt realize you're wounds were open and now infected! It's so hard to read all these posts.  Please forgive me and hang in there, it will get better.  (Still wish it was just gas for you though).

Lahela, I know how you are feeling.  I thought for sure I was going to call at any moment and cancel everything.  I was in such emotional overload.  I was having this huge surgery (bilateral DIEP) and there was nothing wrong with me (other than that pesky gene).  What the heck was I doing to myself!  Then all of a sudden a day or so before my surgery this unbelievable calm came over me and I just knew I was making the right decision.  I was so ready for it.  I havent regretted a second.  Was it hard at times? Hell yes! but each day after is so much better.  I'm not anywhere near as scared or nervous for Stage 2 (which is in 8 days).  Hang in there you can and will do it and be so happy with the results afterwards.

Janet_M

Relocated - Dammit! Everything seemed to be happening so fast for you, and now this big dissappointment. I'm so sorry. 

Janet_M

Mammalou - I'm so sorry you're feeling crummy. Nothing wrong with a good cry, especaily if it makes you feel better. Very nice of you to give your hubby permission to find a two boobed woman. I'm sure a lot of guys would jump at the chance at if they were 22, but the greatest asset of women in my age group (50) is often just a good bra.  I hope you're feeling better.

Lahela - I had the same experience as Barma15. A basket case a few days before, then extremely calm on the day of surgery. Have you not seen your 'team' yet? I felt loads better after I talked to the surgical nurse, ps, and especially the aneastheologist. I was concerned about the length of the surgery, and he was very reassuring about the safety of the operation, even saying that for him it 'was boring'.  I know it's a lot to absorb just now - but  I'm guessing that you'll feel better after you meet everyone. This is what they do - and they do it so well.  I felt much safer after I met with everyone involved. And just in case you think I'm one of those strong stoic gals - I am most certainly not. I'm a big fat chicken that just puts one shakey foot in front of the other - and I turn my head everytime I have a needle. But the staff was so brilliant, and caring, that I had faith - and let everything fall into their hands. Just try to take everything one step at a time

Shocked_again

I just had the pap two weeks ago today. I am having issues walking and sitting, of course, as it effects that area where you bend. I am hoping all is normal, but my wounds are still "weeping" and wondering how long to expect this. I know everyone is different, and it's probably good the fluid is coming out, but I'm getting frustrated! Drains were removed last week from donor site, and only a few days after surgery for breasts ( I think 4).



Breasts look good from above, but I need a second stage to fix the actual flap, which is very small, below my nipples. They spared my nipples, which was huge for me. I was so excited.

I know not everyone is in the same boat, but nipple sparing is the other up and coming procedure, and if they can do it, that's great. But you need the right breast surgeon, in addition to the plastic surgeons. I went to NYC. They biopsied me while on the table to make sure I had enough margin to do nipple sparing. I had DCIS, So a good candidate for nipple spare.



Anyway, any veterans out there can tell me how long to expect leakage, weeping, and spotting from all of my wounds?



Btw, I'm using maxipads and panty liners in my bra and spanks to absorb, rather than gauze. just a recommendation.

Tracy516

To thy own Wilbur be true!

To all the ladies in surgery today: peace!



Mammalou!!!!!!

mammalou

Barbmal... Please don't be silly, there is nothing to apologize for. I have lots of other pains and am sure some of them probably are gas. I am happy to hear all suggestions.



Kuku... They to,d me 3x day, but now I won't feel bad if I miss one as I did yesterday, since I was out drinking champaign!



Tarheal... I'm so sorry for your news. It is scary when you learn your nodes are involved. Concentrate on your cancer now and the diep can come later. I have waited 2 years for diep and the time has gone fast. You will get there!

goldie4040

Kuka, glad you are doing so well.  Let's keep it that way. Take it very slow.  You just had your stomach re-done.  Same surgery has last time, just because it is stage 2 doesn't mean you can't have a complication.  Please please please stay still for a while.  I wish I could call your husband and have him tie you down.  

Tarhell, I am so sorry.  Your disappointment, and fear have to be off the charts.  I wish there was more we could do then tell you that this to will pass, and you will have your diep one day.  In the meantime, we will be here for you along with your family,  I am sure.  Sending big hugs your way.

Mammalou, I hope doc sees you today.

SBE...check in please

Lahela, just close your eyes and jump.  It's all good,

Christina, things will get easier. You'll see

Bailey, hope your tummy is better today