DIEP 2013
Comments
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Shechirple, so sorry for your loss. I'm sure it was a difficult day for you.
Goldie, I can't wait to find out the results! I know everything is going to be just fine.
Tracy, good luck and will wait for you on the other side!
Sbe, where is the pic for today?
Bak, from my consult to day of surgery I had to wait a month and a half. Since your ps won't have to schedule with your BS for the DIEP it will be easier to fit you on the schedule.
The hospital stay depends on your ps. Anywhere from 3-7 days.
You will have two drains in your boobs and two in your tummy. Mine were in for a week, others had theirs longer.
My ps won't do this surgery on anybody that is too overweight. He says he prefers for them to loose weight first so that the results are better.
I can't help you with the other questions since I was immediate reconstruction. Good luck to you! -
Goldie, yes I had a CAT before surgery. It prompted an MRI when the PS saw the lesions. He arrived at the same conclusion as PCP had seven years ago. Nothing to worry about. Hoping you hear the very same thing!
SheCherple, so sorry about your loss. Faith, hope the bunny has a miraculous recovery. Our pets are our live in grand children. They are much more spoiled than the grands.
Jeannie, thanks for the update on the LE. I had 17 nodes removed under my left arm. I will look for something when ever we plan on flying again.
Thinking of our sisters in surgery today and those of you that are having problems.
Have a good Thursday! ...Julie
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Good morning, gloobsters!
Bak, here's my weigh-in for your questions. I had a umx in April 2012, no expander, followed by mondo radiation treatments that ended July 2012. I had an adhesed, stuck-down, lumpy mx scar that was really hideous, and I know what you mean by chest tightness. The radiation really made a hot mess of my chest.
1. Yes, it depends on your surgeon. It's very possible that you'll consult one who can get you in before the end of the year.
2. It hurts, but there are drugs for it! We're all different. For me, like Damiana, the most annoying pain was the way I had to walk bent-over for 2 weeks; it was hard on my back.
3. I can't answer this one, sorry.
4. My surgery was on a Monday and I was discharged on Friday. I think that's pretty standard.
5. I had four drains that all stayed in for nine days, total. My PS was really liberal in removing them early.
6. Yes, I'm happy with the results. There's still a lot of work to do--I'm lumpy with some fat necrosis areas, and the boobs are uneven (I had my non-cancer side done too)--but again like Damiana, I have a soft, warm, squishy boob where I was once just an ugly slash across my chest.
7. Yes, the surgery helped with the tightness from the radiation damage. My surgery was 12 hours long, and one of the reasons for the length was the time it took to hack away some of the adhesions and damaged tissue from the rads. It's still there to a certain degree, though--the rads go all the way through to bone--and they can't remove the muscles of your chest.
8. It was a harder recovery than my umx. For the original umx, I went home an hour after surgery and managed myself with pain pills and ice packs. I went back to work 10 days after the surgery. For the DIEP, I was hospitalized for 5 days, on a PCA pain pump for 2 days, and went back to work (at a desk job) after 5 weeks. But...for me, it was totally worth it. No more heavy, hot silicone in my bra.
9. Good luck, and blessings!
Shechirple, I'm so sorry about Pongo. Some of the deepest and most wrenching grief we experience is when we lose our furbabies. There are just no words...
Goldie, you're in my prayers this morning, and we're all in your purse as you go to your appointment.
This is the morning I was scheduled for my Stage II, that was delayed because of the cellulitis fandango. I'm still sad to be sitting here at work instead of snoring the OR. Oh, well...there's a reason...
Happy Thursday, everyone!
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shechirple, so sorry about your dog. Pets are so special, and such a wonderful support when we are not feeling well, too.
Tracy - good luck!!!!! You'll do great!!!
Goldie, sorry you are still waiting for results on your CT scan. You sound like you are doing okay with the wait. Kudos to you girl; I have such a hard time waiting for test results.
bak94 - the wait totally depends on the surgeon. When I saw my PS for my initial consult, her first available surgery date was 8 months away. But that seems to be much longer than the norm, based on what I have read here. Pain - I think it's pretty significant. My belly area actually has not had much pain at all, but my boobs HURT. I will also be the first to admit I am a baby with pain! The pain meds keep it manageable but it has not been easy. I had my surgery on a Tuesday and was sent home on Sunday. I would have been sent home one day earlier but my oxygen levels were dipping low while I was sleeping, so they kept me an extra day. I had four drains. I hate them too. One was removed the day I went home from the hospital. I had two more removed two days later. I kept the third until two weeks after surgery. My DIEP was unilateral and delayed. I did not really have any preexisting chest tightness. I can't really say if I'm happy with the results or not yet, I am only about two and a half weeks out from surgery. I will say this is MUCH harder than recovering from my UMX. I was hopping around my hospital room 3 hours after waking up from anesthesia from my UMX, and back at work in one week. Definitely not the case this time! The ladies here keep coaching me that this is a process and we have to be patient.
Sorry if I alarmed people with my complaint that my foob is red and angry, although I appreciate the concern. It's been that way since day one. PS said the redness is from the radiated tissue, and the swelling is normal post-surgery. I also had redness from an allergic reaction from the dermabond, but that redness is fading. Overall foob is not any worse since I've left the hospital. I'm just tired of having sore boobs. Especially my side boobs. But it is improving. This morning I took my longest walk yet, maybe a total of 20 minutes. It is gorgeous outside and that really helps! I hope everyone is feeling well today.
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Kuka, I'm so glad you asked! Here's my beautiful Aubrey Rose in the arms of her duckie. After raising two very boyish boys, this girl baby stuff is a blast! -
Okay, I know nothing more than I did before. Yes, there are lesions, no they have not changed since the last scan, and unless I get these expanders out there will be no MRI. She said she feels save in waiting till I get my diep done because I did not have invasive breast cancer, and it is very rare for there to be primary cancer in the liver. But, she did throw another new thing at me. She did a full CAT of chest and abdomen this time, and I have a nodule on my trachea. I will have a bronchoscopy ASAP. I am like, "REALLY?" She is sure that is nothing too, but we must rule anything out since I was a pretty heavy smoker at one time. I want to scream, but I am not going to. I am just going to keep getting my fills, and be patient. I will have my surgery, and I will have it soon. Maybe it's God's way of helping me get through more expander fills. The bigger I can get them the better my outcome will be, so I have been told by two PS's so far.
JBloom, I am sticking with what you said. They are nothing. I really think she would be pushing for a liver biopsy, or something else more awful if she was extremely concerned. Honestly, I don't know why I had another CAT, she knew it couldn't show more than the last one, except that the lesions haven't changed.
Now, I just wait for one more test. I called my BFF from parking lot when I was done with appt. and she said, "This is a bunch of bullshit. You tell them you need a month off from cancer." Lmaooo. Wouldn't that be nice.
SBE, that goodness for those precious pics of your grandbaby. Makes my day.
Damiana, are you having your full revision tomorrow (stage 2), or is this just to fix the tummy issue?
Christina, glad your red boob is nothing to worry about.
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Goldie- gosh, I don't even know what to say about all that craziness that you are dealing with. That's good that you can go ahead and schedule surgery though! My surgery tomorrow will be like stage 1.5. He will be fixing my boob hole and whatever is going on with my abdomen/muscle. When he fixes the boob hole he will also be taking out some of the boob that is in my armpit- but my full stage 2 will be in December.
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Yeah, Damiana, I know it's crazy. But, the MRI is what will really tell the tale, and I can't do it right now. Now that I am back in diep mode, I have a question for you. Was your expander fully expanded when you had your diep, and if so was you PS able to make it look like an immediate recon boob. I have seen an woman who had implants before her diep, and she hated them, and she had diep and it looks so awesome. Kuka knows who I am talking about. Anyway, I was told by the same PS that did this woman that if I could get my expanders to where I would want my breast size he could do pretty much the same thing he did for her.
Best of luck tomorrow, Damiana. Just the little he is going to do should make a difference.
BTW...what are you going to study in grad school. Good for you! I hope you are feeling up to the task.
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Goldie - That's great news! I had lesions on my liver as well, and I almost went crazy with worry. When I had my last scan, the lesions hadn't changed - which is exactly the result we wanted.
If they had grown, then it could mean trouble. If they had shrunk, then it would mean (in my case) that they'd reacted to chemo, and were therefore possibly cancerous. So being unchanged is excellent! I'm so glad - I was never worried on your behalf - but I empathized with the dark crazy places ones mind can go when they think of 'liver' and 'test results' in the same sentence, and I was hoping you hadn't gone there.
Great great news.
Today I'm thinking about Typewriterjenny, Tracey, and Hrf today. Being rebuilt, and soon beginning their healing.
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Thanks, Janet. I hope you, and the doc are right. I will still do that MRI when I am able. Who knows, they might do it while I am in the hospital after my diep.
I am sorry you had to go through that too. You are right, your mind does go to dark places.
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Goldie - My nurse also told me that a CT scan will always come up with something - even if it's just a speck - and its their duty to investigate. Please try not worry.
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Goldie-this DOES sound like good news......hopefully you are back on track........and wouldnt it be nice to take a month off from cancer? I like that......too bad you cant hop on a plane and meet Nihahi and I for a weekend of hiking......THAt would take your mind off of things, for sure!
Well, our 3 newest members-to-be should all be on their way to their new foobs.....fingers and toes crossed for uneventful surgeries. easy healing, and wonderful outcomes......
Katy, if that little girl was any cuter.......my goodness! Just looking at her makes me smile! You are one lucky GMa!
Will check in later.....going out to get personal hydartion system checked out.....in case I (or rather IT) need a new bladder.....can't hike 9 miles in 90* weather w/o plenty of water!
This shirt stinks...........
over and out....
Namaste and God Bless - Jackie
P.S. - Bailey-very glad son is okay.....eyes are nothing to fool with, are they?
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Goldie- yes, I was fully expanded (before it sprung a leak anyway). I have a paddle flap, not a lollipop flap- he told me he is able to get the best shape that way (it used my orig mx scar and then underneath where the crease is, and you don't see that part anyway. I saw a woman with immed. diep that looked really great- I would say I look pretty good right now- the one thing is that my flap is light, and the rest of my skin is dark from radiation still- hopefully that will fade over time. I don't know if that answered your question or not. LOL! Dr. Duffy also wanted me fully expanded for DIEP so he had more skin to work with- so that it would look better.
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Thanks, Damiana. You did answer one big question for me. Now, that is three docs that agree the more expanded I am the better my result will be, and I know Dr. Duffy has a good reputation also. How uncomfortable where you with your expander. Mine are killing me. There are some day they drive me so nuts I think I don't care if I have boobs, or not.
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Movie, wouldn't that be fun if I could hop a plane? Thanks for the kind words of encouragement. One step at a time, and you are right, this shirt does stink.
Gosh, I wonder if that could be on the back of our Tshirts? Nah, don't think I want strangers coming up to smell me.
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Goldie - did they tell you to massage your expanders? That was the suggestion many years ago and I so remember riding in elevators and massaging my boobs (hoping there were no hidden security cameras). The massaging was supposed to help with the skin expansion.
She - I am so very sorry about Pongo. I am so glad she crossed her bridge in a place where she was comfy and safe, at home.
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Goldie, I'm so glad your liver seems fine! Hopefully the trachea will be, too. I'm sorry you have these worries. I hope your DIEP is scheduled soon.
I had skin-sparing BMX and my TEs were fully expanded, which my PS said would give the best result. I had my non cancerous side TE deflated some for Rads so they could get a good angle on the cancerous side and then re-filled afterwards. My left, non-bc boob is bigger than my right one now. They don't look lumpy or have any divots. They do feel a little lumpy here and there. But they look good! I have the round flap where the nipple will be. They have never really hurt since surgery. They do feel heavy. I'm sure they are a solid C, at least. I was a C before BMX. My tummy incision is still leaking but doesn't look bad. I am wearing compression for what is probably a seroma in my belly on the left. I am looking forward to my checkup on Tuesday. I am still pretty tired. My walks are my big activity of the day. It's been 4 weeks today since surgery! In some ways it has flown by. I guess I got sort of used to the TEs after awhile. By the fourteenth month I had had enough! DIEP was after fifteen months.
Hope the new girls get great new girls and recover well! Damiana, I hope tomorrow's surgery gets you back on track for recovery, finally.
Movie and Nihahi, jealously thinking of you this weekend as you hike, though I don't envy those temps.!
Wishing smiles for everyone! -
Jeannie,
Your doc is now #4 that agrees that expanders will give better result. I am going to suffer through the expansions. I don't want to go through this without getting the best possible result. My PS is doing it slowly to prevent stretch marks, and too much discomfort...lol. I just hope I can make it. I am at 310cc and I have to make it to 450cc to get my full B. According to my DH's math I will be getting 3 more fills at two weeks apart. That might mean I don't get diep till Oct. But, that is okay, I think. I probably won't be able to get on schedule till then anyway.
I know cc's mean different sizes for different bodies, but do you happen to remember how many cc's you were filled to in the end?
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Goldie, I'm not sure but it was somewhere in the 400+ cc range. I have a small frame. It's weird because my particular TEs, nicknamed Snoopies, stuck straight out and were made for small frames. My new boobs are big and round. They don't really project like the originals but I like them.
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hrf, Typewriter and Tracy, the three of you are now happily travelling in Wilbur land. May it be smooth sailing all the way for you!
Goldie, I'm glad your CT results were good. My TE was filled to its full capacity at 350cc, and I now wear a size 34B bra just like before. DIEP breast is a little bigger/fuller than other one. Will need some work to even them out. Good luck on the fills to come. You will be glad you stuck it out.
Jeannie, isn't it nice to be rid of those hard, unyielding TE's? DH says I'm soft and 'huggable' again.
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Yay Goldie! Those are some really great news! I'm sure what they saw on the trachea is nothing also.
The person you're talking about that had implants before DIEP had two different sets of implants, but I do agree that her new gloobs look awesome! 450cc do sound like a lot for a B cup though, maybe after one more fill you could start planing for DIEP!
Sbe, thanks for sharing your gorgeous grand baby with us.
I remember what my ps told me when we first met. He asked me which breast I thought it was bigger, right or left. I said I don't know. I don't spend much time looking at them. Then he said that would change after my DIEP and I will spend a lot of time in front if the mirror picking at everything I didn't like. I realized this morning that I have done just that. I will stand on front of the mirror thinking, if they can just have a little more cleavage, lipo the sides and armpits, a little fuller on the front, etc...
Do you think we would ever think we're done? I look great and I wouldn't change a thing? Or will we always think there's room for improvement?
Omg! Have I become addicted to plastic surgery? Lol!! -
I just wanna say, u all crack me up.
I've been reading this thread for 2-3 months now,and I still don't get some of your "inside jokes" but I'm usually finding myself amuzed and inspired when I get through a page.
I do know I'll be grabbing my flashlight to see if my boobs glow...is this with implants or tissue filled?
To all just diving into the diep end I wish u a speedy and healthy recovery!
And whether your a 'pre' or 'sur' , we're all 'vivors' and we all are fighting the same battle. -
She- So sorry to hear about your Pongo. I had a dalmation when I was a child and it brought back memories. Thinking of you today.
Movie and Nihahi- I am so jealous. Have an inspiring time together and keep an eye out on those grizzle us and moose. My son was just there and he saw both. Enjoy! We will all be thinking of you.
My onc just saw my DIEP breasts for the first time and couldn't believe the results. Her exact words were, " you must be so thrilled. They feel and look so natural. " I think her eyes watered up a little.
Katy- that grand baby is precious. Mine only one is now 2.5! She means everything to me. My daughter (with the swollen lymph node) is 10 weeks pregnant. So exciting. -
Good news, Goldie! No change is a good thing. It was an ultra sound and CT the first time. This time it was CT and MRI. I can hear a change in your voice already. You go girl!
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Liefie, that is exactly the size bra I use to wear. I am 5'3 and usually weigh around 125. How about you? I am hoping maybe I don't have to do much more expanding. What kind of scar do you have on your flap, round, paddle, etc? I would prefer the round like Jeannie.
Kuka, why did she have two sets of implants, and do you know if she downsized her cup when she had diep, because you can't see a scar on her breasts?
From your mouth to God's ears, Jlbloom!
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thinking of the ladies "protected by Wilbur" tonight. Safe, gentle healing to you all. ..I'll be thinking of you fellow flappers....sending positive vibes to all. I imagine there will be eleventhousand pages to catch up to when I get back.
Like Movie....I'm going off the grid tonight....can't wait to meet up with her and hug the bejeesus out of her!
Have great days, Ladies......will post photos of the great adventure when I get back!
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Gotcha13, welcome! We want to share all private jokes! If you're wondering about Wilbur, that came from me. I was just out of surgery when I foolishly tried to post here. I started out fine but the post ended in gibberish with the word "Wilbur" and "dibs" in the middle of it. The ladies have adopted "Wilbur" now. I was really affected by my twelve hour drug cocktail!!
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I am outta here, my awesome flappers friends....into the wild blue yonder to meet up with Nihahi!
Promise to leave a TimTam offering on the altar of St. wilbur on his mountain, and near his creek.......no joke! Nihahi can post pics next week......until then keep glowing (if you can)......
God bless us all......
XOXO Jackie
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Have fun on your trip! Take lots of pictures!
Feeling really sad today. Left breast has the black burned eschar and now the right has decided it was feeling neglected so has opened up into a huge gaping wound my husband has named the "muck monster" from Calvin and Hobbes cartoon. One month out from surgery tomorrow and have yet to see my doctor. I don't care how good of a plastic surgeon he is, the after care has sucked. Nurse called in child's dosage of Bactrim so I've been underdosed all week. Muckmonster has grown to size of a dollar.
I'm going to go into hermit crab mode and retreat into my shell for awhile until it is safe to come out. Have a great weekend and enjoy some sunshine and fresh air for me. I'll be back when I feel more positive. Love to all you ladies.
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Nihahi and Movie....I know you will enjoy your trip...can hardly wait for the stories!
Goldie - good work! So happy for good results!
Gotcha...I remember you! I love your tagline...a science experiment INDEED! How are you coming along? Hopefully through the worst of it!
Somebody was talking about scar massage and I didn't have time to respond...My OT did the same sort of thing on my mx scar. They may be doing cross friction massage or myofascial release massage...or something else I am not aware of. Next time you go just ask what they are doing and why...they should be able to explain!
Gnite flapper friends!
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