DIEP 2013

Jeannie57

Bluebird, we're with you all the way through whatever this journey entails!



I had just painted my toenails a cheery color before DIEP but because I had to have ankle (and neck) IVs, I had to take it off. DH painted them again for me when we got home, a nice bonding experience!



I would recommend bringing a phone or iPad to the hospital but we all know what happened when I tried using mine...Hello, Wilbur! Family watched over my electronics for me.

Jeannie57

Opposite, DD not DH! That would have been hysterical.

Tracy516

QUESTION: do my bras need the nipple are cut out? One week from surgery and after my shower I want a clean bra on... Hubby trying to cut holes!!;)

christina0001

Bluebird I am so sorry, I saw your post about going in for more surgery today, but not that you had lost the flap. I'm so sorry to hear that! Now that it is gone I do hope you heal up quickly, you have been through so much.

Tracy - I did not cut the nipples out of my bras. But I have not had new nipples put in, have you? I have just been wearing very soft, stretchy bras.

christina0001

and Kuka thanks for responding to my question. Ugh, sounds like lipo is pretty major if they give you general anesthesia... I'm so tired of surgery and hurting.

Tracy516

No new nipples. Just the flap..

Anonymous

I don't have time to read all posts right now but if nobody said don't forget your reading glasses (if you need them) to take to hospital!!! I brought mine but they were a last minute grab and went into my coat pocket!!! I completely forgot that I had them and had my mom stop to pick up a pair of cheapies for me at Walgreens!!! I found them in the pocket on my way home!

sweetpickle

I didnt even try to put on a bra until five weeks out from surgery Tracy.



goldie- will do thanks!

ssla01

Nihahi, love the goats! I love the idea of meeting up, but I don't think I could keep up with hiking queens. I'm more up for a lazy beach vacation! Lol.



Bluebird, I'm so sorry about your flap. Not to change the subject, but has anyone heard from Robyn? SBE? Also worrying over Faith.



Goldie, do you have a good beginner level yoga title/DVD?

jlbloom

Sharon, I'm with you.  I'm more of the couch potato variety than the hiking kind, but I would love a meet-up.  I wish I had the metabolism that kept me moving!

Bluebird, just don't have the words to express how sorry I am for what you are going through.

I found the blood clot on my own and asked my PS about it.  It felt like a knot in my calf and it was tender to touch.  Marty, I still have a knot on the back of my arm where they gave me the lovenox in the hospital.  How long did you have to take them.  I saw my MO today and he said there are little clots further up my calf that could feed into a deep vein.  I will find out tomorrow if I can have xarelto in the clinical trial.

My job is a desk job and I work out of my home, so returning to work is only strenuous mentally.  Some days that is too much.

Movie and Nihahi, the pictures are great.  I love the goats.  There is a goat farm we pass when we go into town.  The little baby goats were so cute this year!

I hope everyone has a good night!  ...Julie

sbelizabeth

I haven't heard from Robin lately.  I'll try to give her a call. 

Bluebird, hang in there.  Remember...temporary is tolerable, and this is temporary.  You WILL get through this, and with successful reconstruction. 

sbelizabeth

Nihahi's goats reminded me of something.  If my PS pulls my stomach much higher during next week's surgery, I'm going to have a beard.  I'm just sayin'.

hrf

Bluebird, so sorry that you lost a flap. After all you've gone through and 5 weeks out, it's not fair. I'm also not sure how you PS is resolving the issue but I do hope there is a good solution for you.



Love the mountain goat pics. I think I'd be afraid to get up close and personal.



Sweet, I agree. You at least need a rebate on your rent....at a minimum.



Jeannie, Goldie, klanders, sweet, thanks for sleeping advice. I did finally take a stronger pain pill and that knocked me out. I find I have to sleep in the afternoon so maybe that is also a problem but can't get through the day without a nap. I got the wedge pillow and I will try to put more pillows around myself tonight. At this point I don't think a recliner is an option but I'll wait and see how it goes. The idea of losing a few wrinkles isn't so bad...at least there is a silver lining.



My left foob is still significantly more swollen than the right but it does't feel as heavy as it did yesterday. The visiting nurse said she saw improvement and some healing in just the one day. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this does take properly. Have gotten through week 1 and couldn't have done it without the support of the women here. At least I knew what I was experiencing was normal even though I felt like crap. Six days ago I didn't think I would get to this stage within a week. It will be a while until I can do my regular 3/4 mile daily walks but I did manage a 10 minute walk with my sister which felt good. Not sure how much longer she can stay but if even for another day, I think I'll be ok on my own. I think I'll just ask friends to come over to go for a walk with me.



I haven't read all the posts because it is almost impossible to keep up. Sorry if I missed anyone

ssla01

Are anyone else's foods dry and peeling?

goldie4040

SSla, you meant foobs and not foods, right?  LOL.  

If that is the case, I think that is normal.  How far out are you, about 5 weeks? Try using the bio oil.  It is a miracle.  Of course, ask your doc first

goldie4040

LOL, SBE...does your tummy incision need to be messed with?   Not everybodies does.  If you have dog ears, etc that can be fixed without the scar be raised, or lowered than I don't think you will end up with a beard...lmaooooo.  I am quessing you are one of the gals whose pubic hairline has raised a bit?  LOL

; 

MartyJ

Julie - I do Lovenox for 7 days after each surgery.  

Sharon - yes the new girls do get a bit dry looking and a little peely.  I think it has to do with the skin trauma.  I massaged coconut oil into them every couple of days.  It helped with the scars a bit, but really hydrated the skin and helped in areas of sensitivity to touch.  I can't believe that you have another procedure right around the corner.

Bluebird - I am so sorry about the flap failure.  The good news is that they can still do a GAP or PAP procedure to get fat for another flap. You might even end up with a butt lift to go with the tummy tuck.

Tracy - no need to cut nipples out of your bras if you didn't get new nipples.  Do be sure that you are wearing a comfy, non restrictive bra.  We all are assigned different bras by our docs.  Some wear sports bras.  Others are in compression.  I wear really soft "trainers" made of a t-shirt knit that just lightly keep the girls in place.  My last procedure grafted fat from my inner thighs to the upper pole of the breast so she doesn't want anything with a band at the top that might push on the new graft.

Goldie - you may well be the most researched diep candidate in history.  All of this waiting time is really being put to good use for you and you are learning about so many new procedures and options.  Just don't let all of the new information cloud your decisionmaking.  Fat grafting is an amazing new horizon.  Not sure I could do the Brava thing, though.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

goldie4040

Okay, raise of hands on how many copies of this "beginners" yoga cd I need to make.  I will mail a copy to anybody who PMs their address.  All you need is kitchen type chair with no arms, I like to use a yoga mat, but you can do it on a rug, and a long strap of some kind.  I use my husbands bathrobe tie. It is supposed to be a Back Yoga cd, but is is a good stretch for beginners as well. 

nihahi

bluebird.....there aren't words.....heal up, take things one day at a time.....There is time in the future to ponder "what next".....this isn't the day. ((((((((X)))))))))

I think a "get together" next year is a great idea.....but I'm an "inclusive" kind of girl, so perhaps something a little less "work" and a bit more "bondable" might be a good idea???? Not everyone is a long distance at altitude kind of gal. We've got time to work on plans, but I would feel very badly if someone who really wanted to meetup, didn't come, because they felt unable to participate. I know if the plan was one of sbe's bike rides, I'd be staying at home! Heck, I'll be another year older than too.....kuka will be pushing my wheelchair for me !

sbe....you're a real gem....just wanted to make sure you know how incredible you are to us. When I grow up, I wanna be just like you!

nihahi

NOT MEANING that a more relaxing type of rendezvous should cancel anyone's plans to get healthy and active.....cherrie!!!!!

hrf....sounds like you're doing great! Just think what another 6 days will bring!!!!!

2timer.....Massive pain really, honestly, truly wasn't an issue for me. Uncomfortable....yep, 3 or 4 days of "zingers" when moving from lying, sitting, standing, but not bad at all if not moving....then not unbearable by any means, and I'm no hero! I was in hospital for 7 days, several days before discharge, I was doing fine on regular tylenol. Tiredness, low energy and endurance, back issues ......now that's a WHOLE different topic!

Cherrie

A get together anyplace would be so wonderful. I've never walked more than 4 miles at any given time. So that pretty much puts me in the couch potato realm too! 🍷🍷🍷



Bluebird-so sorry that you are going through this. Take time to heal and there will be a next step.

kuka21174923

Nihahi, I think you would be pushing mine. What you said is so true!! It's not about how old you are but how old you feel. And I feel like I'm 90 years old!!! I have friends that are are ten years older than me and have all this energy. Does your energy come back after the kids get older? I like hiking and I do it when I have to for my son's cub scouts, but more of the stay at home watching movies or swimming kind of person. Just finished meet the teacher night and I'm so tired! Not sure I got everything I needed, but I met the teachers while keeping my red haired 3 year old in line!

Time for baths!!!

sweetpickle

Kuka- My hat is off to you, chasing a toddler and recoverying from diep!



Ladies, I have hot water and I plan to take a very long hot shower tonight! YAY!!!!

Cherrie

Ah meet the teacher. I was a teacher for 35 years. An exciting time for children, parents, and teachers.

kuka21174923

Yay sweetpickle! Nothing like taking a hot shower in your house. In fact, I'm going to take one myself! Did I mention that my toddler has red hair?! I can't wait for her to start going to school! Two more years!!! I keep another 3 year old during the day. Her parents are teachers and I figured it will give my DD a friend to play with and not be on my back all day. Then one of my friends just had a baby and asked me if I would watch her while she's at work. I just can't say no. And I love babies. So it's going to be a very busy year! Can we change the hiking for the caribean? I can see myself laying in the beach and drinking piña coladas, with NO KIDS!!

SheChirple

janet: glad you are able to do so much.  The swimming will be available in the future.

klander: I lost weight (137 lbs), I quit smoking, and really cut back on drinking....THEN I was diagnosed. Grrr...felt like a slap in the face.  Oh well.

Sleeping on my back for going on 2 yrs now. I just got used to it, I guess. Wedge under my knees, pillows under both arms and a wedge behind my back. Sitting up like in a recliner.

Jeannie57

Yay, Sweetpickle, for a hot shower!



Kuka, my 8 yr. old granddaughter has bright red hair. EVERYONE comments on it and she says thank you but also rolls her eyes.



Cherrie, where do you live in MI?



Healing, restful sleeps, my friends.

ssla01

Ha! Goldie, I definitely meant foobs. Auto correct gets me all the time



I'll try the coconut or bio oil on them.



Sweetpickle, enjoy that hot shower!



Marty, I agree. I can't believe it's just around the corner. Whew!

Anonymous

Wow Shechirple...that's A LOT of weight



I bet if we do some investigating and thinking we can find someplace to meet up that has sunshine, beach or pool and some place to hike nearby as well...Then we can do something for everyone?



Bluebird is on my mind tonight. Lots of prayers and lit a candle for you.



Welcome to the newbies here! You've come across a fine group of women.



The pictures are awesome, Nihahi!



Sbel...I checked out your rads scar.....owwww. The things we do to kill cancer, indeed. They thought I had IBC too...there's one you don't want to go home and look up on the internet....very scary. So glad you are here to tell the tale Hugs!



I'm with Marty on the Brava....don't think I could hack it. I went to a reconstruction presentation at local Gilda's Club last year where it was explained by one of the PS at the office I go to. However, the woman sitting next to me was very interested. She had a failed implant removed and was terrified of losing any muscle for a flap because she is a rock climber. To each their own. I knew diep was for me first time I read about it....no questions asked.



Yay for a hot shower Sweetpickle!



Gnite flapper friends!

goldie4040

Ok, Shecherple, I know you didn't lose over 1200 pounds!  Another typo?  Lmaoooo. I swear, it's when you try to get healthy something always ruins it.  Hang in there.  We got ya.

Kuka, just because a child has red hair doesn't make them the devil child.  i bet she is as sweet as can be. Just like her mother, nice and mellow...lol. Just when you are going to have some peace and quiet you take on two more kids.  You amaze me.  You really do. I started to cry today because I forget what it's like to feel energetic and happy to face the day.  I want that  back.  You never lost that through all your stuff.  I admire that.

Sweetpickle, enjoy that shower.

Ssla, the reason I love the bio oil is that it goes on oily, but completely absorbs, and my scars are half of what they were, at least. I massage my scars twice a day with it.  Oh, then I put some on my feet with some little cotton socks a night, and they are nice and soft too.  It's too expensive to use everywhere.