DIEP 2013

Morningsun1

nihahi, I only have half an hour car ride home and I sat in the back seat without a seatbelt on discharge day. Did the same for 5 weeks for all the post op visits to different docs. I kept telling the dirver (DH or sons) to please avoild potholes, we have many due to so much snow this Winter.

wraithg

nihani seatbelt didn't bother me but my ride home was only 20 minutes. Its the potholes that give everything a bit of a jolt. Heavenschild, why did they have to take a rib out? Glad to know someone else is having pain on sternum. Right breast still sore where drain is and still more swelling there. Thank god for this sight. It sure helps .

Cuetang

Hi everyone! I just got back home after three days in the hospital. I have four drains (and now I know why everyone complains about them). I walked a few laps in the hospital yesterday and today with minimal hunching over. I told the anesteschia doctor I get sick easily so I got a patch behind the ear....it really helped after coming out of a ten hour surgery. There are pains in the drain sites and well as the abdomen, but nothing too bad so far. I'm walking about 90% upright, but will tend to hunch over if I don't think about it. The new breasts look similar to the old ones, just a slightly different shape. I'm happy so far with the results. Good luck to all those that will have their surgeries....the prep work was definitely more difficult than the surgery itself! I didn't use a seat belt on the way home.

Moviemaniac

Glad to hear you are home, Cuetang!  You are doing great!   Thie next six weeks will sail by, and if you're like me, you will hardly believe you went through it in the first place!

Nihahi, I am 30 mins. from the hospital.  I def. would bring a down (or something like that) bed pillow to cushion your chest.  I was very glad to have it! 

seagan

Hooray, Cuetang! I hope you enjoy being home. You sound great!



Nihahi, I think bringing a pillow for the ride is a good idea. I didn't need it this time (did for my BMX), but I also had a big down coat on and a fairly short drive. Pillows also help with sneezes, which have been the worst for me. I highly recommend grabbing a pillow and hunching over when you feel a sneeze coming on. Ouchie.

Thought I'd be back at work today but had a rough night last night and didn't want to push it. I'm really struggling with lower back pain, especially at night in bed. Nurse said I could side sleep but I'm just too nervous to do that quite yet (some PS say wait 3 months and I'm just 3 weeks). I use a pillow under my knees but I still ache and squirm. Tips, anyone?

Morningsun1

Great to hear from you, cuetang. The. Next 6-weeks will go by before you know it. geralyn, my righty is harder than the lefty, so I still don't feel comfortable sleep on the right side, 6-weeks out. It is my normal side but also the BC side with nodes taken. I don't know exactly how it works, but the rib cutting is for getting to better blood supply for the flap. My ps had to cut my left side but not the right side.

wraithg

cuetang great news. You are doing well. I spent 5 days in hospital. TammyT the rib thing is interesting , my nodes were taken in 1998 on left side and had radiation there too. Left side is doing great but my right is sore , swollen, etc. Both are pretty soft but right a little harder. 

Morningsun1

seagan, I did manage to stay in the office for 6-hours today. My ps old my that I can sleep on my side, but I am still sleeping on my back in a recliner, for the same reason you mentioned. I do not have back pain as long as I keep myself at as a "V" with a tail. The tail being my lower leg. You may find a backward "N" suit you better. Hope this help.

seagan

Thanks, Tammy, that helps a lot!

MartyJ

Cuetang - don't "try" to stand up straight, you shouldn't add that stress to the incision.  You will stand straight soon enough.  Don't worry about it.

Nihahi - a friend lent me two pieces of foam - one for the lap belt and one for under the shoulder belt.  I used it whenever in the car, even when I was driving.  I was pretty consistent til about 6 weeks out.  The skin on my chest was feeling sensitive for quite a while (sort of like having a sunburn) and at times the foam helped.

heavenschild

Went to my oncologist today and saw the PA - I got more answers out of her than anyone else.  The skin basically was traumatized so that is why the burning feeling and the achy breasts.  I do have fat necrosis on the right hand side where my breast had radiation.  Does anyone know what they do for fat necrosis?  Everything I am going through makes me want to go to NOLA and get some answers. 

bdavis

Heavens child... Sometimes fat necrosis reabsorbs (depending on the amount)... if its a large amount, my Dr in NOLA did a reverse lipo thing... can't remember what he called it, but was like jet spraying it to break it up. It helped a lot. But I still had some, so he removed it and did a small rotational flap using the fat under my armpit/lat area (no muscle).

Robin67

Faith are you still scheduled for April 1 at Brigham's? I apologize if I remembered incorrectly. I will be there the following Monday April 8 for my DIEP..... We will just miss each other . I'm having Dr. Caterson/ Coviello perform the surgery. How about you?

Best of wishes to you... Be well:)

nihahi

Woke up this morning with a sore throat and aches....oh joy....havne't been sick for a year or so.....31 days before diep.....sick!!!!!  Is nothing ever simple and without potholes!!!!!!

On the positive side, I got a rental recliner sorted out, deposit paid, they'll deliver it while I'm in hospital, so it'll be there when I get home. Another "item on the list" crossed off. 

ironmagnolia

Cuetang--so glad to hear you are doing well, my DIEP Flap March 2013 sister!! Had my surgery on 3/4/13, about 8 hrs total, came home after 4 nights. Am progressing well, am now down to two drains and pain ball is gone. Actually bathed and dressed myself today (woohoo!!) and am enjoying my walks outside in our current nice weather here in San Antonio. Sick of sleeping/sitting in this recliner, though.

Cuetang

Good to hear from you ironmagnolia! I'm glad to hear that things went well. I still have four drains and a slightly swollen tummy . Hang in there, we will get through all of this!

nihahi

All of you are like "mentors" for me....amazing how the "tone" of your messages get more and more positive. Thanks for sharing your info with us all.

nihahi

Seagan....have you tried taking a muscle relaxant at bedtime? I always find aches and pains the worst at night, cause your not doing anything to distract yourself. Hope it gets better for you.

Morningsun1

nihahi, hope you get rid of the cold quickly. I worked for 8 hours yesterday and feel exhausted in the evening. Hope everyone post-op is dong well and days to by fast for those waiting.

heavenschild

bdavis - thanks again, I owe you!  The PS never mentioned the fat necrosis and said something a couple of times about fat grafting, but didn't tell me why or where and it really helps to have answers, which I didn't get until yesterday/today. I saw on this site that they don't recommend fat grafting, so that is a head scratcher.  I haven't heard back from NOLA for an interview yet for them to do Stage 2.   So it looks my phase 2 will consist of a little more than tweaking, which is okay! 

nihahi - I folded a foam cushion in half and put it on my recliner and it makes it really soft and comfy.  I still sleep in it. 

Blessings to all, I know that in a couple of months all of this will have resolved and be okay.

Morningsun1

heavenschild, if you don't like your ps, you certain have the right to go to another. We just had major surgery (I was only 5 days after you), our bodies need time to heal. Extra pain/discomfort and fat necrosis happen to some of us but not to others, regardless of where we have/had our surgery. Many times fat necrosis disappear on their own and other times they have to be dealt with by the ps at a later date. 

Moviemaniac

Ladies, I have a question for you concerning disolvable sutures....I am almost 8 weeks out from DIEP and have had some sutures work their way to the surface....my PS has been taking care of them up til now.   I am not scheduled to visit him again until stage 2a in May, and have had a couple more surface.  Have any of you dealt with these on your own, or should I make an appt. with the PS to deal with them?  They don't hurt at all, just annoying! 

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

Morningsun1

Hi Jackie, happened to me a number of times, ps took care of them whenever I was there. The last time I emailed him because my appointment was in two weeks time. He emailed back and said that I could 1) cut it shorter myself, 2) have the home care nurse cut it shorter, or wait until I get to the clinic he will take care of it. I've cut them a couple of times since with sissors wiped clean with alcohal wipes. So far so good. My ab incision is 99% closed now. You like the re-suture? -Tammy

Moviemaniac

Tammy-yes, I am so happy I did it!  As you know, mine was blown open about 7"....and it was taking all my energy to heal and reclose it.  When the PS re-sutured, my energy level increased a lot!  I appreciate the advice.....I may have a go at the little buggers myself....don't really want to drive 45 minutes for 3 annoying sutures!  

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

Morningsun1

Jackie, you already scheduled for Stage 2a in May? I am not sure I will be ready for another round of surgery so soon and also not sure what should I have him do. Do you know what you are getting in 2a? I was on the picture forum to look for ideas, but couldn't find any because my results (other than the ab-incision) are better looking than some post stage 2. Maybe they will settle and faults will appear down the road. Will have to wait and see.

Skigirl72

What is the acceptable donation for the picture forum? I have no idea what to give and have very limited funds as I am only able to work part time. I would really like to see some progress photos

faith729

Robin67 that right April 1st at the Brigham ..hopefully my surgeons are not jokesters given it's April fools day!

Good luck to you on the 8th I will be thinking of you and will try to post lots of updates following surgery. Your the only other person I've heard of going to Boston so this is comforting knowing we will literally be in the same boat so to speak. Do you happen to know if your ps is within the same practice as my ps Dr Carty? My bs is Nahkilis I mainly see them both at the Faulkner.



Nihahi sending a great big hug your way. Lots of vitamin C and rest . Hope your feeling better soon.

Morningsun1

Good question, Debbie. I have not donated yet, but I have seen a number of sets of progress photos. If someone knows, please share.

Skigirl72

It looked like I couldn't even sign up unless I donated. I will try again.

nihahi

Hi Ladies....feeling somewhat better today, but not great, so am just taking it easy. Got my pre-op phone call today, pre-op clinic book for March 22, for some screening tests, and a chat with the anesthesiologist. I have a LOOONG history of post op nausea and vom***ing, so really want the chance to talk in advance with that guy!

Skigirl..you can definitely get access to the photo forum without contributing $$. It does take time to work through the process to get access though. It is very helpful to see "real" results through the various stages of recovery. 

Movie...I had lots of issues recently with dissolving sutures getting spit to the surface, from skin cancer surgery. My PS is going to use a different type of suture, to hopefully sidestep this issue for me. It is easy though to just snip them on your own. Definitely wouldn't make a trip to the dr. just for that, unless, they are causing redness or looking "soupy". 

Thanks for the get well wishes....I think they're working!