DIEP 2013

Marcie47

Katy,

I have a marena binder and a wocoal binder, the marena is more expensive but holds tighter but the wocoal the next best thing in my experience. It is cheaper but also isn't as binding. I am alternating between the marena and the one I was sent home from the hospital wearing. When the 2 week mandated time is over, I will continue with the wocoal, it is also more inconspicuous under cloths )

Goldie,

I believe I have a little truncal lymphodema that started after stage 2, gets more as the day progresses, I wear my sleeve in the afternoon until bedtime, Than i do mild massage before bed, i am hoping I can keep it away.

Marcie47

Sorry deb, this journey and the choices we make along the way are so personal to each person, I think we all second guess ourselves every step of the way and then some

Hope you find peace with the choice you decide, I will keep you in my prayers, sorry I can't be of more help

sheri47

2 timer how are you since your surgery

Goodie

Movie - I hope today went well.  I love all the Wilbur comments.  

Klanders - good luck tomorrow too.

Linda - welcome and thanks for the wishes.  I am a bit nervous for this one.  I can't believe it's almost here already.

sbe - I haven't used it yet but my ps office suggested to get a design veronique style C50 recovery kit.  Apparently they don't put it on after surgery but I should before I leave the hospital.  PS said to bring the zippered one.  Not lookin forward to wearing these garments!  LOL  I have a bunch of semi strong control panties which I've been wearing since my first diep.  

kuka21174923

Sbe, I tried them all! Marena, leonisa, spanx.... My favorite is marena. It's breathe able, comfortable and it doesn't stretch. I've been wearing mine 24/7 for 4 weeks now. You can call the marena group and their costumer service will help you pick the ideal one for you on your size. Tonight I can start sleeping without mine. I can't wait!!!!!

kuka21174923

Goldie, I have no experience with fills or lymphedema. However, I remember when my mom was getting hers filled she didn't get swollen. My advice is to call your ps or send him an email. Let us know!

goldie4040

Thanks, Kuka.  I did call, and they are perplexed.  If not better by Thursday when PS has cliniic I will go in, but they said if I was going to swell it would not be my clavicle.  More likely my arms, hands, torso, etc.    I might just have something else going on. 

MartyJ

Goodie & Katie - I started in the design veronique as that is what we are put in after surgery.  I have both the zippered version (which is the best for post-surgery and for the first few weeks (longer after stage 1) and the non-zipper.  The DV provides the very best all over support.  We even had holes in the zippered version to easily slip the drains through.

I have 2 marena.  One with the zippers and mid-thigh legs and one without zippers.  As Kuka says, it is certainly the most comfortable though the support is not quite as good as the DV.  The mid-thigh version seems to roll up on me and that can get uncomfortable.  

I have wacoal panties as well, but they only provide the moderate support.  When you get to Stage 2 and beyond, you are generally having lipo for fat grafting.  It is most comfortable to have a garment that you can put on once and not have to pull down again until you take it off to change.  Marena and DV (and Leonisa) have open crotch models.  Just pull a pair of panties over them if you don't want to go commando, but remember to pull the panties down before you sit on the potty.  I think almost everyone who wears open crotch ends up forgetting this critical step at least once.

Curlylocks

Deb,

Happy to hear that "the flap" appears to be doing okay...what a relief for you!

I dont know anything about the scoring for oncotype testing.  Is 20 in the "grey area"?

You dont mention what stage you were diagnosed, whether cancer was invasive, estrogen positive status (er/pr) and if you had positive or negative nodes.

Once you have all your stats, I would bounce it off your oncologist and medical team.  If in the grey area, you might want to go with the attitude that you want to throw everything at this beast the first time around.

My older sister was diagnosed with bc on July 3 - stage 1, negative nodes, tumour was 1.2 cm but invasive.  She gets the results back on Sept 11.  If a low score whatever that number is - no chemo but hormonals, if grey area (she will have to make a decision), high = most likely chemo.

Making these decisions are not easy. 

Michele

sheri47

2 timer how are you since your surgery

kuka21174923

Sbe, like Marty said, please purchase one with zipper. I can't imagine putting a garment on right after surgery with no zipper!!! I think after week two is when I started using the one with no zipper. Mine doesn't cover the thighs since I didn't have lipo done there. It is underware with a crotch and goes all the way up to the bottom of my foobs. They never rolled down on me, but I was told on the phone that they can if you don't get the right size. The leonisa one really compresses you, but I just couldn't take it anymore after the first week.

Barbmal5

I have to share this story. I try to read these posts every night & some nights I'm up pretty late just trying to keep up & I can get pretty tired and kinda goofy. Also I tend to dream about lots of the topics that were discussed.

The other night after reading about incisions opening & all the troubles some of you have encountered I fell asleep & at some point ran my hand down my stomach & my finger got caught in my abdominal incision which had opened up!! I screamed, jumped out of bed yanking my drain (OUCH!), hopping around the bedroom. My hubby turned on the light just in time to see me yanking my finger out of my belly button NOT an opening in my smiley!! OMG what a night.

sheri47

A few ? My diep was aug 28 week tomorrow. Not a lot of pain more burning And just a lot of anxiety going throught the did I make right decision cannot wear under wear or pants. They bug me then I'm cold 2 seconds later I'm hot is this all normal

MartyJ

Whoa, Barb, no more reading before bed time.  Though the image is pretty humorous.

Kuka - the mid-thigh legs rolled up, not the top down.  That would really drive me nuts.  

nihahi

barb...holy carp....what a nighttime story!!!! Better stick to Mother Goose from now on!

sheri47....it takes time for things to "level off". You are still very, very early in the recovery phase. Is your temperature normal? If so, the hot/cold stuff is likely just your body purging itself from the meds like anesthesia, pain meds, etc. The clothing discomfort passes too. Hang in there.

No word from Movie....does anyone know if she was expecting a "day surgery" type of procedure or maybe staying in hospital for a night???? 

Busy day tomorrow.....4 ladies up for some Wilbur time! Good luck to all, hope you get some sleep tonight and find yourself calm and ready for tomorrow.

Moviemaniac

I keep trying to post, but Wilbur erases everything'!!!!!!!!!!

home-will post more as I sober up.....

Love you all..........XOXO

nihahi

WOOHOO.....MOVIE'S BACK!!!!!! So great to hear from you!!!! I'll let Ade know...she's been asking about you today.

ps..Wilbur can be such a devil, can't he!

christina0001

movie and la2shea I hope your procedures went well today, and that you are now resting comfortably.

klanders - a 30 minutes stage 2 and then being done sounds great! Fabulous!

debdylan - what great news! so relieved that you are healing well.

sbelizabeth - hooray, drain free!!! And you may be done by the end of the year, wow, now that sounds like a wonderful gift.

barbmal - all I can say is OUCH!!! just thinking about it makes me feel lightheaded.

sheri if you feel like crap and are miserable a good part of the time at this point, unfortunately that is pretty normal. Pain meds and naps are your new best friends for the next few weeks. Just wear whatever is comfortable right now. All this will pass. I wish they could've just put me in a coma for those first three weeks. They were rough!

I'll see PS for my five week check-up tomorrow. I'm desperate to know if/when I can do laser hair removal on my foob. I had no idea my tummy skin was this hairy. I want it gone before I get my nipple tattoo. Just south of PS's office on my way home is a pretty big shoe store, so tonight I will go to bed fantasizing about shoes... 

Cstrong

Hello ladies!

One week away from bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP.  Only had about 10 days warning, so am busy getting my ducks in a row.

Today I found an electric recliner (used) and purchased it for my recovery.  I then went to see my PS to ask a zillion questions LOL.  He was great and answered every one. I feel better knowing the details of what's coming, so that is very helpful to me.  I then had my pre-op done - chest x-ray, blood pressure, temperature, blood work and nose swab and rectal swab (the swabs are because I will be an inpatient I think...).  I was given compression stockings to wear the day of surgery and two pink pillows that slot under my arms for post-surgery (I used one after my lumpectomy and it was great).  Lots of pre-surgery do's and don'ts to read through also.  I got kinda short of breath after the visit - after the PS described my entire surgery day it felt VERY real and I felt a little overwhelmed.

I asked my ps about compression after my DIEP.  He said they used to use it, but don't anymore.  I got the impression if I wanted it he would do it but I would have to ask.  It seems some women here have used it and some haven't so I am not sure if it's something I should pursue... any feedback on that?

zoemom and mtpeteacher - how you doin'?  We share the same surgery date so you are on my mind.

Curlylocks

Cstrong,

The anticipation is tough....I too am in Ontario and waiting for a surgery date at Hamilton Science Centre with Dr. Avram.  How long did you have to wait to get a surgery date after consult?

Took my natural sleeping medication (5HTP) about 20 minutes ago so starting to get sleepy...

Michele

hrf

Cstrong, I am also in Ontario. Had my DIEP almost 3 weeks ago. My PS also said no compression garment on abdomen. She said they used to use them but don't anymore. She told me once the drains come out to wear something like yoga pants that provide gentle compression.



I also had those same swabs. They are testing for bacteria.



I still have 1 drain and it is showing no sign of slowing down. And still problems with left foob. Just not healing well. I'm starting to worry.



Debdylan, yay for good news



Movie, good to hear from you.

nihahi

Hi there, Cstrong....you sound like things are falling into place for you. Good to hear your surgeon is good to talk to, and gave you lots of info. I found a wee bit of help from Ativan made the pre-surgery "overwhelming" moments doable. Didn't use it lots, but made a couple tough days/nights much better.

Have you got something sorted out for the shower??? I found that to be the most important home "aid" of all, for both safety and energy. 

Curlylocks....no date yet????

nihahi

hrf.....are you eating lots of good protein????

mtpeteacher

Cstrong: thanks for thinking of me since we share surgery dates. I'm glad for you that you are having immediate reconstruction with DIEP....I'll have a second mx prior to bilateral DIEP....can't wait to get rid of an implant with scar tissue . It's good you are asking your PS lots of questions....I'm grateful for the others on this site who posted and answered my NOLA & Dr.M questions. A week from now and we'll be recovering! Meanwhile I'm staying very busy and taking a sleep aid at night so I rest and don't think too much! Send me a pm if you want to visit re specifics...

goldie4040

Curly

Tell me about this natural sleeping medicine. Where can you get it? And, does it leave you hung over? I have pretty much stopped all prescription drugs because they weren't working anymore, which meant I needed more, and I didn't want to go there. I tried melatonan years ago, and it didn't agree with me.  

Cstrong, they are moving fast.  Your head must be spinning.  I bet you are in good hands.  It seems like all the gals from Canada do ok.  Sounds like you have so great docs there.   I am sorry you have to go through this, but you have found a great group to help support you, and it's all gong to work out fine.

Christina..shoes?!  LOL.  That is funny about your foob, Damiana had the same exact issue.  I think you younger gals are just a wee bit fuzzier that us older ones.  I remember the downy almost invisable blonde hair on my tummy. All gone.  I don't know when it disappeared, but it did.  Somebody actually had some pubic hair growing out of their foob, and they plucked it, and it didn't come back.  I forget who is was. The PS is okay with you having laser on the foob?  

Yeah, Movie. Can't wait to hear how it went.

mtpeteacher

Nihahi: can you be more specific about what we should do to get ready for showers? Thanks!

2timer

Hi everyone.

I am doing fine I guess.  Thanks for asking sheri47.  I left the hospital Sunday afternoon.  I was told that the dieip sugery was a great sucess and that I'm healing well.  I also got a bmx the same time and was told that went well also.  The BS took 6 nodes and all of the tested negative so I'm happy about that.  

I'm getting good support at home but starting tommorrow I will be by myself for several hours since my bf is going back to work.  I can get around by myself and my mother comes over a couple of times a day.  Still things are quite a challenge with the drains and the stitches.  I am grateful, things could have been much worse.  I have 6 drains and hopefully when I see the PS next Monday some of them will come out.  My stomach and breast area feels very tight but things do look symetrical.  Just looked at everything today.  It is a strange new world for me looking at all of this surgery and I still have not yet gotten pathology yet (next Tuesday).  Taking things day by day.  I hope the others who got surgery recently are doing well.

Janet_M

Cstrong - I'm Ontario as well. Also BMX with DIEP, and my surgeon doesn't use compression, or any post surgery garments at all.  I asked about compression garments and my PS felt that the healing progressed with or without them.

Again, I'm amazed at the difference in protocol from hospital to hospital. I got my stockings the morning of srugery, and I never had a rectal swab! Also, I would have LOVED to have those pink pillows - if I had to do it all over, I would demand to have them. 

And now that you've got you recliner, you're in great shape. I was a crazed over-preparer but the list of things you actually need isn't very long. Try not to feel too overwhelmed - after the surgery there is little you need in the hospital, and the staff should be there to help you with every move.

nihahi

third time I've tried to post....lost every one!!! I'm keeping this short.

shower chair/bench is important for your safety, and you will find showering EXHAUSTING for the first few weeks. Hard on the back, hard on the arms (shampooing), annoying with the drains, just feels wonderful, but takes alot of energy. Your balance might be a bit iffy too. In Alberta, these things are readily available for rental (minimal cost) at homecare medical supply businesses...or ask your physio/ot how to get one before you go home. 

posting this before it disappears too!

sbelizabeth

Barb, I hurt myself laughing.  Thanks for the whoop.  Once long ago, when we were backpacking, I foolishly brought a .38 along because some bears had attacked some people the weekend before.  Of course, I dreamed about bears and woke up all freaked out, and Jerry had to talk me down before I shot a hole in the side of the tent.  That was the last time I took a pistol backpacking.

Cstrong...a rectal swab?  What on earth are they looking for there?  I know MRSA likes to inhabit our noses and armpits, but I don't even want to think about what bugs grow in the darkness of our exhaust pipes.

Mtpeteacher, after the DIEP, a shower is a wonderful and dramatic luxury.  To be safe, you must have something plastic to sit on, like a shower chair or a plastic lawn chair.  I used a plastic step stool that I usually have in my closet (to reach my shoes) and it worked fine.  You'll also need to figure out how to safely stash your drains.  I used a loop of narrow ribbon around my neck, to which I pinned the drains.  Make the ribbon loop so that you can narrowly fit it over your head--that way, when you bend over, the drains won't dangle and pull. 

Welcome home, Movie!!!  We missed you!  You'll have to tell us all about how wonderful you look.  We're in your pocket for a quick and painless recovery.

Nihahi, another bike ride this evening, and no reptiles spotted.  As much as you hike, you MUST come across them yourself sometimes!  I think of you often out on the trail.  Our landscapes are so different--Canadian Rockies and California chaparral.  But outdoors is outdoors, and it's a blessing to be out in it. 

Time for a shower.  I brought half the trail home on my bike shorts and I'm filthy.  Have a beautiful evening!