DIEP 2013

goldie4040

mammalou

I guess it's because they took all our fat padding away over our sternums

sbelizabeth

Movie, my Stage II was a few days before yours, and my PS said nothing about not using ice, so I used a well-padded cold pack several times on the most itchy and painful spots.  I don't think there's any worry about the blood supply to the flaps going into spasm and failing, as there would be with the original DIEP, and my Stage II painful incicisions weren't anywhere near my inner, upper chest anyway.  The coolness really helps.  Of course, I wouldn't freeze the area or put an intensely cold pack on it!

Thanks for all the Aubrey compliments.  I have to agree; I think she's the prettiest baby around.  Marty, her hair isn't carroty red, but it's looking strawberry blonde.  Her momma is drop-dead beautiful and the sweetest, most thoughtful DIL any son's mother could hope for.

Michigan vs. Notre Dame tomorrow--go, Blue! 

Jeannie57

Go Blue, indeed!

Anonymous

(Blue-schmoo)



VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!

Moviemaniac

Thanks Katy.....I used Deep Blue essential oil right on the aches, rubbed it in, and ,,,......achiness gone. I used an Ativan to calm the spasms down....amazing what our muscles can do when they're ticked off! If I still fel the hurt tomorrow, I WILL use a little ice..... . Go Ducks! (Quack!)

GwennyMD

Hi ladies.  I am new to this thread.  I am planning to have BMX and immediate DIEP on Oct 15.  I had blaterial lumpectomy in Feb 2013 and 5 months of chemo after finding 2 posiive nodes.  Since I have a strong family history of BC I am choosing to have the BMX to significantly reduce the chance of going thru this again. I have discussed my options and decided on the DIEP because I want my own tissue and like the idea of having a flat tummy for the first time in 35 years. My PS said that he will take a small plug of muscle so I am not sure whether I am having a modified TRAM or a DIEP.  He explained the procedure and the reason for using the plug of muscle.  He even showed me diagrams of the procedure.    I am trying not to think about the complexity of the surgery so that I don't go craxy over the next few weeks. 

Moviemaniac

Gwenny - welcome! You've come to the right place........we have several ladies who have had what a PS friend of mine calls a "turbo-charged TRAM", and they can chime in and give you specifics.......but most ways, they behave similarly after surgery......so we all hang out here.......



Stage 2-ers......has anyone else experienced the Braxton -Hicks phenom? So weird! Muscles amaze me with their ability to "throw temper tantrums" after they've been "messed with". Not painful, just weird.......thank goodness for Ativan and essential oils!



Katy, no worries-I will not freeze anything. I am just a regular "put ice on it" kind of girl, but with DIEP.......PS must have had another temperamental (read 18 hours) DIEP yesterday......I called to ask about ice, and answering service said he was in surgery (this was about 7 pm) so I guess he was knee-deep in a DIEP.......(my humor cannot be trusted after meds in the middle of the night.......)



Gonna hit the (recliner) sheets and try to rest up....I have a lot do college football to get through tomorrow! . Wilbur keeps trying to take over the keyboard, so time to sign off.......

lahela

Thanks, everyone, for the thoughtful and supportive words. You never fail to pick me up! I'm definitely going to try to focus on the paying-it-forward aspect.

Goldie - the first time I had the cold thing I thought the drink must have been leaking into my foobs! LOL! It was bizzare! Now, I wait half an hour after I pour anything cold before I take a sip. I hope it goes away!!!

Speaking of drinking... can someone please reassure me that it's normal and temporary for wine to taste horrible? Don't know if it's a side effect of some medication or my tastebuds freaking out over the lack of cigarettes (6 weeks smoke-free!), but wine tastes acidic and off 

Gwenny, welcome to the thread. You won't find a more welcoming and supportive place on the internet.

Gotcha13

I just started zoloft for flashes and hoping it does the trick. I've been on gapabentin (spelling?) at night for a couple weeks and its been helping me with 6-7 hours of sleep which is KEY to better health and healing. I do still get the flashes but I just kick the covers off, make a big annoying sigh and fall right back to sleep.

I didn't plan on being this pill popper but I figure I've recovered well after major surgery, got off the pain meds gradually (i still have pressure and pulling here and there too) and If I can find some comfort during chemo I'll just gradually get off the meds when I'm done and maybe seek out some natural ways to deal then.

I don't want to be a martyr either

Jubby

Thanks to all of you who chimed in to tell me about your swollen bellies I think it must be fluid and I hope like hell it will reabsorb rather than having to have it sucked out - OMG, I think I will have a full blown meltdown if that is suggested! Will show my PS on Friday.

Have a great weekend everyone. Saturday night here already and bed is beckoning!

J xox

Anonymous

Movie! Braxton-Hicks....YES! I hadn't thought of it that way but YUP....that is a perfect description.



I love you crazy ladies and am so grateful for y'all.

Gotcha13 - pills seem to be part of the science experiment...I hate them too but have to admit they do help...I have to go pop some of my own.....pop pop pop!

christina0001

goldie, thanks for your thoughts about the Spanx. I am just sick of wearing my abdominal binder at work. I work in a nursing home and my residents worry about me (and all the staff). I do not share my health issues with them whatsoever as I do not want them to worry, but it is hard to avoid questions when I'm wearing the binder. Something I can wear under my clothes would make life a lot easier! 

movie, my PS told me after my DIEP that ice was okay, too. It probably goes without saying that we just need to be cautious with ice/heat in areas where we are numb or have reduced sensitivity.

Welcome Gwen! My understanding that if muscle tissue is used, it is not a DIEP, it's some type of TRAM, which is a little different. There is a ton of information here on the boards to help you compare the two procedures. I totally relate to not wanting to know the details; I am very squeemish about stuff like that! LOL Try not to get too nervous during the wait.

lahela - OMG that's very upsetting that wine is not tasting good! I would be furious. LOL Seriously! Are you still taking antibiotics? I know after my surgery I had to take antibiotics and it really messed with my sense of taste.

gotcha, there is no prize at the end of the journey for extra suffering. Take the meds if they help. I don't like taking pills either but they are necessary to get through this. And sleep is so important to healing and for our mental health. 

Can you believe that my chest area had an allergic reaction to the cocoa butter my PS told me to use to remoisturize. It's weird because I used it on all around my tummy incision line as well, and that area is fine. But my entire cleavage area plus the side of one breast is now covered in an itchy red rash. I never had problems like this until after chemo; now my skin is so particular. I think once the rash goes away I'm going to try the Gold Bond moisturizer that I use on my legs and feet at night. It's not a natural product obviously but hopefully it's less likely I'll have a reaction to it, rather than testing another new product. I'm so disgusted at my body right now. 

klanders

No Braxton hicks for me. The only thing that really hurts is when I sit down - back of my legs and rump are bad. My doc said he wasn't going to do liposuction on my rear end but I think he might have because I have a small incision under the bottom fold of each cheek. No bruising there but painful to sit. I was okay with how I looked after stage 1. I sure hope once swelling goes down that I'll like my stage 2 body. My husband says my bruising (thighs and lower back between old dog ears) makes it look like I've been run over by a truck.



The girdle I have from the center is one that I can wear under my clothes. We are heading to the airport in three hours. Based on past experience, I know I'll be getting the royal "pat-down" as the metal clips always set off the scan machine. Speaking of airport security, my husband just found two razor blades in his wallet that he'd forgotten about. He made it through security without them being found! Needless to say, they will be going home in the checked luggage.



If everything runs on schedule we should get home just in time for the Michigan vs Notre Dame game. Last week we watched the crowds as much as the game and saw our daughter in the second row several times. Go Blue! :-)

Anonymous

Gwenny welcome to the crazy "flapper" thread...although the thread is called DIEP we have women here with various twists on the "theme"...so you've landed in a good place most of the women are dieps but we have several trams, a GAP flap or two, some sieas, etc. The point is we have all had some sort of flap. Throw your questions out there, we are all here to help and support one another. This is truly the best board I've ever been a part of and these women I have never met (and would probably pass on the street and never know it) are my dear friends.



Sbel...Aubrey is beautiful! Thank you for sharing her with us. I think she looks a bit like me....her Auntie Sheila....Lol!



I dreamed last night that there was a lost little boy at the apple orchard...So I picked him up and was trying to find his mother or father and he fell sound asleep in my arms as I carried him around. His mother turned out to be a friend of mine...Lol....who in reality has two grown daughters...but I did not want to give him back ...been so long since I held a sleeping toddler.



Last winter we flew to Alabama to see my parents who spend the winter there. I was sitting between my teenaged boys and they both put their heads on my shoulders and fell asleep against me....it was the best part of vacation! I love being their mom.



Ok...rambling....got to move it, move it! DH and I are going to start training for a century ride on our bikes (100 miles in one day)....not doing it until next spring as winter will set in here before we are ready, but might be able to do it in the gym by Christmas! Yes it is insane but my OT said I need a new challenge as I do better when I have a goal....So this is it....plus a 5k every month...I have cracked my gourd.

lahela

Christina, I only had a few days of antibiotics in hospital (catheter-induced UTI). I'm only taking paracetamol now. *cry* I guess it's just another strange glitch in the recovery process. Perhaps an excuse to see if champagne tastes okay 

I'm so impressed with those of you who are doing so much exercise! I get tired after 20 minutes on the exercise bike. You're all inspiring me 

Anonymous

Christina - my flap area reacts to most "jams and jellies" I try putting on it, too. I wonder if it is more sensitive because it is transplanted??? I use aquaphor on it at night and oil of Olay for sensitive skin (just my regular facial moisturizer) during the day.



Lahela....baby steps on the exercise, sister....especially if you were not exercising before DIEP! I am around 16 weeks out and therapist just released me to start running a little bit (couch to 5k program)....biking is easier for me than running or walking and I think a couple of other flappers here have agreed on that. You are not far out from surgery...20 minutes sounds about right to me. This sx zaps the stamina factor for most of us. Keep it up, but don't crack your gourd....yet...

Anonymous

Awww...Thanks Debdylan...you are lovely, too! I loved breastfeeding, too, the 4am feedings were special (at least until I had to go back to work!) Just me and my baby and the rest of the world quiet and still...Good memories



Ok wordy girl has to share one more thing and then I will quit hogging the internet...I know I go on about my OT but she is made of awesome and has been integral in helping me through the aftermath of treatment and surgeries and "life". Anyway, she is a trained kinesio tape person (sorry don't know the proper term). We have been working on strength and ROM and pain issues for several weeks....(as well as a serious "dip" in my attitude and motivation that lasted a few weeks). Thursday she said she had been thinking about it and thinks my flap is just too damned heavy (large and filled with big spots of fat necrosis and scar tissue) for my shoulder to be able to handle. She then taped the flap "up" with kinesio tape (which also helps with swelling) (we did several days of tape testing in small spots to make sure I wouldn't react to it first!!!) AND taped my shoulder "back" with tension in the tape....it has helped soooo much with the pain. We used it on my mx scar and truncal lymphedema areas last year as well...amazing stuff. I actually have my own supply and use it for shin splint taping (taping technique found on utube). Just sharing...might be something to look into for those with shoulder issues.

Barbmal5

Tammy T & Curlylocks, so great you're doing those walks! Tammy is yours in Pittsburgh? I'll pop down & cheer you on!



Aubrey is adorable!



Goldie, I also had that weird feeling when drinking cold drinks but strangely enough it went away after stage 2.



Thanks for all the Costco talk now I feel a need to head over to SAMs Club (no Costco here) & look for things I don't need. Marty I like your shipping idea.



Klanders I'm so glad you're sounding so good. I was pretty black and blue, and green and yellow and purple too. He may have gone down into your posterior thighs with those holes below your buttocks instead of up. Makes sense it would be tough to sit. Have a great flight.

hrf

Debdylan, my MO said recurrence rate decreases over time.



Bailey, your exercise routine sounds daunting to me at this stage. I'm 3 weeks out and I have walked up to 3 miles a day although most days it's probably 2 or less.



I'm getting frustrated with the healing process. I still have one drain. And my left foob just just not seem to be healing. The right one is perfect. I'm starting to get very worried that something may go terribly wrong.



I have 3 sons, all grown up so days of cuddling with them are long over. But I have adorable grand babies and get lots of cuddles from them.

nihahi

Hi Gwenny.....Welcome to our thread...you have already met only some of the most incredible women on this whole forum. This is a "nothing is off topic, too silly to ask, too much of a downer to say, too wonderful to talk about, to hard to explain" place. We also share "life outside bc/recon"..which is the goal of us all too, in reality. If you want to be added to our list of surgery dates, please pm me the details.

I am within a couple days of being 5 months out from what sounds like the same flap version that you will have. Technically, it is called a muscle sparing TRAM free flap. Meaning, the surgeon keeps a small piece of muscle protecting the vessels when he does the "transplant". From what the Diep ladies have described of their recoveries, I can't find any difference between me and them. With any type of surgery, there are easy and hard "recoveries and results"....thankfully, I feel I have been in the easy category. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have re: TRAM free. 

Bailey....love the 100 mile challenge! I have no doubt you're gonna ride to success! The "Tour of Alberta" bike race is passing through my part of the world for the next 2 days. It's like a mini-Tour de France, with many of the same international riders.....AND IT'S FRIGGIN POURING RAIN!!!!! 

Deb....so glad to hear the tummy feels better today....let "others do the running" for a bit, ok?....You'll get there...I ran almost 4 km yesterday. Please don't go into the nipple recon with the mindset of "impossible to get a good match". Will it be "identical"...likely not....but as opposed to nothing????....no contest in my book. I'm a uni too, and will reserve judgement until after my ps does his thing. After seeing my new boob which used to be my tummy...I have faith I will end up again with something pretty darn amazing too.

Gotta go look for all my rain gear to go watch the bike race...how stupid is that...OH GOODIE, NOW LIGHTENING AND THUNDER....better start building an ark instead .

editted to add> Bailey....that kinesio tape theory sounds SPOT ON!!!!! OT's are awesome aren't they!!(snicker snicker...from a former OT)!

Anonymous

Omg...I can't shut up...I am folding laundry and reading and can't help but step in here....HRF...there is a "three week slump" phenomena a lot of us seem to go through around three weeks...it seems to be we worry a lot and have this feeling of not healing properly and being down on the whole process and sick of it...I am not saying to ignore any signs of problems like infection or seroma, etc since I think we have all seen a few of our flapper friends experience those bad problems, but do understand that those down days around three weeks seem to be an unfortunate but normal part of the process. Hugs to you. It gets better.

Edited to add- Nihahi you OT' s are AWESOME!!! I would actually LOVE to be one lol and was looking at the program here just yesterday,but unfortunately it is only offered as a full time program locally and I can't quit work as I need to get these two boys through college first....maybe someday! Enjoy the rain! Dodge the lightening!

sbelizabeth

Movie, tell us more about the Deep Blue essential oil.  It sounds great.  Where do you get it, what brand, etc?

nihahi

Barbmal.....omg....just realized you are in Erie, PA.....I grew up in Jamestown, NY....small world!!!!!!

nihahi

avoiding the rain.....

lahela.....MEANT TO MENTION....CONGRATS ON BEING 6 WEEKS "SMOKE FREE".....WOOHOO....KEEP IT UP, GIRL!!!!

jubby....don't do a meltdown....won't help. Deep breaths, kiddo. A seroma should feel different from swelling. Can you "feel" fluid moving around???? If you apply pressure on or near the area, can you see movement, like pushing on a waterbed? If not, it's likely "just" swelling, or a really minor seroma. Are you using any kind of compression????

Tracy516

Good afternoon all!



Gwenny WELCOME !



Wine is off for me too;( will try again soon!!



I was told to use HEAT..... 15 mins on..



I am 3 weeks too and I feel down.. Need my breast to stop aching!!! Need SMILEY to stop pulling....



I have a raw red spot under breast, not on incision. Think from rubbing bra and heat outside. What should I use? If anything!!!???

nihahi

Tracy....do you have any antibiotic ointment? If the skin is "broken open", maybe a tiny bit of that, and some light gauze? ????told to use heat on what????

Can't remember who was mentioning moisturizing cream.....Dermabase or Glaxal base are what was recommended for my burn patients. It's what I have used exclusively, except for a brief try of bio-oil...which I reacted to in not a pleasant way. Very "neutral" ingredients in the "base" products.....very few reactions to either product....trust me, newly healed burn tissue....SENSITIVE, DRY SKIN TO THE MAX!!!!!

goldie4040

Lahela, it's been since April for me and the cold thing has not gone away.  

Bar, did you have fat grafting at stage 2?  I think it's an insulation thing.

goldie4040

christina, you can wear that binder under you clothes.  A lot of women buy a pack of men's wife beater undershirts and wear them under the binder so it does bother you skin, and you can still wear clothes over it. 

sbelizabeth

Just back from a morning ride.  I wish I'd hauled my lazy carcass out of bed earlier and gotten out there before it got hot!  But it's lovely cool in here with the AC. 

Gotta go put the chili in the crockpot and make guacamole for the big game tonight.  Even Aubrey's coming, although she'll skip the chili.

Deb, I haven't had nipple recon yet, but there are as many different ways to build a nipple as there as plastic surgeons.  Some take a dab of skin from somewhere else in the body and do an origami thing to make it look nipple-ish, others just do a series of small incisions on the foob itself and suture them into a nipple-looking shape.  All of these procedures then need tattooing to create the aureola shading.  Many women just skip the surgery part and go straight to 3-D nipple tattoos, and from what I've read here, everyone loves them.

Hail to the conquering heroes, hail... (etc.)

jlbloom

Happy Saturday, flappers!

I just wanted to post this in case any of our ladies that lost a flap are still reading.  I was on the picture forum just now.  Someone had posted a picture of necrotic tissue, which I had never seen before.  She had lost the flap and then had another flap procedure done.  She looked great.  I hope someone might find some encouragement from it.  ...Julie