DIEP 2013

lahela

Been a busy few days here - my mum and her hubby were visiting for a long weekend and she saw my noobs for the first time (she's a non-recon bmx). Needless to say, she was gobsmacked by how good they look!

Abscess is still healing - find out tomorrow if I need to keep going in for flushing and draining - fingers crossed for a "No"!

Sending all my love and positive thoughts to this week's surgery ladies. {{{{{hugs}}}}}

goldie4040

Good luck to everybody taking a deep snooze today. Wilbur is with you, and so are we. Keep us posted on progress when you are able. Prayers and hugs!!!!

goldie4040

dvygirl

I am sorry you are so frustrated. It's probably time to gather all your records and find a new MO. In the meantime try not to stress to much. That can't help. Just come here and vent. Hang in there.

Lahela, great to hear you had a visit from parents. So nice. Glad mom gave your foobs stamp of approval. It always makes things better when mom approves!

jcoutee

I am scheduled for a diep II in new orleans for this Friday. I am looking for easy tips and advice without having to read through pages and pages of forums. Anyone have any advice on what to pack for the hospital or how to be prepared when i get home??

goldie4040

Jcoutee

First let me say how sorry I am that you are going through this at such a young age. You are going to one of the best places possible for reconstruction, and the fact that you live in LA is even better. Are you have a immediate reconstruction, meaning are you have a mastectomy at the same time as the reconstruction, or is this a delayed reconstruction.

I swore there was list that was linked to this forum of everything you would need post surgery. Let me check into it, and get back to you.

One thing we all agree on is a recliner to sleep in for the first few weeks, or even month. It's a life saver for most of us. Let me see if I can locate the list, and get back to you.

nihahi

jcoutee.....It sounds like you are going to NOLA??? Not at all meaning that you are not welcome here,(because you definitely are) but there is a thread specifically for NOLA ladies, and I believe it has a "packing for surgery" list at the top of the thread. It might be a better source of info for you, at this late date, as I think their routine of shorter hospital stay, combined with a lodge/hotel stay may require a slightly different list of items.

goldie...this is a perfect opportunity for someone to start a 2014 thread, and include lists within the header of the thread, for those women who don't want to read through this thread for suggestions.

LuvSnow

Hi ladies...I took the advice of many of you who told me to get more opinions on having a flap procedure done. I contacted Dr. Massey's office last Thursday, and within a few hours they emailed me back! I filled in the paperwork, sent photos, and had a phone consult with a woman in her office. She said she has only seen one person that was "too thin" for a flap, and that she was "extremely" thin...which I am not. So, I have a phone consult with the doctor in a little over a week. If all goes well, I am hoping to be able to do a hip flap/sgap flap in NOLA.

Thank you again for the encouragement, and thank you to those of you that PM'd me and provided me with so much information!

Sharon1942

One list I found here for packing before flap surgery:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/768583?page=1#idx_6

nihahi

momof5....that is wonderful news!!!!! I believe that doc has a wonderful reputation among her patients. I hope it works out for you!!!

Sharon1942

Another packing list:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/699896?page=24#post_3741333

liefie

Butterfly, you must be safely snuggling in the arms of Wilbur as we speak. Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery, and no complications.

Jeannie, all the best for Stage 2 on Wednesday! Will follow your progress, seeing that I'm due for that early next year.

Momof5, so happy for you! Where there's a will, there's a way indeed. If I ever have to lose my remaining breast, it is a huge consolation to know that I will be able to have a hip flap/sgap flap. I've got enough there for a size D - lol.

I cannot possibly respond to everybody here, but welcome to the newbies, and healing thoughts to everybody who are recovering from recent surgery, as well as those stalwarts who are still struggling to recover fully from their surgeries. Wishing you all the best!

Curlylocks

Thinking of you ladies - GwennyMD and Butterfleyz, hope all went well today!

Mom is being released tomorrow...YIPEEE!!! Made my week for sure:)

Ladypirate - welcome aboard!

Jeannie - all the best tomorrow...will there be a Wilbur part 2?LOL

Michele

MartyJ

Curly - Yeah! Mom is being released from jail, er hospital.

Welcome to the new girls.

Momma - I am a Massey mermaid. She does Stage 1 in Nola, but can do Stage 2 in Charleston and Chicago. She still does some (very few) procedures in Salt Lake. Love her!!!

Hope y'all are having a wonderful day/week. Cheers to the new gals and those taking the big nap this week.

Moviemaniac

Jeannie.......just want to send you a pre-stage 2 (((hug))) and make sure you have Wilbur safely packed in your little bag-for-the-day........am sending prayers, and will be thinking of you tomorrow! XO

Dyvgrl

Good afternoon ladies -

Has anyone here had their port removed at the doctors office? It seemed odd to me that they'd go through surgery to put it in, then act like it was no big deal to pull it out in the office. Not really feeling good about that. GYN wants to do my hyster / ooph on Nov 5th - wonder if they could just do it then?

Hope everyone's procedures are going well - getting a little anxious now that I'm getting closer to surgery again. Tired of all the cutting slashing poisoning!!

christina0001

dyvgrl - you might benefit from a 2nd opinion from another MO. I don't know why some people get PET scans and others do not. I'm sure there is a reason for it. I have never had one. When I was first diagnosed, they did imaging (CT scans and MRIs) of the areas breast cancer is known to spread to, nothing was found, and that was it. Maybe there is a good reason for you to have a PET scan, but it's no good for you to have extra tests without a reason, either.

Jeannie, good luck to you tomorrow. I hope everything goes very smoothly. Looking forward to hearing how you are feeling afterwards!

Jeannie57

Thanks! I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing Wilbur.....wonder if he will make me goofy again???

Dvygirl, I had the port put in and removed at my cancer center under light sedation. I think I would be leery about having it removed in a doctor's office. Sounds like you have more questions to ask your doctor.

Ridley

Good luck to all those having procedures this week. ..................................................................................

Curly -- so glad to hear that your Mom will be released tomorrow. I hope they have everything under control for her re: meds. .............................................................................

SBE -- I think I read a while back that you had extra supplies from your woundvac and where trying to figure out what to do with them. I meant to make a suggestion back then. I was wondering whether a charity that does overseas medical mission trips would take them. ..................................................................................................

Janet_M -- I hope you had a great trip to Cape Breton and saw a moose! ...............................................................................................................

I'm off to have some dinner -- leftover homemade stuffing from Thanksgiving -- my Mom and I made it together this year -- lots to be thankful for! ..................................................................................

Ridley (still waiting for the paragraphs to return!)

Cherrie

Butter- I know you are safely in Wilbur's arms right now.

Jeannie- thinking of you girl. Can't wait to hear how you are doing.

Hugs to all those healing and going in.

ladypirate13

thanks for the links to the lists. I just go a bit numb when I read too much of the threads sometimes.... I hope to have a surgery date set mid November. Did anyone go to CMC Levine in Charlotte? My doc just moved there from Sloan Kettering which I hear is a good spot as well and I feel good about my choice. This thread is wonderful.

goldie4040

Sharon, thanks for finding those lists. Very sweet of you.

Jeannie, I am with you tomorrow. It's going to go perfectly. Tell Wilbur to let us know when you're done.

Curly, glad your mom is home

Momof5, I am so glad you found what you wanted. I hope you family is on board, as I know that was one of things that might have been a glitch, but knowing any good husband thinking, "Happy wife, happy life." So, I hope it all goes as planned.

Glad you say this is a no reaction to flu shot year! Go get yours if you haven't already. I am a big advocate of the flu shot.

Jeannie57

haha! I am not letting Wilbur post any messages this time!

goldie4040

Oh, Jeannie. Wilbur must make another appearance!

mrtw43

Good morning ladies, I am wishing everyone a speedily recovery and a successful surgery day. I am looking forward to hearing how Wilbur is these days....

Yesterday I received a phone call from my PS office, apparently they have a cancellation opening in two weeks and they asked if i want to schedule my stage 2 for the end of Oct instead of Dec. I am getting the nipple recon done. I am completely scared and thrilled at the same time to do it early. I don't think I need any fat graphing done but I am meeting with my PS on Thurs. to go over everything in detail. Since I thought I a lot more time, I haven't really educated myself on what to ask or expect for stage 2.

Are there specific questions I should ask? Or any issues that I should make sure I bring up ahead of time?

When I found out this may be happening in two weeks, my first thought was I had to run this by my fellow flappers, they would know to do, and how to help. Thank you all for giving me that feeling.

lahela

Goldie - I was anxious for her approval because she was the one saying "Why bother?" before. Now she's considering recon herself!



momof5 - such great news! I hope it all goes well!



mrtw - so exciting that your stage 2 date has been moved up! It means you'll be done and moving on so much sooner. You're so lucky - my PS will probably not even think about doing any revision until next year!



For those with upcoming surgeries and wondering about lists - I managed with extra pillows, no recliner or even wedge pillow. They would have been great, but don't think you have to spend more money than you can afford. As for the hospital, the things I couldn't have done without were my face wash and moisturiser, lip balm, phone and charger. Coming home, I wore yoga pants and a large button-up shirt - you won't want anything rubbing on those tender scars and you may need to hide drains under your clothes.



Saw the NP this morning and she is so happy with the progress of this abscess that she doesn't think I'll need to have any more flushes done - yay!!! Another check-up Monday, just to be safe.

MartyJ

Extra large safety pins (like the ones quilters use). These came in very handy post Stage 1. I could hide drains by pinning them to my clothes (there is a tab on the drain). I used them to hang drains from a cord around my neck. I used them to "button" a pair of pants so I could loosen the waist even further. You don't need many, but they can be very helpful.

mrtw - if there are any areas you would like reduced through lipo, it is always good to ask about them. Take a good look at your breasts - are they even, is one more under your arm, is the upper chest area softly padded or flat and boney, are there any dents? Make your list, bring it with you. Then let your PS use his/her critical eye to tell you what they think you need. If something on your list doesn't make theirs, by all means ask.

Janet_M

To add to Lahelas list, I would add a robe and a hairband. The robe I was ready to wear by day 3, and the hairband because my dirty short hair drove me nuts, so I just pushed it all back.

And coming hone, my wedge pillow was invaluable to me. It anchored all my other pillows - I had about 6. Still do, I love my pillows.

Jeannie - thinking about you and Wilbur today. I know you're in good hands.

nihahi

Jeannie....we've got Seattle weather here this morning...cold and rainy... makes me feel closer to you! You know we're all thinking of you and secretly hoping you do let Wilbur have a go at the keyboard...!!!!!

mrt...I'm going in today for my Stage 2 "chat". I'm six months out. I don't think I need the gloob "moved", but a touch lifted and reduced would be to my liking. I'm defo going to finish the journey with nipple recon and tattooing, but won't know until after I see my PS today if that will happen with this procedure or after the tweaking has "settled". I also have a very small (maybe 1" long) puffy spot on one end of my tummy incision, I might ask him about. Don't even think it counts as a real "dog ear", just a little bit of extra tissue. The other end is fine. I have no idea when available OR time will be....could be soon, could be a wait, but I should at least have some idea by the end of the appointment. Even with my comfort level with my PS, surgical lingo, etc., hubby is coming with me today....At every appt, he has "heard" things a bit differently (and more accurately) than I have.

Lahela....that is wonderful news re: abscess healing!!!! How are you feeling now....much better I hope. Without trying to fight off an infection, you should start having lots more energy! Your .reaction was just so perfect....bet it helped you "heal" in some other ways too.

curly.....good news about mom....enjoy the homecoming! Is she staying with you or does she live elsewhere.

ladypirate....these ladies ARE wonderful...best on the site!!!! We've all gone the "numb" stages ourselves. Just absorb a little bit at a time or it makes the whole thing seem too overwhelming. The thread will be here, when you're ready for more.

marty...per usual...it is a real gift to have you still posting with us, you are our mentor!!!!

Have good days, ladies.....hugs to all.....

nihahi

list additions: the chapstick is absolute necessity!!!!! slip on slippers with non-skid soles for in hospital, obviously toothbrush/paste, comb or brush, I stayed in hospital gown and robe the whole time. I had a lot of post-op swelling from fluid retention, even my socks felt tight. So I would recommend your going home footwear be as adjustable as possible. I almost had to take the laces out of my runners to get my feet in them. I wore home an oversized cami that was big enough for me to step into and pull up and over the tummy, boobs and drain, then pinned the drain to that. Extra loose, adjustable soft pants, and zipfront top. For the trip home, I REALLY needed the extra small pillows in the car, and I was very cold so also would have loved a blanket to put over me. My hubby and daughter weren't cold....just me. I also was glad to have my sunglasses in the car, as the sun seemed very bright after a week inside, too. Ask to have your "landing spot" at home all prepared so you can just get home and settle down to rest. I was exhausted by the time I got home....couldn't have stood for another second to wait for someone to setup the recliner/blanket scenario.

hrf

This thread moves so fast, it's difficult to keep up.

Welcome to the newbies.

Hugs and healing to those of you who are having problems

Curly, so glad your mother has improved.

On Monday the 21st I go for my first revision. It's to remove necrotic tissue but I have no idea what to expect. I'm 9 weeks out and PS feels it's time to fix things now. The idea of getting another surgery so close is not appealing to me but I understand that this must be fixed. I hope there won't be a whole new list of restrictions on activity again. Does anyone know?