DIEP 2013

Anonymous

I had mouth sores about 11 days out from 1st chemo.....again my bad. My chemo nurses told me to rinse my mouth morning, noon and night....and in between whenever I could...with equal parts baking soda and salt and warm water. I did it, but not religiously, and I paid for it. So I would be religious about that...the mouth sores were painful, but I never had them again after the first treatment.

Get cuticle oil now and start rubbing that in religiously - all 20 nails - every day. I had a couple of nails lift a bit but no loss. Idk if the cuticle oil helped or not, but I like to think it did.

Are you taking notes??? We are full of good ideas!!!

ThAt is quite the routine there, Movie. One of the things that has been difficult for me over the course of the fandango is how "high maintenance" I've become. Drives me nuts. I dream.of.the day when my routine is easy again .

I keep thinking I have to go to work on Monday lol....

Edited to add - RHG - if you need to have the Neulasta shot the day after chemo it can cause bone pain. The ladies over on the TCH thread take clariten to help prevent that pain. Idk the dosage or frequency....ask your MO ..they should be able to tell you. 

And whomever said that we were scaring you about lipo, I am sorry! Hopefully you can take better drugs than I can. I am a problem child when it comes to narcotics....They don't agree with me at all (allergies to many, or they make me violently ill).

LucyV

bailey- I should put a more positive spin on it. I shouldn't say you gals are scaring the s^%#t out of me about lipo....instead I will say I am more informed and will be very prepared when I get lipo. Haha

I am also tired of being high maintenance. I am slowly putting telfa pads and gauze and silvadene and iodoform out of sight. But whenever I get rid of one thing I add another...like ten minutes of massage on hard spots twice a day.

Zenful

Bailey, I have the same reaction to narcotics.  What are you taking for the pain?  I am getting a bit nervous about the lipo pain after my Stage 2 in February.

Anonymous

They gave me Emend pill before surgery and the anti nausea patch behind my earth at lasts for 72 hours....so that'll be good until tomorrow noonish. They gave me dilaudid in hospital. It usually makes me sick but not this time (because of pill AND patch and whatever other antinausea meds they give during surgery).

They sent me home with Nucynta. It doesn't make me sick but I don't think it controls my pain very well either  

I can't take codeine, vicodin, Norco, tramadol, or any morphine or derivatives. 

Darvocet was my favorite but they took it off the market. 

I have Ativan so regardless of pain I will likely be able to sleep.

Ugh.

I was scared too, Lucy! I do hurt but it's not for forever. Right????

nihahi

Happy Winter Solstice everyone.....It's dark here now...the shortest day of the year. Hoping everyone starts to have "brighter" days from here on out.

sweetpickle

nahahi- happy winter soltace!

MartyJ

I learned the strangest thing about the ear patch this time. When you remove it wash your hands immediately. Apparently if you touch your eye it can cause temporary blindness. One of my nurses used to be a traveling nurse and worked cruise ships. She said they had 2 to 3 people every cruise that touched the patch and then their eye. 

goldie4040

Lucy, Zen and whomever else has been reading the lipo pain stuff.  First, let me say I am sorry if I contributed in any way to the "lipo fear." Second, it does hurt, but nothing like a bmx, and psychologically you have to keep in the mind the positive result it will have.  No fears girls!!!  It's all good, and the pain is gone fairly quickly.  You know what has been the most annoying part to me?  The glue my doc put over each tiny dot incision.  They are just not coming off, and the ones in my groin area are stuck in my pubic hair, so who knows how long they will take to fall off.  I could ask DH to do some landscaping down their for me, but that is above and beyond at this point.  

Gosh, Marty...thanks for the heads up on the ear patch.  That is a scary side effect.  

Nihani, may your days get longer every day from here on out...lol. 

I got back out for my walk tonight.  It rained all day, and I mean rained!!!!  Then it just went away.  I think it's on it's way to Janet in Toronto.  So, I took the opportunity to see how sore I really was, and not too bad.  Only did about 3/4 of the usual walk though.  

LucyV

Goldie- No worries! I don't want sugar coating and I appreciate the honesty. Like I said I feel more prepared and will make sure i don't refuse the pain meds! Haha

DD's made a gingerbread house tonight. They posted the picture on FB and ten seconds later it totally collapsed! 

Anonymous

Ha! Lucy....how old are the dd's...so glad they got the picture first!

Thanks for the heads up on the patch. I know they told me to wash my hands right away but I don't think they said why. Seems like an important little detail.

Ok so we are going to my parent's for Christmas. We fly out Christmas Day. And back on the 30th. I figure I will have more people to care for me there than here lol!! And no house to keep etc. I am wondering what kind of reaction to expect from TSA security about my drain. I know some of you have flown immediately after diep ....what was your experience? Anything special I should do? Carry a letter from my ps? It's not acting like it wants to come out anytime soon.

Pattysmiles

bailey,

When I flew immediately after DIEP  I had a letter from my doctor.  I did NOT present the letter, figured I would save it to hand over if I was singled out.  I was not stopped and all was good.  Remember, the drain is plastic, so it does not set off alarms.  Mine was also in a coth bag with plastic buttons...no pins holding it to clothes.

However, 3 weeks after surgery when I flew I had on my compression (no drains) and went through that lovely X-ray machine thing and was pulled to the side for a pat down.  The lady agent asked if I was wearing anything and I told her compression for surgery I had. (The zippers had lit up the X-ray screen) She asked where my incisions were and gently patted me down in those areas...then she took me and swabbed my hands and I was on my way.

Good luck!

Pat

nihahi

curlylocks....hope you home safe and sound today.

bailey...how far are you traveling??? Hope this weather doesn't raise havoc with your travel.

goldie4040

Calling all with experienced with fat grafting. How much of you grafting stuck around for good, and how long did it take to figure out if it was sticking around?  It will be three weeks and I have noticed some has left, some of what I thought was grafting might have also been swelling.  I just wondering when the final verdict is in, and you can tell if you want more, or what to stick with what you have? Majority of the bruising is gone, and I am assuming with that went the swelling.  I still have some soreness at donor sights, but nothing that really bothers me.

LucyV

Bailey- I have twin daughters. They will be 21 in a month. I think they just wanted to eat the candy from the gingerbread house kit and didn't pay attention to their construction technique. Haha . Enjoy being pampered at your parents house!

Goldie- didn't have fat grafting yet but wondering also how much sticks as I have a dent to fill. 

I think I remember someone saying they were going to have their flap rotated...wonder how that works.

MartyJ

Good Morning!

Re Fat Grafting - it takes several months to really assess what stays and what doesn't.  I've read 4 - 6.  Some people keep all of it others may lose up to 50% and it doesn't happen the same way twice to a person.  I retained most of the grafted fat the first time, but lost at least half the second time.  

Time is your very best friend right now along with her twin sister, Patience.  Your lipo results will take at least 6 months to a year to really finalize.  I know we all just want this over, but during the revision phase is not the time to rush.  Some areas will show their final look sooner than others.  Just be patient.  I saw results from the flank lipo early, but now that it has been 8 months I am very pleased with the result.  It has been 4 months since the inner thigh lipo and I still don't see that much.  With my procedure 6 days ago, I have a whole lot of swelling around the upper thigh and inner upper thigh.  I am every color of the bruise rainbow.  Because of the invasiveness of the lipo I know it will take several more weeks for the swelling to subside and don't expect to see much for at least 2 months.

Bailey - so glad you are going South for the holidays!  Did you doc show you how to pull that drain in case it is ready?  Painless!  The TSA will be stressed because of the holiday crowds so be sure you leave extra time in your schedule to get through.  Like Patty, there were always very nice to me.  As long as you remember that there are bad guys in the world that might bring bad stuff on a plane in a drain, then the good guys like us are okay and appreciate what TSA does.  As my DH always reminds me the security gate in the neighborhood only keeps the honest folks out.  The women who have had the most problem with TSA seem to regard it as a personal affront to their bodies if the agent needs to swab or whatever.

Lucy - I believe a rotational flap is done after the flap is in place and the blood supply firmly established, stage 2.  The skin is lifted then flap is lifted and turned into a better position.  Sort of simplified description.

Janet_M

Good Morning  - The ice storm has hit. It's so beautiful outside - more sparkly and beautiful than Christmas decorations. (Thank you Texas!) Also very slippery, so I hope the Norther Gals stay inside.  Ahem, Ridley, please stay close to your recliner.  And as of today - the days are getting longer!  Safe travels everyone.

LucyV

thanks martyj...I will ask my dr about it.

JanetM- I love when the days start get longer. Yesterday it was 5pm and it felt like 9pm.

Ok first day at the gym for me. Walked 2.3 miles/hr for 35 minutes! Haha ummm pretty pathetic but it's a start! I think I walk faster on the road than on a treadmill. I always feel like I'm gonna fall off the treadmill. 

Stay safe in all this crazy weather. It's almost 60 degrees here! Weird!

Jeannie57

Jeesh, I can't believe the fat necrosis I have AGAIN in one of my noobs.  Don't panic, but I've had a pink area over it for a week, no fever, feel fine. I will call on Monday and hopefully someone will be there to take my call. I really don't want another OR visit but I don't want a permanently pink boob, either! Also, my skin in general is going crazy with a rash here, a rash there. Stress is a b$tch! My immune system is rebelling which is scary, of course. Off to church to change my focus!

Be safe, those of you in the ice.

nihahi

12/23/13 lahela (Stage "just fix this already!")  Thinking of you lahela.....safe surgery and SPECTACULAR RESULTS!!!!! OK?{{x}}.

Janet, Ridley, curlylocks.....all you GTA gals....just remember who sent you this weather!!!!! (It's usually us Albertans, so THANK YOU TEXAS for stepping up!) . But seriously, hope you all stay safe and warm. 

Lucy...it hasn't been talked about for awhile on the thread, but for some of us, starting to be more active, was the start of what we fondly (grrrr) refer to as "swelly belly". It's an up/down thing that happens....doesn't mean anything is going wrong, but can be frustrating....knowledge is "power" so just wanted to head off any worries before they start for you. FYI....That sounds like anything but pathetic for your first go!!!! 

goldie....glad to hear you got out for a walk yesterday and didn't "connect with mother earth" again. Marty sets the gold standard for the mantra of time and patience....hope those guideposts help you too.

jeannie.....{{{{{{{{{{{{{X}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}. Make some lefse.....at least you'd be smiling when you eat it!

LucyV

hope it's nothing Jeanine!

Thanks for the heads up nihahi....I can handle a swelly belly as long as it's not permanent! 

Lahela-you are going to close up 2013 with fantastic results!

Morningsun1

This might help:

Donna2012

My diep is now in less than 5 weeks!  Yikes!!  Over the past 6 mos I have lost weight by eating well and working out.  Now I am worried that I don't have enough fat for a C size cup!  Don't really want the other side reduced.  Has anyone thought that maybe there was not enough to work with, but yet maybe it's more than I realize.  I don't want to eat the bad stuff to gain some weight - maybe I'll have a double serving of kale at dinner tonight.  

LucyV

Donna- its a weird dilemma right? You are trying to be healthy but told not to lose too much weight! I remember specifically asking my dr about this and he told me to not lose more than ten pounds ( I think I ended up losing five before surgery). When was the last time you saw your Dr.? Maybe you can run the numbers by him. 

LucyV

Donna- p.s. Congrats on eating healthy and working out!

Ridley

No power at my parents.  Got stuck in my recliner - ha ha!  Had to climb out.  It's supposed to have battery backup.  Will have to figure that out  We are at my brothers now.  He lives 5 minutes from my parents,  but has power.    Hopefully we will have power back soon, as he has a one bedroom condo.  

Stay safe everyone,

Ridley

goldie4040

The weather has gone crazy!!!!!  NYC people wearing T-shirts outside today!!!!!  Tornado's in the south, ice in the mid-west and Canada gets Texas weather (but much colder than when it was here), ugh!!!!  We are having normal weather for a change.

I am going over to take care of my son's family's new cat (kitten), and she is tearing the place up!!!!  She actually seems to get into less mischief when I am not there. When I come in she gets so excited she doesn't know if she should eat, knock an ornament off the tree, use the litter box, climb the blinds, or my leg...ouch.  I would bring her to my house, but my dogs would have heart attack. Poor little thing. 

Tammy, love your slogan.  

Marty, thanks for the timeline on the fat grafting and lipo.  It's like a never ending cycle. Do you think you are done after this stage?

Janet_M

No power here either. I'm wrapping presents by flashlight to take to my sisters tonight. I normally take great pride in my wrapping , but these will look like they were done by Helen Kelller. Ridley, so glad you have family all around. Now all you need is peer back up for that recliner. 

Jeannie57

Incredibly blessed at church today! A young couple we know gave us a $500 gift card!!! They want us to use it for presents...a present for the family would be a nice dinner out plus $ left over. Of course, I'm thinking of upcoming medical bills....Grateful!!!!

bdavis

Lucy... I have had a rotational flap AND had a flap rotated... Two different things. My rotational flap was in January. It is similar to a lat flap (called a tdap flap). It is not a microsurgery but rather the flap of fat is literally rotated from the lat area to the breast. Last month I had my right flap partially rotated. The outer portion was cut loose and rotated up to help fill a dent in my upper cleavage area. The shape is much better now.

About fat grafting. I feel I have had a lot of success with grafting the first two times... but sometimes its hard to tell. I had some grafting this last time and I think I have lost some this go around, or swelling has gone done. All I can say, is that when I go for tattoos, I may ask for a little more on the outer side of the nipple... Unless its a big deal. Some people (I have heard) can get lunch time lipo... so if he can easily lipo and inject it, I am in.

Jeannie57

Lahela, thinking of you!!! Looking forward to chocolate while I'm with you in your pocket! I really, really hope this surgery closes one chapter and opens another for you.