DIEP 2013

faith729

TammyT I haven't done any leg exercises since surgery just waiting to hear if there are any that would be safe :)same here I have always had nnaturally strong legs and running contributed a great deal so I'm just trying to ensure that I maintain some of my strength especially since yoga pants are my option these days

Gini I have a feeling that I feel the same about running as you do about roller blading *sigh* the weather is so amazing that it's tough to pull back. When I walk just around our circle though (very short distance) I find that my stomach tends to tighten up a lot ..anyone else ?

bdavis

So I am going to share a story that might help put exercise into perspective. I had a revisional surgery in January, all incisions were healing well and I was feeling fabulous. Last Saturday, I went to spinning class... felt great - and I have been exercising since 6 weeks post op. Well, by 2pm, I had shivers, nausea, headache, body aches... I though I had the flu. In the evening I had a redness over one of my scars. By Sunday morning that redness had deepened and gotten more painful. I emailed a picture to my doctor and he said to get to the ER. I was admitted to the hospital with cellulitis. They had never seen cellulitis on anyone's back (I had GAP flap and DIEP flap). So it is a guess, but my PS thinks that when the front or back is cut, lymphatic drainage is interrupted and needs time to find a new route for drainage. That, coupled with liposuction can also disrupt the drainage. So my doctor thinks that when I went to spin class and was leaning over, I was putting stress on my incision (even 2.5 months post surgery) and perhaps I had a microscopic opening, and a bacteria from the gym perhaps got in there and started my problems.

Anyway... no spinning for me for a bit. No massage of lymphatic system for a month in fear of the infection spreading... and perhaps no lipo in my next revisional surgery.

Even when you look healed and feel great, there is still room for a problem.

Gini23

Oh my - thank you for sharing that, Betsy. How awful for you.



And here is some confirmation from my PS office, which really confuses me because it is not what is written in the discharge instructions:



"I spoke with (the PA) and she said that you should not be jogging until you are 3 months post-op from your surgery. You are able to do light walking, but nothing much more than that. She said that you can do very light bicep weights but no leg exercises because most times that requires the abdomen. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! For all exercise, besides walking, it would be best to wait 3 months after surgery date."



So I guess I am NOT going to be training for the Komen CT 5K.... Nor getting my hot-new-bod in shape for summer.



Faith - that tightening will ease up as you progress. Give it time.... I only occasionally now catch myself walking a little bit hunched over, feeling tight. Usually it is after I have been sitting for a long time, especially on the barstools we have in our kitchen.

cgabbyj

Hi Everyone,

I am new to this board.  I had a UMX in August and am now trying to decide to have DIEP or TUG.  I will have my other breast removed and do a bilateral recon.  I am 5'6'' and am about 30lbs overweight.  I have always had a tummy so it would be a "silver lining" to have that problem area vanish. But if I finally do lose weight, I am afraid I will lose my new "girls".  I am also very athletic even though I am 55.  A year ago I was lifting 80lbs to work arms and shoulders.  Right now I am doing a vigourous yoga practice - I haven't gone back to weight-lifting but would like the option. What I have read about TUG makes me think it may be a better fit for me.  

Did anyone here have this same debate with themselves.  I would so appreciate any comments or recommendations.  Oh yeah, I also need to get my reconstruction done so that I can address my chronic unemployment.

Thanks so much,

Cynthia

bdavis

Cynthia... From my understanding, TUG is really only appropriate if you have small breasts now and want to remain that way. Also, TUG will leave a viewable scar where DIEP would not, outside of a bikini... Not sure if that matters to you, does to me. And last, my PS says that DIEP is the best donor site for blood vessels, then GAP...

So I think some of this depends on your wants and needs. I was a C+ before and wanted a C+ after and didn't even have enough abdominal fat for two breasts, but they did get it from my buttock.  I also can wear a bikini with no scars showing (had bith GAP, DIEP and Tdap ultimately). That was important to me. And also, I am very active... golf, go to the gym etc. and have no issues after my surgeries.

lilyun

hi everyone, not feeling as good today.Probably tmi but I have hemmoroid issues which need to be addressed. My stomach wasn't great the week before surgery-stage 2-on Monday.I was fighting a virus and had alot of stress. Last night I had my first BM which also resulted in a lot of hemmoroidal bleeding. In the middle of those two things I had the surgery which of course also results in a loss of blood.Today I felt nauseus, weak and cranky. I had this same issue after the stage 1 surgery last December. Since this is a problem area for me I tried to take precautions and start stool softeners before the surgery. After surgery, my son came home from college for Christmas and got the stomach flu which I then got. Those two things combined with the surgery meant alot of blood loss and a real setback in my recovery. I am usually pretty upbeat with this whole thing but it's alot to take after getting myself back up to steam to be swollen, sore, lethargic and miserable. I don't like to complain because I do believe that others have things worse and as bc surviviors people expect us to be strong, but I know that I can complain to all of you because you get it. It's finally spring, I want to wear my spring clothes, dig out my spring purse, get a mani/pedi and be out in the world. Instead here I am in pajama pants a t shirt and flannel shirt. Can't shower for a week due to belly button reconstruction. I'm having a mild pity party asking myself where did you go wrong to end up like this? How come so and so and so and so don't have bc? Sorry for the rant but I spent almost 8 weeks recuperating last time and now 4 months later I am doing it again ( although it's no way as severe.)

dltnhm

Constantly reminded how different we are all - how different our surgical sites respond and are treated - and how different protocols are.



My surgery was a ss ns umx with immediate DIEP. No binders at all. Absolutely no bra for 6 weeks post op. I was cleared to resume running at 5 was but my reconstruction surgeon would not give on the bra. So I waited another week.



Started running then and never had a problem - not a hitch through 20 chemo treatments, ran through rads, and ran a 10K 2 days later. Okay - not a 'can't run hitch - but weeks into my 12 weekly Taxols I gained weight and despite running 25-30 miles per week the scale kept climbing. That was torture - to maintain and escalate my exercise regimen and watch the scale go up. My MO received an earful as I could only speculate how high that scale would have climbed I'd have been sedentary.

Rads fatigue hit me post rads.



Recently had a small oval of skin removed that was added at initial surgery time (just in case my ns nipple/areola complex failed). My surgeon is taking a conservative two stage approach to remove that skin.



With this small outpatient ambulatory surgery, however, a surgical bra was ordered and I awoke in it. Have to wear it 24/7 - (when not showering). Have quite a patchwork of steri-strips covering that area.



Not cleared to run yet ... Chafing at the bit to do so. 2 hour speed walking to make up for it is just not the same. LOL.



Cannot imagine what some of you are enduring with open wounds, infections, flap loss, etc. My heart goes out to you.



Diana

cgabbyj

Hi Betsy,

Thank you for your reply - I really appreciate it.  In your opinion, should one try to lose some weight before stage I or hang on to the extra fat and then try to lose it before the stage II revisions?  I saw Dr Winograd in Boston last summer and he said that my ab fat was perfect for a DIEP.  I am a C right now and would have enough ab fat to remain a C. Maybe I am overthinking this...

I am so glad that you have been able to be active again although I am sorry for yoursetback. Way to be on top of the cellitis, though. With all your knowledge and proactive attitude, you will be better than ever in a very short while.

Lilyun, I so get your desire to "be out in the world again"...Hang in there...you are almost through the worst of it and you will be soaking the summer very soon. I have the same feelings - I am just getting my groove back after my lumpectomies and mastectomy after a tough year. I so do not want to go through the recuperation period even though, in the end, reconstruction and greatly decreasing my cancer risk will be worth it. I will suck it up, though.

bdavis

Cynthia... About weight loss, it really depends what you weigh and what you want to weigh. I would say if you are somewhat overweight and want to lose 30 pounds or so to be great, then I would just stay the weight you are before stage I... Then diet before stage II.... I have lost some weight between each stage stage I to stage II and stage II to stage IIb. I will have a stage IIc in November (yes, I am a perfectionist), and hope to lose 15-20 pounds by then. That would get me to a pretty fighin' weight.

faith729

bdavis thanks for mentioning what happened I think I needed that reality check .... no exercise unless authorized by my PS.

I will just keep walking short distances and take it slow.



Lilyun I feel awful that you are going through all that extra junk on top of trying to recover. Hoping that you get relief fast and things progress more smoothly for you. Hang in there (((hugs))) and feel free to vent here it's the place to do it we all understand.



Hope everyone is having a great day !

wraithg

Gini and bdavis thanks for info. My GP thought I might have infection so back to PS yesterday(refused to  take antibiotics) and she said I was fine but I have to be careful how much I do. I can not lift anything more than 10lbs for at least 10 weeks, which means I can not do my job properly. Wish I had know before , now I will have to contact insurance which is always a pain. I am sitting around and not being able to exercise is difficult as I am gaining weight. bdavis hope you do extremely well from now on. lilyun I go up and down these days. Hope you feel better soon. 

AnnBR

Betsy, I am wishing you a complete and successful recovery from cellutitis. You've come so far and have such amazing results.

lilyun

cgabbyj,faith729, and Geralyn, thanks so much for your support. I'm feeling a little better today. Just miss being out and about but I know that it is coming soon.

MartyJ

lilyun - thanks for letting me share your pitty party last night - even though you didn't know.  My Stage 2 was on Friday and yours on Monday.  And the weather is beautiful, but no matter what I put on am reminded quickly I have 4 drains and compression and bruising and it sure is no fun.  But, my DH opened the windows so the warm breeze wraps around me with the sweet smells of spring.  And I am resting here thinking of wearing a cute new pair of white pants with a fun little tank and a pair of hot pink shoes.  It will happen.  Not today or tomorrow, but soon.  Gotta be soon!

kuka21174923

cgabbyj, my PS told me he would like for me to loose 5-10 pounds. I'm only 20 pounds overweight. I'm a D cup right now and would like to stay a C+ after surgery. The PS said there's only so much fat he can remove and so much pulling he can do. He said if I was doing a tummy tuck he would make me loose weight before he did the surgery. It's amazing at how much fat hides under all that skin. They need you to have that extra skin to pull and they can't pull that much if they're pinching fat. Your scar would be lower also. So keep that in mind! I'm trying to eat as healthy as I can until my surgery. Nothing but lean protein for me. No sugars at all!! He also said to exercise as much as I can until surgery. The more fit you are the faster you're going to recover. He suggested sit ups, lounges, and some leg exercises that would use your tummy muscles.

Bdavis, that is just horrible. Thank you for sharing, and I hope you can recover fast and get back to normal.

I did all of my preops yesterday and everything is ready for Tuesday. I decided not to spare my nipples. PS said it would be better to remove them since he's going to do a lift also. And my BS wouldn't do the surgery sparing the nipples, so I guess they're leaving!!

PS also said that if I didn't want to buy a recliner I could purchase a bed lounger. Here's a link for it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001D07MEI/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1365638830&sr=8-1&pi=SL75

Have a great day!

cgabbyj

Hi everyone,

Thanks Bdavis and Kuka21 for the advice on weight loss before phase I!  It is so generous of you both to respond.  Bdavis, your name appears over and over on this website - you are so incredibly giving of your time and wise advice! You have certainly helped me -I am already starting to move forward on getting a surgery date.

Today I made an appointment with Dr Jonathan Winograd at Mass General here in Boston.  I met him just before my August 2012 mastectomy and thought he was very nice and smart.  I felt good about him except for the fact he seemed a bit rushed and he hesitated a bit before showing me pictures.  So I have a little bit of hesitation. I felt relieved when I met him because, previously, I had met a plastic surgeon in my local hospital who pushed implants and I felt I could see $$ signs in his eyes. It was really creepy. Winograd put me at ease right away...I was dealing with a scientist and I liked his manner immediately.

Now it has been 9 mos later and I am thinking I need to check out Dr Tobias and Dr Stephanie Caterson, too.  Tobias seems to be a perfectionist but remote and Caterson universally loved and praised. Has anyone here heard anything about Winograd lately?There are posts about him on older boards but they go back to 2009, 2010 and that bothers me.  Would the patients of Tobias and Caterson mind dropping a line or two about their experience?

I have to admit a part of me would love just to go with Winograd since I probably could get a surgery date more quickly. But I can't ignore the praise Tobias and Caterson get and it is important to give myself the best possible outcome.

Lilyun - really glad to read you are feeling a bit more cheerful.  

MartyJ - a hot pink pair of shoes sounds so fun! Do you already a pair in mind?

Thanks, everyone - I am so glad I found you all here:)

Cheers,

Cynthia

Kuka21 - I have that very bed lounger.  I don't use it alot because it pitches me forward and that might be tough on you, especially in the first couple of weeks.  Order it and try it out beforehand?

faith729

cgabby

I have never heard of Winograd but if your looking for a wonderful PS in Boston I would have to highly recommend Dr Matthew Carty he is I believe in the same office of Caterson at Faulkner however I can not comment on Caterson because I have not personally met him. I can not say enough about Dr Carty he met with me initially and our visit was 2 hours ! He answered every question and explained things as if I washis main focus. I can give you his info if your iinterested let me know.

If your comfortable with your doctor that's all that matters.

bdavis

Cynthia... Thanks for your kind words... One major piece of advice is DON'T choose a doctor because of schedule. This is a very delicate surgery and you need 100% faith in your doctor. So if you feel there is a better choice for you, but you have to wait an extra month, then you should wait. You don't want any regrets later. You get one chance at this.

lilyun

Cynthia   I would echo bdavis. I waited three months for this surgery. The waiting was really difficult but I wanted the DIEP and I had complete faith in my doctor. Even though I was not in the mood for more surgery this week for stage 2 after getting my strength back I never had any doubts about what my surgeon was going to do and how well he would do it.

HHCats

Just reading and taking all of it in . . .had my pre-op on Tuesday. Everything went well except I was advised to take an iron supplement until surgery. Chemo still working its wonders on my hemoglobin! Talked to two former patients of my PS and felt really reassured after those calls. I've pretty much given up on trying to keep my house clean with the three young ones running around . . .so having a massage tomorrow and maybe a pedicure. I had to take off my nail polish and I now have ugly toes. I need them cleaned up at least even if I can't have polish!!! So next Monday at 8am is the day. Doing a lot of visualization, meditation, and prayer.

Cherrie

HHCats- you will do great! You have many, many girls here with you. My prayers are with you and your family this weekend. Make this weekend about relaxing and having fun!

regenschirm

Bdavis that could so easily be me.  I put a lot of effort into "getting back to the gym".  I went to spin a few times before my revisions.   And also zumba.  Your experience reminds me of the importance of taking it slow.   It's been a tough recovery for me because my husband had to travel this week.  I've had 3 kids solo and not any help.   Counting down to a more restful week starting in 48 hours...  Not resting enough.  

Most of the bruising is going away at this point but the revision of my port site hurts quite a lot. Started  putting bactroban on it and keeping it covered which seems to have helped.  See the surgeon on Monday.

Pattysmiles

How long after partial masectomy with reconstruction and lift did you start chemo?

(I was told I will be having chemo, but no start date)



Also, how long after chemo did you have

to wait til Masectomy with DIEP?



I met with two different plastic surgeons that do DIEP. Turns out The woman Dr. who works in my area hospital trained under the doctor (male) i went to for a second opinion. (I only mention gender to differentiate for the story)



The male doctor said he is willing to travel to my hospital for the surgery, but would defer to the woman doctor for her to do the check ups in the hospital as it is out of his way (coming from Manhattan to Northern Westchester). He said he would do the DIEP on me in the city, but my breast surgeon doesn't travel! He raved about my breast surgeon, saying "she gets it and does what she can to spare nipple/skin so he has good stuff to work with".



The female doctor obviously is a bit less experienced than the male (as he trained her). She seems very nice, well spoken, competent (and I know she MUST be as the breast institute is not going to hire a "bad" surgeon). But there seemed to be a vagueness when it came to payment (not that the other doctor quoted me either, but the office manager said they would work with my insurance company (that doesn't pay much))



I was up front with both doctors that I had seen (or was seeing) the other for opinion. The female doctor called me yesterday to ask if I made up my mind yet. (I only saw the male doctor the day before yesterday!)



I was a bit taken aback. I do not even have a start date for chemo! So I won't even know when that might end (barring problems). I thought I would have at least a few weeks to decide which surgeon to choose, as I have 12 weeks to get through chemo and then the recovery on the other side!



She seems to think the insurance thing will take some time to work out? (I'm thinking -will it take 4 months to work out?)



Both doctors were very excited I had been going to the gym 4-5 times a week for 45 minutes to one hour of aerobics and want me to continue. I had to remind her my PS has me on restriction from my March 18 surgery and the earliest I will be cleared to go to the gym is May 1st when I see her again. Then I will be in chemo for 12 week (whenever that starts), and from what I am reading I more than likely wont be hitting the gym like I used to! She said she would like to do her surgery 4 weeks after chemo ends and I would be able to get in shape in those 4 weeks. Is that possible? How long did you have to wait after chemo?



I would ask you which doctor to pick, but I think I need to figure that out. Hubby and I are at opposite sides on that one! Lol



Thank you for any help.

Pat

bdavis

Pat.... I am kind of turned off by the woman pushing you for an answer.... Plus experience is very important here. And a breast surgeon's job is not to accommodate the PS... It's the PSs job to beautify what the BS leaves them. The BSs job is to completely remove breast tissue..



So... If these are your only two choices, I would choose the male..



I had chemo that ended may 10. I then had a consult with the PS who did my surgery, and went in for surgery july 21.... My MO wanted me to have surgery within 8 weeks of finishing chemo, but nonearlier than a month.... I went 9 weeks due to a pre-planned vacation.....Insurance needs a couple of weeks at most unless there's a problem..I didn't exercise much while in chemo. The whole bald thing was an issue for me. And to say between chemo and surgery you can get in shape is a little unrealistic for the PS to say.

Moviemaniac

Just popped in to say "hi".....Lilyun, glad you are feeling better. I hope to be on the other side of Stage2 sooner rather than later, myself!



Sbelizabeth......hope you are doing well.....

Nihahi......hope all is well with you, too!

Marty....hope the drains and all are gone....soon!



Robinlee67-big day tomorrow? Been absent for a week, so if that is the case.....I will be thinking about you tomorrow!



HHcats and Kuka......in your pockets next week....enjoy your weekend!



Betsy-so sorry to hear about your troubles.....on the mend now, I hope?



Everyone else-take care.....



Namaste and God bless- Jackie

Pattysmiles

Thank you Betsy.

First I would like to say I am glad to see you are doing better!



I was put off by the "pushy" question, and what seemed unrealistic in the turnaround time to get in shape....insurance will be a fight, this is out of network and the insurance. pay schedule is from 1984 (prior to the existence of this surgery!)



I just cut my hair short and "almost" like it (ok, not really, but it's an adjustment from shoulder length!). Yesterday went to pick up my daughter from school and was almost in tears from all the stares, and no one had anything to say, and i still have hair! Here I thought I was doing the smart thing to transition to bald. It's going to be a lot harder than I imagined.

Morningsun1

I echo all Movie (Jackie) said to everyone. Listening to the news of the events unfold there, faith, hope all is well with you.

faith729

Pattysmiles im so sorry that your having a tough time we get it here we all know too well how you might be feeling. The only advice I have is although it's awkward and unfamiliar and scary try to wear it with pride because you are fighting and surviving a battle that so many people will never fully understand. Behind the stares I see compassion and admiration and maybe some sympathy which we dont need cause we are all going to be just fine . Try not to let it get you down we're all behind you. ((Hugs))



TammyT we are in lockdown but all of my family is accounted for so we are making the best of it thank you so much for your thoughts

HHCats

Cherie and Movie (Jackie) - thanks for your prayers and support.  I am planning on having a fun weekend with the kids.  I am looking forward to Monday because when I wake up I will be coming down the other side of the mountain I started climbing last September.  It's been a long detour!

I will try to post from the hospital but the plastics patients are put in the burn unit ICU for our hospital stay.  It's pristinely clean and the nursing staff is top notch.  However, I am not sure if mobile devices will be permitted.  

Thanks again to everyone (Goodie, bdavis, etc) for your support and kindess.  

Kuku - Good Luck to you, too!

Robin

Pattysmiles

Thank you Faith.

Just picked my boys up from their school. It is my sons Confirmation today.

Long time friend, who knows what I am going through, had no comment. Ok, I will come to grips with the fact, like my dad used to say, "if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all". ..perhaps this bunch of people are kind enough to NOT speak their thoughts on my haircut. (It IS getting easier, or maybe they are all jealous! Lol)



On the plus side, I had a woman I have seen in the community,on and off for 14 years, comment how she LOVES the haircut...and she has no idea what is going on. Also one of my Girl Scout moms came to pick up her cookie order yesterday and was overly excited about the new do. I will try to hold onto the positives.



Besides, won't be much longer before I move onto the next transition, wig just arrived in the mail today....



Thank you all for your understanding!