DIEP 2013

Janet_M

Liefie - 

Hol Sh*t!. Can't believe that your surgery was bumped up. How fantastic! No time to think. (Though I'm sorry that you'll miss the weekend with you kids). I keep thinking of the phrase 'Man plans, God laughs'.  I guess we can only have so much control, but the most important thing is that you're in the hands of brilliant surgeons, and you'll have nothing to do, except open your eyes on the other side and start the healing. 

I'll be thinking of you.

Janet

sbelizabeth

Thinking and praying for those who are in the midst of it tonight!  

I had a post-op visit this morning and I wore a beautiful Jones New York top that I hadn't worn for more than a year.  The neckline was just too low with my prosthetic boob.  But not anymore!  

My PS looked at my lopsided, lumpy breasts and said, "Don't worry!  We'll have you looking like a Barbie doll in no time!"

C'mon, Stage II.  I gotta go shopping for some really high heels with a strap across the toes, like Barbie's.  

mammalou

My PS told me that they may take a tiny piece of muscle. He said it causes no problems or extra pain, and that it gives them a better vessel for reconnecting

liefie

Thanks for all the good wishes, everybody! In Victoria now. Just a few more hours, and it will be over. Off to bed to try and sleep. I feel good, and know it's the right thing to do. Will check in when I can.

bdavis

Mammalou. If he takes muscle, even a small piece, that is then a free TRAM flap. You should research it. I know of women who then need mesh put in to support their core.

robinlee76

How long after surgery does the abdominal area stay swollen?  I am 3 1/2 weeks out and I still think I am really swollen and tendor.

nihahi

Liefie.....soooo thinking of you today (and your hubby, who is likely still "vibrating" too!). I know you're already asleep, and in good hands. We're waiting for you, on the "veteran" side.

Mammalou....listen to and trust your surgeon. There is a SIGNIFICANT AND WELL RESEARCHED difference between taking a chunk of muscle vs. a sliver. Mesh is typically NOT used in the technique your surgeon has discussed with you, again, because it is not a significant muscle loss. There IS no difference in pain or in recovery to full, normal activities. Like anything connected with bc and it's tx, I have found the most reliable feedback and honest peer support, comes from ladies who have gone "before" with the same experiences. As I wrote before, I acknowledge the differences in all our surgeries, and have no interest in "categorizing" our journeys. There is enough knowledge and support here for all of us.

HHcats...gosh you sound so great! Good to "hear" that you can now identify with the feelings of "glad you did this". Yep, getting outside and doing "normal" stuff (even if dialed back a bit at this stage) goes such a long way to putting all this in the rear view mirror. Shaving your legs....woohoo!!!!!!

Peacelovedogs and Weerah....starting to feel better I bet. Keep on healing!!!!

sbelizabeth...good to hear your surgeon is happy with how things are going...how could he not...you're obviously "back in the saddle"!!!! Barbie....hmpf.....have fun shoe shopping, and enjoy the last days of "fun" before you return to work. Are you going back fulltime? I'm gonna pump up the tires on my bike, but it's supposed to be rainy here for awhile, so might not get out there until next week. Off for my walk then gonna start adding some yoga back into my day! Yippee!!!!

sbelizabeth

Nihahi, do you go to a yoga studio, do a yoga DVD at home, or just know some poses that work for you?  I'd love to get started in yoga, but wouldn't have a clue what to do.

Sweet dreams, Cherrie.  

Judy_63

RobinLee,

I was thinking the same thing, I am 7 weeks out and still swollen, breasts seem fine, just the ab area.

Cherrie

I was still swollen 3 mo. out, but it became less and less. My upper stomach area has always been somewhat rounded anyways. Many people complain about this after DIEP.

kuka21174923

As I was looking at my breasts on the mirror this morning I noticed that they are a little smaller than they have been since surgery. I don't know if its from them being swollen or not. Also, my right one looks Luke it has dropped down some. Has this happened to anybody? My stomach is still swollen and sore, but having the silicone strips on the scar helps.

And I guess I don't really have blisters on my breasts but wounds that are comparable to third degree burns. I wish they would heal already!

sbelizabeth

kuka, when I saw my PS yesterday, he told me he had been very worried about the side of the flap on my prophylactic side.  It was dusky in the operating room, and they nursed in along in the ICU with (get this, for you nurses who thought this was a thing of the past!) nitroglycerine paste.  In the hospital it developed a big yellow blister, about the size of a quarter.  The PS debrided the blister and we began treating the raw area underneath with silvadene and twice daily dressing changes.

It has healed exactly like deep road rash, with which I have plenty of experience.  I'm four weeks out and the spot is still open, but I can see it healing from the bottom up, and the outsides in, every day.  

I had a HUGE radiation wound that took three months to close over, so this feels pretty fast to me!

kuka21174923

Sbelizabeth, I'm also treating mine with silvadene twice a day and dressings. My PS said it had to be almost healed for him to be able to do stage 2, so I'm just hoping it doesn't take for ever. It doesn't hurt, but I sure wish they were gone:(

sbelizabeth

Kuka, how many blister-wounds do you have, and how big are they?  

My PS said mine should be healed, too, but that with Stage 2 he'd probably remove that part of the breast anyway.  And this is on the prophylactic side.  You'd think the surgery on an existing breast with no BC issues would be a slam dunk, but nope.  My BC side looks like a pale, stretch-marked, lopsided hamburger bun.  I'm waiting for Stage 2 for it to look more like a breast, but for now, it fills my C-cup bra and I love it.  

Sorry you're afflicted with this.  Time heals, though.

Cherrie

Kuka- your breast are less swollen now. I ended up with a breast lift in stage 2a to take care of the droopy nips. Much, much better now. (Like 20 years ago.) 👍

nihahi

Well dang it! Laptop seems to have died. I hate posting on my phone, but "que sera"!

Thinking about you liefie! Bet you're now in the hands of some caring and skilled nurses. Rest now and let the healing begin.

Sbelizabeth, I've done yoga for many years both with some wonderful teachers, and on my own. Probably because of my therapy background, I prefer iyengar based yoga as it's emphasis is on proper alignment, respecting your personal "strengths and weaknesses", using props and modified poses, so that the benefits are attainable by anyone. I suggest trying some different classes, with different instructors until you find a good fit for you.

Thumbs are wearing out. Night everyone!

kuka21174923

I have a blister on each one. The one on my right it's about a penny size and the one on my left its about a half dollar size. They're both right in the middle. I got a lift during my surgery, but thinking I need another one during stage 2. Cherrie, do they have to do the hook incisions during stage 2 again to lift them? It seems like all the healing I'm doing now is for nothing if I'm just going to get all my scars open up again? It is so frustrating!:(

wraithg

hi girls. I haven't posted for awhile. Trying to feel normal again. I am now 10 weeks post but today my stomach seemed more swollen then before. After surgery I felt quite flat but now I seem bigger. Any thoughts? Starting to get some work but today was my first full day being quite active on the job and it was hard. Very tired now. Nihahi glad to hear you are doing ok. HHcats , its alright isn't it! My PS told me not to exercise yet not even yoga!! I hope I can do something soon. 

nihahi

Geralyn...sorry to hear you're having a tough recovery. We all respond differently, so "keep your chin up". Trust me, the yoga I did today, was NOTHING like what I could do pre-op, but I didn't expect it to be either. Like many have said to me, small steps....you're gonna get there, geralyn! I would ask about why no exercise though at this point. Maybe he means no intense workouts but would be fine with you generally increasing the variety and intensity of things like treadmills, biking, etc? Never hurts to ask for more info!

Moviemaniac

DIEP sisters-have been extremely busy today and just popped in to check on Liefie ..... Hope she is resting comfortably and being fussed over ........ Anxious to hear from her!



To the rest of you, my dear cyber friends.....I will catch up tomorrow (hopefully!).



TOWANDA!



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

faith729

Geralyn sorry to hear that you've had a rough time. My stomach has gone up and down I was swollen in the beginning to the point where my own regular panties did not fit when I left the hospital! I had to request a package of those funny looking mesh pantaloons the next few weeks swelling of the lower half disapeared but the top half of my abdomen swelled a bit. It has since gone away but I have noticed that depending on the day I will notice a little bit of swelling still. Is your swelling the usual or does it feel like there is fluid ? Hang in there ((hugs))



Sbelizabeth and Kuka I only had tiny blisters so I can't even imagine the inconvenience ! You two are troopers



Successfully completed my first week back at work ! Exhausting but it's great to be back ! I had a few moments where I thought "what am I doing this is too soon" because she is just 3 yds old we had some pulling on my arms and flailing of her arms and legs ! Scary but I escaped unharmed;)



Thinking of everyone today !

Gini23

Hello DIEP sisters!



Just took a while to read back over the last few days. Loving the laughs you ladies give me!! No one "gets it "quite like we do...!



Liefie- wow what a shocker for you, but so excited that you're now on the other side and will be recovering sooner than expected!



HHCats- So happy that you are feeling better and happy with your results.



In regards to the cold caps … I guess the price would not stop me from buying it because my wig cost $1300. But what the oncologist had to say would certainly give pause...



Now I am almost 10 weeks out! The swelling keeps changing in my abdomen… Sometimes higher sometimes lower… But I think that is why they make us wait at least three months for stage two. I see my PS next week and I'm hoping that he will give me the okay to start exercising more. I originally thought that I could start "full activity " at six weeks, until Faith and I compared notes and I checked with the PA... I have been dutifully walking several days a week. I went for a really long walk last night around and around and around the soccer field while waiting for my daughter at practice.



As part of Olivia's project on breast cancer and stress, she is raising money for our Komen team. They are so excited… She and her friend just got their items to sell: Adorable headbands with breast cancer ribbons on them, and rubber bracelets that say things like strength, faith, hope, survivor!! "Faith" I will have to send you one!



Well that was about 30 minutes that I did not have this morning… But so glad that I spared the moment to check in with you all and get some updates! Off to a busy day at work…. If I have not responded to a PM or if someone asked me something earlier in the thread that I missed… Don't be afraid to ask again. May is a crazy month for me at work and with my own kids!



Big hugs to all! March on, sisters!

Jeannie

kuka21174923

Liefie, thinking of you this morning. Hope you had a good night and are on your way to a painless recovery.

nihahi

Next week:

5/20/13            BeezusComplex     (Delayaed bilateral Diep) Nashville, TN
5/23/13            bailey6760 (Uni-Delayed Diep) Grand Rapids, MI
5/24/13            SheChirple (bilateral DIEP)

Peacelovedogs and Weerah....hope things are going well for you. Might be getting close to discharge????

Liefie....Bet you've taken those first few shuffle steps, and gotten up in a chair. Thinking of you lots.....

Lots of comments lately about ab swelling....just wondering what "compression" those ladies may or may not have used. Such a variable it seems, I'm thinking maybe our own feedback might help others????? So, I'll go first....

I was definitely swollen post surgery....could barely get pants on to be discharged, and I had brought very loose, drawstring pants. No surgeon directive to use compression, but once home, I found my back felt like it wanted more support. I bought some off the rack "body shaper" type compression, that is actually quite comfortable to wear. I started just using it during the day, but noticed that overnight, my tummy incision seemed more raised and reddened by morning, and around my belly button seemed more swollen. Now I wear it 24/7, scar is flat, fading and I have no specific areas of ab swelling that I can detect. I have also "cleaned up" my diet since coming home, mostly by eating smaller portions as I find I am more comfortable that way, which may have helped with a tiny bit of weight loss in the tummy too. I also walk everyday, but realize that being retired, I have the opportunity to do so. This week (1 month post op) my surgeon felt I was still swollen in the "lifted" breast, and in the flap, but not in the tummy. I'm planning on continuing the compression for scar control. There.....that's my story.

 

Cuetang

Liefie  -- like everyone else, thinking of you!

Per Nihahi's suggestion, I'm throwing my story out there as well.  Had my DIEP over 2 months ago and was one of those that did not have any compression.  You'll see from previous posts early on, I was extremely nervous about this.  So far (fingers crossed), I have not had any any real swelling issues.  The only odd thing I found is that my tummy would be rock hard at times, mostly within the first few weeks after surgery.  Then it would go away.  As the weeks have gone on, that happens less and less, but once in a while it'll still get really hard.  Unlike most folks, I've had quite the appetite recently, so I'm attributing any recent "swelling" to a pound or two that I've packed on!    I didn't have any extremely noticeable swelling after surgery (but then again, I was wearing sweatpants most of the time), and now am wearing pants that are one size smaller than pre-surgery.

liefie

Thanks everybody for carrying me through this. You guys are just amazing! I'm on the other side now, sitting in a chair as I type this, feeling so good with minimal pain, and so grateful it is over. Will be back later.

nihahi

Liefie!!!!!! OMG so glad to hear from you. I'm out walking and you've been in my thoughts. Birds are singing, ducks are swimming...life is good. Welcome to the veteran ranks (((((x))))))))

5andcounting

Liefie-welcome over the line. I'm 2 weeks here. Tummy is a little swollen but my doctor told me no compression garments ever. Says he thinks they're like a tourniquet.

Hope you are doing well and are up and about soon!!!!

Morningsun1

Almost 14 weeks out I am still wearing compression 24/7 by my own choice. No abdominal swelling now, but still a triangle area around the navel that has no feeling. The area is getting smaller with time. Oh, the opening I had near the belly button has closed. My ab-incision healed better than ps expected, I am sure it is due to compression, thanks for the tip, nihahi. I've weighed the same for over 25 years, but put on 10LB after BC diagnose. Just beginning to try to lose the extra weight now that I am no longer "hole-ly."

When are you leaving for Japan, Movie?

TAWANDA!

liefie

Thanks, Nihahi - yes, now I'm a veteran too. Enjoy your walks!

crs319, no compression here either. My doc also does not want it. We'll see how it goes. It seems there is no consensus among the docs about this.