DIEP 2013

jakig

Questioning size of DIEP final results (surgery June 10th) I've had limited conversations with the PS about the size of the new breast. Is this something you discussed at length with your PS? Or did you just trust your PS to choose symmetry and what looks natural for your body? I'm past much of the fear from pre-MX, and I've begun to wonder if there's more I need to talk to the PS about? Would appreciate info on how you determined your end result size. Also, in planning to lose 20 lbs in the coming year, I'm wondering how much weight loss will affect final results a year or two down the line? I know my fear and anxiety from pre-surgery masked a number of questions I probably need to ask before surgery next Monday. Your experience and ideas appreciated.

Goodie

Sbelizabeth - Love the picture!  Your son just looks like he is a lot of fun!

HHcats - I had a few hard spots on my new breasts and my NP told me to massage them daily and they would soften up.  They aren't there anymore and my breasts are overall much softer and getting to be more breast like.  

SheChirple

jakig: at this point, my relationship with my PS, and my husbands with PS, he knew that I wanted his expertise in determining what would be the right size for me.  He knew hubby wanted more volume, I prefer firmness and support to size considerations.

post DIEP - he said to us 'your husband will be happy, too, we got good volume, larger than your implant was'.

I have not seen them yet, that will be Wednesday, but I can already tell they are les sfirm, but more wide spread across my chest than the implants, which is fine.  Healthier.  They are going to be as imperfect as they were before BMX. 

Anonymous

First post op appointment this morning! Hoping to lose the hip drains from abdominoplasty! Hoping for answer on SWELLING. We are suspecting large hematoma beneath the flap. We will see what is what. Have a great day, flapper girls!

HHCats

Thanks to everyone who posted about my "lumps".  I am feeling much calmer today.  I see my GP this morning and will get his advice - if he thinks it's anything to worry about - I will get an immediate ultrasound. I'll let you all know!

sweetpickle

Hey guys,

How do you wear clothes with the hip drains in?  Do most people get some drains removed while stll in the hospital?  I just got my drains from MSX out yesterday and I go right back in this Friday for DIEP procedure.  I hate those damn drains!

Thanks!

nihahi

goldie....not sure why you're thinking a delay is going to give you less than "best results".....I certainly haven't found that to be true, I'm sure others will say the same. Stay positive....that will be your best weapon!

jakig...sounds like you still have some unanwered questions...can you email or otherwise contact your PS before surgery? Your thoughts and questions should be sorted out before surgery, THEN, you trust your surgeon.

Bailey and HHcats....hope the followup appts go well for you today. 

Sweetpickle...didn't come home with abd drains, sorry, can't help from experience, but I think you would wear loose pants, lead the drain "hose" out above the waistband and then pin in. Then something loose fitting top to cover the drain bulbs. Bet others have more suggestions.

heavenschild

Movie - thanks for sharing, yup, I am a puddle of tears now...

kuka21174923

Sweetpickle, I wore mostly sweat pants and the belt with Velcro they gave me at the hospital for my drains. I didn't go out while I had my drains, so I would put the drains in the outside of my clothes.

I ended up running last night. It was much better than the day before. I'm just so out of shape! Tonight I'm doing toning exercises for my legs and thighs. I left a message for my ps yesterday to see if he'll prescribe appetite suppressants. I know I should do it without the drugs, but I just need a little help. Really need to loose as much fat as possible before stage 2 so that I can get the best results.

Goldie, when is your app with dr. Habash?

Katy, your son is so handsome! What kind if physician is he? I keep telling my 8 year old son he has to be a doctor, lol

sbelizabeth

Kuka, he's a resident in radiology, and thanks--he is VERY handsome, as is his twin brother! 

Sweetpickle, the drains are the tough part.  There's just no comfortable way to manage them and go about life as usual.  My abdominal drains poked out my pubic area.  I wore very loose pants, brought the tubing up over the waistband, and tucked them into a little fanny-pack (sorry, ladies from the UK!) that I wore around my waist.  I didn't go out much while all the drains were in.  I felt like a Borg princess.

HHCats, thinking of you today.  I'd bet my next paycheck the lumps are just fat necrosis. 

Thirty-six years married today!  We'll celebrate with a massage and dinner at our favorite Japanese restaurant.  Where did the time go?

goldie4040

Kuka, I see him tomorrow.  I am excited to see what he has to say.

sweetpickle

Thanks kuku21 and sbelizbeth!



Congrats on your anniversary!

Dyvgrl

Sbelizabeth, Congrats!! That's a feat you can be proud of! My hubby and I just got married in October so this whole cancer thing caught us off guard. He's a real trooper though, I chose well. Go to the PS today to get my last drain tube and sutures out from my UMX. A little freaked out to see my girl in all her glory. Also the pain of stitch removal in my armpit. I've been under compression this whole time and hate it. Does this mean I can finally go braless for a bit?

SheChirple

Bailey and HHCats: hope all goes well.

Sweetpickle: the drains are the toughest.  I left the hospital with 4 drains.  My f/u is Wednesday and I suspect at least 3, if not all 4, will remain for another week.  Post BMX I think I had them 4 wks.  I produce a lot of fluid.  My PS will remove them when they put out less than 25 ml per day each.  the reason I lost one of my implants was, perhaps, at least in part, to taking out the drain too soon.  So, as uncomfortable as they are, I will keep as long as necessary.  I wear either loose sweat pants, or loos sundresses with empire waists, so the tubing is just held up by my panties. I had an ONQ pump at the abdominal incision, so, once they removed the OnQ, I just use that little fanny pack for the drains bulbs.  It's a little tight, with 4, but they work.  Otherwise, saftey pin to my tops.

We have three surgeries coming up this week.  Wishing each of you the best.

6/7/13              heavenschild (Stage 2)
6/7/13              sherbab
6/7/13              sweetpickle  (delayed Diep)

Cuetang

sbelizabeth-- congrats on the anniversary! 

Catie2013

Added prayers for all those coming up and happy celebration for all those getting drains out!



Also happy celebration for anniversary sbelizabeth!

sbelizabeth

Thanks for the congrats, everyone.  My DH has been my shelter throughout this BC storm.  Sometimes he just needed to make me smile, other times he held me while I clung to him and sobbed like a psychotic monkey.  God put this man in my life, and I'm glad I was paying attention so many years ago!

Hey, SheChirple, I used the ONQ pump bag for the drain bulbs too.  My PS actually showed me in the hospital.  He pulled out the ONQ pump tubing (little ouch) and made a big ceremony of tucking the drains into the bag.  When I got home I used a slightly bigger bag--the drains weren't such a macrame mess with a little more room. 

For those who've been through Stage II, do you wake up with four more drains?  Gah...

goldie4040

Kuka, it kills me to hear you so worried about your weight.  You are not fat! Your surgery came out beautiful.  It is great that you are exercising and getting your energy back, but don't push yourself too much.  Have you tried just eating protein, fruits, and veggies.  That  always works for me when I want to lose weight.  Hang in there.  Do you have a date for stage 2 yet?  I know how hard it is to want everything back to normal, and it's doesn't seem to be happening fast enough.  

Catie2013

Crazy, but I had NO DRAINS after stage 2 - none! I was out of it when brought back to room and DH told me I had no drains (you can imagine its a big deal if DH even says "you have no drains". But in the middle if the night I called him at the hotel he went back to get some sleep to and asked him yet again to confirm I had no drains! Duh, I could have done a body check but didn't think of that possibility at the time. Again my stage 2 might have been different than others - but it seemed like a huge gift to have no drains!

liefie

Sweetpickle, I'm probably more inept than most people, and just could not figure out how to wear panties with the hip drains. The drains were very low down in my crotch too, and I was scared of blocking them. So while I had them in, I wore very large, loose pj drawstring pants that I got at WalMart, and pinned the drains to the inside of the pj top immediately above the waistband. No panties. That way nothing could get pinched anywhere, and I felt comfortable. Fortunately they came out on day 8 post-op, so I did not have to struggle with that for too long.

sbelizabeth, happy anniversary! My 34th is coming up soon. Yes, my DH was my rock of Gibraltar too during all this cancer crap.

Bailey, hope that swelling can be solved for you.

Jakiq, my PS discussed the size of the new breast with me, and asked what I wanted. I just wanted what I had before. At the moment, 19 days post DIEP, the new breast seems a little bigger, and I like it, but it is probably still a little swollen. So I would suggest that you talk to your PS about size. It is important. You have to live with it for the rest of our life.

kuka21174923

Goldie, I'm on a protein diet. My big problem is that I have a phobia for vegetables. Yes ladies, that's right! I do not eat vegetables. When I was a kid a went to a catholic school and I remember the priests forcing me to eat the vegetables everyday. Ever since I can't even look at them. So I try to eat as healthy as I can without adding those into my diet. I do cook them for my kids, and they love them. Me, not so much!

I feel at 100% since my surgery. My tummy incision doesn't bother me at all and neither do my new girls. I do get tired when I ran, but then again, I hadn't run since high school!

Not sure when my stage 2 will be since I'm still dealing with that one blister on the left side. Once that's healed I'll be good for surgery. Really hoping it does heal by itself so that we don't have to do skin graft. It looks the same size to me, but at least is not getting any bigger!

SheChirple

Someone please describe your phase II and how long you had to wait between Phase I to II.

Anonymous

Well. There is something to be said for having two years of bc experience under your belt, I guess. I was spot on. I have a very large hematoma under the flap. For whatever reason I bled internally quite a bit post surgery. However! What is coming out in the drain is "old blood" (extremely dark maroon and a bit thick....gross but I share FYI in case it happens to anybody else) which means it is not still bleeding (which would be bright red). So the way PS explained it is that the pocket of blood has closed itself off and is not growing larger. It is emptying slowly into the drain and also being absorbed slowly by my body. Slowly being the operative word. So that drain says. She will check it again on the 14th (barring any unforseen troubles in the meantime).



My right hip drain got pulled! Yay! 1 of 3 gone Left hip drain was kind of on the fence as far as output so I said keep it. Drains are a pain....but not as much as swelling you can't get rid of or another seroma. Drains really are our friends (maybe frenemies?) I also have the open area where the large blister was and we decided to stop using antibiotic cream since PS thinks I am having an allergic reaction to it. Switching to petroleum jelly and gauze.



I also can't figure out how to put on panties with ab binder and drains and pants so have not worn any since 5/22. I think I might be getting used to it!!! LMAO. Actually my mom drove me to appointment this morning and we were giggling about me having a pair of panties in my purse in hopes of getting hip drains pulled, but alas. Pantiless through 6/14.



I bought soft cotton pants and shorts with wide elastic waist band and pockets. I safety pin drains near pockets and tuck them in the pockets and then get tubing in pockets trying to make sure it's not kinked. I also have a couple of skirts with the fold over waist that work really well and are comfy (Old Navy online).



All other incisions look FANTASTIC! And they are very happy with my progress. Still no driving but I can walk....as long as I don't raise my heart rate or BP. But I can leisurely stroll to neighbour's houses and cause some trouble, I guess.



They gave me a compression bra but it's extra large so no real compression at this point . They are just trying to support the SWOLLEN DIEP. And they gave me a new belly binder (instead of the "chintzy-assed" one they give you in the hospital...PS term lol!)



So, of course she wanted pictures. We had to go across the hall to the "photo studio" and when I took off my gown for her for the 2nd time she actually laughed out loud! (At the size of my SWOLLEN flap). So I laughed and said, "Shut up!!!" She was apologizing all over herself for laughing but I assured her that 1)it is kind of funny and 2) it is part of the reason I love her so much....she knows me well enough and is comfortable enough to acknowledge the reality of the situation.

I am happy with progress and feel pretty good today. Thinking of those who have surgery on Friday.

BAILEY

liefie

Bailey, like you I'm all for going commando. Felt so good - loose, light and airy. Was really sorry when I had no more excuse not to wear proper underwear. Still not wearing a bra though, and will not for some time to come. Had to wear one twice when I went out over the weekend, and ripped it off the moment we got home. LOL. Suggested to DH the other day that maybe I should just have the nipple on the healthy side taken off - that way I would probably never have to wear a bra again. He almost had a fit . . .

Sorry about that huge hematoma. Had one myself after hysterectomy last year. It takes a long time, but it does go away eventually. Overall you are doing so well, and sounding so good - good for you!

I took my first longer walk this morning - 40 minutes, going slow, not raising BP or heart rate. Where we live walking is uphill/downhill all the way, so have to pace myself. 19 days out, and beginning to feel pretty normal. Slathered polysporin on those pesky remaining steri strips, and hope they will come off tomorrow. I can see that there's been some bleeding when it was put on, so don't want to just peel it off, and maybe open my incision.

Catie2013

Woo hoo Bailey! Sounds like a super PS and appointment!



Liefie I have been too curious and aggressive taking off a dressing and if it opens up its not a fun feeling! Like: why did I do that!!!! So better to be slow and cautious!

goldie4040

Kuka, you are cracking me up.  Okay, so no veggies, can you eat fruit?  Apples, berries, etc.  

I really think you are doing amazing with your exercise so soon after surgery.  I am assuming you have some super duper sports bra on when you run so the girls, and your blister don't get irritated.  I want the name of that thing when it's my turn.  Or, are you wearing the compression bra?

I just got back from having lunch with my co-workers who I haven't seen since before the surgery.  The first thing my boss said was that I gained weight.  Now, if you remember the other day my girlfriends said I had lost weight.  It has everything to do with what I am wearing.  My neckline was a little higher today, and you couldn't see the skinny part over where my boobs are gone.  It must make all the difference.  I hope when I get my new foobs I will not have that problem anymore, or when they do the fat grafting.  The scale definately says I gained several pounds, or more. I did not get on the scale when I first got home from mx, and when I finally did I had been eating pretty good. So, who knows.  I think the doc told my husband how much the weight of all the tissue they took was, but of course, he can't remember.  I will ask when I see BS again. 

liefie

Don't worry, Catie. I will not take them off unless I'm sure it's okay to do so.

Kuka, you soooo remind me of myself. As a child vegetables made me nauseous, and I wouldn't touch it - my poor mother had been driven to distraction by my distaste of veggies. As I grew older, I began to eat more and more veggies, had to prepare it for DH when newly married, and today I love veggies, salads, soups etc. Maybe there still is hope for you? LOL.

Moviemaniac

Hi Flappers!  Still suffering effects of jet lag, but I just had to say that I appreciate all of your responses to my Onsen story....I had pretty much the same reaction, but couldn't show it in fron of the Japanese women....losing face, my DD called it!

(((Hugs))) going out ot all.....

Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Liefie, I have pm'd you TWICE....but my mssg. keeps getting kicked out.....will try later!

kuka21174923

Liefie, I don't know if there's hope or not. My DH has tried very hard and I just can't get myself to eat vegetables. They just don't smell or taste good!😝

Goldie, I do eat fruits. But you can't eat too many if them when trying to loose weight because of all the natural sugars in them.

I do run with sports bra on, but they're not really compression bras. Only had to wear those for the first two weeks. This is the first time I can run without my boobs bouncing all over the place.

Liefie I've been walking around without a bra for a couple days now. I love it. And no one can tell if I'm cold or not! How awesome is that. I've thought about me not reconstructing the nipples, but my DH would have a fit!! The 3D ones would not work for him either, lol

Movie, glad you're getting used to your time now. Happens to me everytime we go to Spain and there's only 7 hours difference. It takes me about 3-4 days to get back to normal.

Goldie, good luck tomorrow. Tell Amy and Silvanya I say hello.

nihahi

Happy Anniversary sbelizabeth!!!!!! This one will be especially sweet....pick a killer outfit and shoes!!!! 

Gosh, I'm really, really hoping for no drains again when I do my stage 2....really, really, really, really hoping!!!!! It might help that I'm not expecting much too tweaking, beyond the nipple recon. 

Got the facial sutures out today....yep, definite squamous cell with undefined margins, so....now have a "small hole" in my cheek, (his sutures looked good, but when he removed them, the hole appeared), and waiting to hear from the mohs surgeon for a date. Sheesh....enough already!!!! When he drew on my face what he thought would be the amount of excising needed to be done, I really questioned him about the size......crazy reaction, since when learning about the incisions my flap ps surgeon would be doing, my reaction was oh, ok, whatever!!!!!

Liefie....any slippage on the steristrips yet?

Heavnenschild, sherbab, sweetpickle......Hope you''ve gotten to the "just do it" stage, and the nerves have settled down. Thinking of you.