DIEP 2014

Morwenna

I did start my own thread for this last night, but it was suggested that I might get a response posting here as well. Here's a link to my post: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic... rather than writing it all again.

I am open to people's opinions, but I'm really looking to hear from other people who had flap recon with a history of blood clotting issues. 

Teacher64

Tlbradyful, we need to think how to co-op maxis because I'm 4'10 1/4" (can't forget that 1/4!). Maxi dresses are always way too long for me, so you could have all my extra fabric!! Usually they have some sort of design on the bottom and, in order to wear it, I'd have to cut it all off and lose the pretty part. I just don't bother.

I'm going to play in the dirt some more but know I will puff up like a marshmallow since I did the other day. That was unexpected but was ok the next day. Maybe I will be a mini marshmallow today!

Morwenna

Thanks Cindy, 

I'm not so much worried about the risk of another DVT/PE, as the risk of some little clot blocking off the supply to the flap in the transplanted blood vessels, and jeopardizing the new breasts. 

I'm hoping to hear from somebody who has been through it and tell me it was fine, I guess!

In all probability it would be a "muscle-sparing" TRAM free flap, as this tends to use larger vessels than the DIEP, thus a better chance for tissue viability.

fujiimama

enjoyed reading all of this. I was commando too. I can't stand anything after surgery. Accidentally flashed my MO after my back surgery. If I was a guy it would have been a full Monty. I'm loving the fluffy stuff. Three weeks out and they're. Lopsided funny looking, but I don't care. I was breast free for 2.5 years. This looks and feels so right. I'm back to being a member of the female gender again.

lemon68

Cindy- those heparin shots hurt! I got them in my thighs and have numerous bruises from them. But better to have them and have some pain/burning than have an issue.

I think you are right if they can shave 'down there' they can shave the legs! I have done mine twice since I have been home. Its not easy but it feels so good to be smooth. Thanks for the sites for the dresses. I did buy 2 online from Walmart last night, they were cheap, very cheap. Both are to come to the knee. If I like them and they fit I will order more. Some I liked they were out of stock, I will go and see the Old Navy ones now.

Teacher hope you enjoyed playing in the dirt again, hope the swelling will be minimal. I stood at my picnic table and filled a pot with dirt and some plants. It wasn't much but made me feel good.

I am still commando, I thought about putting some on today and decided to enjoy being free another day!

goldie4040

Cindy, you are cute.  I am glad a little thing like going commando makes you giggle.  If you like I can get even bawdier!! hehehe

I am 5'3" and it is hard to find a maxi dress that is short enough.  I usually do okay with petites, and both Kohl's and Steinmart have good petite departments, and they are both right down the street from me.   

I feel a tiny bit better today as far as the anesthesia leaving my system. It really kicked my butt this time, probably because of all the pain meds I took when I got home too.

Teacher, keep moving. The swelling will go down.  I even notice, and I am only 2 weeks out, that the swelling increases a bit around my new foobs later in the day.  I can tell the foobs are swollen, and probably my armpits a bit, but I am always surprised that my arms don't swell.  Maybe they are, and I don't realize it.  I really thought my range of motion wouldn't be compromised very much with this surgery because I wasn't having a bmx at the same time, but I do have some range of motion issues for sure. 

Lemon, you potted a plant!!!  Yeah.  My big accomplishment today was I cleaned the kitchen sink.  Not to my standards, but it looks a whole lot better than the way my husband was leaving it.  Bless his heart, he tries, but he is not a housekeeper at all. I have tried to teach him to fold socks, you know, one inside the other, for years. He just can't do it...lol

tlbradyful

Teacher! 4'10"???? We do need to get together and share two dresses. I'll take an extra row of the pretty trim. 

Ladies - you are a bunch of shorties!!!! I will definitely wax before stage 2. Shaving is hard even 5 weeks out.

Wynne50

Tbradyful, cutting the t-shirts was so you don't have to put them over your head while still having ROM issues or problems lifting your arms.  I wore them like that until all the drains were out wore them until I was out of the binder and surgical bra.  Then I switched to using gauze for any leaking.  Still have to use for one huge scab that oozes a bit.  

Zenful

tlbradyful, shaving won't be as difficult after Stage 2. I was so pleased to be able to shower without a shower chair!  Huge difference in mobility. 

goldie4040

I managed to shave my legs today. Not a great job, but better than nothing. I sat in the shower chair and crossed one leg at a time over the other knee. It was barely doable.  

If you are looking for soft cotton summer dresses check out Fresh Produce. I even find some on eBay.  

nihahi

For anyone who is interested in how things look just over a year out from initial surgery, I have updated my thread on the photo forum to show my  nipple recon results. Tattooing is not yet scheduled, but I am likely waiting until October. Hope the visuals help the new flappers on those "tough days".

goldie4040

You are gorgeous, Nihahi.  You must be thrilled.  I can't wait.  Thanks for the motivation.  I am enjoying the only time of the day I feel good these days.  I got to take my super pain pill and my muscle relaxer.  Better living through pharmaceuticals...lol.

nihahi

Hope things are getting a wee bit better for you each day goldie.....your humour is certainly starting to come through again. In the meantime...enjoy the buzz.

optimi

It is so good to read about everybody's DIEP journey and recovery. I am glad that you are all doing mostly well! I am closer to a date for my DIEP flap..possibly June 11. I am just waiting to hear from the second plastic surgeon about his availability. It seems to be a little more difficult to schedule since it's vacation time. I can't wait to be done with it! My parents are going to come out from Germany to stay with us and help out. However, since we thought the date for surgery wouldn't be until end of June my mom might not be able to make it in time which is a bummer On the other hand, I will apparently be at the hospital for 7days so it might not be too bad after all. Since it is such foreign terrain (I haven't had any surgeries up till now) I am not sure about what to expect.

Zenful, thanks so much!! I am so super duper excited to be done with chemo! It feels great to be done with phase 1 of 3 (or 4 considering surgery phase 2). 

I like the idea of a maxi dress! Climate wise I wouldn't really need it,being in San Fran but that sounds like a comfortable option to wear during recovery. I am going to order a couple.

optimi

Nihahi, how do I get to the photo forum? I'd love to see

Teacher64

Nihahi, oh, yes, I will get nipples. Thanks for sharing the pic because it looked great. It added the finishing touch.

nihahi

For anyone who isn't familiar with it, the picture forum is a separate entity from BCO, but access to the forum is through a pm on the BCO site. There is a specific thread that explains the whole process of gaining access. I think it's called "access to picture forum" or something similar. All the info you need is on that thread....it's important to read the first post though, don't just jump to the bottom. 

Remember, if you do access it......comparison is the most unhealthy thing you can to do yourself. We are all different and we all have different results. The whole point of the forum (in my belief) is to show the range of results, along with the change that comes with time and healing. It can validate how difficult a process recon is, but more importantly, it is visual proof that things do change, and is just another way of supporting each other through the hurdles. Sometimes we look at ourselves and see nothing but "imperfection".....seeing pics of myself and of others who share their photos, imo, confirms to me, that perfection is just a point of view.

Teacher64

Nihahi is correct that comparison isn't healthy, but it is good to see some pics of women who have had similar procedures and experiences. None of this is easy, none of our experiences are exact, no two women or breasts were or will be alike, but seeing what is possible has reaffirmed my choice that I want nipples to make my appearance more normal.

MartyJ

I did not look at the picture forum until I was almost to Stage 2, about 5 months.  I think I had a healthier perspective by then.

JerseyMomOf3

Came home from the hospital yesterday! Boy did that feel good. I am down to one Percocet every 4 hours. I feel great though. Took my first shower - felt fantastic.  I am waiting for the visiting nurse now to check out my drains and incisions. DH and I drained the drains last night and it was much easier than I thought. I am trying to figure out how to cover these incisions and drain areas under the binder - hoping the nurse will be able to advise me. I saw on the board how some of you are using tshirts, cotton diapers, etc. that all sounds good, not sure how to do that so hoping she will guide me. Wearing a binder 24/7 and a cotton surgical bra. I am amazed there is nothing covering the incisions except the belly button.

goldie4040

Welcome home, Jerseymom. You sound good.  I think the sleeveless cotton tanks are the best because when you move your arms you don't pull them out of place.  If you have something with sleeves on they pull up when you love your arms. 

Each PS is so different.  My tummy incision was covered, but my belly button was open.  LOL.  Who knows?  It all seems to work out in the end. 

Teacher64

Jerseymom, so glad you are home and managing. The nurse will be able to show you how to deal with bandages and the incisions. I covered my incisions, especially my more tender belly button with nonstick surgical bandages and wore a cotton cami over them and under the binder. I did not have a surgical bra. 

Goldie, I would not have been able to deal with an uncovered belly button because mine was extremely tender and took the longest to heal. 

Last night I slept on my side, sort of. I had a body pillow behind my back and leaned against it. It was my first side sleep since Dec 15! Can only sleep on left side for some reason, right side very uncomfortable. Don't know if it was from node removal and cording but it was wonderful to be on my left side. One side is still better than being on back! It felt like a giant leap forward.

Dyvgrl

teacher I can't wait to sleep on my side. Sounds like Heaven!

lemon68

Nihahi- Thank you for posting your pics. You look fabulous!! Your PS did a great job. I have looked at a lot of pics but I don't look like any of them. I don't have flaps my 2nd surgery last week got rid of them. I look swollen, battered and beat. Its ugly. I have been taking pics so I should post them for others. I will work on doing that and let you all know. I could use some honest feedback. My nipples seem red, black and very angry today. I am glad I cant feel them.

Dyvgrl- that's great you are getting off the percocets. I am trying but I need them, each day I try not to take them but give in. I feel like I am wearing a suit of steel on my chest and my upper tummy feels like a piece of steel was inserted in there. But overall I am okay. Last drain comes out on Wed. morning, that will be lovely!

Teacher- Congrats on the side sleeping!! I am so jealous. I am still on the couch or recliner propped up but my bed looks so inviting.

Goldie- I hope you are having some 'feel good' moments, I know about 20 minutes after my drugs I feel good for a couple hours. I am 45 but I feel about 75 right now. I know this too shall pass and it will all be worth it.

goldie4040

Lemon, feel good moments?  What are those? I had one of two today.  PS said my tummy incision didn't look as bad in person as the pic I sent him, and he was a bit relieved. See him again in two weeks. Then we went to Jason's Deli.  I was in the mood for a giant salad, and I certainly was not in the mood to make one for myself.  OMG...that was the best salad. I was so hungry.  I only had good veggies, and hard boiled egg on it, but it was sooooo good. They have a low sodium/low fat ranch dressing that is to die for.  And, I was out of this freaking recliner!!!!!  But, it is embarrassing to me to walk into the place with a walker and all bent over.  I look like crap, and people either look sympathetic or stare. It's interesting to be on the other side of watching somebody who seems disabled. I usually hold a door, or yield the right of way to people with walkers, or wheel chairs, but I never really pay them much mind because I don't want them to feel they are a spectacle. Today it felt weird.  I can't wait to not need this walker. But, PS said I am pulled very tight.  On a scale of 1-10 on the tight scale, he said I am a 7 or 8.  Going to take some time.

My pec muscles are screaming after being sewn back where they are supposed to be.  Anybody else have this experience after having their implants replaces with diep?

Teacher, side sleeping...ahhh.  Happy for you.  The belly button does get rubbed more than anything else, and when I but panties and clothes on I cover it. 

JerseyMomOf3

Teacher, I am a side sleeper too and cannot wait to be able to do that. Congratulations- sounds just wonderful!

Goldie, I Have some cotton spaghetti strap camis and I will put one under the binder tonight and see if that helps. I hope you get some relief towards standing up very soon. 

Lemon, hope you feel better.

When my Percocet starts to wear off like right now, I feel a burning sensation across my chest. Not horribly painful or anything, but noticeable. And my underarm where the SNB was done is really sore. Other than that it has been remarkable how well I feel overall. 

Strangely, when they listened to my breasts with the Doppler at the hospital, I swear I could feel them touch the left one. It was very weird.

I had so much anxiety before this procedure and kept telling myself what you gals said- "You don't have to be brave, you just have to show up!" I cried the whole ride down to the OR - just needed that release I guess! now that I am on the other side I am so glad I "showed up." I don't feel like I have lost my breasts! They are all me,just different, and filled with friendly cells that are not plotting my demise! 

AnnBR

Jersey, love your attitude! You will find yourself getting stronger each day. My breasts are shaping up nicely and have changed so much since surgery.

Teacher, I am a side sleeper too and cannot wait until I can do that.

Ann

Dyvgrl

what is the consensus on driving post op? I forgot to ask...

nihahi

Driving.....

1. completely off narcotics/pain killers of anything stronger than tylenol.

2. comfortable with ability to twist body to turn and look over shoulder.

3. able to react quickly and forcefully with legs and arms in an emergency situation.

4. able to tolerate seatbelt. 

5. able to open and close car door, as well as get in and out of car.

You have to be able to react to what might happen suddenly around you, it isn't just about how careful or slow you drive yourself.....there are other things/people on the road besides yourself. 

These guidelines might sound extreme to some......I had a patient who once thought they were able to "carefully and slowly" drive a few blocks before they could answer yes to all of the above.....tragic consequences for several families. It is NOT worth it to drive before you should..imo.

lahela

So good to hear you ladies are healing and doing so well! I got accepted to the picture forum months ago but still haven't worked up the courage to look.

I saw my PS yesterday - wore a low cut dress to show off my beautiful cleavage and she grinned from ear to ear when she saw me! LOL! She got out the tape measure to check the crop circles for nipple placement and was busily explaining that it is virtually impossible to get perfect symmetry, then was thrilled to measure them exactly the same! They are more symmetrical than my originals! She's agreed to lower the scar over my hips too, because the end inch or so on each side has no tissue under it at all, literally skin then bone. That explains why jeans still hurt like heck! I need to confirm the surgery date with the nurse next week, but it looks like June 23 will be my stage 2b plus nipple date. I'm so close to being done I can almost taste it, but it's weird because that will be just 2 days short of a year since the MRI that found the FBC. It has been a long and very bumpy road!