DIEP 2014

jmb5

For those of you who have had liposuction during stage 2, any advice on what to wear home from the hospital? I am having lipo basically from my knees to my tummy. Also getting nipples and maybe having the abdominal scar lowered. Just loose fitting clothing? Anything else I should take? Should be a 2-3 hour outpatient surgery I was told.

Teacher64

In stage 2 does the PS lipo whatever you want, even if you don't need much for filling out divots in breast?

Rubiayat

I've heard others suggest using arnica cream for the bruising from lipo, which can be significant.

goldie4040

jmb, when I had lipo for fat grafting after my implants they took very little from my inner thigh and flanks, but it still hurt.  I used spanx on the bottom.  My doc didn't even care if I used compression , but it felt better to have it on.  You should be able to wear anything home you want, but I am pretty sure I brought sweats and a hoodie with me.  It was winter. 

The1toC

Hi all. I have a question that I am not comfortable to call PS about.  Would appreciate comments.

For those of you who enjoy a glass of wine, how soon after DIEP did you have a glass? Of course not in combo with narcotics!

Thanks.

Teacher64

DIEP was on March 18 and I had a glass of wine on April 9 to celebrate our anniversary. No pain meds! The wine was good. Enjoy a glass.

Donna2012

I FINALLY posted a picture on the picture forum!  It is something that I have been meaning to do for awhile now.  I am a DIEP uni with very good results, and a relatively easy recovery.  I know that I am fortunate and am hoping that my picture can help someone else.  I enjoyed looking at all of the pictures on the forum, leading up to my surgery, & felt it helped me to be better prepared.  My picture was taken 4 mos post stage 1 & 1 mos post stage 2.  

JerseyMomOf3

Hi everyone,

I am two weeks post surgery tomorrow and wanted to post an update. I have been doing really well. I am off Percocet and using Advil for pain, which is more like soreness and achiness than pain. Especially under the arm where the sentinel node biopsy was done- that area still swells and hurts especially at night.

Other than that I feel great, just tired. I have had the drains removed and have been walking every day about 1/2 mile in the neighborhood. It takes me about 20 minutes at a pace DH refers to as a "Sunday Stroll". LOL I started once a day and now trying to walk this loop twice a day. I have a bad back and My surgeon assured me he would have me standing straight immediately following the surgery, which he did, although honestly i didnt belive him at first! I try to drink alot of fluids and my inflamation around my waist has gone down considerably. My breasts are still swollen  as is the center of my chest- that area is sore too.

I do have a sharp pain that comes and goes in the breast, perhaps it is the nerves regenerating? 

Getting the drains out was like a huge turning point. I am told not to pull, push, or lift. I also have trouble reaching although I can put my hands above my head and put a regular tshirt on today! But I hurt my chest muscle reaching for a salad bowl so going to avoid that movement for a while.

I am watching the laundry pile up so hopefully will be up to folding some laundry later this week otherwise it might bury us all! I am tired a lot of the time and cant domuch with my arms yet so haven't been very useful. I am trying to take care of my own needs as much as possible so my DH is not so overwhelmed.

Sending warm thoughts and good wishes to all the amazing ladies on this board. Everyone is different and for all those with challenges right now you are in my thoughts and prayers! You are strong and courageous and you will get past these bumps on the road.

thinkpink4ever

Donna, so glad that you're doing well, and thanks for the pictures.  I will have to go take a look later this evening when I get home.  The pictures surely do help, and I will be having a BMX and DIEP recon, so I've been very interested to see how others have recovered and healed from DIEP surgery.

JerseyMomof3, your update is very encouraging also.  I pray that I recover along the same lines as you.  You're doing great for a two week milestone tomorrow.  It's just so hot down here in Louisiana, so I don't know about being able to walk outside in June and July. That's truly a bummer for me.  Maybe I can borrow a treadmill from a friend for a few weeks!  Ha!  But if I can put on a regular shirt in two weeks post surg, I will be so HAPP-PPPEEE!

And Teacher64, good to know about the wine consumption as well.  As soon as I'm off pain meds and feeling better, I will have to toast my progress and blessings!

One love,

tp4ever 

Dyvgrl

Ladies,

I was wondering what instructions everyone was given concerning using your arms. My doc pretty much doesn't want me doing anything for at least 4 weeks. Basically T-Rex arms for that long. No reaching overhead, sideways, or behind. Makes it very difficult to get dressed! I have been wearing camis / tanks to have some support but not compression. But some of my tops are a little snug cuz these babies are swollen!! I use my arms probably a little more than I should but am terrified of harming tender new blood vessels. Also any kind of real stretching hurts! I'm just wondering if anyone else was given that timeline for the arms...

lemon68

Donna you look fabulous! Thank you for sharing, what a perfect job they did on matching up size and shape.

Jerseymom, thanks for the update on your 2 weeks progress. I am 3 weeks yesterday and you are ahead of me in some ways. Glad to know you are feeling better and on the Advil, I have taken so Advil but its not helping..yet  Let that laundry pile up and continue to get rest.

JMB, let us know how it goes with Stage 2. I would think a cotton sundress that just hangs would be the most comfortable for traveling home in.

Teacher64

I was told I could start wall crawls but couldn't get arms up very high. The edict was no lifting, pushing, or pulling. I couldn't reach into the cabinet for dishes, so DH put them on counter before he went to work.   At 6 week post check up, I was told to extend the no lifting or carrying anything heavier than a gallon of milk, which is about 8 lbs. for two more weeks. 

JerseyMomOf3

Dyvgrl, I wasn't really given any good guidance! It has been confusing for me. I was told not to lift, pull, or push. My PS and BS said I should otherwise use my arms normally and do those stretches where you walk your hand up the wall so that my shoulder doesn't get frozen. I am seeing my BS Friday and will be asking her more specifics. I also have not been given any information about lymphedema so I will be asking for a referral to a lymphedema specialist for a visit and to learn more abou that issue. I am also going to request physical therapy.

Tp4ever, I hope you have a smooth recovery, too. I am fortunate not to have any other health conditions or issues that could complicate things. Also I "trained" for surgery by exercising about 30 min a day for about 5 days a week to improve my overall fitness level. I think it really helped. I also was careful about picking a very experienced DIEP surgeon whose philosophy and background made sense to me. This is all he does and he uses a team that he really likes working with, so I had him plus 2 other micro surgeons working on me to reduce OR time. Good luck to you!

iowagirl1

Rubiayat. I was the one who wanted to look more even. My doc is going to give me a prosthesis next week.  On the fiberfill ones, you should pin them or something because mine worked its way right up to above the neckline of my blouse.  LOL. One time I had a turtle neck on and it looked like I had a third breast.

My doc said I have to wear a bra 24/7.  I was put in a compression bra a couple days after surgery.  I was told to wear it for a month.  I was also told to use my arms normally.  No repetitive motions, nothing over 10 #, and no arms over my head right away.  It amazes me to hear the differences in our instructions.

Sunday night I noticed I had oozed something through my bra.  I checked and I had what looked like a dime-sized blood blister near an incision.  This morning it was the size of a quarter.  Saw my PS's resident today.  She took pics to show PS tomorrow.  Anybody else have this?

goldie4040

Donna, you look awesome.  It's what we all wish for.  Congrats!!!!

Jersey, you sound like you are doing great.  Do not overdo. 

I was told I could use my arms for normal things, but nothing over 10 pounds, and I don't do anything that feels bad, like I can't put my arm behind my head comfortably, it pulls under my arm.  So, I don't do it.  I am still not upright....lol.  It's hard to believe I have been looking at the floor for 3 weeks now. I worked up to 1 1/2 minute intervals on the stepper.  Woo hoo!!!

The1toC

Teacher thanks for your guidance. I like it. Cheers

Binney4

Jerseymom, good for you for seeking out the information you need to be well! Here's how to find a well-qualified lymphedema therapist near you, and questions to ask before you see her/him:

http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified...

Lots more information at that website too: diagnosis, treatment, risk reduction. And if you have specific questions, please feel free to join us "swell sisters" over on the Lymphedema forum.

Be well!
Binney

BellaMomma

Hi Everybody! It's been a while. 

Took me 10 weeks to get back on my feet after DIEP.  Doing great now! So worth it!

Just wanted you to know, going in for Stage Two at Mayo Clinic/Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota tomorrow morning. 

Good positive healing thoughts. 

Zenful

Good luck Bellamomma.  You will be so pleased after Stage 2. It makes such a difference. Positive healing energy coming your way. 

AnnBR

BellaMomma, good to hear from you! My DIEP was a success but a positive node was found, leading to radiation. I was mapped today and begin treatment next week. Best of luck tomorrow!

goldie4040

Yeah, Bella. Good luck. 

Question.  I emailed my PS today because of the burning in my tummy if I try to turn to the right.  It burns really badly on left.  He told me not to worry because there was nothing to tear.  He said he never touched my muscles, or the fascia over my muscles.  Then what the heck hurt so much?  The pulled skin?  The stitches?  I did notice today that I can almost sit up without using my arms, but I wouldn't dare!!!  Until today I had to roll to my side and then push up.  But, of course my tummy is so tight it wants to fold me in half anyway...lol.

jmb5

I just added more ladies to the surgery list. Please let me know if I made any mistakes or left anyone out who had previously messaged me. I started doing this yesterday and got interrupted, so I might have missed someone.
Tomorrow is my stage 2. Fat grafting and nipples. I am really nervous about the lipo since it's so extensive. Also, had a tough weekend. Had a difference of opinion with a neighbor about a school issue. I was defending out administrator and she wasn't. She sent me a text and said some very cruel things... because I survived cancer, I am self righteous and pious, and that I use my cancer to "promote myself". I was furious and hurt. She even said she was happy for me that I got to survive, but her mom didn't. (She died several years ago.) I decided to take the high road and not punch her in the face. Lol! Still very hurtful. I'm thankful for a huge community of friends and family, who know my heart, and are extremely encouraging and supportive.

AnnBR

Oh my goodness jmb5, what a horrible experience. You certainly didn't need this, especially right before surgery. I don't understand why some people say the things they do. I am so glad you have your large network of support. I will say a prayer that all goes well tomorrow.

Ann

Ridley

Jmb -- wow -- hard to know what she's going through to say those things -- or maybe she's just mean or unbalanced.  I hope you are able to put the conversation out of your mind, and just concentrate on the fact that tomorrow you will be one step closer to the finish line.  I hope everything goes well.

Ridley

 

lemon68

jmb, sorry you had to go though that with someone who obviously is fighting her own demons. Put it out of your mind, rest and know tomorrow will go wonderful, one step closer.

Bellamomma hope today went wonderful for you as well, your in my thoughts.

Donna2012

met with my laser dr. today for a consult and had 2 small areas lasered, to see what improvement is made.  We are trying to remove some red spider veins on the radiated skin, as well as remove the redness of the incision lines.  He thinks I will be very pleased with the results - it will take about 2-3 weeks to see the effect it has.  I probably will need a few treatments.  The areas he did are mostly numb, so it did not hurt at all.  His office is now working to get insurance approval, which they think they will get.  If I want to proceed, he will laser everything! - flap incisions, belly button, natural breast that had a lift & abdominal scar, as well as the radiated skin above the flap,  it should make the scars almost invisible - really anxious to see the results!  For now, the areas that he worked on are deep, dark purple - badly bruised (but again, no pain!)  Have any of you had this done or heard of someone who has?  

Zenful

jmb, good for you to rise above that kind of pettiness. Breathe deeply and tomorrow will be here before you know it. Sending healing hugs your way. 

Donna, I am very interested to hear about your results.  Although my boob and belly scars are starting to fade, my butt scars are still rather purple looking 

tlbradyful

Bella - so good to hear from you! Let us know how well stage 2 goes for you.

jmb - wow, just wow! She is obviously struggling with her own fears and loss. You will be best served to forgive her (and forget her haha).

Donna - I can't wait to see your pics. I have been taking pics every week, but am not sure when it is helpful to post. I hate to post pics of the process without the beautiful results. Opinion anyone? Interested in your laser results. Keep us posted.

I am now 7 weeks out today and amazed at how wonderful I am feeling. I have a few moments a day that I wonder if I'll ever be normal, but just a few; mostly when I try to get out of bed. It is true what everyone says about swelling and time. I look so much more organized if you can imagine that. I worked my 2nd day of full-time back to work. It is no problem. My stress comes from not being able to catch up all that I missed, not from exhaustion. I am looking forward to July 2nd stage 2, but nervous about starting it all again.

Donna2012

I have decided to post on the picture forum my experience with the laser treatments.  I feel somewhat guilty because I never posted my experience with DIEP from the beginning - 1st picture I posted was  yesterday (4 mos after stage 1)!  So, this will be my way of "giving back" and helping others that may be interested in laser treatment.  I am hoping that people will find it beneficial since I have not seen others posting pictures of laser treatment.  Look for a picture either tonight or tomorrow!  

brendarj

pre-op tomorrow morning. WOW this is really going to happen in 6 more sleeps. Still happy and excited Nerves will probably kick in on the weekend or maybe not at all. So lucky to have our daughter take me tomorrow and again day before surgery. I don't drive and  husband doesn't know the city So she has volunteered to be our DD. Bed now 5.30 comes early.