DIEP 2014

jmb5

rubiayat, could the lump be scar tissue? I had a lot of hard areas, especially in the radiated breast. The sore spot near the cleavage could be if they removed a piece of your rib to get to the blood vessels. I still have soreness there 4 months later. 

aff

Trinity - I am scheduled for a UMX on Friday. I went back and forth with my decision for many weeks. I am now at a point where I am very comfortable and know that I made the right decision for me. Each of us has made many decisions throughout this entire process and there is no right or wrong, only what is right for each one of us. You have to trust the instinct that led you to the decision you made and have faith that it is the right one.

As these wonderful ladies so often say...all we have to do now is show up.

lemon68

Gila- good luck this week, just show up is right. Soon you will be on the other side. Sending calm, healing thoughts your way.

Trinity, I did BMX at the same time as my Diep. No regrets and my good side wasn't so good. BS thinks 1-2 yrs I would have been going though the same as I did on right. Not trying to scare you but go with your gut. I have a new belly button, its fine and almost healed. It is centered perfectly now not sure if that will change.

Cindy, sounds like you looked great in your skirt!

Goldie, he just thinks it may be fluid he wasn't sure but at this point cant do anything about it. I measured today and before the surgery I was a 36 or 38, today its 43!! Feel like I have boobs under my arms wish the swelling would stop. I don't see him again until the 20th. Boobs look different everyday, yesterday they were lopsided. I felt like I slept on one of them and it stuck in that shape. Odd? Are your soft? Mine are mostly hard, lots of hard areas, a few areas getting soft but really not so much. Tummy is also hard as a rock. I am feeling better but today wanting a nap.

JMB congrats on getting though Stage 2. I am sure you will look great once healed. It is a beautiful day, hope you got out to enjoy it.

Zenful

Pollyanna. Most docs say 4-6 weeks for recovery from Stage 1. I waited six weeks to go back to work and needed every bit if it. Patience is definitely required. At the two week mark you will start to feel a bit better, and then it just keeps slowly improving. Rest, walk, eat lots of protein and drink plenty if water. 

goldie4040

Well, we have some gals that are a little nervous about up coming surgery and several of us in different stages of recovery.  Sounds just about right..lol.  I hope everybody that is feeling discomfort feels a little better every day, and the ones that have up coming surgery's, our motto is, "all you have to do is show up!"  Oh, and let Wilbur get you through it.  Can't forget about Wilbur. 

Lemon, you are sounding a little down today.  Sorry. The swelling sounds uncomfortable to say the least.  I have some swelling too, and some is still under my arms, I think.  It just feels weird.  My tummy is also hard as a rock, but really no pain there anymore.  I am almost straight up and down, but not for long periods of time. I have one hard area in my right breast over the top of my cleavage, but we think that was from a bruise I had there.To me my breasts feel soft because I had implants before, and cement would feel better than they did.

   I am letting myself to a few light chores.  Laundry, vacuuming with the light "inbetween" vacuum I have for the dog hair.  I haven't pushed the big one yet.  My husband is doing that. I can do things on my hands and knees just fine, so I wiped down some baseboards....lmaoooooo.  I want to feel useful.  I have also gone out and watered the plants a couple of times.  But, the hose is hard to pull around.

JMB, those lipo bruises are scary, aren't they? And, when you take the compression off and the fluid rushes back in it all looks so weird.  Don't worry.  I will all look awesome.  I know what you mean about missing out on stuff.  When somebody texts me with a pic of the pool and a margarita in their hand I want to punch them.  I want th

Janet_M

Pollyana - I was told that it would be three months to be back to where I was pre-surgery. Because my job is physical, I took the whole three months and was really glad I did. Unbelievably (to me) that was almost a year ago. Looking back I wouldn't have done one single thing differently. I just wish I hadn't been so impatient. I was anxious to be mobile, anxious to enjoy my summer, anxious to wear a bra, and anxious just to keep myself moving. And I wish I'd accept more help. I think we're so busy multitasking that the long break is too alien a concept. Especially with kids. 

By the way - if I'd had a desk job - I could have gone back to work at six weeks.  It's such a huge chunk of time when its ahead of you, but when I look back, it was a blip.

BellaMomma

Ann & iowagirl,

See you tomorrow, Monday at 8:30 AM, at The Kahler Grand Grill for breakfast! 

Teacher64

jmb, so glad the house we live in now doesn't have a pool or once I have stage 2 July 30, compression garment or not I would have been in on 100 degree days in Texas. Guess I will really enjoy the AC! Your description gave me such a good visual image. Thanks for the chuckle. Reading about the bruising, I expect I will be a rainbow because I bruise easily but maybe the bruises will be hidden by the medieval sounding girdle!

Lemon, I had hard places, too. I did gentle massage and it seems to have helped. My belly is still hard and the incision is ropy feeling.

Today I had lunch with another patient of my PS and gave her drain pockets I'd made. She had lots of questions and left feeling assured all will be well. She understands I haven't had stage 2 yet and was happily surprised about how I looked. I agreed with her that DIEP is 100% worth what we go through and told her I'd make the same decision again.

I read the word cleavage and tell myself I used to have it. Now, when I stand up braless, I see straight down to my toes between my breasts. Maybe it's because they are just 10 week old babies. I'm guessing they may sag but won't expand and make cleavage. Since I'm a nana and retired, cleavage can be a memory while I enjoy being braless.

Dyvgrl

I'm still pretty swollen 3 weeks out but noticed that I don't have that flat space between the girls. I have lots of cleavage but it feels like they are semi connected. Does that make sense? I'm hoping that goes away. My right side is still fairly squarish. Hoping it settles a bit. Really hoping not to have extensive work on Stage 2. I know things will change and settle. Just am being impatient!! I also have hard spots on my abdomen and also the bottom inside of both breasts. PS didn't seem concerned. Is that normal?

AnnBR

Bella & iowa, I'll be there, thanks!

AnnBR

Thanks Cindy! I guess they are going to give me a hybrid type of treatment, fixed and rapidarc, going deep into the tissue. Getting rid of anything that's roaming around trying to set up camp....

jbdayton

The time has come for my next surgery.  I will be going in tomorrow morning for a Ruben's flap (hip and waist area fat) to reconstruct my right breast.  The left DIEP breast is looking great.  

Talk to everyone on the flip side.

The1toC

jbdayton thinking of you with healing intentions. Hope tomorrowngoes best ever!

lemon68

jbdayton, you will be in my thoughts tomorrow. Let us know how you are doing, wish you the best!

Goldie, thanks I am not down but I am so lumpy and bumpy and swollen. Tomorrow is 4 weeks! I am still having pain in my breasts but I think it is because of my swelling issue. I have tried ibuprofen but it didn't help. Sleeping still is a chore and I dread the nights. I am so tired of sleeping sitting up. To lay flat they hurt they are so heavy. I cannot wait to sleep on my side normal again. I guess today is my complain day, even with that I am happy. No regrets.

goodnight all, sweet dreams

The1toC

FYI I had forgotten about this site. I just read again about DIEP as well as post op experience after DIEP and now that I am on the other side I have to say it is pretty bang on. For those having surgery soon it might be a valuable read. **may wish to have a lanyard or 2 and safety pins for holding drains**

Breastreconstruction.org.

Ashira

JMB, how long do you expect to be in compression? My stage 2 is on July first and I really don't know what to expect. Donuts to protect your nipples?  Were these newly created, I thought that was done in stage 3. Just a bit confused!

goldie4040

Trinity

I know somebody who has a uni that looks almost perfect.  Her surgeon lifted her existing breast and matched the other one.  It couldn't be any better.   She has her pics on the forum, I believe.  I will check.

jbdayton

All checked in now waiting to go back to prep.

I did my part, I just showed up!

Talk on the other side.

Teacher64

jbdayton, thinking of you today.

lahela

In your pocket, Jeannine!

GeorgieGirlKC

Jbdayton, prayers for you today!

LiLi-RI

jbdayton - Sending all good thoughts for your surgery today! LiLi

sbelizabeth

About the shampoo caps...I knew about them, so I asked for one about 2 days post-op.  I have short hair, but it gets oily pretty fast, and I was feeling grungy.  The cap was warm and felt great, but I thought it left my hair greasy and flatter than before!  The next day I just leaned over the bathroom sink and washed my hair.  If your hair is short like mine, it's not hard--and if you're arm challenged, a nurse or hubs or someone can help. 

brendarj

Well tomorrow is the big day. Cleaning is done (me and house), garden watered (supposed to rain later and tomorrow).I've packed and check list is complete. I have complete faith in my choice and in Dr. H. and his staff. All I have to do, as has been said before, is show up and let them work their magic.

Gentle healing to all and I'll see you on the other side

AnnBR

brendarj, best of luck tomorrow! I'm glad to hear that you have faith in your surgeon, that's so important.

Trinity0723

Thank you for posting breast reconstruction site. 

I feel so confused over things I thought I had settled. Have called another BS for second opinion about prophy. Don't know what I will do with answers though. Have always said that if I had both sides removed that I would just stay flat. But since I'm planning diep????? Help. I think I'm going crazy. 

goldie4040

Oh Trinity, I am sorry you are so conflicted.  I have been there.  I get it. We all do.  Like I said before, when in doubt ask questions, stop what your doing, and make sure you have all the info you need, and make sure you feel ready.  Nobody, not even you surgeons want you to do into something you are unsure of.  I will say one more thing, again, because you brought it up, not because I am pushing anything on you, but if, God forbid, you get cancer in the other breast somewhere down the line, you will not be able to do the DIEP again. So, then you would be back to one breast again, or using another area of your body.  If you really want to take the other breast off, now is the time if you have enough tummy to do both, because there is no going back. Again, I am really sorry you are so conflicted.  Also, don't forget, they can do amazing things matching one breast to another.  I have seen proof.  So, if that's your fear, don't let it be.

Dyvgrl

for any of the ladies agonizing on whether or not to do a prophy on the other side, I can understand as I decided to go through with it. I had Stage III on my right side with an axillary dissection. They kept telling me there was nothing on my left so I was all set to do a Uni but when I got closer to surgery and asked more questions of my PS he kept saying you only get one shot at DIEP so if anything happens to the other side, you'll have to reconstruct from elsewhere on your body. I had plenty of fat to donate to the girls and with very dense breast tissue I just felt like it was a ticking time bomb on my chest so I went for it. With all of the cutting and slashing going on, if I could avoid scarring up yet another body part, I was gonna go for it. I went ahead with it and am very happy with the results. Although my pathology came back totally clean, I'm happy I did it because I won't have to ever worry about it. It also gave me confidence that I'm doing right by my body. They removed extra fat from my right cancerous side and still no cancer so it was a huge relief for me. You can look at it as an unnecessary surgery since my left side was clean, but it gives me peace of mind so I'm pretty happy with it. Follow your heart and gut and don't worry too much about what others say you "should" do. I had plenty of naysayers, had to travel out of state for it, but to me it was worth it. 

thinkpink4ever

I had always said that if I had a recurrence of breast cancer, I would have a bilateral and reconstruction.  Just didn't want to go through it again if at all possible, so reducing my risk for a third time was very important to me.  Testing positive for BRCA 2 just sealed the deal for me.  Although I'm nervous as heck about Thursday's surgery (3 days away, y'all) I feel really good about my decision.  No nipple sparing for me either.  Just ready to be on the other side of this...

One love,

tp4ever

lemon68

All the best to you tomorrow Brenda, you will be in my thoughts.

jbdayton, thinking of you now, sending prayers.

Trinity, I am sorry you are feeling this way. All these decisions we are forced to make. We have all been there and many did a uni and many did both. Only you know what is right for you. It will come to you and you will know I promise. I think its all about what you can live with, will you have constant or high anxiety if you keep your good side? I knew I would and as you know for good reason. We never know what the future holds so do what you need to do for YOU and only you. I hope tomorrow when you wake up in the morning you will know your choice, its so hard to be torn. ((hugs))