DIEP 2014

Teacher64

Brenda, confidence and trust in your surgeon are vital. I consider my PS an artist because he is re sculpting me. Relax knowing you are in skilled hands.

Trinity0723

I've called another BS to see about prophy. Waiting for them to set up appt. My BRCA came back negative but since I'm just 43 I feel like I'm just waiting. 

Thanks for all the support. It really helps

((Hugs))

goldie4040

Trinity, I hope your insurance company approves of the double, then it will totally up to you what you want, and not the insurance company. You are young, and should do what you feel is best.

Trinity0723

Well insurance said it had been too long since original diagnosis and since no recurrence they will not pay for prophy. Going on with DIEP. Hoping that if I am faced with this in the future that there will be surgical advancements so I can do something similar.

aff

Trinity - there are not many of us here but I am having a uni this Friday. I am totally at peace with my decision but I completely understand your struggle. I was there. I set up a second consultation with my PS last week because I was still a bit conflicted. I spoke to him and to my BS last week and am now completely sure that UMX is the way to go, for me. I felt the anxiety you are feeling just a few weeks ago and it's completely natural with your surgery only a few weeks away. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you are able to find peace with your decision.

brendarj - praying for you for tomorrow. I'm jealous of how prepared you are. I go Friday and am not nearly as close to ready. I have always been a procrastinator.

optimi

jbdayton and brendarj you are in my thoughts and prayers for a smooth surgery and speedy recovery! Can't wait to hear from you from the other side.

Trinity0723, I am glad you were able to decide on what's best for you. Just like other ladies posted, there is no right or wrong answer. You have to do what you feel most comfortable with. There is really no guarantee for any of us that cancer will not show it's ugly face again. It's all about trusting yourself, your decisions and of course your doctors.

My surgery is in 9 days. My anxiety attacks have finally made space for some peace. I am starting to get ready for the surgery which I am very happy about. My mom is arriving in a week and I would hate to be a sobbing mess in front of her. 

Continuing to keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

BellaMomma

jbdayton and Brenda, Sending you healing positive thoughts. We are all in your pockets, see you on the flip side.

Trinity0723, Good job seeking out more information and getting more professional opinions. What's right for one person may not be right for you. Breasts can be reconstructed from many different areas, thighs, rear end, back, with good results. All surgery has risks, more surgery can increase operative risk. It's what's right for you. 

The answer to reducing the confusion and craziness is seeking more information until it feels right for you. I know you will come to those answers to your questions, and you will find peace.

BellaMomma

jbdayton and Brenda, Sending you healing positive thoughts. We are all in your pockets, see you on the flip side.

Trinity0723, Good job seeking out more information and getting more professional opinions. What's right for one person may not be right for you. Breasts can be reconstructed from many different areas, thighs, rear end, back, with good results. All surgery has risks, more surgery can increase operative risk. It's what's right for you. 

The answer to reducing the confusion and craziness is seeking more information until it feels right for you. I know you will come to those answers to your questions, and you will find peace.

BellaMomma

Sorry for double post-must have hit submit twice. Still healing from Stage Two. :-)

jmb5

Ashira, yes, the PS did my nipples in stage 2. I think I have to be in the compression for 3 weeks. I hate it, but it does feel better to have it on. 

jmb5

For those of you who have had nipples reconstructed, what did you do to take care of them? I didn't get any instructions when I left the hospital, and when I called the PS, she said to buy nursing pads and cut a hole in them. I'm also using antibiotic ointment, but not sure how many times a day to use it, and it gets on my shirts because of the hole in the breast pad. Kind of discouraged about this. 

iowagirl1

Jbdayton. Thoughts and prayers are with you.  

Trinity.  I was 5 years out and my insurance said they would cover the prophy. 

Bella and Ann.  It was so great to finally meet you both!  Hope all goes well for you down the road.  Sorry I wasn't a real ball of fire this morning. My asthma flared up this weekend and I was short on sleep.  

Ridley

jdayton - hope today was smooth sailing for you,

Brendaj - you are in excellent hands tomorrow, and will in my thoughts,

Ridley

AnnBR

Iowa, Bella and you are the first BC.org gals I met and I was delighted that we could get together!

naiviv

Good Evening to all,

Do any of you know of ??? or

Have any of you had a DIEP on one side and another flap with implant on the other breast, or just went on to double implants. I am considering options and would love to know if anyone out there with any experience.

thank you and Healing thoughts and prayers to all

Vivian

Donna2012

jmb5,

I did not need much care after nipple reconstruction.  I kept the big gauze padding, that was put on during surgery, on for 2 days.  Then I took it off and just kept a few gauze pads w/ a hole cut in the middle for another 2-3 days.  Then I just wore a bra - that was all (no big deal!).  I did not use any ointments or anything.  I was given an antibiotic to take for 7 days afterwards.  I was in no pain, since I don't  have much sensation in the breast.   After reading others experiences with diep - it seems my PS does not recommend a whole lot of "stuff".  Never wore a binder or compression, never wore a nipple shield or needed to protect the nipple for any length of time,  etc...   I am not complaining...

Donna2012

trinity,

I am a "uni" and have posted a pic on the picture forum.  I am 45, no family history, and tested negative for the genetic testing.  I was told that for me to develop cancer in the other breast, it would have to be a 2nd, unrelated cancer.  Since I now take tamoxifen, the odds of me developing cancer in the other breast are much less than they are for your average person.  My drs. recommendations were to only have the 1 breast done and I am very happy that I made that decision.  I guess if I ever needed reconstruction done for the other breast - I could take the fat from another area (maybe a butt lift, to go w/ my now flat stomach!).   Hopefully, this will never be needed - but I know I have options if it is...

annajo

Trinity, I am another uni and I do have peace of mind.  Before and after my surgery I spoke with an oncologist and they really helped me see that my future risk was very low... And no diffeerence in mortality which seems counterintuitive but the statistics bear this out.  (For dcis)  Like you, I am "young", 41, no family history and BRCA negative.  Pm me if you want.  I found speaking with the oncologist very helpful.  

J1971

Hello Gals-

I am about 2.5months out from my double DIEP....I was one of those pulled really, really, really tight. The top half is great....so amazing--- love the new, healthy, improved boobs! My issue is the swelling and scar pain. I can sleep maybe 1-2 hours on a side, but can't roll over because I get a shearing/tearing pain on the sides of my abdominal scar. The swelling has not gone down! I am still swollen at the dog tags--- hips are bigger than before. The swelling over the rest of the abdominal region varies from day-to-day. Sometimes I am washboard flat...other days I look pregnant. I have been back to work about 6 weeks and my job is very active but it makes no difference. I have started to go back to the gym and it does not help or make it worse! My PS has reassured me and suggested that the swelling can take 6 months to resolve. Has anyone else had such changes on a daily basis? Any suggestions? I wonder if it has to due with how tight I was originally? 

But I certainly don't regret the surgery! Best decision ever!

goldie4040

jmb, just keep rotating two or three tops you don't care about that much, and when you are done throw them away...lol.  Are you not allowed to tape a little gauze over the ointment?  A woman I knew on here used the nursing pads, and it worked great for her.  Isn't it amazing how the compression makes that lipo area feel better?  If you can keep the area from jiggling it hurts less to move.  I used light compression and it helped a lot.  I got some spanx waist to knee a size too big, and it was plenty. 

JBdayton, best of luck tomorrow.  It's all going to go great.  You got this, and we got you!

optomi, glad you are feeling better.  I also seemed to calm down the last few days before.  I just kept really busy. Lots of nesting.

BellaMomma

iowagirl and Ann-How wonderful to meet you both in person!

I never could have imagined when I was first diagnosed and so very lost what a lifesaver this site would be and how we all would support and learn from each other.

Feeling blessed. :-)

jbdayton

Good news!  I had great veins in the hip area and he was very pleased.  I wil admit my bone pain is worse than the tummy incision was.  

Will explain this better once doc a I have a good chat.

I hope everyone has a great day today!

jbdayton

Well, I guess he gave my husband the good news after surgery.  

Today, The PS was just here and said it is still touch an go with the breast veins. No pressure no bandaging keep very warm no Doppler and wait it out for a few days.  The nurse said he ordered some kind of ointment heart surgery patients get to expand their arteries and veins.  Any help I can get to make this one heal I will take it.

This is still very good news because I have another chance of avoiding implants.

J1971

For those choosing uni vs double. I had right MX at diagnosis followed by XRT-- so flap was only choice. I choose elective MX after long consideration. I went with double as one procedure with high probability of symmetry vs implant/flap combo.

jmb5

jbdayton, Happy healing! Hope all continues to go well.

BellaMomma

jbdayton, We are with you sending you prayers and positive healing energy. Glad you are out of a successful surgery!

naiviv

Good day all.

Saw PS this morning. 13 days post op. 4 drains now gone. He also removed tape from hip incision and belley button. Right Flap is doing remarkably well. Scar healing on left side. Still no definitive plan for left side. I found out all stiches are internal. Glue has begun to come off. Was told to just wash with water and soap and make sure incisions are dry with either a fan or blowdryer. Last drain should come out on Tuesday. Still need to sleep on back until 1 month mark. Still need to avoid caffeine and take apirin. I can begin Tamoxifen. Told to walk as much as I could without tiring.

Healing to all,

Vivian

jmb5

I am sorry to be such a downer, but I am so depressed and feel like no one else understands. I had my stage 2 (fat grafting and nipples) last Thursday, and I was so excited the first couple days, but now the realization of the compression garment, which is digging into my hips and causing pain, and all the nipple care really has me feeling down. I was just feeling somewhat normal again, and able to wear normal clothes, and now I've got 4 weeks of this, and not being able to be in a bathing suit. I know 4 weeks isn't very long, and I feel like I'm being a big baby, but I can't seem to snap out of it. I just want to sit and cry and feel sorry for myself.

MartyJ

JMB - have a good cry and then remember you will be compression-free by the end of June!  Really, I know how hard it is.  My PS is a big believer in compression - months and months.  I have spent most of last summer in compression in the hot and humid heat.  You can do this.  In a year you will look back and say "what the heck was wrong with me, it's not so bad".  You are probably having a bit of post-anesthesia depression.  Recognize it and it will be over!

Dyvgrl

JMB,

I think it's normal to feel down post op. I had a total meltdown the other day and bawled my eyes out because I feel so helpless after stage 1 and felt like I was dumping too much on my daughter to help out. My hubs is out of town working and has been since I got home from Seattle. My girls have been taking care of me and I feel guilty. A lot going on in regards to changes in our lives so I was just thoroughly overwhelmed. I think it's healthy to sit down and have a good cry cuz let's face it, this shit sucks!! A month of dealing with yet more body crap after all we've been through is a lot. I feel you girl!! Go ahead and cry, you'll feel better for it! Hugs*