DIEP 2014

bdavis

Ashira.. Some docs do nipples at stage II, and others space it out, but I think most do it at stage II. About compression, that's another thing that depends on the PS. Some don't use it at all, and other say 6 months. Mine said 24/7 for two weeks, but if I can wear it longer then I may have better results, so I wore it for 6 weeks. I think after lipo, the compression helps contain swelling AND helps the skin adhere to the tissue for a smoother outcome.

sibrhusky127

Dyvgrl, Vinnie is the tattoo person that was mentioned to me when I was getting surgery done at Johns Hopkins.     I didn't need his work, but he is highly recommended.

placid44

Video of Vinnie...

http://www.nytimes.com/video/health/10000000291569...

J1971

For bras....I had an XL compressive sports bra that zipped in the front and basically lived in it for the first month. My PS told me to let the gals breath for a little bit each day. I have three in the rotation (wear one, wash one, clean one) Since I am bigger than before the support was great. Next I moved to a zipped front no wire bra from Playtex (I found it at Kohls) and another one online. At 2.5 mnths, I went bra shopping!
Definitely take a pillow with you. My ICU/hospital was great and never ran out of pillows, but it was nice having a piece of home with me. I also took iPad, phone, chargers, my toothbrush/toothpaste, robe with pockets (for the drains). I found a great button down shirt w/drain holders on Amazon- so I had that also. I wore the robe ALOT. I was covered with a bear hugger for 3 days and the robe was more comfortable than blankets at temperature control.

I think I turned another corner!!! Every few days....I feel an extra bounce in my step. I still have the annoying abdominal swelling...but I have had 3 days of doing everything (work, home, take care of kids, exercise, etc) WITHOUT increased pain the next morning! Wahoo!

koalabear

Pollyanna,I'm 2 weeks post op. For the hospital, I had brought my iPhone and iPad but honestly, I could barely type and definitely couldn't focus to read. iPhone was helpful to text loved ones. 

For clothes, I bought a long button down night shirt which I lived in for four days. I didn't want to wear the hospital gown at all. I ended up not wearing my slippers but just fuzzy socks with non slip grippy things in the bottom. 

After the hospital, yoga capris (def size up or make sure the elastic band is really stretchy) sound amazing. I bought 2 button down tank tops from Old Navy that were perfect, two sizes up. I also got a cheap large thin hoodie for when I needed a jacket. That literally was all I needed. 

The doc supplied a bra for the first two weeks which I could have kept using but I just hated it. I'm now in a soft stretchy bra called a Coobie - you can order online. For compression, my doc also gave me a binder and a girdle which I wore for a week. It's optional now but I may look into some Maidenforms or Spanx just to hold things in. I would suggest waiting until afterwards to know what you need as all docs are different and you may prefer something different as well. 

Good luck!

Donna2012

dyvgrl,

for vinnie - you need to to pay $400 w/ a credit card up front (to make the reservation).  Then, you pay the additional ($200 for 1 & $400 for 2) the day of your appointment.  He provides all of the paperwork necessary for you to then submit it to your insurance co., to hopefully get reimbursed.  Mine will reimburse me 100%.  

Polly - I brought tons of stuff and was happy I did!  Most of it was not used, but I felt good having it there in case I wanted it.  I think I had an easier time than most & was communicating with people from my ipad just a few hours after surgery.  I don't think this is the norm.....  I also don't think I would have had the level of concentration for a book though.  The ipad was great for me and I used it a lot.   I wore a hospital gown for 2 days, but then was very happy to be able to wear my own lounge pants & button down shirts.  I was suppose to be in for 4 nights, but felt good after 3 & talked them into letting me leave a day early.  My biggest complaint is I didn't get any sleep there.  Each and every Doppler check I was wide awake for, then would maybe start to relax and get sleepy just in time for the next check!  I am the type of person where sleeping pills and narcotics don't seem to have much of an effect on me.  For most people, they make them sleepy - but not for me.  The worriement of the whole thing is really much worse than the actual event.  Soon it will all be over.

LiLi-RI

Congrats JerseyMom on the pathology results! It must be so comforting now.

Zenful

JerseyMom, congratulations on your report!  It's nice to get confirmation that your choice was the correct one!

sweetpeakisses

Hello everyone! 

I am new to this post. I am scheduled for surgery on Friday in Michigan and I am getting nervous and anxious. I have been reading through this extremely long, but very helpful thread. I am looking forward to the healing process. I am getting a diep flap and implants because I dont have enough to give me my DD breast back after the BMX. I look forward to talking with you guys about my journey  

jenjenl

I had my surgery January 2014 with wonderful results.  I had stage 2 in May and stage 3 scheduled for July.  My doctor put some disolvable mesh in my tummy vs wearing a binder.  about 6 weeks ago I started having pain on the right side above my insion closer to the ribs.  I just watched it, it would come and go and now im more aware of it.  i thought that maybe it was the disolvable mesh disolving but would have thought it would be the same on both sides.  my MO ordered a scan (liver area) but doesn't want to schedule it until i see my surgon to see if it's normal or not.  I have a bad feeling the same feeling i had after my biopsy.  when i had my scan prior to the DIEP (the abdominal scan) there wasn't anything but we all know how that goes. 

scared and hopeful.

Cherrie

sweetpeakisses- Where are you having surgery? I am also from Michigan and had my DIEP in NOLA 1 1/2 years ago. I couldn't find an experienced surgeon in Michigan. I am so glad to hear people are getting DIEPS in Michigan. There is such a need. Good luck to you and you will find this site most helpful. 

bdavis

Dyvgrl... Vinnie did my tats in April. I went to NOLA where the waitlist for non-NOLA patients is into 2015. But if you go to Maryland, you will not have to wait as long. Plus, people do cancel now and again for whatever reason (maybe they thought their boobs would be ready and they aren't), so sometimes you can get bumped up. In NOLA, you pay them and they submit to insurance for you. In MD, you submit for yourself. Vinnie is amazing, and does incredible realistic work. No one, not even me can tell these aren't my original areolas.

sweetpeakisses

Hi Cherrie I am having it done at Beaumont hospital in Royal Oak with Dr. Chaiyasate. He looks like he has been doing it for a while. What part of Michigan are you in?

JerseyMomOf3

Thank you Ann, Lili-Ri, Zenful, Dyvgrl! I feel like I can breathe again - been holding my breath since my abnormal mammo in Sept when every test led to another shoe dropping! Almost feels surreal to get good news for a change.

Pollyanna, regarding being over stretched from pregnancies and from twins- I  carried my twins to term and was also gargantuan. I asked my PS if he would fix my diastasis from that pregnancy during the DIEP and he said he would be happy too! For the first time in 15 years my stomach muscles feel like they are back where they should be. Just a thoughtif is is something you would be interested in considering. For me, this was a real silver lining of is procedure. I was always scared of surgery so would not have contemplated having it done before now.

goldie4040

sweetpeakisses, welcome.  Try not to fret to much.  It will all be fine.  Some bounce back quicker than others, but we all bounce back eventually, and are almost always happy with result. 

I am curious, are they putting your implants in during your diep, and are they going to be under or over your pec muscles? I also had very little to give, and I am not thrilled with the size I a now, but everything hasn't settled yet, so I might be happier down the line, I don't know. 

Dyvgrl

that's good to hear. Once I get Stage 2, I'll check out a trip... On another note, has anyone used the Tommie Copper compression sleeves? I just ordered one for my right arm. Post Op swelling is bugging me. I have one Lymphedivas sleeve left but it's the bright yellow one with warning labels everywhere that I wear to the hospital. I'm gonna give this one a shot since it's $45 instead of $145!

JerseyMomOf3

Aff, thank you and good luck with your upcoming date! It will be done and you will be back home before you know it.

JerseyMomOf3

Re: nipple tattoos, great article and video on VinnyMyers in today's New York Times Well section. I tried to post a link here but it doesn't seem to work.

jbdayton

Thinkpink I will be limping on the bus tomorrow.  May the surgeons be sharp.  I know this will be one of your most important days in this journey.  Many hugs coming your way.

And a good path report.

The1toC

Jersey great news on the path report! What are you doing to celebrate?

I also took a downturn in week 3 really surpised me since I felt I'd been doing really well. I rested and had a good talk to my body. As I approached week 4 got better went back to non strenuous job, field trip with kids class...today is 4wk since surg. Using tylenol 625mg twice a day and need to rest after dinner for a bit. Walkng is helping me feel good.

Pollyanna I would buy at least a size up. My experience is that the belly is not flat right away although it is less. It swells randomly. After surgery I did not have a head for reading which I love. Even now I am not finding a book captivating. It does take a coiple of weeks for the ?anaesth3ia? Fog to clear. I packed toiletries, my lymphedema sleeve and an outfit to go home.

J1971 woohoo! You are inspiring-iam just starting to venture into some exercise. How far out are you from DIEP.

Donna2012 well said: the worriement is worse than the actual event. Too true!

Sweetpeaks sending happy healing comforting thoughts to you downstate. I am excited to hear about your experience once you're  on the other side.

AnnBR

I got some good news today when I met with my RO. She is using a hybrid type of radiation treatment that will more effectively treat the area without 'butchering' (her words) my new flap. Although getting rid of any remaining cancer cells is most important, I was happy to hear that it shouldn't affect my end result. It may take me longer to get to stage 2 but I'm okay with that!

Hope everyone is doing well. Ann

The1toC

AnnBR sounds like the angels have made sure you are in the care of an excellent compassionate physician who is really concerned about your well being while treating the cancer. How fortunate.

Dyvgrl

at what point after Stage 1 can we start reaching with our arms? All I remember is my doc saying not to reach out for a few weeks. I'm almost 4 weeks out now and still can't reach anything. I don't want to stretch and tear anything but at some point I'm gonna need my arms to go back to work... Anything much beyond the t-Rex position still hurts.

Ridley

Dyvgrl - sorry to hear reaching still causes pain.  This seems to be another area where the docs differ.  I had lifting restrictions (nothing over 10 pounds for 12 weeks), but no reaching restrictions.  I recall washing my hair in the shower on the second day I was home, so that was just less than a week out.  There are lots of post mastectomy arm stretches that you can find on the net, so maybe give your surgeon's office a call and see if you can start in those to gradually increase your flexibility.

MartyJ

A word to those shopping for clothes - Be careful when buying things with a waist - like a skirt.  I am 18 months out and still swell late in the day.  Actually took a waist measurement in the morning and evening - 2" difference.  We all swell during the day, surgery or not.  Just something to watch for - nothing too snug or you may be supremely unhappy!

Dyvgrl - I agree with Ridley.  I never had "reach" restrictions, but did have lift restrictions.  At 4 weeks most of the tiniest stuff has healed.  Don't force anything, but you should be able to start working that range of motion.  Just don't reach to lift (like a dinner plate or milk jug).

Teacher64

The1toC - I live in a small town and volunteer at the library. After surgeries, our librarian delivered  books til I could drive but I couldn't focus on anything. I'd read the same page several times before it registered. It wasn't until about week 4 that I could concentrate. Now I read while I walk on the treadmill or ride my exercise cycle.

AnnBR -wonderful news, a silver lining

Dyvgrl - check with your PS about reaching and gentle stretches. I was told to do table and wall crawls with my fingers. I couldn't really reach at first, but it was movement. I did it 3X daily and have regained mobility gradually. I'm still working on it. PS told me not to lift or carry anything heavier than 5 lbs for 8 weeks. I still have some shoulder issues. Sunday I moved "wrong," the tightness returned with a vengeance and I had to take a muscle relaxer, which I haven't needed in weeks. I'm working through it and have been told this is "normal" not a setback.

MartyJ - I've also found wide differences in my waist measurement, usually before and after exercise. After working out, my swelly belly looks like a marshmallow.

Gaining mobility, ROM, and any strength has been more of a challenge after DIEP than bmx but it is happening now. 

When I've gotten good news, I've enjoyed a mani/pedi, a glass of wine, a piece of chocolate, extra relaxing time sitting on the patio, fun time with a friend...not all at once...but it would really be fun to combine them all!

JerseyMomOf3

The1toC- thanks! I hadn't planned anything to celebrate yet, you reminded me that I really should. I think I am still in a bit of a fog. It is my mom's birthday today, which is especially meaningful as she is 3 years out from her dx of lung cancer, stage 4. She is doing great, so we really have a lot to celebrate!

Dyvgrl, I have an occupational therapist appt today - she will do an evaluation and teach me appropriate stretches. Maybe this would be a good thing for you to do? I felt more comfortable having the guidance of a professional. I just spoke to my PS office and I will have no restrictions at all after 4 weeks. I was only given 3 restrictions- no lifting anything over 5 pounds, no pulling, and no pushing. I couldn't reach too much for the first couple of weeks because it hurt, but it has gotten better.  After next week PS office says I can do anything that is comfortable. I can even start sleeping on my side which is really exciting- I hope I can tolerate it. Pretty tired of sleeping in the recliner.

Ann, such wonderful news- I am thrilled for you that you are getting such excellent care!! Keeping you in my thoughts.

Regarding swelling, I am still wearing my binder which seems to really help. In the mornings I seem much less swollen than in the afternoons/evenings. 

Teacher, I agree- haven't been able to read a book, I haven't felt the ability to concentrate. Maybe next week! I have just binge watched some TV shows that I never had the chance to watch before, especially Game of Thrones (wow, excellent series) and Orphan Black. I also love Veep. I want to start House of Cards next and I am excited for The second season of Orange is the new Black this week!

I went out to lunch yesterday with work friends and it really lifted my spirits, and reminded me that this too shall pass.....every day is a new day. I am reminded that the simple pleasures of life - sun on my face, kisses and hugs from my loved ones, shared laughter and shared burdens with friends- are truly the most special and precious gifts. Wishing everyone a simple pleasure today! 

Trinity0723

My doctor called this morning to see if hospital had called yet to schedule cpm or something like that. Can anybody tell me what that is?

MartyJ

Trinity - maybe a CT-A?  That is a scan that many PS use to determine which are the best abdominal veins to use for DIEP.  It is an easy one, not an enclosed space and goes very quickly.

Trinity0723

thanks MartyJ