DIEP 2014

goldie4040

Naiviv, that is great news.  Interesting about the fat grafting.  I will continue to keep him in my prayers.

Teacher, not loving my belly button either.  My PS said it was going to become an innie on it's own as everything settles.   Hmmmmm....don't think so. 

Lemon, glad to hear your swelling issues are getting a little better today.  My breast are changing shape daily, and the swelling is down.  Now, my tummy, that is a different story.  flat in the morning, pregnant at night.  I just wear my compression panties (tummy control) because it is more comfortable, but I don't think they are tight enough to control all the swelling.  I had swelly belly after my hysterectomy.  I took almost 6 months to resolve. 

Cherrie, my new favorite snack is greek yogart with a sliced banana (I let it sit a while so the sweetness of the banana gets into the yogart) and then I sprinkle Kashi Go Lean on it.  It is so good, and about 15 grams of protein. I also have a Premium Protein drink everyday when I am craving something sweet (which it really isn't, but I can pretend).  My husband did a ton of research on foods with high protein. He was trying to help me not eat empty calories, but still be satisfied. So far, so good. Also, tuna is my new best friend, along with salmon.  Has anybody noticed the benefit to you hair from all the extra protein in your diet?

lahela

iowagirl, they do put in anchor stitches to hold the flaps in place and I'd guess that's what you can see, if they're anything like mine - my PS told me they actually wrap the stitches around the ribs.

The1toC

aff sounds like you are doing well. I am glad that you are happy with the outcome so far.

Vivian thanks for the update. Seems like good news and all will be well. Generous hugs and prayers for you and your family.

LiLi-RI

Aff - So happy you are on the other side and doing well!

Pollyanna - Sending you healing hugs today!

5tlv - thank you for sharing! It truly helps us all!

I am scheduled for surgery one week to the day! I am so stressed and nervous! What ? No belly button - I love mine......

Will I get all that needs done? Who knows?

goldie4040

Lili-ri,

NO, you will have a belly button.  LOL, how do these rumors get started? And, you belly button will be in the same place as before.  They will take your original one, and make you a new one, but it will be attached to the same umbilical stem you always had, and it might seem to be in a different place, but it's won't be. Most of the women really like their new belly buttons.  Some believe their new ones are higher, or off center, but that feeling goes away.  It's because the feeling in your skin is in the same place according to your brain, but now it has been pulled down to tighten you tummy. Does that make sense?.  It will take time to get use to.  Nihahi also wrote a post explaining the belly button thing.  Go back a page, or two to read her post.

JerseyMomOf3

Lili-Ri, the belly button stays, the skin around it is moved down so they make a new incision and reattach it. It is no big deal. Can I just say I LOVE my belly button! Not only did my Dr fix my diastasis (over stretched fascia and displaced muscles due to my twin pregnancy) but my belly button looks so normal again, I really love how it looks.

Here is a tip for handling that pre-surgery stress...l went for a hot stone massage the day before my surgery.my upper back and shoulders felt like cement from the months of breast cancer worry/ stress, so the therapist concentrated on them for an hour. Let me tell you, I felt sooo much better afterwards. I went in the morning so all day I felt like so much of the stress had been massaged out of me. It was the best thing I had done for myself in years.

Also keeping busy is helpful. If you don't get everything done that you think you'd like to (I didn't) don't sweat it. It will not matter in the long run. Before you know it you will be back doing it anyway. Enjoy the rest while you can.

Teacher64

Today it's 12 weeks. A friend who is not on bc.org is having her DIEP today. Progress report from OR said all is going well. Having slept through mine, it's a long day for those waiting. Updates provide such a relief. My friend and I share a PS but she's had a more difficult journey to get here. She said she wants to be bigger than me and has more to work with than I did and wondered then if her stomach will be as flat as mine. Thankfully, she saw me in the morning! 

jmb5

Interesting belly button talk. While in the hospital, the resident PS told me that they moved my belly button. Mine looks exactly the same, but it is definitely not centered anymore, and it's not just in my head. Even now, with my stage 2 compression on, there is a seam that runs right up the middle, and it leaves a dent in my skin. When I take it off, my belly button is left of that dent, which is centered. It is definitely not centered 4 1/2 months post surgery. Doesn't really bother me though. I think it adds character.

I had my stage 2 post-op appointment today. My PS said to massage my legs in the shower to help smooth out the liposuction. There is a sore lump near my armpit which she said is a lymph node that needs time to settle down. (She did lipo on that little fatty area near the armpit, above the breasts.) I asked her about the ridge on the radiated breast. I told her it's better than it was, and asked if she thought I'd need another fat grafting surgery. She said she wanted to wait 3 months until everything settled down, that about 35% of the fat could absorb back into the body. The nipples are healing well and look really good. I'm not a fan of the donuts though. Kind of hard to cover them up in the summertime. Only a couple more weeks of donuts and compression, and I'll be much happier.

optimi

So good to read all the updates! Aff, I am so happy that your surgery went well and you were are able to go home so soon!

Polyanna, thinking of you while you are probably still asleep. Praying that everything goes well!

I guess it's our turn next, Trish I hope we will get out of surgery as well as most other ladies on here!

See you all on the other side!!

jbdayton

I am feeling like I am ready to join the real world again.  Saw PS yesterday says flap looks good and healthy so I can move forward now.  He removed both my drains and I will see him tomorrow.  He may be able to remove some staples tomorrow as well.

Aff so glad you are home and doing so well.  

Pollyanna hope all is going well today.

Trisha and Optimi my prayers and best wishes are with you for tomorrow.  I know how hard the wait is but now all you have to do is show up.  See you on the other side.

LiLi-RI

Thank you JerseyMom and Goldie for clarification of belly button issue. Sometimes during this process I feel like I am losing my feminine parts (2008 complete hysterectomy). However, loss of Buddha belly - not a terrible loss! LOL.

I am actually scheduled for some reiki and reflexology tomorrow. Good advice. 

Trisha and optimi - sending lots of relaxing and healing hugs.

LiLi

GeorgieGirlKC

Prayers for you tomorrow Pollyanna and for those who are post op the last few days. So glad to hear your young man is doing well Naiviv! 

LoveAllMyBoys

aff --

That is great and inspiring news!!  I'm new here but scheduled for BMX and DIEP on Monday so I'm trying to get my head around the events to come...

Teacher64

Trisha and Optimi, great day tomorrow. You will be in my thoughts. This time tomorrow nit, you will be on what other side!

Zenful

Good luck to pollyanna5,  trish01254, Optimi, OneTexasDay and  TLeighMD.  Lots going on this week!

rose111

best wishes for successful surgeries and speedy recoveries to Pollyanna, Trisha,optimi,onetexas and MD.  

Aff, glad to hear you are doing well. Very encouraging!

Viv-thanks for the update on "Iggy".  Hope  he has a rapid recovery.

LoveAllMyBoys

k79miller--

Shoelaces? That is
SO creative. Thanks for the
suggestion.

5tlv –

Thanks SO much for sharing your story. I’m very encouraged that you are able to be
up and about so much and so quickly.
Were you a marathon type exerciser before the surgery? I’m an exerciser…but the past month have only
been to the gym a couple of times a week…so I’m wondering for comparison.

Pollyanna—

Thinking of you today!!

Trisha and Optimi,--

Will be thinking of you tomorrow!

Viv –

I know I’m new here, but I’ve been thinking about your
SO’s son. I’m so glad that things are
looking up on your end.

goldie4040

Teacher, I hope your friend does well.  Keep us posted on her progress.

JMB, sounds like you are making good progress.  Your PS is the first one I have heard of that said massage the lipoed area.  Interesting.  Can you see a difference yet, or are things still too swollen?  I am so happy you like your nipples.  Hey, 2 more weeks will fly by!!!

tlbradyful

SNB painful injections - my hospital uses Emla Creme one hour before injections and there is zero pain. Ask for it. It is a prescription creme. I used it on my port before it was accessed. It has to be minimum one hour before your injection.

Teacher64

My friend's daughter let me know she was moved to ICU. Her surgery was nearly 12 hours but all went well. Good Doppler sounds.

JerseyMomOf3

Vivian,so glad your SO son is doing well. What a relief that must be.

Teacher, glad your friend is on the other side and doing well.

About the SNB injection, I guess they did mine while I was under anesthesia. I don't remember them even telling me about it until afterwards.

Good luck to all the surgery gals this week!

I am four weeks post op tomorrow - a very exciting day as all restrictions lifted, I can go back to sleeping in my own bed (have been in the recliner because I am a side sleeper and could not risk it in bed) . Woo hoo!

lemon68

Trish and Optimi- show up and let the experts do their job. I wish sweet dreams for you during your nap. Sending prayer to you both.

Polly your in my thoughts today.

LiLi- I had a total hysterectomy in Sept. I feel like I have no real parts left but I know I am 100% woman, just healthier!

Teacher so happy your friend is doing well. Vivian, happy to hear the news is good.

Jerseymom, I hope you sleep well in your own bed. I am jumping from recliner to sectional to bed each night. I still cant sleep on my side at 5 weeks. I keep trying though. I have been taking a half a Xanax which is really helping me rest more. I have been staying up late watching bad tv and sleeping in, I need to get back on track with my sleeping habits.

jbdayton, I am so glad to hear things are working out for you. You have been though a lot, so happy for you to have success!

goldie4040

Lemon, I got into the bad sleeping habits with my bmx, and now I am doing it again with this.  Every morning I promise myself I am going to force myself into a normal routine, but until my days become normal again, I don't know how my nights will.

Polly, I hope you are having a nice visit from Wilbur tonight and that all went well today.

Trish, tomorrow is your day.  We are all thinking positive thoughts for you.  Let us know how you are as soon as you feel up to it.

trish01254

Thanks to all you wonderful ladies.  All the latest news seems to be good news.  Praying that trend continues.

I finally have the correct time to show up, unfortunately 9:45 a.m. was the correct time.  I'm such a morning person.  Oh well. I'll make sure to request the Emla cream and no more worries.  I feel pretty calm today and am ready to have this part over.

 

 

Teacher64

Between week 11 and 12 I was able to comfortably sleep on left side. Right side, not yet. One side is better than just being on my back. Yesterday was officially 12 weeks and I did sit ups!! I sat on a bench as my trainer lowered it flat. We were at a 45 degree angle last session and it was sore. I have swelly belly today but no other issues. It was such a victory!!

jbdayton

Trisha you can do it.  After this morning you don't have to worry about all the scheduling issues anymore.

See you on the other side.  We will be praying for you .

TinaHoff

Vivian- hooray for good news!  I'm sure that young man will be up and around in no time.  As Teacher mentioned a few days ago, he has youth on his side.

Lemon, thanks for the tip re: Xanax.  I have noticed that at night I am exhausted, yet restless, and will fuss with my pillows, blankets, etc trying to relax enough to fall asleep.  Never occurred to me to try my anti-anxiety meds.

Had my first post-op visit with the PS today.  He seemed really pleased with how things look, removed my Doppler wire, and lifted my caffeine restriction.  Also said I can begin to resume my regular activities, though to proceed slowly, and stop if something doesn't feel right.

Making progress.  Not as fast as I would like, but I'll just remember what JerseyMom said - I'll get back to all of that soon enough.

Hugs and a restful recovery to the ladies having their surgeries today...

Tina

jbdayton

congrats Tina. It is amazing how it makes you feel when they tell you it is ok to start working back into your old routine.

DeeW29

Hello my pink sisters,

I am scheduled for DIEP flap 6.23.14. Praying for successful surgery and successful, speedy recovery. I would be lying if I said I didn't have any anxiety right now.Well wishes to everyone who is having surgery.

goldie4040

Welcome, Dee,  Anxiety is normal and you have every right be to scared.  I can tell you that 99.9999 percent of us come out of this surgery just fine,  and that about that many are happy with their results too.  Hang in there.  Ask as many questions as you like.  We are here for you.  No question is too small, or trival.  It's all important.