DIEP 2014

jbdayton

DeeW welcome to our group.  Sorry you have to join us but we will be here for you.  

Ask any questions you have here and we will try to assist.  

TinaHoff

Hi jb - whew!  You said it!  When he told me I could start to resume my regular activities, that for sure changed my whole outlook on life.  I've had a few teary days, when I asked myself why I put myself through this, sure I'd never get my life back.  But you sure do get it back, and in a few weeks I will forget all about those sad days when I couldn't even go to the bathroom by myself!

For Dee:  You have every right and reason to be anxious about this surgery.  I don't know you - but I know you can do this!  You've already stomped on breast cancer's head and sent it packing.  Now you're about to undergo the next stage of your journey - getting your groove back.  And you deserve it!  As the other ladies have said, let the experts do their job.  All you need to do is show up.  And I promise, every day, from the time you check in, until you are released to head home, you will make progress.  From waking up in recovery and getting all that anesthesia out of your lungs, to graduating from resting in bed, to doing laps in the halls - every day, in every way, you will be taking steps to get your body and your mojo back.

I think it was aff who mentioned her first day sitting up in a chair seemed so difficult - but her progress improved exponentially from there.  I found the same to be true.  What seems hard at first, turns out to do us the most good, in the long run.

Trust your experts - but also trust yourself, dear Dee.

Tina

Cherrie

My belly button is off center, but it just doesn't bother me. I am 59 and do not wear two pieces at the beach or anywhere. Ha ha! I do love my warm breasts that look very natural. The scars and numbness not so much. I am 18 mo. out of stage 1 and 9 months out of my 2c stage. I feel great. My tummy is flat, but I am puffier from belly button to breasts. I guess the fat has to go somewhere.

Goldie- good for you with your protein. I know it helped me a lot. I ate tons of Greek yogurt with fresh fruit in it. Salmon, tuna, protein shakes, eggs, chicken, beef, cheese, etc. 

Keep healing everyone ...... It really does get better.

Cherrie

My belly button is off center, but it just doesn't bother me. I am 59 and do not wear two pieces at the beach or anywhere. Ha ha! I do love my warm breasts that look very natural. The scars and numbness not so much. I am 18 mo. out of stage 1 and 9 months out of my 2c stage. I feel great. My tummy is flat, but I am puffier from belly button to breasts. I guess the fat has to go somewhere.

Goldie- good for you with your protein. I know it helped me a lot. I ate tons of Greek yogurt with fresh fruit in it. Salmon, tuna, protein shakes, eggs, chicken, beef, cheese, etc. 

Keep healing everyone ...... It really does get better.

LoveAllMyBoys

Dee--

I'm right there with you.  My surgery is this coming Monday and today I really had significant anxiety.  Do you have ativan?  If your anxiety is really troubling, you could ask you dr for some…it will help calm you down…and put you to sleep.  This was only the second time I've taken it since my diagnosis, but I feel much better now.  I was so freaked out that I moved my abdominal CT from today to tomorrow…just wasn't able to do it.  I think I will be keeping myself medicated from now through the surgery… :-(

tlbradyful--

I had forgotten about the Emia creme.  My uncle used it on his port before chemo.  I will definitely ask for some…

All --

I'm trying to shop for a few things to wear after surgery.  Have any of you worn maternity jeans after surgery?  Any idea if that would be a good option?  Not that I really want to be wearing maternity clothes, but I was thinking the soft panel might be helpful…

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.  

Ridley

Loveallmyboys -- some women on here have talked about using maternity pants -- sounds like a great idea.  I lived in yoga pants and soft pjs for the first few months.

Welcome to all of the new ladies and good luck to all undergoing surgery this week and to those recovering.

I'll be six months out tomorrow from surgery.  No regrets at all.  I'm going to do a little fat grafting and do a couple of minor tweaks, but decided that I want the summer off from as much medical "stuff" as possible (since last summer was a bust), so I'm going to wait until the fall for that.

Ridley

naiviv

Good evening all, Iggy continues to improve, just complaining about a headache...which we are told is normal for the procedure he had.

I believe I feel a bit more  fluid on the left belly side near waist where they just removed drain, feels different than other side. It always looked a bit bigger, maybe my whole left side is just messed up.  Found out from GYN S post op visit , that I have a UTI, so am on antib's again for a week.

Also resting as much as I can. Trying to avoid anything salty and drinking lots of fluids, hope the fluid goes away on its own.

My thoughts and prayers with all those recuperating and starting this journey.

Vivian

JerseyMomOf3

Love all my boys, 

I did not need anything other than yoga pants, and soft pj bottoms with stretchy waists that I already owned.

I did buy a couple of button down shirts.  and several camis that I wore under the binder To prevent skin irritation- works great!

I also bought a couple of zip up hoodies, and two maxi skirts. The maxi skirts are comfy and a nice alternative to yoga pants.

I definitely did not need maternity pants, but others may have really liked them.

Welcome Dee! Of course you are anxious, we can all relate. I wrote a post about my feelings on this fairly recently. If you click on my name above you will see all my posts and see that one a few down from the top.

I also took something to help me sleep at night, and got a massage prior to surgery which really helped.

The days before surgery are the hardest days. Hugs to you ladies preparing. We are here cheering you on.

Congrats Ridley on the 6 month mark! 

Vivian, so glad to hear things are going well for Iggy. Wishing you well with the swelling.

k79miller

I get a shot of lidocane a couple of minutes before they access my port & never feel anything.

The1toC

Vivian great news about Iggy!

My body did that too after the drain removed. I figured it was adjusting to not being able to get the fluid out the drain and trying to figure out a new exit. It settles down. I find some light physical activity helps (strolling).

Has anyone noticed they get swelly belly quite reliably after eating certain foods?

gila4936

LoveAllMyBoys -  I did have to buy some button front tops because I didn't own any and even though I don't have a "reaching" restriction and I'm able to wash my own hair, there's not a chance I'm ready to put anything over my head. As for bottoms, that's been harder so far because my abdominal drains are placed such that there's just nothing comfortable. I finally figured out that if I take a maxi skirt but put the waistband up right underneath my breasts (so the drains and all tubing are under the skirt), it's the easiest for me. It looks weird but I'm OK with that. I do think that once all the drains are gone, yoga pants will be quite lovely and I bet the maternity jeans will be a good option as well!

Teacher64

What's a Doppler wire? 

Dee - sorry you had to join us but this a great resource for support and answers to questions. Of course, your PS will be your best source, but we can do the easy, how to do day-to-day things that may help ease your mind. 

Glad Iggy is doing better.

After my sit ups yesterday, my belly has looked like the Michelin man today! Sure hope it goes down tomorrow because I have somewhere I need to go dressed in something other than yoga pants!

LoveAllMyBoys

Thanks all.  One more question about clothes..and then I will stop…I promise…  Should I be ordering my current size or sizing up?  I'm assuming I don't want to size down because of I will be so swollen…but I'm just not sure how to account for the "body re-arranging" as I expect my breasts will be smaller post surgery than they are now.  Thanks…again...

JerseyMomOf3

I wore the same size yoga pants and skirts - because the waists are so stretchy. I did size up for the button down shirts, because I wanted them to cover drains, and for the swelling, etc. 

I bought my same size camis because they are really stretchy. I'm glad I did because they fit well. 

Hope that helps.

The1toC

LoveAMB I have found it most comfortable to feel like I am not really wearing anything. Wide not very tight but tight enough not to fall down yoga pants& skirts non waisted dresses. Definitrly size up. And of course going commando for better part of 3 weeks.

My PS is a no compression one.

None of the above is really my usual style. I sort of considered them temporary clothes. Found a couple of items at consignment shop and coupla skirts at Costco. Wasn't willing to spend a lot. Looking forward to  a real wardrobe after stage 2.

goldie4040

Loveallmyboys, don't buy to much right away.  Comfy nite gowns around the house for the first week, or so worked great for me.  I wore Target ribbed cotton tank tops underneath everything for a while, still am.  I can put those through a hot hot wash, and even bleach them once in a while to make sure they were very clean.  As for going out with drains, you probably won't do too much of that.  Maybe a few visits to the PS before they are out.  One thing to wear over those when you go out will probably be enough.  My tummy is swollen, and today I had to go to my regular doc and lunch with a friend.  I wore a peasant skirt and a cute t-shirt, with my Coobie sports bra underneath.  A few gals have bought some maternity shorts and jeans from Target.  Don't spend a lot, you will want to burn it all when you are done with this.  A few cute summer casual summer dresses are fun to have, and can cover up a lot. Internet shopping came in very handy when I started realizing what would work, but I still couldn't get out to get it.  Also, I don't want to get to graphic, but the first week, or so a lot of us go commando under our at home clothes. Just feels better, but if you don't feel comfortable with that, there are some great tummy control panties at Costco that work great, and give some comfy support. Some PS will want you in compression all the time.  Mine didn't. But, it does feel more secure when you are up and about.

Teacher, sit-ups!!! I am jealous.  That is awesome.  My tummy is so tight right now I can't even imagine.  I think I asked, or you told us, but are you using a trainer? 

LoveAllMyBoys

Thanks.  ..but you are scaring me with the commando comment.  Although the concept sounds nice, after two kids I always have to wear a panty liner because a sneeze or cough is never my friend (if you know what I mean).  Is there a good underwear option that I should be looking for?  I'm seeing my surgeon Friday afternoon so I can ask him about the compression garment issue then.  

…and switching grears…

I totally freaked out this afternoon.  I had a pounding migraine and was on my way for my CTA…and ended up with a panic attack.  Postponed the CTA until tomorrow…left work, took meds, came home and crashed.  Not productive, oh well.  I have to say that it caught me totally off guard.  I've had panic attacks before…but not in a long while, and I thought I had been doing a pretty decent job of compartmentalizing the days to come.  Guess it backed up on me today…  :-(   I've already told my boss that I will be missing my 8am meeting tomorrow… :-(  Sigh...

Ridley

LoveAMB - I never went commando once I was home.  I bought some larger size granny panties and could wear those without any discomfort.  For me, as long as I had the abdo drain tubes placed in the right direction, they didn't hurt and the granny panties sort of kept them in place.  They were also lose enough around my abdo incision.

Sorry about the panic attack - this surgery can be tough - both physically and mentally, and I expect you are already stressed out about your diagnosis.  Take good care of yourself these last few days leading up to surgery.  I was a complete stressball in the last week, but the day of I was fine, and woke up from surgery feeling way less stress and anxiety.  I hope you experience the same.

Ridley

Teacher64

Goldie - I do have a trainer. He has worked with bc ladies before, including his wife. After bmx I was concerned with ROM, had bad cording, and he brought me back gently so that a few days before DIEP, I had full ROM. I couldn't go back to him til three weeks ago but I had been walking and doing arm stretches he'd taught me previously.  I still feel the stretch in my arms and belly but nothing I've done has cause pain. Well, one time I tried to move too fast, but that was me not Coach G. It's slow and easy. I work with him every other day and ride my exercise cycle at home. The at-home includes stretches but does not include weights or resistance, that's for only with G and it's still limited. He's very cautious and I appreciate that because I was very scared to attempt anything after the bmx. Then after DIEP I thought my belly would not let me move easily. It has amazed me doing the stretches with G has made such a difference. I haven't really worked out yet but I will get there, hopefully before stage 2.

brendarj

Good Morning Ladies. Well I'm back on the other side after a bit of a bumpy road (second trip to O.R. 12 hrs after 1st was over) Still some concerns for lefty (radiated side and side that had 21 lymph nodes removed) Had not been feeling well since I got home (no appetite, nausea, general crappy feeling Turns out I couldn't tolerate pain meds. Quit taking them Wed. am started managing with extra strength Tylenol and Advil and this morning feel 100% better.

Finding it a little strange after 4 years to look down and see breasts but very happy with results and would make the same choice all over again

To all waiting It's true all you have to do is show up Your Dr. and team have this and to all on the other side gentle healing

gila4936

LoveAMB - I haven't had children but I don't go commando either due to leakage issues. For me right now, low cut underwear works best. Once the drains come out I think I'll prefer higher waist. It all depends where the drains are and how they feel.

aff

Woo Hoo, all my drains were removed this morning. I came out of the doctor's office feeling like a new person!

Morningsun1

For undies, I bought some Depends to use when I was dealing with open tummy incision. They were great at catching the drainage and bleeding when the dressing came off. I did cut them to make them fit me better.

Teacher64

aff- freedom from drains is NOT overrated. Enjoy your liberation!!

Brendarj - hope you are on road to recovery now. Keep looking at those lovely breasts.

Leaving to see a friend who had DIEP Tuesday.

TinaHoff

Teacher - our love and best wishes for your friends good healing.

Tina

JerseyMomOf3

Great news aff! Woo hoo!

Re: undies, I bought a package of fruit of the loom cotton undies in my size that have a wide cotton band (bikini undies) at either target or Walmart. While I had drains I folded the wide band down so it was placed under the drains. After drains were removed I put the wide band back up and they covered the gauze dressings over the drains well. Now they are soft and comfortable to wear over the healing drain sites. Very happy with these undies!

aff

This morning I forgot to ask the PS how long I should continue using the incentive spirometer. Any insight?

brendarj - prayers are with you

LoveAMB - the week leading up to my surgery was one of the most stressful of my life. I can't tell you how many times I repeated to myself that "all I have to do is show up". Those words could not be more true. I wish there is something I could say to help alleviate the anxiety. You will get through this and soon you will be on the other side. You have our full support. 

goldie4040

Aff, I used the spirometer till I was up and moving around on a regular basis. I wasn't told to it that I recall, but I did it anyway.  I just remember it hurt to cough, which made it a hard chore.

Teacher, I wish I could find a trainer that knows how to work with BC woman.  I really want to get back to lifting weights, but I am afraid to hurt myself.

Lovemyboys, sorry about the fear of commando.  May be good for some, not for all.  I have leakage from pregnancies and hysterectomy, but I don't know why, wasn't an issue during the first few weeks home.  You anxiety is pretty normal.  Have your asked for PS or BS for a little help to get you through this.  Maybe some Xanax or Ativan?  Just a little something to take the edge off.

naiviv

I am kinda getting used to this no bra and underwear. I wore knit stretchy pajama shorts after surgery with a white cotton tank top. If I went out I pulled a sun dress over everything. My PS is no compression to belly and no bra. I could not have anything touching hip drains.

Those white tanks are great, they absorb any fluid from incisions and are easy to wash and bleach if needed. Keep things dry if you are in hot weather. I ordered online men's fruit of loom xl 10 pack and I change during the day as needed.  I could have purchased smaller , they shrink but then stretch again. I'm looking to get some ladies ones that will give me more top coverage . 

My PS told me while I could to expose all incisions to air especially after shower to make sure they dried.

Especially my belly button which continues to stay wet if covered.

Prayers to all

Vivian

Dyvgrl

hey ladies,

Just checking in. Still dealing with scabby incisions. Doing my best not to pick but it's so gross! Have one little spot that kind of weeps a bit on my ab incision, but everything else is healing nicely. Can't wait to start feeling normal again...