DIEP 2014

The1toC

aff great news on being drain free! For the incentive spirometer duration....if you are up and aabout a bit and taking deep breaths now and again could stop. Some like to continue cuz it helps remind to do some deep breathing to stretch those chest muscles and bring healing oxygen.

Brendarj welcome to the other side! Glad you are here and happy that flap was salvagable.

Dyvgrl someone recommended to me to use a NEW soft baby toothbrush very gently daily in the shower after being clean on the closed (NOT OPEN OR WEEPING) incisions. Seems to be working well.

Vivian it is so nice to hear about you and that you are doing well!

Morningsun great idea on the Depends!

Teacher thanks for the inspiration. I started working with a trainer this week and I am so surprised how good I feel. I was concerned would feel spent. We start slow and explore what I am able to do at this point. I listen to my body for guidance and don't overdo it. One of my goals is to get my best body for stage 2 so that PS can take the fat I what I wasn't able to myself. I am a bit of a carrot chaser so a goal+deadline is good.

goldie4040

http://www.target.com/p/junior-s-long-lean-tank/-/A-14595267#prodSlot=medium_1_14&term=mossimo+tank+tops

Naiviv, the above are the tank tops I use from Target. I have a zillion white ones, and a few in other colors.  So comfortable, and don't lose their shape. 

Dvygirl, don't pick.  Somebody told me they couldn't stand looking at the crust on their belly button anymore, and cleaned it with a q tip. Guess what?  Infection!!!  Leave well enough alone. It will all come of eventually, and nobody sees it but you.  Stop looking at it...lol

Brenda, you are sounding good.  Welcome to the diep side.

Aff, Yeah...drain free!!!

4acure

DeeW29,

I can relate to how nervous you must feel. My surgery date is July 9th and I am getting very nervous. I have already begun the process of banking my blood with the Red Cross for surgery. I begin all the doctor rounds again next week. I'm particularly concerned about being in ICU, but I'm not sure why. I guess because I have never had to be in there, lol. I am worried about the recovery time. I am waiting for a teaching position in the fall and that will put me at exactly 8 weeks from surgery date. I hope that I am ready! Reading posts from other ladies who have gone through this already has been very inspiring and I am hoping it helps me to make peace with this whole process. I hope you find comfort in them as well.

Teacher64

Today I found out my friend had two transfusions during surgery. She looked good though and had just been moved out of ICU.  Her husband came in and thanked me for sharing with her prior to surgery because it calmed her down so much. I was glad to help. 

The1toC- we have the same goal. I want to be in as good a shape as I can before July 30. Today I changed from rehab to workout and felt good. I did push ups against a bar on the wall, reverse ring pulls, squats and then incline sit ups to decline sit ups. It wasn't a long workout but I felt great.

tlbradyful

Aff - I was feeling so good I quit my spirometer 2 weeks out. I ended up in the ER on Easter. Keep it up for a while. It only helps and never hurts.

J1971

Teacher64- awesome you have a skilled trainer!

Dvygirl- I remember the scabs driving me crazy, then the glue starting to itch also!!

So this morning I was hoping for the day when I don't think about my surgery every day-- just like when I was recovered from XRT I didn't think about have CANCER everyday. Then BIG reality check!! I am a Family Medicine Physician and admitted a 32 yo with uncontrolled pain from metastatic breast cancer....found 4 days ago. Reminds me how incredibly lucky I am and my recovery is nothing compared to so many others. Hugs to you gals. 

annajo

stage 2 tomorrow!  Fat grafting for divots, and nipple.  Wml!

Teacher64

Annajo - can't wait to hear about it. Relax.

I did spirometer for several weeks. I was sent home and told to use it til I could get it between 2000 and 2500. I was told it goes up according to height and I'm 4'10" so it would be different for everyone. 

The1toC

Some time ago I said I would try to figure out how to post a photo to soothe those aching to get into a bikini.  Although it was taken May 25, the ice stayed on the lake (Superior) pretty much like that until June 4. I saw a few last lonely icebergs on June 9. All gone now.

Jlg1067

hi folks, 

My Deip is scheduled for July 7th.... I had double Mast, 2 yrs ago. I'm nervous, but this board helped. My PS says 4 to 6 weeks out of work.. I have a desk job... Do you think I'll be back by 4?. I also have some apprehension about recovery... I actually have a pretty high pain tolerance and can be pretty stupid about my limitations after surgeries, but I guess I'm still alive, so it can't be too bad... How long will I need somebody with me afterwards and what in your opinion is the worst part? Any tips to make recovery better? Also, I'm researching 3d nipple tattoos... Anybody have those?

LiLi-RI

Hi Ladies!

Tuesday is my big surgery day.....and of course the stress-level is through the roof! I met with my RO yesterday for my 6-month check since radiation. When I told her they detected cancer in my other breast, she was so sad...and then she said "I guess this will be our last appointment". It hit me like a ton of bricks.

I am leaving soon for BWH for my pre-op and CAT scan in a couple of hours. It is raining like cats & dogs here in the Northeast....so it will be one long drive and day.

Thanks for all your tips -- I have tried to be so prepared for this surgery.....

I must admit that I am a bit anxious for the Cat Scan - and I have no idea why?

Will check back over the weekend.

LiLi

goldie4040

Jlg, first, let me say welcome.  I am glad this board helped you understand DIEP better.  As far as going back to work in 4 weeks, that is something nobody can predict.  I personally think you should anticipate needing the full six week, and being grateful if you need less.  Even with a desk job it's not good it sit all day after surgery.  Getting up and moving around every hour or so would be advisable.  You had a nice recuperation period between chemo and surgery, which is great. The stronger you are the more easily you will get through DIEP.  Please stick around. Ask lots of questions.  I can almost bet there isn't one that can't be answered. 

Lili, the CAT scan is nothing. The weather there sounds more scary.  Hang in there, girl.  It's all going to work out.  Check back in later.  Let us know how it went.

brendarj

Teacher - Holy cow you are amazing. I read your post about your exercise and had to double check when your surgery was. Absolutely amazing. My main mission is to not spend so much time sitting. Stayed moving around a good hour and a half this am. One day at a time

lahela

The only bad part about the CT is that the contrast they inject makes you feel like you've peed yourself! LOL!

Had my pre-op today for my very last surgery! So excited - it's been nearly a year and I am ready to be done!

Teacher64

Lahela - I laughed when I read your post about the CAT scan. I had forgotten about that. I had a different issue during the scan because the tech was about 9 1/2 months pregnant! I was afraid I was going to need to call for help to deliver a baby or say, "Miss Scarlet, I don't know nothin about birthin no baby!" Congrats on the LAST surgery coming up. We will all get there someday and breathe a sigh of relief.

Jig - just ask away. Someone will usually have an answer. I will echo Goldie and say maybe 4 but allow 6 weeks, just in case. My husband was home for 3 days and then I was on my own. He would put what I needed within my reach or I'd ask a friend when they dropped by. It worked out fine. Making recovery better meant being aware when my body told me I needed to take something for pain or to relax and letting go of being stoic. It meant accepting assistance from friends. Walking often throughout the day, eating lots of protein, staying well hydrated, and getting enough rest were important, too. I don't know anything about 3D nipples but there have been other responses and threads about them. For me, the worst part was the detestable, but necessary, drains, but they were gone much sooner than after my bmx. Keep a list of questions to ask here and when you see your PS.

Dyvgrl

JLg,

I'd wait til 5 weeks out. Just depends on how you feel...

annajo

back from stage 2!  

The fipple is still covered up but I can see that the divots are gone.  Apparently Wilbur told the nurse that I had never had thin thighs before.  What a brat.  (They harvested from saddlebag/flank area).

Lega are quite sore but doing great otherwise!

Eta: PS says there is a new scar lightening technique that some insurance carriers are covering now.   Will find out more at my post-op next week and share.

Janet_M

jlg - You asked about the worst part of recovery? For me it was having a sore back from walking around like a turtle. If any close friend ask if they can do anything to help, ask them to rub your back. And if you're lucky they'll rub your feet too 'cus it's good to get a some circulation. 

Drain management was also a pain in the neck, but once you figure out a system it's more of a colossal inconvenience than anything else. For most it was finding clothes that work, and dealing with the drains in the shower. ( I pinned my to my cammi, and wore it into the shower. Stepping into a clean dry one when I got out)

But here's the best thing about recovery. Once you wake up from your sleep - all the nervousness and tension will be behind you and you can focus on making it (slowly and gently) to the finish line. For me personally, the surgery was much easier to deal with mentally than the other year of diagnosis, fear, waiting for results, lumpectomies, chemo and rads. 

I'm not saying I wasn't scared - because some days I was a wreck - but at least I knew what I was dealing with and all my unknowns could be answered. The days leading up to surgery my mind was going crazy, but on the day of surgery (one year ago today) I felt very calm and in control. I remember chatting in the car on the way to the hospital, stopping to get lattes for my mom and partner, and heading in to surgery feeling calm.

Four weeks sounds ambitious to me. I would recommend taking six weeks  and treating yourself as kindly as you can. This is the time to exercise patience and catch up on all the sleeping and reading that grownups don't have time to do. We're healing from the inside out and it takes time. Rest, eat lots of protein, and stay hydrated. Coconut water works miracles on a hot day.

Here's another piece of advise for all you and all those heading into surgery. 'Feel the Fear and Add Some Courage'. In other words, don't try to not be scared. It's our body's natural response and you have to accept that fact that you're living in an uncomfortable state for the moment. Resisting just causes more discomfort. BUT - what you can do is add some courage. Call up that inner warrior  and make sure she stands by you. And have faith in the decision you made, and trust that you will be in the hands of an excellent medical team and people that care about you. 

Take care, 

Janet

Zenful

Best advice, ever, Janet!!! Along with "you just have to show up", this could be our new motto:  "Feel the Fear and Add Some Courage".   LOVE IT!

Teacher64

I did a 5K Walk for the Cure today. Finishing gave me such a feeling of accomplishment. I feel a nap coming on since I was up at 5.

thinkpink4ever

9 days out from my DIEP.  It really hasn't been too bad for the most part, and I have no regrets.  

Being able to shower has been a good thing.  The nurse got me up 2 days after my surgery (June 7th) while in the hospital and gave me a shower.  I also got another shower the next day before leaving the hospital to come home.  

Drains came out and I've been in an ab binder since Wednesday (June 11) and the last two days, I've felt like I have swelly belly.  I'm still reading everyone's posts about the swelly belly to determine what causes it, and how long it may last.  The swelly belly does make my new belly button looks off centered, and I also think it's higher than it was before, but that's really not important to me in the whole scheme of things....

I'm no longer on pain narcotics.  Doc gave me a Rx for 800mg Motrin and I just got it filled today.  That should work for me, and it's really just for some stiffness and discomfort that I may have.  The pain has not been very bad in my opinion.

I've been going commando since surgery.  I think I'm going to put on some panties today to see how it feels.  If uncomfortable, then back to being butt-naked.

I've been sitting, resting, and sleeping in a recliner since I got home.  I think I'm ready for the bed tonight -just to try it out and see how it works out.

Wishing all those due for surgery a little bravery and quick healing....

Wishing all those post-op continued healing...

And to all those recently diagnosed and still deciding your course of action, I wish you comfort and good choices.

One love,

tp4ever 

Jlg1067

thank you all for the responses... I am lucky in the fact that i have alot of support. I think i have more apprehension about what my new breasts will look like( how much scarring) than i do about the actual surgery... Im 46 yrs old and i just want noobs back! I am tired of taking them off every night and putting them back on in the morning...i also had a gastric sleeve surgery in August of 2013. And gallbladder removal in early April.. No one would do the DIEP surgery on my because i was extremely obese. Now i am no longer obese and its time to get my girls back... And i get extra skin removal at the same time...i just dont want disfigured or badly scarred boobs and while im realistic that there will be some scars, i dont want hideous scars and i think thats me, not wanting constant reminders that i was very close to dying because i skipped one mamogram when i was 43... my breast health surgeon left me lots of skin(he and i had conversations about reconstruction so he left me lots) i call what i have my "skin boobs" and while they are not that bad, they are just skin. My current boobs, well they are detachable....i really just want to wear a normal tank top or bathing suit without something underneath.

 Thanks again for all the input!

lemon68

Jlg, I have 1 scar on each boob. Mine are on the sides and about 1 1/2 to 2" long. That's it. From the front view they are not visible. I am not far out yet but I am sure they will fade nicely as they have healed well. My original lumpectomy scar was along the top of my nipple, I cant even see it. I have seen so many pictures of diep surgeries, I did skin and nipple sparing so I may not be the norm but I think you are going to be so happy when its over. Most pictures I see look GREAT. I have no regrets and would do it again, things are still swollen and changing daily but all worth the final outcome. You seem to have worked so hard to get to this point, you'll be beautiful.

having the flat tummy is the added bonus.

GwennyMD

JLG - I also have a desk job and was able to work a few hours a day from home during my during my 5th and 6th weeks.  I did not work everyday however.  Everyone's recovery is different but it seems that those who are in pretty good shape recover quicker.  I had just finished chemo 2 months before DIEP and was not doing regular exercise.

Vivian - I am so glad that you and your SO's son are doing better.  I will continue to keep you both in my prayers.

To Pollyana, trish01255, Optimi, OneTexasDay,TLeighMD - get some rest and let others take care of you.

To HeidiToo, LoveAllMyBoys, and LiLi-Ri rose get a massage or facial or pedicure or anything that helps you relax.  I chose the massage since I knew that I would not be able to lay on my stomach and have someone with strong hands push the kinks out for several months.  It was fantastic.

goldie4040

Anybody else notice that the skin on their new foobs is very dry.  I was told by PS that could moisturize now, but I can do it all day long, and it still looks dry.  I wonder why? 

Otherwise, I am pretty much straight up.  If I am going to walk for any length of time I need a cart in the grocery, or Target to lean on.  I started doing very slow Yoga moves to stretch out my lower body and back, and my ROM for my arms.  My pecs are still so tight. 

Jlg, most of the scars fade away to almost nothing.  It takes time, but when you have nice soft boobs again, and they take away the excess skin from your weight loss I am pretty sure you are going to be happy.  I can't wait for your surgery.  I have a feeling you are going to be very happy.  Where are you having you surgery?

Teacher64

HeidiToo, LoveAllMyBoys, LiLi RI, and Rose 111 - it's your week, relax and show up on your day.

LiLi-RI

Thank you Gwenny and Teacher! 

Nerves....nerves and more nerves! Fri at cat scan and pre-op, no good veins in left arm/hand - and due SN removal on right side - left side only option!

Thank you to all of you wonderful ladies...Thank you for sharing your knowledge, your experiences, both good and bad, inspirations and blessings!

I am leaving for Boston tomorrow, and show up at BWH on Tuesday at 5:30 am!

I will see you all on the other side!

Lisa

LoveAllMyBoys

Thanks to everyone for the
underwear (and Depends) tips. I will pick
up a few of each tomorrow…so that I will be all set.

…and thanks for the support re:
my anxiety. I’m so sorry that some of
you have been through that as well, but I’m glad to know that I’m not alone. …and yes, I do have Ativan. I took it before my CTA on Thursday and that
made a huge difference…and I plan to take it Monday morning before I head into
the hospital.

Aff—Congratulations on your “no
drain” status!! …and what is an incentive
spirometer?

LiLi – How did your CTA go? I will be thinking of you this week. I will be around the corner at BIDMC. My surgery is Monday.

Well, tomorrow at this time I
will be out and on the table. I have SO
much to do today…most of which can’t get done as there just isn’t enough
time. So hubby and I have already
decided that by noon we will revise the plan based on what we can get done in
this morning. There have been lots of
times where we have been up doing things in the house very late at night (like
before company comes and we want things to be perfect), but I just don’t think
either of us will be up to that tonight.

I had my CTA on Thursday and I
saw my surgeon again Friday afternoon and he answered the last of my
questions. The one thing he can’t really
tell me is what my breast size will be after the surgery. He says they will use as much abdominal issue
as they can, but that I will be smaller than I am now. I woke
up feeling very anxious today…and I am hoping that I can calm down a little bit
so that I can enjoy the day. J I am hoping to be like
many of you, calm tomorrow. I’m
comfortable with my decision and very confident that I have an awesome surgical
team…but I’m not convinced that I will be calm that morning.

One more thing…my toenails are a
beautiful bright pink…so they will look nice when I look down at them when I
try to walk and am hunched over. J

I will be thinking of everyone
who is healing…and those that are getting ready for surgery this week.

aff

LoveAMB- an incentive spirometer is a device that helps you expand and fill your lungs after a long surgery. It's just a tube that you use to help you take deep breaths to keep your lungs healthy after surgery. 

I had a pedicure before my surgery and it was nice to wake up to beautiful, bright toes. 

The to-do list will always be longer than the amount of time you have left. Don't stress about what does and does not get done. It will all be okay. I made sure all the necessary bills were paid and tried not to worry about the rest. 

My daughter was in a softball tournament this weekend. I made it to 2 of the 3 games. She was so happy I was there and I was thrilled to be out if the house. 

Best wishes and hugs to all on the schedule this week! You got this!

Zenful

Positive, calming energy vibes going out to the ladies having surgery this week. Although you may not have chosen to be a member of this "club", they are a group of strong, take-charge women, so a pretty great group to be associated with. You will fit right in!  ((Hugs))