DIEP 2014

Mixedfeelings

Oh, I am sorry--I wasn't clear. PS does not need a MRA for Stage II. My insurance is declining the MRA that was done prior to Stage I. Dr. Called for pre-approval and was told none was needed. Then, 4 months after the Stage 1 procedure, BCBS is declining to pay for the test. Dr has written a letter and had a peer to peer call with insurance and they are still declining. I was just wondering if other BCBS customers faced the same issue? Any other insurance companies take this position? The MRA bill is significant and is causing great stress so any input from others would be helpful. Thanks much

trish01254

what's an MRA? I have bcbs. So far no issues.

edukes1002

Wow, drjr1968.  Thank you so much for that description.  I've heard great things on BWH.  I think I am getting an epidural for the abdominal part.  I have had dilaudid for kidney stones, but I couldn't tolerate it.  I'm a little nervous about the drugs, which is why we are going with the epidural.  Definitely don't like the idea of waking up every 30 minutes to press the pump.  How are you feeling now?  Hope you are well!

Mixedfeelings

Magnetic resonance abdominal imaging with a more sophisticated machine. The test kept me in 'the tube' about 1 hour and forty minutes with tiny breaks out of the tube every once in a while. It was done at Weill Cornell Hospital in NYC. It is my understanding that having this test can shorten the length of time for surgery, better identify small vessels and give info for emergency alternative vessels for use during Diep flsp surgery

norita19

Mixedfeelings, What is the reason being given for the denial of the MRA? Miralax is a necessity after surgery. It works. Appropriate name.

Mixedfeelings

The reason given for the denial was 'Medical Policy' --- I will appeal thus decision. My surgeon uses the MRA frequently as do some others as I understand it. I was curious if other dr.'s use the test. My Dr is in NYC. Thanks

drjr1968

Just wondering, does anyone have any experience on what is the effect of losing or gaining weight in our new breast since it is our own fat cells in there now?

Mixedfeelings

I don't have personal experience but have seen written many times, that weight gain/loss will effect the size of reconstructed breasts.

Janet_M

Drjr - Your new boob (s) will gain and lose weight like your old ones. I know this for a fact because I'm packing on a bit of winter/tamoxifen weight. I had a bilateral DIEP, but from what I understand, its the same for a uniboob.

norita19

Mixed feelings,

Definitely file a complaint with the NYS Department of Insurance. That answer is very vague. I had CTA but not MRA.

jmb5

mixedfeelings, not sure if I had the exact same test, but I was in a tube for them to check blood vessels prior to surgery. They injected me with something that went through the blood vessels so they could see them. It made me feel warm and weird and felt like I peed myself. Lol. It was really weird. Is that what you had done? Definitely fight it. So frustrating!!

MEG2

One more tip for pre-surgery: I had nausea with my MX so asked the anesthesiologist prior to DIEP what she could do to help and she offered a scopalamine patch.

It was placed behind my ear and can be worn for up to 72 hours...I had no nausea at all during my hospital stay or after! In regard to pain meds conversation, those can sometimes cause nausea for me as well so I wean off as soon as possible and move toward a tylenol/advil solution. I was offered an oxy RX at release but chose not to use those because of the nausea, constipation, and other SE's. Point is communicate with your team about your needs and they should be able to come up with some kind of solution that works for you.

I HATE DRAINS....am hoping to be set free tomorrow at a post-op appointment. Peace and restful healing to all.

Dogsneverlie

Mixedfeelings,

I am having issues with BCBS for reconstruction - have appealed twice and now my PS is appealing a third time. I don't know what is up with them. Fingers crossed you get this resolved and the answer you need, so frustrating trying to work through insurance - it's not like we WANT to be here!

Don't mean to crash the DIEP site, trying to learn about it and if the technique is used for lumpectomy repair as well. Not really the way I want to go, just need some fat grafting to my half sized breast so it matches but I will do whatever I need to do to feel whole again!

Anonymous

kb33- thanks for listening. I am truly in a funk right now and probably shouldn't even be writing. I AMAZE my friends, my doctor says I'm doing VERY well. So why the f*ck do I look in the mirror and still want to cry?

Sorry if I am not following the typical cheerleader theme on these threads...rah, rah...you can do it, we're here for you crap.

Truth is, I am mourning the person I once was, feeling sorry for myself and sick of this entire pink brigade. I don't give a crap about how amazing I am, how inspirational people find me, how vibrant I am on the inside...beautiful, blah, blah, blah. That is all an illusion. What I *really* am feeling is exhausted, bruised, worn out and still resembling Bride of Frankenstein one week post stage2.

Gone is any illusion on my part that I will have "perky, teenage breasts" when all this DIEP drama is over or, at the very minimum, any resemblance to my former self. And, like you kb33, I am mad. Why the hell go through this shit...I'm sixty years old, feel like 80, and will never be the same...not even close

edukes1002

Hi Ladies,

Tomorrow I go for my pre-op with Anesthesia followed by a CT scan.  Anyone have this?  What can I expect for this?  Thanks in advance!

Erica 

Anonymous

PS- they lipoed from my inner thigh, my outer thigh, and both hips. They "lifted" Lefty, supposedly to match Righty. FWIW, Righty is smaller and always misbehaving..the radiated tissue does not have as good a blood supply, so he didn't want to cut into it again. I have multiple harpoon holes, several stitches, and a revised crop circle on Lefty, complete with surgical glue. I look and feel like I went ten rounds with a pissed off heavyweight boxer.

LiLi-RI

Erica: Pre-op is piece of cake...lots of questions; maybe some blood work; and CAT scan with dye. Exactly the way jmb described it! When the dye is injected, it feels like a warm rush which feels like you peed. Your pants.

Heidi: I am beside myself with your disappointment with Stage 2! I was just at the point of discussing this at my Dec appt. Did your PS explain everything before the procedure? Why so much lipo? What were your expectations? I feel like bride of Frankenstein just from Stage 1! Hang in there! I had to have a skin grafts due to radiated breast and then gallbladder surgery

Lisa

edukes1002

Thanks Lili Ri!  Haha!  I didn't realize that JMB was describing a CT scan.  Never had one.  Stupid question alert....will I be wearing pants during this test? 

jmb5

HeidiToo, The worst I felt emotionally was in the weeks after stage 2. I actually had two stage 2 surgeries, and both times I struggled emotionally. I was back in compression, feeling sore, swollen and bruised. It's like taking a few giant steps backwards, which is no fun after what I went through with stage 1. I had my second fat grafting surgery the first week in October, and ditched the compression four weeks later. Just in the last week or so I have started to feel more like myself again. Now I am looking forward to tattoos in the spring and no more surgeries. I started working out last week, and am feeling more hopeful. I hope you can get to that point to. In the meantime, it is perfectly fine for you to feel exhausted, and even pissed off. You've earned it! I had those same thoughts and feelings you posted about. I didn't feel brave or amazing in any way, and got kind of tired of hearing it. "Oh, I can't even imagine... I don't know how you've been so strong... you're so amazing..." blah, blah, blah. I didn't want to be strong or brave. I just wanted to feel sorry for myself. I realized I was allowed to. Now I'm back to the point where I don't get irritated when people say those things. I realize I am strong and brave. It's okay to not always feel like it. And for the record, I'm not a pink ribbon fan either. I had stage 2 right at the beginning of "Pinktober" and I hated every second of it. Maybe some day I'll be able to embrace it. Hang in there!

Anonymous

jmb5- My PS told me I would probably/possibly require multiple stage 2 procedures. You point is well taken about two steps forward three steps back. I am impatient by nature...I know this. I am a Type A personality that has always excelled in anything I do.My PS works in one of the foremost hospitals in the country, if not the world. He has countless students and interns that have traveled halfway around the world to train under him. My BS was head of breast surgery. I know I am/was in good hands. Doesn't change anything though...

goldie4040

Hey guys,

It's been a while. I am just checking in, and I also have a question. There was a weird phenomenon that happened after I had my bmx. Whenever I drank something cool, or cold I could feel it going down, like a thermos with no insulation. I don't remember when the feeling went away, but it did. Do you think it went away when I had my diep? There is a woman who mentioned she has it even with diep, so I am thinking it is something that we either get use to, or it goes away. I am pretty sure mine has gone away. After this woman mentioned I went and got a glass of cold water, and the feeling is gone. I think I will also put the question to the women on the implant thread, and see if they still feel the sensation.

Hope everybody is well. I am heading into my stage 2b soon. I am hoping that will be the end of this for me. But, there are always surprises.

mary625

I've worn pants into the CT scanner but I don't think I did this last time at St. Charles in NOLA.

melissa2013

Goldie4040 - I remember that cold sensation after my BMX! It seems to have gone away after my DIEP.

goldie4040

Thanks, Melissa.  Of all the things that I have to live with after BC, that was one I could have lived with in trade for getting rid of something else annoying...lol.  I took a survey on another thread I frequent, and it's seems to be about 50/50 on whose goes away.

Mary, I think it depends on if you have metal on your pants.  If you are wearing yoga pants, or leggings you don't have to take them off.  I always wear metal free clothing for scans so I don't have to change my clothes.

iowagirl1

drjr1968. Re: losing/gaining weight and the effect on DIEP breasts. In my case, no matter how hard I tried I couldn't lose weight in my belly. I'm finding the same thing with the fat that was moved up.

norita19

I've had a pot belly since I was about 12 years old. I was a skinny stick figure until about 30, always with the belly. I've had a flat belly now for 7 days! It's so strange! But I have confidence the part of it that's on my chest is not going anywhere.

Seashore

Yesterday was follow-up appt with PS, got 3 of the 4 drains removed! But upper section of left flap is harder that the right flap. The PS says we will be watching it, it may be fat necrosis that might have to be removed or may try massage down the road. It isn't a lump but seems like a whole section under my upper breast skin. When I got home I really got depressed and had a good cry. This is such a hard journey and takes a lot of faith. I'm still napping mornings and afternoons and trying to get my protein.

Goldie, I think you posted here about the Costco Premier Protein drink shakes that have 30 grams of protein per shake - thanks for that tip. I've been drinking 1 or 2 per day. Yes I too could really feel it after BMX when I took a drink of something cold - but I hadn't mentioned to anyone except my husband who thought I was nuts! So I just now took a drink of cold milk and that extreme feeling is gone! This is just another example of how we can ask anything here, that we don't have to go through anything alone.

Georgiagator - hoping your DIEP surgery went well yesterday.

Norita and Meg2, so glad you are both home and the good reports. I totally understand about the Miralax - as long as I'm on pain pills I try to remember to take it every night - but my memory isn't great!

Iowagirl, so sorry to hear that you have truncal lymphadema. I remember hearing that was a possible side effect, hoping it will be temporary.

JMB, so glad about the good news concerning the lump!! And glad to hear you will be seeing Vinnie, I am hoping to do that at the end of my journey!

trish01254

heiditoo I'm right there with you No pink for me. I'm dreading going backwards with stage 2. In clothes I feel fantastic. Naked I cringe. Hope you are feeling better soon both physically and emotionally.

Shine14

Shine14

Hello All! It's been awhile, but I have been catching up periodically. I am celebratingthe successes with everyone and my heart breaks for those who are struggling. I echo the words of the beautiful bride Linda back Oct 27 and all of her great advice... especially about pushing aside the negative thoughts as stress does not help healing. Like Linda, I can look back at my experience and see so many wonderful things that happened during my diagnosis and recovery, the silver linings.

I had my surgery in August and recommend getting up and moving as soon as possible! After two weeks, I started walking regularly. I found wearing an abdominal brace when you are active and good sports bra when exercising to help control the swelling. At 6 weeks the doctor said I could run and play tennis, but I waited until 8 weeks for tennis. Last week, I actually played a match with friends and felt like I was about 90% of my presurgery level. Wow, that was a surprise. But now tennis is on the back burner again...

I had my stage 2 surgery yesterday! I thought my foobs needed a lot of work but apparently not. I had fat grafting to fill in the divots above and ab scar revisions. No drains! And doing pretty well today and looking almost all filled in. My PS said I will likely need more fat grafting in a few months as fat volume will decrease over time. Why doesn't that happen on my thighs?