DIEP 2014

drjr1968

Just wondering, I noticed some already got showers in the hospital, I was not allowed to take a shower until all my drains are out, that took 3 weeks. Got really good in scrubbing myself with a washcloths. Only gentle wipes of course in the incision areas, and nothing on it, no lotion, no cream, no antibiotic or antiseptic, no picking. Just let the scab dry up and peel on its own. They finally picked the remainder scab off yesterday at the doctor's office and everything looks good except for this one spot in my R lateral chest where the Breast surgeon did another horizontal incision. That still oozes now and then. I am actually surprised that I did not have a single dressing in my body, everything is open to air. They did gave me a compression bra and abdominal binder on the 2nd week post-op.

caligirl3

This may be a dumb question, is it ok to wax a week before surgery?

Ridley

caligirl - at my first pre op I was told that I needed to do it at least a week before surgery, otherwise it may increase the risk of infection.

The1toC

chrisinPA

Sorry to hear you are experiencing such a load! First thing is to gently pump your groin nodes 20 or more times simultaneously to 'empty'them. Then slow DEEP breathing which is like lymphatic massage for your torso. maybe 10 minutes. 2x daily if you can take the time. Don't expect phenomenal results nor immediate. This may just prevent worsening. ook into a pneumatic compression such as flexitouch.through PT. Some isurance will cover it for purchase for home use. Mine did not, woulda been $2300! For arm chest outfit. I do self massage and breathing for area. A,lso I wear a sleeve for my arm. I wonder if there is a spanx type of thing for your torso?

Keep walking too it is just so good. And while you are think of all of us with several feet of snow who can't really get out to walk til things get better plowed

debiann

Can pockets of fluid remain in the breasts after the majority of swelling has gone down? I'm 8 weeks post. Most of the breast feels soft, but I have 3 areas that a still a bit hard like when they were swollen.

LAstar

Debiann, I had areas of swelling that were still firm a year out. It responded to massage and felt different from my areas of necrosis, so there was probably also some scar tissue in there too.

mary625

I've got one area of hardness and hope someone can help me figure out what it is. It is in the area of the left breast that is closest to the sternum. I believe that the Doppler wires were inserted in that area. The area has felt hard and unnatural even before I could touch it. My PT thinks it's scar tissue. I am starting to massage it. How will I know whether it's something that has to be fixed or not? Just wait?

lovecat3

I did and was very glad I did! So much easier

lovecat3

I had/have same thing. I've been massaging and the area is getting smaller less hard and less painful

I am just 8 weeks out

jbdayton

I have an area on the lower edge of my left breast near the sternum.

My PS said it is radiated tissue. It feels like concrete. It is about 2" x .5" x .5". My RO sent me for an ultrasound she said she had not seen an area of radiated tissue that large.

I had my ultrasound but it could not be seen through. BS said it was like shining a flashlight on a tree trunk the light goes around the sides of the trunk not through it. Had me do a mammogram to try to see behind it. My original tumor was deep in this breast at the chest wall before neo-adjuvant chemo and she wanted to be sure it was not hiding anything. It definitely hurt but results were clear just radiated tissue.

Not sure if anything can be done at this point, almost through with reconstruction revisions and am happy with the looks. I can live with the feel if it is healthy to have it remain where it is and does not get any larger.

I hope this helps. HUGS!!

debiann

LAstar, this may be hard to explain, but what do the areas of necrosis feel like? How to you tell the difference between that and swelling? When does necrosis happen?

Morwenna

I'm dipping my toe back into this thread now that I have a date for surgery: Jan 6!

Maybe I should start a 2015 thread, but here is where the info is

I'm headed for right PMx, and bilateral free flap with tissue from abdomen. I have to have a New breast surgeon as my original BS does not operate out of this hospital. I meet my new lady surgeon December 5th, after a follow up visit to my hematologist next week, to make sure he is good with the plan.

I am somewhat in awe at the thought that Alberta Health Services are devoting (free of charge) three plastic surgeons and a general surgeon, and a whole day's operating theatre time with all the surgical and anesthetic team just to look after lil' ol' me!

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out, and it'll be worth all the pain, effort and expense!

LAstar

Debiann, it's hard to explain but I'll give it a try. The swelling felt tight and firm and was more at the surface. I could massage the swelling and it would loosen up after a few days. Even after two years, the area with swelling is still a little firm but it's also along my scar. The necrosis felt like a plum deep inside. It was sore sometimes. The necrosis never felt comfortable to touch and never changed. That's just my experience. I imagine these scenarios run the gamut. I hope this helps and doesn't add to the worry! You can fully expect to still have some swelling at 8 weeks.

goldie4040

Seashore, I am glad I am not the only one with the cold drink syndrome...lol.  I am happy  you are finding the Premium Protein drinks useful.  There are several of us on here that have used them to supplement their protein intake.  I can have one of those and feel full for hours, and only 160 calories and a few grams of carbs!!! Can't beat it.

mefromcc

Morwena, if you start a 2015 thread, I'll be joining. I see my PS December 2 to schedule a February date. Because I am diabetic, he wanted me to be healed before doing the more extensive surgery. My DH and I plan to be gone January in our RV for an RV Jamboree and for a Ham Fest, so February is the earliest I can do.

pzercher

Checking in after my Stage II, on Thursday.

Some of you may remember that my previous two surgeries (mastectomy and unilateral DIEP) both got canceled on their original dates, as I was waiting to be wheeled into surgery. So I was ready this time. Ho-hum, I thought. Imagine my surprise when everything actually went according to plan! Must say it kept my anxiety very low.

Nurses were fantastic (University of Kansas Hospital). Got to go to the surgical center this time instead of main hospital, which was smaller and less imposing. PS arrived, whipped out her pen, and began drawing all over my body--where to take the fat, where to fill in, where to lift. The art of plastic surgery. Everything went routinely. She lifted my healthy right breast (not sure whether she reduced it or not???). Filled in around my DIEP breast, flat spots are better. Extended abdominal incision to get rid of dog ears. Took fat from my thighs, flanks, and this surprised me, a little from my upper abdomen above the belly button. Consequently, for the first time in my life, I have an hourglass waist (I had always been somewhat straight-waisted with small hips). Shocking at this age (just turned 50), to have a new shape. No drains; thighs, tummy, and breast binders. Compression garment to wear at home. So far I am feeling the most pain in one thigh, and tenderness in my healthy breast, which was lifted. Up and about though, and able to go to some meetings the day after, as long as I rested in between. She told me she pumped me full of fluids, to infuse the tissues, so I might experience some leakage--I have not, but my weight is up several pounds from the fluids. Surgery was about three hours, and I was home that afternoon. Very thirsty--sipped Sprite and chicken soup, and just before bed got very nauseated and threw it all up. I think I overloaded my stomach. Have been fine since then, and typically I don't experience any nausea with narcotics.

Another interesting thing: the following morning, I experienced extreme heat and flushing in my cheeks and my upper chest--turned bright red. My husband, an internist, thought I might be having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic, but like a good doc, told me to call my PS. She just had me watch it. Sure enough, it went away. Husband said it could have been a histamine release post surgery from the anesthesia??

So far the results look pretty good, although I most wanted the fat grafting to fill in the area under my arm and alongside my DIEP breast, and unfortunately it is still looking pretty lumpy and concave. Perhaps this will get better over time--does the fat smooth and spread out? I opted against a nipple and feel happy with that decision.

I identify a lot with JanetM. I was unprepared through this process of how protective I felt of my body. It wasn't perfect, but I pretty much liked the way I looked and felt. It was very sad to go through all of these changes, including having healthy areas cut up (my abdomen and healthy breast). However, I know the other options also involved significant disadvantages. There is no perfect solution.

I am happy to report that about a month ago, passing the one-year mark since my diagnosis, I seem to have entered a new phase. I feel ready to move on and to not read, think, live, breathe breast cancer. I am done with it. (though it may not be done with me....) Well-timed for the holidays, and hopefully I will be pretty good to go by Christmas. Will happily bid farewell to this year.

Kb33

percher. Thnx for the post. About two weeks out from stage 2 and I'm still a bit anxious on what to expect from outcomes. BF is coming with and he is more nervous then me about how it will all go down and my ability to keep up following days. I have not told him about the markers the day before or the binders and such after...lol

jmb5

Morwena, I started the 2014 thread because I had a January surgery. That automatically made me in charge of adding names/dates to the surgery list, although I was told in the beginning if I didn't want to, the moderators could fix it so someone else could. It's an easy job, really. Someone should definitely start a new one for all those having 2015 surgeries. Share the link here, and I'm sure some who had surgeries this year will go there to offer advice.

For those finding hard areas in your breasts. I had scar tissue on my radiated breast, and the PS was able to break most of it up during the stage 2 surgery. It is much softer than it was 11 months ago. I also got some fat necrosis after stage 2 fat grafting. It worried me because it was a small hard lump, and it hurt if I pressed on it. Ultrasound showed it to be fat necrosis with an oil cyst, which my PS says is extremely common after fat grafting.

LiLi-RI

pzercher: So happy that things went lovely for you This Time! Your description really helps me to "look forward" to my 12/19 appointment with PS to discuss Stage 2 in 2015. I hope all areas heal nicely! Rest now, because you are DONE with surgeries! Thank you.

jmb5: Also, happy to read about your success now with more creative things to look forward to!

I am just stressing at work and healing from the abdominal assaults! I still need a nap,but there so much on my plate with family and work-no winks for me.

I hope everyone else is doing well.

Lisa

youngmama

Hi ladies! I'm back home from DIEP surgery. Surgery went well. I'll be back with a better update soon, can't really type for too long. I just have a few questions for you all. What kind of meds were you on once you were discharged? Surgery was last Thursday. Did you have to wear your ab binder 24/24? And how strict is the no caffeine rule? Is chocolate milk or chocolate protein shakes ok to drink?

Thanks!

Ridley

Hi Youngmama -- glad to hear you are home and surgery went well.  From what I recall, I was prescribed a baby aspirin, a stool softener and a pain killer.  I never had an ab binder, so can't help you there, and I never gave up chocolate!

Anonymous

My PS was *extremely* strict on the No Caffeine rule....and I listened. No Excedrin, no coffee, no chocolate for six weeks post op. Went through too much to risk screwing up results via vaso-constriction....which is the reason for the no caffeine rule.

mefromcc

youngmama,

Chocolate contains some caffeine, but the amount varies on what type you eat. White chocolate does not have caffeine. Milk chocolate has about as much caffeine as decaffeinated tea. Dark chocolate has the most per gram.

Seashore

Thank goodness for this forum! I don't remember hearing anything from PS about no caffeine? In fact I had coffee while I was in hospital recovering from DIEP two weeks ago - UGH! So after I started worrying about a hard area on left side last week and hearing from you ladies, gave up caffeine (except for chocolate?) - will have to think about that one? I've start massaging the hard area... not much change yet. Then a couple days ago when trying to get up from a chair, I accidentally used my left arm to help lift myself up - OUCH, as it was obviously equivalent of lifting way more than 10 lbs!!!). I bet most of us accidentally do something like that, so I've been taking it easier and babying my left side these past couple of days.

Pzercher, thanks for sharing the details about your stage 2. So glad things are going well and wishing you continued recovery!

GwennyMD

As with all things the doctors and surgery centers do not have universal rules. All doctors do not restrict caffeine. My restrictions were limited to the drugs (including femara) and vitamin supplements I take. I was allowed to take Zyrtec after a couple of days. I was not allowed to wear a bra or binder after the DIEP. My PS believes that they can put too much pressure on the blood vessels. However, I was required to wear them after the second revision surgery which involved fat grafting from the tummy (Stage 2b). I was required to wear support bra for 4 weeks after surgery but only 1 week for binder.

Healing thoughts for all of you new flappers.

jbdayton

youngmama so glad you are home. Take it easy for as long as you can. Remember you usually heal faster on the outside than the inside.

Pzercher phase II completed, yeah!

I will be having a stage II B on Dec. 8. I will be getting fat grafting again to the righty and some to the upper pole on lefty. He will also be removing my left hip to match the part removed for the right Ruben's flap last June. He Is going to try to squeeze 1 more in before the end of the year for nipples. I can finally see an end in sight.

The only kink now is possible carpel tunnel issues. Had nerve tests on the hands and wrists today. Will see doc next Wednesday for results. Just this much typing and my hand is in pain. I am hoping I can finish my breasts first, but if pain cannot be resolved I may have to postpone the nipples.

Everyone have a great Thanksgiving.

MEG2

Dropping in to wish you lovely ladies a most Happy Thanksgiving ~ so glad to read how well some of you are doing and wishing those with struggles peaceful healing.

I am 16 days out from surgery, 11 days at home. All drains have been out since last Friday, had the icky and itchy tapes removed yesterday. No "dog-ears" that I've heard mentioned by several posters....thankful for that! Looks like a lift to natural breast and areola and nipples added to reconstruction in the next 3 to 6 months. Now that the "bandages" have been removed I feel a bit insecure, like they were holding everything in and together. I feel like I need to be extra careful so as not to pop, tear or rearrange anything...

Enjoy the holiday!!

philomene

have any of you had any luck adding significant volume to a flap? Due to necrosis, one flap is a whole size bigger than the other. I'm worried that fat grafting won't be able to add that much. It sucks because they look great, but they're different sizes.

Sacnaillady

I'm in the same boat. I'd like to know as well. My PS mentioned a small implant. But implants got me into this mess so I want to avoid implants all together.

philomene

I really don't want to resort to an implant either. That seems to defeat the whole purpose of DIEP. I haven't talked too much about options with my PS yet beyond fat grafting. He seems to think that'll do the trick but the size difference is so significant I'm really concerned it won't be enough. I'd love to hear from some women who've been in this situation.