DIEP 2014

jmb5

chinabound, I am a little over 2 weeks out and I am taking Percocet (same thing as you) 1 pill every four hours during the day. I sleep through the night and take it again when I wake up. I tried only ibuprofen on Thursday and I had a miserable day. I felt awful, flu-like symptoms, sweating, achy it was bad. I thought it might have been withdrawal especially because the next day when I took the Percocet again I felt tons better, but BS said I wouldn't get hooked that fast. I am worried about that though. 

Also, my angry boob seems okay. I really don't think it's cellulitis but I'm still taking the antibiotic. It is not getting worse. Redness seems to slowly be getting better. It is still very hard at the top by my armpit though. Wondering if that will need to be fixed in stage 2. 

Anyone else have very tender skin in the middle of their chest, top of cleavage area? I can only wear tank tops. If a shirt or blanket gently rubs that skin it is painful. Weird sensation. 

nihahi

jmb.....great to hear about the "red boob" progress. If the hypersensitive area is not an open wound area, try tapping around that area with your fingertip. Start somewhere that feels "normal", and move in and out of the "tender" zone. You might find that firmer tapping feels better than light taps. If tapping isn't tolerable, try constant pressure, again, moving from normal to sensitive areas. Also, if it's in a well healed area, start rubbing some neutral moisturizing cream into your skin. It'll get better....it's a nerve thing.

Anonymous

Nihahi - thanks for your concern, all is well, it was about 6:30 am (get up for work time on a work day) so I was awake, but still snuggled down in bed reading lol! I did fall back asleep for an hour or so. Lots to do today!

Jmb, that spot in your cleavage area is likely where they made the new vein connection between the diep vein in your flap and one of the veins in your chest. Many of us had a bit of rib shaved away in order to access that vein in the chest. I still feel a lump there (will address it with PS next time I see her) and it's tender if I push on it (but it's "in" radiated tissue, so I suspect the tenderness there is mostly from rads). I am glad you are seeing small improvements  (although I wish they were big ones!) And that you don't think it's cellulitis.

Can you feel a hard lump at the top on your armpit or is it more of a hard area without a definite edge?

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Prayers for this week's flapper girls!

jmb5

Nahahi, PS said I could do some massage on the outer edge near armpit, but not on inside near cleavage because that's where blood vessels were attached. That seems to be exactly where the sensitivity is. 

Bailey, there is a definite edge. It almost feels like there's something in there. Like a hard small stick about an inch long at the edge of my breast near armpit. Don't really know how else to describe it. What do you think it is? 

Anonymous

Well, I'll tell you what ps and b.s. and OT told me.....they couldn't be sure BUT they felt very confident it was either scar tissue or fat necrosis. All of them placed bets on fat necrosis. At stage II  they took them out and they were classic fat necrosis....and a long ridge of scar tissue in the mammary fold.

So I am betting on fat necrosis. Fat necrosis happens when the blood supply to an area is compromised.....which often happens in the breast from radiation or surgery. It doesn't mean your flap is in danger at this point....it just means that one area has a mass of dead cells in it because it didn't get good blood flow after surgery. Those dead cells release fat and form a sac around themselves. That sac is filled with oily fat...and it feels hard. Mine biggest one was the size and shape of an old flip phone. You could manipulate it a bit (but I didn't a lot for fear it would break open....ps said they did break open as soon as she took them out....SORRY SO ICKY). Imo they happen over in the armpit area because that's the furthest from the new vein connection.....but my theory is just mine....I have nothing to back that up.

I waited 7 months between stage I and stage II and the med professionals (not PS)  got a little antsy about it when I went in for my check up in September or so. They put an ultrasound on it and said fat necrosis.

I actually have some new ones after stage II but they are much smaller. I am sure ps will take them out next time.

jmb5

Thanks for the explanation, Bailey. When I see the PA on Tuesday I'll mention it. After reading all the posts on here about how beautiful everyone's breasts look at the end of the journey, I don't worry too much about my left breast. I figure it can all be fixed later. Hopefully. 

lahela

JMB, I had issues with one of mine - fat necrosis and a big abscess, but they were eventually surgically resolved. Don't worry - if the noob is *generally* soft and warm, they can fix the problem areas.

nihahi

goodness jmb...defo not a deep enough massage to affect the arterial/venous connections!!! Just enough to gently rub in some moisturizer. But, tapping might be enough to quiet the nerves. The hypersensitivity is coming from nerves in the area of where they accessed your vessels, not from the vessels themselves. I didn't mean to imply you should be "digging in"!

Anonymous

Jmb, take heart.....and drink a big can of patience lol.....stage I is about the interior stuff.... for moving the tissue and making it live in it's new home on your chest. That mission was accomplished. Now you have to heal.

Stage II and beyond are usually more about the exterior stuff....removing the lumps and revising the scars and adjusting placement....and nipples!

I know how hard it can be in between.....my flap was not beautiful after stage I.....but it was alive. You are doing well. You'll get your beautiful boobs. hugs!

jmb5

Gotcha, Nihahi! I'm just chicken and don't want to mess something up. Lol. I will try the tapping. Either that or dh has to sleep on the couch. Every time he moves the covers and they rub that sensitive area, I want to smack him. (Which he doesn't deserve since he's been pretty great.) 

Thanks, Bailey. That's what I keep telling myself. My left side looks pretty incredible. Right side is flatter and hard in spots but I have confidence in the process. I'm still in awe that they look as good as they do. It's pretty amazing. 

shantab

Happy Sunday ladies, so happy to hear everyone is doing well after flapping. I'm also happy to hear I'm not the only one with the sweats, chills, and still taking pain meds. I too was scared of becoming hooked so at first I didn't take them that often. But taking them allows me to rest better during the day naps and has caused my healing to progress better. Saw my PS on Friday and he encouraged me that things were healing fine. Said my incision opening was due to my weight. I'm not a "little girl" so I understood. The nurse suggested I wear the compression girdle,  but omg how long will I have to wear this thing? Its not the most comfortable thing.

Zenful

Loving thoughts and healing energy to KaseyAnne, BellaMomma and BetNY22.  We will be thinking of you this week.  

I am amazed at the difference at Stage 2.  Very beautiful and perky.  Had one small leak that had to be glued, but all is looking great (although swollen). I had enough energy to walk into the French quarter for lunch.  Much easier recovery than Stage 1.  Probably because I'm not all stooped over.  I didn't have to take any pain meds today and the weather finally was nice in NOLA, so an all around great day.  We fly home tomorrow after seeing the PS.   Hopefully, all drains will be taken out.

Anonymous

Oh Zen, such good news! I am so happy for you! I hope you enjoy a really great breakfast in NOLA and get your drain pulled, too! 

Shantab - it's been our experience that the requirement to wear binders and various other post surgical garments varies wildly as well. I wore mine for several weeks after the flap surgery. I was more uncomfortable without it than with it. I'm glad you are taking your pain meds and getting rest.

Jeannie57

Zenful, I am so happy for you! I hope it's smooth sailing from here on out.

Shantab, it's good you are getting your rest. I hated compression, too, but it served a purpose.

SouthernGirl1974

I have been off Rx pain meds since one week post op (Thursday) I have a lot of people questioning why my answer I have no pain so why keep taking them everybody is different and everyone heal differently. I see my BS and PS tomorrow hopefully I get these drains out I have found that these designs are one of worst things for me. 

shantab

Zenful-yes the weather here in NOLA was beautiful today,  this is the kind of winter I'm used to (I'm a NOLA girl), im so happy that you were able to get out so soon. Stage 2 sounds promising,  I'll be there in April. Safe travels on your return home.

Yes compression is challenging but im feeling better and liking the new flatter tummy. Tried on some of my clothes and love the new look.Can't wait to get into the gym to finish off the package. 

Prayers and hugs to all the ladies up for procedures this week.

goldie4040

Shantab, do you have relatives you can stay with in NOLA? 

Southern, no reason to take unnecessary meds if you don't need them. I hope all goes well with your appt tomorrow and drains are gone!!!!

sweetpickle

Did anyone else have a proble with disolvable stiches not disolving?  I have several spots where teeny stitch barbs poke through my skin. I am almost foir weeks post opand though they would be gone by now. I am a little worried about infection so I wipe my incisions with alcohol everyday.

nihahi

sweet....yep, dissolving sutures should be renamed, imo!!!! The kind that look like dental floss..just fester and get "spit out" in me. My PS has been using the kind that look like clear fishing line for me, and although they haven't done that, the ones that are near the surface, and have "ends" sticking out....still there. I see my PS tomorrow, and will ask him what kind of timeline I should expect for them to disappear. I'll let you know what he says.

goldie4040

Sweet, I drove all the way to my PS office for a stitch that was sticking out and not dissolving.  His PA flicked it with her finger nail and he fell out.  LMAOOOOO.  She at down and said, "so what's new?"  Very freaking funny!!!!  I was afraid like you.  Infection, etc.  I had one that kept scabbing over because my body didn't want it there anymore.  It is finally almost completely healed.  Personally, I wish they would glue all the incisions.  Much neater, and not as annoying.  Trying to keep the area clean is a good idea.  Just be careful, alcholol can be so drying to the skin.

naiviv

Sweetpickle,

From my mastectomy and re-excisions those internal/external disolvables stayed awhile  and some came through the incisions and stuck out. Some were white like dental floss and others clear. They eventually just fell off and the incision stayed closed around them after several weeks. I did not do anything to them.   I still have a pinpoint hole along the areola border next to my downard incision. Nothing to do with sutures, it just opened up after last reexcision when TE was taken out 11/4. That is a pain in having to keep it clean,dry and covered. I had a NSSBMX so the skin just sunk into the area where the TE had been.  It still leaks lymph and serous fluid. I'm told it should close a few weeks after I finish chemo.  I am tired of it and it's limitations.

Vivian

shantab

Goldie4040- yeah im living with my mom. She has been my rock and nurse through all this. But im NOLA born and raised.

As for dissolvable stitches, my PS just cuts them as he sees them.. seem like they don't want to stay. Mine are like dental floss.

BellaMomma

Surgery tomorrow, got into Rochester, MN last night. Trying to be brave. :-)

lea321

hi ladies!  I piped in a while back with my surgery date (Jan 21 stage 1, MD Anderson) the boards got away from me, but I have been reading and "catching up" for the past few days.  I traveled to Houston yesterday (8hrs) for my follow up today.  I am VERY happy with my new foobs and flat tummy!  I am still taking meds, and my pain is mostly in the tummy area. (And then my lower back cuz I can't stand straight). I am fortunate too that despite previous rads 5 yrs ago everything seems to be healing great.  My only litte issue is a crease on top of the rt foob.  I imagine an easy fix stage 2.  

I saw someone had insurance issues with NOLA and I am sure many others too.  I was initially referred to NOLA and I was devastated when I was denied.  But, I was given options, 4 very reputable hospitals and surgeons.  I ended up at MDA and Dr Robb who is the head of PS.    He did fabulous work.  Even the nurses commented how great they look.    so, hopefully everyone else can be lucky enough to get other options for recon. One of my favorite quotes "The Obstacle is the Path" applies here.    Even though it wasn't the path I would have chose, it ALL worked out!

I will be better about posting, and I want to comment/ask questions of some of you specifically,  but for now I need to get ready for my appt.  

Beebop

bellamomma - You'll do great!  I was so nervous before my surgery and it was really not that bad.  They did a really good job of pain control in the hospital.  Before you know it you'll be on the other side.  Good luck!

I am just curious about the ladies who traveled out of town for surgery (Nola, TX, etc).   Do you have to cover the cost of transportation and lodging?   My insurance only covered 70% of my PS bill and he is in my town.  Can't imagine if I had tried to go to another state!   Just wondering how that all works.

Zenful

Beebop, insurance doesn't cover the travel costs, but I plan on writing it off on my taxes (for 2013). I will exceed the 9% of income for medical expenses last year, as I had to pay three insurance deductibles.  My husband was retired at the beginning of the year, then went back to work, then the plan year rolled over in July.

GeorgieGirlKC

Hi, I am new to these forums and so glad to have found this one on DIEP reconstruction. So many great posts and words of encouragement. A treasure of input here on these forums and so appreciated! I have had chemo, R mastectomy, and am now doing radiation. I have decided to go with the stacked DIEP with Dr. Buescher, KUMED Center in Kansas. I am excited and nervous. I was told by the first PS I saw (who doesn't do DIEP surgery) that I was too thin to have DIEP surgery. Dr. Buescher was the 2nd PS I saw and she was confident I was a great candidate for a stacked DIEP.  I lost 20 lbs during chemo, most of which I attribute to diet changes. My current wt is 120 lbs. and I am 5'7. Has anyone out there had this particular type of surgery with similar ht/wt? Also anyone out there had Dr. Buescher as a surgeon. She came highly recommended. Would love to hear if anyone out there has had experience with her? Thanks! 

sbelizabeth

Re "dissolvable" sutures... My last surgery was December 6, more than 2 months ago, and one of the incisions STILL had 3 fishing-line barbs sticking out of it.  They caught on my clothes and just bugged me.  So last night my husby soaked some instruments in some alcohol, cleaned off the incision, and went after them.  The knots were sort of buried in overgrown tissue, so he had to work his way down a bit, but when he finally got to the knots he just snipped them with sharp scissors and out the barbs came. 

Donna2012

Georgie -  I am 5'  8 1/2" & weigh about 145.  I had a uni diep done 2 1/2 weeks ago.  I was able to get a small C cup with my belly fat.  There other side was a full C and was reduced only slightly.  I am pulled super, super tight & still cannot stand up straight.  The advantage of being thinner is - I will have a really flat stomach.  It is flat now, but I am still in loose sweatpants because of the swelling & bloating.  Also, any pressure on the abdominal incision would not be comfortable yet.   

Zoemom

GeorgieGirl - I am 5'7" and 134 lbs.  i had a uni diep. My PS was able to get a C cup and filled a depression above my breast.  I was not that tight afterwards.