DIEP 2014

Ridley

KooKoo -- I second the recommendation for sleeping on the couch.  When I got tired of the recliner, I moved to the couch for a number of nights.  I found the support of the back of the couch on my back much easier than lying on my side in bed.

Iowa -- good for you on the solo drain pulling!  You get the bravery medal for today.   My last drain (abdo) increased its input after my other one was pulled.  Keep an eye on the colour and the clarity of the stuff that is draining.  My output ended up becoming cloudy and yellowy-greenish, and the surgeon pulled it despite the quantity of the output (I think my limit was below 20 ml or maybe 25 ml for 2 days in a row as well.)

Ridley

 

thinkpink4ever

I need help and advice!  Does anyone have experience with a DIEP flap on one breast and implant on the other?  I was so set on DIEP, but I don't have enough tummy tissue for both breasts.  I really don't think the surgeon can achieve symmetry with two different recons on the breasts.  For now, I'm scheduled for surgery on July 1st.  But I'm so confused....

One love,

tp4ever

Beebop

koo koo, I put a pillow behind my back and another between my knees.  This allowed me to be partially on my side without the pain.  Eventually I was able to get rid of the extra pillows.

jbdayton

thinkpink4ever I can identify with your problem but a little different circumstance.

Your question was in regards to an implant. My surgeon promised implants are the easiest way to get symmetry.  

Something to consider is a tissue flap changes with weight gain and/or loss but an implant remains the same. Also flaps will age and droop with time but implants will not.  

MsW2012

MartyJ, thanks for responding about the recovery process. So, second phase, is that about more than just tattoos? Hopefully it's nothing like the first surgery as far as recovery.

Dyvgrl

so I'm one of the non compression gals at least on the flaps, but he wanted shelf support. Anyone have any ideas? Right now I got me some swollen pornstar boobs and the light camis I brought aren't cutting it. Support with no squishing of the fragile blood supply...

k79miller

georgie...glad to hear you are doing good & sorry to hear about the apartment problems.  We ran into the same thing.  The 1st one we had was horrible.  Carpet was stained & couch had holes in it & that's just the beginning.  We ended up getting a refund & moving within walking distance of the hospital.

Kat...have you even been able to think about the date for your 2nd stage?  I got mine yesterday, July 24.  I hope you continue to heal good.

 

Kat-ski

Kim since I am still caring for open wound that are still healing, Stage II is not on the table.  I see the back-up PS here on June 2nd and the wound care doctor June 3.  If I recall I mentioned Sept. or Oct. for Stage II so I can give my skin a chance to recover.( I am o n my third round of antibotics-ugh).   My daughter from San Antonio will be here in Michigan since her divorced will be final and we have the room and of course want her here.  It will be so different having little ones around.  We have to spend money on child-proofing.  Our dining area opens to the steps down to the family room so we have to come up with solid wall of something since the floor is open on one side of the steps.  I have to go back 37 years of child-proofing lol.

Dyvgrl

ugh, what is with the crappy hotels? I am stuck in one that is associated with the hospital. It's close by and has a shuttle but that is the only perk. It's old and run down, has no elevator, step in tub, horrible beds, not enough pillows, the tv is down at your feet, no AC. And it's still $74 a night. Cheap by Seattle standards but it's making my recovery damned hard. I'm supposed to stay until my two week appt on the 19th, and now they are trying to move us to an upstairs room. Seriously?? I just hate everything about this place but a decent room here runs $200 a night. We were hoping to get into our time share, buts always booked solid... The expense freaks me out, we're already a good $7k out of pocket so far this year. I just want to go home ;(

AnnBR

Ladies, I got the BEST news today, the cancer was contained in the lymph node and has NOT metastasized. All my tests came back negative. I am happy beyond belief. What a roller coaster ride this has been these past nine days. I will be visiting with a radiologist oncologist next week to talk about a radiation plan. How will that work with just having a DIEP? I guess I will find out. I also had another post op appointment today and got two more drains out. That leaves just one which hopefully will come out in a few days. Once that last drain comes out I can begin wearing the bra I was fitted for. Still wearing the binder of course, but it's not been uncomfortable at all.

Hugs to you all, you've been so comforting to me.

Ann

Ridley

Ann - that is the best news!  

Dyvgrl

okay, another dumb question from my Dilaudid fogged brain. Do most people have round or paddle shaped scars on front?

MartyJ

Yeah AnnBR!

Dyvgrl - Bali Comfort Revolution makes light stretchy knit bras that provide shelf type support.  I wore them for ages.  Also, I wore a Black Market/White House cami with a shelf all the time.  Helped me get out and about after the drains came out.  Have you spoken with the hospital?  They probably have a medical rate agreement with several hotels in the area.

goldie4040

thinkpink

Have you looked into other options.  There are several. There is the combo flap with implant, which is used by some surgeons, then there are the various other flap options like stacked flaps, where the use a couple of areas of your body.  Do a google search on TUG and GAP flaps, plus stacked flaps.  If you go to the NOLA website there is a lot of info on all those surgeries.  You don't have to go there, but you can get some good info and pictures of the finished products.

goldie4040

Ann, sorry...didn't mean to scan by your very important post.  Congrats!!!!  Great news.  Now, relax and heal.  Everything will fall into place.

Dvygirl, that sounds awful.  I hope it's not to warm there, and the last thing you need is an uncomfortable bed.  I am really sorry.

jmb5

Yay, Ann!! Such amazing news! I'm so happy you got good news and can move forward now.

You drain pulling ladies are much braver than I am. And for the record, my drains hurt like crazy coming out, especially the tummy drains. Those suckers were long!

I had my stage 2 consult today with my PS. It was good to see her and ask some questions. I asked her why I had some pain to the left of and a little higher than my belly button. I thought it was scar tissue from the drain. She said it was where she sewed my muscle together or something. I think I was too surprised to ask any questions and just had to process that new information. Anyone know about that? Stage 2 is set for May 29th. New nipples and lipo on the knees, thighs, tummy and flanks. I should be good and sore for a few days. Geez! I'm looking forward to getting this done and moving forward though. She might do a scar revision too since my hair line is high. If not now, probably down the road. She said I'll need to wear compression and "donuts" on my nipples for about 3 weeks. I asked her how the nipples are done and when she explained, all I could picture was origami.

Dyvgrl

MartyJ,

We are staying in one associated with the hospital. It's thoroughly disappointing. Everything else has been top notch care so I'm pleased with the hospital care and everyone on my team. Not sure what happened here, cuz it totally blows. I don't even have a headboard to prop up against. Argh!!!

Dyvgrl

jmb5,

I had the same sort of burning localized pain. Doc said he stitched me back up from Diastasis. Basically your belly muscles separate after childbirth. I had 3 kids by c-section and my son was over 10 lbs so I wasn't surprised by it. I had actually asked him to do the repair if there was a gap.  He said I'm all ditched up tight now so that's good. Hope the pain resolves quickly. What has everyone being doing for belly button care?

LiLi-RI

Congrats Ann! Such a relief! 

Love the photo Georgie Girl! Sucks about post-op recovery apt! You too Dyrgirl- I agree call hospital and ask for referral. I am sure recovery is tough enough without being in a comfortable location...I have not booked a recovery place yet.

Jersey mom, pre-surgery jitters .....me too....Lots of anxiety...breathe..

Goldie- healing wishes for you!

melissa2013

AnnBR -  Hurray!  I was thinking about you today.  So happy you received good news:)

JerseyMom-  I totally freaked out a few days before my surgery to the point I was considering cancelling it and staying flat.  But as others advise, I decided to just show up and I have no regrets.  I am 9 weeks out and healing nicely. 

thinkpink4ever

What a blessing, Ann! I am so
happy about your good news!

Thanks for your input, jb and goldie.

The PS recommends autologous tissue for my right
breast, since it’s been radiated.
And I have enough tummy tissue for the right breast. So, he recommends an implant for the
left. I don’t have a problem with
that, but I’m just concerned about the possibility of mismatched breasts. I know that the Center in NOLA can do a stacked using tummy tissue and tissue from somewhere else, so I am sending my info to them tomorrow in hopes of getting a
consult and seeing what my out of pocket costs would be. I know that the Center is not in my
Blue Cross network, so I expect to hear a high OOP dollar amount.

Am I the only one in this situation? Hopefully someone has had a similar experience and can help to un-confuse my poor mind and stop my head from spinning...

Continued happy healing to all those still recovering....

One love,

tp4ever

Dyvgrl

pink, 

I went to Dr. Louie here in Seattle and he did an awesome job on my DIEP.  I had a prophy MX on one side done by Dr. Calhoun, and the right side was a tissue expander from my previous MX last year.  Only 5 days out but so far they are doing great. I have BCBS and UW is a preferred hospital and the docs are preferred providers. May check into them if that helps. I'm super pleased with all the care. Just don't stay at this shitty hotel! Lol

brendarj

AnnBR absolutely fantasatic news. So happy for you !!!!!

 

MartyJ

think pink there are other docs in NOLA who have studied with Dr. Allen (the innovator of these flap surgeries).  Dr Allen still works,with Dr Ali Sadeghi.  He does other flaps and stacked, which he calls a hybrid.  Might be worth a shot and he might be in network.  They use Omega Hospital.

http://arbreastcenter.com/meet-our-doctors/ali-sad...

dr Allen is they guy who trained the NOLA docs and the Charleston docs.  Dr. Massey worked with him too.  Sure worth a try.

lemon68

Ann- that is wonderful news!! yahoo!! So good to hear, you are going to be just fine

I had a 2 hour surgery today, and I was awake! Crazy, I told my PS I must act too brave. I had nipple sparing so there was tissue from my belly banked on the sides of my breasts, about the size of limes but more oval, ugly suckers like big craters. Today he removed that skin and sewed the ovals closed. No belly skin use in my DEIP. The only scars I will have on one will be about 1 inch from nipple to right and on the other he used my lumpectomy scar which is also tiny. Being awake during it was not so nice, they covered my face but I continued talking when I felt something but mostly I felt nothing. He also redid my breast drains so sadly I still have them. 4 total.

I am now all binded up from boob to belly. I have to say although tight it feels good to be all tight and I feel like its holding everything together. I will see him again on Friday so he can remove the bandages from my breasts, I cant wait to see them. He said how they will look on Friday means nothing, a work in progress and patience is the key.

As we were leaving walking though the skyway my shorts were falling down..LOL My DH had to grab them and pull them back up on me. I am wrapped tight! I laughed so hard I hurt.

I know some of you are trying to decide if this is the surgery for you. I was so scared I was making myself ill the days before. I have no regrets, its early for me but my gut still tells me this is the thing to do. I have had a very hard time and a long surgery but things are looking up and everyday there is something to feel blessed about. The good the bad and ugly, I don't have to try for the good, it presents itself.

Georgiegirl! so happy to hear from you!! Love the pic. I have thought of you many times this past week.

JerseyMomOf3

Thank you so much- you are all such terrific women, I wish I could hug each of you in person. I am feeling much better tonight. I will be getting up very early as I need to be at the hospital at 6am for an 8am surgery. I am looking forward to being on the other side and starting a new chapter, and giving BC the boot. 

A special shout out to Ann BR- what fabulous news! I am so happy for you. You have been in my prayers.

All my very best to all of you. See you on the other side!

Ladyoh

Ann that is such great news!! I have been sending prayers your way and thinking of you so often. Don't worry too much about the radiation, they will take great care of you! Jumping for joy!

Eight weeks out from my dbl mx and DIEP today! Stage 2 scheduled for July 25th.

Ladyoh

Thoughts and prayers for you Jersey Mom! You will do great and remember you just have to show up!

The1toC

I am delighted to be on the other side!  The freedom is incredible - I had no idea!!!

My bilateral DIEP was May 7 (Dr. Kozlow team @ UofM), left hospital Mothers Day bent over, of course, 6 drains: 2 each foob and 2 in belly, no compression/surgery bra or even undies, just loose waist skirt and button front jammie top! I had them put on y lymphedema sleeve right arm immediately after surgery and kept it on until morning of discharge. OMG was I overall SO puffy day after surgery - my husband said he could hardly recognize me! I have released all of that fluid by now.

Pain being managed well now, first day home with 650mg tylenol every 6 hours or so but today I have switched to tramadol about every 8 hour; my back is less sore today. In hospital I had such good care. I feel I am doing very well.  I am so darn pleased.

My right radiated side feels SO FREE!  I hadn't realized how inwardly rotated my shoulder had become from the radiation fibrosis (and I had even done Hyperbaric oxygen treatments to try to prevent that!).  Oh I feel like a woman again!  THe surgeon said cutting out the radiated fibrotic tissue was like cutting through cement. I was 2 years completed radiation at time of surgery with failed implant and place held with expander past 16 months.  

My PS called yesterday with path report of nodes removed at time of surgery - Iwas surprised they did that but he said they were in the way and when cut out automatically get sent for path.  Clean nodes! woohoo!!!

I think "why on earth did I wait so long????" The date was my choice; I wanted to wait until the 8 hour drive would likely be without snowstorms in the UP.

Nihahi you give good advice of little walks, hydrate and rest. I would add only one or two series of 5 slow deep breaths each day.

Iowa - sorry to hear you had trouble getting drain pulled. It may not be billable in addition to the perceived liability issues.

MsW2012 - see my comments above about radiated tissue

AnnBR - did you hear me hoot? Oh that is good news!!! What are you doing to celebrate?

On picking a date: the method I used was to choose the Dr., learn what days of the week he did DIEP and decide my date and booked it - there was a bit of a pause as they didn't have the schedule quite that far out but I gave the office my two options.  Worked very well.

Thanks ladies for all you support!

Zenful

fabulous news, Ann!  I am sure you were celebrating with your family after hearing that. What a relief!

Sending positive healing vibes to JerseyMom.