DIEP 2015

Som

Scar Question - For anyone with the football shaped scar (delayed diep'ers), is your scar covered completely by a bra?  I know there are different bra styles that cover more than others, but just wondering how much of the scar sticks out/is visible with a bra on?  So, if you were wearing a V-neck shirt would you see any scars?  Thanks!

SheriCola - Thank you for all the detailed information about your experience! 

 

Morwenna

I never had to wear compression garments post-op, so cannot contribute to that discussion.

. I do have bilateral "football-shaped" scars, and they don't show above my bra or neckline. My port scar might show over a low cut top though.

slv58

It always amazes me the different opinions surgeons have. I asked mine and she said no compression top/bottom. I found that my breasts at stage one are a bit different in size and just went shopping and found Bali smart sizes wire free lightly padded- bras were so comfortable. I ended up buying three to get me to stage 2! My breast seems to keep changing shape as weeks go by, interested to see what it will finally look like ;-)

norita19

Hi Susanella,

I'm 57 and I had a right unilateral MX/DIEP last November. My surgeon was Peter Korn of Great Neck. I had an especially easy recovery. I went back to work in 4 weeks. I'm a Dental Hygienist and work with my right hand and arm. Dr. Korn originally told me I'd be out of work for 6 weeks but at the 3 week mark he gave me the go ahead to go back to work when I felt ready. Having a bilateral does make it more complicated. Even if your job is not very physical maybe you can start back to work half days at first until you build up your stamina again. Did you heal well from your previous surgeries? I had a hysterectomy years ago (not robotic) and found the DIEP MUCH easier to recuperate from.

norita19

rlynn,

I am glad I did a uni cuz I still have one with feeling. My surgeon did a great job matching size. The numbness of the foob is kind of strange.

Trinity0723

I keep trying to post but after I've typed everything it says that there is no content. :-// This a test.

Trinity0723

Finally something posted. I have single Diep scheduled fort June after waiting a full year from my original surgery date. Wondering what I should take to the hospital and worried about pain at the hospital and after I get home. I have a very high tolerance for pain. My pain Dr is running some genetic test for pain tolerance. Hoping they results will be helpful.

WalleGator

For those who are still looking forward to their surgery...I'm six weeks out from surgery and am doing great! Had a double DIEP. I'm still tired, and can't raise my arms very high, but I'm driving, doing laundry (boo), still not lifting a lot, but overall feeling well. Much better than I expected. I see the doctor in two more weeks. I do have one spot on my new breast that didn't heal well. In fact, I'm still putting the silvadene on it, but it has gotten smaller. Each boob is a slightly different shape, but not enough for anyone but me to tell. I'll address that with her, too. I know the doc did say that it could take 6 months to a year before they are "normal."

My next appointment we'll talk nipples! Though with all the areas I'm numb, and will never have feeling in, I'm thinking about skipping those for now. Just feel like my body needs to heal...

Hope everyone else on the road to recovery is doing well...

WalleGator

Som - no scars are visible when I wear a v neck. In fact, I a friend actually commented on my nice cleavage! Been a while since I've heard that!

Trinity - no worries. I only took a robe - they get you walking right away and I didn't want my back end hanging out, a book/kindle, phone and charger. Hubby brought in my go home clothes and toothbrush/paste after surgery. That was it. Four days, and I didn't need anything else, unless you want your own snacks. My sister sent me prunes, which I love, to help me out! You'll do great!

Morwenna

Hi Trinity,

Check out shericola's very detailed post from a day or two back, but bear in mind that everybody's experience may have differences.

Normally we don't need to take much to the hospital: personally I wore hospital gowns the whole stay, but bring or wear something loose and comfortable to go home in. Lip salve is nice, and maybe some wet wipes for times you wish to freshen up without having a proper wet wash. Some surgeons advise compression, mine did not.

Pain control is also dependent on the hospital/surgeon, so varies, but generally bearable. The first week or two is tough, and most people need a bit of help at home to start with. You may wish to sleep in a recliner at home, or propped up with lots of pillows. Can't have too many pillows!!

Read back through some of the posts on the thread, and you will see how different people's experiences can be! Generally all agree that it is doable, but natural to be nervous!!!

Sassy01

Som, I had the delayed DIEP. I wouldn't call mine a football shaped scar. I've seen a lot of pictures with the football patch flap. My flaps are my entire breasts. The scars are just about a complete circle. My mastectomy left me with no skin! I wear V neck shirts all the time but they don't go low enough to see cleavage. If my cleavage was showing my scars would show as well. I wear button down shirts open pretty low, but they don't open to reveal anything. I will never be wearing a bikini top(not that I would anyway)...

jenine

I had my mastectomy on Jan. 20 of this year and my DIEP is scheduled for June 29. So ready for the surgery but I'm also freaking out a bit.

Ridley

Trinity -- You may not have that much pain -- I was lucky and didn't -- my suggestion is to go into surgery knowing you could and that you will be able control it and that you might be  lucky and not have too much at all.

Walle -- I just did nipple recon -- have to say that I love them-- for me, it gives me a much more "normalish" look.  I was hoping that one day I would be able to look I the mirror and not have this aspect of my life be the first thing that comes to mind.  Once the scars fade a bit more and I get the tattoos done, I think I might get there!  I'm still hoping that they shrink a little (I think I told everyone in the OR that I wanted small nipples -- which was the oddest experience:))  I waited about 15 months after my original surgery to have this last step done.

 

mnyellow

Has anyone had DIEP performed by anyone other than Dr Saint-Cyr at Rochester Mayo Clinic? I just learned that he is leaving and will not be there when I was planning to have my delayed procedure later in the summer. Thank you!

mnyellow

Has anyone had DIEP with anyone other than Dr. Saint-Cyr at Rochester Mayo Clinic? I just learned that he will be leaving prior to when I wanted to have my delayed reconstruction later this summer. Thank-you!

norita19

I have to wear pantyhose on Friday for a special occasion. It's the first time since my diep. I just tried them on and they won't stay up. The waist keeps rolling over and slipping down. Any advice?

Som

Thanks for the info Sassy01!  I had to have my implant removed from my radiated side as I had an infection.  So I may end up with more of a circle than a football shaped scar as well. 

annieb4

mnyellow.

I had Dr Lemaine and she was absolutely fantastic. As a matter of fact, I had an appointment yesterday with her to decide what to do with my Phase 2. Isn't going to be much, but she will hopefully make my breasts the same size. I have the same size flap, but since my expander was so darn tight it caved in my chest wall a bit. So she will fix that and get rid of some scar tissue from the radiation. No nipples for me, just tattoos, so I am so hoping to be done with all this soon.

I actually cannot believe it has been almost 4 months since my Deip..Time sure flies.

Som, I have scars around my whole breast also, and no you cannot see them when wearing a bra. Even a skimpy bra, they are unnoticeable.

WalleGator

Ridley - Glad to hear about your nipples (who'd have thought I'd ever write that!) I know exactly what you mean about being reminded every time you see yourself. I don't want that either. I think I just need a few months break. What part of your body did they take your nipples from? I see my doc on May 12 for this discussion. I do remember the doc telling me that they'll seem huge at first, but they shrink in size greatly, so I'm sure yours are still headed in the right direction! I'm about 5 months behind you in reconstruction, so maybe after the summer. We'd like a real vacation this year since we didn't get to do anything last summer. Take care!

mnyellow

Thanks, AnnieB4! Happy to hear that you are doing so well with your journey! I was so comfortable with Dr. Saint-Cyr, so I am very disappointed that he will be leaving, but it is good to hear your great review of Dr. Lemaine!

websister

Norita - could you put a pair of tummy control panties or similar over the panty hose to help keep them up? Or try buying a different size or brand - sometimes that will make a difference

mefromcc

I had a set back today. I went in to be seen as a follow up for the stitch abscess I was treated for last week. I now have an extensive area of fat necrosis in the foob area underneath. The physician assistant trimmed off dead tissue on my skin and said I needed debridement either today or tomorrow (another trip to the OR). My PS has been on his honeymoon to South Africa since April 15th, and I have an already scheduled appointment next Tuesday. The surgeon covering for him didn't want to see me today, and told the PA and wound RN to just have me do daily dressing chances until I see my PS next Tuesday. Who knows what will be rotted out by then. So I guess it'll be back to the OR next week, unless the PA is wrong about what is happening. 😢

Morwenna

Wow ME!

So sorry to hear that! So long after surgery too!!

Here's hoping you don't lose too much tissue and they can sort you out. I'm sure it'll turn out ok in the end, but sometimes the path is just not straightforward!

What bad luck!

slv58

ME, hugs, I hope everything gets resolved quickly! Did you have any symptoms?

mefromcc

I had had a stitch that"popped" and the PA had cut out the surface suture. She said the pus wasn't an infection, but rather a stitch abscess. She had the wound care RN see me and she put a special dressing on it that didn't need to come off for a week. Meanwhile, the pencil eraser area was supposed to start forming"happy" epithelial tissue. It didn't happen I now have an 1/2 inch long open area, and a 1/4 inch deep draining area. I am angry 😠 that the surgeon supposedly covering for my surgeon didn't even bother seeing me, but just brushed me off. And doctors wonder why they get sued. It's not usually because they made a mistake, but it's because they come across as not caring.

mary625

This sounds like skin necrosis rather than fat necrosis. Debridement is usually not done in the operating room. I had this after my BMX. It takes awhile to get rid of but it will heal.

mefromcc

The physician assistant called it fat necrosis. I like your idea better Mary625!

Andrea623

Oh mefromcc, I'm so sorry to hear this happened. I'd be pretty upset too. I hope everything heals quickly for you.

My surgery has been postponed from May 4 to June 15, because my insurance says they're back logged and haven't gotten around to my preauthorization. I'm disappointed because mentally and emotionally I wa prepared for surgery on Monday

Ridley

me -- I hope you get taken care of quickly re next steps -- I had a number of dissolvable stitches that would not dissolve and the started to get irritated, so they were removed.  One on my abdo scar ended up turning into a little hole -- probably 1/2 inch long  and not terribly deep, but deep enough.  It healed fine, just took a while (I think it was fully healed about 3 months after surgery). 

AnnBR

Mmyellow, I am a patient of Dr. Saint-Cyr's and got the phone call several weeks ago letting me know that he is leaving. I just about cried. I am fortunate though, that he will perform my stage 2 next Thursday. I've heard nothing but great things about Dr. Lemaine, including what a perfectionist she is. If I need additional surgeries, I would not hesitate to schedule those with her. Best of luck to you.