DIEP 2015

Trvler

I should add that I had no memory issues but as Trineg says, because NOLA uses two PS's on you instead of a PS and a PA, you are out sooner. My surgery took about 7 hours I think.

smrlvr

Trvler, what is a conversion rate?

NotAgain2015

good questions tonight. Would love to hear more about memory loss. My BS is doing both mastectomies, then two plastic surgeons do recon. I have a very hectic job. Memory loss would be scary for my job!!!!

Hoping to hear from daBoys. Hope all is well.

Jillybee

your core muscles are very deep inside you,you will recover.I had a bilateral DIEP,got out of bed,using my core....had though.More recently had 2 more abdominal ops,due to fluid in tummy,and now,6 months after,core is back,dong Pilates,swimming,body balance and walking.It is a great feeling just getting back out there...don't be too disappointed,day at a time,and look at he progress you have made,Don't be hard n yourselves ....

BigSister-2015

smrlvr, since you already have had your mastectomy, the surgery won't be as long. I believe that all DIEP surgeries use two surgeons, at least the good ones do.

I am having mine down at IU in Indianapolis. My surgeon did a fellowship at the U of PA where he did 250 DIEPs in that year. He did 60 during his plastics residency in NY. Since he's come here he does 2/week. That is what you want--someone who does this a lot!

I had a failed implant from infection--twice--and the second one ended in sepsis. I am so done with implants and am looking forward to my DIEP next week on the 10th. The day before yesterday I was stressing out, but after talking with friends, I am in a better place. Now I am just trying to get caught up before the big day.

SA8PG, you can't really do anything about the core strength going down after surgery. coming into it strong is helpful, but the time in bed and resting will take its toll

When I was in the hospital for 5 days this summer with the sepsis, I could hardly move because all my strength went to fighting the infection. I was pretty much on bed rest for 3 days and then only walked the halls a couple of times per day. when I got home I started walking, but I could not go far or fast

I am now 4 months past it and am pretty well back to normal activity, but my core is surely weak. I went roller skating with the kids recently and was too wobbly to manage despite being a good skater . so sad

I plan to ask for physical therapy post op. I need some help!

Incidentally, I have 8 kids. The youngest is 11 (I am 55). The kids have been great. I still have 4 at home. My 20 yo manages meals and my 18 yo is my shower-dressings--drain queen. The younger two manage all the chores when I am down. I had my BMX back in February, so we have been at this awhile.

We all learned a lot this year. None of it has gone perfectly and many things have fallen through the cracks, but it is doable. My husband has a severe back disability so can't help with much. The kids have learned to jump in all along.

I am really looking forward to being on the other side of this surgery!

julieho

I had my DIEP almost 12 months ago. I fully recovered, had stage 2 in March and felt really good all summer.

Late this fall I have had a lot of pain in the chest bone reoccur. After surgery they said it was due to shaving the chest bone when attaching the flaps.

This pain has started again and is quite uncomfortable. Has anyone else had pain return after feeling really good for awhile?

Julieho

SA8PG

Wow Big Sister. I didn't realize we had so much in common. I am also looking forward to my diep next week after my expanders were infected last year after my bmx last year in December. I will keep you posted on how things go. :-)

Julie I hope someone hops on to help. I didn't know that was a possibility as well. Have you been fine before this?

Daboys thinking of you. :-)))

Trvler

Smrlvr: Conversion rate is when they go into the operating room planning to do a DIEP and then do a TRAM. TRAM uses muscle and DIEP does not. When I spoke with the PA at that office, I asked if they did a CT scan before surgery. She said no. NOLA does. They KNOW where the blood vessels are they are going to use before going to the OR. The doctors who don't do a CT have to 'wing it' and covert to TRAM because apparent muscle is easier to get a blood vessel from. Use of muscle makes you more at risk for pain.

AFter your surgery, you are hooked up to 4 doppler wires. They plug them in about 20 times a day to hear the bloodflow. It sounds similar to when you have a heart rate monitor for a pregnancy. I had one wire that would be really loud and they would all laugh when the plugged it in. It was very obvious that area had a good blood supply.

Lilyn

Got a call from plastic surgeon's office this week. They have had to postpone my DIEP booked for Dec 31st. I knew that could be a possibility because any new cancer patients or other urgent surgery takes priority. I totally understand this and will now await new OR date. So glad to have this forum as there is so much helpful advice and encouragement.

Sablanut58

How well r u taking it, congrats!!!! I fought hard to have my date before the year ends, on the 21st,guess drs r in a holiday's mood and I am scare that mine will be cancel as well.My bday is dec 16 and i made my mind my new boob its a bd + hanuka present!

I am also concerned with memory loss and had been reading about magnesium L threonate. I am planing to take it after been realesed from hospital to avoid any interference with blood flow.

Lilyn

I also was hoping by end of year because we are getting new computer system in the medical office where I work in March and wsd hoping to be back to work by then. My surgeon won't be on vacation they just had a more urgent patient.Delayed reconstruction not urgent but hope not much longer I had myself all psyched up :-)  that also would be my chanukah/ Christmas/new years present two new boobs

lessharp

Hello girls,

Praying for successful flaps to those in surgery in the coming days!

I have been back to work and working 7 days straight! I work retail....so, this is the holiday season...and is expected. So far so good...although had another bout of that red line down my sternum. It is not an infection...but I think it is the skin being stretched. I am still a bit tight. Tried another approach and put vaseline on it, and looks much better this am.

My stage 2 is scheduled for Dec 23rd. Santa is bringing me bigger boobs!

Trvler

Happy Stage 2, Less.

daboysMumma

hi girls I'm back 4 days out from my DIEP - thanks so much for all the well wishes- thankfully all prayers were answered and we are on the flip side!! I am home! so first some observations about the surgery itself - wow that sucker is long!! Not that we realize it but BS took about 3 hours for the BX then PS took another 8 hours - add the additional 3 hours for the kinked vessel tweaking and yeah 12+14 hours later I am in recovery! 🙁 So hubby tells me that Ms Sassy came out before they took me back for the tweaking- he said I was pretty tough on my PS telling him "you better make this right"😉 You know if we don't hold them to high standards who will? I later found out the sleep/pain meds given during surgery have a "truth" serum effect. The pain in my chest is probably the worse so far -deep in the chest make sure to grab a pillow to cough or sneeze. Also note, that eating protein will keep your energy up but I have not been hungry at all. Last thing, Bair Hugger is evil!! If you get too hot or feel claustrophobic- this will not be your friend - although it is very important for recovery. I'm only 4 day's out and still very swollen and sore- write more later

Thxs again and take care - healing thoughts and prayers go to all

lessharp

Daboys, Best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery! :-)

Trvler, thank you!

NotAgain2015

DaBoys!!!! So good to hear from you! Prayers for comfort and speedy recovery. What is a Bair hugger? Sounds awful! Hang in there

Lee how good to hear that you are feeling good enough to be back to work in what -6 weeks. Wow!

TRINEG

DaBoys-wishing you an easy recovery.

SA8PG and Bigsister - good luck this week. We are almost there!

Hugs to all sisters.

kateness

Hi people -- reporting from the other side, now 6 days out from my DIEP, day 2 at home. Cried with relief to sit on my own bed! I'm so happy to have the surgery behind me, the first 3 days were very hard for me. Arm trouble from the single-position constrain during the procedure, 2 blood transfusions, two angry IV sites, challenging reactions to the percoset and general trauma (serious flushed sweats and nausea). Getting on the road to receovery took some trial and error, but after the second transfusion and getting off the heavy narcotics altogether, I started to perk up demonstrably. I think that my biggest struggles were due to existing lymphedema and the fact that I was barely 5 weeks out of chemo and slightly anemic going into the surgery. Those of you who are going in healthier should have an easier time. Even with my hardships, three of the drains were moved before I left the hospital, and the remaining three may be out on Thursday, yay! Showering last night was exhausting, I'm wondering how long it will be before I can happily stand for a few minutes and walk farther than from here to the bathroom.

I'm pondering renting a recliner -- woke up too flat in the middle of the night very uncomfortable -- how long should I get it for? Should I even bother? I'm pretty well propped up in bed now, almost upright, maybe I can make it work?

BigSister-2015

Kateness, congratulations for being on the other side! I am looking forward to getting there. At present, I am in full-blown nesting mode. Purchased gobs of groceries and got all my errands done--you know, all those returns to the store that have been kicking around?

Processed a bunch of the groceries today, making 15# of fudge for peeps at my husband's work and for my last class tomorrow (I teach science and writing to around 20 homeschooled students once a week.) Got my hair cut. The van is full of gas. Most of the laundry is done--a little ironing left to go.

The girls turned on some sappy Christmas music and I lost it, so good to cry! (It was Abigail's song from the 2010 Dr. Who Christmas special--such a hauntingly beautiful piece!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Radrh60tAUk

I think I can stop now. All that is really left to do is pack. I got some Biotene mouth moisturizer spray, hoping that it will help with the post-anesthesia dry mouth. I also got some Pedialyte packets to stave off nausea when I am allowed to eat--that stuff is fantastic for settling a stomach. (I keep it on hand for when somebody is recovering from the stomach flu--works better than 7-up.)

Need to save some energy for my hubby tonight and tomorrow night since that will be on hold for awhile!

SA8PG

Lots of prayers Bigsister. Looking forward to your praise report after surgery. :-)))

Kateness I'm so happy you are on the other side. Yay!!!

Daboys. Welcome home. Is the bear hugger the abdominal binder? How are your drains?

Any last minute thoughts ladies? Surgery time is 8:30 tomorrow. Woohoo. :-)

Trvler

Kateness: Two pillows (at least) behind your back, one on each side under your arms and one under your knees should do it. I didn't rent a recliner. I did that for a month.

BigSister-2015

Kateness, I purchased a couple of wedges to use, but I still found that I slid down in bed using them, and they were not all that comfortable. I got a 7" and a 12". The 12" was too high after my BMX, but the 7" worked well. I think a couple of pillows would be just as comfortable.

SA8PG, I'll be praying for you tomorrow as I am the day after. Praying not only for your safety, but also for your children that they won't worry about mommy too much. My youngest is 11 and she has really struggled this year. She'll be spending my surgery day with a close friend and her mom--she needs a mommy that day.

That is one of the hardest things about BC--how it distances us from our families for a time. My sepsis this summer just about killed me, so it was hard on everyone in my family. When I got home, all I could do was focus on getting better. I didn't have anything to give anyone, even though they were hurting. Now, five months later I am almost back to "normal" (whatever that is!) and it is pretty scary to start it all over again.

I have lost a whole year of my life, and with the slow recovery from DIEP, it looks like next year is going to be pretty shot as well, but I am hoping for a happier road as I heal with my own tissue instead of messing with implants.

(Back to de-dusting my bedroom!)

Tmgilbert1071

just wanted to reach out to the next 3 surgeries being done

9th:SA8PG

10th: TRINEG

11th: BIGSISTER

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted!!!

NotAgain2015

Kate!!! congratulations on having the surgery behind you and sounds like the worst days are over. I hope you continue to feel better! Keep us posted on your progress.

SA8PG will be thinking of you tomorrow. Good luck! Touch base when you can to let us know how you are

Big sister I am also in that getting ready mode. Lists upon lists, picking up this and that. Next wave will be getting organized and then packing. One week from tomorrow for me.

SA8PG

Thank you everyone for all the prayers and well wishes. I woke up with peace in my heart and I'm excited to wake up with breasts after a year of being flat, surgeries & infections. Believing I'll be ok & restored.

Big Sister & Trineg sending my prayers, love & hugs your way. Can't wait to hear how you guys are.

G

lessharp

Hope you all don't mind a prayer....Especially SA8PG, TRINEG, BIGSISTER...and for all of us going thru surgeries now and in the coming months...

Lord, we come before you today in need of your healing hand. Give us the strength to move forward on the path you've laid out for us. Guide us towards better health, and give us the wisdom to identify those you've placed around us to help us get better.
In your name we pray, Amen.

TRINEG

Thanks to all for thoughts and prayers. Thanks especially for recent special ones from you tmgilbert, SA8PG, and lessharp. I'm all drawn on with blue marker from my dr. appointment today, and ready for stage II at 7:00am tomorrow. He thinks surgery will take about 2 hours. It will involve some liposuction and adding the fat in strategic spots, revising my power-port scar, fixing my Ken doll, revising and lowering the abdominal scar, revising my latissimus dorsi flap scar and releasing that muscle in hopes of alleviating the pain it causes (NOLA had nothing to do with the lat flap), and slightly moving my belly button back to perfect center. I'll be in a body compression garment for at least 2 weeks. It's supposed to have a trap door for using the restroom and should only be taken off for daily shower. So please any ladies who have worn this already let me know how you got through it! I'll let y'all know how it goes. Thanks for prayers andI'm praying for all of you too. Love and hugs.

Trvler

TRINEG: I took mine down to pee. It has zips up the sides and hooks and you can easily take it down just on one side to go.

kateness

Day 8 after surgery, headed to see the PS this afternoon, crossing my fingers that the last 3 drains are coming out since they are all producing less than 5 ml at each ~12hr empty. I still feel pretty beat up: bruises and tenderness from the two IVs, sore belly, strange sensations in the foobs, tenderness from the 3 old drain sites. I'm hoping to get some good thumbs up this afternoon, along with some clearer instructions for the next coming weeks. My discharge nurse had such a thick accent I missed like every other sentence and sometimes I don't feel like I'm doing everything right! Remove the binder, clean sites, apply ointments?! What to do!?

I'm also having a pretty strong emotional letdown, been crying a lot today and a lot during the evenings the last two days. Some is general fatigue no question, but there is also the fact that I was only a handful of weeks out of chemo before surgery, I had been holding myself together so tight through the fall to get through surgery, and now here I am and I just want to curl up and cry. Of course I can't really curl up because I need to lie elevated in a good V but that's OK It's all good, I'll take the emotional releases and weeping, it also contains a lot of relief for being on THIS side of the mx!

Trvler

Kateness: You didn't mention painkillers but the day I stopped taking them, I plummeted in terms of my mood.