DIEP 2011

My surgery for Monday is postponed and I am soooo frustrated. It seems strange to be "looking forward" to this surgery but I am keen to move on and get it out of the way. Pre-op blood work came back with some strange results (I have yet to find out what that means exactly) and they were repeated, and then my Dr said they were "nearly back to normal" whatever that means. So tomorrow I see oncologist/haematologist and the Dr again, but he has not cleared me for surgery and has told the PS the surgery is postponsed from Monday 24th. I am back to more tests. I'm confused as bmx was only back on 9/29 and all was well then! The only difference is Tamoxifen as far as I know. Nothing I can do about it and in my non-frustrated moments I think, better to find out now rather than during a 10hr surgery that my blood isn't clotting properly! Oh well, C'est la vie.

good news today, new blood work was normal. Haemotologist cleared me for surgery, so it's all back on. Luckily both the OR and the PS were all still available so they just slotted me back in for 6am on Monday. Celebrated with friends tonight, had my hair cut and I'm just about ready to go. Scared and relieved all at once. I'll post when I get back home after surgery. Thanks to each and everyone of you for the info here, it has all helped.

Hi BJB1,

I went to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Adam Tobias is my PS. I  fortunately did not have to have any nodes taken out and I did not get lymphadema. My computer is in the shop and I'm using the computer at the library (only have 5 mins. left!) Thanks for offering to run errands (that is so nice) but I'm able to do that now. It has been 5 weeks and I'm doing most of what I could before but I do small loads of laundry and try to keep grocery shopping on the small side (I go more often). I'll write more later when I get my "loaner" computer at home!

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering how long you all generally stay out of work to recover after DIEP?  I had mine on Jan 12th and feeling like I could go back next Monday Jan 31st and mostly worried about fatigue.  Late afternoons have been times to lying prostrate on my bed with a book or computer for hours. 

Then again, I have a desk job so not just physical activity. I expect to need time off for chemo in the coming months so hate to use up my sick leave.  Has anyone else gone back after 3 weeks?

Thanks,

Laura

CJ reporting in.

single mx , DIEP, + reduction 4 days ago. Got home today with one drain in the flap, 1 ab drain removed yesterday and 1 this morning. No pain anywhere. A tight pulling feeling on the ab and have to be careful in getting in and out of bed. Tummy looks good, has no feeling but feels like a water balloon under my fingers. The flap looks really good, and the reduction as well. I have not taken any pain meds since yesterday [1 tylenol 500], I am hoping the recovery keeps on this trajectory. Surgeon removed 7 nodes all clear.  I have about 10% of my usual energy and I am trying not to overdo it now that I am at home.  Best Wishes to All.

Hi BJB1,

Let me know if you have any more questions about what the diep flap is like. I'm in the 5th week of recovery and am feeling much better. Let me know if when you are recovering  I can be of help in any way. You said you live nearby and you can have my phone number if you would like it. I hope your pre-op goes well tomorrow.

Best to you.

Moon

Xmas: Yes, it can go very well. I had my bilat mx w/DIEP almost 2 yrs ago. It was indeed very hard and a hard recovery, but it's worth it all. I'm so glad I went that route,. I could not have awakened with no boobs. I think that would have made me extremely depressed.  The drains aren't so bad, really.  I came home (8 hrs drive) with 5 and managed them myself. Hubby did my 'stripping' the first time and he sent one of the bulbs flying across the room, so I did it myself after that. He had good intentions, but I've always been a "I'd rather do it myself" person. lol

As for the pain.....my worst pain was in my back....that, from walking bent over.. FYI:  coming home, my hubby and sister in law was going to keep me doped up on the pain pills. I got one b4 leaving the hospital and they gave me 2 more going home.  I did really well... When we got home, I needed 'another' pain pill, so went to get one and to my surprise, it didn't look like the ones they'd given me before, so I questioned my hubby.  Seems they gave me 2 antibiotics  instead of the pain meds!  So, I came all the way home without ANY pain meds!  I kept mine just to help sleep in my recliner at night. 

 Ladies thank you for your sharing.

I am going for a MRA this week did anyone have this test ?

I am scheduled for my delayed DIEP March 2nd.

dee7493-That is the same day I am having my delayed bilat Diep! 

I had some testing done to see if I was a candidate for surgery.  I believe it was a cat scan on my belly and then an extensive ultrasound was done.  It took about 1.5-2 hours.

V

Mikita5 - thanks for the encouragement.  That is hilarious about the antibiotics... go figure right?  Sounds like something that would happen to me... except I would be asking constantly "why am I still in so much pain?" 

 I'm don't have the highest pain tolerance from what I can tell...

 Dee7493 -   A tip is to drink lots of water afterwards (and I ate watermelon after too) to flush the contrast fluid from your kidneys if they do a contrast iv.  I'm having an adbominal CT to look at my vessels - same purpose different procedure probably?

I'm also going back to my ps next week with a long list of questions!

Mikita 5

I concur!! I have never had such a massive problem..ended up taking a mild laxative and spent all last night in the bathroom doing Lamaze breathing...terrible pain but all is well today!

Dee;

Thanks for the info on MRA I don't think they do that up here where I am...there is so much new information to soak up.

CJ 

Dee-  I had the MRA the week before my DIEP to map out the blood vessels and arteries in my abdomen so they can decide which to protect and which to transfer to the breast area.  They inject you with a radioactive dye, but besides that minor injection there is no pain.  You are partly in an MRI machine covering your abdomen with head sticking out, so you shouldn't feel claustrophobia.  The whole thing, to my memory, took about 1/2 hour.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 Laura

Anne,

So sorry you're regretting the surgery.  I hope you start to feel better very soon.  Remember it's only been 1 week.  Today is my two week anniversary of the surgery and, if you're like me, there will be a big improvement in the way you feel after another week.  Just keep taking it easy.  I assume you still have drains too?  If so, it will be such a great feeling once you get them out in another week or so.  Hang in there.  I don't think any surgery is easy.

Best,

Laura 

Hi Anne,

I know you will be feeling better a day at a time. It really seems we all have different recoveries, like pain level, tolerance for the drains etc. I took pain med. all the time for the first 2 weeks and it helped. It also made me rest more and that was good. It has only been 1 week and though you are not feeling well now, you will feel better and also have nice breasts and flat stomach! It's hard to appreciate that part when your 1 week out I know. I wish you and all the others here who have had surgery a great recovery. I'm just finishing my 5th week and feel 75% better.

 XmasDx - similar imaging -both I believe can be helpful of which blood vessels surgeons will use.  Thank you - of course packed the car with bottled water and trying to talk Hubby into going to dinner in city - I am gonna milk-it every chance I get. 

Laura thank you for your encouragment Im going to Weil Cornell in NYC . 

 It's so amazing all of you in your recovery to be posting with us Gracias with all my heart!

I have been going to the Y light cardio every day,  but eating hearty,  guess I am pushing for a C Cup!       Also one of the Y's nearby offers a LSLW program free strength training for cancer patients.  Awesome after BiLat Mast it feels great to excercise:)