DIEP 2011

Had DIEP flap on Dec. 7, so still recovering.  See my post about it on DIEP surgery and recuperation.  It's a rough surgery - lots of variables.

Thanks for all the thoughts and good wishes. Here's the post just added in diep 2011.

Not back at home yet, but will be tomorrow, after 4 nights in hospital. 12hr surgery for me on Monday so I dont recall much about Monday. Tuesday was awful, just the same as after bmx I was severely nauseous and they tried everything to control it but no luck, yes it hurt like hell everytime I threw up and it lasted 24hrs. Tuesday I was out of it, after taking so much phenigen to try and control the nausea I was just asleep for most of the day. Today I feel fine. Got up, sat in the chair, had a shower and have moved between bed and chair all day, plus a walk down the hall-way. Pain is really tolerable - until you have to cough it really is OK. I too ask for pain meds before moving around too much, but some tonight and tomorrow morning to get home in the car and I'm hoping less and less as the week goes on. Boobs look very good, they moved my tummy button up but I cant see the abdominal incision yet as still covered up, 3 drains still in but delivering very little from all 3 so maybe they'll take some out before I leave tomorrow. I cant say it's pleasant but it's over. For me the real issue was the nausea and throwing up, if I had not had that I might have been out of here today. All is well now and all is ready at home thanks to DH.

I had TEs in since 9/29 and I am so glad they are gone. Now it's onto the next stage. Best wishes and speedy recovery to all facing this. I'll post more when back at home.

I am scheduled to have delayed DIEP on March 16, 2011 by Dr. Rosenburg in Gainesville FL.  It cannot get here soon enough.  I would like some advice on preparing for the surgery physically, anyone have suggestions?

I am just about at week 8 post DIEP surgery.  The first 4 weeks were pretty bad and I'm pretty tolerant of pain.  My doctor warned me, but I thought nothing could be so terrible, but it was.  I spent 5 days in ICU (would have been 3 in ICU and 2 in regular room, but there were no beds).  Everyone was getting their last minute surgeries in before the end of the year.  But, that was ok, I had a private room with round the clock monitoring.  I did not have my catheter out for 4 days.  It was just easier than trying to maneuver to the commode.  I love alone, and only had my sister for 2 nights, then she had to go home.  I had left breast only done.  Oct. 2009 was my bilateral mastectomy with immediate implants, 2 weeks later the left side filled with fluid and had to be removed.  Because I had one lymph node positive on that side (which they found after the surgery in pathology) I had to have lymph node dissection on that side - all were negative but the sentinel node.  But skin margins were not good, so I had to have radiation to the left side.  I opted out of chemo after having two oncotype tests which were low on the scale.  Then I had to wait for the radiated skin to calm down before getting reconstruction.

Back to recuperation and recovery from DIEP.  I have edema (fluid buildup) which I had drained a week after surgery.  It is full again, but I think it is tissue, not fluid, will see PS next week.  I am in arm therapy again as I was all last year, I have a buildup of scar tissue which the PS released but it is back again already.  Anyone else suffer from scar tissue limiting arm movement?

Also, someone mentioned upper stomach bloat.  I have lots of it and can't fit into my slacks from before surgery and I thought I would lose a couple inches.  Doctor said to walk and start doing some mild crunches.  I am very active except I am still prone to exhaustion easily.  Anyone else have suggestions on getting rid of the hard bloat in the tummy and the numb feeling? 

Hi Rae: Did you have your surgery at Hopkins?

Hi all, I'm now back at home in my recliner where I plan to spend a few days. Last night was fine with over 6hrs straight sleep, but I needed that pain med the minute I woke up.

I can get in/out of the recliner pretty well, but cannot put the big blue wedges under my legs once in it, so DH still has to be there after every bathroom run.

Immediately following the surgery I was in recovery/icu for about 2hrs then off to my room. Had a morphine pump for 12hrs approx and then onto vicodin (pills). Also had lidocaine in under the chest in 2 places. Have 3 drains (all still in) one each breast and one abdomen. Still have a binder on pulling everything tight and together over the lower incision. It's not uncomfortable. Also on Valium to assist with spasms. While in hospital they gave the saline and antibiotic intravenous and only took them out on the last day (day4). First 24hrs there was a check with a doppler (ultrasound) system every hour to ensure blood flow to the breasts, after 24hrs it was every 2 hrs then every 4hrs for the whole stay. You hold your breath waiting for that ultrasound to pick up the blood flow noise, I can tell you.

The lower back is painful, I knew it would be so no surprises, but it feels extremely weak despite doing exercises etc beforehand. I can walk to the bathroom and a few rooms in the house and that's it, then I need to rest. Pain management for me today is every 4hrs. Am also taking the stool softeners etc so that doesn't become a problem. I'm very happy its over. It hurts to cough (a  lot) but apart from that I feel OK. I'm on the recovery road and I like that road. Someone said to me: "You will wonder why you did this" - and I did on day2, but it's day5 now and those thoughts are long gone. It's good to be home and be looking forward. Best wishes to all facing this over the next few months. It's not easy, but we are survivors.

marxi, the things I 'really' needed in hospital were water (the hospital water tasted very metallic) and lip-salve. They give you ice chips via a spoon but if they leave you it's difficult to do that alone. I have a "Camelback" hydration backpack, I use it for skiing, hiking etc, and DH filled it up with bottled water and just added ice at the hospital. It has a tube coming out and that tube can sit over one shoulder so there is no reaching and you know exactly where that tube is all the time. I loved using it after my BMX and used it again this week. My throat was very dry. The air in the hospital was very dry and that cracked my lips so a good lip ointment that is easy to apply. I took other stuff in for nausea (ginger candy, ginger ale etc) but didn't use it. Anything made me throw up - even the ginger (   I also wanted some talcum powder, behind my knees and under my arms after showering, just to ensure no rashes from being damp or sweaty.

I wore nothing except hospital gowns while in there. When I left I wore joggers with a large elastic waist band, a button down shirt and crocs (no knickers!). Take pillows in the car to help you stablize yourself on the way home and have one to go between you and the seatbelt. I was a little neurotic in the car on the freeway thinking every other car was going to hit us! Ridiculous I know.

At home we have installed a raised toilet seat, not essential I'm sure but very easy to use and it also has side rails to help you up/down. We also installed a hand held shower head on a 5ft hose and bought the shower stool to sit on while showering. I borrowed a walker and a recliner from friends, bother very useful today.

For me this was a different hospital with different rules from where I had BMX. I had to "ask" for pain meds if I needed them, they didn't just come around and give them out according to a schedule, so my advise would be, find out which it is, and always ASK the RN if you need something/anything. And please ask me any questions and I'll answer best I can based on my experience this week.

Ray are you wearing a binder or Spanx?   I have read that some of the women found them helpful with the bloating.

Kelben -  I bought a pair of Spanx on Friday, the kind that is about 6 inches down the leg and then goes high up on the abdomen.  It is much more comfortable than the binder.  It was expensive; cost me $40 at Lord & Taylor, so won't be buying too many but I'm definitely wearing the Spanx when returning to work tomorrow.

 I forgot to ask my doctor if it's okay to take off the binder once in a while, so at this point I live in it.  For those who had the surgery, how often do you wear a stomach binder/protector? And for what length of time after surgery?

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Dannade - have you checked with your doctor about the bloating?  I'm 2.5 weeks out and don't have those symptoms, except in the area below the incision (upper vaginal area) which seems swollen.  I hope it goes down.  For me, no swelling or numbness above the incision.  you might want to check to make sure you're not retaining fluids.  It might be normal swelling.

 Scubacat hope you are feeling better over the weekend. Thank you for all the details.

 We also had installed a handheld shower. It was very helpful after my Mastectomy having my hubby wash my hair. One thing I question is the need of a shower chair?, I would think sitting w/ abdominal incision would not be best, but maybe better than standing for any length of time?

Dannade, you have been through quite the ordeal. It was good that you were in ICU.  I am worried about monitoring when I come out of ICU.    I'm so suprised the swelling is that much  , would check w/ Dr. like Mamaoftwo says.

Starting to make list: added Spanx

Well, I had my drains taken out last Friday. On day 10. Today is day 12.

 Pain is much more tolerable.  Sorry for my initial outburst.  It does get better.

 I'm still bloated and tender and sore. And it looks as if my right foob may be falling... or maybe I am just hyper critical of myself.  I'm trying to just rest, and wait.  Until everything has  healed and the swelling has gone away, I"m sure I can't really know anything for sure. And everything is fixable.

so is the spanx worn over the binder?

2 (of 3) drains came out today (Day7 after surgery) and I'm hoping for the last one (abdomen) on Wed or Thurs this week. Taking much less of the pain meds today and walked from hospital carpark into Dr's office..... and back, but then very tired once back at home so relaxing in the recliner again. It was nice to get dressed and see the outside world, but it does take it out of you doing these little things each day. I will be happy when I can walk my dog again, and go to my birthday party on Sunday. Now wearing my own sports bra (same one I had after BMX) and the binder, and feeling reasonable comfortable with it all. Might try the spanx I bought at the weekend if the final drain is gone.