DIEP 2011

I really don't remember much ab pain. I didn't have tape on my scars. I stated taking a combo of motrin and Tylenol while I was still in the hospital which wooed pretty well for me. 800 mil of motrin every 6 hours but at 4 hours I took Tylenol ( I don't remember the dosage). I had to set up alarms on my iPhone so I wouldn't forget or I would pay dearly. Just motrin wouldn't cut after 4 hours but you shouldn't take more than 800 mil every 6 hours. My PS came up with that so I wouldn't need to take narcotics which make me nauseous. I think I was on that program for at least 2 weeks and then I started to taper down the dosage until I only took it at night. I'm sure I was taking something every night for at least 6 weeks. Sleeping was the problem for me because I'm not a back sleeper and I had to set up pillows on either side so I wouldn't roll over. My DH slept in the spare room for at least 2 months.

My left arm which had lymph nodes removed was really tender for a long time. I spent about 5 minutes everyday stretching my arms in the shower to regain full range of motion. You don't have to stretch very hard but you should keep at it or you will end up with limited range of motion and it will be hard to reach above you head. Some people get physical therapy for this but the more you gently stretch your arms over your head the better it will be.

I felt some tingling and mild pain which I was told could be the nerves growing back but nothing horrendous. I'm 4 months out and most of the swelling seems to be gone but not all. I didn't have any issues with my drain holes. Just but bandaids over them.

I've been putting vit. E on the scars since about a month ago and the change has been dramatic. I use a roller version I found at our health food store.

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Blondie, are you still taking pain meds now?  Do your breasts hurt?  I'm surprised how tender everything still is (breast, not abdo)

XmasDx - I'm with you.  I'm at 2.5 weeks out and the ab incision is doing ok (I can even stand straight for short periods of time) but the breast has been notably more achey and painful than I expected.  It hurts around the breast so I was assuming it was hurting where the tissue or veins or whatever were connected into my body but in reality I have no idea.  I, too, wasn't expecting that.  I live on ibuprofin and naproxin  and that helps.  I haven't been sleeping well and tried a Tylenol PM last night but woke up nauseated this morning so am back to NSAIDs.

 If anyone has any insight on the breast pain thing, I'd also be grateful.

Plus if anyone has any insight on sleeping aids, I'd be grateful as well.  I'm sure it is mostly the combination of sleeping in a recliner instead of on my side on my bed and the discomfort of the breast, but I know that I will heal faster if I can get some better sleep too.

thx!

Tomorrow is 1 week out from my surgery, go thursday for my followup, hoping to get drains out.  its been a rough week but I am glad to have had this link to prepare me,  I have 3 drains.  If anyone needs an awesome DIEP doctor mine is in Gainesville, FL.  He is the best!!! 

@afield I have no insight on the breast pain since I have not had a DIEP yet, but do have an idea on a sleep aid = have you tried OTC Benedryl? After I had my BSO in December 2010, I was having trouble sleeping along with awful hot flashes. I bought a Chillow to counteract the heat, and it was my Oncologist who suggested the Benedryl. It worked like a charm when I was restless. I didn't overuse it, and once I was able to start exercising again, did not need a sleep aid. Just a thought.

6 more days until I meet with the BS who will hopefully agree to a PBX of my "good" breast. If yes, I will then be able to secure a date for that and the bilat. DIEP.  ^^^fists up^^^

~Lori

Dee, I agree about the flat tummy... my measurements didn't change much, but my shape surely did!  I have not tried on jeans yet, but I'm curious to see how they will fit.  They pulled my c-section scars up too and I only have one incision.  One looooong incision 

I am mostly sleeping on either of my sides, ps said it was okay now, and I just couldn't do the wedge pillow one more night... I'm glad it's working for you though!

You are not having ANY breast pain?  Funny how much it varies from person to person, my new tummy-filled breast HURTS!  I think we both had surgery on 2/28?  

Only 2 1/2 more weeks and I'll be back to work, I don't really feel ready to get up early, shower, make-up, get the kids to school etc but I guess by April 11 I will just have to be!  It's just a desk job, I just have been enjoying resting and no make-up, no rushing, not going anywhere...

Hi everyone. I had my DIEP yesterday in Seattle. Everything went really well - better than I expected. I'll be in ICU today and out to a regular room tomorrow beccause all is going so well. The Doppler will be traveling with me so they can continue to monitor the flap. I'm really tired and do feel like I've been hit by a truck but I'm really happy and the DIEP breast looks great.

Kathy / Everett

Kathy - yeah!  So glad things went and continue to go smoothly for you! 

 V - I think the intense sharp pains are nerve regeneration?

If I lived in Texas I'd go to NOLA. I had mine done in NYC but I live in NY. I'm a big cheerleader for DIEP or any FLAP surgery that works for you. Nothing can compare to using your own tissue but you have to have the right DR Team. Good luck to you.

What, specifically, is NOLA?

@treesprite WOW ! 1 day post-op and you're up to posting already ...that's great. I'm happy to read that all went well and your new breast looks great. So should I assume that you are able to see the whole flap - as in it's not bandaged? Also, just a quick question = how long was your surgery? The PS that I "hired" to do my bilat DIEP said 10 to 12 hours...yikes.

To all you gals with flat abdomens now - YEAH! That's what I'm hoping for also. ;-)

My thoughts on returning to work after this surgery for myself is - I'm not hurrying back too soon. I do not have a desk job, have to lift patients every day, wear lead gowns, up and down constantly...I'm not risking ruining two new breasts by going back to my normal routine before I'm ready to do so. I have short-term disability (that I pay into) from my place of employment that will help tide us over while I'm out of work. And there is no light duty where I work...so when I am able to go back, it will be all-or-nothing.

Also, where did you gals purchase these wedge pillows that have been mentioned? Maybe Target will have them? I am a total belly sleeper and it will just about kill me to have to sleep on my back, but maybe it will be more bearable with a wedge ??? We have a Bacalounger chair and a double-reclining loveseat in the living room that I guess I can crash on for the first few days until I can get into (and out of ) bed.

~L 

got the wedge pillow with soft terry cover at www.makemeheal.com

SAMayoFL - I can't help you on your surgical team. My team was in NYC. Some questions you can ask them are: do you just do FLAPS? (that is all my PS does, nothing else.) How many in the last year? (hopefully over 100) what is your Flap failure percentage? (no one is perfect but less tha 3% failure rate is very good) who did you train under and how long have you been doing flaps? What happens if the flap starts to fail.? (you want to know what the procedure will be if there are any complications. ) my PS offered me a list of patients to talk to who had the surgery with him. Do they use a CT angiogram to locate the blood vessels and arteries they'll use for the flaps blood source? This is a relatively new procedures which myPS says is critical to successful FLAP surgery and shortens the operating time. Ultimately you have to feel comfortable with your team. If you don't have confidence in them you are already starting off badly. I hope I was helpful. Good luck with your treatment.

I am currently going through TAC X6 (just had my 2nd) and will then have RADS.  I will probably finish everything around July.  I need to research and find a good PS here in Vegas - but want to do a DIEP afterwards.  Had a BMX in Jan.  

Thank you so much for your support, Susan.  I am also a Susan - here in Las Vegas.  I will definitely stay in touch!    xo

Susan