DIEP 2011

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  • Snobird
    Snobird Member Posts: 593
    edited April 2011

    To all you gals on the road to DIEP I am wishing you all an uneventful surgery and a fast recovery. Try not to be too nervous. I got less and less nervous the closer I got to the surgery. I'm glad I only had 2 weeks of agony before I went. Once I commited to the surgery I was so over being nervous and just wanted to "get R done". It's great being on the other side.

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  • BreakingBad
    BreakingBad Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2011

    SAMayoFL:

    I am currently 4 weeks out and yesterday I took my 14 year old daughter to the mall to buy some things for spring. It was totally fine! At 2 weeks I was driving (but with the seatbelt tucked under my arm) and definitely moving around and doing things and activities at 3 weeks. Not to make it sound like a cakewalk, because it is hard but it probably won't be as bad as you think. The worst was the first week, but you will be well taken care of. Just to give you some perspective, I am not the type of person to push myself at all or scoff at doctors orders! You can do this!

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2011

    Breaking Bad... I love your call name btw... you a fan of the show?? Or is there another source?

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  • XRAYestInMA
    XRAYestInMA Member Posts: 132
    edited April 2011
    @SAMayoFL Susan...Being 6.3 weeks away from a DIEP, I, too, appreciate your questions as well as the answers that all the ladies are coming up with. I want to be prepared as best as I can be going into this. While the right MX and SNB that I had many years ago was no walk in the park, I KNOW that this upcoming sx will be much more involved. Like you, I am taking this time prior to the big day to educate myself, and prepare my body and mind for what is sure to be one of the biggest events of my surgical life. Wink
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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2011

    We can hope its the biggest surgical event of our lives, right?

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  • BreakingBad
    BreakingBad Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2011

    Bdavis: Hi! I just love the show and can't wait for season 4!

    SamayoFL: I just thought of something else regarding the roll I had above the belly button line. Like I said, my plastic surgeon took the initiative to remove it, but made it clear to me after that this was an extra thing she did for me. I'm so glad to have a plastic surgeon thinking for me! If I were you, I would specifically ask to have that removed as well.

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  • BreakingBad
    BreakingBad Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2011

    By the way, I have my original belly button. They just took it off and reattached it higher up. If you have ever seen someone with a really "flat" belly button (almost like an out-ie but stretched) that's what it looks like now. I used to have an inn-ie, now it's an out-ie but it is still the original.

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  • ladym13
    ladym13 Member Posts: 251
    edited April 2011

    I too appreciate all the info that I am getting on here, I am 7 and a half weeks away and I'm so nervous, funny enough though, I'm not nervous about the recovery or pain, I am nervous about the results. I desperatly want to feel normal again and I am praying that my new breast looks good. I have a question, for those of you that had delayed DIEP, was the original scar on the top of the new breast and if so does it look terrible with that scar there?

    eeeeek I am on the countdown already...lol

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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited April 2011

    Hey LadyM, obviously I can't answer your question but was going to let you know I am in the same situation.  I had a rt mx with no reconstruction.  Then found out I am BRCA+ so I am facing a left mx.  My plan is to reconstruct both sides at the same time.  You are on the coundtdown!

    Mspradley, how are you doing?  Are both of your sides healing?  Are you having a lot of pain?

    Breaking, thanks for the information and I will add that to my list.  Dr. Kline said it is his hope that when I leave his office I will feel better about my body than I did before cancer.  If he gets rid of this spare tire for me, I will be thrilled to death! 

    Susan

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited April 2011

    I had delayed DIEP, one side only; they used the incisions that were there from my skin sparing MX, no scars/incisions above the aerola. My PS inserted a circle of my tummy skin to set up for a future nipple & aerola tattoo and then a straight line incision directly down from the circle, so kind of like a lollipop shape, if that makes sense.

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  • 2lkh538
    2lkh538 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2011

    @mspradley... WOW, you have really had a tough time! I finished my treatments last May so I had almost a year to rebuild my body and immune system. That probably has alot to do with why I have been healing so quickly.

    I am wearing skirts and vests or sweaters over by top to cover the mounds of dough. I too look like I have a tight-fitting sports bra on. I went back to work for a couple of hours today and of course, everyone was curious. I told them to just remember that I am a work in progress.

    When I had my MX, I sprung leaks so I would put a diagonal corner cut into a couple of 3x3 pads and tape them down. They fit around the tube that way and prevent me from ruining my clothes. I also used panty liners, end to end, in my bra to catch the ooze from the incisions.

    I have heard from some other folks and it seems our "frankenboobs" are pretty normal for stage one. Apparently, the more they try to shape them during the initial transplant, the higher the risk of flap failure. I sure do hope I get those cantaloupes in the end:)

    I sure hope you quit springing leaks soon and can get on with a "normal" life soon.

    Linda

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  • NotAfraid
    NotAfraid Member Posts: 218
    edited April 2011

    My incisions/scars are large rounds with tubby skin inserted.  I don't have "sticks" to my "lollupops".  What cracks me up is that I have peach fuzz hair on my inserts.  I have fuzzy nipples now.  I think electrolosis may be in order!

    I'm feeling slightly better, but I certainly don't have the same level os superwoman syndrom I had last week.  I'm just listening to my body and taking it easy while I continue healing.  I do have some hard spots on my right breast where the edge of the flap would be.  I'm not sure what's going on there.  I see my Dr. next Thursday and will find out more.  I had such a scare post surgery and needing a second emergency surgery to add another vein, I'm probably over parinoid.  

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  • dsnydawn
    dsnydawn Member Posts: 175
    edited April 2011

    Great info!!  I am just learning about my options, after having a lumpectomy and now being told I'll need mx..I got very excited over the diep procedure and was wondering if anyone has used Dr. Robert Allen in NYC?  He seems to be the pioneer in the diep.  Well I spk with his staff today and they were so sweet and helpful.  At this point have to wait for appt w/ bs on monday to go over my pathology report from surgery to determine if I need immediate mx or can wait.  But Dr Allen is available end of may.. The weird thing was that I was very excited?! Is that strange?

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited April 2011

    dsnydawn: I was really excited when I got my surgery date! The nerves started when I was just under a month away and then calm, determination & resolve about a week before.

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  • MissSophieGrey
    MissSophieGrey Member Posts: 56
    edited April 2011
    2lkh538:  Do you know just how amazing your recovery is so far?!  Don't worry about the shape just yet.  Stage I is all about the flaps, Stage II is for shaping.  The DIEPs who had immediate skin-sparing reconstruction already had that breast shape, whereas yours needs a bid more tweaking.  Just be patient - come July or so, I'm sure you will be filling up those bras.     
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  • SAMayoFL
    SAMayoFL Member Posts: 958
    edited April 2011

    2lkh538, I am curious now.  Were both breasts delayed construction for you or just one?  I had a rt mx with no reconstruction.  No TE, no nothing.  Now I am looking at a left mx with immediate reconstruction and a delayed reconstruction for my right side.  Can you share more of your story?

    Susan

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  • mspradley
    mspradley Member Posts: 129
    edited April 2011

    Hi everyone! I am posting with my smartphone, so please forgive any spelling" corrections"! I have had a frustrating week (week 4 postop). I grew concerned about the sutures on my left side that were attached to skin that had been radiated and I still had a hip drain putting ou more than 60ml a day. On Tues. Dr. Robinson said I had an infection at the concerning sutures ans so he" removed the infected tissue, leaving a knuckle-sized hole that I have to pack. He also removed the drain, but warnned that I may need drainage by needle in a week. Well, don't think that will be necessary because my abdomen incision, which was all healed but the center 2 inches, has been leaking like crazy- and it is that same straw colored drainage yuck. But the good side is that while I am a walking bandage, I am in no pain at all. Dr. R did warn me that both the radiated skin and the year on Avastin might present some hurdles in my speed of healing.

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  • 2lkh538
    2lkh538 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2011

    Susan: Both breasts were removed Jan. 20, 2009. The left had a confirmed tumor, the right, at the time, was a "just in case". The pathology on the right showed several pre-cancerous growths, so it was a great decison for me. I had micro-mets to a lymphnode. So, I had 6 weeks of AC, 12 weeks of Taxotere and 40 weeks of Herceptin. I also had 33 radiation treatments to the left side.

    I think it might be beneficial that you still have one that they can use as a template so to speak. However, you will probably end up with different scars on each one, but that won't matter in clothes and should be minimally noticeable after a year or so.

    MissSophieGrey: I am learning that my recovery is truly a blessing. I feel bad to even think about complaining about anything:) I am really happy with the results as long as I know they will be made more breast like next go round! I got the card you sent...thank you. I hope we can get together soon.

    mspradley: I am SO terribly sorry you are having such a difficult time. I wonder... I know he doesn't suggest compression garments but since fluid collects where a space has been made, I wonder if they would help limit the fluid drainage anyway. Radiation and chemo take so much out of us in our ability to heal. I doubt I would have done well had I not waited a year. It wasn't smart on my part, just couldn't make a decision:)

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2011

    2lkh538

     I am curious about your rads even with a MX... I too had a micromet and was told no rads needed if I have MX... if I don't have MX, then I do need rads...How many nodes had MM? I only had one node with a .38mm cancer...Did you have one positive node and then also micromets?? I thought I read somewhere that if you have  MX, then you only need rads if you have like 2-4 or more nodes positive... I am seeing the RO in two weeks, so I want to have my questions in place.

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  • 2lkh538
    2lkh538 Member Posts: 48
    edited April 2011

    bdavis: Only one node, but tumor was large, Grade 3 and HER2+++. The oncologist said that because of the type of cancer and the fact that it had migrated, they wanted to hit it with everything. Also, when they went back in to take the rest of the lymphnodes, there were only 6 in the axillary so the thought was that the other nodes that could be affected were under the collarbone. The way it was explained: age(43) + type + size= hit it with everything and "hope" it doesnt come back. I had a mammogram in May of the year I was diagnosed and then found the lump in December and it had progressed that much. I hate to think what the outcome would have been had I not found it until the next year's mammogram.

    The standard of care is typically 2-4 nodes unless there are other mitigating factors. I just had the joy of having the other factors.

    Good Luck... I hope you don't have to have it... but it is doable and not as bad as chemo...

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2011

    2lkh538

    Thanks... that does make sense... My tumor was 1.9cm and grade 2+, her2 neg ... I guess its all part of the equation... I am 48 and would rather not have rads if I can avoid them, and will go for MX for many reasons, but skipping rads is part of the reasoning... plus history of ADH, pappailomma in cancer side, dense tissue, birad 3 on good side etc...

    My cancer didn't really show on mammo, I found it and then they did an US where it did show up... and have also had an MRI...  I have asked more than once if they could look at the mammo from 2009 and see if the calcifications they were following ended up being the cancer... Never got an answer on that one. But since I found my cancer, and have now had a lump, and 3 biopsies, I have so much scarring I don't even know whats me anymore and don't think I could ever do a reliable self exam again.

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  • louis13
    louis13 Member Posts: 333
    edited April 2011

     just a quick aside from topic ....on the subject of biopsy scarring...does anybody know if it ever goes away? how long does it complicate/confuse interpretation of mammograms or any other imaging? 

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  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited April 2011

    mspradley ~ sorry to hear about the hurdles.  I sure hope you have a speedy recovery!

    I'm 3 1/2 wks out and am frustrated.  I'm healing well but I can't believe how much I have to pace myself and how little I get done.  If I do too much my abdomen starts talking to me - ouch!  2lkh538, thanks for the reminder that chemo and rads can affect our ability to heal.  I needed to read that!!!!

    Question:  can anyone tell me what recovery was like from stage 2?  I don't see my PS til 5/17 and my DH and I are trying to make our summer plans.  I'm curious what you had done and how long recovery was.

    Hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!   ~  Daiva 

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  • treesprite
    treesprite Member Posts: 359
    edited April 2011

    I'm am also curious to hear more from those of you who have completed your stage 2; what did your doc do and how would you compare your before & after, plus how the recovery went.

    I had better get off the computer and get my eggs onto to boil!

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  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited April 2011

    Another question:  did anyone have restrictions about resuming sex after sx?  I can't imagine why one would, but just wondering.

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  • dee7493
    dee7493 Member Posts: 155
    edited April 2011

    X-raygirl and tresprite

    I am also looking forward to having Stage 2 and have many questions about options lipo, fat grafting  and recovery time.   Maybe we should start a new topic.

    no restrictions for sex but would say once you are well  healed.

    My Recon was March 2nd and it took until this week  to get my energy back.

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  • x-raygirl
    x-raygirl Member Posts: 373
    edited April 2011

    Go for it Dee! Glad your energy is back!

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited April 2011

    About scarring.. I can't say how it impacts a mammo/US/MRI, but with tissue removed and internal scars, I find it hard to do self exams... and don't know what feels "right."

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  • louis13
    louis13 Member Posts: 333
    edited April 2011

    thx, and sorry to be off topic, question just popped into head. i had heard it does complicate imaging- think scarring does reveal itself somewhat after a year or so, but just getting nervous about more of those false alarms followed by more of those painful biopsies and wondered if others had experience with this 

    Rosemary 

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  • ladym13
    ladym13 Member Posts: 251
    edited April 2011

    Since we are on the topic of sex...how long is the recovery before you can resume sex? So curious about that.

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