No reconstruction- Happy w/your decision?

Tina,

Thank you for the information about your recovery process.  I can ask my PS about stretching.  He wasn't going to stitch the muscle back together, but I told him It just sounded more secure to sew things back together, he said he could if I really wanted him to.  He doesn't think I need to stay overnight in the hospital.  He likes to send people home if he can, as they are usually more comfortable there. I hope I will feel ok enough to go home.  But I can stay if I need to.

i am supposed to have deconstruction in two days (friday 17 june)and last week i caught a cold (friday10 june) does anyone know if that would interfere with my recovery or surgery. what is the pain like after surgery? if i dont have the surgery this friday i will have to wait 2 weeks and i want it over already!. any advice? thanks

Faith, it sounds like your surgeon is attentive to your concerns. Being in your own home and bed can be comforting, but the ability to stay overnight if needed is a good thing. Make sure they give you prescription pain meds. The whole procedure may leave you rather sore. I assume you'll have drains, too. 

I too had too many surgeries and things during the first year and a half. I postponed until about two years after. I did have some complications and several more surgeries to repair.

I did not do for cosmetic reasons but for other more unexpected feelings. I found that having the weight and feel of my chest back helped me to forget. Also after bilateral with no fat or skin on chest it was always having to wear something so clothes wouldn't sag or gap open. I swim and bathing suit was a pain etc.

Then after several more years I had the nipple tattoos. Really had to brace myself for these things. Resent the invasion after so much time has passed. The outcome is not beautiful, nor would I pose for any calendar but it looks Ok and once again helps me forget. When i step out of shower and catch a glimpse in mirror it doesn't remind me anymore.

Not vanity but jsut wanting to put it behind...move on.

hi just wanted to let you all know that i am feeling much better cold almost gone (tons of zinc, and vit c). my surgery is tomorrow at 4 pm i am actually excited because it is finally HERE!!!! i will let you all know how it goes. i am so much more at peace about my decision mostly cause i had a dream that i looked at my new body and said that;s not as bad as i thought. sooo talk to ya all soon, i hope:)

hi all i just got back home from the "deconstruction." and honestly i feel much better than i expected. mostly a little bit sore and tired. Today i saw the scars a bit but they didnt unset me like i thought they would. I have two drains but so far no problems except where to put them? i looked at myself flat in clothers and its not soo bad i look kindaa cute and thin. i am so glad i made this decision . thanks for all your support.

Shippy, I wore a short sleeved hoodie and put them in the pockets. Congrats!!!

hi all, i am now 4 days post deconstruction and have a few questions. How soon after surgery were you allowed to walk. i am an active person and this sitting inside all day is driving me crazy!!! did any of you have burning sensation at the drain site on chest? what can i wear to go outside that covers my drains but isnt a tent!. i am feeling really impatient to get back to normal and wonder what your suggestions are. thanks!!!!

Barbe's hoodie trick works well, and I mentioned tucking the tubing inside stretchy workout pants or a skirt with an elastic waist. I would pin the drain bulbs to the inside of a button front shirt. Yeah, those drains are uncomfortable. As long as the drain site doesn't become red and inflamed or you develop a fever, you should be fine. Walking is actually good for you, as long as you don't overdo it. If you can walk around the block or just up and down your street a few times a day, you will probably feel much better. I got all gung ho and walked 5 miles a few days in a row and that increased my drain output. I backed off a bit and the output went down. They're a pain, but drains are your friend! I think you are now four or five days post surgery? The first week is definitely the hardest, and you should be feeling much better soon.

I have allergies to drains, ports, and sutures, but even after meeting surgeons and being a case study - I still said NO.  even telling me I would feel off balance - never happened... i was back to normal activities in 5 days, drove in 3, and docs just could not keep me down. Sports bras worked great and did long mens tshirts at home pinned up to hold drains. I forget the fake boob often and one of my critters stole it - thought it was a new toy!!! LIFTING is still a problem so I have the guys help me at work.

shippy41,

Glad you're still happy with your chest -- that's the most important thing for the long run. As far as activity and drains, sounds as if you should let your body be your guide. Clearly too much walking isn't good for you right now. I would do what feels comfortable regarding housework, but watch the drain output closely. Lifting a heavy laundry basket or heavy pots doesn't seem like a great idea to me.

The sooner you can get rid of the drains, the better you'll feel. As I understand it, if you're putting too much strain on the surgical site (that's trying to heal), the fluid output will increase. 40cc isn't too bad, so hopefully your output will decrease in the next few days and you'll be able to get the drains out soon. 

Shippy, you'll want to start moving your arms to get your range of motion back. Not lifting things, but crawl your fingers up the wall until you feel a tug and then stop. Do it every day and you'll see improvement. It's good to get the fluid out of you. If you laid in bed for a week, then got the drains out and started to move, your body wouldn't be able to handle the amount of fluid that would build up! Your nurse was wrong. Your output is low. I was still putting out about 100 cc a week after surgery, so you're doing great!!

Don't be afraid to move your arms or it will be harder when you do start.

thanks so much for asking you are all so nice and supportive. the plastic surgeon is going to remove the drains this wednesday. he said i can walk as long as i dont swing my arms. he said the more i move the arms the more the pectoral muscles will rub and cause scarring. he said not to do much at all. so i am reading lots, walking with my arms to the side and not using the computer ( lol) any suggestions on what not to do to not use the pectoral muscles.

tonight i am going out for the first time since surgery its my son's birthday (22!!!) and i cant wait . life is good:)

Hi Norma June,

You've really been through a lot and I'm sorry you've been plagued with cellulitis--that must be very scary. Do you have any lymphedema? If not, do your doctors believe the infections are a result of radiation damage?

I'm just wondering why having a DIEP will reduce the risk of infection? By getting rid of most of the radiated skin? Have you continued having infections even after you had the hyperbaric oxygen treatments? 

I can certainly understand that you would like to have the DIEP reconstruction even though you were happy being flat. I'm just a little confused as to how the DIEP will lessen the risk of infection. 

I'm glad you're at peace with your decision (a little nervousness is understandable!). I hope you wind up with a beautiful reconstruction and are able to eliminate the infection risk.

Barbara 

hey, snippy...I've been gone for a few weeks from here, but just in case it's helpful, my doc had me wear a ribbon around my neck (like a necklace) and pin my drain bulbs to that....kept them from dragging/hanging and pulling.  I kept an extra one for showers, so I always had a dry one handy.  Worked great for me.

As for the clothes, I'm 1.5 yrs past my BMX (no reconst) and I don't wear my forms, but I haven't thrown out any of my old clothes yet....just in case.  There are many things I don't wear, but I'm holding on to them - just in case.  I, like the others, have found things that work for me.....I love to wear scarves and have found them to "hide" me just a bit (or at least draw the eye away)...I've even found lower necklines to do well (unless they're TOO low, which then goes to a flat chest top)...

I don't have the fat ridge, either, and had no lipo, and no PS.  So, it just must be for "special ladies"  

 When I've worn my forms, it flares up my lymphedema, which happens to be in my armpits and back of the armpit area....where I can't do much about it    ugh.  I have a sleeve and gaunlet, just in case it ever becomes worse, but haven't needed them thus far.  I've gotten the most relief from massages from a specialist who works with cancer patients - she also does cranial-sacral massage, too. 

Anyway, lotsa luck and blessings to all...robin