DIEP 2011

A co-worker from over 20 years ago found me via this forum! She is set to have DIEP towards the end of the year and had me over last night for some pre-stage 2 show & tell.

Maybe because I am older (54) and maybe because my boobs were quite droopy pre mx, but we both think my noob looks good! My noob stands at decent attention vs my boob which is heading south towards my waist! Maybe the lack of a nipple exaggerates the flat appearance? I never had perky boobs, so although I would prefer my originals, since that isn't possible, I like that my breasts will be more 'upstanding' as I age and I am looking forward to having full C's as opposed to DD's since I was a teenager.

Definitely do a search for images of implants vs. diep . . . look for photos that are similar to your body shape. Ask your PS to see photos of their work. Clearly state your expectations to your PS and ask if your expectations are realistic. How much belly fat will I be left with? Show me where my scar will be? Will my belly button look different? Draw a picture of where my scars will be.

Some cities have reconstruction support groups where women do show and tell - it is a great opportunity to see the real deal in person.

My pubic hair is higher than it used to be but my whole belly/pelvic region is so much flatter . . .I can FEEL my abdominal muscles! I have started waxing at home to keep things more aethesitically pleasing. When I sit down, my saddle bags are more noticeable to me because my tummy is flat and the saddle bags spread out! But, I also realize that no matter what shape/size/weight/fitness level, it is never good enough . .  . I am working hard at self acceptance.

Everyone says I look great and I definitely look trimmer from the front and side views and my pants fit better . . .I am wearing a pant size down due to tummy fat being gone especially now that the swelling is gone.

I am going to tell my PS when I see him Wednesday for stage 2: "Feel free to take as much fat away as you want . . don't be shy, and do your best work to create the best aethestic outcome for me with what you have to work with." I always feel better saying it straight out even though I know that is their job and they are likely perfectionists anyway! 

Sohardbnme: So we'll be in surgery on Wednesday . . although yours will the biggee! I think it will be our lucky day!

As the months have gone by, I have gotten used to the changes in my body and have made peace with most of them . . .my tummy scar is very purple and pretty wide and my belly button is funky, but I love them both anyway, I am trying not to waste too much time worrying about it. 

It would be much harder to be younger and having to come to terms with such drastic changes to your body, so I don't want to diminish how anyone is feeling, nomatter what. 

Good luck to those having surgery this week

Sohard thanks for asking those questions as I have thought of those as well

Suz and others thanks for answering the questions.

Kay, you are going to do great.  The nurses are trained to take care of breast reconstruction patients and you will find that they are warm and caring.  One of the nurses who cared for me actually had DIEP flap surgery 4 years ago. The pain meds they give you keep you comfortable. My biggest and best tip comes from my DH.  Be sure you use your hospital bed to your advantage when you get in and out the bed.  I can't wait to hear from you on the other side!!!

Susan

@sohardbnme - I am almost 8 weeks out from Stage I. To answer some of your questions:  Stomach is smooth and flat. Waistline is awesome. New navel is small, shallow and in the same place where the old one was. I have good cleavage in my new small perkies but they are shaped like the top half of a hamburger bun, round and flat. And will need some shaping and filling in Stage 2 to make them more symmetrical. They are mostly hard but slowly continue to soften. The round circles where my areolas and nipples will eventually be are a little freaky weird to look at but I'm hoping that will be improved in Stage 2 & 2B. I lost 10 lbs since the day of surgery and had lost another 10 lbs pre-surgery. So most of my clothes are too big now. My tummy scar is long across but very low which is good, plus no dog ears or muffin top. I love that my noobs are warm, all natural and all me. I wish you all the best with your surgery and a smooth easy recovery.  It's definitely do-able. Good Luck to you!

Thanks all, for your responses... I appreciate all of the support...

God is Merciful...

@Susan - I guess 'hard' isn't the correct description because my noobs are soft and do squish and jiggle but they are just so compact and tight. They are barely A cups now when I've been used to DDs that bounced, swayed and hung. These A cups don't go anywhere. LOL I expect to get more fill at Stage 2. 

Hi Ladies: I was telling DH this morning that I looked skinny in the mornings and fat in the evening. He said that things just settle by evening, The places on my noob has finally closed, and the two places on my tummy incision has closed also, but I still have to wear gauze on it because it is in a place where all my waist bands rubs it and makes it tender. I tried on a size 12 the other day and it fit. It was made out of clingy material and really hugged every curve, so I decided to stick with the size 14 until maybe after stage 2 when my love handles and dog ears will have gotten some attention.I was told not to put any type on ointment on my incisions because it would melt the glue and cause the incisions to open.I have not start using the scar cream,because it is expensive and I will just wait until after stage 2. My stomach is not as flat as it was in the beginning,but is acceptable. It seems to be a little bit lopsided. My stage 2 consult is on Sept. 6th. I will find out then what he will be able to do to contour me more. I hope that he will be able to take some back fat and thigh fat. I sometimes think that I worry about things that are not important, as far as my appearance goes. When people see me they really think that I look fantastic. I imagine I do from where I have come. I have gone from a size 18 to a 12.

Everyone that is coming up for surgery: Be Blessed!

Hi All,

A friend bought me a recliner chair today... I was wondering if anyone had a

problem with the lever... Did some of you find the recliner better than the

bed... I place recliner by bed, it is lower...



I do not think there is anything else for me to do, in regards

to surgery preparation... Uuuggghhh...



I am praying for everyone... Ladies who

is experiencing difficulty with recovery, I hope your wounds

heal and all pain abates SOON...

Susan...

I will tell you that having hard breasts is uncomfortable... I asked my docs when the feeling that I was carrying around a bowling ball on my chest would go away and they said 3-4 weeks... Thay heaviness has improved a lot, but I am far from squishy... No squishing here.

And yes port came out on Thursday by the surgeon who put it in.. can't say 100% that fver was due to port, but certainly looks that way... so now I have a dual problem... port is out, but caused a blood clot, so I am now on blood thinners... AND my right breast has a 2 inch open wound that is draining gooey surgical fluid that is also bleeding a bit (prob old blood mostly, but bleeding breast and blood thinners are not a good combination.

Today is the day.  I took the magnesium citrate but it didn't work as intended but gave me a severe headache.....

Took my 10 minute shower with hybeclens & then took the fleet enema, it worked just fine. 

Since the mc didn't work as intended, I am going to take the other fleet enema & shower one more time. 

Then it's off to the hospital to arrive at 5.30 am.

Thanks in advance for your suppot & prayers.  I will update as soon as I am able.

Thanks again. NJ

Hi Ladies! I recognize some of you from other forums. I am not scheduled for my BMX until sometime in December, but was hoping I could benefit from some of the research you ladies have already done. Did any of you ladies have radiation, and what do you think of the results of your DIEP? I have an appointment with a plastic surgeon Wednesday who only does implants, and would like to make an appointment at Hospital of Univ. of Pennsylavania with a DIEP surgeon.

I had BiLat Mast with tissue expanders. The TE failed due to extensive skin necrosis, had both TE removed. 

Then I had nothing, that was very unaccpetable to me.

Now having had the DIEP I feel good,  so glad the hole from lymph node removal is filled in and no more sagging:)

I didn't think any of this would be easy but my expectations were for a better results. HOW DO I ACCESS PHOTOS ON THIS FORUM?

Met with PS regarding fat grafting, lipo for symetry and contour any divets in the upper chest area.   i FORGOT TO ASK  - HOW TO ACHIEVE A BIT MORE PROJECTION? 

Scheduled for Stage 2 next month!

Betsy, sorry you're experiencing all that.  I hope you are doing better today.  Sending good thoughts your way.

Norma Jean, Hope everything went well.  Sending good thoughts to you too.  Can't wait to hear how you're doing.  I am scheduled for Wed., not sure what time yet. 

Alexanj, so sorry for your outcome too.  Is it possible it will get softer for you?  Are you still happy you went the DIEP route? 

Southampton Mom, I am scheduled for DIEP at HUP on Wed. with Dr. Wu and Dr. Tchou.  Will let you know how it goes.  I have to get radiation after, just finished chemo 3 weeks ago today and had my 5th Herceptin today.  Dr. Wu told me there was really no choice but DIEP since I had to get radiation after.  I am not sure if implants would be an option in delayed reconstruction or not, but she said there was a 60% chance of failure if I opted for implants and then had radiation. 

Thanks to everyone for their prayers and good thoughts and wishes.  This is such a wonderful thread.  I feel really lucky to  have found it.

Hello everyone, just checking in...l have had terrible neck pain that has finally gotten better in the past 2 weeks.  This is another side effect of sleeping on your back for so long. 

Im so glad everyone is recovering well and just keep positive and meditate for the ones waiting for surgery. BIG HUGS!!

Betsy, gosh, I am so upset for you.  I thought about you all day today.  You are right, a blood thinner and an open wound seems like a bad combination.  I am sending up a special healing prayer for you right now.  I hope things turn around quickly and you are healed in no time at all.  Just remember, anything that needs to be tweaked or softened up can be done during stage 2.  This is not a permanent setback, just a bump in your road!

C8ndy, I am really envious.  I posted this earlier but the first time I met my PS was the day before surgery.  He was marking me up and squeezing my belly fat and saying, "WOW I have plenty of beautiful belly fat to work with here.  I can make you any size you want to be!"  It was quite humiliating as my husband was sitting in the chair beside me falling out laughing.  I am really not all that big but for some reason chemo and Femara had really made my tummy fat multiply!  Oh well, it's all gone now.  Well, not gone, just relocated.

I am still doing well.  Now I am obsessing about my breasts being squishy.  I woke up last night to go to the bathroom and checked them in the middle of the night to make sure they had not gotten hard and yes, I was totally aware of what I was doing!!  Good grief.  I will be so happy to think about something other than my boobs!

I am 12 days out today.  Last night my DH was helping me strip my drain tube and put the Bactroban on the places I can't reach.  He was complimenting me on how flat my tummy looks and how hot my noobs are.  I could see exactly where things were going!!  I told him NO NO NO!!!!  Get that thing away from me.  Don't even think we are going to try that 11 days after surgery!!!!  I love him but . . . NO!!!!!

Norma Jean, I expect you are resting peacefully right now.  That sleep after anesthesia was awesome!!!   Tomorrow, you will believe a bus ran over you in the middle of the night.  Hang in there.  I promise you will feel better before you know it!  It will be so worth every single pain you went through to reach the other side!

Susan