DIEP 2011
Comments
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Betsy - Mentally - I'm ready. I wasn't until about week 10 or so - but I am now. I can think about it and I'm looking forward to it. Physically. I do still have swelling that I don't think you have as I have read your posts that you don't. The area from above my incision to under my breasts is swollen still. I'm 3 months out today. I don't know if this is related to the fact I got my drains out so early - I don't think so since I didn't have a drain in that region. Or if it is just me. All of my other swelling is gone though. Breasts are no longer swollen at all and are in good shape and I'm ready for some projection (kind of that flat hamburger bun look I have read others have). No bruising or anything and the scars are starting to lighten. You seem to be a good, quick healer and I bet you won't have a problem with your 12/16 week Stage 2 at all!
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Hey Laura, are you able to wear your jeans yet? You and I seem to have the same problem with the swelling. I swell, particularly in the afternoon, above my belly button to under my breasts. Sometimes, I almost look pregnant. Really round but up high, not down low. Also, has your shape changed as far as feeling like you are wider than you used to be? To me, I look wider with more excess on my sides than there used to be. I wore a pair of shorts to SC. I can not even button those shorts now although I have lost 14 pounds since surgery. I am so sick of wearing dresses!! I dream of wearing my pants and jeans again. Oh well, stage 2 is in November. I guess that is the longest I will have to wait!
Susan
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Hi Laura... I WAS Dec 16, but am now Nov 14... thats why I'm asking... My butt/hips are totally fine... My abs are not swollen at all and healing well... my breasts are still quite swollen, so I worry that at 12 weeks, they will still be swollen and Dr D will have trouble with shape and projection... even my left breast which is 8 weeks post op now is swollen and quite firm. How were your breasts at 8 weeks? Do you remember? You say they are not swollen now.. did that happen recently??
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Hey Betsy, I am 5 weeks post DIEP today and I don't think I have any swelling in my breast area. However, your breast has definitely been through more than mine. My stage 2 is almost exactly 3 months from my stage 1. Just out of curiosity, are you able to wear pants at all?
Susan
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Susan.. I still have 2 drains, so I need to wear loose clothing. My left breast (8 weeks post op) is still somewhat swollen and definitely firm... My right breast (3 weeks post op) is much more swollen and firmer... You have said all along that you were soft... did you have skin sparing?? The part of my right breast that has abdominal skin is just like a normal breast, no swelling and very soft... which makes me think all the swelling and firmness is related to my MX... opinions?
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Hi Ladies,
I'm 3 months post DIEP today and I feel fantastic, totally back to normal.
Susan, I have a little swelling, but it's only in one small area under my belly incision. I have been able to wear jeans no problem since about 4 weeks out.
My DIEP boob is still a little hard and 2 sizes smaller than my natural one, but that will be fixed in stage 2 when I have a small implant put in and the natural side lifted. I don't have a date yet for stage 2.
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My surgery was on Tuesday (then I had a second surgery to add another vein on the left on Wednesday) and I was home on Saturday....so 5 nights. I had a private room at Ronald Regan. I went there shortly after waking up from surgery.
God, that seems like a LONG time ago! It was March 29th.
I posted over on the Stage 2 thread, but I'm going back in for a final round of fat grafting )probably mid-November). This will be the 2rd Stage 2 for me. I also am going to schedule tats before then. I'm waiting to hear back from the tattoo artist. Almost done!
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SAMayoFL - I can wear my jeans now!! At about 10 weeks it happened. I could wear them and they were great. Actually helped the swelling that was remaining to go down more. I am so glad to be done with my sundresses and loose skirts. Good thing too because the high today in Denver was 55 - I would have froze! But I still have swelling and it is exactly as you described. Round and up high. I have resigned myself to the fact that it will not be until Stage 2 that this can be fixed. I have one more month. I don't think I have that wide feeling that you are describing. I did at one time definitely - and probably at about 5 weeks like you are now. But I don't feel that way any longer.
Betsy - I don't remember exactly when my breast swelling went down but it was somewhere around 8 weeks or 9 weeks. They both still feel like bean bags sewed on my chest but they are not swollen any longer (I guess this is my new normal - just have to get used to it). Both breasts have definitely decreased in size since the swelling went down. So much so that at this point I'm hoping to add a little more projection at Stage 2 (at least so they stick out more than the swollen area below it).
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bdavis-In the last month I have had more pain than I was having before. I go back to the pain Dr. on Oct 7th and I am sure he will adjust my medication. Went to the PS today and in the last three months I have only gain 1 freaking pound. I am snacking all the time. He said at this rate I can have my surgery in 2020. He said he wants me to drink milk shakes every night. He also said that he does not want to do NSSM on me because my areola/nipple was so damaged during rads and has lots of scar tissue that he cannot save it. So I said take em both I want to be the same on both sides. He measured me again and said I do not have enough fat anywhere to be able to use other than my belly. He said the positive thing is that if I were to get a recurrance before I gain the needed weight there is enough belly fat for him to reconstruct one breast so if we had to rush and do a unimx for some reason at least I know I can do that. So I'm thinking positive and no recurrances and lots of milk shakes.
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Laura..Thanks for the description... I hope that in another week or two I will have a better idea about swelling... Since my breasts are 5 weeks apart, I am not worries about the left breast, just a little worried about the right being ready for stage II at 12 weeks... Dr Dellacroce says its fine, so I hope ... have my toes and fingers crossed..
So no answers on my lifting question... 10 pound limit for 4 weeks, right? And why is this? I know I have inadvertantly lifted some stuff... what bad things does it do?
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KatheW, A month after my exchange surgery I developed Axillary Web Syndrome with cording. Id had a prophylactic sentinel node biopsy with my prophylactic MX. Dont know why I ever agreed to that! Anyhow, the cording and AWS evolved into LE, which was only measurable in my hand -- mainly thumb. For 6 months I wrapped, etc 24/7. I really had the sense that it was related to the scar tissue and adhesions that I could feel were all around the implant and tugging on my muscle up into the axilla and causing what I thought was a mechanical obstruction.Sure enough, after all that crap came out, the LE almost entirely ( not quite-- but no more wrapping or anything) went away. I literally woke up from surgery with it gone!
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Notafraid - -How did they do that? I mean, get another vein and put it in there?? Did you have to go under anesthesia for a long time? When were your stage1 and stage 2 surgeries? Sorry if you have to repeat posted info here; I am not sure of your history. How did your first stage 2 surgery go and why another stage 2 surgery? How long was your stage 2 surgery?
Jerusha -- So great that LE is gone! Is the AWS on both sides?? Was it also resolved with DIEP? Did you have SNB or dissection on the cancer side? After my lumpectomy/dissection, the cording started in my upper arm-axilla-chest. After the MX, the cording went down into my hand. My physical therapist was able to release the tension to my hand after several weekss of intense massaging. So far no LE. I am worried what more trauma to this area will do.
Betsy -- Can you take the drains out today?? HOw long was your hip flap surgery? Did they add DIEP flaps to both sides or just one?
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Betsy how is your healing going?
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Betsy - tell me about hip flaps - had not heard about those... i had a UMX with failed TE - so now am doing a DIEP recon. but i really thought about doing a UMX on the other breast b/c i would not be able to 'harvest' from the belly area again if BC turned up in the 'good' breast... I am really, really trying to avoid harvesting anyplace where muscle is sacrificed.. but the hips??? tell me more...
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KatheW The additional vein came out of my upper arm and below my shoulder. So, I have an additional set of scars on my arm. Each is about 2 inches. My left flap wasn't getting enough blood (my veins are larger on my right then they are on my left side) so my PS added an additional vein. That surgery was unplanned and lasted maybe 3 hours. My Stage 1 was March 29th, Stage 2a was July 11th and Stage 2b was August 29th. My Stage 2c will probably be sometime in November. Dr. F is a perfectionist and I didn't have a whole lot of fat to work with. I was a C/DD (right/left) before surgery and now I'm somewhere between a B and a C. The right side )the side of the previous lumpectomy) needed more fill-in. I developed a pretty large dent above my foob on the right. Stage 2B was mostly to get that filled in and do some more contouring. The right is still needs a bit more fat grafting to match the left, so that's why there will be a 3rd surgery. Stage 2c ( and 2c) are hour long surgeries. Stage 2a was 4 hours, but I also had a endemetrial ablation, removal of fibroids and springs put into my fallopian tubes, so that added another 1-2 hours. Recovery time from Stage 2 has been easy as far as pain is concerned. I was off 3 days following 2A. However, I didn't do as well with the anesthesia after 2B and that was a big PITA (and kept me out of work for 5 days). I also developed a Yeast Infection & UTI that also made me feel like crap (thank you antibiotics). I am a dog walker for a living and my job is very physical and I do a lot of driving, so I have to be drug and pain free to go back to work.
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Kathe and V... I had a bilateral MX in July and they did hip flaps (scars are kind of centered on my butt) so its basically a bit of love handle, and butt fat, no muscle.. and a super easy recovery I have had zero pain... But then, I had a problem with my right breast (incision opened and was losing fat) so I went back to surgeon and had a wound surgery and a week later had a DIEP surgery to rebuild the right side only. The BMX and Hip flap surgery was long... maybe 8 or 10 hours?? but some time was spent trying to get my port out (maybe 30 minutes) Plus when they use the back side, they have to flip you, so it is longer than DIEP. I went to New Orleans for the surgery... they have done a lot of hip flaps and I think actually were the first to do them. At stage II they will do a butt lift and move the lower butt fat into the void that I have and contour the whole area.
And Kathe I still have my drains... waiting for the doctor's office to call...
And Sherry... healing well, and feeling good!!
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Notafraid--Sorry I don't know much about stage 2, but is it all fat grafting via liposuction? Are you thin all over, and, if so, where did they take the fat??
Betsy -- As to lifting, I think you could tear some newly mended tissue if you strain yourself lifting something too heavy. But maybe 10+ pounds is not heavy for you and is therefore okay. I had to get on with life quickly after my MX; I'm sure I lifted laundry baskets and grocery bags that were heavier than 10 pounds within 4 weeks of the surgery! Do take it easy; you don't want to undo any of that nice healing you have accomplished.
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Yes, perhaps... I was wondering if it could damage the flap or form fat necrosis... those would be my worries... so I avoid all things heavy, so occassionally I move something and think OOPS.
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Betsy--Your question makes me wonder: can fat necrosis be prevented? Until now I assumed you--as a patient-- couldn't prevent it from happening, even if you never lifted a finger.
To those who are finished with all stages of DIEP: When do you finally go about your life and just forget your noobs are there, i.e., stop avoiding activities that might lead to noob damage?
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Hey Betsy, my surgeon is super-strict as far as lifting and all that. I think I also told you before that he is the opposite of most of the stories I have read on binders and bras. He said I can not lift anything, put my elbows higher than my head, sleep on my side or go withouth my surgical bra for eight weeks. His reasoning was that the blood vessels that supply life to your flaps are very delicate and he really just wants to be careful for those first 8 weeks (which is a long flipping time). At six weeks out, I am sure I have lifted more than 10 pounds but I really do try to be careful and aware of what I am lifting. I take laundry in multiple small loads, carry in groceries in small loads, etc. Also, my PS doesn't want you to wear an ab binder, which he feels could restrict blood flow but I have been wearing a surgical bra for 6 weeks. The first 4 weeks I even had to wear it in the shower. After that, I wear it 24/7 except in the shower. I will be pretty happy when I can take it off in 2 more weeks!
My left side was a radical mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I chose not to have skin sparing or nipple sparing because that was what had already been done to my right side. The immediate side is a tad bit smaller than the delayed side but still soft. I really hope you are not beating yourself up that maybe something you lifted caused the firmness. I don't believe that at all. I think that during stage 2 they can fix the firmness. Somehow, they go in a break up any necrosis and scar tissue and that will fix the problem.
Laura, I don't know if they can fix my swelling during stage 2 or not. It is awfully firm and tight. I keep hoping it will go away before then!
I wore pants for the first time today!! I still can't button them so I wrapped a rubberband around the button, poked it through the button hole and then rewrapped it around the button. That held my pants together for the day. Hooray!! At least I didn't have to wear a dang dress again today!
One year ago today I was diagnosed. I still remember the words, "You have cancer." It's hard for me to believe a whole year has passed. I have been through surgery, chemo and more surgery. It hasn't all been bad though. I have found many blessings through the hard times.
Susan
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Susan... You have explained a lot... When you came out of surgery and said you were soft and squishy I just couldn't understand... Now that I know you are not skin sparing it makes sense. When they re-did my right breast and had to use some ab skin, that portion is just like a regular breast, warm, soft and normal... the rest is still quite firm, but softening... I am not thinking I caused firmness, just wondering what happens if you do lift.. I have been so good, with only a few OOPS moments, but I carry laundry without the basket in small doses, carry groceries that have 2 items per bag, one bag at a time, hired a cleaning lady etc...
On a better note, I still have my drains, but wore capris today, not yoga pants... Yesterday I went to Kohls and bought thinner compression shorts and are much more comfortable, until I have to use the bathroom (the black crotchless DOM is indeed good for that. I think the drains wil come out tomorrow... just didn't hear back from the doctor today.
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Betsy, I swear we are all going to do a happy dance for you tomorrow when those drain tubes come out!!! Keep us posted!
Susan
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KatheW - all of the fat grafting is done via lipo. I'm not totally thin - I'd like to be thinner! but they don't take fat from all over - just the belly and hips. I still have what I consider as PLENTY of fat to take from!
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Kathe... My doctor will lipo love handles, back fat, upper belly, outer thighs, inner thighs and knees if I want... anything below the clavicle.
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Susan-- Congratulations on getting through a long year of treatment and reconstruction; you have been through a lot, but you also aknowledge your blessings. Your attitude is awesome!
Notafraid -- Are 3 stage 2 operations typical? Did you notice a post op pain difference in the different donation sites?
Betsy -- Have you thought about where you want the lipo done?
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Susan, congrats on your one year anniversary! That is wonderful. Thanks for all your posts and information you give on this thread. I find it really helpful.
What I am puzzled about now, is that just over 4 weeks (4 weeks and 2 days), my abdomen is pretty much normal. I don't have pain there. I only have tightness after being pretty active. What is really taking a long time to get back to normal is my arm. I had a level II lymph node dissection, and I am still pretty numb in my upper arm, armpit, and that whole area. I am doing exercises and have a physical therapist who comes to the house, but the exercising makes it get swollen and number and then sore. I guess this is the price to pay to get range of motion back. But the problem is I'm supposed to go to simulation for rads on Monday, and I don't think I am able to get my arm up over my head and keep it there. Not without bending my elbow a lot any way. The RO did say to call and we will postpone until I can do this. But I want to get it started and overwith and not leave any extra time for any cells to do anything. Has anyone had this? The physical therapist is coming this morning. I'll see what she thinks.
Thanks.
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Kathe... I am only moderately overweight... so after he lifts my butt to fill in the hip flap void, I will get lipo on thighs (both side), love handles, back, and a little on upper belly, and maybe knees... I was curious about a neck lift too, but think its not an option... I also would love my elbows tightened, but with left lymph node biopsy there, not gonna happen.
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Hello everyone!!! I am new to this thread but have been following it for a couple of weeks. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3/7/11 and completed my chemo 8/11/11. I am scheduled to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction as well as a bilateral oopherectomy on 9/26/11 ( a little over a week away). I live in Indianapolis, IN and am very pleased with the team that will be giving me my overhaul!!! LOL!! Any support, recommendations during recovery and input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks much.
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welcome momx5plus1... interesting name...
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Betsy-- You don't look like you need a neck lift (ask anyway-- I want to know!) All those different fat donation sites; you seem very confident. Are you worried about the lipo at all?
Did you take the drains out yet??
Momx5plus1--welcome! That is a lot of surgery; you are not kidding when you say you are going for an overhaul! What is the estimated duration of your surgery?
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