DIEP 2011

Hi  - can someone tell me their experience with DIEP surgery that just involves one breast?  I have already had a MX  on one side and am now considering my options for reconstruction.  How long was the surgery, length of stay in hospital. recovery time at home until you felt fairly good again.  thanks

I had immediate uni MX and DIEP reconstruction with a lift to the left breast.  Surgery was about 5.5 hours.  Maybe less.  I felt really good about 3.5 weeks after surgery.  Only really in pain for about a week.  Abdomen was really feeling good since about 3.5 weeks.  The node dissection gave me more problems than the abdomen after the first week.

SAMayoFL and Just_V -- I had a mastectomy in 2008 when diagnosed with infiltrating DCIS and I'm scheduled for a Prophylactic mastectomy and double DIEP on October 13. 

SAMayoFL -- please share any info you can about what Just_V and I can expect.

 Thanks!

Kcobb and Just_V, I am almost afraid to post my experience.  I may jinx myself.  Before my surgery, the girls on this board will tell you I was a basket case.  I actually kept myself so busy that I was excited to be able to rest in the hospital.  I was seriously doing a ridiculous amount of stuff in order to avoid thinking about my surgery!  My surgery was on Wednesday and it took about 9 hours for my second mastectomy and reconstruction.  Thursday and Friday were difficult days.  I really can't say I was in pain because the nurses do a fabulous job of keeping you comfortable.  I am fiercely independent and I had to depend on someone for everything for those first couple of days.  I couldn't get out of bed by myself, it was hard to eat or drink without help, etc.  The third day was a little better but the fourth day was amazingly better.  I was so amazed by how much better I felt every single day.  My DH and I stayed at the Hope Lodge in Charleston.  There was a flight of stairs going into the Hope Lodge and we stayed on the second floor.  I was able to climb stairs four days post surgery.  On day 6 we borrowed a wheel chair because it was hard for me to walk long distances and I got tired quickly and we went to the SC Aquarium.  On day 7 we toured an aircraft carrier where I had to climb several ladders and on day 8 we took a harbour cruise where I got out on the dance floor and bebopped to some '80's music.  On day 12 I went back to work (at a desk job).  I worked 6 hours the first week and then went back to my 40 hour work week the week after.  I can honestly tell you that, for me, worrying about the surgery was far worse than the surgery. My last dose of narcotic pain medication was on Saturday morning.  I took a half of a Valium, which is a muscle relaxer, for my back pain on and off for the next week but that was about it.

It sounds like both of you were in the same situation I was in.  A mastectomy on one side and your normal breast on the other side.  My DH and I are very active and I was very self conscious about my disfigured torso.  My MX left a hole that sunk in between two ribs and my prosthesis was heavy, hot and miserable.  8 weeks after surgery I LOVE my new noobs.  Before surgery I was convinced that Dr. Kline could never make my totally flat side that didn't have any extra tissue match my other side but he did!!  Now I don't want ya'll to think I am going to win a modeling contract or wet tshirt contest by any means.  I definitely have the scars to show what i have been through but I am so much happier with how I look now than I was before.  I will tell you that I squeeze my noobs every single day and say a prayer of thanks for them!

I can only think of two other things to share.  First, I started taking a stool softener about three days before surgery.  The day after surgery I asked for a laxative and I alternated stool softeners with a laxative for about 10 days post surgery.  The combination of anesthesia and pain meds can make constipation get bad really fast.  The other thing that has been hard for me is even at 8 weeks out I am swollen between my ab incision and my belly button.  I have lost about 15 pounds so my pants are baggy in the behind and thigh but I can't button them for anything!  And if I force them to button I am miserable.  For the most part I am still wearing dresses or pants with a long shirt so I don't have to button them.  Going back to work and having to dig around for something to wear every day has been difficult.

I feel like I was really lucky though this surgery.  I know that the road has been much more difficult for some ladies.  I hope I don't sound like I am bragging!

If you are interested in seeing my pictures I will be happy to share them with you.  Just send me a PM.

Best of luck.  Stay on the boards.  The girls on this thread were my life lines.  I don't think I would have made it through without my sisters here!

Susan

Hi all - had my DIEP surgery 9/14 and all going well but at the follow up with the breast surgeon Tuesday was told reexcisional surgery required to get clean margins in one area. Unfortunately that area is near the blood supply to the flap so the PS will be on the surgical team as well.



Anyone have a reexcision after DIEP surgery? Just trying to get an idea of what recovery will be like.

Hi Sherry,  I recently had the DIEP.  I too had a lot of radiation damage, strange thing after surgery the doctor said I had better blood supply on the rads side than the non rad side.  She told me that the DIEP would be the best solution to replace all the radiation damage.

I had my incision open in a small area. I am so unique! But it is healing slowly. I went to the doctor today & she said she would just continue to let it heal & fix it in my Stage 2 surgery. Then she would remove more of the radiation damaged skin.  I had more radiation than the average person because I had Inflammatory bc. At least it's not in the same area that I had trouble with before the surgery.

While I didn't hear exactly what I wanted to hear. I just have to be patient.  She is an awesome doctor & I trust her.

Sending good thought & prayers for you surgery. NJ

My PS called with my CT scan results. Said the right side is perfect and they should be able to use the vessels without any trouble. The left side may be trickier - the vessel skims along the muscle at one point and they might have to take a tiny piece of muscle from that side. He said since the right muscle will remain untouched, the effect will be minimal. I've been concerned about any loss because of how active I am.

However, he also cautioned that a lat flap with a bmx carries risks of loss of range of motion on both sides. I'm thinking I'd rather take the risk with the DIEP.

Has anyone who's had a DIEP ended up having to have part of the muscle used on just one side? Any negative results? 

Hi all - I posted the other day asking for experiences with post-DIEP reexcision. No-one responded with their experiences so I guess it's not that common. In any event, for the benefit of anyone else who may find themselves in this position, it was no big deal at all. They got me in yesterday so it happened so quickly I really didn't have time to worry. The BS did have the PS scrub in as well to make sure there were no complications with the flap because the area to be excised was close to the blood supply artery for the flap. Basically they reopened the breast along the previous incision, the PS moved the flap out of the way, the BS did her thing, the flap was repositioned and allowed to settle back in and they stitched me back up. Surgery was about 1.5 hours with an hour or so in recovery (NO nausea this time - yay! At least I know for the stage II surgery that I won't have to worry about anesthesia - it's the pain meds that did me in the first time)
and I was home by 5. Took a 2 hour nap and was ravenous for dinner.



Treespite: In answer to your question about what they reexcised, the margin of the tumor was up against the pectoral muscle so they took a bit of muscle out. I was assured there would be no functional impairment of the muscle and I would't be aware of it. So far, so good!

jenn333 that was good to read that your adventure was manageable. It didn't sound like the sort of story we read a lot of here. Continued good recovery!

jen333: so glad everything went so well for you.  I did not have experience to give.  It is great that you have posted for anyone else who has this experience.  I see ps on Monday.  Looking forward to hearing what she has to say.  I will be 6 weeks and 5 days.  Hopefully will get clearance to start rads on Tuesday.

likalaw50: I am so glad to hear of your great news. You are really blessed to be getting around so quickly. I think of how the bride of Frankenstein must have felt when my stomach has this pulling feeling.

Rachel.. I agree with Nordy... Your doctor should be making a 100% guarantee that they will not convert to a TRAM flap... if you are active, it will permanently afffect you. My MO told me that patients who have a TRAM flap can't sit up on his table without rolling over... Not what I would want... too many capable doctors out there who can guarantee no TRAM... I wouldn't take the risk without getting a second opinion... Who are you seeing? I can't remember.

I would see a second PS or have your scans sent to another surgeon for another opinion... I know you said NOLA would not work for you... what about Dr Chang in Baltimore?

Hi Susan... Doing well... Went to my 30th HS reunion in CT this past weekend... had a great time... photos at www.ethelwalkercentennial.shutterfly.com ...Check it out!!! But had to nap like 3 times on my way home... so like every hour.... And back at work, now starting my second week... busy busy... How are you?

Susan... my stage 2 is Nov 14... so about 5 weeks out... yikes!