DIEP 2011

To those preparing for DIEP:

Some of the things I did to prepare did not pan out. The recliner I rented was not comfortable enough for me to sleep in because I am too tall for it. If you are 5'10" or taller, be sure to try out the recliner before you rent or buy!

The expensive Amoena mastectomy camisole I bought in April for MX did not work for DIEP. My PS wanted me in unrestrictive clothing only. The camis were too snug. I bought a couple of inexpensive stretchy tank tops from Target that did the trick. OnQ pouches are handy for drains, especially in the shower.

As for needing help after DIEP, I had help from my mom and husband for a week. They prepared meals for my family and me which I greatly appreciated. I don't think I could have prepared my own food initially because I had difficulty using both hands while standing up (hunched over). I needed to put one hand down on something to take the pressure off my back. But perhaps if you have someone who will bring you food, you can do it alone.

So sorry this is your second go round, but I can definitely say I had no problems at all from the nerve block tube.

bdavis, I think I have the same thing.  It feels hard below the belly button.  Is that what you're talking about?  I am going to ask ps about it next time I see her.

Kay... yes. It is hard in the center between the scar and belly button, but closer to the scar

Has anyone had scar revision? Anyone had their abdominal scar removed?

Betsy--It sounds like you are in good shape down there. Are you ready for phase 2?

On Friday my PS said because of my reaction to the surgical glue, the scar would not smooth out completely. He did say, however, that he would remove the entire scar in phase 2. Good thing because this scar is very ugly!

Did anyone have problems with the scar opening due to tension?

It is so overwhelming to finally arrive at a decision, get the plan in place. I just finished chemo this past week. I am scheduled for BMX with immediate diep on dec 16. I am somewhat concerned about potential need for radiation. MRI so far looks good for nodes but i will have the sentinel node biopsy at surgery time. My other concern is my reaction to pain meds. Doc has prescribed emend to take the night before. I've never had anesthesia or pain relief without significant vomiting. Hard to imagine dealing with that along with the abdominal wound. I feel a little like I'm drinking from a fire hose!

Wow - truly reading this thread is the best prep for DIEP - mine is this coming Wednesday - I, too, was quoted 10 hours but hope to be out in 7 or so... not looking forward to coming out of the anesthesia but my sister will be here when i get home from the hospital so that is a HUGE plus.

How many nights were you all in the hospital??? I've heard 4-5... how long were you all in ... my surgery starts at 730am so i will have an early start... (hhhhaaate hospitals!!!!)

JustV, good luck on Wednesday, looking forward to hearing from you on the other side!  I had surgery Wed. afternoon and went home on Sunday, so 4 nights.  Was really out of it Wednesday, remember a little bit of the recovery room, but that's it.  It was after 9 when I got to a room, so I slept straight through to Thursday so it felt like I was in the hospital 3 days and nights.  I felt pretty good when I left, but couldn't stand up straight.  Pain wasn't that bad by Sunday though and I was good at getting up and down by myself.

kaitsmom 

Don't obsess.  Every body is different.  I surmised that I was developing an intolerance to anesthesai which is why I was so ill even thought the surgery was easier.  But, I just had my 5th surgery yesterday (3rd Stage 2) and I am fine.  No illness from the anesthesai at all and the pain is all in my stomach where my PS harvested from.  As a matter of fact, I did 11 dog walks today (at 1/2 to 1 hour each - so 6 hours of walking).  I am feeling it a bit now, but, all things considered, I'm doing great. 

Hi Ladies, I have been trying to keep up on reading all of the post but have not posted for awhile. I had Bi DIEP May18th had a fairly easy recovery love what they gave me. Today I am going to have stage 2 lipo on dog ears and fat grafting to fill out the front of my breast. I will check back in a day or two and let you all know how it goes. Have a great day everyone.

Hello Ladies

Thanks for sharing all this wonderful information. I am thinking about having a DIEP surgery since I have been radiated before. I understand that it will look like patch work on that breast. Curious anybody here can share how they feel about scars and numbness? Single or married women how is this with intimate moments? How would I be able to see what the results look like through the stages is there a way of sharing?

I am so scared of having this done. I am single and not married. I have been dating and well do not know how to approach this after such a surgery. I really do not want to do the surgery but would be taking a risk of a recurrence. I have already faught to keep my breast. If any of you have been there how did you over come this feeling. I feel like no man will be interested in me. I also will not be whole.

Good luck with stage 2 Betsy!

Are hospital stays standard procedure for stage 2?

V--good luck with stage 1!

I was in the hospital for 5 days after DIEP, including one day in the ICU. If you are going to be in the ICU, I want to warn you it is tough to sleep there. They hook you up to all kinds of monitoring machines with alarms that seem to go off randomly all night long. Eventually I aaked for ear plugs. You might want to pack both ear plugs and an eyeshade.

I was given a scopaline patch for all my surgeries. I threw up a lot after my mastectomy and remember feeling like I was going to throw up after my lumpectomy. Did not throw up or feel nausea AT ALL after DIEP surgery. I think the anesthesiologist used the good stuff. I agree with what others have said: don't worry too much about the anesthesia.

Regenschirm -- I needed to have radiation after my left skin-sparing MX. My PS does not like to have healthy tissue radiated, so he placed a TE to keep the skin stretched until rads was over. Then I had a pmx to right side and immediate reconstruction to both. Plastic surgeons have different opinions about this, however. There are women on these boards who have DIEP first and then radiation.

Mina --  I didn't check your bio, but did you have MX or lumpectomy? MX does leave you numb, but scars are not bad, at least with skin sparing MX. 

I am home from stage ll. I had lipo on love handles and above my ab incision and dog ears fixed and my breast filled out in the front so that they are more cone shaped instead of bun shaped plus one was about a size bigger than the other and the bigger one needed to be lifted some. I was released that evening and we come the 3 1/2 hrs home, it was fine. It was done yesterday and I took a sneak peak this am and from what I can see I am totally satisfied. I am sore just under my breast where they went in other than that I feel pretty normal. I had all my diep surgery and stage ll done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester,MN. I think my lady ps has done an awesome job highly recommend her.

Kathe...

My doc will make his suggestions and then I wlll chime in if I want more... but the doctor is known to be generous and goes to town, unless you don;t want it all... as far as how long it takes, it takes what it takes... will let you know.

All 3 of my Stage 2 surgeries were outpatient.  The first took 2 hours, the other under an hour.  No hospital stay required - or needed.  It was a pretty easy recovery (except for the anesthesia for me).  The Stage 2 I had on Monday was a piece of cake and, other than feeling like I did 150 sit ups - I felt great the next day.