DIEP 2011

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2012

    Micheleboots

    I didn't drive until 3.5 weeks after surgery, but my instructions said 2 weeks. It's probably better that I waited longer.

    I wore a real bra around 2 weeks after surgery, but I only had DIEP on one side and the remaining breast is bigger than the foob so the bra is not at all tight on the foob side. 

    Pain, for me wasn't too bad. While in the hospital I did use the pump, but mostly right before I was getting out of bed or something else where I would be moving a lot and honestly, I don't know if I really needed it, but figured since I wasn't using it much otherwise I'd take their advice for this part.

    I was in the hospital for 4 nights.

    I was part of the eat/drink nothing after midnight gang, but drinking a glass or two of water makes lots of sense as my veins were flat and I was dehydrated going into surgery.

    -Judy

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited January 2012

    micheleboots, I like your nurse!

    I switched from Diet Coke to club soda a couple of weeks beforehand. I don't do coffee or tea. I had no idea about mint! My discharge instructions said "eat whatever you like" but I actually got coffee, tea and chocolate on my hospital meal tray. (I think they just didn't have the food services on the same page.)

    It may not be a long ban (you can hope!) and it may not be as bad as you fear. Bear in mind while you are in the initial coffee withdrawal, you're full of other drugs or residue of drugs from anaesthesia and painkillers. I had been on Valium for maybe 6 months, and I just stopped. You're apparently supposed to taper. They were told I was on it, and they didn't give me any, and I was only taking it for the stress of waiting and didn't have a need it for that any more. I was a bit worried about withdrawal but I think the anaesthesia and painkillers covered it off because I didn't notice any adverse impact.

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited January 2012

    I agree. The hydration would seem to help. Maybe this will start to be the new advice. Hydration is always good, I m sure it can only help to hydrate as much as possible before surgery. Good luck! I also stayed in the hospital 4 nights. My surgery was late in the day or I probably would have been released after three. I had just one breast which I think makes a difference. Pain was really only bad when getting up and trying to be upright. Good luck! You'll do great!

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2012

    Thanks ladies, you are making me feel better already..

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2012

    Saw my PS today...I feel a lot better now.  He informed me that I will have a big audience at my DIEP.  Since he is so good at what he does ( his words, not mine), he has a few PS from all over Ontario coming to see him in action.  Also in the spectator box will be the Chief of Plastic surgery for Ontario.  So I know I am in good hands.  He should bring out the big guns to make me some nice new guns...But just as exciting for me is the fact that my surgery will be the first of the day...quick in, quick out.  At least now I don't have to wait all day.

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2012

    oops forgot.  he did say that I was not to have coffee for three weeks after...that might just kill me.  Funny how our drs are  all so different.

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  • egzc
    egzc Member Posts: 10
    edited January 2012

    Hi there DIEP sisters! I had my DIEP April 2010, bmx with immediate reconstruction, NS. It continues to one of my best decisions! Mine was a long surgery, 12 hours, but definitely worth it. I also have asthma with moderate decreased lung function. I was very fortunate to have s uch good results that I have not needed a second surgery. The drains, 4, were bothersome, but temporary of course, and very loose clothing, such as large sweatpants and button down shirts were a mainstay. I was back to work at 6 weeks. Good luck to everyone!

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  • ladym13
    ladym13 Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2012

    Its interesting how surgeons all have different rules, I see some of you were not allowed caffeine, my PS had no restrictions on that, I had a coffee in the hospital the day after my DIEP.

    Micheleboots- I was able to drive very quickly after my surgery, I believe it was about 2 weeks, as long as you are not still on the narcotics.

    I wore a real bar a couple weeks after sugery.

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    So I was told not to eat anything past midnight, and I could have clear fluids up until 5am.

    One thing I remember day one and two I was so dehydrated, my mouth was so dry. I was okay allowed ice chips for the first day, and then they have these large cotton swabs that they dip in water and you suck on them. Those helped. Day 3 dryness went. Last night my migraines was so bad. The only thing that gets rid of my migraine is Advil and they wouldn't give it to me, so it developed into a full blown migraine, I was in tears!!! Then the nurse gave me an injection which eased my headache and knocked me out.



    Oh on day two I was in and out of char three times, day three in and out of the chair plus a walk.

    Now is ice 7.30am I've been on my chair and on my. iPad. Oh m gawd I requested a tv , and it was the biggest bulkiest thing I've ever seen. It's a nuisance. I asked for a private room, and they said I won't get it. So Michelle you most likely will be sharing. It's not too bad, but 1st few days I had this 22 yr old and her and her friends were making so much noise.



    The first few days u are so drugged up that my hubby couldn't even understand me lol

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited January 2012
    Redninrah, check the pillows and mattress. I had a severe headache that was relieved by pitching the pillows into the hall and double-covering the mattress. They wipe those down with a disinfectant that contains formaldehyde and some people are sensitive to it. I also had irritated eyes and weepy and irritated breathing passages including bad nosebleeds. Much relieved by ejecting the pillows. I still had a runny nose whenever I walked laps of the floor. Fortunately, my benefits at work covered a private room and I controlled all the furniture in my own room.
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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    Ladies today is day 5. I still haven't had bowel Mvt. When did u ladies have ur 1st

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited January 2012

    I didn't while I was in the hospital.  Used a Dulcolax suppository the day I got home and it worked very quickly and painlessly.  If you're taking pain meds, you may need to take stool softeners and laxatives every day, at least I did.  Once you get off the narcotics, you'll get back to normal.

    Hope you're feeling better.

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited January 2012

    I think I succeeded on Day 5. Helped to walk around (as well as the stool softener.)

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  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    It was about day #5 for me, too.  I stopped the narcotics on day 3, so if you've been taking some of that, it's not surprising if it takes a day or so longer.  I was taking Colace every day to keep things soft, and I made sure to eat some extra fiber each day.  I was told that the anaesthesia during surgery, and the narcotics post surgery, literally shut the bowel down for a while. It's not that we're constipated, it's just that it takes a while after stopping the drugs, for the system to wake up, so to speak.  Drink lots and lots of water.  With full intention of the pun, 'this too shall pass' and when you're beyond this little inconvenience, you'll feel much better.

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  • c8ndygr1
    c8ndygr1 Member Posts: 186
    edited January 2012

    They gave me a laxative on Day 2 while in the hospital. A sure fire way to get me out of bed and walking. Also Colace stool softener every day even after I got home until all was regular again. Walking helps get things moving as well.

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  • RetiredLibby
    RetiredLibby Member Posts: 1,992
    edited January 2012

    I had Senokot stool softener - it took me 7 days after surgery to go. During a lengthy surgery, one of the drugs they give you is a paralyzing drug (used to be curare, but they have newer drugs) to paralyze your muscles so you don't make any involuntary muscle movements. That also paralyzes your intestines (peristalsis) so it takes some time for them to start up again.

    L

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited January 2012

    I was on colace from the get go... I took it twoce a day I think.. had a BM on day 3-4 I think.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2012
    I'm 5 weeks out from UMX w/DIEP recon. On Tuesday DH and I went for a walk - at a decent clip for just a little less than an hour (we went about 2.5 miles). Yesterday evening and today, my ab incision has been hurting, but just in a couple of specific spots. I'm wondering if I overdid it yesterday. I go back to work teaching in a little more than a week and I decided that I'd better start getting some of my endurance back.

    Have any of you, as healing progressed, felt pain from the abdominal incision this far out (it's healed up nicely, with just a couple of spots that aren't totally closed up yet). I'm wondering if it's maybe the nerves figuring things out as opposed to anything bad. It's not so painful that I think I should call the PS or anything, but I'd kind of like to know whether it's at all normal or it's unusual.

    Thanks!

    -Judy

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    Hi ladies,

    Just so that you. All now, my flap failed, we had 4 surgeries, and in the end my poor poor flap. Couldn't handle it, so he put a one stage implant.

    I just pray that I don't lose this as well.





    Thanks for all your help ladies. I was quite informed about diep and now have got something I now nothing. Bout.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2012

    HUGS!! redninrah

    You sound like such a strong lady. Keep hanging in there. I hope the road from here out is smooth and easy and that in the long term you are pleased with the outcome. Must be a huge adjustment in your thinking, healing thoughts and virtual hugs are coming your way.

    -Judy

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    Thank you

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  • micheleboots
    micheleboots Member Posts: 1,993
    edited January 2012

    hugs for you red...

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited January 2012

    Judy.. When you say you have spots that aren't closed up yet, what do you mean?? Right from teh get go my incisions were closed and stayed that way. If you have open incisions and pain, I would call...

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  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited January 2012

    Red, sorry you had such a tough time. I hope it's all easy from now on too. Hugs.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2012

    Betsy - more accurately they are areas that hadn't totally healed over yet. The PS told me to put neosporin on them and band aids until they heal over completely. Two are where the ab drains were and one was just a spot that hadn't healed completely by 2 weeks post op.

    Pain is much better today, I think I just needed a change of binder and band aid and that helped a ton. 

    We walked 4+ miles today and I'm feeling fine. Guess it's just my body doing its thing.

    Thanks.

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  • puce
    puce Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2012

    Red: Sending lot's of hugs. F@#%&* cancer!

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    Hi all. I'm doing good, had my 1st post op check, so we removed staples from abdomin and the natural breast ( I had a lift on that one)

    On the other side where the implant is there are staples there too, but he removed only half. So next week I go for a fill.

    I'm wearing my binder as much as I can, my ps wants me to wear it for a good 2 weeks non stop. T reduce swelling on belly and she said also to reduce muffin top appearance. I think I have a bit of that going on already.....if it gets worse do they fix that??? And if so how???not another surgery.....

    My ps said why don't I buy spanks, the one that covers the whole. Stomach ....so once I'm ready I'll go shopping to get one.

    Other than that I'm doing good, I'm in good spirits, I mean I can sit her be all depressed about a failing flap, or think of the boob I will have in a few months.

    Im being strong, it's life. I'm a live right...! I just keep thinking of the day they removed my bandage and I saw a beautiful breast from the flap..... It's mean hey, to do that to me.....take my breast away and then give it to me for a few moments......

    I wish all of you guys who are doing surgery good luck and you will be sooooo happy with your results :)

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited January 2012

    redninrah - I also didn't own spanks, when we went out to buy stuff instead of the binder, I ended up buying a waist "cincher" from Fredricks of Hollywood and another from a Maidenform shop. They're both different but both better than the binder in terms of comfort.

    Dwelling on what could have been will just make you sad. You seem to be doing well to look forward instead of behind, keep it up!!

    I think they can do some lipo on the muffin top (I have a little bit of that too), and some revision on the abdominal scar. From what I understand any revision surgeries are NOTHING compared to DIEP. I hope it's true, 4 surgeries is enough for me and for you, I bet. I'm ready to not have major surgery for a good long time.

    Take care.

    -Judy

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    What does lipo entail, opening up the scar ?

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited January 2012

    Ah man I have to get something soft soon, cuz that binder is awful. Lol

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