Diep 2012

I had my DIEP the beginning of this year and just started back to work part time. My surgery was at Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston. My ps is fabulous and so is her team.  The nursing and surgical staff   were great. The first couple of days were very rough and I questioned whether I had done the right thing.  The nurses and pt staff were very encouraging and by the fourth day I was doing laps around the unit and climbing a flight of stairs. Make sure you get the ONCQ pump that contiunally applies a numbing medication to the tummy tuck region. I was able to keep it in for almost 2 weeks and it greatly decreased my abdominal. I still have tightness and pain but I'd say its about a 3. My ps is going to do a lift on the other side and flatten out "bunny ears" or whatever they call them, on my hips. If you have specific questions I'd be happy to help. I am very happy I chose the DIEP. My ps is a miracle worker and her staff is the best. 

Ellena - did you have Dr. Stephane Caterson at Brigham & Women's?  I've heard good things about her.  I think her husband is part of the team, right?

ladybug 13 - I haven't decided 100% about nips and tats. My only issue is I had a UMX so still have a nip on the other side. It's not always "on" though and if I get one on this side it will be. I'm doing a reduction on the non BC side so I'm wondering if I should have him take the nip and be done with them, I'm not sure. I suspect I'll end up with a nip, but hopefully not a huge one. We'll see. I won't do this until the summer anyway. It's funny to hear people wanting it done before summer or after so that they can enjoy the pool. I'm a teacher and so want to do it during summer so I can use no sick time - I already used most of it for my DIEP recovery anyway.

red - I'm glad to hear you're getting some support and help with the wound. I hope with the stitch it heals quickly and comfortably.

Cookie Monster (love the name!)...if I had one, definitely balance it out. Still not sure. Don't see the point in the extra trouble yet. We shall see. Thanks for the comments. Good to hear others points of view. Keep them coming.

jeskachi - thanks for the info, having not done this before I have no idea what ot expect.

bdavis - where did they get the areola skin from? One areola is gone and the other is still part of the breast - it's getting a lift and reduction, but I don't know if that'll free up some areola or not.

Thanks for the info, everyone has been helpful and sharing insight!! I had my DIEP in Dec. 2011, but still I learn from ladies here. What a group!!

Speaking of that, I'm at about 10.5 weeks out from diep and my ab incision (which is totally healed) has been itchy lately, but when I scratch it, it hurts. Anyone else have something similar? I'm not worried but just wondering.

Have a lovely evening all.

-Judy

Betsy - They took my nipple and areola - The DCIS and invasive were both near enough to the areola  that the BS removed the nipple and areola, plus additional skin. I have a circle of DIEP skin about 3-4" in diameter, I'd guess. Funny thing is, it's paler than the rest of the breast skin - no hiding the difference even if the scar fades. It's OK, I'm not planning to show them off to anyone anyway. It did occur to me that the edge of the circle might show in my traditional ren faire bodice, we'll see.

Perhaps TMI, but I figure it's all fair game here, right?

Betsy - what would replace that circle of skin if it was removed? I don't quite understand, the area of skin/nipple/areola removed was that big, they had to take the whole areola plus the scar from the lumpectomy which made the skin removed pretty big. I do also have a vertical scar from the circle to the bottom of the breast and the PS did reduce the breast size some as requested.

Which pics on the forum should I look at? I find the forum overwhelming with so many people and so many photos. Thanks!

-Judy

Being just two weeks out from my DIEP, I am loving going without a bra. The girls are firm and I feel like I'm 20 again! I haven't given it a lot of thought yet since I'm just out of Stage 1, but I would love to have the 3-D tats and be done with it. I think. Subject to change of course as I get closer to that decision.

DoulaMom- Welcome to the thread! There is a lot of information in this thread and in the DIEP 2011 thread. There might even be one for the 2010 group. Is there anything in particular that you would like to know?  

dressager- Haven't seen you around for awhile. How are things going?

mammachick- I think your surgery is today? Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I hope all goes well for you! Update us when you can!

cookie monster... Maybe they took too much of your skin to go without... For me, they took the nipple only and so they he just joined the raw edges, adding no extra skin... He said if give better projection, and he then used the areola skin to build the nipple... It looks very natural. But as I said, you may have had too much skin removed to remove the patch. On my other breast, I had skin necrosis and have a patch of skin on that side (but not the nipple - it was nipple sparing).

The pictures I am referring to are through nowheregirl... just send her a PM... and then once on the site, navigate to recon, and scroll down to a topic you like... or search for a member... mine is at bdavis.

Yes I had Dr Caterson. Which one is her husband?

Wish I had found this thread before my surgery, I felt so alone. And then waking up , going home and not knowing if things were "normal". The first ps I saw said I didn't have enough fat but Dr Caterson found enough to almost match my right breast ,a full b cup.

Don't think I'll go for the nipple either but have you done the tattoo?

Best to all!

Juls... absolutely... At 7 weeks post op I drove myself 3 hours from home for a weekend long 30th HS reunion. And at 3 months post DIEP, I flew back to New Orleans for my stage II and felt 100% normal. Of course, everyone heals differently and there is always the risk of a complication, but even so, I think it shouldn't be a problem.

Hello I'm back from the ps. Infection is cleared up....and he stitched me up. He is removing stitches in two weeks.

Yay....also asked about the stomach not being flat ....again he said. He can fix that, but let's focus. On the implant first....

Judy- I'm about 10 weeks out as well and had the same feeling. Just one area was itching but when I scratched I didn't get any relief and it kinda hurt. Must be a nerve thing. Happened with my mastectomy too. I'd have a terrible itch and when I scratched it just hurt and the itching didn't go away. I also had a skin spari g mastectomy with a patch about the size of a fifty cent piece. I feel so much better now that the te is out.

Just started to back to the gym too. Want my old body back!

Have been thinking about the nipple myself and decided not to have the reconstruction.  I would like the 3D tattoo.  I did also buy temporary nipple tattoos (you can google "rub-on nipples") and though I'm too soon from surgery to try them, they look pretty cool....so many shades to choose from.  I too have the light round skin from the stomach on the breast, but I'm not horribly bothered by it.  I guess because I usually wore those silicone nipple hiders every day.  I hated seeing a protruding nipple through my business clothes.  So to not have a nipple is fine with me, but I think I still want the illusion, thus the tattoo.  My PS's office doesn't do the 3D, so I'm going to have to do some research to find someone other than Bubba at Duke's Tattoo Parlor.

Juls - I echo what Betsy said. I think that 3 months you should be totally good - unless there are complications, of course. I think I had my first weekend of feeling "normal" at about 10 weeks.

ellena - good to know, thanks!!

-Judy