Diep 2012

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

    Depends on the person... some get lipo and fat injections, some get scar revision, some get breast left and symmetry.. just depends.

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

    I think stage 2 is fixing what you don't like/what didn't turn out so well from stage 1 (as much as stuff can be fixed) and doing nipples, but some of that can go to stage 3 or 4 or...

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  • redninrah
    redninrah Member Posts: 773
    edited March 2012

    Great cuz I'm fixing this muffin top, swelling is going down and it ain't that bad but u have a flat stomach ish.....and then it curves in around the ab scar, like your wearing a tight belt. So when u wear a tee shirt kinda looks messed up.



    Lol





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  • iswimibikeirun
    iswimibikeirun Member Posts: 743
    edited March 2012
    goldlining:  You're my hero.  You're so upbeat and have gotten through the whole process with relative ease.  I think your activity level is similar to mine, so I'm hoping my experiences with my surger(ies) will be like yours!  When I had the lumpectomy, I basically felt fine.  I was just very sleepy and had a sore throat from the tube (nothing a coke coudn't help).  I went in at 2:30 pm for that and was getting dressed by 4:45 pm--waiting for my ride by 5 pm.  I crawled into bed and slept until 8:45 that night.  After that, I ate something and was good to go--pretty much normal by the next morning (except for the really swollen breast that grew about 4 cup sizes over night!).  My BS used lots of local so I wasn't sore at the site and never needed a single pain pill.  Hope my BMX/DIEP mirrors that!
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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2012

    I am 12 days out and feeling great only thing I am concerned about is how swollen my breasts are right now. Has anyone else had a problem with this? How long does it take for it to subside? Rae

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  • wrsmith2x
    wrsmith2x Member Posts: 410
    edited March 2012

    RaeBob,

    I am 19 days out and my breasts are still very swollen under my arms.  PS says it will go down but didn't give specific timeline.  Several weeks is what I have read.  Good luck to you...hope you are doing well.  I am finally doing light housework and walking in my neighborhood.  Each day gets a bit better.

    Namaste'.

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  • c8ndygr1
    c8ndygr1 Member Posts: 186
    edited March 2012

    My bothersome underarm 'swelling' never did go down but was taken care of 3 months after DIEP in Stage 2 corrections. So don't worry, it too can be fixed if it doesn't subside.

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  • TexasRose
    TexasRose Member Posts: 740
    edited March 2012

    I am 20 days out today and my biggest complaint is still the abdominal tightness. Especially around my belly button. Sometimes it feels looser than others and then it will tighten up again. I am getting better every day too. Still get tired and have to rest after doing too much. I'm walking and trying to move around as much as possible. Doing little things around the house. Making easy meals.

    I got a statement in the mail today from BCBS of Texas for the anesthesia- $3400 and it says they aren't covering it because it's for "cosmetic surgery". Oh yes, they are! Dang, I don't feel like fighting with an insurance company right now.

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  • sadie5254
    sadie5254 Member Posts: 39
    edited March 2012

    Looks like I have another doggone infection.  My reconstructed breast is covered with a rash and I have the same rash on the opposite arm where I had a picc line inserted for the IV for the hospital acquired infection.  Don't know if it's cellulitis.  Can't see the PS until Tuesday morning, so I just have to get through tonight.  This stuff always happens on a weekend!  Geez...

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2012
    Mary - You may be better off by first calling your anesthesiologist's billing office and letting them know what your BCBS EOB said.  I'll bet you anything that someone there miscoded it when submitting to BCBS.  If they said that they coded it correctly, then let them duke it out with BCBS first.  That might save you some grief.  =  )
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  • iswimibikeirun
    iswimibikeirun Member Posts: 743
    edited March 2012
    YSA that's a great reminder . . . most often there's a miscoding.
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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited March 2012
    TexasRose, my physiotherapist has been working on my abdominal scar and I find it helps a lot with that tightness. I would never do what she does myself because I would stop at the first twinge, but she's really loosening it up. I asked for a referral to physio on my first follow-up because I wanted to cut it off at the pass and not let any stiffness or limited range of motion set in at shoulders and hips, but the working on the ab scar and underlying muscle fascia (after the 6 week period) has been a discovery for me. I cheat on the homework exercises but it's still working pretty well for me, and it's nice to see someone taking care of my recovery at a more frequent interval than the surgeons do.
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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2012

    Namaste & c8ndygr1 :Thanks for the reassurance on the swelling. Happy that on stage 2 they can take care of several things and do tweaking at that time. I can get around but everything is tight and pulling. Sometimes it's loose but then tightens up again.

    TexasRose: Did you ask your PS for the referral to the physiotherapist? Hopefully that is covered under my insurance. I have never heard of having one available.

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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2012

    Sorry I realize it was goldlining on the physiotherapist advice.

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

    Yes it was my PS I asked. Our govt health insurance covers all the doctor stuff but chiro and physio have been delisted so those are covered by employee benefits or out of pocket. Fortunately my extended health benefits (from work) cover physiotherapy if referred by MD. I go to a sports medicine clinic that has chiropractic, registered massage therapy, and physiotherapy because I have previously had some sports injuries on top of a penchant for faceplanting crossing the street, falling down stairs, etc. They know me there and I am comfortable with them. It's kind of funny that I first went about 3 years on the recommendation of my dermatologist who was refreshing my Botox, and I was whining about a recent hand injury that had it immobilized and double the normal size, and as a fellow professional who lives and dies by her hand function, she said "go immediately for physio or you won't get the hand function back". My GP had sent me for an Xray and said "nothing's broken; wait'n'see". I am so glad for the dermatologist's advice. Over several different injuries, aches, and pains, I have learned how much of a difference it made in recovering so with this I did not wait to have it recommended to me. I actively sought the referral so I could get started.

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  • TexasRose
    TexasRose Member Posts: 740
    edited March 2012

    Is physiotherapy what we call physical therapy? That was not offered to me. I do have a friend here from BCO who is a physical therapist. She was going to send me some links to some things I could do to help the scar, but she must have forgot about it.

    Mine does the same thing, RaeBob. It will feel loose and then it tightens up again. Especially in the belly button area. Are you having to wear compression? I am thinking about ordering another type of compression garment. The one I bought before the surgery is the Marena ab binder with the three flaps. The one they gave me from the hospital is an ab binder with one flap. I'm wondering if more of a girdle thing would be more comfortable. The things I have don't really fit into clothes and I'm short waisted. They dig into me everywhere top and bottom. But the girdle things from Marena are high dollar and I would hate to order yet another thing that might not work well or be comfortable. The binder I already bought was $63. I don't mind paying it for something comfortable, but I hate to just throw money away on something that won't work. I think he told me I had to wear it for 6 weeks, so I only have 3 more weeks. Unless I need it for Stage 2 also. Then it would be worth it.

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

    Yes in the US you call it physical therapy, and in Canada/UK physiotherapy. If I had not asked, I doubt they would have offered it to me, so I made the first move.

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  • CookieMonster
    CookieMonster Member Posts: 1,035
    edited March 2012
    Texas - if you can get to a mall, I got a waist slimmer/minimizer/cincher at Maidenform (it's a big elastic loop that I step into and pull up) and it's pretty comfortable. I also got a waist cincher at Frederick's of Hollywood (it has about 14 hooks to do to close it and is a pain, and longer than I need-so it pokes me sometimes) and both seem to hold pretty well. They're both so much better than the huge hospital binder that I wore after the surgery. I think I probably waited about 3 weeks at least before changing over. I still wear them now (almost 12 weeks post op) but can probably wean off. At this point I might as well wait until my PS follow up in a week.
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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2012

    Texas Rose: I have the binder they gave me at the hospital it is the 3 flap deal that as soon as I snug it on me pin my drains and sit down it rides up under my breast where my drains are connected to my skin and is major uncomfortable. I am open to other suggestions because I am constantly fighting it to stay on my tummy. I may try your suggestion cookiemonster ( cute name) I am 2 weeks out on Thursday and thinking of another 4 weeks of this is depressing. I am looking forward to being able to get comfortably dressed in something besides this granny shift I have been in for the past week. Hoping to get two of my drains out on Thursdays appointment.

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  • TexasRose
    TexasRose Member Posts: 740
    edited March 2012

    That's what mine does too, RaeBob. And they told me in the hospital to make sure and keep it off my breasts. Not easy to do when it runs the whole length of my body from breasts to hips and actually below.It's hard to sit because it digs in top and bottom. I'm going to look into the Maidenform that Cookiemonster suggested. This binder thing just isn't working out very well now that I'm more mobile and my drains are out. I'm living in activewear and joga pants. I can't imagine wearing jeans right now. Hope those drains are gone on Thursday! You live in Austin? Do you mind my asking where you had your surgery? I'm just up the road from you in Temple. I had my surgery at Scott & White. Smaller hospitals don't get much recognition here, but my PS is amazing!! He did an awesome job.    

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  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 944
    edited March 2012

    I wore this after stage 1 and stage 2 (times 2):  http://marenagroup.com/garmentstore/product/tabid/199/p-98-2nd-stage-girdle-with-short-legs.aspx

    It doesn't show because the model is tall but it comes to right under your bra line. And it's very comfortable.  There's a version with zippers too, but that's not as comfortable and not necessary after your drains are out.

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  • TexasRose
    TexasRose Member Posts: 740
    edited March 2012

    I looked at that one jeskachi and thought it looked very comfortable. Why do they say it's short legs though? They go down to her knees. Are they really that long? I'm very short. If I need it after Stage 2 also I don't mind paying that. Nice to hear from someone who actually wore it.

    And thanks Cookiemonster for the Maidenform suggestion. I'm going to find something because what I have is not working.

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  • Sarahmfallon
    Sarahmfallon Member Posts: 29
    edited March 2012

    I totally agree about the little bump around the scar.  My tummy is pretty flat, especially compared to what it was before but there is the bump at the scar.  I am looking forward to getting the lipo down on my sides too.  Its included in insurance with the surgery where it normally wouldnt be cause its cosmetic so why not do it :)

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  • Sarahmfallon
    Sarahmfallon Member Posts: 29
    edited March 2012

    I have it swollen under both my arms and the right side of my breast. I was very unhappy about it since the main thing in addition to the surgery was getting rid of the extra breast tissue under my armpit that produced an awful bulge (couldnt wear tank tops, strapless, etc) Just saw my surgeon today and was told it is all swelling and fluid and that I need to massage the areas and it should go down.  Whatever is left over by the time of my second stage can be taken care of then too.  So relieved.

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  • kem510
    kem510 Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2012

    Need to confirm my reasoning for wanting DIEP. Is DIEP for me?

     I am considering a BMX for Paget's disease, based on a consultion with my surgeon.  I suffer from chronic pain with a bad neck.  Anything associated with back muscles is out.  The abdominal procedure that cuts into the muscle makes me shy away from that recon, since I don't need to add more pain to what I have....I hear women say they hurt for a year.

     I see the DIEP the easiest for me to recover from, so it has been a process of elimination that has resulted in this choice.

     With my diagnosis, I believe I could do immediate reconstruction with the BMX.  That is the good news.  But.....there are no doctors in Pensacola, FL that do the DIEP.  And I would want immediate recon if I could do it that way.

     Am I understanding what I am reading here in the discussions?  I need the easiest procedure to recover from.  And yes, I have enough belly fat! LOL

       

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  • Snobird
    Snobird Member Posts: 593
    edited March 2012

    You may need to travel to get the DIEP done. Many of us have with great results. I also have Paget's and had a successful bilateral MX with DIEP done in NYC with Dr. Joshua Levine. Go to diepflap.com for other drs that perform the procedure.

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  • RaeBob
    RaeBob Member Posts: 79
    edited March 2012

    TeaxasRose: I live in Georgetown we really are neighbors :) I had my surgery done in San Antonio the PRMA group Dr. Chrysopoulo who was fantastic. Some friends I knew had work done there and they were extremely pleased. I heard of only one surgeon in Austin who did Diep Flap but didn't know anyone who had personally used him. I know Scott and White have excellent physicians one of our best friends is a doctor at S&W here :)

    I definitely have a new respect for those gals way back when who used corsets. I am definitely checking out the other ones recommended on here. I sat today without bra or corset on and felt like I had been let out of prison for a brief stint.

    Sarah: I was worried too about how substantial my breasts had gotten. I was like dang I was looking for something smaller and perkier and these seem to be growing by the day. My nurse assured me there is swelling and everything can be tweaked.

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  • kem510
    kem510 Member Posts: 28
    edited March 2012

    Snobird - I have some Paget questions for you.  You chose a BMX and had Paget's rash on one breast?  Or both?  My surgeon suggested BMX and be done with my worries.  But most definate masectomy on Paget side.

    At this time I have only the rash, beasts clear of any ductual cancer, however.....Paget's and the 97% chance of invasive cancer developing.

    Because of my case, I thought the DIEP could be done at the time of BMX.  I am willing to travel.  Today is when I decided on the DIEP, now I'm on the hunt to organize this thing.

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

    Kem510... Being from Pensacola.. you should look into going to New Orleans... The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery is just a 3 hour drive from you... lucky girl. I saw Dr Dellacroce and travelled there from NJ... many women travel from all over the world to see those doctors. I had a BMX and immediate flap surgery in New Orleans back in July. You should check out the NOLA in September thread... and also PM nowheregirl and look at the picture forum.

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  • Snobird
    Snobird Member Posts: 593
    edited March 2012

    I did not have a rash but a slight abnormality on my nipple along with a discharge. Mine was a recurrence of DCIS after a LumpX and Rads. I was just not willing to go thru it all again down the road. My decision to do bilateral was to not have to deal with a new primary and because I wanted symmetry with the reconstruction. I am very pleased with the results. Feel free to PM me if you want.

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