Diep 2012

Ymac.. thats a long surgery. Mine was 10 hours and included the BMX and GAP flap (flipping me). Does your sugeon not have a surgical partner?

Hoya... I had drains after stage II, but they were short lived.

Ymac, I worked from home at two weeks and would have loved another week off. It was rough. I did 10 hr days to allow a 2 hr nap midway and used a pillow to bear sitting at my computer. Took tylenol for pain until after work then back to the narcotics. Pack loose fitting flowy type clothes. I wore underwear over the compression girdle. Also found dresses and maxi skirts worked well to conceal the drains. Button front tops were easiest for me to get on myself at first.

Positive, my stage II will be in operating room in outpatient surgical center. I will go home same day. I am having necrosis removed from center of abdominal incision, dog ears on sides of abdominal incision, a lift of right breast, lipo and fat grafting to left breast, and they are revising breast scars as i had skin sparing but have a strip of tummy skin that is a different color. I am told recovery is much easier so I am not worried. After what we have been through, you can't scare us! Ha. I will not return to work until 4 weeks after, probably because I do patient care so on feet all day and lifting.



I still take a half a pain pill on occasion so don't worry...and I'm almost 3 months out.

I am considering diep and live in Dallas area.....who is your PS?

Just to clarify... I went  back to work 2 weeks after stage II, not stage I. After I stage I, I was out for about 8 weeks, but actually had 2 stage I's and was working 4 weeks after second stage I. Stage II was not nearly as difficult to recover from. Lipo makes you sore, but it improves quickly.

ymac... most of us have 2 plastic surgeons working together, not one PS and an assistant. So with 2 PS one on each side it gives each PS half the work, cutting the time considerably. Plus I like this because I personally can't imagine working solo on anything for 14 hours straight.

Ymac: I'm almost 6 weeks out from DIEP at NOLA. You'll want Soft non-restricting panties, that hit above or below the scar line. You'll need them to hold ABD pads along the scarline and to protect the drains. I bought Hanes hipster undies and the boy shorts...these worked for me. Also, soft loose pants...no zippers or buttons. I think a lot of us favor tank tops or mens' A-Shirts (wife-beaters). I usually love my pajama pants, but have been wearing nightgowns mostly,



I'm off work 8 weeks. My energy hasn't been great. Also sitting in regular chairs is really uncomfortable the first few weeks..with the drains...and the swelling... Especially with regular clothes on. Listen to your body. I think most women regret returning to work too soon after Stage 1.



Best wishes to you, and all with upcoming surgeries.

Hi diep sisters! Wow yesterday started good but ended up being a tough one. Felt so strong going into surgery but the emotions and physical effects finally caught up to me. Had a good cry (the hyperventilating kind that was awful for incisions darn it!). And of course I started my period!!!



I am trying to give it time. Can't imagine going back to work in 2 wks. I have a couple months if I want but I know others might need to back sooner. I am so happy my nurse sister in law was proactive for me. Splurged on relaxed yoga pants from nordstrom (zella) and loose zip up athletic jackets with inside pockets. Not bothering to get dressed until ride home. Was emphasize about good pain control, diflucan to avoid yeast infect, cranberry juice to avoid bladder infect, colace/miralax for constipation, as well as scopolamine, steroids, zofran etc for post op n/v. It had made such a big difference. Make sure nurses know how to do good transfers in/ out of bed too. My surg was 12 total w bmx and diep. It was not a problem although I also worried at first. If you have great drs they are prepared for it. May pain is really very good and doesn't even compare to awful c- section but each is different.



Also really appreciate all the info on stage 2. My girls are still very numb but look great. Am constantly inspired by all of you ahead of me.

Does everyone elses boobies feel sore at times. And sometimes i will have sharp ouch in breast. My radiated side harder than the good side. Doing my litttle massages twice daily

Oh cg1234, don't even think about going back to work in 2 weeks! I think the recent posts about 2 weeks were gals talking about their stage 2. Two months is more like it. I did take a few business meetings in under 2 weeks, but I was seriously loopy in the head, not from medication but probably from the lingering anaesthesia. I was just slow. (For the same reason, I did not drive until about 3 months. My body could have but my reaction time, not so much.) I was okayed to go back to work at 8 weeks, but the paperwork was fraught with miscommunication so that my work was angry that I did return because they did not have the actual letter yet, despite the fact that I did a half marathon at 6 weeks in 3:07 which I think amply proved that I was physically okay to do it. (Still have lingering ill will over them not appreciating my effort to return to work. I wish I'd just stayed home eating bonbons until they had the letter.)

DFOnt, I know what you mean about feeling the odd one out of the binder lore. At about 9 months post DIEP now, I can't remember when I noticed that the swelling went down. My jeans now fall down without unzipping unless I belt them and the scars have healed well although I can still see the faded line above my jeans waistband. I don't know, maybe the binder speeds things along or something, but I am not feeling deprived binderwise. It seems to be a thing where you just need to follow the directions and let someone else do the driving. Heaven knows, we have a lot of decisions to make and I am not in need of making any that I don't need to make! :-)

Had setback with a few too many narcotics today. Felt terrible and they finally switched to Tylenol only. What a difference. I walked several laps and feel so much better. Still waiting for success n bathroom. I'm thinking of Fran and know how great it will be! Lol! Goldlining, can't imagine running marathon so soon (or ever!). Thats amazing! Resting up for dc home I hope mon. Family has been great. Hugs to all for your advice and support. May need to buy marenas after reading posts. Nite!

Browner... I agree that you should also post on NOLA in September... I flew from NJ to NOLA and have no regrets. They make it very easy - a car service picks you up at the airport, takes you to all appts and returns you to the airport. They can arrange all hotels/Hope Lodge reservations as well (with a discount). Ichose NOLA after a couple of other consults, and decided after my NOLA consult that they were a step above the rest. I consulted with a local PS and Dr Allen in NYC in addition to Dr Dellacroce in NOLA.

I flew in on a Tuesday, had surgery Thursday and could have flown out the following Friday. I chose to stay the weekend with my husband, but that was not mandatory. Once home, all follow up was by phone and email. They were very attentive to my needs.

Hey fredntan, I live in DC. Had my BMX and chemo treatments at Sibley and still go there for follow ups and check-ins for the 2 clinical trials I'm in. Having the DIEP surgery at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda.

Amanda- I had a delayed diep after a bmx, chemo, and a heavy dose of radiation.  I am sad with the outcome of my radiated side so far.  I'm only about 5 weeks out from stage 1 but my rad side is definitely harder, shaped a little odd, and over to the side more.  They do look nice in clothing but I still have a hard time looking in the mirror

can anyone tell me what areas of the body can get lipo?  I have Dr Kline and he said stage 2 would be a lipo/contouring fest but I don't know if I'll be able to give him a "wish list" of if he decides?  Anyone have stage 2 experience w/ Dr Kline?

My rad side is harder has the football scar, doesnt hang as good as the good side. I was instructed to gently massage them and my abd scar 5 min each twice day. I hope it helps it soften up. Rad side looks like B good cide nice C.

Cg1234, your vision issue reminds me that when I was in the hospital I couldn't even read menu. I needed help filling it out. I truly believe being under anesthesia and on diuladid took a toll! If I could see the words, I don't even know if I could comprehend them! Ha. I was pretty out of it. It got better before I was discharged so that was good.