Diep 2012

Jenn,



Interested to see how the nipples work out! Why do you have to moisturize 3 times a day? Just curious if I missed anything. Glad you did well at work. I don't think I could have worked at 4 weeks, even if at a desk!!

Hi ManadaLynn,
I had a delayed right DIEP at University of PA hospital in August. My right chest was also radiated so the skin was not as pliable as the rest of the surrounding skin My PS said there would be plenty (her words) of material to create a breast the same size as my remaining breast.  I WISH they had moved skin because even though the cleavage side is made up of radiated skin and flap tissue and looks and feels fine, my PS did not appear to use all of the viable flap material and stopped short before reaching under my arm, overlapping tissue, leaving a huge area with no fill and the remaining skin feels glued to my ribcage. To view from the side, there is no gradual thinning of the new breast into the inderarm. It stops abrubtly as a huge lump. The breast is now small and narrow with several flaps under the arm. On top of the discomfort, the new breast is 2 full cup sizes smaller than my natural left breast. After already charging the insurance company for a lift of the left breast, my PS says she will need to do a reduction of the left side to make it the same size as the new breast. I have already cancelled the second stage of surgery so I can get several second opinions because I now have no trust in this PS.

My PS said she had done a thousand reconstructions and came very highly recommended but now I think I should have asked exactly how many were delayed DIEP procedures and to see those specific before and after pictures.

I am not able to let anything touch the underside of the breast near the ribcage because of the pain, even the softest of bras, so I wear a snug cotton cami, then padding to fill out the tiny side, then a tighter cami to hold the padding in place. Then I dress.

I don't want anyone to think I regret selecting the DIEP surgery. It is a wonderful and life-changing process for those who have had success with it (see 98% of the posts here!!) I had an issue with my specific PS and with her management of my expectations. My advice is to read these threads thoroughly, gather ALL of your questions and INSIST on detail and pictures of before and after. I thought I had been prepared, but the best preparation is to talk to many many others who have had this procedure done. Best of luck to on your next phase.

Going in Dec. 19th for the sGAP.  Guess what I'll be getting for Christmas??

Diane31 I had a breast reduction 35 years ago and I had a lot of stabbing pains as the nerves reconnected, feeling zapping and zipping. As far as I know, that's not something that happens with DIEP because of the nature of the flap insertion from your belly, but with reduction, they are just taking bits out and reconnecting the raw edges in the same neighbourhood. Various things could set off the nerves, sometimes even just sitting there. I couldn't take a shower facing the faucet for 15 years! The good news is that it eventually faded away and I could sleep on the front etc, and the scar healed virtually invisibly and the whole job looked spectacular, right up to the point when I had to have them taken off!

I'm not sure if that's the pain you're talking about, but if it sounds similar, it's not necessarily a thing. It won't hurt to ask but don't be too worried ahead of time.

A shout out to all our Sisters on the Eastern shores...Stay Safe!!!  Thinking of you & hoping you & yours are out of harm's way in the Sandy storm!!! 

Regenschirm, glad you got a date! I'll remember since it's our 20th anniversary. :-)



Whew. It's been a long week. Can't get comfortable in my lift chair so slept most of night in bed. Needed a little extra meds this morn. Jenn, thanks for advice with moisturizing. It makes sense that would help the tightness. A couple of my drain sites are sore. How long before they're all out? I have tegaderm everywhere too and am not sure if I keep it or take any off. The ones on my areolas came off with the monitors but are weepy. Don't wanna mess with belly button etc yet if everything weeps.



Hope east coast gals are safe. We have snow this morn in Ohio!

I need to learn more about scar massage. I did lots of PT leading up to surgery wth a lymphadema specialist. It helped so much. Any recommendations for massage techniques specific to diEp breast and abs? Is there a website?

Hi Everyone, I had my DIEP last Wednesday and have developed, for lack of a better word, a chord, going across my right breast just under the clavicle over to the right axilla.  Anyone else had this?  Also, my chest feels very tight, like it is being compressed.

I have no dressings on whatsoever, which alarms me given the opportunity for infection.  The visiting nurse said that is because the incisions are covered with glue.  I haven't had any dressings at all since surgery.  Everything looks kind of gruesome right now, scars and all, but not too bad.  Soreness mainly on the right axilla, don't really notice the abdominal incision.  But boy these drains (i have six) are a real pain in the ARSE!

Sorry, no special massage technique advice here - PS just said "moisturise and massage at least three times a day" and then at my follow-up (3 weeks) he said to start massaging more firmly as I can stand it.



I really notice how much more comfortable I feel (less tight) after moisturising and massaging each time...



Jenn

yay!

Mine didn't but I didn't submit a prescription along with my receipts. I was hoping they would connect the dots.. mastectomy, DIEP, GAP, lipo, compression, but alas no.

Mine wont. Seems to be no code

Will try little more pressure on abd scar. Feels like a rope.



Do you know what happens in stage 2?

My left girl has the lollipop scar, is a nice C

But the right girl(radiated side) has the football scar, she is a B, much firmer then left.



He took all my fat from belly, I have no butt. Love handles?

I know they will never look the same. Hopefully scars fade in time.



I remember him telling me he makes nipples in part two

If you're having trouble with roll-down you can get compression garments with straps.  The Marena girdle that comes up to under the bra line doesn't roll but it does tend to slide down a little during the day, and it can exaggerate back fat. I think they have a similar model with straps and a little back coverage.  Look in the "body suits" section on marenagroup.com

Hi everyone,

I am just wondering how old you gals are and whether you are a lot younger than me. I have just turned 68 and will be having a BMX as soon as space becomes available in the OR. If I do the diep, it will be done in two stages, BMX first, then heal for 3 months then the diep.

Although I am physically active and fit I am just wondering if maybe 68 is a bit old for a diep, hence the question of how old you girls are, if you don't mind me asking.