Diep 2012
Comments
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Chachamom, thanks, I feel good about my team now! I'm so glad you got to sleep, I hope the PT will help your arm pain. Yeah for corners!! Hugs to you!
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Jackie - I had silicone implants for 27 years. They really weren't that bad - very perky and I never wore a bra. I was also stapled and had bad scars. Your PS may be able to fix them. Silicone implants may need to be replaced after 12 - 15 years. I had 2 sets over the 27 years. Yes, I did have DIEP 4 weeks ago. That was because at 60 I didn't want to think about replacing any more. Just stay away from smoke , even secondary, you will heal better. There is a big difference in approach between a BS and a PS. So glad that you went to Baltimore and discovered a great option.
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Marty, your first statement thrilled me, I've never liked wearing a bra, so this looks like a great option for me. I guess I didn't know about replacing, that doesn't sound like a fun time. I often wish I hadn't been a smoker, now even more than ever. I did stop 8 years ago but Dr. C said the damage can last forever. I hope your DIEP recovery is going well and you're not having any problems. You must be so happy with your outcome. Do take care and wishing you an excellent recovery.
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Ladies,
It was great to hear all the good news posted today! Juicy, although you did not get exactly what you hoped for, a great team of Dr.s is the best gift ever! As for you Chachamom, you must feel like a new woman! For me, one of the benefits of this operation has been the ability to sleep. Usually my children keep me up all night, so I know how it feels to be sleep deprived. Since my operation, my DH has been so great at keeping me sheltered from the late night shenanigans of my children. I have not felt this rested in years! You will catch up on your sleep soon and feel like a new woman.
I too have good news, the last two of my eight drains came out today! I feel human again! I just woke from a little cat nap and the house smells of homemade chicken soup ( thanks mom) and I am going to my eight year son's parent teacher conference. Could life be headed in a normal direction? Yes, yes it is.....for me and all of us here.
Happy Thursday evening my friends
Ruby -
Jackie, I'm sorry to hear that. Glad you're drain-free.
I'm not a past smoker, and I'm not sure of your age, but I had 3 vertical c-sections and just had DIEP in September down in NOLA. Just wanted to chime in that the prior c-section shouldn't be a factor. -
ttay, drain free, what a nice experience...real clothes. I'm thinking you're a lot younger than I. I'm 70 and the heavy smoking past history were the major things that made him uncomfortable. I'm not the most active, perhaps that factored in too. He said he was most worried about my blood supply and possible narcrosis and the nightmare that could turn out to be. I'm one of those "if I didn't have bad luck I wouldn't have any luck" kind of gal, so I really couldn't take the chance of my DIEP not working. Especially after Marcie's recent flap fail and heart break, I wouldn't want to go through that, that has to be so depressing. I feel so bad for her I really hope there are other options that will work for her.
I'm disapointed but as Ruby pointed out, I've got a great team now, I have peace of mind so I'm good with the implants.
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Zowie...lots of inspiration from diep sisters...THANK YOU! I'm tickled because for the first time in 5 months I threw my grandson over my shoulders and we ran around the house piggy back. Today, I was massaging my armpits, trying to figure out why they were so sore...chemo brain!
Kadee...I have some soreness in the upper stomach area too. I've been wondering if others about the same distance out (5 months) notice the upper stomach (just under breasts) seems to stick out more (how's that for poor explanation!). Maybe it's because the lower stomach is so flat. I think I just analyze my body way too much...but I can't help it.
I'm scheduled for nipples in Feb but I've been thinking about the 3-D tattoos by Vinnie. The few people I've spoken to about their nipples say they start out fine but then seem to somewhat disappear (since it's regular soft skin). I know we've written about this before, just wonder if anyone's considered Vinnie? I saw that he's in NY, NO & maybe N or S Carolina???? It'd be a trip from Seattle but....maybe worth it???? They look amazing.
Thinking of you all!
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Jackie, you may never need to replace the implants. I initially had mine placed at 34 and was very active. I was a 1 -2 pack a day smoker at the time and didn't quit until I was 40. I do understand the PS's concerns. So, take lots of walks as the weather permits to exercise your lungs. Some damage reverses, but other issues remain. Keep your chin up and focus on the positive!
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Ronnie, are we talking about muffin top? It's sad that not even a tummy tuck completely erased my muffin top
( I'm kind of embarrassed because people are expecting me to have this flat abdomen and that is just not the case. I am 4 months out and still can't wear my normal pants due to swelling. Hoping eventually I will be pleasantly surprised or maybe they will accidentally lipo a bit too much at stage 2. Ha!!! -
http://vinniemyers.com/home.html
I had a uni and wanted to try a nipple graft.....
If I had had a bilateral I would have just done tatoos.
I live in PA...so a trip to Vinnie at his place in MD isn't all that bad for me.
Check out his site. Go to portfolios and choose nipple/areola tats.
My sister had no idea why I would even entertain the thought of tats on my breast...then I showed her Vinnie's work....
Totally impressed.
My nipple graft doesn't look so great (PS said it does not look as pink as he would like-I agree-looks as if it is having a hard time getting hold of any circulation).
Should this graft not take. I will give time to heal and consider having a tat with Vinnie.
A lot of the stomach pooch for me was evenly distributed and PS said (for me) it was a matter of weakened abdominal muscles.
With exercise it has been getting better.
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Ronnie. I will be using Vinnie when the time comes.. He and I have communicated a bit over the past year and a half... I am having stage IIb in January, so sometime after that.
Jackie.. I am sorry you didn't hear the news you wanted to hear, but having a doctor and team you can trust is invaluable. I knew you were 70 and that is why I suggested Chang over travelling to NOLA... You need to do what is right for YOU.. and in your case, between being 70 and a past smoker, I guess DIEP isn't in the plan.. but YOU WILL BE FABULOUS... have faith in the docs, and forge ahead.
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Yeah, Ruby!!! Drain free! That, for me, was the biggest leap to feeling more normal!
Lol Beckers....I'm hoping for some "accidental" lipo too!!!
Another small yet encouraging hurdle....I wore "real" pants to visit my son in LA Wed night! I'm not going to be giving up my sweats for most activities....but it was nice knowing I COULD get real pants on and feel pretty normal in a social setting for a few hours. Small pleasures! -
I am kinda confused about the stages and what they really do at each.
I had my stage 1 in oct. I consider that the scaffolding. they are up there. looks great under bra, but doesn't look right yet. (rt one was radiated and has football scar, left was just taken off and has lollipop scar)
I think my doc is going to lift the left one up, reduce it to match the right. I don't have very much fat left. chemo got it first. and do some origami and make nipples. when does tattooing come in?
when do you need second phase of second phase? I think my scars will fade over time. Am using scar cream on belly and it looks really great.
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Fredntan, what kind of scar cream are you using? I have Scars from Sept. DIEP.
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Fran, what kind of cream and how did work go?
I'm not really clear on stages either. I'm hoping my small dog ears and a little fix on one breast (sunken center) will be it. Then I've been looking at 3d tats. I hope the person here is as good as vinnie or I might consider traveling for that.
I'm continuing to swear by the Zella relaxed fit yoga pants. Got another pair this week since they wear so well and some are on clearance. Nordstrom also has new jag jeans and cords with "smoothing" band. My sis in law looks great in them but I can't get past the image of my maternity pants. They were comfy though.
6 weeks out and I've been walking more. Did push ups this morning and got to 6 before I realized what a weakling I've become!! Will get there though. Have a great weekend everyone! -
Stage II is whatever needs to be done after stage I... So stage I is simply transplanting the tissue. Stage IIa, IIb, IIc etc, is just improving on what is there. This COULD involve: lifting, sculpting, nipples, lipo, fat grafting etc. Or is as much or as little as you need or want. Some doctors deliberately break it up into smaller procedures (if your doctor is local) and others may want to accomplish more in one surgery. My stage IIa was donor site revisions (both for DIEP and GAP (butt lift)), shaping of breasts, breaking up necrosis, nipple, scar revisions, breast lift, lipo and fat grafting. My stage IIb in January will be more of the same but also a baby flap to fix an area that had necrosis... As time passes and things settle, you may see things that you want fixed... and then you have another stage II. Hopefully for me, stage IIb will be it, but if there is a stage IIc in my future, then so be it.
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For stage 2, I am having fat grafting to one side, a lift to the other, belly skin removed from creast scars, dog ears lipo'd, and necrosis removed from abdominal incision. Praying for that accidental lipo to muffin top area too! :-)
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*breast (not creast)
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OK, ladies...I've been watching this board for not quite a year. I finally have a date of January 14 to have Bilateral DIEP.. Waited so long to get the date - had to switch insurance.......so now I'm excited to have a date, but somewhat intimidated as well!
Can you ladies give me some insight as to what to pack? I will be traveling to San Antonio from Oklahoma.
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Congratulations on finally getting a date set for your DIEP! I had it done and I am very happy I made that decision.
As far as packing goes, during my 3 days hospital stay, all I really used from what I packed, were my PINK Slippers. Hospital gowns were very comfortable. Used one as a nightgown, one as a robe. On my way home I wore a button down loose dress. For home, I had bought some front closure nurses uniforms (someone suggested these) which worked out fine with my 6 drains.
I am sure someone else will come along and share what they found useful to pack.
Mena
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If you go to the NOLA in Spetember thread, there is a packing list at the top of the page.
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Thanks BDavis:)!
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I wore sweats mostly. Cut holes in pocket to slip jp drains in
We stayed at the marriot property residence inn. They will put recliner in room. They gave us room for disabled people. I wasnt crazy about it. Not much shelf space in bathroom.it does have shower chair to sit on. I didnt need though.
Bring your fav water bottle. The exercize room there ha filtered water. And its a nice little walk for you.
We had to rent car when we first got there so we could see river walk. SA is huge.
The only thing i used in hosp was my tablet and earbuds.
And use you IS a lot! They took fabulous care of me -
Beckers...taking the dog ears helps the muffin top quite a bit since they pull the skin tighter at the hip scar line, but I still have weight to lose and I think that will help even more
Am so confused about nipples...I'm going to check w/my insurance to see if they'll cover Vinnie.
Gotta go shop! xoxo
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5 weeks post diep now and 4 weeks post leftie fail...rightie looks great...all the glue and scabs are coming off now and you can really see how pretty she turned out. My tummy scar has 1 spot that just seems to be oozing just a tiny bit. I am also still going to hyperbaric wound care every day...errrr...The doc there said that all the incisions looks good and said the belly one is such a tiny ooze to not worry just yet. She put a bandage on it to keep it clean. My belly skin is so super sensitive that by evening it is almost unbearable to have anything touching it. It also blows up like a balloon by day's end...cannot wait for that to be over. I am now starting to plan out in my mind a return to NOLA in March to get a gap done to replace leftie. The skin back there will not be anything like the tummy that had stretch marks from motherhood..so left and right breasts will never match up quite the same but at least the will look good in clothes. My hubby is so amazing...the other day he practically begged me to touch the newbie on right...too funny.
Maggie
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Mags, you have such a positive outlook. Before you know it you will be all fixed up. It is truly amazing what these Docs do.
I am scheduled next week for my 2B and I really really hope that this finishes me up. It's a long journey but so worth it to be healthy and put back together.
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Kimd - I also traveled for my DIEP -- from New Mexico to San Antonio. I assume you are using PRMA? Who are your docs?
I also assume you need to stay for that extra week after you get out of the hospital...
The out-of-the-ordinary things I took (that I used the heck out of) were:
1) my wedge to sleep on (12" tall so you can sleep 12" elevated, or invert it so that your hips are 12" away from the wall, and you are near-sitting -- which I preferred in the beginning)
2) 2 chiller pillows, so one could be in use while the other one cooled and got ready... for a quick switcheroo
3) My pink slippers (absolutely!)
4) BLACK dearfoam slippers that were SO soft, but looked like real shoes/clogs -- I wore these anytime I went outside at the hotel -- including walking around the parking lot.
5) A small (6") clip-on-fan, which I ended up using even in the hospital, because I was uncomfortably hot in the binder and bra
*** I loved the nurses, my oncological surgeon (Alexander Miller) and my PRMA plastic surgeon (Nastala). I am now just over a month out, and I feel GREAT and the new girls look GREAT, too!
But I suggest that you tell them your bra size, and measure the widest part of your own hips AND PASS THAT INFO TO THE NURSES PRE-OP. For some reason, after the surgery I was put in a binder and bra that were too small (a 38-40 bra, and I should have had a 42-44!) so I ended up getting a heat/friction rash all along the binder and bra edges... an un-necessary complication -- if they had only asked me what size bra I wear!
Besides that, I loved the team, and am super super satisfied with my results. I even have (I believe FULL) skin sensation (I had a skin-sparing BMX with immediate DIEP) -- which of course they won't promise, because nerves are cut in the process... but I have heard several others say they aren't numb either... so you can't count on it, but don't write off the possibility... the PRMA team is very talented.
Best of luck to you!
If you have PRMA-specific questions (or anything else) please feel free to private message me.
Linda
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Wow I went to prma too. I had Dr Arishita. They treatedme so well.
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Good morning ladies,
I have a few questions regarding the new boobs:
1. Does anyone have a sports bra look? My new ladies are nice and round, but flat where the nipple was, making it look like I am wearing a sports bra. Does this go away? I am small chested ( before and after surgery) and because I am slim, there was not a lot of tissue to make larger breasts.
2. How long until the ladies completely soften up? I seem to be hard and soft.
3. One boob is slightly larger than the other. I think this is due to swelling on the cancer side (prophylactic on the rt. side). Anyone experience this?
I am just under three weeks post-op.
Thank you,
Ruby -
Yes I have a larger side which was the cancer side. In reading the OR report, that flap from the abdomen was heavier. They cut that into two unqual pieces. (That's okay - maybe they plan to tune it up, but damn, they put the bellybutton between those two pieces and now it is off centre.)
The small side is flatter (or "sports-bra-ish") and does not fill a bra cup that fits the larger so I am limited to molded bras (I was allowed underwire after six weeks, and actually left it over six months before I switched. They fit better.)
The larger side swelling goes up and down. I don't have lymphedema in my arm but I seem to have it around the flap (possibly on the back of the shoulder but I can't really see) and under the arm. I have a compression bra-vest that I sleep in and had some lymph drainage therapy and they trained me how (and I cannot really do it). It is more swelly when I fly long distances or run for a long time (half marathon) unless I am wearing compression.
The post-DIEP hardness for me was where the positioning stitching was. Eventually that softened. I can't recall when. It was after I stopped thinking about the surgery all the time. Not soon.
The flatness or shapiness also is determined by the positioning stitching, so it won't likely become more shapy if it is flat.
The swelling from surgery will go down (my abdomen really did) but swelling that is lymphedema can go up and down. I only had two nodes removed on my original mastectomy, and that BS really did a job on it, and so I have some LE on that side. I never noticed while it was flat, but now post DIEP, I can see that it swells and overflows the bra later in the day. LE therapist automatically says no underwire etc but I find the underwire is better because it stabilizes the position of the flap and reduces jiggling. The wire itself isn't "tight" or constricting, so I can't really see why it would be a problem but I'll just assume there are exceptions for everything and maybe my case is an exception.
You can have a follow up surgery to transfer other fat like liposuction to add more shape. (Some people also add a small implant, but that's not for me.) I am planning to have my larger side taken down a notch (it is C and I would have been completely happy or even happier with
and fill some dents on the small side so that I can wear soft cup bras someday too. I am not in an unholy rush. My DIEP was Dec 15 last year, and probably won't get around to the tune up until late spring 2013. Too busy catching up other stuff.
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