DIEP 2013

bdavis · January 2013

MYPRESCIOUS and SHELL... If you do not have enough abdominal fat (as I didn't have enough), would you consider a GAP flap? Or both?

Pamela44 · January 2013

To janet and all others: here is my take on my deip stage 1. I am 58 and have ovca and this was done as a preventative surgery. I kept my nipples. For me. The surgery was a walk in the park. Other then playing tennis 2-3 times a week i am not overly athletic. My surgery was about 5-6 hours. I only used the pain pump about 4 times when getting out of bed to go to the bathroom in the hospital. At home i used oral pain pill about once a day for four days and then. None. I went to the casino in NO the day i was released and walked each day there therreafter. Yes i did get tired and had to take breaks (to eat) but was otherwise fine. I was never hunched over. (.maybe because i am older and my skin was looser?) no wound problems. I had no problems getting out of bed after i left the hospital, maybebecause compred to my ovarian surgery when the muscles were CUT this was so much easier. 6 weeks laterback to tennis. Ilove, love,love the results. Breasts are shaped much better thenmy originals, my pictures are on the pictured forum, and i got rid of my tummy which i hated. I am looking forward to stage 2. My advice is to embrace this wonderful procedure, try not to fear it. It might turn out to be easier then you think. Certainly for me it was MUCH easier then wearing expanders for several months! Good luck!

Pamela44 · January 2013

One othere thing. I did not needa recliner, the bed with pillows was fine. However i did sleep in a bedroom away from my dogs with the door closed so that they could not jump in me.i was afraid of that because normally they do so i just did not lie down around them. My google auto correct is a pain.

Andrea623 · January 2013

I'm seeing a PS about DIEP this Wednesday. I was originally going to go the implant route, but radiation put a kibosh on that. My original PS told me he didn't think I had enough fat, and recommended I get a second opinion. So, keeping my fingers crossed for some good news!

shells43 · January 2013

Well, that's sort of what I was afraid of, Jacee. Thanks for sharing, I know it is very personal info. So they look good, but don't have any sensation. I think I will discuss it with him and see what he thinks. I just had a mammo on Friday that showed more microcalcs in my good breast. I will find out this week if I need a biopsy or not. This is why I'm considering a prophy now rather than a lift.

4my4babies · January 2013

Bleugirl - looks like we're set for the same day. I'll have my prophylactic BMX with DIEP in NOLA on 1/17. Cheers to both of us when we are done!

And Pamela - I so hope and pray I am like you! I am 51, not in as good of shape as you are (no tennis for me, I've got 4 young children I chase after and I have bad knees) but as I've had no dx, and am doing this prophylacticly due to family history, I'm not worn down from previous surgeries, chemo or radiation. Hopefully all those things will play in my favor! I l know everyone's response will be different but it I so refreshing to know that it can be as "easy" as we could possibly hope!

Nancy

Janet_M · January 2013

Pamela44,

Wow - I sure like hearing about your good experience. I'm so glad it worked out for you! (Did you really go to the casino on the day you were released?). And I 'm glad you mentionned your dogs - my pets are a big concern to me.

My mom is worried that the pet hair will cause infection but I've never really thought about it . I've had two lumpecotmies and the pet hair was never an issue. My nurse used to come in and change my bandages on the bed with my dog by my side, and even he (the nurse) didn't think it was a big deal.

Did you surgeon resist to you keeping your nipples, or was he on baord?

Thanks,

Janet

Janet_M · January 2013

Geralyn,

I know how you're feeling. Making desicions, absorbing information, and coming up with a plan is really hard. There's no road map and we have to create our own. I wish you the best.

BDavis - Great information. Thank you. I'm hanging on to your words - especially when you say ' you're excited'. I'm trying to get there too.

Janet

kimdy · January 2013

Well, I was scheduled to fly out this Wednesday and have bilateral DIEP next Monday 1/14. Had pre-op EKG last week - showed Left Bundle Branch Block, abnormal cardiac echo shows low ejection fraction. Bottom line - they think chemo damaged my heart and surgery is cancelled/postponed!

So tired and disappointed. So much work to coordinate all the details to travel out of town for about 2 1/2 weeks with two non-driving teens here at home. It seems life has been much out of control since my diagnosis!

Waited to change insurance so I could have DIEP...now I guess I will be waiting some more!!!

Best Wishes to all of you!

bdavis · January 2013

Oh... so sorry. I had my EKG today for surgery in 3 weeks. I can imagine the disappointment.

nihahi · January 2013

That is tough news Kimdy. I hope that it gets sorted out for you soon, and that ways to help you regain your health can be found for you. I can only imagine how discouraged you must be. Hang in there.

heavenschild · January 2013

Kimdy - Gentle cyber hugs to you! I know the waiting is hard.

Bleugirl & 4my4babies - I am so excited for you! Please keep us posted post-surgery! I follow a week after on the 23rd.

I am having a problem with this waiting game. My favorite fear is that it will be postponed after waiting for two months. The good thing is my house has never been so clean. So tired of this from the onset...

ketch · January 2013

Kimdy, I hate to hear that.

My Feb 14th surgery with Dr. K was green-lighted today. Except, I have to have the prelim tests!!

jojo68 · January 2013

Hi Ladies!

I am scheduled for double masectomy and DIEP this Wednesday, January 16th,..they fit me in on a cancellation and now I am freaking out about getting last minute prepping done! I have so many questions...

This may sound crazy, but I have the worst hair...shorter, needs curled or looks bad...doesn't dry nice on its own. I am assuming I will not be able to lift my arms to do my hair...will I get a shower there? Should I just bring some sort of hat to cover my hair if I am unable to fix it? i know it sounds vain, but if you saw my bedhead you would understand...LOL

Also, I have read it's wise to either rent a hospital bed or recliner for home? I hve a very high bed on second floor that would be hard to get to.

I am worried about constipation from pain meds...I had horrible problems after my c-sections...

Should I buy some kind of marena compression garnments...are these necessary?

Thanks so much!!!!

MartyJ · January 2013

Joellelee - Breath!! I know it is hard. Hair will be a challenge. You will have a shower before you leave the hospital, but if you are not comfortable leaving it as is then a hat will work. My hair needs "handling", but at least no one but my husband saw it in the hospital. You will be able to raise your arms somewhat, in fact if you will most likely be given exercises to keep your shoulders moving.

If your bed is not easy to get into, then by all means rent a recliner (saves some space, hospital beds are big).

Yes, constipation can be a problem. They will most likely give you a stool softener. I actually began taking one a few days before. I am 8 weeks out and still take. Occassionally I will add Mag Citrate (but that is just my preference). Some doctors will recommend Miralax, too.

You didn't mention where your surgery is being preformed. If in NOLA, they will provide the compression garment. Most of us usually wear what is provided for the first few weeks before adding Marena. You will have drains. The hip drains seem to be the last to come out. My doctor made slits in the compression garment to route them through. I didn't change to Marena til the hip drains came out.

Remember to have some button front shirts and comfy pants with looser waists. Target sleepwear is a great place to look for sleep pants. I bought my size and one size larger. I ended up wearing the size larger more often because I wanted the looser waist.

You will be fine. Just keep those questions coming

jojo68 · January 2013

Hi Marty! Thanks so much for the help!

So, I probably will just get the one shower...is that usually pretty soon b4 being discharged?

I am having surgery at Penn Medicine in Philly (U of Penn)...They have not mentioned anything about compression garments, but I am scheduled for my pre-ops this Monday and maybe somebody at that time can answer that question? My living room is pretty large, so we would have room for a hospital bed, fortunately...my concern was being able to physically 'upright' the recliner myself using that tough lever on the side...

Also, great idea about the pjs at target...i was thinking silk would be best...but, confused about sizing...I am having a DIEP, wouldn't that make me smaller in the waist? Also, is it good to have a robe for the hospital? I don't own one, would have to buy one...thanks again!

bdavis · January 2013

Joellelee... The DIEP does make you smaller, but a) you'll be swollen and b) if you are wearing compression it is bulky. Not all doctors ask you to wear compression, so that may be a good question. Either way, I would wait on teh Marena. If they don't want you in compression, then no need for the Marena. And if they do, they will most likely give you something shortterm.

I bought the target Gillian and O'Malley lounge pants, like PJs, but suitable for going out in. I bought black and gray. Very soft. I also bought larger underwear to go over the compression girdle.

About recliners, I slept in my bed. I did use the recliner at first but preferred my bed.

jojo68 · January 2013

Thanks bdavis!

I will ask about the compression garment before making a move on that! What is the purpose of the compression? Why would some docs recommend its use and others not? Would I need to bring the larger undies to the hospital? Maybe I would be better suited with renting a medical recliner...any recommendations? Thanks sooo much!

Morningsun1 · January 2013

I am scheduled for double masectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction on January 28 2013. I read it somewhere in some cases the doc had to change one of the flap into a TRAM. Does that happen often? Has that happened to any of you? If yes, can you tell me more about it? Thanks

Morningsun1 · January 2013

By the way, Pamela44 I also play tennis, so I hope my recovery will be more like yours.

bdavis · January 2013

Joellelee... Compression helps reduce swelling for quicker healing. I believe after stage II, it also helps when you've had lipo to tissue adhesion. And it also is more comfortable, to kind of feel like you are being held in place while you heal. My doctor uses compression, and most do, but some don't.. I can't say why. And if you will be wearing a compression garment, I would bring the bigger undies to the hospital.

Tammy... Personally, I wouldn't sign a waiver that allows the doctor to convert to TRAM. Today, with new advances, there really is no need to convert to TRAM if the surgeon has experience in DIEP. And I wouldn't want to compromise my core muscles for the rest of my life.

MartyJ · January 2013

Joellelee - we have a recliner and I had to have my DH help me sit up a couple of times. I am very independent and often just pushed my way through it. Ours doesn't have a handle, you use your abs and legs to push the leg rest down. Most of the time I was fine as I didn't get up often during the first couple of weeks home - mostly for bathroom, food and walks.

Bdavis is the one who got lots of us on the target lounge pants. Very comfy. I purchased some larger undies, but my usual ones fit just fine over the compression. My lower ab is smaller where they took the tissue for DIEP, but it is my waist that seems to be bloating depending on what I do and the time of day. I understand that this will go on for quite a while.

bdavis · January 2013

Marty... I am 14 months post stage II and my natural waist is larger than when I had surgery. Of course my lower abs are very small... So I mostly wear low rise pants as pants that sit at my waistline are just not comfortable. I am hoping my doctor can address some of it at my stage IIb in 3 weeks.

Morningsun1 · January 2013

@bdavis, if I don't sign thea waiver that allows the doctor to convert to TRAM, what will happen?

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MartyJ · January 2013

Betsy, that is most disappointing. I hope Dr D can fix. Actually, in the morning my waist measures the same as before. In the evening it can be 2-3 inches larger. I will have to look into more low rise pants.

bdavis · January 2013

Tammy.. I am not sure. That might be a great question for the doctor. I know my doctor said they actually photograph our insides as proof that no muscle is taken. I think that some people after DIEP who have abdominal pain might claim muscle was taken. And once you are closed up, how does the patient really know. So the doctor documents it. But if you don't sign the waiver, and they open you up and the surgeon can't perform the DIEP because is beyond his expertise, would he close you back up?? Or would he just not open you up with you signing? I wasn't in that situation, so maybe someone else can say... or perhaps even research TRAM and see if its something you could live with. If you can't, then don't sign. I am very active, go to the gym etc and am only 49 yrs old. I have read that sometimes the muscle issue can happen many years down the road, or progressively get worse, and I wouldn't want to risk that.

Marty... When I say uncomfortable, I mean tight. I have some jeans that are just too tight in the waist now. But I have other dress pants (with a smoother waistband) that sit at the waist and are just fine. So maybe it depends on the pant style.

nihahi · January 2013

I'm confused about the "waist swelling" comments from people. Is this happening to everyone, or is it specific to the "post lipo" stage? I'm trying to gather all my questions before I have my consult next week.

As no one replied to my question of "managing capsular contraction pain" I guess there is nothing helpful ???????

MartyJ · January 2013

Nihahi - I am post Stage 1 and have waist swelling depending on how active I am durig the day. Sorry, but didn't remember your question re managing capsular contraction pain. I had cap contraction on the right for many years and also iron bra. When the surgeons removed the implants for DIEP Stage 1, they broke up as much of the scar tissue as they were able to at the time. About 6 weeks out, I suddenly realized that the iron bra was gone.

nihahi · January 2013

Hi MartyJ......So the waist swelling, which I assume is above the donor flap area, is maybe because they "rummage around" up there to loosen enough skin to pull down and join to the lower incision area????? Was a compression garment suggested for post stage 1?

I had asked what (if anything) can be done to minimize cap contr. pain while waiting for the surgery to release the scarring. After the explant and (hopefully) the diep surgery, I would expect it (please, oh please) to be resolved.

Thanks

bdavis · January 2013

nihahi... Yes they do mess around with the upper abs.. and it can be disruptive, but nothing is cut, just moved around. I think though that when they remove the lower ab fat, where no organs are in teh way, it is a difference from the upper abs that house organs. So if you (and most do) have fat in and amongst the organs, it will be bloated or distended, especially as the day goes on.

DIEP 2013

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