DIEP 2013

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited March 2013

    You have to PM nowheregirl and ask for permission.

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited March 2013

    Hi seagan, do you know which side your ps was able to make a SIEA flap? My ps also looked into it for me but I didn't have those vessels. From what I've read, it is better than DIEP but it is only for those lucky enough to have those vessels. Just wandering if you notice any difference. Good luck with your kiddos.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited March 2013

    sbelizabeth...the picture forum is not part of this site, but you get access to it by sending a PM on this site to the person who "runs" it. She goes by the names of "nowheregirl" or "timtam". I think either name will get to her. It takes awhile for her to reply to you, and by that, I mean some days, not some hours. Once she gets back to you (by sending you a PM) she will lead you through the steps to get access.

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  • seagan
    seagan Member Posts: 166
    edited March 2013
    Tammy - nope, I keep forgetting to ask which side was the SIEA. I'm curious also if they used the left flap on the left side, or a criss-cross deal. My guess is the SIEA was the left used on the left, as I swear I can sometimes feel more of a slice inside the right abdominal side and wonder if that's where they went through the muscle to get to the deeper vessel? I know they don't take muscle for a DIEP, but I believe they still need to mess with it a bit, to get to the interior vein.



    The other thing that makes me think the SIEA went to the left breast is that one always sounded a tad fainter on the Doppler in the hospital. That could have just been a placement thing, though.



    I can't believe I keep forgetting to ask my PS - I'm very curious if my guesses are right or just more products of my somewhat bored imagination!!
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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited March 2013

    Seagan....my understanding is that the muscle "fibres" are "teased apart" to get access to vessels, but the muscle is not cut in any way. The fibres are left to settle back in place and don't need sutures to do this. Until the muscle has recovered from this, it is a bit weak, which also is why the rule of no strenous lifting, etc. 

    Going back to work will likely cure that boredom for you! Smile 

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  • faith729
    faith729 Member Posts: 244
    edited March 2013

    Hi ladies today was my boobvoyage party. It was nice lots of good friends and family and great support. Sounds like everyone is doing well. Looking forward to hearing from Cuetang Im sure she is doing great.

    Bdavis Not sure why the skin was two toned it was unclear in the pics if it was a skin sparing or not so I figured I would ask to be sure.



    Also got my letter today from my insurance company fully approving my procedure...As if they could've said no ;) it's just a good feeling to check that off too. Things seem to be falling into place really well so fingers crossed that my pre op appointmens go well Thursday and Friday! Ahh



    Have a great night everyone !

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited March 2013

    sbelizabeth - you will need to PM NoWhereGirl (aka TimTam)  and ask permission.  She hosts the site privately.  It may not be a quick matter as she lives in Japan.  It is very worthwhile to see how everyone progresses (and to see the kinds of problems that have happened to some).

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited March 2013

    Thanks, ladies, I sent a PM to nowheregirl.  I'm tired of scrolling through the google photos of flawless DIEP results on young, skinny women, as well as the nightmares where the entire flap is necrotic.    

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  • PinkHeart
    PinkHeart Member Posts: 1,193
    edited March 2013

    Seagan,



    You may wish to ask your surgeon for copies of your pre-op, operative, and post-op reports. This way you have all the juicey details so you have best understanding of your care. Some patients simply prefer not to know what's happening once the lights go out. :)



    My surgeon has excellent bedside manner and always pulled up a chair to chat with me when I was in hospital. He also always answers my emails promptly. Even with great communication and explanations, it was nice that his staff gave me my medical records without me even having to ask for both Stage 1 & 2a. Getting ready for Stage 2b in a few weeks!



    Glad to hear you are having a super recovery! You are blessed to have an understanding employer.

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  • SheChirple
    SheChirple Member Posts: 954
    edited March 2013

    Waiting, waiting, waiting..............gain weight, lose weight, diet and exercise, what to do....I'm shooting for maintaining until surgery.  I figure it can't hurt to have good strong ab muscles, that doesn't affect the fat/skin transplant.  I also want to keep my walking routine so I have good circulation, after all, that is extremeely important, yes?

    I love reading all the posts, and keep up on all the progress, positive and negative, but I just can't concentrate enough to respond to each.

    I'm just waiting. I have realized that there are no, or few if any, regrets, and I know I have made the right choice. But the waiting is killing me. I just go on, day by day.

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  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2013

    Hi Ladies! After 10 hours of surgery and one night at the ICU, I'm in a regular room. I got the bear hugger puffy thing. I also didn't mind the Doppler checks because I slept soundly. It's really hard to try to walk standing straight lol. So far other than the pain things are looking good!

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang!!!!!!!! So good to hearing from you over there on "the other side"! Sounds like things are going well for you and you certainly sound positive! Happy Healing!

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  • seagan
    seagan Member Posts: 166
    edited March 2013

    Yay, Cuetang!! Thanks so much for checking in and letting us know all is well. Hooray!! Here's to a great recovery too.

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  • kimdy
    kimdy Member Posts: 66
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang!  Congrats!  Will be praying for a speedy recovery.  Keep us posted!:)

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang! Yay! So glad to hear from you........happy everything has gone so well. You'll be home and on the road to recovery before you know it. In a few weeks, this will all seem like a blurry memory..... :-)



    Namaste and God Bless - Jackie

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  • llr010200
    llr010200 Member Posts: 67
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang, Glad to hear things are going well. I pray that things continue as such each day. Take care!

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang



    Good Morning! I'm so glad to hear from you, and that things went well. Congratulations! I wish you a calm and pain free (or well medicated) recovery.



    Janet

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  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited March 2013

    Thanks everyone! Had my surgery Friday morning and didnt get to the ICU later, the monitored the flaps every half hour to hour. I've been liberally using the painkillers to stay on top of things. They've sent me to another room where I get monitored 4 hours or so. On the flip side, can't really tell how the girls are (had nipple and skin sparing mastectomy). Sorry if I repeated myself if I did earlier, these drugs make me a bit loopy! :)

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited March 2013

    So happy for you, cuetang. Sounds like you will have a smooth and fast recovery. No need to apologize, a lot of us on this end have done the same. As a matter of fact, I still feel like I am in a dream from time to time.
    I also had nipple and skin sparing, but my ps had me bra-less for three weeks. There was no dressing on them either.

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited March 2013

    It's so nice to hear from people on the other side. You will do great. Walk, drink, rest, walk, drink, rest 😄

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  • KiwiMum
    KiwiMum Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2013

    Yay Cuetang! It's done now and you can relax and heal! You sound like you are doing well.

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  • wraithg
    wraithg Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2013

    almost week two out of surgery-  bilateral masectomy! my right breast , which was the healthy one, that was reconstructed is giving me issues. Wierd pains in the middle of chest and bit more swollen on right side. I was doing quite well but now bored and a little depressed , wondering if I will ever feel normal again.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited March 2013

    Geralyn - you will feel normal again, but you must give yourself time.  In this world of instant gratification, this is a deviation.  Your body needs time to heal.  Even when you are feeling better and better at 4 then 6 weeks, you will still be healing on the inside for many months to come.  If the right remains much more swollen than the left, it may be possible that your breast drains were pulled earlier than the breast needed and there is fluid.  Give it a few days, then call your PS.  Just remember, this is the time to use all of the patience you have been working years to develop. 

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  • wraithg
    wraithg Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2013

    thank you MartyJ , i do know , and yes I have to find my patience. funny the original radiated left side had drain pulled in hospital and its the right side giving me problems. You are right about the emotional side. find my self crying out of the blue. It takes time and if my life was perfect other than this , it would be alot easier. Oh boy patience hang in there.

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  • Pamela44
    Pamela44 Member Posts: 143
    edited March 2013

    Geralyn I also had asymmetric swelling and there was no problem, it was just my body healing.  You will be surprised but at 4-5 weeks there is a huge change for the better.  Prior to that every week will bring you improvement.  Hang in there.

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  • wraithg
    wraithg Member Posts: 93
    edited March 2013

    thanks

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited March 2013

    Itmguy.....good luck tomorrow, soon you'll be one of the veterans! Hope all the newbies are healing and resting. For all of us "wannabies".....another day closer. 

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  • faith729
    faith729 Member Posts: 244
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang so glad to hear that your recovering well!

    Just checking in and keeping busy..I plan on packing my hospital bag this weekend . Ordered my shower chair and a new blender to make my smoothies it's the only way I like my fruits and veggies :) gotta stay healthy!



    Have a great day ladies!

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  • heavenschild
    heavenschild Member Posts: 212
    edited March 2013

    Cuetang - congratulations!   So glad to hear that you are doing good post-op.

    Geralyn - I too have swelling and one side is bigger than the other.  Even six weeks out they still don't think it is a concern and it will resolve.  It is funny, the side that gives me the most trouble is the side where they took the piece of rib/cartilage out.  My sternum is also tender.  You will feel better - this is a tough SX to recover from.  Post-op six weeks (and I have had LOTS of pain issues, which you won't have) I have the energy to clean (not mop), cook (simple stuff).  The first 2-3 weeks it is overwhelming.  Get LOTS of help, let people pamper you, you deserve it!

    For any ladies having pain issues (lucky me) - the doctor put me on Neurontin, which is helping.  I go to a pain specialist this Friday.  I am still seriously considering going to NOLA for my 2nd SX. 

    Blessings to all! 

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited March 2013

    Hi Ladies.....another question (seems like DIEP thoughts have taken over my brain!). I have about an hour drive home from the hopsital. Did anyone that travelled home in a car have issues with seatbelts? I wonder if I should have a pillow in the car to put between me and the belt, to cushion the tummy and chest? Seatbelts are already annoying for me across my chest, so can't imagine it'll be any more comfortable on discharge day!

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