DIEP 2013

This camisole is great:  http://www.gentlet.com/camisole.html  I wore it through SGAP and DIEP. Very soft and less bulky than a pouch.  I got two that I switched off.

There's also a cotton version: http://www.gentlet.com/coz-ease.html

I was told to wear a bra as normal the day I left hospital but not much else in the way of advice. None of my bras are wires so more like a sports bra. I take it off for bed. Am not sure whether on or off feels better but finding that there are lumps well, maybe swelling under arms. Its hard to describe , just feels uncomfortable under arms where the breasts spread out. Wearing a bra helps this but starts to irritate by dinner time. Getting out of bed at hospital was hard but now its not a problem. Day by day it is getting better. 

Would any of you who have had surgery recommend a lift chair?

Hi, everyone.  I just finished my pre-op PET scan.  I hate these things.  Now I'll bubble and percolate and stew with worry until someone gets around to calling me with the results, hopefully before the weekend.

There's no tangible reason to think the beast has broken loose, but they wanted the PET before the recon because I haven't been scanned in a long while.  My nightmare is that my MO's office calls and says, "we need to schedule an appointment to go over your results.  Bring your husband."  Oh, gosh.  I wish my imagination would dial it down a little.

I would appreciate your prayers! 

sbelizabeth, you have mine too!

Great ideas on the drains ladies!



Sbelizabeth, my prayers are with you too! (hugs). There's a nothing like a good bike ride to make things feel better



Robinlee76-- I didn't need a lift chair

Hi everyone.

I just finished reading all 28 pages of this thread! I am on the fence about recon. and will take the next few months to decide whether I will follow this route or not. I am currently day 6 post bmx (preventative surgery) and have two drains so cannot do much, so spent the time reading this thread.

You are a very positive group of women and I enjoyed all the posts. I especially enjoyed the video that ElizabethinPA posted (page 12).

The video was very informative for me as I had asked my BS about the diep that would follow my bmx and I can see now that he gave me the wrong info or perhaps misunderstood my question. I asked him if he performed the bmx the same way regardless of whether the recon part is delayed. Well, according to the video this is not true. In the video, the breast tissue is removed through a small opening and this creates an envelope or pocket which is then filled with the diep flap.  The result is that the patient is left with a small area that is sewn up. How ingenious is that! I am so amazed!

In my case, I have horizontal scars across each breast so my result will not be as attractive and I will end up with train tracks across each breast. I wish I could have had the option to do recon at the same time. Oh well, "it is what it is" !! I have to be thankful that I am reducing my recurrence risk drastically by having the bmx.

One thing that does bother me, though, concerns the pain medication that women have to take for this operation. As I mentioned above, I am at day 6 and I have not taken any medication at all. I wonder if this would be the same if I have the recon. I hope so, as I am too sensitive to medication and try to manage without.

I shall pop in from time to time to check on progress of everyone.

Painterly.... Just wondering why you had to have delayed recon?



And I have had both DIEP and GAP flaps and as for pain, the GAP was much better.... I didn't need meds. For the DIEP I was on meds for one week, then off.... 100%.... So if you want to avoid meds, have you considered a GAP flap?

sbelizabeth - I know that feeling...praying for you!

Walkinginfaith, each PS is different.  Some prefer to do the recon and take the risks that rads will distort things.  My own team, faced with a complicated breast cancer situation, much preferred me to have a unilateral mx, followed closely by rads, and then wait at least 6 months for the rads tissue to heal.  Well, it's been 9 months and my radiated side is still cooked and melted to my board-like chest muscles, so we'll see what miracle is wrought with the DIEP!

Thanks for the prayers and good wishes, dear sisters.  

sbelizabeth...lifting you up in prayer. Ann

Bdavis--yes, it certainly will be more challenging for my PS.  My left chest is pretty much adhered to my chest wall, due to rads.  For my situation, however, three tumor boards met to discuss how to save my life and then reconstruct.  I had lymphovascular invasion to a 3" circle in the skin of my breast, and ALL that skin had to go, along with the breast.  The RO was nervous about having an expander there, since it was my inner left side and he wanted the targeting to be perfect.  

Given the choice between waking up with a reconstructed breast or a better chance at saving my life, well, I'll live with being flat on one side for a few months.  And I trust my team to help me make the best decisions for me.

Heavenschild when do you go for the consult? Crossing my fingers for no drains!!

Thank you for the cyber hugs I just got an email from my boss asking me to work early next week. When I read the email I just sat there frozen for a while after seeing the dates and realizing how quickly this is all happening now!



I had a moment tonight where my fears subsided for a few minutes though. I was walking out to the car with my oldest son and felt some pain where my latest tumor was found. I didn't need to say anything but though it was the sign I've been asking for. So I have these little moments where I have peace in my decision. I hope that all of you ladies in waiting have those same moments of peace.



Sbelizabeth prayers for you headed your way keep us posted we'll all be waiting with you.



Painterly welcome to the thread DIEP was my choice hands down it was the right choice for me. Whatever type of reconstruction you choose there is loads of support here and Im sure that you'll be able to find something your most comfortable with.



Hugs and peace of mind to all you lovely ladies tonight.

Looking for update from LoriKay - hoping all went well.

Well, this is discouraging......3 hours after taking a sleeping pill, here I am, wide awake!!!!!!!!!