DIEP 2013

Hi ladies, popping in to see how Lorikay's surgery went....still no word? SElizabeth, you are in my prayers- I hope all goes well with scan results. You recent DIEP "graduates" all seem to be doing quite well, too. I still find it amazing that we have this surgery as an option-how lucky we are!



I am now 2 months out, and so happy with my choice to do this. i had a great surgeon. I would do it all over again-even with the "hiccups" I experienced. I am thrilled with my new adopted girls.....they have "assimilated" very well! :-)



Those of you on the countdown-the few weeks just before surgery will literally speed by, and it will be SX Day before you know.....don't be derailed by sleeplessness and anxiety, use the meds you were prescribed to help you get through what is definitely a VERY stressful time. You need to be as rested as possible-it's a big surgery!



Namaste and God Bless- Jackie

And what are YOU doing awake at this hour Movie????? I have tried meditation, relaxation techniques, yoga asanas supposedly helpful for relaxation and sleep, etc., etc., .....I was really hoping for this to work on the first try, but yes, it might need "tweaking". Thing is, I'm running out of trial time! How does that happen?? Seems like not that long ago, the waiting time seemed endless!!! If I didn't have to be up and out tomorrow morning, I would try adding the ativan. Thursday I have another early morning, as I'm taking my daughter to yet another one of HER doc appointments, Friday morning is my pre-op!!! Sheesh!!! If I've had no luck with the sleep by next Monday, I'm going to call the doc.....trouble is, she is soooooo hard to get in to see, it could be next to impossible to get something different in time to help. Thanks for all the positive support.....you give us hope!

Nihahi...oh, dear.  Even with sleeping pills you have to use the relaxation stuff.  You know, lie in a comfortable position, calm your mind, relax your muscles, etc.  You COULD do the Michael Jackson thing if you could find an anesthesiologist with some propofol in his pocket, but it's not recommended!

So sorry you're wrestling with this!

Nihahi -- shucks on the pills not helping, especially after everything!  Does your doctor have an "online" system where you can email her?  Mine's does and I got some of my prescriptions adjusted and sent directly to the pharmacy without needing to go in and see her that way.  The other gals have also given you great tips on non-doctor methods too

Cuetang - i know just what you are talking about.  That is where the fat grafting part of Stage 2 comes in, from what I understand.  I'll let you know in about 3 weeks - Stage 2 is April 5.

And thank you, those who were praying for me.  Popping up prayers to heaven like beautiful balloons from all over the country is amazing, and I'm grateful. 

SO happy for you SElizabeth! Now you are free to move on to the surgery with NO doubts hanging on! You and Ninhahi have been on my mind since last night, and it was nice to come home from the gym, and see your post! Congratulations!



Nihahi , I second what Faith said-no caffeine after 2 pm. What did she give you?

Ambien? Lunesta? Give it another go tonight, and maybe get a cd of the woman Janet recommended to help with relaxation......careful on the Ativan-it works, but it is highly addictive......save it for just before surgery, and like I said earlier-I found the ANTICIPATION to be much worse than the actual surgery/recovery. You will do amazing, I just know it!



Cuetang, yes I know exactly what you are talking about.....stage 2 will take care of them. I know I have plenty of fat left my surgeon can use to fill in the "dents"! :-)



Hope ALL of you wonderfully brave and AWESOME women have a good day! (((Hugs))) to you all.



Namaste and God Bless-Jackie

You all are wonderful. I second what faith said, love you ladies even though we've never even met.. cuetang, I am almost 8 weeks out of my DIEP, but I do not have "dents/dimples" on breasts, but a lot of them on the ab-incesion line. My rightie is still harder than my leftie, so maybe when it softerns up, dents will appear. I don't know what my ps did, at this point, I could easily be without a stage 2, if the ab-incision had not gotten messed up. Being at work for a week and half now and feel the energy level is back . On the other hand, I still sleep on my back on the recliner . I soooooo wish to get back on the tennis court. "moving day" is a good one, selizabeth. Someone else called it "front end re-alignment."

Love your atitude, sbelizabeth.

Faith - I was actually not terribly nervous going into Stage 1.  My husband has the most wonderful saying:  Your mind can either be your best friend or worst enemy.  I chose to make it my friend and not let it run away on a variety of tangents, especially when I did not have control.  It did help to control what I could within reason.  For example, he needed to stop in Pensacola before my surgery in NOLA so I planned it out in great detail - made it more than a simple get off the plane, drive to Pensacola.  I love to play blackjack, but didn't want to be exposed to smoke so I found the only smoke-free casino in Biloxi where we stopped for a night after we visited family in Daphne, Alabama.  So we had a fun little vacay and had dinner at some favorite stops in New Orleans.  I guess I am saying it is all about what you choose to worry over.  Give yourself some space to just breath.  We are going to spend a few days with one of my fav cousins and his wife before Stage 2.  Just some creative diversions.  Find them and simplify!  Do not let your mind focus on what you absolutely can not control.  

MartyJ and TammyT thanks for your input on the valleys and dimples. I was hoping to avoid a stage 2, but I guess not now heh. Good luck with Stage 2 and love the fun plans that you have planned MartyJ! . TammyT-- glad to hear about energy being back! I love the terms here, moving day and front-end realignment!

Am very close to Sterling TammyT, just let me know .

Nihahi, you are always one step ahead of us! I, too, am hoping you have better luck tonight getting the sleep you need. :-)



I echo what is being said on this thread.....I feel like I have a home here, that I am safe, and among women who "get" what I am dealing with. So grateful to have found it, and grateful for all of you brave, and wonderful women who allow me to vent, ask stupid questions, or add my two cents. Don't know any of you, but love you all. It's amazing how much stronger I feel, because I feel like I have a whole community that has my back! ((((Hugs)))) to you all!



Namaste and God Bless-Jackie

Two weeks out, so tired of sleeping (or not, as the case may be...) on the couch, the bruised feeling -- is it from the binder? I stopped the oxycodone because I think it messes with my emotions, but I'm somewhat miserable at night. I'm not sleeping in my bed because my 3-year-old sleeps with us, but maybe that would be better? (And our recliner is too teeny.) Wisdom? One couch feels too squishy, and the other has arms that are too low to lean my head against. When did you start sleeping flat? Thanks, gals.

Emily, you don't have to sleep flat just because you are in bed.  Use a few pillows - under your knees and head.  The pillows can help keep you on your back.  It is important not to stress the abdominal incision yet.  You can make it a game with your 3 year old, but you are the one who needs to heal.  While we don't want to stress our kids, you need to give yourself the best chance.  Try that bed with some pillows!