DIEP 2013

Hello fellow DIEP sisters and welcome new DIEP sisters!  Looks like there's a ton to catch up on (sorry if I've missed some folks!), as I have been sort of obsessing on other boards about recent "issues" and questions I had from my surgery pathology, so just getting a chance to really look at this thread.  Just got back from the RO, and looks like I narrowly dodged a trip to the rads bar/laser tag because I had a skin margin of less than 1mm.  No re-excision required based on the BS and no radiation recommendation from the RO.  Whew!  I was not looking forward to the idea of possibly radiating the new DIEP girl.

I'm almost 5 weeks from my surgery and I have to admit, generally I feel great.  I realistically could've gone to work probably over a week ago, but don't plan on getting back to my desk job until next week.  I've decided that I need more of a mental break than anything else (hopefully I won't find any more additive shows like Downton Abbey!).  I pretty much walk straight, almost have my full range of motion back, and it's pretty much a normal daily routine (aside from work).  I still watch out for lifting things, just to be on the safe side.  I do notice myself getting pickier and adding things to my "things to talk to the PS about for my Stage 2 consultation". 

Nihahi -- just a couple more days and you'll be "on the other side" with us here!  Want to stop by DC here instead?  It's in the mid-80s today!

MartyJ-- can't wait to get your input on the Stage 2 process, glad they were able to reschedule you to this week.

HHcats-- hope you're feeling better about the surgery.  You've gone through so much so you deserve to have the time to watch all those HGTV shows! 

Faith -- glad to hear of no new surprises on the pathology report!  Hopefully that pain will go away soon.

Ironmag-I had to laugh at your comment about Blue Cross.....and I am so sorry about your rads on the new girls.......thank goodness this is an on going process, right?  We at least get a couple more chances to get it right.  I'm not sure I would have been as cool and collected as you seem to be.

Seagan-patience, my little grasshopper......eventually it will start to come back.  My gym routine has picked up, and looks more like the old pre-BC routine (except I am only lifting 4 lb. weights)  I still run out of gas (especially on days when I go to the gym and workout), and I still want to nap occasionally....but I can see glimmers of the "old me"-

Cuetang-glad you are escaping the rads....and that you are doing so well!  I remember how terrified you were before surgery....and look at you now!  You go girl!

Sbelizabeth-see my comment above about Seagan-you will recover just fine-you are fit now, and it really does seem to make a difference going into surgery, and then recovering from it.  I actually had one Dr. tell me the best thing I could do to prepare for this was work on my abs.  I don't know if he was right, but other than the infection that blew out part of my incision-my abs have given me zero problems.  Dont' worry about it-you will be fine!

Well, I'm off to take a nap---gym was cruel to me this morning.....

Namaste and God Bless - Jackie (not to be confused with the post-surgical apparel-thingy)

Question for you veterans.  When you first got a look at your new girls, what did you think?

Understand I'm going into this with a lumpy, bumpy mastectomy scar, complete with rads burns and adhesions, on one side, and a droopy sister on the other. I'm not expecting to wake up looking like a Victoria's Secret model.  I would just like some...warning...about how good or bad you thought they looked.

Should I expect swollen ice-cream scoop-type girls until Stage II?  Did yours look anything like breasts?

Thank the lord above, we now have running water again. You know, I don't miss it when backpacking, but 2 days before surgery, trying to finish off the laundry, etc.....it's a big pain not to have water for 7 friggin hours!!!!!!

Welcome Tina, you've found a wonderful group of ladies! 

sbelizabeth....love your last question re: first "look" expectations. Been on my mind too. I've had one wonky foob for so long, I don't remember what the real old one looked like. The remaining boob is going to get worked on too, so don't really know what I'll wake up with. At this point, I'm so tired, I'm gonna run into the OR, hop on the table and say GO! Tomorrow looks like it has the potential to turn into another can of worms here, so I might not be messaging before your "date", so I'm gonna wish you all the best now......meet you on the otherside, you too MartyJ.......TOWANDA!!!!!!

SBElizabeth-I was actually blown away by how good they looked......plumper, higher, and perkier than the old girls. I actually went in an A-B and came out somewhere between a B-C. (Who says that extra tummy fat was going to waste?) They have the natural boob form-all they are missing are nipples. Don't get me wrong, they aren't perfect, but with a little lipo help, and a nip and a tuck here and there....they will be "perfect". To be completely honest, I was unhappy with them at first-they were much fuller and "jigglier" than I was used to, especially after breast feeding 4 kids. During my 6 week check-up, my PS asked me how I liked the new girls so far-I told him they were too big, and that they were getting in the way! He laughed and said no one had ever told him their "girls" were too big before. However, I have gotten used to them, and except for the missing nipples, they are awesome.

OK so I just finished giving my twins a 6th birthday party so I am a bit wiped out.  But I just lost it.  I sat on my bed and said "I can't do this.  I don't want to do this."  I spent all day getting people and things lined up to help us out the week of my surgery, too.  It was a good day.  

Am I normal?  I can't shake the feeling that this is major surgery - I was told I will be put out 7 hours - and I am going to die.  It suddenly just hit me how scared I am.  

I am rethinking all of this.  I am such a spaz right now.

HHCats-in a word: yes. You are completely normal-we always fear what we don't know and what we cannot control. DIEP surgery encompasses both of those elements. You need to just "let go".



I went through ALL of those emotions before my surgery-and survived. You. Will. Too.



(((Hugs)))



Namaste and God bless-Jackie

HHCats-forgot to tell you you will NOT be going into the operating room alone.....you will have ALL of us crowded in there with you.....together we can accomplish miracles!



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Nihahi - have a peaceful day tomorrow.  Do not get frenetic trying to get everything done.  It will fall in place.  I will look forward to hearing from you next week.

Re: How they Look - A lot of how they look has to do with whether you had a skin sparing or not.  For a skin and nipple sparing, they generally look pretty much the same.  Consider it akin to getting new stuffing.  These girls will have the best final result.  For those of us with wonky, constricted implants or nothing but scaring, I will share that I feel like mine look like hamburger buns plunked on my chest.  The goal of stage 1 is getting the flap in place and the blood flow going properly.  Stage 2 will be about aesthetics.  Compared to the implants they are soft and warm and feel like mine.  With a shirt on, they look like normal boobs (okay, my left is off to the side and will be rotated and lifted).  I second everything Jackie (moviemaniac) said above.  I love mine, but be aware they may look different.  No need for a melt down, time and lipo change everything.

HHCats - yes this is major surgery.  The good thing is that all you have to do is show up and nap.  That's it.  The hard work is on all those amazingly skilled and talented surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses.  You really will be fine!  Just breath (and stop thinking so much).

sbelizabeth - Catie - I may not be in touch before your big day on Monday, but you will do just fine.  Just don't let all that medical training mess with your mind.  It will all be over before you know it and we will be blessed with your grand sense of humor!

Y'all may not hear from me until after my surgery on Friday.  I want to make tomorrow all about "chill".  Hugs to all.

Greetings Sisters,



I have been reading as much as I from this board after I decided this past weekend to have a masectomy.



I'd had a partial masectomy, margins not clean, with notice of a re-excision. There was also some more tumors than they thought. I was told with rads all would be good after re-excision. I also have to do chemo.



I slept on the idea of all this and decided masectomy.



Met with one plastic surgeon today, she discussed implants as well as Tram. I wasn't keen on the implants (sounded like a lot of maintenance, like buying a used car, parts that needed replacement and could go bad....). Tram sounds like a better option except that I have a bad back, and stong core is key for me.



On Friday i am meeting with a Dr. That can do DIEP.



The unfortunate thing in all this is I recently lost 25 lbs, apparently all of that fat would have come in handy! (I had also purchased 6new bras- a real treat, and was then diagnosed with breast cancer, and had breast reduction along with my lumpectomy)



I am used to hitting walls, and can joke about it. I'm wondering if I start stuffing my face from now til whenever how much fat I can add back! Of course that won't work too well when I go to weigh in at weight watchers! (Anyone see a pattern yet! Lol)



I am awaiting to hear what the master plan is:

Re-excision, chemo, then masectomy/reconstruction

No re-excision,, chemo, masectomy/reconstruction

Or. No re-excision, masectomy/reconstruction then chemo



I'm a planner, summer is right around the corner and I have three kids10,12,14-would love to be able to spend some time with them while in "good condition!" Somewhere in between all these treatments! (And trust me, I'm not complaining because I know it could be worse, I'm just trying to plan!)



Does anyone have a "one stop shopping link" regarding what there is to know about DIEP. I have learned so much from the boards, I will be taking notes. I didn't know if there was one location I could see it all. I think my eyeballs are going to fall out from all the reading I have been doing.



Has anyone had Dr. Julie Vasile? She works out of Stamford, CT, NYC and Westchester.



Thank you for any words of wisdom. You all are a great group of warriors. I have learned so much from you and am looking forward to learning even more.



Pat

Nihani - have a great day tomorrow!  It's almost here!  Yeah for you!

Sbelizabeth - enjoy your next few days.  Yes, bike as much as you can.  I did my interval jogging/walking right up to my surgery.  I'm missing it now and I too know that there will be a definite a restart to getting back to where I was.  

For all you ladies in surgeries coming up.  My PS also had me do ab exercises prior to my surgery and some leg strengthening exercises.  I think it really helped me.  

Movie - when did you start back doing aerobic exercises?  

Such a chatty bunch tonight - love it!!  Welcome aboard to the new girls who are looking forward to having their own "new girls"!  

Sbelizabeth - I was happy with mine, cuz I was so sick of the TEs...  they just stood out there by themselves at all times (very Barbie!) And compared to my original ones - the ones that breast fed 2 babies for 1 year+ - well these will be better - firmer, rounder!  The new ones at first glance - very Frankenboob with the scarring and blood stuck under glue and the Vioptix cables attached.  I have a little more scarring than the girls who do a true immediate.  Those of us with TE placement first have a horizontal scar across, plus the "paddle."  I understand the "hamburger bun" analogy!  With no nipple and kind of flat across the top, that is a great description.  My rt side is swollen/pushed over under the arm because of complications from my BMX in July.  PS says it will all be fixed in Stage 2.  As the glue is leaving, the scars are lessening, and everything is shifting, I am very happy with the new girls for now.  Wise words from Betsy - it's a process!

Faith - Don't get your hopes up for 4 drains out.  I really do not think he will do it unless by some chance you are outputting teeny tiny amounts.  My understanding is 2 breasts can come out together, but the abs have to be taken out at separate times.  The good news is Tracey can take it out, so you don't have to worry about trying to schedule Carty.  So if I am remembering correctly - I am looking for a 5 foot redhead exiting the office around the time I enter??  I am 5'2" (barely) with chemo-curly-short brown hair.

Kuka- I did not know where my scar would be.  Even in pre-op at the hospital that morning, he said he cuts the upper part first, then pulls down - and it kind of depends on how far down they can pull it.  Mine is higher than I had hoped... only about an inch below my belly button.  But I am wondering if there is something he can do about it in Stage 2.  Trying not to stress on it.  The few times I would wear a bikini would probably be visiting my in-laws in Brazil... 

HHCats - of course you will second guess now and again.  It was my sister who had me freaked out...  she is the psychologist in the family and very much into data and such, and this was not something she had much info on.  Even with a close friend who had a TRAM 20+ years ago, she still made me second guess - such a long surgery, so invasive, so much anesthesia.  You know what?  My July BMX was over 10 hours, my DIEP was 12!!  And I am here to tell the story and would do it ALL OVER AGAIN.  Just breathe - and listen to the sage, calming advice of our dear friend MartyJ!

Pat - welcome aboard!  I don't have a one-stop shopping link to offer you...  but keep reading and you'll find some great links along the way.  I am in CT and I chose to go to Brigham & Women's in Boston.  If you are in NY, then I am sure there are great docs there, as well. If you want a name at BW - Carty & Caterson are the main ones.  A close friend of mine said her mom went to Dr. Robert Allen in NY - and I she said he has offices in NY, New Orleans (not NOLA?), and South Carolina.  She said he "pioneered the DIEP surgery."  What I know is her mom is from Montana and traveled to NY for him, and she loved him.  She wanted me to switch over to him, but I was comfortable at that point with my docs in Boston.

I also did chemo first, which bought me time to figure out the surgical options.  It also made sense because we found one positive node, so as much as I was fearing the chemo - I wanted to kick cancer's a** as quickly as possible before it got to move along that super-highway.  It is not a picnic, but you will get through it.  I have 2 kids - 10 and 13 when I was diagnosed.  They rose to the occasion and helped out.  Friends and colleagues all came to our rescue.  Just ACCEPT THE HELP and you will do fine!  For me - chemo was every other week, so the off week was always a "good week" and I could plan to do things.  I chose to stop working for a few months so that whatever time I had that I felt well was for my family.  This is about YOU now - take care of you!

I totally agree on the advice to work on your abs and your legs!  Squats are good - will help you on the other side when you can't bend down!

Nihahi - jump on that table and hold on to your pockets so we all stay on board with you!  You've got this.  

You, too MartyJ - so happy for you after such a long journey with so many bumps (pun kind of intended!)  Your attitude remains strong and your calming, wise influence is such a blessing to all of us on this thread.  Best wishes on Friday and enjoy your "chill" on Thursday!

 Jeannie

Hello girls! I've bought my GO pants and contacted Jackie today. I'm getting such good advice from you all. I've had plenty of time to think about all this and I still wonder sometimes. I had my MX 2 years ago, and an implant exchange last June. Now it time to fix it all with a DIEP. I guess I'm on the once a year plan. I'm so nervous right now that something is going to come up that interferes with my surgery. I was supposed to have fat grafting 1 month ago then they found a lump in good breast on MRI. They made me cancel surgery and biopsy. It was benign and while meeting with surgeon she recommended the diep. I already felt that I might end up there, but the PS thought we might have some luck with fat grafting. Anyway, after meeting with PS team, they thought a diep would get me the best outcome. So, here I am. Now, my liver enzymes are up, so of course I'm nervous about that. Sometimes I feel like a compulsive worrier. Ugh, does this ever end!

Thanks for listening and thanks for the good info.

My first reaction was difficult as I went in with breasts. I am still adjusting both physically and mentally. I did have skin and nipple sparring. My new girls do not look the same as before. However, I am not in any way unhappy. They keep getting better and I will have a couple more tweaks as my PS is a perfectionist.

Goodie-my PS cleared me to BEGIN to visit the gym at 8 weeks-I was not to lift heavy weights (I started at 3 lbs.-before my DIEP I was using 12 lb. dumbbells) I am now at a whopping 4 lbs.   I could walk on the treadmill (and walk I did-slowly at first, but now I am almost back to my pre-surgery speed-4 mph.)  The past two weeks I cranked up the vertical rise and slowed down my walking-I usually do around 40-45 minutes of incline walking at 3 mph with a vertical rise of @ 1400ft over that time frame.  It's pretty strenuous, but doesn't seem to be too much for me, although I have been sleeping pretty soundly at night! ( I am now at 13 weeks out from surgery.) I am still hoping to be able to take my yearly hiking break at Glacier N.P.....fingers crossed!

Namaste - and God Bless - Jackie