Diep 2012

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  • shianne29
    shianne29 Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2013

    Have any of you who had immediate diep then rads, have implants put in down the road? I'm 3 months out of surgery and 10 days post rads. I'm not happy at all. The symmetry is awful. The foob is much higher, firmer and small. I think for my emotional health implants would help.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2013

    Lillian

    It wasnt that bad. My recovery would have been easier if I had mom come up. I spent night in hosp then wasprettymuch onmy own. If i hadbeen waited on it would have been easier .

    You have to wear compression after. I had it to my thighs, so i have to wear it 2 months then just at night or something like that. I hate the compression. Its hot. And very hard to pee without wetting yourself (in one brand of garmet I have)

    My nipples are protected in nipple donut gaurd things. I sleep on my side. I got out of hosp on a Thursday and switched to tramadol on that sat or sunday. The constipation on narcs is horrible for me.



    Elizabeth

    You are strong. Stronger than me. You will do great. In your recovery bed be sure I am putting my time in at gym. Push me.

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited April 2013

    Goodness, I had to catch up on all the recent chatter! First off, Ronniekay I am so thrilled to hear how well you've responded!!! Thanks so much for keeping in touch and wonderful you've been feeling well. It's great you can get a break to fix the abs and hooha. I agree with Rebecca...get your bikini out!



    Fran, so glad you're feeling better and enjoy the retreat with dd!

    Elizabeth, will be thinking of you!


    My ps offered a ct to check on my right abs but thought it was probably fine and suggested massage would help. It do have a couple of knots in there so will do ct before stage 2 if not better. I finally ditched the binder and after swelling the first few days, I think I'm finally doing better and almost normal again. Btw my hooha does sit just a little higher because he pulled me tight. Nothing some strategic waxing can't fix, but I hope it goes back to normal as my abs loosen up.



    Luanne, you may still drop more so try to give it a little extra time. Everyone said it would soften by 3 months but I was still surprised at how much changed in months 4-5. I am very glad to have waited for stage 2. That being said lefty still sits a tad higher but he said he could do some fat grafting to even it out. I'm still debating as they look pretty good overall. However, talk to your ps about options until your satisfied. Have you found anything helpful on the implant threads?



    Hope everyone has a great week! I'm headed to Seattle for a couple of weeks for work/vacation. Can't wait to get a break! Tulips in Skagit Valley and Butchart Gardens in Victoria...I'll just want to garden when I get home!

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  • lilyun
    lilyun Member Posts: 54
    edited April 2013

    fredntan-thanks for responding. I am having a 3 hour stage 2 tomorrow and it is ambulatory so I am a little nervous about coming home right away. How painful/irritating are the nipples?

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited April 2013

    Good luck lilyun

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited April 2013

    Good luck tomorrow Elizabeth!! Haha on the lady bits. It just gets puffy for some people. Not sure why. Mine is somewhat but I am also overweight. Heads up: your arms may be real sore in the recovery room. I was so surprised by this. I was was wondering what the heck happened to my arms!! It is because they are strapped in place for so many hours. Best wishes on speedy recovery.

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2013

    Lilyun, i have no feeing in breast area. Most of my pain was in thighs from lipo . My chronic pain to right axillary continues. I am almost two weeksout . Ready to hit the gym soon.

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  • lilyun
    lilyun Member Posts: 54
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for everyone's good wishes. I had my stage 2 yesterday and I am doing fine. Recovery is much easier than stage 1. My hip area is my only issue. The PS removed a lump of skin and fat that he was saving there to re-create my belly button. I don't think that I have ever been so bruised, but it will be better soon.

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  • Chilly1nPhilly
    Chilly1nPhilly Member Posts: 12
    edited April 2013

    I had a follow up appointment with my ps, Dr Lloyd Gale. I was delighted to learn that since he did such a good job the first time, I am not going to require any stage 2 foob revision. The girls are very well matched. There's a little wad of fat above the ab scar that he will lipo out at some point (after I lose 20 lbs, he said). I haven't seen his name here. He is fantastic.

    Dr Lloyd Gale, ladies. He is in NYC. I had my surgery in Maimonides (but he also maintains a practice in Manhattan). My breast surgeon was Donna Marie Manassah. They are great. They have videos posted at the Maimonides Breast Center website.

    I am posting here in the DIEP forum even though I had a tram flap. Nobody talks about tram flaps anymore but that's what I had and I am very happy with the results. I'm 5 months out, and the whole deal is fading into the past. I hardly even think about it until I get undressed.

    Happy Spring Everybody!

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited April 2013

    Sounds like everyone's doing pretty well...YAHOO!!!...Cg..I hope you're having a wonderful time in my neighborhood seeing the tulips & Victoria is our favorite place to visit!  Oh Beckers...the bikini is probably another 20 pounds away (by then, at 60 years, probably best not to try it..LOL), but I'm feeling pretty darn good!!!  Ok...here's the scoop on my ps hooha question :)  He said that when gals are a little "older" the gravity tends to make the skin gather there a bit more...ugh!   He's sure of the fascia tear...and said he would've taken care of it when he did my nipples in Feb...but, that little diagnosis in Dec took care of that... :(  So I asked him about the surgery, since onc said I could take the 2-3 week break from chemo for it.  He said it really doesn't want to do it now.  He said he's concerned about my immune system and thinks it'd be best to wait longer, just to make sure I'm strong & the tumors are down (or-wouldn't it be great - GONE!).  So, here I am, wondering again what to do.  Beckers...I'm so jealous & happy that you're doing ab work!!!  Glad your ps recognizes you're a specimen!!! 

    Cg...I have a little lump on the left side and my ps said that sometimes scar tissue forms over a period of time & said to massage it too. What next :)

    Fred...my first recurrence was found in my routine 6 month mammo (2 years after first dx).  The 2nd was found during my 6 month scan & full blood panel.  My liver enzymes were highly elevated in the blood test & the scan showed liver tumors....so basically, they knew it was not good news.  You're right, I hadn't felt good & really didn't know what to attribute it to.  I'd gone to my gp and went on B12 & bp was elevated a bit but I never thought for a moment that bc was back. Anyhoo...my center does 6 month scans for a few years after treatment (now, I'm in it for life). I'm not sure what you mean as far as your onc saying no scan or tumor markers.  I just hope your doctor takes good care of you!

    Happy Weekend, Sisters! 

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited April 2013

    Hi gals! Back from a wonderful vacation but now it's back to a crazy month at work before stage 2 on may 30th. Ronniekay, you are lucky to live in such a beautiful place. We had great weather and the flowers were gorgeous. My little one loved the ferries. I'm glad to hear you're doing well, but sorry to hear of the delay in your fixes. I guess it's better to be safe with your immune system but I hope you're not having too much trouble with the fascia tear. I'm 6 months out and finally feeling almost normal, or at least what I think the new normal is for me now. Abs are so much better in the last few weeks but still starting PT again this week for some back pain and old rotator cuff problem on Snb side.



    Fran, I agree that good follow up is important. I hope your dr is doing 6 month exams and labs for you. How was the retreat and healing?



    Glad everyone else is doing well and happy Monday!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited April 2013

    the retreat was great. a little chilly for beach, but they fed and entertained us. i think it brought my family a little closer. this bccrap takes its tole on entire family.

    made the MO NP do cea tumor marker and that test to see if i metabolize tamox. theycame back good.



    i hadbeenbad patient. hated my compression garment. they lipo ed my thighs. stoped wearing it, stopped wearing nipple gaurds. my nurse had to get on me. i am better patient now.

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  • shianne29
    shianne29 Member Posts: 452
    edited April 2013

    Oh cg... I wish I was looking forward to stage 2 so soon. I hate looking at my one dog ear, one "normal" boob and one "rad/hard ugly" boob. Sigh.... Tis wat tis as my gramma used to say.



    Fred, you made me smile!!! Lol. Glad you are a better patient!!! Lol, I have a visual of a stern nurse wagging a finger at you!!!



    Ok, I'm three and a half months post diep and my elbows are still so sore!!! Anyone else have this??

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited May 2013

    A quick check-in-Cg...I'm glad you had fun & we love the ferries too!   I think waiting for stage 2 is the best thing...you really know what needs to be done & glad the abs are better!  I agree, getting used to the new normal is such a relief.  I'm 10 months out now & if it weren't for this last diagnosis, life would be just great!  I'm walking almost  every day...usually between 2-4 miles and it's exciting to not have to try to work off tummy fat!!!   More time to spend on my legs!  

    Hope everyone's having a good week!

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

    Shianne, when I took stock of what was left of me in the recovery room, I remember thinking "why the heck are my arms so sore?"  But after twelve hours of being stretched out and immobile, it makes sense.  I'm two weeks post-op and they're still pretty sore, but I would think they should be better after almost four months.  Are you stretching and exercising?  Is it time for some PT?

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  • shianne29
    shianne29 Member Posts: 452
    edited May 2013

    That's the strange thing sbelizabeth, my elbows weren't sore right away. That I noticed anyway lol, but started about 3weeks after. It's actually the little bone in the elbow that hurts. I don't really notice it unless I rest my arms on a table or something or happen to bang my funny bone. It's weird.



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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Fran, aren't you a nurse too? :-) lol!



    Luanne, I think some have complained of similar pain in their arms. You might look in older posts here. Has to do with nerve maybe? Mention it to your ps though.



    Good for you at 2 wks sbelizabeth!



    I was shocked this week at PT. She checked abs and said I have no stretch. Most people should be able to bend back 20 degrees. She gave me great stretches for abs and hip flexors which were hurting from compensating. Funny how I thought I was almost normal! It's all relative. I'm being good so I can say goodbye to back pain finally and keep up with Ronniekay!



    Hope all of you have a great week!

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited May 2013

    Major congratulations to your successful Diep procedures.  I'll admit to feeling a tad bit jealous, since I tried for it and all. That doesn't though take away from my being thrilled for all of you.

    It turns out that I couldn't have silicone implants if I wanted to, due to Rheumatoid.  Foreign matter and autoimmune just don't mesh well.  I've no desire for saline implants though so that's out.  More than one PS indicated I could for Lat flaps.  You know what?  After the major surgery last Summer, I'm not going through this stuff again.  At least now we know that surgeries like BMX and smaller seem to be okay for my body to handle in terms of the clot problem.

    Surgery has been scheduled for July 15th for the excess skin being removed that had been left at the time of BMX to accommodate reconstruction.  The idea of adding some bling to the breast area after the scars heal well resonates with me.  So...I'll get the 3D nip tats in a year. 

    I do hope and pray this is the last surgery needing general anesthesia for a long time to come.  Any tweaking needed in a year will be some nips and tucks. 

    All the best to you Ladies!

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2013

    CG1234- yep Been nurse for 21 years now. A little too much info is not allways good. am supposed to be working on my ACLS online now. I got distracted.

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited May 2013

    Hi ladies. Glad stage 2's are coming along nicely. I feel bad for you Gal that your flaps couldnt be saved. I was looking at having flowered tattoos if I lost my nipples and also to cover scars. Turns out they saved mine. Stage 2 was easy in comparison but I too am taking a good long surgery break after having 3 surgeries and 18 hours of anesthesia last year.

    Good to see you Ronnie! How is your tummy? Mine is still swollen!! I am doing electrical stim at work to strengthen the muscles. I had free tram and PS took about finger width vertically of muscle on each side. Encouraged that I am feeling stronger.



    Fred, a nurse? Wow.



    Cg, is your tummy flat? I am so disappointed that I don't have a flat tummy. Embarrassing because people knew I was getting tummy tuck too. My fault for being overweight I think. :-/

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  • RonnieKay
    RonnieKay Member Posts: 2,067
    edited May 2013

    Luann...I broke my  elbow 1.5 years ago & I have a little of the "ouchie" when I bump it on something but other than that, no pain whatsoever. Is it somewhat of a stinging pain?  I had that in my legs for a few weeks after diep and the ps said it was due to being stretched out so long in surgery...nerves somewhat waking up after that. If that's the pain, it should go away before long...hopeful!

    Cg1234...I have to tell you what sweet 4.5 yr old grandson said.  Mama dropped he & 2.5 yr old brother off early in the am for me to watch & Hank came in when I was getting dressed.  He said, "Grandma, when are they putting your nipples back on?"  I said, "They look pretty weird, don't they?" ...."Yep!"  and off he ran :)   Gotta love little ones!!!! 

    Galsal...I wish you the best in your last surgery...and I know your body will thank you for doing what's best for you!!!   They think possibly I always had some bc cells in my liver but my immune system was strong enough to keep it under control.  Having my broken elbow/ankle, carpal tunnel from break, recurrence, mx, diep, etc taxed my immune system and the tumors went wild!  So...take care & remember you're strong & beautiful...and your tats will be saucy!!!!  I'm kinda jealous!!!

    AND..just an fyi that my onc said yesterday that my scores were even better than last month...unbelievable, she said...and so the "chemo every week for life" may be changed to....No chemo as long as tests are good & just herceptin & perjeta every 3 weeks!!!   July will be the month the decision's made.  Prayers are being answered & I'm glad I have all my Sisters to share my good news with!!!!   Love You All!!!!

    Beckers...how are you????

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited May 2013

    Ronnie...what a wringer you've been through.  I'm so thrilled for you how it's now played out about the chemo!  You're right...they'll be saucy!  My bestie Cousin tried to talk me into getting a stud for each tat, in her words "cherry on top".  Surprised   Ummm....No, Thank You.  Frown  Told her the tats were the bling.  Tongue Out

    I knew this was the one thread I could post this info without having to go into long answers from lots of questions.

    Thanks

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited May 2013

    Galsal, lol on the stud!!! Got a visual. You can share anything here. We've had some interesting talks. :-)

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  • Galsal
    Galsal Member Posts: 1,886
    edited May 2013

    yes Beckers and smoke-free too!  thankfully, this thread knew what happened with recon surgery last summer.  I'm glad it's not a group of new gals that haven't gone down the trail of Diep.

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  • Beckers
    Beckers Member Posts: 1,883
    edited May 2013

    For sure. I do remember you going through that last summer.

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  • sandpiper1
    sandpiper1 Member Posts: 952
    edited June 2014

    Ronnie-So nice to hear all of your positive news.

    Galsal.....I, on the contrary, never thought of getting boobie bling....suddenly I love that idea!

    Shoot!!! Can you imagine actual sparkeling headlights ;);)

    Beckers-you crack me up and glad S2 went well

    I statrted training for my first 5K. Now have bursitis in my left knee and worked 24 hours in the last 48. Not smart and kind of painful. I would rather have the abdominal pain than joint pain. I am WEIRD. Out of commision for a week or so, but determined to do my first 5k ever in June!

    Coming up on a year of all of this BC crap!

    *clink* (whatever beverage of your choice)

    We deserve a few drinks and maybe some hot cabana boy toys for the old DIEP gals of 2012

    xoxoxo

    Piper

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  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited May 2013

    maybe little rhinestones around the npple. bedazzled?



    went to ENT today. he scoped my sinus es and said there is large bone spur and deviated septum up there. he isnt convinced this is what is causing my horrible head pain. hurts something horrible tobend over. and lately it hurts turn my eyes. feels well like bone spur.





    plan is to see neuro doc and drag this out

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  • Scubadiver101
    Scubadiver101 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    I am finishing chemo next week start rad in June.  I am looking for info on DIEP.  I will prob go to Vanderbilt or Charleston any suggestions on which is best and Dr. names please..Thanks

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  • Scubadiver101
    Scubadiver101 Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    I am looking for surgeons for my DIEP or SGAP.  I am from East TN.  Do you mind to tell me where you had your surgery

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

    Scuba - if you go to Charleston, then Drs. Kline & Craigie are the best (Center for Natural Breast Reconstruction).  You might also wish to consider Dr. Marga Massey (drmarga.com).  She preforms stage 1 in NOLA and Stage 2 in either Chicago, Charleston or NOLA.  If you want to go to NOLA, then Drs. Dellacroce, Sullivan & Trahan are best (breastcenter.com).  These are surgeons who are preforming this surgery most frequently.  Massey, Dellacroce, Sullivan & Trahan only do flap (DIEP, GAP) breast recon (no facelifts, noses, etc).  Each handle insurance a bit differently so it can be helpful to talk with all.

    There are also a pair of docs at the Medical U in Charleston who do this surgery.  Embarrassed to say, I don't have their names.

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