DIEP 2013

I wonder if the preference for compression or no compression is a male vs female doc situation.  Not trying to be sexist here, but . . . my girl doc insists on compression after stage 1 and especially stage 2.  Maybe it comes from her relating to the female body in a more personal way.  Just some rambling thoughts!  Personally, I am much more comfortable with than without.

Liefie, welcome to the other side!

From all the research I have done, on compression, there is no consensus on this topic. I don't mind my looser compression, but still wear surgical compression 24/7. My doc says that I can do Spanx after my last drain comes out. It has been 12 weeks. I have the same doc as Marty.



Oh ya, one drain out and my DH gave me my last Lovenox injection today. Feeling wonderful.

liefie - Great to hear that you're comfortable! Congratulations on being on the other side. I'm still on the other other side, but posts like yours are so inspiring. I hope you're resting peacefully.

Selizabeth  - I wanted to weigh in on the yoga. Have you ever tried restorative yoga? I agree with Nihahi about going to a class that respects your body, and modified poses. Restorative is about as gentle as you'll ever get, with the aid of props. The aim is to release, and allow the breath to flow. In a good class, it's the closest you'll ever get to being a baby. I would suggest going to a class rather than a dvd. Reason being, a good teacher will guide you to alternative poses if she knows your limitations. So you'll still get full benefits, without pushing yourself in the wrong direction. I told my yoga teachers about my surgeries, and they were very subtley giving me pillows and bolsters to ease my stretch. I also told them I wearing a wig (last year) and not to expect to see me doing any inversions. (Didn't want to be accidentally bald). But a lot of it is about the breath - and even in the simplest of classes, you send oxygent to all sorts of neglected areas of your body. 

The compression/non-compression debate is interesting.  I'm going to stock up anyway. I'll see how appealing it is in July, when it's boiling outside. I've been overheating all winter - so this should be extra fun!

Janet

LSMB4, I'm 58, and just had this surgery yesterday. You can do it. For me it is like a reward after all the cancer crap I went through. I waited 15 months after mastectomy, and I am so glad I did this. Makes me feel whole again, and the tummy tuck is a nice bonus. Good luck on your decision!

Tired of tapping away on my phone, so have fired up the laptop.

LSMB4....I'll turn 63 this summer, and am 5 weeks today post surgery. I am so happy with the result, and so amazed at how quickly I have recovered, and how minimal the pain was. I had a uni mx more than 20 years ago, tried the no recon, then tried implants. This surgery has been a true blessing for me, emotionally and physically. I'm feeling great, doing more and more of my normal stuff each day.

Janet...yep, restorative is a great type of class too. I have done those, and if you have a good teacher, you walk out feeling like you had a five day massage!!!! So wonderfully relaxing!!!! I've also done Yin yoga, which is a good way to slowly and deeply sink into poses. You're supported but working, which makes it different from restorative.

So interesting to read all the variations on compression theories. Just goes to show, there is more than one path successful outcomes. 

Liefie...I messaged you on our other thread. TOWANDA GIRL!!!!!!!

LSMB4-I am 58 years old and had my BMX and stage one DIEP 4 months ago......I had a few complications , but nothing serious, and given the choice, I would most definitely do it again. It is the best thing to come out of my cancer journey ( besides the new friends I've made here at BCO). Love my "adopted girls".....they're bigger and perkier than the originals , which I do no miss AT ALL. Plus, they're all ME........



Liefie.....you've got this! Amazing recovery! "TOWANDA" XO



Faith, did I type plication or placation? It is plication and it is a tightening of abdominal muscles weakened by......(fill in the blank). PS said he may do one to flatten my tummy as it seems to be bulging a little bit.....not sure I want the down time......so working my abs like crazy between now and end of June when I see him again.



Ladies , I am getting ready for trip to Japan next week.......looking forward to soaking nekkid in one of those Onsens........will have stories to tell you, I am sure!



Love to all!



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

Jakig - Welcome!  Sorry that you are joining us, but we well definitely be here for you.

Jackie - the downtime for plication hasn't been much.  I think the lipo to get the fat grafting might have been worse.  Now, at 5 weeks out, I am back to being pestered by my lower back problem.  Walking lots, but my doc doesn't want me working out til 6 weeks.  I am looking for a trainer now who will help concentrate on core strength (I need all the help I can get) and a good yoga class.  I will have 8 weeks to train madly before round 3.

-jakig, why having having two surgeries one week apart? It is much better to have them done at the same time, both for recovery and for the result. If you need radiation or chemo then the surgeries should be further apart. You may want to ask your docs about that.

TOWANDA Liefie....I can't wait to hear how today is going for you!!!! Any chance you'll get a quick discharge so you can get home and spend part of this long weekend with your sons as planned????

sbelizabeth....You have certainly made the best of your "recovery leave". I bet you blow everyone away when you walk into work on Monday. Hope your desk hasn't collapsed under an avalanche of "waiting for your return" work! fyi....I also got some of the compression garments I wear at Sears the other day....found them in a colour other than white, so bought a few more. Did you ever find something that works for you? Love that news you're trotting around in some lovely clothes again!!!! I can just picture it....classy top, dusty bike shorts!!!!!!

Movie...I tried a short jaunt yesterday with a small backpack, with minimal weight in it. Boobs and axillas seemed to tolerate fine, but couldn't carry much more weight at the moment. The biggest issue was the camera. I use a "body strap" to carry it, as I like to have it handy, or I'd be taking off the backpack every twenty steps to take a photo. It usually rides low, kind of where the waist/hip strap settles. Bouncing off the tummy/incision area as I walked....not painful but certainly not comfortable either. Don't think I'd get very far up the trail like that, and when using poles, wouldn't have a free hand to keep it cushioned. hmm...still a work in progress I guess. Any suggestions???

Martyj....any more hot pink shoes adventures???? Hope you find a trainer/class that is a good fit for you.

jakig...welcome to the thread. Lots of info, compassion, encouragement and courage here. So awesome that you are already intending to "pay it forward".

I told my PS at my last appointment, that if he ever had someone who wanted to talk things out with a fellow patient, I'd be happy to share my experience with them. (Not advise them, just explain how things went for me). Got a phone call yesterday, they already have someone who wants to talk. She has my number now, and I'll wait to hear from her. I appreciate there is a difference between "wanting" to talk, and being "ready" to talk. If she isn't already aware of us, I'm also going to suggest she join the boards too.

Hope you all have wonderful days.....I'm heading out to play soon.

Thanks nihahi :-)

Nihahi,

Have you considered some type of device like an infant carrier for your camera?

Maybe you could hook up extra straps onto the camera and "wear it" like a bra? (Picturing straps that would go over each shoulder...there has to be a way to improvise,mim sure you will find one.

Pat

Morning ladies,

Just finished breakfast, had a good night's sleep with the help of a pill - was only half aware of the Doppler checks, and all is fine. Checked out new boob in mirror. I know it is still swollen, but looks and feels so much beter than that TE boob. DH and kids on their way here for the day. Yayy!!! About CT scan, I did not have one. PS used an ultrasound to find vein/artery right before surgery.

Nihahi, no, I will stay till tomorrow, but it's fine. Ordered DH to bring lots pf pillows for the ride home. Careful with that camera now, eh?

Movie, have you started packing yet? No need for a swimsuit, I guess? LOL.

Welcome to the newbies. You will find all the support here that you need.

Dyvgrl- I know how you feel, Im so ready to just have the surgeries done and over with! Friday cant come soon enough. I worry too about what if but when those thoughts come I try to push them away. Its just as likely that I will make it through this and be fine. I look at it as using denial to my advantage, lol.

LSMB4- I am 58 and am 6 mo. out from DIEP. You will be amazed at how your breasts will look.



All we can do is lower the risk as much as we can and feel strong that we did the best we could. There are no guarantees in life. ☺☺☺

ssla01 - Welcome to Marga's Mermaids.  I am so glad you found her.  She is wonderfully supportive and really gets it from a girl's point of view.  You will love her!

Dyvgrl - Do they really have Nordstrom in Alaska now?  Wow!  I lived there in the mid-50's and we had wooden sidewalks in Anchorage.  But, of course, we also had the cold war threat of mother Russia looming.  Can't wait til I can go back to see the amazing beauty again.

Lifie - you sound so good.  I know your family will be delighted to see you.  Let them wait on you hand and foot - it will be good for them.