DIEP 2013

Sweetpickle.....I'm so sorry, I read your recent message, and realized I must have missed adding you to the list. I have asked for that to be done. Don't know the details though, so have left those out. If you want them added, just let me know.

Thank you Nihahi :-) Im having a MX on 5/24 on left side where tumor was and then a prophelatic right MX with DIEP recon on June 7th. Unless path. Comes back that I need rads, then the second surgery will be postponed.

Hello ladies....my pre-trip-to-Japan stress is reminding me of my pre-DIEP surgery stress......hopefully it will play out the same way, and be a surprisingly easy experience!



MartyJ, thanks for the plication reassurance.....will quit stressing over it for now.



To all you newbies...welcome! This is a great thread, with a lot of "experienced" DIEPers willing to answer any and all questions you may have about surgery.....



To those of you going in this week, will be thinking of you, as you cross over to DIEP "land". Remember, it sounds way worse than it feels!



Liefie-good grief girl, you are amazing! Happy homecoming!



Nihahi, thank you for being such a good steward!



Namaste and God bless-Jackie

mammlaou, doesn't mastectomy removes all the tissue anyway?  Would you mind explaining what tissues you are speaking of after a radiation that can be removed by DIEP?  

liefie, back in 2010 when I went for my mastectomy, I was under weight.  I only weight about 105 pounds.  It is required for a patient that is going to have a mastectomy to see a cosmetic surgeon for reconstruction, even though they don't want to do anything.  The surgeon saw me and told me that I am not a very good candidate for DIEP since I did not have anything in my belly for him to take.  He spoke of other options but I guess I suddenly went deaf.  I had a lot on my mind and I could not concentrate at all.  I told him I don't want any reconstruction.  That was 2010.  I have put on some weight and I think that might be why I am a good candidate for DIEP now (better than 2010).  It would be nice if the surgeon agrees that I can lose some of the weight after the surgery.  We will see.  I eat healthy and I exercise.  I keep you posted on what the doctor says.  I am new to this site.  What is PS? Is that the surgeon?  I am looking for some courage.  I read some ladies that mention having a tight feeling in their belly after DIEP. Does that go away?  Would you eventually feel like before the surgery except that you have breasts?  I guess I should say that I heal fast.  For example.  I only stayed one night at the hospital for my mastectomy and needed pain killer only once.  I would not have needed to stay that one night but they required it.  I am scared!  However, I am so happy to have you all on this site to chat with.

Really interesting to hear everyone's stories. Thank-you for taking the time. I am scheduled for the first discussion about the surgery in early July so will be going in with some qusetions I think.

I am intrigued about the compression stuff, those that have had it could you please tell me why? Is it just to hold everything in? or for comfort? or other reasons?

Thanks

WSx 

FREEDOM!! Drain free. Just had to tell you all. Who else can really understand this!😘😘😘

Hi ladies,



Does anyone know if surgeon will agree to a DIEP if one has a history of thromboembolism?



I developed clots in my leg and lungs during AC, and I also have essential thrombocythemia for which I shall probably stay on active treatment once I finish my cancer treatment.



I am thinking I want to proceed with reconstruction after my left mastectomy, plus possibly Mx and immediate reconstruction on the right (not sure about that yet). I haven't even finished chemo or been referred to a plastics surgeon yet. I'm just worrying ahead ......

Winter socks , I had DIEP May 1, and fitted for compression bra on May 10. I think it's for shaping the breasts, as I'm supposed to wear it as much as I possibly can. Today my pain is finally better in my breasts, but needed pain meds more often for the past 5-6 days. I was going to call surgeon today for new prescription, but I think I'm going to stick with 800 ml of Advil 3 times per day. Thank god my breast feel better, I was so uncomfortable, that could've also been due to doing too much.



I'm going for a nice walk today and my tummy is tight and I can feel it when I walk, but never had pain.



Cherrie- congrats on losing the drains !!! Freedom for sure, bless your heart for having them in so long.



Allysonptl- I did not go through any kind of sadness or depression, but I'm sure your insurance will pay for you to speak to someone. You're right that it could be the anesthesia, that is some strong stuff!



Lastly, there was an electric recliner in my sister in laws family not being used and its been the best thing ever! I have to fight with my kids to get out of it, ha ha! I don't like sleeping in it, but its fabulous to watch TV or nap with a big pillow across my chest. I bet you could find a cheap one at goodwill store or Craig's list, which is what others having been saying.



I'm dying to get back to the gym, but I froze my membership for one month, so walking it is for now. I also have my port going in on June 4, so chemo starts soon after that. I'm going to try my hardest to get back to normal routine during chemo, which is working out in the morning and working. Of course I need to still heal from DIEP, but can't wait to golf and play tennis as well as elliptical and weight lift. Those activities are out for a while, I know.



I'm going to get a wig this Friday and am getting my hair color number from my stylist. Then she's agreed to cut the wig to be similar to my hair. We'll see ?!



Best wishes for you lovely ladies going in this week, no worries about messy house either. Just get better!



Great week to all!!!!

Welcome new DIEP sisters, it looks like you're getting a lot of great answers from the awesome ladies on this thread!  Good luck to those that have their upcoming surgeries.

Cherrie -- hurrah for being drain free!  Those suckers are soooo pesky...

Random question:  do any of you get random phantom itches in your breasts?  I think different areas are itching sometimes, but of course I can't feel anything when I scratch it (I hate unsatisfied itches)....

Im curious, do you eventually regain any feeling in the reconstructed DIEP breasts?

Five weeks post-op today, and first day back in the office.  Thousands of emails to sift through, catching up on projects and just re-learning how to do my job!  Is it time to go home yet?

Just a note about the phantom feeling stuff.  When I had just my mx scar, there was a SPOT that must have been directly over a nerve, because when I touched it it was exactly like I was touching my nipple, the one that had changed its address to a shelf in a lab somewhere.  Regretfully, the spot is now under the new, completely numb breast.  It was fun while it lasted!

Now is it time to go home?!

Cuetang, I get those itches, and you are right, nothing stops it! But they go away shortly - wish scratching would make them go though!



I nursed my children and I sometimes get 'let down' (as in the milk is getting to the nipple).....My children are grown, so it's really disconcerting for that to happen!!! The mind and nerves sure are something else!

sbelizabeth.....just an fyi.....I did a short bike ride today (my first since surgery) and thought of you the whole time.....actually was thinking....holy crap.....how did she do this so soon after surgery????? But it was fun, showed me I could do it, so the next one will be more adventurous. Sorry the first day back has been so busy, but I bet there were many, many people welcoming you back, and amazed at how you're doing! 

re: sensation....it does come back, but is "different" for sure. Kind of duller, less specific feelings. However, like sbe....I also had nerves caught up in scar tissue from mx, then implant, etc...that wasn't fun. It was my PS (plastic surgeon) who explained that as the sensation starts to "reappear" the location of it starts to register in your brain, so you have more of an "awareness" of having breast tissue, even though it isn't...clear as mud???!!! Never, never had any of that "awareness" with the implant....just the alien on the chest scenario. 

Morwenna...tough question to sort through....I think you're absolutely right....you need to discuss this with your PS. Certainly, McKenzie, deHaas or Lindsay would listen to your concerns, and discuss the pros/cons with you honestly and thoroughly. Any of them are excellent PS, compassionate, good listeners, easy to talk too and extremely skilled in microvascular techniques. 

Tammy....I had issues with the heavy duty pain meds too....extreme nausea....unsettling/disturbing dreams...thank goodness I transistioned easily to regular tylenol. Don't know how I'd have been if it was a long and painful recovery. 

Gotta end here....natives are getting restless for supper.    Thinking of all the ones going for their surgery this week.

I'm home, Liefie, but it was sure a long day.  Toward the end it felt like I had a board sewn to my my chest and belly.  It will get better every day, though, and I have plenty to do to distract myself.

Drains.  I despise the things.  Getting them out is like going from being a chair-bound patient to being on the road to recovery.  I hope you get them out soon, too!  My PS is pretty liberal -- no compression, all the drains out in 10 days --and being cut loose was just great.  My belly button is still a little goopy and has scabby stuff in there that I'd love to dig out, but I'm restraining myself.

Nice to hear you're on the bike, Nihahi!  Don't you find the bent-over posture easier to tolerate than walking?  Maybe it's just because I like to ride more than I like to walk.  I can take in more scenery on a bike and it's just fun to do.

I think leftovers for dinner would be a good idea.  I'm going to find a glass of wine and a recliner.

Okay, off to craiglist.  It's either than or rent one. $90 for a month.  Better than spending $600 for something I don't really have room for.

Getting close...........