Diep 2012

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Galsal, so good to hear you've made some decisions and have such a positive attitude about it. I too remember your disappointment last year when diep wasn't able to be an option for you. Keep us updated on how things go this summer and good luck!



    Rebecca, my tummy is pretty flat but I have a little pudge around my belly button which is more noticeable when I swell. Swelling was so much better until I started these new PT exercises! It's already helping though. I'm hoping ps will lipo just a bit from tummy for fat grafting though.



    Ronniekay, so funny about your grandson! They pick up on so much. My little one thinks I look like a big smileyface with all the scars. He knows mommy's getting fixed up again later this month and will get nipples "like daddy." I really hope he forgets all this one day. First day of t-ball today...that's the stuff I want him to remember!



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

    my insurance which is pretty good wouldn't let me go to any of those docs up there. but they would let me go to PRMA in San Antonio. I was at Methodist Hospital and must say I have never seen this kind of care. they were excellent. said all the right things, did everything perfect. I'm a nurse, I know when another nurse or doc is trying to screw with me. Dr Arishita and Dr L did my initial Diep. I think they are turning out pretty good. tats come in august. My breasts will never look the same since I started out with different sx for initial mastectomy. I have two different scars on each breast. so I'm a pretty hard case. I was at Sloan Kettering for my initial mast-was treated like shit. in contrast when I went to Methodist I have no idea how they do with in this age of budget cuts in hospitals.

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  • MENA1954
    MENA1954 Member Posts: 194
    edited May 2013

    fredntan, who did you see at MSKCC?  I was scheduled to have Dr. Andrea Pusic do my stage 2 nipple reconstruction.

    After thinking about it, two days before the surgery I cancelled it.  For some reason, I do not like that hospital not the doctor.

    I did not want to be cut up again from my hips and breasts. So I decided to go and see Vinnie Myers and have 3D nipples tattos done.

    What procedure was done for your nipple reconstruction ?

    MENA

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

    teehee...no on the rhinestones  Tongue Out

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

    I had Monica morrow as my BS and Dr Desa as my plastics during my initial mastectomy and TE placement. Dr morrow doesnt belive in pain killers. and I quote "pca's are reserved for bilaterals" thats what they said to me in recovery. Dr desa told my hubby I would be in much pain and may be in for 2 days. Dr morrow I guess was in charge. I ws getting .2 and .4 of dilaudid. I was anxious patient. they never did put SCD's on me. ran PCA that I finally got off pump, but the fluids where on gravity. It was horrible expereience. my roommate was up all night typing, and up for her constipation. that place sucked.

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

    My Dr Arishita at PRMA made oragami nipples, touched up my breasts some, lipoed thighs and fat grafted. they treated me wonderful there.

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  • Elizabeth1959
    Elizabeth1959 Member Posts: 346
    edited May 2013

    I also live in Tennessee Like Fran, I went to PRMA in San Antonio. I had Dr. Nestala. I am happy with stage1 result. I flew through atlanta. Flight wasn't too long. The group at PRMA are very experienced diep surgeons. I would recommend them.

    Elizabeth

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2013

    Stage 2 revision/reduction in a few hours. Really no idea what to expect except 2 drains and "one or two" nights in the hospital according to the PS.



    Not looking forward to the whole healing process - again...



    Still reading here and enjoying the longer silences which mean we are all moving on :-)



    Jenn

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

    Good wishes for you Jenn!  Cool

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Good luck Jenn! Hope you get the nice c cup you wanted! I know what you mean about not looking forward to another surgery. I hope you're back on your feet quickly! You're probably done and resting comfortably already. Keep us posted.

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Had my pre-op for stage 2, and it looks like I'm getting a small lift on the prophy side, plus scar revision and a little fat grafting at Snb site on the other. He'll do dog ears too but nipples will wait a little longer. Ps talked me out of reducing back to an A cup so I'll just have to buy some new bras. Hubby didn't want me to do more than needed either. Has anyone had fat grafting to improve projection and did it work? Ps was not very optimistic.



    Hope everyone is doing well!

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

    Cg, yes, I had fat grafting and enough took to make a difference. I will do more again tho. Maybe next year as I'm on surgery hiatus! :-)

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited May 2013

    Does anyone have recommendations on a Surgeon for DIEP Flap in Chicago area?



    I already met with Dr. Marga Massey and she won't take my insurance (HMO) and I have truncal lymphadema, but not bad.



    I appreciate any recommendations and feedback, thank you!

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  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited May 2013

    Bogie.... PM Jeskachi. She used Dr Massey, but may have other suggestions.

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  • Cherrie
    Cherrie Member Posts: 1,423
    edited May 2013

    I love Dr. Massey but can't understand why they don't take certain insurance. She told me my insurance is horrible and she is lucky to get anything from them. Why don't doctors contract with all insurance so someone like Bogie isn't left in the lurch.



    Bogie, can you ask Dr. M for recommendations. I am sure she would try to help you. She is very compassionate towards BC and lyphodemia.

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

    i am in misery. am so sick of feeling sick.



    my head sinus pain continues. cept now something has flaired up allergies I had outgrown. now when I sneeze i have pressure pain in my sinus. cant bend over without the pain.



    argghhhhhh

    saw new wonderful ENT today. thinks bone spur in sinus is causing pain. he can get me septoplasty in less than two weeks if sinus ct proves this is cause of this pain.



    i can make it two more weeks.

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  • Bogie
    Bogie Member Posts: 286
    edited May 2013

    Thank you - Bdavis and Cherrie I am still doing some homework. After a botched bilateral MX with immediate reconstruction I'm taking my time this time.

    Better yet we need another New Orleans facility like Nola in Chicago! I will ask Dr. M for another recommendation.

    It's like holding the carrot in front of the horse, but you can't have it.

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

    cg...like Beckers said, fat grafting works.  I had it for a few different small areas, and it made a noticeable difference.  Sadly, it didn't stay by where they put my new port in, but that's expected.  My ps said it doesn't always work, but they can do it again (easy for them to say!!!).  I'm not sure what day you have stage 2 so I'm just thinking of you every day!!!   I wish they'd have thought to do both my SNB divits...those bug me!  

    Happy Thoughts to all!

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Thanks Rebecca and Ronniekay! I think I need to poke ps about at least trying the fat grafting for projection. Will see what happens but I'm scheduled in 2 wks on the 30th! Glad you both are doing well! Ronniekay, any news about a break from chemo and fix on your fascia tear? My fingers crossed for you!

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2013

    Had my stage 2 surgery just over a week ago. Wanted to be reduced from the DD that the PS gave me in the original surgery to a B/C as I was before this all happened. The plan was for the PS to reopen the original incisions (lollipop incision with the "stick" pointing at my axilla on each side) and reduce and lift the breasts with a combination of surgical excision and liposuction.

    Surgery went smoothly and I was in my hospital room just a few hours after I went into surgery. Had a drain on each side and they stayed in overnight and were removed before I left for home late the next morning.

    Pain level was not too bad. Just used Digesic or Panadol tablets for the first 4 days and then moved to just taking pain meds in the late afternoon when gravity kicked in.

    Although my breasts feel and look smaller I am confused because I don't seem to have gone down a cup size AT ALL. My bras fit a little better but I definitely still need the DD cups to encase the whole breast :-/ Went and had stitches out yesterday afternoon and the PS did say that my breasts are still a little swollen (although they don't feel it) and that the size should reduce a little more over the next few weeks.

    Have booked my nipple reconstruction for the 5th of November (he insists on 6 months between surgeries since I had a few days rads on the right side before quitting rads and moving to the BMX). So, I should be done for Christmas!

    Glad to see everyone is moving forward. I am still reading here and love seeing all the catch-up messages.

    Jenn

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

    cg...we leave for Long Beach, CA on the 30th to stay w/grandaughter while her parents go to Tahoe for a wedding...Woohoo...we get her & doggie to ourselves!  SOOOO...I will be thinking & praying for you non-stop that day!  It will be wonderful to get this stage over & I know you'll have a great recovery!  I think you should be really clear about what needs to be done in surgery...you know your body & your ps will respect what you ask, I would think!  All good news for me!  Tests are so good that onc thinks after 6 mos of treatment (mid July), she will take me off chemo & I'll have herceptin & perjeta every 3 weeks (instead of treatment every week!).  SOOO excited, and a little nervous.  But she'll do blood tests every month & if she sees something ugly, she'll restart chemo.  That means I'll be able to have the fascia fixed, without the worry about stopping & starting chemo again.  I'll be so glad to get back to real movement!!!   Sometimes I get a bit depressed that I've been unable to do anything but walk for exercise.  Soon enough!

    Jenn..I can't even imagine being a DD after diep.  I had a good amount of tummy fat & I think I'm a large B/small C.  I've lost 21 lbs, so that may be a bit of it, but really....I'd have liked to end up a little larger than what I am.  Alas...I'm happy.  Hope the healing keeps going well!  

    XOXO to all!

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Jenn, thanks for updating us! Good to hear you did well, and I am really hoping you shrink into that cute b cup soon! Take it easy at work and hope you're having a break from school for now. Let us know how you do over the next few weeks!



    Ronniekay, such terrific news!! I hope they can get you feeling better then this summer and all continues to go well. So happy for you! And enjoy your granddaughter in a couple weeks! I have a feeling she won't want you to leave!

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

    Great news on stage 2 Jenn. Hope it's swelling because I know you really wanted them reduced.



    So happy for you Ronnie. Is NED a possibility? Is it scary to go off chemo? Do you have a lot of SE's?



    Question. Do any of you still have pain in the sternum (breast bone) since DIEP? I do and I'm wondering if it's normal after 9 months.

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  • goldlining
    goldlining Member Posts: 1,178
    edited May 2013

    Hi Beckers. I still have pain in the sternum and I am 18 months. I've been noticing this lately myself. I am not sure it will ever go away. It smarts more than hurts, but because the skin is numb, I sometimes mess it up pressing too hard on it. Mine is on the delayed side, not on the immediate side. Not sure if they do the sternotomy on both sides or just one spot for both flaps, but I just have the pain on the one side.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2013

    No sternum pain for me...



    Am now back on antibiotics because my right breast has an area that turned pink, puffy and warm :-( I went straight to the PS office yesterday morning and he got me straight on the ABs. Seemed no worse today so hopefully this won't turn into a big problem...



    Jenn

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

    Oh no Jenn! Hope they get that knocked down fast!

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited May 2013

    Jenn, hope it gets under control and you feel better. Please keep us updated. Best wishes.

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  • cg1234
    cg1234 Member Posts: 181
    edited May 2013

    Rebecca, I still have a gnawing pain occasionally, but nothing regular or constant. I sometimes notice it if I twist or stretch a weird way.



    Hope you're doing better Jenn.

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  • Jennt28
    Jennt28 Member Posts: 2,021
    edited May 2013

    Doing better each day :-) Noticed today that I didn't feel any pain and my breasts feel like they are getting back to "normal".



    I have finished the antibiotics course and the steri-strips are starting to come off. PS said I can now get the shower water on them and once the steri-strips are off I need to start massaging with moisturiser again. He seemed impressed with the healing of my scars after the original surgery so I will keep using the organic coconut oil like last time :-)



    Hope all well...



    Jenn



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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited May 2013

    Hi Jenn, what brand of coconut oil did you use and where did you get it? My ps wants me to massage my ab-incision, but he would not recommend any particular kind of lotion/oil/cream for lack of "scientific evidence." Thanks, Tammy

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