DIEP 2013

DYvgrl..........Awesome update! So glad to hear you're doing well. Anticipation of the unknown just "sucks"..doesn't it.

Nihahi, did your PS say your physio could stretch your shoulder any direction, with any (reasonable !) amount of force? 

My PS wants me to re-start my should physio, but I need to ask him about limitations before I make an appointment with physical therapy.  I don't want them to romp on my shoulder, hear a POP and have my new boob turn cold and blue. 

Just been catching up on all the posts I've missed.  I'm doing very well.  The only weird thing for me is that my new bellybutton remains hard and the "scar" around it is really noticeable.  I have a ring-around-the-the-button thing going on!  It's a very nice belly-button so I should just be quiet.  I have bought some new clothes - a couple of new two-piece bathing suits (not all of my old ones have taken kindly to the new "girls") and some tops.  Next week I'm six weeks out and I can start working out again - modified, of course.  Gonna take it slowly.  But it's a start.  

It's been crazy here with the kids and stuff.  I had to chuckle when I read Kuka's post about her daughter waking her up.  One of the twins will just stand in the doorway of our bedroom at 6AM - it's like she's in The Shining or something.  Scares the heck out of us.  My DH finally taught her how to turn on the TV herself - so now we just wake up to the sound of cartoons!

Nihahi - sorry to hear about your skin cancer.  I am saying a prayer for you.  

Katy - you should go into writing full-time!  You crack me up.  

And the whole thing about living in fear of it coming back - I'm triple negative and have struggled a lot with this.  I finally just handed it all over to God and got on with my life.  Liefie mentioned having zero control over whether or not it comes back - I just try to eat healthy, exercise and enjoy each day as it comes.  

Hi Everyone, I am six weeks out from my stage 2. Thought I was finally done with "weepy" scars and they started in again. It's really mild, just small drops of blood but my lipo scar is sore and it makes it difficult to wear light colored spring clothes with the constant bleeding going on. I'm going back to the PS tomorrow. I know that most people do not have this much trouble with stage 2 so I don't want to scare anyone, but for me the entire recuperation is taking as long as the stage 1 one-though not as severe. About two weeks ago when the drainage slowed down alot I regained some energy and couldn't wait to run around to the stores. Of course I picked up a cold that turned into sinusitis that I am still battling. I have a new respect for the elderly-being weak and home alot is no fun. Fortunately, I am managing to work at my part-time job, my husband is very supportive and my boys are home from college and willing to pick up some slack.

Thanks Dvygirl.  That is good to know.  I was doing some research, and I guess what they mean is that you can't have had any lipo, or tummy tuck procedures.  I was close on the lipo once.  Glad I did some sit ups instead....heheheeh

sbelizabeth - your blog is beautifully written! I so enjoyed it, please keep adding to it.

I want to thank everybody who has been kind enough to answer my posts, and address my concerns.  I am still getting use to the forum, and if I have missed something you have said to my directly, please forgive me.  I am not being rude.  Just trying to find my way through the maze.

This place is the best thing that has happened to me since my whole mess started.  Thank you.

Goldie - PAP means PROFUNDA artery Perforator and it is tissue and fat from about 1.5 inches under your butt cheek. Dr Kline in Charleston is my fantastic PS and Dr Robert Allen assisted him! It was by far the easiest on me experience between the abdomnoplasty, SGAP and PAP. If I had to decide all over again it would be the PAP hands down.



I think personally I needed a Dr I could relate to 100% because there are so many times after surgery that questions arise and my Dr even gave me his cell phone number - of course I don't abuse it, but he even told me to call when I needed to, any time including evening. DH (hubby) also thinks highly of him and asked him tons of questions before and after surgery (he is the one talking to DH after OR)! So make sure you and whoever you choose can relate to you so you are comfortable!



Hope you have as great an experience with your PS as I have with mine!

Hi everyone!

I've been for the most part (except introducing myself) stayed quiet, so that I could read and learn.  Today however, will begin my more active participation.  Today, my PS's office called to let me know that they finally got the authorization from my medical group/insurance.  They've scheduled my PS, and the rest of the team....even the OR for my surgery which is now scheduled for Tuesday July 2.  For five minutes after that phone call I bouced back and forth from excited, to nervous, to 'oh crap is this really happening?'  I know I'll be fine.  I know God has got this.  I look forward to being on the other side of this and moving forward.   So please add me to the list and I will be asking for prayers closer to that day (and prolly peppering you all with questions in the meantime).  Thanks so much for making me feel welcome and safe here.

I know this might sound weird, but losing my breast was so traumatic and body altering that the thought of any other part of my body changing too upsets me.  Does that make sense?  I have never had a bad body image.  I was lucky. Of course, I had my issues with certain things that bothered me, but nothing I would ever consider surgery for.  Now, not only are my breast gone they may have to alter other part of my anatomy too. 

 I will research the PAP again, and see if I come up with anything.  Thanks for explaining.

Hi Robin...glad you have jumped on the thread. I'll get you on our list. The emotional bouncing is something I bet we all can relate to, big time. I can tell you that the bounces get smaller in time, and eventually they become what sbelizabeth has so beautifully named as "shivers". The ladies here are just awesome people, and I know they will be such a huge support for you. Ask away!!!!!!! Someday, you'll be one of the veterans with the answers.

Lilyun...sorry to hear your having "oozing" issues. I noticed you've had nipple recon as part of your Stage 2. Is that where the leaking is from, or is it from a lipo site? Hope the PS today has some fix for you. I was all psyched up to go shopping after just my Stage 1.....turns out, my old clothes either still fit, or fit better than before.....dang! Can't find a way to justify shopping now!!!! Hope the sinusitus clears up quickly....no fun at this time of year!

ryjuem....Stage 1 surgery is when the free flap is taken from the donor site and re"attached" to the breast site. That is when the microvascular connections are done to create a blood supply to the new breast. Sometimes Stage 1 is done at the same time as a mastectomy, sometimes it is delayed, for various reasons. Stage 2 means a wide scope of different things, but generally means surgical "tweaking" or refinement of the new breast and an assortment of other procedures may also be included. For some, there are stages after that. What is done at stages after stage 1 varies tremendously for different reasons.

goldie....I agree, this group of ladies and the info, support, understanding, compassion that you find here is just such a gift! So glad you have found your way here...I agree 100% with the other ladies....it is important to find the PS that not only has the surgical skills, but also fits you personally. It makes such a difference to feel comfortable and supported and "understood" by the surgeon and his support staff. This is such a huge surgery, emotionally, you need to stack as many positives as you can in your "corner". 

I get the "why add more scars" thoughts, too. I never had body image issues pre breast cancer, (facial, yes, but not body). I certainly have some spots that no longer look like I remember from my younger days......but I'm not living in those days anymore! I would never have considered an independent procedure like a tummy tuck for the sake of a younger looking tummy, but decided to accept it as a positive result of this type of surgery. I admit, it HAS been positive, and I'm happy with the new look. I'm also happy with the "height" of my original scar which I think is pretty low, and it most certainly is covered by any kind of clothing I'm ever going to wear!

Kuka...you're a hoot!....I now have a mental image of the PS bracing his feet against the table as he pulls things together!!!! I needed that laugh! Thanks 

Janet M - your friend is so wise!  I like her saying "A beautiful body is a healthy body."  There is a lot of newness that awaits you.  My belly button does look different and my "old" one (it's the same one) was much nicer but I have a really flat tummy and I have "real" breasts and not implants.  I really didn't want implants.  I also have a friend who just did her BMX and no reconstruction (which she is totally fine with) but I knew I didn't want that either.  

JanetM....VERY WISE FRIEND! And I also totally agree that meltdowns for some of us are also part of the "process". I really, really don't mean to make light of your mindset, but I just don't get the bellybutton attachment. In my long life, I've never really given mine much thought, other than checking it for "lint", it's been pretty much off the radar. I'd not be happy if it disappeared altogether because of the surgery, but, it's still mine, and still there, so on we go! We're all different in what "gets to us". Sounds like your hubby is very supportive which is great. Hang in there.

Movie.....missing you too....enjoy the onsen, and the rest of your adventures!

Movie, time to sake-up.  We're all in your pocket tomorrow...oh, oops, no pockets! Can't wait for the report!

When I was egg-bald and bike riding in the chilly California winter, I would return home afterward, fill the big bathtub to the top with steaming water, and float there with just my nose sticking out.  The warm water felt so good on my bald head, my boobs, everything.  It was there that I would murmur to my breast that I was sorry.  After all the service she had provided, and she had to go.  It made me sad. 

But again, that was something I couldn't wallow in.  My breasts are not me.  They have no feelings, no personality, besides what I assign to them.  I miss them, as a body part that was attached to me for fifty-seven years, but I love being alive.  I love not having to wear a bra with a couple of pounds of silicone on one side.  And when the time comes...I'll love wearing my perfect, un-scarred body in heaven.  I have a mental picture of getting to the other side (again, whether it's in an hour or fifty years), looking down, and saying, "hey, look, they're back!"

Welcome, Robin!  I hope we'll be helpful as you scramble through the weeks before surgery!  Here's my tip--don't bother packing any make-up.  You seriously won't need it.  What I DID need, and didn't have, was a good pair of tweezers.  Who knew anesthesia makes chin hairs grow?

Thanks for the physio tips, Nihahi.  I'll be making my appointment today.  I just hope they leave my arm attached.

Heavenschild, thank you so much for your kind comment about my blog.  I have found it to be a huge pressure-relief valve. 

Happy Hump Day, everyone!  (That's Wednesday, in case you weren't aware...)

Wow the posts are SO informative today! I am so happy to have found this forum, Robin, and to have experienced these wise ladies info from their journeys through this raging river of BC.



I had a lumpectomy in the 90's. it was a 2.5 cm lump and went in for a biopsy thinking they would take a SMALL tissue sample but it turned out to be the top half of my right breast. And IDC, non receptive. I guess the shock of it - they all said at the time it was probably not cancer - made me just glad to be alive and fighting it that I didn't have time to mourn my breast before it became half of what it was!



Fast forward 18 years, I had forgotten to mourn other side prior to my bmx - and had NO photos pre surgery (who new deleting from camera roll on iPad would erase 'topless' photos from Surgery Album too?) I called my PS and was sent photos that I originally sent them. I was surprised to see my own photos 1 year later! I truly never realized how miss matched I was in my natural state (with lumpectomy scars) and what my nipples looked like! My mind had them more equal and my nipples I couldn't pick out in a line up for sure -



I can honestly say that although I am still in the works of getting 'there' I am so pleased that the cancer is gone (God willing), that my lack of nipples at this point is NOT an issue (heck I didn't recognize them anyway !!!) 🙆

and that I have these wonderfully soft, new breasts that are really made of ME - that makes it all special and worth it!



I was told to take photos, say goodbye to your old breasts and I didn't - just forgot I guess - they served me and my children well, but if after only a year I didn't recognize them when I certainly recognized the body as me but not the breasts - well I guess that says volumes regarding missing them!



Nihahi - I loved your succinct explanation of the stages. So hard to explain why another surgery to friends who ask!



Janet - my DH also says (yes I also met and married a wonderful man 16 years ago - even with a 'cup half full') that "after 15 years there are no trade ins so I am just being rebuilt". Must be a guy term LOL!



Whew - hard to be so long winded on an iPhone! Hunt and peck!