DIEP 2013

Hey sherry....not kookie, just rookie!!!! just over a month to go for you...then you can be one to ANSWER  the questions!

hmmm...how many of us are still up?

bailey.....why are you still up???? Perfect explanation of the belly button change of address.

me too, I'm heading for the pillow, just as another storm rolls in.....hoping for thunder an lightning...for some bizarre reason that puts me right to sleep. Hope your yawns are a sign of a good snooze for you too.

Night.

I'm always late to the party....... . And I'm still sulking a little over the gloob reveal to the PS..... AND the TimTams....



I am really tired tonight, but wanted to wish the ladies up tomorrow good luck.....you will do just fine......this time tomorrow night you'll be on the other side!



Lilyun, what Nihahi said......your son sounds like he trusts that you will be okay with this, so he feels safe opening up to you. That's a good thing.



SheChirple-my DIEP experience was not one for the "Good" column.....but after seven weeks I started to feel a change in my energy (for lack of a better word).....I would go through it ALL again, to be where I am now, and where I hope to be by the end of the year. It DEFINITELY was worth it! You will get there, be patient, Grasshopper ( as a wise woman on this thread once said ). At some point, it will all click for you, I promise!



Kuka, that's good news on the knee! Now stay off it, and Ice Baby, Ice........



I know I am leaving lots of stuff out......can't stay focused.....laters......



Namaste and God bless - Jackie

SheChirple - I think that 'trying to be positive' is all we can do. If you don't really feel it - you can't fake it. I think it's worthwhile mentionning that you're not over the moon about the DIEP, and it's not instantaneous bliss. This is our bodies we are talking about - and I've had buyers remorse about much lesser things. For your sake though, I hope it gets better.

TypewriterJenny - The belly pain for me is about 6/10. I can get very comfortable, but if I twist or bend at the wrong angle, little stabs of pain. Mostly it's just restrictive - I can't stand upright and there's a tight pulling across my belly.  But - I'm only five days post surgery - so I'm doing pretty well.

As for Dr No-Show, you ladies brought up some good points. I'm not familiar with operating room potocol, but I am going to find out. I'd like to know if they can give aneasthesia without the BS's presence. And I did indeed sign a consent form. Must get all the facts. My DH (Jim) is livid - but I told him that it's a waste of energy until we get the facts. So easy to be reasonable on morhpine. 

Hello all.  I am 10 weeks post op and just noticed my left breast is leaking a small amount of clear/pink fluid and I can feel the tip of a stitch poking out but not enough to actually pull it and cut it.  I just started back to work yesterday and have a business trip out of state tomorrow.  My breast surgeon is in surgery today so I didn't bother calling.  Do any of you think this is something to be concerned with.  I have no pain or fever and feel fine and by small amount of leakage around incision, it's only drops...

Your thoughts?

Nihahi that was exactly what I think is happening and funny thing is instinctively I put antibiotic ointment and a piece of gauze on it this morning before I left for the office.  I will just keep an eye on it then.  Thanks!  

So as Liefie said, the feeling on your tummy does come back. I'm 22 years out from a tummy tuck/abdomnoplasty - my reference to DIEP. I thought "what the h did I do this for" after I had the surgery for weeks later. I didn't have the necessity of bc then, but was a recent widow and 4 kids with a tummy full of extra extra extra skin and no muscles underneath. Insurance even said it was a medical necessity so they paid for it.



My gall bladder scar, 1 emergency C section scar, and hysterectomy aftermath were all moved south - no longer horizontal and vertical scars , just new low bikini area scars. I had no feeling on tummy at all, had my same button, but the belly was new around it and they did the exact operation minus the boobs. This was before "mommy makeovers ". First son 12#14oz. BIG football player sons, 3 of them, born vaginally then one tiny 8# daughter emergency hysterectomy!



I didn't just want the tummy tuck, I NEEDED it. But, I too had doubts for a while after. Then at some point I was super happy I did it! That is until I found out I had bc and had killed my shot at using my own tissue for my breasts.



I like bargains - seems like 1 surgery to get 2 benefits is a pretty good deal! I didn't have a lot of "fat" on my tummy then, but had an over abundance of skin. It just got dumped. Dr said no way could I lose that by exercise!



So it's been 22 years and THIS morning I checked my tummy and my flap, and NO feeling in flap but yes feeling on tummy. I just never thought about it - didn't question IF it would have feeling, just thought it would, it does.



Belly button healed so good (the circle around where they put the new belly around the old button) that there is no way to know it was 'fixed'.



No way do you have to wait 22 yrs, but I'm just saying....

Quick question: anyone have any deep itching above their TE placement? I don't know if it's nerves waking up, or what. It's deep internal itching at the top side of my breast from sternum curved towards my armpit. Making me CRAZY! Going to get my port installed today and more breast tissue removed to widen the margins. Nervous as always, I hate surgery. Anesthesia is not my friend. I have such a tough time recovering... Wish me luck!

Hang in there Dvygrl......necessary stops on the road. Surgery is never fun...we'll be keeping you in our thoughts. ((X))

Thank you, ladies, for all of your emotional support.  I know I will 'get there' with the no regrets.  I know most of my emotion is just that I have been through so much, as we all have, and it's still 'fresh'.  This DIEP was more than just BC recon for me.  I had been saving my money for a tummy tuck after losing over 100 lbs in the last few years, before I was diagnosed with BC.  So, this DIEP is my silver lining. I've just had so many surgeries and can't wait for it all to be over.

I had a nice long talk with my husband last night and he is so encouraging and uplifting.  I feel somewhat better about the fact aht I am not there yet.  It has been less than 4 wks and my belly still looks like a battlefield.  Some of the edges and ends of the scars are well healed and look great, so I know the other portions will get there.

I slept very well last night.  From about 11:00 pm to 7:30 this morning, with only one wake up that I am aware of.  That is amazing for me. 

I have my follow up appt today, every Wednesday, and I'll be thinking of all of you ladies under anesthesia while I'm there, and all day.  I always treat myself to a nice Starbuck's "fru-fru" coffee after my PS appt. because it's right next to the hospital. Too many calories, but a nice treat.

My belly button pretty much looks the same, except for the little circle of sutures (internal) around it. On a real positive note, the scars that are healed are much thinner than I expected.  I have one friend IRL that had DIEP and her scar looked to be about 1/2" thick and like a rope it was so hard.  Mine are pretty level with my other skin, and look just like a discoloration.  So this is promising!  I also have no incision pain.  My only pain is above the breast, like the pec muscles hurt after the TE expansions.  I'm talking to doc today about going off the Norco and trying something less.  I want my head clear. I also want some PT help in an exercise routine.

Has anyone talked about nipple recon, tattoos, etc.. in here? That is my cheery subject that keeps me looking forward.  I am constantly researching tattoos, artists and designing breast covers as I'm not doing nipple recon, but will have beautiful full breast tats to cover all of my scars.

Well, off to my appointment.  Happy thoughts for a more uplifting day!

I agree on the welcome reunion with the old tummy. Three c-sections later, I appreciate the help. At first, I found it weird that my belly button so much her but I realized quickly that it was just back where it belongs. lol



Sherry - congratulations on the house selling. Hope all goes smoothly with the ex so it does not get fouled up. keeping you in prayers.



sbel- very exciting that you will be speaking as a survivor. Yours is a voice that should be heard by a wide audience.



dyvg - there are no words to express the proper sorrow for the loss of your friend to this stupid disease. I hope all goes well with your port placement today.

Dyvgirl, I had a TE, and had that inner itching that you describe. It got much better, and went away over time. There's no way to scratch it - lol - so it's just grin and bear it as it is with so many other issues re bc. It sucks. Best wishes -  I will be thinking of you today!

Movie, do you want me to sent you some Timtams? Can easily be done from here . . .lol.

Kuka, stay off that knee now. When you start exercising again, do it in the pool, okay?

Lilyun, your son is a wise, brave young man who realizes that he wants to lead an authentic life, and not hide in a closet for ever. He is still who he was before, that has not changed. It is just a part of him that is different. You are going through a lot right now, and our children's choices affect us so directly, eh? But your son is certainly much happier now that he has this tremendous weight off his chest, and in the end their happiness is what is important although they often don't choose what we would have wanted. I've been there with choices that my kids made, but they have to live with it. I'll always be there with support and unconditional love - that's all we can do when they are independent adults. Big hugs to you!

SheChirpie, I discussed nipple recon and tattoos with my PS yesterday. I' not sure at all that I want nipple recon, but DH is just assuming that I'm getting it, and the PS is not even considering the possibility that I may not want it. Seems I am a huge exception to the rule - lol. Will make my own decision, and not be pressured. It is MY nipple (or NOT) after all.

PS and I decided to wait till January before doing anything further. She thinks the healthy breast may need a little lift, but the radiated DIEP lefty first has to settle into its final resting place, and will still go lower, so we'll wait to see what happens. Suits me to the tee, because I am certainly not in any hurry to get more surgery. I've had enough.

Thinking of this week's flapper girls - hope you are all doing well!

I dont think I want nipple recon either, thinking about some pretty flower tatoos instead. DH seems to be on board with it.



Thinking of those in surgery and recently out, speedy recovery to you!

My sister has an implant on her MXed bc side without nipple. She just does not want it.