DIEP 2013

The gifts they don't tell us about: Crotch Eyes, Vagina Fang Drains, And Testicles

When I think of everything all of us have to put up with on this rollercoaster, we all deserve medals for our long-suffering atttudes, and our endurance. I have often wondered if doctors withold info from us on purpose, and treat us on a need-to-know basis to make it easier for us, or if they become so desensitized that they just do no realize that normal people know nothing about the surgeries performed on them, and everything that comes with it.

What happened to Nihahi? Wonder if they lost power - very likely with those disastrous floods in Alberta.

Hope Nihani is okay with the flooding.

Okay you guys are scaring me.  Am I going to have vagina fangs, testicles, or who know what when I get my surgery..lol.  I go commando a lot around the house anyway, so that won't be a biggy, but what do you do when you go for your check ups?

I finally found all kinds of flap surgery pics on Timtam site.  It's not the most user friendly site, but I saw some impressive results.  Does the heart good!  Happy ladies, happy boobs.  I love the NOLA people who get a whole body overhaul.  Amazing.  I wonder how they can afford to do all that?  Insurance certainly can't pay for all of that. 

I emailed my doc last night with a pic of what I would like to look like when he is done.  He says its doable.  I am just trying to go to a peaceful place, and trust I made the right decision. 

The heat has hit full throttle here in Texas, and I have been feeling fine, but today while I was waiting for my car at the carwash I almost fainted.  I still don't have full stamina back from bmx.  Hope I am up for the diep.

Hi Ladies....

Well, we're still high and dry in our place. So much destruction around us it is hard to really understand the scope. We ended up doing a "rescue" of our daughter yesterday evening. Her building had been without power since very early Friday morning, and at 7pm, was told she had to evacuate. So, she packed what she could in a backpack and ended up walking through some water, we drove as far as we were allowed in towards her, finally connected. Never was I so relieved to spot her walking towards us! Anyway, she's safe and back with us for awhile.Only damage/loss for here is just the food in her fridge. Doesn't know when she gets her power back, maybe not until next week sometime. My Physio has actually "lost" his clinic in High River, a friend has lost a brand new rv up in Sundre, another friend lost a home in Canmore, another friend doesn't know if his Dental office is salvageable, my son's fianceé likely has no job to go back to for months, if ever.....I just don't know what to do to help everyone, and almost feel "survivors" guilt that we had no real "loss", ourselves. I used to work at the Stampede...unbelievable damage there...and at the absolutely worst timing. I have no doubt everyone in town in going to "cowboy up", but it just is almost too much to wrap the head around.

 Just checking in.....Morwenna....hang in there, hope you're high and dry. The weekend wait is a toughie, no easy way to get to Monday, at least the sun is shining today, take it as a good sign. 

Hope this weeks ladies are doing well, and the ones coming up are finding some mental calm that they're almost there. Catch up with you all later.

Yeah, for the super moon.  It's a long story, but the super moon helped me, and my grandson bond.  He had origninally lived far away from me, and then he moved close by, and the first night I kept him it was a super moon, and we sat outside and waited, and talked.  He was only 3, but it broke the barrier, and we are best buddies now.

Nihani, glad you and your family are all safe.  My prayer's go out to the people under water.  So sad, so hard.  

Hope everybody has a great weekend. 

Nihahi, I, too, am so glad you and your daughter are safe and dry! I can only imagine how hard it must be to see your friends and neighbors suffering such loss and not knowing how to help.



I am gathering so many questions to ask my PS at the preop appt.! Muffin tops, crotch eyes, groin fangs. I have to admit, it turns my stomach a bit to think about it! Wearing a sundress sounds nice but not lifting it up to clean drains several times a day with no panties on. My daughter will be helping me and I feel the need to protect her from at least seeing her mom's privates. She'll be seeing everything else! I emailed to try to see the photos but I told her that I thought I signed up earlier but never looked and now can't remember how to access them. She wrote back a snarky response so I may never see them. Has she never heard of chemo brain? And it was a year and a half ago. I have googled photos, though, and I've seen the good and the bad. DIEP is all my PS does so I know he is at least experienced.

Have a great weekend! Morwena, thinking especially of you.

Nihahi - glad to hear you are Ok - Sorry the daughter had to move.  It is just so hard to believe everything going on out there.  Prayers that no more lives will be lost and the weather settles down so the damage can be assessed and people can start rebuilding their lives.  Saskatchewan girl here - had diepp surgery in Regina in 2009.    Hugs girl

Kuka, I know about Texas sun, and heat.  I was just disappointed in myself.  I feel like I have lost a lot of stamina.  BTW...question for you, and other starting to work out again.  I have been trying to get back into my regular routine, and it seems with these stupid expander's in I can't do any of the upper body stuff I use to do. I looked it up, and it says you can, but it feels terrible.  I guess I am going to wait till I have my own breasts, and then see how it goes.  I was always very toned (Michelle Obama arms) and, now I can't do hardly any of my exercises without pain from  these darn expander's.

Liefie, about three months.  Even thought I am getting back most of my ROM it is not without discomfort.  I just really want these things out. And, now that my PS is expanding them, it's worse.  It is not natural to have something under your pec muscles, and digging into your armpits.  Women who just have breast augmentation, and have the implant put under their pectoral (which is the norm now) have problems.  I am doing some very simple yoga, and stretching, and lower body stuff, but there will be no weight lifting for a while, I can see that.  Oh well.....

Venting a little. I just passed two weeks post diep yesterday and Im still living out of the recliner. I am able to walk around carefully but sitting in regular chairs hurts my stomach scar so I dont do that yet. I can only walk short distances without getting competely wiped out.



I feel like I have read all the internet and watched so much TV that Im going to go crazy. Hoping this coming week brings some faster healing!

Sweetpickle - I spent my days in the recliner whenever I was sitting for 6 weeks.  Sitting in a chair wasn't comfy, though sitting in a car was okay.  You are only 2 weeks out.  Give yourself time.  

Mammalou - Sometimes it's better not to know too much, regarding snake eyes. And balls. I thought my drains would be in my hips, but found out about the pubic area in a morphine haze. Couldn't have cared less.



I'm the type of person that can handle something if it's happening to me, but I SURE don't want to hear the details if it's happening to someone else. I'm on day 9, and down to two drains. The other two should be gone by Monday. I've been living n an oversize linen blouse, cammi, and loose pants since Ive been home. And it's been okay - and time has flown!

Goldie, yes, it was filled to its full capacity in the weeks between MX and the start of chemo. Then followed 25 rads.

Hello my beloved ladies!  I have a camisole to give away.  It is white with velcro down the front and two drain pockets inside.  Please PM me with your address and I will forward it to you. Please pass it on once you are done, I will pay for the postage. It is a large and here is a link to it if you want to see it:  http://www.tlcdirect.org/Post-Surgery-Mastectomy-Camisole-Bra-American-Cancer-Society-TLC-Direct

My way of saying *thank you* to this board and the women who held my hand during this journey.  Yikes, I'm tearing up again! 

Stage two - out of the Marquis de Sade girdle and into another over-the-counter girdle.  What freedom!  Those contemplating Stage 2 - I found it REALLY helped to get a wife-beater t-shirt to wear underneath the girdle.  It has zippers on both sides and velcro, a recipe for misery, but you only have to wear it for two weeks.

For those that have read my posts - I have had pain issues.  With the repositioning that they did (a lift) it looks as if those issues have been solved - I don't have the pain anymore...or at least at the level it was.  I am so relieved!

My breasts look like the outline for Harry Potter glasses, but this will heal.  The work they do in Stage 2 is just freakin' amazing, so hang in there if you are not happy with Stage 1 results. 

Gentle cyber hugs to all, it does get better!

sweetpickle:  I'm am 4 wks out and while I'n not in the recliner anymore, I do still put a pillow under my knees for support, and still can't roll to the sides.  It's purely stright on forward up and down with support.  I have good days and bad.  After driving all day Thursday (8 hrs total) and visiting family, I was wiped Fri and Sat.  I've been resting but still, it really took it out of me. I'm still hunched, but mainly on purpose, as my lower belly incision is not looking so great. PS said it's okay, but the separation is superficial and he'll check it again in 2 weeks.  No sutures/staples for now.

I'm drain and binder free! Now if the incisions will just heal up.

heavenschild: thank you so much for your post about Stage II.  It's hard to imagine.  I'm struggling so with the ugliness of stage I wounds, incisions, drains, healing, pain, etc....  I've looked at photos and still not much help.  So, it's good to hear.

I'm going back to work Monday.  My belly still feels very tight and swollen, and it is.  I had to buy a few new outfits, which was sad.  I bought three dresses that are elastic waist so there is some comfort and give.  I'm tired, but I'm so ready to be back with people.  The stress will kill me, I'm sure, but I have to.  I cannot stand it home anymore.