DIEP 2013

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2013

    Goldie - 

    I was warned that I might go down a cup size. I've always had a modest breasts, but I don't really care about cup size, or if I'm a bit smaller. I just want to look down and see my teeny cleavage, and have something to put in my bra. I'm really swollen, so it's hard to say what the finished product will look like.

    Gaining weight was weird for me too- but at some point I just thought  - f*ck it. Give me cake! Pass me the guacamole. Now when I look down at my chest I think of all the delicious cheese platters and cabernet that are making me the woman I am today.

    I have a bad back as well (sciatica). I took some tips from the gals on this thread and did planks every day before surgery. And squats. Also a 1/2 pilates video. My legs are pretty strong, so using a washroom wasn't too diffcult at all.

    And as for not being out of commission as long as you think? Sometimes it takes a third party to see you as the bounce-backer that you really are. We (Jim & I ) really thought our life would come to a standstill for the whole summer but it's just another blip. I can't drive, or lift, but I can work around that. I have limiations  - for sure - but I'm enjoying my summer. I'm reading out on the deck, and cooking a little, and shuffling around the block two times a day. Friends drop by, and I spend lots of time hanging out with my dog.

    I should mention that I have a very supportive partner who is very generous with his time. And my mom stayed with me for four days post-op until one morning when she decided that I was independent enough, and she jumped in her car and sped home - which is five hours away. And she's 81!

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  • Jeannie57
    Jeannie57 Member Posts: 2,144
    edited June 2013

    Janet, we'll see if I have to go on a crash diet to gain weight! Sounds yummy. My preop is Tuesday, surgery in three weeks, so we'll see.

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    Back from my PS appt......... You ladies should have seen the look on his face when I told him about the gloobs!!! Priceless!!!! I explained that I hang out with some crazy women on the BreastCancer.Org DIEP board, and that one of them had pointed out that our new foobs "glow in the dark" when a flashlight is pressed up against them, and that another had said they aren't foobs, they're gloobs-glow in the dark foobs! He was SPEACHLESS!!!! When he finally spoke, he said: "glow in the dark flaps......who knew? And, what did you call your flaps?" Apparently he hasn't heard the term "foob" (his innocence was KILLING me).....and then, he said: "I am almost afraid to ask you what you would call your new nipples.......(?)".........I answered ( with a VERY serious face) well, what do YOU think!?! FIPPLES!!!! He laughed so hard he started to cry!!!!



    My stage 2a is scheduled for September....no day yet.....I am going to need plication, and the PS has to work the system to have it covered under cancer, so we need some time, and I am okay with that. I will have a slight height adjustment on both gloobs...1/2 - 3/4" is all, with any lipo that needs to be done to even them out, as well as scar revision. My fipples (stage 2b and getting rid of the dog ears) will come in December......I asked him why do the fipples then, and he said : "well, December is my FIPPLES month.....the cherry on top on the cupcake, so to speak".....at least he has a sense of humor!



    Mammalou, hoping you had a smooth surgery.....should be in recovery by now.....sending gentle (((hugs))) to you.... :)



    Namaste and God bless - Jackie

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited June 2013

    Jackie- You have me rolling with the Fipples! That is priceless! LOL

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  • Morningsun1
    Morningsun1 Member Posts: 649
    edited June 2013

    That was priceless, movie!

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Janet, I am going to start my planks tomorrow.  I have been working up to them since my bmx.  The leg part I think I will be okay with.  I have a stairmaster which I use a little everyday, and I do squats every chance I get, like waiting for the microwave to finish, or the toast to finish, I do squats.  It cracks my husband up.  I have heard of people getting raised pottys.  Is it a problem to get up and down?

    My summer has not been quite as nice as yours.  It's so off the charts hot here in Texas you are either in the air conditioning, or in a pool.That's all there is to do. And, I will not get in a pool even if they swear it's the most sterile pool on earth.  No walking around the block right now.  When I am healthy I do it no matter what, but I noticed I am not tolerating the heat very well since my surgery. 

    I know what you mean about the food.  I just had my nightly ice cream with chocolate syrup, and I had mash potatoes at dinner.  It's fun for now. But, I will stop. It's not in my nature.  I hopeSmile

    Sounds like we are both lucky in the hubby department.  Mine is so over protective.  He took me for my fill today, and knows I might have to go on my own next time (drive to PS is about 45 mins away) and he had me telling him how to get there to make sure I will know what to do when I am on my own. 

    I love how your Mom took off on you in 4 days. I can just see a little old lady jumping in her car and burning rubber to get away!  LOL. Only kidding, I am sure she knew you were ready to be on your own. 

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

    FIPPLES- hahahahaha! My DH and I are both laughing.

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    Movie, it sounds as if you and your PS had a very fun visit - I bet he has told his wife about the gloobs and fipples by now, and they've had a good chuckle  - LOL!

    Mammalou, hope you are doing well, and sleeping it off peacefully.

    Goldie, if you are doing so many squats, you will not have any problem getting up. Won't need a raised potty.

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  • kuka21174923
    kuka21174923 Member Posts: 427
    edited June 2013

    Movie, I love your story about the gloobs with your ps. I forgot to show my ps last time I saw him. I did tell my neighbor though! She's the one that told me that when she held a flashlight against her breast implant if would glow. After she showed me I did it to mine, which were the originals at the time, and there was no glow. We were laughing so hard when I told her that I now have glowing foobs too, lol!!

    My work out tonight was boring. Did a lot of stretching and some treadmill. He also took measurements of my body. It's funny because when he went to measure my chest he held the measurement tape up and asked to point at my nipples. I looked at him and said, what if I don't have any?! You should have seen his face! He's a young guy and a little shy. Total opposit from me. Most people that know me will say I have no filter. Then he asked me to point at my bellybottom and I had to lift my shirt to see where it was. I still don't have much feeling down there😜.

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    You ladies are a real gift of compassion, wisdom and laughter...thank you all for your posts....

    Apparently it has become "educate the masses" week Laughing!

    Goldie....her salon tech re: size differential

    Movie.....(hysterical, by the way) edifying of her PS.....that man will never be the same, and likely those terms are now flying around the PS network

    kuka....physical trainer who likely will now hesitate at each future measurement session! FYI....there is no filter strong enough to stop us flappers!

    Somewhere earlier in this crazy day, someone asked about scars....remember....you must let your incisions heal first! Usually 3 weeks minimum before starting treatment like massage. 

    another fyi....I recently questioned my PS about when it was ok to start things like putting pressure on the flap aka tummy lying/yoga poses. He has been relatively easy going about restrictions all along, so I was surprised to get the answer of not recommended earlier than 6 months out. Anyone else get similar directions for this????

    Hope everyone has a wonderful evening.

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    Nihahi, re:laying on gloobs in Yoga/massage.....in a word: yes. PS gave me an emphatic NO!



    Kuka.....loved your trainer story.......we really don't have very good filters, do we?? :)



    Namaste and God bless - Jackie

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    Movie...are you up making cuban lunch???? Did your PS give you any reason for the NO? This far out, I don't understand the issue????

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  • Moviemaniac
    Moviemaniac Member Posts: 949
    edited June 2013

    Nihahi...I meant until 6 months.....sorry I didn't clarify better.... :)

    I WISH I was up making Cuban Lunch.......(I will admit to filching several TimTams today....BUT.....I DID walk 12 miles.....maybe I am okay? )



    Just falling into bed......pretty tired!



    XO. Jackie

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    And here I was today, lying flat on my tummy no problem, doing the exercises given by the physio - lol. Does breast size not factor into these matters? I am really small . . . it seems these drs do not really tell us much, but when asked about something, they suddenly have all these restrictions?

    I'm still up. TV remote is flat, so have to wait for it to charge a little so I can switch TV off. Slave of my electronics.

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  • lhw
    lhw Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2013

    Hi Jenny,

    Were you told to get compression bras? I know from reading posts that doctors can differ a lot as to what they want. My surgery was 3 + weeks ago. My doctor wanted a sports bra, at least one size larger than what you would usually wear due to swelling, and it needed to open in the front so the nurses could open it easliy to check the circulation in your flaps. Again, each doctor is different. I was not able to find a front opening bra locally so I ordered one from Amazon for $18, Valmont Zip-Front Sports Bra. It worked out well. However, someone had said they do have front opening ones with hooks at Kmart. We no longer have Kmart in Tallahassee, but I did pick up a couple in Gainesville after my one-week visit. They are soft, ample and comfortable, and easy to get on and off. Comfort is an issue afterward, as skin is tender and swollen. Again, this depends on your doctor. As for dressings, everyone has a different experience, especially regarding how you heal. They should give you some supplies as you leave the hospital. I found what worked best for me was paper tape (be careful with any tape, but I don't know how you secure without it) and drain sponges. The drain sponges are super soft, and they open up long or can be cut into smaller pieces. They had sent me home with a couple of huge dressings that looked like double width Kotex pads. Ugh! At the point I'm at now, there is one small dressing over the center of my abdominal incision, where that incision meets what is left of the vertical scar from previous c-sections. It is irritated and a little oozey. The flap incisions have not bothered me or drained, so have had no cover other than the bra. I do have the surgical 'glue' protecting all incisions.

    The binder is clunky and hot, but I was told that things like Spanx or shapewear panties with the tummy control are ok. And for top support, camis with the shelf insert are ok. That's really comfortable. Sorry for the length, but I hope this helps. There are so many aspects to this surgery that you only learn as you're going through it or afterwards; and again, every doctor is different so you need to follow what they want.

    -Laurel

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  • kad22
    kad22 Member Posts: 191
    edited June 2013

    Hey ladies so how long after surgery did most of you stop with stronger medication? Then started to do more? Plus is it true that if I stay still my drains will be removed faster ? Not digging these 8 drains hopefully today at my ps apt some will be removed- keeping fingrts crossed! So yestetday was my first shower at home and of course went to sit on one of the small seats in my shower and slipped off and fell boy was I scared and hurting! Was ok just extra bruises to add but thought at first I had taken care of getting rid of some of my own drains! Love reading all of the stories on here you all make me smile.

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  • Janet_M
    Janet_M Member Posts: 1,068
    edited June 2013

    kad22 -

    Holy Cow! I'm glad it was nothing worse than a few bruises. Slipping in the shower was my worst nightmare! SO glad you're safe and sound.

    About the medication  - my heavy duty fun pills stopped about day nine. I went from about 6 Percocet daily, to one at bedtime.

    Fingers crosses for your drain removal at the PS appointment.

    Janet

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    Oh my Lord kad22.....you have me cringing with the shower slip story....Hope you are ok????? Those little built in shower seats are good for nothing more than holding a shampoo bottle in my opinion!!!!

    I certainly am no drain expert, but yes, minimal activity will slow the amounts, but....it's important to not take the drains out until your body can accomodate the activity you actually will be doing. Again, I'm not well educated in the drain world, but sure wouldn't want to "falsely" pull one, then have fluid buildup. HOWEVER, I do hope you get SOME of them out today! Hopefully the "unsealed" ones.....not liking the setup for those!! 

    goldie..if you're doing kitchen squats, I agree, you should be sailing with the up/down issues post surgery. 

    Movie...12 MILES...holy CRAP! You're halfway to Glacier! 

    Liefie....PS is ok with lying on tummy, but not on gloob.....not really sure how those 2 scenarios go together?????

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  • nihahi
    nihahi Member Posts: 3,841
    edited June 2013

    mammalou....I'm not sure if I recognized your surgery yesterday....hope it went well, and that you are now restfully healing. Congrats on becoming another of the veterans. 

    Sorry, guys, I've got to get my head back in the "game".

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

    My PS says that drains are your best friends. 😳😁 If they are pulled too early there can be some real problems. Activity does increase output. I did a lot of walking early on so that the drain reading was done with movement. I hated my drains too, and getting them out was a big celebration! Just remember they are there to do a job. Don't get them out too early.



    I will have to see if my foobs are gloobs! Checking that out later!

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Wow, Kad22, that is scary.  Hope you feel okay? Even when totally healthy people fall in the shower it is dangerous. 

    I have my abdominal CAT scan tomorrow to find the best vessels for surgery.  Can I actually hope for a SIEA...lol.  Really, I am scared that my laproscopic hysterectomy might have damaged precious vessels needed for surgery.  Keeping my finger's crossed.  

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited June 2013

    When I said I was stretching my arm- I meant very small stretches, mostly just because it is uncomfortable frombeing so still most of the time. I am not lifting weights with it or anything ;) And when I went shopping I was in a wheelchair the whole time- with my kids pushing me. The only strenuous thing I did was get in and outof the car.

    My pubic area drains are sooooo oozy and gross. I had the onc check them yesterday when I went in for herceptin to make sure they weren't infected- they aren't, thank goodness. They sure look gross though, and they keep bleeding and man I can not wait to get those things out! My postop is tuesday and I think the output on all drains might be low enough to get them all pulled. I hope so!

    I have been having a lot of muscle pain in my abdomen- the valium helps though. And Finally today (8 days post op) I haven't taken any pain pills in 18 hours- yeah!!!!! And I am walking a little less bent over also.

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  • damiana9
    damiana9 Member Posts: 389
    edited June 2013

    Kad- thank goodness you are okay after that fall! I hope you get a bunch of those drains removed, I can't imagine dealing with so many!



    someone asked about incision coverings- My flap was glued, and I had no bra and no bandages. It has been just fine! The only thing I have bandaged was my blister after it opened, and my drains.

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  • sweetpickle
    sweetpickle Member Posts: 749
    edited June 2013

    Kad- oh my gosh that was my worst fear with my drains and showering! So glad you are ok and didnt pull anything out!



    Damiana- Hope you are able to get your drains out soon and congrats on being off pain meds. Tomorrow is three weeks for me and Im still on two vicodin every four hours!

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    Goldie, I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy 17 months before DIEP, and they found plenty of good veins and arteries, no problem. Did not even have a CT scan; PS just used a Doppler. I'm sure you will be okay. Our bodies are actually marvellously put together - amazing.

    Kad, careful in that shower, girl! Maybe put a plastic garden chair with arm rests in there. The soap and water make for a very slippery situation in there. I hope next time you post you have lost a few of those drains.

    Movie, like Nihahi, my eyes also popped when I saw 12 miles - don't you have a car, or what? LOL! 3 miles is my daily limit at the moment.

    Mammalou, hope you are resting comfortably, and taking it easy.

    Damiana, yes, those crotch drains are a real pain in the ass, or somewhere else in this case - lol. I got hold of some alcohol swabs and cleaned around them twice a day when I cleaned out the bellybutton. You do not want an infection 'there'.

    Sweetpickle, everybody heals at their own pace. Hopefully you will be rid of the pain medication soon.

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  • RobinY
    RobinY Member Posts: 36
    edited June 2013

    with all the talk about drains I figured I'd add in my info from my ps too.  One week post op, tuesday the 9th I have my first appt and they'll be removing any drains left.  Now I'll only be going home on the 8th, but that is what they are saying.  Also, found out I'll be in icu until friday.  (not too happy about that) and maybe that is why I'll be untethered more quickly then I expected.  I've got four days to go.  Ohhhhhh crap.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    damiana, I am glad you are being careful.  If it seemed like we all jumped on you for doing too much it's because we care, and some us being a bit older than you, our motherly instincts kick in.  Also, remember the more you do, the more your drains will produce.  With my bmx on the days that I took a shower, and a walk, etc. my drains would go crazy.  The days I just sat in the recliner they would slow down.  I think I got my last drain pulled at 3 weeks. 

    I think after what happened to Kad22 we all need to use shower chairs, and suggest them to everybody.  I have one from my bmx that I plan on using again for the first couple of weeks after my diep.   It's too risky. I guess I am very sensitive about shower falls because my grandfather got a skull fracture from a shower fall.

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  • goldie4040
    goldie4040 Member Posts: 2,280
    edited June 2013

    Liefie, some of my favorite yoga moves start from being flat on my tummy.  I think that is one of the reasons I really didn't want implants.  I don't think you can lie on your tummy comfortably with implants. Especially, expanders.  I bet you can't lay on your tummy with expanders.  BTW...everyday I can do a little bit more of my Yoga routine.  It's amazing.  Take it slow, be patient, it will come, eventually.  I know I will have to start all over about diep, but I would rather go into it being a bit stronger and flexible. 

    Thanks for the info on the hysterectomy and tummy vessels. Made me feel better.  Now,  I will just pray for SIEA.  It doesn't hurt to have hope...hehehehe.  I'm not asking to win the lottery, just to make my surgery a bit easier on me, and my doc.

    Also, who do you think is in charge of your positioning on the OR table?  The anesthesiologist?  After my bmx my back, neck and shoulder's were so sore, and spasmed from nobody repositioning me every once in a while.  Just turning my head from one side, to the other would be something.

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  • liefie
    liefie Member Posts: 2,440
    edited June 2013

    Goldie, you have a very good point about moving patients on the OR table during long surgeries. IMO the anesthesiologist would be responsible for that. He basically just sits there for most of the time, doesn't he? If that can prevent soreness for the patient, it should really be done. I read on here about people who could not bend their arms for weeks afterwards. That is something that can be so easily prevented. It is not clear why this is still such an issue, and why it is not protocol to reposition the patient from time to time.

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  • MartyJ
    MartyJ Member Posts: 1,859
    edited June 2013

    I think the nature of this surgery influences how much you can be moved on the OR table.  Much of the time during surgery is spent sewing little tiny vessels in your new foobs.  So you have a microsurgeon on one side or two micros on either side working on your chest.  There really isn't a lot of room or time to move you around much.

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