DIEP 2013

Well, somebody who was probably reading the newspaper for the twelve hours I was under anesthesia could have shifted my head around from time to time!  I woke up in the ICU with a big, sore knot on the back of my head.  My DH said, "oh, they must have dropped you on something."  Nope, it was a pressure injury.  And a couple of weeks later a hank of hair dropped onto the shower floor, leaving me a quarter-sized bald spot back there.  

And I still have some mysterious red spots on the outsides of both ankles.  I think I was abducted by aliens while I was asleep.

You're right, Liefie, I'm just whinging.  I'm thrilled with the breast where there used to be none, and my flat tummy.  I noticed in the shower this morning that there is no longer a waterfall off the cliff of my belly, and when I look down, I can see my feet.  Ha ha ha ha...

It's been 2 1/2 months and I still have a crusty belly-button.  Everything else is closed up.  What's taking so long in there?

I developed a pressure sore across my Rt buttock due to sitting on the abdominal binder edge while in the hopsital. Edge of that binder cut right into my butt. I thought the worst part of the whole procedure was sitting in the same position for weeks.

Sbelizabeth, I had the same thing happened to the back of my head!! After I came home I asked my mom what was on the back if my head because it was sore. Sure enough it was a pressure bump. And a couple if weeks later my hair fell off! For stage 2 I will make sure to tell the anesthesiologist to turn my head every once in a while!

Goldie, I also had a hysterectomy and my ps was able to get good blood vessels for DIEP. You will be fine!

I went to the gym tonight and did the C25K on the traidmill. I've been eating my diet everyday and when I weighted myself I've lost nothing!! Come on, at least give me a pound for effort! Nope, nada!! What am I doing wrong? I guess the good thing is I'm really liking the whole working out routine. I get fit and I get a little time to myself without kids😄

Nihahi, I really hope everything goes back to normal there and you can get your mountain fix soon.

Kad, glad you're ok after that fall. Maybe somebody washing you until some of those drains come out would be best. I bet it's hard to keep up with so many drains and try to get washed at the same time!

SBElizabeth - me thinks it might be time to take a swab to your bellybutton. Soak it in Hydrogen Peroxide first. I bet a lot of that stuff will come out.



Nihahi - my trainer had me doing plank on elbows this week, combining with foot movements. I was amazed that I had no problem. I can do full arm plank for 60 sec, too. We were doing some arm/pec work today. 5 lbs was too much so we switched to 3. Then for another exercise she went for lighter weight still. I told her that pencils would probably be the best weight. She has 5 more weeks to beat me into shape before round 3.



Sorry about your mountain trails. At least you can see the mountains. Me, I am plagued with ocean, ocean, ocean. Just kidding. I so understand missing your time in nature.

Kuka, you are too funny - lol!

Oh yeah, I had another question.  I have heard complaints that when they pull your tummy down to sew you back together your tummy does get flatter, but it seems to take the curse out of your waist?  Anybody notice this? 

Kuka.....I feel like a motherhen to you!!!! I'm no expert, but can't say I agree with your food plan...you'll never stick to any plan (or have much energy) if you're always hungry. You'd be surprised how much "real" food you can eat, and still lose weight, as long as it's the right food. You need lean protein, but also complex carbs and, believe it or not, some fat, but healthy fat. 

goldie...I can do those poses and transitions, but then end up flaring up my shoulder issues. Physio doesn't want me in any weightbearing scenario that I can't tolerate pain-wise. Cobra, I can do, in a modified way, but always have been careful cause of a testy low back. (Old age really sucks!). I even have to bail out of pretty non-stressful poses like the warriors, cause of the friggin shoulders. It's getting better, but I'm starting to feel like kuka....ENOUGH ALREADY, SHOW ME SOME PROGRESS! 

I've read other posts about losing the waistline curve....hasn't happened to me. Might be more related to the "body type" you start with???? Maybe if you didn't have a defined "waist" before the tummy flap, you won't have it after either, but will be flatter???? I think I had a bit less curve at first, but it was more because of swelling, not a permanent body shape change.

Anybody else???

I'm back to doing all the yoga poses I could do before DEIP, including upward dog and cobra.....tummy still feels a little tight, but I move real slow......plank has been part of my repertoire everyday since I was cleared to workout again.....I will hold a full plank for 1-2 minutes....slide into upward dog, and then slide back into downward dog......the stretch feels SO good......I am also up to 6-8 pound weights (big whoop, I know) post DEIP.....slowly starting to lift more each side.



Nihahi, I accrue a lot of the miles at the gym as I exercise (elliptical or treadmill)..... As far as the rest, I have decided to get out of my car a little more, and walk to places fairly close by when I need to purchase things for dinner, etc. it is not difficult to rack up 10-12 miles/day when you do that, AND walk two Labradors(dogs-NOT men!!!!).



Kuka.....two words: EAT MORE! You need to eat in order to lose weight, otherwise your body thinks it is starving and holds on to every last fat cell it can! I know you hate veggies, but now is the time to get over it.....and start eating them! And up your protein....go to Costco and get the whey protein that has 27 grams of protein per scoop.....I drink that everyday 30 mins. AFTER I exercise......buy Think Thin bars at Whole Foods (other places may carry them, but that's where I usually shop) and eat one as a mid-afternoon snack. They have 20 grams of protein per bar....and do not withhold too much of what you love.....I eat several TimTams everyday.....otherwise you will go crazy and fall off the weight loss wagon......



As far as a difference in my waistline....hard to tell.....after my plication in September I will let you know!



Love to all.....

Namaste and God bless - Jackie

oh boy....sbe is either hyped on caffeine or in serious need of a bike ride! Your cover is blown my dear, as you OBVIOUSLY have not followed up on your intention of seeking out a yoga class. ooohhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

kad22....great news on the drain departures! I cannot imagine dealing with that many. Hopefully the ones pulled today were the open "leaky" ones!

Ok, I got it. I'll go to the store this weekend and buy other good foods to add to my diet.

Kad, my ps told me he wouldn't be able to lower my ab scar unless I loose some weight. We're looking at surgery sometime in August. That, and I'm very impatience!

My waist post DIEP was still there, with my bulging love handles helping to accentuate it.  Now post Stage 2 It is less defined but much more smooth and pretty, I think.  I am going to start doing more core work - had just started doing planks again a couple weeks ago - and add in a lot of oblique work to try and improve the waist curvature.

On foods - we've started a lot of juicing and green smoothies.  It's easy to add some protein to the smoothies.  We use hemp seed, chia seed, flax meal and lecithin.  Does anyone else make kale chips?  My DH and younger DD love them now, too.  If I make them, they don't last 24 hours.  And I had NEVER eaten kale before my diagnosis.  Just have to completely rethink your patterns sometimes.

Goldie - awhile back you asked about the iron bra feeling going away post DIEP.  I had immediate relief from that TE iron bra feeling when I woke up post-DIEP.  Those dang things were the absolute worst!  Your chest will likely feel a little tight for a bit post-DIEP, but I can practically guarantee that it will be a huge improvement!

The anestheologist was responsible for rotating my head and neck during surgery. I've had back surgery and my neck has issues. I was afraid of it being awful after such a long surgery, but...so at, so good.