DIEP 2013

I am going to use that line for whenever I mess up anything: we are all here, cos we are not "all there."

Krissy

Unless your PS was an absolute miracle worker it's doubtful he did a perfect job on your recon on the first surgery. Most of the women are left with little dog ears on their tummy incisions, or their new boob doesn't match the other, or if both were done, they don't match each other, some need fat grafting to fill certain areas. There are so many reasons for stage 2 and stage 2b and even 2c. I have seen a few that look almost perfect from the beginning, and your might be one of the lucky ones. But, nipple would be considered part of stage2.

HI all

I am thinking about DIEP flap surgery and have some concerns. Is the pain level "manageable?" Does anyone have recommendations for good plastic surgeons in Baltimore? How long is the recovery time?

I had a double mastectomy in August, and had terrible constipation. Any suggestions? (I really don't want to go through THAT again.)

Thanks so much!

DX 7/15/13 IDC Stage 1;

Surgery 8/16/13 mastectomy

Hi all, it's been a little while since I checked in and now I am waaaay behind in reading. I am doing great and don't have any issues just slowly healing and looking forward to stage 2 in a few months.

Sibrhusky, feel free to PM me and I will fill you in with my experience with the local PS, I met with 3 before I picked, and am thrilled with the results.

Sweet.....you are surround by cyber-love from us all...you sound like one tough, brave lady....You are in all our thoughts and prayers.

Pain is a very individual "experience"....our bodies process drugs differently, too. Sometimes pain is also affected by our "anticipation" of pain. It has nothing to do with being "brave" or "being a baby". Recovery is just as individualized. The most unfair thing anyone could do, is to measure themselves against someone else, but it is good, I think, to realize how different each experience can be.

I didn't find my recon very painful at all, and mine included muscle dissection, which should technically mean a higher level of pain. I didn't use the morphine pain button very much at all, and was on regular tylenol or sometimes nothing, before I left the hospital. Nor was I constipated...in fact, quite the opposite....if you catch my drift. So, for the flap recon, certainly expect to have some degree of discomfort, mainly during the first few times in and out of bed, less during periods of rest. Anticipate that your pain can be managed by medication, and likely it will be. Keep the mindset that everything, especially in the early days, is temporary....not your new normal.

Having things like recliners, is another individual thing. There is a big difference between necessary and convenience too. Nobody's flap will fail because they didn't have a power recliner, but many have found it very helpful.I went into surgery with a "temperamental" lower back, and my back was my biggest issue throughout my recovery. There is no way I could have managed on a sofa, my back would not have tolerated it at all.

Curly....can you now sleep comfortably on the sofa for the entire night, without turning onto your side? Are the arms high enough for you to be able to prop yourself up on pillows? Can you get up from a lying position without using your arms and limited tummy strength? Is it wide enough to accommodate you and maybe some swollen tummy with drains? Do you elevate your lympadema arm on pillows at night, and could you manage that on the sofa? Maybe try some nights on it pre-surgery, and see how it goes.

bailey....have fun at the concert....have a spectacular time in LV!!!!!!

Thanks Nahahi I agree, pain is so individual. I know for me, it has lasted longer than I expected however I went from chemo to surgery with just four weeks in between so my body was already pretty beat up. I have also found that getting yourself up and moving even when its uncomfortable is important.

I didnt have constipation but I was religious about taking my meds for that. I also eat a lot of fresh fruit and high fiber. I hope anyone following my experience realizes that I am not the norm when it comes to this surgery. From my research most people do recover pretty well and quickly. I dont want to scare anyone off just because Ive had a bumpy road.

Sweetpickle - Finally something to celebrate - congratulations on having the best DIEP your new PS has seen! You sure deserve to have such positive feedback after all the stuff you've been through.

Sibrhusky - The pain level is totally manageable. But - it can be a very long recovery. I went back to work after three months and it knocked me on my arse. With medication and modified movement, you should be quite comfortable. But there's a long period without heavy lifting, driving, sleeping on your side, putting away dishes (yay), dog-walking, and putting a sweater over your head. But manageable? Absolutely.

Curlylocks - I hope your mom is home for Thanksgiving.

Janet M was it returning to work that wiped you out or was it just that recovery was a three month thing for you?

Butterfleye - It was a combination of both. Everyone recovers at such a different pace. Mine was a long slow gentle marathon. A couple of girls on this thread went back to work after five weeks and did well. But - my job is physical and the hours are fairly long. I work in TV (Set decoration) and it requires a lot of moving around, getting in and out of cars, and light lifting. My intention was to spend more time in the office - but it didn't work out that way. If it had, I think I'd be fine.

However - during my three months off I had a great summer. After the first three weeks there was a lot I could do. Lots of reading in the back yard, a short camping trip (yuck), a few weekends away, bicycling (so much easier than walking), visiting friends, cooking. Also I was hunched over for the first couple of months. Not hunched like the Hunchback of Notre Dame but slightly stooped and slightly uncomfortable, like I was wearing super-tight suspenders. Again, everybody is different. My PS said I was pulled really tight cus I didn't have a lot of extra belly, and we had two boobs to make.

Just realized that things seem to come in threes. Three days to feel good post-surgery, three weeks to getting back a range of motion, and three months to feel back to new-normal.

Jeannie - Your garden! Oh my. What a beautiful place. It's like a visual Atavin.

Ridley - Speaking of beautiful places - you mentioned the Sklyine trail in your post to Movie. I'm heading to Cape Breton tomorrow, not to hike, but to visit the village where my dad grew up. I would love to see a moose, but we never seem to make it further than the front porch. After reading your post maybe I can force Jim to put on his walking shoes.

Reiki works! I don't know much about it - but I'v had it done twice, on the day before each of my surgeries. I left the clinic feeling pretty normal, but slept well and felt surprisingly calm the next day.

mtpet....smiles are ALWAYS a good thing to share.

Hope everyone had a good night....there certainly seem to be way less "nightowls" than there used to be on this thread. I take that to be a good thing.

Sweet....thinking of you. I really hope today is a better day for you.

Lahela....hope that dang abscess heals up really soon!!!!!

mammalou....just wanted to say "hooray"....I missed responding to your last post. Sounds like you are healed and happy!!!!

sbe...just because you go to work to flaunt your shoe collection, doesn't mean you can leave us in the dust!!!! Missing your posts, hope that remaining open area heals quickly and stays that way!!!

It's Thanksgiving in Canada on Monday.....so a long weekend in store for all us Canucks. I have much to be thankful for this year, and you all are a big part of that.

Have good days, ladies.

hello all,

Still dealing with stupid drain and belly button hole that won't heal. I'm so frustrated with the whole thing. I'm approaching the 3 month mark from original surgery and did NOT think I'd still be dealing with this crap!

But on a brighter note it's a beautiful day here in southwestern Ontario and I got my butt out on my new bike and rode up to the post office and back. Not very far but it gave me the confidence to know I could do it. I haven't been on a bike in many years! Yay me!

Happy thanksgiving weekend to all my fellow Canucks!

NYTX how are you doing with mobility and pain in the tummy are? Are you able to walk around a bit? Which hospital did you have surgery at? I go in Tuesday

I had my surgery at St. Luke's The Woodlands (MD Anderson). Love my whole MD Anderson team and have had all of my surgeries (and both babies) there. I live in The Woodlands so it works out great for me.

I take a Tylenol once in a while and I walk a lot. I went out to lunch today and drove a tiny bit. For me, it is more frustration than actual pain. The incision bothers me more as the day goes on but it isn't exactly pain, more like a raw feeling. Remember though that I have a few leaks so the raw may be from that.

Still sleeping in my recliner because I can't figure out how to get out of bed by myself, not because it hurts to be in it. I am not one of the ones blessed with a helpful DH. His fight or flight has flown during all this:). He said it would be too disruptive for him to help me up in the night to use the bathroom( I go at least twice). If I had help I would be in my bed for sure.

Like I said, I walk a lot, but I am high strung so the walking is mandatory. I do walk slow and still hunched over a bit. I walked through Macys to try to find a bra that didn't hurt because I have to wear it 24/7 and was tired after but no additional pain. That's probably the biggest thing, I get tired very easily!

Only other thing is that if your PS is one of the ones that recommends 24/7 binder, it is hard to get it tight enough and smooth by yourself. I end up looking like a contortionist trying to do it.

If you want to know anything else, just ask.

NYTX, glad you are doing so well already!!! You are amazing. It must the NY state of mind!!! Keep up the good work.

nytxsphr, sounds like you are doing pretty good recovering! I had nerve pain at a couple of different points and boy did it hurt. Fortunately it never hurt more than a day or two, and then I guess the nerve calmed down.

butterflyeyez - DH = dear husband/darling husband/darn husband lol