DIEP 2013

hrf - it is difficult to judge the restrictions, but this surgery will not be as intense as the first unless there is a need for a stacked flap. If the necrotic tissue is substantial then the PS may want to use tissue from another area to create the correct volume. Activity restrictions vary by PS, but many prohibit lifting 10# for 6 weeks or walking only/no running. It will really depend on your PS plan. My first revision was more challenging than the 2nd, but that said I felt like myself as soon as the drains were out. I just had to baby the incisions until they completely healed and I had to remember that even though the outside might look healed, the inside takes longer. Gentle.

Jals....would you like your date added to the list???

Just back from my PS appt. Truly, my most favourite physician of all times. We had a good chat, and he had a good look at things. He agreed with everything I brought up and said everything is very doable and truthfully felt nothing needed to be added to what I wanted. So the plan is: small incision on one side of the tummy scar, to eliminate a bit of excess skin. For the gloob...He is going to do a slight lift, reduction and minimal shift away from centre, by using the ends of the present scar. I have the "football" shaped scar, so he will basically bring things "in" from the ends, as opposed to adding any additional incisions. He said this would also give a little bit of "conical shaping" to the gloob. The nipple recon will wait until everything is re-settled and I'm happy with the result. It will be day surgery of short duration. He suggested just as I was requesting to be "out" for the surgery, as opposed to under local. He said sometimes he's "on the fence" and lets the patient decide....I told him there was not even a shadow of a fence.....I wanted to be "out". Date of surgery will be sorted out tomorrow, after his MOA can check his schedule. Likely not until sometime in the new year...which is a bit far out, but still ok with me. I had filled my calendar for the next couple months anyway, as it is almost "shoulder season" around here....meaning too late to hike...too soon to ski or snowshoe.

I was reading the things needed for after surgery, and one of the things that I hated the most was the ice chip thingy after surgery. "All she can have is ice chips till she is cleared to drink fluids." Okay, but my mouth was like the sahara desert, and my husband couldn't shovel in the ice chips fast enough. Well, when I went back in for my wound healing problem surgery I used Biotene mouth spray. What a wonderful product! No dry mouth.

Jeannie, you are posting already? That's great! I didn't hear any Wilburisms. Hope to hear more from you soon. ...Julie

dvygrl - I have had two ports (not at the same time of course), and each was removed in the surgical room in my surgeon's office. Taking it out is no big deal. It also struck me as odd as it was a much bigger deal to put it in. But it's really quick and easy. No sedation for me, just a local injection. I went back to work immediately afterwards.

mrtw, how exciting that your stage 2 got moved up so much! Mine is November 1st and I don't know what to expect really, other than I'll be sore for a few days. I see my PS next Wednesday for more information.

lahela, that's great news, no more flushes. You have been through so much. You are one tough cookie!

hrf, wow, you go in on Monday. You are moving right along too. It makes me smile that so many of us are moving towards the end of this very long journey, or at least the end of a chapter of it.

Jalsmama, well hello to you and keep us posted on how you do! November 15 is not far at all.

nihahi, sounds like your appointment went great! Don't blame you for wanting to be put out, I know I sure do. I am a big baby when it comes to pain, or blood, or anything like that.

Jeanie, hope you are feeling well.

For those who are looking for a packing list for DIEP (Not an out-of-town trip, though, such as NOLA), I found my recommendations from an earlier post:

Here's what you definitely need to bring to the hospital:

chapstick, brush/comb, facial moisturizer, toothbrush/paste, slippers, double-walled tall beverage container (for ice water, which will be your best friend for a while), small bottle of your own shampoo (in case they let you shower or wash your hair in a sink--the hospital shampoo is worthless), reading glasses if you need them

Here's what you might want to bring. The hospital can supply some of it if you don't want to use your own:

nightgown or jamies, robe, facial wipes (a hospital washcloth will do, though) small make-up kit if you think you'd enjoy using it, headband or scarf for your hair, cell phone/charger

Here's what you SHOULD NOT bring to the hospital:

jewelry (anything at all), wallet, credit cards, anything you'd be heartbroken if it went missing, stacks of books or magazines (you won't feel like reading them)

Also...anything you take to the hospital should be thoroughly laundered or wiped down when you get home. Hospitals can be good places to pick up bacteria.

Dvygrl, they removed my port during the DIEP. From underneath. No new incision!

Welcome to the new ladies, and my love to everyone!

DIEP shaping bra?? What's that about?? I'm curious!

Wow, Lahela. That is really something about the ice water.

pmat, I am laying here at 3 AM, thinking about you. As Janet_M always says, you only have to show up; everything else will be taken care of. Deep breaths help.

Ha, ha at Jeannie..I hate when that happens!

Patti - thinking of you today and hope all goes well.

Hrf - doesnt it seem weird that as Canadians we wait so long for this surgery (you more so than me) and then you can get revisions done so quickly?

Lahela - I think that is different what they did with the water too...

Mom is finally home. She had her official discharge papers at 12:30 pm. (hubby had been there at 10:00 am. to pick her up) but they checked her sugar level and it was 22! They changed her mix of medication and insulin yesterday (why they would wait until the day before she was released is beyond me:() They gave her some insulin and then began monitoring every hour until they were satisfied that she was in the "safe zone" to leave....that was 5:00 pm. Hubby and her ended up in rush hour traffic and then stopped at pharmacy to get some of her prescriptions...they walked in the door at 7:00 pm. My Mom was exhausted she sat in the chair too tired to take her coat off....hope she got a good sleep last night!

Gotta run, work is calling me...not really but I have to go and earn my paycheque for this week:)

Love to you all!

Michele

Hello, again.

My stage II: everyone is unique and has different things done. Here's my story.

A nurse anesthetist put the IV in my foot first try! We applauded her!

Surgery took 4hours. I was given Versed, Dilaudid, Zofran, scopalimine patch, propophol, vancomycin. I do not have any drains. I have had no nausea. I have no new incisions unless you count the numerous pokes for fat grafting.

Here's what PS did: Going through my circular piece of skin on boob, he broke up my huge necrosis at top of left boob into tiny pieces, about eighty percent of it. He didn't take it all because he didn't want to leave a big sunken area to fill. It will feel like cystic boobs again...He fat grafted both upper breasts to make them match and plump up the tops. He contoured my abdomen by doing liposuction. He removed my small "puppy ear" on the right hip, extending the abdominal incision by another inch. He liposuctioned both upper hips to get fat for boobs and to remove any remaining muffin top, I hope! He removed the center of my abdominal scar which went through three layers of skin. He restitched through one layer of tissue, making the scar flatter. Lastly, he reduced my puffy FUPA!

How I feel: I made it home by 9:30, which means that it all took twelve hours. Even though I was prepared for it, I was still surprised by the pain. I am in a cozy nest with DH on our power recliner couch. I didn't sleep that well. They pump you full of so much liquid during surgery that it has to come back out...I got up several times in the night to pee in my crotchless Veronique compression garment which goes from beneath my boobs to my knees. They gave me two of them. I have to wear the one I'm in 24 hours a day for two weeks, shower and all. It has zippered sides so when I do change it two weeks from now, it should be pretty easy. Remember how I said the fluids they put in have to come out??? My PS has found that his patients are more comfortable if he doesn't bandage the lipo holes. Have you heard the phrase, leaking like a sieve?? I am a human sieve. Every time I stand up, the fluid mixes with blood and comes pouring out. I will just wear no-longer-liked chemo clothes. Plus pads outside the compression garment. But boy, that garment looks like something out of a horror movie! I will get nipples in three months or so. Oh! and I am being even more proactive in avoiding constipation this time around.I like my PS. He cares about what you want and he works hard. He is highly regarded by the hospital staff. I am blessed indeed. Wilbur has put me to sleep twice while writing this so I better go!

Jeannie,

Sounds like a fun? Recovery.

Ok, so you mention crotchless, I get it for peeing....what happens with number 2? Does it have a "Johnny trap" like the old fashioned long johns?

I am picturing you holes and all and a little boy sticking his finger in the dam to stop the leak. Love the idea of the old clothes...I was just about to get rid of my "DIEP" clothes but I guess. Will hold onto them!

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Pmat...Safe travels, see you on the other side!

Michelle, I hope your Mom is feeling more herself. As a caregiver I have a small understanding of what you have been through. God Bless.

Pat

Patty, I haven't tried it out yet (!) but the crotchless-ness extends well past where you would need it....

Thanks, Lahela. My DH plays the role of doctor for me really well! And remember, I had a lot of lipo in my abdomen which hurts. You may not want/need that. I also hurt at the top of my boobs where he fat grafted. You may not need that. Everyone is different in what they need/want. You will do great this time!!

Yes, Marty, I can only imagine how long the zippered sides will take to dry. I will use a hair dryer to speed the other material to dry. PS said not to shower every day and to pretend I am camping! Thanks for the hints. My leakage is slower today but I was warned it could happen at any time for awhile. I'm just so thankful surgery is behind me!

Janet, you always make me smile.