DIEP 2013
Comments
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jeannie...I have no experience with the compression garments, but in remembering marty's comment about getting lightheaded, is there anyway you could spread some towels on your bed, lie down after your shower, and do the quick switch of garments while lying down???? You'd obviously need someone to help, I'm sure. But if they can put ladies in garments postop, before they wake up....it has to be possible, right??? Also might help with potential "leaking" too. Hope the shower feels absolutely heavenly and we all know how having clean hair helps the spirits!!!!!
yep, just had hiking shoes on, but they are gortex, so helped keep some of the moisture out. Of course, sometimes it was deep enough to be over the shoes, so no help there. Should've had gaitors on, but didn't have any with me. Socks were pretty damp, so I changed pairs at lunchtime! Thank goodness it was a mild day and a short ride home!!!!!
Lahela....like others have said...there is no right or wrong answer from us....the choice has to be what works for you. You have had a tough time with the healing, and like cherrie said....there is no reason you cannot do more "refinement surgery" in the future, IF you decide you want to. What some of us feel we want to "achieve", is totally unrelated to what others may want to have, as an end result. Nobody is right, nobody is wrong. Glad to hear hubby is home soon.
christina....getting a compliment on how you look is a good feeling, eh!!!! Enjoy the retail therapy.....we've all earned it!
Have good days, ladies.....time for me to get busy! -
woohoo!
Had final hip drain pulled today by hubby. The "Ouchie" was when he had to "dig around" to find the stitch to cut.
I am now drain free and started compression. I'm not the "compression type". I have paid attention to all your posts regarding being dry and baby powder...so I will follow that advice.
If I remember correctly someone might have mention a tank too so as to not get "rubbed"? My compression goes from below boob to a few inches above the knee.
Pat -
DebDylan, please know that your stage II could be very different than mine. Your tummy probably doesn't need as much work as mine did, so you won't have as much pain. My left boob is bigger to me than the right but my PS doesn't see it. It's ok. No more surgery for me!
Nihahi, I haven't showered yet. Should I be afraid that I might not be able to get the compression thing back on??? -
hi patty! Yay on hubby pulling that last drain out! Must be a great feeling. Did they give you the compression garment or did you have to get it yourself? -
Lucy, they actually gave me 3.
One was a Velcro binder...if you ever had a back problem and had to wear a "belt binder" it looks like that.. I was told by the nurse a lot of people don't like it because it "tends to ride up"
I was given a XXL compression...she said not to be in shock when I saw the size because these things run really small. I am usually a L/XL depending on cut and how much I ate! Lol. This garment is from below bra line to above knee and is the one I am wearing.
I was also given a XXXL...she gave me this because I said I hate feeling "tight or bound"...and she wanted to make sure I wore something as opposed to nothing. I think that style she gave me had straps for over the shoulder! I guess so the garment wouldn't roll down? I did not try it on. I am in the XXL.
The XXL and XXXL are crotchless....supposedly with enough room to do number 1 and 2. I just used the bathroom and was comfortable for number 1..."felt around" and don't feel like there is a heck of a lot of space for number 2...feels like wiping might be tricky (that's my opinion for my fit of this garment). I did out a pair of underwear over this compression as I don't feel I need to be "crotchless" against my everyday clothing!
Oh the joy! Lol
Pat -
thanks pat! Sounds like you are doing really well with it. This may be tmi and I don't know about the rest of the ladies but sometimes when I pee it goes all over....not just a straight shot down! That could prove an interesting mess if I am put in compressions! Haha -
Jeannie - the lightheaded part comes when taking the compression off. At this stage it will be best to have your DH with you to put you back into the compression (or to grab the dirty one to wash it quickly, dry in dryer on low). If your second garment has zippers, you def will need help. There are hooks hidden under the zippers. I felt like a sausage too big for my casing the first couple of times I put it on.
Deb - I had XXL and XL after Stage 1. I later bought an L. After 2b they put me in an XXL. The morning after surgery when Dr. M came by to see me, she got tickled because the XXL was just hanging loose. I am now comfortable in an L. So be on the lookout for things to change. -
Lahela, right now you are still going through complications from stage 1. I wouldn't worry about stage 2 at all if I were you. When all this is over, and you have forgotten the pain, and the discomfort you might actually be excited about stage 2, but for now just go with the flow. Nobody can decide but you, and nobody is going to judge you for your decision. It's your body.
Jeannie, the compression stuff sounds just awful. You did say you have to do it for 2 weeks, right? Then you can take it all off? Heck, I would be tempted to wash my hair in the sink, and just sponge bathe around all the rest. But, I guess that garment will get a little stinky with all the oozing. Good luck getting the new one on. It probably will not be as bad as you think. Like somebody else said, they get it on you in surgery, so it goes on somehow.
Christina, nothing like retail therapy!!! You go girl. Did you tell your hubby about the possible new man in your life....lol?
dvygirl, thanks for the heads up on the necklace offer. -
can you wear pants with the compression garments that go on the legs? -
I took a shower which went well. I wore the compression garment in the shower. Afterwards I was too chicken to try to change into a fresh one. I used the hair dryer to dry the garment as much as I could and also have towels on my tummy soaking up any dampness between the garment and my clothes. The compression is mostly comfortable. I'm sorry if I worried anyone. Mammalou, I see no problem with wearing pants. I am supposed to wear this 24/7 for two weeks, then two weeks during the day, then when I exercise. I am trying just Tylenol to see how it goes. -
Jeannie (pssst there is a thread called "Constipation the problem with....")(I can't remember the rest.....a few more ideas there if you're still in need....one describes acupressure points which couldn't hurt! May not help, but couldn't hurt).
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jeannie....glad to hear the shower went well. Gosh, I bet you feel better for it!!!!! You're still pretty sore, so I think it was more "good judgement" than "chicken" to decide not to wrestle into the other one. Maybe for your next shower. Sounds like you must have gotten the ok to do a quick swap, but might as well wait until you feel ready to do so. If you feel like the hair dryer was able to dry your skin.....why worry about it. FYI....no need to apologize for telling us how you've been feeling....or making others worry....this is where you can "say, feel, vent, advise," however you want to!!!!!
Debdylan....sorry to hear you are unhappy at this stage....maybe give things a bit more time? Stage 2 is supposed to be the "refinement" surgery...maybe try not to judge your final outcome until after that has been done?? Though it is very hard to "wait" for the final results, it is part of this type of recon. Massaging scars is a way of helping to soften and flatten scar tissue. Some surgeons really recommend it, others don't think it helps, others feel that they will just surgically intervene if scars don't heal "nicely". Personally, I think it makes a huge difference, not just re:scars, but in the surrounding tissues as well. Others may not agree.
patty....congrats on being drain free......huge, huge step in putting surgery behind you!!!!
goldie....speaking of surgery....have you finally decided if you are going to go the flap route, or are you still pondering the implant route instead???? -
I am wearing the same garment as Jeannie - from underbust to top of knees. Pants and jeans are no problem. Skirts/dresses can be a challenge as mine end mid-knee. If your doc is talking compression, you really should research the why's and how long. The compression helps the tunnels created by the cannula to collapse properly and promote a good final outcome. It also helps skin retraction and the lymph system. Most of the articles I read say it can take 6 months to a year to achieve the final results, but not that you necessarily need to wear the garment for 6 months. -
Nihahi, no, I didn't get permission to swap garments....another reason I didn't do it. I can see that I am pretty swollen so I don't want to mess with it. I'm feeling like I am starting to improve since I am just on Tylenol right now. No Dilaudid/Wilbur. Oh, and yes, some success for this queen on her "throne." -
Jeannie I am light-headed just reading your post from earlier! Glad that things are "moving" for you.
Pattysmiles - congrats on losing the drain!
DebDylan - I hope your surgeon is able to get you to where you want to be. I don't blame you for feeling frustrated. As for massaging, my PS told me to massage my new breast because it was hard, from scar tissue forming inside. Now at this point it is soft/mushy/breast-like feeling. She did not tell me to start massaging until my 5 week post-op check-up I think.
goldie, I did tell my husband about the "new man." LOL He just rolled his eyes... -
Yes Nihani, I have made a decision. I started out wanting implants, but then it looked like my skin was not going to cooperate. Switched to Diep, and sent home to gain weight. That's when I found you guys. Went back for check up, and they were amazed how well skin was doing, and started to expand me. At that point I was still trying hard to gain weight, and then the liver lesions showed up on CAT scan for DIEP. Then the nodules on my trachea, and the broncscopy. Meanwhile, PS kept expanding me, and my skin over the expander's looks amazing. Also, I was told that the CAT scan didn't show the greatest of DIEP vessels, and I might have to have a muscle sparing tram (which I know can be fine). After going to my PS and the one that Kuka works for it seems I still did not have enough weight for decent size breasts, and they both wanted to put implants under my flaps. And, yes I could do a stacked flap, but my husband put his foot down on that. He has been very supportive, and anything I wanted was fine, but messing with my "behind" was out of the question. He loves it. He would rather I had no breasts then mess with it...lmaoooo. I have to admit my legs and backside have always been my better body parts. It was a very short pair of cut off jean shorts that attracted him to me in the first place...ugh. So, after much consideration, and weighing all the pros and cons, I am having gummy bear implant surgery on Dec. 3rd. I am glad you asked, because I have been wanting to tell you all, but I got so attached to everybody, and now I am not having the Diep, right now anyway. What is good about all this is I can still have a Diep if the implants don't work out. Maybe, if I hate the implants that much, by then they will have perfected the fat grafting, and make me bigger breasts without messing with my butt and not using an implant to supplement.
Thanks for all the support I have had here, and I hope I can continue to come here to talk, and get support. I know more about DIEP than I can every imagine, the good and the bad. But, the best part is the wonderful women I have met through this forum.
I am scared to death to have this exchange surgery, almost as scared as when I was scheduled for my diep.
Much love,
Goldie -
jeannie.....that is wonderful news from the throne! Today sounds like a much better day for you!!!
goldie...as we always say to each other....we each have to make the choice that seems right to us! I'm sure the implant threads will be able to give you great support and information, and are filled with wonderful ladies. I'm sending you big hugs, and wishes for the results you are looking for with the implants. You deserve nothing less than the best. There are many successful implant recons, no reason to think you won't be one of them....!!!!
patty, marty and lucy....you've got me chuckling re: "compression stories". There seems to be no room for "ego" in those things, eh!!!! -
Nihahi, all ego goes out the window with compression! As there is NO ROOM in the compression for ego!
Lucy...I had the "pee everywhere" problem when on chemo and lost the hair down there. No advice...just understanding. Wish I could help...plastic wrap or foil over your inner thighs on the garment each time you go to the bathroom? You have plenty of time to figure it out.
Pat -
Holy carp you guys are FREAKING ME OUT with the compression stories. I'm going to be back on the ativan for sure lol!
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Goldie - so very glad you made a decision. There is comfort in no longer tormenting the mind with equivocation. Implants sound like the perfect choice for you. You have been tolerating the expanders very well and your skin looks good. I pray that the swap party will be simple and that the long term result will be everything you hope for. Just think - perky for life! -
hmmm I'm thinking a funnel might work!
Glad you made a decision Goldie. Sounds like you made the best decision for yourself which is all we can each do. You have been very helpful to me here so I hope you don't go anywhere! -
lucy.....believe it or not, at some outdoor "lifestyle" stores around here, they actually sell a few different "funnel type" gadgets for women to use while they're hiking....so your idea is a pretty smart one!!! -
lucy - several gals on another thread purchased the "female funnel" so they could pee standing up after they had lipo on their thighs. The devices aren't very expensive, but look to be quite practical. Most of them do recommend practicing in the shower first. With my Dec date approaching, I am considering the concept. -
Goldie I am so excited for you, that you will be getting your noobs finally!!! You have waited so long, and you have been such an enormous support here to me, and I'm sure to so many others. It's finally your turn!!! -
A couple of versions.....the bottom one comes with a "carry case" for ladies who are in compression for a long time, and may be "out and about".
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10/21/13 digrzdtr (bmx with Diep)
10/21/13 pooka1978 (uniMX with immediate Diep)
10/23/13 LucyV
10/24/13 Linn65 (Delayed Uni Diep)
This weeks ladies. Safe surgeries and gentle healing to you all. -
Omg.....BRILLIANT!
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yup.....used similar setups for some of my burn patients who had limited mobility and were in full compression....I'm talking head to toe ladies! -
Good morning girls!
Is compression a certainty for stage 2? Or is it another case of each surgeon having his own post surgery treatment.
Nihahi - Thanks for giving me a reality check on the scar massages. I'm finding my maintenance takes up a lot of time these days. After my PS told me I should massage five times a day I was doing it in my car - or at my desk when nobody was looking, in movie theatres, waiting rooms. Or wherever. Between that and my twice daily LE routine, and yoga and dogwalks I can barely squeeze in my job. Work is really getting in the way.
Goldie - Congratulations on making a decision. I am exhaling on your behalf. Ahhhhhhh. I can tell that it's absolutely the right decision for you. (And for your fabulous ass-man) -
Thank you all for your well wishes, I can't wait to get these expander's out, and get on with this. Lucy, I am going to keep stopping by to check in, and see how everybody is doing. I see you've got something coming up this week (it's doesn't say what), but I am wishing you a safe journey.
Christina, your husband had the typical reaction. But, you go girl! Thank you for your support. This is not the route I wanted to take, but the option I have right now. I will take it!!!!
I love the pee funnel!!! What a great idea. It reminds me of right after my hysterectomy. Jeannie, you get constipated from anesthesia, I get "sleepy bladder" and after my hysterectomy they sent me home with the catheter hose in, and it had a clamp on it instead of the pee going into a bag. I would have to pee standing up until my bladder woke up, and they took out the catheter. I know having a catheter in for a long period of time is not good, but that set up would work for the situation you are in right now, but they would never do it.
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