DIEP 2013
Comments
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Robin - it is great that you are working so closely with your PS to get the best possible outcome for you! Please stay in touch and let us know how it goes.
dlm - welcome to the thread! Lots of very helpful ladies here who have been through similar situations.
Katita - the story of that young women is both uplifting and heartbreaking!
lllowell - welcome to the thread! Ask questions - we'll do our best to answer them.
Bluebird - so good to see you again! Hope you're doing well.
Bailey - can I get a turn with the fairy godmother, too? Pleeeeeeeease???
Christina - good luck with tomorrow's appointment. Do you know what they'll be doing for your stage 2? My new PS didn't even mention fixing my dog ear
I need to make a list of things she can fix and see what she says. *sigh* Just a few days ago I was considering not doing anything more, but now that she has taken all the options away, I want them! Fickle, eh?!
Off for my ovary ultrasound today. Fingers crossed for nothing more than cysts.
Love and hugs to all. -
lahela....ok, got everything crossed for you, and I like the idea of that list. Does this PS speak English during your visit with her. Like others have said...she has no right to "dismiss" your issues like she did. Make yourself heard, girl.
sweetpickle....hmmm, a bit quiet these past few days....everything ok????? -
Dvygirl, so glad you got that port out!!! I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is to have one. Sorry you are sore from it coming out, but it should pass soon, I hope. Think of it this way, it's another sign you are closer to all of this being over!
Lahela, I am sure it's just cysts. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Christina, so glad stage 2 is right around the corner for you. You are almost done too!!!! -
Well, that was a surprise! Got changed into the robe, walked in and there's this wand thing attached to the machine and the radiologist was rolling a condom onto it! I was not expecting a transvaginal ultrasound! While I was less than thrilled with the whole thing, he was pretty pleased with what he saw. One ovary looks normal and the other still has its whopping great cyst, but he said it's soft so he's not concerned. Apparently I have three fibroids too, but again, not concerned. I'll see the gynaecological surgeon on Friday for the final verdict, but hopefully it will just need just a laparoscopic procedure to get the cyst. I have been scared of the thought of them having to make a big incision in my poor belly, so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed until it's all over and done with.
Dyvgrl - sending pain-away hugs! -
Lahela, glad things looked good for you in the TVU.....
Deb-I can't speak for Marty, and her experience, but I remember my PS saying that if a women chooses implants, the insurance has to cover them being changed out every ________ years (can't remember, as I didn't go that route). As far as the additional surgeries, mine have all been covered (I have had 3 so far), but my PS had to send in a photo of my tummy bulge to get the additional tummy-tucking cleared with insurance co. I will have lipo at next surgery....also covered. I think the amount of work a Dr. performs on you probably has more to do with how it is written out in the billing codes that are standard in the insurance industry, and how the PS codes the work being done.....but I have no definite knowledge of that. I could be WAY off base.....but that is my perception of it, based on my conversations with my PS.
Hope everyone has a good day!
XO -
I'm away from this for only a couple of days and so hard to catch up and write individual messages.
I had my revision (stage 2 I guess - I'm in Canada so there is no automatic stage 2. They do revision as necessary) on Monday. The sole purpose was to remove the necrotic tissue, reposition the flap and then match the other side. The PS did an amazing job and I'm very happy with the outcome. I just hope that everything heals well now so that we can move on to next stage, whatever that will be. Not even talking nipples yet. So have to wait for this to heal and settle.
The good news is that there has been absolutely NO PAIN. Didn't even need a Tylenol. No drains either. I'm bandaged in a clear material so I can see everything. I just have to keep things dry until I see PS again next Tuesday. I didn't have lipo or anything like that. It was just the foobs. So if anyone is going through the same thing, I hope it's as easy as mine has been. And I was so worried. -
hrf....isn't that the truth (about the worrying) about stage 2? We stress and worry, and in the scheme of how big stage 1 was......it turns out to be very little on the scale of 1-10, doesn't it? Glad you are doing so well! -
deb, I had my Stage 1 at NOLA, and they told me they make it very clear to the insurance companies from the beginning that there will be additional surgeries required I haven't had Stage 2 yet, but they told me to let them know if my insurance should deny the claim, and they will take over and deal with the insurance company on my behalf. Love them! -
Just popping by quickly tonight...busy night ahead.
Hrf - happy to hear that all went well and no pain. You so deserved that after your Stage 1. Did you have any dogears to get rid of?
Today, I celebrate 8 years of Survivorship, NEVER ever though I would make it past 6 months in the beginning never mind 8 years. Thankful and feel really blessed!
Michele -
Deb - I make the distinction between cosmetic and aesthetic because many people believe that cosmetic surgery is unnecessary. In the case of free flap surgery, further procedures may be required to achieve aesthetically pleasing, realistic breasts. Without the attention to the aesthetic outcome, I would have one boob that was under my arm instead of facing front. How surgeons approach further surgery is as varied as the needs of the patient. From my understanding of the Act that requires insurance companies to pay for breast reconstruction these further stages must be covered because they are needed to create a realistic, natural looking breast.
I have no idea what will happen in 5 or 10 years for a uni if their natural breast sags. Though I imagine the flap will also sag due to gravity. As to age, I think that medicare probably creates a challenge. I don't know how that works at all, but guess I will find out in a few years.
When I had my first recon, there was no law requiring insurance to pay. So far, insurance has covered all procedures since the beginning. I agree with Movie that much of what is covered is determined by how the physician codes and what is included in the surgical notes. I have a feeling that some included procedures are overlooked when notes are written and codes added. Just a suspicion
Happy Anniversary Curlylocks! -
Hrt, glad to hear you are feeling so well after stage 2. Yeah!!!!
Curly, awesome about the 8 years. That is beyond great! You deserve to celebrate!
Deb, google the 1998 Federal Breast Reconstruction Law. You should find the answers to most of your questions there. -
Curly, congratulations on your 8 years! That is wonderful! I cant wait 'til I can say something like that!
Marty, as usual, you are much more to the point and very concise.......I always tend to ramble.....
thanks for chiming in.....I was hoping you would (see ^^^^^^^^^^above) -
curlylocks.....that is a wonderful milestone!!! I hope you will have many more milestone celebrations ahead of you!!!! How is mom doing?
hrf.....phew...that's reassuring news! Wowzer...NO PAIN!!!! I agree with the let everything settle before the final recon of nipples....that's the plan for me and my PS too.
Surgically speaking......aesthetic surgery has as it's goal, to restore function or appearance to a "natural" state. Cosmetic surgery has as it's goal, to enhance appearance to be beyond "original or natural appearance". I suspect that insurance companies and surgeons have a track record of trying to get what they want, by manipulating coding practices. Unfortunately, patients can get mislead, or caught in a crossfire it seems. -
Happy anniversary Curlylocks! That's wonderful. -
Congrats on your 8 year anniversary, Curly. It is a wonderful milestone.
I hope my experience will make some of you less anxious. We didn't do anything about dog ears or other aesthetics at this time. The pressing issue was the necrotic tissue. After everything has healed, I will start to look at other issues but for now I just want these flaps to survive.
I still am totally amazed that I have had no pain at all. Movie, I think you are right. Stage 1 is so difficult, that we worry about further surgeries. It's reassuring to know that further stages are easier even if not pain free. -
Nihahi - thanks for offering a more concise definition of the difference between aesthetic and cosmetic. Subtle, but really substantial. -
hrf - how wonderful your stage 2 went so well! I hope I am as lucky in the pain department after mine.
My stage 2 pre-op went great today. (My PS says "revision," not "stage 2" FYI. But I'm used to the lingo here). She wants to lipo fat out of the outer side of my new breast so the size matches the other one, and then do some fat grafting on the inner side, so it has more of the same curve as the other one. Then she looked at my belly. Now ladies, I've basically had a tummy tuck for the DIEP, and since then I have lost 18 lbs. My tummy hasn't been this flat since age 12! And my dear perfectionist PS looks at my tummy and says, "Oh yes, we need to do some lipo here for sure." I'm like, Are you kidding me!?! LOL So she is going to lipo my belly and hips - I do get what she is saying, I know it's going to look great when she's done, I think it is more contouring than anything. And she might remove some more skin from my left hip. I don't really have dogears but she pointed out my left hip at the incision has a little more poof than the right and she wants to even it out and may remove some skin. She told me point blank that the first day is going to HURT, and that day two will be about 50% better, and it'll get better every day after that. She was right on the money with how I would feel after DIEP so I believe her. It sounds like a lot to me, but she said that really this is all small stuff, very minor. She said the whole thing would take her 2-3 hours. Phew! I am so excited though. I am so pleased with how I look now and I'm just thrilled that it's going to be even better. -
christina....sounds like you'll be really happy with the final outcome!!! Wow, 18lb weight loss...what have you been doing girl??? -
HRF - so glad to hear you sounding so well and upbeat!
Curly - congratulations on this wonderful milestone!
Christina - it sounds like your appointment well really well and that you'll be getting the finishing touches - you will look a million bucks! So happy for you! And you've inspired me to push my PS for a few things (e.g. dogear and poofy incision ends), so thank you for that!
Recovering ladies - how are you doing???
Love and hugs to all. -
nihahi, weight loss has never come easy for me; I love to eat and I hate to exercise. But reconstruction surgery really motivated me to look better and spend more time taking care of my body. I've been eating much smaller meals (not miniscule but more appropriate portion sizes than before, not taking second helpings, etc.). At meals I avoid the starchy side dishes and try to stick to mostly meats and veggies. I bring my lunch to work every day so I can make sure I am eating right. It was a chore at first but at this point it's become a normal part of my morning routine. I've cut out just about all beverages with calories except for my hot tea (which I add sugar and milk to). I drink a lot of water and unsweetened iced tea. I have a healthy snack in between lunch and dinner, like carrot sticks or an apple, so I'm not ravenous by dinner time. And I've been trying to exercise 3-4 x week; sometimes I do better and sometimes I do worse (this has been a bad week because I've had to work late most nights). Nothing crazy with the exercising; I have some DVD workouts that are 15-20 minutes long, and I alternate that with taking a brisk walk/jog for 20 minutes on days that the weather is nice. Really I'm not doing anything special, just plain old eating less, eating healthier, and moving more. I've been losing 1-2 lbs per week which is pretty healthy. I'd like to lose another 15-20 lbs. I am still 7 lbs over what I weighed when I met my husband and that's my next milestone weight goal. Oh and I help myself stay motivated by buying new clothes. LOL -
christina...you have just described the perfect lifestyle imho!!!!! Nothing has to be drastic or "never"....but you sound so healthy and happy and energetic...that's what it's all about gal! You are a success story to be admired!
sweet pickle and jeannie....where have you both disappeared to???
Won't be posting between now and Sunday night......hubby and I are getting out of town for a few days.
Have good days ladies.......catch you all later. -
Nihahi - have a fun weekend. Congrats on being out of touch! -
Christina, your healthy plan sounds just right! I applaud you.
Curlylocks, congrats on eight years! I look forward to that day.
DebDylan, I am hoping with you for results that you will be completely satisfied with!
Hrf, I'm amazed and excited that you experienced no pain. The necrotic area my PS broke up is still painful to me, a week later, as well as my flanks and my abs. My abs were still mysteriously sore before stage II. Sometimes this compression garment makes me catch my breath. My energy level is not high. But I will get there! Tonight I am going to a nice restaurant in Seattle as the last event in my bc fly fishing experience. I was unable to attend the scrap booking event since it was right after surgery but my friend made me an amazing little book of our experience.
Nihahi, have a wonderful time! I am longing for a getaway.
Lucy, how ya doing? -
Jeannie enjoy your night out. -
stage2 dec 9 2013 -
I had left diep flap having right lift and reduction was told the diep flap will not sag but over years 10 or so the right one will -
Christina, you are an inspiration and a role model. I really like your sensible approach to a new way of life. I need to do the same.
I could probably use some lipo at the hips where I have dogears. Do any of the Canadian ladies here know if that is covered? -
hey ladies! I am officially 9 days post op and my 3rd day home. I also found out yesterday that my pathology all came back clean. I am officially breast cancer free! Curly: congrats on your anniversary! It really gives me inspiration that I can achieve the same.
For all the new ladies and all the ladies pre-surgery please take heed to all the talk about constipation avoidance techniques and recovery needs. It's real. I was in soo much pain yesterday with no sleep from not taking the constipation seriously. Milk of magnesium Finally got me together but geesh!
Had anyone experienced tingling in your fingers after surgery? May be bc I haven't been keeping a pillow under my arm -
yay butterfly! What a great report. I am so happy for you. -
Thanks, Christina, it was fun!
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