DIEP 2013

http://www.upworthy.com/you-might-see-tattoos-in-a-new-light-after-you-see-them-on-this-woman

Cool video. These kind of tattoos are not for everybody, but she was happy.

NYTX....I'm glad to hear you are feeling better about things..Gosh, are you back to work full-time? That's enough to knock anybody down in the energy department....then, add some little ones on top! Give yourself some credit!!!

marieann....would you like your date added to the list??? By the time any of us have reached their "date" for Stage 2, we are all pretty different from each other in where we're at, both emotionally and physically. Maybe giving us a better idea of how things are for YOU, we could help you more.

goldie...I must say, regretting not having a "reason" a to get a large decorative tattoo is a pretty "outside the box" mindset to me. I guess, if your implants don't work out, you will have your wish come true if you then go on to have a Diep. I'm sorry, I just don't get it.

Goldie...oh my gosh! I have had my tattoos planned for months. I can't wait until I get nipples and they are healed so I can go. For me personally, the tattoos are my way of having some input, control over, and reconnection with my own body. They are something only I can choose...no doctors, no family or friends, just me. I am determined that it will be my very last step in this process an it will be my private "coming out" party of sorts with myself. That may sound strange but I crave the connection and acceptance I hope it will bring to me internally.

Ok, must get to sleep!

debdylan, I'll be getting areolas in the form of tattooing, I do believe. Isn't it nice to have time to do a little research before making these decisions, when possible? I had delayed recon and it was a bit of a relief to be able to take the time to really research it, after the panic rush of diagnosis and getting treatment ASAP. Not sure how many 2nd opinions your insurance will pay for. I think covering at least two would be reasonable but you may want to call and ask to be sure.

moviemaniac, that is close to true, most orange cats are male, but not all. My first cat was a female, orange and white cat. So I have a soft spot for orange kitties... I like girl cats better than boy cats, the boys seem to get lazy after they are fixed but the girls stay playful.

debwarrior, I am only 3 months out from DIEP and I still have some abdominal numbness. It is annoying. But overall I'm still satisfied with the surgery.

NYTXSPHR - Ouch, I bet that feels like a rejection big time. Unfortunately there are so many unscrupulous people on the internet that Timtam is very, very cautious about who she allows on the site. I have no doubt you are as "legit" as the rest of us but I have to respect her caution as well. I would not have felt comfortable posting photos of myself if she were not so cautious. Please do not take is as a rejection, but as an unfortunate consequence of having to be very cautious of people online. WOW congrats on getting to use a smaller binder! I am working on losing weight and that would make me feel great!

marieann, hello and how exciting that your surgery is in one month! As your date draws near, you may think of questions to ask. I didn't have too many questions myself... probably because I got so much information here. Plus I didn't want to dwell on things too much, but that's just my personality.

heck goldie, if you want a tattoo on your tummy then get one! Who cares if it's to cover a scar or not! Life is too short and frankly I think we deserve just about whatever we want!

Feeling good today. Yesterday and today I am down to two aleve and one Tylenol per day. The discomfort is minimal. And today I quit the senna and miralax - I'd taken senna since stage two five days ago and miralax yesterday and today - things are definitely moving now so I'm done with that! Can't wait to be done with the antibiotics, I think I'm done Thursday or thereabouts. This is TMI but they give me nasty tasting burps. I know, that's so gross! lol

DebW - I am three months out and still very numb, but my PS assures me it will come back to pretty much normal. She said it just takes a long time for the nerves to find themselves and the brain to match everything up.



marieann - it depends so much on your situation. I could never think of questions when I was at the PS office, so I started making lists as I was reading on here. All I can suggest is noting down anything that you wonder about while you're researching.



I'm planning on getting a tattoo on my scar so I can wear a bikini. It comes so high over my hips that it would be visible to all the world, and I want the option to show off my flat belly so I'm thinking a rose vine. Maybe I'll get roses instead of areolas tattoos on the noobs, to match!



I've been wondering about surgical options for "projection" where the round flaps are (my non-nipples) because they are flat. I don't know anything about fat grafting - would it work in such a way if they injected it right behind the flaps? Or is it more "focussed" and only works on divots?

debdylan - some consults do not cost. If you are seriously considering NOLA or Dr. Massey for Stage 2 to correct the problems, then get in touch with their offices. They will ask for photos and a lot of details to be emailed to them. My consult with Dr. Massey was via phone, lasted at least an hour and was very thorough. No charge.

Marianne - so glad you have made it to Stage 2. Now is when you take a close look at things to see what might need be corrected. Your doctor will probably have his/her own list. They are pretty good at this stuff. Questions you might ask would be: will I need drains (maybe if they are lifting or shifting or revising ab)? Do you require compression? If so, what kind and for how long? What is recovery like? How long will I need to be out of work? Will I be in the hospital overnight or is this day surgery? As to the questions you might ask about the actual surgery, that is pretty much case by case. I needed dog ears at the end of my ab incision fixed, the incision lowered, a breast moved and lifted, a hematoma broken up, etc., etc., etc. Each of us is drastically different in our needs and wants. You will figure it out. Don't be timid, ask whatever comes to mind.

Shechirple, definitely not TMI, actually very funny.

Well, looks like a lot of people want a vine over their tummy scar.

Deb, Marty has a point. Since you can't have another surgery till a while after chemo is over, now is a good time to get in touch with NOLA, and get things set up with them (if that's what you want) because it takes a while to get a surgery date if it's not an immediate mx with recon.

Got my Stage 2 date this morning: January 8th! Dealing with all kinds of emotions today....

Nihahi, it is a lot to think about. It will be easier than you may think and is a huge step toward being DONE! Remind me what the PS will do? My next procedure will probably be in February. I won't find out for a month.

Christina, basically I have to wear compression for six weeks. Ugh. I am halfway there. I am doing it, though, because I want the swelling to be gone, gone, gone. Every doc seems to have a different protocol.

SheChirple, that is pretty funny.....glad you can find humor in it! I would love to see your tattoo when it's done. Is there a tattoo thread on the picture forum???

Jeannie, did they let you switch to a more comfortable compression garment, or do you still have to use the ones they gave you? I am curious because I might have some lipo with my exchange.

Shechirple, your husband is as naughty as mine!!!

Deb, now is a perfect time for you to contact NOLA. You have downtime due to chemo, and it take a while to get in with NOLA if you are not having an immediate MX with recon. Call them. It can't hurt.

Oh, Jeanne...you are a good girl doing your exercise with all the stuff on. I guess it's gotten to yucky outside to walk? We have the reverse here. I can go out every night after dinner now, and take my walk. Low 60's. Perfect. I even went while it was slightyly raining the other night. Anything is better than 100 degrees!!!!!

Nihahi.......what a fitting gift you have been given......no wonder there are some emotions! That's very exciting! We will be finishing up at close to the same time.........never too soon to start planning our next hiking/walking adventure!

I just tried on my Marena stage 1 compression garment.....it is too big....I will have to call them to figure out what size I need......but will be in them for at least 6 weeks after my next surgery, and I want to get my own.....I have not been thrilled with the items I got post-surgery from the hospital, or the PS. I told him he needs another compression supplier......I think I need to go to work for him (like Kuka did) since no one in the office seems to have a clue!

I was told by PS that numbness will persist for some time, and will not totally go away......I am fine with that, be cause I don't like the alternative.....

Well ladies....I must get productive (or at least look like I am being so.....)

Love to you all! XO

Oh Lucy, I am so sorry. We had quite a few gals with the tummy incision problems pver the summer, and they are all doing great now. Hang in there. You will get through it. I am sure some of them will stop in and let you know it will all be okay! I know it feels like a giant step backwards, and packing the wound is not fun (had some wound issues myself after my bmx), but it will heal.

aww Lucy....sorry to hear the news....you are among some ladies who have been there though, and have gotten through it. Hope things heal up quickly for you. Can you increase the amount of good protein that you eat everyday? It often helps with healing issues.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.....It has truly helped me "right" the emotional ship. I got a case of sbe's "shivers", with today's news, which I truly didn't expect. Although it isn't the FINAL date, (I am still going for a nipple recon at a later date) it really is the last real "surgery".....and you are all so right....it IS a gift! A much BETTER gift than hubby being summoned for jury duty on my Stage 1 date!!!!!!!

Anyhoo...have just gotten back from a 2.5 hour walk, and as soon as my nose thaws out and my mug of hot chocolate is done, I'm going to get on with my day.

Love you all......MWAH !

Nihahi- hugs. Lots of big emotions for you today. Crossing the thresholds....a 22 year survivor and a next stage date set....they are big things. It is no wonder you are feeling it. 

Lucy-sorry for your wound issues. It is a detour  packing a wound is a big deal, but you can do it. You will heal.....a bit longer than you hoped and planned, but you will heal. Hugs. 

I am trying to drop this weight I have put on after DIEP....three lbs down so far! YAY!