DIEP 2013

dyvgrl... You get ONE shot at DIEP. If they remove the fat and build one breast, and then you decide (or need) to do the other side, you are out of luck with the DIEP. Granted, there are other flap options, especially GAP. But I did both at one time. Glad I did... Plus, I figured why would I want to go through recovery twice? So, IMO, I am a big fan of bilateral... it gives the best shot at symmetry as well.

bdavis,

Thx that's what I was thinking. I've had a uni mx already but need to do the other side with diep. How long was your surgery? I'm thinking both sides would be like 12 hrs if I add an mx in there or more?

nihahi- you know I am so use to leaving my shirt/tank top untucked because of my muffin top. Well now that my muffin top relocated (and makes two mini muffins) I can tuck my shirt in again. That would solve the irritation of the jeans!

Have any of you tried covering your tummy incisions with those silicone scar strips before trying to wear jeans. Maybe that would make a nice protective barrier.

Dvygirl, I too had bmx even though they found cancer in one breast, only to find out there was DCIS in the "non cancer" one also. It's a choice. But, with only one shot at DIEP and if you have enough for both, I would do it. It will not be painful like an another mx because they will not be dissecting nodes, etc. Also, you can drop your BC recurrence rate, and having matching breasts.

Kat, I use to have the whole movie memorized too. I was lucky, and got to see it for the first time at Radio City since I grew up in NY. My DH makes fun of me for my love of musicals. I am looking for a version of Mary Poppins right now to watch with my grandkids. With Blockbuster gone it's not going to be easy.

Thank you everyone for the well wishes

I had the emergency surgery yesterday. They took out a golf ball size piece of infected/inflamed tissue. Apparently I had developed hematoma that didn't get absorbed. instead, scar tissue formed around it and it became infected.

Back from the hospital but am in so so much pain. More than after my diep surgery. Back to Percocet, drains, recliner sleeping etc. my recovery is starting over. This sucks!!

Hey Girls -

I want to share an update from Torontogirl who had her DIEP yesterday.

She texted me at 9:00 pm last night to say that she was 'in bed with Wibur, and happy.'

Looks like ol' Wilbur had another one night stand!

lol @ Janet, that Wilbur is quite the hussy.

goldie...hope you're feeling better today. My scars are flat and fading rapidly, and below my waistband area, so the silicone strips would be "overkill" for sure. It's not my scar that is still a bit sensitive to things like a stiff waistband, it's the tummy skin. A light "something" that allows any friction to be between layers of fabric instead of my skin, works just fine for me.

lahela...just sucks....that is all I can say about your situation....sure wish there was someway to help.

zoe....heal, heal, heal!

dyvgrl....Most flap surgeries involve two surgeons these days, I think...but I can't prove it. I certainly had two skilled PS's working on me for my entire surgery. Everyone's situation is a bit different too, which makes it hard to give specifics. To really get an answer that relates specifically to you, you need to discuss this with your surgeon. Remember.....the length of surgery in something like recon, and even mx....doesn't necessarily mean a more intense anesthesia....it is not trauma surgery that is dealing with organs and bones.

janet....thanks for the update on torontogirl.....

jeez Wilbur....your reputation is going off the charts!

sbe......hope you're decompressing???? Thinking of you!

sheri47....it was your day too....hope things have gone well!

movie....how are things tonight in lipoland???? Hopefully getting better???

yes they really do have cute jeans and other pants now. Target also carries maternity clothes. I def resisted the idea at first but got tired of jogging pants and yoga pants.

Zoemom so glad they got that out and hoping things will speed up for you now.

I had 2surgeons for PS and my BS and still ended up in surgery 12hrs with uni deip. Like the ladies said its all very unique to your body and what u need done

My BMX and DIEP lasted 10 1/2 hours.

Okay... I have to ask... Who is Wilbur?

RHG.....make sure you are eating LOTS of good protein and hydrating.....might help the healing.

Wilbur is our patron saint of drug induced craziness. He first appeared courtesy of jeannie, her family amusingly let her near a communication device will flying high on painkillers.......ever since...he has been "ours".....meaning any lady on the thread going through tough stuff. He's playful, but obviously, getting rather promiscuous!!!!!

Certainly don't beat yourself up and make yourself crazy about it, just wanted to let you know that protein can significantly help accelerate healing. Protein doesn't have to be a large chunk of meat! Can you add a little bit of protein powder to the ensure?, maybe a little more in the smoothie? Doesn't need to be lots at one go....it is better to have some often, then lots, once.

Wilbur says hello to everyone!

The surgery went well, but long. My PS was predicting just a couple of hours, but after four, he called it quits so we could get me to the hyperbaric chamber in time. So the tweaks to the abdominal area will have to wait until next time. So today's task list included removing the side boobage and some fat necrosis on the right, reducing and removing fat necrosis on the left, and excision of the deep radiation scar on my back. We ran out of time for the abdomen, and although we'd planned nipples for today, he didn't want to do one on the left side because of the manipulation needed to get the necrotic areas out. It was wrapped around the flap's blood supply and he had to be very careful to not disturb THAT. So I have a lovely little perky nipple on the right side, and nothing (yet) on the left. The radiation scar was adhesed all the way down to my scapula, and it took some time to dig all that out of there. Two JP drains this time.

Right after recovery we went straight to the hyperbaric chamber, where I was pressurized to a depth of 45 feet for a couple of hours. This was a very interesting experience, and I'll post some photos. I was comfortable--I had a couple of percosets on board--and I watched a National Geographic documentary and dozed. I'll have treatments through the weekend and Monday morning, and see the PS afterward to see if he wants to keep going.

I'm surprised at how much pain I'm having. The boobs aren't too bad, because they're pretty much numb anyway, but the radiation wound scar incision is a real zinger.

Dyvgrl, I'd had a UMX a year before the DIEP. With the recon, I had the "healthy" breast removed and reconned, because I NEVER wanted to deal with breasts again. My cancer sneaked up on my left side so hard and so fast, that I didn't trust the other breast. I've never regretted my decision, but everyone's different.

Movie, I hope things are steadily on the mend!

Sleep well, dear friends, and thank you so much for all the healing thoughts and good wishes. More tomorrow!

RHGSR, I'm sure there are a few ladies here who have had to go back in - keeping my fingers crossed that the antibiotics do their thing and you don't need to go under again.

sbe - I don't have a clue why they are putting you in that thing, but you are one brave woman! I am way to claustrophobic to do that! LOL! Or maybe it's not as scary as in the movies.

Movie - I hope you are doing okay. Gentle {{{hugs}}}.