DIEP 2014

Greetings to all!  

I am scheduled for bilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction with Dr Trahan at NOLA on January 8th. 

Have any of you had Dr Trahan?  I see posts about Dellacroce and Sullivan, but so far haven't seen anything about Dr Trahan, though the staff tell me he has been with them for several years.  I started out with the San Antonio doctors when I was diagnosed in August, but I had problems with the staff, so I switched to NOLA.  I have been put at ease with them so very much, and feel much better about my surgery.

I'm trying to get together what I need to bring with me to NOLA - I see that I will need a lanyard for the drains.  Any other suggestions?  My sister will be my caregiver for the first week - she is a nurse.  We will be staying at Hope Lodge. 

There is so much information on this forum, and I've tried to read as much as I can without posting first, so I'm sure I must have missed a thread about what to take to the hospital.  

Maggie, you will be thrilled with the NOLA doctors and staff.  Although Dr. Trahan was not my surgeon, he did take care of me in the hospital, and he is a very kind, knowledgable doctor.  I have seen others post that he was their surgeon, and they have been very happy with him.  They will give you everything you need at the hospital.  I think each doc is a little different, but they provided me with a pouch around my waist to hold drains, and some long elastic to thread the drains on for showering.  They will give you two sets of compression garments, bras and girdles, and send you home with lots of surgical padding, etc.  be sure to pack an extra duffel or bag for just the items they send home with you.  There is little you will need while at the hospital, but afterward, I would suggest stretchy yoga pants and a top that buttons up the front, or something big enough that you can get into easily without raising your arms too much.  The most helpful advice I received from others was to take Colace and Mirilax for several days leading up to the surgery and continue until you have success following the surgery.  The surgery will really leave you constipated.  They gave me Colace in the hospital, but I brought my own Mirilax.  There are some very good lists on the DIEP 2013 board.  I'm sure others will weigh in with suggestions, too.  Hugs to you!

Maggie - if you go to the NOLA in September thread, at the top, you will find a suggested packing list and lots of people who have used Dr. T.  Like Zenful, I met him while I was in the hospital thought he wasn't my doc.  He rounded on me a few times and did my post-op visit.  Really delightful and compassionate surgeon.  He would not still be with the NOLA group if he wasn't fantastic, so don't worry.  You will get amazing care and a wonderful outcome!

wow...the names are stacking up here already! Maggie, I was going to suggest you check the NOLA thread, but Marty beat me to it.....And all you ladies listen to Betsy.....we started calling her G&o'M Target-wear the "Betsy's".....because they ARE so comfortable!  Best of luck to all of you, and before you know it, you'll be on the other side of flapper-land........    Remember, all YOU have to do is show up!

Maggie... I could lift my arms enough to get into over-the-head tops, as long as they weren't tight or snug. And I came home 10 days after surgery and even though my son and husband were here, it was like being on my own. My suggestion is BEFORE you leave:

1. place bath towels, clothes, dishware you want at an easy location. I had bath towels high up on a shelf and it was a challenge getting one. And they recommend changing towels often (daily at first). I did a lot of very small loads of wash. I didn't carry a basket, but would wash stuff I could carry down. 
2. Also, you won't be able to lift more than 10 pounds for about 6 weeks... Normally this may be ok, but there are some things like groceries and cleaning that can be an issue. I hired a cleaning lady... BEST thing ever. So you could arrange for something like that now. 
3. And for groceries, make sure you pack multiple light bags. It does mean many trips back and forth to the car, but its not so bad. You could also do some cooking now for the freezer.  The other thing I did was to have friends bring dinner 3 times a week. There are website for setting up a schedule. Maybe a friend or family member could organize that for you.

And the thread you should read is NOLA in SEPTEMBER?

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/736412?page=852#idx_25532

Is Mirilax and/or Colace over the counter?

How long did you ladies have to wear these drains?  They sound horrible. 

Maggie - Miralax works by drawing water into the colon to move things along.  It usually takes 3 days to work so some women begin a day or two before surgery.  Hydration is important to this bodily function and to ridding the body of the anesthesia so remember to keep drinking after surgery (you will have a catheter for a few days so getting up to go to the bathroom won't be an issue).

Both Colace and Miralax are readily available in generic forms - we have purchased both at Target and Costco.  I am sure you can find them elsewhere.  

Following my DIEP, the breast drains were removed at 11 days, the hips hung around for 3 and 3.5 weeks.  Varies for everyone.

Could you add Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN 

and Dr. Valerie Lemaine to my April 22 DIEP for me.  Thanks.

I know it's hard to compare, because nobody has experienced both scenarios, but I would think a delayed diep is easier to recover from than an immediate. My bmx was a long recovery, and I was tired a long time.  The most exhausting part was the t-rex syndrome (not being able to use my arms), which I hope is not part of my delayed diep.  I am hoping the only part that will be hard to deal with is the tummy, and since I have experienced C-section, and hysterectomy I think I might be ready to deal with the pain.  I know, they are not quite the same, but at least I know some belly pain, and it's not fun.  But, I am thinking this is not inside pain, just exterior pain?  So, maybe not so bad? 

I am thinking the same thing - that a delayed diep may also be easier than immediate.  Also, It has been 9 mos since I had chemo, so I am thinking this may also be good for my recovery.  I know it is going to be difficult, but I am trying to get as prepared as possible - both physically & mentally.  

I had my DIEP one month after my BMX and GAP surgery. On the boobs, the BMX was where the chest felt heavy and odd... For the DIEP, the chest was fine, and the abdominal incision wasn't bad. But you can't stand up straight (depending on just how tight they pull you)... so its the BACK pain. Cause you're walking around hunched over. Goldie. So I took Flexerall for a week and some pain meds, and then it was better.

I never had the TRex thing... I was wearing shirts over the head after my BMX and even had to have a lung function test about 2 weeks post op where they had my arms over my head... that wasn't great. And in retrospect I probably should have told them I can't do that. For all I know it was what contributed to my incision issues.

wow photoshopped? I would think that's illegal. I am glad you like his results. And 5 hours is great. The longer the anesthesia the longer it takes to recover IMO. 

You know ... I didn't even think about having to be stretched on the tummy!  Gosh, I hope I don't look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame!  

What do you all think causes some of you to have drains out so soon?  Whatever it is, I want to do that!

I will only have help the time I am in NOLA.  I live basically alone.  I do have good friends, so I'm sure if I need help, they will come help with whatever I need. 

Is it weird to say I'm excited?  I'm ready for this to be over ... a little nervous, too, but mostly happy the day is almost here. 

Maggie - just have someone with you the first day you are home so you can get oriented and they can get the things you might need.  I took a couple of showers in NOLA, but still wanted someone in the house when I took off the compression and stood in the shower.  Just to be sure that I didn't get unsteady. Then see if you can set up a few friends to take a scheduled visit each day - one friend a day for an hour or two - just to help with whatever comes up.  You will be fine!